"Can't we try growing other crops on this land?" Shirou asked.
Morrigan shook her head. "No, it's not possible. The ley lines in this world have been dead for ages. The land just can't support any crops, and the ice and snow that's been piling up for over two thousand years have frozen and rotted everything. There's no food left on the ground at all. That's why Illya went to check out the frozen sea, to see if there was anything edible there."
Illya shook her head, "No luck there either, unfortunately. Brynhildr and I searched the frozen sea area. We even drilled through the ice and explored the frozen seabed. We ran into some magical sea creatures, but aside from those, we didn't find any regular fish, algae, or even plankton."
He frowned. "Not even plankton?"
"So this is how it all turned out," Morrigan sighed.
Illya gave her a curious look. "Did you see this coming all along?"
"I had a feeling, but I was holding out hope that you'd come back with a different answer, Illya. Still, this is pretty much what I expected," she admitted with another sigh. "A healthy ecosystem on a planet needs producers, consumers, and decomposers. But in this world, all that's left are the consumers. It's not surprising, considering this world should've died out over two thousand years ago. Rather, it's impressive that Skadi managed to carry this world on her back for that long without letting it completely fall apart."
More than two thousand years ago, after the gods disappeared, this world started dying. It was no surprise that the land couldn't grow food anymore. Some people wondered if the gods vanishing and the world withering away were connected, but there was no time to think about that then. The real problem was that the blueberry tree had stopped producing fruit, which meant no more extra food. Shirou and the other Servants would be fine, but the villagers, Chloe, and Illya were in trouble. They were human, after all, and they needed to eat to survive.
Illya couldn't hold it in any longer. She turned to Morrigan, her eyes filled with worry. "The blueberries we have stocked up will only last another ten days. After that, we'll run out of food." She took a deep breath, hoping for a solution. "Do you have any ideas?"
Morrigan shook her head. "I'm afraid not. The ley lines of this world have been destroyed, and the world is already showing signs of death. If we're being honest, there are only three potential food sources left."
Chloe's heart raced as she asked, "What are they?"
Morrigan's expression remained neutral as she explained, "Magical beasts, Giants, and humans. However, I've studied the beasts in this area, and their glands and meat are highly toxic to humans. As for Giants, they're definitely not suitable for human consumption. So, the only thing that can be considered food right now is, well, human beings."
A heavy silence fell over the group as soon as she finished speaking. Chloe stared at her in disbelief. She couldn't wrap her head around how this doctor, who seemed like an angel, could so calmly lay out such a cruel reality without even flinching, as if it were something she was used to.
Sigurd's eyes widened as realization dawned on him. "Cannibalism?" He suddenly understood how the Giants had managed to survive for so long. It wasn't by any other means, but by devouring their own kind!
Chloe was at a loss for words. She knew Morrigan was right, but the truth was too brutal, too barbaric, and too primitive. It was a taboo for modern, civilized people. But when push comes to shove and there's no food left, cannibalism would surely happen.
"Isn't there another way?" Illya asked, hoping for an alternative.
"There's still one option," Morrigan said, "and that's to reactivate the blueberry trees. But we can't do it without Skadi's help."
"Skadi?" Chloe's heart sank. "But she's imprisoned by Hel in Asgard, Hel's headquarters. We have no way to save her."
"No, there's still a way." Sigurd's voice cut through the tension, drawing everyone's attention.
Brynhildr's eyes sparkled with adoration. "Dear Sigurd, do you have an idea?"
She clasped her hands over her heart, taking a step towards him, but Sigurd retreated like a mouse cornered by a cat, sweating as he stammered, "D-Don't come any closer! Let's just talk from here!"
"Oh..." Brynhildr's disappointment was apparent, but given the gravity of the situation, she restrained herself from showering Sigurd with affection.
Illya turned to him. "So, what's your idea?"
Sigurd let out a cold laugh, his gaze sharp as he focused on Shirou. "For that, we should ask the Eternal King. Isn't that right?"
"What are you talking about? I don't understand." Shirou said, confusion written on his face.
"Don't play dumb with me. You think I haven't noticed your little schemes?" Sigurd snorted. "I bet Hel would love to see her loyal Servant Sigurd dragging in the traitorous Eternal King."
Shirou raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Double agent, huh? But is that really a good idea? After all, you are Hel's Servant."
Sigurd let out a derisive snort. "Servant? Master? Please. When a Master treats their Servant like a mere tool, they shouldn't be surprised when that tool turns around and bites them. Besides, with Brynhildr here, I have no reason to keep serving Hel."
"Fair enough," Shirou conceded, "but what about the Valkyrie? That thing's linked to Hel through Valkyrie Network. I have a feeling Hel's already branded us both as traitors."
Sigurd's brow furrowed, his frown deepening. "That Valkyrie..." He couldn't deny that the Valkyrie Network posed a significant problem.
At that moment, Morrigan timidly raised her hand. "I think I understand what's going on between you two. I have an idea. If Hel has already branded Sigurd as a traitor, why not have the Eternal King tie him up and go see Hel?"
Sigurd's eyes widened. "Are you crazy? You want Eternal King to kidnap me? I'm Hel's servant, and she has Command Spells to control me. She trusts me way more than she trusts the Eternal King!"
"No, no, that's not what I meant. I'm saying, what if Eternal King disguises himself as that Valkyrie and ties you up before going?"
Shirou frowned, considering the suggestion. "Using illusions to turn into a Valkyrie? It's a good idea, but I can't access the Valkyrie Network."
She smiled. "Don't worry about that. If it's the Valkyrie Network, I know a way to hack it and get you access."
"You can hack the Valkyrie Network?" Shirou asked, surprise evident in his voice.
She nodded. "I may not be very strong, but I'm still a fairy. I know a few tricks up my sleeve."
Shirou couldn't hide his astonishment. He never expected Morrigan to claim she could infiltrate the Valkyrie Network. The network was the core information system used by the Valkyries, relying on each individual's unique wavelengths for connection and computation. Since everyone's wavelength was different, it was nearly impossible to impersonate another Valkyrie. Yet, here she was, claiming to have a way in.
She felt Shirou's intense, disbelieving stare and couldn't bring herself to meet his gaze. She lowered her head, fidgeting with her small fingers in front of her chest. "I just happen to know a few useful tricks," she said shyly. "They're not very sophisticated, but it turns out one of them can hack into the Valkyrie Network. I guess... it's just a lucky coincidence." She continued to twiddle her fingers, her voice barely above a whisper.