When Novia learned that the driver's name was Hiroki Sajō, aside from his initial surprise, it wasn't hard for him to figure out who that 37-year-old daughter he'd been talking to on the phone was.
In this modern era, where the Age of Gods had long since faded and the world's Mystery was dwindling fast, there was still one girl—born with the miraculous ability to connect to the Root itself. A peerless genius. The strongest modern Master capable of wielding Age of Gods-level magecraft—
Sajō Manaka.
But, all that said, she was ultimately still someone living in the present age. If she managed to survive Brynhildr, that alone could be considered a miracle.
Yet judging by the fact that she had safely reached the age of 37, and that both her parents were still alive, it was clear she never took part in any Holy Grail War—and had even saved her mother, who was "supposed" to have died.
What's more, it seemed that Sajō Manaka's younger sister had become the disciple of Lord El-Melloi II, and just recently, Novia's temporary partner Sigma mentioned going to America for a Grail War. That suggested she was probably living in a relatively peaceful, Himuro's World-like timeline. Just a harmless bystander, dreaming of meeting her ideal prince, constantly making messes that her younger sister had to clean up. That kind of pattern.
As for what Hiroki Sajō was plotting, Novia had a pretty good guess.
Most likely, the man wanted to arrange a marriage meeting between his 37-year-old daughter and Novia, who was only 17. As for the idea of "love at first sight"?
Novia wasn't too worried.
After all, the world's full of stories about golden-haired princes on white horses—not silver-haired ones. Well, there was someone who more or less fit that image: someone who killed many, and whose golden hair turned silver, who ascended from prince to king...
Still, Novia, as a person, was someone Sajō Manaka could never see through. But he also wasn't the "Prince Charming" she was imagining. Even Old Saber (Artoria) fell just a bit short of her aesthetic standards...
If it did somehow come to love at first sight, Novia figured he'd be able to smooth things over just fine...
But all that aside, from Novia's current perspective, he genuinely felt that Sajō Manaka seemed like a good girl. And that was a good thing.
---
Once inside the house, he noticed that thanks to Miss Fiore, the landlady's diligence, the place hadn't gathered much dust despite his long absence. Probably because she'd hired someone to clean—it's not like she could do it herself, being wheelchair-bound—and no signs of magecraft were left behind.
"Guess it's time to see how things turned out."
After organizing the contents of his suitcase and brewing a cup of makeshift coffee, Novia prepared to check in on how the Roman Empire had developed in his absence. He figured Nero had likely followed all the plans he left her on that final sheet of paper.
"Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, commonly known as Nero (Dec 15, 37 — ?), was revered as the Great Emperor of Rome for her many achievements. She was also the second Pope, succeeding Novia himself, and is the only figure in recorded history to have simultaneously held the titles of both Emperor and Pope—"
Although surprised that Nero had actually become the Pope after him, upon reflection, Novia found it reasonable.
Whether it was Paul or Peter or any of the other Apostles, they all had the qualifications to succeed him. But their aspirations were never for personal glory—it was for the collective salvation of mankind.
So, given that Nero was known as his disciple at the time, and with her identity as the "Saint from Bethany, descendant of Martha," which was later recorded in the New Testament, it made sense that the people would support her.
Still, one could easily imagine that holding both imperial and papal power was not a good tradition to establish. Perhaps realizing this, Nero likely set certain private restrictions and used her unparalleled influence to ensure future emperors wouldn't repeat her dual role.
After all, Nero had perfectly executed every part of Novia's strategic blueprint—investing heavily in Byzantium, securing the hearts and minds of Rome's eastern populace, and, under the tide of rising Christian faith, carrying out a violent, top-down reform. One that left rivers of blood in its wake.
Historical records claim that Nero eventually vanished without a trace—some say she disappeared into flames that appeared out of thin air, others that she ascended to Heaven, having fulfilled her wish.
"But it is said that this emperor…"
Novia read the final line at the top of the dossier, but couldn't bring himself to speak it aloud.
That short sentence seemed to hang in the air—suspended beneath a sky forever painted in shades of blue, stretching endlessly across a dreamlike world.
"It is said… that she has always been waiting for someone to return—someone who once promised they would come back."
Somewhere outside the bounds of time, a lone figure sat upon a decaying throne, surrounded by the serene backdrop of blue skies and white clouds. Behind him, a faint, circular halo shimmered into being. Around the platform, moss-covered half-broken pillars stood like forgotten relics.
"You've already placed several Grails, haven't you?"
A voice rang out, seemingly from nowhere. High and cold, it interrogated the man on the throne. In that instant, the once-beautiful scenery twisted into a sea of blood, churning violently.
"You have no right to know," the man stood, revealing his blood-red eyes. "And you should not address me with that self-important tone. Even if you are the disciple of that person, you and I are merely... allies, nothing more."
After that, neither spoke. Silence settled between them—not because there was nothing to say, but because both were observing what their subordinates were doing.
Around them, seventy-two demonic pillars, each covered in countless eyes, emerged alongside a seven-headed dragon—the air between them crackling with tension, as if war could erupt at any moment.
"I'll ask you one last time—how much longer? This summoning system without even a single trace of that person's existence is utterly useless!"
"...One year," came the reply. "Once the Grails are placed, my Demon Pillars will sever the flow of history. The foundation of mankind's record will tremble. I will draw a portion of that stream into this place and weaken the base of human history... Then, I'll ignite it all from within."
Goetia rubbed the rings on his fingers meaningfully.
"In the end, whether I birth a new cosmic order, or you create a world where that person exists—will depend entirely on our own power, Draco."
"Heh… Fine. I accept." A cruel smile twisted across the face of the seven-headed dragon, as a small girl-like figure appeared atop its back, clutching a Golden Grail, her face marked with blood-red patterns. "To devour mankind's future—one bite at a time. I've had enough of this rotten world. It's been two thousand years. I won't stay here any longer."
I'll do whatever it takes—just to see you once more…
Whatever it takes, I will create a world where Teacher still exists.