Lostbelt 1: Russia

Lore & Background

The Lostbelt system represents branches of human history that were pruned by the Great Collapse but still possess enough energy to threaten the main timeline. In this specific branch, Anastasia's survival allowed Russia to avoid revolution and instead forge a pact with Ivan the Terrible, who fused with the Divine Spirit Veles. This fusion granted the Eternal Frost Empire its technology and protection, creating a utopia that required constant expansion to survive. However, this stability came at the cost of consuming other timelines. The Lostbelt persists due to the Fantasy Tree, not by draining other timelines. Anastasia rules with benevolence but is ultimately bound by the will of the fused Ivan-Veles to expand the empire indefinitely. This conflict forces the Master and their Servants to confront a ruler who genuinely believes she is saving her people, even as her actions threaten all of humanity.

In Their Own Story

The wind howled across the frozen courtyard, carrying snowflakes that glittered like diamonds under the pale moonlight. Ritsuka pulled their coat tighter against the biting cold, watching the spires of the Grand Temple pierce the sky. Above them, Svarog's eyes glowed faintly through the clouds, a silent guardian watching over an empire that should not exist. Anastasia stood on the balcony, her silhouette framed by the aurora, waiting for the intruders who dared challenge destiny.

Reader's Guide

The journey begins when Chaldea detects a severe distortion in the Russian timeline during their Grand Order mission. Ritsuka and Mash arrive to find an empire frozen in eternal winter under Anastasia's rule, sustained by the Divine Spirit Svarog. They encounter Ivan the Terrible as a Servant loyal to the Grand Duchess, tasked with maintaining order in this snowy paradise. Vlad III emerges as a formidable foe later in the conflict, summoned by Anastasia to defend her throne against the intruders from Chaldea. His vampire powers challenge the crew significantly during intense magical warfare across snowy landscapes and opulent palaces. The team learns that this timeline diverged when Anastasia survived the historical purge, allowing Russia to industrialize under divine protection. Ultimately, Ritsuka confronts Anastasia herself at the heart of the Grand Temple. Despite her genuine desire for a peaceful world without suffering, the Lostbelt threatens humanity's future by consuming other timelines. With the help of allies and the Command Spells, Chaldea activates the pruning mechanism required by Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg's plan. The Eternal Frost Empire fades into memory, marking the first successful step in saving the timeline from total erasure.

Did You Know?

• Anastasia is a Lostbelt King and a construct, not the historical Anastasia; her identity is a product of the Lostbelt's divergence.
• Ivan the Terrible appears as a Berserker fused with the Divine Spirit Veles, not as a Ruler-class Servant.
• This arc introduced the concept of Pruning, where alternate timelines must be destroyed to save humanity's future.
• The technology of the Eternal Frost Empire stems from Ivan's fusion with the Divine Spirit Veles, not from any separate god of fire and industry.
• The Lostbelt does not drain energy from other timelines; it persists due to the Fantasy Tree.