Boom!
Smack!—
"Huff... huff..."
Kukulkan sat up from the ground, dusted herself off, and took several deep breaths, looking Setsuna up and down from head to toe.
She had no doubt that if Setsuna had not held back just now, he could have casually used space to tear her body apart.
Using spatial dislocation to grind an opponent to death—there was no defending against it.
This was not Chaldea magecraft, nor was it any Noble Phantasm or ability she had ever seen or heard of.
From the beginning of the fight until now, Setsuna had not moved a single step. He stood where he was, effortlessly receiving every attack, then ended it with a single move.
"Well?"
Setsuna pulled her to her feet.
"Rather than relying on courage and gambling on a negligible chance of victory to challenge an overwhelmingly stronger enemy, I prefer crushing them with even greater power."
"You're a strange one."
Kukulkan scratched her head.
Her goal had been to test humanity. According to her expectations, there were only two possible outcomes:
First, if there existed a human she acknowledged—someone filled with courage—then Kukulkan would assist that human in saving the world, just like Gudako in the original timeline.
Second, if humanity failed to meet her standards, then she would end them in advance, sparing them from facing the even greater catastrophe to come.
Yet Setsuna had given her an option she had never considered—knock everyone flat.
If the Three Goddess Alliance caused trouble, then beat down the Three Goddess Alliance. If Tiamat caused trouble, then beat down Tiamat.
"You're not the true Master, are you? You're not even from Chaldea."
Kukulkan leaned closer to Setsuna as she asked.
"Mm. I believe I already introduced myself earlier?"
Setsuna nodded.
"We're from the Starsea Empire, in another universe—a far larger place."
"There's an Earth and a solar system there as well. Oh, South America has already been turned into a plantation base."
"The true Master of Chaldea is her."
He casually pointed at Gudako.
"Ohh..."
"I see, I see!!!"
Kukulkan looked between the two of them, clapped her hands, and returned to her smiling big-sister demeanor.
"Aliens coming to help the humans here save the world? Hmm... how interesting—and strange."
"A long, long time ago, those visitors from other stars were not nearly as friendly as you."
Setsuna waved a hand.
"So, according to our previous agreement—you accept?"
"Of course!"
Kukulkan charged straight into him and wrapped him in an enthusiastic bear hug.
She was about the same height as Setsuna. By a goddess's standards, she was slightly on the taller side.
"I lost. I lost!"
"From now on, I withdraw from the Three Goddess Alliance. Starting today, you're my Master!"
She rubbed her cheek against Setsuna's shoulder.
"Huh?"
Jeanne Alter's expression twisted.
"What is this woman even thinking? Wait—do goddesses switch sides this fast?"
"Ishtar got bribed by the Master's money power, and Kukulkan got beaten into submission?"
"That's just how Kukulkan is," Ishtar sighed.
Quetzalcoatl had always acted on impulse. No matter the method, as long as she acknowledged someone, switching sides was absolutely the most straightforward thing she could do.
"Oh, right. There's also a little one here who usually helps me collect things. Master, take her with you as well."
Kukulkan snapped her fingers.
"Yoo-hooo!!!"—
Boom—
A strange girl wearing an oversized jaguar mascot suit, complete with beast ears, came running from afar.
She carried a weapon resembling the Ultra Rainbow Hammer. With orange hair and orange eyes, and the bulky jaguar costume making her look both cute and ridiculous, she was quite the sight.
"Isn't that Miss Teng?"
Setsuna grinned.
"Miss Teng? What Miss Teng?"
Jaguar Warrior planted her weapon into the ground.
"Jaguar Warrior appears! I am not a tiger, anyway please take care of me!!"
"Hmm... Kukulkan is such a hassle. If she's going with you, then you've got to take me too, meow!"
"...Can this person really count as a Heroic Spirit?!"
Gudako stared at the absurd jaguar for a long moment.
In theory, Jaguar Warrior's true identity was one of the ancient South American deities symbolizing battle and death.
But when the god manifested, perhaps influenced by the host vessel, she had inexplicably become... comedic.
"Meow! Looking down on me, are you?!"
Jaguar Warrior spun the pink Ultra Rainbow Hammer in her hand.
"Looking down on Jaguar Warrior will bring you terrible misfortune, you over there!"
"Huh?"
"I can't beat Kukulkan, but you think I can't beat you?!"
Gudako's lips twitched twice before she rushed forward, and the two immediately started clashing with loud bang-bang-crash noises.
"..."
Setsuna couldn't be bothered with the two living comedy acts.
He ordered the Angeloids to retrieve Marduk's axe embedded in the side of the pyramid.
The thing was enormous and absurdly heavy. It took several Angeloids just to stuff it into the starship's cargo bay.
"Either we figure out a way to miniaturize it, or this thing's only fit for a Gundam... tch."
...
Ten minutes later.
Boom—
The starship departed from Kukulkan's Sun Temple.
The people of Uruk who had previously been killed and revived by her also returned to the city, wearing utterly bewildered expressions.
Greeting them were equally bewildered family members—and the Wise King Gilgamesh.
"Wait, weren't you all killed by that goddess?"
"Uh... after we died, it seems we revived somewhere else. Sorry about that."
"???"
"Hmm..."
Aboard the starship, Setsuna crossed off the third item on his to-do list...
"With Kukulkan joining us, the remaining members of the Three Goddess Alliance we need to deal with are Gorgon and the Underworld Goddess Ereshkigal—let's just call her Eresh for short."
"In order, we'll go find Eresh first."
"Before that, introduce yourselves to each other. Welcome to the Starsea Empire."
Earlier, Kukulkan had fought the group of Heroic Spirits and hadn't had time for proper introductions.
No matter what, the Feathered Serpent was a formidable addition to their forces.
"Oh, alright. Tell me who you all are! And about Master and the Starsea Empire too?"
Kukulkan dragged over a small stool, sat down, and propped her chin on her hands like she was listening to a story.
"Here's our data. Read it yourself. If there's anything you don't understand, ask me or the Commander."
Belfast handed her a tablet.
"High technology! So interesting!"
The Feathered Serpent's comprehension was excellent. Before long, she had mastered how to use it.
"Then next, we'll head to the Underworld Goddess..."
As Setsuna was planning their next move—
He suddenly noticed Elysia crouching in the corner of the bridge, drawing circles on the floor by herself.
"What's wrong? Losing to Kukulkan isn't embarrassing. It's not that serious, is it?"
Setsuna lightly tapped her head.
"Uuu..."
Elysia turned her face away, looking aggrieved.
"My Elysia Star and Pink Elf Star are gone."
"I wanted to show off to Mobius and Vill-V and the others—that there was a star in the sky named after me."
Pfft—
"So that's what this is about? I'll make you one when I've got time."
Setsuna almost burst out laughing, then suddenly remembered something else.
"Oh right, that reminds me."
"Since you all lost, when we get back I'll need to collect the defeat CGs."
"Whatever."
Jeanne Alter and Jeanne d'Arc were veterans of many battles. They shrugged, completely indifferent.
The two Neros didn't care either. Only Artoria and Mordred looked somewhat confused.
"!?"
Elysia suddenly realized she had set herself on fire.
"What? You used me to make a bet just now? Hmm?"
"What happens to the loser? A live sacrifice? N-no, you wouldn't be that barbaric, right?"
Kukulkan squeezed over, listening in on the gossip.
"Huh?"
"What? You fought me just to gamble on something like that?!"
The South American chief goddess stood there blankly for quite a while, unable to speak.
"Uh..."
"My, as expected of Master and aliens—you certainly play boldly."
"But using something like this to welcome a newcomer is a bit too avant-garde, don't you think?"
...
Whoosh—
Night had fallen.
The starship hovered in low-speed cruise, suspended in midair as it slowly passed over the city below.
Inside the bridge, everything was quiet.
"Umu, I'm tired. I shall rest for a while."
After fighting Kukulkan during the day, a considerable amount of stamina had been consumed. The Heroic Spirits were in their rooms recovering.
And reviewing why they had been beaten so miserably by the Feathered Serpent—only to have their Master step in to clean up afterward.
Artoria didn't even touch her snacks. She stood facing the wall in silent reflection.
Kukulkan lay on a bed, hugging a tablet, reading through the information on it with great interest.
The more she read, the more excited the South American goddess became.
"Ah? I didn't expect the Starsea Empire to have another goddess like me? I should talk to her once we get back."
"So interesting. Master really is the most interesting person in this world. I can't wait to go back already~"
"..."
In the main control room.
Setsuna reviewed data on the holographic interface and checked off another objective.
He stared at the starry sky beyond the viewport for a moment, lost in thought.
With his current physical condition, he could go months without sleep if necessary.
But the Starsea Empire didn't have enough work to justify constant overtime. Staying awake all the time would mean missing out on quite a bit of fun.
"Commander, perhaps you should rest earlier. Since arriving at this Singularity, you've been traveling and fighting constantly without taking a break," Belfast said gently.
"You go ahead."
Setsuna waved his hand. The maid bowed and withdrew.
He flipped through additional data regarding Tiamat, considering how to communicate with her—and what to do about the remaining Beasts.
"Who's going to make up for the Beast Nero I'm missing...?"
Just as he was thinking—
"Good evening."
A gentle voice sounded from behind. Ishtar softly pushed the door open and stepped inside.
"Still working? You're quite the dedicated Master."
"I want to resolve this world's issues as efficiently as possible and repair the Seventh Singularity," Setsuna replied casually.
He felt that Ishtar's aura seemed different tonight—lacking her usual goddess-like arrogance.
"There are other matters in the Starsea Empire waiting for me as well."
"Oh?"
Ishtar tilted her head thoughtfully and sat down beside him.
"You mean that place with lots of girls?"
"...If you want to put it that way. By the way, aren't you going to play with your gems?"
Setsuna smiled.
"!?"
"It's not like I like them that much..."
She waved her hand quickly.
"I have other things to do too. Since this is a rare opportunity, I wanted to talk with you. Is that alright?"
"Suit yourself."
Setsuna gestured generously.
He casually formed a cup of milk tea and handed it to her.
"Here. They didn't have this in the pre-common era, right?"
"Eh?"
Ishtar hurriedly accepted it, holding it carefully and taking a small sip.
"Um... I didn't expect you to win over both Ishtar and Kukulkan as allies. Was it love at first sight? Or do you just like beautiful girls?"
"No, no. Kukulkan doesn't exactly fit the conventional definition of beautiful, does she?"
"Hmm?"
The more they talked, the more Setsuna felt something was off about her.
"Neither. From the start, I intended to bring all three members of the Three Goddess Alliance back. They were all planned targets."
"Eh?"
Ishtar froze.
"Planned? You... aren't afraid of goddesses? You don't have any... special thoughts about me because I'm a goddess?"
"The Starsea Empire has plenty of goddesses. Why would I be afraid of you?"
Setsuna tapped her forehead lightly.
"I-Is that so? Ugh... you're such a strange person."
Ishtar muttered quietly and tapped at the holographic interface.
"Alright, let's get straight to the point."
"What do you think about the remaining two goddesses—and the relationship between gods and humans?"
"There's no possibility of reconciliation between Gorgon, the Goddess of Magical Beasts, and humanity. Kukulkan has already been recruited by you. That leaves the last one—me."
"You mean...?"
Setsuna began to think.
"I cannot forgive the current Mesopotamia. I do not agree with humans abandoning the gods to create a world that belongs solely to themselves."
Ishtar gazed at the sea of stars outside the window.
This was the end of the Age of Gods in Mesopotamia.
The gods were gradually losing their power, transforming from manifested deities into legends passed down among the people.
And the end of Mesopotamia's Age of Gods was inseparable from Gilgamesh.
"In the era of the gods, humanity relied upon stronger faith. Their souls did not have to wander in confusion. Even when they encountered disasters or unreasonable suffering, they could blame the gods and live more freely."
"I believe that way of existence is kindness toward humanity."
Ishtar spoke as if recounting her own long history.
"I endured like this for thousands—tens of thousands—of years. So I joined this alliance to turn the human world into a world of both humans and gods."
"In short, what I want is not to exterminate humanity, but to reshape the entire human world."
"..."
"The gods unwilling to see their era end—wanting to return to the Age of Gods, hm?"
Setsuna smiled faintly. As expected, each of the Three Goddess Alliance had their own motivations.
"The Starsea Empire has all kinds of gods. There was even a goddess on the verge of disappearing due to loss of faith—now she's living quite comfortably in the capital."
"I don't oppose coexistence between gods and humans. In fact, I get along quite well with many gods."
He idly thought of certain chaotic outer deities. Gods were gods, after all.
"Oh...?"
Ishtar's expression grew even more curious. She curled up slightly beside him, secretly observing.
"A world where humans and gods coexist harmoniously and trust one another?"
"Hmm... If I went to the Starsea Empire, could I recruit followers too? Like the Eris and Aqua you mentioned?"
"Of course."
Setsuna agreed immediately.
"In the Starsea Empire, every god has the freedom to develop faith—under the Empire's orderly administration."
"However..."
He finally pinpointed the source of the strange feeling.
"Ishtar—or rather, you're not Ishtar right now. You're the Underworld Goddess Ereshkigal, aren't you? You cannot leave the underworld, yet you and Ishtar share the same origin, so you can borrow her body to manifest."
"By the way, that name's a bit hard to pronounce. Can I call you Eresh from now on?"
"!!!"
"You know that too?!"
Ishtar's pupils trembled. Her face flushed red as she waved her hands frantically.
"N-no, no, no! What are you talking about?!"
"What's with that name Eresh?! I-I'm not Ereshkigal!!"
"I'm going back! Goodbye!!!"
She jumped up to run, only to be caught by Setsuna.
"It's fine, Eresh. Let's chat a little longer. We'll be meeting properly soon anyway."
"I can even build you a brand-new underworld when the time comes."
"N-no no no..."
"Don't say things like that!!!—"
Her body suddenly went limp. She lost consciousness and collapsed into Setsuna's arms.
"Ah, she ran away. Are all members of that family tsundere?"
Setsuna picked up the girl, somewhat regretful.
...
The next day.
"Yaaawn—"
Ishtar yawned as she entered the main control room.
"Weird... why am I so sleepy? It's like I didn't sleep at all last night."
"Master, is there something wrong with your ship?"
"..."
Setsuna only smiled.
With the two of them sharing one body and swapping control, the future was bound to be entertaining.
He tapped the holographic interface, and Chaldea's data was transmitted accordingly.
"Ahem. The next goddess we need to deal with is the Underworld Goddess Ereshkigal, a deity of the same Sumerian pantheon as Ishtar."
"They share the same divinity. When Ishtar was summoned, Ereshkigal manifested as well."
"Ishtar represents life and the Earth Mother, the Lady of the Sky. In contrast, Ereshkigal represents the fear of death—the Mistress of the Underworld."
"Eek—"
At the mention of the underworld, Ishtar seemed to recall something unpleasant and hugged herself, shivering.
"That one... she's really troublesome to deal with in the underworld..."
Kukulkan spread her hands.
"In the underworld, Ereshkigal holds the highest authority. Whether Heroic Spirits or living beings, all are weakened there."
"The living entering the realm of the dead will be severely suppressed. Even big sis can't do much against her in the underworld."
"I know."
Setsuna remained unconcerned.
"If we fight head-on, I'm completely confident I can take her down."
"But... in terms of how easy Eresh is to handle, she probably ranks in the top three in Chaldea. On the same level as Jeanne Alter."