One moment, he was observing the appearance of the Holy Lance Rhongomyniad, but the next, feeling a consciousness transmitted from the lance, he subconsciously wondered if he would be eroded by the lance's characteristics like Artoria.
Now, he was plunged into darkness, unsure of his location.
Thinking about it, Kaito felt this shouldn't be a dream, nor should it be Gaia and Alaya coming to find him.
Perhaps the two of them, frightened by the Holy Lance's appearance in this world, would want to come and suppress it a little, begging him not to recklessly release the lance's power. But thinking further, there was no need.
To use the Holy Lance, you needed someone qualified for Kaito to "unmoor" it.
Putting that aside, Kaito roughly knew the answer.
His consciousness had entered the Holy Lance Rhongomyniad...
Ding...
Just as this thought occurred, the surrounding dark space indeed reacted.
A royal city gradually materialized around him. After forming into Camelot, a city he was extremely familiar with, he suddenly found himself inside the palace's great hall.
Before him, a figure sat upon a pure white throne, while the torches on the surrounding pillars correspondingly brightened, illuminating the woman seated there.
"You are my master?"
Ethereal, divine green eyes stared at Kaito standing in the hall.
The moment she asked, a very fitting background music began to play in the hall.
No one was singing, no one was playing instruments.
This song was the exclusive theme of the Lion King Artoria from Fate/Grand Order, a woman who came with her own BGM, very regal, very imposing, full of majesty.
The current situation felt like Kaito was being judged.
"Yes."
Kaito looked at the Holy Lance's consciousness, Rhongomyniad, which had taken the form of the Lion King Artoria. He felt it was a bit strange, but also liked it.
He liked this form!
Looking into her ethereal, divine eyes, Kaito held her gaze for a long time before the corners of his mouth curled up slightly and he answered very affirmatively.
"But, you are not yet sufficient."
"Why?"
Kaito questioned back.
"Although the power within you is strong, it is still not enough. If you continue to use me, you will be eroded by me."
"Is that so... Will the erosion be fast?"
"Not fast... but your strength will no longer be able to improve."
Rhongomyniad guessed Kaito's thoughts. But based on a comprehensive observation of Kaito, aside from this relatively weak Archon attached to him, Kaito essentially had no way to improve his strength further.
Even though Kaito himself possessed the power of an Archon, he was ultimately not a god, and his strength was feeble.
If his strength could not continue to improve, no matter how strong Kaito's will was, he would eventually be eroded by its characteristics.
This was not something Rhongomyniad could control; after all, it was a true Divine Construct, not a weapon meant to be wielded by ordinary beings.
"Then it's fine, as long as my growth rate outpaces your erosion."
"Impossible... You have already..."
"Interested in accompanying me to kill a few gods?"
"Huh?"
Rhongomyniad was stunned for a moment.
Seeing such an expression appear on that extremely serious face, Kaito chuckled.
"I will become your most suitable master, Rhongomyniad."
Regardless, Rhongomyniad ultimately couldn't resist him, otherwise he wouldn't have drawn her.
The chat group system wouldn't screw him over, would it?
Since it hadn't screwed him over so far – no backlash, no refusal to acknowledge him as master, instead coming to say he couldn't use her too many times – this showed she was concerned for Kaito.
Wasn't worrying about one's master a good thing?
So why should he, as the master, fear her erosion!
Being eroded due to insufficient strength was perfectly normal. It was like a demonic weapon; if you couldn't control it, it would control you, dominating your thoughts, making you bloodthirsty, greedy, and so on.
"..."
At this moment, Rhongomyniad, seated on the throne, began to scrutinize Kaito intently. Sensing that Kaito wasn't joking, but instead stood there with a very confident certainty, she sighed softly.
"Very well, since that is your wish... then, let me look forward to it."
"Master, state your name."
Rhongomyniad floated up from the throne, clad in armor with a cape flowing behind her, her kingly bearing on full display.
Whatever aura the Lion King Artoria had, Rhongomyniad possessed the same!
Kaito looked up slightly at her, unleashing his Conqueror's Haki.
"Kaito!"
In terms of presence, Kaito didn't want to lose to her!
"Kaito, is it... I understand, my master!"
Whoosh—!!!
Rhongomyniad's form began to dissipate, transforming into particles of brilliant light that floated towards Kaito's right hand and gradually condensed into the Holy Lance.
As Kaito raised it high, the Holy Lance, as if unleashing its Noble Phantasm, released a powerful surge of energy. The entire palace hall began to shake violently, as if on the verge of collapse from the lance's influence!
The next instant—
Kaito returned to the real world.
His consciousness restored, Kaito looked again at the Holy Lance Rhongomyniad in his hand. As the light on its shaft gradually dimmed, he knew that from this moment on, he was its true master.
Naturally, from this moment on, Kaito also began to be eroded.
It would gradually change his thoughts. Although it would bring him a considerable increase in strength, afterwards he would no longer be himself – on this point, Kaito was also aware.
So...
He needed to get stronger as quickly as possible.
"Irisviel, I'm ready to set off."
"Mm, I know, dear. You must, must be very careful!!"
"Haha, I know."
After storing the Holy Lance in the Gate of Babylon space, Kaito gently stroked Irisviel's hair, then took out his phone, opened the chat group, and privately messaged Sayuri.
After Sayuri confirmed Kaito's name and executed the world travel, a tunnel for going to another world appeared before Kaito.
"Whew... I hope it's a god that can pique my interest."
Whoosh—!
Kaito vanished from before Irisviel. At the same time, the worlds of all chat group's members entered a state of time freeze.
Rustle...
"This is..."
Arriving in the world of Campione!, Kaito emerged from an inconspicuous street alley. As he was about to step out, he quickly changed his sleepwear into customized nano-clothing, which transformed into Rex Lapis's suit.
'Italy, huh. Looks like I might have arrived at the beginning of the plot.'
'If that's the case... wouldn't it be even better?'
The God of War, Verethragna...
He didn't covet his other Authorities, just wanted his [Golden Sword]!
That is, the [Warrior] Authority!