"According to the intelligence provided by the Servant whose True Name is Holmes, who assisted Chaldea in Shinjuku, there's more than one Subcategory Singularity," said Romani.
In Shiomi's room, he was discussing the matter of the Subcategory Singularities with Romani.
"That man once showed up at the Atlas Institute. For some reason, he was investigating our backgrounds—yours and mine." Shiomi rested his chin on one hand. "That still hasn't been made public. Are you really going to believe what Holmes says?"
"He's a detective who represents justice, after all. I don't think he'd do anything shady," Romani said with a grin, sipping his coffee.
Shiomi gave him a deadpan look. "Even as a joke, that's not funny."
"But according to Holmes, the ones who created the Subcategory Singularities are the Demon Pillars who escaped from the collapsing Temple of Time when Goetia was defeated," Romani said. "And in Shinjuku, the Demon God Baal also appeared."
"So you're planning to believe him?" Shiomi raised an eyebrow.
Romani shook his head. "You're right. His motives are unclear, and he keeps showing up at various Singularities. Unless he has something like the 'Independent Manifestation' ability that Queen Scáthach or the Lion King possess, there's definitely someone backing his actions... We can't trust him completely."
"Looking at the results, it's clear not all of the Demon Pillars accepted defeat." Shiomi sighed as he glanced down at the documents compiled after repairing the Singularity.
Romani gave a wry smile. "Seems like it. Chaldea's doing everything it can to search for distortions in history using SHEBA... but since Subcategory Singularities barely affect history, they're harder to detect."
As he said that, his expression unconsciously turned gloomy—until a slice of untouched cake was pushed in front of him.
Romani had already finished his own, while Shiomi hadn't touched his.
"You've been fighting to save the world for ten years now. It's time you took a break," Shiomi said. "Since this isn't a crisis that'll end the world, why not take it easy?"
"That may be true. I've actually thought a lot about how I'd use my time once we made it through the end-of-the-world crisis," Romani said, looking down at the cake with a wry smile. "But maybe I've gotten too used to working in Chaldea. I don't know how to handle life when I'm not busy anymore."
"At the very least, it won't be as tough as it used to be. Chaldea isn't completely cut off from the outside anymore—we're getting supplies now," Shiomi said.
"But the emergence of the Subcategory Singularities has forced Chaldea to resume emergency Rayshifting. The Mage's Association is under a lot of pressure again," Romani shook his head.
He wanted to truly relax, but reality never quite allowed for that.
"We're in the clear for now. The investigation report Touko brought back has eased the Clock Tower's hard stance toward Chaldea to some degree," Shiomi said with a smile. "However..."
"However?"
"However, it's still uncertain how long Chaldea can continue existing as private property under Animusphere." Shiomi frowned. "Lorelei from the Department of Policies is still pushing to split Chaldea's authority into shares."
"The director's got it even tougher now..."
Romani scratched his head, then picked up the slice of cake Shiomi had slid over to him.
"Uh, I'll just take this with me then."
"Exactly, go ahead, take it," Shiomi said cheerfully, waving his hand.
After seeing Romani off, Shiomi rolled his chair toward the desk and began checking Chaldea's server records.
But the moment he opened the director-level access database, his hand froze.
"Oh my~ Working late, are we?"
The voice sounded just like Sakura's—but with a completely different personality.
"Long time no see, BB," Shiomi replied without turning around.
"Just as predicted, the Incineration of Humanity caused by the King of Magecraft ended without requiring any sacrifices." BB leaned against the desk. "Well, that is, if we don't count the divine punishment Daddy had to bear."
"What exactly is Mooncell?" Shiomi asked directly. "The King of Magecraft only knew it as some ancient relic on the moon. Even my mother only had vague knowledge of its existence."
BB put on a look of feigned surprise. "Wow~ I didn't expect Daddy to dig this deep, even going so far as to seek help from Goddess Tiamat."
"No, it was my mother who told me," Shiomi said.
"Mother, huh..." BB repeated the word with amusement. "If Goddess Tiamat is Daddy's mother, does that make her my grandmother?"
"Call her whatever you like." Shiomi realized BB still had no intention of answering his question. "So now that the Incineration of Humanity is over and the world's been saved, what are you doing here? Come to evaluate everything I've done so far?"
"Congratulations! You gave it your all, resolved the Incineration of Humanity, passed the trial, and reclaimed your everyday life. I'm sure humanity will move forward undisturbed from here on."
BB clasped her hands together and smiled radiantly at him.
"When you put it that way, it just makes it obvious things are far from over, doesn't it?" Shiomi said quietly.
"Ugh, I really hate humans who are as sharp as Daddy... Just kidding~!" BB exaggerated a look of disgust before switching back to her innocent smile. "But your instincts are spot on. Even if the Incineration is resolved and the world returned to normal, this planet's human history has no future."
"Is that so." Shiomi frowned instinctively.
"So, as a preliminary test for your next journey, Mooncell plans to assign you a little task," BB said as she leaned in close to his ear. "Apparently, there's a Singularity out there with traces of an as-yet unformed Beast."
Shiomi gave her a skeptical look. "You planning to throw me, in my current state, in there as fertilizer for the Singularity?"
"Of course not. The damage from the divine punishment on your body isn't something that can be wiped away so easily. But as compensation, I'll grant you a little 'cheat'—I'll make sure you can fight at your peak strength within the Singularity."
Shiomi raised an eyebrow, half in disbelief. "You've seen me at my peak?"
"Then I'll be watching, Daddy. Don't let me down."
Whoosh—
With the swish of the automatic door opening, BB had already vanished.
As if she had never been there.
"Did someone come by, my husband?" Morgan asked, glancing at the empty plate and coffee cup on the table.
"Well..." Shiomi considered whether to tell Morgan the whole story.
"Never mind, we'll talk later. Caren asked me to take you for a checkup."
"Ah... alright."
And with that, Morgan took Shiomi by the hand and led him out of the room.
On the still-active computer, an email was quietly delivered to Shiomi's inbox.
...
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