Tonight, Alice joins the hunt.

Fujimaru Ritsuka finally understood why, even though this ancient god had demonstrated His immense power, the dragon beast Asu's memories still contained overconfident challengers and rebels. She finally understood why this high and mighty deity disregarded and permitted everything, while the powerful dragon beast vanished without a trace after delivering them—she had now experienced it firsthand, an experience that had made her eyes bloodshot, her fists clenched, and she almost couldn't resist stepping forward to challenge the god to a duel!

Go forth, strive, fight, and struggle! Change the status quo, forge a new path. Go forth, go forth, and demonstrate the awareness that humanity should possess!

—Go defeat those Servants, go defeat those Demon Pillars, go defeat the king behind the Demon Pillars, go defeat this doomed path facing humanity!

This is the path to enlightenment, this is the principle of struggle. With a surge of passion, countless combat techniques and agile experiences manifested themselves in Fujimaru Ritsuka's mind. It was a path of power unique to her, a path of advancement that allowed her to grow rapidly with her mortal body, absorbing the energy of all things to strengthen and transform herself without leaving any aftereffects—

—And she could even look directly along this path of power to its final form, and see herself being torn apart by the Magic King, who could transform into a two-headed figure and easily display overwhelming power in the Fourth Singularity!

She could do it; she knew she could. This path had no pitfalls; even after reaching its limit, it offered the potential to break through it. This path required no sacrifice from her, imposed no constraints, and whether she agreed or not, the corresponding knowledge and skills were already deeply etched into her mind, just like all her past experiences, memories, and pain, intertwined with her very life!

She felt her physique strengthening and her senses becoming sharper. She clearly sensed Mash's obvious wavering and growing power beside her, and she clearly sensed the red dragon blood within Mordred, a Servant who shouldn't have been growing at all, rapidly purifying and sublimating. In just an instant, it surpassed the Reversal Knight King Artoria, whom she had encountered in Singularity F, and was still rapidly growing towards an even higher level!

She was growing stronger, and so were her companions. The magical knowledge she had struggled to comprehend in the past was becoming as simple and easy to understand as a Mother Goose rhyme. Those complex rituals and profound secret arts suddenly became as simple and flawed as a careless child's arithmetic book. Even Animusphia's exquisite celestial magic was instantly understood by her. And she knew that in that instant, her magical level and the development of her magic circuits had reached the Pure Color Rank as assessed by the Time Tower!

—By staying here a little longer, you can become stronger.

—If she stays here for a while, she can forcefully end this seventh singularity herself.

—As long as she reaches the end of this path of power, even Tiamat, the goddess, will be qualified to stop her.

—As long as... as long as we work hard, as long as we explore, as long as we fight...

Her heart pounded faster and faster, breaking through the limits of a mortal magician in the blink of an eye and booming like a bell. Her bones were becoming stronger, her muscles were becoming denser, her internal organs were beginning to reorganize, becoming solid and extending with thick protective membranes, and her fighting spirit was rising higher and higher, eager to fight against her destiny.

I remained calm. I wasn't swayed. Restoring humanity is my duty, and I had to face these challenges that were incredibly difficult for my past self.

Yes, I should fight, because I am already fighting. When my seniors and I traversed six singularities, weren't we fighting? In the past, I could do nothing but rely on the power of Servants, because I was just an ordinary Master—that was all I could do! But now it's different!

Have my will changed? Have my attitudes towards those Servants who once helped me changed? No, they remain my precious companions, my mentors and friends. But this calamity is ultimately our own mortal tragedy. If we possess power yet still rely on the sacrifice of Servants, then what is the value of our existence—are we merely existing for the sake of existing, merely living for the sake of living?

She instinctively lifted her foot, wanting to leave to the outside.

I... will pave a path forward for humanity itself!

Then her movements came to a complete stop with a gust of cold wind and a hand pressing on her shoulder.

"Do you still remember why you came here?" The princess's voice was as indifferent and calm as ever, yet it resonated in everyone's ears. Her words were like a frost-covered wind, freezing passion and cooling fighting spirit, instantly covering the top of the temple with frost.

And the frost vanished in an instant.

The Chaldeans, finally emerging from this assimilation that barely even qualify as an erosion, gasped for breath and stared in horror at the Eastern youth before them who hadn't uttered a single word until now.

One minute, two minutes passed. The knowledge and combat skills that carried power remained in Fujimaru Ritsuka's memory, but they also sank deep into her heart as her fighting spirit and will subsided. She felt her legs trembling, and Mash, who was leaning half her body against her, couldn't even speak—she was grateful that Anastasia was supporting her from behind. Two more minutes passed before she regained her ability to communicate normally, and then she bowed to the young man from the East in front of her.

She felt she should kneel down, but a pride that had somehow taken root in her heart prevented her from bowing down and kneeling at the same time.

"Hello, we are from Chaldea..."

“I know who you are.” The young man from the East spoke, but in perfect Chinese: “Fujimaru Ritsuka, Mash Kyrielight, Keshiborug, and Mordred and Anastasia, who were summoned as Servants, from Chaldea. I have been watching over you since before you were even born.”

“You may call me Zheng Zha, no need for any honorifics. I already know your purpose, and I can fulfill your wishes. This land will not participate in your war, nor will I. You are free to save your humanity according to your own plans, without worrying about any obstruction from this side.”

Zheng Zha stretched out his hand, and a one-way portal pointing directly to the Uruk Great Temple appeared clearly in front of the Chaldea group.

"You may leave and return to the land you desire. Or you may choose another place you wish to go; I can grant you that request."

The scenes within the portal shifted several times. They saw the underworld and Ereshkigal languishing bored in the palace; they saw war raging, with Merlin, Gilgamesh, and the digital Servants joining forces to besiege Enkidu and the severely wounded Serpent God, Eldu. They saw the misty city, where the lonely Pale King wandered amidst its decaying ruins. And finally, they even saw the depths of the ocean, where Tiamat lay sealed, in a self-imposed slumber.

With a simple voice, they can reach any place they desire. And the newfound power and knowledge that fill their minds let them know that they can reach any place they want at any time and fulfill any wish they hold.

They could reach Eldu and easily help Gilgamesh capture Enkidu and the Serpent God. They could reach the Underworld and sever Ereshkigal's shackles to free her. They could travel to the City of Mist and avenge their humiliation. And they could even delve directly into the ocean depths and use the secret magic swirling in their minds to completely banish Tiamat into the Imaginary Number.

As long as they nod and move forward, anything is possible. They don't need to rely on others; they can easily overcome all obstacles in this singularity through their own efforts—without paying any price, because simply fighting for themselves and paving their own way is already a price to pay. And the restoration of humanity is just around the corner.

You can get everything by fighting.

You can achieve your dreams as long as you strive for them.

You don't need to rely on others, nor do you need to be hostile to others. You are still yourself, because all you have to do is pave a way forward for yourself.

Isn't this something that should be taken for granted?

Isn't it just a natural thing?

Shouldn't people fight for themselves and use their own hands to win everything they want?

Fujimaru Ritsuka couldn't find a single word to refute her, a single theory, a single loophole to stop herself from her impending action. She knew Zheng Zha wouldn't lie, and the power and knowledge he had bestowed upon her contained not even the slightest flaw. However—

However, Anastasia's voice still echoed in Fujimaru Ritsuka's heart.

—【Do you remember why you came here?】

—What am I here for? Is recognition and alliance... really still necessary?

--【but……】

Fujimaru Ritsuka closed her eyes.

“I…” She slowly opened her eyes, her gaze towards Zheng Zha more earnest and sincere than ever before. “…I want to be recognized by you, I want to form an alliance with you.”

"I want to ask you to help us, to join us in ending this catastrophe that has destroyed humanity!"

“You can achieve your goals with your own hands,” Zheng Zha replied calmly.

Then he received Fujimaru Ritsuka's unwavering response: "But that's what you, Mr. Zhengzha, do, not what I, Fujimaru Ritsuka, do—please give me a test, please give me a trial. I... want your help!"

“A test? A trial?” Zheng Zha looked at them and suddenly laughed out loud: “You want my help, you want me to participate in your war—ha, then I will give you a test, a trial—do you know what it means for me to participate in your war?”

Chapter 75 The Price of Alliance

What does this mean?

—Damn it, how was I supposed to know what that meant?

Ah... why did I have to drag such a great figure into this mess... even though he can't do anything, can't care about anything... why did I have to do it? Why did I have to stand up for him here?

Fujimaru Ritsuka was filled with confusion, but she suppressed it, preventing it from truly overflowing. She knew perfectly well that what she was doing now was unlike anything she had done before; she wasn't conversing with heroes, kings, or gods who protected humanity—she was now facing a true god, a real god.

It is the rules, the law, the Tao—and she has even personally experienced the erosion and assimilation of the Tao!

The erosion and assimilation of the Tao...?

Wait, have I forgotten something...? Ah! Indeed! Miss Anastasia wasn't influenced by Mr. Zheng Zha. Moreover, she even gave me a hint—

【—The starry sky!】

Fujimaru Ritsuka's eyes lit up as she quickly connected fragmented clues that had previously only surfaced in the depths of her subconscious—the princess's warning, Ur transforming into a nebula, the powerful Zheng Zha, and that power surpassing even that of a demon god. All of these intertwined, ultimately resulting in her rejection of Zheng Zha's kindness and her insistence on seeking his approval.

[Restoring humanity is not our ultimate goal! The threat from beyond the stars is far more terrifying than the burning of humanity... Yes, that's right. Since a powerful yet neutral god like Zheng Zha has already appeared, then a god equally powerful but harboring malice towards Earth could also exist!]

Therefore... I must seek His help!

The thought process lasted only a moment, and Fujimaru Ritsuka had already sorted out her thoughts. Her junior, Mash, had regained her will and was supporting her with her hand. Her companion, Fou, was as always leaning on Mash's shoulder, calling out "fufu" in support. Her Servant, Mordred, had taken up her sword again and stood firmly behind her—and the princess had always been her guide.

She knew what to say.

“I don’t know what that means, Mr. Zheng Zha,” she said earnestly. “But I understand that the restoration of humanity does not mean the revival of the world… right? Mr. Zheng Zha, on this continent, in this starry sky, there are still powerful gods like you, aren’t there?”

“Hehehe,” Zheng Zha laughed. “You are very perceptive, just as perceptive as I have seen in the past. You are right, I am not the only powerful life form in this universe.”

With a casual wave of his hand, an invisible barrier, like a filter, enveloped the Chaldea group.

“I’m not the only one, and there are far more of us than you can imagine.”

To his left was a portal, and to his right appeared a scene of starry sky—the solar system before the war of the gods, with the nine planets and numerous celestial bodies of all sizes quietly residing in their proper places. The next moment, a 'line' shooting from Earth traversed space and struck Jupiter, located at the far end of the solar system!

The phenomenon of erosion caused life to proliferate. Before the eyes of the Chaldeans, planets twisted and degenerated into an endless swarm of twisted insects and faceless women. Meanwhile, the radiant expansion of the two main entities, the Order Star Cluster and the Space Bubble, reached the star clusters outside the solar system in the short span of time, which was less than a few rotations of the Earth!

That was destruction, catastrophe, an unimaginable calamity. Compared to those worlds whose entire planets were distorted and warped after being illuminated by starlight, the mere burning of humankind was nothing more than a neighborhood brawl. And that calamity even transcended the humankind's light belt, affecting the already chaotic Earth!

"Senpai! Um, um! Everyone from Chaldea!" As the mutated creature crawling through the chaotic disorder approached Antarctica, Mash, standing next to Fujimaru Ritsuka, couldn't help but scream. She gripped Fujimaru Ritsuka's hand tightly, very tightly... extremely tightly.

“It’s alright, Mashu, the director and the others… they’ll be fine.” Ritsuka tried to reassure her junior, then looked at Zheng Zha for help. “Mr. Zheng Zha, may I ask if Chaldea is still…”

“Chaldea still exists, and everyone you know is still alive,” Zheng Zha replied calmly. “However, they are no longer on Earth, but in a place that I cannot directly observe.”

"...Another...powerful god...?" Mordred murmured to himself.

“It’s two.” Zheng Zha held up two fingers. “At least two.”

Ritsuka couldn't help but gasp. She immediately thought of the legendary city of Imanitic, which hadn't appeared in the previous portal, and its formidable power—enough to rival Tiamat and still have the leisure to do so.

"The God of Mangotrund... too?"

“Mangotlund…heh.” Zheng Zha chuckled. “I suppose so, you can consider her one. She, like me, has been watching you, or rather, you humans, for a long time. And now she’s contemplating the purpose of humanity, and the necessity of our continued existence.”

Ritsuka's heart sank. She hadn't expected Mangtlund, which King Gilgamesh had declared to be without problems, to undergo such a change. However, she then thought of Zheng Zha, the Order Stars, and the immense power held by the Space Bubble Cluster. In the end, all that remained was a sigh—King Gilgamesh had already done very well; to demand more of him… was pointless.

At this moment, the image on Zheng Zha's right evolved again. When the massive war at the edge of the galactic center began and the huge star cluster that resembled a projection of the Andromeda Galaxy was displayed one by one, the only emotion that appeared in Fujimaru Ritsuka's heart was powerlessness.

Is this an enemy that humanity can fight? Is this something sacred that mortals can resist?

Compared to them, even if the entire pantheon of Mesopotamia were to be revived, it probably wouldn't be able to slow their progress in the slightest.

but……

This is not a reason for me to give up here...

[It's nothing more than going from being weak to being even more insignificantly weak. It's nothing more than changing negotiations with Servants to negotiations with these Old Gods... That's all! Senior Flora was able to overcome so many Singularities even with nothing; I could definitely do it too!]

【I must be able to do it too!】

She suddenly tilted her head back, clenched her fists, and was about to speak.

“I suggest you don’t think of us as the Servants you’ve encountered before. We are different from them, and completely different from the gods and divine Servants you’ve met before.” However, Zheng Zha interrupted her before she could speak.

“They are your gods, your heroes, born from your prayers and hopes, so whether good or evil, their existence is intimately connected with you. So their attitudes toward you may appear different on the surface, but in essence, they are the same concern. But we are different.”

“My friend once told me that I should pay attention to my fellow countrymen who share the same origin as me. You are just upright creatures whose physical outlines are roughly similar to ours—yes, you can think of us as people from another world. We come from another world, and in the world I was born in, humans do not have such strange organs as magic circuits. Our culture, history, and world structure are also different from yours.”

Zheng Zha chuckled.

“Some of my kind regard you as dust, or simply ignore you. While my attitude differs slightly from theirs, I believe my companions have a point—we are not like Servants, who are born with a fondness for you human-like creatures. We may not kill you out of boredom, but it will cost us to give up our own interests for you.”

"...You didn't come here for no reason, did you?"

“Yes, we didn’t come here for no reason. Although I feel some of my companions are fooling me, I’ve been sitting here for tens of thousands of years, and Margot and Norrell’s nonsense…”

The next moment, the doll 'Pa' in the princess's arms suddenly jumped up and slapped Zheng Zha across the face!

Fujimaru and the others cried out in surprise.

Zheng Zha's face twitched, his shoulders slumped, and he spat.

"Damn it! All that prestige gone in a flash. Alright, Noreiki, I won't say another word..." He cursed as he raised his hand amidst the Chaldeans' stunned silence, erasing the entire timeline of those few dozen seconds with a single finger. Then, time naturally rewound to the moment before Ritsuka asked her question.

"—You didn't come here for no reason, did you?"