Praise them, correct them properly, and help your subordinates grow.
That is the natural mindset of a king.
--
It seems the Shadow Servants spreading through this burning Fuyuki are not limited to that Archer alone.
A Holy Grail War, where Servants fight each other… according to Roman, the standard form is a battle royale where seven Heroic Spirits are summoned to kill one another.
If so, that means the remaining classes—Saber, Lancer, Caster, Rider, Assassin, and Berserker—may still be targeting us.
"Doctor," I speak into the empty air, keeping my voice low. "How is Mash?"
"She's fine," Romani responds, his voice sounding relieved. "No direct hits. She blocked everything. The Master and the Director are unharmed."
"So she fulfilled her role as a shield. Not bad for a girl."
Truly impressive. Protecting what one wishes to protect with nothing but one's own body.
How difficult it is to stay true to that resolve. Fujimaru has a fine Servant by her side.
"Good."
Then I must produce results worthy of that effort.
"W-what's wrong, King?"
"Have Mash continue guarding the Master," I command, stretching my neck. "I will resume my work."
"Work? Isn't being a king your job?"
"Fool. I am a Servant now. My duty is to eliminate anything that threatens my Master."
"W-what!? You're not planning to go alone, are you!?"
I frown. "…?"
"No, stop looking at me like that's obvious! We don't know what kind of threats are still out there! If you were to disappear, our combat strength would drop sharply!"
His concern is reasonable. This is an unknown hellscape, a burning Singularity. There is no telling what traps may lie ahead.
"Idiot," I scoff. "Do you think I would lose my life to some roadside pebble? Which is wiser—waiting here for danger to come, or removing the danger myself and restoring order as soon as possible?"
"Well…"
"Besides, losing the last Master of humanity, or losing a single Servant by accident—there is no need to think about which would be the greater loss going forward."
"…That may be true. But still…"
Roman hesitates. He truly is soft-hearted—no, kind.
"Do not worry. I possess the skill of Independent Action. I will not burden the Master. That is my word as a king. Trust it."
"Pulling the 'king's word,' huh…" Romani sighs, defeated. "Alright. If I push too hard and upset you, that would be the worst outcome. You'll handle the remaining Shadow Servants?"
"Of course. It is not unpleasant to taste the sweat and toil of the common folk once in a while."
From this point on, defeat is not an option for me. I must gain experience and ensure I can protect my Master no matter what.
"…Very well. Merit deserves a reward."
I mutter to myself and speak to Mash, who is resting her body before we set out.
"Mash."
"Ah, King of Heroes!" She jumps, straightening her back instantly. "I'm sorry—you caught me relaxing like this…"
"There are no enemies around. There is no need to stay tense. You are too serious."
"Y-yes… I'm sorry."
She really is too modest. It would not hurt her to say, "I protected my Master! Praise me!" once in a while.
"In the last battle, you protected your Master well," I say, looking down at her. "That is a clear achievement. I praise you."
"Eh—no, not at all!" She waves her hands frantically. "Being praised by the King of Heroes is far too much for me… I don't deserve it."
"Modesty is a virtue, was it? True, strong-willed women can be troublesome. Goddesses especially are the worst. Truly."
…For a moment, as I said the word "goddess," I felt a faint, dark killing intent flare up in my chest. Perhaps that was Gilgamesh's honest feeling leaking through. I shove the sensation down.
"Still, what you did was real merit. A king must reward proper service."
That's right. A girl this young should never be standing on a battlefield.
She should be living a different life… at the very least, eating good food.
I reach into the golden ripples of the Gate of Babylon. I bypass the weapons and treasures, searching for a small object. I pull it out and hold it toward Mash.
"Have some candy. It's sweet if you lick it."
"C-candy…?" She stares at the small, glowing wrapper in my palm.
"Share it with the Master and that diligent girl as well. I am going to get some exercise."
"Exercise…!?" Her eyes widen. "Then Master and I should come too!"
"Fool." I turn my back to her. "You were struggling with just one Shadow Servant. What do you think you could do now?"
"..." She falls silent, unable to refute it.
"This is not the time to throw away your life. Your true trial will come someday. Save your will and spirit for then."
"…Yes."
Mash's shoulders slump as she lowers her head.
For now, this is fine. Time to think, time to look at herself—that is what she needs.
That is what adolescence is like. Even in a disaster like this, I want her to remember that ordinary way of living.
"Then I am off. Await the return of your king."
"W-wait, King of Heroes!"
"Hm?"
Just as I am about to leave, Mash calls out.
"Um…" She clutches the candy to her chest. "Thank you. I'll savor this candy… properly."
"You're making too big a deal out of it, fool."
I snort, and without hiding the small smile that slips onto my lips, I take flight into the burning sky.
"…Thank you so much, King of Heroes."
Behind me, I can feel the tension in the air dissipate. Though my words were sharp, it seems my intent was conveyed.
(End Of Chapter)
--
What does a ultimate candy taste like, I wonder? Someone like me, who can only say "it tastes good," would never really know.