Fate: How About a New Savior?

After completing their preparations, the Spiritron Transfer was launched once more. The time had come to journey to a new Singularity and be

After completing their preparations, the Spiritron Transfer was launched once more. The time had come to journey to a new Singularity and begin the restoration work.

At the final strategy meeting before departure, Olga Marie nervously confirmed with Shiomi:

"Are you sure this will really be okay?"

Tenkei Shiomi's plan to head to the Fifth Singularity alone was ultimately rejected by everyone, and it was decided that at least one Master would accompany him.

In the end, it was Caren who went with Shiomi.

"Marie, Sakura, and Gray are all crucial combat assets. The Third Singularity you're heading to requires contingency planning similar to the Fourth. While the King of Magecraft may not reappear, his seventy-two Demon Gods might take this chance to alter their movements. If you're even slightly underpowered, you'll end up in a tough spot," Shiomi explained.

Compared to the others, Caren wasn't a combat-oriented Magus. Her fighting style depended on Mystic Codes crafted by Shiomi, and her own Magecraft leaned toward support and healing. She was a support-type Master.

"Caren, I'm counting on you," Sakura said seriously.

"Does this man really need someone to look after him?" Caren replied with a teasing smile.

Shiomi ruffled her hair. "You're so bold now that you've grown up. Calling me 'this man'? That really hurts..."

"Quit the fake crying. It's creepy," Caren said, grinning.

"Tch…"

Knowing it wouldn't work, Shiomi dropped the act and quickly changed expression.

"But if we took out one Demon God at the Second Singularity, and another at the Fourth… that means there are still seventy left, right?" Ritsuka recalled the Singularities they'd repaired and asked curiously.

At that moment, Morgan turned his chair to face them. "Counting them like that is pointless. Even if it's not the King of Magecraft, any skilled Magus could easily restore damaged familiars or rituals."

"Exactly. The so-called 'Seventy-Two Demon Gods' are a spell—a concept. They always exist under the framework of seventy-two. As long as they recognize themselves as Demon Gods, the area around Solomon will always contain seventy-two," Romani agreed, offering a more precise explanation.

Naturally, as the person in question, he understood this best. Shiomi, reflecting on that, asked, "So unless Solomon—or rather, the man calling himself the King of Magecraft—is defeated, the Seventy-Two Demon Gods will remain on this planet, right?"

"That's one way to put it."

Romani's smile stayed in place, but the slight furrow in his brow betrayed his unease.

Everyone then split into two groups to begin their preparations for the Third and Fifth Singularities.

"But the United States? I didn't think a Singularity would appear there. Doesn't that country have a really short history?" Caren said.

"Even so, you can't deny that its brief history extends into the modern era. The U.S. has had undeniable influence on the present day," Shiomi replied, folding his arms and shaking his head with a wry smile. "That's why I'm even more curious—how did the Fifth Singularity come to be?"

The First Singularity centered on Jeanne d'Arc, the key figure in ending the Hundred Years' War between England and France.

The Second Singularity's core was Nero, the fifth emperor of Rome.

The Fourth Singularity, set in London, drew significance from the Mage's Association, which has always operated from the shadows of human history. It occurred at the end of the 19th century, a time when the Industrial Revolution was in full swing. The technological upheaval it brought greatly impacted the world of Magecraft. Many of today's younger Clock Tower families emerged during that era.

In fact, whether to accept the Industrial Revolution at all remains one of the core reasons for the current divide between the Clock Tower's Democratic and Aristocratic factions.

The Third Singularity took place in the Atlantic during the Age of Exploration, which made sense historically.

All of this only heightened Shiomi's curiosity about the Fifth Singularity.

1783—the final year of the American Revolutionary War.

Thinking that far, Shiomi looked up. "Could it be... that in the Fifth Singularity, North America lost the war for independence?"

"Who knows? Singularities are historical distortions, after all," Caren replied. She didn't have a real answer.

"Then we'll just have to go and see for ourselves." Shiomi smiled as he encouraged her.

He then steadied his breath, recalled that nightmare about his master, and stepped into the Spiritron Transfer coffin.

Is Master really at the Fifth Singularity?

What was that nightmare trying to tell him?

For Magi, dreams often carry a far more prophetic weight than they do for ordinary people.

[Counter-Summoning System activated.

Beginning Spiritron Transfer.

3... 2... 1...

Process complete.

Commencing verification, Grand Order.]

The familiar broadcast echoed through the chamber as hibernation fluid filled the coffin. His consciousness slowly sank into the depths.

When he opened his eyes again, Shiomi and Caren were—predictably—in midair once more. Below them stretched a vast forest. Off to the side, the trees thinned, giving way to red wasteland dotted with cold-resistant plants like agave and cactus.

Having done this before, Shiomi reached out and pulled Caren into his arms.

"If you're scared, close your eyes. We're landing."

Holding her in a bridal carry, he adjusted their posture in midair. Their descent quickly slowed, and they passed gently through the treetops, landing in the heart of the forest.

"All right. We're safe."

He gently set Caren down, let her find her footing, and reached to remove a leaf from her long, slightly curled silver hair.

"That was kind of boring," Caren said. "I thought I'd get to see Dad screaming."

"Huh?"

"Sakura told me that you guys always show up in the sky during Spiritron Transfer. It's different on our side." Caren smiled, her mouth curving upward.

"..." Shiomi had no comeback.

"Just kidding…" She took a few steps forward, surveying the surroundings. "I'm always happy when I'm with Dad. Even if the world's ending."

"We're family, after all." Shiomi plucked a grass stem off her shoulder.

"Family... huh." Caren nodded thoughtfully. "Let's contact Chaldea and let Mother know what things look like here—"

Before she could finish, the roar of machine guns and wild howls echoed from beyond the forest.

"Looks like that'll have to wait."

Shiomi motioned to Caren, and the two began making their way toward the forest's edge, one following behind the other.