"Daaahhh!!" Jeanne Alter roared.
"Guh—!!" Jeanne countered.
(I can't lose…! For Master, I won't lose…!)
"Hallelujah—!!!" Jeanne shouted.
"Gah—!!" Jeanne Alter staggered.
(No matter how many times you knock me down, I won't lose…! I won't…!!)
"It's over—may the Lord's grace be with you—!!" Jeanne declared.
(For Master!! I can't lose…!!)
"I—won't—LOSE—!!!" Jeanne Alter screamed.
"What—?!" Jeanne gasped.
'Cross Counter'
"Gah—!!" Jeanne stumbled.
"Kuh—!!" Jeanne Alter recoiled.
Fran's Melancholy
"All the stopped Helter Skelters are rebooting, huh?" the Hero King sighed, lounging on the sofa.
"Either one Helter Skelter acts as a switch, or we need to take down the Noble Phantasm's owner to stop them," he mused. "It was a slim chance, but things rarely go smoothly. Fuhaha."
Despite his words, he laughed with amusement, though no one took the bait for a retort.
"Waiting for a quip? Waste of time, Gil," Artoria said, her gaze piercing.
In the living room were Artoria, Jekyll, Master Rikka, and the King.
The writer's battling deadlines in a frenzy. So, where are the other three?
Mash and Mordred trudged in, heads bowed.
"Judging by your faces, you failed even the persuasion check," the King said. "Not that I expected much from a Fumble-Knight."
"No good," Mordred groaned. "No amount of coaxing or threats worked. She's completely shut herself away. So damn delicate."
Fran had retreated to her room, and the two had tried to reach her, to no avail. They returned, defeated.
The source of Fran's shock—Charles Babbage. From what they'd heard, he was a great scholar who dreamed of an unrealized era of mechanical innovation.
"I checked the newspapers and records," Romani said. "He should've died over a decade ago, but he definitely existed in that era."
"With human history incinerated, one person's lifespan is trivial," the King said.
"Trouble is, besides Gil's eyes, Fran's the only one who can track the Helter Skelters' source…" Romani noted.
She'd met Babbage multiple times, even conversed with him, learning from him and calling him 'Sensei' for it.
"It must've been a shock…" Rikka said. "Learning someone she admired is aiding evil…"
"Don't say that," Mordred warned. "She zapped me when I brought it up."
"Like a child's tantrum," Artoria said. "Or rather, she is a child. What now? Give up and cling to Gil?"
The King sipped wine, half-joking.
With such resilient people around, it's easy to forget… this is a normal human reaction.
Someone you trusted turning against you, trust reduced to nothing—it's a blow Fran's innocent, childlike mind could barely process.
I lack the life experience to help her. Even with the King's power, I'd only offer harsh encouragement that'd hurt her more.
I can't abandon a teammate, but the only treasure to sway hearts is the 'mind control' prototype. Using that's out of the question. Perhaps preemptively acknowledging 'hypnosis' to block other influences?
It's a tough problem. What to do…
"Alright!" Rikka clapped her cheeks and stood. "Let's check on her! Coming, Gil?"
"Oh? Our Master takes the stage," the King said. "Found a breakthrough?"
"I'm used to handling shut-ins," Rikka said. "I've got a track record of reforming over ten truants!"
She puffed out her chest proudly.
"No way…" Mordred said. "You're a jack-of-all-trades, Rikka…"
"I could've used five more knights like Bedivere who understand hearts…" Artoria muttered, curling into a ball on the sofa.
"As I didn't say," the King remarked, "what you lot needed wasn't the Round Table's oath but a brawl by the riverbank."
"We should've prioritized communication and reporting…" Artoria lamented. "That's why I got swept up in incomprehensible debates at drinking parties… I should've half-listened. Also, Lancelot's 'troublesome person' comment is the biggest self-own in human history—not as bad as you, you meddlesome knight! His Arondight hurt like hell!!"
"Let's see your therapy skills, then," the King said.
"Got it!" Rikka replied.
Ignoring Artoria's grievances, they headed to Fran's room…
'Under heartbreak, go away.'
A crude sign hung on the door, proclaiming rejection.
"…It's locked," the King said, testing the knob. "Just a lock, not even a padlock. Typical, but without constantly changing molds, it's hardly secure."
Let's try calling out.
"Fran, you alright?" the King asked. "Hungry? I've got some delicious beef jerky."
…
"…Leave it by the door," Fran's voice came faintly.
She's responding, at least.
"No can do," the King said. "I want to see you devour that jerky. How about showing me those lovely odd-colored eyes?"
He spun a smooth line effortlessly.
"…No way," Fran replied.
"Hm, a failure," the King chuckled. "Things don't always go as planned."
Despite the rejection, he laughed, not angry—just amused.
"That's surprising!" Rikka said. "I thought you'd go, 'Insolent fool!' or something!"
"Selfishness and tantrums are brushed off with a smile—that's the Merry King's way," he said. "I can't sweat the small stuff. Though, stalling our search is troublesome. Troubles and accidents are part of the journey's charm. Alas, (laughs) the King's out of ideas. Your turn, Master."
He stepped back, arms crossed.
"Let's see your belief that you can connect with anyone, even gods, through words."
Rikka met his gaze, nodding firmly.
"Got it! Considering Fran's mental age… and how to talk… Alright."
Muttering to herself, she stood before the door with resolve.
"Leave it to me, Gil. If I mess up, back me up."
"Very well," the King said. "Wield your words skillfully."
"Okay! …Hey, Fran," Rikka began.
Her dialogue started.
"I heard about Babbage-sensei," she said. "He was kind to you, a really amazing person, right?"
"…Ugh."
"You met him, talked to him," Rikka continued. "You know Babbage-sensei better than any of us."
"…"
"I want to hear about him," Rikka said. "I want to know the Babbage-sensei you know."
"Ugh…"
"Oh?" the King murmured.
She's getting Fran to talk…?! Is that safe…?
"Tell me, Fran," Rikka said gently. "Take your time. Tell me what you felt, in your own words."
"Ugh… Okay…!" Fran began. "Babbage-sensei was a great scholar who dreamed of perfecting a splendid steam engine."
Rikka's earnest request disarmed Fran's guard, and she started speaking.
From there, Master was masterful.
Rikka listened to every word, nodding precisely, exclaiming, laughing, and playfully questioning.
"Babbage-sensei believed in the power of the great steam engine," Fran said. "He taught Fran so much about its wonders."
"Steam engines! Pure romance!" Rikka said. "What did he teach you?!"
"Yes, the splendid steam world is another form humanity dreamed of," Fran said. "It's as wonderful as direct or alternating current."
"That's amazing!" Rikka said. "He's a key figure in humanity's progress! And you understood it all, Fran—you're awesome!"
"Hehe, Fran's an excellent daughter of Victor," Fran said.
Fran's speech grew smoother, and she moved closer to the door.
"Babbage-sensei wears armor," Fran said. "He said the world he dreamed of is inside it."
"Armor?!" Rikka gasped. "So cool!! I wanna see! Does it… transform?!"
"He said maybe it could," Fran replied.
"YES!! Woo!" Rikka cheered. "Babbage-sensei gets true romance!"
"Yes! Babbage-sensei is a good person!" Fran agreed.
(Impressive. Instead of lecturing, she's drawing Fran out to find a breakthrough. Her conversational finesse is exceptional—she must've handled plenty of idle chatter.)
Fran's words never faltered, and the conversation reached its core.
"Babbage-sensei said…"
"What?" Rikka asked gently. "Take your time."
"He said it's regrettable and sad that the world I dreamed of wasn't born," Fran said. "But humans built a world just as wonderful. So, as a scholar, he must watch over and support it."
"—"
"Sensei's a noble person. He called Fran Victor's daughter… So why…? I don't understand…"
(Here's the crux, Master.)
"(Got it.) …Fran, let's think together," Rikka said. "What happened to Babbage-sensei?"
Leaning against the door, she spoke softly.
"From your stories, I know Babbage-sensei's a noble person who'd never do bad things."
"Ugh."
"But his Helter Skelters are being used for evil. What's going on?"
"I don't… know…"
"Think slowly," Rikka said. "Our enemies use lots of people for bad things. Paracelsus did bad but was good. So, what about Babbage-sensei?"
"Doing bad… while still good…? Ugh!"
Zap! Electricity sparked.
"Someone's forcing Babbage-sensei to do bad things!" Fran exclaimed.
"Exactly!" Rikka said. "The Babbage-sensei you love hasn't turned bad! He's being controlled by the real bad guys!"
"Ughhh—!!"
Oh, this is bad—
"Step back, Master," the King warned. "You'll get caught in it."
"Huh?"
"—WAAAAAHHH!!"
A flash and a thunderbolt erupted.
"Whoa—?!" Rikka yelped.
The door disintegrated, and Rikka was blown back. A last-second backstep saved her from serious harm.
Fran emerged, her hesitation shattered with the door.
"I won't forgive them!!" she declared, burning with fury. "Fran must free Babbage-sensei!"
"That's the spirit," the King said. "Can you do it, Fran?"
"Of course!" Fran said. "Fran will fight! I'll stop Babbage-sensei! …Master!"
She approached Rikka, who was sprawled on the floor.
"Yep!" Rikka grinned.
"Thank you for listening," Fran said. "Besides Sensei, Master's the first to hear this monster's words so closely."
She slowly extended her hand.
"…Cool, wonderful Master. Lend me your strength. I want to stop Babbage-sensei."
"Of course! Welcome back, Fran!" Rikka said, hugging her tightly.
"Ugh… Soft yet sturdy," Fran murmured.
"Your resolve is good," the King said, "but prepare for the worst. The Grail's power might override his will, forcing a fight. Are you ready to strike down your mentor?"
"I am," Fran said. "With Fran's moderate full effort, I'll free Babbage-sensei."
"I see. Your resolve is set," the King said.
"Talking helped me understand," Fran said. "If he's suffering, stopping him is kindness. I want to do my best. So… King, lend me your strength. And the beef jerky."
She bowed politely.
Of course!
"Fine! I allow it!" the King laughed. "Fuhaha! The negotiation's complete! Well done, Master! A talent for diplomacy too!"
"Told you," Rikka said. "If wills can connect, I'll befriend even gods!"
"Your motto holds true!" the King said. "I acknowledge it! Lead on, Fran! Master, prepare for battle!!"
""Yeah!!"" they cheered.
With Master's help, Fran's broken through her doubts.
Now, let's resume the journey to restore humanity!
"Fran! Finally got your resolve, you idiot!" Mordred shouted.
"Sorry for worrying you," Fran said. "I'll guide."
"Good…!" Mash said. "Amazing, Senpai!"
"Fran's super kind for even talking!" Rikka said. "I've dealt with shut-ins who took a month to say one word, or ones I stopped from jumping off a roof five seconds before. I've organized mixers, chased off stalkers, mediated relationships, written student council speeches, and even talked to kids who wouldn't speak without a knife. Good times…"
"…Were you born under a cursed star of misfortune?" the King asked.
"Queen!" Rikka corrected. "Call me a queen, or it's all over!"
If she can befriend gods, humans are easy…
"Should you fall to the demonic path, what a horrific end you'd meet," the King mused. "That fairy tale writer's banned book—perhaps it spoke of such a fate."
"Huh?" Rikka tilted her head.
How many could stand beside her, trade words, and not be captivated?
This girl before us—if fate had shifted slightly, she could've become a calamity or great evil threatening humanity.
-------------------------------
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