Unexpected Encounter

Arkhan didn't try to persuade the elderly because he couldn't promise to ensure their safety.

The development of this world had far surpassed his expectations.

Hassan-i-Sabbah and Ozymandias might no longer exist, leaving only the rumored Holy Roman Empire.

In such circumstances, he couldn't guarantee the safe passage of these people to the next shelter. From here on, it would be an unknown journey, as he couldn't depend on his knowledge of the original works.

Even he himself didn't know which place in this world was safe anymore.

With a heavy heart, Arkhan took each step toward the canyon's exit.

However, he suddenly heard a commotion.

There were sounds of clashing weapons, angry shouts, and strange tremors.

Was there some battle going on?

Arkhan raised an eyebrow and immediately tapped into the power of Fenghuang Down, noting a significant increase in brainwave signals not far away.

Did some people fight Camelot's knights? Moreover, it appeared they were fighting back.

Arkhan's curiosity outweighed the village's problem for a moment.

In this world, was someone truly daring enough to challenge Camelot's knights? On top of that, it appeared that their fierce battle was underway.

Unable to resist his curiosity, Arkhan quickened his pace, heading toward the location of the battle.

After a dozen breaths, he reached the canyon's exit and saw the two opposing sides engaged in battle—no, it was a war.

One side was clad in silver armor, clearly Camelot's knights, while the other side consisted of a group of soldiers wearing red armor, likely natives of this land based on their appearance, accent, and skin color.

Arkhan noticed that the equipment on these soldiers also exuded magical energy, though slightly less intense compared to Camelot's knights. Fortunately, with the advantage of numbers, they still held their own against the knights they faced.

Observing the rose patterns on their armor, Arkhan pondered thoughtfully.

He almost guessed the origin of these soldiers.

'Well, speak of the devil...'

Suddenly, Arkhan noticed an unusually eye-catching figure.

It was a girl with pink hair dressed in a tight purple-black combat suit, wielding a shield bigger than herself. She darted around the battlefield effortlessly, beating several tall knights with a mere flick, sending them flying more than ten meters away.

"It's really her..." Arkhan raised an eyebrow slightly, a look of keen interest on his face.

He hadn't expected to encounter her here.

'But come to think of it, if she's here, then the other one is probably...'

Arkhan's gaze shifted slightly, effortlessly finding a flashy reddish-orange-haired girl at the back of the red-armored soldiers.

Indeed, wherever there was Singularity, these two girls would always be present.

Meanwhile, on the battlefield.

Fujimaru Ritsuka, who was nervously observing the war, suddenly heard a familiar voice in her ear.

"Can you hear me, Ritsuka?"

"Yeah, loud and clear, what's up, Doctor?" Ritsuka responded as she backed away cautiously.

After experiencing so many Singularities, she wasn't the naive rookie she used to be. She had learned a thing or two about ensuring her own safety in such intense battles and not being a burden to Mash.

Her EQ? Not bad.

Her IQ? Not so much.

Well, she was just a second-rate Master who was thrown into the fray unprepared after all.

A virtual screen appeared beside Ritsuka, showing a man in a ponytail whose face was far from calm, his anxiety palpable.

"We just received a warning! There's an extremely powerful Saint Graph signal near your location, comparable in scale to a Divine Spirit!"

Upon hearing that, Ritsuka paused for a moment, instinctively turning her head.

Soon, she spotted a black-haired man wearing silver armor standing at the mouth of the canyon, observing her with great interest.

Even though they were separated by a considerable distance, the moment she laid eyes on him, she couldn't look away.

His black eyes seemed to possess a magnetic force, locking her soul in place.

Gradually, those eyes drew closer and closer to her, as if they were about to engulf her whole.

*Thud!*

"Hahh... Hahhh..."

Ritsuka collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath as if she had just been rescued from drowning.

"Oh?"

Arkhan raised an eyebrow slightly, a look of interest creeping onto his face.

Earlier, when he noticed she had detected him and was gazing at him, he used a small amount of mental power from Fenghuang Down on her. Though small, for ordinary mages, this amount of mental power was enough to shatter their mental defenses.

Of course, he wasn't aiming to harm Ritsuka; he simply wanted to test the extent of her willpower. And, of course, the final result left him very satisfied.

Truly deserving of the title of humanity's savior, just this unwavering willpower alone was enough to earn admiration.

'By the way, that guy on the screen, he should be Chaldea's doctor and acting director, Romani Archaman, right?' Arkhan pondered, rubbing his chin. 'King Solomon, huh...'

"Ritsuka! Ritsuka! Are you okay?!"

Upon hearing Romani's anxious call, Ritsuka took a deep breath, stood up, and wiped the sweat from her face.

"I'm fine, Doctor... Also... I saw that guy..." Ritsuka answered and paused for a moment, then added. "And he saw me too..."

"What?" Romani choked for a moment, then reacted disbelievingly, widening his eyes. "You mean you saw the Servant with the Divine Spirit-level Saint Graph I mentioned?!"

"Um..." Ritsuka nodded.

"Then what are you standing around for?! Hurry up and run!" Romani shouted in panic. "That's a godlike enemy, not something you can fight against!"

"But, what about these soldiers..." Ritsuka hesitated slightly as she watched the red-armored soldier on the battlefield.

Seeing her hesitation, Romani took a deep breath and spoke up.

"Listen, Ritsuka, you have no idea how powerful entities on par with Divine Spirits are. They're real calamities, capable of easily destroying cities with populations in the tens of thousands. If you don't hurry, you won't make it out alive!"

Romani was filled with anxiety.

The Saint Graph's scale of this unknown Servant was no less than the Lion King they had encountered before!

If Ritsuka didn't retreat in time, her chances of survival were slim!

After hesitating for only a moment, Ritsuka made a decision, nodding firmly.

"I understand, Doctor!"

Just as she was about to call for Mash, an unfamiliar voice suddenly echoed in her ear.

"I finally found you guys after so much effort, how could I let you run away like this?"