...Someday, to Save the Planet.

...Are you all right? You should stand back.

Hah!!!

Good. Right there's fine.

Hmph!

？！

...You've got some guts.

You watched that attack and didn't so much as flinch.

Do you have some knowledge of swordplay? Or, I suppose you have been through more than your share of trials...

Whoops, sorry. Looks like we don't have much time to chitchat.

You're welcome. Are you hurt, brave stranger?

You're certainly no ordinary person. If you were, you'd have fainted when you stared that beast down.

I'd love to talk to you more in detail... but I don't have the time.

？！

A herd of beasts and their king are coming this way. I doubt we can reach a peaceful resolution.

If you don't mind, would you fight with me? You seem to be the type who's strong enough to do that.

Are you by chance a mage? Well, at least you don't seem to be completely lost in a battle of magecraft.

That magical energy enveloping you must be Command Spells. Are you a Master?

Well then, you must have some experience dealing with Mystics, which are so far beyond simple magecraft.

...They're here. Sorry, I'm just short on time. So, would you give me your answer?

？！

Thank you. Now then, let's take this horde of beasts down together!

Good. We managed to escape for now.

I knew it! You're a skilled mage. I'm no expert on magecraft, but I can at least say this:

You have the power to fight. I don't just mean the skills necessary to fight...

You possess a sword. A sword that dwells within your heart, that is.

？！

Hey. Did something happen?

You look a little unfocused. Did you use too much of your magical energy?

？！

I believe this is the first time we've met. Based on what you're wearing, you must be from the 20th century.

Or perhaps from the beginning of the 21st century. You may have had an opportunity to meet me...

No, I don't remember.

Hey. You didn't come here alone, did you?

You must have gotten separated from your group. Am I right?

I see. Okay, got it.

Haha. That's the spirit!

？！

Okay. I will stay with you until you find your companions.

Don't worry. We'll find them soon enough.

UN-FREAKIN'-BELIEVABLE!

And where the hell have YOU been!? Why'd you wander off like that!?

Don't think for one second you're gettin' off easy just 'cause you came back in one piece. Next time, don't you dare wander off without telling me!

...Ugh.

Oh yeah, Mash did mention something like that.

？！

Um...the connection is maybe not so great.

I mean, yeah, it's pretty damn cool we can communicate in real time with Chaldea, no matter where or when we are...

...but it's kinda useless once we start runnin' into weird magical anomalies and crap like Bounded Fields, huh?

Hunting for Singularity remnants... I figured we could forget about them and they'd disappear on their own.

Or...has it gotten so bad that it was on its way to becoming a full-blown Singularity?

Yes, you are right. It was on the brink of becoming a miniature Singularity...

The swordsman that Senpai encountered was likely caught up in whatever was going on.

Oh, the guy who saved Master.

We didn't see his face... He left right before we met up with Master.

Aw, c'mon. I can't believe he's managed to survive wandering around this place alone. Who was he?

His name was...

？！

He left without giving his name? Hah. What a big shot. I can't put my finger on it, but something about him sort of pisses me off.

U-um... Regardless of whether he's human or a Rogue Servant...

He had amazing combat power. He was able to keep up with those giant creatures.

According to Senpai...he was a hooded man who looked like a knight?

Huh? A hooded knight? That means he's not from that Singularity, to say the least.

？！

What the heck?

Senpai mentioned that the man's attire reminded him of the Knights of the Round Table. Isn't that right, Senpai?

What? Us? But I don't remember anyone with a hood.

I mean, Gareth wore a helmet all the time. And that jackass Percival didn't have anything either...

Or...uh, did he wear a helmet? Like, when he was super serious? ...No, wait... Er, maybe that was Palamedes?

...Nope, nope, it was definitely a helmet.

So no. None of us wore hoods.

Well...maybe when we were out on an expedition and it rained, I guess... Still, though...

I see...

Master, what type of weapon did he use?

？！

...No. It can't be.

???

Do you have a minute, Master? I was rechecking the calculations on the Rayshift coordinates...

And I found some points that concern me. Actually, the one who made the discovery was Mr. Babbage.

Anyway, I'm looking for Miss Da Vinci. Would you happen to know where she

Oh, Jekyll. Da Vinci should be in Lab 2.

Hey! We're talking about something important, you nerd! We didn't call you, and Da Vinci's not here either!

Sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt... Hey! Ow, ow, ow!!!

Stop overreacting. I just gave you a little poke.

Ugh. This is why you're such a loser.

Well, that was actually... Ungh... No, never mind. Nothing. Haha.

Hey, Fujimaru. Good, good. Looks like you came back in one piece.

You Rayshifted out somewhere to get rid of a small Singularity, right? I heard all about it.

Sorry I couldn't help. So... Yeah. Make sure to take me with you next time, okay?

You'll never get lost again with me around. I've got good eyes.

？！

Haha. I see. Well, I'm not blaming you or anything.

But, well, why don't you tell me about it? Hearing you tell me about your own travels might be nice for a change.

I actually want to hear, directly from you, who you met.

...

...I knew it. You met HIM.

I get it. I guess this is what you would call fate.

I didn't think he was in the Throne of Heroes. No... He isn't... So? What's your take on it?

？！

Sorry for being so cryptic. My bad, Master. I'm really not sure what to say...

Umm...

...

Well, I guess it's not entirely impossible. Yeah, yeah. Looks like I'll be able to enjoy my drink tonight!

Hahahaha. So he's still out there, somewhere, fighting!

？！

Haha! Come on, don't say that! Ha... But yeah...so it was him...

？！

...O-okay.

Well, yeah. I know! If there's ever a chance, you'll see him again! Yeah!

Hey, hey. Wait! Quit hitting me! It doesn't hurt, but for some reason I feel bad, like I did something wrong.

What's going on, Arash? What, are you having your very own drinking party right in the middle of the hallway?

Oh hey. Master's here too. What's up?

Ah, the Child of Light!

Oh, it's nothing. Haha, this may actually have to do with you!

You should keep this a secret from the pharaoh, the valkyrie lady, and the alchemist.

...Huh?

...

I thought there was something sinister this time around...but I don't sense the noxious gas of L or the lingering scent of R.

Things aren't going as planned. I guess I have no choice but to search more thoroughly.

...

Yeah. It'll be all right, Merlin. I will accomplish my goal, and then return to where I belong.

Soon. One of these days.

Why stop me now?

I just arrived here. I did what I needed to do, and ended everything.

I finally reached the place...the promised place. Just as the legend to be passed down through the ages said.

I thought I was going to form a contract with the world...

But that is not how it went. I got my answer, and then my life ended.

...Hehe.

You have the appearance of a young man, yet you speak like an old man.

No, I wonder. My king. Britain's eternal king and wielder of the sacred sword...

There must be many things you have left undone. I'm sure you know already, right?

You have yet to truly and finally defeat that which you are destined to destroy.

Once in 1991 A.D. Once more in 1999 A.D.

Twice you struck it down, but that devourer of cities is persistent. It's not over yet.

That's...

Hehehe. Yes, exactly!

Great child of Uther... My beloved red dragon! That's right, this situation is terribly irregular!

Yes, it is a state of emergency so severe, you were roped into this the instant you arrived at Avalon!

It should have ended the second time. But somehow, it's back for round three! It's unfathomable!

Hehe. Perhaps an Original Species awakened somewhere?

...

Really, I must say! It's a truly rotten twist of fate! After all, you're not supposed to be here.

Now's not the time for you to come knocking on my door. It can't be now. You're ten years too early.

Wait. Merlin, what are you talking

You still need to continue your journey. Whether it be in your world, or in another universe.

You may travel through dimensions or even phenomena. Anywho, yeah, hang in there.

Why? How, you ask? Well... Yeah, I wonder... I can't say for sure.

This could be a deep-seated curse put on you as the wielder of a sacred sword, or it could be something that was sprung on you right before a long break...

...It may be the great Grand Order.

...Grand...Order...?

Either way, you need to leave here immediately. And that's also why I stopped you. Listen...

I'm going to say this again: your journey has not ended.

It can't end. For her sake as well.

What did you feel from her? Light? Radiance? Affection? Or all of them?

They might all end up in a whirlpool of gluttony. If you don't continue your journey, that is.

!!

Merlin, wait! Explain yourself! I've been wondering about this for a while, but you're too cryptic!

What the heck? That's mean. Oh well. Come on, hurry up and get going!

You'll get to meet me face-to-face next time! This time, too bad!

My king, the last Pendragon! May your new journey be blessed! We shall meet again!

If you meet another me in a parallel universe, be kind to them!

...

I have yet to meet another you, Merlin, but I haven't forgotten what you said. For now.

...This is yet another world that has gone to ruin.

Pruning Theoretical Phenomenon, was it? No, destruction and pruning have nothing to do with each other.

I suppose scenes like this are commonplace for any phenomenon that gets pruned.

The decay of a civilization... The destruction of a city... No matter how many times I see it, I still can't get used to it.

But then again...it's still too early for me to give up. Right, Merlin?

...If only there were some survivors.

Hm?

!!

A person...out of nowhere!? You're...!?

You're that stranger I met earlier! So you're someone who can travel through time and space, too?

A-are you all right? It looked like you fell from a ways above the ground...

No, before you answer that, you need to know that this land's atmosphere is poisonous to living creatures!

Do you have a gas mask or a Mystic Code? If you don't, take one of my talismans.

？！

...!

？！

You've awoken.

What a surprise. Well, there's no shortage of those today.

First, you appeared out of thin air. Second, you are somehow alive when the air is pure poison.

You're definitely full of surprises. But for the time being, as much as I'm glad you woke up...

Let me ask you this first: Are you hurt anywhere?

？！

I see. I'm glad.

So...why did you come to a wasteland like this?

There's not much here. Actually, there are really only dangerous things here.

Do you make a habit of running headlong into danger?

？！

I see.

You're either holding something back or your memory is fuzzy. I won't ask questions.

But, yeah. If you're falling from the sky from out of nowhere...

...then you're not just some lost mage...at least this time around.

(Thinking back to what happened last time, could this child have gotten caught up in my warps?)

？！

Uh... Well, if I try to explain, it'll just complicate things. Sorry.

No, I should at least tell you what I can. Though the ruler of this land is sure to approach me soon...

Okay. We have at least some time to talk.

Let's begin with introductions. I failed to do so last time because I was in a hurry.

My name is Arthur Pendragon.

I was the King of Britain in the past. But now I am a mere knight.

I am not human like you. Do you understand that?

I'm a Heroic SpiI am currently a Servant who possesses a Spirit Origin. Unfortunately, I have no Master.

The wielder of the Sacred Sword of the Planet, Excalibur. Yes, my Noble Phantasm.

？！

What an unexpected reaction.

...Do you, by chance, know who I am?

I see... Chaldea... The Incineration of Humanity... The 21st century...

A female King Arthur...

And your name is Fujimaru. That has a nice ring to it.

You were supposed to be able to communicate in real time with the Chaldea in 2019...

No, I believe you. Actually, many of my questions have been answered. You must have gone through some truly difficult battles.

...Yes, I can feel it.

Being a Master to one Servant is tough enough, but to be able to form contracts with multiple Servants and keep battling...

Truly, that is an achievement that goes beyond imagining. No ordinary person could save the world, after all.

？！

You're amazing. You seem to have walked an even more treacherous path than I have.

Unless you...

...Ah. Maybe you...

...

He mentioned... So it was you.

？！

I don't really know the specific location or era. I was there for a very, very short time relative to the other places I've visited.

I warped before I could confirm his name. I couldn't even say goodbye to him.

But... Yes, I still remember.

I remember being able to see a large, red, iron bridge...

Well, yes. I don't mind if you think I am crazy.

What I am about to tell you may seem unbelievable... It does not bear any weight especially in a peaceful country like this one.

I wouldn't want it to bear any weight anyway. Because even if it was true, there's nothing anyone can do about it.

And of course it's difficult to accept...

That's why...

I'm going to talk while I imagine the astonished look on your face.

If things continue as they are, the world will end.

The world will be incinerated without ever seeing 2019. This has already been determined. It is a foregone conclusion.

...What do you think? Surprised?

Or do you think I'm insane? Do I look like a pathetic man who's been possessed by some pessimistic delusion?

Of course not. I believe your words.

Your eyes must see through everything. You're not the first person I've met who has the power of Clairvoyance.

Thank you. Though I don't have powers of that sort.

Know this, O wandering king: even your sacred sword cannot prevent the future I saw.

The Incineration of Humanity is simply too perfect of an achievement.

...

But. But, you know...

If by chance the world does not end in 2018... And if you can continue your wandering journey...

You may be able to meet...

Meet you again? Here?

No, not me.

If by chance everything goes well, I will likely have met my end.

But the person you're going to meet is someone I believe will become important to me as well.

Someone who could accomplish something I could never do...

Someone who carries love and hope... Someone who keeps aiming for tomorrow, for the sake of a yesterday that has been lost!

？！

Hm...

...It's getting near.

I thought I could talk longer, but time's up. Looks like the ruler of this land is here.

It's one of the sources of the decay of this time and age.

Perhaps it's a Demonic Beast that somehow became corrupted. Or it could be a type of weapon that was created by someone and abandoned.

Sorry to stop our talk midway. But then again, my story ends here anyway.

Because right after that conversation, I warped somewhere else. I have no control over that.

Nothing has changed. Regardless of what I want...

？！

!

...Bloodlust, hostility, malice. Nothing else, huh?

An incarnation of massacre. A device of destruction that cannot stop itself. It may not be a Beast, but it is still evil.

You are not the Beast I am searching for. But you are still my enemy.

I'm sorry, Fujimaru.

It's time to battle. I'm sure our opponent will come at us with everything it has, so I cannot hold back.

I'm sorry for dragging you into this. I will protect you with all my strength. But if it's at all possible...

If I could ask... No, would you like to fight alongside me?

The one who fights to save the world. You, the one to whom that man entrusted everything...

I want to engrave the sight of you into my memory once again!

？！

Okay, that's a promise!

Let's go. For now, you shall be my Master!

There's no need to be connected through Command Spells. You only need to show me your resolve to save the world!

And to go along with your dazzling actions, I shall show you the light of this planet!

...We're done. Good work.

It wasn't the Beast I was looking for, but at the very least, its death should halt this place's deterioration.

I'm not entirely clear on how all this works. But apparently this is what my journey entails.

？！

Oh, right. There's something I need to tell you.

The man I met and conversed with...

His name was Rom

Senpai!

Oh, thank goodness! We finally connected! Scanning your vital signs in three...two...one!

Scanning... Okay, all done! Good, looks like nothing is wrong with your body!

I will begin preparations to bring you back immediately! Please hold still, Senpai!

？！

...Uh, ahem. Hey. It's me, Da Vinci.

There was a...tiny snafu in the program that handles the Rayshift coordinate calculations.

It wasn't a mistake that just developed out of nowhere. It was there from the beginning. Let's just say that there was a shortcoming in one of the formulae.

The result itself doesn't change. But yeah, it's a bug.

That's what was causing all the problems. It was Rayshifting you, and only you, to weird coordinates.

Anyway, simply put, it was just a bug. I'm sorry, really! It wasn't that I made any mistakes in the design stage; it was just me being negligent as a manager!

Oh, and it's not Romani's fault either. It's my fault, since it's all under my jurisdiction. I'm really sorry!

Babbage was the one who found it after doing some calculations because he had nothing better to do. I guess you really can't give those analog folks flak.

？！

Huh?

Um, do you mean Altria...?

I'm only detecting you there. Is...another Servant with you?

？！

...Seems like they cannot see me. Perhaps my Spirit Origin does not exist in your world.

If the King Arthur you know is female, that means she's me, but not me.

I don't exist. At least not in your world's history.

You may need to ask Merlin for details, but yeah.

I'm sure that's what it is.

...Oh, or maybe it's because my warp has already started?

？！

You should already know. It's the same name that the beautiful lady mentioned just now.

？！

Yes, that's right.

I firmly believe that the person he was talking about was you.

How is he doing now? ...No, I shouldn't ask. At least not right now. Not now.

That's why, Fujimaru...

Instead of saying goodbye, let me say this:

I'm glad I met you, brave child, savior of the planet under a distant sky.

You, who inherited the will of the man I encountered during my journey.

May your perilous journey be blessed, Fujimaru! And when we meet again under the same sky, someday, someplace...

Let us fight alongside each other again.

To save your world. To save tomorrow.

Hm? What is it, Doctor?

Hehe. I don't have as much free time as before. You see, everyone realized how useful I am.

That's why I'm super busy every day. I mean, think we're taking too much of the burden of Chaldea's future onto ourselves?

But that's just me complaining. Though, I don't mind sparing some time to listen to you talk.

...Hm? Would I be okay with just idle chitchat or gossip?

Yeah, sure. I'm just going to work while I listen. Now come on, talk to me.

Uh-huh. Oh. I see. Ah.

Yeah, I guess so. Yeah. Yep.

...Eh? What? What did you just say?

Before that. The thing you said before that. Something about a thing near the bridge in Fuyuki City.

...You've met the male King Arthur? Was he a Heroic Spirit? When?

Before Chaldea's Summoning System was established? But that's impossible. How long ago was that?

Either way, that was after Fuyuki's Grail War ended, right? Even with a tremendous amount of spiritual evocation and other powerful ceremonial magecraft...

Summoning a Heroic Spirit that can converse coherently would be impossible.

Besides...

Hm. Wait. Something's not right.

If what you're saying is true, it must be because of that! The Singularity in Fuyuki! The Greater Grail!

So that reaction you had when you first saw the female King Arthur on the monitor was...

...Eh?

You forgot? Completely?

...Yeah, I don't blame you. If a random man calling himself King Arthur came up to you, no one would give it much credence.

Nobody would think, "Whoa, it's the real King Arthur!" And I'm sure he wouldn't stick out in your memory. But then again...

You have your position to think about. You're in Chaldea, after all.

...

...Oh. I see.

You say that, but the expression on your face tells me you're fondly thinking back on that day, Romani.

It's nothing to be embarrassed about. Heh heh. Oh, let me guess.

I bet you said something really embarrassing!

Am I right?

...

Hahahaha. Nope. Can't do that. You can't say you were kidding after that reaction! There's no fooling me!

Just give up and tell me everything! Come on, I won't judge!

It'll be all right. So what did you tell him?

Eh? You made a wish? To the King Arthur you saw in Fuyuki?

What did you wish for...?

No. Yeah. It'll be much more interesting if you don't tell me right now.

Maybe tell me tomorrow... Or maybe someday far from now...