You are very strong, but my painting style is better than yours!

"Am I the Assassin, or the Saber? Or... the me that I'm meeting with you now?"

The Servant named [Ryougi Shiki]—regardless of class—did indeed sign a contract with [Fujimaru Ritsuka], but the one who appeared in Chaldea is not the current me.

At least not in the same body.

"Is that so... So you're not a Servant, but a real person living in this time and space?"

“That’s right, but Chaldea’s Ryougi Shiki shares the same memories as me, and I can also feel everything she went through.”

To use a more easily understood example, it would be the difference between a 'Heroic Spirit' and a 'Servant'.

My true form lives in Kanbuko City, Japan, in 1999 AD. However, a call from Chaldea in Antarctica in 2017 caught my attention, and I was summoned as a Servant, where I met that person... Fujimaru Ritsuka.

"Even though she didn't ascend to the Throne of Heroes... did she become a Servant through her own will?"

Suppressing her shock, Iori continued, "So I'm not in a singularity or a fragment of some world, but have actually traveled to the real Sky City...?"

I really can't stand it...

It's one thing that it intersected with another Chaldea in London, but why did it jump into the normal Kara no Kyoukai?

Can you please not go this far? This isn't a collaboration!

"yes.

Generally speaking, the only places that can intersect with 'Chaldea' are Chaldea in other parallel worlds, or a certain incomplete singularity, or what you call 'Losame Belt'...

Just like a ball of yarn, it's normal for them to get tangled up occasionally.

Genius said gently, "But the world I live in is neither a singularity nor a Lostbelt, and it is quite far removed from the timeline where 'Chaldea' exists... Well, in Western calendar terms, it's probably about ten or twenty years away."

On this snowy night, you and I were not supposed to meet. The person I was waiting for probably wouldn't wake up for another half hour, and then went out on a whim...

Yes, our meeting happened outside of what's 'recorded'.

"Am I lucky or unlucky?"

Iori asked the question very seriously, and the Root's next answer was extremely important to him.

"It should be considered lucky, at least I didn't mean to hurt or hinder you."

call!

Iori felt much more at ease!

It's no wonder he was so nervous; the pressure he was facing was immense.

Goetia is certainly strong, but that guy has a personality and temper, and he likes to trash talk before matches... so he's understandable.

But what kind of personality the root of the personality is, what their style of doing is, and what actions they will take—this is completely unknown!

Of course, according to the original setting, the Root should be an existence that "does nothing".

But this cannot change the fact that her divine will is unpredictable...

"Our meeting may have been an accident, but if I have no intention of talking, you can banish me from this world at any time."

Iori said seriously, "And there must be a reason why I'm still here, right?"

"I am different from ordinary humans. I have no desires to achieve or any needs to be satisfied, so my motivation is zero. I basically don't take the initiative to do anything."

The nobleman, dressed in a magnificent kimono, smiled faintly in the snow: "But this time is an exception—I want to help you, or rather, help the Fujimaru Ritsuka you know."

"why?"

"Because I quite like the Ryougi Saber and Ryougi Assassin who were summoned to Chaldea, especially Saber, who is basically a projection of my own consciousness... Everything I saw in that post-apocalyptic fortress gave me a very rare and novel experience."

"I really should thank her, but Ritsuka has never made any wishes to Ryougi Saber, so changing the world for her isn't a big deal."

"In short...it's to repay a favor?"

"That's how it is from a human perspective."

Genji glanced at Iori.

The next moment, hazy golden light drifted down with the snowflakes, and Iori instinctively reached out her hand:

hum~bum~

Cards with the classes [Saber] and [Assassin] will automatically appear.

"This is really simple...this floor."

Iori didn't know what expression to make.

"Is that all? I'd like you to help me clear up my doubts."

Is there anything you don't understand?

Who is the mastermind behind this incident?

Iori was very frank: "And if it's convenient, could you just take care of the other person directly? That would save me the trouble of making the trip."

"I have no reason to do such a thing."

Genyuan smiled and shook his head. "As for the mastermind behind it all, that's a rather complicated issue... In the end, it's possible that this person doesn't even exist."

"Huh? What does this mean?"

"Those who commit mistakes are not necessarily evil people, and good intentions may also lead to unfortunate outcomes. The enemies you think you are may not necessarily see you or Chaldea as enemies."

Perhaps it's simply a matter of different perspectives and ways of understanding the world.

"Could you be more specific...?"

"The timeline is not a straight line, but rather something like a network of water."

Ignoring Iori's words, Genji continued, "At a certain stage, there are multiple tributaries that converge into the same node and then split off again in the next stage... a constant cycle of convergence and divergence."

The 'correct trend' shown in this is what is called the singularity in the pan-human history. Just like a dried-up and abandoned riverbed, only by constantly repairing and pruning it can other well-functioning riverbeds be guaranteed to receive enough water flow.

—This is the right thing to do.

"Is it like a fruit farmer picking off some of the fruit to ensure that more plump fruit can be grown?"

"That's right... But the existence of Chaldea in many timelines actually violates this rule. However, they have proven their value time and time again, so even though they have long been deemed abandoned, they can still continuously attract 'water' into the river."

And the Fujimaru Ritsuka you know... you called her Gudako, didn't you?

What our Master is doing goes far beyond what is typical Chaldea; instead of focusing on a single river, he's attempting to perpetuate all the river channels that were destined for abandonment… This may be 'just,' but it's not 'right.'

Iori briefly understood that if the scale of the water flow remains constant, but more and more tributaries extend out... does that mean that the water level of the entire water network (pan-human history) will drop, or even dry up?

"This seems somewhat contradictory. Chaldea is constantly moving forward in order to perpetuate human reason... but do these actions, in turn, hasten the demise of pan-human history?"

"It's not a contradiction, it's just that there's a slight difference between humanity's and 'the universe itself's' understanding of pan-human history."

From a human perspective, the universe prunes Lostbelts because they are 'underdeveloped branches' or 'abandoned riverbeds'. But from the universe's perspective, there is no fundamental difference between pan-human history, which is no longer possible, and Lostbelts.

...To be honest, Iori doesn't really like this kind of roundabout way of speaking.

He respected (though he couldn't defeat) the Root, so he wouldn't interrupt or refute her, but this transcendent was far too talkative... He still hoped to get some more insightful advice or practical benefits.

Are you implying that Gudako... is the root of all evil?

My understanding of 'good' and 'evil' should be different from yours.

Genji paused for a moment, then looked at Iori again: "But no matter what, I'm willing to watch over her until the very end... so I'm asking you for help."

Only someone who wasn't born into this world, who has no past and no future, could... but the possibility is still very low.

"who is it?"

"It is 'evil' in the ordinary sense, and in a sense it is everywhere."

Finally, here's a piece of advice for you:

Depending on the time and place, subjective notions of good and evil can be overturned in an instant, so it's best not to be deceived by lies.

The wind started blowing without us even noticing.

Iori opened her mouth but then hesitated, finally saying softly, "Are you going back?"

"Yes, but we'll definitely meet again in the future."

【Ryougi Shiki】A phantom smile appears in the pure snowy night.

"Your future is a blank slate, but once you fill it in, it will surely be something wonderful. I sincerely look forward to it and wish you all the best."

Goodbye. If there's a chance to meet again, it will surely be on a snowy night, just like today, in complete silence.

The girl from the boundary vanished without a trace like an elusive dream, leaving only Iori standing there in silent contemplation.

At the same time, his clothes, after being swept away by the wind and snow, transformed into a magnificent haori, and a red gauntlet was somehow placed on his left arm.

The spirit origin seems to have become stronger.

"...Is this someone cosplaying a swordsmith?"

It should be said that the strength of a certain part was increased, rather than the real name was replaced.

Iori thoughtfully summoned the Ama-no-Murakumo sword, held it and carefully felt it for a moment before frowning: it was not what he had imagined, there was no special bonus.

According to the "memory" in his mind, the image of this haori and gauntlets should be related to Senji Muramasa, who is best at forging swords and can even recreate the divine weapon "Ama-no-Murakumo" that slays dragons.

Iori initially thought this change was to enhance the power of the Ama-no-Murakumo... but it seems that's not the case.

Thinking about it carefully, given his disguise, if he wanted to strengthen his spirit origin by directly fusing with Susanoo, he wouldn't need to go through the roundabout way of using "Senji Muramasa" to indirectly enhance Ame-no-Murakumo.

So... what exactly was the purpose of this parting gift from Genyuan? It's puzzling.

After a long while, Iori let out a long breath, looked at the city sleeping peacefully in the night in the distance, and revealed a gentle and relieved smile.

Amidst the swirling snowflakes, he walked towards the silver shuttle pod and disappeared into the peaceful white...

【Ding! 】

[CG included]

【The Pure Realm of Emptiness】

Category: Art Style & Bonds.

Grade: A+

Quality: Legendary.

Rewards Overview:

Art style value +4;

Innate Skills:

【The Cave of the Sangharama】

(Note: Originally it meant a place for monks to practice, a room or space used for spiritual meditation.)

However, the pronunciation of "Garan" in Japanese is the same as "emptiness," so it could mean "empty cave" or "empty heart."

One can freely enter a state of "selflessness".

It has an "empty heart" as the name suggests, but it does not deprive people of their emotions to create emptiness. Instead, it makes people realize the emptiness and defects that are inherent in their hearts.

By filling the void, one's spirit can be elevated accordingly, and the power of the soul will become purer.

It can be actively used as a specific skill, and its specific effect is immunity to mental interference.

Immaculate Consciousness (Not Activated)

~~~~~

Chapter 298 Go and take care of the Flame Giant.

"You want to go to the top? Well, that's just the way it is for you, this is your limit."

Clad in a blue cloak, with a skirt embroidered with gold thread around his waist, and holding a strangely shaped wooden staff as tall as a person, the person who was speaking removed his hood, revealing a handsome face with sharp features. His flamboyant short blue hair and bright red beast eyes matched each other, giving him a charm that combined mystery and wildness.

"My name is Cú Chulainn, and I am a Caster left behind on this level. I don't know why a Celtic hero like me was summoned to the icy lands of Northern Europe... Perhaps it's because the world itself has been distorted."

Are you new here? As you can see, the environment here is a bit harsh. Why don't you come with me to the base first, and we can talk about the specifics later, okay?

"Of course, thank you."

You're welcome... What's your name?

“Iori, or you can call me Berserker.”