Root.
The reason for everything. The existence that flows from all phenomena. The truth of the world. The primary knowledge. The Akashic Records.
In the world of Magecraft, it is called by many names, and the method to reach the Root is the sole research topic for all Magus. No matter what kind of Magecraft or research, the ultimate goal is for Magus to obtain a method to reach the Root.
And now, by eroding the soul of Sajyou Manaka and sealing it within his own eyes, Naoki, by chance—or perhaps a miracle—reached a realm that even Magus from families with dozens of generations of inheritance could not achieve as a first-generation Magus.
It felt like falling into an endless deep sea or jumping from a great height. One moment, he was still feeling the ups and downs of a roller coaster, and the next, he was suddenly gliding across a calm lake...
Naoki could not comprehend what he had experienced. Everything he could perceive and experience was beyond his understanding. He could only let himself drift like a piece of waterweed, unconsciously floating in this place that could be described as the void.
Then—
"Ah, do we have a guest?"
In an instant, all abnormal sensations disappeared, and his blank vision was replaced by falling snow.
His feet touched what seemed like solid ground. Naoki looked ahead. Beneath his feet was a slope stretching endlessly forward, and behind him was a slope stretching endlessly backward, as if he were standing on a road with no end in front or behind.
"Guest?"
The voice spoke again.
This time, Naoki suddenly noticed that a black-haired girl wearing a kimono, quiet and elegant like a princess from ancient times, had appeared not far in front of him.
"Who are you..."
"Nice to meet you, guest from another world." The girl smiled and greeted him, "My name is Ryougi Shiki. I saw you floating near the Root Vortex, almost assimilated, so I brought you to my place. How do you feel now?"
How did he feel?
Unconsciously touching his eyes, Naoki said, "It feels... like I've returned home..."
"Home?" Shiki smiled. "Indeed, since your eyes have finally absorbed that girl's soul, you've also become connected to the Root. So if you want to go home, there's actually no problem."
"So... I'm going home?" Naoki replied with a hint of confusion, then couldn't help but laugh, "I'm not used to greetings like this."
"Haha, neither am I." Shiki said with a chuckle.
"Alright, let me explain the current situation. I followed everything you went through because I was somewhat interested in you, a guest from another world. Now, I'll tell you the ending after that."
"Sure."
"The Beast has been destroyed. Or more accurately, it has been semi-permanently destroyed. Your Mystic Eyes completely eroded its soul and then absorbed it... No, it should be sealed. As long as you don't actively release it, the Beast will never appear again. Congratulations, and thank you."
"No, I didn't do anything that serious. If I may say so, I'm just an insignificant person dragged into this mess. Even if I wasn't involved..."
"Without you, the Holy Sword Wielder would have had a much longer journey. You helped your comrades, and that's something you should be proud of." Shiki corrected Naoki's thoughts, "The Holy Grail War has ended, and the Tohsaka family became the final winner, but in the end, the Tohsaka family chose to destroy the Holy Grail."
The Tohsaka family destroyed the Holy Grail?
This was truly unexpected—no, if Naoki thought about it carefully, this should have been the expected outcome.
Iskandar left the stage, Hassan of the Hundred Faces was ultimately ordered to commit suicide by Kirei using Command Spells, Diarmuid would be no match for Gilgamesh, and since most of Kiritsugu's soul had been eroded, Morgan should have lost the strength to fight again.
This way, Tokiomi naturally became the final winner. The only variable was whether Kirei would stab him in the back.
However, due to the incident at Mount Enzou, the Fuyuki Church was busy dealing with the aftermath, and Kirei had no free time. Gilgamesh must have been satisfied after that battle and wouldn't incite Kirei.
So the final result was the Tohsaka family becoming the winner and the Holy Grail descending. However, the Holy Grail had long lost its ability to reach the Root, and the overflowing resentment drove Tokiomi to use Command Spells to control Gilgamesh to destroy the Holy Grail—this was likely the process.
"That's basically it. As for the other scattered situations, please go back and see for yourself."
"Go back? Can I still go back?"
After reaching the Root and returning, Naoki could already imagine how the Magus at the Clock Tower would view him once this matter came to light.
Shiki nodded, "Of course. Look, behind you, someone has come to pick you up."
'Someone has come to pick me up?'
Naoki turned around and looked behind him, only to see a familiar figure being pulled by a white-clad Magus, waving at him.
"Ah... you idiot?"
As if complaining about that figure, Naoki smiled bitterly and shrugged, then turned back and said, "Alright, I'll step out for a bit, Miss Shiki."
"Step out... Alright." Shiki smiled and nodded, "Be careful when you step out, and farewell. If you want to come back, you can return anytime."
"Goodbye, then."
After waving to Shiki, Naoki turned and walked toward the two figures who were slowly becoming clearer amidst the falling snow.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"Arthur, have you really decided?"
"Alright, thank you for your help, Merlin. Please take good care of Master from now on."
In Avalon.
The Flower Magus looked at the King of Knights with a headache as he seemed determined.
"If you do this, aren't you afraid that after he wakes up..."
"Master died because of me, but he shouldn't have sacrificed himself here. My journey has ended, so let my power be his motivation to keep moving forward."
Arthur stepped forward and hugged Merlin for the last time.
"Goodbye, Merlin. Thank you for your time."
"You're just causing me trouble. I won't hesitate to have fun with him as the next target."
"Haha, then please show some mercy. After all, Naoki isn't as easy to talk to as I am."
"Goodbye, Naoki, may your journey be bright."