"Welcome, visitors from another world. This is the spiriton-constructed realm known as SERIAL PHANTASM, a digital space simulated as SE.RA.PH—the new, blissful paradise. You've gathered here to prevent the world's collapse, alongside 128 Masters and Servants summoned within SE.RA.PH.
We commend your noble mission. However... human desire knows no bounds, and nobility alone won't satisfy the audience. Thus, an additional condition has been added: become the last one standing by eliminating the other 127 Masters.
If you succeed, the all-powerful Mooncell will be yours. That said, be aware—there is no exit from SE.RA.PH. There is no such thing as 'doing nothing.' Whether fighting or killing... your own survival must come first."
After completing their Rayshift to the sunken oil field Seraphix, Shiomi and the others opened their eyes to find themselves in a vast blue spiriton space.
Though submerged beneath the sea, they stood on a transparent grid-like floor made of unknown material, with winding paths extending in all directions. Yet despite this, they could breathe effortlessly—there was no sensation of drowning.
More troubling than that, however, was the broadcast that began the moment the transfer completed.
"A battle to the death among 128 Masters and Servants," Morgan confirmed as she took stock of the situation. "Setting aside whether this suspicious place is truly the sunken Seraphix oil field..."
Scáthach moved aside, observing their surroundings.
"True or not, we don't even have the most basic intel. Just like before, we'll have to start from zero."
Artoria then spoke up. "But... that strange broadcast just now sounded like something out of a Holy Grail War."
"Mooncell..." Morgan murmured, deep in thought. "Do any of you know anything about it?"
It was one of the few things she didn't fully understand.
"Well, I've heard it's some ancient relic sleeping inside the moon," Scáthach replied, closing her eyes in mild confusion. "Other than that, I know nothing."
"My teacher Merlin mentioned it once in a dream-lesson," Artoria added. "But he only said it was something not worth understanding in 'this era.'"
After confirming their communication status, Shiomi joined in. "I asked Romani about it too. His answer was more or less the same as master's."
"Even the King of Magecraft doesn't know the full picture, huh..." Morgan mused.
"More importantly," Shiomi continued, "since this is like a Holy Grail War, and there's a system of Masters and Servants in place..." He glanced at the three of them. "We might as well blend in."
Morgan set aside her thoughts and smiled. "You mean we pretend to be Master and Servant pairs, like in a proper Holy Grail War, to handle whatever comes next?"
"Not just that. From now on, I won't use your True Names. I'll refer to you by Class, and you should address me as your Master. Sound good?" He gestured toward each of them in turn. "Berserker, Lancer, Ruler—how about it?"
"Putting aside how odd it is to have a Ruler in a Holy Grail War, I have no complaints," Morgan said, confidently brushing back her hair. "After all, I've assisted my husband in two Holy Grail Wars already. I'm quite experienced."
"Oh... pulling this trick, are we? Well, if it's my beloved disciple asking, I've no reason to refuse," Scáthach said with amusement.
Artoria nodded. "Given how little we know of this place, hiding our True Names is definitely wise."
Shiomi raised a hand, forming a mock receiver shape as he turned to them.
"Then let's not waste time—give it a try?"
"Is that really necessary, Master?" Artoria asked, though she'd always called him that during their time together in Uruk.
"You're not a kid anymore, Master. Still acting like one?" Scáthach chuckled.
Morgan gave him a sly, half-lidded look. "Perhaps you've realized your own combat power is lacking, and decided to fully embrace the Holy Grail War approach, Master?"
Shiomi, clearly pleased, clenched his fist. "Alright, this feels good!"
Then, realizing he was getting overly excited, he quickly coughed twice to cover it up.
"Sorry, I got a little too excited at the mention of the Holy Grail War. This really isn't the time for that."
"More importantly, communication with Chaldea's been completely severed, right, Master?" Morgan wrapped her arm around Shiomi's and leaned in close, whispering the word "Master" right by his ear.
Back during the Fourth Holy Grail War, Morgan had barely manifested for a day before taking the opportunity to call him "my husband" instead—she rarely addressed him directly otherwise.
So now, twenty years later, hearing her suddenly call him that again nearly made Shiomi's bones melt.
"C-could you give me a little space, Berserker…? Not great for the heart," Shiomi muttered awkwardly. He didn't pull away, but quickly returned to a serious tone. "Yeah, communication's completely cut off. That means we're not getting any support from Chaldea at all."
Scáthach stepped forward and moved toward the road ahead.
"Either way, we can't stay here. We've all been a bit off since the Rayshift," she said. "This area looks like a boundary zone. Just lingering here will drain our spiriton structure bit by bit—"
Before she could finish, a cold gleam flashed from behind.
Though her back was turned, Scáthach didn't even glance—she instantly spun around and swept her crimson spear across the space behind her.
Two Japanese swords, as if possessed by their own will, were knocked aside by her spear. They didn't fall, but wobbled back into the shadows further down the road.
They returned to the side of a girl who strolled forward at a measured pace.
"Seriously, isn't this a bit of a cheat? A Master walking around with three Servants?"
The Servant, dressed like a Japanese high school student, carried a backpack on one shoulder and held a sword pointed directly at them with the other hand, eyes sharp and alert.
"If you're going to launch a sneak attack, you should at least keep your presence hidden until the hit lands."
Scáthach tilted her head and looked over at the girl.
"Unlucky for me, I'm a Saber—not exactly built for stealth like an Assassin." The Saber grinned, openly radiating killing intent. "Saw some weird lightning and came to check it out. Didn't expect to run into a Master this shameless. Three Servants at once? That's just overkill."
"Can't argue with that," Scáthach said with a nod.
"Well, he is a Master. I suppose we'll have to let this one slide."
Morgan's tone was tinged with subtle jealousy.
"..."
Shiomi could only slap a hand to his forehead.
...
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