The System brought up a comparison panel: "Conclusion: The current world line is confirmed to be the target world line. However, there is a deviation in the time coordinate. We arrived during the Fourth Holy Grail War of this world line, not the predicted Fifth War. Time point: Approximately ten years ago."
"The Fourth War? So... we arrived too early?"
Madam Herta's lips twitched uncontrollably, and a hint of helplessness flashed in her purplish-black eyes. "Did Aha not consider the time anchor synchronization when throwing Huo Huo in? Or is this part of the fun itself?"
"Based on inter-universe observation experience, the flow of time between different worlds is not constant and can undergo irregular shifts influenced by major events, high-energy reactions, and even interference from certain high-level entities."
The System explained methodically, "This deviation is within the error tolerance, but it did cause a temporal misalignment of the mission objective."
Madam Herta raised a hand to rub her forehead: "I knew it. Anything Aha gets involved in will never let me easily get that 2% repair progress. What now? Let them wait there?"
"Theoretically feasible, but inefficient."
The System quickly calculated, "Roughly converting the current time flow between the two worlds: 1 day in this System's time is approximately equal to 1 month in the target world's time. The interval from the end of the Fourth War to the beginning of the Fifth War in the target world is about 10 years, which is 120 months in target world time. Converting to this System's time, approximately 120 days of waiting are required."
"Four months?!"
Madam Herta's voice rose slightly, "Four months! In the honkai: star rail universe, the Amphoreus storyline would already be over!"
Madam Herta found this cost and efficiency completely unacceptable.
"Attempting a secondary negotiation with the local 'Counter Force' to request a time flow adjustment."
The System's voice remained steady, "Based on our premise of 'harmless passage, clear objective,' and the 'potential threat level' we have demonstrated, the other party may offer an alternative solution out of consideration for'sending the trouble away as soon as possible.'"
Madam Herta crossed her arms, watching Long Night Moon, who was starting to look a bit idle in the light screen, and could only patiently await the System's negotiation results.
In Fuyuki Park, Long Night Moon received a brief reply from Madam Herta: "Wait for further instructions, time coordinates are incorrect."
She sighed softly, leaning back elegantly on the bench, a hint of boredom not quite concealed.
Stelle, meanwhile, had moved to a different spot and was studying an old-fashioned drinking fountain in the park.
Just then, a light yet hesitant footsteps approached.
Long Night Moon slightly turned her head.
A little girl, appearing to be about five or six years old, stood by a nearby bush, blinking a pair of large, sapphire-like eyes, curiously gazing at her.
The little girl had beautiful long black hair tied into symmetrical twin pigtails, wore a proper little dress, and had an exquisite red ribbon tied around her neck. She was clearly a well-brought-up child.
She seemed to be captivated by Long Night Moon's unique aura, her luxurious black and red dress, and especially her crimson eyes, which appeared exceptionally mysterious and beautiful in the sunlight, leaving her somewhat dazed.
Long Night Moon's lips curved into a smile, showing a hint of amusement.
She nodded gently at the little girl, as a greeting.
The little girl flinched slightly like a startled animal, but soon, a child's curiosity overcame her shyness.
She cautiously took a few steps forward, then stopped, seemingly hesitating whether to approach and speak.
"What's wrong, little one?"
Long Night Moon spoke first, her voice soft with a calming rhythm, "Are you playing here alone?"
"I, I'm not a little one!"
The little girl immediately puffed out her small chest, trying to look serious, but her soft, childish voice greatly undermined this'seriousness.' "I am Tohsaka Rin! I'm already a very sensible lady!"
(Tohsaka Rin...)
Long Night Moon silently repeated the name. The basic information about the 'Fourth War' participants' families in this world, which the System had simultaneously transmitted, seemed to include this surname.
"So it's a lady from the Tohsaka family."
Long Night Moon graciously nodded, "It's an honor to meet you, Miss Rin. I am Long Night Moon, a... passing traveler."
"Traveler?"
Little Rin's eyes lit up, and she curiously scrutinized Long Night Moon. "Sister, aren't you from Fuyuki City? Your clothes are so pretty! And your eyes are so special! Like... like jewels!"
Children's intuition is often keen; she could sense an extraordinary aura about this beautiful sister, mysterious yet not frightening.
"From a very distant place."
Long Night Moon smiled, not elaborating further, "Your observational skills are very sharp, Miss Rin. Are your family not worried about you being out alone?"
"Mommy is over there!"
Little Rin pointed towards the promenade on the other side of the park. "I... I just saw big sister sitting here, like... hmm, like a princess from a fairy tale book! So I..."
She lowered her head a little shyly, kicking a small pebble at her feet, her earlobes slightly reddening.
"I dare not claim to be a princess."
Long Night Moon found the child quite interesting, precocious yet with childlike innocence. "Miss Rin is a lovely little lady. Fuyuki City is a beautiful place, do you like it very much?"
"Mhm! I like it!"
Little Rin nodded vigorously, then seemed to remember something and sighed like a miniature adult, "But Daddy has been very busy lately, saying he has something important... he doesn't play with me much anymore."
Just then, the System's voice echoed in Long Night Moon's mind, and at the same time, Madam Herta's instructions clearly arrived.
Her eyes flickered as she received the new mission parameters:
Participate in the Fourth War of the current timeline, summon a Servant as a local 'master' to fight, abide by the rules, and do not overuse super-standard powers. In exchange, after the war, the time flow can be adjusted directly to the period of the Fifth War ten years later.
(...To participate in this 'Holy Grail War' game as a Magus, huh?)
Long Night Moon understood. This was indeed the most direct way to obtain 'legitimate' residency and quickly advance time.
Only... "Sister? What's wrong?"
Little Rin keenly noticed Long Night Moon's momentary distraction.
Long Night Moon quickly composed herself, her smile still gentle: "Nothing, Rin. I just suddenly thought of some trivial matters from afar."
She looked into the distance, where a gentle-looking woman was peering this way, seemingly searching for something.
"Mommy seems to be looking for me!"
Little Rin also noticed and quickly said so.
She looked at Long Night Moon with reluctance, then at her mother who had started calling her name.
"Go quickly, don't make your mommy worry," Long Night Moon said gently.
"Mhm!"
Little Rin nodded vigorously, took two steps back, then suddenly stood straight and curtsied slightly like a little lady, "Goodbye! Pretty Sister Long Night Moon!"
With that, she turned and ran towards her mother, taking light, somewhat hurried little steps, her black twin pigtails bouncing behind her.
Long Night Moon watched the little girl's retreating figure, a thoughtful look in her crimson eyes.
(Tohsaka family...)
She stood up, picked up her black umbrella, and walked towards Stelle, who was still studying the principles of the drinking fountain's water flow.
"Stelle, we have a new mission."
Long Night Moon's voice returned to its professional composure, "We have to legally fight a battle here."
Stelle looked up from the drinking fountain, her golden eyes calmly meeting Long Night Moon's gaze, seemingly unsurprised by the 'fighting' mission itself, merely asking, "Target?"
"First, become a 'master'."
Long Night Moon opened her umbrella, its rim tracing an arc in the winter sun. "Then, win a 'game' among Magi called the 'Holy Grail War'. In the process, search for any clues that may already exist, and prepare for the jump to the correct time point."
Stelle nodded, indicating understanding.
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/SolyuraMT
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"