When I returned to Fujimaru and the others in high spirits, I was greeted by a Master with worry written all over her face.
"Are you okay!? Gil! You're not dead!? You're alive!?"
"Of course. Who do you think I am?"
"AUO!"
"Indeed."
"Ain't that intonation making fun of him? Well, whatever."
"King of Heroes, who is that person?"
Olga Marie asks.... Maybe it's just my imagination, but she has a completely different atmosphere from before—refined and vigorous, like a different person.
"Master, what happened?"
"Well, she said that after eating the candy Gil gave her, she calmed down. Then she decided to prioritize supporting you all who are here rather than relying on Lev who isn't."
"—Oh. The candy soothed the child. So that girl is finally showing her true potential."
"Ritsuka, this is your problem too. Listen seriously."
"Yes ma'am."
"King of Heroes, and unknown Caster Servant. If the King of Heroes permits your accompaniment, I take that as a sign of friendship."
"It's about Demi-Servant Mash's Noble Phantasm."
–
From what I heard, Mash apparently still cannot use her Noble Phantasm.
She's been fighting all this time without knowing the True Name of the Servant she fused with or even what kind of Heroic Spirit they are.
—So Mash has been fighting in a state equally difficult as mine, or even more so. And she never complained once—what admirable spirit.
"You'll have trouble finding a husband, Mash."
"Eh, what!?"
"Ah, absolutely. This little lady's got more than considerable backbone."
Mash's face reddens. As expected, at this age, engagement is a distant topic.
...In my previous life, it was a topic I never had any connection to. ...If possible, I want these girls to find good people.
"This is a serious matter. As long as Mash fights as a hero, not being able to use her Noble Phantasm is like being half-paralyzed."
"I'm sorry... Even though I shouldn't compare myself to the King of Heroes, I'm a useless Servant..."
"Oh, poor Mash! I'll hug you!"
"No, senpai! Not in public!"
"Listen seriously..."
In the short time I haven't seen them, they seem to have grown much closer. Like sisters. I don't show it on my face, but I find it favorable.
"Is that so? I think Noble Phantasms aren't something you can master so easily. If they could be mastered overnight, heroes would look foolish." Romani said.
"He's talking about you, golden one."
"The treasury simply has no name to call. Fool."
The Caster teases me. I see, Noble Phantasms require True Names, and without knowing them, release isn't possible.
Then this Gilgamesh's Noble Phantasm, 'Gate of Babylon,' is always displaying its true value. ...Incredibly convenient. Creatures called kings are.
"What do you two Servants think about this problem?"
"..."
I glance at the Caster. Setting aside this vessel, I know nothing about this world. I probably can't help.
"Huh? Ah... if she can fight, she can use it. Heroes and Noble Phantasms are the same thing."
"If she can't do that, well, it's clogged up. Like magical energy or something. She just hasn't practiced raising her voice."
"Loud voice! Leave it to me, Mash! I'll make you cry out!" Fujimaru said.
"Ah! Wait, senpai! No!"
The two start grappling with each other. It's good that they're getting closer, but is this lack of tension acceptable?
"If that's the case... alright, take your stance." Said the caster.
"...Eh?"
"Don't space out. You want to use your Noble Phantasm, right? Then fighting is the quickest way."
The atmosphere changes. The aura becomes combat-ready.
"I'll seriously try to kill the Master. So Mash, come at me seriously too. It's rough, but I'll make you spit out that clogged magical energy."
"That's..."
"So that's your approach, hooded Caster! Fine, I'll stake my life on Mash!"
"Senpai!? Um... King of Heroes, please say something too...!"
"—"
...Mash is an indispensable existence to Fujimaru Ritsuka.
The only main Servant contracted with Ritsuka is Mash Kyrielight. I'm a 'Sub-Servant' contracted through Chaldea's summoning system—in other words, merely a guest lending power after being called.
From now on, she'll probably fight through difficulties with Mash for a long time.
It would be easy to blow away difficulties with this vessel's power. I have the trust and confidence to do so.
But that would blow away not only the difficulties but also Mash and Ritsuka's growth.
That's what it means for an absolute being to interfere.
—So
That's precisely why, right now, watching over them is
—Observing and determining is—
My vision flickers unsteadily.
—Just now, I felt like I touched something important—
"—"
"H-King of Heroes?"
"—Do what you must do, Mash."
"Eh?"
"This is a wall you must overcome."
I place my hand on her head with a pat.
"Stand proud."
"You are strong."
"—!"
Determination dwells in eyes that had been wavering with doubt.
"—Senpai."
"Yes!"
"King of Heroes... I'll do it."
"I'll master my Noble Phantasm!"