The Revolving Cosmos, The Star of Genesis

"All right. Let's take attendance! Give a lively response!"

"Fujimaru Ritsuka-kun!"

"Yes!"

"Mash Kyrielight-chan!"

"Y-Yes!"

"Olga Marie Animusphere-chan!"

"Yeah, yeah..."

"Gil-kun!"

"Hmm."

"And me! Now let's begin the briefing!"

"...Um, Leonardo, let's not eliminate all the tension."

Romani muttered, exasperatedly trying to restore some seriousness to the briefing room that felt like a recreation area.

"If girls gather, it's bound to be noisy, right? You shouldn't completely get rid of the sense of crisis. Humor shouldn't be forgotten even in dire situations, you know?" Olga Marie explained.

"We're going to discuss something really important! It'd be nice if you all stayed focused! Can you say something too, King of Heroes?" Romani requested.

"Capriciousness is a privilege of kings and geniuses. It's the duty of common people to endure it."

"Darn it! Am I the only one who's normal here...!" Romani grumbled.

If Romani is truly relaxed, I should reprimand him. But perhaps, I should consider this as the genius's way of relaxing the atmosphere.

"Romani, let me explain," Olga Marie stepped forward.

"As the director, first of all, I want to thank you all. Master Ritsuka, Mash, and the King of Heroes, Gilgamesh. Thanks to your efforts, we have eliminated the singularity in Fuyuki. Really, thank you all."

"Everyone did their best, right? Mash, Gil?" Ritsuka asked.

"Yes, senpai!"

"Hmm, yes. So, has the situation improved? Are there any unclear points?" I inquired.

"Just a moment ago, Leonardo and I restored Chaldea, and we asked Romani to perform the observation. How is it?" Olga Marie explained.

"Yes, take a look here," Romani said.

Chaldea appeared, still burning red in the crimson blaze.

"Wow, it's as red as ever," Olga Marie remarked.

"The future after 2017 is still engulfed in flames. The stars have been burned to ashes, and the only place that survived is this observatory. The outside world is in the underworld as well..."

"Yes, please think of Chaldea as a floating colony in space. Once you step outside, it's a world of death. There's nothing connecting us to the outside. Everything has perished," Olga Marie explained.

"Romantic... in a way, but not really. There's nowhere else to go," I commented.

Whether it's her resilience or her strong will, she doesn't seem to be shaken.

...A remarkable Master. She has survived through life-threatening situations.

"So? Surely, you didn't just call me here to confirm the current situation. Tell me your plan," I said.

"You're too impatient. It's important to keep calm," Olga Marie retorted.

"Honor impatience, fool."

"Our plan! Romani, do you have a strategy?" Olga Marie asked.

"Of course! Take a look at this," Romani replied.

Chaldea, burning in crimson, reflected a shade of blue.

The Earth appeared to be distorted, with seven points floating and emitting chaotic brilliance.

...Those seem to represent turning points in human history.

Revolutionary inventions.

Groundbreaking national growth.

Decisive partings.

The seven shining moments that have become the foundation of human history.

They must confront them and correct the distortions.

"There is a Holy Grail in each singularity. Without the Holy Grails, time travel and spatial shifts would be practically impossible," Romani explained.

"The Holy Grail is the core of each singularity. No matter how we correct the singularities, as long as the Holy Grail remains, we'll just end up redoing everything. We have to retrieve... or if necessary, destroy the Holy Grails to clear this," Olga Marie said.

"So, in other words, we'll go to each singularity, retrieve the Holy Grail, and bring it back. Sounds easy!" Fujimaru Ritsuka exclaimed.

"That's right. But don't be too optimistic. Even though they're singularities, they are undeniably part of human history," Olga Marie said.

"We must face them. To correct the blasphemy in human history, and to save human history," she added.

Human history, huh?

A pattern woven by the great figures of history, carved by the heroes of history, a single design.

To correct it, they must reweave it from scratch. Little by little, but surely.

"..."

"..."

"So, it's come to this. I must ask you this, Ritsuka. I will accept any scolding or criticism as my own," Olga Marie said, with no signs of her previous confusion. With a firm gaze, she looked at Ritsuka.

"I want to ask you this - Are you prepared for this, Fujimaru Ritsuka, the 48th Master, the last hope of humanity?"

"Are you willing to be Chaldea's hands, eyes, blades, shields, and confront this deranged history with determination?"

"No ambiguous words will be accepted. A clear yes or no. Speak it out clearly here."

"Do you――have the resolve for this?"

"Of course! Let's save the world together!"

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! That's an immediate answer! It seems this unexpected one might be ray of hope."

...Indeed. That's how it should be. With the joyful laughter.

"...I'm sorry, Ritsuka. For burdening you with such a heavy task..."

"That's not true, Director Olga."

"In such times, you should say 'Thank you!' right? Right, Gil!"

"Of course. In close relationships, manners should not be forgotten,"

"You can become close by bumping into each other! Right, Mash!"

"Is, is that so? Understood! In that case, I, Mash Kyrielight, will bump into you with all my might!"

"Die!"

"Take it seriously when you're asked to!... Got it! Romani!"

"Yes! With these words, our fate is decided! From now on, we, under the leadership of Olga Marie Animusphere, will carry out the initial and final order!"

Chaldea buzzed with excitement. The wooden board, which had been adrift in uncertainty and destruction, now transformed into a steady ship.

"The endless journey to restore humanity, the 'Grand Order'! Under the command of Director Olga Marie Animusphere, we shall begin our mission!"

With their backs straightened and eyes fixed ahead, a single girl began to stand on her own.

By her own will. According to her own desires. To move herself according to her wish to "live."

"Everyone, fulfill your missions! I'll take full responsibility for any mistakes or losses!! Our efforts, struggles――our own future depends on them! A little whining is allowed, but let's seize it together! Our future!!"

"We will continue moving forward! Toward our tomorrow!"

"Understood!!!"

Everyone replied with a resolute tone.

I, too, said the same as an unnamed King of Heroes.

...I don't yet know what I can do for certain.

But, little by little. I'll try to choose, watch, and decide something with my own will.

To observe all things, judge them, and deliver judgment.

To the supreme and golden vessel――

To the one who hasn't yet rejected this alien being, I offer my respect and gratitude.

When the time comes to return this vessel――

With my head held high, I will proudly declare who I am, every day.

――Illuminating all things. To that star.

May I be brought a little closer――

――――I always watch over you. By your side.

Suddenly,

――Stand firm, soul without a name――

A voice of someone who is not a vessel or a soul. It struck my heart.

――I felt like I heard such a familiar voice.

.

.

.

End of Volume One - Prologue: Hollow Soul, Supreme Vessel

***

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