Trismegistus Part One

A magnificent structure resembling an underground city appeared before Li Ye and the others.

A colossal obelisk, flanked by countless square blocks, was inscribed with numerous obscure runes, through which strange fluctuations occasionally flowed.

"This is the Simulated Spiritual Core Computer—Trismegistus!"

Li Ye unconsciously held his breath, uttering the true name as if in a dream.

"That's right, the Atlas Institute's greatest recording medium, Trismegistus. It's a photon crystal known as the Philosopher's Stone, an Oopart that current Earth technology cannot replicate."

Holmes said slowly, holding his pipe, his deep gaze sweeping the surroundings. After confirming that no one else was present besides the three of them, he couldn't help but shake his head.

"Even the central core of Trismegistus shows no sign of staff. Mr. Holmes, the Magus in this Atlas Institute have all disappeared." Li Ye, having naturally noticed Holmes's actions, said immediately.

"Yes, Mr. Li Ye, as you can see, the Atlas Institute is now just an abandoned ruin. The Magus who once existed here have all burned out, leaving only the Atlas Institute itself.

While I apologize, as uninvited guests, we can only use Trismegistus without permission."

"But we don't have the clearance. How much can we see?"

Looking at the triangular obelisk Trismegistus, Li Ye asked abruptly.

Having arrived before Trismegistus, Li Ye had no intention of leaving empty-handed. If there was anything in this Singularity that could answer his questions, only this Simulated Spiritual Core Computer—Trismegistus could do it.

"That's not a problem, Mr. Li Ye. Trismegistus records all phenomena. For us, who are not Magus of the Atlas Institute, even if we can't know everything, we should be able to know simple facts, to know the results.

It's like skipping the derivation process and only looking at the answer in a math problem."

Holmes gazed at Trismegistus and the artificial sky that was not occupied by the halo.

Only the result, huh— Li Ye's expression remained unchanged as he continued, "Mr. Holmes, for example, can we use Trismegistus for data deduction?"

"Oh?"

Holmes raised an eyebrow and pondered for a moment. "Normally, yes. After all, the work done by the Magus of the Atlas Institute requires extensive calculations, and Trismegistus exists for that very purpose. Its replica, the Spiritual Core Computer Trismegistus, was sent to Chaldea for daily computational simulations."

"But that's assuming Trismegistus is being used normally. We are not Magus of the Atlas Institute and cannot use all of Trismegistus's functions. We can only perform preliminary inquiries or calculations."

Holmes lit his pipe and looked at Li Ye curiously, "Mr. Li Ye, do you have a problem that requires calculation using Trismegistus?"

"It's a personal matter, a bit difficult to talk about—"

Li Ye sighed, his gaze towards the obelisk filled with a hint of unwillingness.

Even without Holmes saying it, Li Ye knew his idea was extremely far-fetched, bordering on extreme idealism in both its starting point and process.

"Mr. Holmes, do you have any questions you need to inquire about?"

"Ah, I'm ashamed to say, it's a record I couldn't trace back either, a record of an event that was hidden."

Holmes showed an uncharacteristic hint of helplessness, which almost made Li Ye laugh.

After a brief exchange, Holmes recomposed himself and called out loudly to Trismegistus:

"Trismegistus, bird that flies in the Underworld!

Answer my question!

Tell me about an event that has been erased from all records and accounts!

Tell me the ins and outs of the Holy Grail War that occurred in Japan in 2004!"

"Mr. Holmes, you wanted to know about the Holy Grail War? It seems to be related to the Incineration of Humanity?"

Li Ye, standing beside him, asked, stroking his chin, while Nitocris couldn't help but perk up her ears.

Holmes nodded, "It is indeed related, and a crucial factor."

"The Holy Grail War is a grand ritual where Heroic Spirits are summoned to battle, and the last Magus and Servant standing obtain the Holy Grail. Mr. Li Ye, you know about the Holy Grail War, don't you?"

"I've heard a little."

"Good. This ritual was indeed performed. The last recorded Holy Grail War took place in a local city in Japan in 2004. I investigated the records of this battle, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't understand its process or outcome."

"It was Fuyuki, wasn't it? I remember the last Holy Grail War happened in Fuyuki—"

Li Ye snapped his fingers.

Seeing this, Holmes's gaze towards Li Ye deepened, "That's right, the Holy Grail War that took place in Fuyuki in 2004. All I could trace back were the materials from the beginning of the Holy Grail War and the roster of the seven Magus who gathered to pursue the Holy Grail."

A faint, illusory blue screen quietly appeared before Holmes, immediately drawing the attention of Li Ye and Nitocris.

Holmes glanced at the screen, "Hmm— the answer has been received. There was no startup sound, which feels a bit lonely. Fortunately, the content is consistent with my deductions. With this, one question is resolved."

"The Magus who won the Holy Grail War in 2004 was named Marisbury Animusphere. According to Trismegistus's records, he killed six Magus and obtained the omnipotent wish-granting Holy Grail—"

Holmes's tone was calm, yet it made Li Ye envision a brutal slaughter, and he subconsciously reached for the Holy Grail in his pocket.

As for Marisbury Animusphere, the one Holmes mentioned, Li Ye naturally knew of him.

"Lord of Celestial Mechanics, Clock Tower, the former director of Chaldea—"

Li Ye frowned. Even he knew very little about this former director of Chaldea, Marisbury Animusphere. He was an utterly enigmatic figure.

"Yes, and the record has further content. During the Holy Grail War, Marisbury had an assistant. The year after the Holy Grail War, this person was exceptionally brought into Chaldea as staff. At the young age of twenty-two, they became the head of the medical department, an extraordinary promotion, making it difficult to even consider it a normal personnel transfer."

"That would be Romani Archaman, wouldn't it?"

"Yes, and there's something even stranger. All of Romani Archaman's experiences are in a state of obscurity. No matter how I investigate, I cannot find any records from before the Holy Grail War. If we could use Trismegistus further, we should be able to see more clearly—"

"But if we have to find one person's data from billions of people's records updated annually, there simply isn't enough time—"

"However, Mr. Li Ye, you also know something about Romani. May I hear your thoughts?"

Holmes stared at Li Ye, awaiting his response.