You are very strong, but my painting style is better than yours!

Merlin sighed, his gaze becoming deep and complex: "Alright, since you insist so much... these fragments are indeed not just for Ritsuka, they are also related to the fate of another person."

"Who?"

Iori frowned, a suspicion forming in her mind.

"Matthew."

Merlin slowly uttered the name, his tone carrying a barely perceptible heaviness.

Iori's pupils contracted slightly, and she thought to herself, "Just as I expected."

"It's related to her... As expected, this Chaldea is missing several important characters compared to the normal timeline. This is no coincidence."

“It’s not that I want to do anything to her, but her fate is inherently intertwined with these fragments.”

Merlin's voice was low and calm, as if stating an unchangeable fact: "Ritsuka's existence is related to the survival of the entire world. And these fragments are the key to her liberation."

Countless images flashed through Iori's mind as he recalled his experiences in the dungeon world. It was through his contact with Ritsuka that Merlin had an anchor point to extract enough consciousness and memory fragments.

In other words, behind each of these pieces lies Iori and Ritsuka's "past"... all of which probably spans several years. This is why even someone as calm and wise as Iori still felt as if she had been transported to another world after the spirit transfer ended.

The memories and emotions contained in those fragments are all inextricably linked to Iori—he naturally takes this matter very seriously.

"relief……"

Iori said coldly, "That's not just Ritsuka's memories, it also includes my relationship with Ritsuka... In other words, I have every right to know the cause and effect."

"I expected you to have this attitude."

Merlin suddenly started laughing, which eased the atmosphere, as if the cunning side he had shown earlier didn't belong to him.

"I'm your kind older brother, Merlin-san~ How could I possibly take advantage of you? I just didn't want you to be in a difficult position after you found out the truth."

Merlin sighed softly, then composed himself and smiled at Iori, "It all started when Master began implementing his current policy of adding 'stories' to parallel worlds as the mastermind—not everyone agreed to this..."

Mash, Da Vinci, the doctor, Shion, the Masters of Group A... and some Servants.

Everyone came to Master's side from different timelines, but without exception, they all deeply loved and respected her. Therefore, they did not want her to bear such a heavy responsibility, nor did they want to see Master push them step by step to the brink of destruction.

To constantly repeat one's failures while preparing for even more suffering is nothing short of self-torture!

Iori nodded, deeply agreeing:

Fujimaru Ritsuka has gone through so many reincarnations, and although she has gained considerable power and a high level of attainment, how much sorrow and pain has she accumulated?

Chaldea's intervention in parallel worlds in an attempt to perpetuate them is certainly a good thing, but it's obvious that it can only delay the inevitable, not cure it... In the end, we'll have to watch them get "fixed."

Each failure is like Ritsuka going through another cycle, reopening her wounds for all to see...

No one knows exactly how much she has lost, but this cruel world keeps reminding her, lest she become numb and forget.

—If this continues, either the world will be destroyed, or Ritsuka will be driven insane.

Mashu and the others realized this and opposed Ritsuka's actions.

In their minds, if evil were to taint this world, Heroic Spirits and Masters could certainly stand up and fight back. But the destruction of the world line (canceling, ending in a bad way) occurred without any external intervention, just like a "natural phenomenon".

This is like the cycle of birth, aging, illness, and death in humans, or the ebb and flow of nature.

Ritsuka has no responsibility or obligation to fight against this thing!

And this problem is fundamentally unsolvable... at least for Masters and Servants, it's unsolvable.

But Ritsuka didn't care about any of that, and continued to do things that hurt herself to protect others...

As a result, the conflicts among everyone grew, and Ritsuka eventually had to "exile" Mashu and the others—if she didn't do so, she suspected that her mindset would waver under the persuasion of her closest people.

In order to save more "Fujimaru Ritsuka" and their Chaldea, Gudako must make her will as hard as steel!

Of course, isolating Mashu and the others because of this is really cruel for Ritsuka...

What does "exile" mean?

Iori asked curiously.

"It's not physical exile, of course. It's that during their spirit particle transfer, the coordinates are erased and replaced with a cyclical [Chaldea]."

Merlin explained, "Simply put, it means letting them live in the restored singularity. Because it is simulated and maintained by Chaldea, it will not collapse and be changed into canon."

"Simply put, they've trapped them in another world?"

Iori asked, puzzled, "What does this have to do with me collecting fragments of consciousness?"

"That Chaldea is shielded. If you try to observe it from the outside using a Sheba lens, all you'll see is a black hole that can devour all radio waves."

Only Master's own consciousness can penetrate the firewall and enter... I will enter as a nightmare, following Master, and then try to find Mash and the others.

Merlin said expectantly, "Right now, if anyone can change Ritsuka's mind, it's only Mash and the doctor."

"I see."

Iori frowned: "It's not a bad thing, why are you hiding it from me?"

“When I first made this request to you, I also took a certain risk.”

Merlin shook his head: "There are Servants in Chaldea who, like Mash, try to persuade their Master to give up, but there are also many Servants who unconditionally support Ritsuka's choice."

Although you and Ritsuka haven't known each other for long, you have a good relationship, and you both possess a deep and unfathomable nature... How am I supposed to know what you're really thinking?

"In that case, there's nothing wrong with it."

Iori shook her head, then changed the subject: "But you've been using me from the very beginning, haven't you?"

"..."

A bead of cold sweat trickled down Merlin's forehead.

Actually, he wasn't plotting against Iori with any malicious intent; it was just his professional habit (charlatan) kicking in, instinctively keeping things to himself... He's like that with everyone, so he's inherently unlikable, and in his own era, he can find enemies almost everywhere.

What Iori is concerned about now is not Merlin's motives and plans, but the fact that he has been deceived—he had already said that if Merlin tried to play tricks on him again, he would give him a good beating to correct his personality!

"Cough cough!"

Merlin did not deny it, but simply put on a calm and profound expression and quietly looked at him.

“Iori, I never intended to deceive you. Everything I did was for Master's future,”

He glanced at the crystal hexagon in Merlin's hand, then at Merlin's deep eyes, and finally took a deep breath.

"I'll spare your life for now."

"Oh, that's wonderful!"

Mei Lin was overjoyed.

But then another familiar voice rang out:

"After all, it would be too easy for you to die."

"Um?!"

Merlin turned around in surprise and saw another Iori standing behind him with a grin.

"You...two? Alter?!"

"That's right, Alter."

As everyone knows, Aizen Iori is a magnanimous person who never holds grudges.

Iori's clone gently pressed Merlin's shoulder: "But Alter is different."

"Wait...wait a minute! Solving problems with violence will never do you any good!"

"Don't be nervous, I just want you to change into a different outfit and take a few more photos."

Iori opened her private space, from which several rather "unique" outfits fell out, such as purple, fluffy accessories and suspenders that resembled those of a wildcat...

"What do you want to do?!"

Merlin hugged himself helplessly, looking at Iori in horror: "Don't come any closer!"

"..."

Iori was speechless for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh: "I'm not interested in you, don't get so excited."

"Phew... I knew it. You clearly have the face of a woman who is difficult to please. How could you possibly like men? On the contrary, it would be quite normal for men to like you."

To be honest, Merlin doesn't really care about this (he's asexual in a sense), and his exaggerated behavior just now was more like "anthropomorphic behavior".

But soon, Iori's next words truly changed his expression:

"I was commissioned by someone—DR. Roman."

Of course, I'm referring to the doctor in the abandoned Chaldea timeline.

"!"

He said he regretted his past actions, saying he shouldn't have become obsessed with virtual idols, which led to him being cheated out of money and his feelings!

So he asked me to make sure that if I ever met him in person, I would get his share back, principal and interest.

Iori smiled kindly: "Please change into the clothes the doctor specially prepared for you. I won't do anything—just take a few photos and post them at the cafeteria entrance."

"Wait while I use an illusion spell..."

"Don't~"

"..."

Merlin's mind raced as he watched Iori grow larger and larger in his field of vision, and suddenly a bold idea came to him.

"I've never lied to anyone! Magical Girl Merry really exists!"

If you don't believe me, wait until I introduce my 'sister' to you, and you'll understand!

"Let me tell you, she's incredibly frivolous. With your looks, you could easily seduce her into bed!"

"Haha~"

"Wait a minute... no, everything can be discussed... no, I'll be laughed at by Cathy Palug for the rest of my life!"

Chapter 508 Side Story: Chaldea Kitchen Chronicles

Am I being disliked? — A red archer saw an unexpected scene on his way to work early in the morning.

……

Heroic Palace gets up very early every day. Before the artificial sunlight has even shone into Chaldea and the corridors are still dim, smoke is already rising from the new row of stoves on the east side of the dining hall.

From the kitchen knife to the refrigerator and range hood, everything here is specially made. Placed outside, it would be considered an exceptionally sophisticated magical set—a luxurious setup that would make even a certain golden drill exclaim "wasteful!" However, a kitchen knife is still just a kitchen knife; no matter how excellent, its use is still limited to processing food. Using precious magical resources to create such things—if the ancient relics of the Clock Tower saw this, they would surely grind their teeth in hatred.

However, only a few Heroic Spirits, such as Emiya, understood that these tools were necessary, and even far from sufficient, to satisfy the gluttons of Chaldea.

The heroic spirits come from different regions around the world, with different cultures and traditions, and different dietary taboos. Making them all feel satisfied is an almost impossible task.

In fact, Chaldea, as a semi-military research institution now doing the work of a criminal organization, really doesn't need to be so troublesome about such details. As long as they provide some decent-tasting, generally acceptable meals, that would be enough. Providing more options would be considered exceptionally kind.

However, the chefs, led by the red archers, could not accept this arrangement!

Those professionals, such as Red Enma and Tamamo-no-Mae, need no further explanation. Although Emiya theoretically has no logistical skills, a person's potential cannot be fully explained by the stats panel.

Cleaning, cooking, making tea, sewing, hairdressing... In many important and unimportant tasks, the Red Archer displayed exceptional skill and took everything very seriously, earning him the nickname "Emiya-san with a strange sense of pride~".

It's hard to imagine that someone could be proficient in the culinary systems of dozens of countries and regions and earn the praise of all the Heroic Spirits, but it must be said that he is indeed a man capable of creating miracles.

But as a price, Chaldea's kitchen becomes a battleground when he works, and even the other head chef, Red Enma, cannot shake his authority!

Emiya rolled up his sleeves, and his magic circuits lit up in his palm and covered the kitchen knife. He immediately felt a sense of oneness with the knife and a fusion of blood, as if he were controlling his proud Gan Jiang and Mo Xie.

Two cleavers flashed by, slicing open the Chimera Ribs from ancient Babylon. The monster fat flowing between the bones solidified into amber in the ceramic bowl. Most of it was to be sent to Caster to be refined into spirit base materials, while a small portion was left behind—this would be the soul of today's broth.

"First, there are those difficult Greeks... it's nothing more than roast meat and mead."

He looked at the glowing materials in the refrigerator and muttered to himself, pondering for a moment before selecting several items in succession:

Phoenix tail feathers, Olympian divine wine, and the foreleg of a demonic boar.

"Help me, Emiya-san!"

Red Enma, clutching a boning dagger, burst through the automatic door: "Miss Semiramis has delivered a huge quantity of fish! They're so fresh, I can't handle them all by myself!"

"Ok?"

Emiya turned around.

How could something so vibrant that even a Sparrow from the Saber class couldn't handle it? What is this...?