Fate: Question And Answer System of Traversing Heroic Spirits

"The young director has appeared," Chihiro murmured, feeling a spark of excitement upon seeing the silver-haired girl in the video.

Unfortunately, he reminded himself that Fate and FGO existed in separate timelines. This version of Olga Marie Animusphere could never become the director of Chaldea or the alien god antagonist from her parallel counterpart's world.

["Long time no see, ma'am."]

[El-Melloi II immediately recognized the silver-haired visitor as she stepped into view.]

["I didn't expect someone from the Modern Magecraft Department to recognize me so easily."]

[The silver-haired girl stood proudly, introducing herself. "But I'll make it official: I am Olga Marie Animusphere, daughter of the Lord of the Department of Astronomy."]

["Who's that?"]

[Gray and Caules exchanged confused glances, clearly unfamiliar with her identity.]

[El-Melloi II explained, "She is the daughter of Marisbury Animusphere, the current Lord of the Astronomy Department."]

["The Lord's daughter?!"]

[Both Gray and Caules looked surprised. The sheer number of prominent figures gathering for this Magic Eye Collection Train was astonishing.]

[Olga Marie tilted her head slightly, a confident smile on her lips. "You're here because you've taken a fancy to a Mystic Eye, haven't you?"]

[El-Melloi II smirked faintly. "That's hard to say."]

[Her expression turned sharper. "Then let me be clear: the Astronomy Department is determined to win this year's auction. Even if my opponent is a Lord, I will show no mercy."]

[El-Melloi II chuckled. "I appreciate your determination."]

[At that moment, a woman with her hair tied in a high bun and wearing glasses approached Olga Marie. She addressed her with a polite tone, "Miss, it's almost time."]

[Olga Marie nodded. "Understood, Trisha."]

[The woman was Trisha Fellows, Olga Marie's tutor and a mage with imaginary number attributes. Despite being the Lord's daughter, Olga was only twelve years old, making it too dangerous for her to attend such a high-stakes auction without protection.]

[Olga Marie glanced back at El-Melloi II before departing. "Anyway, I hope you don't interfere with the Animusphere family."]

[With that, she and Trisha walked away.]

[Gray noticed something peculiar as they left—a pendant hanging from Trisha's neck. She paused, her eyes narrowing as if trying to remember something.]

Kayneth: "The Astronomy Department, which rarely leaves its ivory tower, has sent someone to this auction. And it's the monarch's daughter, no less. There must be something extraordinary among the Mystic Eyes this time."

Sola-ui: "It seems like they already know the auction items in advance."

Kayneth: "Perhaps. But the confidentiality surrounding the Mystic Eye Collection Train is famously strict."

Waver: "Maybe they've managed to gain information through… unconventional channels."

Tohsaka Tokiomi: "Did anyone get a clear look at the pendant?"

Illya: "It was too fast. I couldn't see it properly."

Emiya Kiritsugu: "I didn't catch the details either. But it's probably important—it wouldn't have been highlighted otherwise."

Tohsaka Tokiomi: "Indeed. It's likely tied to future developments."

["How unexpected," Hishiri said with a smirk. "It's rare for the Animusphere family to come down from their celestial pedestal."]

[El-Melloi II crossed his arms. "It's only natural for the Celestial Body Association to be interested in Mystic Eyes that can pierce through mysteries."]

[Finally, the train doors creaked open, and the passengers began boarding one by one.]

["The inside feels much larger than it looks from the outside," Gray remarked in awe as they stepped into the leisure car.]

[El-Melloi II glanced around, his expression unreadable. "I told you—the train itself exists in a different dimension. And every person here is part of a noble lineage, one way or another."]

[He guided Gray and Caules to a seating area, glancing discreetly at the other passengers. "I recognize half of them. And every single one of them is a monster in their own right."]

[Across from them, an elderly man greeted El-Melloi II with noticeable respect, clearly familiar with his reputation.]

[Moments later, a dark-skinned man entered the car, his presence commanding immediate attention. He was dressed in black priest robes, his attire leaving no doubt about his identity.]

["Karabo Frampton, from the Holy Church."]

Kotomine Risei: "Executor Frampton… I didn't expect him to be here as well."

Waver: "Even the Holy Church has sent someone to participate in the auction?"

Kayneth: "This only shows how tempting Mystic Eyes are, even for the Holy Church."

["I didn't expect the church to be involved," El-Melloi II muttered under his breath as he rose from his seat instinctively.]

[The tension in the air was palpable. After all, the relationship between the Clock Tower and the Holy Church had always been strained.]

["Come on, I'm not here to cause trouble."]

[Karabo Frampton, clearly familiar with El-Melloi II, presented an invitation letter. "I'm here as a participant in this auction, that's all. Is there a problem?"]

[El-Melloi II's expression softened as he realized his mistake. "My apologies for being rude."]

[Karabo smiled faintly. "No need to apologize. Your reaction is perfectly normal."]

["As expected, teacher has arrived. I've been waiting for you!"]

[At that moment, Yvette appeared from behind Karabo and bounded toward El-Melloi II with an excited grin.]

[Caules blinked in surprise. "Yvette! What are you doing here?"]

[She laughed, flipping her hair dramatically. "My family are experts in Mystic Eyes, so of course, we're regular passengers on the Mystic Eye Collection Train. It's only natural."]

[Yvette smirked playfully, looking at Caules. "And you? Did you come here to play the teacher's assistant?"]

[Caules rubbed the back of his head, slightly embarrassed. "No… I begged teacher to bring me along."]

["Teacher, you shouldn't be so indecisive," Yvette teased, tilting her head. "No, wait, I can see it now—BL is also possible. With so many people serving you, it must be exhausting for you to handle them all."]

[Hishiri covered her mouth with a chuckle. "Oh my, how adorable. You must be the student aiming to be his mistress, right?"]

[Yvette responded with no hesitation, "Yes, we're constantly having affairs."]

["Alright, enough out of you," El-Melloi II snapped, his temples throbbing visibly. His voice dropped to a growl. "If you're so eager to run your mouth, feel free to jump out the window right now."]

[Yvette pouted dramatically. "Ah, teacher, you're so heartless."]

Tohsaka Rin: "Waver, you're surprisingly popular."

Iskandar: "Hahaha! Waver, it's rare for someone to take a liking to you. Why not just agree to her request?"

Waver: "What nonsense are you spouting?! I don't even know her yet!"

[The train door opened once more, and this time a blonde woman in a golden coat and glasses entered alongside a thin man dressed as a conductor.]

["Sorry to interrupt," the woman began with a polite smile. "I'm the auctioneer for this train. My name is Leandra."]

[The conductor stepped forward. "And I'm Rodin, the conductor."]

[Leandra continued, "The Mystic Eye Collection Train will now depart on schedule."]

[Rodin added, "The auction will begin in three days. Until then, please enjoy the journey."]

Tohsaka Tokiomi: "Three days on the train? That seems excessive."

Emiya Kiritsugu: "Where is this train's final destination, I wonder?"

Kayneth: "I wouldn't know. I've never received an invitation myself."

Darnic: "I'm curious about how they determine who qualifies to board this train."

[After everyone returned to their respective carriages, El-Melloi II, visibly tired, rejected Gray and Caules's suggestion to investigate further. Instead, he advised them to rest and opted to adopt a strategy of patience.]

[Meanwhile, back on the ground, Reines wasn't idle.]

[She sought out Sisigou to assist in investigating the identity of the thief who had stolen the holy relic.]

[Given that the thief had bypassed the magical barriers set up by El-Melloi II with ease, Reines had every reason to suspect an insider was involved.]

[To that end, she recruited Luvia as an additional assistant for Sisigou.]

[Time passed quickly, and the next day arrived.]

[El-Melloi II, holding his anonymous invitation letter, approached a flight attendant to inquire about its origins. However, the attendant explained that the train had issued multiple anonymous invitations, and the sender of El-Melloi II's letter remained unknown.]

[With no other leads, El-Melloi II reluctantly decided to focus on breakfast, joining Gray and Yvette in the dining car.]

[Just as they finished their meal, Caules rushed in, clutching a letter in his hand.]

["I found this in the crack of the door to the second carriage," Caules said, handing the letter to El-Melloi II.]

[El-Melloi II opened it, his expression darkening as he read its contents. The letter was from the thief.]

[The message was clear: El-Melloi II was to meet the sender in the cargo room that evening.]

[With the enemy still in the shadows, El-Melloi II had no choice but to comply with their demands.]

[At that moment, Olga Marie suddenly appeared, requesting to speak with El-Melloi II privately.]

[Curious, El-Melloi II brought Olga Marie and her companion to his carriage. To his surprise, the first words out of her mouth were about the Holy Grail War.]

Kayneth: "The Astronomy Department is showing interest in the Holy Grail War? Perhaps they're considering participation."

Sola-ui: "That doesn't seem likely. The participants were decided long ago. If they wanted to join, they would have made their move earlier."

Kenneth: "You're right. It's unlikely they'd join at this point."

Chihiro leaned back, his gaze thoughtful. "Because they've already given up."

He sighed to himself.

This was yet another reminder of the differences between Fate and FGO.

In the Fate timeline, Marisbury Animusphere, the previous director of the Astronomy Department, had originally intended to form Chaldea. However, he had encountered severe funding issues that left him unable to realize his vision.

To secure funding, he turned his sights toward the Holy Grail. However, after learning about the corruption within the Grail—thanks to the events involving Kayneth —he abandoned his plans to participate in the Fifth Holy Grail War.

Without sufficient resources, Marisbury failed to produce any results that could garner support from the Atlas Institute. Consequently, the Chaldea of the Fate world was never born.

But things were different in the FGO timeline.

In that world, the Holy Grail was not corrupted. Marisbury managed to obtain the Grail and used it to wish for a large sum of money, resolving his financial crisis.

Thus, Chaldea—one of the most influential and morally ambiguous organizations in the Type-Moon universe was successfully established.

***

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