"Sneaking ahead, huh… Bold move."
"…No choice. I'll charm or petrify them the moment our eyes meet."
"Oh, a tall lady!"
"A grand lady. Care for a tea party?"
"Kff—!"
Director
One day, in the simulation room…
"Henceforth—Chaldea staff, we commence the Physical Enhancement Training!!"
Gilgamesh, the king ruling Chaldea, donned a golden tracksuit and raised his voice.
"Even as support staff, you can't neglect your physical health. Sedentary work breeds flab and obesity! Luxury without proper trials rots the soul! Thus, we've set up courses in the simulator to forge you into shape!"
He slammed a bamboo sword down, delivering his speech.
"Even after restoring the Human Order, your futures continue! I, a mere transient, can't babysit you forever. I haven't achieved incarnation in this era—nor do I intend to! Incarnation now would lead to a singular conclusion!"
From his tone, has the vessel incarnated before?
"No matter! I've hired mentors to train you! Uruk, Sparta, Celtic, Shinsengumi! Each will provide rigorous training!"
"Sparta will teach you superior training and rest! In the perfect environment crafted by the Heroic King, your bodies will gain five times the muscle mass!"
The instructor, naturally, was Leonidas.
"I'll teach survival skills and knowledge to thrive. Maybe we'll try a triathlon like the one to the Land of Shadows. My running form's pretty slick, you know?"
Cu Chulainn raised a hand.
"I've got one lesson: Sincerity. I'll drill unyielding resolve and guts into you! No whining—quitters get cut! This is the Shinsengumi!!"
Toshizou Hijikata punched the wall.
"And I, from Uruk, will impart perfected, efficient exercise! Overcome this, and you'll have bodies even gods' malice can't break!"
Gilgamesh brandished his bamboo sword.
"Three hours a day! With the long road to restoring the Human Order in mind, we'll forge you! Fear not—your rewards will be everything you desire! Now, go! Train with all you've got, staff!"
"""""""WOOOAAAHH!!"""""""
The staff roared, not out of resentment but from Gilgamesh's earnest proposal.
While the men sweat passionately…
In Da Vinci-chan's magecraft workshop, a lone girl studied diligently.
"This theory leads here, and the path goes like this…"
Olgamally, Chaldea's Director, solved Da Vinci-chan's custom magecraft puzzle.
"—Solved. Like this."
The intricate puzzle clicked into place, its bindings released, parts scattering.
"Congrats! ♪ Solving my puzzle so quickly? As expected of my dear apprentice—your grasp and talent are top-notch!"
"What are you saying? To a genius like you, this is child's play."
"I'm praising your dedication to tackling 'child's play' seriously. Small things, handled with care, are the first step to becoming a force that shapes the world! ♪"
"…Thank you. I've got to do what I can."
"You'll master tool creation in no time. Alright, break time, apprentice. You've been sleepless for a week, right? Your brain's probably craving some sugar."
Come to think of it, Orleans was a sleepless marathon. I forget since she handles it so well.
"Understood, Master. See you later."
"Bye-bye, dear apprentice~!"
Olgamally waved and left the workshop.
"…Mmm, delicious."
Savoring a chocolate parfait conjured on a tablecloth, Olgamally reflected.
One era was restored successfully. Together, they reclaimed France.
She thought of the two at the forefront—Mash and Rikka. Two half-fledged girls who achieved a grand feat.
They accomplished what she should have done… her two friends succeeded.
"…Thank you, both of you."
The 48th Master, Rikka—a bright, spirited, unyielding girl.
Mash Kyrieight—timid, kind, and unbreakable.
It's improper, but… I'm glad they survived.
Other mage-Masters would likely scorn her. It's no surprise—mages look down on others, and she was no different.
She might've disintegrated mid-Rayshift with prideful, uncooperative Masters.
Rikka's bright humanity let her break through France.
They exceeded expectations. They're my proud friends.
She had to match their efforts with her own—perfect support from the rear.
"They're still such a handful."
Thankfully, the reckless, resilient body she had… was granted by that king.
"…Gil."
The Heroic King, Gilgamesh. The invincible king who changed her fate.
The kind king who praised me first.
She wanted to meet his expectations, to live up to the second life he gave her.
Just one word from him—"Well done"—made her feel her life was worthwhile.
Deep respect and admiration.
She wanted to become someone he'd be proud of.
It was a lofty goal, but she'd try her hardest.
The hysterical Animusphere who lashed out was dead.
Here stood Chaldea's Director—Olgamally, and no one else.
"…Ah! It's melting!"
Lost in thought, her parfait began to collapse. She hurriedly scooped it up, savoring the creamy sweetness.
As she enjoyed her break, a hero approached.
"Hello, hardworking miss. Mind if I join you?"
A woman with aqua hair lowered her hood—a Caster witch.
"Lady Medea…"
"Hehe, no need to be formal. Keep eating."
"Y-Yes."
Olgamally felt her gaze while devouring the parfait.
"…You're fused with the Holy Grail, aren't you?"
"!"
The piercing question made her look up.
"Da Vinci told me. No wonder you feel… peculiar."
"…Yes."
"You're not hiding it?"
"It's the truth. I'm no longer a normal human."
"…I see. Can you live normally like this? A human fused with the Grail is a miracle to mages. They'd kill for it."
I know. I'll likely be designated for sealing, hunted by the Association.
Preserved in formaldehyde, perhaps. A normal life was out of reach.
But—
"That's fine. I'm Chaldea's Director. I'll live and die with Chaldea—I'm ready."
"Oh…?"
Yes. Once the Human Order is restored and Chaldea fulfills its purpose, her role ends.
Formaldehyde or worse—she didn't care, as long as it came after.
To reclaim that future, for now—
"My future is trivial. I'll bear the responsibility for Chaldea's staff, Masters, and Servants. After that… whatever happens, happens."
That's what she decided—her way of life.
"I won't stop. Even if a specimen's fate awaits, I'll reach our destination."
"—"
"That's where I'll lead everyone. I'm—Chaldea's Director, Olgamally Animusphere."
Right, Heroic King?
"Hehe, my eyes didn't deceive me."
Medea chuckled softly.
"Want to know how to save yourself?"
"?"
"It's simple. Become 'this era's only mage.' One who can fend off lesser mages with a flick of your wrist. Say… by dabbling in Age of Gods magecraft."
"…Age of Gods magecraft?"
"A lost art, beyond the reach of modern mages. And, well, you've got a witch who mastered it right in front of you."
"That's…"
In other words—
"Olgamally, how about making me your second mentor?"
It was a miraculous offer.
"C-Can I really…?"
"Of course. You're a rare mage who isn't insufferably arrogant. And you've got qualities opposite to my other apprentice, the Master."
"Rikka's your apprentice too…"
"Above all—your soul and resolve are admirable. Too good for mere mages to claim."
A witch of the Age of Gods, offering her teachings.
"How about it? I won't let you regret it."
No need to think twice.
"I'll do it! Please teach me!"
If I can refine myself further—
To be useful to everyone, she'd do anything.
"Hehe, it's a deal. Follow me to my workshop. Oh, finish that parfait first."
"Yes!"
To struggle, to strive, to lead everyone with all I've got.
A white flower, a flower of hope. My journey's blooming—
That's my wish, to be a 'flower of hope.'
"…And you are?"
"Hm? Oh, I'm a nameless peasant, a madman fond of swinging swords. Summoned by that vixen as a guardian."
"Get the Heroic King's permission. I'll hand him to the Master if he's no use, but he's handy. Come on, this way."
"Seducing a girl? Your sorcery's reached new heights."
"Shut it, it's consensual!"
"No worries, lass. She may look shady, but she's good at heart."
"Want a high-speed Rule Breaker to the face, Kojiro?"
"Nope, nothing."
"…You guys get along, huh?"
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