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Mount Ebih, in Sumerian mythology, was a peak that even the King of the Gods revered.
The goddess known as Ishtar, simply because she found it an eyesore, ventured deep into Mount Ebih alone. With every step she took, her divine might grew, until she finally seized the mountain's peak, drove her spear into the heart of its leylines, and brought about the complete collapse of the Ebih mountain range.
To display her majesty, Ishtar established her temple upon that sacred peak.
"Whew, we're back."
The youth, riding the great dragon-like Honkai beast, had his temporary mount stop in front of the temple before leaping down from above.
Then, he turned around and called out casually to those behind him.
"Ritsuka, Mash, aren't you getting down?"
In response, a despondent-looking Miss Guda and Mash, who was holding the legendary Merlin-beast, jumped down from the halted beast.
Miss Guda and Miss Mash had decided to willingly go to Ishtar's temple to work off the debt incurred by Kingu.
It was an easy decision to understand.
After all, it was a multiple-choice question.
Option A: Willingly work to pay off the debt for the defeated Kingu, wait for Dr. Romani to arrive with a sufficient ransom, and then try to negotiate for the return of the seventh Holy Grail.
Option B: Get beaten to a pulp, then be forced to work to pay off the debt for the defeated Kingu, wait for Dr. Romani to arrive with a sufficient ransom, and then try to negotiate for the return of the seventh Holy Grail.
There was no fundamental difference between the two options.
If Miss Guda could transform into the Chaotic Evil from the four-panel gag manga—the one who punches Goetia, kicks Tiamat, and pins Kama to the ground until she cries—she could naturally shout "I choose neither!" and proceed to beat the crap out of the guy planning to kick off FGO 3.0.
But—
Fujimaru Ritsuka was not that gag character, Chaotic Evil.
Therefore, she could only choose one of the options, begrudgingly following a certain someone to his temporary residence—the Temple of Ishtar.
"From now on, this will likely be your workplace."
The youth, in a very pleasant mood, led Chaldea's last Master and her Servant on a stroll through the goddess Ishtar's temple.
His mood was excellent.
He had successfully detained Miss Guda and Mash. The next step was to wait for Dr. Romani to come to the rescue.
Once the human form of the Grand Caster, the King of Fighters of Israel, Solomon, arrived with the ransom, he could simply turn around and detain him as well.
After that, the official plan to save the Human Order would begin.
The youth who would save humanity by pushing the world into even greater danger looked at the pretty faces of the two girls beside him, feeling quite pleased.
To be able to acquire an essential item for his mission and get two beautiful maids for free—such a development was simply wonderful.
Besides, he could try to conquer Gudako, couldn't he?
The youth, who had always been a respectable scumbag, thought to himself.
Miss Guda was fated to be surrounded by romance, with connections to a host of female Heroic Spirits. If he could win her over, he'd be connected to many beauties.
If nothing else, the Lecherous Eggplant was definitely a "buy one, get one free" deal.
Although his time might be a bit tight due to having to resolve the whole Human Order thing, time was like the chest of a certain Yukinoshita Hirano—if you were willing to squeeze, you could always find some.
Besides, even if he couldn't win her over, becoming friends and teasing Miss Guda and her accessories from time to time would also be quite nice.
It was decided. He would add "conquering Guda" to the main questline.
The youth, fully aware that countless shurabas would come crashing down on him once the Honkai and Type-Moon worlds were linked through the Sea of Imaginary Numbers, still made this reckless decision.
"Until Mr. Romani arrives, you two can make yourselves at home here."
With that thought, the youth turned back and smiled at Miss Guda. His smile was already present before he even spoke; you could call it charming, or you could call it flippant.
Paired with the unique warm aura of a sun god and his handsome face, it was a top-tier PUA technique for young girls.
Unfortunately for him, Miss Guda was not some naive girl experiencing her first crush like Ana or Wendy.
As the savior of the Human Order, she had seen more handsome men and beautiful women than some otaku have met people in their entire lives.
The moment he smiled, she was suddenly reminded of a certain big dog.
Yes, the Celtic Humanoid Self-Propelled Cannon—Cú Chulainn.
Cú Chulainn liked mature women (a true connoisseur), and wasn't interested in innocent girls, so she naturally never had to worry about being hit on by that particular big dog.
But—
Now, a man with a gaze very similar to Cú Chulainn's had appeared.
And...
He was looking at her with the same eyes Cú Chulainn used to size up beautiful married women.
Naturally, Miss Ritsuka became instantly alert.
She seemed to understand where that vague, lingering sense of crisis had come from.
It was a chastity crisis.
And just like that, her heart went cold.
Her connection with Chaldea was severed, and she had been dragged into this person's territory.
If this guy was the type to use force...
A sheep in the lion's den, isolated and helpless. Her only Servant was Mash, who, if she intervened, would likely just end up as another dish on the menu for this humanoid self-propelled cannon.
"Don't be so tense. I don't have a habit of getting rough with girls I'm interested in."
These words, which were completely unable to set her mind at ease, reached Miss Ritsuka's ears, causing her body to stiffen slightly.
She forced herself to look at the youth's face and saw with certainty that the man with eyes like Cú Chulainn's was looking at her, not Mash.
Her earlier, almost paranoid speculation had not been wrong.
This guy was genuinely interested in her.
"Don't you think it's a bit rude to say such things to someone you've just met?"
At that moment, it was Mash who stepped forward.
The girl holding the Fourth Beast of Lechery—Cath Palug—took a step forward and spoke to the unknown god who seemed to have taken an interest in Miss Guda.
She looked very much like a lamb challenging a fierce tiger.
In Miss Guda's eyes, this scene was utterly terrifying.
Hey, hey, our situation is already dangerous enough!
Don't go provoking him!!
If this keeps up, FGO is going to turn into an eroge like Fate/stay night!!
"My apologies. I was rude."
The youth, who was indeed interested in Miss Guda, looked at the wary girl and smiled gracefully.
Conquests like these didn't need to be rushed.
So, for now, he would just try to build a good relationship and lay the groundwork.
"Next, allow me to introduce you to the residents here, as well as your upcoming work."