The non-primate living sphere, Tunguska Sacred Ground, vanished.
When the light faded, everyone found themselves standing upon the endless expanse of the Bleached World. The surface stretched in all directions, broken only by faint, desolate hills on the distant horizon.
"How does it feel?" Shiomi asked.
"A little heavy," Koyanskaya replied after testing herself, "but well within tolerable limits."
After answering him, she lifted her head and surveyed the bleached Earth.
"No matter how many times I see it, it's still such a dreary landscape. When are you going to let me board your ship for a look?"
"Hard to say. Chaldea's newly formed Team A, mainly composed of the former Crypters, is currently racing the Alien God to cut down the Fantasy Tree in the Indian Lostbelt. According to information provided by Nameless, the Alien God intends to reclaim the Fantasy Tree in the Chinese Lostbelt first."
As he spoke, Shiomi turned to look at Taigong Wang and Nikitich.
Although Tunguska Sacred Ground had disappeared, their mission complete, they did not withdraw immediately.
There was likely still time for a proper farewell.
"Looks like it's almost time for us to leave," Nikitich said as she walked up to Koyanskaya. "When are you going to say goodbye to me properly, Koyanskaya?"
"Ah… well…" Koyanskaya faltered, looking unexpectedly awkward, almost like a child caught off guard before a parent.
There was clearly some history between her and Nikitich, but Shiomi did not press the matter.
He had his own questions to settle.
"I may know my origin now. I may know my mission." Shiomi looked at Taigong Wang. "But aside from Mooncell, Lady Nüwa hasn't arranged anything else to guide me—"
"Rather than pushing you along a carefully laid path step by step," Taigong Wang interrupted gently, "it is better to give you a nudge at the right moment. Most of the time, it is wiser to let you choose your own way."
"If saving humanity and restoring human history does not come from your own will, it will only invite greater disaster."
"For example… becoming a Beast?" Shiomi asked.
"That possibility cannot be ruled out." Taigong Wang nodded, then shook his head lightly. "No. Tenkei-dono has already witnessed that possibility within a distorted Singularity."
"That felt less like a possibility and more like losing control," Shiomi said, glancing at Morgan, who was speaking with her master and Artoria. "What exactly is the connection between Morgan and me?"
Taigong Wang stroked his chin.
"That is… complicated. Not something easily explained. It would be better to ask Mooncell directly. That super spiritron computer that observes the planet should still retain the earliest records, even those overwritten through repeated cycles of history."
"But BB said Mooncell has access restrictions," Shiomi said.
"The current Tenkei-dono already possesses the qualifications to access Mooncell's core. All that remains is for Mooncell itself to open its gates and welcome you."
"And Mooncell guiding me, creating a suitable higher-order AI…?"
"Also Lady Nüwa's arrangement," Taigong Wang replied. "However, I should remind you of one thing. While many divine beings support Lady Nüwa, there are also many who neither support nor oppose her."
"That makes more sense," Shiomi said calmly. "If Lady Nüwa could secure unanimous backing from every deity the moment she decided something, that would be far stranger."
"What I mean is," Taigong Wang continued, "in the final Lostbelt, you may encounter divine envoys sent to test you. When that time comes, simply display your will and your strength. Prove yourself."
"Divine envoys…" Shiomi murmured, then gave a firm nod.
"And as for the Earth-Shrinking Technique we discussed earlier—"
Just as Taigong Wang was about to conclude the topic and pass on the agreed method, the ground suddenly trembled.
"What was that?"
The others stiffened at once. Scáthach was the first to speak.
Shiomi turned toward the south.
The Star Eyes ignited within his gaze as he looked beyond the horizon.
"…The Storm Wall of the Chinese Lostbelt is disappearing?"
"It seems the Alien God has moved a little too quickly." Taigong Wang opened his eyes, his expression turning grave. "Everyone—time is short. Before I fade, I will use the Shrinking Earth Technique to send you to the Chinese Lostbelt at once."
At his call, the group swiftly gathered around him.
"According to our prior observations and the intelligence provided by Hinako Akuta, the Chinese Lostbelt is centered on Xianyang. Its name is the Eternal Empire, Qin."
"The Qin state that unified the realm after the Zhou…" Taigong Wang murmured, then immediately began casting the Shrinking Earth Technique.
The world blurred.
It felt as though they had taken flight, racing southward across the bleached planet.
From Tunguska to Xianyang would take hours by plane. With Taigong Wang's art, it took only minutes to reach the outskirts of the Chinese Lostbelt.
The Storm Wall was rapidly dissipating, its interior no longer visible.
Upon the white, desolate surface of the planet stood several familiar figures.
The Alien God, U-Olga Marie.
And the Alien Apostles at her side.
They had just completed the retrieval of the Fantasy Tree from the Chinese Lostbelt and were now preparing to move southwest, toward the Indian Lostbelt.
"My wife!"
Knowing they could not allow the Alien God to enter the Indian Lostbelt at this moment, Shiomi called out to Morgan.
"I am here!"
In answer, Morgan clasped Shiomi's hand. The instant Taigong Wang released the Shrinking Earth Technique, the Unified God surged forward, charging straight at the Alien God.
An unstoppable strike.
The Alien Apostles sensed the incoming attack, yet none dared to intercept it.
Only the Alien God could withstand the Unified God's blow.
"Ha! So you're still alive!" The Alien God sneered arrogantly. "Was the explosion of the Olympus crystal mountain not enough to finish you?"
"You ran with your tail tucked and still dare to spout nonsense?" Morgan replied coldly. "Do not think you will have another chance to flee."
"It seems you have mistaken one thing. You are the challengers!" The Alien God laughed, eyes brimming with killing intent. "I've just reclaimed the power of a Fantasy Tree. Let's see how well you measure up!"
Gravity compressed.
Then expanded.
Then detonated in a thunderous blast.
The Alien God and the Unified God were blasted apart, each skidding across the earth before coming to a halt.
The Alien Apostles and Shiomi's companions quickly closed in from their respective sides.
"So, you've already switched sides, Koyanskaya?" Kotomine Kirei mocked.
Koyanskaya shrugged lightly.
"I merely changed business partners. There's no need to be so surprised, Father."
On the bleached earth, the two factions faced each other.
The decisive battle against the Alien God erupted in the next instant.