A wandering soul existed.
A journeying king existed.
A virtuous person followed.
And—those who supported them existed.
Their loyalty and bonds
Sparked a small miracle—
A Small Miracle
The rushing light settled, and eyes opened.
"Good work, Gil," came Olga Marie's praise.
"Hmph. You all fought valiantly as well. You've guarded our place of return admirably."
A hand ruffled hair.
In the left hand, a golden goblet was gripped—fashioned after a golden ship, a helm, a heart, a spear, and golden fleece.
"That… is the Boundary Grail. The chalice that holds the entire corrected world, the 'world itself'…"
Indeed. This was preparation for an endless battle, against unimaginable evil.
Though its form remained unseen, the opportunity would surely come. Something worth staking the entire world to face—
Something worth protecting, undeniably real.
"That battleship blew my mind, seriously! You're truly out of this world!"
"Fool, don't marvel at the obvious." A pause. "Now then—"
The real battle was just beginning.
"The mastermind's identity, future plans, the truth of their goals—deal with those trifles yourselves."
Eyes glared fiercely at the door, stronger than when facing a great hero.
"My decisive battle begins now—"
The right hand tightly gripped Ea.
"Whoa!?"
"Master, if you wish to stop me, use a Command Spell."
"Ehh!?"
A steadying breath.
"Here it comes…!"
"Everyone! Great job!"
Saint Jeanne entered the control room, beaming.
"'Enuma Elish'—"
"Waaah! Gil, stop, STOP! Mash, stop him!"
"Please calm down, Hero King!"
"Let go! I won't forgive this! Repeated assassination attempts—I'll kill before I'm killed!"
"You can't blow up Chaldea!"
Words were futile. The Myrenge was prepared.
Come, Mapo!
"Haha, so full of energy! Hungry?"
"I'm starving! But only for gourmet food in my room—not your poison!"
"Good! To the cafeteria, then!"
"…What?"
No Mapo here?
"Everyone, come along! 'There's enough for all!'"
"!?"
"What's your game, trying to take out not just me but the Masters too!? What's your aim!?"
Jeanne, with tremendous strength, grabbed the goblet and pulled.
"Let go—!!"
Too powerful…
Dragged away with a scream.
"Let's go too!"
"Senpai?"
"We die together!"
"…Is this the end of Chaldea's journey?"
"Don't give up!"
The group followed the dragged king to the cafeteria…
Stripped of armor, Gil wore an apron reading "Great King."
"Haha, it suits you, Gil!"
"I'll kill you."
"Sorry!!"
"Why am I in this…?"
Self-inflicted. Let's perish together.
"What's coming? So exciting!"
"Senpai… if it comes to it, I'll…"
"…It's here."
A somber mood, unfit for a meal.
"Here you go, everyone!"
Jeanne entered, radiant.
"…Herbs aren't infinite, you know…"
"Jeanne, what's up today?"
"Yes! Today, I—no—"
"?"
"'We' made this meal for you! Everyone!"
With a clap, a signal—
"Here's the food."
"Eat up, you all did great. How's the calorie count?"
Emiya and Tamamo Cat brought dishes—Japanese, Western, Chinese, a dazzling array.
"Wow!?"
"Amazing…!"
"…Even in the Animusphere household, homemade food like this was rare…"
"We oversaw it. Quality guaranteed."
"No leftovers, or I'll cry!"
Not red. What's this…?
"…Where's the Mapo?"
Jeanne answered, presenting the Mapo.
But this Mapo was odd. Not red, no sweat or tears, no fainting smell, no tongue-shattering spice.
"What's this? Wasn't it supposed to be painfully spicy, like your suffering?"
Gil glared, unable to believe the situation.
"No spice today! This is 'Mapo for everyone'!"
"What?"
"'Everyone' said, 'Why not eat with the Hero King?' 'It's tastier together!' 'Too much spice ruins the flavor!' We made it with their input!"
"…"
Gil silently took a bite.
"Ah! You need to pray first!"
"—!!"
Delicious! Spicy, but not overwhelming! Proper, tasty spice!
"It's our masterpiece, supervised by me and Red Cape, taste-tested by Arash."
"We couldn't keep letting you nearly die after every Singularity."
"…Who?"
"Huh?"
"Who taught you this proper path? What culinary guild?"
Jeanne pulled out a device.
"The 'Club Net' community!"
"——"
"They gave so much advice—what to do, what not to do. All for you, our king."
"…"
"Gil!"
"Hero King…!"
"…Where are they even connecting from?"
"So, you abandoned the pursuit of spice?"
"Yes! No more selfishness. This Mapo is for your joy—our feelings, mine and the club's!"
The saint smiled brightly.
"Will you… eat it?"
"——"
"?"
"Well done, club—!!"
Thank you, club members—!!
The nameless Hero King struck a triumphant pose.
"Magnificent! Magnificent!! To think I'd thank anyone with my whole being!"
No more soul-crushing bites! No more shattered senses! Yes—!!
"No doubt remains! Your loyalty, your devotion—it has truly saved me, your king!"
Truly, truly, thank you all!
"Gil's crying…"
"He even put down Ea… He's thrilled…"
"Someone's been sending us tons of supplies… Really saving us."
"Mysterious allies, huh? Well, it's that king, so nothing's surprising."
"Seeing you so happy… it makes me happy too!"
"Hahahaha! Mild Mapo is nothing to fear! Grab your spoons—let's have a second round!"
"Yes! Marie, Mash!"
"Yeah!"
"Ehh!"
"Jeanne Alter and Heracles will bring dessert later!"
"Let's dig in!"
To the great king, dear comrades,
And all who watch over this journey—thank you!
"Hands together!"
"""""Let's eat—!!"""""
"Here you go!"
"Sushi's amazing! Seafood's the best!!"
"Rice and balanced sides, perfect."
"…"
"Not hungry, Marie?"
"N-no… just choosing what to eat."
"Such a foodie!"
"Not true! Munch, munch—the bread's delicious!"
"Like a squirrel! Haha!"
"Hehe…"
"I'm pumped for dessert! SweetS Jeanne is top-tier!"
"Hahaha! Nothing's inedible! It's fine if it doesn't burn my throat! Jeanne!"
"Yes!"
"More Mapo!"
"Oh, yes—!!"
A joyful feast, a table free of sorrow.
Overflowing with delight and cheer.
Even if not here, even if not in the same time or space—
The 'bonds' are undeniably here.
They saved a fragile soul and a nameless Hero King—
From the hellish spice.
After a peaceful meal, heading to the room.
"Now, what reward for the club? Lapis lazuli? Blades? …When we save humanity, I'll bestow it upon them."
Drifting to sleep, filled with contentment.
"Hahaha! This should make Saber's summoning flawless! Watch closely—!!"
Wonderful, Hero King…
At the moment of slumber—
"?"
"Hello, Nameless Soul. The story 'Buin' watched—yours, right?"
A voice, brimming with omnipotence.
"I'm rooting for you. I got a ticket. We'll meet soon. Your king and my prince, side by side—wouldn't that be splendid?"
It echoed faintly.
-------------------------------
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