To the Antarctic

Oh, Senpai, you're awake. I just woke up not too long ago myself.

Our battle in the Seventh Lostbelt is over.

After we both collapsed on the deck, we were carried to the ICU and slept there while they spent an hour checking our vitals.

That's right. Fortunately, you're both in good health and I didn't see any signs of cellular damage from the cosmic rays.

You can head back to your rooms now. Your belongings and Mystic Code are right over there.

Oh, but make sure to stop by the Command Room first. Commander Goredolf wants to speak with you.

？！

Oh no, thank you. The only reason I'm able to practice my medical duties now...

Well, the only reason the Storm Border is safe at all, is you two. You should be proud.

Oh, but that's not me giving you permission to be reckless. You may be feeling better, but you're not yet fully recovered.

So as soon as you're done speaking with the commander, bed rest. Understood?

Yes, ma'am! Thank you so much for taking care of us. See you later.

Hmph, so you're finally done with your checkups. It seems you're no worse for wear.

Not that I was especially worried. I can't say the same for the staff though.

So, before I get started, I'd suggest you say something to all of them.

Nice try, Gordy. But who was it that was checking with the ICU every five minutes?

I am quite certain it was not us, since we can't listen to reports from the ICU whenever we like, you know?

Kadoc, was it you, perhaps?

Oh please. Kyrielight I can understand, but why would I ever worry about Fujimaru?

You know he's just gonna waltz back here like nothing happened. Be a total waste of my magical circuits, worrying about him.

And we're in contact with Nurse, so we don't have to open the line at all!

Same goes for Captain, of course!

Wasn't me. I don't even know how to use the damn gizmo.

Besides, if Mash is okay, Fujimaru is bound to be okay too, right?

So I was just waiting for them to show up. Like a boss. Wasn't I, Fou?

Fou, fooou!

？！

Yikes. Think we've got what they call a preponderance of evidence here. You didn't get so much as a nibble.

Guess that means you were the only one getting all impatient, huh, Chubs?

Khh, I can't believe you're all conspiring against me even now! None of you will even look me in the eye!

...Drat. I guess this means I was the only one who didn't have faith.

...?

？！

...Hmph.

There's still the matter of U-Olga Marie, who seemingly disappeared when she fired the Rayproof, and the Foreign God's true identity.

We were always going to have to face these issues once you woke up, whether you like or not.

I was prepared for the two of you to be so distraught you couldn't even stand.

But here you are, looking like you always do. I'm glad to see our Master has truly toughened up.

It's not that, Commander Goredolf.

The only reason Senpai and I are able to keep our heads high is because you're all still your usual selves.

？！

I see... Very well then, let's get down to business.

The Seventh Lostbelt's Trees of Emptiness have all been purged and the subterranean world is now normal ground once again.

We have also confirmed that the readings for Daybit Sem Void the Crypter, and his Servant, Tezcatlipoca, have vanished.

As such, we have concluded that the Seventh Lostbelt is fully excised, and our mission complete.

Sincere congratulations on a job well done, everyone.

However! Even with all seven Lostbelts now excised, we now face a new conundrum!

According to Daybit, the planet the Foreign God hails from is in fact Chaldeas.

So, to give us a chance to determine the truth for ourselves...

...the Storm Border will be setting course for Chaldea Base in Antarctica!

I'm sure this will feel like a homecoming for many of you, but I urge you to be cautious nonetheless.

I have a hunch it's where we'll find answers to the questions that still remain.

For example, what purpose do the Trees of Emptiness serve? What is the Bleached Earth Phenomenon meant to achieve?

And what were former director Marisbury Animusphere's true intentions when he created Chaldeas?

Regardless of what these answers may be, our task remains the same!

The future of Proper Human History still rests on our shoulders!

It is up to us, Novum Chaldea, to unravel the secrets of the original Chaldea!

Yeaaah!

That's what I like to hear! Seeing all of you so fired up makes me proud to be your commander.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. I imagine you're all exhausted beyond belief from your all-out war with ORT?

For my part, I'm just about at my limit. I desperately need a good rest, for both my physical and mental health.

So what do you say we all enjoy some long overdue R & R together? Health is wealth, you know?

Okay, the Marines have all gone back to their rooms.

And I've set the Storm Border to cruise around on autopilot for a bit.

I think I'll go back to the captain's quarters and...Fujimaru?

Shouldn't you be in the cafeteria? I thought Mash and the others were already there.

？！

？！

What's this ball?

？！

I still have some preparations to make, so please go back to the Border without me. I'll meet you at the castle gate.

Even I've never been past the seventh stratum, so I'm looking forward to the adventure that lies ahead.

Oh, and one more thing. I have something of a favor to ask of you...

Would you please give this to Captain Nemo? It's the xokta ball I made for Marine.

I was planning to keep it. A...precious memento of sorts. But there's a very good chance I won't ever come back here.

I know I may have no right after how insensitive I was to him...

Even so, I don't ever want to forget how he trusted me...helped me.

Most of all, I don't want to forget how strong he was to the very end.

So...for all those reasons, I'd like you to please give this to the captain.

I hope it will serve as proof that, even though we come from different worlds and species...we were still great friends.

...

？！

...It's nothing. Don't worry about it. I think I might just look kind of pathetic right now, that's all.

...Okay, I've calmed down. So that's a gift from Tepeu, huh?

Of course I'll accept it. I don't remember why, but I do know the Marines love soccer.

Now, go on to the cafeteria. I'll join you once I'm done taking care of things here.

？！

...You bet I'll remember.

Even if your world, or even this very gift, disappears along with your Lostbelt...

...I'll never forget your sixty-six million year subterranean journey, or that wonderfully peaceful paradise teeming with life.

Goodbye, Tepeu. And...thank you for being my friend.

...

Well, well. Here to see them off, Romani Archaman?

"If humankind actually succeeds in excising all seven Lostbelts, then and only then will I recognize you as enemies."

So, how are you feeling now that it's actually happened?

I assume by "enemies" you didn't mean your own enemies, but enemies of Chaldeas?

That's right. I didn't think it was possible for those claiming to represent Chaldea to see Chaldeas as a threat even if they learned the truth.

Sweeping the darker parts of their organizations under the rug is only human nature, I suppose.

But...

...it seems Novum Chaldea is not the Chaldea I knew.

It would appear they are a wholly new organization dedicated to the preservation of humanityone that firmly stands against Marisbury's Grand Order.

I see. That is indeed a grave matter.

The plan using the foreign planet only accounted for having them excise all of the Lostbelts. I don't think it was ever expected that they would organize to oppose that plan afterward.

It seems I'll need to hurry back to receive my next orders.

What about the Foreign God? Aren't you going to compensate for her loss?

As far as I can tell, her Spirit Origin may have shattered, but some still remains.

It would be a soulless, inferior thing, but you could technically restore it if you gathered up its remains.

That's not my job. Personally, I believe she's earned a rest.

But, I also suspect the count will make cruel use of her, especially since he has nothing better to do.

...Then I was right. There are seven Foreign Disciples.

Three to supervise and guide the Cryptersthe priest, the Atlas killer, and the incarnation of evil.

Three to supervise and lead Chaldeathe detective, the professor, and the count.

And finally, their leaderthe god.

Though I doubt Olga Marie ever realized that she herself was also a Servant.

She didn't need to know that. In the end, she was no more than an anomalous god born on a foreign planet.

She was better off dying gloriously in battle, never knowing the truth.

That's rich coming from you, who arranged the whole thing.

Well, no matter. There are only two Disciples left now, including yourself. Will you be able to stop Chaldea?

Of course. Why else would I let their ship go on its merry way?

That being said, we won't be the ones to actually stop them.

They'll do a fine job of getting in their own way.

Unless they find a way to account for their sins, they'll soon find themselves on trial with humanity itself sitting in judgment.