"…You're knitting with fierce focus, Medea."
"Can't! Stop! Moving! Anxiety's eating me alive!"
"Impressive work, even so."
"Hahaha! You're quite the beloved one, aren't you? Feeling a twinge of loneliness on your solitary royal path?"
"Fool! Don't lump me with you! If you're bound by camaraderie, my minions and I are forged in pleasure and loyalty! Don't underestimate lackeys who'd venture to other worlds as naturally as breathing, turning even my, their leader's, embarrassments into barroom banter!"
"…Where does this network even connect…?"
As always, we're deeply grateful. Here's to more adventures together.
Beware of Freebies!
"Phew! Being able to wash up anytime, anywhere? Absolute bliss! Makes me wanna survive just to enjoy this!"
Drake, steaming and thoroughly pleased, beams.
"Here, Big Sis! Bath towel!"
"Thanks, Rikka! What's up, Mash? Sea's a new sight?"
"Y-Yes… An endless sea with no land in sight. It's my first time…"
"Gotcha. Your maiden voyage, huh? Guess I'll have to teach you the ropes, nice and slow."
"Amazing! Big Sis, hug me!"
"Senpai!?"
"Haha, you're a riot! I like you more and more!"
"Big Sis, quit turning innocent girls into mini-yous. No guy'll match up."
"Huh!? You saying no one's good enough for me!?"
"You know that, Big Sis!?"
"Alright, time to sing! Golden Hind anthem, full blast! And hunt for crocs and sharks! I'll feed one of you to 'em!"
"Sorry! So sorry, Big Sis!"
"Snatch the loot—♪ Come on, Mash, join in!"
"S-Snatch the ale—…"
"Nice, nice! A girl like me and a fresh one… That Governor's got some serious assets!"
While the deck buzzes with cheer, I gaze at the boundless sea.
"No land in sight, indeed. A sea without shores… This is surely a Singularity."
Clairvoyance scans the world, though only geographically.
A vast blue expanse, dotted with sparse islands.
An endless sea, one might say.
"Let's see how many treasures await to thrill me in this dull scenery… Time to explore. …Hm?"
Far off, at the horizon's edge, a tiny dot catches my eye.
An island?
"A hit already! Pioneer! A desolate islet lies northeast by east! Set the course!"
I relay to the captain. Setting the course is for Master and the captain.
"For real? I can't see a thing yet…"
"No, it's legit! Barely caught it with the telescope! There's an island!"
"No way! Eyes sharper than a telescope? That's wild! Can I call the shots, or you got orders, boss?"
"None! Sail as you please, plunder as you will! I'm here to enjoy the show!"
"Handing out gold like water and no micromanaging? You're the best! Alright, boys! Head for the island!!"
"""""Got it!"""""
"Captain Drake, the island likely holds superhumans unfazed by cannon fire. Only Senpai, me, you, and the King of Heroes should disembark."
"Heard that? New strategist's call! Any objections?"
"""""Mash-chan's adorable!!"""""
"E-Eh…? T-Thank you…"
"What about me? Cute!?"
"""""Like Big Sis!!"""""
"Sweet!!"
"You happy to be like me? That's adorable!"
"Mmph!?"
"Fou! (A honed body, a toned physique. The bold choice to keep some fat on a flawless form—a universal truth. I salute it. Yes, a pirate's sturdy, soft, muscular body is tough yet tender. I've seen the paradox's answer! Muscular, soft curves are—perfect! Personally, lady pirates are the best! Not quite romantic, but isn't it romantic!)"
"Good, good! We'll handle the landing! You lot guard the ship!"
""""Roger!"""""
"Ghosts or snakes, this'll be a sight!"
The sea breeze feels nice…
The Golden Hind bustles along, reaching the small island.
Docking and disembarking, three women and one king set foot on new land.
"Alright, let's make a bet. Rikka, Mash. Governor aside for now, what's your wager?"
Drake kicks off with a gamble.
"On what?"
"Treasure, obviously! I'm betting it's there. I can smell it!"
Treasure smells?
"Good call. But my joining would ruin the bet. What I choose is truth itself. The pinnacle of heroic ranking is obvious!"
"That's why we sidelined you. These girls'd just bet on your pick."
"Right… I'll trust in romance."
"Mash…!"
"Not you."
"I'm betting on my win!"
"Haha, trouble! All the same bets, no game! Guess I lose. Want anything?"
Something I want? …Can't think of anything.
To live freely like this—there's nothing more I could ask for.
Maybe it's a bit much to say I'm fulfilled just by living…
"Nothing for me! I'm having the best time!"
"Same. If anything, your help is more than enough."
A bit lofty, but Master and the others answered as expected.
"Fwahaha! You underestimate my greed for treasure, Pioneer!"
Greed?
"Ugh, I'm screwed! 'Free' is the priciest thing ever! What a loss!"
Drake laughs heartily.
Nothing wanted, yet greedy? Why?
"Um, we said we don't need anything…"
"Exactly. You want nothing. I'm a merchant, see? Can't let my clients down, or I'm third-rate. Gotta find something you want. Spices? Sea treasures? Something priceless? I'll hunt it down. That's costly."
"Burn this into your brains, Master, Mash: nothing's pricier than 'free'! Can't buy it, naturally! Fwahahaha!"
Nothing's pricier than free. That's the King and Pioneer's wisdom…
"Whoa… Gotta watch out for free tissue handouts."
"Beware Caesar's forceful collections. He'll hand you one thing and demand your fattest assets without a bill. I'd never do that, though!"
"King David, shut up! Please!"
"Can I teach Abishag some finance, King of Heroes? It'll be useful!"
"Allowed. I'll cover any debts. Challenge everything, Olga Marie."
"Y-Yes!"
"Alright! Time to explore!"
Drake fires her gun, the shot echoing.
"Fou!? (Whoa!? Scared me!)"
"C-Captain!?"
"Felt a presence. Shoot first when you sense danger. Survival tip."
"Cool! Gil, you gonna shoot too?"
"Shoot? I'll gouge the earth!"
"No, don't!"
"Got something? I'll check it out."
"Careful, Big Sis!"
"…Hey! Over here!"
"She's onto something. Let's go, Master, Mash!"
"Gold, food, men, women!"
"Senpai!?"
They follow Drake into the forest.
"Just a stone tablet."
Drake finds a slab inscribed with text.
"Runes… Inu. Read it."
"Alright… Looks like a monument or something."
"A monument?"
"'The great Bloodaxe King rises here…' Bloodaxe King, huh…"
Before Cú Chulainn can elaborate—
"Servant detected! Charging fast!!"
A Servant appears, horns sprouting, wielding a writhing, eerie axe.
"WAGA, WAGA NAHA, EIRIKU! IDAINARU, EIRIKU!"
"Eric Bloodaxe! A 9th-century Norwegian king, a blood-soaked Viking!"
"Hmph. Lacking the grace to call himself a king. Ruled a few years at best."
Clearly not one for talk. Here…
"Gil! Big Sis! Leave this to us!"
What…!?
"Got a plan, Master?"
"I'll make it work!!"
"Senpai—!"
"A Servant like this means there's gotta be treasure in their lair or ship! Gil, Captain, we'll handle this guy—go loot to your heart's content!"
That's the plan.
Got it… I'm not the only one growing here!
"Hmph, you've gotten bold. Fine!"
"Love it! Falling for you all over again! Ugh, if I'd found him first!"
"Master, Mash! I trust you to hold the line until we return!"
"Okay! —Gil."
"Hm?"
"We'll hold out fine—but is it cool if we just beat him?"
Master…!
"—Do it! Take his head if you can!"
"Count on us! I'll snag a huge treasure for you!"
They slip past Eric.
"Wait—GA!?"
Mash blocks Eric's pursuit.
"Your fight's with me—let's go, Senpai!"
"Yeah! Let's go all out!"
Stay safe!
"Are you crying?"
"No—must be spices or Jeanne's mapo tofu. Definitely."
Rejoicing in his daughter's growth, eh, King?
"GAH—!?"
"Emiya-san!? Did you mishandle the spices everyone sent—!?"
"⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ (No issue. Up to 11 times is fine.)"
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