"I didn't expect… besides Typhon, that dragon, Albion would show up as well."
Altrouge, brought back to the small cabin by Novia, spoke with layered meaning. Before her stood three girls, two dragons, and one human.
"I already told you, didn't I?"
"I'm just a little impressed, that's all. Dragons, aliens, Dead Apostles, humans, fairies—everything's gathered here, huh."
The Black Princess spoke, clearly intrigued, watching Novia's reaction.
Even though she had already been introduced to the situation on the way here, actually seeing it still gave her a slight shock.
After all, while Typhon is also one of the Primordial Dragons, Albion is a being born at the very dawn of the planet itself—truly ancient beyond compare, far older than Typhon…
And yet, here Albion stood, manifest in such a form. How should she even describe this? For some reason, as her crimson eyes swept across the group, Altrouge found they all seemed to share a certain similarity.
As for Manaka Sajo, carrying the True Ancestor's blood, Altrouge naturally sensed her extraordinary nature, though she didn't think much of it.
"Even a Dead Apostle–True Ancestor hybrid, huh. Didn't expect that."
Melusine looked at the proud Altrouge with calculating eyes. Though this Dead Apostle Princess possessed limitless vitality, her stamina wasn't infinite. From that perspective, she was less threatening than that muscle-brained fool Typhon.
Perhaps deciding there wasn't much danger in Altrouge after all, Melusine immediately struck a graceful pose and said to her:
"Welcome, Altrouge. You're the sixth one."
"Oh?" Altrouge narrowed her eyes but didn't press further. "The sixth one?"
"Because you're the sixth to arrive. That's probably what Melusine means."
Typhon answered cheerfully. She was in high spirits—after all, another familiar face had joined them. Now only Attila was missing.
She didn't understand why, though—Merlin had come, but still refused to appear in person, only sending telepathic instructions as before. Even that little stunt of provoking Albion earlier? That was Merlin's idea. Typhon never doubted her. She really did dislike Albion anyway.
Honestly, she'd rather spend time with Altrouge and Attila than with Albion. As for Merlin—well, from her perspective, that fairy always seemed to take pleasure in throwing Avia into "troublesome" situations just for amusement.
"That's right. Typhon, you're actually being clever for once." Melusine crossed her arms proudly. "Right now, I am the undisputed Number One! The strongest name begins with me!"
She puffed out her eternally flat chest, speaking with immense pride.
At that instant, faced with the silver-haired dragon girl's declaration, both Altrouge and Manaka Sajo couldn't help but let out a silent, mocking chuckle in their hearts.
But while Manaka, still keeping her ambitions in mind, only maintained her usual calm smile and turned to strike up conversation with the silent Crusader nearby—Altrouge was different.
Because in the scents drifting from Melusine, Typhon, and Manaka, she detected something familiar—something identical to the scent clinging to Avia at her side. The meaning behind that was all too clear.
Naturally, she was displeased. Extremely displeased. And watching Melusine flaunt herself so arrogantly only deepened that irritation. Her mood soured instantly, so—
"I see. I completely understand now."
Altrouge suddenly spoke.
In the next moment, she tilted her head, rose slightly on her toes, and leaned in close to Novia.
Softly—the young man's lips brushed against something warm, tender, faintly heated.
Then she slowly drew back, separating from him.
"The answer is 'yes.' From now on, I look forward to working with everyone."
Altrouge revealed a mischievous, arrogant smile, her crimson eyes locking with the golden dragon's gaze.
Melusine raised an eyebrow. To her, this display was utterly laughable.
Just a kiss? She could shove her tongue straight down into his gut if she wanted! And besides, she'd already gone far further than that. Did this arrogant little Dead Apostle really think she could compete? Hah, she'd soon learn otherwise.
Thus the silver-haired girl's eyes turned savage, her glare answering Altrouge's challenge.
At this rate, if Novia weren't here, the two might have already come to blows.
No matter what, Novia found such blatant hostility unbearable.
"Melusine."
Hearing the forced calm in his voice, Melusine blinked rapidly.
"W-what is it, Novia? You sound so serious all of a sudden. I don't like this."
"You know what I'm about to say, don't you?"
"Y-yeah, of course. Totally fine, no problem at all. You can trust me."
Perhaps intimidated by his stern expression, the once-aggressive Melusine fell silent. Even Altrouge shrank her shoulders slightly, as if guilty.
"By the way, Typhon—how do you feel now, after killing the Bull of Heaven?"
After calming the two down, Novia turned to Typhon.
He hadn't sent her against Ishtar's divine beast just on a whim. In the Nasuverse, there was an ancient motif: the struggle of dragon and bull across various pantheons.
Typhon, a dragon of Greek myth, corresponded to Zeus, king of the gods, who took the form of a bull.
In Mesopotamian lore, the bull was the Bull of Heaven. No dragon opposed it—unless, perhaps, Tiamat sealed away in Imaginary Space could be considered one.
So Novia had wanted Typhon to slay the Bull of Heaven to see what effect it might produce.
"It felt—"
The red-haired girl began, but her face suddenly flushed crimson. Before Novia could ask why, she grabbed his arm, eyes brimming with tears, and cried out:
"Ah, you're so cruel, Avia! You lulled me into letting my guard down with sweet words, only to bully me like this. If I can't kill Zeus in the future, what then?!"
"...How are those related?"
"What if a dragon can only kill one bull? Then I won't be able to kill Zeus anymore!"
Her nonsensical reasoning left Novia speechless. But before he could respond, Typhon's next action left him frozen stiff.
She curled up on the sofa, hugging her knees, staring up at him with tear-filled eyes.
"...That could actually be pretty bad."
Seeing her like that, Novia had no choice but to go along. He hated seeing the woman he loved in tears.
Ignoring the glares of Melusine and Altrouge, Typhon murmured softly:
"You dummy… But it's okay. Everyone makes mistakes."
Huh?
The silver-haired youth felt something was off.
Wasn't Typhon supposed to be the carefree, clueless one? That was why he had been trying to comfort her.
Why did it feel like he was the one being forgiven now, with a "can't be helped" smile?
Something was strange. Very strange.
As he thought this, he noticed Typhon narrowing her eyes at him, lips curling into a gentle smile.
Before he could speak, she threw herself into his arms, placing her hands reverently on his chest.
"On second thought, it's fine. Even if I can't kill Zeus, I don't care. When I remember I've already killed the 'bull,' I'll just make a wish in my heart—three times over. I'll wish that no matter what, I can always be with you, Avia. And—Avia, I love you. I love you. I love you most of all!"
With that, she shot a challenging look toward the others clenching their fists nearby.
Honestly, Novia was stunned. This didn't sound like the Typhon he knew at all. It had the fingerprints of Merlin's meddling all over it.
He said nothing, only straightened his back and looked steadily into the red-haired girl's flushed face.
"D-don't stare at me like that, dummy…" she whispered, biting her lip.
"Ahem."
The silence was broken by the Crusader, who stood aside like an outsider.
Although she had respected Novia from their very first meeting—more deeply than even Altrouge—she knew her place. At a time like this, silence was best.
But still—
"My lord, a Servant has arrived. At the door. Shall I open it?"
Pinned beneath Typhon, Novia gave a slight nod.
Anyone visiting now had to be either Masters and Servants who couldn't get past the lightning barrier, or those hoping to strike some peace deal.
Moments later, a voice came from the entryway, carried back by the Crusader.
"Ah, um, I'm so glad to see you. Please forgive my intrusion, Saintly Novia—or rather, perhaps I should say grant me your pardon…"
A blond, blue-eyed youth stepped inside, wearing a cheerful smile wholly unbefitting a magus.
His name was Flat Escardos, a student of Lord El-Melloi II's classroom.
Although Flat's personality was flighty and unreliable, he had already contacted his own teacher, Lord El-Melloi II, before coming here. Because of that, when facing Novia—the strongest combatant in this Holy Grail War, and suspected to be none other than Avia himself, one of the ancient Lords of El-Melloi—Flat was exceedingly cautious.
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