"Is this it…?"
Standing before the stone steps that led up to Ryuudou Temple's gate, Ritsuka swallowed hard.
Even though it was daytime, maybe it was just her nerves—but to the orange-haired girl, that gate looked like a giant beast waiting to swallow them whole, jaws open for them to walk right in.
"Are you sure about this, Ritsuka? You can still turn back. Honestly, that's my recommendation. Your lives matter most, and an enemy on that level is still too much for you right now."
For once, Dr. Romani's voice carried real gravity as he urged her—seriously—to reconsider.
"Ouroboros… to be honest, I didn't expect the enemy to be something like that. Compared to what we guessed before—a snake going through its first molt—this is a completely different order of life, even at the lower bound. And based on what she said, I suspect she's an even deeper kind of 'concept.'"
"A concept?"
"This is my mistake. I never imagined her omniscience and omnipotence would be completely different from his… hers is probably closer to—no, forget it. The point is, she's very likely not something you can handle at this stage. I hope I'm wrong."
On the other side of the communicator, the doctor let out a heavy sigh, his expression grim.
A Dragon-Serpent who bore the title King of Heroes—plus the "omniscient and omnipotent" and "most ancient serpent" she'd spoken of. It might truly be a fragment of a primordial concept, close in rank to that "Lord."
It couldn't possibly reach true omniscience and omnipotence, but it also absolutely wouldn't be on a level Ritsuka could fight.
Still, Romani didn't press further. To him, Ophis seemed to have ulterior motives; at the very least, she probably wasn't going to destroy humanity or kill Ritsuka outright.
"Either way, we have to confirm that Ophis won't become a threat to Human Order."
Even with Romani making it sound so terrifying, Fujimaru Ritsuka didn't flinch.
Once she'd chosen to shoulder this responsibility, there was no room left to turn and run.
"Fifteen minutes."
Lord El-Melloi II suddenly opened his eyes and announced it in a low voice.
The last Master of Humanity nodded.
"Sorry to trouble you. Let's begin, Doctor."
"...Understood. Spiritron Transfer for Servants—commencing!"
A white radiance flooded the ground behind Ritsuka.
"This is…"
The Servants who didn't belong to Chaldea watched the spiritron transfer light with solemn faces.
They could feel it—many presences, none of them weaker than themselves.
"Because we're transferring a large number this time, it'll take a while," Romani said. "But they can hear everything you say. If you've got something to tell them, do it now."
"I understand."
Ritsuka nodded at his words.
Kiritsugu had been assigned other tasks. Irisviel, per Lord El-Melloi's instructions, had to stay far from the battlefield—she could not be allowed to fall into Ophis's hands. Which meant the Master commanding this host of Heroic Spirits would be her alone.
As for Waver… even managing the King of Conquerors by himself was already beyond stressful for him.
For Fujimaru Ritsuka, it wasn't just about giving orders—she'd never seen anything like this in her life: this many Servants gathered in one place outside Chaldea.
Heroic souls etched into history were placing their lives in her hands. The pressure weighed down on her like iron.
But she had to move forward. She had to fight.
"Everyone. I don't think I need to say much."
Ritsuka drew a deep breath, then raised her voice so all could hear.
There was no need for stirring speeches. Everyone here was a warrior worth a thousand—no matter that their opponent was the King of Heroes, a hero no army could stand against. Not a single one of them would feel fear.
"Combat begins at nine sharp. Do everything you can to end it within three hours. The enemy is the King of Heroes. Objective: ensure she is no longer a threat. Any method is permitted. I believe in all of you… and I know saying that puts a burden on you, but please—believe in me, too! As your Master, I will lead you to victory!"
The spiritron light flared—then slowly dissolved into the sky. And where the light had been, five heroic figures now stood upon the earth.
"You are…"
Seeing one of them, Artoria's lips parted slightly in surprise.
To think that in a single Holy Grail War, she would meet two knights from her past… no—if she counted that shield as well… three?
If it was this person, then setting the battle at such a strange time made sense.
"Spiritron Transfer remains stable until noon, twelve o'clock. After that, we can't guarantee enough margin to ensure Ritsuka's continued existence," Romani warned. "Please keep that in mind. And now—may fortune favor your blades."
Every second counted. There was no time for reunions. The moment Romani finished, Lord El-Melloi II stepped forward.
"The bounded field was set long ago. That should ensure we won't affect ordinary people. In theory, all we need to do is hold out for a while… no. Assume we must defeat her head-on."
He glanced at Ritsuka, then closed his eyes as he spoke.
Unsure whether their Master could accept such an arrangement, the strategist had not told her about the plan to strike at Tokiomi.
"The operation plan was explained to you yesterday. Those from Chaldea should have been briefed in advance as well. Of course, all of this assumes my predictions are accurate. If anything unexpected occurs, adapt on the fly. From here on, I leave it to you, Master. I will assist from the side."
"I'll do everything I can… heroes, please—lend me your strength!"
"Hahahahahaha! Excellent—excellent! To think that even after death, I would be granted the chance to stand shoulder to shoulder with so many heroes. If only I could take them all into my ranks… no—even I know when to restrain myself. For now, let us face the enemy together as comrades-in-arms!"
Lightning surged.
Iskandar was already astride his ox-drawn chariot, reins in hand, lifting into the air.
"Then a king should lead from the front. As vanguard, I am the perfect choice—let this thunder of the God-King be our opening declaration!"
"Mooo—!"
The divine bulls bellowed, hooves stamping sparks, and charged straight at Ryuudou Temple's front gate.
At the same time, a massive purple magic circle unfolded in the sky above the temple. Countless Magic Cannons appeared—then fired on the Servants without mercy.
But in the next instant, an equally uncountable number of crimson spears materialized out of thin air, intercepting every single blast.
"Then the frontal breakthrough up the steps is my assignment."
As innumerable stone-soldier puppets poured out from the gate in a continuous stream, the purple-haired girl raised her stance, expressionless.
"I hope… this will be a splendid battle."
And with that—
War began.
---
T/N: THEY EVEN GOT MORE SERVANTS
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