"I heard the news, Semiramis. It's a big role; do your best."
"There was no need to tell me. I shall make my majesty known to all… Wait, what is that?"
"A gift of Amakusa Steamed Buns. They're delicious. How about some after your bath?"
"…I shall take them. However, I have no fondness for sweets. You shall help me eat half."
"Hehe. Understood."
"Hurry! These materials are essential. Forget the 'God-Transformation' function for now; the ship will fulfill its purpose as a battleship as long as the primary armaments are online. Do not cut corners!"
"I know, I know! Babbage, Edison, and Tesla are all helping! The maintenance will hold, I promise!"
"Indeed. While the various transformation functions are offline, the weaponry shall be in perfect working order."
"The Marduk… ugh, my body is… (thud)"
"Mother?!"
Shared Sentiments
With the final battle looming, the Chaldean Allied Forces returned briefly to their base in the mountain village. Their goal was to recover their strength to the fullest and ensure the evacuation of the mountain people was complete.
And then—
"There may be many who surpass me in martial skill or wisdom! But the feat I am about to show you is one that only I, Tawara Touta, can achieve! Behold the blessing of fortune bestowed upon me by the Dragon God!"
Bathed in the light of a blood-red sunset sinking toward the horizon, Tawara Touta struck a magnificent pose.
"Watch closely, Mash. A Noble Phantasm is not merely a tool for harming enemies. It can also be a manifestation of one's way of life, a gift to others."
What was bestowed upon the mountain village was the ultimate form of a dragon's gratitude—a miracle that saved, filled, and brought smiles to everyone without exception.
Its classification: an Anti-Banquet Noble Phantasm.
"Delicious rice… coming right up! Don! Don!"
The bale of rice opened. From within overflowed the bounties of the sea, the riches of the mountains, and then—
"IT'S RIIIIIIICE!!"
Like a gushing spring, like a rising lake, an infinite supply of rice poured forth.
"Whoa…!" Rikka cheered, and Mash's eyes sparkled.
"Exactly. This is the EX-rank Noble Phantasm, Tawara Touta's 'Infinite Bag of Rice'! It harms no one and brings happiness to all—it is the very pinnacle of salvation!"
Roman was certain of it. He believed that this Noble Phantasm would be the 'miracle' that provided a profound influence on Mash and the way she chose to exist.
"..."
Mash stared with wide eyes at the sight of everyone cheering and laughing over the grain pouring from the bale.
"So… a Noble Phantasm like this… really can exist. One that hurts no one, harms no one. One that just… makes people smile. What a wonderful way to be…"
In her heart, which valued goodness above all else, she defined this sight as truly 'precious.'
"—The path is open to you, Mash."
The King of Knights placed a gentle hand on Mash's head. As a King, she offered advice to the 'girl' who carried the pride and power of a knight—so that she would not repeat the mistakes of the past.
"Your feelings—that desire to protect and save someone—keep that resolve within your heart. —You will surely reach it. Not that false Camelot, but the true… 'Chalk-White Castle.'"
"The Chalk-White Castle…"
Mash lingered on Artoria's words, slowly turning them over in her mind. And then, she remembered the words King Leonidas had once spoken to her.
It was a conversation born of a casual remark.
"I want to be a brave, fearless protector like you and the Spartans, King Leonidas."
Mash had told him this during a break in simulation training. She thought that if she could fight without fear, she could be of more use to her Master. If she could be a brave guardian, she could put her Master's mind at ease.
Leonidas had chided her with a gentle smile.
"That will not do. While I am moved that you hold the Spartans in such high regard, you must not become a Spartan, Lady Mash."
Mash had asked him why, confused. Leonidas had removed his helmet, laughing about the heat.
"Glory to the strong, shame and death to the weak. That is the Spartan way. You must not embrace a philosophy that protects the powerful while abandoning the vulnerable."
"You know what it is to be weak, and you have the strength to overcome terror with courage. Even knowing fear, you strive to protect. That is the very 'humanity' that Sparta was the first to discard. It is a resolve as unyielding and inviolable as a fortress. —Cherish that, Lady Mash. It is a peerless defense, as soft as snow and as proud as a blooming flower… a protector unique to you alone."
In that moment, Leonidas's face had been filled with nothing but respect for the one who would follow in his footsteps.
"—Thank you, King of Knights."
When Mash looked up, her expression was clear and bright.
"I think… I finally understand."
The girl standing there was no longer a fragile guardian. She was a young woman who had found her own resolve and purpose.
Everyone was moving forward, growing beyond who they were yesterday. By touching the myriad phenomena of the world, they were finding their true selves.
Watching this, Air spoke softly. Looking at the people rejoicing, laughing, and embracing one another, the Princess smiled at their 'preciousness.'
—This is the best part of the journey. The path of humanity, isn't it, Fou?
Her golden hair shimmered in the setting sun. Fou nodded quietly at the sentiments of the peerless Princess.
(Indeed. Humans are creatures that cannot remain still. Whether evil or good, they push forward, endlessly. That is the proof of the 'value' that one can never understand just by looking down from above—it is the act of living itself. Its beauty can only be understood by those who are alive. That's probably why the gods are always ruining it.)
(Because they don't actually live in it.) Fou narrowed his eyes happily, nestled against Air's chest.
"The conclusions gods reach are not so different from humans. They take what they want; they protect what they find pleasing. But—to the human world, that is nothing more than a 'threat.' A fire or a tornado will harm even the things that gave rise to it. It is the same principle."
The Golden King, who delighted in the history and deeds of man, narrowed his eyes.
"That is exactly why the beings called gods became unnecessary for this earth. Threats only leave scorched earth in their wake. A cycle of destruction and fertility never allows for progress. The gods find that acceptable. They demand worship above all else, robbing humanity of the right to advance and the legs to walk. In such a 'shelter,' humans can never learn evolution or refinement; they can never prove their value."
That was why he had separated humanity from the gods. He had judged the interference of 'personalities dwelling in nature' to be unnecessary for the human race.
"—Though I never imagined she would end up as one of them."
A young knight who had reached for an unreachable ideal, struggling with everything she had. A girl who had fought time and time again.
…The Lion King was the final state of that girl. She no longer expressed a will; she felt neither agony nor joy. She had become a mere phenomenon—simply 'existing' there.
"There are some things that are beautiful precisely because they are out of reach." So the King had once said.
…That beautiful thing had shattered in the far distance, before he could witness it or pass judgment himself.
"..."
The King's silence was heavy. Air looked at the face of the Heroic King standing beside her.
It wasn't her imagination. Air saw the King staring intently at the sunset. The deep, blood-red sky, the earth illuminated by the golden light… and the King's face as he watched that beautiful, mournful scenery…
—My King…
For a moment, it looked as if his face were twisted with a sorrow so deep he might break into tears.
"—I told you not to look."
The King chided her briefly. But he did not call it an impertinence, nor did he label it a disrespect.
Air said nothing, simply leaning closer to him. She didn't know what the King took from that gesture; he was not a man of many words. He did not push her away, nor did he mock her.
(…Sunsets make one sentimental. I'm not so tactless as to tease him for it.)
Fou also closed his eyes.
The King said nothing as the Princess leaned against him. He simply, quietly, drew her closer to his side.
The feast continued, and everyone spent their time as they pleased, preparing for the battle at dawn.
"Big brother Arash, you're not coming to the Holy City, are you?"
Arash laughed as he drank juice with Rushd.
"Yeah. Well, I'm just 'Big Brother Arash' who happens to share a name with that other Arash! They told me I'd be in the way, so I'm staying behind to watch the house!"
"Hmm. Then I guess I don't have to say thank you?"
"…Thank you?"
Arash looked puzzled, but Rushd continued without looking at him.
"…Thank you for staying for the sake of the village, Big Brother Arash."
"————Man, you saw right through me, didn't you?"
Arash scratched his head, looking defeated. Rushd leaned against him.
"I know. I know you've always been the one protecting us. Everyone sings about it—that Big Brother Arash is a true hero. But… to me, being a hero doesn't matter."
Their gazes met.
"The fact that you wanted to protect this village… that's what makes me happy. So… thank you, Big Brother Arash. For protecting us weaklings."
"…You've grown up to be quite a man. You got me."
Arash lifted Rushd up high.
"That's all I needed to hear. Big Brother Arash fights every day to save the future of kids like you. —I don't know how long I can stay… but when the day comes for me to leave, I'll make sure you're a strong man who can protect your mother and everyone else. With a bow, and…"
He held the boy higher.
"—I'll show you a real 'Shooting Star.' A special one that flies all the way from Mount Damavand to the Oxus River. Just for you, Rushd."
Rushd nodded firmly at the resolve in Arash's voice, then immediately burst out laughing.
"Hey, that's just the legend of Arash the Archer! There's no way you can copy that, Big Brother!"
Arash joined in the laughter, matching the boy's playful spirit.
"You little…! I'm a man of my word, you know!"
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