Solomon?
Why is he here?
No, the real question is what he just did. He forcibly dismantled Merry's illusion barrier with his bare hands?!
"You mean Magecraft has no effect on you, is that it?" Merry looked at the Ten Rings on Solomon's hand with a hint of resignation. "But if I'm not mistaken, the only Magecraft you're immune to is the system established after the Common Era and Magecraft performed by human hands. My Magecraft shouldn't be something you can nullify."
"If I relied solely on the Ten Rings to cancel Magecraft, it would be a bit troublesome. In truth, interfering with your Magecraft isn't difficult. You didn't build that barrier seriously."
"So… you directly interfered with my Magecraft and forcibly destroyed it?"
Merry gave a wry smile. Even though, as Solomon said, she hadn't been entirely serious about the illusion, having her Magecraft directly interfered with and destroyed… as a Magus, it was a blow to her pride.
"What's your business here, Caster?"
Landing on the ground, Morgan addressed Solomon with slight irritation. "If you're here to pick a fight with Rider, get in line. Right now, it's my turn to settle things with them."
"The ruler of the Isle of Britain? A Servant who gained a body and survived the previous Holy Grail War. So that's how it is—the Holy Grail grants a second life in such a way?"
His gaze fell on Morgan, as if observing a perfect specimen. Solomon studied her with utmost seriousness. For the wish he sought to fulfill, Morgan was a precedent quite similar to his goal.
Shortly after, Solomon withdrew his gaze. "Thank you for the lesson, ruler of the Isle of Britain. This encounter has further solidified the wish I must pursue. Thank you."
"Huh?"
Solomon's sudden gratitude left Morgan stunned. Had she done something worthy of his thanks?
Amid Morgan's confusion, Solomon shifted his gaze back to Odysseus. "Alright, let's continue our battle, Rider. Last time, you had no intention of fighting seriously, constantly probing from a relatively safe distance. Because of that, I couldn't crush you immediately."
"This time, it won't be like that."
Mana surged from Solomon's body. In the space behind him, three vague humanoid figures gradually took physical form.
"The First Pillar, the Thirty-Seventh Pillar, the Fortieth Pillar—"
"Wait a second~"
Just as Solomon was about to summon the three Demon God Pillars into reality, Merry's figure suddenly slipped between the two sides. At the same moment, the demons, not yet fully manifested, were swallowed by fluttering flowers.
Solomon frowned. "You intend to stop me, Flower Magus?"
"No, no, not at all. I have no intention of interfering in a fight between Caster and Rider. It's just that, as the overseer of this Holy Grail War, I can't stand by and watch actions that could potentially violate the rules of the War."
"There are two key rules in the Holy Grail War: it must take place at night, and it must not affect surface society."
"Caster, if you insist on fighting Rider here, you'd be breaking both rules. According to the Holy Grail War regulations, for those who break the rules, the overseer has the right to summon other participants to suppress them."
"That does seem to be the case."
Solomon waved his hand, causing the three Spirits behind him to vanish from the real world.
"Without rules, there is no order. Though this was my Master's request, I was a bit reckless. My apologies for the audacity."
His unexpectedly cooperative attitude immediately relieved Touko and Odysseus. They had just fought Morgan; continuing straight into a battle with Solomon would be unwinnable. At best, they could only escape using Odysseus's Noble Phantasm.
The Trojan Horse, if summoned, would surely cause a global uproar.
"It's fine, it's fine, as long as you understand. I just hope you don't hate me for stopping you—I'm only doing my duty according to the rules."
"I understand your position, Flower Magus, no need to worry—my Master accepts this explanation as well. This time, I'll let you go safely, Rider. But be prepared—I'll come for you again after night falls."
"About that—Caster, could your fight with Rider be postponed to the night after tomorrow?"
Merry's sudden suggestion made Solomon and the others pause.
The night after tomorrow?
Why delay it to that time?
"Please explain, Flower Magus."
"It's simple. Both of your Noble Phantasms are the type that would cause massive collateral damage. If you fight at full strength, Fuyuki City wouldn't be able to withstand your rampage. As the temporary overseer, I'd be held accountable, and escaping afterward would be a hassle."
Merry smiled as she explained. "So, to prevent Fuyuki from being torn apart, I plan to use two days to create a large-scale illusion world. Then, you two can fight within it—Morgan, you'll need to come help."
To avoid exposing mysteries and to relocate the battlefield?
[Very thorough consideration. Indeed, even the King can't defeat Rider without causing some impact. Letting them survive two more days won't be an issue.]
Marisbury's gaze showed approval. To him, a day or two wouldn't affect his plans.
Solomon, who deeply understood the current state of mysteries, didn't find this unreasonable either. Though mysteries had greatly weakened, if they could be preserved, they should be. Hastening their extinction wasn't a good thing.
[However, King, please convey this. Since the opposing side has made a request, we also have a request.]
"Flower Magus, we can agree to your request, but in return, you must agree to ours, is that acceptable?"
"Mmm, go ahead and say it."
"It's called a request, but it's really just a message I'd like you to pass on to that Fairy Magus. My Master and I have something to convey to him. My words can be shared when I meet him later, but my Master's message is—"
"[Regarding the future you mentioned some time ago, after careful consideration, the Department of Astromancy has no intention of dismissing it. However, I also know you won't stay idle, so in two days, we hope to discuss this matter with you again.]"
"—That's all. See you in two days, Rider."
After speaking, Solomon slowly vanished from the spot.