Meeting Tohsaka Rin again in Uruk, the Age of the Gods.
This is good news for Naoki, even though his relationship with Rin is just so-so. At best, he trains her in martial arts classes until she can't eat dinner, and at night, he causes Rin to lose sleep and suffer from nervous tension the next day.
In Rin's eyes, Naoki must seem like a demon with horns on his head and flames spewing forth. Moreover, since Rin usually trains in Gem Magecraft, the costs are exorbitant, so she often borrows money from Naoki or uses his connections in the Mineralogy Department to buy low-quality gems at a cheap price.
In the end, their relationship has almost become that of a lender and borrower. Rin also left Camelot Apartment and returned to Japan partly for this reason—living under the same roof as her lender isn't something a borrower, especially a prideful Tsundere like Rin, could tolerate.
As a result, aside from the monthly interest she sends, Naoki never contacts Rin anymore. Her phone always rings unanswered, she's not home when he visits during New Year's, and even if he deliberately seeks her out, Rin avoids him.
This makes him feel like a debt collector.
"But at least I know Rin is doing fine now. I don't know why she came to this Singularity, but being okay is more important than anything."
After watching Ishtar leave, Merry laughed and clapped her hands: "Alright, time to discuss something important. Naoki's fine, but Ritsuka-chan, Mash, Hinako—you guys currently have no value in the eyes of that king. This can't go on. If you don't get his help, restoring this Singularity will be extremely difficult."
From Gilgamesh's earlier attitude, it was clear he only took Naoki seriously. As for Ritsuka and the others, it's not that he completely ignored them, but he just didn't pay them much attention.
Mash asked, "So, we need to prove our worth… is that it?"
"Exactly. Right now, there's a ton of work to be done in Uruk. There's a labor shortage everywhere—repairing the city walls, making clay tablets, planting crops, tending to the wounded…" Merry listed them one by one. "In short, what you need to do now is take on odd jobs, starting with the small stuff, and help Uruk with your abilities. That way, Gilgamesh will start seeing you differently."
Odd jobs?
Hinako frowned: "What about the Demon Beasts? Don't we need to fight them?"
Merry smiled: "Of course you do. The more reliable combat power, the better. I was just talking about Ritsuka and Mash. Given their situation, staying in Uruk is the most suitable for now. As for Hinako and Lord Xiang Yu, there's no question—you two are best suited for heading to the battlefield and crushing Demon Beasts~~~"
Good.
Hinako let out a small sigh of relief. If she had to do menial work for humans, she'd rather die. And even if she could reluctantly accept it, she'd be furious enough to destroy the place if Xiang Yu had to do odd jobs.
"But we can talk about that tomorrow. Today is your first day in this Singularity. It wouldn't be right to make you work right away, so I'll give you a day off. Tomorrow, I'll officially assign tasks for you."
Ritsuka's eyebrow twitched: "Eh? Is Teacher Merry the one assigning our tasks?"
"Of course. Who else is the general manager of Chaldea's Embassy in Uruk? Leave the external relations to me~" Merry puffed out her chest. "Though I say it's a day off, there are still a few things to do. There's no place for you to stay at the Chaldea Embassy right now, you know."
"Eh?!"
Ritsuka exclaimed: "No place for us to stay?"
"Of course not. There aren't many rooms there. Even if Merlin gets kicked out later, it can only fit two more people. One spot was reserved for the King from the start, and with Rei tied to Naoki, the place is already full."
"How can that be…"
"Don't worry. I'll take you to find a place to stay later. There are plenty of old houses in Uruk; you can find one with a bit of searching. Plus, you'll need to prepare some furniture. You don't want to sleep on the floor."
"So, we need to settle the lodging issue first." Naoki patted Ritsuka's shoulder: "Well, good luck."
Ritsuka glared at him helplessly: "Department Head, you're the one living comfortably. I pray Miss Rei messes with you so much you can't get up tomorrow morning."
"Not anymore. Endurance trained through long-term high-pressure training isn't something to underestimate. In terms of Servant abilities, I now have A++ endurance (nighttime specialization)."
"Ugh—!"
Hearing Naoki say that, Merry's body instinctively tensed.
(A++? Is he joking? My endurance is E… I could die. I'd definitely die alone.)
Merry had originally planned to get rid of Rei and enjoy Naoki alone tonight, but now it seemed she'd definitely be overwhelmed, and after being overwhelmed, she'd be forced to keep going until she truly couldn't handle any more.
(Hmm, better not get rid of Rei.)
For the sake of her own health.
As Merry was thinking this, Naoki suddenly spoke: "Alright, while you guys go settle the lodging issue, I'll find something to do—Merry, where's the most pressure on the front lines right now? I'll go help out a bit."
"Eh? You're going to the front lines?"
"It's the only place I can go."
Merry thought for a moment: "The most pressure… The Demon Beast attacks haven't been too intense lately. This place has adapted and can hold out. If you want to go, head to the Northern Wall. That's where the Demon Beasts are most numerous. If you go, it'll definitely ease a lot of pressure there."
The Northern Wall?
Naoki recalled that the Magical Beast Goddess seemed to be in that direction. After twenty years, his memory was a bit hazy.
"Oh, by the way, dear King, when you get to the Northern Wall, remember to say hi to the General there for me."
"General?"
Naoki, already floating in the air, was a bit confused: "Leonidas I?"
"No, not him. Though he's there too, the General there now is someone else. You'll know when you get there—Alright, let's start the girls' outing, Ritsuka-chan."
Seeing Merry pull Ritsuka and the others along, Naoki smiled, then shot up into the sky, heading straight for the Northern Wall.