To Become a King and a Magician 546-550

Title: The Curtain of Fate Opens

[So, never associate an anime character with their voice actor~]

In the room assigned to Ritsuka.

After opening the door with her ID card and entering with Ritsuka, Naoki’s ears caught a sentence that made his DNA react.

On the bed, seeing two people enter, Roman’s face—holding a plate of strawberry cake—became slightly stiff.

“Uh… that is…”

“Again, slacking off here, Doctor?”

After Ritsuka let out a curious “Hmm.” Naoki said resignedly to Roman, “Be careful, or Olga will find out and scold you.”

“It’s fine. Besides, you’ll take the blame anyway.” Roman replied casually. “By the way, why are you here? The first particle transfer is about to begin. Shouldn’t you, as head of operations, be there to supervise?”

“There’s still time before it officially starts. Until then, I’m showing this newcomer around the place.”

As he spoke, Naoki stepped aside to gesture toward Ritsuka. “Let me introduce her—this is Fujimaru Ritsuka, the other Master who just arrived today.”

Fujimaru Ritsuka.

Hearing Naoki’s introduction, Roman immediately understood. “Oh, so you’re Fujimaru… Nice to meet you. I’m Chaldea’s head of the medical department, Romani Archaman. Most people just call me Dr. Roman.”

“Hmm… nice to meet you, I’m Fujimaru—eh? Head of department?!”

After a brief pause, Ritsuka, realizing her mistake, quickly straightened her posture, trying to appear serious.

Roman immediately waved his hand. “No need to be so formal with me, Ritsuka. It makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. Just talk normally. I’m not important—just a doctor.”

“Yeah, he’s just a foolish doctor obsessed with a virtual idol and uncomfortable unless he’s being scolded. You really don’t need to respect him.”

“Hey!”

Hearing Naoki’s assessment, Roman immediately grew annoyed. “I’m not obsessed with a virtual idol! And I’m not an M! I just leave comments for Magical Merry and interact with her politely!”

“That’s exactly it.”

“It’s the same thing!”

Magical Merry—a highly popular virtual idol on the internet right now, where Merry provided the virtual appearance and Merlin operated behind the scenes. Together, they ran the project.

Although Roman had known the secret from the beginning and understood that the voice of the woman on screen was actually Merlin himself, he initially thought, [I don’t have anything better to do, so I might as well chat with her.] But somehow, without realizing it, he had become a devoted DD (die-hard supporter) of Magical Merry.

Honestly, Naoki’s feelings were complicated. The shell of Magical Merry was his wife, Merry. Seeing her being adored like this made him feel slightly awkward. But when he remembered that inside was an adult man, the awkwardness intensified.

It was like one day, your roommate suddenly said, “Actually, that virtual idol you support? That’s me.”

Watching the friendly interaction between the two, Ritsuka raised her hand in confusion, wanting to ask: “Uhm… Natsukawa-Senpai said this is my room… why is Doctor Roman here?”

“He just came here to slack off. Besides, after this, he probably won’t have time for it, so he’s taking the chance to relax now—oh, by the way, Roman. Since you’re free, why don’t you explain Chaldea’s situation to Fujimaru, especially the particle transfer part?”

“Why don’t you explain it?”

“Don’t you understand it better than I do?”

(But you’re the head of operations!)

Looking at his old friend with resignation, Roman sighed and turned to Ritsuka. “Alright, I’ll explain… Fujimaru, as Natsukawa mentioned, I’ll start with particle transfer. For your future life here, this is very important knowledge. Make sure to remember it.”

“Yes… I understand!”

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Roman’s short lecture on Chaldea’s general knowledge for Ritsuka lasted about half an hour.

From Chaldea’s key facilities like CHALDEAS, to Chaldea’s purpose, particle transfer, and Heroic Spirit summoning… He explained all the future-useful knowledge in great detail to Ritsuka, using language understandable even to an ordinary person.

After listening to Roman’s explanation, Ritsuka couldn’t help but be impressed. “That’s amazing! I’ll be able to time travel to the past and save the world with heroes from history… Will I really be doing that later?”

“If nothing goes wrong, yes. By the way, sorry to dampen your excitement while you’re happy, but the truth is, repairing the Human Order isn’t fun. The journey is full of danger. I hope you, Fujimaru, remember this well. As a doctor, I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“I understand…”

“—Still, actually, as long as this guy is here and Fujimaru doesn’t run off alone, there basically won’t be any problems. Especially with Akuta around.”

Roman glanced at Naoki, sitting in a chair. “As head of operations, you should protect your subordinates, Natsukawa.”

“With Hinako-Senpai here, 99% of problems won’t be problems. The remaining 1% I’ll always be ready to handle. Plus, with my support team at home, Doctor, you can rest easy.”

Naoki said with a smile.

Akuta? Akuta Hinako?

“Who is she? This person named Akuta Hinako.” Ritsuka asked. “Is she also a subordinate of Natsukawa-Senpai, like me?”

“More or less. Earlier in the control room, you must’ve seen a girl with twin tails and glasses. That’s Akuta Hinako, your senior. Both of you are Chaldea’s only Masters. Remember to get along well in the future.”

After Naoki said that, Ritsuka finally recalled seeing someone like that.

At that moment—

*TUT-TUT!*

Accompanied by a ringing sound, the communication bracelet on Naoki’s wrist suddenly displayed Professor Lev’s image. “I’ve finished the final adjustments. Natsukawa, you and the newcomer can come now.”

“Got it, okay. I’ll be right there. By the way, should I bring the doctor? I’m currently in the medical room.”

Naoki directed the camera toward Roman.

Lev nodded. “That’d be better. There might be physical discomfort during the first particle transfer. With Roman there, it won’t be an issue. Hurry up. We also need to change the newcomer’s combat outfit.”

“Understood.”

After ending the call, Naoki and Roman exchanged glances. Then Roman asked, “This time, are you sure nothing will happen to anyone, Natsukawa?”

“Yes, nothing will happen to anyone. Trust me, Doctor. By the way, about Lev… are you sure you don’t want to surprise him?”

“Forget it. No need. Besides, you confiscated my ring and put it somewhere—I don’t even know where. Even if I told him, Lev wouldn’t believe me.”

Recalling Naoki’s robber-like actions from a while ago, Roman felt utterly resigned. Although the other party did it for his own good to prevent him from exploding, did he really have to snatch his ring?!

Standing up from the bed, Naoki waved to Ritsuka. “Let’s go, Fujimaru. It’s time for the control room—oh, keep this safe.”

“Eh? This… a charm?”

Looking at the charm placed in her hand, Ritsuka frowned slightly in confusion. “Why did Senpai suddenly give me this?”

“Consider it a welcome gift to Chaldea. Make sure to carry it wherever you go. I made it myself. Guaranteed to be effective.”

-

Title: Lev: I’m Back from a Detective Conan Movie!

After several dozen minutes, guided by Naoki, Ritsuka once again walked toward the control room.

This time, however, she wouldn’t be going directly into the control room, but to the area in front of it. After putting on Chaldea’s special combat uniform, she would begin her first particle transfer and embark on her first mission.

For a high school boy who, just an hour ago, was an ordinary person, this turn of events was incredibly fast. But the current situation didn’t allow her time to adapt from scratch. She could only gradually accept it in the days ahead.

“Senpai… no, I mean, Department Head.”

Just as the elevator was about to reach the lowest floor, Ritsuka suddenly spoke to Naoki. “May I ask you something?”

“Of course. By the way, you don’t need to call me Department Head. Even though it’s called the Operations Department, it’s really just you, me, and Hinako-Senpai. So no need to be so formal. Outside official events, just call me Natsukawa.”

“I see… Then, Natsukawa-Senpai, what did you mean by the last part of your conversation with Doctor Roman earlier?”

Ritsuka asked, confused. “Professor Lev is the man in the green raincoat. From your conversation, it seemed related to him… Is it something very dangerous?”

Naoki frowned. “Why do you think that?”

“Uh… Should I call it intuition, or should I say I’m applying some common story templates?”

“Templates?”

“Have you ever read light novels, Natsukawa-Senpai? In some popular plots, there’s a similar situation where a character on our side is actually the enemy, and someone on our side knows it—something like that.” Ritsuka scratched her head sheepishly. “Since today’s events feel exactly like a light novel plot, I couldn’t help overthinking… If it’s nothing, please forget I said anything. I’m sorry!”

Seeing Ritsuka’s slightly apologetic expression, Naoki smiled faintly. “Well, it’s roughly what you’re thinking. Professor Lev right now isn’t exactly a good person.”

“Eh? Right now?”

“It’d be troublesome to explain the past, so I won’t say it here—honestly, the control room and the transfer area you’re heading to might already be rigged with numerous bombs by Professor Lev.”

Bombs?!

Ritsuka’s face instantly turned pale. Seeing this, Naoki quickly explained, “Maybe! Only maybe! Chaldea was equipped with comprehensive anti-explosion systems from the start of its construction. The materials used are specially made for blast resistance. Even if there are bombs, they won’t cause major damage.”

“R-really?!”

“Really… But if it’s Professor Lev, I think he’s already prepared accordingly.”

In the original timeline, Professor Lev used ordinary bombs. Although at the time, members of Team A were gradually revealing their identities, rumors circulated that the bombs Lev used weren’t ordinary—but that wasn’t true. After all, the reason Team A members nearly died wasn’t because of the bombs themselves, but because their bodies were forced into a half-alive, half-dead state due to the explosion during particle transfer.

That was the real reason Team A was wiped out—there was no direct connection to the bombs.

To put it simply—they were disrupted by a control skill during teleportation, then trapped in a map model and unable to escape.

Hearing Naoki say this, Ritsuka, who had just begun to relax slightly, tensed up again. “Then the situation is very bad. We should immediately inform the director!”

“No, no need. As long as I’m here, there won’t be any problems.”

*DING!*

The elevator stopped, its doors opened, revealing the path to the transfer area ahead. Through his eyes, Naoki could see Mash and Hinako waiting there.

Patting Ritsuka’s back and gently pushing her out, Naoki smiled. “The point is, Fujimaru, you don’t need to worry about anything. Just keep walking forward, and I’ll handle everything—isn’t that what a Senpai is for?”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Good. Then go. If you make Olga wait any longer, she’ll definitely start scolding.”

“I’ll go right away!”

Hearing that the director would get angry, Ritsuka immediately ran toward Hinako and Mash. Though she’d only met her once, Ritsuka already saw Marie as extremely dangerous.

On par with her teacher!

Stepping out of the elevator and into the control room, Naoki saw Professor Lev sitting at the head operator’s station and Marie standing beside him.

“I’m not late.”

“No, you’re right on time. Now we just need to wait for the newcomer to finish preparing, and we can start the particle transfer.”

Professor Lev said while watching data changes on the screen.

Meanwhile, Marie frowned. “Natsukawa, how’s the newcomer doing? I saw on the monitor earlier that you were saying something to her. Psychological counseling?”

“More or less. Fujimaru was just an ordinary person until recently. As department head, I certainly can’t neglect guidance in various aspects. But she has good qualities, so I didn’t need to say much.”

“Hmph, that’s best. If she ends up holding us back in every way, I’d rather not have this new Master at all.”

Honestly, when she saw Naoki and Ritsuka chatting and laughing on the monitor earlier, Marie had clenched her teeth—this newcomer better know her manners!

At the same time, among the staff below—

“Preparations for Akuta Hinako and Mash Kyrielight are complete. Tubes show no issues. Master’s physical condition good, mental state stable, no negative reactions. Particle transfer can proceed at any time.”

“Fujimaru Ritsuka has finished putting on combat uniform and has just entered the tube. Physical condition good, mental state slightly fluctuating. Likely under tension, still within acceptable limits. Particle transfer preparations complete.”

“Good!”

Hands on her hips, Marie stepped into the center of the control room and waved her hand. “Begin the first particle transfer! This is Chaldea’s first mission. There will be no failures—”

A motivational pre-battle speech.

Marie had intended to say it, but before she could finish her sentence, a sudden, far louder voice instantly drowned hers out!

*BOOOOOMM!!!*

Accompanied by a sudden, deafening explosion. Starting from where Professor Lev was seated, fire and shockwaves erupted violently! The entire control room was instantly engulfed in flames!

The explosion happened right on schedule.

-

Title: The Burning City

There was a slight itch on her cheek.

Like being licked by a small animal, Ritsuka could feel a faint, wet tickle on her cheek.

She opened her eyes, still dazed. The first thing she saw upon opening them was a gray, overcast sky.

“Where… is this…”

“Fou~~~ Fou~~~”

Several sounds reached her ears. Ritsuka turned her head and saw a small, pure white animal—resembling a squirrel—sitting beside her head, repeatedly licking her cheek with its tongue.

Why was there an animal here?

Getting up from the ground and hugging the creature, Ritsuka looked around.

Buildings destroyed as if after an air raid, streets scorched, vehicles scattered everywhere, fallen and severed power poles… No matter where she looked, Ritsuka could only see scenes like this.

Like a city that had just been attacked from the air.

“Where… is this…? And why am I here?”

Ritsuka held her head, trying to recall what had happened earlier—she remembered just saying goodbye to Department Head Natsukawa, putting on the tight special suit she now wore, and lying down inside a tube, which seemed to be the vehicle for particle transfer.

Then?

What happened after that?

She remembered, after lying down, not long after, a loud explosion sounded, and then she…

“An explosion… Right! It was an explosion!”

Her final conversation with Naoki came back to mind. She remembered Naoki saying that someone named Professor Lev would cause a massive explosion at Chaldea.

“Could this be Chaldea after the explosion…? No, that’s impossible, right?”

After all, there was no way an indoor room could transform into an entire city, especially one this vast.

But if this wasn’t Chaldea, then where was this?

“Fouu—!”

Suddenly, the pure white small animal Ritsuka was hugging cried out. Its tiny front paw stretched forward.

(Is there something over there?)

Thinking that, Ritsuka looked in the direction it was pointing. And when she did, what entered her view wasn’t another living person besides herself, or anything potentially useful.

Frankly, it was a falling star.

And as it drew closer, the falling star suddenly shattered into countless specks of light, transforming into a dense rain of light that poured down toward Ritsuka!

(I’m going to die!)

That was Ritsuka’s only thought at that moment. But before she could even crouch down to protect her head, from the other side of the street, a figure suddenly emerged from the rubble, rushing in front of Ritsuka at incredible speed. Their right hand reached out toward the torrent of arrows—

*SWOOSH!*

Bright light flashed from their hand. In an instant, a large circular shield bearing a cross suddenly materialized out of thin air in their right hand!

*BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!*

The heavy rain poured all its force onto the shield’s surface. The impacts, terrifying just to see and hear, continuously struck, creating craters in the surrounding ground and visibly reducing the thickness of the road.

But remarkably, despite the arrows’ immense force, the shield appeared completely unaffected. It stood firm in front of Ritsuka.

Waiting with her eyes closed for several seconds, Ritsuka felt no pain, no sensation of her body being pierced. She opened her eyes in confusion.

“Mash?”

Looking at the figure holding the large shield and standing with their back to her, Ritsuka asked in disbelief. From their appearance, this person should be Mash—but why was she wearing armor like that?

Noticing Ritsuka’s movement behind her, Mash glanced slightly back and spoke in a tone unfamiliar to Ritsuka: “Don’t talk to me. Stay hidden behind me. At this distance, it’s not easy to deal with Archer.”

“Y-yes… okay.”

(Not Mash? It feels like… someone else?)

As Ritsuka felt confused, the relentless rain of arrows finally ceased.

Without lowering the shield, Mash kept it raised in front. After confirming something, she finally moved the shield aside and turned to look at Ritsuka behind her: “Are you alright? Fujimaru.”

“Eh… yes, I’m fine. Thank you, Mash… I think?”

“If you’re referring to the name of the girl whose body I’m currently using, yes, it is Mash. Unfortunately, she can’t come out right now.” Mash said. “I am the Servant residing within her body, Class Shielder. Pleased to meet you.”

“Y-yes, pleased to meet you… Miss Shielder?”

Looking at Ritsuka’s outstretched hand, Mash paused for a moment, then sighed. “Although I’m using a woman’s body, I myself am male. Please keep that in mind in the future—and now is not the time for us to greet each other casually. This place isn’t safe; it’s too open. We’re vulnerable to attack again. Follow me.”

Shielder immediately ran toward a nearby intersection. Seeing this, Ritsuka hurriedly chased after.

“Wait! I want to ask! What’s happening now!? Where is this!?”

After sprinting with all her strength to catch up with Shielder, Ritsuka shouted. Her heart and mind were now in chaos; she had no idea about the current situation.

Shielder didn’t turn back, only answering while continuing to run: “Someone will explain the specifics later. I don’t need to explain now. Right now, my priority is getting you to meet the others.”

“Meet? Meet who?”

“With—“

Shielder’s words were cut short. Because before she could finish, a powerful explosion suddenly erupted around the corner ahead. The shockwave and sand from the blast sent several cars on the street flying. Immediately after, a voice spoke—

“This feeling… still alive, Fujimaru.”

Emerging from the smoke and dust, Hinako—wearing the same special Chaldea combat uniform as Ritsuka—appeared before the two of them.

Glancing at Mash, now clad in armor, Hinako frowned, then showed a look of realization: “Oh, so you’re the one protecting her?”

“Yes, that’s my contract with my King. Since I’ve met you, this contract ends here. Farewell.”

After saying that, Shielder closed her eyes. The armor she wore quickly transformed into countless specks of light and vanished. In its place, Mash now wore the Chaldea uniform, and her body suddenly went limp and collapsed.

Ritsuka quickly caught Mash, supporting her on her shoulder: “Eh? Mr. Shielder? What’s wrong with you?”

“Don’t call him anymore—he’s gone.” Hinako walked over, took Mash from Ritsuka’s arms, and slung her over one shoulder. “Let’s find a place to rest first, newcomer. Then we’ll discuss the situation. That building over there looks decent inside. Let’s go—“

“Aaaarrrggghhhh! Help—!”

At that moment, a loud cry for help rang out from not far away.

Ritsuka thought, “That voice… it’s the director!”

Hinako’s face instantly showed a strong expression of disgust and resignation.

“Tch, there’s still one more… Hey, newcomer, follow me. We’ll save her.”

“O-okay… Eh? Senpai, wait for me! Don’t run so fast!”

-

Title: Professor Lev Is Dead

On the scorched streets with a similar landscape, Marie continued running.

Despite wearing high heels, astonishingly, Marie ran without pause or discomfort. Behind her, a horde of skeletal warriors chased after her.

They were the reason Marie had to flee and scream for help.

A few minutes ago, after waking up in this burning city, Marie encountered this group of skeleton soldiers and had been running ever since.

Honestly, she was almost completely out of strength!

“Damn it, why am I so unlucky… Where is that idiot Naoki! Where’s the protector he promised me!”

If Naoki were here, monsters of this level wouldn’t even be worth a single finger. But unfortunately, he wasn’t here now. Though she didn’t know the reason, Marie had already decided in her heart that she would give him a thorough scolding once they returned!

*TAP-TAP-TAP!*

The sound of footsteps from behind grew closer. After running for so long, Marie’s speed had begun to slow.

If this continued, she would be caught.

“Damn it, don’t think I’m easy to bully—”

Quickly turning around, Marie shaped her hand like a pistol and aimed it at the crowd of skeletons ahead. A Gandr bullet gathered at her fingertip, but before she could fire, a large black shadow suddenly swooped down from above her head!

It was a massive boulder, resembling a large chunk broken off from the ceiling of a building.

*BRAAAKK!*

The boulder falling from the sky crashed hard in front of Marie, instantly obliterating all the skeleton soldiers chasing her!

Who threw this?

As she wondered, Marie heard sudden footsteps approaching from behind. She turned and saw two familiar figures running toward her.

“Fujimura Ritsuka? Akuta Hinako? And… is that Mash?”

Seeing the three people approaching her, relief immediately flooded Marie’s heart: “You’re all here!?”

“Since I heard your cry for help, I ran over immediately.” Hinako said with an annoyed tone. “So troublesome. If it weren’t to confirm your safety, I wouldn’t be running around like this.”

“Uh… Hinako! What kind of attitude is that? Are you speaking like that to the Director of Chaldea—”

“Alright, alright. Director, calm down. And Akuta-Senpai, don’t be like that. Let’s talk nicely.”

Seeing the two about to argue, Ritsuka quickly stepped in between them to stop it: “Director, the situation is urgent right now. Let’s go with us first—let’s find a safe place to rest.”

“You, the newcomer, teaching me how to work?”

“Uh… that’s not what I meant. It’s just the situation…”

(This Director is really hard to get along with!)

Ritsuka felt exhausted. Someone like Marie was exactly the type of person she couldn’t communicate with. Communication simply didn’t work well at all.

“But… you do have a point.”

After calming down slightly, Marie looked at the three in front of her: “Like the newcomer said, let’s find a place first. I need to calm down and think about the current situation—Hinako, are you alright?”

“Don’t lump me in with you people.”

With that cold remark, Hinako turned and walked into the empty building beside them, carrying Mash on her shoulder.

After stomping her foot in frustration, Marie followed them.

(Not only Director Olga, even Senpai Akuta is hard to talk to… Ah, I feel so unlucky.)

On the first floor of the empty building, inside a room that seemed to have once been a shop, near the elevator.

Leaning against three corners of the room, after listening to each other’s accounts of what had happened, Marie gently held her forehead: “An explosion… Yes, I remember too. There really was an explosion in the control room. But are you sure Naoki said that, Fujimura?”

“Did Natsukawa really say Lev would cause an explosion?”

Ritsuka, hugging the small animal in her arms, nodded: “Yes, the department head said it, right before I lay down in that tube.”

“…”

Marie crossed her arms and fell silent.

In Chaldea, the people she trusted most were Naoki, Lev, and Romani. These three were the important figures her father had left behind, and essential presences within Chaldea. Daily, they supported her in every way.

Now, she was being told that one of the people she trusted most caused the explosion in Chaldea? And Naoki had known about it all along?

(Why didn’t you tell me sooner, Natsukawa?)

A feeling of disappointment began to rise in Marie’s heart, but she quickly suppressed it and turned toward Hinako and the unconscious Mash. Just as she was about to say something—

*TITITIT!*

The bracelets on their three wrists rang simultaneously.

A connection?

Ritsuka and Marie were both startled, while Hinako firmly accepted the call. Along with a projected light screen appearing in the air, the image of Roman sitting in the command chair in the control room appeared before the three of them.

“Great! Finally connected! Hello, hello? Can you hear me?”

“Yes! We can hear you, Doctor Roman!”

Ritsuka immediately answered.

Finally, she had met someone she could talk to properly!

Seeing Roman sitting there, Hinako and Marie immediately asked: “Romani, why are you sitting in that seat!”

“Where’s Naoki? Make him talk to me.”

“Eh—! Director? Miss Akuta? You’re there too?”

Roman had just noticed the two of them and was surprised. However, a second later, he felt relieved: “Thank goodness, you’re all safe. It’s such a relief you managed to complete particle transfer under such circumstances. I thought you all might’ve…”

“I won’t easily get hurt! Besides, answer my question, Romani. Why are you, the head of the medical department, sitting in that seat? Where’s Lev? Where’s Naoki?”

“Ah… that… Professor Lev was at the center of the explosion, so there’s almost no chance he survived.”

Roman delivered this fact with a heavy tone.

“How could… Then Naoki? He must be fine!”

“Yes, Natsukawa is fine. But right now, he’s working hard repairing Chaldea’s damage and maintaining the power supply to keep Chaldea operational. So he’s not in the control room. That’s why I’m temporarily sitting here as acting operations commander. After all, in Chaldea right now, besides Natsukawa, I’m the highest-ranking.”

Naoki is safe.

Hearing Roman say that, Marie visibly relaxed. The tense expression on her face softened. As long as Naoki was safe, nothing else mattered more.

“Then, since you’re all confirmed safe, please describe your situation there. Once we understand it, we can formulate an appropriate strategy—that was Natsukawa’s message before he left for repairs.”

-

Title: From Chaldea to Fuyuki City

A moment later.

“So that’s the situation over there.”

After listening to Ritsuka and the others’ descriptions, Roman nodded slightly. “Based on the data here, your current location is Singularity F, situated in Fuyuki, Japan. The time is 2004… It must be the Holy Grail War of that year.”

“The Holy Grail War?”

Ritsuka, the only one completely unaware of magic, tilted her head in confusion. “What’s that?”

“Literally, a ‘war.’ To claim the Holy Grail—a machine capable of granting any wish—seven magi summon seven Servants to fight to the death. The last survivor wins the Holy Grail and has their wish granted.” Marie explained.

“Servants?”

“Hah~~~”

Seeing Ritsuka confused again, Marie sighed in resignation. “Natsukawa should’ve explained this to you… Servants are essentially familiars. Heroes from history, legend, and mythology… all of them now reside in the Throne of Heroes. Servants are manifestations of their clones.”

“Fujimaru, you can think of them as powerful NPCs that players can summon. That way, you’ll understand faster. The one who attacked you earlier was definitely a Servant too.” Roman added, giving an explanation Ritsuka could grasp.

Ritsuka paused briefly, then looked toward Mash. “So Servants are beings like Lord Shielder, who fought using Mash’s body?”

“Shielder?”

Marie frowned. “Fujimaru, describe that part in detail. Are you sure Mash displayed Servant-like power?”

“I’m not entirely sure. But when I was attacked, Mash suddenly appeared wearing armor to protect me, and said she was a Servant of the Shielder class.”

“Shielder… so the Demi-Servant experiment succeeded, but I never expected it to happen under these circumstances. Once Mash wakes up, I’ll have to ask her about this Shielder—true name, origin, Noble Phantasm. Mash should know everything. But for now—Romani, are you certain we’re currently in Fuyuki City in 2004?”

Roman nodded. “Undoubtedly. That’s why I desperately tried to contact you as soon as possible—because that place is far too dangerous.”

“Dangerous? Because… of the Servant that attacked me earlier?”

“If it were only Servants, it could be manageable. But the problem is, there might be someone far more terrifying than a Servant there—”

“I don’t think that’ll be the case.”

Roman’s words were cut off by a sudden voice. The Roman in the video quickly turned his head. “Natsukawa! You’re finally back. Is the issue there resolved?”

“Yes. In short, eighty percent of the Chaldea area damaged by the explosion has been repaired. The rest will be fixed gradually. Really exhausting. I’d rather fight a Phantasmal Species.”

Along with a slightly weary voice, as Roman stood from his seat, Naoki’s figure immediately appeared in the video.

“Natsukawa!”

“Department Head!”

Seeing the most reliable person appear, Marie and Ritsuka instantly felt relieved. Meanwhile, Hinako pushed aside the two people who had just relaxed, and immediately pointed at Naoki in the video. “You’re finally here, Natsukawa! Didn’t you say there wouldn’t be any problems as long as you were there?! Then why did the explosion still happen!”

“Glad to see Senior Hinako so enthusiastic—but the explosion was truly beyond my expectations. I never imagined Professor Lev would blow himself up so completely.”

“Blow himself up?! Lev?!—oh right, Natsukawa, Ritsuka said you suspected Lev might cause an explosion… Is that true?”

Marie asked nervously. If this explosion was truly caused by Lev, then his actions amounted to betrayal. It was a fact Marie couldn’t accept.

However, Naoki firmly nodded. “I did suspect it, but it was just a suspicion—no concrete evidence. Besides, Chaldea was built using special explosion-resistant materials, so I didn’t pay much attention. But I never expected he’d actually blow himself up…”

“How could… Lev… why would he do this?”

“Who knows? A magus can do anything. Anyway, Olga, what you should focus on now isn’t Lev, but how you can return from there.”

“Yes, I know. But what should we do next? The 2004 Holy Grail War—Natsukawa, I remember this is the one you and my father…”

“Right, it’s the one I participated in with Marisbury. However, I doubt the situation will be exactly the same as when I experienced it.” Naoki said. “After all, ten years ago, I never encountered you guys arriving via particle transfer during the Holy Grail War—so your concern is exaggerated, Roman.”

Roman, standing beside Naoki, rolled his eyes, but that was fine. At least it confirmed the difficulty level wouldn’t immediately jump to the highest tier.

“Then, what should we do next?”

“Go to the location I’ll tell you, and wait there. Someone will come who can help you resolve the Singularity and get you out of there.”

“Alright, we’ll follow your instructions.”

After watching Marie and the others walk toward the direction he indicated, Naoki stood from his seat. “Then, Roman, I leave this to you. I have some business to attend to.”

“You’re going there?”

Roman asked, watching Naoki.

“Is your body still strong enough? Your mana has already been drained too much. Not only did you repair most of the areas damaged by Lev’s self-destruction, but you also supplied a massive amount of magical energy… You’re being reckless.”

Chaldea’s operations required energy. Although not limited to mana, after being affected by Lev’s explosion, all power-supplying devices throughout Chaldea were disrupted. Although Naoki repaired them, they couldn’t immediately resume full output.

Moreover, to ensure the safety of the three people there, it was crucial to quickly restore the communication systems. So Naoki immediately used his own mana to restore eighty percent of Chaldea’s functions, enabling it to operate again.

“Who else could do it besides me? I can’t leave everything to you.” Naoki smiled and shrugged. “Besides, it’s not that much. Although I felt a bit tired earlier, I’ve already recovered. Don’t forget, I’ve become a true fairy. Mana is essentially limitless.”

“Hah~~~ I hope you’ll tell me before doing something reckless like this again. But how will you get there? The particle transfer tubes are gone. You can’t directly go to the Singularity.”

“Of course, I’ll run there.”

“Eh?”