Radiance gleamed upon the plaza before the Tower of Babylon in Uruk.
With the recovery of the Holy Grail and the resolution of the Evils of Humanity, all distortions within the Seventh Singularity were finally corrected, and the Singularity itself began to repair.
And since the Singularity was already restoring itself, the time for Rozen and the others to return had naturally come as well.
Thus, Rozen, Mash, Artoria [Alter], Jeanne [Alter], Hassan of Serenity, and even Tiamat were all enveloped by light, their bodies dissolving into streams of glittering particles.
No— not only Rozen and his companions, but even Quetzalcoatl and Jaguar Man began to scatter into motes of light.
"It seems… our time to leave has come."
"No way!? I haven't even had any meat from the victory feast yet!"
Quetzalcoatl only laughed, a sharp contrast to Jaguar Man's wailing cry.
These two South American deities had only awakened due to Tiamat's manifestation. Now that her threat was resolved and the Singularity was beginning to heal, their time to withdraw had arrived as well.
Among all the Servants present, only Ishtar and Nobunaga bore no fading light.
That was only natural.
"I was summoned forth by this era's shrine maiden. Until this age itself ends, I won't be returning, will I?"
Ishtar understood this well.
"And I was summoned by King Gilgamesh himself. Unless my contract with him is dissolved, I won't be leaving either, right?"
Nobunaga too understood her current state.
In such a situation, Gilgamesh at their head, all turned their gaze toward the shimmering figures of those about to depart.
"Are you returning, then?"
Gilgamesh fixed his eyes upon Rozen, asking in a calm and measured voice.
"Yes." Rozen nodded, equally calm in expression. "The distortions of this era are gone. It's time for us to return to Chaldea."
"Indeed." Gilgamesh stared deeply at Rozen, then curved his lips into a grin. "I must admit, this time you opened my eyes more than once. Last Master of Humanity, I shall remember you."
"Is that so?" Rozen smirked faintly. "Once we return to Chaldea, once this era is fully corrected— will you still remember me?"
For when a Singularity is fully restored, all events that transpired within it vanish from the memories of those who belonged to that age.
The people of Uruk would forget Rozen, forget Mash, forget the Servants and even this calamity. Life in this age would go on as though nothing had ever happened.
But… Gilgamesh seemed to be an exception.
"Who do you take me for? I posses the qualification for a grand servant and eyes that gazes into every foreseeable future!" Gilgamesh declared with self-evident pride. "Even if all others forget this battle, forget your existence, I will remember!"
And so it was.
Where others would forget, Gilgamesh truly might retain the memory.
Though, at that time, to Gilgamesh such memories may be no more than a tale not his own— one he would peruse from beginning to end like a distant onlooker, without the sense of having taken part. Yet, he alone would hold it, even into death, even as a Heroic Spirit.
Thus—
"Be proud, magus of the astronomical observatory!"
"Your battle has meaning! There will be one who remembers every step of your journey!"
"This land, this city, this era has already been imprinted with your footprints!"
"Even if others deny it, I shall affirm it! I shall guarantee it!"
"So return bearing this glory with you— heroes!"
Gilgamesh's thunderous declaration resounded, and all others joined their voices with his.
The people of Uruk cried out together, their cheers and praises and exultant roars resounding, sending Rozen and his companions off.
Seeing this, Mash, Artoria [Alter], Jeanne [Alter], and Hassan of Serenity all softened their expressions.
Rozen too gazed upon the sight, a faint, nostalgic smile upon his lips.
Recalling all the battles across every Singularity thus far, he realized— this was the first time they were being sent off beneath the cheers of so many natives.
In the First Singularity, they had withdrawn quietly within the castle walls.
In the Fifth Singularity, they had only exchanged farewells with fellow Servants.
In the Sixth Singularity, not a single soul had stood by them to say goodbye.
The others were no different— after reclaiming the Holy Grail, they had simply faded away in silence. Even back in Fuyuki, their only farewell had been with Cu Chulainn, before Lev's vile mockery.
Only this time, before tens of thousands of voices cheering and gazes fixed upon them, they departed.
The feeling was entirely different.
Up to now, each Singularity had felt to Rozen like nothing more than the completion of a mission.
But this time, he truly felt accomplishment. He truly felt satisfaction.
And surely, the others felt the same.
As for the Servants who would remain in this era—
"I'll stay here for a time, until this age no longer has need of me! Hahahaha!"
Nobunaga laughed heartily.
"Well, since I've returned to this land, I'll indulge myself freely for a while." Ishtar smiled at Rozen. "Though our bond may have been mere chance and misfortune, traveling with you was surprisingly fun, Rozen. I'll remember you. And later, I'll trouble you to look after that very troublesome other half of mine, alright?"
She was, of course, referring to Ereshkigal.
With an Absolute Contract formed, Ereshkigal would sooner or later leave the underworld and return to Rozen's side.
Ishtar, in her place, entrusted Rozen with that request.
"As if I need you to say that!"
The indignant voice echoing in Rozen's heart made him chuckle.
As for Quetzalcoatl and Jaguar Man, they too offered parting words.
"It truly brings me joy to have met you in this age, Master. I hope fate grants us a meeting again someday!"
Quetzalcoatl spoke warmly to Rozen.
"Though honestly, I'm a goddess too… so why have I been stuck working like a dog ever since I manifested!?"
Jaguar Man wept dramatically.
Rozen watched as the two South American deities scattered completely into particles of light.
And then—
"Well then… farewell, Uruk."
Leaving behind those words, Rozen and his Servants dissolved into light and returned to Chaldea.
Gilgamesh, Ishtar, Nobunaga, Siduri, and all the people of Uruk bore witness to their departure.
And they continued to watch for a long, long time