Comprehensive Manga: The Master is not here today.

Chapter 808 Questioning
Everything in the ancient city remains unchanged, still tranquil and beautiful, and it has been, is, and will remain so in the future.

As Fujimaru Ritsuka walked to the edge of the courtyard, she saw Arcueid sitting in front of the tea table, enjoying the view. Black tea and various snacks were already laid out on the tea table, making ample preparations to welcome the upcoming guests.

At this moment, Arcueid, who had noticed the commotion, turned around and smiled slightly:

"You've arrived, Ritsuka. Please have a seat."

"Thank you."

As soon as Fujimaru Ritsuka sat down, the teapot floated up on its own and poured tea for her. She picked up the teacup, took a sip, and then her eyes lit up.

Although she didn't appreciate the taste of tea, the addition of sugar made it not bitter, but rather a delicate sweetness amidst the tea's fragrance, which was a flavor she liked.

So she praised:

"The tea is delicious!"

"Really? As long as you like it."

Arcueid smiled, then asked expectantly:
"So, you've already made up your mind about coming to see me this time?"

Fujimaru Ritsuka was slightly taken aback when the other party asked so directly right away, then nodded and said:
"Well, although it's not the direct cause, my visit to you this time is indeed related to this matter."

"Actually, I came here mainly to discuss the issues related to the sandbox garden."

"The Little Garden, that other world?"

Even though she lived deep within the ancient city, she had heard of that paradise city built by gods, Buddhas, and Asuras, and was somewhat interested in it. So she asked:
"What happened over there?"

"do not you know?"

Fujimaru Ritsuka's eyes widened slightly; Arcueid's reaction surprised her greatly.

Fujimaru Ritsuka's reaction only deepened Arcueid's confusion. She tilted her head slightly and asked:
"Is my information outdated?"

"No, that's not the case..."

Fujimaru Ritsuka scratched her head. The unexpected situation rendered her prepared words useless. She then readjusted her mindset and simply told the whole story:

"Is such that……"

……

...

After Fujimaru Ritsuka recounted her experiences in the Little Garden and the problems she now faced, she looked at Arcueid and voiced her doubts:

"Because of the [Simulated Star Chart] incident, I'm wondering if all of this is too much of a coincidence?"

First, she was designed to become Beast V, who possesses the principle of "existence". Then, she received Arcueid's request that she merge with her to become Earth UO. Now, she needs to become Earth UO to create a "simulated creation map".

Each step above is interconnected and indispensable, as if meticulously designed, which is also the question Holmes raised, and the biggest mystery in her mind—

She wondered if all of this was truly orchestrated.
If so, why do it?
"...I see, I understand."

After hearing the whole story, Arcueid nodded knowingly and said to her:

"Transforming you into Beast V was a plan proposed by Goetia, but the two major counterforces were indeed involved. Their ultimate goal was to enable you to gain the possibility of becoming Archetype: Earth through the principle of [Existence]."

"I think you already know the above situation, right?"

"Ah."

Fujimaru Ritsuka nodded.

The plan to turn her into a Beast was told to her by Goetia herself, and the cause and effect are very clear. Arcueid had also explained the matter of Earth UO to her before, so there is no need to go into too much detail.

And right now, there's only one question she really wants to know—

"Was everything that happened in the sandbox planned by you?"

"No,"

Arcueid quickly shook his head at the question:

"At least I am unaware of the situation regarding the sandbox garden."

"In fact, for me and Gaia, and even for Alaya consciousness, the only expectation now is the birth of Archetype: Earth, and we ask for nothing else."

Needless to say, this was their long-held wish; as for Alaya-vijnana, it hoped that Fujimaru Ritsuka could leave the Earth's surface as soon as possible after becoming Earth's Ultimate Origin, and it would be even better if she could take those chaotic beings from Chaldea with her. As for the Little Garden, it was not within the domain that the two major Counter Forces could govern or interfere with, so they were not concerned about it.

"indeed……"

Fujimaru Ritsuka felt that Arcueid's words made a lot of sense.

Although the issue of the [Simulated Star Chart] made her think of Arcueid first, it seems that this matter is indeed unrelated to the two major restraining forces.

Of course, she still didn't believe it was just a coincidence. So, after eliminating the two major restraining forces, who were the remaining suspects...?

As if hearing her innermost thoughts, Arcueid said:
"Since it concerns the Little Garden, the person who sent you the invitation might know something, right?"

"I know."

At that moment, three figures flashed through her mind. Fujimaru Ritsuka nodded, then said apologetically to Arcueid:

"I'm sorry to trouble you."

"It's ok."

Arcueid smiled nonchalantly, then asked expectantly again:
"So, regarding Archetype: Earth..."

Fujimaru Ritsuka said sheepishly:
"As for this matter, I want to clarify the issue first before making any further statements."

"Ok."

Arcueid expressed his understanding, then raised his hand and snapped his fingers lightly in the air.

"Then let's hurry."

As the snap of her fingers fell, three figures suddenly appeared in front of Fujimaru Ritsuka. They were none other than Roman, Xuanzang Sanzang, and Taigong Wang, the people who had given her the invitation to the Little Garden.

Suddenly transported here, the three of them looked somewhat bewildered. Fujimaru Ritsuka glanced at Arcueid, who was smiling beside her, and thought to herself, "This 'hurry up' is really fast enough."

But it's just right.

Before the three could figure out what was going on, Fujimaru Ritsuka's expression instantly turned serious, and she said in a deep voice:
"Be lenient with confession, strict with resistance!"

"Tell me honestly, what are you hiding from me!"

"Huh? Huh?!—"

……

...

Although they were initially quite startled by Fujimaru Ritsuka, the three quickly understood the cause and effect after her explanation, and their reactions varied.

"About the small garden?"

Xuanzang scratched his cheek, somewhat embarrassed, and said:

"I'm sorry, Master Shakya didn't tell me much about the situation there, so I don't know much either... But if there's anything, I can ask Master Shakya for help."

"This is troublesome, but please wait a moment."

Although she didn't get any useful information from Xuanzang, Fujimaru Ritsuka wasn't disappointed, because...

She looked at Roman and Taigongwang with sharp eyes. Compared to Xuanzang's bewildered expression, the expressions of these two guys looked like they were up to something!

"You guys don't know anything either, do you?"

"Let's talk this out! Let's talk this out!"

Taiko no Momo chuckled sheepishly and made a pleading gesture, signaling Fujimaru Ritsuka to calm down first, then said:
"Actually, this problem isn't as complicated as you think. In fact..."

"—Let me explain."

Roman suddenly interrupted Taigong Wang's speech. Upon seeing this, Taigong Wang smiled, shrugged, and voluntarily shut his mouth, indicating that he would hand over the stage to the other party.

"Well……"

Roman rubbed the back of his head awkwardly, couldn't help but sigh, and looked at Fujimaru Ritsuka:
"The thing is like this..."

(End of this chapter)