-207- Because of me?

"What...!?"

The sudden change caught Mash off guard.

"No!"

Jeanne cried out, almost reflexively preparing to rush forward.

However, Rozen reached out and tightly grabbed Jeanne's shoulder.

"No, you can't go!"

With these words, Rozen persuaded Jeanne and clenched his fist tightly, biting his teeth as if desperately suppressing himself.

*Cough...!*

At this moment, Jeanne Alter coughed up blood, stiffening her neck as she slowly looked towards her back.

Standing there was a person.

Someone who emitted a chilling sensation, with a face so indifferent it seemed to regard all life as insignificant, a person who sent shivers down one's spine.

"You..."

Jeanne Alter tried to say something, but stopped due to the intense pain coursing through her.

As for the others, once they saw the attacker's true identity, they were equally taken aback.

Especially Mash.

"Professor Lev...!?"

Mash's voice trembled as she quivered, uttering the name of the attacker.

Yes.

The attacker was indeed Lev.

"Lev Lainur...!"

In Chaldea, observing this scene, Roman leaned forward.

"Professor Lev...!?"

Even the technicians operating various instruments became restless.

"Lev..."

Even Olga Marie, who had been hiding in the corner, opened her eyes wide. She seemed as though she wanted to cry, trembling all over.

Lev, who couldn't see any of this, merely turned his head in the direction of Rozen and Mash. The cold expression on his face suddenly disappeared, replaced by the familiar frankness of the past.

"Oh, it's been a while, Rozen, Mash. You both seem to be doing better than I imagined, not as miserable as I thought."

Lev said this as though he were greeting old acquaintances.

However, one of his hands still maintained the position of piercing through Jeanne Alter's abdomen from behind. The chilling sensation emanating from him became even more intense, not making him appear benign at all, but rather more terrifying.

Jeanne, as a saint, understood.

"That's an abnormal existence that cannot be communicated through words."

Jeanne finally understood why Rozen didn't let her rush forward.

If she charged forward, her fate would be far from favorable.

Rozen was acting based on this understanding.

Including planning this attack on Orleans.

"As expected, you've been hiding and observing from the shadows, just like last time."

Rozen stared fixedly at Lev and finally added a touch of sarcasm to his words.

Ever since arriving at this Singularity, Rozen had sensed the familiar eerie sensation characteristic of Lev. He deduced that this mastermind was behind everything in this Singularity.

That's why Rozen had remained cautious about it.

And Lev's presence was the second danger Rozen had mentioned, and also the reason why he hesitated to use his final Command Seal.

Rozen wasn't sure whether Lev knew about this, but this mastermind merely stated.

"Your perception is still as keen as ever. Although there shouldn't be this kind of trait in others, you alone have consistently been able to sense my presence. The reason behind this is indeed quite intriguing."

Lev's words seemed like a self-muttering and an answer to Rozen's question, spoken with the same cheerful expression.

"Originally, with the formation of the seven Singularities and the successful incineration of humanity's foundation, the remaining tasks are merely clean-up. I'm no longer needed; I should've returned to 'that side'..."

That side?

What did that refer to?

Just as this thought flashed through Rozen's mind, Lev's explanation continued, interrupting Rozen's pondering.

"However, for some reason, there were unexpected fluctuations in the 'Circuit' within this Singularity, causing a lot of commotion on 'that side.' So, I was reassigned and came back to this Singularity. It's quite a troublesome task."

Lev spoke to Rozen with an amiable tone.

"I wonder if you know the reason behind this, Rozen?"

Lev's seemingly curious inquiry raised the highest level of caution in Rozen's heart.

At this moment, Rozen understood.

(He only arrived in this Singularity after I did.)

The "Circuit" Lev referred to were likely the light rings in the sky of this Singularity, right?

(It's indeed related to the incineration of humanity's foundation.)

Otherwise, Lev wouldn't have rushed to this Singularity just because of some minor disturbances.

Rozen likely sensed the familiar eerie sensation when Lev urgently arrived in this Singularity, right?

As for Lev's mention of "Circuit fluctuations," if there were no surprises...

(It's probably because of me?)

At that time, due to the resonance with the light ring, Rozen's body had become abnormal.

And now, it seemed that it wasn't just Rozen who was affected; the light ring was also experiencing anomalies.

This left Rozen's mind in turmoil.

(Why would something related to the incineration of humanity's foundation resonate with me?)

No.

Before that, there was another question.

(Why am I the only one who can consistently feel that eerie sensation from Lev's presence?)

Could it be...

Rozen's thoughts started to become disordered due to various contemplations.

At this moment, Mash and Jeanne cried out in alarm once again.

Because Jeanne Alter, who had been pierced by Lev's arm, forcibly raised the black flag in her hand, disregarding the blood spraying out, and swung it fiercely towards Lev behind her.

*Thud!*

With the sound of impact, the end of the black flag struck Lev's cheek with force.

Lev's cheek was pushed to the side by the blow.

However...

"I almost forgot about you, counterfeit."

In an unconcerned tone, Lev moved.

*Squish!*

Amidst the sound of flesh tearing, Lev pulled his hand out of Jeanne Alter's body.

Blood splattered the floor.

"Bastard..."

Jeanne Alter's voice was filled with reluctance as she slowly collapsed.

*Hum...*

In the next moment, a faint halo emanated from Jeanne Alter's body.

It was...

"The Holy Grail...!"

Just as Mash subconsciously exclaimed.

From Jeanne Alter's body, the Wish-Granting Device known as the Holy Grail appeared.

However, unlike the crystalline form Rozen had seen in the Fuyuki Singularity, this time, the Holy Grail that emerged from Jeanne Alter was a true golden chalice, radiating a dazzling and brilliant light.

This was the true form of the Holy Grail.

The Holy Grail Lev had given to King Arthur in the Fuyuki Singularity had not fully formed, so Rozen didn't know if it was the same as the one before his eyes.

Lev, just like he had done in the Fuyuki Singularity, took the Holy Grail into his hand.

"Neither one of you is of any use. I already gave you the Holy Grail, but you can't even deal with a mere human kid."

Lev's smile vanished from his face.

In its place returned the initial indifference.

"In that case, I'll personally intervene and finish the work that was left incomplete in the past."

After saying so, Lev didn't give anyone a chance to react. He lifted the Holy Grail in his hand high above.