"Imaginary dive complete. Initiating reversion to real numbers."
Captain Nemo, who was in charge of navigating the Storm Border, reported the ship's status.
As they returned to real space—back to the real world—everyone felt as if the air outside had frozen solid.
This had nothing to do with the warship resurfacing from beneath the sea. It was a problem inherent to the Lostbelt itself.
In other words, the moment they rose from the depths, they would be stepping into a situation where powerful enemies lay in wait on all sides.
That was because the Greek Lostbelt—or more precisely, the Atlantis Lostbelt—was the most prosperous of the seven Lostbelts that had descended upon the planet.
Even without entering the Lostbelt proper, fragments of the Fantasy Tree were already visible from beyond the Storm Wall.
The prosperity of a Fantasy Tree was directly tied to the prosperity of its Lostbelt.
Unlike Britannia, where the Fantasy Tree withered after its magical energy was exhausted and the Lostbelt degenerated into an anomalous world, the Atlantis Lostbelt clearly embodied the original purpose for which the Fantasy Tree had taken root and come into being.
"Alright, once we confirm there are no enemies, surface from the sea—"
Olga Marie, standing on the bridge and issuing commands, had barely begun to speak when the Storm Border's alarms blared.
"Director, surfacing must be aborted! Enemy signals detected. They're approaching our coordinates at high speed!" Nemo cried out in disbelief. "Damn it… what kind of observation ability is this…?"
Shiomi spoke up calmly to steady him.
"Don't panic. Being able to detect foreign intruders entering a Lostbelt is a basic capability of a Lostbelt King."
That had been true in both Britannia and Scandinavia.
When the Storm Border entered those Lostbelts, Morgan and Skadi had each sensed it immediately.
As for the Russian Lostbelt, Ivan the Terrible had been in a state of slumber. Before he could display such power, Chaldea had already wiped it out in one decisive strike.
If the King of the Atlantis Lostbelt failed to notice their intrusion, Shiomi would have found that far more disappointing.
"Besides, we have plenty of experience dealing with ambushes," Shiomi continued, issuing his orders. "Surface immediately and open the hatches leading to the deck. Artoria, come with me to the deck—"
"Wait! The screens are showing the situation on the sea!" Nemo interrupted at once, stopping Shiomi and the others.
As Shiomi's instructions were carried out, the warship began rising toward the surface while its sensors rapidly gathered and analyzed the surrounding conditions.
Moments later, a shocking image filled the display.
Sleek, steel warships with a distinctly futuristic design were advancing toward their surfacing point in tight formation.
Yet their sails were formed entirely of mana, and along each side were four sets of massive oars, three to a set—clear proof that these vessels were far beyond what human civilization could produce.
"Oh?" Morgan said, her stern expression tinged with unmistakable interest. "Ships that exceed our civilization's level, and an entire fleet at that."
"Enemy vessels confirmed in large numbers! And there's a Servant standing on the surface of the sea!"
Nemo immediately reported the latest development.
That Servant standing atop the water was none other than Caenis—the same one who had fought them in the Scandinavian Lostbelt and come close to defeat.
"Hey! So you finally showed up, you Chaldea bastards! I've been waiting forever! The disgrace of Scandinavia—let me turn you into scrap metal and wash it away!"
"So you still haven't learned your lesson." Shiomi narrowed his eyes and continued calling out orders. "Master, I'll need you too!"
"As expected, another god-slaying job." Scáthach gripped her crimson Gáe Bolg, her eyes filled with raw battle intent.
Nemo raised his voice from behind them. "The hatch leading to the deck is open! You can head out at any time!"
With that, Shiomi, Scáthach, and Artoria filed out one after another, stepping onto the open deck.
The salty sea wind carried a metallic, blood-tinged scent. Holding the crimson spear, Shiomi fixed his gaze on the situation unfolding across the water.
At the head of the approaching fleet stood the Divine Spirit Caenis, who had arrived ahead of the others.
Standing atop the sea as a Servant, she was clearly preparing to lead the assault.
The moment she spotted Shiomi and the others, Caenis burst into excited laughter.
"So you really did all come! Perfect! I'll give you a proper welcome right here at my home base!"
Scáthach rotated her Gáe Bolg, her voice cold and sharp. "Are you ready to die, Divine Spirit? Don't expect a kind goddess like Skadi to step in and plead for you this time."
"Leave that arrogant Divine Spirit to my master," Shiomi said calmly. "Artoria and I will hold back the enemy ships and buy time for our counterattack."
"Even if my disciple hadn't said so, I would have taken her on myself." Scáthach's long hair whipped in the wind as her slender body gradually tensed, ready to leap into the sea at any moment.
Walking on water was nothing to her. Even without the King of Knights' blessings, Scáthach could manage it with ease.
"Wait." Artoria placed a hand on Scáthach's shoulder.
"Hm? Want me to give you the chance instead?" Scáthach asked.
"No…" Shiomi raised a hand. "We've got a transmission—"
His communicator was tuned to the same frequency as the Storm Border. An external signal was now attempting to establish contact with Chaldea.
"Attention, enemy vessel dispatched by Chaldea. Attention, enemy vessel dispatched by Chaldea. Open your communication channel and respond."
It wasn't a radio signal, but one converted through mana.
The technology of this Lostbelt was clearly built upon magecraft rather than conventional science.
"This is Olga Marie Animusphere, Director of New Chaldea and commanding officer of the Storm Border," Olga Marie replied.
"My name is Odysseus, Guardian of Olympus," the other party announced.
Shiomi's expression shifted.
Odysseus.
The great hero of the Trojan War who led the Greek forces to victory.
A hero renowned for both intellect and valor.
"Be advised, enemy vessel. We will swiftly erase you. We will accept no surrender, submission, peace, or negotiation. We will continue the assault until your complete annihilation is confirmed."
The declaration was heavy with pressure and utterly merciless. The transmission cut off immediately after.
This was not a conversation, but a complete severing of any possibility of dialogue at its root.
Between New Chaldea and Olympus, only one option remained: a zero-sum war.
"Nice. That kind of bluntness saves me from worrying about holding back," Shiomi said with a laugh.
Without any warning, he hurled the crimson spear in his hand straight toward Caenis.
The power unleashed by the True Name release forced Caenis to raise her shield to block it. Even so, she couldn't fully counter the attack and had no choice but to rely on her constantly active Noble Phantasm, 'Neptune's Favor,' to withstand the force of the thrown spear.
"Hold it, my disciple. That Divine Spirit is supposed to be my prey, isn't she?" Scáthach said, clearly displeased.
"Just a preemptive strike. That won't kill her," Shiomi replied, lifting his hand.
A pale blue flame ignited in his palm.
"Let me show you something new."
As he clenched his fist, the flame scattered instantly into countless points of light, swirling around the three of them.
"'Inflaming Divinity.'"