"Tch," Gilgamesh muttered. "The price of relentless use in such a short time? The Ether generator's refining can't keep up with consumption. We'll need to land and let it rest. The Iron Horse is in overhaul too… No choice. Better tune it up while we have the chance."
My vessel's assessment—Vimana and the Gilgil Machine need a break. No surprise. Repeated launches, stops, and reckless dashes over rough terrain would wear anything down.
Time to inform the others.
"What a hassle," Gilgamesh said. "No helping it. A brief inconvenience. Listen up, crew!"
He raised his voice.
"Vimana and the Iron Horse enter maintenance now! It's a pain, but we'll go on foot for a bit. No complaints—I'm suffering too! But it's convenient. A saint must be hiding in one of France's shrunken, invaded towns. We'll split up—west and east—and search!"
"Got it!" Rikka chirped. "Let's draw lots for teams! Gorgeous-sama, confident in your luck?"
"Hah, don't underestimate me, Queen!" Gilgamesh said. "I'm a collector! My luck and gambling prowess are unmatched! But that greed sensor of yours? Unforgivable!"
He's still hung up on Saber…
"Fine!" Gilgamesh declared. "Lots it is! Musician, make the lots!"
"You just want to draw them…" Amadeus sighed. "Fine, I'll do it."
"Been a while since we walked, Senpai," Mash said.
"Love bikes, love walking!" Rikka grinned.
"Good…!" Gilgamesh said. "Vimana, descend!"
The king's command sent Vimana slowly lowering.
"Me, with Marie?" Amadeus asked.
"Gorgeous-sama, please look after Amadeus," Jeanne said. "He's easily misunderstood."
The group prepared to depart. Vimana was stored in the vault, its repairs automated.
"Hmph," Gilgamesh said. "Protect the Queen well, country girl. Don't go charging recklessly, got it?"
"I know!" Jeanne huffed. "You'd be easier to deal with without that extra jab…!"
"Haha, take pride in being teased," Gilgamesh said. "Right, Olga-Marie?"
"I-I'm not easy to tease…!" Olga-Marie protested.
"I get it!" Roman chimed in.
"Romani!"
The lots split them: Gilgamesh, Master, Mash, Amadeus, Siegfried. The other team: Marie, Jeanne.
"Bit lopsided, but lots are fate," Amadeus said. "Messing with them feels like bad luck. Be careful, you two."
"No worries," Gilgamesh said. "They've got a stiff-headed saint and a solid defender. No issue. The dragon-slayer's lingering weakness is the only concern."
"Sor… My apologies," Siegfried said. "No, apologizing needlessly is rude. Sorry."
"Expand your repertoire," Gilgamesh said. "Hone one skill."
"Sorry…"
All he does is apologize. He's the peerless dragon-slayer—shouldn't he brim with confidence?
"And, Marie…" Amadeus said.
"Hm?"
"…Don't stop at a patisserie just because you're hungry, okay?"
"Haha, sounds like Marie!" Rikka laughed.
Amadeus's words carried a hint of unease. He's worried.
"Heehee, mean Master!" Marie said. "I was shocked! Thought I was getting another proposal!"
…What?
"Oh…?" Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow.
"Pro…" "Po…" "Sal?" Rikka, Mash, and Jeanne echoed.
"Wait, why's that coming up now?!" Amadeus exclaimed.
"Sounds juicy," Gilgamesh said. "Spill it. Who proposed to whom?"
He eyed Amadeus teasingly. I'm curious too, honestly.
"It's a famous story," Roman said. "Amadeus, at six, proposed to seven-year-old Marie."
"I see, I see…" Gilgamesh laughed. "How romantic. I should take notes."
"Wow!" Rikka said. "Even scum falls in love!"
"Senpai, that's harsh!" Mash said.
"A nightmare…" Amadeus slumped. "It's passed down through history…?"
"Don't fret," Gilgamesh said. "Heroes face their dark pasts. Right, Forger?"
"Why drag me into this?" Shakespeare replied.
"No one's faced a blacker history," Gilgamesh said. "A pitiful man who tried to kill himself in shame."
"…I won't deny it," Shakespeare sighed.
Harsh. Their natures must clash.
"Hehe," Marie said. "When Amadeus tripped, I offered my hand. His eyes sparkled, and he said, 'Thank you, lovely lady. I'm Amadeus. Fair one, if you've no betrothed, may I be the first?'"
"You remember every word?!" Amadeus groaned. "You spread it, didn't you?!"
"Of course!" Marie said. "I told the whole court! I was thrilled!"
"It's your fault?!" Amadeus said. "You refused, yet what a devilish woman!"
"Hm, long-winded but not bad," Gilgamesh said, scribbling. "Adding it to 108 Ways to Woo Saber."
There's a word edition too?
"I can't help sharing when I'm happy!" Rikka said. "I get it!"
"I've mumbled secrets to myself before…" Olga-Marie said. "Lev covered for me… he did…"
"Director, live in the present," Roman urged.
"I couldn't choose," Marie said softly. "I couldn't pick a suitor. I was too in love—with France. I loved the nation so much, I neglected its people. That's why I ended up… like that."
She loved her country, not its people. So, the guillotine took her.
"Marie…" Amadeus murmured.
"That's not true," Gilgamesh cut in sharply.
"A king lives as they please," he said. "The people live for the king, but the king lives for their own joy. Whatever your end, if your presence moved a nation, the answer's clear."
Arms crossed, he snorted.
"The king's right," Amadeus said. "…You're a fool, Marie."
"Hmph, a fool indeed," Gilgamesh agreed.
Marie blushed.
"That's mean, both of you!" she said. "…Am I a fool?"
"Oh, you've got it all wrong," Amadeus said. "You think you loved France?"
"The truth is the opposite," Gilgamesh said. "France, the nation, was in love with you."
Not Marie loving France—France loved Marie.
"…I see," Marie said. "So… I was killed by the country I loved?"
"Exactly," Gilgamesh said. "Love and hate are close kin. Love, affection—it's a struggle for stakes with someone who defines your life. Beauty born from beauty has no value. Love and hate must be a tapestry woven together, born from overcoming ugly hatred. That's why love is precious. Love and hate are inseparable."
"The king's spot-on," Amadeus said. "You were hated because you were loved. Simple as that."
They spoke of love and hate's nature.
"That's why your radiance is precious," Gilgamesh said. "Know why? It was born from a love for your country, surpassing its hatred."
"…Loved, so hated…" Marie murmured. "Love, a tapestry with hate…"
Beautiful things born from beauty lack value. Love and hate are two sides of a coin…
So that's it… Are love and hate so close?
Then, the evil that destroys the world…
"Hehe, thank you both!" Marie said brightly. "I think I get it!"
"Understood, country girl?" Gilgamesh said. "That was rare royal love advice. Got it?"
"No idea!" Jeanne huffed.
"Don't pout," Gilgamesh said. "You're like Olga-Marie in that way."
"Huh?!" Olga-Marie gasped.
She kind of is…
"Hehe, thanks, Gorgeous-sama, Amadeus!" Marie said. "…Hey."
"Hm?"
"When we're back, I want to hear your piano again," she said. "For you too, Gorgeous-sama! Okay?"
"If you return safely, Maria," Amadeus said.
I sense it.
"Alright!" Marie said. "Shall we go, Jeanne?"
"Yes…!"
This is a farewell.
"…"
"Gorgeous-sama, we're off!" Marie said. "Hehe, exciting, right?"
"…Don't fail," Gilgamesh said.
I won't see Marie again.
My soul… felt it.
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