After a hearty feast, Jason wrapped up reminiscing with Morpheus. Handing over the Holy Grail, he suddenly said, "By the way, since the one who summoned me is the mastermind, I should warn you."
Morpheus nodded. "Go ahead."
"I know you're powerful, on par with the gods," Jason said, glancing at Artemis, who didn't deny it. Relieved, he continued, "But that guy's no slouch. I couldn't read him. His power's immense, maybe godlike, or even…"
He hesitated but spoke. "His strength might surpass the gods of our time."
"You're saying he's stronger than the gods?"
"I can't say for sure, but I feel it. He might be holding back for some reason, but if he acts, even the major gods combined might not stop him."
Patting Morpheus' shoulder, Jason added, "So, stay safe. If it's too much, run. Come back when you've got a chance. No shame in that!"
Morpheus rolled his eyes. "He's planning to burn all human history. Where would I run?"
"Another world!" Jason said without hesitation. "You've crossed worlds before. If he burns this one, you'll be fine! He can mess with the timeline, but so can you. Seize the moment, take him out before he succeeds. I believe you've got the strength!"
Jason laughed, as if it were obvious. "That'd fix history, right? Am I wrong?"
"Not wrong. It could work," Morpheus nodded, then said goodbye to Heracles. As they returned to the Throne of Heroes, he turned to Artemis.
The moon goddess smiled. "If you can control time, Jason's idea is worth a shot. It could be a way out of a dead end."
"Got it."
Artemis leaned close, whispering, "Also, figure out how to bring me down quickly. I'm tired of waiting."
"No problem. I'll start researching when we're back!"
Medea and Atalanta's requests were simpler, identical.
"Don't forget Servant summoning. Your side should be fine now, right?" they asked.
"Almost fixed. Should be ready when we return," Ritsuka said, smiling as she waved to the two.
Morpheus met their expectant gazes, their smiles beautiful but pressuring. "Once the summoning array's ready, I'll do it!"
Satisfied, they smiled and left.
After farewells with Drake and the others, the world began collapsing as the Grail was retrieved. Seizing the moment before history fully restored, Morpheus and the group swiftly left the era.
…
Back at Chaldea, Morpheus opened his eyes to see Romani standing before him, expression serious.
Morpheus blinked. "What's with you?!"
"Need to talk."
"About what?" Morpheus eyed him warily, climbing out of the pod and stepping back. "Be clear... I'm not into guys!"
"Neither am I!" Romani snapped.
Morpheus relaxed. "Fine, what's up?"
Romani resisted the urge to punch him. "Let's go somewhere private."
"Alright, lead the way."
Following Romani, Morpheus arrived at his rest room... or rather, his dorm.
Looking at the modest decor, Morpheus chuckled. "Thought it'd be flashier."
"Why?"
"Just doesn't seem to fit your… status."
Romani stared, then asked, "What would fit my status?"
"Maybe a Solomon's Triangle on the wall?"
Romani squinted, smiling. "What are you talking about?"
Morpheus sat casually, feigning confusion. "Huh? That's not why you brought me here?"
Romani fell silent, then said, "How'd you know?"
"I'd say the Creator told me, but would you believe that?"
"The Creator?" Romani didn't know how to react.
Morpheus added, "Or call it good astrology. Divined it."
Romani laughed. "That's more believable."
Morpheus sighed, lamenting that truth went unbelieved while lies were trusted... especially by the wise King Solomon.
But he knew Romani's intent and got to the point. "You brought me here for something important. Spill it."
"I'm Solomon. You already knew."
"Wow! You're King Solomon?!" Morpheus gasped dramatically.
Romani stared at his exaggerated expression, silent.
Morpheus dropped the act, gesturing for him to continue.
"You knew. Why the theatrics?"
"You looked so serious. Thought I'd lighten the mood," Morpheus grinned.
"Thanks, it helped," Romani smiled. "I'm certain now. The system I created went horribly wrong. It gained sentience and started its own plan…"
"You're saying the mastermind behind the Human Order Incineration, aiming to go back to the planet's dawn to replace Gaia as the sole god, is a magical system you made as Solomon?"
Romani nodded slightly. "Yes. Your talk with Jason gave me ideas. I deduced their plan: to send themselves to the planet's birth, before it fully formed, to become the only conscious entity."
He lowered his head, guilt-ridden. "I think they resent me, see me as irresponsible for choosing my life over duty. Maybe they want to take that responsibility. It's all my fault."
"Stop spiraling."
Romani looked up at Morpheus.
"When did humanity get so weak it needed that to save it? Or one Solomon to carry everything?"
Morpheus grinned. "Who do you think you are?"
Romani opened his mouth, speechless.
"You think you're the Son of God? Only one bore humanity's sins... Jesus. You, Solomon? Not even close."
It was the first time, as Solomon or in his history, that someone said this to his face.
"I think I'm closer than you," Morpheus added cheekily.
The audacity was shameless, but Romani couldn't argue.
Morpheus had done things he hadn't, with results Romani witnessed.
"At least I try to emulate Jesus, getting as close as I can," Morpheus said.
Using holy magic, Morpheus had taken on a messianic form, bearing stigmata and a cross of sins, his hands pierced to carry the burden.
To perform such a spell, he had to mimic those acts.
Morpheus was right... he was more qualified than Solomon to bear it all.
"But I'm too lazy to carry that load," Morpheus chuckled. "I'm just a Magus chasing ultimate mysteries."
"The Root? Every Magus's goal."
"Nah. I touched the Root in the Age of Gods, and after winning a Grail War, I used the Grail's power. Neither got me the mysteries I seek.
"My path is mine to forge. The Root rejects me, can't record me fully... only parts it can handle. So, I'm not interested in it anymore."
"This is new. You didn't mention this in your reports," Romani said.
"No point. No one would get it. It might even shake some Magus' beliefs, learning the 'almighty' Root isn't. That shift's no joke, so I left it out."
Morpheus sighed. "Truth is, I'm part of a secret magical society. I was even invited to be a priest, but I declined. Still, I vibe with one of their ideas."
"Go on."
"Picture this: I'm a priest, you're a lost soul spilling your troubles. I'm just a fellow child of God, equal to you, listening. I don't pass your words to God... it's unnecessary."
"You're saying I can confess to you, but if I want to speak to God, I should find a priest, not you?"
"No. I mean everyone has a direct line to God. You can speak to Him yourself. Everyone should."
"That's Protestant theology. You're a Protestant?"
"Nope, but I dig the idea," Morpheus grinned. "Anyone can talk to God. So why should that guy decide for everyone? Is he worthy?"
Morpheus looked at Romani, silent, but his eyes spoke volumes.
"I'm not worthy," Romani admitted.
"Exactly. If you're not, why stress over it, blaming yourself? You're just making problems!"
"Alright, I'm over it. Let's move on. What's your take on this? No need for drastic measures like suicide. You can live as a normal guy. How do we fix this mess?"
Romani felt lighter, the guilt of "it's all my fault" dispelled by Morpheus' words.
"Here's my trump card: if all else fails, I can create an opportunity. But after studying your theory, I found something."
"Tell me."
"If he wants to rewind to the planet's birth, the energy cost is astronomical. I analyzed those light bands... each one's power rivals Excalibur's release."
"You noticed that too?" Morpheus asked.
"You knew already?"
"Yup, figured it out when I studied them."
Romani sighed, exasperated. "Why didn't you say so?!"
"Was waiting for you to ask!"
Seeing Morpheus' "you didn't confess, so I didn't tell" look, Romani fought back anger.
"He'll reserve some energy for contingencies... like stopping interference or handling shortages. But we can use that for our plan," Romani said.
"I get it. You want me to start by destroying those light bands. If his energy falls short, his plan fails."
"Exactly."
"So, I just need to clash with billions of Excaliburs," Morpheus said.
Romani nodded, knowing it was a tall order.
But Morpheus clapped his hands. "Sounds simple. Too simple!"
Romani blinked. "Simple?!"
He wondered if his ears were failing.
Clashing with billions of Excaliburs... simple?!
"We could dismantle them one by one, but once we start, he'll notice. We've got limited chances. We need to destroy enough bands before he reacts," Romani said.
"I know. One shot, no problem!" Morpheus patted Romani's shoulder, smiling. "Leave it to me. I'll make that mastermind question his existence!"
***
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