บท 304: C304
Shirou's expression grew serious. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Over 1,500 years ago, he had fought hard to suppress the Age of Gods, and now it seemed like it was about to be unleashed again?
"You're not messing around, right, Zelretch?" He couldn't help but ask, his voice filled with concern.
The consequences of the Age of Gods coming back were too dire to ignore. Just the shift from the modern era to the Age of Gods, with the resurgence of the "True Ether," would be enough to cause widespread death.
Just as the people from the Age of Gods couldn't adapt to the modern world, modern people couldn't handle the effects of the "True Ether."
If the Age of Gods were to be revived and the "True Ether" spread across the globe, it would be like a deadly gas, choking the life out of everyone across the globe!
The outcome was so terrifying that he couldn't help but question if this grumpy old man was merely messing with him.
But unfortunately...
"I'm afraid it's true," Zelretch replied.
Shirou took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, and asked, "What's really happening?"
"The exact reasons are still unclear," Zelretch shook his head and explained, "But the 'True Ether' revival has indeed begun, stirring within the Inner Sea of the Planet, getting ready to surface. Moreover, several Divine Spirits have already descended."
"Divine Spirits..." Shirou furrowed his brow, "So, where did these Divine Spirits go?"
"That arrogant thing had the audacity to descend and point its finger at my nose, demanding that I kneel before it. So, I simply pressed it down and crushed it," Zelretch recounted with a hint of satisfaction.
Shirou: "..."
Well, this outcome didn't come as a surprise.
While gods may sound impressive, in the Nasuverse, they didn't hold a candle to magicians.
No, to be more precise, their level of impressiveness couldn't even compare to Zelretch.
The definition of magic was simply the enigma that modern science couldn't replicate, and it didn't always guarantee genuine power. However, Zelretch was an entirely different story. He could traverse infinite parallel worlds, maintaining his uniqueness, and effortlessly tap into the abundant magical energy of those worlds. That, in itself, made him a truly formidable force.
The fact that becoming a Dead Apostle was a substantial power boost for others, yet a significant handicap for Zelretch, spoke volumes about his extraordinary abilities.
"When did this phenomenon of the Age of Gods' revival begin?"
"It started nine years ago."
"Nine years ago?" He couldn't help but feel astonished. It happened to be the same year when he journeyed more than 1,500 years into the past through the Root.
"Exactly nine years ago, you used the Root to travel to Camelot over 1,500 years ago and left your own records in Pan-Human History. Shortly after your departure, Merlin discovered the revival of the 'True Ether' and promptly informed me about it."
"Merlin never told me about this,"
"That's only natural since the indications of the revived 'True Ether' were extremely subtle, and I personally sealed them. There was no need to inform you with that information. In fact, if it weren't for you presenting those two cards, I wouldn't have brought up this matter."
"What do you mean?" Shirou furrowed his brows.
"I suspect that the revival of the 'True Ether' is a result of interference from other parallel worlds. That's why for these nine years, I have been observing those parallel worlds, while Merlin has focused on observing this world."
"Have you discovered anything significant?"
"Nothing of note."
Shirou furrowed his brow, his gaze fixed on the Class Cards resting on the table. Suddenly, an idea sparked in his mind. "Pandora's Box..."
"What about Pandora's Box?" Zelretch asked curiously.
He glanced up at Zelretch, a curious expression on his face. "If someone from a parallel world were to intentionally open a Pandora's Box, would it have any impact on our world?"
"What kind of strange question is this? Parallel worlds are all about divergent timelines resulting from different choices. Aside from someone as magnificent as myself, who could possibly mess with parallel worlds?" Zelretch replied, clearly displeased.
"But what if they used the power of the Holy Grail?"
"The Third Magic, huh..." Zelretch's brow furrowed in contemplation.
Shirou gestured towards the Class Cards. "See these two cards here? They're exactly what I was talking about, brought over from that hypothetical world. So, let's say the intense animosity of the gods towards humanity, which resides within that opened Pandora's Box, somehow got transmitted to our world through the power of the Holy Grail. Is it possible that it triggered the resurgence of the Age of Gods in this world?"
Zelretch fell into a brief moment of contemplation before responding in a measured tone. "I can't say for certain. However, as a starting point, we can begin by observing and investigating the aspects you've mentioned. It might lead us to some answers."
He reached out and picked up the two Class Cards, "Alright, I'll hold onto these for now. They'll serve as reference points, allowing me to navigate and explore the parallel worlds you've mentioned."
"If there comes a time when my assistance is needed, please don't hesitate to let me know. I'll be ready to lend a hand."
Zelretch scoffed at his offer. "The interference of parallel worlds? That's my expertise! As for you, who can't even meddle with them, all you can do is sit back and wait obediently for my result!"
"But let me ask you this," he continued, a sly smile forming on his lips. "Did you actually come here following the rules? Is that your idea of justice? It's honestly laughable! Heh, with your immense power, you can practically toss these rules out the window."
Shirou calmly responded. "It's not about justice; it's about respecting order. The collapse of order would bring about the devastation of countless lives. In my past, I held the role of a king, dedicating myself to establishing and upholding that very order. So, I won't take any actions that might disrupt it."
Leaning in a bit, he continued, "And let's not forget, even someone like you, who scoffs at the concept of justice, once stood tall and faced Crimson Moon 1,500 years ago. Now here you are, busy preventing the revival of the Age of Gods."
"A king who respects order, huh..." Zelretch muttered, a hint of disdain in his voice. "Well then, enjoy the warm welcome those bastards in London have in store for you, Eternal King."
With those words, he vanished, slipping away into the cracks of the world. Shirou watched as he disappeared, feeling a slight headache creeping up as he rubbed his temples.
As the old man's words settled in his mind, he couldn't help but realize that the power struggles within the Clock Tower were bound to entangle him. It was becoming evident that, being favored by Zelretch, he had become an invaluable asset in this high-stakes game of power.
Without needing much contemplation, he knew that there were numerous individuals eagerly waiting for him beyond those doors.
As he had suspected, representatives from various factions had indeed gathered, each harboring their own agenda.
They whispered amongst themselves, speculating about Shirou's true identity, while discreetly preparing to greet him with false displays of hospitality. Their ultimate intention was clear: to lure him into their faction and harness his influence to strengthen their own power.
Indeed, those representatives were oblivious to Shirou's true nature and the veil of mystery shrouding his abilities. However, the mere fact that he had garnered Zelretch's favor was reason enough for them to try to win him over.
In this complex game of social dynamics, one's talents and identity were merely chips to be maneuvered strategically. And to possess the favor of someone as influential as Zelretch, Shirou held tremendous weight as a bargaining chip.
Although Shirou and Zelretch didn't share a particularly close bond or even like each other, their outwardly perceived relationship seemed amicable to outsiders. It was this very perception that fueled the factions' determination to win him over.
In reality, Shirou and Zelretch used to be allies in their fight against Crimson Moon. However, despite their shared history, he couldn't stand Zelretch.
After all, that old geezer was constantly pushing him to cross-dress and transform into a magical girl.
How was he supposed to put up with that?
The power struggles within the Clock Tower were intense, so it wasn't surprising that as soon as Shirou showed up, he started getting invitations from different factions.
Shirou didn't pay any mind to those invitations. Instead, he pointed at a perplexed Reines and said, "I apologize, everyone. I already have an appointment with the Lady Reines. Let's talk next time. Thank you."
The representatives from the other factions redirected their attention towards the innocent-looking Reines, narrowing their eyes as they contemplated whether the El-Melloi faction had something significant in the works.
In fact, they couldn't help but wonder if the Archisorte family was plotting something. Their speculations carried a malicious undertone.
Things shouldn't have escalated to this point initially, but the influence of being the "favored by Zelretch" was just too weighty. The Clock Tower was a breeding ground for ruthless competition, where everyone hunted each other down like savage beasts. One misstep and you'd be torn apart by the others. So, naturally, they speculated with the cruelest of intentions.
As for this turn of events, Reines couldn't help but let out a sigh and remarked, "Fujimaru-sama, you're truly using me as a shield, aren't you?"
He responded, "Miss Reines, didn't you long for a life full of excitement? I'm simply granting the desires that reside in your heart. Besides, wasn't it Kenneth who requested you to show me around the Clock Tower? If I were to leave you behind, it wouldn't be easy for you to explain to Kenneth. I'm genuinely concerned about your well-being."
Reines stared at him in a daze, especially his sincere, innocent eyes that seemed to shimmer with a bright flame.
It suddenly dawned on her. How could she have mistaken him for a normal young man? He was clearly a cunning fox hidden beneath the facade of a boy!
If she thought of herself as an eager little fox eager to showcase her intelligence, then the person standing before her was an experienced old fox, concealing his wisdom and pretending to be dull and easily fooled.
In comparison, she was the true naive one!
Reines couldn't help but wear a bitter smile on her face.
She had been completely and thoroughly played!
After gathering her thoughts and sorting through her complex emotions, she asked, "So, Fujimaru-sama, where would you like to go? Just to clarify, there are certain restricted areas we cannot access."
"Don't worry, I only need you to give me a casual tour."
"Fujimaru-sama, you're using me as a complete shield, huh?... I'm just a young lady trying to receive a proper education. Shouldn't you go a little easy on me?"
"Using your own feminine identity is indeed clever. However, regrettably, when you assess the value of others to exploit, you yourself are being evaluated by others based on your own worth. Those who manipulate the thoughts of others eventually find themselves manipulated in return. It's as simple as that."
He added, "Alright, Miss Reines, let's have a splendid afternoon together. You can be my reliable shield. Make sure all the factions' attention is on you and your family. But don't worry, I'll acknowledge your efforts and commend you accordingly."
Reines: "..."
She couldn't stand him. He was so similar to her, relishing in manipulating people's emotions, and to make matters worse, he had a superior skill level compared to her!
Reines's face twisted in frustration, feeling utterly powerless in the situation.
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