NOVEL NEXT Chapter 584: Inheritor
After reaching the moon, Edward began observing and analyzing. From what he remembered from the Nasuverse, the moon was a supercomputer called the Moon Cell created by an alien civilization with a database on par with the Root. However, after analyzing the thing, he discovered it was a regular moon.
"It seems I have to reach another timeline," he muttered before leaving, returning to Tohsaka's mansion.
"You're back already?" asked Tohsaka. He said goodbye to them an hour ago and might not return for a few months. "Did something happen?"
"Something urgent happened, and I might need to leave early," replied Edward, who took out a blue gem. "I wanted to do this in case I didn't have a chance."
"What…is this?" Tohsaka, despite her reluctance, had accepted that he would leave and not return.
"This gem will grant you control of the Sixth True Magic after I leave. It's my final gift to you."
"Are you serious?"
"I don't need to lie about that."
"But, don't you need it?" asked Tohsaka.
"Can I go with you?"
"Unfortunately, that's not possible," replied Edward. His relationship with Akasha is purely business. She allowed him to enter and do things; in exchange, he provided her universe with more possibilities. However, Edward cannot take people with him. Scathatch is an exception because the world has rejected her existence, so she has to live in the Land of Shadows.
"I see. Will I see you again?"
"Maybe."
"What's with the hesitation? Are you going to die?" asked Tohsaka hurriedly.
"No, but the world is about to enter a terrible period," sighed Edward. "If we can survive the initial chaos, we might have a chance to meet again."
"What do you mean by that?" Tohsaka found those words ominous. She knew how powerful the Arcane Emperor was, and he had said he might not survive.
"That's all I can say for now. I'm giving you this magic to increase your chances of survival," explained Edward. "Oh, and one last thing: I still need to use the true magic for a while. So, when the gem lights blue, you truly inherit its power."
"It will also mean you've left," she added.
Edward looked her in the eyes, "I don't have any children of my own except for an adopted daughter." He smiled as he remembered the kind and mischievous Charmy. Edward walked to her side.
"You can be considered the second child I've adopted."
"I'm…not…your…daughter," said Tohsaka, tears streaming down her face and snot in her nose. Edward hugged her before kissing her forehead. "I hope we meet again."
He disappeared, leaving Tohsaka bawling on the floor.
…
Edward's destination was the Fate/Ex Timeline, where the Moon Cell was first revealed. He realized it was way more complicated to travel between timelines than any other world he'd been to; the process could be described as harsh. That was understandable as even Zelretch, who controls a True Magic involving accessing Parallel Worlds, needs to use jewels in whatever dimensions he wishes to travel to to form a body for him. Meanwhile, Edward was doing the same, bringing his entire flesh and blood.
When he reached his destination, his body was in shambles and needed a few days to repair. His plan worked effortlessly, as he soon found the secrets of the Moon Cell. In this timeline, people have tried to hack or access the Moon Cell through many methods, most communicating with the mind or soul.
Edward went directly to the core of this supercomputer, accessing all its data. The Moon Cell existed before the Earth was formed, meaning more than 4.5 billion years ago. More importantly, the Moon Cell has been recording data from Earth by scanning the planet every nanosecond for the past billion years.
As such, they contained all records or information about Earth, its people, history, magic, and civilization—just like Akasha. Edward could not or dare not get all the information from the Root in case something happened, but he had no hesitation in doing the same for the Moon Cell.
He downloaded and stored all the data from the Moon Cell while using his Sixth True Magic to sift through it rapidly and found the most useful.
"There is enough data to build Throne of Heroes based on the power of myth." After years of studying the Spiritual Dimension in Black Clover, the data he gathered in Naruto, and the information from the Moon Cell, Edward finally knew he could create his own Throne of Heroes and Myths.
Without hesitation, he spent the next few months adding the finishing touch to that project and completing it. Now, he only needed to build it back home.
"However, no information on the Primordial Runes or Divine Words Magic," muttered Edward, who recently became very interested in Divine Words Magic of this world. From the knowledge he acquired from the Root, he realized the gods of this world were even more "perfect' than Diana.
They were Divine, meaning they were immortal, could use the power of faith, and had their own [Authority]. However, these gods did not use Divine Energy but Mana. As such, his theory is that Divine Word Magic is a unique magical system that can be used by both mana and divine energy.
"For our next stop, we might be able to find both what I want," muttered Edward, who collected a few things before heading to his destination. He was not about to hop to another parallel timeline — no, his next destination was back in time to see the Arcane Empire.
The Arcane Empire existed in a unique time span. It existed after Gilgamesh separated the gods from man (2600 BC) and before the Age of Man (0 AD). During that period, Mystery was rapidly declining while the laws of physics and science were rapidly taking shape due to the collective minds of man.
Edward cast a spell, opening a space-time tunnel to his destination. The channel was a bit unsteady, so he added two Primordial Runes to stabilize it. However, as he was about to step it, he sensed a summoning from a specific space-time coordinate.
"Is this?"
He sensed something and did not hesitate to respond to the summon. A blinding white light swallowed him, and when he opened his eyes, he found himself in the middle of a summoning circle. He looked around and saw someone in white mage clothes smiling at him.
"I figured it would be you," he said, looking at this person with the same face and dress as him. "So, are you me?"
"Yes and no," replied Fate Edward.
"You're a variant but somehow different."
"Yes, unlike your variants with different personalities, memories, and experiences, I am the same as you in almost every way. However, I exist for only one purpose — spread your legend."
"You seem rather too accepting of your destiny."
Fate Edward shrugged, "Akasha created me too well. I know I cannot resist, so I can only accept my fate."
"Is Akasha so powerful?"
"Akasha herself might not be much, but the person controlling or creating her—that's another story."
Edward's eyes squinted, "Give me a rough estimate."
"Between Tier 12 to 14."
"I never expected that," he sighed. "So, why did you bring me here? If I remember correctly, tomorrow is the day you die."
"I summon you to give you a few things and, hopefully, shorten your trip in this world."
"Is this Akasha's way of saying I'm no longer welcome?" asked Edward.
"You can say that. Follow me."
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Do you want to know whether our queens exist in this reality?" asked Fate Edward.
"Yes."
"They do, and they don't," he replied. "Their possibilities exist in this world as part of your legend, but the real variant won't exist until they visit this world."
"Do you recommend I send them here?" asked Edward with a frown.
"I do. They should come and attempt to create a True Magic before leaving. It will benefit them in the long run."
"How do I know you're not a pawn of Akasha to lure my family into this world."
"This is merely a suggestion," said Fate Edward calmly. "You can gather more information before making an informed decision."
"True."
"We're here," said Fate Edward, showing them a few gems lying on a table.