"Dr. Roman?"
"Fujimaru? Mash? You actually got caught in the Rayshift?! Thank goodness! It's unbelievable that you could survive the 'loss of meaning' without the aid of instruments..."
On the other side of the screen, Roman was genuinely overjoyed at their survival. The sudden explosion had caused massive damage to Chaldea. With other key personnel unconscious or missing, he, the head of the medical team, had been forced into the role of acting commander. Seeing his friends safe was the best news he'd had all day.
But just then, a figure pushed past them. Olga Marie, still reeling from Lancer "death declaration," shoved her way to the front of the communication feed.
"Roman? Why are you in that seat? Where is Lev?"
"Director?! You're alive..."
The moment the words left Roman mouth, he realized the atmosphere was wrong. Olga Marie face went dark, and even Mash and Ritsuka looked uncomfortable. Realizing he had misspoken, he scrambled to fix it.
"The explosion was so sudden, and you—along with several other department heads—went missing. Since there's no one left with a higher rank, I've taken temporary command of operations. But it's wonderful that you're alive, Director! You can lead us again once you're back..."
Olga Marie cut him off sharply.
"Roman. I asked you—where is Lev? And where are the other forty-seven candidates in the coffins?"
"Well... Professor Lev was at the center of the blast. The chance of survival is... near zero. As for the forty-seven candidates, they are all critically injured and are currently undergoing emergency treatment in the medical ward. If things continue like this, I'm afraid..."
One piece of bad news after another hit Olga Marie like a physical blow. She staggered, but a hand reached out to steady her.
"Keep your head up," Lancer said firmly. "I didn't tell you those things to break your spirit; I told you so you'd be prepared. Since I said I come from the future, let me tell you the final result: Chaldea succeeds. Every Singularity is fixed, and humanity survives this disaster!"
Lancer unwavering conviction made Olga Marie look toward Mash and Ritsuka. She nodded slowly. She couldn't fathom how the plan could succeed if she was 'dead' and the staff was decimated, but she bit her lip and pushed Lancer away, standing tall.
"Roman!"
"Yes!"
"Initiate cryo-preservation immediately. Keep them alive at all costs!"
"Understood! I'll get right on it!"
The screen flickered and vanished. Only then did the strength drain from Olga Marie body. She started to fall back again, but this time it was Mash and Ritsuka who caught her.
If she hadn't believed Lancer before, she was starting to now. The situation at Chaldea was catastrophic. Everyone was gone, Lev was dead... she really might be...
Looking at the concerned faces of the two girls, Olga Marie straightened her back. Even so, the weakness in her limbs made her sway.
"Director..."
"Mash! The Singularity is the priority right now. We'll deal with my situation later."
She turned toward Lancer and Cu Chulainn.
"Gentlemen, I believe we need to cooperate."
Originally, her plan was to ditch these "unidentified individuals" and regroup with the other candidates. But with those candidates incapacitated, trusting these two was her only remaining option.
It was a choice born of necessity.
Lancer and Cu shared a look but said nothing. After all, trust isn't built in a day.
"Let's eat first," Lancer suggested. "Tiger worked hard on this."
"So, you don't actually know the entire 'future,' just specific fragments and key events?"
"Exactly."
A hardcore Fate fan might have been able to recount the entire FGO plot, but Lancer was the type who mostly looked at the art. He knew the Fuyuki prologue well, but for the later parts... he mostly knew rumors and which characters might help the protagonist.
Still, it was better than nothing. He had been to worlds where he knew absolutely zero plot before; he took it as it came.
While Lancer and Olga Marie discussed the "future" with grim faces, the other three at the table didn't seem to have a care in the world.
Cu Chulainn was drinking with his usual nonchalance. If Lancer topic hadn't been so heavy, he probably would have tried flirting with the girls. As a Servant, his goal was to fight—plain and simple. Save the world? If he was needed, he'd do it, but he wasn't going to let the stress crush him. Never underestimate people, he thought.
Every era has its heroes. This one was no different.
But are the heroes of this era really these two girls? Cruel fate...
He watched Ritsuka stuffing her face like a hamster and Mash nibbling nervously on a salad. He sighed inwardly, but he didn't look down on them for being female. He had been beaten by his Master, Scáthach, for too many years to make that mistake.
As they talked, Olga Marie expression suddenly shifted.
The conversation at the table died down. Cu stopped drinking, and Ritsuka and Mash looked up curiously.
"Why do I feel like you look familiar?" Olga Marie asked, staring at Lancer.
Cu Chulainn eyes lit up. As one of the most famous "engines" of the Celtic era, a mischievous look crossed his face.
Oho~ did my junior use his time-travel powers to play around and break some poor girl's heart?