Mommy, Mommy…
Mommy—
Don't go, don't go, don't go…
Why, why?
We just…
Wanted to go back, that's all—
Prayer
"N… ngh…"
At Jekyll's residence, I stirred from sleep, slowly lifting my eyelids.
—To efficiently recover mana spent in yesterday's battle, I slept in my Heroic Princess form. The men's sleepwear I donned was oversized, a bit unflattering, but no one's watching, so I let it slide.
"Morning, huh…"
The clock's hands pointed to five a.m. Outside, shrouded in twilight mist, a faint warmth of dawn pierced through.
"Mm… kuh…"
I stretched deeply, checking my body for issues.
Mana circuits, clear. Mana for manifestation, stable. Spent mana, restored. Emergency mana reserves, intact.
Physical damage, none. —No hindrance to the Heroic King Gilgamesh's existence.
Mana and stamina, fully charged. Today's activities should go smoothly.
"…Maybe I woke up too early."
Sensing for presences, everyone else was still asleep, their peaceful breathing audible.
—Wait, is that snoring? Mordred, probably.
"Heh, even that's unconventional for her."
I couldn't help but chuckle. I wouldn't dare in front of her—she'd either yell or kill me.
"…"
I recalled yesterday's battle.
The sorrowful evil spirit, crying Mommy, Mommy, seeking her mother with pure desperation.
—Maybe because I've seen her play happily in Chaldea, her loss struck a pang in my heart.
Jack the Ripper. A vengeful spirit of children aborted, denied birth.
Feared, revered, their belief taking form as an Anti-Hero.
—A tragic Anti-Hero, born from humanity's darker facets, one I must face.
"…"
Feeling this pain might be misplaced. No matter how much I mourn, they can't be saved, their existence eternal.
Once etched into the world, they're a symbol of human history, an indelible spark.
…Then, is praying for their peace wrong?
—No. I reject that.
If it's meaningless, so be it—intent and emotion don't need to justify action.
If only utility mattered, the heart would be irrelevant.
To ache with sorrow, to pray for peace. To thrill with joy, to offer gratitude.
Humanity assigns value to the meaningless through the heart's stirrings. This journey taught me that.
—I won't deny this pain. I won't reject this sorrow.
There must be something I can do for those denied birth.
"—Alright."
I opened the trunk from Fou.
From the clothes gifted by kind people, I chose one.
"…Even if it's self-satisfaction, if it brings them some peace."
The sister outfit. A sacred garb for those serving the divine.
Shedding the sleepwear, I donned it.
A cascade of golden hair, serene features, a golden-ratio frame cloaked in the black sister outfit.
Ironically, the form was a pure sister, radiant enough to outshine the gods she served.
"…Even if it's futile, even if it's self-satisfaction."
Kneeling in the room's center, I closed my eyes and prayed.
—I once faced death and was granted new life in this form.
If chances are equal, those souls drowned in regret and sorrow surely deserve one too.
If an omnipotent being, like the one who spoke to me in that hollow world, still exists—
"—Grant them a new chance. Their souls, their existence, this time—"
—This time, may they find salvation and blessing.
I won't forget. I'll never forget.
The children denied birth, the world that denied them—I'll remember.
—To save a world that bears such sorrow and pain, yet creates value.
I'll live this moment fiercely. —That's surely
The only atonement I can offer for lives unborn.
—Rest in peace, countless unfulfilled souls.
"…"
Without prompting, I opened my eyes and stood slowly.
"…Napping again would be silly. Maybe I'll clean."
Today, we're heading to protect Victor Frankenstein, Jekyll's ally, they said.
Another march through the fog. …And likely battle.
"Then… Right!"
I clapped my hands.
"I can do something…!"
Yes. While the vessel sleeps, in this gifted Heroic Princess form, there's something only I can do. Something my soul alone couldn't achieve.
"Alright, let's do this…!"
I swapped the sister outfit for an elaborate maid dress, designed for service.
"It's a race against time. Gotta hurry…!"
Tying on an apron, I stepped out of the room.
—To support my comrades heading to battle, with all my strength.
"Morning~"
Ritsuka appeared, rubbing her eyes.
"Good morning, Senpai!"
"Morning, Mash. So energetic… Whoa!?"
A heavenly aroma tickled Ritsuka's—no, everyone's—noses.
"Up already! You're slow, Ritsuka! Food, food, food!"
Mordred banged the table.
"Meat pies and roast beef! This is awesome!"
"No way!?"
"It's true! Someone made enough for everyone! 'There's plenty for seconds. Eat together nicely,' they said!"
"Gil made this!?"
"That Heroic King guy, right? I took a bite—surpasses three-star chefs. It clarified my senses."
"I snagged a bite earlier—damn, it's good! Don't tell Father."
"Really!? Where's Gil?"
"Said he's napping again. Wake him before we head out. Told us to eat first."
"Got it! Let's dig in then!"
"Hell yeah! Sit down! Let's eat!"
"That's my sofa…"
"Don't sweat it. I'll work extra for it! Hands together—ready!"
""""Let's eat!!""""
The sounds of dining and camaraderie drifted from the next room.
A hungry warrior's no good. I looked up recipes recommended by club members online and improvised.
Roast beef and meat pies. I was nervous about the outcome, but if they liked it… it was worth the effort.
"…Everyone, do your best. All I can do are these small things…"
Endless gratitude to the Heroic King for lending me this body.
May this journey keep everyone smiling safely.
…It's almost time to depart.
The Princess's time ends; the King's march begins.
—Let's go.
"—To protect them."
The Nameless soul steeled her resolve anew.
"?"
"Roast Beef and Meat Pies"
"What's wrong, Jack?"
"This…"
"Eat together nicely – AUO"
"From the King! Yay!"
"Wonderful, Jack! A gift from a kind king!"
"Let's eat together, Nursery. It's gonna be yummy."
"Oh yes! With the finest tea!"
"Oh, one more."
"Me too? Can I?"
"Yup, Asterios too."
"All together, all together! So fun!"
"Yeah! Okay, then…"
"""Let's eat!!"""
—Even if it's self-satisfaction.
May these young souls overflow with blessings—
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