Rice Flower Singularity (7) Ritsuka, long time no see! ...
The soul of a real person?
Amuro Tooru turned his head stiffly, and beneath Bourbon's skin, Furuya Rei, hidden beneath, searched for traces of Morofushi Kagemitsu's presence on that familiar yet unfamiliar face.
Although he dared not admit it, the part of Furuya Rei that belonged to him was beating for the unfamiliar childhood friend in front of him.
Reversing time and destroying the organization? Conan's mind raced. He had to admit it was incredibly tempting; it was practically his lifelong dream!
There was also the resurrection of the dead. Conan's gaze secretly glanced at Matsuda Jinpei, but the curly-haired youth keenly noticed and looked back, his cold eyes carrying a slight sense of bewilderment.
If only that could be done.
But reason told him that this was just a game, and how could the rewards for completing a game contain something so overpowered! Besides, who would want to let something like that gather dust?!
"It exists." And she's the one who used the Holy Grail to pile up ashes. "The Holy Grail is a real thing," Fujimaru Ritsuka said, distressed.
I have absolutely no idea what's going on. I can understand BB kissing her, but why is the professor cooperating with her to organize a Holy Grail War?
And then there's the resurrection of the dead, which is basically just reshaping the bodies of their souls. Judging from the expressions of the other people, if these NPCs were actually the souls of real people, they would probably have already passed away in reality.
—So there's at least one Servant with powers related to the Underworld accompanying BB in his antics.
Ah, she should have gotten to the bottom of things after returning to Chaldea from Tokyo. It seems like more and more people are getting involved in Ashiya Michiman's plan now!
Conan: "...!"
He then realized he had inadvertently voiced his thoughts, but judging from Ritsuka's tone, she did indeed know that terrifying AI opposite her. He looked around; good, no one was paying attention.
He tilted his head back, gesturing for Ritsuka to squat down slightly, and whispered in her ear, "Assistant, do you know that lady?"
“Yes, and my purpose in coming here is also to retrieve the Holy Grail.” Fujimaru Ritsuka said in a low voice, “I’m sorry to have dragged you into this. I will find a way to bring everyone back safely.”
My conscience is bothering me. Should I just tell him it's okay?
Fujimaru Ritsuka's candor made Conan feel embarrassed. He had been suspicious of this and that, but the orange-haired girl had told him everything without reservation. But he didn't let the opportunity pass and continued to press for answers.
"So," Conan breathed heavily, yearning for an answer yet fearing it, "whether it's resurrection, reversing time, or destroying the organization, can the Holy Grail really do anything?"
“Of course, the Holy Grail isn’t omnipotent.” Fujimaru Ritsuka blinked. “But BB probably predicted your wishes, so yes, your wishes should all come true.”
Conan was taken aback. Haibara's sister, Amuro's friend, the organization they wanted to eliminate—their wishes had indeed been captured by the AI. In other words, their identities had already been...exposed.
He simply went all out and asked, "Does the assistant know what the relationship is between AI and the organization?"
Ritsuka touched her chin. It must be that organization that the professor had infiltrated so thoroughly. She suddenly seemed to understand why some people had looked at her strangely before the banquet.
"If you're referring to the organization the doctor belongs to, my answer is that it's a mutually beneficial relationship." I just wonder what will be left of that organization after they've used it all.
As if seeing through Conan's concerns and fears, Ritsuka added, "Don't worry, my elder is also an accomplice of BB, but he himself has no interest in that organization whatsoever."
That's perfect! It seems like we can trust Ritsuka-neechan with peace of mind now! Conan sighed, his mood improving at the thought of how badly the organization had been used!
But Ritsuka's family situation seems quite complicated as well.
At the same time, BB's teasing voice rang out again: "So, after whispering and exchanging glances, is anyone here going to quit the game?"
She emphasized, "This is a one-time chance! After that, it'll be a fight to the death!"
Conan asked, "What would happen in the real world if we died in the game?"
"Disappearance. All existence, memories, the past—all disappear. But if some fool abandons their wish and uses the Holy Grail to wish for the resurrection of the dead, you still have a chance to live, you know?"
Hearing this, everyone's expressions varied, but Conan glanced at Ritsuka and quietly made a decision. BB looked around at everyone, and seeing that no one had backed out or asked any questions, she said in a good mood:
"Well then, commentator BB will be leaving now! This manor will be an absolutely safe zone until tonight, and no one can make a move. The game will officially begin tonight."
Please enjoy the game!
Just as suddenly as it arrived, BB's disappearance was as swift as turning off a television. Leaving behind the group, each with their own hidden agendas, standing before Hagiwara Kenji's corpse.
Their feelings are no longer as pure as they were at the beginning. How many people are still willing to find the murderer now?
Shiho Miyano gripped her right arm with her left hand and lowered her eyes. She felt someone staring at her, and when she looked up, she saw the butler's dark green eyes, gesturing for her to speak.
She hesitated for a moment, glanced at the detective with a strange look, and then smiled self-deprecatingly. "Then please make yourselves at home. Ray, let's go."
After saying that, he took the lead and went up the stairs to the second floor, followed by the butler.
Morofushi Hiromitsu followed, while Amuro Tooru paused, meeting Morofushi Hiromitsu's questioning gaze. He gestured to Conan with his eyes before also going up the stairs.
"Hey!" Matsuda Jinpei tried to stop the people coming upstairs. He still wanted to continue investigating the case and find the murderer who killed his colleague, but the suspect had made it clear that he did not intend to cooperate.
"It's no use, Officer Matsuda." Conan looked at the group going upstairs and struggled to stop Matsuda Jinpei. "They won't cooperate now. If we want to investigate the case, we'll have to find another opportunity."
Matsuda Jinpei was taken aback. "You... want to continue investigating as well?"
Conan flashed a confident smile. "Of course, I'm a detective!" He raised an eyebrow at Ritsuka. "You agree, right, Assistant?"
Oh dear, I simply can't refuse. Ritsuka flashed the same cheerful smile, "Of course! I'll play along to the end, Detective!"
“But,” she changed the subject, “before we investigate the case, let’s summon our Servants first. More people mean more power and wisdom, don’t they?”
Although it felt like a standard Holy Grail War with seven characters, she had high hopes for Conan. What if a miracle happened with a single pull? Even Sherlock Holmes had his moments as a Caster!
And so, the three parted ways in the temporary guest room. Conan returned to his room and, upon lifting the carpet, was astonished to find a bright red, intricate pattern on the spotless floor, which he had thoroughly inspected the previous night.
Ah, so this is the Servant that can be summoned to help us through this summoning circle? Who will be summoned?
Conan hesitated for a moment between studying the summoning circle and directly summoning, but in order to complete the game, he chose not to make any changes and went straight in.
An electronic screen appeared in front of him, and the black-haired boy, with a serious face, read the words on it word by word:
"Your body is under my command, and my destiny is your sword."
At the same time, the orange-haired girl next door looked even more determined. She stretched out her right hand and declared loudly:
"I hereby swear that I am the one who accomplishes all good deeds in the world, and I am the one who brings together all evils in the world."
The patterns beneath her feet burst forth with blue light, enveloping the girl—it was a spell compiled to trigger miracles, and also the way she would meet her destined one.
"Entangled for seven days by the three great incantations, emerge through the wheel of suppression! Guardian of Libra!"
These were the words that triggered the miracle. Blue light completely engulfed the entire room, and a familiar, playful girl's voice echoed within:
"Servant Rider. I became the second generation of Leonardo da Vinci's confidant for various reasons... Ah, Ritsuka, it seems you've gotten into some trouble again?"
"Eh?! Eh?!" Fujimaru Ritsuka exclaimed in shock, her voice cracking, "Da Vinci, my love!"
"Wow! It's Leonardo da Vinci?"
BB, who was monitoring from backstage, couldn't help but lean forward. "I was wondering what the expressions of those humans would look like if she summoned 'me'~."
“But your job assignment isn’t quite right, is it?” Moriarty said, picking up a document as he complained. “Da Vinci, on the other hand, is a completely unexpected yet perfectly logical option.”
Fortunately, when he modified the Shadow Servants, apart from that unexpected surprise, he set all the Servants' memories to be those of spending time with Ritsuka when they were summoned.
Otherwise, if we have to start working out a new Servant... well, there won't be enough time!
Moriarty: "Although this trial is meant to help the Master digest the magical power gained from the previous two worlds, the difficulty is a bit too insane, isn't it?"
Not only was Ritsuka's summoning ability temporarily disabled, but the strength of the Servants was also manipulated.
BB: "But as long as you learn to use magic to break free from the shackles and start using Shadow Servants again, everything will be alright~"
—
"So, you're not actually a real Da Vinci fan, and everything here, including the summoning circle and the summoned Servants, are clones made by BB using materials?"
After hearing Leonardo da Vinci's memories of this special Holy Grail War, Fujimaru Ritsuka couldn't help but remark, "Did she spend so much money just to fight a Holy Grail War?"
“So although I may not be as reliable as the original,” Little Da Vinci winked slyly and raised his hand, “I believe you will use me brilliantly! Ritsuka, let’s win together!”
"We definitely will!" Ritsuka raised her hand to give her a high five and flashed her a bright smile. "We will definitely retrieve the Holy Grail and repair the Singularity! Nice to meet you again, Leonardo da Vinci!"
After confirming that no information had been missed, Ritsuka had Da Vinci transform into spirit form and opened the door to meet up with Conan and Matsuda Jinpei.
Reaching the door next door, the hushed conversation inside suggested she was the last one to arrive. Just as she was about to knock, Matsuda Jinpei's shocked voice came through the doorway:
"Who do you say you are? Miyamoto Musashi?!"
"Shh! Shh!" Matsuda Jinpei pressed down on the excited Conan. "Detective, the Servant's real name must be kept secret."
Fujimaru Ritsuka's hand, which had been knocking on the door, froze in mid-air. She instinctively pushed the door open and entered, following the sound amidst a chorus of horrified gazes, her heart pounding deafeningly.
She knew she shouldn't expect anything; that carefree girl had already—
But her gaze met a pair of equally dazzling and passionate eyes. Miyamoto Musashi looked over as well, his previously serious expression instantly turning to surprise and delight. "Ritsuka! Long time no see!"
Matsuda Jinpei: "...?"
He looked at the two girls embracing with suspicion, and began to doubt the origins of the Servants mentioned in the rules. Could they all be real people in the present?
"You two know each other?"
-----------------------
Author's Note: * Musashi is back! Hooray!
* Just a heads-up, the doctor will be back, but he'll only appear in the last world!
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