Empire's Path and Summoning

"The homunculus system is complete."

"Now, it's time to ignite the Divine Flame."

"Infinite energy can be achieved not only through Third Magic but also through a 'scientific' approach."

"Especially after the end of the Age of Gods. We need to establish a 'technological' system that doesn't rely on True Ether."

After a satisfying inspection of the homunculus factory, on their way back to the palace, Artorius spoke to the three women—Morgan, Scathach, and Vivian.

The so-called ignition of the 'Divine Flame' and infinite energy are essentially the same things. Modern people should be familiar with it.

It's the concept of 'Nuclear Fusion.'

This modern scientific breakthrough is what Artorius aims to obtain. It is also the first step towards his envisioned journey into the universe.

To break free from the constraints of the Counter Force and escape the Earth-Moon system, Artorius has two paths before him.

One path involves spiritual enlightenment, like that of a cultivator, obtaining unparalleled power to punch Gaia and kick Alaya, propelling humanity into the universe.

At first glance, this path seems simple, as if fate will pave the way. However, Artorius finds it unreliable and uncertain. Regardless of his spiritual cultivation and whether reaching that level is feasible, he can't ignore his desires, ambition, and lust.

Inevitably, he was fated to make the women's breasts grow bigger with each squeeze.

Under such circumstances, he fears he may never achieve the level of enlightenment. If he forces himself to do that cultivation nonsense thing, just sitting forever waiting for some enlightenment, he might even stray from the right path and become possessed by evil.

This world is not a cultivation world anyway. No Chinese nonsense like countless young masters who opposed him, and when losing, their ancestors and great ancestors will hunt him, and the endless cycle continued.

Since the so-called 'simple' path seems unfeasible, he must choose the other path.

That is the development of technology—not just the original world's 'technology' but also a fusion with magecraft, learning from each other and advancing together. The marvels created in the TYPE-MOON World unintentionally or intentionally prove the potential of this path.

In the world of C.C.C, where the era of Magecraft ended, the Mages of the old world have disappeared, and the era of Mystery has drawn to a complete close. The Mages embraced technology and headed in the opposite extreme direction. They called themselves 'Spiritron Hackers'.

Of course, the order and world structure of that timeline were different, with giant multinational corporations ruling the world and such a grim future is not what Artorius desires. He wants far more than that—something not even some crappy AI could fulfill. But he can't deny the potential power of that fusion, Spiritron Hacker can indeed change the world.

One path emphasizes individual greatness and transcendence. The other path relies on collective wisdom and surpassing limitations. As a reincarnator, even though he has spent more time and experienced more in the TYPE-MOON world rather than his original world, he ultimately chose the latter path...

But, there is actually a third option.

That is Artorius's devout prayer:

'Oh, Great Mother from the Servant Universe, your son is being bullied by the Counter Force. Please bring your spaceship with the Dark Rounds and wear the Holy Lance Armor Aahvalon to help me.'

"..."

'Hahaha, what is that? I must have gone crazy.'

'It's not just laughable; it's beyond laughable.'

Artorius dismissed the idea as he thought about it.

"This is just the beginning."

===

After the inspection, he would return to his sleeping chamber to reward Morgan and Vivian. Artorius was feeling quite good. He even spoke more to them.

"The seeds we planted today are destined to grow into towering trees that will elevate humanity to unprecedented heights."

"Yes, yes." Said Morgan nonchalantly.

What slightly bothered Artorius was that the three women, whether it was Scathach, Vivian, or Morgan, seemed uninterested in his words.

Scathach merely smiled, saying nothing. Vivian and Morgan were even worse. They seemed distracted, their attention seemingly focused on other matters.

"..."

Though this 'other matter' could also bring the Dragon Emperor satisfaction, he currently desired their admiration, passion, and praise.

At times like this, he really missed Agravain.

The Imperial Chancellor, who had experienced a wild receding hairline these two years, was his most devoted worshipper. Whenever he made leadership speeches, Agravain would have a fervent face like a fanatic cultist, making Artorius feel fulfilled.

Of course, his mother Artoria was also good... Over the past two years, Artoria had been dressed in women's clothing, darting around him, making it difficult for Artorius to continue calling her 'Father'.

King Arthur had completely withdrawn, transforming into the knight Artoria. And the Father had become the Mother. The times were still progressing, and the empire entered a period of stability.

Internally, they began construction and divided administrative regions. Externally, they maintained diplomatic relations with the Ostrogoths, Vandals, and the Eastern Empire while starting to expand outward.

The modern-day Poland, Ukraine, and Russia, which were the traditional territories of the Slavs, were the future targets of the empire's expansion.

The Knights of the Round Table led one small unit after another to these regions for reconnaissance, exploration, mapping, commercial trade, and diplomatic probing.

In the short term, the empire would not launch an attack on the Slavs. As scattered tribes still in the tribal stage, they posed no threat to the Holy Roman Empire.

After finished rewarding Morgan and Vivian in his sleeping chamber, Artorius pondered:

'For the next few decades, the empire will remain stable.'

'Under my rule, the empire will recover and develop even better.'

'My path is thoroughly open. I have achieved success, at least preliminary success.'

'Those members of the Senate who have completely submitted in fear and admire me. If it were still the Age of Gods, I would likely become one of the gods, just like that Romulus.'

'In terms of politics, I have Agravain and the homunculus officials. I can be at ease. Then the main target for the future... would be the Mystery side, right?'

While pondering this question, Vivian and Morgan had already fallen into an exhausted slumber at Artorius's side. Watching the contented faces of the women around him, he let out a long sigh of relief.

'We did it.'

'At last, we succeeded!'

'I've saved Britain, saved the people I love.'

'History has been altered by me.'

'Though the future remains uncertain, at least for now, I can take a breath and rest a bit...'

With these thoughts in mind, Artorius was ready to shut his eyes and catch a quick nap with his beloved women, but before that...

'Hmm? A hole?'

'Counter Force...?'

'That doesn't seem right. What the fuck is this...?'

In front of Artorius, a 'hole' suddenly appeared, leading to the unknown.

Is it a path to the Root?

To a parallel world?

Or to an alien planet?

Why does it appear here? What is the reason? Is it a conspiracy?

As Artorius pondered these questions, he also noticed a voice. A devout and familiar voice summoned him with a spell chant that he recognized.

—I hereby declare.

—Your body shall serve under me.

—My fate shall be your sword.

—Submit to the beckoning of the Holy Grail

—If you will submit to this will and this reason…then answer!

—An oath shall be sworn here!

—I shall attain all virtues of all of Heaven.

—I shall have dominion over all evils of all of Hell!

"..."

'... Holy Grail War? What the fuck?'

As the incantation echoed clearly in Artorius's ears, the Dragon Emperor also confirmed the location of the 'hole' connection and the outcome of accepting the invitation.

He would appear in the Fourth Holy Grail War as a Heroic Spirit, participating in the battle for the Holy Grail.

With this in mind, a playful smile curled up on his lips.

'What a coincidence, seems like a good vacation spot. I happen to have some free time. Feeling pretty good too. So... wait, what's that sound?'

Suddenly, Artorius felt something was amiss. He raised his head, got up from the bed, and went to look out the window.

At the same time, the people of the empire in Orleans were shaken by the enormous monster descending from the sky—it looked extremely futuristic, like a spaceship. It exuded a sense of terror and chaos. Witnessing the descent of this gigantic spaceship, people experienced intense shock on a soul level.

Fear, astonishment at seeing a creation beyond imagination, and longing—it should have been all so very, very beautiful—but...

This beauty, like a boy's dream, was disrupted by a sunny, lively, and somewhat silly voice from inside the spaceship.

"Hey, son! Your mother is here to save you! Where are the enemies?! Watch me... Oh—shoot, the system, the system's malfunctioning! Ahh! Emergency landing! Emergency landing!"

The similarity between that voice and Artorius's most favored knight, Artoria, was 99.99999% striking. At the same time, the heavy sci-fi spaceship headed straight in the direction of Artorius's palace, descending with a series of blue lights and explosions, faster and faster.

"Wait! What the hell?!"

Amidst Artorius's cries of shock and anger, and the wailing of the person who resembled Artoria, the spaceship crashed onto the palace, collapsing a large portion of it.

At the same time, a person dressed in peculiar attire and bearing a resemblance to Artoria was thrown out from the spaceship, crashing right onto Artorius. Her hipbone made contact with Artorius's nose, and then both of them passed through the hole, disappearing without a trace...

{T/N: Bruh.}

===

Author's Note:

Volume 1 has wrapped up, and the next volume will take us into the vacation arc with the new mother!