Chaldea's Embassy in Uruk.
After Gilgamesh confirmed the matter of guarding Naoki and Arcueid, Merry and Rei brought the two back here.
Inside the Embassy, seeing Naoki and Arcueid returned in child form, Merlin and Morgan who were guarding there were also shocked. They only understood the situation after hearing Merry's explanation.
"So, the next thing to do is to restore you to your original state as quickly as possible within two days?" Merlin asked.
"Yes, but the problem is the Holy Grail that Gilgamesh gave me was taken by Merry."
Naoki, who was forced into Merry's hug, nodded irritably, then pushed Merry's stomach: "Now I can talk. Merry, what exactly do you want to do? Though you're usually someone who doesn't care about anything for the sake of fun, you understand the current situation."
Tiamat would arrive in Uruk in two days. Even without Naoki, with the current combat power, they might be enough to face Tiamat, but casualties were likely unavoidable.
If possible, Naoki didn't want anyone to fall this time, so he needed to recover to his original form as soon as possible.
Hearing Naoki's words, Merry instead smiled, leaned down, and quickly kissed the little boy in her arms: "Of course I know, but compared to such a big issue, I prioritize satisfying my own interests. After all, that's who I am."
Like Merlin, Merry as a leading king-maker in the world, if manifested as a Servant, would have the Hero Creation skill. But unlike Merlin's EX rank Hero Creation, Merry's Hero Creation is only B rank.
The reason for this weakening is simple: because Merry's character is Of course the big picture is important, but the fun side is more important.
Just like now.
Though she knew Naoki's power was crucial for the next battle, seeing him shrunken in her arms, Merry couldn't hold back from exploiting it for fun.
The last time she interacted with a child like this was when facing little Gray. That was over a dozen years ago. Even further back, it was only teenage Arthur.
Now getting a potential fun-generating machine like this, how could she not exploit it?
"Don't worry, I'll know the limits. I'll definitely make sure you're ready for the final battle, so don't worry. Leave all the next time to me, big sis!"
While saying that, Merry didn't care at all that Naoki was still a child. One of her hands directly went into Naoki's clothes.
Seeing this, Morgan, who had been just observing, immediately stepped forward and held back Merry's hand. After brushing it off, she pulled Naoki out from Merry's demonic grasp.
Blinking, Merry was slightly surprised looking at Morgan: "Morgan, what are you doing?"
"I want to ask what you're doing," Morgan stared coldly at Merry. "This child's physical age is now around eight years old. What do you plan to do to an eight-year-old child?"
"Of course what a Succubus should do."
Merry answered with an innocent face—this person was no longer a Dream Eater, but had become a Succubus.
No, actually Dream Eater and Succubus are the same beings.
"Besides, over these years, I've always been the one teased in that regard. Now, it's rare to have a chance to turn the tables and bully Naoki. I must exploit it!"
Called Stamina Sardine and Stamina Rookie every day, though it was fact, always being defeated in an instant also made Merry harbor resentment in another sense. Now she had to vent it!
Seeing Merry who looked serious and not joking, Merlin thought for a moment: "But, are you sure Natsukawa won't take revenge after he recovers later?"
"Gu-uh—"
Merry made an unpleasant sound.
Seeing her reaction, she hadn't thought of it at all—this Succubus was truly hopeless.
Merlin looked to the side: "By the way, Miss Rei hasn't made a sound since earlier... What are you doing? Closing your eyes to rest?"
"No, I'm suppressing my other self who's starting to lose sanity."
Rei, sitting nearby with eyes closed, answered: "Since earlier, my other self's mental state has been very unstable. It can be said she's going mad and fighting for control of the body. To avoid Master being in danger, I've been continuously suppressing her."
(Over there too?)
Merlin smiled wryly: "Oh dear~~~ This is the consequence of not paying attention to relationships with women. Natsukawa, now you're bearing the consequences."
"Instead of wasting time on sarcasm, better help me," Naoki rolled his eyes irritably. "Considering Merry and Rei's conditions, it seems I have to follow Morgan for these two days. Merlin, please hold back Merry."
"Alright, leave it to me. I'm actually quite skilled at childcare."
Morgan, who gave birth to half the Round Table and was hated by half the Round Table, said with full confidence—Merlin didn't even know where she got that confidence from, just because she successfully built a good relationship with Mordred in the last ten years?
However, just as Morgan prepared to take Naoki back to the second floor, Merlin spoke: "Ah~~~ Actually, my situation is also somewhat unpleasant."
"Eh?"
Naoki turned: "What's unpleasant?"
"It's in Avalon. I set up some Magecraft there that can observe the Singularity. After all, there are only flowers; though beautiful, seeing them continuously can get boring. I don't mind of course, but the others don't."
The others—referring to Artoria, Mordred, Ayaka, Aoko, Ciel, and Riddell currently living in Avalon.
"They all saw your current form. They've been clamoring to come here since earlier, especially a certain Mage; she almost turned into a Berserker."
"..."
Honestly, Naoki wanted to smack Merlin's head.
(Why did you set up a Rite to observe the Singularity if there's no business?)
(Turns out now I'm pinched from both sides? By the way...)
Feeling Morgan's heartbeat starting to quicken above his head, Naoki knew that this time he might not escape; he would truly be captured by this group of women.
(I'm just turned into a kid? Why are these women's reactions so excessive? Do you all want to go to jail!)
"Then, why don't we just go back to Avalon?"
Suddenly, Merry suggested.
"After all, there's the issue of Arcueid that needs handling. Relying only on a few of us here, our capabilities are still somewhat limited. There are many people in Avalon, so it's easier to resolve."
"What do you really want to do?" Naoki showed a resigned expression. "Did some weird switch get flipped in you?"
"No, I've always been like this. Just this time I want to try something different."
Merry said with a smile.
"Then—I'll leave him to you for now, my other self. We'll return before the final battle starts."
After saying that, Merry snatched Naoki from Morgan's embrace, and together with Rei, they turned into flower petals and vanished from the room.
Smiling bitterly helplessly, Merlin looked at Morgan: "Oh, oh, oh, seems like this time it'll be big trouble... Do you want to join too? I can open the door for you. For you, this is a last chance in a certain sense."
"Later."