"Ugh, the 'you got what you deserved' posts won't stop! What a disaster—I never thought I'd be the one caught in a firestorm!"
"Greetings from the gloomy, shut-in Grand Caster! lol (Fou, snuggled by Marie)"
"This post is from Caspar League, isn't it? That guy's always getting cuddled—damn it! I can't put out the flames fast enough. He's got multiple accounts, no doubt about it!"
"—Guess I'll just join the fray! It's not my style, but with me around, other Casters are second-string! Time to take form and—"
"No way."
"My PC's literally on fire—!! A real firestorm?!"
???
"Observatory, report. Observatory Forneus. No word from the Nine Pillars—what's going on?"
"—That."
"What?"
"The brilliance of humanity—I can't comprehend it, can't comprehend it. Naked, Cast Off, AUO—Control Bureau, the Observatory will face this question and suspend operations for now—"
"What did you see, Forneus?! What did you see in the insects' struggles, Forneus?! Forneus!!"
"Merry Amen—User Maat Ra—that's the radiance of the earth—oh, oh… Ra…"
"Amon…!?"
Uprising.
"Marie! Oh, Marie!"
The moment they reunite, Jeanne throws her arms around Marie.
"Eek… J-Jeanne! Your hug's a bit too intense—I'm getting crushed!"
"Ah, oh! Sorry! I was just so happy!"
"Control yourself. Recognize your own strength. That was a bear hug—nay, a Saber-crusher. Are you a Wrestler class now? A kamikaze flag-waving wrestler? Where's your mask?"
"Enough with the strength jokes already!"
"It's the truth, isn't it? Hahaha!"
Jeanne's face flushes red. Now she gets it—he's teasing her because she'll snap back, and he enjoys it. This vessel.
"Listen, do you want to know why I survived? It's because the Hero King—"
Her mouth is covered before she can finish.
(No need to say it. You survived, and that's enough.)
(But…)
(I've no intention of using you to boast my glory. Just carry yourself with grace.)
Right. He didn't save Marie to show off.
He simply couldn't bear to lose her radiance. That's all there is to it.
"Marie?"
"—It's nothing. A wonderful, wonderful king worked a miracle, that's all. Right, Gilgamesh-sama?"
"Indeed. It's a trade secret, so I won't tell the country girl, hahaha! Isn't that right, Marie?"
"Yes, Gilgamesh-sama!"
"Country girl again…?! Why won't you call me Jeanne?!"
"Because it's confusing!"
"That's not fair!"
"Hehe, being alive is such a wonder, isn't it?"
A blooming flower of idle chatter.
These moments are what he's come to value most on this journey. That's what he feels.
"Now, shall we regroup with Master? Vimana's ether should be recharged soon. We need to heal Siegfried quickly."
"Right. —And here, take this."
He hands over… scales and a fang?
"A piece of Fafnir. Use it as a catalyst, and you should summon a hero tied to it. Use it with Master."
"A catalyst, huh? A roundabout sales pitch, Siegfried? Trying to get yourself invited to Chaldea?"
"I leave that to your imagination."
Siegfried flashes a wry smile, free of any self-deprecation.
"Alright, let's go. No need to brace yourself—we'll arrive in a blink. At lightspeed, naturally! Here we go!"
In the literal blink of an eye, they return to Master's side.
"Amadeus!"
"—Welcome back, Maria. Are you alright?"
"Of course! I'm Marie Antoinette, the woman France fell for! The Dragon Witch was no match!"
"Good—then please, sing something! Something to soothe my ears and heart! I'll whip up a tune on the spot!"
Amadeus pleads, clearly having endured some hell.
"Today was the worst day…! My ears were gouged, my eyes crushed! This might've been my Day of Wrath!"
"Visual assault? What did you do, Gilgamesh-sama?"
"I'll tell you later. —It's something else, trust me."
"Stop—! …Ugh, I get the gist. I can't curse you out, though."
"Learning your place? You're wiser, Amadeus."
"—I feel like I owe you thanks, somehow."
Marie and Jeanne are safe… I need to stay sharp. Cast Off is a no-go—it's a friendly-fire annihilation.
"Gorgeous! Where've you been—wait, who's that woman?"
"Oh, a travel companion. An idol far above your league."
"I'm not an idol. Right, Anchin-sama?"
"Uh, sure? I'm Rikka, though."
"Yes, Anchin-sama."
Master stiffens as a kimono-clad woman clings to them. Anchin?
"Fou! (She's a nutcase Berserker, don't mind her. Crazy or not, her body's beauty is undeniable.)"
"You've got something nasty latched onto you. Watch out for snakes—pickpockets, too."
The vessel mutters bitterly. Does he hate snakes? Not all the epics have been read yet…
"They're both cute and lovely! I'm Marie! Let's get along! Are those horns a headband?"
"They're real, real! You're too sparkly for my liking, idol-wise!"
"I love sparkles! Twinkle, twinkle, shine!"
"Only EX attacks could pierce that—a nightmare. Country girl, how's the progress?"
He asks about breaking Siegfried's curse.
"It's fine. The curse is completely gone."
"Sorry for the trouble—no, thank you. That's the right thing to say."
"Great job, Siegfried!"
"Yeah, now I can fight at full strength. —Count on me."
His brimming vigor is unmatched. This is Siegfried's true power…!
"Looks like our forces are finally ready, Hero King?"
"Indeed—I was getting bored of dealing with the same old lizards."
"Then…"
"We march to end the source of evil. To Orléans."
"Master, it's your call. Advance or flee. The choice is yours."
Rikka meets his gaze, her eyes almost devoid of uncertainty.
"—Yeah! Let's go! To Orléans!"
The final Master of humanity makes their decree.
Thus, the battle for the Singularity is set.
"It's the final battle. Staff, you're on break until tomorrow—rest! The operation starts then. I'll handle the work! Your duty is to recover. Romani, that includes you!"
"I'm fine! With manju and sweets, I'm set! I'll support the Director! …Magi☆Mari's getting roasted, though…"
"Marie, are you okay?"
"Oui, of course, Jeanne. I was saved by a miracle, and I'll make this life count. Lend me your strength, my friend!"
"Absolutely!"
"Let's do this, Mash! Gil!"
"Yes, Senpai!"
"This journey's end is in sight… A bit reluctant, but let's cast aside sentimentality."
A surge of resolve. First, everyone needs rest.
"Vimana, deploy! We head to base! Our farewell to France is near. Spend your time without regrets—the battle tomorrow demands your all! Vimana, set sail!!"
The golden ship soars, carrying everyone.
"Whoa!! What's this ship?! Gorgeous, you've got everything?!"
"What's new, foolish dragon?! Haven't you seen enough of my glory? Fine, I'll show you! Master, use a Command Spell! Let's bring back Cast Off!"
"Sure, I didn't get to see it!"
"'Stop, please, we beg you!!'"
"Sorry…"
Their hearts unite as one.
The eve of the final battle dawns!
"We somehow made it… Mapo tofu is a miracle…"
"…(Munch)"
"Emiya-san?"
"Guh—!!"
"Emiya-san?!"
"Listen, Jeanne… this mustn't be served to others. Only the Hero King can handle it."
"Y-Yes."
"I'll teach you the basics of cooking. —Reserve this flavor for the Hero King."
"Understood! Please teach me, sensei!"
"⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛! (A single finger's enough for a massage)"
"Gah!?"
"Hm, using Okita as a test subject was wise. A fingertip suffices—efficient. Now, time for CPR."
"Mmph—!!?"
"⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ (The Greek goddesses did this often…)"
-----------------------------
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