After several days of travel, Novia and the girl following him, Manaka Sajo, arrived at the entrance of the first floor of Alcatraz's Seventh Labyrinth.
At first glance, the labyrinth appeared rather ordinary. However, a peculiar atmosphere permeated the perpetually dim space.
"Um, Novia, why did you drive away those Association subcontractors?"
Manaka, walking beside him, raised her hand like a student asking a question in class, putting on a suitably puzzled expression.
"They were just pawns sent by the Mage's Association to die. No need to watch them march to their deaths."
The "subcontractors" referred to were personnel used by the Clock Tower under the guise of collaboration—individuals who did not truly explore the mysteries of magecraft but were used as tools. These people did not belong to the magical world nor the ordinary one. Most of the time, they carried out tasks for the Clock Tower, helping collect valuable materials that could serve as catalysts.
"I see, I see, I get it now!"
Manaka scratched her head with a sheepish smile, looking as if she had come to a sudden realization.
"As long as you understand."
Novia more or less knew why Manaka liked to pretend she saw through everything at a glance—it was probably her way of showing that, despite her age, she was pure and ladylike. She likely wanted to leave him with a favorable impression.
Novia mentally counted the time. Before long, the serpent used by the mastermind Wolfgang Faust in the Subspecies Holy Grail War would appear here at the first-floor entrance and nearly wipe out the Association's personnel who were originally meant to gather here.
That would mark the beginning of the Subspecies Holy Grail Ritual, transforming the labyrinth into a sealed space of death—no one could leave until the ritual concluded.
But that very moment would be when Novia intended to summon Nero and Melusine. Although the four Servants in this Subspecies Grail War were technically self-summoned and didn't require Masters to remain anchored—
That was merely because no one realized at the time that the war had already begun. The "summoning through fated connections" was triggered only because the Association members were slaughtered almost instantly by Wolfgang.
The Subspecies Grail, modeled after Fuyuki City in the Far East, was designed to summon Servants and absorb the vast magical energy of their souls, functioning like a wish-granting device.
Servants were forced to fight one another in the Holy Grail War precisely for this reason. In the end, Servants were nothing more than fuel for wish fulfillment. The original system allowed for seven, while the Subspecies Grail permitted at most five—a significant drop, indicating it was far from "omnipotent."
Yet, in recent years, more and more magi attempted Subspecies Grail Wars. Perhaps they believed that even if it couldn't grant any wish, the power it offered was still worth pursuing.
"By the way, Novia," Manaka whispered into his ear, as if just trying to make sure he heard her clearly—though really, she was just using it as an excuse to get closer. "From the structure here, it looks like this labyrinth incorporates Kabbalistic concepts and a planetary alignment magic circle linked to the solar system. This level, in particular, corresponds to the Sun's array. There are six solar formations just on this floor."
She continued, her tone filled with excitement:
"A 'labyrinth' aligned with the Sun. And get this: the solar arrays number 666 columns. That's obviously the number of the beast mentioned in the Book of Revelation—the same one edited into the New Testament by that pope who shares your name. Yep, I really do like the Bible. We even have a copy at home, I swear. You should come see for yourself sometime!"
Although Novia had already passed away long before John wrote the Book of Revelation, it seemed Nero, upon reading it later, may have grasped something. At any rate, she included it as part of the New Testament.
There were speculations that the "Holy Spirit" mentioned within was a metaphor for Novia himself. Of course, others speculated about the woman who poured wine into the Holy Spirit—some believed it was just metaphorical, while conspiracy theorists insisted Nero had killed Novia to usurp his authority, and John used the female figure to obscure the truth.
But really, Manaka's main point was the latter part of her statement—a flirtatious invitation not unlike a cat doing a backflip.
"Sure," Novia smiled. "Once we're done here, I'd be happy to. After all, I really do like the way you are now, Manaka."
His smile made her suddenly feel as if all her hidden thoughts had been laid bare. The word like caught her off guard, and her face turned red with embarrassment.
Now that she'd mentioned it, Novia was reminded of the "Number of the Beast," 666. In his mind, Nero had come to understand him and had departed in peace—so she shouldn't transform into the beast again...
All the more reason he needed to take responsibility for summoning both Nero and Melusine and giving them physical forms.
As Novia pondered this, a rumble shattered the stillness of the labyrinth.
"Manaka, a magical beast is coming."
"No need to worry," Manaka replied with a soft smile. "You don't need to lift a finger. I'll take care of it. But... were you worried about me?"
"Of course. That kind of monster clearly feeds on young girls."
"Oh my, that is scary."
Smiling, Manaka turned to face the monstrous serpent charging down the corridor, its grinding, shrieking sounds echoing as it scraped against stone walls and floors.
Apparently surprised someone dared block its path, the beast lunged at her in a rage—
But the girl gently pressed a hand to its forehead. With an unknown spell, she obliterated the serpent so thoroughly that one couldn't even remember what it originally looked like.
"What a shame. Only a little bit left that's edible."
Manaka looked genuinely disappointed, then smiled brightly again. "I'll cook all of it for you, Novia... Eh? What's this?"
She stared at her right hand, where three claw-like scratches had suddenly appeared. With a curious expression, she turned toward Novia.
Strangely, though he looked unchanged, Manaka had a feeling that Novia's magical energy had surged all of a sudden.
...
"At last, it's begun. And this time, all the mana in the area is gathering in one place... Looks like the Servants will soon fight until only one remains. Pitiful slaughter. Tragic heroes."
At the bottom of the labyrinth, where the Subspecies Grail was located, Wolfgang Faust—vampire and descendant of Arcadia—chuckled softly. Then, as if noticing something, he turned toward the golden-haired man who appeared behind him out of thin air.
"…White Knight?"
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