"I didn't expect there to be such a large space down here—"
"It's almost as if this mountain has been hollowed out..."
Just as Fujimaru Ritsuka exclaimed.
On the surface, Mount Enzou appeared calm and tranquil, but it was merely a disguise. Once the correct entrance was found, one would discover that the extent of the hollowness inside far exceeded imagination.
It was the kind of space where a single shout would likely result in several echoes.
"By the way—"
Fujimaru Ritsuka looked at the man beside her, becoming somewhat curious.
"Ian, how did you know we could get in here?"
"That..."
"Simple." Ian smiled faintly. "Just by sensing the flow of magical energy a little, one could judge that something was amiss."
"If I guessed correctly, Mash should have noticed it too, right?"
"Yes, that is correct." Mash nodded cautiously.
"While we were still up above, I could indeed feel that the airflow was a bit off."
"Eh!"
Fujimaru Ritsuka felt somewhat depressed.
"Was I the only one who didn't notice?"
"I feel like I'm being called an idiot!"
"It's just that you haven't studied systematically yet, Ritsuka. I believe that if you put your mind to it, you definitely won't be inferior to anyone."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Then—"
Fujimaru Ritsuka took a few steps forward, then turned around, clasping her hands behind her back, and asked with a mischievous look.
"After we go back, you teach me. No problem, right?"
"No problem."
The request, made by pushing the boat with the current, received a simple answer.
The joy between Fujimaru Ritsuka's brows could hardly be concealed.
"Did you hear that, Mash!"
"Ian, he's willing to teach me!"
"In that case, we... can definitely become stronger!"
"Y-Yes... we will become stronger." Holding her cross shield tightly, Mash's voice carried a few tremors.
This overly strange state naturally could not be ignored by Fujimaru Ritsuka.
"What's wrong with you?"
"I just feel like ever since we entered this cave, you've been acting weird."
"..."
Fujimaru Ritsuka's intuition was not wrong.
Mash was indeed very strange right now.
And the reason for becoming strange naturally could not be separated from Ian, as well as...
His hand, which had quietly reached over in this dim environment, was at this very moment on her behind, resting there perfectly.
Through the specially made combat suit, the imaginative Mash already fully understood in what manner the man's hand was caressing her.
It was a touch that perfectly avoided being too forceful, yet completely retained the impact on her senses.
This was absolutely...
A specifically calculated offense.
"How could that be?"
"Ritsuka, it must be your imagination, right?"
"Mash is very normal—"
Words spoken as if to offer an out, yet behind them lay an even more nuanced contact.
"Yes, I am very normal❤"
"How... could there be any problem❤"
"There is absolutely no problem❤"
Mash propped up her shield with all her might, deeply afraid of Fujimaru Ritsuka seeing the impropriety behind her back.
That absolutely wouldn't do—
Anyone could see she had feelings for him.
But...
This feeling right under someone's nose was so stimulating.
Even though it was something terribly unfair to Ritsuka...
Unknowingly, Mash's gaze became blurred and chaotic, and her breathing became incompatible with the coldness of the cave.
However, what the young girl did not know was—
At this moment, in Ian's eyes, she had already turned into an extremely delicious appearance.
The man was doing this on purpose.
The cornerstone of Slaanesh is Indulgence.
Regardless of the form, as long as one felt a trace of throbbing in the soul due to the desire in one's heart, it was the most absolute depravity.
As the initial propagator, Ian could naturally obtain sufficient magical energy replenishment from such touches.
Resurrecting from death in front of Lev was the best proof.
But—
Slaanesh is not only about Indulgence.
Above this, the numerous emotional branches extending out also possessed extremely powerful strength.
This was not nonsense.
It was the scent radiating from Mash beside him, whose "vital point" was being grasped.
Clearly enjoying it, yet not daring to say a word.
Her body reacted, while her mind still resisted.
This was a struggling soul.
A faint red light flashed in Ian's eyes, but it vanished in an instant.
Such a wonderful balance; he could not break it no matter what.
This was not only to allow himself to obtain enough power, but also for Mash to accept the blessing of Slaanesh.
Feeling the gaze calling for help cast by Mash, Ian's hidden hand instead applied slightly more force, ensuring she fell completely into this struggle, unable to extricate herself.
"Ritsuka, this cave itself isn't quite right."
"Those perceptions of yours might be an influence brought by the Singularity."
"Mash is also very tired; let her rest for a while."
"...That's true too."
Fujimaru Ritsuka nodded seriously.
Her and Mash's regard for each other was mutual—the two who supported each other as Master and Servant in crisis naturally had such an understanding.
"Sorry, Mash, I said something I shouldn't have."
"No, not at all." Mash exhaled a breath of hot air slightly.
"Senpai was just concerned about me."
"I—"
"I can completely understand❤"
The [Sword of Slaanesh] was becoming excited.
That restraint Mash dedicated in front of him met the requirements far too perfectly.
Ian knew that from this moment on, he had embarked on a path that was not righteous enough but correct enough.
Do everything possible to make them fall and gain power.
And such power could, in turn, protect them, gaining more time and space for depravity.
This was an unorthodox cycle, but it was indeed effective, and highly efficient.
Mn...
He had to utilize and plan this well.
After saving Olga Marie's world, he must also reach that terminus.
Ian's hand that was "holding hostage" the girl also temporarily let go at this moment.
Only, what the man did not notice was that the moment he ended the "hostage situation," Mash cast a gaze unwilling for it to end just like that.
Although, it was just for that one moment.
The next period of time was the "dismantling" work of the Grail—
Seemingly because of Artoria's exit, this process did not present many difficulties and was quite smooth.
Even Fujimaru Ritsuka, who only had a smattering of knowledge about this, could handle it with ease.
"So it's this kind of thing."
Looking at the golden, two-handled cup that appeared in front of her, the girl's eyes held a few more measures of curiosity.
"I feel like... maybe Mash could use it."
"Mn, if she could eat it, she would probably indeed become more amazing."
"Eh, Mash, look—"
"Senpai, I can't do that kind of thing!" Mash looked at Fujimaru Ritsuka's mischievous grin and couldn't help but retreat a few steps. "No matter how you think about it, I can't eat it!"
"Oh come on, give it a try~"
"No means no!"
"Indeed, we can't let Mash do that. If that happens, the Singularity will—"
Just as Ian was halfway through his sentence, the device on Mash's arm emitted a beeping sound.
That was the symbol of restored contact with Chaldea!
The three looked at each other and immediately reached a unified opinion.
A video projection unfolded from the girl's arm.
"Everyone, are you alright?!"
"Dr. Roman!"
The moment they saw this attending physician of Chaldea, both Mash and Fujimaru Ritsuka breathed a sigh of relief—this meant that Chaldea had indeed restored contact with the three of them.
But Ian's heart skipped a beat.
"Um, where is the Director?"
"The Director is fine." Dr. Roman answered Ian's question. "It was she who issued the order in the communication system for me to search for you."
"Is that so?"
Just as Ian felt a bit more relieved, he saw Roman's tense face again.
"What is it, Dr. Roman?"
"It's just—"
Roman's expression looked quite conflicted.
He spoke with a heavy tone:
"For this operation, perhaps... only one person can return."
________________________________________
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