The backlash stemming from the completion of the Sword Scabbard's reverse causality line was finally quelled by Lin Luo and the others within a year. They even managed to purge the Phantasmal Wanderers that had infested the gap between worlds for Gaia Alaya, completely eradicating the dark mist from that interstitial space; even the air felt considerably fresher, making the distant view resemble nothing more than a quaint, ancient scene.

Originally, resolving matters here meant they could depart, but Altria had just given birth and was naturally somewhat weakened. Although Lin Luo attempted to use his own body in the most primal way to transfer the power of the Sword Scabbard within his Body to her—truly, it was only to alleviate her weak state, absolutely not because he’d been deprived of intimacy for over seven months—believe it or not, he did.

However, even with Lin Luo trying his best to help Altria recover, her body didn't bounce back quickly. For this reason, they had to remain in the gap between worlds for a few extra days.

During this time, Fujibayashi Kyō and the others didn't come looking for trouble. Having a small child around somewhat diffused the awkwardness and conflict between the two parties.

Noticing how much Fujibayashi Kyō seemed to adore the child, Lin Luo suggested she have one of her own.

Fujibayashi Kyō was chopping a large ham with a cleaver when she smiled sweetly and replied, "Sure, I'd love to bear you a child too, as long as you let me become the Moe King in three years—no, wait, two years! Heh heh."

Lin Luo bolted in fright, terrified that the cleaver might suddenly fly down between his legs.

With nothing better to do, after coaxing the child to sleep following lunch, he went to flirt with Katsura Hinagiku instead. Though he successfully charmed her, the price was two hours of Kendo sparring dragged along by Katsura Hina. And this wasn't sparring that kind of activity—this was actual sword practice.

The most infuriating part was that the Student Council President strictly forbade him from counterattacking; he could only use his Mind’s Eye power to defend, while she attempted to break through the restraint of his power. As a result, Lin Luo took quite a few cuts. Fortunately, they were only superficial wounds, but several strikes came from wickedly precise angles, nearly giving him a psychological trauma regarding swordsmanship.

For the near future, he dared not cross blades with the President again.

In the afternoon, Lin Luo intended to deepen his bond with Tachibana Kanade, but after only a short while of "exchanging feelings," the pure angel halted any action beyond kissing and instead pulled him into a session of playing video games.

Playing games was a good thing; Lin Luo enjoyed it too. But the problem was that Angel-chan had recently become inexplicably obsessed with dating sims—What are dating sims? They are games where the player assumes the role of the heroine and tries to romance the male lead. Good grief, this put Lin Luo under immense pressure!

It was a small mercy that the dating sims personally developed by Tachibana Kanade were all pure romance-oriented and lacked any compromising scenes, thus sparing Lin Luo from blinding frustration. But even so, his heart could barely handle it... having to roleplay as a female player talking sweetly to a handsome young man—and a tsundere one at that! That was harder to endure than death itself!

Though the heroine strongly resembled Tachibana Kanade, and the male lead looked like himself—did little Kanade get hooked on dating sims just to romance him?

This experience temporarily made Lin Luo wary of touching any games, fearing he might slip up and sell his soul to Lucifer. To alleviate this stress, when evening arrived, he could only seek out Altria once more, doing what needed to be done while the child slept.

Time passed in this state of being harmonious yet subtly discordant. Several days later, Altria's body finally recovered, and it was time for Lin Luo and the others to depart. Once everything was ready, the two lolis, apart from Gaia giving Lin Luo a slightly more ambiguous look, showed no change from before and offered no resistance, escorting their party of five out of the Hall of the Will of Restraint that very day.

Partings are always sad—sometimes that saying isn't entirely true. At least when parting from Gaia Alaya, Lin Luo felt no sorrow; they would have opportunities to meet these two lolis again, and Gaia had even mentioned wanting to visit the Crystal Palace. Her dream would be realized someday.

Reunions are always joyful—this statement isn't entirely accurate either. At least when Lin Luo and the others reunited with Vivian, Bedivere, and Cirno, a shadow of melancholy enveloped everyone because Merlin was dead.

Lin Luo still couldn't fathom why Merlin had to die. He had asked Gaia and Alaya, but regarding Merlin's passing, they only stated his lifespan had reached its end, offering no further explanation and showing no real concern......... It wasn't that they were heartless; it was simply their inherent nature.

Because Lin Luo possessed the status of the Will of Restraint, they treated him specially, as they did his companions. But Merlin was merely a common human, completely inconsequential to them. Compared to the world or all of humanity, he was too insignificant; as the entities of Restraint, they naturally wouldn't care.

Merlin, a renowned Magus, after death became no different from an ordinary person—just a small pile of earth and a tombstone.

Standing before the grave, Lin Luo bowed deeply. When he raised his head, he noticed Fujibayashi Kyō wiping her eyes...... When Fujibayashi Kyō first arrived in this world, due to unfamiliarity with the environment and her weak power, she nearly died at the jaws of a magical beast. It was Merlin who saved her at the critical moment. Afterward, he not only provided her with a stable life but also taught her magic and made every effort to help her find her way home, acting precisely like a mentor.

Although Fujibayashi Kyō often referred to Merlin as a "dead sissy," she held him in deep respect and gratitude. To be unable to see him one last time now made her understandably heartbroken.

Altria shed no tears and did not weep; she merely stood before the tombstone, eyes closed, expression solemn, as if in prayer. All living things must die, and Merlin was no exception. Death is certainly sad, but there is no need for loud wailing. At least she knew Merlin was fortunate; he died with a smile, for he had a perpetual, unwavering tomb keeper—Vivian.

Vivian must be the one truly suffering, Lin Luo thought, gazing at the silent Mizuhime standing nearby. When someone passes away, the most agonizing pain is not borne by the deceased, but by those who love them. Just like that moment he experienced: his own death was a release, but for those girls, it would likely mean endless sorrow. Did they know he was still alive?

After paying their respects to Merlin, the group returned to the lakeside cottage. The cottage remained, but the Holy Lake had vanished. Vivian informed them that upon Merlin’s death, the transfer magic had been lifted, and the Holy Lake had returned to its original location.

"I should have returned to the Holy Lake too. With Merlin gone, there's no need for me to remain alone; I will guard him at the lake. However, the very last thing he did before he died, he won't see it himself, but I must see it through for him. That's why I waited here, waiting for you all to come back." Vivian hadn't shed a tear until this moment, but now she broke down involuntarily, sobbing, "I am so glad to see you all return safely. I believe he would be comforted in the afterlife. Thank you... thank you."

"Vivian," Altria couldn't help but reach out a hand.

"Don't comfort me. I am not crying from sadness now, but from joy." Vivian wiped the tears from her eyes and managed a faint smile, yet her expression immediately turned serious. She looked intently at Altria and said firmly, "There is one more thing I must tell you. It is bad news. I hope you are mentally prepared."

"What is it?" Altria started, suddenly struck by a terrible premonition.

She subconsciously glanced at Bedivere standing beside her and saw that the knight dared not meet her eyes, turning his gaze away in distress. The unease in her heart grew stronger.

Lin Luo’s gaze followed hers and he inwardly sighed. The bad news that could arise at this moment, coupled with Bedivere’s expression, meant he had already guessed part of it—he just hadn't expected it to arrive so swiftly.

Nearby, Fujibayashi Kyō and Katsura Hinagiku also frowned, afraid to meet Altria’s eyes. They were from the future and naturally knew what the worst possible news for King Arthur would be.

"It seems you are mentally prepared, so I will tell you..." Vivian took a deep breath, staring directly into Altria's trembling gaze, and stated gravely, "Britain—no, the Age of Arthur is over. And the one who ended this age is King Arthur herself."

"What!?" Altria shot up from her seat. The violent movement sent her chair crashing to the ground with a loud bang.

The infant sleeping soundly in Lin Luo's arms was startled awake by the sound, letting out a piercing cry that drew everyone's attention to him.

Vivian and Bedivere were quite surprised by the sudden appearance of a baby. Lin Luo and the others offered no explanation, and given the recent matter of Merlin, they refrained from asking upon first seeing him. Only Cirno, carefree and oblivious, immediately flew over once the infant woke up, making silly faces to play with him.

Lin Luo gently patted the baby's body, stabilizing the energy around him to quiet him down......... He ordinarily wouldn't soothe his own child using the Mind's Eye power, but this situation was exceptional.

When the infant finally fell asleep again, Cirno returned disappointed, and the group remained silent. Altria redirected her gaze to Vivian, her tone calm barely concealing the turmoil within her heart. "Bedivere wouldn't look at me because of this, right? Please tell me exactly what happened."

"I will tell you everything, exactly as it happened." Vivian nodded, then recounted everything she knew.

After hearing it all, Altria was left gaping, displaying utter disbelief, and the Sword of Victory in her hand clattered to the floor.

The blade remained dazzling, reflecting sunlight with a golden sheen, but what was once a light symbolizing victory now seemed nothing more than a bitter mockery in her eyes.

: I felt this chapter really hit the mark, what do you all think?