New Chaldea Summoning Room
"...Golden rings! More golden rings! And they're all different colors!"
Amid Fujimaru Ritsuka's excited cheers, a dazzling light erupted from the center of the summoning circle.
As the light faded, a man in a black bodysuit appeared, sharp-eyed and holding a massive wheel-shaped blade.
"Archer, the horse has neighed."
"Though I am quite dissatisfied, since I have answered the summons, I have no choice but to fight... that's all."
"Wonderful! Ashwatthama is here too!"
Ritsuka clutched the small bag of remaining Saint Quartz and jumped for joy.
Behind her, a line of newly summoned Servants stood.
The God of Medicine, Asclepius, was seriously inspecting his medicine box.
He still wore his usual indifferent expression, but a hint of gentleness like that of Arjuna Alter could be seen in his eyes this time summoned as a Berserker-class character from Proper Human History.
Even William Tell, who always looked impatient, was nearby wiping his crossbow.
"Is this... the true value of being a lucky winner?"
Steve leaned against the door, staring at the astonishing drop rate, and couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
"If this were a mobile game from my world, such luck would definitely get me banned by the devs."
"Steve-!"
Ritsuka turned around and ran over to Steve as if showing off a treasure. "Look! Everyone's here! I got to reunite with everyone I met in India!"
"Yes, yes, that's wonderful news."
Steve smiled and patted her head. Feeling the soft sensation in his palm, a small plan began to form in his mind.
Since she's in such a good mood...
"Hey, Ritsuka."
He leaned in and whispered, "To celebrate this bountiful harvest, why don't we go over there and take it easy? I hear the scenery in the Indian region of the afterlife is beautiful right now."
"No pressure from reincarnation or anything. Just the gentle breeze of the Ganges and delicious curry... How about it? Want to go on a reconnaissance trip with me?"
Ritsuka's eyes immediately sparkled.
"Eh? Is it really okay? But... everyone..."
"Shh."
Steve placed a finger to his lips. "This is a secret expedition just for the two of us... After all, I want you to see how beautiful the world we saved has become now."
"Yes! I want to go!"
The girl, completely unaware, fell into the sweet trap, her face flushed with anticipation.
"Then it's decided... I'll wait for you at the end of the corridor in 10 minutes. Don't forget to bring the bento box."
Steve winked, then turned and left the summoning room with light steps, as if he could already see the beautiful world beckoning to the two of them.
However...
He had clearly underestimated Chaldea's danger level.
He had also underestimated how sensitive some women were to the existence of a cheating cat.
…
Ten minutes later.
Steve hummed a tune as he pulled a pink Anywhere Door from his four-dimensional pocket, preparing to welcome his adorable Master.
"...Oh my, Steve, where exactly do you plan to take my child?"
A voice so gentle it sent chills down his spine suddenly came from the shadows behind him.
Steve's hand froze.
He slowly turned his head and saw a woman with an extremely voluptuous figure standing there, radiating a suffocating maternal and murderous aura while smiling.
Her hand rested lightly on the hilt of the knife at her waist, and a dangerous light gleamed in her purple eyes.
Minamoto no Raikou, Berserker.
Ritsuka's mother self-proclaimed.
"Ah... Raikou."
Steve let out a dry laugh. "Well, the weather's nice, and I was just about to take Ritsuka out..."
"Going on an impure trip to that shameless other world, just the two of you?"
Raikou's smile grew even brighter, but the background felt as if black lilies were blooming. "As a mother, how could I possibly allow such a thing?"
"This bug... really needs to be exterminated."
"No, no, this is just a regular inspection..."
"Lying is not permitted, Lord Steve."
Another clear voice cut off his explanation.
It was Kiyohime. Her face was half-covered by a fan, revealing only her golden vertical pupils. She had somehow appeared on the other side of the Anywhere Door.
"Anchin-sama was smiling happily earlier while making a bento in the kitchen."
"That expression is hardly one of someone going to work."
"It's the expression of someone preparing for a secret rendezvous!"
Kiyohime snapped her fan shut, and a faint dragon phantom appeared behind her. "How dare you try to monopolize Master... Even you will be burned to ashes!"
"Um... I want to go too."
Just as Steve was about to be overwhelmed, a black figure quietly "hugged his thigh" (incidentally, his usual Saint Graph had various excellent defensive effects comparable to the golden armor of a certain elbow king, so the silent poison only affected the surface and had basically no effect).
It was the Hassan of Serenity. She looked up, her large vacant eyes filled with longing.
"If I'm with Master... even if it's poison, no matter what happens, I'll go..."
Wait, was the entire Night Raid trio here?!
Steve felt cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.
This wasn't just a battlefield—it was hell on earth!
"S-Steve!"
At that moment, the savior finally appeared.
Ritsuka came running breathlessly, carrying a large picnic basket.
But the moment she saw the scene before her, she froze in place.
"Raikou? Kiyo-hime? Serenity-chan? What are you all doing here?"
"Master!"
Before Ritsuka could react, Mash, who had been hiding around the corner, also appeared.
She puffed out her cheeks, holding her shield, and stared at Steve with a serious expression.
"Steve! I respect you greatly, but I absolutely cannot overlook this scheme to lure Senpai to another world for alone time!"
Mash declared, burning with a sense of justice. "As your shield, I have a duty to protect your safety!"
"No, Mash, it's just..."
"And!"
The final, most lethal blow came.
From the speaker above the corridor, Sion's unique noisy and angry voice rang out.
"Steve! According to Chaldea Security Code No. 1024, teleportation to another world requires approval and accompaniment from the technical advisor (me)! Don't tell me you're trying to outmaneuver me again?!"
"I've installed surveillance cameras throughout all of Chaldea this time! You can't escape!"
With hurried footsteps, Sion—carrying a large amount of testing equipment—burst out from the elevator on the opposite side.
"..."
Steve looked at the aggressive group of women before him, then at the clearly surrounded but confused Ritsuka, and finally at the lonely Anywhere Door.
He realized that the romantic trip for two he had planned for today was completely ruined.
"Fine..."
Steve sighed and raised both hands in surrender.
"I give up... You win."
He shrugged helplessly. "If everyone is so interested... let's all go together."
"Anyway, that world is vast, and having more people will make it livelier."
"Really?!"
Her gentle eyes sparkled.
"Hmph, knowing when to protect yourself is wise."
Raikou released the hilt of her sword and instantly transformed into a gentle mother, rushing toward Ritsuka. "Oh, Ritsuka, that bento looks heavy? Mama will carry it for you~"
"I want to help too! I want to help too!"
Kiyohime refused to be outdone and somehow squeezed through.
"Senpai, please let me walk with you too!"
Mash firmly secured the position on Ritsuka's left.
"Hmm, this time I'll definitely decode the data from that door..."
Sion stared at the Anywhere Door with sparkling eyes, as if looking at an irreplaceable treasure.
Seeing this chaotic yet joyful scene, Steve shook his head with a wry smile.
"Well, I guess... this can also be called a kind of happiness."
He stepped forward and, with gentlemanly grace, opened the Anywhere Door for the group of women.
"Ladies, please—this is the express train bound for the new world. India service will depart shortly."
"Please fasten your seatbelts... though there are no seatbelts."
…
What was originally planned as a wonderful picnic for two had ultimately turned into a large-scale Chaldea women's gathering.
A big picnic sheet was spread out on the lush green riverbank.
On the tablecloth were special onigiri brought by Raikou, Kiyohime's tamagoyaki (slightly burnt but filled with love), and the high-class wine that Emiya Kiritsugu had given to Steve before leaving.
"Wow! This scenery is amazing!"
Ritsuka stood by the river, gazing at the clear waters of the Ganges and the villages in the distance that still retained their old-world charm, and let out a sigh of admiration.
Here, the heavy atmosphere of reincarnation had vanished, replaced by vibrant nature and peace.
"Yes, this is... the appearance after being saved."
Mash stood beside her and smiled.
"Come on, everyone, don't hold back—let's eat plenty!"
Steve sat in the center of the tablecloth and greeted everyone like the head of a clan.
Although the goal of a romantic trip for two had not been achieved, seeing Ritsuka's pure smile and the relaxed expressions of the usually tense Servants, he felt... this wasn't so bad.
"Steve, here."
She shyly blushed and quietly offered him a slice of apple. "This... has no poison."
"Thank you."
Steve smiled, took a bite, and said, "It's very sweet."
Meanwhile, Sion was randomly scanning the air with her instruments, muttering to herself, "I see, the ether concentration here... and this spatial structure..."
"Sion, since we're here to enjoy ourselves, why don't you take a break from work?"
Ritsuka ran over and wordlessly shoved a sandwich into her hands. "Try this! Raikou's cooking is super delicious!"
"Ugh...!"
Sion's eyes widened as her mouth was stuffed with food, but she was quickly captivated by the taste. "W-what is this?! The flavor and nutrition are perfectly balanced..."
Laughter and cheers echoed along the banks of the Ganges.
Watching this scene, Steve raised his glass and gently toasted the sky.
"A toast to this noisy yet heartwarming everyday life."
He tilted his head back and drank it all with a satisfied smile.
The chaotic situation was frightening, and plans couldn't keep up with the changes, but as long as he could protect these smiles... everything was worth it.
Of course, it would be even better if they could go out just the two of them next time...
Steve quietly added in his heart.
…
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