An Ex-Machina on a Dimensional Journey

But just as he found the relevant information, before he could voice his surprise, Xiu Er, the one who had manifested, gave him the answer.

"Answer: Because of our 'experiment,' this world has 'changed.'"

She quickly connected to the internal Xiu Er network and synchronized its data. Using the knowledge granted by the Holy Grail, she swiftly pieced together what had happened.

"Question: What do you mean by 'changed'...?"

Before Number Four could finish her question, Number Two interrupted her with a startled exclamation.

"That's strange. Where did all this new information come from?"

"What is it?"

Number One immediately ran over to Number Two, trying to see what was written in the book she held.

"What's this 'Chaldea'? And what's a 'Singularity'?"

A friend had once recommended the game FGO to Xiu Er, but she had never actually played it. She knew even less about its story and setting; at most, she was familiar with a few of its more famous Heroic Spirits.

So her Doppelgangers, who were also Xiu Er, had no idea what those terms meant either.

Seeing all the newly appeared keywords, Number Two used them to search further.

"Hypothesis: It seems our experiment did succeed, but our earlier calculations were inaccurate."

Number Three quickly offered her assessment of the situation. The others present had reached much the same conclusion.

"Confirmed."

The Foreigner's confirmation verified Number Three's conclusion, though they hardly needed her to tell them that.

"Now that's interesting."

Of everyone present, only Number One still had that same excited energy as before.

Hum—

At that moment, a golden vortex appeared in the open space on the other side of the group.

When Number Nine returned "home" with Karna after completing her mission, she found six Xiu Ers apparently discussing something. Number Two had even