"That's it for this summon. Stay tuned!"
"What? Me entrusting Saber to someone else is rare? Need Febreze? I stink? Rude!"
"…I'm a maiden in love, okay? Is it weird to want my beloved to rest? Sure, I didn't ask Saber's permission, and I 'carved away' any pesky motives or memories, so he probably remembers nothing."
"I told you—I want him to forget everything and rest. Hehe!"
"Off you go, my prince…"
Gil, the Hero King, nodded, surrounded by piles of lion plushies and relics tied to King Arthur.
"These catalysts were offered by them. Exquisite items, gathered without pride or carelessness. And!"
Snap went his fingers.
"Called, Gil? More pointless summons?"
Heroine X appeared, clad in a tracksuit, wielder of black and white holy swords.
"With me here, Sabers are obsolete!"
"My lack of hubris is terrifying, preparing even a walking catalyst! Victory's wine will taste divine!"
"Are you listening, Gil!?"
"I hear you. Warm-up time! Mistaken Saber imitation, watch closely!"
"No mistake! I'm Saber! Saber is me! The only mistake is your love life!"
"Spin the summoning circle!"
The circle whirred, filling with light.
"Why so many lion plushies?"
"No idea. Does Saber like lions? Haha! Our tastes align perfectly!"
"Got them from a date with a red-haired boy. Precious to me. Where'd you get these!?"
Heroine X calls him 'Gil' now. Did she like Rome's gift?
"Excalipar!? What's this knockoff!? And Caliburn! Even hooves! All tied to me! How serious are you!? Am I not enough!?"
"You're no Saber! Check your class and spirit core a hundred times, fool!"
"I'm Saber—! A Saber who believes she's Saber—!!"
"Who cares about your origins! Appear!"
The light faded, revealing—
"…I-I'm…"
A massive figure, bull mask, axe in hand.
"—Hmph, you came."
The boy who learned the world in Okeanos—
"Asterios—!! Asterios—!!"
"Uh… I'm…"
"Yes! You're Asterios, Asterios!"
"…Yeah! Nice… to meet…!"
Welcomed warmly by Mash and Rikka, the labyrinth's lightning.
He came, Asterios…
"My charisma drew fate, no doubt. I'm a heroic class too! Hahahaha!"
"Berserker, good. Pass."
"What, a checkpoint? If it was Saber, what then?"
"Slice 'em♪"
"I'll behead you! Gag space doesn't excuse all antics!"
"It's not excused. Gag space forces acceptance."
"Such persuasive nonsense! My ideals tainted by gags—such a headache!"
Heroine X munched a golden confection.
"Do you get the point!?"
"I know. Kill Sabers on sight, right?"
"Enough! Leave! I'm getting a headache!!"
"No way! My path ends when Sabers are gone! Gil, seconds!"
"Eat this! Ugh, I'm nauseous…"
Gil and Heroine X bantered on the throne.
"Looks fun, Gil."
"Really? Doesn't seem…"
"He talks tough, but it's proper conversation. No tongue-clicks, elbow jabs, or stomps—they're pals."
"Senpai?"
"Here it comes!"
The light faded, revealing—
"I'm the goddess Euryale. Who wants my eyes to speak?"
Another Okeanos goddess, bow in hand.
"Gah—!?"
"Gil!? You okay!?"
"Don't touch me… No, I expected this. Asterios meant this was coming…!"
It's fine, King. Not fatal yet.
"What's that reaction!? Want to be shot!?"
"Euryale—! Yo—!"
"Kyaa! Rikka, rude! Hugging me out of nowhere!?"
"We escaped Heracles together, right~?"
"That's different… ugh, dummy."
"A real tsundere…!"
"Wanna be shot?"
"Sorry!"
"Archer, good. No class conflict, but… dangerous for Sabers!?"
"…"
"Gil? Language center fried from shock?"
"…My feelings don't sway judgment. I must reward Medusa's work."
Yes, that's best.
"Marie! Sorry for the trouble, make a summoning ticket."
"Yes, Gil."
The Grail unfolded, crafting a ticket from a wish.
"Master, use it. I'm stepping out."
Gil rose, walking off.
"You okay, Gil? Something stuck in your throat?"
"Don't follow! I need a reset!"
"Let's hit the sweets shop! Sesame daifuku's great!"
"Pick something! Something for this nausea!"
"Sure thing! Let's go!"
Gil and Heroine X left.
"He okay?"
"Gil hates gods…"
"So this summon…"
"A judge never lets mood or sentiment overturn results. Especially Gil."
The circle's light filled and faded.
"—This feeling…"
Appearing—
"Hello, everyone. Goddess Stheno, answering the summons—"
Euryale's twin, another goddess…
"Evil goddess…!?"
"Sorry for back then, really sorry!"
"I, Stheno, apologized…!?"
"Euryale, I'm so glad to see you! Where's my dear Medusa?"
"What's with you, Stheno—!?"
"Her character's off!?"
Cafeteria, SweetS Jeanne
"Burned out, lost it, sanity gone, temporary madness…"
Gil muttered grim words, head in hands.
"What're you saying?"
"Finding words for my folly. …Yes, Great Gilgamesh Meltdown. That's it."
What a heavy burden, being a judge…
"Fretting over the past isn't you. Laugh at good, scoff at bad—that's your style."
A manju tossed to him.
"No stars if you mope. Stick to your proud positivity."
"…Hmph. A gag character spouting truth. …Hm?"
A blue gem bracelet on Heroine X's wrist—Gil's gift!
"…Tch, that's, um! An anonymous king sent it! Gifts to me need Round Table approval, but it's too fine to toss…!"
"—Hmph. Fussing over trifles. I was foolish in Rome's chaos."
Gil downed his drink.
"But a keen-eyed king favors you—treasure it."
"…I don't know who it's from, nope. Want a manju?"
"Fine. Offer it to the king."
Good for you, King.
A tranquil moment passed—
'Gil! Sorry to interrupt your rest!'
Olga Marie's urgent call broke through.
"!?"
"What's wrong!?"
'To the summoning room! Emergency!'
Emergency!?
"Olga Marie, calm down. What—Gil!?"
Faster than words, the King bolted.
"Bill's on tab, Jeanne! Send the receipt!"
"Got it! I'll—"
"Stay! If it's a threat, I'll crush it!!"
What's happening!? The summoning ritual…!?
Summoning Room
"Master! Mash!! Olga Marie!!!"
Gil burst in, nearly breaking the door.
"All safe—!?"
A 'rainbow light' filled the room.
"What's this!? Why's the ritual active!?"
"The circle started on its own! Can't stop it! It's definitely a top-tier Servant!"
"True, Olga Marie! Da Vinci!"
"—Yes…! Even the Grail's interference is blocked…!"
"It's an overwhelming 'goodwill'! Not harmful, but…!"
"If you can't stop it, no choice…! All behind me!"
Gil sorted treasures swiftly. Protect everyone, no matter what!
"Y-Yes!"
"Interfering with my ritual!? Unforgivable—!!"
"You all okay!?"
Heroine X joined.
"Assess the—"
As all hid behind Gil—
'Hello. You don't know me, but greetings. —I'm lending you my prince, specially.'
—!?
'Rest him well, make him shine. I'm watching. In your story, my prince will glow. So—'
An omnipotent voice echoed.
"It's coming! Spirit pattern! Saber!"
"Saber!? No way…!!"
'—Entertain me fully, Nameless Soul? Hehehe…'
Appearing—
"I'm… Saber."
A silver Saber. Holy sword in right hand, silver armor, golden hair, piercing blue eyes.
"…No way…?"
"—You, could it be…"
No mistake. This presence…!
"—From another work!?"
"—True Name, Arthur Pendragon. Now, I ask—"
That day—
"My Saber…"
"—Me!?"
"Are you… my Master?"
(Stolen—!!)
"—A man!?! No way!! Damn you, damn you, damn you—!!!"
The King met his fate—
"Saber shining is wonderful. But I'd also love him falling in regret."
"A burned world, broken paradise. Abandoned comrades' corpses."
"In hell's heart, I gently embrace his sorrowful back and whisper softly—"
"'Your paradise was by my side!' Hehe, isn't that lovely?"
"Of course, saving the world is great too! I'd meet him, sword swung to save it, at the world's end, in a stunning wedding dress, with heaps of flowers, saying—"
"'Congratulations, my prince! Please, take me!' The perfect scene! Yes—"
"'For the right situation and mood, I don't care if the world's saved or destroyed!' Oh, Nameless Soul! Which meeting will you give me? I'm so excited!"
"I'm rooting for you! If it gets tough, talk to me. 'Just once, I'll grant any wish!'"
"Oh, Saber! My prince! Hehehe! Hahahahaha—!"
-------------------------------
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