Ritsuka's shout was so loud that they all reflexively covered their ears. The echo of his voice bounced violently off the cavern walls.
"Brother? Why are you so angry at Merlin?" Rikka asked in confusion as she lowered her hands. "They just saved your life, didn't they?"
Ritsuka turned sharply, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
"Saved me? Hah! I don't know what kind of nonsense they told you all, but one thing's for sure—you were completely fooled by the two of them. Damn it! Hanging them upside down wouldn't even be enough."
Ritsuka pressed a hand to his chest, his face pale.
"Knowing their personalities… I'm actually terrified just thinking about what they might've modified inside my body while I was unconscious. Who knows what weird features they installed…"
Ritsuka hurriedly checked his lower body.
"Phew… thank goodness it's still there," he muttered.
"Fooled? What do you mean by that?" Olga stepped forward, her face reddening as anger boiled over.
"And another thing—you haven't explained anything at all! Do you have any idea how worried we were?! You stabbed your own heart and almost exploded! Do you think we could stay calm watching that?!"
Ritsuka scratched his cheek awkwardly and looked away.
"Uh… I guess I should explain now, huh?"
"Of course now, idiot!" Olga snapped.
Mash quickly stepped in, speaking gently.
"Director, Senpai… we should postpone the argument for now. Senpai just underwent major surgery. His body must still be under a great deal of strain."
Suddenly, a familiar laugh shattered the tension.
"Wahahaha! Incredible, Master!"
Nobunaga laughed loudly, clapping her hands.
"That was a truly entertaining spectacle! I never expected you'd have the guts to pull off something that reckless. Fusing yourself with a Dragon? Insane idea! I love it!"
Olga frowned deeply, her irritation spiking at that twisted praise. She was just about to lash out at Nobu when Caster's deep voice interrupted them.
"Oi, oi. Save the married couple's quarrel for later. You're forgetting our real objective here, aren't you?"
Caster's tone was relaxed, but there was urgency beneath it.
Everyone turned toward him. Rikka's eyes widened instantly.
Caster Cú Chulainn's body was beginning to fade. His arms and legs were slowly turning into translucent blue particles of light.
"Caster…" Rikka's voice caught. "Your body…"
Caster looked down at his fading limbs and smiled wryly.
"Looks like my role ends once Saber is defeated," he said casually.
Caster walked closer to Rikka and Ritsuka. Rikka, who was supporting her brother, looked at him with tear-filled eyes.
"Do we… have to part now?" she asked quietly.
Caster closed his eyes briefly, then shrugged.
"Well… meetings and farewells with Servants are always fleeting, little miss."
He looked at Rikka intently and smiled proudly.
"Congratulations, Ojou-chan. You fought very well. You may still be a novice Master, but…"
Caster's gaze shifted to Ritsuka.
"You have someone by your side who excels at challenging fate. So trust your brother. Even though what he did earlier was completely insane, he can still guide you down the right path."
"And you, kid," Caster turned to Ritsuka.
Roughly—but affectionately—he ruffled Ritsuka's hair.
"That stunt of yours was terrible, you know? An older brother is supposed to be a safe role model for his little sister, not give her a heart attack."
Caster's expression grew more serious.
"Be careful when you decide to gamble with your life. Because if you die… it's not just you who feels the pain. The ones you leave behind will be hurt too."
After delivering his final words, Caster's body shone brightly.
"Take care of yourselves."
WUSH.
Caster vanished completely, leaving behind motes of light drifting toward the cavern ceiling.
They all looked up, staring at the spot where the Servant had stood moments ago.
Olga stepped forward, gazing at the empty space.
"So… he's really gone?"
"Tch," Nobu snorted, though there was respect in her voice.
"He acted like an annoying old man right until the end."
Ritsuka nodded faintly, still holding Rikka's shoulder to support himself. A small smile formed on his lips.
"Yeah… that's just how he is," Ritsuka murmured.
"He's a really annoying guard dog. But… reliable."
Ritsuka took a deep breath, gathering what strength he had left. He looked toward the altar where the corrupted Holy Grail remained.
"Alright, everyone. There's just one thing left now," Ritsuka said.
He turned and looked straight at the Shielder.
"Mash. I want you to take the Holy Grail."
Mash jolted in shock.
"E-eh?! M-me?!"
Her face went pale with nerves as she waved her hands frantically.
"That's impossible, Senpai! Something that important should be done by Lady Nobu or the Director! I'm just a demi-Servant—"
Nobu immediately shook her head firmly, folding her arms.
"No. I refuse," Nobu cut in.
"The Master ordered you to take it. A Master's command is absolute to me."
"B-but…" Mash still tried to object. Her eyes flicked toward Assassin's shadow.
"What about Assassin? He contributed greatly as well—"
"Mash," Ritsuka interrupted gently but firmly.
With Rikka's help, Ritsuka walked closer and met Mash's eyes.
"You stood on the front line. You blocked Artoria's holy sword again and again to protect all of us. Without your shield, I'd already be dead."
Ritsuka smiled.
"You deserve it. Take it. It's proof of your victory."
Hearing that acknowledgment, Mash's eyes filled with tears. Her doubt slowly faded.
"Alright… thank you, Senpai."
Olga, standing beside Ritsuka, looked at him with a puzzled expression.
"Are you sure you don't want to take it yourself?" she whispered.
"That's the Holy Grail. The thing that's said to grant any wish. As a human, aren't you tempted?"
Ritsuka shook his head casually.
"No. Mash deserves to hold it."
Then his expression grew more serious as he looked at Olga.
"Rather than the Grail… I actually have one request for you, Director."
Olga stiffened instantly.
"Huh? W-what is it?" she asked nervously.
She hurriedly put on a stern face to hide her unease.
"Listen! If you're asking for a raise or vacation leave, forget it! We're in a critical situation, got it?! There's no budget or bonuses!"
Ritsuka looked straight into Olga's eyes, utterly serious, as if he hadn't heard her at all.
"Director… I have one request."
Without warning, Ritsuka released himself from Rikka's support and grabbed both of Olga's hands, gripping them tightly.
"After this… please, don't ever leave my side. No matter what happens."
Olga's face instantly turned red like a boiled crab. Her heart pounded wildly.
"W-wait?! W-what are you doing?!" Olga stammered, her body stiff from the sudden contact.
Behind them, Rikka's eyes widened. A thick killing intent erupted from her body.
"Brother?!" Rikka shouted, jealousy blazing in her eyes.
"Why are you holding another woman's hands when your sweet little sister is right here?! Let her go!"
"S-Senpai…" Mash covered her mouth with both hands, her face burning red.
"What is Senpai doing to the Director…?"
Ritsuka ignored their protests entirely. His world was focused solely on Olga. Memories of Olga crying as his body was destroyed resurfaced in his mind.
Ritsuka tightened his grip until Olga felt a slight pain.
"Listen, Director," Ritsuka said softly, his voice trembling.
"No matter what happens… I'll stay with you. I'll never leave you alone again. So please… promise me you won't walk away from me after this."
Nobu, standing nearby, tilted her head. She noticed something others didn't. Ritsuka's hands were trembling violently.
"Why does he look… afraid?" Nobu thought.
"He doesn't look like he's in love."
Unfortunately, Olga didn't see that. To her ears, Ritsuka's words sounded like a lifelong vow.
Olga's face turned even redder, imaginary steam puffing from her ears. She could feel how tightly Ritsuka was holding her hand, as if he'd never let go for the rest of his life.
"Y-you…" Olga's voice squeaked.
"Do you even realize what you just said?! Th-that sounded like…"
Ritsuka nodded firmly, his gaze unwavering.
"Yes. I'm fully aware of what I said. I don't want to lose you."
Puuufff!
Imaginary steam burst from the top of Olga's head. Her face was completely red.
"O-okay…" Olga whispered faintly.
Her fingers tightened around Ritsuka's hand in return, accepting that "proposal."
Rikka, watching the scene, boiled with jealousy.
"Hey! You seductress! Let go of my brother's hand right no—"
Her words were brutally cut off by a cold, mocking male voice.
"Stop this cheap melodrama. You're making me sick."
The romantic atmosphere shattered instantly. A dense killing intent filled the air.
"Master! There's someone else!" Mash shouted, turning around and raising her guard.
Olga stiffened.
"That voice… it can't be…"
Ritsuka's expression turned cold in an instant. Without turning around, he gave an absolute order.
"Nobu. Prepare your weapons."
Nobu didn't question it. She didn't object.
CLICK.
Dozens of matchlock rifles immediately floated into the air, their black muzzles aimed straight ahead.
Footsteps approached. Tap. Tap. Tap.
From the shadows emerged a tall man in a green suit and top hat. His face wore a smile that never reached his eyes.
Olga's eyes widened in shock. Hope lit up her face.
"Lev?! Lev Lainur?!" Olga screamed hysterically.
Her fear vanished, replaced by overwhelming relief. To her, Lev was a trusted staff member, a friend, and her protector.
"Thank goodness! You're alive, Lev! I thought you died in that explosion!"
Without thinking, Olga stepped forward, wanting to run to the man she trusted.
"Lev, we need hel—"
SRET!
Olga's step was forcibly halted. Ritsuka yanked her hand back roughly, holding her firmly in place.
"Ow! That hurts!" Olga complained in shock. She tried to pull free, but Ritsuka's grip was like iron.
"Ritsuka! What is wrong with you?! Let go! That's Lev! He's someone I trust, he can save—"
"Director! Don't go closer!" Mash shouted sharply, her shield already raised.
"Something's wrong… there's something different about him. His magical aura… it feels rotten."
Ritsuka didn't loosen his grip at all. His eyes stared at Lev with cold hatred. He knew exactly who that man was.
Just then, static crackled from the Chaldea communicator.
"Hello! Check! This is Chaldea Control Room—Romani Archaman speaking! Can you hear me?!" Romani's voice came through, panicked yet relieved.
Olga immediately responded, her voice rising with stress and anger.
"Romani! Where have you been?! Why didn't you contact us at all after the Assassin attack?! Do you have any idea how long we've been waiting in uncertainty?!"
"I'm sorry, Director! But things here are a mess too. Right after the Shadow Servant Assassin attack, all communication lines were completely cut. We were totally blind."
Romani's voice grew serious.
"I don't know the exact cause yet… but our technicians found strange traces. We suspect someone sabotaged Chaldea from the inside."
Olga's face went pale. Her body stiffened.
"S-sabotage…? What do you mean? Who would dare—"
"I'll explain the details later. But our detectors picked up another Servant signal near you. And… is it true that Professor Lev is there?"
Mash was about to answer when Lev's soft laughter cut in.
"Oh? A call from Chaldea, I see. And that voice… Romani, was it? Heh, looks like you survived the explosion. You're more tenacious than I expected."
Lev stepped closer, a perfectly gentle smile on his face. His gaze softened as it turned to Olga.
"And hey, Olga. I'm glad to see you're doing well. It must've been hard, having to lead in such chaos."
Lev extended his hand invitingly, like a protector.
"Come here, Olga. You're safe now."
A smile bloomed on Olga's face. Any suspicion about sabotage vanished the moment she saw her trusted mentor.
"Lev! So it really is you!" Olga exclaimed, her eyes shining.
"You have no idea how chaotic things have been! I thought I was all alone!"
Without hesitation, Olga tried to step toward Lev, seeking protection.
But her movement was stopped roughly.
Ritsuka didn't loosen his grip at all. Instead, his hold on Olga's wrist tightened even more, like he was stopping someone from falling into an abyss.
"Ah! That hurts!" Olga cried out.
She turned to Ritsuka angrily.
"Ritsuka! You're gripping my arm too hard! Let go! I just want to talk to Lev! He can help us—"
Her words were cut off by Lev's voice.
"Why…" Lev hissed softly, before his tone rose sharply.
"Why can't you all just die quietly?!"
Lev stared at them with deep, disgusting contempt.
Olga froze, confused by the sudden change in her mentor's tone.
"Lev…?"
Lev suddenly clutched his head, his face twisted with rage.
"You! All of you! You're giving me a headache!" Lev screamed hysterically.
"All these trash variables! Candidate Number 48! I underestimated you because you were just some ordinary nobody! Then there's that vulgar lab experiment, Mash! And you, Romani! You coward—you should've obeyed orders, yet you survived!"
Lev's breathing grew ragged. His eyes bulged madly.
"All of you… you should've just died in that explosion! Then my task would've been completed perfectly! Why are you all so stubborn?!"
Lev lowered his hand and pointed straight at Ritsuka. His expression shifted from anger to… fear and confusion.
"And out of all that trash… you're the most disgusting one, Ritsuka Fujimaru!"
His voice trembled.
"What kind of creature are you?! Even our glorious 'King' cannot see your fate! Your presence here… you're like a walking Singularity!"
Lev ground his teeth.
"And what disgusts me most… why does my instinct scream to acknowledge you?! You're just a mere human with questionable origins! Disgusting!"
Then Lev turned his gaze to the trembling Olga. A sadistic smile slowly spread across his face.
"And you…" Lev laughed softly, his tone dripping with false compassion.
"POOR, SUFFERING OLGA MARIE."
"Pitiful girl… haven't you realized it yet? That you were already dead from the very beginning?"
Olga's eyes went blank instantly.
"Eh…?"
"Don't play dumb!" Lev shouted cruelly.
"Listen carefully, useless Director! You haven't changed at all! You're still nothing but a hindrance!"
Lev pointed dramatically at the floor.
"That bomb… I placed it right beneath your feet. Exactly where you were standing."
Lev grinned widely, savoring Olga's mental collapse.
"Your physical body was completely obliterated in that explosion! And the 'you' standing here now… is nothing but leftover memories—a miserable wandering ghost!"
Olga staggered back a step, shaking her head frantically.
"Y-you're lying… right? Lev… this is just one of your bad jokes, isn't it?" Her voice cracked, hoping for laughter in return.
Lev burst into loud laughter—but not the warm laughter Olga had hoped for.
"Hahaha! Has that genius brain of yours stopped working from shock?"
Lev spread his arms, explaining mockingly.
"Don't deny it, Olga. Remember the basic Rayshift theory? The physical body is the anchor. The soul is sent to the past, while the body remains safely in Chaldea."
Lev leaned forward, his eyes boring into Olga's.
"But the problem is… that disgusting human body of yours has been blown to pieces. You no longer have an anchor."
"Do you understand now?" Lev whispered cruelly.
Tears welled up in Olga's eyes. Her body trembled violently.
"N-no… that's impossible…"
"Which means," Lev continued loudly,
"When this mission ends and your consciousness is pulled back to Chaldea… you will vanish. You'll be erased into nothingness because there's no vessel left to hold your soul!"
"NO!!" Olga screamed hysterically, her mental defenses shattering.
"Oh, it's not over yet. I'll show you what true despair looks like," Lev said.
Behind Lev appeared a massive sphere—a globe that should've been a beautiful blue world.
But now, it was burning.
Olga gasped, her eyes locked on the horrifying sight.
"W-what is that…? T-that's CHALDEAS, isn't it?"
Her voice trembled violently.
"Why… why is it red? Why is everything burning?!"
"The future of humanity is already finished," Lev replied coldly.
Olga turned desperately to Ritsuka and Mash, seeking denial.
"T-this isn't real, right? Ritsuka? Mash? Say something!" Olga begged.
"Lev is lying, right? This is just a fake illusion, right?!"
Mash lowered her head, unable to answer.
Ritsuka said nothing. He only looked at Olga with eyes full of pain—and tightened his grip on her wrist.
"That's enough," Ritsuka said coldly.
"Brother?" Rikka called out in confusion, sensing the drastic shift in her brother's presence.
Lev raised an eyebrow, still wearing a mocking smile.
"Oh? You want to fight me? Unfortunately, a biased huma—"
"Shut up," Ritsuka cut in sharply.
"Or should I call you by your real name… Lev Lainur Flauros?"
The smile vanished from Lev's face instantly. His body stiffened. Silence enveloped the cavern.
"How…" Lev stared at Ritsuka with a dangerous, probing gaze.
"How do you know that name? Did that old man—Zelretch the Kaleidoscope—tell you?"
Ritsuka didn't answer. He only shook his head slowly.
His right hand, which had been gripping Olga's wrist, moved upward. Ritsuka pulled Olga closer, wrapped an arm around her shoulders protectively, and pressed the despairing girl against his chest.
Olga flinched in surprise.
"Ritsuka…?"
She could hear Ritsuka's calm heartbeat—the sound of life. For some reason, it soothed her.
"You should leave now," Ritsuka warned in a low voice.
"Or else…"
Suddenly, Ritsuka's eyes—now emerald green—underwent another transformation.
His pupils shifted into glowing X-shaped crosses.
The eyes of the Mother of All Life—Tiamat.
At the same time, dazzling golden light gathered in Ritsuka's outstretched left hand.
The particles of light converged, solidified, forming a majestic holy sword.
Lev stepped back, his eyes wide in disbelief.
"That's impossible…"
Olga stared at the weapon in Ritsuka's hand in awe.
"Excalibur…?"
Ritsuka aimed the tip of the Sword of Promised Victory straight at Lev.
"Or do you want to taste the light of this holy sword?" Ritsuka challenged.
His voice echoed with absolute authority.
"I'm quite curious, Flauros… if the enemy is one of the 72 Demon God Pillars created by King Solomon… just how many Restraint Seals would be released to destroy you? Would it perhaps be more than—"