Edward walked alongside Rin and Archer toward a secluded park tucked away behind rows of quiet streets and trees swaying lightly in the breeze. It was far from the main roads, where the chatter of pedestrians and the hum of cars faded into the background, leaving only the sound of leaves rustling overhead.

The trio didn't speak at first. Rin kept stealing quick glances at Edward, sometimes in curiosity, sometimes in frustration—as if trying to figure him out. Archer, walking on the opposite side, seemed relaxed, but his eyes never stopped scanning their surroundings with a practiced awareness of a seasoned Servant .

They reached a park bench, weathered and slightly crooked, positioned beneath the shade of an old cherry tree.

Edward sat down first, leaning back comfortably as if the battle from last night hadn't happened. Without a word, he tore open a pack of chips he'd bought from a vending machine on the way, the sound of crinkling plastic cutting through the silence.

Rin blinked, watching in disbelief as he popped a chip into his mouth and chewed leisurely, completely at ease. She looked at the cold drink in her own hands, a canned coffee he'd gotten her without asking—and her brow furrowed. That's not what I meant when I asked him to buy me a drink, she thought irritably.

She snapped open the can and took a long gulp, maybe a little more forcefully than necessary. Archer, standing nearby with his arms crossed, glanced between the two and allowed himself a faint smirk at Rin's subtle sulking.

Edward broke the silence with a casual tone.

"So, tell me, little girl—what's going on with this war?"

Rin stiffened, her irritation rising instantly.

"I'm not a little girl, you… jerk!"

Edward sighed as if he'd been through this exact conversation countless times before.

"Everyone under a thousand years old looks little to me. It should be taken as a compliment. You won't be so upset about it if someone says that to you when you're eighty."

Rin's eyes twitched. She took a deep breath, muttering something under her breath about "weird immortal heroes" and "condescending old men," before finally giving up on correcting him.

"Putting your bizarre sense of time aside," she said sharply, "why is a Ruler here in this Grail War? That doesn't happen often."

Edward chuckled softly.

"Because, even after I ended two Servants last night, there are still about seven more left."

Her eyes widened. She shot up from the bench, her voice rising.

"How could this happen?! The Grail can only summon seven Servants, right?"

"Generally, yes," Edward replied with complete nonchalance, as if they were discussing the weather. "But the system can be bypassed, or outright hacked by someone who knows what they're doing. In this war, two different Masters each have more than one Servant."

He leaned forward slightly, his tone turning curious.

"By the way, do you know what's going on with the Church? And… what about the previous Grail Wars?"

Rin straightened up, a proud glint in her eyes.

"You're in luck. As a proper magus, I happen to have extensive records and knowledge about that." She then frowned, her voice hardening. "As for the Church… that fake priest is definitely up to something shady. I wouldn't mind if you killed him or something."

Edward's expression grew more serious.

"Wait, this is the second Grail War in Fuyuki, right?"

Rin looked at him as if he'd asked the most absurd question.

"No. This is the third. The last one happened ten years ago—in Tokyo. The one before that was here in Fuyuki. And the first would be… over a hundred years ago."

Edward froze, his brow furrowing. Even Archer looked startled.

"Wait a minute, Rin," Archer interjected, "when did that happen? Wasn't the war ten years ago here in Fuyuki?"

"No," Rin replied firmly. "The last Grail War was in Tokyo. My father participated in it—alongside that fake priest. But… he didn't make it." Her voice softened at the end, and she looked away for a moment.

Edward's mind began racing.

This timeline's a mess… Fate/Zero happened, but in Tokyo? And then there's Manaka… She was in the Tokyo war, I'm sure of it. If the events lined up like that, then—what about Gilgamesh? Did he even get summoned?

If things diverged there, then this war should have been the one Solomon won… but Manaka showed up instead. She could have pulled it off too—restoring Beast VI to full strength and using Heracles as backup. Thankfully, I caught her at her weakest. But if I hadn't known her tricks beforehand…

He frowned deeper. Then who else is still in play?

"Hey." Rin's voice cut through his thoughts. "Why are you spacing out like that?"

Edward glanced at Archer.

"What does your boss say about all this?"

Archer shook his head.

"I have no clue either. But… if the war in Fuyuki didn't happen… does that mean…?" He trailed off.

Edward finished the thought for him.

"Probably. Hopefully he's just an ordinary high school kid now."

Rin's head snapped between them.

"Wait—who are you talking about?"

"No one," Archer said quickly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Just a stupid kid who should mind his own business."

Edward rose from the bench, brushing crumbs off his coat.

"Alright then. As fun as this was, I need to get back to finding some proper answers. Take care, Rin. Don't die."

Rin scoffed, lifting her chin.

"As the heir of the Tohsaka family, it's my duty to ensure this city remains safe. I am a skilled magus."

Edward chuckled, his tone almost teasing.

"Then where were you last night? The city would have been gone if I hadn't stepped in."

She quickly looked away.

"I… fell asleep early. I thought the war would start today, after all the Servants were summoned."

Archer sighed quietly, and Edward shook his head.

"Well, a girl needs her beauty sleep. Let's just hope someone doesn't decide to skewer you in your sleep, or use you in a mass genocide ritual."

Rin blinked and turned toward Archer.

"He's joking… right?"

But Archer was already dissipating into spirit particles, clearly uninterested in answering. In truth, he had somewhere else to be—probably checking in on a certain red-haired boy with more courage than sense.

Edward waved lazily.

"See you, then. I better get back and prepare for tonight."

As he walked away from the park, the quiet rustle of leaves accompanied his thoughts. His expression darkened slightly.

Why didn't the Root just give me the information I needed? He clicked his tongue. Knowing her, she probably thought it would be funnier this way… Damn you, Root.

He muttered the words under his breath as he left the park behind, the vending machine chips long gone and the strange, tangled threads of this war still hanging unresolved in his mind.

*****

Edward walked along the quiet street, the remnants of last night's battle still faintly pressing on his mind. The morning air was crisp, the sun rising slowly but surely, casting long shadows between the buildings.

His boots echoed softly on the pavement, a steady rhythm against the city's awakening life. Yet, amidst the calm, Edward suddenly stopped and smacked his forehead with a tired sigh.

"Why didn't I think of the simplest method?" he muttered to himself, voice low but laced with frustration. "Stick close to the trouble magnet and I don't have to go looking for it. I need to find Ritsuka and stay nearby. She'll definitely stir up some mess! I can also get some backstory about Chaldea."

His voice softened as he pulled upon the deep well of mana that flowed through him as a Ruler-class Servant. The world shimmered faintly around his vision as his mana sensing activated, quickly locking onto a familiar presence.

A few moments later, Edward materialized silently near a narrow alley adjacent to a local café, the scent of freshly baked pastries wafting in the air.

From the alley, Edward observed through the open windows: Ritsuka was seated comfortably, delicately picking at a plate of sweets. Beside her sat Scathach, her ever-watchful expression softened by the rare moment of calm. A small smirk crept onto Edward's face. Perfect.

He vanished from the alley and reappeared inside the café without any fanfare, his movements fluid and composed. Without hesitation, Edward took the empty chair beside Scathach. His gaze flickered toward her half-eaten cake, and with an easy grin, he picked up a small piece and took a bite.

"Hey, guys," he said casually, mouth still moving. "How's the recon going?"

Ritsuka choked slightly on her pastry, coughing until Edward quickly offered her a glass of water. She accepted gratefully, her cheeks flushing faintly from the surprise.

Scathach, however, glared at Edward, her mouth twitching with suppressed irritation.

"Have you resorted to stealing food now?" she asked coldly.

Edward shrugged, unapologetic. "Too much sugar isn't good for you."

Scathach's hand twitched toward the hilt of Gae Bolg, her legendary spear ready to strike, but she paused and took a deep breath.

Her sharp gaze locked onto Edward, narrowing.

"Wait. I can smell the presence of another Master and a Servant on you," she said sharply. "Have you been in contact with other participants? Did you tell them anything about us? I can smell a women's scent, have you done something with her?"

Edward spread his arms wide, feigning innocence with a playful grin. "Oh, come on. I thought Cu Cu lame was supposed to be the hound! And Do I look like that kind of person?"

"Yes," Scathach replied flatly, not missing a beat.

Edward chuckled without remorse. "Ouch. Someone's a little salty. Come on, it's just a cake. Want me to buy you another?"

Scathach scoffed, her cold eyes flashing. "You should have done that without asking."

Edward shook his head but summoned the waiter with a polite gesture and ordered another slice of cake for her. He placed it in front of Scathach with an exaggerated flourish. "Alright, there. Happy?"

"That's just cake," Scathach replied nonchalantly, her tone dry. "Why would I be happy about a simple dessert?"

A vein throbbed at Edward's temple. This woman is messing with me, he thought silently.

Ritsuka, having recovered from her surprise, watching the unfolding drama, finally spoke, voice still soft but steady. "Adam-san, how did you find us? And did you rest properly? Are your injuries healed?"

Edward's lips curved into a warm smile. "Thanks for your concern—unlike this rude person here." His glare turned toward Scathach, who simply ignored it.

"I have mana perception that lets me sense and locate Servants," Edward explained. "Actually, I have some questions for you, Ritsuka-chan. I need to know what exactly happened to Chaldea, and how you plan to fix it."

At those words, Ritsuka's fingers tightened around her teacup. Her expression clouded as old, painful memories stirred deep inside her. She hesitated, unable to speak at first.

Edward's smile faded into a soft sigh.

"Sorry, Ritsuka-chan," he said quietly. "But I need to know the scenario before I decide how to act. What happened?"

Before she could answer, Scathach interjected, voice steady and commanding. "Maybe we should go back to base before discussing these things. This place isn't suitable."

Edward nodded, the hint of a smile returning. "Yes, that would be much better. Let me grab some snacks first."

He rose and walked toward the counter, ordering an assortment of pastries and desserts. The café manager, a friendly middle-aged woman with warm eyes, smiled broadly at Edward's easy charm.

As they chatted, Edward's natural charisma worked its magic; by the time the takeout was ready, not only had Edward secured a hefty discount for himself, but Ritsuka and Scathach's bills were waived entirely.

Despite her somber mood, Ritsuka looked genuinely surprised and smiled faintly at Edward. "You're quite good with people, Adam-san. They didn't charge us at all."

Scathach snorted, folding her arms. "He's just using his charms to mooch off people."

Edward gave her a sharp glare. "I didn't ask for it, they gave it. And since you don't like it, I should just return the things I ordered for you?" He dangled a paper bag teasingly before her face.

Scathach snatched it away with a smirk. "Since you've already bought them, it'd be a shame to return them."

Edward stared at her, incredulous. "You are the worst type of tsundere!" he muttered, giving up and turning back to Ritsuka as they walked toward their destination.

What Edward failed to notice was the small, amused smirk tugging at the corner of Scathach's mouth as she followed silently behind.

A few minutes later, they arrived at the modest house that Ritsuka was renting. Edward's eyes surveyed the runic defensive barriers set up expertly around the entrance, no doubt Scathach's handiwork, a silent testament to her vigilance and power. He carefully placed the snacks on the wooden table and then plopped down on the nearby bed, sinking into the soft mattress with a sigh.

"Alright," Edward said, stretching his arms with a lazy smile. "Now that we're home, it's story time."

Ritsuka drew in a deep breath, preparing to begin, but was caught off guard when Scathach casually laid down on the bed beside Edward without hesitation.

Edward raised an eyebrow in surprise. "What are you doing?"

Scathach answered with a blunt tone, barely looking at him. "I'm lying down. Are you blind?"

Edward turned his head away, shaking his head in disbelief. "What is up with you, woman? Are you bipolar or something?"

She averted her gaze and replied coolly, "I'm just tired and wanted to lie down. You lying there has nothing to do with that."

Edward ignored her comment and turned his full attention back to Ritsuka. " Where's the other troublemaker? "

Ritsuka coughed , " umm... Merlin-san said he decided to go on a walk around the town to appreciate the scenery." Edward sighed and threw any thoughts about that guy out the window. He will definitely cause some trouble and call for help.

"Alright," he said, voice gentle but firm. "For the sake of my sanity, I'll ignore her. Now, Ritsuka Fujimaru, tell me your story."

*****

Edward lounged on the bed, a soft pillow propped under his head, eyes fixed lazily on Ritsuka as she began to speak. Her tone was calm, but the subtle tremor in her voice betrayed that this was not a story she told lightly.

She started from the beginning.

Most of what she said matched the canonical events he knew—the sudden, catastrophic explosion at Chaldea; the mass loss of every Master capable of Rayshifting except her; and her desperate journeys through the Lostbelts alongside Mashu. The battles had been grueling—each one against a twisted reality guarded by Servants who had adapted to their worlds in ways both ingenious and terrifying.

She spoke of Russia's frozen expanse, where Ivan the Terrible's monstrous form towered over battlefields, his strikes a storm of ice and thunder that shook even Mashu's unyielding shield. She described the endless day of the Scandinavian Lostbelt, where Surtr's blade burned hotter than the sun, cutting through even the air as if reality itself was his enemy.

She told of China's isolationist paradise, India's looping cycles of death and rebirth under Arjuna Alter's divine authority, the oceanic void of Atlantis where Orion's arrows could pierce anything, and finally, the underworld labyrinth of Olympus, where gods walked among mortals .

Edward listened intently, his expression neutral but his mind alive with each description. These were not the shallow recollections of a tourist, they were the battle memories of a Master who had survived the kind of trials that shattered entire timelines.

And at last, she recounted their final fight against Goetia.

The Demon God King had been relentless. She explained the way he bent the very foundations of human history to his will, summoning pillars of searing flame and light to erase them in an instant. Mashu had intercepted countless strikes, her shield sparking under the cosmic impact of Goetia's attacks.

Ritsuka had commanded her Servants with precision, every order timed between Goetia's incantations. The battle had pushed them beyond exhaustion, but at the end, through combined strength and unyielding will, they had stood victorious.

But victory brought no warmth.

When she and Mashu returned to Chaldea, expecting their hard-earned homecoming, they were instead greeted by silence and ruin.

The Land of Steel stretched endlessly before them—a lifeless, rusted wasteland where the sun's light was pale and weak. Chaldea itself lay in ruins, its walls collapsed, its halls littered with long-faded traces of life. No voices. No footsteps. Everyone they had known was long dead.

As they tried to understand what had caused this, a sudden wave of hostility struck them. Corrupted Servants, versions of the ones they had once fought in the Lostbelts—appeared, their eyes clouded in crimson haze, movements unnaturally precise, as if guided by a single will.

And there was someone leading them.

A man in his late twenties with unkempt hair tied back in a rough ponytail stepped from the shadows. He carried no sword, no lance, no mystic code—only a pair of guns, one small and one large.

But they weren't ordinary firearms; the mana signature they emitted was suffocating. It was clear he was controlling the corrupted Servants, their every movement synchronized with his.

Ritsuka had tried desperately to summon her own Servants to counter him, but none could withstand even a brief exchange. His fighting style was unlike any other she had seen—a perfect fusion of gunslinger precision and battlefield control.

Every shot was calculated, aimed not merely to wound but to control positioning, break formation, and open fatal gaps. Against him, even the most experienced combatants were reduced to prey.

One shot, in particular, had been different. It tore through the air with the weight of absolute annihilation, and Ritsuka could feel, even without knowing, that it was a weapon designed to kill things that could not be killed.

Mashu had leapt in front of her, intercepting the attack. Somehow, her shield had absorbed the brunt of the impact, but the shockwave alone tore through her body. The force had thrown Ritsuka back, her ears ringing, her vision white from the flash. When she regained her senses, Mashu was already fading, her form breaking apart like glass under moonlight.

In desperation, Ritsuka had used one of the rings left behind by Solomon, forcing one of Chaldea's barely-functioning systems to activate. She made a wish—not for salvation, but for a second chance. To return to the moment before it all began, to win the war before Solomon could make his wish.

But when she arrived here, she could already feel that this timeline was wrong. Not destroyed like her own, but corrupted. The air was too heavy. The leylines carried a faint distortion.

Somehow, she had managed to summon Scathach—not from the Throne, but directly out of the Land of Shadows. And together, they had arrived at Fuyuki.

Edward kept nodding during her explanation, his tone almost casual when he finally spoke. "That's quite pitiful. I hope you can find a way to… umm, Ritsuka-chan, did you say the guy controlling the corrupted Servants… used a gun? Did he call it something? Like… I don't know… Black Barrel, something similar?"

Ritsuka's eyes widened, her voice quickening. "Yes! He called it Black Barrel, something he said he found in Atlasia. Do you know him?"

"What the hell!" Edward shot upright, his palm pressing into the mattress. "How did Gun God get pulled into this? Isn't he supposed to be one of the good guys!?"

Ritsuka's gaze dropped, her face paling. She pointed shakily at Edward. "Umm… Adam-san… your hand…Its.."

Edward frowned, not following. "Yeah, what about… my hand?"

He instinctively squeezed his palm. " Huh, the mattress is quite squishy...."

The he froze.

"Ahn~"

He felt it before he fully looked down, a dangerous, suffocating presence, cold as sharpened steel. His fingers, in his sudden excitement, had landed on something they absolutely should not have touched.

It was like winning a jackpot but then finding out the prize was Death by impalement.

Scathach was still lying beside him, eyes hidden beneath the curtain of her purple hair. The murderous glare radiating from her was almost physical, and in her hand, the crimson light of Gae Bolg had begun to take form.

Edward's voice came out tight. "Uh… I think we're out of milk… I'll go grab some."

But before he could pull away, her hand clamped around his wrist like an iron shackle.

Her voice was sickeningly sweet, the kind that made lesser warriors flinch. "Then leave this arm behind. You won't need both of them for carrying just milk."

Edward's voice cracked slightly. "Uh… I'm carrying two cartons?"

Ritsuka had gone bright red, turning her head away, desperately pretending she hadn't seen anything.

Edward jumped out the window with a cat like reflex , running away, the Celtic warrior running behind him holding Gae Bolg with fury.

The Holy Grail War was about to get a great deal more chaotic, and not in any way Edward would have preferred.

*****

ya'll are gonna be so pissed at the end of this arc 💀