Fate: How About a New Savior?

"Here you are? No wonder the others had the gym to themselves."

Romani said this as he found Shiomi sitting by the window in one of Chaldea's corridors, the dim Antarctic sky outside the glass behind him looking like eternal night.

The blizzard hadn't let up even once since the Incineration of Humanity began.

Shiomi was clenching a large cookie in his mouth, seemingly trying to eat it hands-free, one bite at a time.

With Romani's arrival, the challenge was cut short. Shiomi bit off a chunk, swallowed, then picked up the cookie basket beside him and held it out.

"Thanks." Romani took one and sat down next to him.

Preparations for the Seventh Singularity expedition were nearly complete. The Director was currently in the control room giving instructions, and Romani had been chased out under the excuse that "his presence would make everyone slack off."

"Did you come find me for something?"

"Not really," Romani said with a chuckle. "The Director ordered me to take a break. I wasn't particularly tired, so I figured I'd find someone to talk to."

Shiomi nodded. "Then actually take that break, will you? You're not a machine. Living off pills and coffee without rest is going to kill you from overwork."

"...Yeah, I'll head to bed in a bit." Romani took a bite of the cookie, then paused. "Hm? This flavor… did you make these?"

"I had some free time, so I baked a batch." Shiomi shrugged.

"Another skill you picked up raising those kids?"

"Sort of. Even if I hadn't adopted them, I'd still know how to cook." Shiomi shrugged again.

"That's impressive. I can only manage the basics—nutritionally balanced, but not exactly tasty."

Shiomi smiled in understanding. "You've got enough on your plate as it is."

"...Yeah." Romani nodded and let out a small sigh. "We're finally almost there—the last Singularity. The Lion King said the Holy Grail at the Seventh Singularity would reveal the coordinates of Solomon's Temple."

"If it doesn't exist within proper time, then imaginary space is the only explanation," Shiomi agreed with a nod. "But even Sakura couldn't pinpoint the temple's location from imaginary space."

After all, the enemy was the King of Magecraft—his strength was beyond question.

Of course he wouldn't leave himself exposed in imaginary space, where anyone else with the means to access it could stumble upon him.

At that thought, Shiomi suddenly recalled what BB had said when she appeared before him after their return from Singularity F—how there were other contenders moving through imaginary space.

Was she talking about the King of Magecraft?

"What were you thinking about?"

"Nothing..." Shiomi shook his head, then hesitated. "I've got a personal question—mind keeping it between us for now?"

"Huh?"

"Does the King of Magecraft know what the Mooncell is?" Shiomi asked.

Romani's expression shifted slightly. "I'm not entirely sure, but that thing seems to be a mysterious relic buried in the moon's core. Even King Solomon, the King of Magecraft, knows nothing about its origins, let alone having any direct contact with it."

"So it's something that belongs neither to humanity nor the gods." Shiomi sighed.

"How do you know about it?" Romani asked.

"I'd rather not say, if that's alright." Shiomi smiled apologetically.

Romani, long used to Shiomi's habit of keeping some things close to the chest, just nodded. "Fair enough. That thing's far removed from humanity. Very few Magus even know it exists."

"Thanks for understanding." Shiomi nodded and handed him the basket of cookies. "Consider this a small thank-you."

"Oh? Don't mind if I do," Romani said with a smile. "Now if only there were coffee or tea to go with it…"

"My treat," Shiomi said with a wry look.

They got up and made their way to the cafeteria. On the way, Romani chatted idly, "The Seventh Singularity—2600 BC—just so happens to be during Gilgamesh's reign, right?"

"Gilgamesh…" Shiomi's expression turned complicated.

"Ah, right." Romani offered a sympathetic look. "That would make it your third time clashing with him, wouldn't it?"

"Which is exactly why I'm not optimistic about the Seventh Singularity," Shiomi sighed. "We're talking about a guy who helped his Master activate a tainted Greater Grail just because he found it amusing."

Romani muttered, half to himself, "I knew Gilgamesh could be reckless, but that's... quite the résumé."

"Begging him for help, only for him to block us before the final battle…" Shiomi wore a grudge-holding expression.

"Wait, are you actually planning to settle the score?" Romani suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

If Shiomi wanted to, he could erase him from existence right then and there.

"If it were the King of Magecraft? Maybe. But Romani Archaman? Nah. I've killed people, but I don't kill just anyone." Shiomi pointed at him with a mischievous glint. "Now, if you were a noble from the Mage's Association? Maybe. Why don't you marry into the Director's family—become a branch house of Animusphere?"

"...That 'Noble Slayer' nickname really suits you, huh…" Romani muttered. He'd heard the title from Marisbury himself.

"People still call me that?" Shiomi pretended to be outraged. "Once the Incineration of Humanity's over, I'm finding out who started it—and wiping out their whole family."

"Haha! In that case, why not just kick the King of Magecraft out and handle the Incineration of Humanity yourself?" Romani joked, playing along.

Shiomi exaggeratedly shook his head from side to side, like a broken fan. "So destroying humanity is the only way to stop rumors? How tragic… I should've just taken the King of Magecraft's offer and defected."

"Hey now…"

"Anyway, if Gilgamesh stabs us in the back at the Seventh Singularity, the whole Incineration of Humanity thing is your problem, got it?" Shiomi clapped Romani on the back.

"If you're that worried about Gilgamesh, why not summon a few Servants once we get there?" Romani suggested. "That time period probably doesn't have many masterless Servants lying around."

In the Sixth Singularity, they'd been able to form an alliance with Nitocris, flip Mordred, and win over the Servants protecting the mountain people.

There was no guarantee the Seventh would offer the same opportunities.

"We'll see... Plans never keep up with reality."

When they arrived at the cafeteria, Shiomi fetched a tea set and brewed a pot of black tea.

Romani, of course, asked if there was cake. In response, Shiomi dumped a lethal dose of sugar into the pot, letting Romani stir the half-dissolved mess in his cup with a teaspoon.

"You brought this on yourself."

After hearing Romani's complaints, Da Vinci laughed and summed it up perfectly:

"Serves you right."

...

(100 Chapters Ahead)

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