Mash checked the communication device again, her face troubled.
"The connection to Chaldea is very unstable. Dr. Romani's probably already working on it."
"This is an EX-rank Singularity in terms of Human Order Foundation Value. It's only natural for issues like this to arise," Ritsuka said as the group pressed through the sandstorm, finally taking shelter beneath the massive bone structure.
The bone was heavy and spacious, like a small house, shielding them from the storm.
The Human Order Foundation Value measured deviations in Human Order... the higher the rank, the greater the deviation. This place reached EX rank, no longer resembling any historical era but rather a world conjured from imagination.
Maintaining contact with Chaldea was critical. Without it, external personnel risked losing their existential anchor, potentially erasing Ritsuka's trace in the future and preventing her return.
Morpheus, however, was unaffected due to his unique nature.
Mash nodded. "Master's right. Let's do what we can to figure out what's going on here. The Rayshift succeeded, and we were supposed to arrive in the Middle East of the 13th century. But is Jerusalem in this era supposed to be this desert wasteland?"
As they spoke, Fou suddenly grew alert, and Morpheus opened his eyes, peering into the distance. Something approached through the sandstorm.
Not living creatures... puppets!
"They're magical constructs, golems modeled after knights," Medea said, her eyes glowing purple as they pierced the storm, spotting the figures moving through the wind.
These entities had clearly noticed the group's anomaly and came to investigate. The moment they saw the team, they attacked without hesitation, treating them as mortal enemies.
Countless mana arrows materialized behind Medea, thousands streaking forth, bombarding the golems. Without fail, the armored constructs were obliterated by her barrage, collapsing forever onto the desert floor.
Ritsuka mused, "Why are the enemies all armored soldiers? If they're golems, could their summoner be a knight?"
As the group analyzed the encounter, another presence approached.
A massive magical beast, surpassing even dragons in power... a Sphinx!
Facing such a formidable foe, Morpheus conjured a spear crackling with lightning in his right hand and hurled it.
Boom!
Without surprise, the thunderous spear pierced the Sphinx's defenses, slaying the giant beast instantly. Its massive body crashed to the ground, forming a wall that blocked the sandstorm.
Morpheus's attack drew from the Book of Morpheus, channeling Zeus's power to form the lightning spear.
Though unprepared and unenhanced, the spear held immense power. Despite the Sphinx's formidable physique and mana, it fell to a single strike.
Yet, this death wasn't true death... or rather, not a permanent one.
"It feels odd, like it's still alive," Mash said, puzzled, touching the Sphinx's corpse. Its wound had healed, though it hadn't revived.
"Its power is gathering, recovering. Once it's restored enough, it'll come back," Morpheus said, frowning. "The knight golems and the Sphinx came from different directions and don't seem to be from the same faction."
"Should we leave? If the Sphinx revives, fighting again would be a hassle," Mash suggested.
She glanced around, troubled. "But with no contact with Chaldea and this sandstorm everywhere, where do we go?"
"That's simple. A quick divination will do," Morpheus said, releasing his staff. It fell, pointing in a direction.
Looking at it, he said, "Let's head that way. We might find intel or even a key item for this mission."
"That's divination?!" Ritsuka asked, shocked.
She'd expected Morpheus to use coins or complex astrology.
Morpheus shook his head. "No need for complexity. My staff is a spiritual tool. We're just finding a path, so a simple divination works. A stick falling to point a direction is itself a mystical act."
Medea smiled. "He's right. That direction feels promising. There's a faint trace of moisture... water's coming from there. It might be a water source, which means a settlement!"
Jack the Ripper sniffed the air, nodding in agreement.
So, through the sandstorm, the group left their shelter, heading in the direction Morpheus indicated.
Perhaps because of the water source, Ritsuka was thrilled. "I'm definitely drinking my fill!"
Morpheus glanced at her. "Thirsty?"
"Of course! It's instinct in this environment!" She replied, nodding.
"You could've said so earlier. I could've given you some milk," Morpheus said, grinning. "My Noble Phantasm can produce endless milk, after all."
Ritsuka froze, then looked embarrassed.
Morpheus's Noble Phantasms were documented... she'd forgotten!
She could've had fresh milk instead of plain water, far more refreshing!
And she'd missed it!
"No worries, you can drink when we reach the destination," Morpheus said, not teasing her further.
***
If you enjoyed this story, don't forget to drop 5 stars and your power stone. And if you want to read more than 70 chapters in advance, feel free to visit: pat reon . com / KangTL