Listening to Lev Goetia's cool question—almost as if he counted himself a chess piece—Steve's smile widened.
With a snap of his fingers, the main screen of the operations room instantly displayed a satellite map of Fuyuki City. A red marker landed precisely on the rooftop of a high-rise near the stadium in the Shinto district.
"A wonderful question, oh Chaldea's technical advisor," Steve replied.
"Allow me to present Act One of our grand play to all its principal actors."
His voice rang clear and strong throughout the command room.
"Our first—and most important—objective is to prevent Marisbury Animusphere from winning the Holy Grail War in Fuyuki City."
He and the Grand Magus Solomon he's summoned will serve as the final bosses our players must face.
He shifted his gaze to the four in front of him.
"And in this battle, the stars are you, and you alone."
"I will not participate in the fighting as a main Servant—merely offer necessary support and assistance."
"The reason is simple: this is your Chaldean story. This is a battle for your future."
Steve looked at Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash, his tones turning gently encouraging.
"In time, you will be powerful enough to defeat even the false heavens of Maris Chaldea. So, when it's only the root of all this tragedy—the human Marisbury and Solomon, the only true Heroic Spirit among them—do you really think you could lose?"
He then painted a vision of an unbelievably bright future awaiting them after their victory.
"If you succeed, the twisted plans to bleached humanity's future will be utterly destroyed at the root."
"And you," he turned to Lev Goetia, "having understood Solomon's tragic wish, surely won't attempt some misguided, self-immolating martyrdom."
"In this way, we block both paths to ruin."
"More importantly," Steve's voice softened, "our goal is not destruction, but correction."
"If all goes well, instead of simply destroying King Solomon, we can defeat him—and grant him, via the Holy Grail, his heart's truest wish: to live as an ordinary human."
"And he would be reborn as the Romani Archaman you all know—a cake-loving loafer, yet miraculously reliable hero, who is lucky enough to live and die peacefully as a human in this gentle era."
These words struck Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash like a bolt of lightning.
Could it be, after all this… Could Doctor Roman be saved?
That man who chased victory, the one who vanished forever in the Temple of Time, bearing infinite regret—was there really a chance to save even him?
"Yes, everything can be fixed," Steve confirmed, as if reading their minds.
"Chaldea can be rebuilt—only, Marisbury's insane ambitions must be discarded, and it must return to its original mission: to watch over and safeguard humanity's future peaceful existence."
"Olga Marie," he addressed the silver-haired director, "You can still become Chaldea's Director. But this time, not in the shadow of your father, but by your own ability and will, leading an organization that truly exists to protect humanity."
"And you, Ritsuka Fujimaru—when all this is over, you will return to everyday life as an ordinary boy."
"Perhaps someday, Chaldea will even invite you to rejoin—then, you may reunite with all your comrades, the many Servants you've fought alongside as friends or colleagues."
Spreading his arms with a divine, confident smile, Steve posed his final question to the cast.
"A world where no one is sacrificed, no one is forgotten, and everyone's wishes are granted in the most perfect way—"
"Isn't that the best plan?"
This time, the silence didn't last long.
"...I'll do it!"
Ritsuka Fujimaru was first to speak.
With his head high and his eyes burning with newfound passion, he clutched Mash's hand tightly—his voice trembling with emotion, yet each word full of power:
"If I can save Doctor Roman—if I can stop the Director's sorrow—if I can save everyone—if I can help everyone greet tomorrow with a smile—then I'll do anything!"
"Caster, give the order!"
"Yes! Whatever decision you make, my shield will always be at your service!"
Without hesitation, Mash declared her commitment. For her, fighting meant only one thing: to save that gentle doctor and protect everything precious to her seniors.
"...Hmph, Don't get the wrong idea."
A cold and haughty voice rang out.
Olga Marie had finally raised her head. Though her face was still pale, a new fire—the proud flame of a noble mage lineage—was burning in her golden eyes.
She pushed up invisible glasses, speaking with scorn:
"I only believe that stopping my father's atrocities and rebuilding Chaldea in my own way is the most rational choice for the head of the Animusphere family! I'm not doing this for your saccharine perfect ending theory!"
"All of you, listen! I'm the commander of this operation! All actions must be carried out under my orders!"
Her words were sharp as ever, but a new fighting spirit already shone in her answer.
Finally, all attention fell upon Lev Goetia.
He silently gazed at the marker on the map—Marisbury's marker—then slowly spoke.
"...A script where the sinner atones, the hero keeps his medals, and the king...can become human again?"
He muttered to himself, then looked up at Steve.
"The plan itself is truly perfect. It is as rife with your insufferable, near-omniscient arrogance as ever."
"But...I accept it."
"No one is more suited to face King Solomon than me."
"I will provide you with all the information you need and devise the most effective battle plans."
"Director, watch and see...if we actors can stage a drama that surpasses even your expectations."
Thus, the four protagonists and the four tangled stars were finally drawn together onto the same track.
Their purpose had never been more aligned.
…