"Doctor? Doctor? Can you hear me?"
After changing into a maid outfit, Fujimaru Ritsuka regained some energy and began trying to contact Romani Archiman, the current acting director of Chaldea.
Since Romani was originally a doctor at Chaldea, Fujimaru and her companions maintained this title and still referred to him as "Doctor."
In the Singularity, Fujimaru and her team would use communication devices to stay in touch with Romani at Chaldea.
On one hand, this ensured that Chaldea could be informed of the situation in the Singularity as soon as possible and take appropriate measures.
On the other hand, it was also because the method Chaldea used to send Fujimaru into the Singularity, "Spiritron Transfer," was quite unique.
Therefore, maintaining communication was necessary to prevent Fujimaru from being unable to return to Chaldea after the events concluded.
"It seems we can't get through here."
Zuke watched as the screen in front of Fujimaru flickered on and off, realizing that it was unlikely Fujimaru would be able to contact Chaldea's staff in this area.
In other words, if Zuke wanted to communicate with Chaldea, he would have to leave this place first.
This desert was not a product of this era but rather the work of a certain Heroic Spirit.
That Heroic Spirit was Ozymandias, also known as Pharaoh Ramses II. When he summoned the Holy Grail, he not only summoned Heroic Spirits but also brought forth the territory of Egypt from over two thousand years ago.
It was precisely because of Ramses II's interference that this desert was filled with mana sandstorms, which not only affected Fujimaru's body but also disrupted communication with Chaldea.
"Then let's get you out of here first."
Seeing that Fujimaru couldn't contact Chaldea, Zuke patted her shoulder and prepared to take her away from this desert filled with mana sandstorm.
Although in the original story, Fujimaru and her companions spent a considerable amount of time leaving this desert even with a vehicle, if Zuke were to take her, leaving the desert would be a matter of an instant.
"Wait! Don't rush. Before that, I need to find Da Vinci and Mash!"
Seeing that Zuke seemed ready to take her away immediately, Fujimaru quickly waved her hand in refusal.
Although she didn't know what method Zuke planned to use to take her out of the desert, she instinctively felt that if Zuke were to take her away, it wouldn't take much time.
But Fujimaru couldn't leave yet. Da Vinci and Mash, who had been transferred to this Singularity with her, were still missing. How could she abandon her companions and leave?
"Ah, Da Vinci and Mash are also Servants, and like me, they are from Chaldea..."
Perhaps worried that Zuke didn't know who Mash and Da Vinci were, Fujimaru quickly explained.
After being saved by Zuke earlier, Fujimaru had already explained her background to him—basically, it was no different from the original story, and Zuke simply treated it as a refresher on the basic settings of FGO.
Moreover, Fujimaru had noticed that Zuke was also a Heroic Spirit, so she regarded him as one of the helpers sent by the Counter Force to resolve the Singularity.
Coupled with Zuke saving her twice, her trust in him had skyrocketed.
"Looking for someone? Alright then."
Zuke nodded. Although it was a bit troublesome, considering that the main quest was related to Chaldea, Zuke could only help Fujimaru with these small tasks first.
Calming his mind slightly, Zuke sensed the "Ki" around him and quickly detected what seemed to be the targets.
"Found them. There are three ki signatures over there. They should be the people you're looking for."
"Three ki signatures?"
Fujimaru was stunned. Only two people should have been transferred to this world with her. Why did Zuke say he had detected three energy signatures?
However, Zuke didn't explain to Fujimaru. Instead, he walked in front of her and grabbed her wrist.
"Wait... wait, what are you doing?"
Fujimaru was still an innocent girl. Suddenly being grabbed so roughly by Zuke, she was momentarily stunned and then asked shyly.
Since Zuke had saved her before, Fujimaru didn't resist, but she couldn't help feeling a bit embarrassed.
However, in the next moment, Fujimaru felt her vision blur—although they were still in the sandstorm, judging by the shape of the surrounding sand, she and Zuke were clearly no longer in the same place.
In an instant, they had been transported elsewhere.
And behind Zuke stood three figures.
"Huh!? Senpai!"
Among the three, two were clearly the people Fujimaru was looking for—Mash, who was holding a giant shield, exclaimed in surprise.
On one hand, it was because Zuke and Fujimaru had suddenly appeared in front of them.
On the other hand, it was because Fujimaru was being held by Zuke with a shy expression, making it seem like they had an unusual relationship.
"Oh...?"
The other woman, Da Vinci, looked at Fujimaru and Zuke with a playful gaze, as if she had seen something very interesting.
Beside Da Vinci and Mash stood a dark-skinned woman dressed in striking Egyptian attire, looking at the suddenly appearing duo with a puzzled expression.
...
"I see, Mr. Zuke... Although I've never heard of this Heroic Spirit, he possesses terrifying strength."
After listening to Fujimaru's explanation, Da Vinci looked at Zuke with a somewhat amused expression.
Da Vinci called herself the "Universal Genius" and was well-versed in various myths and histories, but she had clearly never heard of Zuke in any historical or mythological context.
Although there seemed to be corresponding names in some obscure corners of history or certain fictional works... Zuke's strength was too overwhelming.
He was definitely not some herioc spiritbut rather someone with the power to utterly annihilate them. Precisely because she was also a Heroic Spirit, Da Vinci could easily discern his strength, making it impossible for her to even think of opposing him.
Fortunately, Zuke seemed relatively friendly. At least from what Fujimaru had said, he had already saved her twice.
At the very least, Fujimaru had almost complete trust in Zuke. Although Da Vinci had her doubts, she respected Fujimaru's choice.
"So, you're currently following this Lady Nitocris to a place called the Great Ramesseum Tentyris ?"
On the other hand, Fujimaru had also figured out the identity of the woman in Egyptian attire whom Da Vinci and Mash were following.
Her name was Nitocris, the first female pharaoh in Egyptian history to wield full political power over Egypt.
However, this desert was not created by Nitocris but was brought forth by Ramses II from the Great Ramesseum Tentyris .
In other words, they were about to meet this Ramses II and seek his help?
Thinking of this, Fujimaru instinctively turned to look at Zuke, as if seeking his opinion.
"Let's go take a look."
Zuke shrugged. This sandy place wasn't very suitable for conversation anyway.
After going to the Great Ramesseum Tentyris , they could have a proper chat with Da Vinci—since they couldn't contact Romani at Chaldea, Da Vinci could make decisions on most matters.
To be continued…
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