Fate: But This Is Not Solomon I Know!

Bayeux, Calvados Province – The Flatlands

Pale sunlight pierced through layers of gray clouds, casting a lifeless ash-like yellow hue over the endless fields. Knee-high weeds swayed in the wind, rustling dryly—like whispers from the dead.

Ritsuka, Mash, and Jeanne Alter walked carefully along a narrow dirt path, each step measured amidst the sea of grass. None of them spoke, but the silence was beginning to feel… suspicious.

"This is strange... Why isn't there a single village around here?"

Ritsuka furrowed his brow, rubbing his chin as his eyes scanned the surroundings. Sweat began to bead on his forehead—not from heat, but from a creeping sense of dread.

They had walked a long distance, yet beyond the wind, the grass, and the silence… not a single soul in sight. No fire, no smoke, no sound but their own footsteps pressing into decaying earth.

"Miss Jalter, do you have any idea where we are?"

Mash turned back to ask, her tone serious.

"This place?"

Jeanne Alter folded her arms, her cold eyes sweeping across the scenery.

"Nope. First time I've seen this rotten patch of land."

"Huh? Even you don't recognize it?"

Mash paused slightly, eyes widening. A Servant born of France unable to recognize her own homeland?

"I've checked..."

The communicator on Ritsuka's wrist buzzed slightly, Romani's voice cutting in through static:

"You're currently standing in Calvados Province."

"What? Calvados? But this is… a dead plain?"

Ritsuka was stunned. The image in the records was completely different from this desolate reality.

"That's correct. But the data doesn't lie—this is definitely Calvados."

Romani reaffirmed, tension evident as he combed through the data line by line.

"He's right."

A shrill, distorted voice echoed from the thick mist ahead, putting all three instantly on guard.

From within the fog, distorted and grotesque figures emerged—Shimi Megids, Fang Soldiers... monstrous things like rotting dreams, slowly approaching like ravenous beasts.

"What?! Senpai, get behind me!"

Mash shouted, immediately spreading her Round Shield in front of Ritsuka.

"Oh... this rabble actually looks... interesting."

Jeanne Alter smirked, her mouth curled in a grin, but her eyes flashed with blade-like killing intent.

She drew her black flag, the tip tapping the ground with a chilling click.

"You're with Chaldea, aren't you?"

A Golem Megid stepped forward, its body jagged with metal and stone, voice screeching like broken machinery.

"The Holy Sovereign wishes to meet you."

"Holy Sovereign?"

Jeanne Alter's brow furrowed. That name didn't exist in her memory.

"Yes. The Holy Sovereign of Sword of Logos… Lord Solomon."

"I've been in France a while now..."

Jeanne scoffed, her eyes blazing with scorn as if ready to incinerate the Megid on the spot.

"Never heard of him. Probably just some clown with a crown."

"For now, I think... we should get out of here!"

Ritsuka said quickly, eyes darting around.

"Mash, Jalter, get ready to fight!"

"Understood, Master!"

Mash nodded sharply, shield raised and braced for battle.

"Stop ordering me around, brat!"

Jeanne Alter grumbled, though her body already shifted stance, hands tightening on the flagpole—clearly ready from the start.

"Resistance is futile."

The Golem Megid roared, signaling with its hand.

Immediately, the horde of monsters shrieked and charged like a tsunami, saturated with killing intent.

[BOOM!]

Mash stepped forward, swinging her shield wide—one sweeping strike shattered several Shimi Megids like brittle pottery.

Jeanne Alter said nothing, slamming her black flag into the ground—purple-black flames erupted, consuming a swath of enemies with agonized screeches.

"Hmph… let's see if you're truly as strong as the Holy Sovereign claimed..."

The Golem Megid bared its teeth, pulling a black book from thin air—[Alter Ride Book]. It flipped open a page.

Space twisted like crumpled paper.

BOOM!

In an instant, the entire area shifted—drawn into a new dimension. A barren desert, heavy with the stench of death magic.

"What?! This is just like Zoth-senpai's ability..."

Mash froze in shock.

"That lazy bastard…"

Jeanne Alter clenched her teeth, flag gripped tight.

"Don't tell me these rejects copied his tricks...?"

The Golem Megid roared and plunged both arms into the sand. Sharp earthen spikes shot upward and then launched at them like a hailstorm of spears.

"Mash!"

"I got it, Senpai!"

BOOM!!

Mash slammed her Round Shield into the ground. A magical circle expanded, completely shielding the group—the spikes shattered, sand exploding into the air.

The Golem didn't stop. It gathered energy into both arms, then clasped them together, smashing downward with a deafening crack, aimed directly at Ritsuka.

"Not a chance!"

Jeanne Alter dashed forward like a black wind, her sword-tip piercing straight through the Golem's joined fists.

"Bastard...!"

The Golem snarled, its arm morphing into a twin-barreled cannon, firing a barrage of magical earth bullets at Jeanne like a storm.

Jeanne scowled, spinning her flag into a black whirlwind—every bullet was deflected in a flash.

One stray bullet grazed her cloak, leaving a smudge of dirt.

She stopped.

Her face darkened.

"…Did you just dirty my cloak?"

"You die now."

"Le Grondement de la Haine!!"

Her black flag struck the ground—earth shook, purple-black fire erupted like hellflames. Dozens of black spears shot up, impaling the Golem in a storm of screams.

[BOOOOOOM—!!]

A pillar of dark fire exploded into the sky, swallowing his roar.

The Golem Megid… turned to ash.

Jeanne Alter emerged from the smoke, her expression blank as stone. Silently, she dusted off her cloak until it was spotless again.

"Jalter, are you okay?"

Ritsuka approached, concern in his eyes.

"Miss Jalter, you were… amazing..."

"Leave me alone!"

Jeanne Alter snapped, her face thunderous as if a storm were brewing. She turned on her heel and walked off, leaving the other two…

…to glance at each other and sigh together.

Just as the group caught their breath, the sky above suddenly rumbled. A deep, distant roar echoed through the clouds, like thunder cracking the heavens.

A massive ship—wooden, classical in design yet brimming with majesty—was slowly descending, casting its shadow over the land with a gust of howling wind.

Romani's voice came urgently through the communicator, tense and alert:

"Ritsuka! Be careful—two high-class magical signatures incoming! They're... two Servants!"

"What? Servants?!"

Ritsuka shot upright, eyes locked on the approaching vessel. The wooden ship sailed through the sky like a warship breaching dimensions, its silhouette blotting out the sun behind it.

"That is..."

Mash's eyes widened, hands tightening around her shield, every muscle ready.

The ship slowly descended, gliding through wind and dust, landing effortlessly on the open plain as if gravity meant nothing. Standing on the deck, two Servants smiled and waved.

"Greetings, Last Master of Chaldea..."

A silver-haired man, bare-chested under a flowing white coat, waved casually.

"I'm Noah."

"And this is Taigong Wang. We're both Rider-class Servants."

"A pleasure to meet you."

Taigong Wang bowed respectfully, his calm smile and scholar-like aura as still and profound as a deep lake.

"I'm Fujimaru Ritsuka. This is Jeanne d'Arc Alter and Mash Kyrielight."

Ritsuka returned the gesture, eyes fixed on the newcomers, still wary.

"Get on the ship quickly—the monsters here aren't exactly friendly."

Noah said, eyes already scanning the horizon as if he foresaw what was coming.

"Yes, thank you!"

The group leapt aboard. The ship trembled lightly beneath their feet, preparing to take off…

BOOM—!

The ground suddenly cracked open, chunks of earth exploding upward as if something rooted deep below had risen to grasp the ship.

A furious roar followed, shaking the air. Frankenstein—clad in heavy, brutal gray armor—burst out of the ground, her massive blade Gekido slamming down to immobilize the ship.

"ROOOOOAR—!!"

She bellowed, lightning crackling in her eyes. Without hesitation, she scanned a [Wonder Ride Book] on her weapon, triggering the Gekido's Finisher.

[Genbu Shinwa!]

[Dogon! Kaishin no Gekido Randoku Geki! Dogon!]

The blade now surged with layers of rock and lightning. Empowered, it roared like a thunderstorm trapped within metal—Blasted Tree, fuse with the finisher bound to Gekido.

"Mash!!"

Ritsuka screamed as Frankenstein raised the blade—raging with electric death—aiming directly at the deck.

"Uaaa—!"

Mash rushed forward, shield unfolding to full size as she braced for impact.

[BOOOOOOOM—!]

The ship quaked violently, a column of dust and force erupting across the deck like a cyclone.

Mash was hurled toward the edge, her body flipping midair before crashing heavily onto the wooden floor with a painful grunt. Her shoulder torn, blood trickling from her lips.

Frankenstein didn't let up. She slammed Gekido into the ground, spun, and drew a second weapon—an orb-like mace glowing faintly with storm energy, buzzing like an angry hive.

"Gods-Smiting Whip!"

Just as she prepared to charge again, Taigong Wang stepped forward, his eyes sharp like a general at war.

With a precise swing, his whip flashed through the air.

[CRACK—!!]

The strike hit Frankenstein dead-on, knocking her—and both her weapons—aside. Her heavy armor absorbed most of the blow, but the sheer force staggered her, heels screeching against the dirt.

"Noah, launch the ship—now!"

Taigong Wang ordered, firm and composed, eyes still locked on Frankenstein without flinching.

Noah nodded and pulled the controls. The ship's magic engine roared to life, rumbling like war drums.

Frankenstein shrieked, staggering upright and lunging for the ship again—

—but another lightning-fast whip strike from Taigong sent her crashing back to the earth, forming a small crater with the impact.

The ship soared into the sky, escaping the danger zone.

---

In the skies, heading toward Maine-et-Loire…

Mash was having her wounds bandaged by Ritsuka. Jeanne Alter stood silently at the prow of the ship, her cold gaze fixed on the white clouds drifting lazily across the pale gray sky.

"How are you holding up, Mash?"

Ritsuka asked softly, carefully wrapping the bandage around her arm.

"I'm fine now, Senpai."

Mash forced a smile, trying to appear calm, though fatigue still flickered in her eyes.

Ritsuka frowned slightly. His mind hadn't stopped turning since the battle earlier — about the iron-clad knight who had ambushed them so suddenly.

Why attack them? And why such overwhelming strength…?

"Hmm? You seem troubled."

Taigong Wang, still seated leisurely atop his Pixiu, turned his head and raised an eyebrow.

"Yes. I don't understand… why did that person attack us?"

"No. That wasn't just any person — that was a Servant."

Romani's voice came through the comms, unusually low and grave.

"What? Who do you mean?!"

Ritsuka looked up in shock.

"It was Frankenstein."

Noah stepped down from the deck, his voice dry and heavy with emotion.

"What!? Frankenstein!?"

Ritsuka's eyes widened.

"But that's impossible! Frankenstein is a Berserker — why would she be clad in armor like one of those knights?!"

Romani immediately objected, his tone urgent.

"You're right… normally, she is."

Taigong Wang stroked his silver beard, as if dredging up a distant memory.

"But now, she has received the Holy Sword… from Solomon, the so-called 'Holy One.'"

"Him again!? Just who the hell is he?!"

Jeanne Alter snapped, scratching her head in frustration, as if trying to tear out her own hair.

"He's the source of this Singularity."

Noah replied, his tone even and cold as wind sweeping through ruins.

"A man who's subdued five Heroic Spirits… and granted them power in exchange for a promise — to help him destroy the world."

"What…!? Destroy the world!?"

Mash gasped, eyes wide in disbelief.

"Yes. And… do you see that book, floating in the sky over there?"

Taigong Wang pointed into the distance, where a faint, flickering light hovered like an ancient tome of sorcery turning slowly in midair.

"That is his creation — the book of the final tragedy."

"But… why? What reason does he have to want to destroy the world?!"

Ritsuka gritted his teeth, clenching his fists as a growing unease churned in his gut like a boulder rolling downhill.

Taigong Wang didn't answer right away. He simply gave a cryptic smile, then turned to stare directly at the clouds.

"It's nothing complicated… He just wants to rewrite the fate of someone he held dear name Jeanne."

"H-Hey!! What the hell's that supposed to mean!? Don't go pinning this on me!!"

Jeanne Alter blurted out, face flushed red, hands on her hips, seething with outrage.

"I only got on this damn ship five minutes ago!!"

"We've arrived."

Noah spoke calmly, pulling the control lever. The ship shuddered gently, beginning its descent.

"This is…?"

Ritsuka looked around as the deck touched down.

"Maine-et-Loire. A refuge we've established — to shelter civilians from annihilation."

A familiar voice called out, prompting everyone to turn around at once.

The woman who stood there wore white armor and carried a sacred flag. Her gaze was gentle yet resolute, and her presence unmistakable.

"Miss Jeanne d'Arc!"

Mash and Ritsuka exclaimed in unison, eyes wide in awe.

Jeanne blinked, surprised, and pointed to herself.

"You… know me?"

Ritsuka nodded, offering a friendly smile.

"Yes! We summoned you before at Chaldea — alongside Senior Zoth."

Jeanne's eyes lit up slightly, and she gave a soft, knowing smile.

"Ah… I see. Please, come in. Everyone's waiting."

"Th-Thank you, miss Jeanne…"

The group bowed slightly, then quickly followed her into the camp.

Inside was a strange yet vibrant sight — Servants helping civilians pitch tents, distribute medicine, repair rooftops… It was a bustling scene, but not chaotic. It felt like the final fortress of humanity.

Ritsuka glanced around, then froze when a familiar figure carrying a sack of supplies passed by.

"Wait… Sir Lancelot!?"

"Father!?"

Mash cried out, her voice trembling with emotion.

Lancelot — wearing light armor without a helmet, his eyes calm — slowly turned around.

"Ritsuka. Mash. I didn't expect to see you here."

He set down the sack of rice and gave a faint, tired smile.

"The last time we met was at the Jerusalem Singularity… I didn't think we'd cross paths again here."

Ritsuka stepped forward, bowing respectfully. A strange warmth swelled in his chest.

"Nor did I expect this reunion."

Lancelot nodded, but his gaze dimmed slightly.

"You're here to repair this Singularity, aren't you?"

"Yes, that's right."

Ritsuka confirmed, his voice firm.

Lancelot let out a quiet sigh, his expression hardening.

"…It won't be easy. This Singularity… is terrifying."

"What do you mean?"

Ritsuka asked, frowning.

"The one who created it… is more terrifying than our King we fought before."

Lancelot replied, each word as heavy as carved stone.

"What!? Even scarier than her!?"

Mash gasped, nearly shouting.

"Yes. Because… he is a being that surpasses even a Beast."