"Mr. Tei?"
Kirina tilted her head at the slightly dazed guest, unable to stop herself from gently reminding him.
The visitor possessed a strange, androgynous beauty—not unlike Enkidu's—surpassing all boundaries of gender.
Right now, that very visitor was gazing silently at Sanjiro and Gilgamesh, seated together on the couch.
Why did this scene… suddenly remind her of a famous painting?
A snowy day. One person standing alone, watching two others nestled together...
Wait a sec, that's three people—that's the classic White Album love triangle setup!
Hold on—where do I fit in?
Kirina suddenly felt like the third wheel!
Goddamn, what kind of weird thought was that?!
Shaking her head quickly, she rushed to introduce him, "That's Mr. Gold—he's kind of like Sanjiro's friend. He's been over a few times before."
"Oh? A friend, huh."
Shikotei didn't press the topic, stepping into the room with casual elegance.
As they entered—
Sanjiro stared blankly at the TV screen, where the exact same person was currently giving a New Year's address… and then back at the one standing right in front of him.
What the hell?
Weren't you supposed to be giving address right now?
Don't tell me—Shadow Clone?
...Actually, considering who we're talking about—that might be real.
With the mechanical body of Shikotei, making shadow clones was probably child's play.
Even this current form was a body that he built personally—a perfect synthetic form.
No wonder he could confidently declare, "My gender is I" with a straight face, and be just as ambiguous as Enkidu the mud doll.
Sanjiro felt a bit awkward.
The brat had just shown off the gift he received from Shikotei… to Gilgamesh…
And now the original giver had just walked in.
Damn it, Kirina! You've screwed your old man again!
I swear, I'm stacking at least thirty layers of seals on you tonight, and I will not stop until I'm satisfied!
However...
Shikotei's gaze swept over him, finally landing with a faint smile on the composed Gilgamesh.
Two pairs of crimson eyes locked in a silent showdown.
In that moment—
There was an aura between the two so overwhelming that it felt impenetrable to outsiders.
Shikotei stepped forward:
"Mr. Gold, I've heard much about you."
Since he claim to be Sanjiro's friend and call himself "Mr. Gold," there could only be one person he could be.
The one who hails from the origin of the most ancient human civilization, wielder of the world-rending sword of rupture—the King of Heroes, Gilgamesh.
A man who stands at the very pinnacle of the Heroic Spirit pyramid, with few who can even come close to his status.
"Mr. Tei, the pleasure is mine," Gilgamesh replied with an equally calm smile.
To introduce himself as "Tei," with such confidence—it was obvious who he truly was.
The ruler of 2 billion lives. Commander of over a hundred Heroic Spirits. The one who opposes the Council of Gods—The First Emperor, Shikotei.
They had met numerous times at international summits and even exchanged the occasional word. But this was the first time they'd encountered each other in a casual, domestic setting.
Kirina warmly welcomed, "Mr. Tei, please sit."
These two both seemed… ridiculously rich. And apparently, both were friends of Sanjiro?
She was starting to suspect her shut-in big brother had a mysterious past.
Could he actually be a hidden heir of some thousand-year-old noble family?
"Thank you."
Shikotei nodded and calmly sat down on the sofa—right between the two of them, placing Sanjiro squarely in the middle.
Making it all the more awkward.
Sanjiro jumped up. "You guys sit. I'll get some water."
Damn it!
One is the Hero King, the other is the First Emperor—
Go rule your own countries! Why are you both hanging out at my place!?
If this ever got out to the public, the whole world would go absolutely insane.
Two of the top-tier Heroic Spirits, both of whom common folk would never have a chance to even see, sitting here like old friends.
And worse—both were prideful to the extreme, and would never lower themselves to speak to just anyone.
Gilgamesh glanced at the fox-skin scarf on the table and asked with a smile, "This was a gift from you?"
To be able to slice off a tail from the Nine-Tailed Tamamo and forge it into an A-rank charm-type Noble Phantasm, the [Fox Scarf]—
Very few in this world could manage such a feat.
He could, of course.
The Grand Assassin could likely do it as well.
And aside from them—only the man before him.
"Indeed. A New Year's gift for Sanjiro. Just a mere fox, that's all." Shikotei casually admitted.
"And what brings Mr. Gold to Fuyuki?"
"Oh, nothing serious. Just a humble merchant, here for some business," Gilgamesh answered with the same unchanging grace.
A mere fox? A little business?
Sanjiro, still pouring water in the kitchen, almost dropped the tray.
Holy hell.
Are you two really trying to show off in front of me?
If people knew "just a fox" was Tamamo-no-Mae, and "a little business" meant buying out the hotel and the bank behind it in one sentence...
...yeah. Best not to think about it.
Compared to Sanjiro's speechless disbelief—
Kirina's eyes sparkled with excitement.
These two… might be even richer than she originally thought.
Could it be that Mr. Gold, who took her to the Fuyuki Grand Hotel, was some kind of mega-rich tycoon?
And this "Mr. Tei," radiating mysterious charm—was he a wealthy young heir playing at living the common life?
Whatever the case… she still had to rely on herself. These guys weren't really related to her.
Kirina clenched her fists. One day, she would become that rich too.
"Their throne can be replaced—by me!"
Just then—
Gilgamesh pulled out a thick red envelope and handed it over: "Little Kirina, I forgot to give you your New Year's red packet. Here, take it now."
"Eh? T-That's really too much—"
Kirina swallowed hard.
Just from the thickness alone, she could tell—there was a lot of money inside.
Shikotei smiled and pulled out his own red envelope: "I've prepared something as well. Which would you like?"
"…Wait, I can only pick one?"
Kirina blurted out instinctively.
"If you're willing to call me Dad, I can give you more," Gilgamesh teased with a smug smile.
She might seem like a greedy little rascal…
But beneath that, she was wrapped in countless layers of protection—so powerful that even his clairvoyance couldn't fully see through her.
And the fact that Sanjiro always kept her at his side?
There was no way that was just coincidence.
Shikotei narrowed his eyes at him, then turned to Kirina with a soft smile: "Kirina, would you like to be my daughter instead? I truly love good, obedient children like you."
What the heck is going on?!
Kirina stared blankly at both of them.
First Jeanne and Artoria wanted to adopt her…
Now these two did as well!?
Suddenly, she felt weirdly proud.
Maybe she really was the nation's daughter.
If she filmed this and uploaded it to You Tube—it'd be the ultimate "please have a daughter" bait!
Just as she was stuck deciding which envelope to take—
Shikotei softly added,
"Mr. Gold, you've been in Fuyuki quite a while now. Have you considered returning to your homeland?"
"There's an old saying in my country: 'Isn't it a joy to have friends visit from afar?' I like it here. I plan to stay a while longer," Gilgamesh answered with perfect poise.
"The people here are hospitable… but only to welcomed guests. Not to uninvited wolves looking to take everything."
Shikotei's tone cooled visibly.
It was clear now—this King of Heroes was also trying to take Sanjiro away.
That was unacceptable.
Gilgamesh's crimson gaze turned icy.
"Mr. Tei, we're more alike than you think."
Their mutual hostility was now fully exposed.
Prideful. Overbearing. Territorial.
Their duel had already begun—from words alone.
"No, no. We are not the same," Shikotei calmly replied. "I am more perfect than you. Flawless, in fact."
The video [Unlimited Blade Works] had tarnished Gilgamesh's image as the beloved Wise King of the People.
But in contrast, Shikotei remained untarnished.
"That's not guaranteed. Nobody's perfect. What if someone exposes your own secrets someday?"
Gilgamesh's voice chilled further.
He could be casual with Sanjiro, even let the brat tease him without minding.
But in front of a peer—he would never yield an inch.
Still holding her red packet, Kirina blinked in confusion:
"…Wait. Are you two rivals?"
Even she could tell by now—these two were openly hostile.
Probably rivals in business or something?
Did Mr. Gold come to Fuyuki just to challenge Mr. Tei's turf?
"Of course not," they both answered with identical smiles.
Kirina felt a bit conflicted.
Grown-ups sure are complicated.
They could radiate open hostility and still pretend to get along.
Compared to the quietly panicking Kirina, Sanjiro's scalp was already going numb.
These two were literal top-tier Heroic Spirits.
If they snapped and fought here—Fuyuki would be leveled in a nuclear blast.
He silently placed a deck of cards on the table:
"…How about a round of cards? You know, for fun?"
"Ooh! I love playing cards! Let's play!" Kirina squealed and shoved him aside.
"Agreed."
Both men nodded calmly.
The three of them started playing lucky 9.
Sanjiro quietly walked away.
One had [Golden Rule], making him basically a god of wealth.
The other had [Imperial Privilege], practically a divine cheat that let him draw any card he wanted.
Kirina… may the odds be ever in your favor.
=================
Meanwhile…
At the Fuyuki Grand Hotel—
Mash was feeling a little nervous.
She was about to meet the Lion King—No, King Arthur, once more.
After Alaya released the latest video, her identity as the inheritor of Galahad had also been made public.
This had made her, in effect, a new member of the Round Table.
No matter what, a meeting was inevitable.
"Senpai… thank you so much."
Mash sat on the bed, swinging her legs slightly.
Just thinking about him filled her chest with warmth.
Back when she faced the Lion King, she had been so scared. But more than fear—she believed in Senpai's miracles.
She had already died once.
On the day Senpai first arrived at Chaldea, there had been a mysterious explosion.
She'd been crushed under a massive slab of cement.
Death was only a minute or two away…
But back then, Senpai had completely ignored the danger of collapse and rushed over with a smile, grabbing her hand and pulling her back from the brink of death.
It was precisely that act of saving her that awakened Sir Galahad within her.
You could say that even the knight hailed as the most perfect—Galahad—must have sensed Senpai's justice and kindness and willingly chose to pass on his legacy to her.
After watching video after video…
Mash had come to understand—her Senpai was far greater than she had ever imagined.
A true hero, one who walked through the history of mankind, protecting the entire world!
With the courage he gave her, she no longer feared anything. Even in the face of the Lion King, she could fight with all her might!
In the room next door—
Two Heroic Spirits were having a serious discussion.
"My daughter has always hated me. She even refuses to answer Chaldea's calls when I try to talk to her."
Lancelot took a deep breath, his whole body trembling with nervous excitement. "Astolfo, are you sure this will work?"
"Of course! Please believe in the bond between you and your daughter. After all, you are a wise and gentle father!"
The pink-haired knight flashed a sunny smile.
"You've got a flawless physique, daring and modern fashion sense… without a doubt, you're the finest dangerous beast there is!"
"Good! Once I earn her forgiveness, I'll treat you to a feast!"
Lancelot excitedly rubbed his hands together.
Everything was ready. It was time to give his daughter the ultimate New Year's surprise!
Knock knock~
The door sounded.
"Coming, coming!"
Mash took a deep breath, determined to present her most valiant and composed self for whatever challenge awaited her.
With Senpai's warmth still lingering in her palm—there was nothing left to fear!
Click—
She opened the door and asked curiously, "Sir Astolfo, what brings you here?"
Mash had been expecting to meet with King Arthur.
She'd heard that France and Britain had long been rivals… could this be an attempt to poach her?
"It's like this," Astolfo answered seriously. "Miss Mash, your father has prepared a New Year's surprise to beg for your forgiveness."
"…A surprise?"
Mash frowned slightly.
That guy… ever since the videos went public, he'd been harassing Chaldea with constant calls.
Even though inheriting Galahad's spirit origin technically made her his daughter, she still had zero interest in forgiving him.
This was the man who had run off with the queen, fractured the entire Round Table into ruins.
Although, if not for that… Sir Galahad wouldn't have existed either.
sigh… Maybe she'd grant him a brief audience, just to be polite.
"Please take a look."
Astolfo clapped his hands.
And from outside leapt a large figure, calling out excitedly: "Mash, it's your dad~!"
He was wearing… a purple catgirl costume.
One that barely concealed his bulging, muscular frame.
He had oversized paw gloves, cat ears on his head, and a big fluffy tail on his back.
(AAHAHAHGHHHGHAH fucvk! the mental image is so strong!)
The moment Mash laid eyes on him, she froze completely. Her brain began to violently convulse. "A-Ah! Don't come any closer!!"
A massive, hulking man wearing that kind of cosplay—completely unhinged!
Thick leg hair was shamelessly exposed on his thighs.
He even had blush painted across his cheeks. It was retina-destroying.
But the worst part—what made Mash want to die right there—
That outfit… that "Dangerous Beast" costume… was the private outfit she'd secretly prepared to wear for Senpai after their final battle.
Yes, Fou had once whispered to her that Senpai liked catgirls.
So she'd planned to wear it, just once, for their private celebration.
It was already the most embarrassing, private thing ever. Something she never intended anyone else to see.
And now—her so-called father had worn it himself!
Lancelot dropped to all fours, trying to strike a seductive pose. "Mash… Dad's here to beg for your forgiveness, nya~"
He was really giving it his all.
"Aaaagh! My eyes! MY EYES!" Mash staggered back in horror.
She had thought that, with Senpai's warmth, even the Lion King couldn't shake her.
But now, she felt genuine terror.
What in the world was this monster?! It looks like a crossbreed of Beerus and Mil-tan!!
Just a few seconds of this was enough to traumatize her for life!
"Eh? Eh?! Astolfo, didn't you say Mash would love this!?"
Seeing his daughter back away in horror like she'd spotted a disgusting piece of shit, Lancelot felt like he'd been stabbed right in the heart.
He'd thought a disobedient son turning into a cute daughter would be a blessing… and he'd prepared such a special surprise…
Why was it going so wrong!?
Just then—
More footsteps echoed from outside the door.
It was the group from Britain.
Artoria paused at the doorway, staring blankly at Lancelot. "What… is the meaning of this?"
The proud First Knight of the Round Table—had turned into this?
"What sort of creature are you?" Gawain drew his Excalibur Galatine on the spot.
Too terrifying.
One glance, and he felt the urge to strike this abomination down.
Mordred couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing. "PFFT—Lancelot! You're dressed like that?!"
She clutched her stomach from laughing too hard.
She'd only come to meet the new Round Table member with her father…
Never imagined she'd witness something like this.
"..."
Mash stood frozen.
She'd wanted to remain composed and politely turn down Artoria's invitation.
And now, thanks to this shameless dad's antics—she wanted to crawl under the kotatsu and die.
Lancelot stood up awkwardly, blushing slightly as more and more people gathered.
No—stay calm. I can still salvage this!
Astolfo had said it himself: his daughter had a crush on that "Nameless" guy, always calling him Senpai sweetly.
And after that whole exposé, Artoria had no right to pursue the guy anymore.
Nameless himself had even said "Farewell"…
So, if he could convince Artoria to bless Mash and Nameless's union—it would guarantee his daughter would call him "Dad" sweetly every day!
It'd also let him rejoin the Round Table and finally erase the disgrace of the past!
Lancelot strode forward and declared firmly, "My daughter Mash is willing to join the Round Table, but on one condition."
"Oh? What condition?" Artoria asked, frowning.
Behind her, Mash panicked: "No—he and I aren't—!"
What the hell was this disgrace of a dad thinking!?
"As long as the King bestows marriage between my daughter and Nameless, we can use this grand Heroic Spirit wedding to erase the scandal left by those videos!" Lancelot said seriously.
"..."
Mash's words caught in her throat.
This ridiculous, retina-scarring cosplay…
Why did he suddenly seem… noble and gallant?
BOOM—
A thunderous pressure suddenly filled the room.
The Holy Lance manifested, radiating crushing intensity as it filled the space with an aura of doom.
Artoria raised Rhongomyniad and spoke calmly:
"…I'll allow you to rephrase that sentence."
===
Author did Lancelot dirty XD..... and us for giving such a mental scar.
Fuck.