"…."
After hearing Kal'tsit's words, Emiya Shirou widened his eyes.
Since arriving here, he had never once heard the word "world."
Instead, people always referred to "Terra," "this land," and similar terms.
Yet she had clearly called him a "magus from another world"…
But Archer should have been active somewhere in the northern plains of Ursus, right?
Or… were there others besides him and Archer?
If he had not gone to Ursus before because the land was too vast and his clues too scarce to trace Archer's whereabouts—
Then Rhodes Island, standing right in front of him now, was a clue delivered directly to his doorstep.
And he had no reason to let that lead slip away.
"What I just said is very appealing to you, is it not?"
Seeing Shirou's reaction, Kal'tsit knew her words had struck their mark.
The bait had been taken and now it was time to press forward.
She needed to secure this cooperation in one decisive move.
"…It is indeed very appealing. Can you tell me everything you know? And who did you obtain this information from?"
Shirou, who had been thinking about how to bring up the topic himself, seized the opportunity when Kal'tsit mentioned it first.
At the same time, he asked about the source of that information.
That part was crucial.
If it came from Servants of the Fifth War… then there was a high chance they were problematic individuals.
As he spoke, Shirou gestured for the Penguin Logistics members not to interfere.
They could tell how important this topic was to him.
And besides… that line Kal'tsit just delivered sounded incredibly cool.
Still, what exactly was this "other world"?
Setting aside what "magus from another world" meant, one thing was certain Rhodes Island seemed to know about Shirou's past.
Up until now, Shirou's "persona" had been that of an amnesiac who fell from the sky, and he rarely spoke about his past.
If they wanted to learn about it, this was the chance.
Although judging from his expression, those memories were far from pleasant.
He did not look happy and if anything, he seemed troubled.
With Penguin Logistics quieting down, the three from the Guard Department also stepped back.
To be blunt, they did not really have the standing to stop Shirou from interacting with Rhodes Island.
At most, they could advise him.
"I know far more than you might imagine. Have you heard of someone called 'Nameless'? A tall man with white hair, dark skin, and dressed in black?"
Setting aside her documents, Kal'tsit began to describe.
"I have heard that name. The appearance matches as well. He should also have another title… such as 'Archer'?"
Hearing the description, Shirou immediately thought of that red-clad knight…Archer.
Silver-white hair, tanned skin, a black outfit covering the upper body…everything matched.
And he had indeed referred to himself as the Heroic Spirit "Nameless."
If it was him, then Shirou felt somewhat relieved.
At least it was not a problematic individual.
If possible… he would have preferred if someone else he knew was at Rhodes Island. Someone like Saber.
That way, he would at least have a companion on this land.
"At first, he did call himself Archer. But later he gradually switched to using 'Nameless.' Since you know him, this conversation will be much easier."
Hearing Shirou's response, Kal'tsit nodded.
He clearly knew Nameless even recalling the long-unused title "Archer."
Out of the corner of her eye, she could feel Amiya clutching her clothes tightly.
It was understandable.
After that hooded figure had left, the next one to appear had been Nameless.
Though his attitude was not the best, most of his reasoning was still centered around protecting Amiya.
Like a strict elder.
As for why he seemed to know a "future version" of himself, Kal'tsit found it puzzling but considering the unknown nature of magecraft, she could only conclude that it was something extraordinary.
After all, even Rhodes Island had not fully understood this concept.
And with no one else capable of using it, there was little opportunity for deeper study.
"…Before that, I would like to ask if he is still at Rhodes Island?"
Swallowing slightly, Shirou asked.
Although from his earlier mental exchange with Archer he believed that Archer no longer existed in this world… what if it was a repeated summoning?
After all, Heroic Spirits and Servants being summoned multiple times was not exactly unusual.
"…Mr. Nameless is no longer with us. At the end of last year, he departed due to issues with his 'Spirit Origin.'"
This time, it was not Kal'tsit who answered, but Amiya.
"I see…"
Hearing that, Shirou's expression turned slightly lonely.
Even if they did not get along perfectly and even if they were "problem children" they were still familiar faces he could rely on to some extent.
The golden king and that priest were exceptions. And Caster… better not.
Those few had left quite a psychological shadow on him.
"…Although he is no longer here, we still possess the information he left behind. It is fragmented and incomplete, but through our efforts, we have pieced together some parts."
Seeing Amiya unintentionally reveal their "trump card," Kal'tsit had no choice but to adjust her approach.
At this moment, Amiya's desire to recruit Emiya Shirou was not particularly strong but Kal'tsit did not share that hesitation.
From the information left behind by Nameless, it was possible that more things related to that other world might appear on this land in the future.
That was why she believed Shirou might eventually come to Rhodes Island on his own because they held this knowledge.
Of course, it was only a possibility.
Perhaps this information meant little to him.
Even so, she still had to try.
At the very least, it would prevent them from being passive when facing future crises.
That was her own personal consideration.
"What information?"
Even if Nameless was gone, Shirou had already been inclined to visit Rhodes Island.
But if Kal'tsit was willing to share more, all the better.
This only strengthened his resolve.
"Amiya, the glove."
After organizing the information in her terminal, Kal'tsit spoke.
"…Understood."
Seeing Kal'tsit's firm intent to secure cooperation, Amiya finally chose to follow her lead.
There had to be a reason for it.
She gently rolled up the sleeve of her right arm and began removing her glove.
Everyone present saw the jagged Originium crystals on her hand.
No one felt fear only sympathy.
Sympathy for a young Cautus burdened with such severe Oripathy at her age.
But Kal'tsit did not give Shirou time to dwell on it. She spoke directly:
"Shirou, are you familiar with… the Holy Grail War?"
"…?"
At first, the words did not register.
But when he saw the crimson crown-like mark on the back of Amiya's hand, he understood.
The Holy Grail War?
The Grail was here?
Would a Grail War begin here or had it already ended?
In an instant, countless thoughts rushed through his mind.
And then he remembered the sight of black mud overflowing, consuming and destroying Fuyuki City.
If that thing manifested here… it would be disastrous.
This land had already suffered enough. It could not endure a corrupted Grail as well.
For a moment, Shirou could almost see black mud flooding through Lungmen.
A sharp pain flashed through him. Looking at Kal'tsit's expressionless face, it felt as if he was staring at himself, drenched in that same black sludge.
"…What do you mean by 'Holy Grail War'?"
He fixed his gaze on Kal'tsit, practically forcing the question out through clenched teeth.
His magic circuits activated instantly.
A sharp, crackling sound filled the meeting room as they surged to life.
The outlines of blades began forming in his hands.
A powerful wave of mana burst outward like a gale, centered on him.
From hearing those words to confronting Kal'tsit—only a few seconds had passed.
Before anyone could react, Shirou had completely shed his usual easygoing demeanor, now glaring with unmistakable anger.
The force radiating from him was overwhelming everyone except Kal'tsit was pushed back several steps by the sudden gust.
"Calm down."
Extending her left hand slightly, Kal'tsit spoke evenly.
She had expected this reaction.
If anything, it came later than anticipated.
"…Are you saying the Holy Grail War has begun?"
Realizing he had overreacted, Shirou exhaled deeply and asked again.
The mana coursing through him gradually subsided.
The half-formed blades dissolved into particles of light.
Kal'tsit bore no hostility.
Even though, for a brief moment, he had lost control due to that hallucination and had sensed danger from her presence.
That danger vanished the moment she raised her hand and told him to calm down.
Those words were meant for him.
Perhaps also for herself.
For now… he would hear her out.
"Do not worry—there is no Holy Grail War here. That concept came from Nameless. According to him, it is related to the thing on Amiya's hand called a Command Seal. I thought it would be a good entry point for discussion, but it seems I was mistaken."
Glancing at the disordered tables and scattered documents caused by Emiya Shirou, Kal'tsit offered a brief explanation.
It seemed that Shirou held a strong aversion toward the so-called Holy Grail War.
Thinking back, when Nameless had mentioned it, he had also worn a rather disdainful smile.
However, there were many things that could make him show such contempt, so she had not paid much attention at the time.
That was her oversight.
The reason she chose this topic as a starting point was mainly because the so-called Command Seal still remained on Amiya's hand, with no sign of fading even after all this time.
Although it had no apparent effect on Amiya's body, that crown-shaped mark was… far too conspicuous.
"…"
After hearing Kal'tsit's explanation and looking at the Command Seal on Amiya's hand, Shirou could not fully determine which parts were true.
"If there really is no Holy Grail War, then that is for the best. But if there is… please make sure to inform me. I will find a way to destroy it."
In the end, Shirou chose to believe Kal'tsit.
If it were that man, he would likely make the same decision.
He chose to trust the person who had once formed a contract with Archer.
After all, if she were malicious, he would have already severed the contract and turned against them.
"I will remember that. Let us hope that day never comes."
Kal'tsit nodded.
She did not fully understand what the Holy Grail was, but from Shirou's reaction, it was clearly something dangerous.
Leaving it to him to handle seemed reasonable.
This was also why Rhodes Island needed to establish contact with him.
At least one potential risk had been identified.
The rest… could be dealt with gradually.
Kal'tsit was also concerned that further provocation might lead to undesirable consequences.
If it were only her, it would be manageable, she was capable of protecting herself.
But Amiya and the other operators were present as well.
"That would be for the best…"
After receiving her response, Shirou finally relaxed slightly.
He glanced around at the chaotic meeting room he had caused, and at the Rhodes Island members who were still watching him warily.
As for the Lungmen Guard Department trio they seemed to have stepped out to explain the situation.
And the members of Penguin Logistics…
"We are going to need an explanation later, you know?"
Sora stared at him with a sharp gaze, even reminding him out loud not to forget.
At this point, Shirou hardly looked like an amnesiac anymore, who reacts that strongly to just a term?
"I know. I will explain it to you all later."
Feeling those piercing stares, Shirou replied.