The task of persuading Ritsuka Fujimaru was left not to me, but to Romani, Da Vinci, and her older brother, Shirou Fujimaru, who had already joined the Chaldea staff.
"So, proving one's existence beyond 100 years in the past is impossible… What if we linked her consciousness to one of Touko Aozaki's puppets?"
"If her existence proof fails and she vanishes in that state, her entire soul will evaporate."
"A total deadlock, then…"
"Still, she should be able to move within Sub-Singularities or extra-canonical Singularities. It seems the majority of Sub-Singularities are within the last 100 years."
"Wait, the majority?"
When I asked, Alice-san spoke while rolling several Diddle Diddles between her fingers.
"The seven strategic ignition points that make up the Foundation Singularities are all unknown except for their eras, but dozens of other Sub-Singularities have manifested. Most are at a level where the momentum of Alaya's Counter Force will naturally resolve them if left alone… but a few are severe enough to require a direct investigation into the cause."
"If they were truly dangerous, they would be treated as Proper Singularities, not Sub-Singularities. I suppose for the Crypters, who have Servant backup, it's considered overkill…"
In truth, individuals like Wodime and Daybit are excessively competent.
They are those evaluated as capable of restoring the Human Order even without Ritsuka Fujimaru, or at least performing nearly as well. They could likely clean up something like a Sub-Singularity with ease.
"What matters is Ritsuka's decision… Even if you can act, Karma, the more paths of connection to Servants we have, the better."
"Furthermore, the number of tactical options available increases with the number of Masters on the front line."
Crucially, there was her monstrous affinity.
The inclusive capacity to understand and turn even 'Mad' alignment Servants into allies—like Gilles de Rais, whom I can neither comprehend nor wish to—or even Berserker Lancelot. That is exactly why she must be brought along for the restoration of the Human Order.
"…And the matter of Lev Lainur?"
"Thanks to the countermeasures you and the Fifth Magician took in advance, Chaldea avoided major damage… But we must repay him for this. Absolutely!"
"It won't be easy. The reason I couldn't finish him off in the first place was due to the opponent's singularity."
To put it bluntly, killing that piece of trash wouldn't be difficult if I worked with a Magician.
The statement that he possesses output equivalent to several Servants means, conversely, that he can be beaten down if one brings forth an output greater than several Servants.
The problem is that even catching him like that is meaningless.
"If we resolve all the Singularities, he will eventually step forth. The 'Coronal Time Temple: Ars Paulina' located in Imaginary Number Space. He is no different from an immortal who can be resurrected infinitely at that location as long as a single terminal survives. Even if he is dismissed now, he only disappears from that spot… his existence itself will be reborn infinitely."
"The Time Temple… Is he related to a Grand Servant?"
"More accurately, he is someone who could be called the Grand Servant itself."
Though, that might not be entirely the case right now.
Given that he knows Solomon's identity yet tried to kill me and rejected 'Solomany,' should I view him as somewhere between Goetia the Demon God King and Goetia the King of Men…? If that's the case, it makes sense why he isn't bothered by me resurrecting Solomon through Impure World Resurrection. It means he has a way to evade even Ars Nova…
'But that is your miscalculation. If nothing else, my preparations to bring you down are perfect.'
Overconfidence is unwise.
Blind faith is a poison; indeed, I almost died this time because I misjudged his total power…
However, this specific method—the one and only means to turn the tables on him—is prepared with absolute certainty. However, Goetia is also wary of the unknown card in my hand, and he likely tampered with the Singularities in every possible way to block it.
"Ritsuka has agreed. She says she will step forward for the sake of the Human Order… Though, naturally, she must go with you."
"Of course. I can't exactly send her on such a dangerous mission without a guardian."
Those who had clearly broken a sweat persuading Ritsuka in the corner walked out slowly.
Romani was repeatedly wiping cold sweat with a handkerchief, and the Tohsaka sisters were smiling confidently as they approached Shirou Fujimaru.
"It seems the persuasion went well, Romani."
"…My conscience is pricking me. I feel like this might partly be my fault…"
Our 'Mumani'... no, King Solomon, who could be seen as the root of all evil in this catastrophe in a way, spoke as if his conscience was bothering him.
"Then you should have watched your mouth. Anyway, where is the Singularity?"
"First of all, take! A! Rest!"
The roar of Romani, the head of the medical department, erupted, and the staff returned to their positions for their respective duties.
In the end, those left at the site were only the Crypters, the Director, and those gathered here under my instructions.
"In my heart, I also want to visit the Singularity through 'Independent Manifestation.'"
"That is the one thing that is absolutely forbidden, no matter what."
"How stingy."
As I preemptively blocked Manaka's nonsense, Director Olga Marie gave a light cough and began to speak as if delivering a speech, her voice regaining its composure.
"First, I believe everyone is aware that a problem has occurred with the Chaldea Rayshift system."
"We've become unable to Rayshift… specifically beyond a century ago. There's also the damage to the summoning system and the sabotage in the supply room, but compared to the impact on SHEBA, those are relatively minor."
Romani provided a detailed explanation.
Olga Marie nodded slightly and took over Romani's explanation to inform the entire staff of the current situation.
"Therefore, the Rayshifting to the Foundation Singularities and the retrieval of Saint Graphs will be handled by Miss Mash Kyrielight, a provisional member of the A-Team, her Master, Ritsuka Fujimaru, and the local field commander, the Third Magician. Any questions?"
At that, Peperoncino raised a hand and spoke.
"I think it's rational to dispatch Ritsuka-chan to the Singularities. Problems might arise that the Third Magician cannot solve alone, and there's a limit to how many paths one can connect with Servants. However, what are you planning to do about Ritsuka-chan's basic combat capability?"
"What are you trying to say?"
"I'm suggesting we teach her at least some self-defense. Chaldea has a sparring hall and mock training facilities, right? She needs to be able to use at least a Gandr to dodge a stray blade."
When Pepe spoke with concern, I shook my head and replied.
"That won't be nearly enough. Unless it's a Gandr loaded into a Mystic Code, it won't even work on a Servant, so it's meaningless."
"There's a huge difference between dying because a move you could use was ineffective and dying because you didn't even know how to use it, Mister Third Magician."
"Which is why I've prepared another means, Miss Pepe."
"…Another means?"
When I unwrapped and showed a large pouch, everyone present was instantly horrified.
"Mystic Eyes…"
"They are all Mystic Eyes of Noble Color rank or higher. Ritsuka, do you know how much each of these Mystic Eyes is worth?"
"Um… a million yen?"
"The expensive ones go for over a billion."
"So expensive! Oh, then do I have to put these in my eyes now?"
...What a dangerous thing to say.
If Ritsuka, whose Magic Circuits and aptitude are zero, were to recklessly insert a Mystic Eye, she might immediately go berserk and die.
"No, your constitution doesn't fit with Mystic Eyes in the first place. If you ignored that and implanted one, your body would likely wither and die instantly. That's why you'll learn a different method."
It was the ultimate technique—effective even against Servants and the Twenty-Seven Dead Apostle Ancestors—the trump card of the Rail Zeppelin arc: the Mystic Eye Grand Projector.
"Mash will be by Ritsuka's side, and with this, she should at least be able to guarantee her own safety. I also plan to borrow Alice-san's Mystic Codes."
"…That would indeed make for a perfect escort. Far better than trying to forcibly pull out power in a short time."
With Pepe's questioning concluded, the Crypters and others began to throw out their own questions one by one.
First, Kadoc.
"How will we procure Servants for us heading to the Sub-Singularities?"
—Since the Foundation Singularities take priority, we will proceed by forming contracts on-site and performing Spirit Origin Registration.
Ophelia.
"The ownership of materials obtained in the Singularities…"
—Items commonly sold or frequently traded at the Clock Tower belong to Chaldea. However, special catalysts like a Demon God Heart belong to the finder.
Akuta Hinako.
"…When will I be able to meet that person?"
—We don't know for sure yet either.
Pepe and Daybit asked no questions, while Wodime poured out technical terms an average person wouldn't even understand, re-checking the risks of Rayshifting.
"So, I want to say hello to Mash and Ritsuka-chan; where are they, Romani?"
Naturally, Beryl's words were ignored.