One hour after the dispersal.
In Ritsuka's private room.
"Mom, how are things with you all there?"
Through Chaldea's computer, Ritsuka was video-calling her mother.
The outside world had been incinerated, and the internet was naturally gone. However, since the Root maintained Mifune City, limited internet access was still available between Mifune City and Chaldea. Thus, Ritsuka could communicate with her parents like this.
[What could happen to us? Same as usual. It's you, how's your work going?]
Fujimaru's mother smiled at her daughter.
[I remember you said you were going to... Mesopotamia? Is the work there done?]
"Yeah, just finished. I just flew back to Chaldea. Didn't I call right away to report I'm safe once I got some rest time?" Ritsuka tried to sound as casual as possible. If she could, she didn't want her family worrying about her.
However, no one knows a child better than their parents. This holds true for a mother and daughter too. Though Ritsuka hid it well, how could Fujimaru's mother not notice her daughter's current state?
[Did something happen?]
"Eh? What are you talking about, Mom?"
[Your brows are furrowed tightly, and your gaze isn't quite right. Is your work too exhausting?]
"Ah~~~ Hmm, it is a bit tiring. After all, I flew back right after finishing work. Didn't I just say? I only now got some rest time."
[Is that so? Then make sure to rest well and don't get sick. When are you planning to come home this time? Your dad and I will prepare a table full of your favorite foods.]
Hearing her mother's words, Ritsuka fell silent for a moment, then gave a bitter smile and shook her head: "No, I'm not coming home this time. The timing's a bit tight. Work's pretty heavy right now. The day after tomorrow, I have to head out again."
[Eh? That soon? Only two days of rest?]
"Yeah, yeah. There are still quite a few issues in this world, so Chaldea's really busy. Next, I have to go to... Uh, if I'm not mistaken, Israel?"
[That's quite far... Well, if that's the case, it can't be forced.]
Ritsuka clasped her hands together and smiled apologetically: "Sorry, Mom. But after that, I'll definitely have time. There's a long vacation scheduled, and I'll definitely come home with Mash!"
[Is that so? That's good to hear... By the way, can you bring that Department Head so your dad and I can meet him?]
"Eh? The Department Head? Why?"
[Because you keep mentioning him, Ritsuka. So your dad and I were thinking, maybe you have feelings for this Department Head—]
"Aaah~~~ Mom, don't talk nonsense!" Ritsuka hurriedly cut off her mother's gossip, her face flushing. "That would trouble the Department Head. Besides, the Department Head is getting married, so it's not appropriate!"
[Eh? Getting married? That's a pity... But it's fine to bring him for us to meet, right? After all, he's the one who's always taken good care of you. We need to thank him.]
"Ah... that... I'll talk to the Department Head about it. If he has free time, maybe he can..."
[Hmm—well, time's almost up. I need to go shopping to prepare dinner for your dad. Let's stop here, Ritsuka. Talk again next time when you're free, or when you come home. Oh, and be careful out there, stay safe.]
"I know, Mom." Ritsuka smiled and waved. "See you. I'll come home after the next mission."
"—Definitely."
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
In Hinako's room.
"The final battle, huh..."
Sitting on the edge of the bed with Xiang Yu, Hinako let out a faint sigh.
"Finally, this day has arrived... It's hard to believe ten years have passed."
Ten years ago, because of Naoki's promise, Hinako followed him to Chaldea, vowing to help fight the Human Order Incineration in exchange for the chance to reunite with Xiang Yu.
And recently, the wish she pursued for thousands of years was fulfilled. Reuniting with Xiang Yu was the happiest and most joyful thing for Hinako in those thousands of years.
However—
"Yu, for this final battle, don't you want to join?"
Xiang Yu, understanding his wife's thoughts, asked.
Hinako leaned against Xiang Yu and nodded slightly.
The final battle, the fight against Solomon, the battle against Demon God King Goetia—honestly, Hinako didn't want to go. Her contract with Naoki had been fulfilled. Over the past six months, she had always participated in Singularity battles. In terms of the contract's contents, she had fulfilled it perfectly.
So, it wouldn't matter if she didn't join this final battle.
And if she went...
"Lord Xiang Yu, Yu (Hinako) is very afraid of losing you again." Hinako said in a low voice.
Solomon was a formidable enemy, and her true form, Demon God King Goetia, was a Beast on par with Tiamat, an existence stronger than a Grand Servant.
If they fought together, Hinako wouldn't mind, but Xiang Yu might...
Hinako didn't want to see that outcome. She had waited bitterly for thousands of years just for this chance to reunite with her beloved. She absolutely didn't want to part with Xiang Yu again.
If the battle would lead to such a result, she'd rather not fight.
She was already satisfied just maintaining the current state.
Listening to his wife's heartfelt words on his shoulder, Xiang Yu was silent for a moment, then said: "Then, for the final battle, let me go forward. Yu, stay in Chaldea."
"NO WAY!"
Without the slightest hesitation, the moment Xiang Yu's words fell, Hinako rejected them with intense emotion, like a reflex.
Memories of the night in Gaixia a thousand years ago surfaced from the depths of her heart.
It was just like this back then. The night they parted a thousand years ago was just like this!
Hinako knew why Xiang Yu wanted to fight—because he desired World Peace. That was the core command set when he was created. And in this endgame of the Human Order Incineration, if the world was to return to peace and prosperity, Solomon had to be defeated.
Therefore, Xiang Yu had to fight.
"Lord Xiang Yu, you..."
Gripping Xiang Yu's collar tightly, Hinako buried her head deep in his chest.
"If you go, there's a high chance you'll fall on the battlefield again."
"If that creates World Peace, then my life is worth sacrificing." Xiang Yu gently stroked his beloved's black hair. "Yu, I know your thoughts. This is the reunion you waited a thousand years for. You don't want to part with me again, don't want to witness my departure again. I understand that well."
"But don't worry, and don't be sad, my wife. I believe this won't be our eternal parting."
"My existence has been etched into the Throne of Heroes. Wherever and whenever you are, as long as it's your call, I will surely respond and return to your side."
"Lord Xiang Yu..."
Hinako clutched Xiang Yu's collar.
"Yu... understands."
"If you disappear after this battle, Yu will definitely call you back!"