"This might be the finale. Brace yourself to read it (Fou)!"
The light fades, and as I open my eyes, the familiar control room of Chaldea spreads before me.
We made it back safely. I notice something in my right hand. Looking down, it's the Holy Grail, embedded with the base's design.
Adorned with the image of two saints, white and black, facing each other, the brimming Grail rests in my hand.
"You took it all. Good, good. Its use will come in time. Store it for now."
With that hunch, I tuck it gently into golden ripples.
"Rikka! Mash!"
Olga Marie rushes to Master and Mash, embracing them tightly.
"I'm so glad… Truly glad… You're safe…!"
"We promised we'd come back, didn't we? No way we'd betray our friends. Right, Mash?"
"Yes, we're back, Director!"
"Yeah, yeah…!"
She must've been so worried. Really worried. Good, everything's fine.
If we're to greet them, let it be with smiles. I'll kick away tears and sorrow as much as I can from now on.
That's… the role of this reincarnated self and vessel, I think.
"Hey, making my entrance! Romani, here's the proof of history. Welcome back, Gorgeous King! You went all out, huh?"
Da Vinci-chan appears.
"Hmph, that's a king's journey. I act as I please, and my footsteps carve the path. That's all."
"…Alright! France has been restored to its proper history! We did it! It's just one, but we've truly—returned history to its rightful state!"
Chaldea erupts in cheers.
"We did it! We pulled it off!"
"Of course! We're the ones the Gilgamesh King has his eye on!"
"It's only natural! Great food, perfect beds, endless entertainment—if we couldn't perform with this, we'd be incompetent!"
"You did great, Mash, Rikka… Really, such small ones doing so much…"
"All the Servants were awesome! Treating such reliable folks like familiars? Mages are hopeless!"
"Cast off… ugh, my head."
""""""Gilgamesh King, hail!!!""""""
"Hmph, quite the excitement."
No wonder. It was that grand an adventure, that great a feat.
Restoring history, an endless journey.
This first step… was an undeniable leap forward.
And if one step went well, surely the rest will follow.
Because it's all built, step by step.
"Everyone, quiet! …Gil."
"Hm?"
Olga Marie speaks up.
"Please, give the order to conclude the Orleans correction operation. All of us, including me, worked hard to meet your expectations."
She gazes straight at him.
"—Hmph, very well. Labor deserves reward. —Listen, elite of Chaldea!"
The vessel channels his charisma, rallying our comrades.
"Your valor in this endeavor was splendid! Through your efforts, a distorted history has been restored! —Take pride! This is, without doubt, the result of your struggle and triumph!"
"This outcome proves not only the correction of history but that you are humans with the strength to defy distorted fates!"
"I acknowledge your worth! —Let it be said! Not a single mongrel stands among you!"
Words flow freely.
"All of you—are heroes worthy of fighting alongside me to save humanity! Your deeds were magnificent!!"
""""""WOOOOHHH—!!!""""""
The roaring cheers ignite the staff's hearts with the Hero King's praise.
"To reward your labor, I grant you three days' rest! No work beyond minimal maintenance! Stretch your wings freely in Chaldea, recharge your spirits! This facility's splendor was built for that purpose!"
"Rest, heal your souls, and prepare for the battles ahead! Know that Chaldea falters without even one of you! Never lose the awareness that you are humanity's last stand! Without my permission, death is forbidden! You are all my treasures!! —Dismissed!!"
""""""Gilgamesh King! Hail! Gilgamesh King! Hail! Gilgamesh King! Hail—!!!""""""
Yeah, I haven't fully expressed my gratitude, but… the vessel pretty much said what I wanted.
Thank you, Chaldea's good people. And—Hero King Gilgamesh.
I'll never forget the honor of reaching for your treasures. To your greatness, my respect and gratitude. —Greatest of ancient kings.
"You call them your treasures… You're not the Hero King I know."
A red Archer approaches. Emiya.
"What, Counterfeit? No spotlight for you, huh? Got an excuse? Confessing your sins?"
"No, I'm not that strong a Heroic Spirit. With you on the front lines, I'll stick to the background."
"Finally know your place? A faker should act like one—make some onigiri or something."
It'd be great to fight alongside him too. He'd surely be reliable.
"No comeback for that—By the way."
A chill runs down my spine.
"Do you remember what Jeanne said, Hero King?"
I recall Fou's words.
You dug your own grave because of it—
"Hm? Oh, she did say something. About welcoming a king with homemade cooking."
Emiya smirks.
"No takebacks, Hero King. —Let's have you eat. Jeanne!"
"Here!"
Jeanne appears, beaming.
In her hands—hell itself manifests.
"Nu—What—"
"I'm so glad you're back safe! Truly…!"
"—Jeanne. What… is that ghastly, hellish monstrosity…?"
The vessel's more shaken—no, panicked—than ever.
Oh, so that's… the grave…
"Yes! As part of my training, made just for the Hero King, it's 'Dante Hell Mapo Lucifer Satan-Style'!"
The steam warps the world. Hell's screams echo.
"My pride and joy, made with all my effort for you! —Will you eat it?"
"Guh—'Eat it'?! You won't make me, Hero King!! You said it! 'In the name of the king, I'll finish it!'"
"Guh, nu—!! I don't recall—!!"
That time… That's the grave…
"Monitor team! Play the audio!!"
"Oh? Not bad for a country girl. Very well, I allow it. In the name of the king, I'll finish it!"
It's unmistakably my—the vessel's—voice.
"You're caught! In the name of your kingly pride, fleeing is falling from your throne!!"
"Ah…—ARCHER—!!!!"
The vessel's scream echoes.
Let's accept it. This is our endpoint.
"Take your seat! Grab a napkin! Finish it—in front of all Chaldea!!"
"You—You, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you—!!!!"
The Hero King repeats like a broken tape recorder. That much dread…
Well, call it punishment. He mocked Jeanne plenty, and I taught her mapo tofu.
…It looks kinda tasty to my bland soul.
"Chains of Heaven!! Help me—!"
"⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ (No way.)"
"WHAT!? Meat-dumpling, you too?! What's more, what's with this?! I'm bracing to eat that revolting filth—!!"
It's Jeanne's cooking. No matter what, I can't refuse it.
"Not even whole wakame feels right—!! What's wrong with me?! Am I mad before even tasting it?! Lancer! Where's Lancer?! Eat it! Die eating it in my place! Suicide's your specialty, isn't it—!!"
"Cú Chulainn's not summoned. You got careless, Hero King. Face the consequences of your reckless words."
"You, with no spotlight, plotted to take me down—!! A snake in the grass!!"
"Say what you want. —Brace yourself, Hero King."
"Here you go! Great work! —Hero King."
"Jeanne—"
"…You were really cool! Ehehe…"
I have to eat it.
"Cuteness won't fool me—!! Wait, stop, me! Why grab the spoon?! Calm down, don't rush! It's just the First Singularity! We haven't reached Babylonia or that piss-king! My treasures' true worth is still hidden—!!"
Wow, it's simmering… looks delicious.
"Mgh, guah—!! The heat's blistering my skin—!! Wait, stop, hold fast, me—!! This is—!! No way, this far—!!!"
When we die, we die together. We're in this as one.
With gratitude—Itadakimasu!!
"STOP YOUUUUUUU—!!!!"
—Hamph.
"GAAAA—!!!!???"
Hatred doesn't destroy humanity.
Because, someday, hatred will surely heal.
If there's an evil that destroys humanity—
Its root must be—
Love.
With this, the Orleans arc concludes!
To everyone who read, commented, favorited, corrected typos, and offered encouragement—
Thank you, thank you so much! I initially thought just one favorite would be enough!
Now, it's topped the daily rankings, earned nearly 300 ratings, and received almost 1,000 comments—an overwhelming response, like a dream…!
Reading your comments after each post was pure joy, and before I knew it, I was typing just to see your reactions!
This work is like a miracle to me. That miracle was made possible by all of you at Hameln!
Rereading the Materials, writing, then rereading again… that cycle deepened my love for Fate in a wonderful loop!
Thank you again and again! I'm reviewing Septem now, so I'll post interludes for a while!
I'm softly planning summoned Servants! Those suggested will take priority, though it may take time, so grab some wine and wait!
Once more, my gratitude! Thank you, Hameln's good people!
Gilgamesh King, hail! Eternal glory to Uruk—!!
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