Fate: How About a New Savior?

In 2015, the Spiritron Calculation Engine, Trismegistus, was completed.

"Even technology from the Atlas Institute was used... Marisbury—no, the Animusphere name really does carry weight."

Shiomi looked at the completed Spiritron Computer and couldn't help but sigh.

"After all, Animusphere is a Magus Family that's been passed down since before the Common Era. It's only natural they'd be capable of this."

Alongside Shiomi, Kirschtaria and the other Group A Masters had come to witness the completion and activation of the device.

"It's a shame Marisbury didn't live to see this," Shiomi remarked, spreading his hands with a touch of irony. "That's the Atlas Institute's contract—something that hasn't been issued since the beginning of the Common Era."

"For a Magus, accomplishments aren't necessarily confined to their own generation. Teacher understood that better than anyone. He wouldn't be regretful—just relieved." Kirschtaria asked, "I heard you once helped the Atlas Institute recover a contract?"

"It wasn't anything that dramatic. Just some personal matters made it impossible to carry it out." Shiomi pressed his lips together. "Nothing worth mentioning."

Since then, he hadn't seen Zepia again. That man who once looked down upon all of human history—Shiomi had no idea what he was up to now. The Atlas Institute remained as enigmatic as ever.

At that thought, his gaze shifted to Olga Marie. She was doing her best to fulfill her responsibilities as director, coordinating personnel across departments. Thanks to Sakura's assistance, everything seemed to be running smoothly.

"I heard the last Master candidate has finally been found," Kirschtaria said.

"Yeah, she was found in Japan. Her name is Ritsuka Fujimaru, seventeen years old." Shiomi had already reviewed the girl's file.

She had no background in Magecraft—just an ordinary person who developed Magic Circuits through mutation and happened to be compatible with Spiritron Transfer. That's why she'd been specially invited by the head of the scouting team in Japan.

"I see." Kirschtaria nodded.

Shiomi felt there wasn't much else to observe. He gave a quick farewell to the others and left the control room.

With Trismegistus completed, Chaldea's operations were gradually winding down. Even Shiomi found himself less occupied.

"Alone?"

A relaxed male voice came from the side.

"Romani." Shiomi looked up, saw him, and paused his steps. "Not much going on. I was planning to head to the library."

"Now that Trismegistus is complete, the only thing left for the Master candidates is the potential onset of humanity restoration," Romani said with a resigned smile.

He had joined Chaldea a year after the end of the Fifth Holy Grail War, thanks to his connection with Marisbury, and worked in the medical department. He was also its head.

"And you? Is the doctor's work keeping you busy?" Shiomi asked.

"Well, with your daughter around, there's a lot less I need to do." Romani gave a rueful smile.

Caren was now effectively second-in-command of the medical department—and even more trusted by Olga Marie than Romani himself.

"What about that child? Mash Kyrielight. How's her condition? You said before she wouldn't live more than two years."

"She's stable for now, but even so, the best we can hope for is maybe one more year," Romani replied with a shake of his head.

Though not a Homunculus like those made by the Einzberns, she was still a test-tube child, and like them, she bore many flaws.

Her lifespan was the most critical issue.

"I see." Shiomi sighed and looked out at the snow-covered landscape outside the window. "You said you saw the end of humanity. Was that true?"

Not long ago, Romani had come to him and confessed what he saw in the moment he lost his power as the King of Magecraft—right after the Holy Grail War ended and he became human.

"If I were the only one who knew, I wouldn't have come to you," Romani shook his head. "But there's someone else who saw the same thing I did."

Shiomi sat down by the window and nodded slowly. "The King of Heroes, Gilgamesh. That man's eyes can see the future too."

"Exactly." Romani sat beside him. "And when I woke up, the King of Heroes told me that if I wanted to resolve this crisis, I had to seek your help."

"What?" Shiomi was visibly surprised.

"Honestly, I had no idea what to do. We were enemies, after all. I didn't even know how to start a conversation with you," Romani said with a frank laugh. "But I didn't expect the Clock Tower to recommend you to Chaldea—it saved me a step."

"Talk about luck."

"The problem is, it was just a flash—I saw the future's destruction but didn't get to see who was behind it," Romani continued. "I asked the King of Heroes, but he refused to give me an answer."

"That golden jerk..." Shiomi muttered, clearly annoyed.

"To be fair, at the time, the King of Heroes and his Master didn't belong to this world. They were just temporary guests caught up in the mess," Romani sighed, his tone slackening. "So he probably didn't feel obligated to get involved."

"That's the so-called arbiter of human history for you," Shiomi patted Romani on the shoulder. "Can't expect too much, really..."

"Must be nice to be that optimistic," Romani said.

"By the way, the last Master's been found. She should be arriving in a few days, so you'd better start packing—don't hog someone else's room," Shiomi said casually.

"Huh?" Romani blinked.

"From her file and photo, she looks like a proper, well-mannered girl. Too bad she's not a Magus—just happened to have the aptitude," Shiomi added.

"That's not the point! How do you even know I've been hiding in that empty room slacking off? I never told anyone!" Romani grabbed Shiomi's arm and shook him vigorously.

"I just happened to inherit a job that touched on that area," Shiomi said, slipping out of his grip with ease. "But don't worry, I haven't told anyone. After all, if you don't slack off at work, did you even work?"

With that, he stood up from the windowsill, ready to leave.

"You're really not going to tell the director?"

"What's to be afraid of? Even if she finds out, I'll speak up for you." Shiomi gave him a thumbs-up. "In the director's eyes, even among adults, there's a difference."

Unfortunately, that only made Romani look even more disheartened.

"...I'll clean up the room soon."