Chapter 358: [358] The Doctor and Magical Meri Publicly Executed, and Souma’s Journey to Open the Singularity Begins [1]
In this explosion.
Out of a total of 48 Masters, 47 fell into a deep sleep, unable to resist any longer.
This forced Souma to become the only candidate for Master, embarking on the irreversible path of breaking through the singularity and confronting the Demon King!
Under Souma’s complex gaze.
In the video.
He and Mash descended into Singularity F, truly beginning their journey through the eight major singularities.
One could consider it a trial.
To face the Demon King, they must break through all eight major singularities!
In the first singularity.
It was Fuyuki City, where the Holy Grail War was taking place, but it had undergone a transformation.
The summoned heroic spirits fought against each other, plunging the entire city into a sea of destruction and flames.
"As long as the light of civilization still shines on Chaldea, humanity has a future a hundred years from now."
Olga Marie said with utmost seriousness: "The light means that human civilization is still continuing, but in 2016, the light was completely extinguished!"
"Pass the torch, young man, and create a future for humanity!"
Chaldea’s sole purpose of establishment was to protect humanity and continue civilization.
The extinguishing of the flame of civilization signified the occurrence of an unknown, terrifying catastrophe.
After numerous measurements, the singularity F was finally discovered.
Fuyuki City.
The Holy Grail War, which had been proceeding normally, underwent an unforeseen transformation.
And then.
All the viewers watched in astonishment.
The small shield maiden, who had always appeared strong and brave in previous appearances, now seemed utterly innocent and adorable.
Having just become a Demi-Servant, she was completely unable to fully grasp her own power.
"How am I supposed to use this power?" Mashu muttered in frustration.
"Don’t ask me. I’m just an ordinary person."
Nameless smiled meaningfully and said, "Mashu, have you ever considered that the defensive power of your shield might come from your will?"
"My will?"
Mashu seemed to realize something.
Through the inheritance of that unknown Heroic Spirit, she had gained strength surpassing that of ordinary humans.
This power could manifest as an impenetrable defense, protecting the senior who had pulled her back from death.
Just as the two were busy training and adjusting to each other—
A handsome man with blue hair appeared before Nameless and Mashu.
It was the Child of Light, Cú Chulainn!
He was also a participant in the Holy Grail War, with the class of Caster.
Seemingly aware of their identities, he formed a temporary contract with Nameless, becoming a temporary Servant.
And then.
When facing the enemy—
This Caster unhesitatingly charged forward, wielding his staff like a spear in battle!
The spectators watching the video were instantly dumbfounded—
[What the hell? Wasn’t he supposed to be a Caster? Why is he rushing in?]
[Caster? Aren’t they supposed to just cast a flash spell and then go berserk in melee?]
[The Sword Saint of Britain and the Axe King of Uruk approve!]
[Cú Chulainn learned spear techniques from Scáthach, the Queen of the Land of Shadows—how did he end up as a Caster?]
[Speaking of which, Queen Scáthach has already manifested—why hasn’t Cú Chulainn appeared?]
...
At the fish market.
Cú Chulainn, the "Strong Fish Seller," had closed up shop early to focus on watching the video.
He stared blankly as he saw himself making yet another appearance—this time participating in the Holy Grail War.
In the previous Unlimited Blade Works, he had been nothing more than a background extra, serving as a mere backdrop for others.
Oh, right—that time, he had also collaborated with Nameless!
Though it was Nameless’s other identity, [Emiya], who had ultimately been forced to commit suicide via Command Spell.
A tragedy of the highest order.
This time, encountering Nameless under the name [Gudako], was he doomed to die again?
Heracles let out a sigh of relief. "It seems I’m not involved this time."
This was a parallel world set in 2004.
In the Holy Grail War he had participated in that same year, Illya had nearly had her heart ripped out by the arrogant Golden King.
Heracles himself had fought desperately against that golden bastard, only to be effortlessly slaughtered.
It was his greatest humiliation.
Despite being the renowned God of Strength, his Mad Enhancement had robbed him of reason, making victory impossible.
"An abnormal Holy Grail War... Hmm, no Masters?"
Cú Chulainn suddenly realized the anomaly.
In the video.
The brutal Holy Grail War that had destroyed Fuyuki City had no Masters at all!
It was purely a battle between Servants!
"Indeed, that is the greatest irregularity!"
Heracles nodded in agreement.
The Servants who appeared had no Masters, yet they were somehow able to persist indefinitely.
This Holy Grail War has clearly been corrupted by King Solomon!
No wonder Cú Chulainn, who remained rational upon seeing Nameless, immediately formed a contract with him.
It’s obvious.
Cú Chulainn, participating in the Holy Grail War, also sensed something amiss and sought to cooperate with Chaldea to end it.
Heracles suddenly realized something was wrong: "In Singularity F, the Holy Grail War seems identical to the ones we’ve participated in before, except there are no Masters!"
"In other words, you got defeated yet again..."
Cú Chulainn looked at him with deep sympathy.
Under the corruption of the Demon God King, one Heroic Spirit after another began to mutate.
Among them.
Artoria eliminated all other participants of the Holy Grail War except Cú Chulainn, monopolizing the Greater Grail.
This meant Heracles, also a participant, had long been defeated.
Heracles sighed: "As expected, we’re all just background characters!"
"We’re not the same—I’m still alive, and I’m still fighting!"
Cú Chulainn retorted righteously.
Even as a supporting character, he was the greenest leaf of them all!
"..."
Heracles fell silent.
The video continued.
The corrupted King Arthur appeared on the screen.
Mash exclaimed in amazement: "So powerful... this is King Arthur?"
"Yes, this is King Arthur. Wait, why is King Arthur a girl?"
Dr. Roman was astonished.
This was the first time the Chaldea team had seen King Arthur.
In reality.
Historical records depicted King Arthur as male.
When she manifested in the Age of Heroes, all of Britain was shocked.
No one expected King Arthur to be a girl!
And not just any girl—an incredibly adorable beauty with looks that could topple nations.
Her popularity skyrocketed instantly.
The people had no objections to her coronation.
In an era where beauty equated to justice.
A stunningly beautiful maiden active in politics was far more appealing than some old geezer.
Who could refuse that?
Nameless, who had interacted with her before, calmly remarked: "A girl couldn’t ascend the throne—probably that court magician Merlin’s terrible idea."
"True. That guy would absolutely do something like this." Dr. Roman nodded.
Unlike Galahad earlier, King Arthur didn’t recognize Nameless at all.
Like in the Singularity "Camelot," she had already been corrupted.
But this time.
Nameless didn’t even need to act.
Cú Chulainn and Mash working together were enough to defeat her.
The young shield maiden, newly become a Heroic Spirit, already displayed astonishing defensive capabilities, blocking even Artoria’s fearsome attacks.
After her defeat, Artoria sighed softly: "In the end, no matter how fate changes, when I stand alone, must it always lead to ruin?"
"Huh? What do you mean by that?" Cú Chulainn frowned at her.
"Summoned here to find that person... yet no matter what, I cannot find them!"
Artoria’s form gradually faded, "Child of Light from Ireland, the true war for the Holy Grail has only just begun. The end of humanity approaches..."
Her figure vanished completely.
Leaving countless viewers exchanging bewildered looks—
[Could King Arthur have been tricked by the Demon God King into guarding the Holy Grail while searching for Nameless?]
["This is quite tragic. The person you’re looking for is right in front of you, yet you can’t recognize them..."]
["Gudao: You’re looking for Nameless? What does that have to do with me, Gudao?"]
["Nameless at the beginning was practically starting from scratch after deleting his account—seems a bit too weak."]
["Can’t be helped. He sacrificed everything earlier to make a contract with Alaya and descend upon Pan-Human History."]
In the hotel.
Mordred couldn’t help but burst into laughter: "Father! You wanted to find Nameless, yet he was standing right in front of you and you didn’t even recognize him!"
This was just too hilarious.
The person you’re searching for is before your eyes, yet you go begging the Demon God King who wants to destroy humanity.
Is there anything funnier than this?
Gawain watched the video of his king slowly fading away with an odd expression.
Earlier, he’d mocked Mordred for failing to recognize that Souma was Nameless despite visiting his home.
Even if King Arthur kissed Souma right in front of her, she wouldn’t have reacted.
But now.
Even King Arthur couldn’t recognize Nameless.
Truly, what goes around comes around—the heavens spare no one!
"..."
Artoria remained silent, watching her fading self with complicated emotions.
The Battle of Camlann had cost her both Nameless and Britain.
One might say she lost both her person and her nation, leaving only her lonely self behind.
Her participation in the Holy Grail War was precisely to end such calamities and undo all these tragedies.
Unfortunately, various problems always arise, preventing her from achieving her desires.
The video continued.
After defeating her.
Mash looked at the empty street and said, "It’s really quiet. There are no Servants on the street, and it’s completely different from Chaldea."
It was her first time leaving Chaldea, and everything felt so novel.
"Indeed, the enemy’s combat power has been eliminated. Congratulations on completing your mission," Dr. Roman said with a smile.
"Once we finish this battle, let’s make sure to rest well when we return to Chaldea."
Director Olga smiled, "All our efforts have not been in vain. As long as we keep moving forward, the road will continue to extend."
At that moment.
A familiar figure in green quietly appeared before the people of Chaldea.
Director Olga Marie exclaimed in surprise, "Leif? You’re still alive! That’s wonderful! Let’s protect Chaldea together!"
"Director, don’t go over there!"
Nameless unhesitatingly stepped in front of her, his expression serious. "Take a good look!"
"Olga, you’re not dead? Well, I can’t say you’re alive; your body was blown to pieces long ago," Leif said with a broad smile.
Olga Marie looked uncertain. "What does that mean?"
"It’s simple. The massive explosion earlier was my doing; I buried the bomb right beneath your feet!"
Professor Leif revealed everything without hesitation.
"I’m already dead???!!!"