Awakening from the Rayshift, I opened my eyes to the familiar Chaldea control room.
"Second… no, third time with Fuyuki. Routine now," Gilgamesh remarked.
In my right hand, the Grail—crimson and gold, adorned with a great tree motif.
Rome's passion, embodied in this Grail.
"Another addition to the vault. Good. A Grail that swallowed a Singularity—its use will be delightful," Gilgamesh said.
"Olga, I'm back—!!!" Ritsuka shouted, hugging Olga Marie.
"It was amazing! Your Reality Marble was unreal!!"
"R-Really? It's… embarrassing," Olga replied.
"I agree. Truly, well done," Mash added.
"Of course! She's my disciple!" Olga boasted.
"Wait! I'm Olga's first mentor. That origin's mine!" Romani interjected.
"I deserve pride too! I taught her High-Speed Incantation and spell maintenance!" Medea argued.
"I crafted her protective charms and taught her creation techniques! I linked the Grail to Sheba, Trismegistus, and Chaldea!" Da Vinci declared.
"What!? I'm just as great!" Olga countered.
"Who's greater needs no debate," Romani teased.
Medea and Da Vinci bickered, boasting proudly.
"Don't mind the mentors. They're always like this," Ritsuka said.
"Since the Reality Marble, they've done nothing but brag about the Director. Well, I want to brag too," Romani admitted.
"…I see," Mash said.
No need for words. Olga's power drew out the Hero King's true might.
"Hero King, well done. I… did my best," Olga said.
"No words needed," Gilgamesh replied, handing her a golden nameplate from golden ripples.
"Olga Marie Animusphere, you may truly bear Chaldea's name."
"!"
"Your deeds set an example for humanity. Well done—worthy of my treasury."
Thank you, Olga. Because of you, the future's path is open.
"Gil…!" Olga gasped.
"You did it! Gil acknowledged you! I want him to call me his proud Master too!" Ritsuka exclaimed.
"Earn it. Make me praise you," Gilgamesh challenged.
"Absolutely! I'll do it!!" Ritsuka vowed.
"I think you've done enough," Romani chuckled.
"Fool. Praise isn't for effort but results. If sufficient, it manifests as Humanity's restoration," Gilgamesh said.
When the Master comes of age, we'll all gaze at Olga's scenery.
"Gil, issue the order to end Rome's campaign," Olga prompted.
Time for the king's command. I'll stay silent.
"Very well. Chaldea's warriors! Your valor reclaimed another rightful future!"
I let my consciousness slip into half-wakefulness, yielding to the vessel's charisma.
"Your skill is beyond doubt! Our steps toward Humanity's Order stretch far into the future. Saving the empire of Rome has raised your worth another rank!"
Yes, these steps confidently lead to a distant future.
"For your effort and desperation, I grant the honor of witnessing my treasures! Take pride! You've proven worthy of humanity's oldest treasures!!"
"""""To the utmost glory!! Long live King Gilgamesh!!"""""
"Never forget—our goal is to save Humanity's Order! One or two corrections mean nothing if we falter and fall, dragging all with it!!"
Success without arrogance, hardship without despair.
"Complacency is 2,000 years too early!! Hone yourselves daily while building confidence! Our march continues until Humanity's tapestry is reclaimed!!"
"""""We engrave King Gilgamesh's words in our hearts!!"""""
Chaldea erupted in cheers.
"That's the spirit!" Ritsuka grinned.
"I'm… still far off. I can't inspire like that," Olga admitted.
"It's fine! You'll get there someday!" Ritsuka encouraged.
"If we can do it, so can you, Director!" Mash added.
"…Thank you both."
"Comparing to the Hero King's a bit steep. Something smaller?" Romani suggested.
"With the pinnacle before us, let's aim high—together," Olga declared.
"Yeah! Together!"
"Yes!"
"When it's over, I'll enjoy this resort life!" Romani cheered.
"You're already enjoying it. Your vitals and mental state are perfect," Olga teased.
"No stress here! Sleep at 9, wake at 7, great food, sweets, comfy beds! Long live Chaldea!" Romani exclaimed.
"Truly a resort," Olga sighed.
"Gil made it," Ritsuka noted.
Another step toward a rightful world.
"Oh! Where's Jeanne Alter!?" Ritsuka asked.
"Her? She's—"
"Here, here," Jeanne Alter said, wheeling in a massive cake.
"Wow!!"
"Singularity conquest… ahem. Made too much. Suffer and finish it," Jeanne Alter huffed.
"You made this!? It's three meters tall!"
"Got… carried away. Eat it all," she muttered.
"Amazing!" Mash gasped.
"Fou! (Such a perfectionist, this sister!)"
"Shortcake, chocolate, strawberry—flavors vary by section. Eat where you like. Don't… get cavities," Jeanne Alter said.
"Thanks, Alter—!!" Ritsuka hugged her.
"No hugging… I…"
"?"
"C-Call… me… t-thank…" she stammered.
"What?"
"Call me… thanks…"
"All quiet!! Jeanne Alter speaks!!" Gilgamesh boomed.
"Goldie—!!!"
"Don't mind, speak. 'Thanks'? What's that?"
"Shut up!! I'm leaving! Sleeping!!"
"Your room's shared with the Master. Continue there," Gilgamesh teased.
"Quiet, goldie! I hate you! Burn and die! Everything you touch should turn gold!!"
Jeanne Alter fled, face red. Still so earnest.
Her gratitude to the Masters was clear—gold foil adorned the cake.
"…If my sister were that obvious, she'd have less pain. And that's Midas' curse. I'd pass," Gilgamesh mused.
Where's Jeanne?
"Hero King," Jeanne called.
"Well done," said a red Archer EMIYA and blue Lancer Cu Chulain.
"Mu, what? Here to greet me?" Gilgamesh asked.
"Sort of," EMIYA replied.
"Sorry, Hero King. I couldn't resist her smile," Cu Chulain admitted.
"…What's with the grim faces?"
A bad feeling…
"Come see. I sympathize," EMIYA said.
"…?"
"Butter and cream ready. Sorry again, Hero King," Cu Chulain added.
"Wait—you said saint… no way…"
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Hero King! 'Jeanne's Stamina Full Course'!"
Dishes piled up, all blood-red, apple-red.
"Purgatorio Curry! Paraiso Ramen! Shugo Kimchi Pot! Kuronawa Soba! Inferno Steak! Limbo Gratin! Empyrean Kuppa! And Mapo!"
"—"
The vessel's speechless.
No wonder. Why—
"EMIYA cooked, but I wanted to make yours. Got carried away!" Jeanne beamed.
Why… give it your all—
(Why didn't you stop her, Counterfeit—!!)
(Stop her? Crush a sweet girl's all-night effort? Not a hero's way!)
*(You're just a cleaner!! This is absurd! All main dishes!? Why all red!? Where's nutrition!?)
(She wanted stamina.)
*(Stamina for the underworld, fool—!! Dog, why are you here!? Substitute!? Right!?)
(Just offering a stomach-soothing rune.)
(A placebo—!! I won't touch this filth—!!)
"Hero King," Jeanne said.
"!?"
"Your fighting… I really love it."
…
"Eat this… and shine in the next Singularity! I'll cheer my hardest! This is my heart—accept it!"
Gotta eat.
"Cooking doesn't improve with heart—!! Stop! What am I doing!? Drop the spoon! Not this time! I'll really die! Ereshkigal would recoil!! Hold back, me!! Learn already—!!"
Jeanne's love! A hero doesn't flee love!
"Damn, damn—!! Why does this me keep getting outdone in the dumbest ways—!!"
Embrace love! Glory lies beyond!
To the next Singularity!
"Damn it all—!! Is this the downside of gorgeousness—!!!"
"Farewell, Hero King…"
"Stay cool," EMIYA and Cu Chulain said.
"Bon appétit!"
"DAMN IT ALL—!!!"
Itadakimasu!!
"GAH—!?"
Love is profound.
If love destroys the world,
Love also saves it.
Rome, Concluded!
How was it? Enjoyable? Your feedback is cherished! Thanks for typo reports and fixes!
Next: Interlude, then Okeanos! Pacing may slow for review. Cold hands don't help!
Still, aiming for one post daily. Thank you all for enjoying! For 100 chapters, your support means everything!
Take care, everyone! May Uruk's people be forever healthy—!
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