Based on the intelligence provided by the Alien Apostle Nameless, Storm Border once again initiated Imaginary Number Diving, shifting closer to the Lostbelts of China and India.
They surfaced from Imaginary Number space in what had once been the Pamir Plateau.
Though it should have been a high-altitude region, the bleached planet showed no real trace of elevation. Aside from the fact that this stretch of white sand sat slightly higher than the surrounding terrain, there was no difference at all. Temperature, wind direction, sunlight—everything remained uniformly unchanged.
Humans could operate here for a time, but long-term survival was impossible.
There were simply no resources left to sustain life.
Only the Mana in the atmosphere remained normal, maintaining the standard state of the post–Age of Gods world.
"From here, we can see both the Chinese and Indian Lostbelts," Shiomi said.
Inside the strategy room, the monitors clearly displayed the distant silhouettes of the two regions.
More precisely, what they saw were the storm walls surrounding those Lostbelts.
"The Alien Apostle who attacked Storm Border said the 'Alien God' plans to harvest the remaining two Lostbelts next. That's true?" Peperoncino asked.
Shiomi was about to answer, but Kirschtaria spoke first.
"There's no reason for that to be a lie. From a strategic standpoint, the Fantasy Trees in the remaining Lostbelts are indispensable Mana resources that must be reclaimed. In fact, the 'Alien God' already did the same in the Atlantic Lostbelt."
"So our next move is to excise the Indian Lostbelt before the 'Alien God' does?" Kadoc asked. "If we head into the Chinese Lostbelt instead, we'll probably run straight into her…"
Excising the Indian Lostbelt would give them a chance to prove their position.
But it wasn't meant to be a suicide mission.
"That's why Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash are being included—so we can form a new Team A Master unit?" Ophelia asked.
"Unhappy about that?" Shiomi replied.
"…No…" Ophelia turned her face away.
To be honest, she was actually happy to fight alongside Mash as a fellow Master.
Her concern lay elsewhere.
Both Mash and Ritsuka had limited direct combat capability. That was what worried her.
"You don't need to worry about that," Shiomi said with a faint smile. "When it comes to battlefield experience and overall tactical judgment, the few of you might not necessarily surpass Ritsuka."
After all, Fujimaru Ritsuka had been the forty-eighth Master Candidate. During the battle against the Incineration of Humanity, thanks to Shiomi's presence, she hadn't been forced to charge headlong into life-and-death combat at the very front. Instead, she served as the core support and backbone of the team, sustaining the campaign to repair the Singularities.
In terms of experience alone, she had already grown to the point where she could grasp the entire battlefield, make sound decisions, and guide the course of operations.
During the resolution of the Subspecies Singularities and minor Singularities, Ritsuka had fully demonstrated those qualities.
Coupled with her own desire to participate in combat, that was why Olga Marie had arranged for her and Mash to act alongside the new Team A Masters—fighting together, while also taking on a degree of oversight over the former Crypters.
"I can vouch for that," Peperoncino added with a grin. "That girl's adorable and steady. As a Magus, she's only just stepped through the door, sure—but she definitely won't drag anyone down on the battlefield."
"What I mean is—" Ophelia frowned, trying to phrase it carefully. "Aren't there others who are more suited for combat?"
She was referring to Sakura and Gray.
After her confinement was officially lifted and she was granted freedom of movement within the ship, Ophelia had requested access to past combat records.
In terms of individual capability, Sakura and Gray were clearly stronger choices.
And then there was Caren from the medical department. She could fight on the front lines or hold the rear and treat the wounded. Her proficiency in healing Magecraft surpassed even that of Team A's elite members.
"They're the second echelon," Shiomi said, his tone turning serious as he made it clear. "They'll extract Ritsuka and Mash if you abandon your attempt to prove yourselves and choose betrayal."
"And carry out your execution."
"…!"
Ophelia was left speechless.
But it was the truth.
They were still bound by the triple restraints jointly imposed by the great witch Morgan, Queen Scáthach, and the goddess Skadi.
If they wavered, their lives could be claimed at any moment.
Sakura and the others were the backup personnel entrusted with control of those restraints.
"But don't worry," Shiomi continued, his tone easing slightly. "We're not throwing you straight into the Indian Lostbelt without support. Peperoncino has provided intelligence on India. Besides summoning Servants locally, Storm Border will deploy combat forces to accompany you."
"Fairy Knights… right?" Kadoc recalled.
Shiomi nodded. "Or we could send the three Valkyries. Either way, Storm Border will enter the Indian Lostbelt as a rear support base. I'm not cold-blooded enough to make you fight alone."
Kirschtaria's combat ability alone was already formidable.
But just as Peperoncino had said, within the Indian Lostbelt, Kirschtaria might not be able to display his full strength.
"At least when I left the Indian Lostbelt to rendezvous with Kirschtaria's Lostbelt, nothing had changed there," Peperoncino said with a troubled look. "That Final God was still repeating the cycle of destruction and creation. Once every ten days."
"The pitch-black Final God born after devouring all the Indian deities."
The reason Peperoncino had traveled alone to the Atlantic Lostbelt was precisely because his Servants had been stripped from his control by the king of the Indian Lostbelt.
"Don't talk like that," Shiomi said with a faint smile. "You were selected as Team A's elite. I'm looking forward to your performance."
"No—your performance."
"Easy for you to say…" Kadoc muttered.
If Shiomi went personally, the problem would probably be resolved much faster.
But this battle existed so they could prove their stance.
If Shiomi stepped onto the battlefield, it would defeat the purpose entirely.
"Victory isn't the only way to prove where you stand," Shiomi said quietly.
Kirschtaria smiled.
"Even so, I will prove our choice through victory. The defeated follow the victor. Since you won, that proves Neo-Chaldea's path was more correct than mine."
His attitude lightened the atmosphere in the conference room.
Shiomi was just about to call Ritsuka and Mash in to discuss the next phase of the operation when the previously silent Hinako Akuta suddenly spoke.
"So we're giving up on stopping the 'Alien God' from reclaiming the Fantasy Tree in the Chinese Lostbelt—and using this opportunity to excise India instead?"