Something's wrong, completely wrong...
One hundred percent wrong.
"Idiot, too slow!"
Because of some abnormal incident in the morning, Roy was stunned in the room, lost in thought for a long time.
Until SHIKI, wearing a school uniform, pushed open the wooden door and saw Roy sitting on the tatami mat like a statue.
"What's wrong? You've already woken up, why are you still sitting there? Hurry up and tidy your messy appearance, then let's go together."
The black-haired girl in a light blue Japanese-style school uniform stood at the door and said to Roy.
But she didn't notice that, although he maintained his usual demeanor, Roy's eyes were twitching uncontrollably as he responded.
His dry throat murmured words only he could hear.
"Yog-Sothoth, Abigail, the Outer Gods, what on earth are these..."
"..."
They looked at each other in silence, then sighed softly.
Although his heart was as shocked as a meteorite hitting the earth, Roy did not explain this to Shiki, nor did he mention it to anyone.
He rose from the tatami mat as usual, tidied his appearance slightly, and then got up to escort Shiki to school.
The morning's events were indeed too shocking, causing Roy's mind to crash entirely.
But he still had to fulfill Shiki's request; he had to take her to school.
For now, he would treat the morning's events as a dream. Perhaps it really was a dream, after all, the appearance of Yog-Sothoth was just... too hard to comprehend or accept.
If only there weren't so many golden hairs on his body while he tried to convince himself otherwise.
"..."
Looking at the few golden hairs in his hand, Roy couldn't help but clutch his head.
"What a sin..."
...
...
Although it was said they were heading to school, they didn't drive. Their pace was leisurely, not hurried at all, unlike students rushing to class in the morning.
In fact, that was indeed the case. Whether before or now, SHIKI never truly cared about school.
Her grades were excellent; even skipping classes daily, she could rank among the top. As the eldest daughter of the Ryougi family, the school's teachers and administrators dared not complain about her behavior.
Even if she abandoned her studies entirely, she could still secure a recommendation letter upon graduation, granting her access to any university worldwide.
But that held little meaning.
In the past, she might have planned to complete her studies, choose a decent university, and, after graduating, return home to consider taking over the family business.
But now...
That was no longer necessary. Due to certain extraordinary events, the Ryougi family's circumstances had changed dramatically. Its very nature had shifted, transforming from a declining family forced to retreat from the magical world into one reclaiming its place in that world, recovering what it had once forsaken.
Her father, the old family head who had planned to retire, was now brimming with vigor.
He re-entered the fray, severing ties with former business allies and jetting across the globe.
Returning to the mystical world, he acquired useful materials and sought partnerships with magical families once connected to the Ryougi, laying the groundwork for their return to the magical realm.
Though old yet spirited, the Ryougi patriarch was, after all, an ordinary human. Navigating the mystical world was dangerous, so for safety, he always carried protective charms from Cú Chulainn, accompanied by two skilled family retainers and Asagami Fujino, no, Ryougi Fujino now. This girl, with her gem-level Mystic Eyes, had been adopted by the patriarch and was truly one of their own.
According to Touko, after over a year of refinement and growth, Shiki wasn't the only one who had progressed.
Fujino's innate talent was world-class. Her gem-level Mystic Eyes of Distortion, though perhaps not as potent as Shiki's, surpassed them in sheer destructive power.
In terms of raw destruction, even Touko, a Crown Position Puppeteer, admitted that if caught off-guard, she could be twisted into knots by those Mystic Eyes.
The patriarch was naturally delighted to welcome such a gifted girl into the Ryougi family. Even Shiki had to admit that Fujino excelled in managing affairs.
Meticulous, cautious, and diligent, Fujino handled any task with precision, achieving results Shiki could match but never surpass.
That must be why Father valued her so highly, aiming to groom a reliable aide to ensure the Ryougi family's stability, even if Shiki one day stepped away or faltered.
Shiki didn't mind her father delegating authority to Fujino.
She had few friends, but Fujino was a true one. Studying under Roy and Aozaki Touko together, they were like sisters in apprenticeship.
Arcueid's frequent tea parties further strengthened their bond, making them genuine friends.
Having a sister to handle the Ryougi family's chaotic affairs made Shiki happy.
If it weren't so unconventional or irresponsible, she'd even let Fujino take over entirely, perhaps even as the next family head.
Shiki craved freedom, unbound by family duties. If no one else stepped up, she'd bear the burden, but with a better candidate, why not take it easy?
The Ryougi estate wasn't far from the school, nor was it too close.
A brisk pace could get them there in about half an hour.
Though Roy was escorting SHIKI, they walked separately, with Roy carrying her schoolbag and strolling beside her.
They exchanged occasional words, but nothing significant.
Roy's mind was elsewhere. The joy from an earlier phone call and his planned ideas had vanished. His thoughts were consumed by that morning's encounter with Abigail, or rather, Yog-Sothoth, and the words spoken.
SHIKI noticed.
Though he walked beside her, Roy was merely moving forward physically. His pensive gaze and unintentionally serious expression betrayed his preoccupation.
Reflecting on it, she realized she'd been the one initiating conversation the entire walk, while he hadn't spoken unprompted.
This made her feel awkward.
Did she want this idiot to just tag along silently? If it was just about getting to school, why not take a car? Why time it like this?
She'd created opportunities for him, yet this fool didn't seize them.
Realizing this, even Shiki was momentarily stunned, her expression shifting.
But when she stole another glance at Roy, hoping to speak, his demeanor remained unchanged.
He was oblivious to his surroundings, leaving her feeling a touch disappointed.
"Roy?"
She called softly.
"...Hm?"
Though deep in thought, Roy paused slightly at his name, turning to Shiki with a curious look, as if asking "Why?" with his eyes. He stayed silent, waiting for her next words.
"Uh... it's nothing, really. You just seem off. What's wrong? Didn't sleep well?"
"...No, just some troublesome, headache-inducing matters," Roy said, shaking his head slightly.
"Troublesome? Something on your mind?"
"Sort of."
Roy sighed, pinching his brow with two fingers in frustration.
Worries...
Too many, far too many. He'd thought that after resolving those chaotic issues, he could emulate Zelretch, sit back, retire, or chase personal happiness.
But just after handling the Seventh Singularity and leaving Chaldea to Zelretch, new troubles arose.
Abigail and Yog-Sothoth appearing together pointed to the Subcategory Singularity, Salem.
In the late 17th century, the "Salem Witch Trials" unfolded in the Puritan village of Salem. Abigail Williams was the first to show signs of demonic possession, symptoms that spread to other girls. Within a year, many villagers were accused, leading to over 200 arrests, 19 executions by hanging, two deaths in prison, and one tortured to death. The girls' true motives and the triggering factors remain shrouded in mystery.
In the Subcategory Singularities, the Salem Witch Trials stemmed from ignoring personal intent, sparking suspicion, igniting misfortune, and posing threats through purity.
Abigail, a devout Puritan, was a pure girl who prayed daily with gratitude. At heart, she was a sentimental, trusting maiden. Yet, the Puritans, adhering to poverty, faced church persecution, fleeing across the ocean to the New World. Pursued and cornered, they turned their protests against neighbors.
In oppressive times, "heroes" emerge. The Puritans' strict creed became a tool for surveillance, fostering suspicion and selfishness in the colony's harsh life of war and plunder.
Eventually, they craved the madness within, yearning for "witches." claiming misfortune stemmed from demonic deeds.
Thus, the term "witch" emerged in Salem, opening the tragic gates of the witch trials.
The collapse of the Time Temple allowed the Demon God Pillar Raum to escape, seeking to make the impossible possible by tracing a man's thoughts to their historical origin, discovering Abigail Williams, a girl of inevitability.
Abigail was thus named a "miko" Serving the Outer Gods, a vessel for divine manifestation, the "key" To a fictional gate.
The chaotic "keyhole" And the girl reflecting desires as the "key", if both were essential, who bore the sin?
The key and lock opened a hidden ultimate door, revealing a being beyond cosmic light-years.
The Three Pillar God, Yog-Sothoth, "The All-in-One and One-in-All."
A fictional entity born from a gifted man's mind, it held the madness to erode common sense. Not of Earth's ancient history, these pseudo- or Outer Gods persisted as distant abyss observers. This trait granted Abigail the unique class: Foreigner, a wanderer from the void.
But that should have occurred only with the Time Temple's fall...
In Roy's world, Solomon was never summoned, so the Incineration of Humanity never happened. So where did Raum escape from? Why this anomaly?
Worse, this wasn't the most baffling part.
This Abigail wasn't merely the miko of the Outer God but the supreme Outer God itself, Yog-Sothoth, descended in her form, a true Outer God encounter.
This was leagues beyond Abigail's own events.
If sent to conquer the Salem Subcategory Singularity, Roy was certain he could resolve it swiftly, ensuring a [Happy End].
Demon God Pillars and Outer God mikos were no match for him now, but...
Could he defeat Yog-Sothoth's true form?
Roy's answer: "I'd die."
He jokingly called it a "bubble" for its form, but that was bravado. Its title didn't imply fragility.
Even as a descended form, he couldn't expel it.
Could Zelretch? No. Merlin? Even less. Together, they'd be annihilated.
Though fond of Abigail and technically a Foreigner, Roy had no ties to Outer Gods. He avoided such incomprehensible beings, yet on his first retirement morning, Yog-Sothoth, claiming personal amusement, slipped into his bed in Abigail's form, spouting cryptic information.
It didn't seem intent on killing him, and he hadn't done anything heinous, but what was its goal? Just to sleep in his bed?
Was it that bizarre?
He couldn't fathom it, no matter how he tried. Yog-Sothoth's presence on this planet spelled disaster; its thoughts were beyond comprehension.
A whim or displeasure could crush the planet.
Though reluctant, Roy had to act. Zelretch was absent, Merlin useless, and Aozaki Aoko inadequate.
In this world, only he could bear the burden.
To prevent the planet's destruction by an Outer God's tantrum, he needed a plan fast.
Direct confrontation was impossible. He needed external aid.
Lords, Grand Magus, and the Twenty-seven Dead Apostle Ancestors were outmatched. Even Magicians only qualified to know of such a descent.
To resolve this, only the absolute pinnacles would do.
The Holy Spirit, or Akasha, any would suffice.
To counter this supreme invader, only an equal pinnacle could fight.
Got it, he'd seek Akasha in Shiki's soul!
Such a threat shouldn't be ignored... right?
The more he dwelled, the more anxious he grew. A lurking threat destabilized him.
Previously, foresight and strength gave him confidence to protect those around him, with backup plans ready.
Now, facing an unforeseen crisis where his strength was child's play, his confident facade crumbled.
Zelretch was gone, unreachable; the bracelet was broken. He couldn't even evacuate Shiki, Arcueid, or others to safety.
Powerlessness and crisis overwhelmed him.
He had to resolve this, protect those he cherished, no matter what.
"What's wrong with you? Why so worried?"
SHIKI, by his side, noticed his trembling and odd demeanor, her expression puzzled.
It was her first time seeing Roy like this, stirring concern.
Her call didn't break his thoughts until a warm, soft sensation wrapped around his waist.
"What is this..."
The feeling snapped Roy back, his thoughts returning.
Surprised, he looked at SHIKI hugging him from behind, offering comfort in her own way.
"Shiki..."
He murmured her name, hands uncertain. He hadn't expected her to embrace him.
"Idiot, if something's on your mind, tell me... Who do you think I trained so hard for?"
Shiki murmured softly.
"This time, I won't let you vanish without a word."
"Um."
Roy nodded slightly, gazing at the girl embracing his waist.
Their eyes met, sparking indescribable emotions.
___
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