Chapter 963: Finally Meeting Chaldea
"Da Vinci-chan?!"
Mash was also stunned, looking at the other party in disbelief.
"Wow, it's a small world."
Eiji let out a surprised exclamation.
"It really is Mash! Ritsuka, come down quickly! Mash found us!"
The girl called Da Vinci was overjoyed and quickly shouted upstairs.
Soon after, sounds resembling rummaging through boxes and cabinets came from upstairs, followed by loud footsteps from the staircase.
"Mash!"
Immediately after, the last Master of Humanity appeared before Eiji's eyes with a pleasantly surprised expression.
...
"Sorry, Mike! My companions found me. I want to catch up with them, so consider me absent from work tonight!"
Little Da Vinci apologized to the boss.
To prevent eavesdropping, she led everyone to a guest room on the second floor.
In the guest room, everyone reintroduced themselves, and Mash also shared her experiences up to now with the Chaldea members.
"Thank you all so much for saving Mash!"
The orange-haired girl bowed solemnly to Eiji and the other two in gratitude.
She was a girl with delicate features, her shoulder-length orange hair tied up at the sides of her head, her eyes appearing bright and spirited, giving an impression of determination and strength at first glance.
Gudako x Mash!
How wonderful! How wonderful!
However, there was also a sense of worldly weariness about her, as if her entire body was covered in scars.
"No need to be so formal, Fujimaru Ritsuka! We had our honeymoon period, didn't we?"
Grimm lifted his hood, revealing a face with a very improper smile.
"Mr. Cu Chulainn?""
The girl named Fujimaru Ritsuka was greatly surprised.
"You still remember me?"
"Of course! Although it's a second summoning, I retained all my records from the Fuyuki Singularity! Just call me Grimm here!"
The Fuyuki Singularity - that was the beginning of everything, the starting symbol of the Incineration of Humanity initiated by Beast I Goetia. However, the Incineration of Humanity had long been resolved, and now was the era of the Freezing of Humanity.
But in that Singularity, Grimm had fought alongside Chaldea in his Caster form as Cu Chulainn, so they were already old acquaintances.
"And this is Miss Habe-nyan... I mean, a very passionate textile fairy who took great care of me along the way, including in Sheffield!"
"Hey, Mash! My name is Habertrot! You can call me Trotrot! But don't call me Habe-nyan, or I'll be very happy!"
Habe-nyan showed a bashful smile reminiscent of Chopper's expression.
Da Vinci raised her elegant eyebrows slightly.
Trotrot? Grimm?
"And this is Mr. Eiji... um, he's incredibly powerful!"
Mash thought for a moment, somewhat troubled as she couldn't think of what else to mention in Eiji's introduction.
After all, she had only met Eiji twice, and aside from knowing he was strong enough to hold off two Fairy Knights alone, she knew almost nothing about him.
"...Mash, do you know that I secretly prevented an NTR situation? I've accumulated immense merit!"
Eiji said with a completely straight face.
"?"
Mash slowly formed a question mark in her mind.
"That guy went to Boggart's place, beat him up, and then Boggart never mentioned making you his bride again."
Grim added with a beaming smile.
"B-bride?!"
Then he heard Fujimaru Ritsuka's utterly shocked scream and smiled contentedly.
"Tch."
Eiji clicked his tongue in displeasure. This should have been my entertainment—why did you steal it?
Can't these amusement-seekers just drop dead!
Oh, right, I'm one too. Never mind, then!
"So that's what happened? I had no idea all along. I'm truly ashamed! Thank you so much, Mr. Eiji!"
Only then did Mash grasp the magnitude of what Eiji had done—it was no exaggeration to call him her savior!
Both she and Fujimaru Ritsuka turned toward Eiji with looks of a thousandfold gratitude.
"Let us introduce ourselves as well. Ritsuka is Mash's Master, and currently the last Master of Pan-Human History!"
Da Vinci-chan stepped forward, introducing the two flustered individuals on their behalf.
"If she's the groom, I have absolutely no complaints!"
Habetrot showed a blissful, fulfilled expression.
Why groom?
Da Vinci-chan muttered under her breath but kept her smile unchanged, proudly introducing herself.
"And I am the greatest artist of the Renaissance in Pan-Human History, a super-genius who dabbled in all sorts of fields—Da Vinci herself! You're welcome to sing my praises!"
"Why have you become like this?"
Grim rubbed his chin, looking at Da Vinci-chan with a slightly grave expression.
"Well, there were all sorts of reasons. In short, the original me is gone, and this version of me remains. I hope you don't mind!"
As if without a shadow of gloom in her heart, Da Vinci-chan continued to smile brightly.
"...If you're fine with it, then it's alright."
Eiji scrutinized Da Vinci-chan deeply—her vitality was almost that of an 80-year-old, likely sustained forcibly by her Spirit Origin.
Grim glanced at Eiji in surprise, not expecting him to see through it as well.
"And this is our bodyguard!"
Da Vinci-chan put on a ceremonious expression and made way for the Heroic Spirit who had been silently standing in the corner.
"Allow me to introduce myself!"
The man had long red hair, his eyes always closed, holding a harp in his hands. When his turn came, he unconsciously strummed it.
"My true name is Tristan, a Knight of the Round Table in Pan-Human History—Tristan of Sorrow! Thank you all for bringing Miss Mash back. I've seen our Master looking troubled these past few days, so I imagine she can relax now. I am deeply grateful!"
A clear, melodious harp sound accompanied his pleasant voice.
Ho, quite the chivalrous demeanor!
He and Eiji—who ruins his aura the moment he opens his mouth—were practically polar opposites!
Regardless of what Eiji and Grim thought, Habetrot cast an approving glance. As the first Fairy Knight, she probably felt she had the authority of a senior.
Knock, knock, knock!
Suddenly, the sound of knocking echoed at the door, and everyone fell silent.
"Who is it?"
Fujimaru Ritsuka stepped forward proactively, while Mash automatically positioned herself in front, cautiously addressing the door.
"Ritsuka, it's me. Did something happen? I thought I heard a loud noise earlier?"
A somewhat hesitant voice came from outside the door.
It sounded vaguely familiar to Eiji.
"I'll get it!"
Apparently familiar with the girl outside, Fujimaru Ritsuka breathed a sigh of relief, waved to let Mash lower her guard, then stepped forward to open the door.
Standing outside was a girl holding a magic wand, with smooth golden hair flowing from beneath her wide-brimmed hat and emerald eyes that looked somewhat nervous and uneasy.
Overall, she appeared rather plain, dressed like a country fairy coming to see the world.
But the moment Eiji saw her, he couldn't help but complain.
"Why am I running into the King of Saber here too?"