"The structure of the dream world is hierarchical and nested."
The surface layer is the first layer, the nightmare mezzanine is the second layer, and the deepest layer is the third layer. Barriers separate each layer.
"Jump directly from the first level to the third level; the barrier in between will bounce us back."
"The only path is to advance layer by layer. First, enter the Nightmare World, find the entrance to the deepest level there, and then break through."
Mash's expression turned serious.
"In other words, we must confront that Belphegor phantom once again."
"Not just facing it."
Merlin's voice took on an unusual seriousness.
"Last time we just broke in and then retreated; Phantom didn't give chase."
But this time we'll be staying in the nightmare world for a longer period of time, and we'll be performing a breakthrough technique there.
This behavior may be judged as 'invading the core domain' by the rules of the Nightmare World.
The phantom's reaction will likely be much more intense than last time.
"The attacks we will suffer will only be more intense than before."
Metatron remained silent for a moment.
"Then we'll need more combat power."
"There's one more thing."
Merlin raised her right hand again.
"While searching the dream world, I also detected the presence of several other Servant."
Four.
" Amakusa Shirou Tokisada, Semiramis, Astolfo, and Jack the Ripper."
They are now scattered across the surface of this dream.
Ritsuka Fujimaru and Metatron exchanged a glance.
"Let's go find someone."
Astolfo is the easiest to find.
Because he was standing in front of a crepe stand on the main street of the town of Trifas, holding a strawberry cream crepe piled up like a small mountain in his hand, with a silly, unguarded grin on his face.
"Ah, so delicious! This world is amazing! Free crepes! I can eat as many as I want!"
His long pink hair was tied into a ponytail, and he wore a black knight's outfit with a slender sword hanging at his waist.
I felt absolutely no tension whatsoever about being "trapped in an unknown dream world."
More accurately, he seems to have made this place his vacation spot.
" Astolfo."
The Chaldea group approached the stall.
Astolfo turned his head, cream still smeared on the corner of his mouth.
"Huh? Who are you guys?"
After briefly explaining the ins and outs --
"Hey, so this is a dream. No wonder the crepes are free!"
Astolfo suddenly realized.
"And what kind of demon has Mukuro turned into, creating this dream world? Are you going to wake her up?"
That's roughly the idea.
Astolfo stuffed the last bite of his crepe into his mouth and mumbled:
"Sure, I'll go. Sounds like fun."
Mash's eyes widened slightly.
Is it really that simple?
"Don't you need to think about it? This could be very dangerous..."
"If it's dangerous, then we should definitely go!"
Astolfo wiped his mouth and gave Mash a bright smile.
"And Mukuro Hoshimiya shared some candy and bagels with me before."
The person who shared their snacks with me is a good person! I can't abandon a good person like that!
He patted the hilt of the sword at his waist.
"Let's go! Let's go!"
His logic is flawed, but his drive to act is astounding.
Very Astolfo.
Amakusa Shirou Tokisada and Semiramis were not so easy to persuade.
When Merlin tracked them down, the two were in the bell tower of an abandoned church on the outskirts of Trifas.
In the dream world, the church has been restored to its former glory, and the stained glass windows refract colorful light spots under the sunlight.
Amakusa Shirou sat on the windowsill of the clock tower, his legs dangling in the air, his long white hair fluttering in the wind.
Semiramis sat in a chair behind him, her long black hair cascading down her sides like a waterfall, her posture as elegant as if she were in her own palace.
When the Chaldea Amakusa Shirou Tokisada did not show any surprise.
He merely turned his head and glanced at them.
"I already know."
"What do you know?"
"This world is a dream."
Amakusa's voice was calm.
"I am not an ordinary Servant. I am a Heroic Spirit who was once given a physical body by the Holy Grail and lived in the real world for decades."
I am more sensitive than most Servant to the boundary between reality and unreality.
"I noticed something was off about three days ago."
Semiramis lifted his eyelids from the chair and glanced at the Chaldea group.
"So? You've come here hoping we'll help you end this dream?"
Ritsuka Fujimaru answered directly, "Yes."
Amakusa Shirou fell silent.
His gaze shifted to the small town outside the window.
Peaceful streets. Happy people. A perfect world.
"Do you know?"
Amakusa's voice became very soft.
"This is what I once wanted to do."
"May all humanity find salvation. May everyone attain happiness. May all suffering and misfortune be eradicated."
"That's my wish to participate in the Great Holy Grail War."
"Although the methods and means are completely different, the world before me, in a sense, has already fulfilled my wish."
Semiramis's gaze shifted slightly, but she remained silent.
You want me to help you end this world.
Amakusa looked at Ritsuka Fujimaru.
Give me a reason.
"The price for maintaining this dream is the planet's vitality."
Ritsuka Fujimaru didn't beat around the bush.
" Belphegor is drawing upon the power of the Greater Grail to sustain this dream. The earth in the real world is withering, rivers are drying up, and the atmosphere is thinning."
"If this continues, the real world will die out completely in a not-too-distant future."
"At that time, even the dream itself will not be able to last. Everyone in the dream will perish along with it."
Amakusa's fingers tightened slightly.
He did not answer immediately.
The wind outside the window blew through his white hair.
Then he spoke.
"Redemption built on destruction is not redemption."
He stood up from the windowsill.
"I learned that a long time ago."
Amakusa Shirou Tokisada Ritsuka Fujimaru.
" Amakusa Shirou Tokisada, Ruler (Red Faction ). Although at this point there's no longer a distinction between Red Faction and Black Faction."
Ritsuka Fujimaru grasped his hand.
Semiramis also stood up from her chair and straightened her skirt.
"If you go with him, of course I'll go with you too."
She glanced at Amakusa.
"But let me make this clear beforehand, I don't do manual labor."
Jack the Ripper Reika Rikudou were staying in a quiet alley on the east side of the town of Trifas.
When Merlin found them, Reika was sitting on the porch steps of a house in the alley, with Jack curled up in her arms, quietly squinting like a kitten.
Reika was wearing a simple beige sweater, her hair casually draped behind her head.
She looked like an ordinary young mother.
After listening to the Chaldea group's explanation, Reika tightened her arms slightly, holding Jack even closer.
Jack peeked his little head out from her arms, tilting it as he looked at the strangers in front of him.
"Mom? These people say this world is fake."
"I know, Jack."
Reika lowered her head and nuzzled Jack's head with her chin.
Then she looked at Ritsuka Fujimaru.
"I understand what you mean, and I believe what you say."
"But--"
"I refuse to let Jack go with you."
Her tone was calm, but very firm.
"I don't care whether this world is real or fake. Jack is safe now; she doesn't need to fight any more wars."
"You mean we need to get through the Nightmare World? That hundred-meter-tall demonic phantom?"
"Do you think it's reasonable to make a child face that kind of thing?"
Jack glanced at Reika, then at Ritsuka Fujimaru.
If Mom says no, then no.
Ritsuka Fujimaru glanced at Metatron.
Metatron shook his head slightly.
There's no need to force it.
I understand.
Ritsuka Fujimaru nodded.
"If you change your mind, you can come find us anytime."
They left the alley.
After walking a distance, Astolfo looked back.
On the steps of the porch deep in the alley, Reika was pulling Jack back into her arms, humming a tune that was hard to hear.
Astolfo turned his head.
They didn't say anything.
The last one.
Atalanta.
The kindergarten's iron gate was still half open, and the sounds of children laughing and playing could be heard from inside.
As the group entered the courtyard, Atalanta was squatting beside a flower bed, teaching a little boy how to water the flowers.
"Don't water it too much, or you'll drown it. Yes, like that, slowly."
The little boy awkwardly held up a small watering can and carefully poured water onto the flowers.
Water got onto his shoes.
Atalanta sighed, but the corners of her mouth curved into a smile.
She helped the little boy wipe the water off his shoes, then stood up and saw a large group of people at the door.
There are significantly more than last time.
"You're here again."
Her ears twitched slightly.
Then she saw several familiar faces in the crowd.
Karna Heracles Astolfo Amakusa Shirou Semiramis.
"You've brought everyone here?"
"Almost."
Ritsuka Fujimaru told her about the latest developments.
Mukuro Hoshimiya is in the deepest layer of the dream. He needs to traverse the nightmare world. Belphegor's phantom will attack with all its might. Sufficient combat power is needed to cover his breakthrough.
Atalanta did not answer immediately after hearing this.
She turned around and glanced at the children in the yard.
A dozen or so children were playing "Eagle Catches Chicks." A little girl with pigtails ran too fast and tripped, falling to the ground and crying loudly. A little boy next to her rushed to help her up.
"If this dream continues..."
Atalanta's voice was very soft.
The real world will wither.
Then the dream itself will disappear.
"These children will also..."
She didn't finish her sentence.
But everyone knows what happens next.
Atalanta's ears slowly drooped down.
She knelt down and picked up the little girl who was still crying.
The little girl hugged her neck, wiping her snot and tears all over her clothes.
"Teacher... are you leaving already...?"
Atalanta remained silent.
She gently patted the little girl's back.
The little girl's crying gradually subsided.
Atalanta put her on the ground.
Then she turned around to face the group of people.
"I'll go."
"So that these children can wake up in the real world, instead of disappearing with a false dream."