Unlike the intense battle over on Kiana's side, things were relatively peaceful for Fujimaru Ritsuka.
She was explaining to the Saber team duo what Chaldea, Singularities, and the Humanity Incineration Protocol were.
After spending quite some effort, she finally finished explaining everything to the two of them, who were left somewhat dumbfounded.
She chose to tell them all of this entirely because they trusted Artoria.
This King had helped them many times during their journey and was a King worthy of trust.
However, one thing felt strange to the two of them; logically speaking, most Heroic Spirits on the Throne of Heroes should already know about the Humanity Incineration Protocol and Chaldea...
But looking at the performance of these Servants, it was as if they didn't recognize them at all...
This led Fujimaru Ritsuka to start pondering what differences existed between this singularity and previous ones.
At the same time, the connection with Chaldea was completely restored, and a holographic projection appeared before everyone.
An orange-haired man wearing a white lab coat and sporting a single Horsetail hairstyle had his hands propped up on the console with a worried expression, leaning his face close to the screen.
"Great, it's finally restored! Fujimaru, Mash, are you two alright?"
"We're fine, Doctor. We're doing great now, it's just..."
Fujimaru Ritsuka didn't know how to explain it to him, so she turned her gaze toward Solomon, who was in close combat with Kiana.
"Doctor, see for yourself. That's the mastermind we speculated about before, Solomon. But I keep feeling like he's not the real mastermind..."
"!!!"
Upon seeing Solomon, Romani's pupils suddenly constricted and his expression froze, seemingly finding it hard to believe.
"Doctor?"
"Doctor, what's wrong? Did you notice some clues?"
"Ahem, whether it's him or not remains to be verified. After all, the band of light he created in the sky isn't fake; it's the same as the band of light from the Humanity Incineration Protocol."
As he spoke, a trace of panic flashed in Romani's eyes, but he quickly hid it. However, Fujimaru Ritsuka seemed to notice his abnormality.
Coupled with his words and behavior, Fujimaru Ritsuka rubbed her chin and narrowed her eyes, carefully sizing up Romani.
"Doctor, I don't think I mentioned that the band of light in the sky was related to that Solomon, so how did you know...?"
"Uh..."
Romani's expression froze again, a bead of cold sweat rolled down his temple, and his eyes darted around as he explained with frantic gestures:
"Look, if it's a singularity, isn't there always a band of light like that in the sky? If the opponent is King Solomon, then he must be the one who released it, right?"
"Alright..."
Fujimaru Ritsuka gave Romani a deep look, speaking with lingering doubt.
She had seen all those subtle expressions on Romani's face after he saw Solomon.
She, Sher-Fujimaru-lock-Ritsuka-Holmes, felt as if she had already seen the end of everything!
"Senpai, now that communication with Chaldea is restored, should we perform a Heroic Spirit Summoning immediately?"
"Right! Fujimaru, in this situation, it's best to summon first. If the opponent really is the mastermind, we'll be better prepared to deal with it!"
Romani quickly followed up, appearing somewhat anxious, but Fujimaru Ritsuka didn't expose him.
This guy definitely has some kind of relationship with Solomon... I'll ask him face-to-face once we get back.
"Okay, prepare for summoning immediately, Mash."
"Yes, Senpai!"
After nodding, Mash placed her shield flat on the ground under the puzzled gazes of Lia and Irisviel.
Irisviel wanted to see what this Heroic Spirit Summoning they mentioned was all about.
Was it possible to communicate with the Throne of Heroes and summon Heroic Spirits at will, other than the Masters appointed for the Holy Grail War?
Before long, a faint glow emanated from the shield, gradually outlining a magic circle floating above it.
"Summoning system ready, Senpai. You can begin."
"Yeah..."
Fujimaru Ritsuka extended her hand, aiming it at the summoning circle.
The circle began to emit a powerful radiance, and high-speed rotating spirit particle rings appeared around the shield.
Suddenly, the rings turned multicolored and flickered with electrical arcs.
Vroom—!
A figure riding a white horse manifested from within the summoning circle.
When she saw the person's full appearance, Lia's mouth opened slightly, and her eyes widened involuntarily.
"You... who are you!?"
Why are you so similar to me!
The second half of the sentence was held back, but Lia's Instinct told her that this person was herself.
The summoning circle dissipated, and the white horse landed on the ground. The woman atop it, with an indifferent expression and eyes flashing with divine radiance, slowly turned her head to look at Lia.
She didn't answer Lia but continued turning her head to look at Fujimaru Ritsuka.
"We meet again so soon, Deliverer of Humanity, the last Master of mankind..."
"Uh..."
Fujimaru Ritsuka's expression froze as she held her hand out, her eyes turning to Mash with a look for help.
They had just gone through the Camelot singularity and exerted so much effort to defeat her. How long has it been, and she's already brought her back to Chaldea?
No, summoned her?
"O King, Mash welcomes your arrival."
After covering her mouth with a small hand and smiling slightly, Mash gave a polite bow to this Lion King.
Mash wasn't as nervous as Fujimaru Ritsuka and appeared very natural.
"You, who on earth are you...!"
Lia took a step forward and asked sharply.
She wanted a definitive answer!
"Who I am—don't you know that better than anyone?"
As she spoke, a Holy Spear that Artoria was incredibly familiar with appeared in the Lion King Lia's hand...
"Rhongomyniad..."
She... is me...?
Lia was somewhat dazed.
"Are you still dreaming that impossible dream?"
The Lion King glanced indifferently at Lia, seemingly seeing through the other's true intention for participating in the Holy Grail War.
Because her past self from the distant past once held the same mindset, but now, she only wanted Britain to persist; nothing more.
After a glance, she ignored her and turned her gaze toward the two afterimages on the other side.
"..."
The Lion King watched for a moment before showing a hint of realization:
"I see..."
"King, did you discover something?"
Mash obediently picked up her shield and walked to the Lion King, looking up with cute confusion.
"This world is not a singularity, nor is the Humanity Incineration Protocol being carried out. It is a parallel world completely different from the world we are in."
The divine light in the Lion King's eyes shifted slightly as she spoke words that surprised the two of them.
But her next sentence made them involuntarily tense up.
"But since he has already been summoned, it means this world also faces the same conclusion."
"..."
Fujimaru Ritsuka fell silent, looking at Solomon with a deep frown:
"In other words, is the mastermind of our world really King Solomon...?"
"The truth needs to be witnessed with one's own eyes."
"Alright..."
It seemed she didn't intend to tell her, so she could only take it one step at a time.
Fujimaru Ritsuka shrugged and sighed slightly.
Irisviel was already lost in a brainstorm; the amount of information she had received in this short time was simply too much.
She needed to go back immediately! Go back right now and tell Kiritsugu about this. Kiritsugu would surely have his own profound insights.
Lia clenched her fists, wanting to question the other loudly—
Aren't you also Lia?!
Do you not regret becoming King, and wish to return to the time before the selection to stop your past self from pulling out the sword?!
But she couldn't ask; she was afraid of being completely negated by herself...
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