'Well... that was a complete waste of my sentimental feelings.'
And then,,
["Servant, Lancer. Mistress of the Underworld, Ereshkigal. I have answered your summons. I am generally not inclined to lend my strength to a single human, but since you were the one who called... I suppose I'll help. Be properly grateful!"]
The official summoning lines of the Lancer class.
But the voice was unmistakable: Irigal.
"Irigal, this really isn't the time for a prank. What if you scared off the real Ereshkigal?"
Wayland quickly opened his eyes.
The ambient energy was still swirling in the air, but the dense mana of the ritual had dissipated, leaving the storehouse exactly as it had been.
The only difference was the young girl standing at the center of the summoning circle.
She wore a gown as dark and deep as the night sky, its edges adorned with shimmering golden stars. A single black stocking reached above her knee, disappearing beneath the hem of her dress.
In her right hand, she held a massive, ski-like lance. A trail of vibrant red flowers and cold silver chains wrapped around her waist, leading down to a familiar, golden Lance Cage.
An ornate, dark-red crown sat upon her head.
She looked at the stunned Wayland, tucking a golden lock of hair behind her ear and revealing a matching earring. She blinked, her crimson eyes filled with a playful, mischievous glint.
"Master... long time no see."
Wayland recognized the voice instantly.
He stood there, frozen, his mind completely and utterly blank.
Ereshkigal tilted her head, her long, wavy blonde hair cascading over her shoulders. A faint blush crept across her delicate features. "Wait! Why are you just standing there like a statue?! I'm a genuine goddess, you know! Say something!"
***
The Mistress of Death
"What...?"
After a long silence, Wayland managed a soft, hollow groan.
'How did it end up like this?'
His first Servant summoning, and the one he'd called was Ereshkigal... two wonderful things had overlapped, creating a happiness he hadn't thought possible.
But the degree of that happiness... it felt like a dream.
Wayland looked up at the girl's radiant smile.
She'd lied to him for so long.
Though... once he really thought about it, the signs had been there all along. He'd just never imagined something so impossible could be true.
Wayland felt a swirl of complex emotions as he stepped toward her.
"Eresh-chan... come here for a second."
"What is it, Master?"
The girl lowered her spear and stood before him. She was wearing her 'Third Ascension' gown,the one she specifically wore when she visited the surface world.
She was gazing at him, her long lashes fluttering like starlight against her cheeks. Those crimson eyes were like polished jewels.
She was about ten centimeters shorter than him, making it easy for Wayland to reach out and gently pinch her cheek.
"Ah...!"
The unexpected gesture left her momentarily stunned.
Her cheeks flared a bright, hot red, and she quickly averted her gaze, her fingers nervously tugging at the hem of her skirt. She didn't pull away, but her voice was trembling. "M-Master... what... what are you doing?"
"Hmph. My punishment for you lying to me." Wayland's gaze drifted, almost involuntarily, to her soft, parted lips.
Too close!
'She's too close!'
Ereshkigal could clearly feel the heat of his breath as he spoke. Her body grew rigid, and she took a small, uncertain step back to create some distance. She kept her head lowered, her usual confidence nowhere to be found. "What... honestly, Master! You called me a 'stupid system' plenty of times! I'd say we're even!"
"Actually, about that."
Wayland took another step forward, catching her hand. "Tell me... who was the one who gave you that 'system training'? I'm going to have a word with her."
The girl gave a small shiver, her hand instinctively trying to pull back. "It was... BB-chan."
'I should have known. Why on earth would you trust her?'
Wayland let out a long sigh.
No wonder the system was like that.
He looked around the dusty storehouse. "Let's go back to the house."
"T-The house? The... bedroom?"
Her voice was a series of rhythmic, panicked stutters.
"What?"
Wayland looked at her in confusion. "This is a garage. It's not exactly the best place for a reunion chat."
"Oh... right!"
Ereshkigal let out a visible breath of relief.
"I'll clean up the traces of the summoning first."
Since he'd used his own blood, the cleanup was simple enough. He fetched a bucket of water and a mop, quickly erasing the crimson circle from the concrete floor.
"Come on in."
Wayland slid open the doors and flicked on the lights, the warm, golden glow filling the room and pushing back the winter chill.
"I remember that Servants can eat and drink once they've materialized. Here... have some tea."
[Translated and Rewritten by Shika_Kagura]