Ritsuka's second quantum transfer was a completely new experience. During the transfer to Fuyuki, they had been affected by Professor Lev's attack and hadn't been able to properly feel the quantum transition.
Now, after a sensation like leaping through space, Ritsuka opened their eyes as their feet touched solid ground.
Immediately, a vast grassy plain stretched out before them.
"Is this… the Singularity?"
"Yes, it seems the transfer was successful, Senpai."
Beside Ritsuka, Mash—who had already switched to Demi-Servant mode and was holding her shield—said this, then glanced at Hinako. "Miss Akuta also seems fine. Last time there was interference from Professor Lev, but this time there are no anomalies."
"You don't need to worry about me, Mash."
"Fou~"
Just as Hinako proudly declared she was fine, a familiar voice suddenly came from Ritsuka. They turned to see Fou—who had somehow already perched on their shoulder.
Mash reached out and gently picked up Fou. "Fou? You came along again?"
"Fou~"
After affectionately rubbing its head against Mash's hand, Fou nimbly jumped onto Mash's shield. Ritsuka looked at it and asked, "Why is Fou here? Can it perform quantum transfer too?"
"I think so. Maybe it sneaked into my pod, or Senpai's, or Miss Akuta's without anyone noticing… There's no way to send Fou back now, so we might as well bring it with us. When we return, Fou will come back with us."
That was indeed the only option.
Just then—
"Hey, you two, look up at the sky."
Hinako's voice made Ritsuka and Mash instinctively tilt their heads upward. Both froze in shock.
"What is that?"
Above them was a vast, endless blue sky. White clouds drifted lazily, and a gentle breeze blew. This boundless blue expanse was something they could never see in Chaldea, buried deep beneath snow-capped mountains.
Under normal circumstances, Ritsuka—who hadn't seen the outside world in a long time—and Mash—who had never seen it before—would have been thrilled.
Yet, within this otherwise breathtaking scene, something was deeply wrong.
"A ring of light…?"
Mash murmured.
Yes.
In the middle of the endless blue sky, there floated a massive ring of light.
It looked like a hole torn open in the heavens. Clouds wouldn't enter, wind wouldn't escape. It was strangely beautiful, yet also terrifying, radiating an overwhelming, unnatural presence.
"Why is something like this here?"
It was the same thought crossing all three of their minds. Though only instinct, they were certain this was not something that belonged in this era.
After staring at the ring of light for several seconds, Hinako was the first to look away, turning to Mash. "Mash, let's get started. Didn't Roman and Natsukawa warn us before we came? As soon as we arrive in the Singularity, we need to reestablish contact with them. I can feel it—the Mana flow around here is excellent. Communication should be easy."
"Ah, yes, I understand. I'll immediately cast a spell to restore communication with Chaldea."
After saying this, Mash placed her shield on the grass. As a magical circle composed of several points of light formed, a projection screen suddenly appeared above the shield.
On the screen was the view of Chaldea's control room.
"Oh, the magecraft worked… Hello, hello? Can you hear me? Fujimaru, Mash, Akuta—is the image clear?"
As if testing the signal strength, Roman on the screen spoke loudly.
Ritsuka smiled and nodded. "Yes, very clear, Doctor Roman. Chief's face looks clear too."
"Huh? I'm visible? I didn't think I'd be in frame from this angle."
Not far from Roman, Naoki, holding a cup of coffee, stepped fully into view. "Seems the quantum transfer went smoothly. Confirming your presence is easy for us, so we can do video communication like this. How's the situation over there?"
"About that, just a moment. I'll point the camera upward. There's something I want to show you, Doctor and Brother."
Mash said, directing the camera toward the sky. The giant ring of light immediately appeared on the screen, visible to everyone in the control room.
Roman immediately turned to Naoki. "Natsukawa, this…"
"There's no doubt—this is King Solomon's doing. At least in the 1431 history I researched, there's no record of anything like this. But I think for now, it won't affect you."
Naoki said, sending information about the ring of light to Roman via his terminal.
The ring's true identity was King Solomon's third Noble Phantasm—a ring of light announcing the end of humanity. It was a manifestation of the heat accumulated from the burning of human history.
After reading Naoki's report, Roman frowned. "King Solomon… Fujimaru, Mash, and Akuta, do not attempt to interfere with that ring of light. Since it's a direct effect of King Solomon, it's definitely beyond your capabilities for now."
"At least wait until I arrive there." Naoki added. "So, are there any other anomalies besides the ring of light?"
"Aside from that—"
"There are multiple life signs approaching us."
Before Mash could finish, Hinako spoke up, reporting her senses. Like Naoki, as a fairy, Hinako had heightened awareness of her surroundings. While not as powerful as Naoki or Arcueid, her current abilities were more than sufficient.
"These signs… are human. I believe they're soldiers."
"How many?"
"About a dozen, scattered."
Ritsuka thought for a moment. "If they're local soldiers, they should know about the situation in this Singularity, right? Should we greet them?"
"I don't see a problem. Then, further communication will wait until you're in a safe location. Until then, use voice-only communication."
"Understood."