[Vitals, Mental state, complete awakening confirmed. Ricca Fujimaru, releasing from capsule.]
The electronic voice announces the Master's awakening.
"I assumed she would suffer at least some wounds, but to think it is a complete awakening. I am exasperated by her toughness. Did the idle thoughts trying to devour her flee back to the bottom of the void?"
—Thank goodness... truly...
"Goetia's petty scheme is also ruined! Ricca-kun is coming back too! I love Magi★Mari! Yep! Everything is perfect!"
"You have the Caster of Midrash, don't you?"
"Ah, well... I need a little more courage before... I'm scared she'll be disillusioned..."
"...Mash. Ricca is waking up. You should welcome her too."
[Yes, Director!]
The group voices their thoughts.
"Now then, let us witness the awaken—hm?"
The King's hand, operating the console, stops.
"This is...—"
—This reaction is...?
As the vessel murmurs, at the same time—
"R-Ricca-kun!?"
Ricca, inside the capsule, opens her eyes. Simultaneously, the ether water filling the capsule is instantly dyed pitch black.
"Eh!? What!? Is she actually the Last Boss!?"
[Senpai...!?]
"—Such magical energy volume...! I feel a tremendous torrent of magical energy from her...!"
[Releasing capsule.]
Along with the electronic voice, the hatch opens.
"————"
Master Ricca appears as the King watches over her.
—An illu, sion...?
I doubted my own eyes.
From the Master before my eyes, pitch-black magical energy is overflowing to the brim. The leaking magical energy wraps around her body, taking forms that resemble wings, claws, and horns.
"————So she devoured the Abyss completely."
Grin, the vessel smiles.
—W-What does this mean?
"It means exactly what I said. While imprisoned in hell, she devoured all of that hell and achieved rebirth. That form is the proof. The brilliant fool who, while accepting All the World's Evil, carried through with being a single human. Her conviction was to embrace the darkness and become light... was it? The result of that is the form of that shining Evil Dragon."
"—Allow me to reintroduce myself!"
The human, clad in a chaos of light, speaks her True Name.
"I am Ricca Fujimaru! Height 158cm, weight is a secret! Three sizes from the top are 84, 56, 82! Things I like are communication and subculture in general! Things I hate are betrayal... no. I don't really mind even if I'm betrayed! Things I hate are prejudices! My motto is—"
"'If there is a will, I will spin bonds even with a God', is it not? —Good grief. Truly, it was a long childhood."
—Ah, she hasn't changed.
It's true, nothing, nothing has changed...
Even while imprisoned in hell, there is no shadow in her radiance.
"—You have finally given your first cry. Ricca Fujimaru."
"Yeah! I'm home, Gil! I'm home, everyone!"
—She hasn't changed at all...
"I—have returned to Paradise! To the place of everyone I love! I'll do my best from now on too! I'm counting on you all!"
—No, she has become far, far more charming, and she has returned to us...!
...Welcome home, pleased to meet you. Ricca Fujimaru.
Heartfelt blessings upon your return and your birth...!
[Senpai! Senpai—!]
Mash pounds on the capsule, calling out.
"I'm home, Mash! Are you in the middle of body modification?"
[Thank goodness! Thank goodness! Truly... thank goodness...!]
"Fufun. The tour of hell was fun! I'll tell you lots of stories later!"
[Yes! Welcome home, Senpai—!]
"R-Ricca!"
"Ah! I'm home! Marie!"
Ricca hugs Marie, the magical energy overflowing from her hiding her private parts and forming shapes.
"Welcome home! You worked so hard—or rather, are you okay!?"
"Hmm? With what?"
"The magical energy! That magical energy filling you! What is that color! It's pitch black! It's a wonder your mind and circuits haven't been eroded...! Are you okay!? Your mind hasn't been harmed, has it!?"
"Hmm? Not at all? If anything, I'm overflowing with power! It's amazing!"
"...How many tens, hundreds, thousands of magi's worth is this... Your body that doesn't burst despite being packed with so much mana, your mind and soul that don't go insane... In many ways, it's too far outside the norm..."
"Really? Is it that weird?"
She looks over her body.
"I don't really understand. 'I've been together with it since I was born,' after all. But this is probably just a tiny fraction? —Or rather, what is this!? I have a tail and horns growing!? Siegfried!? Did I become Siegfried!? That's too awe-inspiring!"
"...I'm surprised. The magical energy circulating within her, it closely resembles the mud dwelling in the corrupted Holy Grail... no, I could say it's the same! This isn't something a human can bear! You, what really happened!? I couldn't see the very end, so I don't know!"
"Umm, everyone worked together to defeat the Humanity's Evil that came out of me."
"————Say, what...?"
Roman is lost for words.
"Fuhahahahaha! So you have reached the point of shouldering all of this world! Ricca! You become an ever more singular Master! That scarcity value, as expected of my treasure!"
The King slaps his knee and laughs.
(She's the exact opposite of Ea. If you are platinum shining purely, she is obsidian that swallows and charms everything. A radiance positioned at the ultimate opposite pole. You have a precious radiance that makes one fascinated and want to nestle close; she has a demonic radiance that swallows everything and draws it in. The only thing in common is that both are beautiful!)
—Fou's words hit the mark.
Such a calamitous, such a transparently shining black.
Embracing the darkness while continuing to shine, that soul's color is a plain black that accentuates and brightens all other colors. Like the comforting darkness of the night. And yet, it shines beautifully.
That way of being is, simply—very precious, and beautiful—
(...It's a surprise. Ah, truly a surprising thing. That I... would look at human malignancy... and think it 'beautiful'—)
"Hmph. That is why I told you. Sin and virtue are two sides of the same coin. Depending on the person's capacity, the coloration can change in any way."
—Yes. She is, surely. Going to be okay—
"Did you see, Gilgamesh."
Pshhh, Jeanne Alter enters the room.
"My Ricca is the best!"
She performs a guts pose with such intensity that speed lines seem to appear. Her expression is extremely proud.
"Hmph, I shall spare you my complaints and boorishness. ...Good work on the rescue of the Master."
"...I am the one who should be thanking you."
"—What?"
She bows her head to the King, who freezes.
"—Thank you very much, King of Heroes. For inviting me to this Paradise. Thanks to that... I..."
As she raises her face, her gaze reflects—
"Mashuuu. Come out here. Let me hug you. Let me Mashu-Mashu that Mash."
[Se-Se-Senpai!? Somehow, your frankness has been polished and became ennui!?]
"Fufufu, you can call me Azi Dahaka-senpai? —Hmm? Azi Dahaka? What's that?"
"Mash needs a little more time. We'll likely be conquering the next Singularity tomorrow, so rest well. Okay? You've been bedridden as it is."
"Fu!! Ha!! Tou!!"
She swings her fists and legs. The atmosphere and scenery are sliced apart by the trajectory of her punches and kicks.
"Haa!!"
She summons the Moon Goddess's arrows and Doujigiri Yasutsuna, armaments carved into her soul from the void, and performs forms.
"—Yep! My body's sharpness seems okay! I can do this! It's thanks to Gil's capsule and everyone's nursing! Thank you, everyone!"
"Where are you heading!? It's no wonder you get rude nicknames like 'Gender: Ricca'!?"
"I'm going to polish my Girl Power from now on—! You can't save the world with just girlishness—! —Besides."
She runs to Jeanne and holds her hand.
"The harder I work, the cuter Jeanne gets! I'm fine with that! For now!"
"—Well, that is how it is. Don't rest on your laurels in the Junior Position, okay, Mash? I am already—"
Making a smug face with all her might—
"—Because I have become Master's Pride!"
[Gaa————n!! N-No way! While I was doing Mash-like body modifications! The Senpai I sent off with trust has become lovey-dovey with Jeanne Alter-san!?]
"Fuhahahahahahahaha! She got one over on you, Mash. The seat of the main heroine might be in danger? But do not worry. You too shall eventually accomplish a great deed that only you can do. —At the end of that, lies the body modification to maintain the existence known as 'You'."
—King?
"...I see. I had awakened my soul as well. Well, look forward to it. Until the end of the journey, you will surely never be bored."
—Yes. I will love the joy in all of the world that is your garden!
"That is good. Umu. You are so skilled at letting words slip that there is no end to praising you."
—?
"Gil! That's right, I just wanted to say this!"
"For now, I'll lend you my jacket..."
"It's too early for the Bond CE, Marie! You shouldn't give your body to just anyone!"
"I'm not giving it!? What is that!?"
"Ricca? Let's convey what needs to be conveyed properly."
The two stand side-by-side before the King.
"Hm? What is it? Do you want candy?"
""One, two!""
Pekori, they bow their heads.
""Thank you for making Paradise! King Gilgamesh!""
"—..."
—Both of them...
"—Hmph. Stating the blatantly obvious. It is only natural for a King to perform work that satisfies him, but..."
"—Very well. I shall accept your gratitude. ...For what I, the Gorgeous, prefer is everything that is pure and unadulterated."
—Yes. I stake my soul on the guarantee that their feelings are innocent and pure.
"—Truly, to become in such good spirits just from being offered thanks; my way of being has softened to the point where no shadow remains. Consider it your fault, Hero Princess Ea."
Poke, he pokes her cheek with his index finger.
—Au~
"Now then, normally I would throw you into bed immediately... but you have caused the Heroes quite a bit of worry. Go and finish your greetings. To a greater or lesser extent, they were worried about you."
—While Ricca was gone, Chaldea was restless the entire time.
Leg shaking, pacing the corridors, distraction simulations, training. Suddenly singing, distributing Mapo Tofu, cultivating pickled radishes (Takuan), rotating dress-up sessions, Okita-san coughing blood, Cat nearly throwing Tamamo into a pot—it was truly chaotic.
"What, there is no need to overthink it. You simply need to bow to everyone you pass. —For in this Paradise, there is not a single person who did not worry about you."
"—Yeah! Wait a sec, Mash! Let's go, Alter!"
"Yes, Ricca!"
[Sh-She called me by name...! K-King of Heroes! When! When can I be reborn as Super Junior! As Cyclops Junior!?]
"Who knows. Perhaps after the Human Order is restored?"
[I-I must make up for the delay immediately! Y-You are sorely mistaken if you think you've won with this! I will become stronger! I will grow more Mash-like and stand beside Senpai!]
"Heh, do as you please. No matter who or what comes, nothing will shake me."
"I found you here, me! Good work!"
She enters by smashing the door with an iron fist.
"Geh!! The airhead!!"
"Good work to you too, Master! Here is some restorative Mapo Tofu! Lucifero-style Satan-flavored Mapo Tofu (Amakusa recommended)! You will be filled with nutrition and power up! Here! Come! Let us eat! Let us consume!"
"M-My everything inside me is saying it! This is bad! It's saying I don't want to die!!"
"Can you stop with the Daijobu-Hakase theory!? It's not daijoubu (okay) at all!!"
"...Is it, no good?"
Shun, Jeanne droops her head.
"Ha...?"
"Somehow, I felt like I had caused trouble for you two. Even if it was unshakable for me, it was unnecessary for you. —I heard such a voice. A revelation saying, 'In whatever form, convey your will of apology for standing in their way against you'... So, as at least an atonement... Mapo Tofu..."
Tears run down Jeanne's cheeks. They fall into the Mapo Tofu and evaporate instantly.
"I absolutely do not understand why you try to threaten lives with an apology!! You should just eat it with that man who seduced you somewhere else!!"
"...That is right, isn't it... After all, I am just an airhead saint... A country girl with no redeeming qualities other than Mapo Tofu... Someone like me..."
Jeanne gets depressed. ...It seems it was an action born out of genuine worry.
—U-Umm... But the two of them have greetings to do... If they get bedridden again... it would be trouble...
"—Ea."
—Yes. King of Heroes.
From the King's tone, the Hero Princess understands everything.
"Forgive me. —I, who was able to embrace you, was truly happy."
—It is an honor more than I deserve. Then, together...
"...Wait. They are going on their greeting rounds now. That Mapo Tofu. I shall partake of it."
"Eh, but..."
"It is fine. A King is one who shoulders the world. Agony and atonement are the same. I shall shoulder your everything!"
"—! Th-Then...! Please! Accept my atonement...!"
He glares back at the malice-free hell directed at him with teary eyes.
"Go!! Step over my corpse!!"
"Y-Yes!"
"Sorry, I'm sorry...! Gil!"
The two run off.
"—Eh!? A new Servant summons has been confirmed!?"
"Go, Roman! I'll handle this!"
"But!"
"Hurry!! It's a Director's order!!"
"—Good luck to you!!"
Solomon runs off.
"—Hmph. I knew it, is what the guy would say. What. It was not made by failure this time. There is a flavor to be had. The Hero ate it; even if it has been a long time! There is no way the King cannot eat it!!"
—To the ends of hell! Oh King!!
He grips the spoon!
(No! Ea!! You can't—!!)
—It's okay, Fou! My soul won't break! As long as the promise with you is in my heart—!!
(Ea—!!)
I won't look away from anything in this world—!! Let's eat—!!
"Speaking of origins. Spiciness ripens, and Mapo Tofu celebrates hell. What harms the King is the Saint's goodwill!"
He takes a napkin and carries a mouthful!
"Juice that rapes the stomach, an airhead who knows no moderation raping the dining table. ————Be pacified by complete consumption!!!"
————Instantaneously.
"'The Star of Creation that Splits Heaven and Earth — Enuma Elish (Spoon)'—!!!"
—Ah.
~
You're persistent, kid. I want to finish this quickly.
The Beast growls.
Or what? Do you measure whether to kill or not based on the quality of the opponent? If they're weak, you let them live; if they're strong, you kill them?
Countless corpses, piled high.
—Don't make me laugh. If you want to do gentle killing, go to a farm.
The one who built that pile is—
This is a battlefield. Die quickly before spouting your theories.
Holding a red and black spear.
—Surge, Demonic Spear of Death Thorns.
...That is...
'The Spear of Carnage that Pierces and Gouges — Gáe Bolg' *
—Cú Chulainn...!?
Before they could think about what the glimpsed scenery was, or what it meant—
"GAAAAAAAA————!!!!!???"
The consciousness of the King and the Princess were harvested together...
"Gil————!!"
[King of Heroes—!!!]
"—A revelation...! Eh? I forgot to say, I made it mild for you... No way—!?"
The King, moving his vessel solely on pride, finished the Mapo Tofu...
~
After that, Ricca and Jeanne met with everyone.
The irreplaceable Mother and Brother.
"Moooooom—! I'm home!!"
"Aah, Ricca...! You came to see Mother first thing...! I am truly happy! You worked, you worked so hard...!"
"It's thanks to you, Mother! Mom dwelling in the katana lent me her strength! That's why I could come back! Really, really thank you! ...Aah..."
She presses her body against her, rubbing.
"I wanted to feel Mother's warmth like this for so long... Aah, I'm glad I'm alive..."
"Ricca... Yes... You may spoil yourself, lots and lots. A lifetime's worth... Truly, truly. You worked so hard..."
"I made a ton of rice ball amulets! Don't you wander into hell ever again, Ricca! Next time, I'm gonna storm in too! I'll go punch Enma-sama in the face!!"
"Yeah! Next time, let's all go see hell together!"
"That isn't exactly a good destination. —Here. Kintsuba. Let's eat together."
"My—! Sweets Jeanne's handmade goods! We have no choice but to eat this together, let's do so! Then!"
""""Let's eat!""""
[—Fufu, fufufufufufu. I am watching, Ricca. In my own abyss. Forever, and anywhere. Fufu, fufu... fufufufufu...]
To precious friends.
"Ricca, welcome baaaack!! Were you okay!? Was it painful!? Darling too, shake!?"
"I'm home, Artemis! Never mind Orion!"
"Bugyuru!! C-Comfort me, Jeanne-cha—"
"Die!"
"Bugyuru!!"
"I came to pay my respects! You lent me your strength in hell, didn't you? A thank you for that! ...Jeanne!"
"Yes, yes. Please take this."
'Collaboration Cake = Tri-Star Diana'
"I did the Artemis parts, and Jeanne did Orion! Eat it happily together! May you two be happy forever!"
"Ricca—! Jeez—Jeez—I looooove you so much♥!! I'm going to give you lots! Lots of blessings from now on, okay♥!! Aah, too bad... I wanted to make you a little stronger... Like shooting down a country..."
"Th-Thanks, Ricca-chan... Don't call me Gender: Ricca anymo—bigyu!!"
"If I recall, Orion was in the rugby club. I have decided to crush the baseball club and rugby club members who called me Gender: Ricca without exception."
"Gyaaaaaaaaaaa Artemis help me my head is being crusheddddd!!"
"If you cut here, the heart strawberry is—"
"Cute——♥♥!!"
"Listen to meeeeeee!!"
"Come on, Ricca. You're going to have a viewing party with Blackbeard, right?"
"That's right, that's right! Well then, enjoy your time alone! —Orion. There won't be a next time."
"Hahiii!!"
"Sorry to keep you waiting, everyone—!!"
"We have waited, Ricca-tan!! Good to see you safe! No, really, good to see you safe! Oof www I cannot stop my tears ww Truly!"
"Sorry for worrying you. Anime has piled up, hasn't it?"
"No, no! We have been scouring the latest anime of every genre for Ricca-tan! Some dangerous crap anime has been recorded in the latest library! Pop Teami—"
"Hello hello—! Sorry for the wait! I bought mandarin oranges! Now, let the cultural gathering begin, let it begin! Shall we watch Chushingura? Shall we!?"
"That isn't anime, is it de gozaru!?"
"If you say anime, it's Gintama. Shinsengumi is Shinsengumi."
"Hijikata-san, what are you saying?"
"Mayonnaise, implies, it goes with anything. Even pickled radish—Aah, Takuan Mayonnaise Rice Bowl is tasty."
"Excuse me, Okita-san is feeling a little nauseous."
"Play it, Okita!! Shinsengumi!! Viewing!!"
"I don't have a choice, do I—!? Indeed!"
"We're gonna binge-watch, you bastards—!!"
"Okita-san is a little too handsome, isn't he—! Well, I'm happy though!"
"Surely this calls for Ghibli!? Laputa! Laputa!"
"I'm tired of watching it... I've seen it triple-digit times..."
"I brought rum! Let's watch while tipsy! How about Peter Pan? Hey, Ricca!"
"Ane-go (Sis)!!"
"It's gotta be One Piece!"
"Mary is totally absorbed in it..."
"BBA (Hag) is also at the cultural gathering ww Warosu ww"
"Well, I admit it's quite interesting! Come on, play it, play it!"
"Hyahhou! Anime, it's anime—!"
"It's Shinsengumi—!!!"
"I get treated like a Bot, so please stop, Hijikata-san!"
"My neighbor, fuffufu, fuffu-fu"
"You, you like Ghibli..."
To those who adore her.
"Master——————"
"? Tamamo?"
"She is dead. It seems she was knocked out by a soul too charming. Good grief, what a troublesome original. Wake up. Dying comes after the meeting."
"Hah—!? ...Master..."
"Thank you, Tamamo! Thanks to Tamamo, my Ultimate Technique is complete! I can fight more and more with this! Really, thank you!"
Slip, she pulls her close and whispers in her ear.
Following the Ricca Manual: 'For those with a desire to serve, behave with special treatment in mind', she conveys her gratitude.
"I'm counting on you from now on, okay? My very own... Ta-ma-mo?"
"—Ha, hahii...♥ I will follow you for a lifetime...♥ Th-This is impossible...♥ Even though it's the color of the Root, it's so dazzling...♥ Tamamo can see nothing but you anymore...♥"
Trembling all over, Tamamo falls completely.
"...Is it fine? Not to stop her."
"No matter who she does what to, the bond between her and me will not waver. Here, have some Nine-Tails Cake."
"The composure of the legal wife. You have a good expression. Let us partake."
"Well, see you later, Tamamo, Cat!"
"Umu. Keep the seducing in moderation."
To the irreplaceable Teachers.
"Ricca, wear this."
Hercules hands her a pelt.
"It is the pelt of the Nemean Lion I gave you in Okeanos. It will give you courage and protect you. A celebration of growth, from me. If the path to me is open, it will nullify all attacks from civilization."
"Is, is it okay? Such a precious thing..."
"What, I do not mind. You seem to be treated like a female version of me, after all. If you say 'me', it implies a lion. Use it for good luck."
"Your death is the end of the world. Excessive defense is just right. And that is, to you who returned alive from hell and defeated the Beast, something like proof of coming of age."
"Hercules... Sensei...!"
"Sorry, Ricca!!"
Achilles bows his head.
"I couldn't do anything for you when you were suffering! The Great Hero title weeps! I worried Marie too...! I'm disqualified as a senior disciple!!"
"No no no no, your striking techniques were super helpful!? Achilles!"
"No, it's no good! My feelings won't settle! So I entrust this to you!"
What was handed over was... a shield with a hideously intricate design.
"This is my trump card! Use it when there's no other way! I will definitely, definitely protect you!"
"Is, is it okay!?"
"It's fine! This time, this time I won't make a mistake! I'll protect you!"
"...Then, from me, take this."
What was handed over was a single book.
"I have compiled secrets for skin beauty and keeping clean. Pay as much attention to beauty as you do to martial arts. Is that understood?"
"Yes! Sensei!!"
"—You look like a different person. You've become tough... Ricca."
"It starts from here! I will definitely save the world!! Together with everyone!"
"If you all hadn't been there, Ricca would have died. ...Thank you. My gratitude. Please, everyone, take this 'Olympus Temple Cake'."
"Let's eat together! Teachers and disciples together, let's eat—!!"
"""Let's eat—!!"""
And then...
"Gil made this stew!?"
"N-Well, strictly speaking..."
—Shhh, okay?
"...How completely modest."
—It is fine. I am, here.
"Well, that is how it is. Simple, but it touches the body, does it not?"
"...A gentle taste... My heart gets warm..."
"Roman-sama, say aah♥"
"A, a, a, aa...h."
"Yees, one more bite~♥"
"(゜ロ゜) Se, Senpai! If you'd like."
"Jeanne, say aah."
"A, aah..."
"The giving side...!?"
"That's how Ricca is, isn't it. Fufu, shall I do it for you? Here, say aah."
"Th-Thank you very much! Aah, hot!"
"Stew isn't something you eat with such force..."
—Fou, you can have seconds too, okay? I can't serve it to you right now... but I made sure to make a portion for Fou too.
(I want to melt into the stew. Melt away in pure preciousness.)
—Fou!?
"Now, eat! All roads lead to Uruk! To Mesopotamia! Fuhahaha!"
And so, returning to My Room happened after going around all of Chaldea.
Ricca collapses onto the fluffy bed.
"Aah~"
"Ricca. I know you are tired, but let's take a bath. It's manners."
"Nn, sluggish. Take me."
"Haa... Good grief. I'll get in with you, so come on."
"Aii~"
Led by Jeanne, Ricca and Jeanne wash off their sweat in the bath.
"Jeanne, your skin is pure white... Whitening?"
"It is the color of a dead person... Or rather, Ricca, your chest is big."
"Really?"
"It is only one centimeter different from mine... You possessed quite a magnificent thing..."
"My waist is too sturdy though. Ahaha, not very ladylike, I guess."
"It is fine. You are fine, like that."
"...I see."
Washing each other, eventually drying each other, she sits Jeanne in front of the mirror.
"Now, it's time for polishing our womanhood. Please don't damage my hair, okay?"
Handing her the comb, she closes her eyes.
"Okay then, excuse me..."
Carefully, carefully, she combs the silky hair.
"Wow... beautiful..."
"Isn't it? ...It is your Pride. There is no way it wouldn't be beautiful."
"Fufu, that's right. I can't hurt it. Right? My very own Jeanne."
"—Please cherish me, always."
"Of course!"
In a time just for the two of them, they laugh together.
"Ah... that's right. I received this from Gil."
Saying that, from her pocket...
"A Holy Grail!?"
"A reward. 'Grant whatever wish you like', he said... and forced it on me."
"That's great! Ah, what will you wish for? Jeanne."
"Fufu, actually, it is already decided."
Giggling, Jeanne fidgets with the Holy Grail.
"Tell me, tell me!"
"—Incarnation, Master. I will wish for it after the restoration. Reincarnation as a single life."
"—Jeanne..."
"—If I do that, I can be with you, right? Forever, and ever."
—The time of the two who returned from hell passes gently.
"By your side—regardless of Servant or Master. I want to be with you. Ricca—"
While the innocent smile of the Witch and the smile of the Dragon Girl challenging the world are exchanged.
The moment in Paradise passes by...
In front of My Room
[Yo! Junior! What're you doing?]
"...You are."
[The Weakest Servant who barged in earlier and such, at your service! Man, counting on you, Junior! The cool one! ...No, really? I intended to separate and end it in a typical Fate way, but there were so many voices desiring my reappearance due to my excessively thrilling exploits. A scary old man gave me a numbered ticket, you see? And I won, you see? ...Considering it's the price of vengeance, I feel like I'm excessively blessed. Well, I don't mind! Aah, so embarrassing. After saying don't ever get involved again, looking like this is seriously embarrassing—...]
"...So you donned her shell."
[Well, it's such a nice body, I took a liking to it, you know? It's plump and good for masturbation material—whoops!! That was close!?]
"Silence."
[Oh, scaaaary... Is Master-san here? I want to say hi. Thank you for carrying me until now—adadadada, joke, joke!]
"...It is a time for just the two of them right now. Do not disturb them."
[Ouch ouch, so you're the gatekeeper, huh. Then shall we change the date? Whatever, it's like we're connected no matter where we are anyway~. With the umbilical cord thing.]
"I said silence."
[Hai hai, don't get angry. Worth teasing, which isn't bad. Hihihi. Now then, let's do some dress-up—]
Grab
[Eh?]
"Y O U R E Q U I R E T R E A T M E N T."
"So this is Paradise... N-Not bad. Quite good... Yeah. Convenience store... exists. Häagen-Dazs, exists... Damn it, all-you-can-eat...? Using money like that is cheating...! That nouveau riche... That aside, the ice cream is delicious... Ice cream from the Age of Gods... Damn it, tasty... Unfair, unfair... Tasty..."
"Ah! It's the Ice Cream Big Sister!"
"It's the Ice Cream Person—"
"Ugh...! G-Go away! I am not the Ice Cream Big Sister!"
"Always, eating, it."
"You don't have to hide it! Come, let's eat together!"
"Let's eat—"
"Ugh, gu... Aah, jeez...! What a low-quality Paradise, honestly...!"
"You saw a dog, you say?"
—Yes. A spear dyed reddish-black, a ferocious smile... He was massacring everything. ...None of his features matched any of the Cú Chulainns we have met...
"Then is his class Berserker...? No, that cannot be."
—Oh King, why is that? If it is a Great Hero like Cú Chulainn, it shouldn't be strange for him to be a Berserker...
"It is obvious. If he had manifested as a Berserker, he would have transformed into a monstrosity to the point where recognizing him as 'Him' would be impossible. He draws the blood of the Evil God Balor in addition to the Sun God. The excitation of that blood changes him into a monster too repulsive to speak of. If he were a Berserker, he would become that form. The fact that you can see him and recognize him as him is nothing other than the negation of the Berserker class."
—To that extent?
"Therefore—no. There are exceptions to everything. If he did not go mad, but was made to go mad by an external factor, perhaps..."
—Could it be, a Holy Grail!?
"—I see. Most likely, a certain Queen obsessed with him threw a wish into the Grail. 'To become an Evil King' would be appropriate? ...Tch. To use my treasure to bind a man; what a loose woman."
—Cú Chulainn who obtained the power of the Holy Grail... The Evil, Mad King...
~
This is a battlefield. Die quickly before spouting your theories.
~
—Tch...
"Are you afraid?"
...Yes... That gaze, that killing intent.
...It is, terrifying...
"Your fear propagates to me as well. ...Trembling so cutely. —Do not worry."
—King?
"You are my Princess. You will never be harmed without my permission. —Your value has already been determined in that place. Raise your face. Believe in me, Ea."
—Yes...!
"—Ea. Perform the selection of a suitable Holy Grail and the originals of armaments related to Cú Chulainn."
—Then...!
"If they dye their hands in foul play, we shall use foul play without reservation. —The return of Hercules. In the next Singularity, I shall make Cú Chulainn display his true worth."
—Yes! Understood!
"If the opponent is a Mad Dog, I must put some spirit into it as well. I leave the miscellaneous tasks to you, Ea. I am going to sleep; wake me if anything happens."
—Sweet dreams. King of Heroes.
"Umu. Listen well, never be swallowed by fear."
(Are you okay?)
"—Yeah. The King and Fou are with me."
(...You're scared because you're resolved to confront it. You're scared because you can't avoid it. It's okay to be scared.)
"...Fou is always kind. Thank you. —Come here."
(Yup! I don't just explode, you know. Come on, let's go to My Room quickly!)
"Yeah!"
My Room
"I'm ho—Eh?"
(Fua?)
'—Ah, finally we meet. The beautiful Beast, and the shining, gentle Princess.'
"You, are..."
'Fufu, who am I? Just kidding... I am someone who wants to be friends with you.'
(A Japanese Beauty—!!)
'My name is, let's see... I want you to call me "Shiki-chan" —Cute, isn't it? The sound... right? Fufu—'
"Haa, haa, haa..."
'...' (Having received countless attacks, her armor is half-destroyed)
"Not, yet... Rhongomyniad...! Not yet..."
'————Very well.'
"Wha—!?"
'Your struggle, your will. —I acknowledge it is worthy of selection. It is a pity to scatter it here.'
"What are, you saying...!"
'—Your radiance protecting what is good shows promise. And... the radiance you protect, as well.'
"—!"
'...I will consider the expansion of the Holy Lance. I shall withdraw for now.'
"W-Wait—!"
'Be grateful for that way of being. For that radiance. —Until the correct Selection is fulfilled in the Holy City. I shall entrust your souls to you.'
"————She withdrew, huh..."
"—Everyone, thank... you... My role, ends here... The rest, I leave to your, good fight..."
"Oops, good work. Rest for now."
"Mer..."
"Good work to everyone as well. I'll handle the rest, so rest easy. —Goodness gracious, the club members are terrifying. To bend the will of a Goddess!"
"—..."
"Now, let's go to Avalon. Don't worry. I need you to work in Camelot, after all—"
With this, the Prison Island arc concludes!
How was the story centered on Ricca?
Her character was born from a question.
'Why does such an ordinary Master have high communication skills?' I thought while playing.
She can get along with Heroes and Anti-Heroes without discrimination. It's easy to put into words, but difficult to depict.
'I don't get why she's so pampered.'
'Worship fanfic lol.'
If the main character is told such things, one cannot hope for a high-quality story.
Then what to do? The result of that thinking was:
'Come to think of it, Type-Moon protagonists aren't normal.'
So, I decided to create a convincing backbone and fleshed out the settings as they came to mind.
She has high communication skills because that was her way of life.
Her family background is unknown because there were problems in her family.
She is always cheerful because salvation and distortion are manifesting.
To create an attractive character, start with flaws and darkness! As a result of setting Ricca with that motto, Ricca ended up bearing All the World's Evil... Sorry... Ricca.
I just couldn't stand it.
'Because she's the protagonist, she can get along.'
'Because she's the protagonist, she's different from others.'
'Because she's the protagonist, she can spin bonds.'
If it's just that, it's just walking Plot Armor. No charm can be born from that.
Characters are alive. They must absolutely not be parts that move the story. I want to make them attractive enough to spin lines on their own.
With such thoughts, 'Ricca Fujimaru' was born carrying light and darkness.
I want her to take that hopeless darkness and turn it into light together with everyone.
As a protagonist, as a single character, I want her to shine. I want her to become a character burned into everyone's hearts.
I want her to be a 'You' that exists only here. That is why I call her 'Ricca'.
I made her carry a heavy setting, but she was placed in a truly blessed environment.
She became a protagonist loved and blessed by the Seeker (Gudou-shi), everyone at Chaldea, and the readers.
It was Ricca who defeated Azi Dahaka, prepared and burdened by the author, and it was the power of everyone who supported Ricca's everything!
Once again, let me say thank you!
Thank you very much! I am truly happy that you accepted, cheered for, and watched over Ricca's light and darkness!
Ricca's journey continues. Surpassing even the author's expectations, she runs through.
Ea, Ricca, and the Seeker. Thank you, truly, truly, for accepting the original elements!
From here, without pause, it's the Fifth Singularity!
Of the Aniki (Bro),
By the Aniki,
For the Aniki!
The American Mythology War! A Singularity where Aniki rampages as both friend and foe, please look forward to it!
Again and again, thank you very much!
Please continue to watch over Ricca Fujimaru, the protagonist only found here, who carries a Beast and harbors a Dragon!
From now on, to everyone on Hameln and everything surrounding you, blessings as far as they can reach!
From now on, please, please treat us well—!
-------------------------------
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