"Learn from experts, master techniques, perfect the basics to create! That's the smartest way!"
"Start moving. Prep seasonings first—"
"Yes! Watch, I'll be Chaldea's dessert queen!"
The night before!
"That was rough…"
Ritsuka sighed heavily upon returning to Rome. Mobbed by citizens, rescued by Mash, they reached Nero's base.
"Don't complain. To them, you're a victory-bringing goddess," Gilgamesh said.
"Not just me. Thanks, Mash," Ritsuka replied.
"Mash was splendid—pushing, pulling, deflecting. A true Shielder," Nero praised.
"T-Thank you! I'm honored…" Mash blushed.
Mash was amazing, fending off crowds. Her experience shines…
"That's victory's nectar. Embrace it," Romani said.
"Sounds like you've tasted it, mage," Gilgamesh teased.
"I'm imaginative. It's gotten me through plenty," Romani replied.
What did Romani do before Chaldea? A doctor, surely brilliant.
"Fine talk of nectar. Shall I fetch wine?" Gilgamesh smirked.
"Hold it! They're underage!"
"We'll share a drink someday," Nero grinned.
Amid lively chatter, two figures appeared.
"Back, huh? Relaxing already, Majesty," a woman in white said.
"⬛⬛⬛⬛(I'm bored)," a towering man in Chinese armor grunted.
"Lu Bu! Jing Ke! You're back!" Nero exclaimed.
They're Servants, radiating intensity.
"Meet my guest generals: Assassin Jing Ke and unmatched Lu Bu!" Nero introduced.
"I know that headdress! Famous!" Ritsuka said.
"⬛⬛⬛⬛(My valor reaching the Far East is natural)," Lu Bu rumbled.
"I'm Jing Ke. An emperor's foe brought me here. Guest general now, I guess. Nice to meet you," Jing Ke said.
"Assassin as general? With that traitor, Rome's short on talent," Gilgamesh remarked.
"No way! Rome uses everything available!" Nero protested.
"That regal figure—surely a renowned king?" Jing Ke asked.
Hero King's fame resonates… humanity's primal hero.
"I'm Gilgamesh, class Gorgeous. The supreme king who forged humanity's path," he declared.
"Supreme king… wanna stab…" Jing Ke muttered.
Did she just say that?
"Nothing! A legendary king as an ally is a hundredfold strength. Nice to meet you," Jing Ke corrected.
"I'm Fujimaru Ritsuka! Love Musou games! Nice to meet you!"
"I'm Mash Kyrielight, Demi-Servant contracted to Senpai. Class Shielder. Pleased to meet you," Mash said.
"⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛—!(I'm Lu Bu, styled Fengxian. Golden king, I crave your head)," Lu Bu growled.
"Such a brutish crew. Lacking elegance," Gilgamesh sighed.
"What! I'm here, dazzling enough, right?" Nero huffed.
"Quiet, Chimera-voice," Gilgamesh snapped.
"I don't sound like that! Stop the slander!"
"We're more weeds than flowers, popping up everywhere," Ritsuka said.
"Not true. Senpai's a splendid flower," Mash countered.
"Thanks. Wonder if Hope's Flower is okay," Ritsuka mused.
"No worries. She's with a fine teacher," Gilgamesh assured.
Haven't heard her voice in a while…
"Enough introductions! Hear me, heroes of Rome!" Nero's voice sparkled.
"We reclaimed Gaul and located United Rome's capital! The decisive battle is now!!"
"Finally, a short yet long journey. Time's strange," Gilgamesh mused.
Decisive battle—facing Lev in the capital. Humanity's fate hangs in the balance.
"I'll take back my beloved Rome! Lend me your strength, heroes across time!" Nero rallied.
"Uoooh!!"
Her words ignited their spirits.
"Battle's tomorrow! We'll form our army and strike United Rome! Tonight, a grand feast to sharpen our resolve!!"
Rome's fate looms near.
Night. Above Rome, aboard Vimana.
"Moonlit drinks are fine. Rome's noisy, but the moon's beauty holds," Gilgamesh said.
I let the vessel take over, enjoying leisure.
"Marie… maybe Jeanne would've spiced the wine. Marie's fine, but Jeanne? Nah," he chuckled, clinking his glass.
Beautiful. Calm night, cool breeze, blue-black sky.
I prefer this to battle's clamor.
He opened a comm. "How's it going, Olga Marie?"
Chaldea's director, Olga Marie.
"Good work, Gil," she replied.
"Reality Marble progress? Smooth?"
"Yes. Eighty percent done. Just stabilizing and reinforcing now."
Eighty percent so fast? Her talent exceeds expectations.
"Bold claim. Share a glimpse for my wine's sake. I permit it—whisper to me alone," Gilgamesh teased.
Olga Marie paused, then laughed. "Fine. My Reality Marble's dual-layered: one psyche cut by you, another activated only after being cut."
Two psyches in one Reality Marble? Rare.
"Unique. Reflects your devotion," Gilgamesh said.
"Flattering. The psyche you cut is my past life's… The other, my psyche after you saved me."
Before and after salvation…
"The cut psyche is… unsightly," she admitted.
"No matter. I'll judge it as it is. Got a name?"
"Not yet."
"Then I await its reveal. Another pleasure," Gilgamesh smirked.
"Hero King…"
"Hm?"
"If Lev's really there… will you…"
She hesitated briefly.
"Encourage me and defeat… what was Lev, together?"
She asked the king for courage against her former mentor, now their enemy.
"Of course. Clearing your path is my duty. Leave it to me," Gilgamesh vowed.
"Show him your true worth, Olga Marie—the value of your humanity."
"Yes!"
"Rest now. I'll sleep too. Sharpen up; tomorrow's hectic."
"Understood. Good night, Hero King."
"Keep at it."
The call ended.
"Gorgeous-sama, need a lullaby?" Marie chimed.
"Thoughtful. Permitted. Sing me to sleep with your sweet voice," Gilgamesh ordered.
"Leave it to me—like that night, yes?"
I drift to sleep.
Tomorrow decides all.
Rome's battle looms—stay sharp.
"I'll start an attraction in Chaldea! Something golden…"
"An arm-wrestling club! Golden boys flexing! I'm open to challenges! Today's match…"
"Oh… golden," Ritsuka said.
"A new game? Can we join?" Mash asked.
"Oh…"
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