On a vast, boundless plain, the midday sun shone directly upon it.
The ground was uneven and pitted, scattered with wreckage everywhere—twisted metal, broken wood, and equipment fragments scattered after being blown up.
Even the air was filled with a faint smell of gunpowder smoke, mixed with the scent of scorched earth and withered vegetation.
This was the epitome of the tragic war taking place on this American land. Since Takumi arrived here, almost every place he passed bore similar traces of war.
It might sound exaggerated, but neither side fighting on this land was a pushover.
One side was Medb, who could spawn soldiers almost infinitely with the power of the Holy Grail.
The other side was Edison (President Lion), who also spawned soldiers almost infinitely relying on Type-Moon high-tech power—although limited by resources, he was probably already stretched thin now.
With them fighting like this, Takumi wouldn't be too surprised even if there were wars everywhere.
However, Takumi didn't want to care about this right now. He was more concerned about the problem in front of him.
The scenery on both sides receded rapidly in his vision. Takumi's figure sped across the plain like a black line.
And on his back was exactly Rama, who was riddled with curses and had basically lost combat capability.
That's right, the one who rescued Rama from Cú Chulainn Alter and Medb just now was exactly Takumi.
Since arriving in the Fifth Singularity, the first thing he decided to do was to find Rama's tracks.
For no other reason than that as a potential ally, Rama was strong enough.
In the original plot, apart from lying dead for a while at the beginning, after lifting the curse later, he was completely the MVP of the entire Singularity strategy.
Moreover, the opponent's condition was quite urgent, so Takumi treated finding Rama as the primary task from the beginning.
It was just that Takumi didn't expect Rama's condition to be critical to this extent, almost killed by the Black Dog (Cú Alter) and Medb.
Scaring him into using Runes at the fastest speed to drop a fireball sufficient to cover his figure, then scoop Rama out.
"By the way, clearly we are going to find my wife; why are you more anxious than me?"
Looking at the speed much faster than his own full speed, Rama on Takumi's back couldn't help saying.
Under the effect of [Heart of Fire], almost a few seconds after meeting, the two unified their front and decided to go to Sita's location together.
However, this method of getting acquainted under fire made Rama, who became a burden, somewhat uncomfortable. He wanted to chat a bit to get to know this Master who descended like a divine soldier.
"It's you who are anxious, that's why I'm anxious."
Takumi answered casually without changing speed.
Because carrying a person, his [Tiger, Burning Bright] couldn't be used normally, and the consumption increased a lot, so he could only use it intermittently.
But even so, crossing America wouldn't take much time for the nearly full-speed Takumi.
Hearing this, Rama was somewhat embarrassed.
Seeing Takumi anxious like this, it seemed it really was his problem...
During this time after meeting, he also learned that Takumi had an ability to diffuse his mind and detect others' moods.
While Rama looked seemingly calm, his heart had long flown to Sita's side, frantically anticipating the moment of meeting Sita.
This anxiety naturally reflected on Takumi's side.
"...Do you think I can see Sita?"
Feeling himself getting closer and closer to Sita, Rama suddenly felt apprehensive again.
In Rama's own legendary adventure, he was once cursed by a "person"—"Even if you can save your wife, you can never share this joy."
This curse seemed inconspicuous, but coincidentally, Indian gods and humans seemed to have a bit of a "weak to curses" feel. Many awesome existences were tortured miserably by various curses.
The cursed Rama was the same. After finally saving Sita back, due to this and that reason, they couldn't truly be together until death.
So if Rama participated in the Holy Grail War, the wish made would definitely be "reunion with Sita."
"...I don't know."
Takumi was silent for a moment. He wanted to tell a lie, but under the effect of [Heart of Fire], lies would definitely be exposed, so he could only be vague.
But in his heart, Takumi still had to sentence Rama's expectation to death.
As an existence barely familiar with the plot, Takumi naturally knew that even if they met, Rama would become unable to see with his eyes and lose touch in his body due to the curse effect.
Sita was about the same.
[Heart of Fire] transmitted Takumi's pessimistic view to Rama as well.
"Is that so..."
Rama couldn't help smiling bitterly.
Didn't he think so too? But he just couldn't help looking forward to meeting again, couldn't help hoping the curse would fail.
Takumi, realizing he seemed to have accidentally revealed his true thoughts, fell silent instantly.
"Injured so heavily, better not talk. Careful eating a mouthful of sand."
Takumi chose to change the subject.
"It just looks heavy! Except for hurting to death and unable to fight seriously, I can still drag on for a long time!"
Rama retorted strongly.
Takumi didn't reply, and the two fell into silence again.
The reason for not replying was nothing else but that Takumi suddenly felt he was so despicable.
He clearly knew that even if he brought Rama to Sita, the two couldn't truly meet due to the curse.
The best outcome would just be Sita sacrificing herself in exchange for a full-health Rama.
'Looking at it this way, aren't I doing all this just for Rama's combat power...'
Rama, who could feel Takumi's mood, looked up at him who suddenly became depressed in will, finding it somewhat funny.
"Master, you are too upright. You will suffer losses like this."
Rama shook his head emotionally.
"Wanting to obtain the aid of strong reinforcements isn't despicable. The key lies in what you did. Moreover, the one who wants to see Sita is me; you are just complying with my wish."
"As for the curse, I know it too. Just... didn't expect it would prevent me from seeing Sita in this form."
Rama said, his tone becoming disappointed.
Takumi just wanted to try to comfort Rama, but suddenly felt a strong wave of sadness and anger transmitted into his heart.
Before he could figure out what happened, he heard Rama's low voice full of disappointment.
"No need to continue. My Sita... has already left here..."
His legends were basically all related to Sita, so being summoned, he naturally had a special connection with Sita. He knew Sita's state better than anyone.
Hearing this, Takumi opened his mouth, finally choosing to remain silent.
Rama's heart had died.
As a Heroic Spirit, Rama could be said to have only this one obsession with Sita. With the hope of "seeing Sita" gone, he also lost the will to fight.
Moreover, besides Sita, no one here had the ability to lift the curse on him.
Takumi, clumsy with words and not knowing what to say, slowed down his steps, finally stopping on the road.
"...Just lean me against the rock nearby. Sorry to trouble you."