In the deep, dark expanse of the boundless underworld, the joy of defeating the Beast and restoring the Seventh Singularity had vanished entirely.
The black mud, no longer under Roy's control, did not surge to devour life or spawn endless Lahmu as before. It flowed silently across the underworld's terrain, still and unthreatening.
It seemed, as Roy had said, that this was merely an opportunity for Ritsuka to reflect and decide, with no further interference from him.
"…"
In Chaldea's control room, Romani Archaman stared at the screen, stunned and lost in thought.
Da Vinci, standing behind him, quickly grasped the situation and prompted, "So, what now, Romani? Do we follow Roy's suggestion and pursue him, or Rayshift back to Chaldea?"
"I… I don't…" Romani stammered, struggling to process the events.
He hadn't anticipated the Seventh Singularity's dangers, nor the arrival of Roy, a formidable ally, let alone his sudden betrayal at the moment of triumph!
A mysterious figure wielding the Third Magic, his strength immense and his stance unclear, what was happening? How could this be?
Rubbing his temples, Romani regained his focus and contacted Ritsuka in Mesopotamia's underworld via communicator. "Ritsuka, listen. Don't go after him. Take Mash and Rayshift back to Chaldea."
In such a moment, Romani couldn't discern Roy's intentions or his role in the Human Order's incineration. But one thing was certain: the Seventh Singularity was restored.
Only the final Singularity, the Temple of Time, his former Noble Phantasm, remained to complete the Human Order's restoration.
At this critical juncture, avoiding complications was best. His advice was to leave immediately and tackle the Temple of Time to end the incineration.
But the final choice rested with Ritsuka.
Romani and Da Vinci turned their gazes to Ritsuka, awaiting her decision.
"Senpai…" Mash murmured.
"Mash…" Ritsuka replied.
Mash gently clasped Ritsuka's trembling hand, her warmth steadying Ritsuka's resolve.
Under the gazes of Ishtar, Gilgamesh, Quetzalcoatl, and the others, Ritsuka, humanity's last Master, stepped forward, making her final choice.
"No, I'm going to see Roy-senpai!!"
"I don't know why, but I believe he has his reasons. I trust who's helped me from the start isn't a bad person."
"I could run now, but what about next time? If I flee, I'll disappoint myself, maybe never forgive myself!!"
Ritsuka's eyes burned with determination. She reached out to the surrounding Servants, her expression resolute. "Please, lend me your strength! No matter what, I'll reach Roy-senpai and prove my will and choice!!"
Her words rang out, stirring every Servant present.
"Oh, this girl…" Quetzalcoatl, who cherished human spirit and will, smiled warmly at Ritsuka's choice, unable to resist embracing her soft frame.
"Wonderful! This is the choice I wanted to see! My eyes are on our Master, but I can feel it, you have that golden human spirit!!"
"Don't worry, I'll help you. No matter the path, I'm with you." Quetzalcoatl said, happily stroking Ritsuka's red hair.
"And I believe our Master has no ill intent. That Tezcatlipoca, must've led him astray! If we deal with him, it'll all end happily!!"
"That's just arrogance and bias…" Romani muttered, sweating but not objecting. He sensed Tezcatlipoca's involvement but was more focused on Ritsuka's choice.
"Ritsuka, are you sure? I can tell Roy's serious this time. It could be dangerous…" Romani asked, his expression grave.
"Yes, I'm going, no matter how dangerous!"
"I know Roy-senpai is waiting for me in the underworld's depths!!"
"Alright, then as Chaldea's commander, I declare the Seventh Singularity mission continues!!" Romani nodded, issuing new orders. "I understand, Ritsuka, but your safety comes first, got it?"
"Got it!!" Ritsuka replied, her face lighting up with a joyful smile, echoed by Mash.
"Hahahahahaha!!" Gilgamesh's triumphant laugh rang out as he returned from freeing Merlin. "Well done, Chaldea's Master! Worthy of crossing six Singularities, your choice hasn't disappointed me!!"
"Go without fear. With me here, no harm will come to her." He assured.
"King Gilgamesh!!" Ritsuka exclaimed, thrilled by his support.
"Hmph, I don't know what that mongrel's planning, but I'll make him pay for insulting me!!" Gilgamesh growled, recalling Roy's arrogant demeanor.
"No need for words or hesitation, just charge forward, Ritsuka! This king will guard your path!!"
"Thank you, King Gilgamesh!" Ritsuka and Mash nodded excitedly.
Seeing Gilgamesh's commitment, Romani smiled. "Then I entrust them to you, King of Heroes."
"No problem. Who do you think I am? Though that useless Merlin refuses to get involved, staying neutral due to his ties with that guy is his biggest concession." Gilgamesh said, turning to Ishtar. "And you, Ishtar? This fight is against him. If you can't strike or hesitate, you'll be a liability!"
"If you're wavering, join him or sit it out. Your sister and that jaguar have already chosen."
Everyone suddenly noticed Jaguar Man's absence.
No need to guess, she'd gone to Roy.
Though her vessel was Taiga's will, she didn't bother choosing between Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca. She'd happily watch their fight, but for Roy, her "Roy-nii", she'd back him without question. Knowing him so well, Taiga trusted he wouldn't err.
As for Ereshkigal, with Tiamat defeated, the underworld freed, and the Seventh Singularity restored, she stood by her ally as a goddess should.
Roy had promised no one would be harmed, just a trial for Ritsuka.
Thus, she joined him.
As for Ishtar… they simply left her behind, deeming her a hindrance.
"Huh? Me?!" Ishtar blinked, realizing her sister and Jaguar Man were gone, plunging her into an existential crisis.
Weighing both sides and her feelings, she wanted to join Roy. But seeing Gilgamesh and Quetzalcoatl's stern gazes and Ritsuka's plea, she wisely held her tongue.
Patting her flat chest, she declared, "Of course! I'm Uruk's guardian goddess, I'd never side with him!!"
"Leave the fight to the great Ishtar!!"
Ugh, those jerks ditched me! she thought bitterly.
"Hmph, finally acting like a goddess." Gilgamesh snorted, a faint smile forming.
"You used your brain for once, Ishtar." Quetzalcoatl said, smiling. "Now we can fight side by side again, Goddess Ishtar."
"Thank you, Miss Ishtar." Ritsuka added.
With Ishtar's assurance, everyone relaxed, and Ritsuka declared firmly, "This time, I'll show Roy-senpai my resolve!!"
At that moment, blue flames blazed in the darkness. The black reaper, the fated swordsman, appeared beside Ritsuka, his arrival unnoticed.
King Hassan gazed at the resolute Ritsuka and spoke softly, "You lack an escort. Need an Assassin's aid?"
"Grand Assassin! You're joining this fight?!" Gilgamesh exclaimed, stunned.
He hadn't expected the Old Man of the Mountain to linger after Tiamat's defeat, let alone offer to fight.
But with him, their forces were balanced.
Ritsuka couldn't refuse such an offer.
"Please, King Hassan!!" She said.
"Understood. Henceforth, my name and sword are bound to you. Though my crown was sacrificed to the Primordial Sea, my assassination arts remain unblemished. Contractor, wield this decayed blade of farewell as you will, and may it endure eternally."
King Hassan's presence was the most reliable support possible, bolstering Ritsuka's courage.
"Then let's fight together!!" She rallied.
"Let's show Roy-senpai our will!!"
…
"Will, huh…" Roy murmured.
In Ereshkigal's dilapidated temple, Roy sat on her throne, observing Ritsuka's movements through a spell left on Ishtar.
Sitting on the underworld queen's throne felt improper, but Ereshkigal insisted, arguing a dungeon boss shouldn't just stand around. If not for maintaining the observation spell on Ishtar, she'd have sat beside him.
This explained Ishtar's exclusion, her greater use was staying behind.
Before leaving, Roy used a Command Spell to contact Ereshkigal, asking her to place the spell on Ishtar to monitor her and Ritsuka.
Now, Ishtar unwittingly served as Roy's eyes.
"Not bad, Ritsuka. You didn't disappoint…" Roy said, pleased to see her rally her forces and head toward him instead of fleeing.
This was the outcome he wanted.
"Tch, even that old man's helping her? Trouble…" Tezcatlipoca remarked with a sly grin, noting King Hassan's alliance with Ritsuka.
As a former crowned Servant, he knew the Old Man's strength, not fully, but enough to recognize a formidable foe.
"King Hassan, huh? A tough opponent, but…" Roy nodded, turning to Tezcatlipoca. "You're not scared, are you? You now both lost your Grand Saint Graph, you can handle him, right?"
"Of course not. He's tricky, but not a threat." Tezcatlipoca replied confidently. "But if I take him, who handles Quetzalcoatl? This jaguar?"
"Me fight Kukulkan? Seriously?!" Taiga, who'd been daydreaming, pointed at herself in shock. "I'll die!!"
Hearing she'd face Quetzalcoatl, Taiga's energy vanished. She rushed to Roy, pleading, "No way, Roy-nii! I'm with you, but with my beef with Kukulkan and Tezcatlipoca, she'll kill me!!"
"After all these years, I fought hard, don't do this!!"
"You won't die…" Roy sighed, rubbing his forehead at her theatrics, reminded of tutoring her.
He raised his hand. "By three Command Spells, Jaguar Man, fight at your strongest!!"
"Command Spells? Still not enough!! Kukulkan will kill me!!" Taiga wailed louder.
"Ugh… I said you don't need to defeat her, just stall. Our goal isn't to fight." Roy clarified.
"Oh? Just stall?" Taiga blinked, feeling the surge of power. Confidently, she patted her chest. "No problem! I can handle stalling Kukulkan!!"
"Good. I'm counting on you." Roy nodded.
"And… uh…" Ereshkigal stammered.
"Ishtar and Gilgamesh? Leave them to me. In my underworld, against my sister and that human, I'm confident." Ereshkigal said eagerly, rushing to Roy and gripping his hand. "Trust me, I won't let you down!!"
"I do." Roy replied, amused by her enthusiasm. He patted her head encouragingly. "No need to defeat or harm, just stall Ishtar and the others. Gilgamesh's tough, so do your best."
"Your condition isn't fully restored. I'll entrust the ascended warriors to you."
Roy handed control of the summoned warriors to Ereshkigal, reinforcing her with three Command Spells.
Finally,
"I'm grateful to everyone helping with this reckless plan." Roy said, looking at those supporting him, except Tezcatlipoca, with deep gratitude.
To honor their trust, he reaffirmed his promise. "This trial is for Ritsuka and Mash alone. I swear no one will harm her. It's a rehearsal for the future."
"If she can't overcome this, the endless hells awaiting her will be true suffering. I must confirm her resolve and share my guesses about the future, giving her all the help I can."
"If she chooses to give up… I'll bear the consequences!!"
Roy's eyes narrowed, his words resolute.
He glanced at the grinning Tezcatlipoca. "Satisfied with this setup? Does it meet our deal?"
"Hahaha, beyond satisfied! This is exactly what I wanted to see." Tezcatlipoca laughed. "That line about bearing the consequences? Epic! If it comes to that, I'll join you in storming every future hell!!"
"Hmph, you're too kind…" Roy said.
"Nah, just rare to find a Master so to my taste." Tezcatlipoca replied.
They shared a smile, said no more, and took their positions.
The stage was set for Ritsuka's trial.
___
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