When the long dream ended, Alaric slowly opened his eyes and was greeted by the face of a strange woman.
She had shoulder-length, slightly wavy short hair and unremarkable pale blue glasses.
The only notable feature was her smile, brimming with vitality and exuding an aura akin to that of a saint. It was a smile full of grace and warmth.
Instinctively, Alaric reached out his hand and pressed it against the woman's neck, but the moment his fingers touched her soft skin, he snapped back to his senses and immediately withdrew.
"Sorry."
Looking at the stunned expression on the woman's face, Alaric apologized with a slightly embarrassed tone.
After the brief and awkward moment passed, Alaric, now fully awake, stood up.
No longer feeling the headache from before, he shook his head and began to observe the people around him.
Besides the unfamiliar woman, there were others in the church—figures that were all too familiar to him.
Standing tall in his line of sight was a handsome figure with short golden hair and a warm, sunny disposition. His gentle and regal demeanor was so striking that calling him a prince would not be an exaggeration.
"Sir Gawain..."
Alaric didn't expect to see Gawain here. Not just Gawain, but also Tristan and Emiya Alter.
As for Ritsuka Fujimaru—she was in a small room at the back of the church.
After extending his perception and taking stock of the situation, Alaric quickly understood what was happening.
After Alaric had uncontrollably fallen asleep, Ritsuka Fujimaru, along with the Chaldea Servants—Gawain, Tristan, and the woman in work attire who seemed to be a Seraphix staff member—had gathered at this church.
Just as Alaric was piecing everything together, Gawain spoke up.
"You're awake. When we arrived, you were still asleep, and we didn't want to wake you."
Gawain smiled gently. "How did you sleep?"
"Not bad. What's the situation now—"
As Alaric adjusted his perspective and sensory awareness, he finally noticed someone he had previously overlooked. His gaze locked with hers, and their eyes met.
"What are you looking at?"
The girl had unusual legs and violet hair. Her appearance was identical to that of the rogue high-level AI he had encountered before, but her figure was more slender, her body refined, stripped of unnecessary fat, resulting in this delicate, lithe form.
Alaric knew of her existence—
Meltryllis.
A high-level AI created by BB, formed from a part of BB's inner self.
She was a High Servant constructed by fusing aspects of goddesses into her being.
Her sharp, blade-like legs and slender body gave her an air of elegance. She was combative, merciless, and sadistic.
She appreciated beauty in structure, had an obsessive cleanliness, and could not tolerate ugliness.
The goddesses embedded within her were threefold: Artemis, the pure virgin goddess of Greek mythology; Leviathan, the sea monster from the Old Testament; and Sarasvati, the river goddess from Indian mythology.
Among the Alter Ego entities created by BB, Meltryllis possessed top-tier performance, surpassing even BB in absorption capabilities.
Alaric understood her origins well. Yet, when he saw Meltryllis, there was an inexplicable sense of déjà vu, as if he had seen her somewhere before.
Unable to pinpoint the source of this familiarity, Alaric smiled and said, "You just seem familiar. But let's put that aside for now—are you Miss Ritsuka's Servant?"
Gawain and Tristan were confirmed to be Chaldean Servants, and though Emiya Alter's origins were somewhat unclear, he was trustworthy.
But Meltryllis was different. As an Alter Ego created by BB, she undoubtedly shared the same roots as BB.
What secrets were hidden in SE.RA.PH? Could the digitization of Seraphix's data have originated from BB?
These mysteries loomed over the ocean, but Alaric believed in Ritsuka's ability to resolve everything. His role was to ensure that everything concluded in the best possible way.
"That's right, I am Ritsuka's Servant now. Do you have a problem with that?"
Meltryllis's sharp tone and piercing gaze left no room for doubt. She was utterly unwilling to yield on this matter.
While it was acceptable for Gawain and Tristan to serve Ritsuka, Alaric—this living, breathing human—absolutely could not.
Nor could anyone else!
No one could understand what was going on in Meltryllis's mind, Alaric included.
Seeing her attitude, Alaric simply shrugged and naturally changed the subject. "So, is this a Holy Grail War with 128 participants?"
If the broadcast information was accurate, then there should be many wandering Servants and monsters in SE.RA.PH.
But Alaric felt that he hadn't encountered many people on his journey. The only one he ran into was Vlad III.
["That's right, Senpai~~"]
A mischievous voice rang out, and with a flash of shimmering particles, the self-proclaimed Moon's Overseer, BB, appeared before them.
["Now is just the beginning! Will SE.RA.PH sink, dragging everyone down with it?"]
With her index finger pressed against her lips, BB smiled slyly at Alaric. ["This is a heart-pounding deep-sea escape game! The victorious Master might even win the Holy Grail?!
Although it's just an imitation of the Moon's Holy Grail War, I hope Senpai and everyone else will thoroughly enjoy it! After all, this is a survival battle with 129 participants. Solve the mysteries of SE.RA.PH or become the last one standing. Once the conditions for liberation are met, you can escape from SE.RA.PH."]
["Whichever choice you make is up to you. As the game administrator, I'm just here to enjoy watching everyone's struggles."]
["Oh, and don't forget to visit the BB Channel Shop! You can buy all sorts of items using the Sakura Coins issued by BB. You might even need them to unlock doors!"]
"What's that?"
Hearing the strange name, Alaric felt uneasy. "What are Sakura Coins?"
["Hmm? They're the currency issued by BB! Senpai, you'll have to defeat Servants to earn Sakura Coins, and then humbly offer them to BB~"]
With a playful smirk, BB explained the basic rules and the existence of her shop to Alaric.
After confirming with Gawain and the others, Alaric realized how crucial Sakura Coins were to this Holy Grail War.
Although he didn't fully understand BB's motives, Alaric was certain that having more coins would be beneficial.
In conversations with Gawain and the others, he learned that during their adventures with Ritsuka, they had earned several hundred Sakura Coins. However, considering the difficulty of the battles and the number of coins obtained, it didn't seem proportional.
Especially after browsing the BB Shop and seeing the exorbitant prices of the items.
"What a rip-off."
Alaric couldn't help but sigh at BB's cunning nature. Hearing this, BB, as if receiving the greatest compliment, laughed triumphantly with her hands on her hips.
["Ufufufu, Senpai, you shouldn't flatter BB like this—it's embarrassing!"]
As BB continued to boast, Alaric at least had a clearer understanding of the current situation.
Apart from the battle between the 128 Servants, what's more significant is BB's schemes as the game administrator and the nature of this digitized world.
After some discussion, Alaric discovered that the female staff member was one of the employees of Seraphix. Her name was Marble, and she was one of the few survivors.
Aside from her, there were a few other staff members who were surviving steadfastly in the core area that had yet to be digitized. Marble, on the other hand, had fled in the increasingly dire situation.
Light footsteps echoed, and Fujimaru Ritsuka, who had woken up a bit later, returned to the church.
"Ah, you're awake, Sir Alaric."
Rubbing her eyes, Fujimaru Ritsuka beamed with relief when she saw Alaric standing among Gawain and the others. "I didn't see you earlier and thought you might have gotten lost."
"A small mistake, nothing unusual."
Without dwelling too much on the error of the relocation, Alaric, having understood the situation, said, "Miss Fujimaru, do you want to buy the key?"
After checking, it was confirmed that this church, aside from not being digitized, still preserved a record. Although the key was missing, Alaric found it in the BB Shop.
Whether or not BB had stolen it to sell was irrelevant—what mattered was that she intended to sell it to Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others.
However, Alaric had no Sakura Coins at all, and going out to gather them now would take too much time. It was far more efficient to rely on Fujimaru Ritsuka, who had some Sakura Coins.
Fujimaru, who was also aware of the existence of this record, thought for a moment while stroking her chin and then nodded. "Let's buy it and give it a try."
But after Fujimaru Ritsuka purchased the spare key from the BB Shop and activated the hidden record, she found herself at a loss.
[This record exists in a hidden state but remains preserved for viewing.
Only one individual may view it. After playback, the record will be deleted.
Additionally, the record's contents cannot be saved—proceed?]
"Does this mean it can only be viewed once?"
A slightly uncertain Fujimaru Ritsuka looked toward Marble, hoping to get an answer to this question from this Seraphix staff member.
Marble replied immediately, "That would be the director-level permissions of Seraphix, right? It seems like the data will be directly implanted into the human brain or something. In other words, it can't be shared with everyone present—only the person who presses the execute button will know the contents.
Among us, only three are human here. It sounds terrifying. I'll pass, I'll pass!"
Marble, looking frightened, ran off, which was irrelevant for the time being. Now, apart from Fujimaru Ritsuka, only one other person was human.
"Let me do it."
Since there was a certain level of risk, Alaric couldn't let the defenseless Fujimaru Ritsuka read this unknown information.
"Alright."
Fujimaru Ritsuka decisively stepped aside and watched as Alaric pressed the execute button.
[Execution confirmed. Playback of the record begins on March 7, 2018.]
[To the one who sees this record: Before I forget everything, I intend to document my story.
In 2014, I was invited to Seraphix as a professional psychological therapist.]
…Even now, as I recall those days, I can't help but smile nostalgically, despite what I've become.
When I was brought to the church, my workplace, it was so different from what I had imagined that I laughed.
A Western church, a chapel… For people in Western Europe, my profession might not seem much different from that of a priest.
I was slightly disappointed and regretful, but I held it in. After all, I was deeply interested in this unique offshore oil rig base, and, more importantly, I had no other place to go.
I swore to do everything within my power in this new world—to help those who suffered mentally and were lost in the labyrinth of their minds.
Every day at Seraphix was fulfilling. This oil rig was dual-structured; its architecture and interpersonal relationships were both intricate and complex.
The more I understood Seraphix's inner workings, the more secrets I uncovered, and the more excited I became.
Ordinary staff versus privileged staff, oil resources versus magical resources, daytime workers versus nighttime workers—it was normal for friction to occur.
Since the church was entrusted to me, I faced numerous patients every night:
"I want to return to the mainland."
"I'm exhausted from interpersonal relationships."
"I want to die."
"This place should be sealed off."
"This place should be expanded."
"New materials…"
Listening to the troubles of many staff members, I pondered the reasons behind Seraphix's creation. This facility must have been built on an admirable ideal—there's no doubt about that.
However, the enormity of this ideal was beyond what normal human minds could bear.
In February 2018, an anomaly occurred at Seraphix.
We lost contact with the outside world. Multiple inexplicable incidents occurred internally. Nearly 200 humans remaining at the base fell into a state of mild panic, causing many injuries. As a psychological therapist, I was assigned to the medical team to head to the scene.
At that time, I saw something I shouldn't have seen—countless eyes glowing in the darkness, the form of monsters devouring the human mind.
In March 2018, like the other staff members, I also began to change.
I became unable to trust others. I began to love only myself. Conscience and morality became as revolting as rotten food.
It was a feeling that denied everything I had lived for up until then. Why had it come to this? I couldn't help but cry… Tonight, outside the church, a carnival is taking place. The sound of bonfires, gunshots, men's maniacal laughter, and live sacrifices.
I looked down at this scene without emotion, staring at how cold my spirit had become. Even so, a small sense of responsibility still lingered within me, because I was invited here to treat the human mind.
Even if I became the last human, even if I was killed by the staff, I had to ease the growing group psychosis and maintain rationality until the very end—
In April, today, my left eye was stabbed blind. Like trash, I was thrown into my home.
I… I used the last of my strength to lock the church door. I must leave a record. I must leave a record.
Not for the sake of external visitors, but for myself. I can't let anyone see what I've become.
People have already lost themselves to madness. That's inevitable.
But I'm different. It seems I've been possessed by some other terrifying existence.
My will fades day by day. My life, and my beliefs, are constantly eroding.
"Kill that one. Kill that one. Just a pawn, just an incompetent laborer. The celestial sphere's vessels… If you consume them, you can kill them all. This facility was meant for that purpose. I will use this function efficiently. Don't spare that beast that hurt you.
Incompetent, incompetent, pests worse than animals! Fine, if they want to enter hell, let's summon true hell for them!"
—I seemed to hear such a voice. Was it the deputy director shouting this madness?
"Summon true hell." Hearing this phrase, I couldn't help but smile. This is karma.
Ah… How did it come to this? Even though they are fellow victims, they are so hateful… I am no longer who I once was. Can anyone save me?
The celestial sphere's room cannot be entered. The celestial sphere's experiments must not be restarted.
I want to protect the 25 years of my life that still belong to me.
Is there anyone? Is there anyone?
I hope someone can kill me here before I am completely taken over.
...
The record ends here. Along with it, perhaps, ends someone's life.
Their life may not have truly ended, but the person moving forward is no longer them—it's a mere semblance of their former self.
"…"
Frowning deeply, Alaric relayed the information he had seen to everyone present.
"The fanaticism, atrocities, and purges of a group in a state of stagnation... Hmph, just as I thought."
With a cold snort, Emiya Alter spoke.
Tristan, who could deeply relate, closed his eyes and said, "Possession, huh? I thought this was just another one of BB's sadistic, one-sided disasters."
Gawain nodded and said, "Yes, regardless of the malice from outside, the one who summoned and computerized BB must be one of the staff, right?"
Marble, who had finally caught up, asked curiously, "The priest is having a hard time, but... the Celestial Chamber? Is there even such a department?"
"The Celestial Chamber is located at the center of SE.RA.PH," Meltryllis added. "It's the power source that computerized Seraphix."
"Wait, Meltryllis, you know about this?"
Ritsuka Fujimaru, wearing a look of surprise, pulled himself out of the heavy information and curiously looked at Meltryllis.
Who would have thought Meltryllis even knew about this?
"Yes, sorry," Meltryllis said with a faint smile. "I thought something so obvious would already be known to you all. But now you understand the ultimate goal, right? To restore Seraphix to its original state, all we need to do is find the Celestial Chamber."
"Instead of wasting time looking for irrelevant records in a place like this, we should continue exploring."
"You're right. Although doing what BB wants feels a bit irritating," Gawain said with a smile. "But this time, we have enough manpower to handle it. Plus, thanks to collecting Sakura Coins, we've found pathways to other areas."
"Ugh, going even deeper... I don't want to leave this place," said Marble, who had barely escaped with her life, shrinking back. "But if everyone leaves, I'll be left here alone?"
"No, I'll stay here," Tristan said, not planning to leave. "I'm not comfortable with Meltryllis going along, and I can't guarantee that this base won't be attacked by enemies.
I'll protect Miss Marble and maintain this church in the meantime. Is that okay, Sir Gawain?"
"Yes, no problem. I'm counting on you, Sir Tristan. Look forward to our good news," Gawain said with a smile.
"I'm not planning to go with you all either," Alaric suddenly said. "I feel like there's something else I need to look for, so I'll part ways with you and Miss Fujimaru for now."
"Splitting up again?" Fujimaru Ritsuka instinctively reached out and asked, "Won't you come with us?"
"Let him go. It's his decision."
Almost at the same time, Meltryllis spoke, stopping Fujimaru Ritsuka and expressing support for Alaric's choice.
Seeing this, Alaric raised an eyebrow slightly, then chuckled. "Splitting up increases efficiency, right? Otherwise, when are we ever going to gather enough Sakura Coins?"