"This will be a second Uruk!"
When the King of Heroes declared this, I nearly fainted. At least let it bear the Animusphere name for now…
Am I even an Animusphere anymore?
Chaldea's recent transformation into a leisure observatory that nobles would envy was swift and audacious. The King of Heroes made the impossible possible. Rumors say he used unthinkable tricks to fund it, yet he surpassed all common sense with ease.
I, too, exist outside common sense now—fused with the Holy Grail. Dead, yet saved by him.
The king who first praised me, haughty yet laced with kindness and care. He saved my life.
I want to repay that debt. I can't run from responsibility. Even without Rayshifting, I have plenty to do. I am Olga Marie Animusphere, Director of Chaldea.
"Today's lecture is over. Ritsuka, Mash, good work," I say.
"Thank you, Senpai. You okay?" Mash asks.
"Ugh, barely…" Ritsuka groans.
In a study room grander than the Clock Tower's lecture halls, the three of us—Master, Servant, and I—held a training session. I'm the teacher; Mash and Ritsuka, the students.
"Don't slack early, or you'll struggle later. Review during free time. It'll be on the test," I warn.
"A test!? No way, we're doing tests now!?" Ritsuka whines.
"Of course. You don't retain without repetition, do you?" I retort.
"That's harsh! My grades aren't that bad… Ugh, I wanna hit the arcade…"
"Let's do our best, Senpai. I'll help, and we can relax at the hot springs after," Mash encourages.
"If Mash says so… Director, make it easy, please?" Ritsuka pleads.
"Fail, and the arcade's off-limits," I threaten.
"That's cruel!"
A call from the control room interrupts. "Mash, look after Ritsuka," I say.
"Yes, take care," Mash replies.
"See ya… Ugh, homework…" Ritsuka mumbles.
I head to the control room. Supporting Ritsuka's knowledge is critical. If anything happens to her, the world's end is certain. Knowledge is a weapon that never burdens. I hope she understands that.
(Her motivation's hard to read, but at least she's trying.)
"Sheba's observation and Chaldeas' maintenance are mine. Romani, handle the simulation adjustments," I instruct.
"No way, Director, I can't burden you! I've got this!" Roman protests.
"Magi☆Mari's updated," I tease.
"Ugh!" he winces.
Chaldeas and Sheba are Chaldea's heart. I want to maintain them myself. "Romani, take an hour's break. I'll handle the rest," I insist.
"But—"
"Rest! I'll call if needed. Take care of yourself. Your face screams 'I want sweets'!"
"Damn, how'd you know!?" Roman grumbles, leaving. "This workplace is scary!"
I type at the console three times faster than average. "Rayshift, observation, existence proof—all clear."
With my right hand, I adjust simulations—difficulty, Shadow Servants, enemy data. "Sparta Mode, Uruk Mode…? What's the difference?"
"They say it's the strength of soldiers unyielding to divine harassment. Gilgamesh-sama's words," a staff member explains.
"Ultra-hard, then. That king's thorough… even tweaking simulations," I muse.
"Gilgamesh is the best! Turned Chaldea into paradise in a day!" a staffer cheers.
"That meal made me cry—it was too good!"
"The beds are so plush, I've never slept better!"
"I'm staying in Chaldea forever. Can I bring my family?"
The staff's joyous chatter fills the room. I never noticed before, too caught up in myself, but they're risking their lives too. Ignoring that was wrong.
"Your hands are idle. The king's harsh on slackers," I warn.
"Crap, crap!"
"Gilgamesh forgives pride but not laziness!"
"I'm not scared of dying, but I can't let him down!"
A call from Da Vinci-chan. "Da Vinci's summon?" I ask.
"Go ahead, Director. We've got this," a staffer says.
"Really?"
"Of course. We're not dead weight!"
"We won't let you hog the spotlight!"
"Go, Director. Be careful," they urge.
"…Thanks, I'm counting on you," I say, leaving the control room.
"Sorry for the wait! The Mystic Codes—combat, uniform, and Atlas Institute—are ready!" Da Vinci announces.
I collect them from her workshop. I entrusted Ritsuka's Mystic Codes to Da Vinci, sourced through Animusphere connections.
"Thanks, Master," I say.
"No worries, for my cute disciple! Sized for her, so no issues," Da Vinci assures.
"Will she manage them…?" I wonder.
"Gods know. Experience will help! Now, let's start our one-on-one lesson!" Da Vinci beams.
"Already? Okay," I agree, startled. My sense of time's off since becoming this body. When did I last sleep? No need for food or rest feels like jet lag.
"Don't neglect life's basics just because you don't need them, disciple. Mental fatigue hits first. The mind links body and soul—lose it, and you lose yourself," Da Vinci warns.
"Go to the planetarium. We'll resume later. You've been working nonstop, and Chaldea's got every diversion you need!"
"Not as bad as Romani… but thanks," I say, leaving the workshop.
"Not quite Uruk, but fine colors. Shame it lacks the divine era's radiance. The stars from my ziggurat were splendid…"
The planetarium has a guest—the king who changed my fate, Chaldea's mightiest force, Gilgamesh, who gave me the Grail and saved my life.
"Oh? Marie? Stargazing too? Good taste, if a bit unladylike," he teases.
"Mind your own business! …Am I intruding?" I ask.
"No matter, you're permitted. Behold Uruk's starry sky. Needs more immersion—VR, perhaps?"
"Y-Yes," I agree.
His Noble Phantasm recreates a sea of stars, close enough to touch.
"…Beautiful…"
"Indeed! Know this: Uruk, the invincible fortress city, excels in all! My chosen supreme city—its people, sky, land, stars, all my purest treasures!" he boasts, laughing grandly.
I feel a pang of envy. To live so confidently…
No. I shake off weakness. I choose my path. I wished to live, not die, and this king saved me. I must stand on my own.
Even if I can't reach the stars, I'll walk earnestly—to be praised by someone.
"What's that heated stare? Smitten by my golden allure?" he smirks.
"No! Just dazzled by your shininess!" I retort.
"Haha! Naturally! I outshine any star! You can't have them, even if you 'hoshi' them! AUO joke—laugh! Your land's proverb says laughter brings fortune!"
"Haha…" I manage.
His joke sense… even gods couldn't gift it.
I've rested enough, refreshed. The grind resumes, but no need to panic. I'm not alone. I'll do my utmost.
From now on, I'll be more natural. They'll forgive that much. They're good people, after all.
"Fou! (Finally, a decent face.)"
"Oh? Aren't you Mash's pet? You never appeared before me," I say.
"Fou! (You seem okay now, so I'm saying hi.)"
"Lost? Come here," I offer.
"Kya, Fou! (Charming the Director's not a bad idea. I'll make my name as Resort Chaldea's mascot!"
"Fufu, so fluffy. What's your name?"
May this place remain a haven where the star's beast never awakens.
Casino, arcade, rec room, hot springs, batting cages, planetarium, library, museum, manga café—all in Chaldea! Save humanity and refresh!