Tokyo Singularity (26) The Sword of No Element...

Before he could finish speaking, Xia Youjie took a step back as if his feet had been burned by flames, and couldn't help but look at the past and present Fujimaru Ritsuka.

The orange-haired girl lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes concealing the emotions surging within them.

Xia Youjie withdrew his gaze. He couldn't believe that a girl who aspired to save the world would be accused of destroying it by a villainous figure, and he was also worried that she might get stuck on these words.

After all, having been deeply immersed in the greater good, he understood all too well the consequences of having his beliefs shattered. He had Ritsuka as a new anchor, but... what about Ritsuka herself?

Fujimaru Ritsuka closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, there was no more hesitation or longing. It was enough, more than enough; there was no need to continue—she knew what was going on.

She started walking.

The next second, before the orange-haired girl in the illusion could answer in a hoarse voice, the older version of herself slowly walked over, shielding her past self behind her.

Xia Youjie asked worriedly, "Lixiang?"

Gojo Satoru frowned, then uttered a startlingly unconventional statement: "Ritsuka! Don't listen to that old man's babbling. If you don't like it, just beat him up. We, the people of the vocational high school, are not to be talked about so casually!"

Hearing these words of concern rather than doubt and blame, Fujimaru Ritsuka paused, then couldn't help but smile. She thanked them for their kindness, but didn't turn back or stop there.

This time, the howling wind and snow could not stop the petite girl from looking up and gazing directly at the tall Tsar. In her shining golden eyes, there was no longer confusion and pain, but unwavering conviction.

“I don’t know.” Fujimaru Ritsuka was finally able to answer the Tsar’s question. Even in the illusion, she didn’t give a perfunctory answer. “Which of the two worlds is more valuable, I don’t know. It’s not something I can judge.”

“But you are protecting Russia, and I also need to protect something! For the sake of everyone in Chaldea, for the sake of Pan-Human History, I must cut the Lostbelt.”

“This is my answer.” Ritsuka’s back was slender and straight, and her tone was firm and resolute: “I am also prepared to bear the sin of destroying the world.”

This is the belated answer that Fujimaru Ritsuka gives as the first Lostbelt King, returning to the very beginning after several Lostbelts.

"..." This time it was the Tsar's turn to be silent.

Gojo Satoru pressed down on Natsume's shoulder, his previously frivolous expression gradually turning serious. Only after hearing Ritsuka finish his last word did he abruptly release Natsume's stiff shoulder and break into a smile.

"This is Ritsuka, a person who is always moving forward and never stops."

"but……"

"Jay, we have no right to say that."

The wind and snow suddenly stopped, and the excess crowd vanished along with the snow. The illusion began to flicker, and words beyond memory made everything real seem unreal.

Then, Fujimaru Ritsuka continued to approach the Tsar, and to the Tsar's puzzled look, a stone engraved with runes was pressed onto his body.

"So, that's enough for now, Mr. Natsume."

The memories that followed were among her most precious possessions, and she didn't want them to be altered carelessly.

"……ha."

The Tsar's expression shifted repeatedly, and once his act was exposed, he stopped pretending altogether. His eyes lost the imposing aura of a king, replaced by hatred for everything. "How did you find out?"

“He is a king. He calls the people of this land ‘the people,’ loves them, and is genuinely indignant for them,” Fujimaru Ritsuka said. “But you can’t do that.”

The Tsar, or rather, the leader of the Xia You sect, paused for a second, then burst into laughter.

"Hahahaha, yes, I could never love humans. Is this the kind of character the king here is? He actually has genuine feelings for humans?! What an idiot!"

The person before him, who bore the exact same appearance as the Tsar, had a distorted expression, and in addition to the oppressive aura, exuded a ruthless and violent air.

"Although you won't dwell on the past, and the effects of the Noble Phantasm are useless to you, exposing me won't get you out. Just prepare to be trapped in this illusion for the rest of your life!"

Yeah?

Fujimaru Ritsuka did not answer. She silently uttered "burn," and the rune on the Natsuyou Master's shoulder suddenly exploded, causing the air to sway and becoming the focal point linking reality and illusion.

Finding a way out wasn't actually that simple, but since the Avengers chose to come to the illusionary realm to take over the role after seeing Fujimaru Ritsuka's memories, the illusionary realm was no longer isolated from reality. This allowed Ritsuka to seize the opportunity instantly.

Don't underestimate her!

"Oberon, it's time to take us out of here!"

After a moment of silence, a reassuring voice, as if it had been waiting for a long time, smoothly entered the illusion: "...Well, you really know how to order people around."

The false king vanished abruptly. The earth began to tremble, the ice and snow melted, sprouting tender green branches that flourished, withered, and finally collapsed like a shattered mirror.

A pair of hands grasped Fujimaru Ritsuka's as they had always done.

Emerging from the surreal, frigid Russian landscape, Gojo Satoru barely regained his senses before abruptly retreating, narrowly dodging incoming flames, though he still nearly had his hair singed.

He then realized that he was completely surrounded by flames.

"Wow—! What's going on?!"

He immediately turned on his senses and, following the direction of the flames, looked with displeasure at the culprit that had almost ruined his new hairstyle.

Jeanne Alter had changed back into the silver armor she wore when they first met, and was holding a longsword to maintain the flames. Hearing the complaint, she turned around. "Oh, so you and that weirdo with the bangs are still alive?"

"Of course, don't you know who I and Jie are? Besides, Ritsuka definitely won't just leave us to fend for ourselves... Hey, where's Ritsuka?"

After a brief silence, Jeanne Alter clicked her tongue and pointed angrily at the person opposite. The boy with shoulder-length black hair was holding Ritsuka tightly.

As soon as Fujimaru Ritsuka left the illusion, she felt a pair of hands on her shoulders. She turned her head and saw Oberon's fluffy shawl pressing down on her hair.

“Oberon,” she said, pointing to the barrier made of flames, puzzled, “what’s going on now?”

“You mean this?” Oberon said, crushing a special-class cursed spirit that had escaped the flames into dust. “It’s a Noble Phantasm, a Noble Phantasm.”

He led Ritsuka to the gap in the flames. Outside the wall of fire were countless cursed spirits, almost melting into a black mist. They were burned by the flames and dared not move forward for a while. Only a few powerful special-grade spirits dared to break through the flames.

But in the end, he was killed by Oberon, Shuten-dōji, or Ashiya Dōman.

"In short, all these monsters in the corridor are the effect of that cult leader's Noble Phantasm—a Noble Phantasm that keeps being released continuously." Oberon casually uttered these terrifying words.

"How is that possible? His magic reserves are actually enough to sustain this?"

"If he can't do it himself, then there's the Tree of Imagination and the Holy Grail, isn't there?"

Fujimaru Ritsuka: "!!"

She instantly understood that the Holy Grail's magic alone was not to be underestimated, let alone with the addition of the Imaginary Tree. Therefore, to defeat the High Priest Xia You, they couldn't allow him to continuously unleash his Noble Phantasm. They had to cut off the magic supply.

Compared to the smaller Holy Grail, the Imaginary Tree is easier to reach, but...

“But if you want to get to the Imaginary Tree, you only have one way to go right now.” Oberon pointed to the end of the corridor, “Go to the room closest to the Imaginary Tree and break the barrier there. In short, you must defeat the Avengers first.”

"Eh eh eh eh eh, this humble monk can—"

Ashiya Dōman jumped out, trying to approach Ritsuka. Jeanne Alter immediately drew her spear and blocked his way.

"No, you can't!"

Shuten-dōji stared at him coldly, "You, who can make even sake hard to swallow, shouldn't approach the boss so casually."

Oberon pulled Ritsuka back, saying, "We'll stay here and hold off most of the cursed spirits to ensure an escape route. Can you and Shuten-dōji handle the rest?"

This is indeed the best arrangement. Jeanne Alter is the main force for clearing monsters, while Oberon can keep an eye on Ashiya Doman and also clear out the miscellaneous monsters.

With the advantage of being a local character and having intentionally kept a low profile these past few days, Shuten-dōji is indeed the most suitable Joker card.

In just a few seconds, Fujimaru Ritsuka made her decision. "Then I'll leave it to you!" she nodded. "I'll go face Avenger with Shuten-dōji and Gojō."

Jeanne Alter's sword dragged a line across the ground, and she gave a short laugh. "Since you've said that!"

As soon as she finished speaking, the wall of fire spread rapidly forward from Jeanne d'Arc (alter) until it burned a straight path leading to the door at the end of the room. "Go forward, I will clear the way for you!"

"Hmph, I can't fall behind either."

A silver sword with a sake bottle hanging from its hilt appeared in Shuten-dōji's hand. She wielded the sword forward, her nimble and ghostly movements slaying the stragglers.

"Ritsuka, let's go!" Gojo Satoru and Natsuyu Suguru also walked quickly ahead, extending their hands to Fujimaru Ritsuka.

"Okay! Be careful too!" Fujimaru Ritsuka gave the three Servants, who were smiling encouragingly, one last look before running off without looking back.

Behind her, a top-tier cursed spirit, almost within arm's reach, broke through the wall of fire and charged straight at her back. But a flash of sword light appeared, the tip of the sword drawing a fiery chasm downwards, blocking all the cursed spirits from entering.

"I told you, I will pave the way for her! Get out of my way!!" Jeanne Alter raised the flag.

Immediately afterwards, the black and blue magic crushed the cursed spirit that had passed through the wall of fire into dust. Oberon, standing with his hands behind his back, said mockingly to Ashiya Doman, "You and I were both villains before. Even if you've been redeemed, you should still have some self-awareness."

"It's better for those suspected of betrayal to stay outside and do the work."

"Mmmmmm...!" Ashiya Doman leaned against the wall, casually tossing a talisman that tore the unsuspecting cursed spirit to shreds. He glanced at Fujimaru Ritsuka's decisive departure and revealed a bewitching smile full of anticipation.

"I think we're in the same boat."

—

Protected by the firewall, Fujimaru Ritsuka ran towards the end of the corridor, took a slight breath, and then kicked open the wooden door.

A loud noise broke the silence.

The light streaming into the room illuminated the pitch-black interior. The room, so simple it bore no trace of life, was completely dark except for a small window almost touching the rafters, through which a sliver of crimson moonlight shone.

—The Imaginary Tree stands quietly behind the window.

And at the farthest point of sight, where even light cannot reach, lies a dead person who lives in the past and no longer has a future.

Only after Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others had completely entered the dimly lit room did the deceased raise his head, his long hair falling over his shoulders. He straightened his robes, and the moment he saw Fujimaru Ritsuka and the two DKs appear, he realized that something unexpected had happened.

People who shouldn't be there, at the wrong time, in the wrong place.

Xia Youjiaozhu recalled Limbo's promise that even if a god came, the outer courtyard's barrier could hold out for a long enough time.

But now three carefree teenagers have barged in... Haha, they've really taken betrayal to the extreme.

The pale, lifeless expression vanished in an instant, and Xia You Cult Leader then revealed a smile that was not genuine, "You've been betrayed."

“Avenger”.

Fujimaru Ritsuka stood still, meeting the gaze of Natsuyou, the sect leader, without the slightest fear or hesitation. Gojo Satoru and Natsuyou Jie stood on either side of her.

Neither of them spoke, or perhaps they had nothing to say.

"Fujimaru Ritsuka, I underestimated you." The Natsuyou Cult Leader rose from the tatami mat, his robe slipping down. "Is Limbo one of yours?"

"He is my servant."

There was no sophistry or denial, but rather such a straightforward admission? Fujimaru Ritsuka's frankness surprised Natsuyu-sensei.

He paused for a moment, then looked her up and down as if he were getting to know Fujimaru Ritsuka all over again.

The orange-haired, golden-eyed girl stood upright. Her face wasn't particularly striking compared to Gojo Satoru beside her, but she possessed a unique charm and a gentle demeanor.

……interesting.

After a long silence, Xia You, the cult leader, said quietly, "You're really good at keeping your composure. I can't imagine how Limbo would interact with you." He rested his chin on his hand. "That guy didn't just put on this show to get your attention, did he?"

Gojo Satoru: "???"

Gojo Satoru frowned, just about to complain about Natsume's bizarre thought process, when suddenly Ashiya Doman's secretly pleased expression when he was being beaten up by Fujimaru Ritsuka flashed through his mind.

He was instantly unsure.

By any measure, that guy seems capable of doing something like that.

"Uh, to be honest, I don't know." Fujimaru Ritsuka scratched her head, pausing for a rare moment. After all, the reasons given by those causing trouble in Chaldea were always quite strange.

It's not impossible that she might give such a reason someday. Thinking this, she couldn't help but smile. To be honest, she didn't actually dislike her companions causing her some trouble.

"Since they call me Master, I must fulfill my responsibilities. Whether it's accepting good, tolerating evil, or resolving the various problems they bring."

Even when tormented by evil, one should uphold goodness; as a good person, one should also accept evil and, when necessary, take desperate measures.

This is Fujimaru Ritsuka.

Her resilience shines as brightly as the stars, possessing a unique charm that belongs solely to her.

Master Xia You: "..."

With his eyelids lowered, his dark purple eyes suddenly became empty.

He felt like he must be going crazy to be jealous of the Servants who could accompany the orange-haired girl.

Damn it, is this a side effect of pulling people into an illusion? He can't help but feel an inexplicable affinity for his enemies?

His mind replayed Fujimaru Ritsuka's memories of Russia uncontrollably, his heart pounding faster and faster, emotions that weren't his own pressing down on his pulse. He pressed his lips together forcefully, speaking urgently, as if desperately wanting to prove something…

"You really are a good Master, loyal, righteous and responsible."

He chuckled briefly, his usually expressionless eyes lifting slightly. "If at the end of the road were a mountain of your comrades' corpses, I wonder what kind of expression you would have?"

Will they still be so determined to carry out good deeds? Will they still choose to save others instead of perishing together?

Will he become the same as Xia Youjie of the past?

Yes, it will. It definitely will, right?

The bright red moonlight shone directly on Xia You, casting a long shadow on the ground.

A heavy, dark color was applied to Ritsuka's body, instantly dimming her shoulder-length orange-red hair and golden eyes. In an instant, Ritsuka seemed to be transported back to the dream she had just experienced a few hours earlier, a sense of inappropriate nostalgia mingling within her.

"...The time is ripe. The outcome is in 'your' hands...The final bait is me. Step on me without missing a beat, Tiamat!"

"It's because I'm 'your' friend!"

"Goodbye everyone, and farewell to 'you' as well—may you have a wonderful life!"

As the Master, the girl received help and blessings from countless people, and walked to the end in place of countless others.

So that's why.

As if moved by some belief, the blood moon sank westward, and the oppressive shadow of the Xia You Sect Leader tilted and shortened, revealing the girl's face, which was no longer filled with confusion.

She had long witnessed cold, burning, and fading sacrifices, but the lingering echoes left by those who had passed away allowed her to stand here and forge the pure, golden eyes in her gaze that could illuminate everything.

Xia Youjiaozhu heard her speak slowly but firmly: "Therefore, I should continue on this path."

Fujimaru Ritsuka already had the answer to this question; any hesitation would be a betrayal of the past.

"Keep going with their beliefs until the very end."

The girl's powerful voice exploded like a thunderclap in the empty room.

Then came a long silence, broken only by the breathing of the intruders, while the room's owner had forgotten how to breathe.

This unwavering belief, this determination to never look back, was conveyed through the girl's words. Xia You, the cult leader, initially wanted to scoff, but damn it, his heart was pounding wildly for this incomprehensible conviction.

It seems that a part of her that was abandoned by the Avengers is responding to her.

But soon, a surge of anger jolted Xia You, the cult leader, out of his reverie. He placed his hand on his chest, “…We are indeed different.”

Xia Youjiaozhu looked up.

His gaze swept over the three people in front of him, then looked out the window at the tall Imaginary Tree and the blood-red sky, staring at the branches and the moon, which appeared to be doubled.

It felt like I was back in that hopeless, sweltering summer that never existed, with the smell of blood filling my senses.

“I’m completely different from madmen like you…” he said. “If my companions can’t find happiness, then everyone should go and join them.”

"But the companions you speak of are actually...!"

"I know what you're trying to say." The Natsume Cult Leader raised his index finger to his lips, interrupting Fujimaru Ritsuka's attempt to reveal his true nature. The next second, the Holy Grail appeared in his hand.

“I am not Xia Youjie, but a dummy created by molding this cup, his memories, and some possibility of the future.”

The Holy Grail was indeed in his hands. Fujimaru Ritsuka's gaze was fixed on the Holy Grail, her hands behind her back. But before she could make a gesture, she suddenly paused.

Is now truly the right time to seize the Holy Grail? Or is it really the Holy Grail itself?

On the other side, Xia You's voice was light and airy, like a dream melting into the moonlight. Raising his hand, he felt the magic flowing through his body, not the incantation he should be familiar with as Xia Youjie.

Gojo Satoru: "?!"

His confident smile froze, and he blinked, almost blankly, not understanding what he had just heard. "You've been lying to us all along... No, that's not the point. What do you mean by 'made into a mannequin'?!"

"That Master over there should be able to explain it better than I can," Xia You said with a shrug, almost mockingly. "This world doesn't even have a Throne of Heroes, so why would Xia You Jie, who actually became a Heroic Spirit, exist?"

Facing Gojo Satoru's clenched fist and Natsume's silent presence, he snapped his fingers indifferently, and the phantom of the Holy Grail dissipated. "In the end, I'm just a lead actor standing on the stage, imitating his behavior and habits."

It's fake. Fujimaru Ritsuka withdrew her hands from behind her back and quietly waited for the next opportunity.

"I never expected that people like you would suddenly appear just as the curtain was about to fall."

Fujimaru Ritsuka: "If that's the case, you have no grudge against the people here at all. So why are you so determined to destroy humanity?"

"...Ha." Xia You, the cult leader, or perhaps the Avenger, suddenly chuckled. "You ask me why?"

Gradually, the soft laughter grew louder and louder, eventually turning into uncontrollable laughter. He lowered his head, his trembling hand supporting his chin as he pressed it to his thin lips.

"You, who possess those memories, must understand," the Avenger murmured almost devoutly, controlling the twitching muscles and nerves in his face, his voice growing louder and louder, like a roar before collapse.

"This is the purpose and meaning of my birth as an Avenger..." he said, his intense emotions bringing his lifeless eyes to life. "Wouldn't giving up on revenge against humanity negate the legitimacy of my existence?"

"So for my own sake, I must finish this play! Even if the script was written by a traitor, it doesn't matter!!"

A madman, a complete and utter madman. He treats the lives of everyone in the world as a drama, driven by his own desire for meaning. But Xia Youjie has to admit that this obsession with a certain meaning—

Exactly the same as him.

Fujimaru Ritsuka: "..."

Fujimaru Ritsuka paused for a moment, then opened her golden eyes again, revealing only unwavering resolve. "I respect your will."

She raised her hand bearing the Command Seal, the red mark standing out vividly in the moonlight. But the Imaginary Tree must be felled, and the Avengers blocking her path must be defeated.

"Therefore I must defeat you."

"...Hahahahahaha!" The Avenger covered his face and laughed loudly, his half-exposed purplish-black eyes filled with a long-suppressed madness. "Let's see who falls first!!"

The battle is about to begin.

The enormous half of the top-tier cursed spirit's body hung high on the roof beam, its eyes, like wax melted and solidified by candlelight, slowly turning as it looked down at the tiny humans on the ground.

A chilling feeling exploded in Fujimaru Ritsuka's heart. The next second, her body reacted before her mind could process it, and a summoning circle formed beneath her feet.

Hassan, holding Fujimaru Ritsuka, leaped upwards with his toes touching the ground. A gust of wind barely brushed past his clothes and swept behind him. Then, with a loud "BOOM," the cursed spirit, who also belonged to the Avengers, was blasted away, losing half of its body.

"Huff, huff..." The simple summoning technique was draining her magic power, and she looked down, panting.

The Avenger, standing in the center of the room, waved his hand again, and countless cursed spirits of level one or higher filled the room once more, with some continuing to surround him to form an unbreakable barrier.

Some of the walls were also placed in front of the rooms to prevent intruders from attacking and overturning the not-so-sturdy villa.

"Wow, this is too much of a cheat!" Fujimaru Ritsuka couldn't help but complain. Unable to get close to Natsume or the Imaginary Tree, she was basically trapped here.

In terms of Spirit Origin alone, Avenger is not outstanding. It can be said that the several Servants that Fujimaru Ritsuka brought are all superior to him. However, he can't help but use his ultimate move as a normal attack, and he is the type of summon most suitable for group battles.

To cut down the tree of fantasy, you must defeat it; to defeat it, you must first cut down the tree of fantasy...

"Is this ever going to end?!"

Gojo Satoru and Natsuyuki stood back to back. The continuous "Azure" spells created a patch of blue sky in the small room, but were quickly stained back to their dull appearance by countless dark cursed spirits.

This was the first time Gojo Satoru had realized how troublesome Xia Youjie's pile of cursed spirits could be. Despite his ease in dealing with these rabble, that was about it; he couldn't possibly approach the Avengers through sheer brute force.

Meanwhile, Xia Youjie behind him commanded the cursed spirits to weave through the Avengers' cursed spirit horde, beheading those extremely lethal cursed spirits.

He had always wanted to get close to the Avenger, but the Avenger was like a cowardly coward, always surrounded by no fewer than eight enhanced Superior Cursed Spirits.

Everyone knows that these are just temporary solutions. As long as the Avengers can unleash their Noble Phantasms indefinitely, their resistance will be futile, and they will be the first to die once their stamina is exhausted.

Fujimaru Ritsuka's mind raced as she considered whether to take a desperate gamble and send all her Servants back to attack together.

"No, boss." A light voice, hidden in the shadows, quietly approached her. "Outside the door is a new illusion. This time, you can't guarantee that the insect will be able to reach you again."

...Good heavens, the illusion is still chasing her, so she can only rely on herself.

The Avengers, protected by layers of cursed spirits, did not share the same fighting spirit as them.

He tilted his head back, his long, half-tied black hair slipping down his shoulder. Without even glancing at the people locked in a fierce battle, he absentmindedly stared at the Imaginary Tree outside the window, counting down the seconds.

Wait, the Imaginary Tree?

As Fujimaru Ritsuka glanced at the Avengers out of the corner of her eye, Ashiya Doman's words suddenly flashed through her mind: "The current Imaginary Tree is still so fragile that even you can destroy it."

Let's take a gamble!

The shadows in the corner suddenly surged, and filthy claws, carrying a foul stench, lunged at the girl's head.

The orange-haired girl unexpectedly abandoned the simple summoning. She suddenly leaned back with almost human-limit-limit flexibility, the icy wind of the spell nearly blowing the hair off her forehead.

The cursed spirit's attack missed.

Above her, the only window was directly overhead, and the blood moon shone in her eyes.

She turned to look at Xia Youjie, and the moment their eyes met, Xia Youjie instantly understood her meaning as if they were old friends. He immediately changed the direction of the cursed spirits, sending them all to attack the Avengers and disrupt their vision.

A flash of light from the magic circle beneath Ritsuka's feet appeared, and a slender woman wearing a hood appeared in front of her. She nimbly dodged the attack and charged toward the Avengers along the path opened up by the cursed spirits.

Staring at the sudden change in the offensive, the Avenger chuckled softly. Was he planning a full-scale attack? He glanced around, and sure enough, he saw Gojo Satoru, who remained motionless.

These two should be distractions to draw his attention; the real attack will only come from Gojo Satoru.

He raised his hand and concentrated his cursed spirits to form a thick wall, completely concealing himself so that even his shadow could not be seen.

“Then… let’s get serious.” Gojo Satoru received Xia Youjie’s gaze, and he curled the corners of his mouth, revealing a flamboyant and arrogant smile.

"Spell sequence: Azure"

"Reversing 'He'"

The powerful cursed spirit nearly blasted away half of the cursed spirit wall, revealing an unobstructed opening for the two to pass through. Xia Youjie's cursed spirit immediately rushed in, but it was annihilated by magic before it could even get close to the Avenger's hair.

The Avenger turned to the side, snapped his fingers, and casually knocked away Hassan the Hundred-Faced One who had circled behind him. "Is that all?"

He smiled slightly, but his purplish-black eyes were filled with coldness, causing all the cursed spirits to further shrink the space in preparation for Gojo Satoru's next attack.

But Gojo Satoru's gaze gradually shifted from the Avengers to the window that seemed to reach the sky, a confident and aloof smile playing on his lips.

On the other side, the Avenger's eyes widened suddenly, his expression changing. He too realized what this group's true purpose was: the Imaginary Tree!!

He immediately commanded the cursed spirits to act, and the large group of spirits scattered instantly. Some rushed towards the corners of the room, attempting to form a thick barrier. Others, with nauseating screams, simultaneously and indiscriminately attacked the three people present!

"Imaginary form—Zi!"

The compressed torrent of magical power roared out, irresistibly overturning the magical spirits in its path.

The airflow narrowly brushed past the Avenger's long, black hair, spiraling upwards before crashing violently into the ceiling above with unstoppable force.

boom--!

A violent explosion erupted above Fujimaru Ritsuka's head.

The ceiling was instantly torn open with a huge, gruesome gash by the violent magical force, and shards of stone rained down. The adjacent windows were instantly shattered into countless flying glass fragments by the shockwave.

For the first time, the moonlight poured into the dark, desolate room without reservation.

"you……"

The cursed spirit beside him blocked the falling debris, and the Avenger revealed an extremely cold gaze. His long, slanted eyelashes cast shadows in his eyes, and a sense of coldness and heaviness gradually spread.

"You all deserve to die! The Treasure Trove Exhibition—"

Unexpectedly, the sizzling sound of a dagger piercing his chest interrupted the incantation of the Noble Phantasm. His voice trailed off, and he let out a muffled groan, looking down to see a dagger piercing through his chest.

A thread of reason snapped instantly. Surging magic healed his wounds, and the usual feigned smile vanished from his face, replaced by utter killing intent. He grabbed the dagger's owner with his other hand, only to see a familiar face.

The hooded woman gave a mocking smile and vanished without a trace of regret.

How could that be? He should have killed this guy already!

...No, that's not the issue now! The Avenger suddenly realized and commanded the cursed spirits to change direction and concentrate their power to attack Fujimaru Ritsuka.

But the time that Bai Mao Hassan had just bought for her was precious enough, not to mention, "Hey! Did you ask me and Jay before you attacked her?!"

Even more intense attacks and counterattacks intertwined beneath the window, and even the cursed spirits that managed to catch up to Fujimaru Ritsuka were stopped by dozens of Hyakkos at the cost of mutual destruction.

Finally, the last remaining Hassan, with Fujimaru Ritsuka in his arms, successfully jumped onto the Imaginary Tree. After confirming that Ritsuka could stand firmly, he let go of her and turned to perish together with the pursuing cursed spirit.

Fujimaru Ritsuka remained remarkably calm. Grabbing a branch, she walked to the tree trunk and, without hesitation, slid down. However, as she neared the ground, she suddenly stepped on something uneven, causing her to froze for a moment and nearly stumble and fall.

What is it?

She looked down and her pupils contracted sharply.

The soil, piled with the remains of countless sorcerers, still bears traces of dried blood; half of the corpses are shriveled and devoid of flesh, while the other half are fresh and die with their eyes wide open.

The head she stepped on had an unexpectedly familiar face—it was the man who had led her to the director's office. Human corpses were watering the trees that were destroying humanity.

But Fujimaru Ritsuka had no time to lament. In less than a few seconds, a cursed spirit resembling rotting flesh burst out of the window and charged straight at her face. She could even clearly see its tumor-like body.

Just then.

"Saber, Senko Muramasa."

—He is regarded as the first generation of a family of swordsmiths who could forge the sharpest and most outstanding swords during the Warring States period.

A red blade of light sliced ​​through the air from bottom to top, splitting the cursed spirit in two.

Xia Youjie in the room breathed a sigh of relief. He had finally gotten used to hearing the names of familiar historical figures and even had the leisure to recall the relevant historical anecdotes.

Dressed in black and white, the young man leaped lightly to the opposite side of the Imaginary Tree. He had hair color very similar to Ritsuka's, and his short hair made him look even more capable.

Fujimaru Ritsuka: "Deploy your Noble Phantasm!"

No—we cannot strip him of the full meaning of his existence! The Avenger's facial muscles trembled as he gritted his teeth and spat out two words: "Don't even think about it!!"

Unrestricted magic surged into his body, and his magical artifacts stacked up. Even though his body, which served as the medium for transmission, was in so much pain that his capillaries were bleeding uncontrollably, the Avenger did not stop.

The cursed spirits, multiplied several times over, surged forth in waves, charging forward one after another. By the time Gojo Satoru and Natsuyuki finally regained their footing, the cursed spirits were already hurtling towards Fujimaru Ritsuka like a storm.

The red-haired youth stood still, ignoring all interference. He lowered his head, and the next second, sparks erupted, countless blades piercing the battlefield. He raised his hand, and flames gathered in it, transforming into a long blade.

He took a step forward, shifting his weight forward, gripped the knife with both hands, aimed at the Imaginary Tree, and slashed downwards from above.

"—The Sword Formation Without Yuan!"

The earth cracked open, and red and gold flames rose from the ground, burning without reservation as the blade slid along its arc.

The most recent cursed spirits were burned to ashes without any resistance, followed by the death of the sorcerer's corpse in the wilderness, which found peace.

Finally, there was the towering Imaginary Tree, cleaved straight in half by a blade, lying on its left side and burned to ashes by the flames of sword forging, a source of new life.

The blood-red sky returned to its proper inky color.

The bright moonlight slanted westward, once again bathing the earth, falling in strands upon Fujimaru Ritsuka, as if draping her in a divinely bestowed white cloak.

The Avenger watched in stunned silence as he caught the ashes of the Imaginary Tree with his left hand, like a child who had smashed his beloved toy.

Blood spilled from the corner of his mouth, and he coughed violently. He could no longer support his body and the massive consumption of his Noble Phantasms. The number of Cursed Spirits was visibly reduced under the siege of Gojo Satoru and Natsuyuki.

Is this the end?

Is his stage, his meaning as a Servant, really going to be completely destroyed by a bunch of unreasonable brats?

Will his desire to avenge his non-existent best friend end in vain?

Ah, I'm so unwilling to accept this.

"Unleash the Noble Phantasm—" The Avenger knelt on the ground. He closed his eyes, his voice barely audible yet as heavy as a thousand pounds, "Night Parade of One Hundred Demons."

Blood seeped from all over his body, and his imposing aura rose higher and higher, while a deep abyss of magical mist spread from beneath his feet.

As if the gates of hell had been opened, cursed spirit-like monsters, almost all of whom possessed the strength of shadow servants, rose from the mist.

Gojo Satoru's expression changed drastically. His six eyes rapidly analyzed the information, while an unimaginable, excruciating pain pounded against his brain. Compared to his now-powered Noble Phantasm, which he was fighting for with his life, those cursed spirits were like children waving weapons in front of an adult.

They actually held back before... no, did they forcibly increase their strength?!

"Jay!" Gojo Satoru covered his eyes, his face contorted in pain. "Think of something! We can't stop this, and we can't just resort to any means necessary!"

"Damn it, my cursed spirit can't even get close to him! What happened?! Why did he suddenly go berserk?!"

As the two were shouting at each other, a clear female voice rang out, "Step back."

A gentle, goddess-like gaze fell upon the avenger, causing his heart to skip a beat. He opened his eyes and looked back, only to realize it was all wishful thinking on his part. The girl's gaze was firm and earnest, though the moonlight softened her eyes.

There was no arrogance of victory, not even excessive hatred, only a calm that bordered on compassion.

Then, the Avenger heard her say:

"In the name of the Command Spell."

The second Command Seal disappeared from the girl's hand; the Servant who had been hiding for so long was waiting for this moment.

"Shuten-dōji, unleash your Noble Phantasm!"

The moment the words left her lips, a charming female voice chuckled and said, "What a nuisance. Let's just melt them all together—Thousands of Colors, Divine Poison."

The rich and intoxicating aroma of the wine filled the air, and the Avenger suddenly felt the touch of water on his hand, as magic was rapidly drained from his already exhausted body.

As if forcibly intoxicated, the Avenger's gaze uncontrollably followed a pair of deep purple eyes. His body was stiff, and only after cold sweat broke out on his back did he realize a trace of fear.

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Author's Note: * Thank you for reading this far! Daily updates after the VIP chapters!

Some of the previously nominated Servants have already been arranged to appear in later worlds!

Regarding this world, what kind of side stories would you like to see?

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Keep pushing pre-orders~

Ritsuka the Witch's Journey:

Ritsuka is an immortal witch who doesn't remember how she came into this world. Her adoptive guardian left after she came of age, leaving behind more money, real estate, and countless magical props than she could ever spend in several lifetimes.

And so, Ritsuka embarked on a long journey alone. She would only stop occasionally to find homeless children, raise them until they turned eighteen, and then quietly leave again.

However, looking at the scene before her, she had a feeling that her peaceful journey was about to come to an end.

A black-haired girl transforms into a little detective: "Ritsuka-neechan?!"

A blonde, purple-eyed fake liquor drinker: "Sis...sis?"

A long-haired alchemy master: "Master, we've finally found you."

Congratulations! Congratulations! Miss Witch's life is no longer lonely.

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2025.9.21

* Please note the following when reading this article:

1. This is a lighthearted, non-serious drama with many out-of-character (OOC) moments and significant alterations to the timeline!

2. Some characters' personalities may undergo subtle changes due to time and circumstances, but their true nature remains the same!

3. Everyone in Chaldea has familial, platonic, and romantic feelings towards Ritsuka, but without exception, they are all deeply connected, and Group A will appear.

4. Ritsuka is the group's darling, and the story ends happily!