『 A giant of light, spanning tens of thousands of meters, raised a colossal palm and brought it crashing down toward the Chaldea flagship. In the next heartbeat, the void shattered.
It was as if a myriad of suns had detonated simultaneously within the vacuum, casting a blinding, searing glare that illuminated the cosmos. In the empty expanse, countless thunderclaps roared and collided in a chaotic tempest of noise and fury.
The Alien God, U-Olga Marie, felt the sting of this provocation.
Chaldea was her prey! Driven by sheer instinct, she threw herself in front of the flagship, intercepting the brunt of the cataclysmic blow. Yet, almost instantly, she realized the horrifying truth: in terms of raw, brute output, she was utterly outmatched.
With a deafening roar that seemed to pierce the very fabric of space, the Chaldea flagship was sheared cleanly in half. A violent gale swept through the wreckage, tearing Fujimaru Ritsuka away into the void.
Even though Nemo Marine plunged desperately into the storm after her, it was too late.
Fujimaru Ritsuka was dead. 』
『 .....』
〜Myriad Worlds livestream Chat〜
[ Aqua (KonoSuba): "Is that… a giant of light? There are giants of light in that world, too? And it's so huge and… cheerful? Even a goddess like me is getting goosebumps." ]
[ Aogami Pierce (A Certain Magical Index): "…? Are you talking about a giant?" ]
[ Merlin (Type-Moon): "Such overwhelming, tyrannical power! It leaves one utterly clueless on how to resist! Goetia, old friend, get out here and help!" ]
[ Goetia (Type-Moon): "…What kind of fit is this nightmare throwing now? How could I possibly defeat a thing like that?" ]
[ Shinjo Tetsuo (Ultraman): "Even Goetia can't beat it? Daigo, what do you think?" ]
[ Daigo Madoka (Ultraman): "…It's too strange. The feeling it gives me is like… light in its truest, most literal sense. Like the sun itself." ]
[ Shirai Kuroko (A Certain Magical Index): "Wait a minute! Is no one concerned that Fujimaru Ritsuka just died?! The protagonist is dead!" ]
[ Ereshkigal (Type-Moon): "Really?! (Delighted!)" ]
[ Odysseus (Type-Moon): "Another disastrous beginning?" ]
[ Chaotic Evil Gudako (Type-Moon): "It's not strange for the protagonist to die. It would only be strange if Ritsuka died and didn't resurrect. Just wait, she'll definitely come back. That's just how our protagonist rolls!" ]
[ .....]
〜Demon Slayer World〜
With tears glistening at the corners of her eyes, Muzan Kibutsuji—currently in her delicate, sorrowful lady persona—looked utterly pitiful.
Curse it all…!
Yet another existence tied to the sun? Why was the universe so relentlessly hostile to her? Her entire life had been like walking on thin ice. When, oh when, would she finally reach the safety of the opposite shore?
—
〜Ultraman Tiga World〜
"Honestly… it doesn't seem as sturdy as the GUTS Wing 18,"
Shinjo muttered thoughtfully.
He and Daigo had crashed their GUTS Wings countless times without a scratch. Yet, the moment Chaldea's flagship met with its first real accident, Fujimaru Ritsuka died instantly.
It seemed they needed to take precautions for the future. Perhaps they should run a few more crash tests in their spare time.
—
〜A Certain Magical Index World〜
A giant of light… the sun. A supreme entity capable of heavily wounding the Alien God in a single strike.
"The sun…"
Ruiko Saten murmured, lost in thought.
This was the South American Lostbelt. There were only a select few entities there who could ever be referred to as the sun.
Could it be…?
—
〜Type-Moon World, ????? Worldline〜
In the 7th singularity, Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia—
"Meow! That attack… Quetzalcoatl, isn't that your—"
Smack!
A swift chop descended upon Jaguar Man's head. Her body went rigid, and she collapsed instantly to the floor.
"Jaguar Man, we mustn't speak of things we shouldn't,"
Quetzalcoatl said, offering a sweet, terrifyingly gentle smile to the peacefully sleeping feline deity.
Turning her gaze back to the screen, Quetzalcoatl sighed softly. The version of her in that world… seemed not only incredibly powerful but also harbored an immense hostility toward outsiders, even humans.
—
〜Ultraman Universe, Land of Light〜
The various Ultras exchanged glances, then shook their heads. When they first saw the entity, they had genuinely wondered if it was a giant of light unique to that universe. But looking closer now, it was fundamentally different.
That giant was composed of pure, raw energy—the literal incarnation of a sun. They, on the other hand, were Warriors of Light, beings fueled by spiritual conviction and idealism.
—
『 Viewers of Myriad Worlds 』
The onlookers watched with curiosity. Though they knew Fujimaru Ritsuka would inevitably find a way to return, they hadn't expected her to perish the very moment she set foot in the Lostbelt.
This final Lostbelt was proving to be the most difficult of all. Not only did they encounter the Alien God right at the start, but they also ran into an entity even more powerful than her.
How would Chaldea navigate this?
Many watched with amusement. The thought of Chaldea fighting tooth and nail to save the world, only to be rejected by humanity in the end, made it difficult to suppress their smirks.
.....
『 When Fujimaru Ritsuka opened her eyes, she was surrounded by a dense, clinging fog and absolute nothingness.
Is this the world after death…?
She realized her situation instantly, but no panic found purchase in her heart. Having weathered countless trials, the young girl had long anticipated this day. Death was no longer a terrifying prospect to her.
She clenched her fists, then checked her thoughts. So this is death? It felt remarkably similar to being alive. Finding her movements unrestricted, she began to explore the misty void. Before long, she spotted a flickering bonfire.
Then, a figure stepped forward, blocking her path.
He had long golden hair, wore brown sunglasses, a sharp suit, and carried a smirk that bordered on… mocking.
Where did this punk come from?
The thought flashed instantly through Ritsuka's mind. 』
『 .....』
〜Myriad Worlds livestream Chat〜
[ Aqua (KonoSuba): "Wahhh! My eyes! They're burning! You bastard, why do you look so abstract?!" ]
[ Misaka Mikoto (A Certain Magical Index): "…Uh, how should I put this? Why does he look exactly like a street punk who goes around teasing girls?" ]
[ Shirai Kuroko (A Certain Magical Index): "Curse that blonde!" ]
[ Tezcatlipoca (Type-Moon): "…? I modeled this face after your modern aesthetics. It's my most handsome look." ]
[ Deadpool (Earth-10005): "Oh! Brother, that suit is incredibly cool! I feel like we'd get along great." ]
[ Soldier Boy (The Boys): "I agree. He's got a solid vibe. Just like those eighty-year-old girls—the older they get, the more kick they have." ]
[ Aogami Pierce (A Certain Magical Index): "Eighty-year-old… girls? Hiss… Is that a specialty of your world?" ]
[ Quetzalcoatl Type-Moon): "Hehe, my fists are itching. That bastard really is there!" ]
[ .....]
〜Type-Moon World, ????? Worldline〜
In the 7th Lostbelt, Golden Sea of Trees, Nahui Mictlān Lostbelt—
Tezcatlipoca straightened his posture, adjusting his sunglasses with an expression that was smugly provocative.
Was it finally his turn to take the stage? Was he, the Grand Berserker, about to discard his Grand title for the sake of Chaldea?
As many people know, the 'Grand' title is a debuff.
A look of solemn resolve crossed his face, only to instantly dissolve into a smirk. Actually, I decline! After all, this time, he was standing on the opposing side.
As a Grand Berserker chosen by the Counter Force, destroying Human History was perfectly within his job description, wasn't it?
—
『 Tezcatlipoca, fully aware of who she was, chose to play dumb. He adopted a mysterious air and began to ramble.
But in that moment, Ritsuka's eyes caught sight of the flagship plummeting rapidly through the sky. Her breath hitched.
That's…
Without a second thought, she bolted toward the crash site. Yet, no matter which direction she ran, the misty path always looped back, bringing her right back to the bonfire and the smirking man.
"What an impatient girl," Tezcatlipoca said, shaking his head, though there was no malice in his voice. He told her flatly that her companions were on the verge of death. If she wanted to leave this place and save them, she had to make a deal with him.
"What can you offer for the lives of your dying friends? Do you have any weapons of value?"
"…I don't have a single weapon. But will this do?!"
Staring at the falling ship, Ritsuka did not hesitate. She offered her ultimate resource.
She surrendered all three of her Command Spells to the blonde man.
Tezcatlipoca's pupils contracted slightly. The way he looked at her shifted.
"Though they are of little use to me, I accept," he said with a chuckle. "Let us sever you from the fate of death."
Before he departed, he tossed her a small sugar skull. 』
『 .....』
〜Myriad Worlds livestream Chat〜
[ Jogo (Jujutsu Kaisen): "She gave up her Command Spells just like that? Utterly foolish!" ]
[ Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald (Type-Moon): "The importance of Command Spells to a Master cannot be overstated. Without them, she is no different from an ordinary human." ]
[ Gintoki Sakata (Gintama): "I beg to differ. Ritsuka was already dead. What use would keeping them be? Rather than haggling, it was better to give them all up to secure her return." ]
[ Gudako (Type-Moon): "…? That's just who Fujimaru Ritsuka(me) is. The audience only needs to complain, but Ritsuka(I) has to consider everything: how to fell the Fantasy Trees, how to save the world, how to avoid becoming a Beast of Humanity, and how to gain the recognition of Human History. Every choice requires deep, agonizing thought." ]
( Translator-kun: Chaotic Evil Gudako is from the Learning with Manga, while Gudako is from Grand Carnival )
[ Aogami Pierce (A Certain Magical Index): "Hiss… Why does this feel like reading holy scripture? Where did this classic quote come from?" ]
[ .....]
『 Viewers of Myriad Worlds 』
Watching Ritsuka lose her Command Spells, many sighed. For a Master, Command Spells and Servants were their ultimate lifelines in times of peril.
Now, even if she returned to the land of the living, how could she exert her authority as a Master?
This was, in every sense, a disastrous start.
.....
『 When Ritsuka opened her eyes again, the soft, trembling sobs of Nemo Marine reached her ears. Seeing her Master wake, the young marine wept with joy.
Ritsuka looked at her, slowly regaining her senses.
But why was Nemo speaking in such a hushed, terrified whisper?
Nemo Marine's expression turned incredibly strained. She frantically gestured for silence, then pointed a trembling finger toward the clearing nearby.
Ritsuka followed her gaze. The moment she saw the figure resting there, her blood ran cold. Her scalp tingled, and a chill of absolute terror seized her soul.
Is that… THE ALIEN GOD?!!!
She lay there, sleeping peacefully. Her delicate, beautiful face resembled that of a sleeping princess. She was a figure Ritsuka knew all too well—and feared deeply.
At that moment, the rustling disturbed the Alien God. She stirred, opening her eyes, and glared toward them with an unfriendly gaze. 』
『 .....』
〜Myriad Worlds livestream Chat〜
[ Marshall D. Teach (One Piece): "Zehahahahaha! A dead end! A true dead end! This Lostbelt is far too entertaining!" ]
[ Tsuchimikado Motoharu (A Certain Magical Index): "Did Chaldea forget to check the horoscope before setting out? Didn't they think to burn some incense before tackling this Lostbelt?" ]
[ Kirei Kotomine (Type-Moon): "This time, we might truly have to say goodbye to Chaldea." ]
[ Tezcatlipoca (Type-Moon): "As expected of a god, surviving a direct hit from that bird-man. Truly terrifying. If the Alien God merges with ORT, it will cause even greater trouble." ]
[ .....]
〜Type-Moon World, ????? Worldline〜
In the 7th Lostbelt, Golden Sea of Trees, Nahui Mictlān Lostbelt—
"How will Chaldea escape this predicament? Things are getting more interesting by the second, aren't they?"
Tezcatlipoca's eyes danced with amusement. It had been a very long time since he had felt this excited.
Meanwhile, in another part of the forest, Daybit Sem Void watched the screen with a calm, unreadable expression.
Saving the world is the mistake, he thought silently.
—
『 Viewers of Myriad Worlds 』
Laughter erupted among the viewers.
Ever since they entered this Lostbelt, the smiles on their faces hadn't faded. It was simply too amusing.
First, they ran into the Alien God and the giant of light, resulting in Ritsuka's instant death. She barely managed to resurrect, only to find the Alien God sleeping right next to her spawn point!
It seemed Ritsuka was completely cornered. But in the next moment, the smiles on everyone's faces froze.
.....
『 The Alien God glared at the two intruders, annoyed by the disruption. But seeing that they were merely harmless, native organisms, she decided to forgive them.
Native organisms?!
Nemo Marine and Ritsuka exchanged bewildered glances. The Alien God didn't seem to recognize them at all.
She has amnesia?!!
Neither of them was foolish enough to point out that they were mortal enemies. Under Ritsuka's careful, gentle coaxing, the Alien God quickly began to view them as friends, even going so far as to bestow titles upon them.
"Fujimaru Ritsuka, Marine, I appoint you as the Goodwill Ambassadors of the Alien God!"
Hearing this, Ritsuka's eyes lit up.
Had she finally hit the jackpot?
"I am… the Goodwill Ambassador of the Alien God?! Have I finally made it in life?" Ritsuka muttered.
Nemo Marine stared at her. "…?"
Ritsuka, wake up! 』
『 .....』
〜Myriad Worlds livestream Chat〜
[ Limbus (???): "Bastard! To take advantage of a god's amnesia and treat her with such disrespect! I'll kill you!" ]
[ Kenjaku (Jujutsu Kaisen): "I must say, Fujimaru Ritsuka's luck is extraordinary. A god losing her memory? To exploit such an astronomically low probability… You truly are the chosen one of that world, Ritsuka." ]
[ Romani Archaman (Type-Moon): "Hahaha! This is an unprecedented development! The Alien God lost her memory and appointed Ritsuka as her Goodwill Ambassador? But Ritsuka isn't taking it seriously, right?" ]
[ Fujimaru Ritsuka (Type-Moon): "…Doctor, if saving Pan-Human History still won't grant us the recognition of Human History, then what about becoming the Goodwill Ambassador of the Alien God? Wouldn't that work? Perhaps… we should change our way of thinking and try a different path." ]
[ Romani Archaman (Type-Moon): "…?!! Ritsuka, stay sane!" ]
[ Gilgamesh (Type-Moon): "Huahahahaha! Mongrel, if you can truly forge a completely new path, THEN EVEN THIS KING WILL HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO ADMIRE YOU!!!" ]
[ .....]
〜Type-Moon World, ????? Worldline〜
Dr. Roman broke into a cold sweat. He wanted to believe Ritsuka was joking, but seeing the cold, contemplative look on the young girl's face on screen, he swallowed his words.
Perhaps… she wasn't joking at all?
—
『 Fortunately, Ritsuka did not let the title completely cloud her judgment. She requested that the Alien God guide them through the South American jungle to find Mash and the others.
However, as they prepared to set out, a pack of Wyverns emerged from the foliage. To their surprise, the Alien God shrank back in fear. From a cosmic perspective, such creatures were utterly illogical!
Without her Command Spells, Ritsuka was powerless to fight, and Nemo Marine possessed no combat capabilities. The Alien God immediately prepared to flee.
But in that critical moment, a figure clad in a dark robe materialized. A cold flash of steel cleaved through the air, instantly slicing the Wyverns to pieces.
It was none other than the King of Humans, Goetia.
"Though this is our first encounter, to be helpless against a few mindless beasts… for the last Master of humanity, what a pathetic display," Goetia scolded, his voice dripping with disapproval.
"Or is it that your foolishness—so characteristic of humans—has only grown alongside the excision of six Lostbelts?"
Staring at the familiar figure, Ritsuka felt a torrent of emotions—excitement, silence, and sorrow—surge within her chest.
Beside her, the Alien God stared at the robed figure, momentarily frozen as if trying to grasp a fleeting memory.
Goetia cast a brief glance at the Alien God, but said nothing.』
『 .....』
『 Viewers of Myriad Worlds 』
The viewers could not help but marvel at the irony.
How wondrous and cruel fate was. The Alien God, U-Olga Marie, inhabited a vessel that resembled Chaldea's former director. Meanwhile, Goetia walked the earth using the likeness of Romani Archaman.
What must Fujimaru Ritsuka feel, standing between them?
Both had been her greatest enemies, yet they wore the faces and carried the faint echoes of those she had lost. Was this a cruel joke of the universe, or was it all predestined?
Moreover, many realized with a jolt of surprise: were there now three Beasts gathered in this single Lostbelt?
Fou, the Alien God, and Goetia?
( Translator-kun: Technically its five and a half Fou, U-Olga, Ritsuka, Camazotz, Goetia, and Koyanskaya )
This Lostbelt was turning out to be incredibly crowded.
.....
( Translator-kun: Keep in mind, folks, this chapter was written before the final Lostbelt(2 years prior?) revealed who was actually using Romani's face. The fandom back then assumed it was Goetia, which is only technically half-right since it's actually the remnants of the Demon Gods(Flauros). )