A familiar white ceiling.
When Fujimaru Ritsuka opened her eyes, for a brief moment, everything that had happened—the Antarctic ice and snow, the frozen Chaldea, and the red savior—felt like they might have been nothing more than an incredibly vivid nightmare.
It was as if she were still in her old Chaldea dormitory.
In just five minutes, Fou would pounce onto her stomach and stomp on her to wake her up, and then Mash would show up at the door with coffee, knocking and calling, "Senpai, it's morning!"
However, the deep ache that seemed to shake her bones apart, combined with a faint dryness that differed from the snow-capped mountains, reminded her this was no dream.
This was the Wandering Sea.
A new home, prepared for them by that enigmatic Heroic Spirit.
"Sigh…"
The girl let out a big yawn, her joints cracking as she stretched. Her body still felt exhausted, and yet, a surprising sense of refreshment washed over her.
It was the satisfaction only gained after a long, sound sleep, somewhere completely safe.
"…All right!"
"A new year, a fresh start! Let's do this, Ritsuka!"
She slapped her cheeks lightly in encouragement, quickly finished up the dishes, and hurried to open the door—just in time to bump into Mash, who was stepping out as well.
"Senpai! Good morning... Actually, it's noon already."
Mash had changed into her usual casual clothes and her cheeks glowed with a healthy flush. It was obvious that last night's sleep had been a huge boon for her too.
"Hi, Mash!"
"Let's go to the cafeteria! I'm starving!"
…
The new Chaldea cafeteria was overflowing with appetizing aromas.
"What—what on earth is this?!"
Director Goredolf Musik sat at a dining table, knife and fork in hand, eyes nearly bulging out of his head.
Before him, on a red-and-white checkered tablecloth, dish after dish of exquisite cuisine kept appearing from nowhere—tender, juicy Wellington steak, fragrant French soups, delicately presented kaiseki dishes like works of art, and piping hot Italian pizzas fresh from the oven...
"Is this another of Steve's Noble Phantasms?... This is just absurd! It's not even magical! Yet... it smells fantastic!"
Known as a gourmand, the plump director moaned about the lack of scientific explanation even as he sliced off a large piece of steak and stuffed it into his mouth, his face awash with bliss—as if he were in heaven.
"Just ask and you'll receive anything you want to eat... If this technology became commonplace, wouldn't every chef in the world be out of a job?"
Da Vinci Lily was munching on apple pie, her curiosity piqued by the tablecloth's texture. "Nanomaterial recombination? Or the realization of concepts? Just how off-track did Mr. Steve's future technology end up?"
"It's all so everyone can always have enough to eat."
With a glass of red wine (actually just grape juice), Steve sat gracefully in the main seat. "On a long interstellar journey, nothing is more essential to keeping up morale than good food."
"This tablecloth accompanied me through countless lonely nights over ten years, even before I was born into this world."
Amid this harmonious atmosphere, the group quickly polished off lunch.
But soon, the atmosphere grew more serious.
…
On the holographic display, the Earth was still perfectly white.
But on that white surface, seven distinct points of light blinked ominously.
"According to Trismegistus II's calculations, these seven points are the origin of whatever has paralyzed human reason."
Sion adjusted her glasses, fingers flickering across the keyboard. "We call them 'Lostbelts.'"
"They are failures, histories that were pruned away from the main flow, and now threaten to blanket the world."
"So, just like before with the Singularities, we need to go to these seven places and eliminate the sources?"
Ritsuka stared fiercely at the map, steel in her gaze.
"That's roughly correct, but the situation is even more dire this time."
Holmes added, "Our first destination is here."
He pointed to a glowing spot on the map, over the Russian region.
"The First Lostbelt isn't just the closest threat—it's also the source of the strongest current magical activity."
"If this isn't resolved, we won't even be able to open the gate to the Wandering Sea."
Strategic Objective: Russia.
Just as everyone began discussing their infiltration plan, Steve, who had been listening quietly, suddenly spoke up.
"Planning is important, but doesn't it feel a little... empty in here?"
He looked around the largely deserted control room. The equipment was impeccable, but the place felt hollow with only a handful of people.
"Empty?" Goredolf muttered after a moment. "Isn't that better? Otherwise it gets stuffy in here!"
"No, Director... For an organization that saved mankind, Chaldea should have more people than this."
Steve shook his head, glancing at Ritsuka. "Fujimaru Ritsuka, do you remember? In two years of journeying, how many Heroic Spirits did you form contracts with? How many heroes did you fight alongside?"
Ritsuka shivered.
Names and faces instantly filled her mind.
"Of course I remember. Every single one."
"In that case, why not call them back?"
Steve smiled enticingly, like a devil—or maybe Santa Claus. "Now that the base is up and running and thanks to my reactor, we have power to spare! Isn't it time for a reunion with all your old friends?"
"Eh? But, but... Is the summoning system even usable? And what about the spiritual origin logs...?"
"Hmph, just leave it to me!"
Da Vinci Lily puffed her chest with pride and produced a shining silver briefcase from behind her. "Ta-da! The complete final backup of the Chaldea Heroic Spirit Origin List!"
"I risked my life before evacuation to save all the data!"
"It contains information on all 198 Servants we formed full contracts with during the Human Order Incineration incident!"
"198 Servants?!"
Goredolf yelled. "Hold it! Where will we get enough mana to sustain all that?! Even with a reactor, our supply will run dry!"
"It'll be fine, really."
Steve waved it off. "I've got a special trick up my sleeve."
…
30 Minutes Later—Heroic Spirit Summoning Chamber, Wandering Sea Base
As Steve loaded a strange glowing crystal—which he called Space Dust—into the summoning system's energy slot, the huge summoning array began to shine more brilliantly than ever.
"I Declare—"
Standing before the array, Ritsuka felt the long-lost flow of magical energy. She drew a deep breath and recited the spell etched into her soul:
"Let thine body be under my command, and my fate be bound to thy sword..."
Beams of light shot skyward.
Not just one, but an endless burst like fireworks ascending one after another!
Golden, silver, red, blue... the room swirled with all sorts of spiritual lights, intertwining into a grand and radiant sea.
"Tell me, are you my master?"
It was a familiar voice—the Knight King, in blue and white armor, was the first to emerge from the light, a calm but resolute smile on her face.
"Saber. Artoria Pendragon, answering the summons and making her appearance."
"It's been a while, Master."
"It seems you always have need of my sword."
"Hmph, you mongrel... making me wait this long! Even dying a thousand times isn't enough punishment."
Right after, the King of Heroes in golden garb appeared with arms crossed, arrogance plain on his face. "Still, your humble new abode is quite decent. I'll lend you my strength again—though you should be thankful."
"Hey, Master! Miss me?"
Cú Chulainn, the gunman in blue with his red spear, greeted everyone cheerfully. "Just don't stick me on any boring scout detail this time!"
"Unbelievable... More trouble already,"
Archer Emiya sighed, but despite his complaints, he deftly grabbed a spatula. "Where's the kitchen? That fat director looks like he's flagging. He probably needs a meal."
And so, one after another, souls who had fought through life and death in the Singularities poured into the once-empty summoning hall, noisy as a class reunion.
"This... this, this—"
Goredolf found himself pushed into a corner, looking around at a room packed with gods, legendary heroes, and even anti-heroes—from giants over two meters tall (Hercules) roaring loud enough to split eardrums, to the smallest and most eccentric. When the big black giant roared, the poor director promptly fainted on the spot.
"Wonderful... everyone..."
Tears streamed down Ritsuka's face as she took in the scene. She dashed into the crowd, hugging Mash and Artoria, feeling their warmth on her skin.
Welcome home!
Watching this heartwarming (albeit chaotic) reunion from the second-floor viewing platform, Steve nodded in deep satisfaction.
This was exactly what he wanted.
Without so many diverse personalities, what would Chaldea have been?
…
"...Even so, Mr. Steve."
Holmes came over, peering at the terrifying power below and lowering his voice.
"I'm glad to see them again, but you know it's impossible to take all this power into the Lostbelt, right?"
"The problem isn't just mana supply. With the Lostbelts' unique rejection reaction, it'd be almost impossible to move such an army even an inch inside."
"Of course, Mr.Holmes."
Steve turned to him, the glint of mischief in his eyes behind his sunglasses. "So, I added a lock to the system."
He pointed to the glowing energy core.
"This Space Dust provides immense magical power for their physical forms inside the Wandering Sea base—but it's an energy source with extremely strong earth attribute."
"In simple terms, their current existence is pretty much like being tied to this location, like terrain."
"In other words..."
"They can move freely throughout the base—to eat, drink, play, participate in clubs, whatever they like..."
"But if they pass beyond the Wandering Sea's barriers, that energy supply vanishes."
Steve lifted a finger in explanation.
"If we need to fight in the Lostbelt, Ritsuka will have to rely on the classic shadow servant tactics."
"In other words, by utilizing the limited capabilities of Shadow Border, she can temporarily project the power of generals to the frontlines."
"She might never be able to fight before in her full form again... but at least she doesn't have to fight alone anymore."
"I see."
Holmes smiled meaningfully.
"It ensures energy and liveliness in the rear, and at the same time, keeps tension and secrecy at the front lines. Very clever for game balance."
"Naturally," Steve shrugged. "If hundreds of these people hit the battlefield, someone like the Thunder Emperor would probably have a heart attack from fright."
"That'd make the adventure way too boring, right?"
He looked down at Ritsuka, surrounded by Heroic Spirits, with a gentle smile.
"Well, let's let her enjoy herself a little more."
"Starting tomorrow, she'll be struggling through the harsh chill of Russia."
"Consider this little indulgence a reward for the savior."