Reconnaissance Begins, Splitting into Two Groups

Fujimaru Ritsuka said nothing. He merely looked at Manlio, who seemed both happy and sad, and smiled as well.

He wiped away the faint traces of tears still hanging on his face with his hand.

"Hmm, actually, I feel that when it comes to purity, you might not be that much worse than Teacher." Manlio had completely changed his demeanor, looking at Fujimaru Ritsuka with interest.

"Huh? Why do you say that?" Fujimaru Ritsuka froze slightly and pointed at himself in surprise.

"You're saving the world right now, aren't you?" Manlio leaned forward, narrowing his eyes. Though he looked like a child, Fujimaru Ritsuka felt that his smile was exceedingly sly.

"I..." Out of embarrassment, Fujimaru Ritsuka instinctively wanted to deny it, but after pausing, he realized that he really was saving the world.

"See? You're very pure." Manlio leaned back against the sofa. "Your way of thinking probably hasn't changed yet. You've divided saving the world into conquering Singularities and accomplishing one small, step-by-step objective after another. That's pretty good. Pretty good."

"But have you ever considered how you'll face this world after you save it?"

"Or if, after you save the world, an even greater disaster appears, will you step forward again and use your young shoulders to bear that crushing burden?"

Fujimaru Ritsuka was completely stunned. He had no idea how to answer Manlio.

"You should find that answer yourself, Master of Chaldea." Manlio smiled and turned the page on the subject. "Don't think too deeply about that question. I only came to talk to you about something else this time. We're done talking about Teacher, so let's discuss another matter."

"When I was first summoned to this Singularity, I encountered a detective." Manlio fell into thought. "But he seemed a little dazed. Still, he was very