It's time to set forth!
Don't go.
A voice echoed.
Don't go, don't go.
A sobbing voice resounded.
What is it? Whose voice?
Don't leave me behind.
A sorrowful voice, a wish sung like a prayer.
One more time, one more time.
The voice overflowed with love.
To my side…
That love yearned solely for return.
"Kuubishimeta~! Oshishi no okubi~!!"
"Colors~♪"
The king's slumber was shattered by the cacophony of two voices.
"Noisy!! What are you two doing, deliberately disturbing my sleep!? Is this harassment!?"
"Harassment? How rude, Heroic King! You should rejoice at being awakened by my voice, sweet as a songbird's!"
"Songbird? You mean a hippo, don't you?"
"Hippo—!? That's cruel, Goldie! I'm, I'm heartbroken! I'll cry!?"
"Cry in the hallway! Jeanne, report!"
"Yes! Singularity observation is complete, and we await only the Heroic King and Master's arrival! So, we came to wake you!"
"Why'd you bring this wannabe bride!?"
"Because I said I'd rouse you with my beautiful voice!"
"I see! Beware of scams!"
"Yes!"
"Scam!?"
"I'm heading out! I'll change—get out! Stand by at your posts!"
"Yes!"
A hectic morning meeting unfolded.
I often see dreams. Is it due to the breadth of this vessel's perspective?
What are they trying to tell me?
"Fufufu! Heroic King, I'll graciously tell you our next destination! Wanna hear? Wanna hear?"
"Not particularly."
"Listen well~! Our next stop is the City of Flowers! The eternal empire built on seven hills!"
The white Saber sang grandly.
"First-century Europe! Yes—Ancient Rome!!"
"Let's go, Jeanne!"
"Yes!"
"Don't ignore me—!!"
Rome… Thermae? The land of baths?
Entering the control room, the staff stood aligned.
""""""Good morning, King Gilgamesh!""""""
"Hm."
I surveyed them—everyone looked well-rested and fed.
"Morning, Heroic King. Heard the details?"
Roman's greeting met my glance. He looked sharp, no trace of worry.
"The gist. Eliminate the anomaly in Rome, secure the Grail, correct the Singularity. Not much different from France. No need to repeat."
"Yup. We're counting on you again, Heroic King. Stay close and protect those two."
"I don't protect. I crush. Mash handles guarding, so you just keep motivating."
"Got it. You're Chaldea's king. Take care of yourself too."
"Hah! Who do you think you're talking to? In my prime, I crush carelessness and arrogance with flair. Class Gorgeous knows no defeat! It's not overconfidence—it's fact! Hahaha!"
My role is to make that fact unshakable.
Let's get fired up. I'm bound to this king.
"Jeanne! Rouse the Servants! Prepare for summoning!"
"Understood!"
"Staff! Fulfill your duties! To your posts!"
"""""Understood!!"""""
"Sheba, activate Trismegistus! Observe twice with full commitment!"
"Understood!"
"Gorgeous King, here's something for you."
Da Vinci handed me a small gem.
"What's this?"
"A charm crafted by my dear apprentice. It'll come in handy. Man, I wish I could go to Rome…"
"You're not permitted on the front lines. Know that even a single mistake from you is unforgivable."
Exactly. If Da Vinci-chan were lost, most of Chaldea's functions would collapse.
Your battle is more vital than fighting. Leave the rough stuff to me.
"I know. Look, the stars have arrived!"
The door opened, and Olgamally and the Master rushed in.
"Sorry, Gil! We're late!"
"You wouldn't waste time pointlessly. What were you doing?"
"Yes. I was transplanting my 27 sub-magic circuits to Rikka."
"Oh?"
Magic circuits? Sounds like pathways for casting magecraft, based on the term.
"Now, excluding you and Mash, I can command three Servants. I plan to transfer my 37 main circuits to Rikka too."
"Is that wise?"
"I have the Grail you granted me. Since I can't stand shoulder-to-shoulder, I'll fight this way."
Olgamally's gaze burned with resolve.
"Then I've nothing to say. All's well, Master?"
Rikka was squirming, fidgeting. What happened?
"What's wrong? Answer your king's question with vigor!"
"It was… incredible…"
"Hm?"
"One more thing, Heroic King."
Olgamally raised her hand.
"Speak."
"Yes. During this Singularity, I'll train to master an Inherent Barrier, under my mentors' supervision, staying up all night."
"Quite the lofty ambition."
Inherent Barrier—a great magecraft manifesting one's inner world, as the vessel recalls. Also, "That faker made me suffer—die!"
"Why? Regrettably, you lack Rayshift aptitude. Won't it go to waste?"
"It's for you, Heroic King. To unleash the full might of your Sword of Rupture," Da Vinci said.
What?
"Your sword cleaves worlds. If unleashed unprepared, the Singularity could be torn apart and vanish."
"So, we'll deploy an Inherent Barrier that 'can be torn apart without issue' to support your full power, Heroic King," Medea, Olgamally's other mentor, added.
"It's just copy-paste, projected via Chaldea's equipment, so it won't affect Olgamally."
But…
"Are you sure? My treasure knows hell. One swing, and it won't end lightly."
Yes. That barrier—Olgamally's inner world—would be shredded. Even a restrained swing could raze a castle. Full power…
"It's fine."
Olgamally met the king's gaze firmly.
"If it aids you, I'll gladly offer my tarnished inner world. What pains me—"
Her words held no hesitation.
"—is losing you or Rikka."
As Director, she spoke with unwavering resolve.
"I see."
I placed a hand on her head.
"Then strive. I promise—if you master this great magecraft, I'll show you the true power of my oldest treasure in return."
"She'll do it! Olga's my friend, you know?" Rikka said.
"Yes. The Director's a hard worker!" Mash added.
"You two—yes, absolutely!"
"What beautiful trust, what beautiful loyalty…! I'm, I'm moved…!" Nero Bride exclaimed.
"Witness this! The fleeting flowers that bloom to save the Human Order! Preparations are complete! Medea, Da Vinci, make her shine—swiftly!"
"Of course!"
"You bet."
"We now march to the empire etched in human history—Rome! Though it dares claim supremacy over Uruk, neglecting it risks crumbling the Human Order's foundation! But fear not!! Recall my words!"
I raised my fist, rallying them.
"You are my treasures—none of you are mere rabble! No matter the hardship or crisis, know that no one can tarnish your 'achievement' of saving an era!!"
"""""Understood!!!"""""
"Raise your heads, lift your chests! I'll carve your path!! Follow my lead, heroes of the Human Order—!!!"
""""""King Gilgamesh! Long live! King Gilgamesh! Long live!! King Gilgamesh! Long live—!!!""""""
The staff's morale soared to its peak—now, we depart!
"Unsummon Program: Start! Rayshift: Begin!"
"Let's go, Master! Mash!! Know we are the vanguard of history, blazing the trail!"
"Understood! Ritsuka Fujimaru, heading out!!"
"Mash Kyrieight! I'll be Master's shield!!"
"Be careful, you two! Return safely—it's an order!" Olgamally said.
"You too, Heroic King! I'll give you manju when you're back!" Roman added.
"Gild it with gold foil! —Class Gorgeous!"
The second journey begins.
The great empire, Rome. What awaits me next?
"Heroic King! Gilgamesh!! We depart! Trample as you please—!!!"
The time for the soul's trial has come—!
"I made a flag inspired by everyone in Chaldea! Cool, right?"
'Ka ru de a no mi na chin'
"The writing's awful—!! Stop, it's embarrassing! And it's wrong!"
"Huh? Did I mess up?"
"While I'm not summoned, we're studying! This worm-crawling handwriting makes me sick—!"
"Hehe, studying together, huh?"
"Don't blush—!!!"
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