"Is everyone in Hamelin doing alright? It's Siegfried. …First, an apology. I'm sorry… truly sorry for sleeping in that capsule."
"Fou! (I just happened to hide in Mash's chest and escaped unscathed. Yup, pure coincidence. No ulterior motives here. What's that about her naked form? A foolish question—it doesn't even warrant discussion. Beauty that flaunts itself is a hard pass; it's the unspoken, abundant allure that I seek. For now, let's just say Kiyohime's got a stunning figure. At her age, that body is… well, very beautiful. I had no choice but to sneak a peek while she was unconscious… you get it, right? I'm starting to understand the lolicon mindset. Though, if I'm being honest, a bit more height would make her easier to embrace. Not that she's short for her time, mind you!)"
"I said earlier this was the finale, but… the story's far from over. Sorry for the confusion. To everyone looking forward to what's next, I'm truly grateful. Thank you—and sorry."
"Fou! (Looks like Merlin's writhing in agony too, so it's all upsides for me! Let's all say it together: Merlin, you got what you deserved! www)"
"Here's to the Hero King's journey ahead. Please stick with us. —Sorry. Now, to the main story."
"Fou! (Keep rooting for us, yeah? A mascot's humble request!♪)"
"You damned Hero King! Toying with Jeanne's heart like that! Now that we're scattered, it's the perfect chance! First, I'll keep my eyes on you—"
CAST OFF!!
"FAA—!!"
"…No mistake, this radiance is—! I… I…"
Resolve.
"Tch, I didn't get to see anything in the end," Rikka grumbled, sulking as she tended to the others, who'd barely escaped fatal wounds.
"Mash wouldn't show me anything!"
"Hah, don't say that. She's a pure one, probably put your protection first," came the reply.
"…Thank you, Mash. You're the greatest Shielder."
"Um, yes… maybe next time, after we've saved humanity…"
"Don't hold back now! As for me, if a Command Spell's used, I'd have no choice but to strip…"
"Really? Can I use it now?"
"No way! Absolutely not!"
"Hmph, a girl with firm principles. If you insist, maybe in my room, then."
"Got it! Alright, everyone, wake up!"
"Gorgeous… Gorgeous…"
"Anchin-sama… Anchin-sama…"
"Marie… Marie…"
"Lev… Lev…"
"This is brutal… an absolute disaster…"
"…You can destroy someone without ever swinging a weapon," someone murmured, surveying the wreckage of the moment. A resolve solidified: I have to train harder before the next Cast Off.
No matter what… I must protect Chaldea and everyone's hearts… ugh, I can still feel that golden pleasure clinging to me…
"Master and Mash, keep tending to them. I'll take care of Siegfried, our capsule regular. —Now, time to contact that country girl."
"Yes, here's the communicator."
Catching the device tossed by Master, the voice called out, "Can you hear me? How's it going?"
Jeanne's voice came through, laced with worry and unease. "What did you do? I could only pick up audio…"
Thank goodness Jeanne and Marie were on a separate mission.
"Nothing much, just taught a couple of noisy dragons the meaning of true beauty. They realized the gap in our caliber and, well, their spirits broke. Hahaha!"
"…? We've made contact with Saint Georgius. He'll surely lift Siegfried's curse."
As expected, he's with them. Our sacrifices weren't in vain.
"Good work. —Is Marie alright?"
A nagging premonition prompted the question. Please, let that foresight be wrong…
"Yes, she's fine. …Why do you ask?"
"No reason. —We'll join you soon. Don't push yourself."
"Oh, Gorgeous-sama! Worried about me?" Marie's vibrant voice chimed in, safe and sound.
"Hmph. Don't waste your life on the wrong things."
"Yes, Gorgeous-sama!"
"Hm?"
"Let's meet again. Absolutely, definitely. I want to talk with you so much more."
…Marie?
"You…"
"Hehe, would you be mad if I kissed you again? —See you soon. Vive la France!"
"Wait, what are you—"
The connection cut off.
Even someone as nameless as me can sense it.
That premonition turned to certainty.
She's ready to martyr herself for her feelings—!
"Master, Mash! I'm leaving this to you!"
"Eh? Gil?"
"What's wrong, Hero King!?"
"Urgent business! I'll be back! —Don't do anything rash, little girl—!"
I have to overturn this premonition—!
"Amadeus, I want to hear your piano again!"
Her words carried a desperate wish, tinged with a faint loneliness… her resolve, her determination.
In those simple words, a torrent of emotions—the delicate wishes of a comrade—came through, if only a little…!
"Tch, Vimana and the machines still won't start? Evil begets evil! —No choice then—!"
I want to save her… our comrade who fought alongside us…!
There's an end. There must be. For Servants, those without a place to return to will fade.
"I don't know what you're planning… but I won't forgive you for leaving without my permission!"
If parting is inevitable—especially because it's inevitable—I want that farewell to be with a smile…!!
"They're coming! That sensation… the Dragon Witch!" Wyverns swarmed toward Jeanne's group in the western town.
"We need to retreat! We can hold them off, but we can't defeat them alone!" Jeanne shouted.
But Georgius—Saint George—shook his head. "The citizens' evacuation isn't complete. I was entrusted by the mayor to protect them. If I flee, I'd fail even my own wish to be a saint."
"That's…"
"Hehe, Georgius-san's heart and body are unyielding," Marie said, laughing like a blooming flower.
"Hey, why don't you leave that guardian role to me?"
"Marie…?"
"…Jeanne. I was surely summoned for this. Not to defeat enemies or take lives, but to protect and save them."
Taking her French "friend's" hand, she smiled delicately.
"I'm Marie Antoinette. Now, I'll use my life for what's right."
"Wait, wait, Marie…!"
Her resolve and determination unshaken, she continued.
"Tell Amadeus and Gorgeous-sama… I couldn't hear the piano after all. And that promise to sing together… I'm sorry I couldn't keep it."
Marie smiled like a white lily.
"And tell them… it was so, so much fun."
"That dragon-slaying Hero King's not here? Perfect! Crush the side without him! This is the smartest strategy!"
"There's a staff member with weak vitals! Damn that Hero King, leaving damage even on allies!"
"I'll handle CPR, Hercules will do chest compressions to keep them alive. No choice with the staff shortage. If their bones break, well, that's the end—mercy kill."
"Wow… so big… a comet? No, no, comets are more… whoosh! Right?"
"I brought mapo tofu as a stimulant! I haven't taste-tested it, but it'll surely keep everyone alive!"
"Good, shove it in. Through the nose."
"Wait! Don't use that poison as medicine—!!"
---------------------------------
✨ Did you like this story?
Join me on Patreon for early access to chapters!
👉 pat*eon*com/Greyhounds
Honkai Impact: Reborn with the Heroes Before the Collapse (20 Chapter)
Honkai Impact 3rd: Ascension of the Herrscher (20 Chapter)
From Genshin Impact Creator to World Conqueror (43 Chapter)
Fate/Grand Order: Prologue – Radiant Star of the Human Order (47 Chapter)
I Woke Up as an Uma Musume and Now I'm Racing My Way to the Top (81 Chapter)
I Got Dragged Into SAO and Accidentally Stole Kirito's Girl (104 Chapter)
Transferred to Kivotos, I Solve Everything with My Fists (91 Chapter)
One piece: A Tale Before the Wind (96 Chapter)
The Untouchable of Magic High School – A New God Enters the Game (145 Chapter)
KanColle X Devil May Cry: Devil Trigger Protocol (108 Chapter)
High School DxD: Return of the Crimson Dragon Emperor (145 Chapter)
League of Legends (17 Chapter)
Shangri-La Online: The Journey of a VR Newbie (41 Chapter)
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End – The World Without Himmel (33 Chapter)
Warhammer: Mortal Stormtrooper (55 Chapter)
Fairy Tail: Fierce Dragon (30 Chapter)
I, the Naruto fan! (51 Chapter)
LOL: Another World Invasion (43 Chapter)
Kakegurui: Ten Wins, No Losses (41 Chapter)
The Witcher: Marvel Quest (31 Chapter)
MINECRAFT EDITOR (59 Chapter)
Mahiru and My New Life (64 Chapter)
If there's a particular novel you're enjoying on Patron, please give it a 'like' so I know to focus on it.