Aozaki Aoko Case File

Chapter 399: Aozaki Aoko Case File [397]



"—Phew, we finally made it through that tight spot." Sage Grimr, who had fashioned himself a one-eyed look, let out a breath as he spoke to Artoria and Aoko, who had just landed on the dimensional drill ship's deck, "You two made such a spectacle just now, but when both rounds of attacks failed to take that guy down, I was sweating bullets."

"We have plenty of trump cards left!" Aoko said smugly, "Worst case, we just try everything from start to finish—one of them has to work on Cernunnos."

"That is impressive," Sage Grimr replied weakly with a smile, "It ended up being the Sword of the Stars, huh? I have to admit, this plot went in a direction the old man didn't expect—looks like a certain blacksmith just lost his job!"

Indeed, Aoko thought back carefully. By rights, Muramasa with his AE class should have been an important member—so where did he go? Did he vanish because there was no role for Artoria Caster?

"So, few sacrifices—this really is an almost perfect ending," Sage Grimr gazed at the burning land of Britain and sighed, "I hope the road ahead will be safe for you both."

At that moment, a water mirror opened up beside them, and Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash Kyrielight emerged. Judging by their condition, they'd expended a lot of strength resisting Cernunnos' onslaught, but they looked happy to have helped.

"Where are the others?" Aoko asked Mash.

"Ah, Queen Morgan and Miss Cnoc na Riabh are still inside Camelot, saving fairies and humans who got caught in the earlier battle!" Mash replied immediately. "She asked me to tell you she'll be here soon!"

"Mr. Grimr, your eye…" Fujimaru Ritsuka looked over with concern, "Is there any way to heal it?"

"Ah, it's just a mythological act," Grimr scratched his head embarrassedly. "I blinded myself—my magical ability increases dramatically after losing one eye, haha!"

Fujimaru nodded, half-understanding. At that moment, she felt like there was still something important to do at this singularity, but couldn't remember what.

"Are you going back to the Throne of Heroes?" Aoko asked Grimr. "To report to that old man?"

"Pretty much. My mission's complete," Grimr sighed and waved his hand. "As the only helper from Proper Human History, I managed to keep some dignity at the end. The future the old man told me about didn't quite match what we experienced, but in the end, the Holy Sword still appeared. Not such a big difference, I suppose."

Aoko blinked and glanced at Artoria, who was resheathing the Holy Sword into Avalon but said nothing.

"Haha, if you ever return to Chaldea and have surplus resources, I'll come find you!" Grimr laughed heartily, his body dissolving into golden particles. "We'll meet again in the future—so, goodbye for now!"

With that, Grimr's figure vanished in a flash of golden light, returning to the world's outer edge to report to Odin.

"Sister Aoko, Miss Artoria, would you like to visit Chaldea?" Fujimaru Ritsuka said happily. "We still have to tackle the seventh Lostbelt, but there's always time to host you!"

"Sounds like a good idea," Aoko nodded. "But someone is waiting for me at home—if I'm too late, I'll get lectured…"

"...and besides, this Lostbelt's story isn't finished yet," Aoko and Artoria looked beyond Mash and Ritsuka, to the other end of the deck—where nothing seemed to be. "There's one last guest remaining."

As Aoko spoke, the land of Britain began to shudder and crack violently. Huge boulders, freed from gravity, started flying up into the sky—no, actually, they were falling, only in a different direction.

Morgan, who had been prepared for this, took a deep breath and slammed the staff into a slot before the throne, fully activating Camelot's reinforcement spell. This ensured that even as the massive circular city fell into the sky, it would remain stable and not collapse, sparing the inhabitants from death.

"Here, take this." Aoko flipped her palm, handing Artoria the Principle Blood Ring's spell sphere. "It's time—let's follow the plan."

"Please, be careful!" Artoria urged solemnly. "I'll join you with the others as soon as I can!"

Aoko just waved her hand at Artoria's back and said no more. Artoria summoned Dun Stallion, leaping from the warship and flying toward Camelot, now in the sky.

"Sister Aoko, is Miss Artoria going to…?" Mash asked uncertainly, but the warship's alarm quickly interrupted her train of thought. She immediately raised her shield, standing protectively by Ritsuka.

"Ugh, come on out already—hiding like this is so tasteless," Aoko said impatiently, waving her hand at the empty spot. "Let's get this over with—I'm sick of your nonsense."

"How did you find me?" A voice Ritsuka found familiar, but couldn't quite place, echoed in her ear.

"What a headache…" The Fairy King Oberon, dressed in white formal wear, a white cloak, and a crown, appeared on the bridge, looking embarrassed. "This is awkward… I just can't deal with you outsiders. Now that I've picked my moment to make an entrance, it just looks silly…"

"Although I'm a bit mad you've interfered with my plans, this outcome isn't so bad," Oberon smiled at Aoko. "As long as everyone dies, I have no complaints."

Just then, there was a flapping sound—something hit Oberon's shoulder, and he caught it.

"Hm? What's up, Blanca? Why are all your beautiful antennae black now?" Oberon looked at the fluffy moth in his hand. "Ah, you died… Did you take the poison of Britain for me?"

"Thanks, but that doesn't matter."

Oberon casually tossed Blanca aside, but Aoko caught the battered, barely alive moth with Mage's Hand in time.

"Oh, does the Magician care about such a weak fairy princess too?" Oberon smiled. "How kind. I don't have that kind of luxury."

Aoko didn't answer, just looked at the moth in her hand, gently cupping it so as not to harm Blanca.

Then, something immense—so overwhelming that even Oberon felt a moment of dread—flashed by. When Aoko opened her hand again, the mortally poisoned Blanca was fluttering her wings, alive once more, all curses gone.


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