Without missing a beat, Fujimaru stepped forward and placed the fourth data crystal onto Mash's shield altar.
The FATE System resonated strongly once more. The magic circles on the floor flared brightly, but this time, the glowing light wasn't golden; instead, it emitted a deep, mysterious shade of purple. The temperature in the room instantly plummeted, feeling noticeably colder and heavier from the dense pressure of the Mana.
As the storm of light slowly subsided, the silence of the room was broken by the heavy clinking of metal chains echoing through the air.
Atop the shield stood a woman exuding an aura that was equally captivating and deadly. She wore tight black combat attire accented with purple lines that accentuated her graceful movements. Her incredibly long purple hair cascaded down to the floor like a cloak. Both of her eyes were completely sealed by a mystically patterned blindfold (visor). In her hands, she gripped a deadly steel stake connected to a thick, long chain.
"Two Servants in a row! The system is actually working! This is incredible!" Dr. Roman shouted with explosive enthusiasm. He pumped his fist in the air, his eyes sparkling with joy as he watched Chaldea's streak of terrible probabilities finally being shattered in a single night.
The woman turned her face toward Fujimaru. Even though her eyes were obstructed by the cloth, Fujimaru could feel a razor-sharp gaze that felt as though it could paralyze anyone who dared to stare back.
"Class Rider," the woman introduced herself. Her voice was soft, flowing like a velvet whisper in the dead of night, yet brimming with absolute resolve. She bowed her head slightly. "If you require a sacrifice... do not hesitate to command me. I accept this contract, Master."
Name: Medusa
Class: Rider
Attribute: Earth
Gender: Female
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Class Skills:
Magic Resistance (B Rank): Originally a Greek goddess who turned into a monster, Medusa possesses very high Magic Resistance.
Riding (A+ Rank): All types of vehicles and all creatures up to the level of Phantasmal Beasts and Divine Beasts can be used as mounts. However, this does not apply to members of the Dragon Race.
Personal Skills:
Independent Action (C Rank): Since Medusa can also obtain mana by drinking blood, she can prey on humans as needed to extend her duration.
Mystic Eyes (A+ Rank): Medusa possesses the highest level of Mystic Eyes, Cybele. Capable petrify anyone with Mana rank C or below, and even those with Mana rank B can be petrified if caught off guard. Those with Mana rank A or higher will not be petrified but will feel 'pressure' from the Eyes and receive a one-rank drop in all parameters.
Monstrous Snake Metamorphosis (B Rank): Medusa has this skill due to her nature as a monster despite being a Heroic Spirit. This skill is absolutely necessary for Medusa, who does not fight with Noble Phantasms at close range. It has many uses with her chained daggers, such as forcibly dragging skewered opponents. However, the longer she is under its influence, the more she turns into the legendary Gorgon.
Divinity (E- Rank): Medusa was once a beautiful Goddess, so she originally had very high Divinity. However, because she later turned into a monster, she became an unusual figure with monster attributes that conflict with typical Heroic Spirits. Despite this, her Divine Spirit traits have mostly declined.
Stats:
Strength B | Endurance D | Agility A | Mana B | Luck E | NP A+
Noble Phantasms:
Bellerophon: Bridle of Chivalry (Anti-Army A+): A shining golden bridle and whip, a pair of artifacts capable of fully controlling Divine Beasts, and Medusa's strongest attack. A physical strike that crushes enemies through a super-charge.
Blood Fort Andromeda: Other-Seal, Blood Temple (Anti-Army B): A magic circle placed at specific points. People within the affected area experience a mild draining of their life force. If fully activated, ordinary humans without Magic Resistance dissolve instantly. Even Heroic Spirits lose life energy as long as they are inside the barrier.
"I am your Master. Call me Fujimaru," the young man answered with a steady and calm demeanor.
Medusa looked at him for a moment from behind her blindfold. Her perception then shifted, detecting the presence of Cú Chulainn leaning casually against the wall, before returning to Fujimaru. "There are other Servants here?" she asked, her brow furrowing slightly, sensing the irregularity of this unusual summoning situation.
"I will explain everything later," Fujimaru replied with a faint smile, hinting that there were indeed many anomalies they needed to discuss once the ritual was over.
Understanding her position, Medusa gave a small nod and stepped back, moving away from the summoning altar. Unlike Cú Chulainn, who was loud, sociable, and immediately mingled with the Chaldean staff, the Rider preferred to isolate herself.
She stood quietly in a dimly lit corner of the room, waiting for her Master's orders with silent patience. She held absolutely no memories of the tragedy in the Fuyuki Singularity, as her Heroic Spirit essence there had been completely contaminated and controlled by Saber Alter.
Without wasting this golden momentum, Fujimaru immediately took and placed the fifth data crystal onto Mash's shield.
The FATE System responded with a deafening roar of machinery. For the third consecutive time, the magic circles erupted in a blindingly bright light. This time, however, the air in the room suddenly grew hot, carrying the distinct scent of forged iron and burning steel.
As the glowing light receded, a tall, tan-skinned man with silver-white hair emerged. He wore tight black combat gear draped in a striking, blood-red holy shroud. In his left hand, he gripped a massive, pitch-black bow with an asymmetrical design.
"Three Servants in a row! My God, this is a brand new record for Chaldea!" Dr. Roman exclaimed, his voice nearly cracking from overwhelming joy. "Congratulations, Fujimaru!"
The man clad in the red shroud opened his eyes, fixing Fujimaru with a sharp, critical, and deeply serious gaze of steel.
"Class Archer," he spoke with a calm, deep voice. "I have answered your summons. I accept this contract, Master."
However, his finely honed combat instincts quickly picked up the Mana fluctuations coming from elsewhere. Archer turned his head slightly, his eyes instantly narrowing as he recognized the silhouettes of Cú Chulainn and Medusa in the exact same room.
"Other Servants?" Archer muttered, his tone hinting at both confusion and caution. He looked back at Fujimaru. "It seems I have been summoned into quite a complicated situation."
Name: Emiya
Class: Archer
Attribute: Man
Gender: Male
Alignment: Neutral balance
Class Skills:
Magic Resistance (D Rank): As a modern magus, the Servant's innate affinity with magecraft is significantly lower than that of Heroic Spirits from the Age of Gods. Consequently, the level of Magic Resistance is equivalent to a standard anti-magic amulet. It nullifies single-action spells but fails to protect against Thaumaturgy utilizing two or more verses.
Independent Action (B Rank): The ability to remain manifested in the world without an active mana supply from a Master. At Rank B, the Servant can remain materialized for up to two days, provided that combat and the deployment of Noble Phantasms are completely avoided to conserve magical energy. Additionally, this skill allows the Servant's form to persist for a brief period even after the spiritual core has sustained lethal damage.
Personal Skills:
Hawkeye (B+ Rank): A visual ability that enhances both static visual acuity and kinetic vision. It enables precise, ultra-long-range targeting against high-speed objects up to four kilometers away. This enhanced perception is mechanically achieved by applying Reinforcement magecraft directly to the user's optic nerves.
Mind's Eyes (True) (EX Rank): A danger-avoidance ability cultivated through a vast accumulation of combat experience rather than innate talent. It grants the capacity to calmly analyze battle conditions and one's own physical state, even in critical situations, to deduce the optimal course of action. If there is even a 1% chance of survival or victory, this skill facilitates the execution of the necessary strategy to achieve that outcome.
Magecraft (C- Rank): The capability to utilize orthodox Thaumaturgy, primarily Reinforcement and Projection (Gradation Air). While the user's overall proficiency in standard magecraft is limited, the specific application of Projection, known as Tracing, is highly advanced. Tracing allows for the precise replication of weapons, including their internal structure, material composition, and history. During duplication, the accumulated combat experience of the original wielder is also read, granting the user temporary access to the weapon's associated martial techniques.
Trace On: Circuit Connection (EX Rank): A unique application of Projection magecraft used to manifest specific armaments, most notably the twin blades Kanshou and Bakuya. Because identical replicas can be continuously projected without significant mana loss, it enables the tactic of intentionally overloading and destroying projected Noble Phantasms. By filling a projected weapon with magical energy and firing it as an explosive projectile a technique designated as a Broken Phantasm its destructive power is momentarily increased.
Stats:
Strength D | Endurance C | Agility C | Mana B | Luck E | NP
Noble Phantasms:
Unlimited Blade Works: Infinite Creation of Swords: A Reality Marble that materializes the user's inner world, temporarily overwriting reality to form a Bounded Field. It manifests as a dimension that automatically analyzes, records, and permanently stores the blueprints of any weapon the user observes. The majority of the stored armaments are replicated Noble Phantasms from other Heroic Spirits. Due to the inherent limitations of Projection magecraft, all duplicated weapons undergo a one-rank degradation in power compared to their original counterparts.
"I am your Master. Call me Fujimaru. I will explain the situation entirely once this process is completely over," Fujimaru answered with a patient, undeniable tone.
Archer nodded in understanding. As a highly pragmatic hero, he didn't ask unnecessary questions and immediately stepped back from the summoning altar. Similar to the demeanor shown by Medusa, the red-clad bowman chose to distance himself from Cú Chulainn's noisy presence. He walked over to the opposite corner of the room, leaning his back against the steel wall with his arms crossed over his chest. He waited for his Master with calm vigilance. Just like the Rider, Archer also possessed no memories of the Fuyuki Singularity due to the contamination he had suffered there.
With the remaining two large data crystals in his hand, Fujimaru stepped forward and placed the sixth crystal atop Mash's shield.
The FATE System roared once more, and a blinding light filled the room. However, their expectations were abruptly halted. The magical light merely flickered for a brief moment as if losing its footing, before finally dimming and vanishing completely into thin air. The sixth summoning ended in failure.
Without a change in his calm expression, Fujimaru placed the seventh and final data crystal. Hope briefly soared as the rings of light spun rapidly again, radiating an incredibly dense wave of Mana. But in the end, the energy slowly faded away without leaving any figure standing atop the shield altar.
The final summoning had also reached a dead end.
"Hah... what a shame," Dr. Roman let out a long sigh, rubbing the back of his neck with a hint of disappointment that their golden momentum had been broken. But shortly after, a relieved and proud smile returned to his face.
The Head of Medicine looked at Fujimaru and the three legendary heroes now occupying the room. "Still, successfully summoning three Servants out of a total of seven attempts is an absolutely massive improvement! This is an unprecedented record in the entire history of Chaldea." Dr. Roman powered down several main circuits on his console, letting the hum of the machinery slowly die down.
"I officially declare this Servant summoning session concluded," Olga Marie stated firmly, reclaiming her authority as the Director of Chaldea. "Everyone, proceed to the main conference room immediately. We need to discuss our next course of action."
They left the summoning chamber and walked down the metallic corridors toward the central command room. The staff, the Director, and the three newly summoned Servants took their respective positions around the holographic projection table. The air inside the room felt incredibly thick, weighed down by an invisible tension.
Fujimaru stood tall at the head of the table. He let silence dominate the room for a moment, gathering everyone's attention before finally speaking. His tone was remarkably calm, yet it sliced through the air like a sharp blade.
"Humanity has been destroyed."
That brief sentence was dropped like a heavy-mass bomb. The three Servants immediately fell silent. The casual smirk on Cú Chulainn's face faded, Medusa's posture stiffened in the corner, and Archer's steel-colored eyes narrowed sharply. As heroic spirits whose existence and power were deeply tied to the continuation of human history, they instantly grasped the horrifying weight of that statement.
"Once again, call me Fujimaru. I am your Master," the young man continued, staring intensely at each of the legendary heroes in turn. "As a first step, I ask that you set aside any past hostilities or egos. We do not have the luxury of fighting amongst ourselves at a time like this."
Fujimaru took a slow breath. "Some time ago, Chaldea detected an anomaly in Fuyuki. We had prepared an elite team to handle the issue. However, before the mission could even begin, the entire operation fell apart due to sabotage and betrayal by one of Chaldea's own top executives."
The projection screen in the center of the table lit up, displaying a holographic globe now entirely engulfed in a reddish aura the burning CHALDEAS.
"Many of our Master candidates and staff were killed instantly or ended up comatose. With the remaining resources, we were forced to execute an emergency Rayshift to Fuyuki. We managed to resolve the anomaly there... but upon our return, we discovered the reality that the future of humanity had been completely obliterated. We have also identified several new blind spots in history Singularities that are strongly suspected to be the root cause of humanity's destruction."
Hearing the grim explanation, Cú Chulainn tapped the base of his staff against the metal floor, breaking the silence. His red eyes turned sharp and critical.
"Let me get this straight," Caster interrupted, his voice sounding demanding. "You don't actually have any concrete proof that fixing these anomalies will restore the world back to normal, do you? You are basically just groping in the dark and trying whatever you can."
Across the table, Dr. Roman lowered his head. He fell into a bitter silence, completely unable to refute Cú Chulainn's sharp, doubt-filled accusation. That was, indeed, the harsh reality weighing them down.
However, Fujimaru did not avert his gaze for a second.
"That's true," he admitted without the slightest hesitation. "We have no absolute guarantees. But we believe this is the only reality we have left to fight for."
The bare honesty and unwavering resolve radiating from the Master's eyes made Cú Chulainn pause for a moment. Slowly, the corners of the Irish hero's lips curled upward, forming a faint smile filled with appreciation for the bravery of the human before him.
He nodded slowly. "Good answer. I like your guts," he muttered, his tone now brimming with focus and fighting spirit. He then leaned forward. "So, let's get straight to the point. What do we do now?"
"Before we formulate a strategy, we must first align our frequency," Fujimaru answered calmly. "First of all, we need to officially introduce ourselves."
Hearing the request, Cú Chulainn smirked faintly and nodded.
"I see how it is. You're asking for our True Names right off the bat, huh? Fair enough," Cú Chulainn said. Although his tone was casual, his eyes radiated absolute seriousness. "I was summoned under the Caster class. My name is Cú Chulainn."
The red-shrouded man in the corner crossed his arms. His expression was completely closed off, as if hiding a dark past.
"Archer. Just call me Archer," he answered curtly, his deep, echoing voice hinting at a reluctance to share any further. "For now, I have no other name to give you."
From the dimmer corner of the room, the blindfolded woman spoke up.
"Rider, Medusa," she stated briefly. Her voice flowed coldly, cutting through the air with absolute clarity and resolve.
Once the Servants had finished, it was Chaldea's turn to respond. Mash took a step forward, placing a hand over her heart.
"Demi-Servant Shielder, Mash Kyrielight," she said, her voice soft yet layered with unshakeable, steely determination.
Beside her, the Director crossed her arms over her chest and held her chin high, radiating her fully restored aura of leadership.
"Olga Marie Asmita Animusphere," she declared firmly, her voice echoing off the walls of the command room. "The Director of this organization dedicated to preserving human history, Chaldea."
A brief silence blanketed the room after the official introductions concluded. Cú Chulainn tapped the tip of his staff against the metal floor, breaking the atmosphere.
"Good introductions," Cú Chulainn said, looking at Fujimaru. "So, when do we spring into action? My hands are getting itchy."
Fujimaru did not answer immediately. He met Cú Chulainn's gaze with an intimidating calmness.
"We will launch within forty-eight hours from now," Fujimaru decided, his voice carrying the authority of a general. "Until that time arrives, use what time we have to recover your energy, rest, and familiarize yourselves with the facilities here at Chaldea."
Fujimaru then paused for a moment. Slowly, he released a thin seal on his magic circuits, allowing a trace of incredibly dense and pure Mana fluctuation to seep from his body. The air in the room instantly felt heavy. The three legendary heroes before him instinctively tensed, realizing there was a massive anomaly within the human who stood as their Master.
"And there is one more thing you need to know," Fujimaru continued, staring straight at his Servants. "I will not simply hide in the backlines and issue orders. When we arrive at the Singularity... I will also step directly onto the battlefield as a Ruler class."
Archer's steel-grey eyes narrowed sharply, scrutinizing the young man before him from head to toe. "You yourself act as a Servant of the Ruler class?" he questioned, trying to gauge the limits of his new Master's power.
Fujimaru simply gave a calm nod in response.
In another corner, Medusa exhaled softly. Even with her face concealed, they could feel a tactical evaluation running through her mind. "If you are indeed taking the field, what is your specialization?" she asked, keeping a close watch on Fujimaru to understand exactly what role she would need to protect later.
"I fight under the style of a Magic Knight," Fujimaru answered. A faint, deeply mysterious smile graced his lips. "I seamlessly integrate physical weaponry and magecraft in combat. Furthermore, I hold the absolute authority to summon Angels and Demons. I can also manifest other entities, though that requires specific Items as catalysts."
That explanation left the Servants in silence, realizing just how vast and dangerous their Master's combat capabilities truly were.
Listening to the entire exchange, Olga Marie who had been observing closely the whole time finally stepped forward. Her face hardened, casting aside any remaining shadows of doubt that once plagued her. Now, she fully radiated the absolute authority and presence of a true leader.
"If that is the case," Olga declared. Her voice echoed loudly and full of profound confidence throughout the command room, vibrating the very air around her. "Then, as the Director of Chaldea and the Supreme Commander of what remains of humanity, I officially appoint Fujimaru Ritsuka as the full representative of Chaldea. I also grant you the rank of Head of the Special Department. From this moment on, you possess unrestricted access to do whatever you deem necessary to save our future."
A subtle shift occurred in the young man's aura. The consciousness of Fujimaru now took the surface to respond to this heavy mandate.
He bowed his head slightly, placing his right hand over his heart with utmost respect. "I accept this duty. I thank you for this appointment, Director," Fujimaru spoke, his voice flowing with sincere gratitude and unshakeable resolve.
On the afternoon, after the lengthy meeting in the conference room had concluded, Fujimaru walked down Chaldea's quiet metallic corridors. The sound of his footsteps echoed softly against the cold floor. Fatigue was beginning to creep in after hours of wrestling with strategies and the grim reality of humanity's destruction. Even so, the hallways weren't entirely dead; the muffled sounds of clashing weapons could occasionally be heard from the training simulation rooms at the far end of the facility.
"It feels like it's been a while since I've enjoyed something simple," Fujimaru muttered casually. He stretched his shoulder muscles, trying to brush off the lingering tension. His initial intention was simply to grab a cup of coffee or a snack to refresh his mind.
He approached the automatic doors of the main cafeteria. The moment the metal panels slid open, an incredibly appetizing aroma a blend of sautéed garlic, butter, and simmering meat broth instantly assaulted his senses. His stomach involuntarily reacted.
However, it wasn't the food that made Fujimaru stop in his tracks, but the absurd sight unfolding behind the counter.
The silver-haired man who, just a few hours ago, had stared at him with a gaze as sharp as a blade and radiated a dense killer aura, was now standing tall in front of a double-burner stove. Archer was wearing a large apron that covered a portion of his combat gear. There were a few sauce stains on the apron's fabric, evidence of his fierce battle in the kitchen.
His hands moved with lethal speed and precision not to draw a bow or wield swords, but to effortlessly toss a stir-fry in a massive wok.
Sizzle! Hiss! The sound of popping oil and the thick steam billowing into the air created a harmony that sharply contrasted with the silence of the Chaldean facility. In the span of just a few hours since his summoning, the Red Bowman had apparently staged a 'coup' and completely taken over control of the kitchen from the logistics staff.
Fujimaru blinked, slightly amazed by the extreme contradiction before him. Archer's demeanor in the kitchen was just as serious as when he was on the battlefield. His steel eyes glared sharply at the sliced ingredients in the wok as if they were enemy targets that needed to be executed to a perfect medium-rare.
"Archer... is cooking?" Fujimaru remarked softly, breaking the chef's focus. His eyes were fixated on the Servant's incredibly nimble hand movements. "I definitely didn't expect you to have skills like this."
Archer didn't immediately turn around; his focus remained firmly locked on the wok in front of him. "Not everything I do has to constantly revolve around blood and battle," he replied calmly, flipping the stir-fry with a precise flick of his wrist. "I also have a need to maintain myself."
Fujimaru smiled faintly, thoroughly amused by this unexpected, human side of the Servant. "So this is how you take care of yourself? By taking over the base's kitchen?"
Archer finally glanced over. He shot Fujimaru a deadpan look that was somehow mildly comical, heavily contrasting his usually sharp features. "Cooking is a different form of art. Just like archery or forging a weapon, every movement, measurement, and temperature must be perfectly calculated. Lose your focus for even a second, and the result will be an absolute disaster."
Fujimaru let out a soft chuckle, pulling up a chair and casually taking a seat at the counter. "I really never would've thought that the deeply serious Archer was the type to get creative in the kitchen. But I have to admit, just watching the way you move, you're clearly no amateur chef."
Archer scoffed softly as if brushing off the compliment, though his hands never stopped working. With mesmerizing dexterity, his right hand diced vegetables on the cutting board with a rapid, flawless rhythm, while his left hand simultaneously sprinkled a blend of spices into a simmering pot of soup. His physical coordination was at a master's level.
"Proper nutrition is crucial, Master, especially in a place constantly plagued by unending crisis like this," Archer stated. Unconsciously, a faint, warm smile graced the corner of his lips. "If we don't even know how to properly care for our own bodies, then what's the point of wielding extraordinary combat power?"
Fujimaru nodded slowly, impressed by the wise philosophy rarely shown by a combat-oriented Servant. "You're right. Maybe we all really should learn more about appreciating ourselves through simple things like this. So... may I have a taste now?"
Hearing the request, one of Archer's eyebrows arched upward, slightly surprised but unable to hide his satisfaction. "Hmph. It seems you know how to appreciate good food, Master. Not bad."
With a final, swift motion, Archer turned off the stove and transferred his cooking onto a serving plate. The plating was immaculate and appetizing, rivaling a dish from a professional chef. He placed the plate on the counter directly in front of Fujimaru, along with the cutlery.
"Done. Please enjoy. I hope it suits your taste," Archer said.
Fujimaru stared at the dish on the table. Though the ingredients seemed simple, the hot steam carrying the savory aroma promised a warmth that had long been absent from this ice-cold facility. Without hesitation, he scooped up a generous portion and took a bite. His eyes instantly lit up.
"This is... incredibly delicious, Archer!" Fujimaru praised enthusiastically, chewing his food with relish. "Your talent in the kitchen is truly a hidden treasure."
Watching his Master eat with such appetite, Archer crossed his arms over his chest. A faint, genuine smile finally appeared on his face. "I simply learned from... past experiences," he answered softly, his voice carrying a hint of warm yet incredibly distant nostalgia.
Fujimaru swallowed his food, then looked at the steaming plate with profound gratitude. Amidst the grim reality of the world's destruction and the heavy burden awaiting them in the next forty-eight hours, this moment felt like a healing oasis.
"Maybe... we should spend time like this more often," Fujimaru said, looking up at the Red Bowman with a sincere smile. "Talking about little things, and just enjoying the simple moments before we head back out to a brutal battlefield. Thank you for the meal, Archer. The warmth of your cooking is far more valuable than you realize."
Hearing the sincere praise, Archer let out a soft scoff and looked away slightly, trying hard to maintain his stern facade. However, a warm glint of pride couldn't be entirely hidden from his steely eyes.
"Don't exaggerate, Master," Archer chided with his signature modest tone. He leaned against the counter, his gaze drifting away for a moment. "This is simply a small reminder. A way to remind us all that no matter how dark the world out there gets, and no matter how brutal the battles we must face become... there are always small, essential things that remain worth protecting."
Fujimaru smiled in agreement and went back to his meal.
Under the soft glow of the Chaldean kitchen lights, the two of them continued their meal in comfortable silence. Outside those walls, the future of humanity might have been burned to ashes, and unimaginable threats awaited them beyond the gates of the Singularity. But for now even if only for a fleeting moment they allowed themselves to sink into the simple peace and comfort they had managed to find.
It was the final quiet before the real storm began.