Of course, Ophis's thoughts at that moment were completely unknown to Chaldea's group.
"So it's not going to be that easy, huh…"
Ritsuka grit her teeth, though she wasn't particularly surprised.
From the very first Singularity onward, none of the powerful figures they'd met had ever offered help right away. Even if they didn't oppose Chaldea outright, they always started with some cryptic, impressive-sounding line—and only after Chaldea achieved something noteworthy did they finally acknowledge and assist them.
That was simply how such great beings were. Each one had their own distinct worldview. Unless you could change that perspective—or prove yourself by their standards—you'd never win them over.
"Oh dear, seems King Ophis isn't especially interested in Chaldea right now… But that's normal, isn't it? She rarely takes an interest in anything. If you want her attention, you'll probably need to do something world-shaking. Maybe chop off the Northern Goddess's head or something?"
Merlin, sitting far too casually in a corner of the temple, chimed in as if the whole situation had nothing to do with him.
"As expected of Merlin! Excellent idea, Ritsuka, you should totally try that!"
Romani's excited voice rang out through the communicator.
"…Doctor, please don't make this worse!"
Mash immediately shut him down, as usual.
"Ahem, jokes aside, Ritsuka, you should still talk with King Ophis—at least about the Holy Grail. Just now, for an instant…"
"Oh, right…"
Ritsuka blinked, distracted. She was just about to speak when Ophis, who had begun walking back toward her throne, silenced her with a wave.
"I can hear you perfectly well. The Holy Grail you mean…is this, correct?"
Though really, why doesn't that doctor ever encrypt his messages? Do I have to hear someone repeat everything every single time?
Seated once more, Ophis lightly tapped the golden orb at her staff's tip, letting a faint trace of magic seep out.
"There it is again—the Holy Grail's reaction! I suspected as much, but this confirms it. She's already obtained the Grail… Similar kings do tend to act alike…"
"But why is the Holy Grail round?!"
Ritsuka tilted her head, staring at the golden sphere.
"A sphere, huh? It's possible she sealed the Grail inside another vessel—or directly altered its shape. Difficult, yes, but not impossible with divine-level magecraft. Maybe it's meant to disguise the Grail's magical signature?"
Romani's voice held a thoughtful note, his explanation stretching far beyond his supposed field.
"Indeed. That's precisely the Three-Goddess Alliance's intent… Naturally, I can't hand it over to you now."
Suppressing the leaking magic, Ophis shook her head, watching the determination in Ritsuka's eyes.
"Figured as much…"
Ritsuka sighed, shoulders slumping slightly.
If it were that easy, then all those desperate battles in previous Singularities would've been meaningless.
But her resolve returned almost instantly.
"In that case, I'll defeat the Three-Goddess Alliance for you. Then you'll have no excuse, right? When that time comes, you'll hand over the Grail—deal?"
"Senpai?!"
With a clenched fist and dramatic point, Ritsuka made her declaration.
"…"
"Hey! Are you even listening to me?!"
After a long silence, Ritsuka finally realized Ophis wasn't looking at her at all. The king's gaze was fixed just behind her.
Following it, Ritsuka turned—and saw a single ahoge sticking up.
"…Lily?"
"Eh?"
Lily blinked in confusion.
"You're called Lily, correct?"
Ophis suddenly spoke.
"Ah, um… my full name is Artoria Pendragon. I'm still just a half-trained knight, though, so Lily is fine."
"Hmm…"
Ophis nodded faintly.
"You resemble Enkidu quite a bit."
"Eh?"
Lily froze. She had met the one who looked like Enkidu before, but resemblance? She didn't see it.
"Ah, don't worry about it too much! King Ophis says that kind of thing often. What was it again? 'In a lover's eyes, everyone resembles their beloved,' or something like that?"
Merlin raised one finger cheerfully—only to be smacked aside by a flying gold brick from a golden ripple.
With a sigh, Ophis pressed a hand to her forehead.
"Very well. Uruk is my city, and protecting it is not a task for outsiders. Therefore…"
She turned her gaze back to Ritsuka.
"If you can prove yourselves strong enough, I'll share information on the Three Goddesses. And if you discover a way to deal with the true goddesses, you'll earn a reward. However…"
Her eyes narrowed, and Ritsuka felt a chill run down her spine.
"As for defeating the Three Goddesses yourselves—if that isn't a jester's boast, then it's pure arrogance. You do have worth, so don't throw your lives away out of pride."
"I-is that so?"
Momentarily cowed by her overwhelming aura, Ritsuka soon broke into a bright, unshaken smile.
"Thanks for the reminder, Ophi."
"Ah… oh…"
Ophis froze briefly, then gave a small nod.
"Siduri. Arrange lodgings for them."
"Yes."
Siduri bowed lightly, a gentle smile on her face, then turned to the Chaldea team and gestured for them to follow.
"Everyone, this way, please."
As they left, Ophis let out a quiet breath of relief.
"King Ophis really isn't good at communicating, is she?"
Merlin rose, watching her with mild amusement.
"No… it's more that you've grown too used to standing above others. You've forgotten how to speak as an equal. But you truly are a king—wouldn't it suit you better to speak as one? You bear all the burdens of kingship, yet rarely exercise its authority. Perhaps even your awareness of being a king is faint. At this rate, you're just someone frantically busy doing a king's work."
"Is that so?"
Ophis tilted her head slightly.
"My only duty is to prevent humanity's extinction. Beyond that, I have no intention of interfering. That alone is enough."
"Hmm. Fair enough."
Merlin didn't argue further. With a casual wave, he turned and left the hall.
---
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