Chapter 267 Return to the Holy City, the Bug of the Rift!
While Ritsuka was importing a massive amount of data into Chaldea, Da Vinci followed Arthur into the storage facility.
Unlike the central area where Trismegistus was stored, this place sealed away the culmination of thousands of years of alchemists' efforts from the Atlas Institute.
Countless Mystic Codes were encased in transparent containers, each with a unique shape, quietly emitting magical light, forming a deep blue, slumbering star sea.
"It's truly magnificent…"
Chaldea's chief technical officer genuinely marveled. She extended her hand, her fingertips stopping a few centimeters from one of the containers, feeling the magical fluctuations.
"It's a pity, though, that the Atlas Institute's seven most famous decisive weapons are not here."
She turned her head, looking at the man who was unhurriedly collecting all the creations, her eyes filled with inquiry.
"But you should have already obtained their data, right?"
Arthur replied without looking back, "Yes, Trismegistus has backups. The data is in hand, but there are no finished products."
A knowing smile played on Da Vinci's lips. She stepped forward, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Arthur, her gaze sweeping over the room full of treasures.
"I'm a bit curious, you weren't very interested in alchemy before, so why go to such lengths?"
"Dealing with the unknown entity, closing the dimensional rifts—these are all for repairing the Singularity, I understand that."
Her voice paused, and her tone became serious.
"But copying all the Atlas Institute's data, not even sparing these Mystic Codes…"
Arthur didn't answer immediately. He placed his hand on an already empty storage container, feeling the lingering coldness on it.
"My dear Da Vinci, you and I both know what kind of people Magi are."
His voice echoed through the increasingly empty warehouse, calm and unruffled.
"When the crisis of Human Incineration is completely resolved, what will Chaldea, this organization that created a Miracle, become?"
He turned around, his deep eyes meeting Da Vinci's face, which had lost its smile.
"Humanity's Observation, Servant Summoning, Spiritron Transfer, history correction… Chaldea will become a cake that everyone wants a slice of."
"I don't care what Chaldea becomes," Arthur's tone remained flat, "but Mash does."
"This is where she grew up; she has cherished companions here. So I must prepare enough leverage for her to deal with all future difficulties."
Da Vinci watched him in silence, and after a long while, let out a soft sigh.
"The Sixth Singularity isn't even resolved yet, and you're already thinking about the outside world's post-event reckoning against Chaldea?"
"Isn't it only natural to plan ahead?"
Arthur placed the last Mystic Code into his possession, and the entire warehouse became empty.
He looked at Da Vinci, a slight smile on his lips, his words filled with absolute confidence.
"Furthermore, with me here, the end of Human Incineration is inevitable."
Hearing this, Da Vinci smiled with relief: "Alright, I'll leave the rest of the headaches to the acting director. I should have it much easier from now on."
When the two returned to the central area, Ritsuka's data transfer had finally concluded.
"Captain, transfer complete!"
Arthur nodded: "Very good, let's go back."
He gave the order to return, leading the group away from this ancient ruin buried by yellow sand… After an unknown amount of time, at the end of the horizon, the pure white royal city once again came into view.
Its sacred and solemn silhouette was as it was at first sight, but as Arthur and his group approached the city walls again, everyone noticed the change in the deathly silent atmosphere.
The once murderous Purification Knights now stood like statues, devoid of any presence, retaining only their most basic defensive functions.
The city gates were wide open, and a familiar figure had been waiting for a long time: the Sun Knight, Gawain.
Upon seeing Arthur, he immediately knelt on one knee, performing an ancient knightly salute.
"Welcome, Your Arrival. The King awaits in the great hall. Please follow me."
His voice was full of respect and gratitude, and this 180-degree change in attitude left Ritsuka and Mordred somewhat at a loss.
Led by Gawain, the group passed through the silent, empty streets and once again arrived at the pristine white Audience Hall.
Before the throne, the tall figure, once enveloped in divine radiance, now stood holding a sword.
The golden glow in the depths of Artoria's emerald eyes had completely faded. She looked at Arthur, her gaze incredibly complex.
"Thank you for awakening me once again from that endless dream."
Her voice was no longer that of a detached deity but had returned to its former steady and clear tone.
Arthur merely shook his head: "Again?"
Artoria's expression darkened: "I will not run away again. After I committed sins, after I embarked on the wrong path and sacrificed countless people…"
She descended from the throne platform, walking step by step to Arthur, looking directly at him, and solemnly declared.
"Once you resolve the last calamity in this land, I will willingly accept any punishment."
After speaking, her gaze swept past everyone and landed on the coldly indifferent Mordred at the end of the line, a hint of guilt in her eyes.
"And… Mordred, I'm sorry. In the past, I… was too rash."
This belated apology made Mordred tremble. She suddenly lowered her head, her throat feeling constricted, unable to utter a single word.
Seeing this, Arthur gestured to Gawain: "Take us to the deepest part."
Then, he took Da Vinci, Ritsuka, and Mash, turning to leave the hall, leaving the space to this complicated "mother and daughter" pair.
Gawain led the way, guiding Arthur and the others through the corridor on the side of the hall, descending all the way to the lowest level of the holy city.
Here, a brilliant pillar of light floated in mid-air, its tip pointing downwards, firmly pinning down a constantly wriggling rift in space.
When the Holy Lance sensed Arthur's arrival, it not only did not repel him but instead emitted joyful hums.
The pillar of light spiraled open on its own, clearing a path for him to the rift space.
"Stay here, I'll be back soon."
Before his words finished, Arthur stepped into it.
The other side of the Holy Lance's blockade was a strange space, completely different from before.
Countless glowing monsters, resembling both fairies and insect-butterflies, danced wildly in the air.
They bravely charged the barrier constructed by the Holy Lance, stirring up ripples, but were always unable to break through even an inch.
Arthur ignored these mere fodder, his gaze directly fixed on the center of the space.
There, ink-black evil continuously poured over a giant cocoon-like shadow. Each pulsation made the entire space tremble.
"There are no insects in this Singularity. Where did you infest these offal from?"
Arthur casually mocked, already accustomed to the extra-dimensional unknown entity that would flee at the first sign of trouble.
The Holy Sword emerged at his summons, entwined with wind and thunder.
"Hey! You bug! Let me help you hatch!"
Crack! Crack! Crack!!!
An endless series of shattering sounds erupted from the surface of the giant cocoon!
A deformed insect-butterfly, with horns on its head, large compound eyes, and a gray-black body, burst out of its shell, covered in viscous, evil-smelling fluid!