Chapter 100: Foreign Star
A clear blue sky.
That was what greeted me as I 'woke' up. I could hear the serene wind gushing against my combat suit.
"Mana Archiatius, Overload." (Mana Furnace, Overload.)
What followed the full release of my dream organs are vast amounts of information. My intuition materialized itself as it provided me with a good scan of the surroundings.
A sea.
Brown rocks.
Several towns that are similar to Gekai's infrastructures.
The one thing that stood out the most is the amount of salt that was detected through the air. Even with this inhuman state, I didn't choose to dismount my suit. I ran a dozen scans to check out the biological compositions in this place.
In the end, it amounted to the findings that it is nearly the same as Gekai's and my world's.
'Huge amounts of saltwater… Could it be..?'
The magnetic fields were twisted as I sent myself flying. The suit marked several factors and places before the results from its in-depth scan showed itself.
[Current salt content matches a recorded place on Earth: Red Sea]
[Current topographic data matches the records from more than 1,400 Current Era.]
[Matched Location: Jerusalem, Israel]
"Jerusalem… I thought I'd land in Camelot…"
Just then, I realized something.
I took out one of the magic stones from the eighty-fifth floor monsters. They tried to emit an energy fluctuation but failed once I got a grasp on them. One of Arbiter's current functions is to serve as a mana jammer.
A familiar feeling of itch appeared on my chest.
'Charging complete.'
That was what it told me after absorbing a quaint amount of magical energy from the stone. It worked the same way as before. Although, it didn't reach the anticipated amount that I expected.
'It's lower… I see.'
I felt another segment of the cheat opening up. It possessed two more functions other than the previous future vision.
One of them is to store enough energy for a miracle. That would enable me to pull off an impossible thing once. I might've been able to kill the Black Dragon as a level three if I had this.
Also, it should be a form of providence and divine blessing similar to the [Luck] skill that I already possess.
As for the other one…
It is still too vague. It didn't tell me that many details, only the fact that it is akin to a summoning-type magicka.
After reviewing these new functions, I felt more at ease. Even if I have my current strength, I wouldn't deny a new source of strength.
======
[Level 7]
Strength: SS1084 Defense: S991 Dexterity: SS1059 Agility: SS1081 Magic: SS1198
Hacker: B Ubiquitous: B Luck: C → B Knight's Body: C → B Chain Attack: C → B Abnormal Resistance: D → C Hunter: D → C
<<Magic >>
[Orionids • Moon Hunt]
[Historia Emendatus]
[???]
<<Skills >>
[Miracle Maker • Creation Forge]
[Child of Constellations (星座の子)]
[Proof of Combat (C)] (29% to be upgraded)
[Curse Hunter]
[Knight's Resolve]
[Pure Heart]
[Combat Lock]
[Holder of Mystery]
[Lord of Machines]
=====
Since the moment I stepped into level seven, I was able to raise many developmental abilities to a considerable degree. Their current ranks enabled me to achieve many things I couldn't do in the past.
One such example is Knight's Body. I no longer needed to cast [Mystery Distortion] when using my sword techniques, in turn making them 'instantly' cast.
The rest of the developmental abilities also grew that strong in terms of their capabilities.
Add to that the [Holder of Mystery] skill, I might be able to reach that level when I cut down the Black Dragon's wing in half.
It is for such a reason that I went beyond the seventy-ninth floor. However, even with that, I chose to proceed with caution and covered the entire floor before advancing. That was how I managed to find metals to incorporate on my "mechanical army".
All of this happened within those three months.
"Strange… There isn't much magical energy… Could it be because of its uniqueness?"
I recalled the memories of Galahad.
The main reason why Galahad went on a journey to find the Holy Grail is due to the gradually declining mysteries. As people believed less on the mystic and more on the scientific side, the firepower of their world's magic gradually weakened.
If we take that in mind…
Swoosh-!
I decided to fly around the globe. My current magicka plus the suit's capabilities allowed me to reach Mach Ten. Of course, I didn't forget to turn on my stealth systems.
"This should be enough."
Barely bordering the stratosphere, I started my flight.
I took around five hours before I was able to survey everything.
The conclusion is that…
"There's nothing wrong."
That was it.
I was expecting to find an anomaly of sorts but I couldn't. There are no beings with high statuses, too. Everything seemed normal.
Just like back then.
Remembering those stupid things I did to confirm the supernatural made me cringe.
"There's still magical energy… I hope I'll be able to discover something."
*****
***
*
A few years later.
"Hm… I see."
A tall man with dark skin brought the golden cup closer to his face.
"This is the infamous grail? It's not within my expectations." He muttered before examining the altered landscape.
From Jerusalem's previous rock and soil, everything became covered with yellow sand. Such was the result when the man summoned forth his entire kingdom in this world.
"I'll take care—hm?"
Suddenly, the man squinted his eyes. Not longer than a second later, someone appeared out of nowhere.
The man wore a set of armor reminiscent to Western Knights. Light blue particles came out of its back and feet as it twisted the laws of physics itself. An intangible force came out of the man, resisting the divine aura emitted by the Heroic Spirit.
"...So it was you who made those illusions." The latter asked. "You shouldn't be here."
The Heroic Spirit noted the man's anomalous nature. However, when he probed deeper, he discovered something else.
"It took this long…" The man muttered. "But it worked on my side."
The armored man, Nobu, noticed the inherent divine nature of the Heroic Spirit. It is something similar yet different from the Arcanum (godheads) back in Gekai.
'If I could see the future again… Solomon…' He shook his thoughts. 'To possess potent Clairvoyance…'
When he advanced his experiences for the fifth time, it became nearly fatal to Nobu. There was someone who vaguely caught on to his visions that aim to render the future. It brought great danger to him—even his full-state [Mana Furnace] warned him about it. Hence, he didn't use his cheat to "see" the future and instead focused on developing other things.
Knowing the Pharaoh's identity, Nobu decided to remove his armor. The nanites receded on the ends of his black ring.
His appearance had changed greatly during his three years of wait. Having a height of more 182 centimeters, he is on the tall end of the spectrum. His face became more matured and refined; yet still possessing hints of cuteness when he is a child. His short white hair complimented his magician's outfit greatly.
His clear golden pupils glinted confidently as he met the Pharaoh's gaze.
"I bid my greetings, Ramesses II. Your deeds made a mark in history."
"Even a foreigner knows about it? It is far-fetching, indeed."
As expected, Ozymandias recognized his identity in a single glance.
"What does a foreigner like you wish to do?" He asked. "I assume you didn't have any involvement with him due to your… aura."
Aside from the pressure emitted by his [Mana Furnace], Nobu inherited Galahad's sanctimony to some extent. It reminded Ozymandias of his old friend, Moses. The very same person who led the Hebrews out of Egypt in an expedition known as Exodus.
Albeit he is wondering how a Saint became a Foreigner, he didn't pry further.
"King Solomon, wasn't it?"
Nobu spoke out the name of the one he is wary of the most.
*****
Three years had passed since my arrival.
I expected I would be able to experience the events Galahad had warned about within the first six months, but it didn't. Fortunately, the charges on my cheat still accumulated.
The only problem is one entity that I haven't accounted for…
King Solomon.
When I first used the cheat for combat experiences, those experiences became distorted at the end. There are several parts that ended abruptly. It didn't reach the ten year mark. Even though I was still alive, the cheat couldn't bring me further from the events within so-called Singularity. Everything was cut off after I leave this so-called Singularity.
Nevertheless, I found out many things from my repeated usage of it. I have a general idea of the flow of events as well as the greater threat that exists—King solomon.
For some reason, the former King of Israel went against God and used his Ars Goetia—the ring which commands angels and demons—in an attempt to annihilate humanity of this world. He used those demons to do something regarding time.
When my first year passed, he somehow detected it and was about to do something dangerous to me. It is only through the gathered charges was I able to produce a miracle that prevented exactly that.
Since then, I only used it to change the states of several targets as well as store miracles for future use. I am thankful I have enough knowledge on the events of this Singularity.
Gaining the cooperation of Ramesses II is a crucial step to reach the desired end.
"I presume you want this grail." I heard him speak. "I won't concede it to someone unworthy."
"I see."
Suddenly, I found myself to be inside the throne room. His power—phantasm—is the palace he lived in when he was still alive. It is an absurd concept—something just as unreasonable as Galahad's phantasm. Simply put, he wouldn't die inside here no matter what.
I could say that the difficulty rose several notches up when I entered this world. Fortunately, I didn't slack off.
[Do you need assistance, goshujin-sama?]
'No. I can fare well on my own.'
Sitting on his throne, Ozymandias played with the grail with interest before meeting my gaze.
Four Divine Beasts appeared on his behest. All of them are Sphinxes that served him in the past. They have the head of a human, body of a lion, and the wings of an eagle.
All of them wore golden masks which hid their identities.
"Mana Archiatius, Overload." (Mana Furnace, Overload.)
The dormant power within me awakened. It caused a visible quaking within the surroundings.
The four sphinxes tried to attack me from different angles but to no avail.
"Militaris fortilitia." (Military Fortress.)
Buzz-!
Just then, their coordinated blows came.
Bam-!
Bam-!
Bam-!
Bam-!
All sorts of attacks—claws, tails, and roars—greeted me. However, they were blocked by the inviolable barrier around me. The first layer consists of the force absorber which nullifies their damage. It is a combination of Gojo Clan's Limitless and magicka that created this absurd spell.
"Veritas luceat id terrarum." (May the light of truth illuminate this world.)
Four lances made of light manifested and attempted to strike them down. The molecules' heat rose up greatly after manipulating physics with magicka. It turned into a 'beam' of light that possesses unimaginable heat.
Pssshk-!
One of the Sphinxes were struck down from his chest while the other has its wings pierced. The remaining two were the only ones who managed to escape and had their tails cut.
Immediately, blood splattered across the golden throne room.
Before Ozymandias could 'resurrect' them, I took out something from my personal space. It was something I gained after having the [Lord of Machines] skill. It granted me a five-layered storage to store my things.
Hum.
It was a sheathed katana. It has a one-edged metallic black sheath. It is simple and unadorned, yet it possesses the goddess' power.
"Veritas Lux." (The truth enlightens me.)
Shiing-!
I made a swift draw. Mysteries converged into this blade as I channeled the technique into it.
Buzz-!
Buzz-!
Two sets of unique power were awakened inside it. They enhanced the purpose of this sword; that is, to kill.
However, it does not end there.
"Etiam deus ruina." (Even gods fall.)
The ultimate Anti-divinity magicka I developed over the years. It contained every myth and legend related to gods' fall.
My increased processing speed far surpassed the sphinxes'. Ozymandias' eyes were startled upon seeing this sword's power.
Three mirages of myself appeared as they went towards the divine beasts. Only when the tips are a second away from cutting their necks did they stop.
A second later, the mirages disappeared as if they never appeared in the first place.
Lowering the blue katana, Sora, I placed it back to its sheath.
Shiing.
The room underwent a moment of stillness before a rowdy laughter broke it.
"Impressive. I didn't expect for a mortal to hold such power. You truly are an enigma, foreigner!"
A golden object was thrown at me. It is none other than the holy grail that Galahad told me to acquire first when I came to this world.
With enough power, it easily came to my grasp.
Immediately, I sensed the foreign power hiding within the grail. It is akin to the demi-spirit's corruption and vileness, but dozens of times worse.
"There was a bit of impurity hiding within that cup, but I trust you already know how to deal with it."
"Indeed."
If I let the real holy grail take care of it, that would be an easy task. But, I have to be more discreet than anything.
"We have a deal." I said. "Also, I will help you summon her tomorrow."
"...I really made an interesting bet." He replied.
After that, I simply disappeared out of the temple.
*****
A/N: Well, there we have it. One hundred chapters. It is the beginning of a new arc (and another time skip). The details that happened during the time skip would be better explained in this entire FGO arc. There won't be any points left out (as compared to the first time skip I did on the earlier chapters).
Anyways, I would like to thank the readers who continued to support this fic. I hope we'd be able to reach 200 (or even 300) chapters for this fic. If we're being more ambitious, 500. Although my update schedule could be a bit unstable due to uni, I won't drop this fic as long as I'm breathing. I'll continue writing this until we reach the end (like my first fic).
By then, I hope it'd be able to bring enjoyment to the readers.
PS: Any questions that y'all want to ask, comment in this paragraph. I'll try my best to answer them (except heavy spoilers for this fic). The said answers would be placed within the end of the next chapter.
Happy reading~!