Hand in Hand, We Set Off Again (Continued)

Merry's loud voice interrupted Rovey's question.

"Her traces disappeared from this world at some point more than 800 years ago. Even though I tried my best to find clues about her, I couldn't find any trace of her in this world. Logically speaking, she should have gone to London to find you long ago."

"So, at this moment, she is like a ghost, not in this world, probably in another time and space. I know this."

Rovey immediately thought of the Lion King from Chapter Six.

In this timeline, Artoria cannot become the Lion King because she has not fully assimilated with the Holy Lance.

But that's in theory. If she were to actually be assimilated, then things would get really complicated.

After all, Bedivere had already returned the Holy Sword, and he hadn't experienced the 1,500-year journey, so he couldn't awaken the Lion King by simply returning the Holy Sword. Therefore...

"Well, here's the problem. I'm now certain that Little Al was summoned to another dimension for some other reason, which should be the Singularity we all anticipated. However, the specifics are still unknown, since her situation is quite unique this time. Initially, I wanted to trick Vivian into giving me the Holy Sword again, just in case. But unfortunately, Vivian is now in a deep sleep, so we definitely can't get the Holy Sword right now. That's why I had to come and tell you about it. Be careful."

Merry's tone was somewhat excited. According to his presentation, Artoria's figure over the past few hundred years and various situations were actively shown to Rovey.

"If the Lion King isn't the little Al we know, but someone else, that would be for the best. But if it really is her, then we can only rely on you to bring her back now. So without Bedivere and the Holy Sword, we have to think of other ways."

Without the Holy Sword to awaken it, can we bring back an avatar of a god from the Wild Hunt? This request is a bit too much to ask, but... there is indeed a way.

Although he doesn't have the Holy Sword, he still has a scabbard. Perhaps he can try to awaken her with that. If he really can't awaken her, then he'll probably have to start another battle over there that could last forever.

"I think I understand the situation. Although I don't think Artoria can ever become the Lion King again, thank you for reminding me, Merry."

"No matter what, I will definitely bring her back this time, after all, we still have a very important promise to keep."

Rovey nodded, his tone becoming somewhat serious.

"Yes, after all, you always bring me different surprises."

Merry nodded slightly, equally looking forward to the journey and the story to come.

Although I can't go on adventures with him, staying in the shadows and watching the interesting stories from a third-person perspective is also an interesting option.

"Um."

Rovey also remained silent in response.

He understood Merry's caution. Even though Merry was unreliable and quite irritating, her status as the Great Sage of Britannia and a candidate for the Grand Rank Master Caster was undeniable. Merry's wisdom and perspective usually saw more than one could imagine.

Just as her cynical appearance contrasts sharply with her past, Merry had always lived in this secluded, empty, dilapidated stone tower, solely to protect... and so on.

"What is this thing?"

Rovey touched the wall and found that the space inside was indeed a bit too cramped. The wall felt strange to the touch, and upon closer inspection, there seemed to be a structure resembling a piece of cardboard in the corner.

So he gently placed his palm on it.

"Wait... wait a minute! That's just ordinary household trash, don't touch it... ahhh!!"

Seeing that Rovey had noticed something, Merry's hair stood on end, and she frantically tried to pull Rovey away, but...

"Let me see!!"

Rovey extended a finger and shoved it hard against the wall that felt obviously wrong.

Then...

Boom!!

The sound of the foam wall collapsing rang in their ears. With a loud bang, the old-fashioned clock tower from the time of King Arthur shattered, replaced by a modern room with air conditioning, a television, a computer, a refrigerator, and various household appliances.

The walls were covered with posters of Artoria.

Oh, what are you looking at? You're a chef too.

So it was to cover up the fact that he was the King Chef? But what's there to cover up? The whole Britannia are known to be King Chefs.

Just as Lovi was Rovey, his gaze swept across Artoria's poster and then he saw a familiar figure, as well as an entire wall covered with things.

Those are all... my own photos?!

Moreover, she collected everything from sleeping clothes to bathing clothes, even when she was barely clothed!

No wonder it's been so quiet lately; they've been secretly doing this kind of perverted thing!

"Merry, you've really gone to the extreme of being a pervert..."

Rovey glanced at Merry.

"..."

Merry turned around and tried to jump out of the window, but he reached out and grabbed her.

It weighs only 20kg, isn't that amazing?

"Waaaah, don't tear up my collection! Watashi, I'll do anything for you, just let them go."

Rovey: "..."

"Well, actually, since no one except the Jewel Magician had ever been to my house before, I built a disguise wall to maintain my noble persona. After all, you also know illusion magic, so if I used illusion magic, you would definitely be able to detect it immediately."

Having been dragged back by Rovey and having her collection destroyed, Merry sat listlessly on her bed, clutching Rovey and Artoria- style doll in each arm. In front of her was a high-tech computer device equipped with a camera for live streaming.

"In short... you're really too free. You actually have time to stalk me here and keep collecting my photos. Are you a pervert or not? Since you have so much free time, why don't you come out and help me work overtime? Anyway, you don't have anything to do here. Staying here is just a waste of resources."

"Damn it, I'm actually very busy too, you know."

Seeing that she was being looked down upon, Merry made an indignant sound.

"I didn't realize that."

"It's all because of that guy, who's been keeping himself pure all day and never letting me have my way. I've been so proactive, but he still keeps me at arm's length. So, out of boredom, I not only spend my days scrolling through Twitter and interacting with all sorts of weirdos, but also because Avalon is so special, I can often contact other timelines, especially that guy called Doctor Roman, who's even more of a shut-in and pervert than I imagined—so, hurry up and let him have his fun, and after I've had my fun, I'll help you out!"

"Get lost, you pervert! I'm a guy with a girlfriend now!!"

"It's okay, I don't mind group activities."

"... You're invincible."

In the end, any budding goodwill that Rovey had developed towards this guy was completely shattered, and it took him a long time to subdue this pervert.

"Damn it, the good atmosphere is ruined. Oh well, just remember what I said before: the little Al you meet may be the little Al you know, but it may not be. You can decide for yourself."

Merry rubbed her head.

"I trust you."

After taking a deep breath, Merry continued speaking to Rovey.

"No matter what happened over there, I believe you can bring a unique story and answer. After all, you have completely rid yourself of Original Sin, and your body is no longer limited. Even crossing Avalon has become an easy thing for you. This is something to be very proud of."

"So, how are all these takeout orders delivered?"

"Ahem, you don't need to know so much about True Magic girls!"

"Merry complained loudly."

"Anyway, let's set off quickly, carrying my anticipation with us. Actually, there's another reason I asked you to come here. The already extremely dangerous Singularity caused by the interaction between the two worlds seems to have gone even more rampant. I don't know what it's like now, so I've asked you to do me a favor—"

"Help Chaldea completely repair the Sixth Singularity. After all, they are also warriors fighting for their ideals and future. I believe you will get along very well."

"The Sixth Singularity, the Round Table? No, it should be the Holy City. Anyway, it really is that timeline..." Rovey nodded, stroking his chin.

"That's right, it's the one you know, and because the location is in Jerusalem, it's a very suitable stage for you to make your entrance. Anyway, hurry up and go pick up the princess who has been waiting for you for 1,500 years, and then help the Lion King break free from the fate of the Holy Lance of Storms once again."

"Kid, how long are you going to keep sleeping?"

Their conversation was interrupted by the strong, resonant voice of an elderly man.

And so the conversation before departure came to an end.

A familiar voice reached my ears—

"Are you ready?"

In the office where Jewel Magician lived, Rovey, who had been dozing off in his chair, slowly opened his eyes.

He glanced at the white-haired old man in front of him and asked, "How long have I been asleep?"

"About two and a half Tokiomi."

"Two and a half Tokiomi... that's not bad, at least the time flow is synchronized."

"You went to Avalon?"

"Yeah, I just got back and chatted with Merry about the Sixth Singularity."

Rovey rubbed his slightly dizzy head and then asked the Jewel Magician, "Have you located the timeline I'm looking for?"

"Of course, who do you think I am?"

Upon hearing this, the Jewel Magician didn't keep him in suspense and casually tossed back the Avalon that Rovey had given him for finding his way.

Using Avalon from this world, he has accurately located the spacetime in which Artoria is located.

It is indeed the timeline of the First Crusaders, specifically the Jerusalem. However, it is much stranger than some of the developments in the well-known Sixth Singularity.

However, that's none of his business. Merry has said everything she needed to say, and all she has to do now is send the kid over there and the job will be done.

"Then let's set off without delay."

"No problem."

Neither the Jewel Magician nor Rovey exchanged many words. After putting away Avalon, Rovey walked into a dimensional rift that the Jewel Magician had just created without looking back.

According to Jewel Magician, his teleportation technology is many times stronger than something like Rayshift, completely eliminating the need to scatter the body into spirit particles and then reunite in other eras.

Moreover, Rovey's Holy Son physique and Rayshift are now impossible to dispel, so the only option is to travel between parallel worlds and physically traverse between them.

Rovey was also very reassured about this.

After all, the Jewel Magician is a renowned Second Magic User, and his teleportation is more reliable than Rayshift and Imaginary Number Dive.

So, after the two said their goodbyes, he walked into the dimensional rift without looking back.

Darkness, darkness, darkness...

Silence, silence, silence...

Rovey opened his eyes and felt an indescribable darkness.

It wasn't darkness, but rather a void, like a blank canvas enveloping the entire world.

The next moment, blinding paleness immediately replaced the boundless darkness.

Where is this?

Rovey asked this question because he really couldn't understand how he could suddenly end up here when he had clearly stepped into the dimensional rift set up by the Jewel Magician to go to the Sixth Singularity.

But no one around him answered him.

This is a blank canvas. Because there is nothing here, his five senses, which are only useful in the real world, cannot feel anything here. He is not even aware of the existence of his own body. The only thing that can continue to function is his own mind.

Rovey couldn't help but feel confused.

In this pale space, he felt lost and even fear for the first time.

He started running with all his might.

Rovey was unsure whether his body was running.

But his mind is definitely racing.

Run, run... trying desperately to escape this pale canvas.

But the surroundings remained pale.

It was nothing but pale, pale.

Everything was difficult to detect.

"--where are you going?"

A voice suddenly asked him.

The voice was ethereal and strange, yet it seemed to carry a hint of kindness and authority.

Who are you?