When I return to Fujimaru and the others in high spirits, the Master greets me with clear worry on her face.
"Are you okay!? Gil! You didn't die, right!? You're alive!?"
"Of course. Who do you think I am?"
"King!"
"Correct."
Rikka makes a face. "That tone sounds like you're mocking me… but whatever."
"King of Heroes, who is that person with you?"
Olga Marie asks. …Somehow, she feels different from before. More sharp. More focused.
"Master, what happened?" I ask, glancing at Rikka.
"Well, she said that after licking the candy you gave her, she finally calmed down. Then she decided that instead of relying on Lev, who isn't here, she should focus on supporting the people who are here now."
"—I see. So candy soothed a child. That girl is finally about to show her true ability."
"Ritsuka, this concerns you too. Listen carefully," Olga Marie commands, ignoring my jab.
"Okaaay."
"…What's with the serious tone?" Cú Chulainn asks, scratching his head with his staff.
"King of Heroes, and the unknown Caster Servant. Since the King of Heroes allows him to accompany us, I take that as a sign of goodwill." Olga Marie crosses her arms. "This is about Mash's Noble Phantasm."
———
From what I hear, Mash still cannot use her Noble Phantasm.
She does not know the true name of the Servant she fused with, nor even what kind of Heroic Spirit they are. And yet she has been fighting like this all along.
…So Mash has been fighting in a situation as hard as mine—no, even harder. And she never once complained. That level of resolve is truly admirable.
"You will have trouble finding a husband someday, Mash," I say abruptly.
"E-eh!? W-what!?" Mash stammers, her shield clanking as she jumps.
"Yeah, no kidding," the Caster grins, leaning on his staff. "She's one tough girl."
Mash's face turns red. At her age, marriage must still feel very far away.
…In my previous life, that was something I never had any connection to either. I hope these girls find good partners someday.
"This is serious," Olga Marie interrupts, tapping her foot. "If Mash is to fight as a hero, being unable to use her Noble Phantasm is like being half-paralyzed."
"I'm sorry…" Mash lowers her head. "Compared to the King of Heroes, I'm nothing. I'm a useless Servant…"
"Oh, poor Mash! I'll hug you!" Rikka shouts, diving in.
"No, Senpai! Not in public!"
"Please take this seriously…" the Director sighs, massaging her temples.
It seems their bond has grown much closer in the short time I was gone. Like sisters. I don't show it, but I find it comforting.
"I don't think that's true," Cú says, his expression turning slightly more serious. "Noble Phantasms aren't something you can just use easily. If you could master them overnight, heroes would lose their meaning."
He glances at me with a smirk. "You hear that, Goldie?"
"My treasures simply lack a call sign, fool," I retort.
The Caster teases me. So a Noble Phantasm requires its true name to be known before it can be released.
In that case, Gilgamesh's Noble Phantasm, Gate of Babylon, is always at full power. …That really is absurdly convenient. Being a king must be nice.
"What do you two Servants think about this problem?" Olga Marie asks.
"..."
I glance at the Caster. This vessel aside, I know almost nothing about this world. I doubt I can be much help.
"Huh? Oh… well, if she's fighting, then she's using it already. A hero and their Noble Phantasm are basically the same thing," Cú says, shrugging.
"If she can't use it, then it's just clogged. Mana or something. She just hasn't practiced shouting it out loud."
"Shouting!? Leave it to me, Mash! I'll make you shout!" Rikka says, rolling up her sleeves.
"Ah! Wait, Senpai! No, please! Not officially, that's not allowed!"
The two start wrestling around. It's nice that they're getting closer, but aren't they a bit too relaxed?
"If that's the case… fine. Get ready," Cú says suddenly.
"…Huh?" Mash freezes.
"Don't space out. You want to use your Noble Phantasm, right? Then the fastest way is to fight."
The air changes. His presence turns sharp, ready for battle.
"I'll seriously try to kill your Master. So Mash, you come at me seriously too. It'll be rough, but I'll force that blocked mana out of you."
"So that's how you want to do it, Hooded Caster! Fine! I'll bet my life on Mash!" Rikka yells without hesitation.
"Senpai! Um—King of Heroes, please say something too…!" Mash turns to me, her eyes pleading for an alternative.
"—"
I look at them.
Mash is essential to Fujimaru Rikka.
Mash Kyrielight is the only main Servant contracted to Rikka. I am just a sub-Servant, summoned through Chaldea's system, a guest lending my strength.
From here on, she will fight beside Mash for a long time. They will face hardship together.
With this vessel's power, crushing every obstacle would be easy. I know I could do it.
But that would also erase Mash's and Rikka's chance to grow.
That is what happens when an absolute power interferes.
—That is why.
That is exactly why, right now, watching over them—
Watching, and deciding—
My vision wavers.
—As if I just touched something important—
"—"
"Huh? King of Heroes?" Rikka tilts her head.
I close my eyes for a moment, then open them, looking straight at the girl in purple armor.
"…Do what you must do, Mash."
"Eh?"
"This is the wall you must overcome."
I gently place a hand on her head.
"Have confidence."
I look into her eyes.
"You are not worthless."
"—!"
Resolve fills the eyes that were shaking with doubt.
"—Senpai."
"Yeah!"
"King of Heroes… I'll do it."
"I'll make my Noble Phantasm my own!"
(End Of Chapter)