I had thought the final boss was captured before the original story even began... but the moment I blinked, the figure had vanished as if by magic from where they had fallen.
Seeing this, I clicked my tongue.
"Tch. Space transposition via Command Spells or the Grail, perhaps. It seems the words spoken before collapsing were nothing but a smokescreen."
"Ahahahaha... But since everyone is safe, isn't that all right?"
"...."
Oh, you saintly maiden.
I let out a sigh as I looked at Jeanne, who wore a smile as innocent as an infant's. What in the world was I to do with this guileless saint?
"Ha... For now, we must hurry. Regardless, the fact that she launched a smoke signal proves she is not alone. We must move before the enemy arrives."
"Ah! Wait for me!"
I shook my head, stated our next steps, and stepped forward along the road. Jeanne followed me in a frantic hurry.
Thud!
"Kyaa!?"
Jeanne, however, stumbled over a protruding stone on the path. I hurriedly reached out to catch her before she could fall.
She looked up at my face, flushing deep red as she remained cradled in my arms. I pinched the bridge of my nose with my free hand, the one not supporting her.
....Is the Restoration of Human Order even possible?
The thought crossed my mind. Ha... It must be. It has to be possible, or the Human Order would not have been restored in the first place.
"Ha... no use overthinking it."
Frustrated, I ruffled my own hair, pushed my complex thoughts aside, and resumed walking. Jeanne followed closely behind.
Had we been walking for quite some time? When four hours had passed, we discovered traces of something.
"This is...."
".....Traces of a battle."
Scattered weaponry, corpses, deep claw marks gouging the earth, and the lingering scent of fire.
Everything told us exactly what had transpired here.
'Ambushed by Wyverns.'
I knelt on one knee, brushing the claw marks on the ground with my hand. The scale matched almost perfectly with the Wyverns I had seen two hours ago. My realization complete, I rose and scanned the area, spotting a body.
As I studied the corpse, Jeanne moved past me, kneeling by the fallen soldier who had died with his eyes wide open. She reached out to close them gently.
"....May you rest in peace."
"....French soldiers?"
"...."
She gave a silent nod.
I examined the body in response to her silent confirmation. The tooth marks on the chest indicated the cause of death: massive hemorrhaging from a bestial maw.
And naturally, only one kind of creature would do this. Reaching this conclusion, I scanned the perimeter and picked something up.
Tap, tap.
It was a small robe. After shaking off the dust and dirt, it looked reasonably usable. I approached Jeanne and draped it over her shoulders.
Flutter.
".....? Elius?"
"Unless you are a Servant, this will be enough to conceal your identity. But more importantly, that is not the matter at hand."
Jeanne looked at me, bewildered. I turned my head away, gazing down the path as I spoke.
"It was an ambush. Likely by the Wyverns we saw earlier."
"?! Then-"
I nodded at Jeanne, whose eyes widened as she finally grasped the gravity of the situation.
"Yes. There is a high probability the village is currently under attack. Let us hurry."
"Yes!"
Jeanne and I sprinted toward the village at full speed. They might be being hunted by the Wyverns as we speak.
If so, it would be a disaster. The people of the village—ordinary civilians—had no way to fight against creatures that once inhabited the Age of Gods.
We tore down the path, pushing ourselves to our limits.
Just as I began to grow winded, the city walls appeared in the distance. This must be the village of Domrémy that Jeanne spoke of.
But the joy of reaching our destination was short-lived; our expressions hardened at the sight before us.
Black smoke was rising from various points across the village. Amidst the haze, the forms of Wyverns could be seen.
They were indeed under attack. Seeing this, we sprinted toward the village with all our might.
Praying that at least some people were still alive.
**
At the same time, Chaldea.
Fujimaru Ritsuka was guided by Mash to the command center following Dr. Romani's summons.
As she entered, Romani came into view, busy working with his tablet.
Noticing Ritsuka's arrival, Romani lifted his gaze from his work to face her.
"Ah. You're here, Fujimaru-san. Let's begin the briefing."
"Yes."
Romani nodded at her response, tapped his tablet, and displayed the data onto the massive central screen.
"To initiate Rayshift, we must know our destination. We are targeting 1431 AD France, one of the seven discovered Singularities."
"The Hundred Years' War era, Doctor."
Romani nodded at Mash's words.
"Correct, Mash. Good to know you're up to speed. Let me explain what your duties will be."
First, the investigation and correction of the Singularity. Travel to that era, investigate the event acting as the turning point for humanity, clarify it, and rectify it.
Second, the investigation of the 'Holy Grail'. Investigate, retrieve, or destroy the Grail presumed to be the cause of the historical divergence.
"These two are the primary objectives of this mission... Is that understood?"
Nod.
Ritsuka and Mash both nodded. Romani smiled.
"Good. Let's prepare for Rayshift immediately. I have prepared a coffin specifically for Fujimaru-san, which should allow for a fast and safe transport."
Romani tapped a button on his tablet, and the coffins hissed open with a mechanical hum.
Ritsuka and Mash stepped into their respective coffins. Once they were settled, the units closed with the same rhythmic sound.
Having confirmed this, Romani spoke toward Ritsuka.
"Once you depart for the Singularity, we can only maintain contact. I can act as your radar by scanning the surrounding area, but... that is my limit. I am sorry, Fujimaru-san. I'm placing the burden of everything on you."
"It's alright, Roman. This couldn't be helped."
"Thank you for saying so. Now, I wish you luck, Fujimaru-san... Let us begin."
As Romani pressed the button, the coffins activated, and an announcement echoed through the room.
[Unsummoning program startup. Initializing spiritron conversion.]
With the announcement, Ritsuka's consciousness began to fade. Yet, she continued to hear the voice echoing in her ears.
[Time remaining until Rayshift: 3, 2, 1... All processes clear. Grand Order, initializing verification.]
- I entrust the Human Order to you, Fujimaru-san.
Following Romani's final words, Ritsuka's consciousness drifted into nothingness.