"You are... firing me?"
"Yeah. From here on out, I'm fighting a death match against myself. I'm bringing out the Demon Gods. And Medb, you said you wanted a duel. —The winner and loser are practically decided already. You just go do whatever the hell you want."
"Whatever I want..."
"Kill them, fulfill your true desires, whatever. —Go. Fill that void of yours yourself."
"...Thank you for everything."
"I don't recall taking care of you, moron."
"Fergus, what is it? You can do whatever you like too, you know?"
"I intend to. And you should do as you like with me, Medb."
"...Eh?"
"'When using the Demon God, use me as the catalyst.' ...Let Cú Chulainn achieve his true desire."
"...So that's how it is."
"I won't let anyone get in the way. Not yours, and not his. —I look forward to becoming inextricably entangled with the first woman to ever stand as my equal! Hahahaha!"
"We aren't equals!! We are rivals!! I'm betting my life, and I'm betting Cu-chan on this, got it!?"
Hubris is simply unconscious mercy.
Following Cú Chulainn's declaration of war, the decisive battle was set for three days hence.
Until then, everyone was permitted to spend their time as they saw fit.
"Got a magazine for the ammo?"
"Here ya go."
There were those sparing no effort in preparation.
"Let's go, Nero! I won't lose to the Mashu-con!"
"Umu! Let us raise the roof!"
"Mashu-san! Let us teach them the power of a true idol!"
"I-I am not an idol, though!"
There were those raising morale.
"Haaaaaaaah!!"
"SEIYAAAAAA!!"
There were those sparing no effort in training.
—And we, too, are spending this time exactly as we wish.
—Since Cú Chulainn has wiped out nearly all the enemy soldiers, the threats we need to address have narrowed down. Almost certainly—
"It will be the Demon Gods. And if the aftershocks of that battle destroy this vast continent, it would be a disaster."
—Yes. In an all-out battle between Great Heroes, starting with the King of Heroes, there is a high probability that America itself will collapse first. ...Everyone is truly amazing...
"Umu. Our work is not yet done. Very well—shall we lay the foundation for everything, Ea!"
—Yes!
Everything is for the sake of a flawless victory—!
"You're asking if we can perform a Chain Manifestation by forcing the concept of Demon Gods into the concept of Clan Calatin!?"
First, the King posed his concern to the one who proposed the Demon God theory, Romani Archaman.
"They rely on the concept of the 72 Demon Gods to maintain their numbers, do they not? Even if they are degraded monsters, is it not possible to apply that concept here?"
—If our concerns become reality, even if we pour all our combat power into this, there will inevitably be casualties.
"Well, Manager of Demons? Is my prediction correct or incorrect? Answer me."
If it is a baseless worry, then fine. But if there is even a one percent chance, there is no hesitation in rushing to crush it.
"I hadn't thought of that...! It's possible! It is entirely possible! It's a somewhat—no, extremely—reckless summoning, but they have a Holy Grail! They should be able to force it through! They are familiars, after all! They have excellent compatibility with that kind of conceptual grafting!"
"So it is possible, as I thought. —Taking a three-day grace period has worked in our favor in unexpected ways. Fuhaha, 'Always be gorgeous and leave room to spare in all things' is truly a golden maxim."
—In that case, King of Heroes, I propose that our immediate tasks are 'preparing the battlefield' and 'striving to strengthen everyone for combat.'
"Umu. And I have seen a method to kill two birds with one stone."
—Really!?
"Indeed. Ea, scrape together the stock of Command Spells. Prepare three strokes for everyone, and a special set for the Ruler. In the meantime, I shall settle the miscellaneous matters on my end."
—Understood! King of Heroes!
"Umu. If it is you, I am certain you can gather them."
—Leave it to me! I will definitely live up to the King's expectations!
(A doggy costume would definitely suit you. Doggy Ea—ah, so precious—Ea wagging a tail, so precious—)
Seeing Ea full of enthusiasm, Fou suddenly collapsed atop the rainbow-colored hill he had built unnoticed.
Fou—!?
"W-What are you planning? You aren't planning to mow everyone down by yourself like before, are you?"
"Fool. That was a special case among special cases. Unless someone touches my supreme treasure, why would I exert my full power? Even if heaven and earth were to flip upside down, I would not."
—I will stow away the embarrassment and pride swelling in my chest for now. Right now, there are things I must do, so I can't just be happy... Ehehe...
(Ah—)
Spurting a rainbow-colored nosebleed, Fou slowly tipped over.
Fou—!?
"I am a King. If I have an army to lead, I only fight in a way that allows them to survive. —Is Marie there?"
At the King's call, Olga Marie responded immediately.
"Yes, Gil."
"The trump card against the Demon Gods... no, the trump card of this entire war is none other than you. Your 'World' shall become the fatal blade against those Demon Gods."
"My Reality Marble, 'The Flower of Hope Nestling Close to Human Order,' correct?"
It is a fatal wedge that the Demon Gods overlooked, the answer of a girl's life that they concluded was unnecessary.
Ironically, her Reality Marble boasts performance that could be called optimal for taking on Demon Gods.
"Correct. The first stage of the bounded field drastically lowers the stats of those invited inside. For meat-clumps that rely on brute force, it will be a fatal blow. Do not worry about the weakening of our allies. I will cancel that out."
"Yes. And my mental landscape shows its true colors only after it is destroyed—it is tailor-made for a prolonged battle, isn't it?"
Olga Marie's Reality Marble is divided into two stages. The first stage is a barren and gruesome wasteland given form by her inferiority complex, neuroses, and hysteria. Those who enter have their stats lowered by three ranks, Noble Phantasms included. —For a Servant, this is equivalent to having their Noble Phantasm sealed. But the same applies to the Demon Gods. The reason they haven't struggled against Demon Pillars until now lies in Olga Marie's dedication and devotion.
And—its true value is demonstrated when the Reality Marble is destroyed.
The 'Chaldea Servants' inside the destroyed Reality Marble, now revealing its true worth, are revived even if their Spirit Cores are damaged, and their stats are strengthened by two ranks. Chaldea's Command Spells are instantly replenished, promising an environment of absolute advantage—no, Absolute Victory. With the added bonus that the opponent's stats remain debuffed.
"Exactly. When the time is right, I shall fire 'The Star of Creation that Splits Heaven and Earth' (Enuma Elish) into your mental landscape to bring out its true worth. We will force them into a battle where their Noble Phantasms are sealed—but I will handle the care for our side. I will combine that with the strengthening from my treasury. We will not lose in a contest of power."
To trigger this, a 'blow that destroys the World' is necessary... but before the absolute strongest, the King of Heroes, that is hardly a problem.
...Yes. The girl they dismissed as "worthless" has come full circle to thoroughly threaten their existence. This must be what they call karmic retribution.
"Understood. Please leave it to me."
—And, the current her will not lose to any pressure. ...I knew you would say that, Director Olga Marie.
"However, the concern is the range. Even if I project my Reality Marble, covering the entirety of America is very..."
"Fear not. I have a secret plan. You all should devote yourselves to preparation without anxiety."
"A secret plan...?"
"Hmph, revealing all the tricks at once would ruin the entertainment. Wait with bated breath and excitement, just like Gilgamesh-kun of Uruk waiting for Santa! ...No, Santa didn't come to him. My apologies, forget that."
"Ufufu. If it's Demon Gods... I can be of help too, so please look forward to iiit! ♥"
"Umu. Then I declare a three-day rest for you all. Rest to your heart's content. The battle is set. Resting is also part of the definition of war."
"Understood. —Please don't push yourself too hard either, Gil. You are the core of Chaldea; we cannot afford to lose you, not even by a one-in-a-million chance..."
Receiving Olga Marie's concern, the King laughed.
"Fuhaha, I am well aware. But fear not. For the current me, death from overwork is impossible! You may expect great things!"
—Command Spells and the Reality Marble. With this, the 'Strengthening of Servants' and 'Protection of America' are achieved.
All that remains is the mechanism to maintain and expand its range—
"WHAT!! You want to drastically remodel this President's House using DIRECT CURRENT!?! To make it a DIRECT CURRENT device to maintain and project Olga Marie-kun's Reality Marble!?"
The Invention King, Edison, was raging. His explanation was concise, saving us the trouble.
"Exactly. The universal genius Da Vinci-chan will supervise and design it. Gil-kun will provide the materials and resources. And you will maintain it. A perfect plan, the best staff! Backed by infinite wealth and a patron! There should be nothing you cannot do, right? Edison-kun?"
"OF COURSE NOT!!"
Like a lion, Edison roared.
"To accomplish the impossible is Invention! Failure is impossible in such a blessed environment! No, even if it were a wretched environment, I would challenge it! Until I succeed! As many times as it takes!!"
"You are overflowing with ambition. It seems the healing worked well."
"Indeed!! I can never again betray the children who follow my back! Come, Da Vinci-kun! Show me the blueprints! I will definitely make the deadline!!"
"That's the spirit! If the disciple is working hard, the master can't be outdone!"
"Uwahahahaha!! Leave it to us! Now is the time for my Endurance EX to shine! 'I can pull as many all-nighters as needed for the sake of Invention'!! Uwahahahaha!!!"
"You are loud!! I admire your spirit, but save it for the day of! Fool! If you lack materials, speak up! I will accept as many additional orders as you like!"
—Now, all we can do is believe in one genius and one King of Invention.
"Now then, what remains is..."
"Gil~! Good work~!"
Called from behind, the Master ran over after finishing her training.
"Look, look! This spear!"
"Training with the spear next?"
"Yeah! Master Shuwen, Shishou Scáthach, and Aniki are all teaching me!"
(Getting stronger and stronger... If it were the original Evil Dragon, it would be kill-or-be-killed even for us by now...)
—Our Master is the strongest!
(I suspect she might actually be the 'most wicked' though.)
"—Hmph, very well."
Something sparked in the King's mind, and he spoke.
"Ricca. I shall leave the formation of the Servants for this battle to you."
"Eh, really?"
—Ah! That is a wonderful idea!
"Is it not? There is likely no Master in the world more versed in Servants than this one. She may well utilize them more accurately than even I."
(...You've really changed. You, relying on someone else? Isn't that breaking the rules a bit too much?)
To Fou's exasperated grin, the King responded with a hearty laugh.
"Fuhaha! You are the one who has changed, Beast. With the logic you now house within your body, are we not beyond comparison?"
At the King's words, Fou puffed out his chest proudly.
(Well, yeah. The current me is the Supreme Beast! —If a mass outbreak of idiots calling themselves new humanity occurs, maybe I can get serious too.)
—Fou getting serious!? I want to see! I really want to see! can I ride on your back!? Let me ride!?
(Of course! I want to polish my back with your butt!)
"The one riding will likely be me, you know."
(...You're housing Ea, so you're safe!!)
—Yay! Someday, Fou, the King, and I will fight together...!
Seeing Ea frolicking innocently...
((Silent Vanishing))
Fou disappeared without a sound.
Fou—!?
"Got it! Leave it to me! I'll make sure it's absolutely perfect!"
"Umu. You are the keystone of our battle. They will accept your orders far more easily than mine."
"Okay! Leave it to me then!"
Waving her hand, Ricca ran off toward the baths.
"Thanks for trusting me! I'll do my best!"
"—Fool. There are few other humans struggling as hard as you."
The King muttered quietly.
"—Now then, have we addressed the general concerns? The rest depends on their good fighting."
—Yes! Then let us proceed to the final task!
"Hm? Ea, did you commission a new job?"
—Oh yes! It is an exceptional job!
(That's right. Be grateful to Ea, you know? The one and only precious existence preventing your death from overwork! If you want to oppose Ea, bring the Goddess of Twilight! Though I only foresee a future where the world is filled with preciousness and love, blowing me and the NEET away! I will definitely be blown away! Like this!)
Fou was being obliterated by preciousness and love.
Fou—!?
"Hm. I am intrigued... Should I go to my room?"
—Awawawa, yes! I have invited them!
"Invited...? Very well. If it is your proposal, it cannot be bad."
And so, what awaited the King was...
"Here you are, Gilgamesh-sama. A Hanuman-brand Banana Parfait."
"And here is curry and naan! Come, taste it! It is a special made by余 (Me/Yu) and Sita! A special by Me and Sita!"
Wearing aprons and serving food harmoniously, Rama and Sita were waiting.
"...I see. Resting and restoring my spirits is my 'job', is that it?"
At the King's words, Ea smiled broadly.
—Yes! It is presumptuous of me, but managing the King's health is my top priority! Work is adjourned; let us converse with Rama-kun and Sita-chan!
(The preciousness filling this place... I think I can handle about three vanishings!)
Fou felt warm and fuzzy watching Rama and Sita cooking happily together in the kitchen.
"Hmph, truly thoughtful of you. —Later, I suppose I shall invite the two Artorias, Nero, Jeanne, and Marie as well."
—Yes! Let's all have fun and restore our spirits! Of course, me and Fou too!
(Yup! Alriiiight! I gotta be ready to dive back to the Throne at any moment! Embrace the craving as the world overflows with preciousness! Ah, but... I only see a future where I get one-hugged by the Goddess and chased away.)
—Fou is receiving radio waves from another world again...
(Ea's preciousness needs no special justification. Poop-man can just go get one-punched by a teratoma or something, please.)
"Come, come, sit down, King of Heroes! Me and Sita owe you a debt we cannot repay!"
"Yes. —Please eat plenty of bananas, Gilgamesh-sama."
"Fuhahahaha!! Not Aho-Girl, but Rama-Girl, is it! Very well! Satisfy my palate to the fullest—!"
"Yes. Rama, I love you."
"I love you too, Sita!"
Wearing matching aprons, the two continued cooking.
—So this is what 'precious' means, isn't it, Fou?
(That's right, Ea. It is you yourself.)
Saying this, Fou departed for the other side of the causal horizon.
(To the Cosmos, someday, with you—)
Fou—!?
The noisy rest period passed joyfully—
"King of Heroes, forgive me but—"
"Hm? Is that Karna? For the Hero of Charity to beg... Very well, speak."
"—I want you to lend me several Noble Phantasms."
"Oh? —May I ask the reason?"
"—For the sake of a perfect, happy ending."
"———Heh... Very well. Hearing that, as the embodiment of Gorgeous, I cannot remain silent—"
-----------------------------
I've just uploaded up to 30 chapters in advance on Patreon!
If you enjoy this story, please supporting me on Patreon!
👉 [patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your amazing support!