It was a sudden event.
A few hours before Dumpty was once again mentally kidnapped and returned...
"This is... the premonition of an event. And this is...!"
"Yes, that's right, Mash. This is the aura of the Christmas plague we experienced in 2019."
Mash and Nightingale sensed the signs of a suddenly starting event and immediately prepared. Since it felt similar to past experiences, everyone moved swiftly under Nightingale's guidance to respond.
But...
"The Director has disappeared!"
Director Olga Marie and several other personnel had vanished. Some of Ritsuka's Servants, and several of Dumpty's Servants were also gone.
"For such a thing to happen while Dumpty is absent..."
"Leave it to me."
Sakura moved to fill Dumpty's vacant position, and Dumpty's Servants also followed her, deciding to act as a small elite team.
"We'll go too."
"... Are you sure about that?"
And so, Ritsuka's group also decided to move. Sakura had a fondness for Ritsuka, but she strongly perceived Ritsuka as weak. However, Ritsuka arrived wearing what seemed to be a priest's outfit.
"During the days Dumpty was asleep, I trained a bit too. I'm different from before!"
"Is that so... If Ritsuka says so..."
"It feels strange when Sakura, who looks more like an older sister than me, calls me older sister..."
Sakura still insisted on her grown-up appearance.
"Sorry about this. To have to rely on Sakura, who's still a child, to resolve the incident. No, did we ignore this reality by pushing Dumpty forward? Anyway... for now, Dumpty isn't here, but the situation doesn't seem too serious. So, you don't need to overdo it. Of course, I trust that you'll do well on your own. Actually, with members like these, I'm not worried..."
Romani spoke, and soon the group arrived at the singularity.
A snowy wilderness that looked like deep winter.
"Let's see... where should we go?"
Ritsuka's group consisted of Kiritsugu, Saber Alter, Amakusa, Black Jeanne, and the nameless one (Kojiro). That made five. Sakura's group was Ushigozen, Mash, Nightingale, Nemo, Scáthach, and Enkidu.
First, Ritsuka looked around and discovered giant reindeer emerging from the forest with rustling sounds.
"Are they enemies...?"
"Kyaaaaa!!!"
Bang!
"They're enemies alright!"
Ritsuka quickly stepped back, and Kiritsugu rushed forward in front of her. She wasn't holding a shield but grasped a sword.
"One Sword Style... Earth Form."
Swish!!!
"What is that...? When did she learn something like that?"
Mash was surprised upon seeing that.
With Kiritsugu's single slash, the reindeer were cut down and disappeared into light.
"Using a sword... Can you use one too, Mash?"
"I know the basics. But, I am Dumpty's shield. I intend not to use weapons other than a shield. But she..."
Kiritsugu had learned swordsmanship from friendly swordsmen like Musashi and the newly arrived Kojiro during that time.
The sword wielded by the Demi-Servant, the cross sword of Balin, the greatest knight of Britain comparable to the Round Table, who died before the Round Table was formed due to bad timing. Kiritsugu used a shield but had decided to try using a sword when she had to fight.
The best offense is the best defense. She would use the shield only when truly necessary and fight with a sword normally.
"So, Shielder uses a sword instead of a shield?"
"Ah... but as Musashi and others said, there are more Archers who don't use bows. I thought it might be okay for me too..."
"... That's a valid point, indeed another me."
Mash couldn't refute Kiritsugu's logic.
But there were more reindeer. For a moment, Sakura's group was taken aback by the incredible and unexpected display from Kiritsugu and remained still...
"Did she do that, Ritsuka?"
Sakura was surprised, looking at the scene on the other side.
"How about it? I can do it when I need to, right?"
"... Ritsuka, you're scary."
"Huh!?"
"Ritsuka has learned Black Keys, I see..."
"... What are you looking at."
Mash looked at Amakusa, and the blackened Amakusa retorted sharply while clicking his tongue.
Unlike other experts, Amakusa was of a type unsuitable for combat. Rather, because of that, it was easy to teach Ritsuka, a civilian with no combat experience. Having lived about 60 years in the modern era and been involved with the church, he had excellent teaching abilities, and Ritsuka could handle Black Keys proficiently in just a few days.
"Sigh... I'm hated by Sakura."
"Don't worry about it, Master. For now, the enemies seem to be about this many."
Saber Alter comforted Ritsuka, and the group confirmed that there was no one else around.
[No hostile entity reactions on radar either. By the way, I've seen the training, but Ritsuka's growth is amazing.]
[She had talent from the start~ I wonder if she'll start using sacraments too~?]
After measurements from Chaldea were completed, the group proceeded forward.
Then, this time, snowman golems jumped out from the snow.
Again, Ritsuka and Kiritsugu stepped forward to engage in combat.
"Why are those two fighting? What about the others?"
"Captain, it seems they agreed to let those two grow. Probably due to the Master's influence."
"That's right, Enkidu. It's a good method, the growth of the Master's own combat power; in Celtic terms, it's viewed favorably."
Everyone was evaluating those two when...
"[Lugh's Halo]!"
Bang!!!!
Summoning a burning wheel, Ritsuka grabbed it with her bare hands and slammed it down. A strong shockwave occurred, scattering snow piles and destroying the snow golems.
"What kind of monstrous strength... It's like Kintoki."
Ushigozen was baffled seeing Ritsuka's monstrous strength...
"My work."
"Indeed, you... used magical circuits. And that is..."
Scáthach looked at Amakusa's arm and smirked at his words. Amakusa had special magical circuits. Using the Holy Grail from Shimousa, he remodeled Ritsuka's body.
"It's nothing special. Just drew out her potential. Talents that were dormant because they couldn't manifest easily in the modern era, not entangled with mystery. A natural physique. I've never seen such talent in the modern era before. She's a talent the Burial Agency would covet."
Whoosh...
Swinging the burning halo, Ritsuka easily defeated the golems.
Having received some teaching from Dumpty, it ignited the spark within her heart. As a result, Ritsuka began to grow stronger on her own.
"Hehe~ How about it? At least I can protect myself now, right?"
"... I need to work harder too, or I'll be in danger."
Sakura felt a sense of crisis and resolved to try harder. Shortly after, the group found a signpost stuck at the entrance of a forest.
"Let's see... it says?"
"Each Chaldea means... did some come from your side too?"
"Probably so, me from here."
As Ritsuka read the sign, Kiritsugu was baffled by the sudden Christmas event. Mash thought it was no big deal and wondered who the Santa might be.
Meanwhile... inside the forest.
"Really, why did I end up with this role? Talking about screen time or whatever, I don't understand. Whatever it is, as the Director, I have to care for my subordinates' welfare... so I have to do it. But, when are they coming?"