[FMMIKA] Chapter 274: Dragon Emperor Enter the Stage

"Damn it! What is it? What is it? Why did the signal cut off?"

In the Chaldea headquarters, Romani Archaman, a man who had always appeared easygoing, even somewhat timid, suddenly jumped up panickedly, knocking over his chair.

His voice was filled with frustration, anger, and unease. It seemed like he was furious about the sudden loss of contact with Ritsuka's group and... something more, something he had witnessed.

—No, it wasn't just about losing contact. There was something far more important. He had seen that 'presence'.

Although it was just a momentary glimpse, yes, just a brief flicker of existence, Romani had made momentary contact with the entity that had severed the connection between Ritsuka's group and the Chaldea headquarters.

In just that fleeting moment, the energy and principles he had sensed from that entity had reached a level of dread that terrified Romani.

'A god.'

'And not just any god.'

'A chief god?'

'Or even stronger...'

'Or perhaps worse?'

Seeing Romani losing his composure like this, the other Chaldea staff members around him were naturally curious and concerned at the same time.

Da Vinci, who stood beside him, spoke up and voiced the question.

"Romani, what's going on?"

"It's..." Romani opened his mouth but was uncertain of how to put it into words. "A very powerful enemy has appeared."

In the end, Romani could only lower his voice and convey what he knew in a vague, ambiguous manner.

Unlike his colleagues around him, Da Vinci, who was also a Servant and thus somewhat privy to his 'true identity' or his 'other identity', had a better understanding.

"Is that so..."

Hearing him say this, Da Vinci's expression also became troubled. She furrowed her brow as if pondering a way to break through this situation.

Even though Da Vinci's forte wasn't strategy but rather invention and creativity, Chaldea lacked famous military strategists from the Three Kingdoms era and detectives who had stepped out of novel fantasies.

So, in this situation, they had to rely on Da Vinci.

Everyone was watching her, their eyes focused on Chaldea's most intelligent figure, hoping for a reassuring answer.

After some time, it seemed that Da Vinci had concluded her thoughts. She let out a long breath and then revealed a confident and mysterious smile.

This smile allowed those Chaldea staff members who had previously felt uneasy and fearful to regain their composure. It also added a few more points to their admiration for Da Vinci.

Until Da Vinci herself spoke up.

"Believe in those kids. Believe that they can work wonders."

She said those words with a gentle tone.

Romani: "..."

"God bless them."

And so, the doctor began to pray.

Meanwhile, on the beach at Toloun Port.

Whether it was the sound of explosions, cries of battle, or the shouts of the mechanical dragons.

Everything came to a halt.

All that remained in the world was the sound of the waves continually crashing on the shore.

Breathing became difficult.

Heartbeats quickened.

Pupils shrank, foreheads and backs drenched in sweat.

The body felt as though it didn't belong to itself.

Were they still standing, or had they already fallen to the ground? Or perhaps they had knelt before the enemies without grace?

This oppressive feeling was truly terrifying. It was much stronger than the previous encounter with Artoria Alter in SIngularity F.

Even though when facing Artoria Alter, Ritsuka also felt it was hard to move and speak, it was nothing like the current situation where it felt like not a single finger could even be moved.

It was as if her entire being—her thoughts, her spirit, her brain, and even her soul—had been frozen.

"Fujimaru Ritsuka, the Master of Chaldea, the savior of human order."

The Dragon Emperor—Artorius Pendragon, looked at her with interest as he revealed her identity.

*Gulp!*

Ritsuka swallowed hard.

'Why? How can this be?'

'Who in the world is this guy?'

'When did he come? Is he an enemy?'

While Ritsuka was pondering those thoughts, the Anti-Chaldea trio had already gathered around Artorius.

""Your Majesty.""

Carmilla and d'Eon knelt on one knee, paying their respects to the Dragon Emperor. Although Jalter was not as respectful and appeared somewhat unwilling, she still stood alongside them, next to Artorius.

'It seems that he is our enemy after all.'

The Servants of Chaldea's side reacted quickly, they quickly encircled Ritsuka, who had just endured tremendous pressure, with Mash using her shield to protect the front.

It allowed Ritsuka to breathe a sigh of relief. Although her body was still stiff and numb, at least her ability to think had been restored.

With her newfound ability to think, Ritsuka gazed at the young man in frosty silver armor, crowned with a king's crown. She couldn't help but swallow hard.

'So handsome...'

He was extraordinarily handsome, the kind of handsome that almost made her inner Gudako do anything to get him.

"Introduce myself." Artorius continued with a smile, "I am Charles VII."

"Impossible!"

Before Ritsuka could speak, Jeanne by her side was already ahead.

"You are not Charles VII, not His Majesty, you—"

"Ahh."

When Jeanne wanted to continue, Artorius interrupted her.

"I haven't explained myself properly. To be precise, it's the role I'm currently playing. 'Charles VII', to be exact."

"..."

After this statement, the Ritsuka's group continued to be surprised, but Artorius remained composed.

"To make progress in this Singularity, I need an identity."

"Upon some consideration, Charles VII is tolerable, at least I can use it."

"Though it's a bit of a stretch, I'll have to endure it for the greater good."

If an ordinary person had said this, Ritsuka would surely have made a sarcastic remark. However, coming from Artorius, she and the others surprisingly found it appropriate. They thought he was right.

Even Jeanne, who was known for her unwavering loyalty to Charles VII, could only stuttered.

"Y-You..."

Jeanne couldn't express herself.

Did the man in front of her despise Charles VII, thinking that he was a disgrace, not worthy of respect, not to be cared about?

But the problem was that with the power Artorius had shown, he indeed didn't need to care much about all of that.

"Who... are you... really?"

Ritsuka finally overcame her fear and asked this crucial question.

"Artorius Pendragon."

Artorius calmly replied as his face changed to indifference.

"Dragon Emperor of Roman Empire."