A/N: Praise to encourage growth, firmly scold, and develop subordinates—A natural mindset for a king.
--
Apparently, that Archer wasn't the only Shadow Servant infesting this burning Fuyuki.
In the first place, the Holy Grail War that makes Servants fight each other... Romani says the orthodox form is a battle royale gathering seven Heroic Spirits.
Then the remaining Classes... Saber, Lancer, Caster, Rider, Assassin, and Berserker may still be targeting us.
"Physician. How is Mash's condition?"
"She's fine. She avoided direct hits and blocked everything. Neither Master nor the Director has a single wound."
"She fulfilled the shield's role, eh. Not bad for a shield-bearer."
Really, quite impressive. Protecting what she wants to protect with just her own body.
How difficult it is to stick to that original intention. Fujimaru has a wonderful Servant with her.
"Good."
I must also achieve results matching that contribution.
'W-what is it, Your Majesty?'
"Continue having Mash guard the Master. I have work to continue."
"Work? Aren't you a king?"
"Fool, right now I'm a Servant. Obviously I must eliminate obstacles to the Master."
'What!? Don't tell me you're going alone!?'
"...?"
"No, no! Stop that 'Isn't that obvious?' face! We don't know what threats remain where! If by any chance you were to be eliminated, our fighting power would plummet!"
What he says is entirely reasonable. An unknown magical realm, a burning Singularity. What traps lie in wait is completely unknown.
"Fool. Do you think I'd lose my life to a roadside stone? Should we sit here and wait for threats to arrive, or remove threats ourselves and prepare our position as quickly as possible? Which is the wiser strategy?"
"That's..."
"Besides, losing humanity's last Master versus losing a mere single Servant by accident—it's obvious which would be a more critical loss going forward."
"...That may indeed be true. But..."
Romani still hesitates. It seems his nature is truly soft... no, perhaps he's just a kind person.
"Don't worry. I have the Independent Action skill. I won't burden the Master. It's a King's word. Believe it."
"A King's word, you say... Alright, understood. If I stubbornly resist and damage your mood, that would truly be the end. Will you accept the annihilation of the remaining Shadow Servants?"
"Of course. It's not bad to occasionally taste the sensation of the lower classes working up a sweat."
From here on, I cannot allow defeat. I must gain even a little experience to become able to fully protect the Master.
"...Mm. Contributions require rewards."
Murmuring suddenly, I call out to Mash who's resting her body before departure.
"Mash."
"Ah, Hero King! I'm sorry for showing such an unguarded appearance..."
"There are no enemies, so there's no need to be on guard. You're such a serious one."
"Y-yes... I'm sorry."
She seems to have a passive sense of self. She could say "I protected Master! How about that, golden one!" without being struck by divine punishment.
"In the previous battle, you protected the Master well. It's an achievement. I praise you."
"Eh—ah, no, such a thing! To be praised by the Hero King! It's, it's too much of an honor."
"Modesty is an island nation's virtue, was it? Indeed, nothing is more troublesome to me than strong women. Goddesses are truly awful, mm."
...Was that Gilgamesh's impression just now? Regarding the word goddess, I felt seething killing intent smolder.
"But what you accomplished is unmistakably an achievement. As a king, I must reward righteous work."
That's right, a girl of this age really shouldn't have to stand on a battlefield.
A different way of living... at the very least, eating delicious food should be fine.
I reach into the golden ripples, grasp a palm-sized substance, and offer it to Mash.
"I'll give you candy. It's sweet when you lick it."
"Ah, candy? Is it...?"
"Share it with the Master and that diligent little girl too. I'm going to exercise now."
"Exercise...!? Th-then Master and I will also!"
"Fool. What can you do when you were being toyed with by a single Shadow Servant?"
"Ah..."
"Now is not yet the time to throw your life away. Your crucial moment will surely come. Save your will and spirit until then."
"...Yes."
Mash visibly droops her shoulders and hangs her head.
This is fine for now. If she can create time to think, time to look at herself, she should do so.
Because adolescence is like that. Even in this abnormal situation, I want her not to forget that normal way of living.
"Well then, I'm off. Look forward to the my return."
"Ah, Hero King!"
"Mm?"
At the moment of departure, Mash calls out to stop me.
"Ah..."
"Thank you very much. I'll... savor this candy...!"
"You're exaggerating, fool."
Without hiding the smile that escapes, Gilgamesh flew off.
"...Really, thank you very much. Hero King."
Though harsh, his words and actions that truly cared for her well-being caused a warm sensation to well up in Mash's heart.
I wonder what candy tastes like. I have no idea since I can only say everything tastes good.