I'm not crying, okay!
While Marie ventured into town to gather intel, the group decided to wait aboard Vimana.
In the meantime, they examined a new Mystic Code developed by Olga-Marie.
"Rikka, this is for you," Olga-Marie's voice crackled through the comms.
A ring embedded with gems materialized, and Rikka slipped it onto her finger.
"What's this?" Rikka asked, tilting her head.
"The Chaldea Form-Change Ring, a joint project with my mentor," Olga-Marie explained. "The gems seal Mystic Codes within."
The ring, snug on Rikka's ring finger, sparkled with a ruby, lapis lazuli, and emerald.
"Try it out, Rikka," Olga-Marie urged.
"Sure!"
With a flash, Rikka's uniform glowed, transforming instantly into a sleek, form-fitting combat suit.
"Hm, impressive craftsmanship," Gilgamesh said, inspecting it. "No transformation sequence, though?"
"Jeanne-san and Okita-san suggested one…" Olga-Marie admitted, "but, well, it was vetoed…"
What are you two doing, Jeanne and Okita?
"The sound of fabric clinging to skin, flesh brushing against flesh…" Amadeus mused, eyes gleaming. "Oh, it's inspiring!"
"Amadeus-san!" Mash snapped.
The women seemed overly wary of Amadeus' keen hearing. Is there a reason?
"Transformation gear demands a proper sequence," Gilgamesh said. "We'll need to educate them back at Chaldea."
"Am I some kind of magical girl now?" Rikka asked, grinning.
"Steer clear of magical girls," Gilgamesh warned. "Nothing good comes of it."
"Aw, what's wrong with magical girls?" Roman chimed in. "They're saviors for girls who can't quite be heroes!"
"So it was you who infected Chaldea with subculture," Gilgamesh said, narrowing his eyes.
"N-no, it's not my hobby!" Roman protested. "Just… pursuing entertainment!"
"Doctor, we'll have a talk when we're back," Olga-Marie said sternly.
"Ugh, that's a serious tone!" Roman wailed. "Director, back me up!"
"The Mystic Code includes three outfits: combat suit, Mage's Association uniform, and Atlas Institute uniform," Olga-Marie continued, ignoring him. "Updates will add more. Use them wisely."
"Got it, Director!" Rikka said. "Let's do this, Mash!"
"Yes, Senpai!" Mash replied.
"Completely ignored?!" Roman groaned. "This is bad—I'm the clown here!"
"What else would you be?" Gilgamesh quipped.
"Is there no one on my side?!" Roman cried.
Roman, we all know your efforts. We're grateful.
But let's keep work and personal life separate, yeah?
"Everyone! Vive la France!" Marie's voice rang out. "Your intel-gathering Marie is back!"
"Fou! (The Queen returns—bow your heads!)" Fou chirped.
"Good," Gilgamesh said. "We'll hear the results in the skies. Retrieve Marie! To Lyon! Vimana, soar!"
"Fou-san, hold on tight, okay?" Marie said.
"Fou! (I'll protect the Queen!)"
"Hehe, thank you!" Marie giggled. "How about Chevalier Fou as a name?"
Vimana roared to life, carrying its travelers through the boundless sky.
"So… Lyon's already…"
According to Marie, Lyon had fallen before they arrived.
"When she said 'once called Lyon'…" Jeanne murmured, "that's what she meant…"
My heart aches. If only we'd arrived sooner… there must've been something we could've done.
"…"
"Raise your head, Master," Gilgamesh said.
"Gil…" Rikka whispered.
"We've no time to dwell on losses," he said. "Bear them and strive to prevent more. That's how we honor the fallen."
"Yes," Mash agreed. "We'll restore this Singularity, no matter what."
Right. No looking down.
If we don't face forward, we'll miss the lives we can still save.
"But!" Marie piped up. "There was a savior in Lyon, apparently!"
"A savior?" Rikka asked.
From what Marie heard, a tall man wielding a greatsword had fought off skeletons and monsters.
He battled valiantly for a time, but multiple Servants invaded Lyon.
Outnumbered, he vanished, and Lyon fell to ruin.
"Nine times out of ten, that's our dragon-slayer," Gilgamesh said. "Only a fool like a Berserker or anti-hero would bother protecting a city."
"Hmm, would he survive a Servant attack…?" Roman mused. "Maybe…"
No use thinking the worst.
Saint Martha risked her life for this intel—she wouldn't lead us astray.
We have to recruit this dragon-slayer, no matter what.
"Either way, we won't know until we go," Gilgamesh said. "Scavenging ruins isn't my hobby, but he's probably buried under some rubble."
"I wonder what he's like!" Marie said, eyes sparkling. "Surely splendid, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Gorgeous-sama and all of you!"
"Sounds like inspiration for a grand composition," Amadeus said. "Can't you all handle this? I'll stay here composing."
True, sending a musician to the front lines feels wrong.
"Oh, an observer?" Gilgamesh said. "Fine, but compose a piece praising my valor. Ninety pages of sheet music—dense, rich, gorgeous."
"Alright, I'll try!" Amadeus laughed. "But no dying for some epic score!"
A song for Gilgamesh, huh? That'd be something to hear. It'd be incredible, no doubt.
"Hehe, when this Singularity's done, shall we sing together?" Marie suggested. "A grand finale for our journey!"
"Great idea!" Mash said. "Right, King of Heroes?"
"Hahaha, so be it!" Gilgamesh declared. "When we triumph, I'll grant you the honor of witnessing my AUO Cast-Off!"
AUO Cast-Off—?! Does this king have another trick up his sleeve?!
"What's that?!" Rikka exclaimed. "I wanna see!"
"Look forward to it!" Gilgamesh laughed. "The pinnacle of beauty I weave! Hahaha!"
Laughter filled the air, smiles unbroken.
The ruins of Lyon came into view.
For Saint Martha, who guided us with her life… we must find the dragon-slayer.
I want to use these treasures for something grand, too.
Okita: "…What is this?"
"Mapo tofu!" Jeanne said. "I made it for training! Try some, Okita-san!"
"Why—?! Who said this is training?!"
"The King of Heroes!"
"That golden idiot—! No, stop! Don't bring that spicy nightmare near me, I'll break—! Hyaahhh!"
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