Organization for the Preservation of Human Order, Finis Chaldea.
An observatory at the planet's pole, gazing at the starry sky.
Half a year ago, this rescue organization successfully saved the entire world from the brink of destruction—though its deeds remained unknown to the public.
Now, Chaldea should no longer need to carry out rescue missions after receiving a guarantee from Root Shiki. Yet, it was once again summoning comrades scattered across the world.
Boarding a plane and passing through the defensive barrier anchored by the Seventy-Two Demon Gods, after six months, Ritsuka and Mash returned to a place deeply significant to them both.
Compared to half a year ago, Chaldea hadn't changed much. Though it had been quiet after many staff resigned, Marie had since used her connections as a Lord of the Department of Astromancy and UN resources to recruit new staff from around the world.
Currently, Chaldea's total staff numbered two hundred. One hundred were permanent staff inside the facility, while the other hundred worked in the field—Chaldea's public face—carrying out the duties advertised during recruitment.
"It really feels nostalgic." Ritsuka said, observing her surroundings as they walked toward the meeting room.
"It's only been half a year since I left, but it feels like forever. At the same time, it also feels like the Human Order Incineration just ended yesterday."
"Because everything that happened last year was truly unforgettable, Senpai." Mash laughed.
For both of them, everything they experienced the previous year was a memory they'd never forget for the rest of their lives. Even decades later, it would feel like it happened just yesterday.
"You're right… Ah, we're here."
Passing through the familiar corridor and opening the meeting room door with her ID card, the first thing Ritsuka and Mash saw upon entering were several people seated on the sofas.
"Oh, they're here, they're here. Long time no see, you two."
Roman, looking neater and more handsome, smiled and waved at them.
"Doctor Roman, long time no see!" Ritsuka immediately smiled back. "Same to you, Sister Sheba and Goetia."
Beside Roman, Queen Sheba, dressed in normal attire, gave a faint smile and nodded. Goetia, as usual, said not a word, standing coldly behind Roman like a cool, aloof iceberg of a man.
Anyone unaware might think Roman was a big-shot CEO heading to a meeting with his wife and bodyguard.
Which, in truth, wasn't far off.
"Just greeting Roman? Are you two playing favorites?"
Da Vinci raised an eyebrow in mock displeasure: "The rest of us are here too, you know."
"Of course I saw you—long time no see, Da Vinci-chan, and also—"
Ritsuka and Mash turned to the others: "Director Olga, Merry-sensei, Sister Gray, Sister Rei, Sister Ayaka—long time no see to you all too."
Several residents of Camelot Apartment in faraway London, along with Chaldea's Director, had now gathered in Chaldea's meeting room.
"Not that long." Merry laughed. "For us, half a year is just a blink. But you two have grown a lot—especially…"
From her angle, everyone could clearly see Merry's gaze fixed about thirty centimeters below Ritsuka and Mash's eyes, continuously scanning the most developed parts of the two girls.
"Merry, mind your eyes."
"Hehe~~"
Ignoring Rei's cold glare while laughing, Merry clapped her hands: "Alright, everyone's here. Time to get to the main point."
"Eh? That's everyone? Just us?"
Ritsuka was slightly surprised: "I thought everyone from London would come."
Gray shook her head and explained: "We did send invitations to everyone, but right now, they all have their own matters to attend to."
"Sister Aoko went to some parallel world and is unreachable. Sister Touko is busy developing alchemical parts that can change her appearance anytime, anywhere—she hasn't left her workshop in a month. Sister Riddell is in a bit of trouble at the Clock Tower because of her statements during the Grand Resolution. Right now, Sister Souji, Sister Lia, and Mordred are protecting her…"
Arcueid went back to sleep in the Millennium Castle as soon as Naoki left. Ciel and Angelica stayed in London to guard the house. Atalanta was busy preparing exam questions for the upcoming tests.
—Basically, everyone had their own business.
Hearing Gray's explanation, Ritsuka and Mash understood: "So… no one's that eager to pick up the Department Head. They're all planning to marry him, aren't they?"
Merry: "Exactly. It's just… overall, it's a matter of trust, I suppose. Those who didn't come believe Naoki will definitely return, so they don't feel the need to look for him."
"Then why are we looking for the Department Head?"
"Because if we don't find him soon, Big Brother will definitely bring back a whole group of new women." Gray said helplessly. "Big Brother is extremely popular with women. Basically, every time he goes out, he brings home some unknown woman. Before, he said he'd be back soon, so we didn't worry much—but it's been half a year…"
In six months, they absolutely didn't believe Naoki wouldn't bring home a new wife from outside!
So, they needed to capture that Auto-Running Beautiful Girl Trap before their number of sisters increased further.
(This is… a completely different reason than I expected!)
Ritsuka had thought something serious might happen if Naoki didn't return. It was just a family matter?
"Then… why call Mash and me too?"
"Because there might be places where we'll need your power." Marie explained, then turned to Roman. "You explain, Roman."
"Alright."
Roman replied: "In fact, over the past six months, we've already figured out roughly where Natsukawa went. Thanks to Goetia's help, tracking was very easy."
"Natsukawa is currently in a Lostbelt."
Lostbelt.
A term Ritsuka had never heard before.
Noticing Ritsuka's confusion, Roman continued: "Just as life involves competition, history also has winners and losers. The world we currently live in is the victorious history—based on correct choices and proper prosperity. The mystic world calls it Proper Human History."
"Meanwhile, the defeated histories—based on wrong choices and improper prosperity—interrupted as unnecessary and even abandoned by parallel world theory—are Dead-End Human Histories,…called Lostbelts."
"Think of it like a growing tree. They are branches that grew but are no longer needed."
"And because they're no longer needed, Lostbelts are pruned once designated as such. Considered historical remnants, they're discarded into a corner."
In short—thrown into the trash.
"Natsukawa is there."
"In one of the countless pruned Lostbelts."
After Roman said this, Ritsuka and Mash understood: "So… we have to Rayshift again? But didn't the UN ban Rayshift—"
"Ah, the ban's been lifted."
Merry smiled, pulling a document from her chest: "I had a nice talk with the UN people. They're all very understanding—it didn't take much effort to get them to agree."
"..."
"..."
"..."
(This demoness definitely used Illusion Magecraft to get that approval letter!)