After communication with Chaldea was temporarily severed,
Ritsuka sat on the ground and gazed up at the sky: "So… this means one Singularities has been resolved?"
"Thank you for your hard work, Senpai."c Mash said as she sat down beside her. "But if we count the time, it hasn't been long—only about two hours since we arrived in this Singularities. All of this is thanks to Aoko-san; she did so much even before we got here."
"No, not really…"
Aoko turned toward Jeanne, who stood nearby, staring at the massive crater. "Jeanne… you're about to disappear, aren't you?"
Jeanne turned and nodded. "Yes. The Singularities has ended, and as a Servant summoned by the Holy Grail, I will soon return to the Throne of Heroes… Thank you, Miss Aoko, Fujimaru, Mash, and also Miss Akuta."
"If not for your arrival, I might never have resolved this anomaly so quickly. I am deeply grateful."
"No, actually, we didn't do anything…" Ritsuka hurriedly waved her hands. "The true hero should be Aoko-san. In the end, I didn't do anything at all. I feel a little guilty…"
Jeanne smiled gently and shook her head. "No, Fujimaru. Just standing here was already extraordinary. Servants require Masters to fully unleash their power. Had you not supported Mash here, we would have fallen beneath Fafnir's breath."
"R-really?"
Ritsuka blushed slightly and scratched her head.
At that moment, Jeanne's body suddenly began emitting particles of light.
Watching her form slowly dissolve, Jeanne sighed softly: "It seems my time has come. Then, farewell for now, everyone. By the way—if possible, please convey to Mr. Natsukawa my gratitude on behalf of my parallel self. Back then, I never had the chance to say it."
In the Holy Grail War that took place fourteen years ago in the parallel world, when everything concluded, Jeanne had rushed away without thanking Naoki. As Ruler, it had been her duty to handle unforeseen circumstances—but ultimately, Naoki had resolved everything himself.
That was why Jeanne had always wanted to thank him. And now, through memories shared with her parallel self, she spoke these words on behalf of the other Jeanne.
Ritsuka gave a slight nod. "I understand. I'll tell the Department Head."
"Yes, then—farewell. May your future journeys go smoothly."
With those final words, Jeanne vanished completely before Ritsuka and her companions. And just before disappearing entirely, Jeanne turned her head slightly once more—and looked again at the very spot where the Demon God Pillar had stood.
(My other self… With this, we will surely never meet again.)
Jeanne Alter had been in the process of assimilation by the Demon God Pillar. Now that the Pillar had been obliterated by Aoko's maximum-power attack, there was no possibility she could remain in this world.
(To the end, I still couldn't fully understand…)
(Though you can't hear me anymore… I hope your other self finds peace, my other self.)
Having watched Jeanne depart from this Singularities, Aoko stretched her body vigorously, then waved to the three of them: "I think it's about time for me to leave too."
"Aoko-san… That's true—you're not native to this Singularities. But how will you return? You didn't arrive here via Spiriton transfer." Mash frowned in confusion.
Aoko smiled. "You don't need to worry about that. I have my own way of returning. If the opportunity arises, I believe we'll meet again in the next Singularities. Until then, lend me your help again, lovely ladies—oh wait, Akuta isn't a girl."
"Are you deliberately trying to provoke me?" Hinako glared at Aoko. "If you're leaving, just go already. It doesn't mean we'll never see each other again. You're acting like this is a permanent farewell. Humans are so dramatic about things like this."
"Well, what can I say—we humans are sentimental. Oh, Fujimaru, come here for a moment. I want to talk to you."
"Eh?"
Ritsuka walked up to Aoko, confused. Before she could even ask anything, Aoko leaned close and whispered into her ear: "I've got a small task for you, Fujimaru. Please keep an eye on that idiot at Chaldea for me."
"The Department Head? Why?"
"To prevent that seductive woman from cheating while we're all gone. My man is incredibly popular. Every time he went out before, he'd bring home some girl. You must watch him closely. This heavy responsibility—I entrust it to you. Well then, bye-bye!"
Aoko gave Ritsuka a firm pat on the back, then turned and walked away into the distance.
(Aoko-san… You're really asking me to gather evidence of the Department Head's infidelity, aren't you?)
Ritsuka stared helplessly at Aoko's retreating back.
(But given the Department Head's lifestyle… what even counts as cheating?)
Recalling his daily life—how casually he spent time with Director Olga, how Rei dragged him into rooms, how Touko summoned him to the workshop—Ritsuka genuinely had no idea what qualified as betrayal.
[Fujimaru, Mash, Akuta]
As Ritsuka stood lost in thought, Roman's voice came from her bracelet.
[Spiritron transfer is ready. Prepare for return transfer.]
"Oh… Got it!"
After responding, Ritsuka glanced at Mash, who smiled warmly at her, and Hinako, standing silently. Taking a deep breath, she smiled.
"Let's go home."
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Not long after.
A few seconds after Ritsuka and her companions completed the Spiriton transfer.
Near the now-empty, colossal crater—
A shadowy figure appeared silently.
"Hmmm… Just barely enough time. Though the residual information is nearly nonexistent, fortunately, he left traces behind in this world."
"My Master truly sent a girl to save another girl. I'll demand a good reward later—alright, rest for now within my body."
"Jeanne Alter."