The confusion surrounding Kazuya showed no signs of diminishing; in fact, it seemed to grow like a storm fueled by the mere fact that he continued breathing. And, as if the initial chaos weren't enough, the footsteps and voices of other Servants began to fill the cafeteria as the smell of food spread through the corridors of Chaldea.
Oda Nobunaga was one of the first to enter, grandiose as always, announcing her presence with explosive energy and throwing more fuel on the emotional fire that was already burning there. Medea approached soon after, assessing everything with that cold and possessive gaze she rarely hid, clearly displeased at having lost a few minutes of the Master's time to the other wives.
It wasn't long before Morgan appeared—an event that instantly changed the atmosphere. Her majestic, fairy-like, and undeniably authoritative aura took over the room as soon as she showed up.
From that point on, the morning became even more hectic.
Artoria Lancer and her Alter version arrived with contrasting postures: one gentle and disciplined, the other dark and impatient, but both approaching with that characteristic gleam of silent competition. BB entered with artificial elegance and a smile that announced mischief, observing the scene as if it were her favorite soap opera.
Musashi crossed the room laughing loudly, completely at ease, eager to enjoy the cheerful atmosphere. Enkidu, on the other hand, emerged like a tranquil breeze, bringing a rare balance to the group...
Then came Ishtar and Medb, competitive from the moment they entered. Ishtar complaining about the attention the others were getting, Medb looking for any excuse to get closer to the Master. And, almost like a note of pure gold, Gilgamesh entered with imperial elegance, merely observing the commotion with his typical arrogant disdain, while making it clear that he also wanted his share of Kazuya's time.
With so many wives gathered in the same morning, each vying for her slice of exclusive attention, Kazuya ended up spending the rest of breakfast absorbed in conversations, teasing, invitations, and demands.
And, as always, Kazuya handled all his wives with skill.
In the end, even surrounded by all his wives, the Master only managed to get up from Jeanne's lap after promising that he would give individual attention to each of them later—promises that, of course, only generated more possessive murmurs.
Exhausted and aware that if he stayed another minute he would be captured by yet another set of affectionate (or jealous) arms, Kazuya made a simple and objective decision: to flee.
Without fanfare, without drawing attention, just walking out before another battle of glances erupted between the tables.
Kazuya left the cafeteria and took a deep breath, as if he had been freed from an EX-rank battle against jealousy, food, expectations, and dangerously competitive personalities. He stretched his arms above his head, a discreet crack running through his spine.
"Haaa…" He murmured, his voice drawn out and satisfied. "If I survived breakfast, I can survive anything."
The white corridor of Chaldea glowed with that artificial lighting that perfectly mimicked dawn. He walked with his hands in his pockets, his body relaxed, his expression almost sleepy, as if nothing in the world worried him, despite having left behind a table full of wives ready to hunt him down.
The elevator was a few meters ahead. He pressed the button with his thumb, waiting.
That was when he felt it.
A light breeze, so gentle it seemed to touch the spirit directly. Invisible flowers seemed to bloom in the air, carrying with them a sweet, ethereal perfume, impossible to confuse with any other presence.
And, before he even turned his face, he heard a muffled laugh that was melodious, provocative, and amusing—all at the same time.
"You know running away like this is useless, don't you, my Master?"
Kazuya didn't even flinch. He just smiled lazily from the corner of his mouth and turned his head.
"Good morning to you too, Merlin."
Merlin Prototype was leaning against the wall next to the elevator, arms crossed under her chest, her expression triumphant like someone who already knew exactly what he would do before he even thought of it. The white and lilac coat fell over her shoulders like a mantle of mist, and her gaze sparkled with the usual mix of charm and mischief.
"So predictable…" She sighed dramatically. "A Master surrounded by jealous wives, fleeing at dawn to avoid another culinary civil war. It's poetic, in a way."
Kazuya raised an eyebrow.
"Poetic? I call it survival."
She took a few steps closer, with that carefree and seductive walk that seemed to make the entire corridor bloom.
"Hmmm… I like to think everything you do has a poetic touch. Even when you run away." Her smile widened. "But I must admit it was fun waiting for you to realize you were about to be captured again."
"Waiting?" Kazuya narrowed his eyes. "You were here… by coincidence?"
"Of course not." She laughed, as if the idea were absurd. "I sensed the chaos in the cafeteria and thought: 'Ah, my beloved Master must be getting devoured alive.' So I came to make sure there was something left of you afterward."
The elevator arrived with a ding, but neither of them moved right away.
Kazuya put his hands behind his head and leaned his torso slightly.
"So you came… to rescue me?"
Merlin smiled in a dangerously sweet way.
"I came to kidnap you, actually. Rescuing is something Jeanne does. I prefer… to sequester the time that's mine in right."
"You've had rights over my time since when?"
"Since you proposed to me three times in the same night." She tapped her finger to her cheek, thoughtful. "Though technically I said 'yes' on the first one."
Kazuya looked away, coughing into his hand.
"Fair point, you win."
She drew even closer, now so near that the illusory flowers seemed to dance between them.
"So, Master… are you going to see Da Vinci-chan?" Her eyes gleamed with malice. "Or are you just looking for a safe place to hide from your… expansive family?"
"I just want to visit Da Vinci-chan." He answered with his usual calm. "And give my sanity a break."
Merlin tilted her head, like a curious flower.
"Do you really think she'll let you escape the interrogation about your… morning escapades? Da Vinci loves romance, you know."
Kazuya sighed.
"I know. But she also loves saving me from emotional collapses caused by possessive Servants."
"Hm…" Merlin interlaced her fingers behind her back, smiling with sweetness and mischief in a single gesture. "Then let's go together."
"You're coming with me?"
"Of course." She winked. "I'm your wife. And I also want to see Da Vinci's expression when she finds out you woke up with nineteen women on your tail."
Kazuya raised a finger.
"Nineteen is an exaggeration."
Merlin smiled.
"Fifteen, then?"
"Eighteen."
She let out a satisfied little laugh.
"Even better."
The elevator opened again, impatient, and the two finally stepped inside.
Kazuya leaned against the wall, relaxed.
Merlin approached without ceremony and rested her head on his shoulder, her soft perfume filling the space.
"You're tired." She commented, in a low and gentle voice.
"I always am after breakfast with you all."
"Hm… then I should reward you later." Her voice was pure temptation. "But for now… let me take care of you until we get to the lab."
Kazuya gave a small, rare, and genuine smile.
"That would be great."
The elevator doors closed.
Merlin stayed leaning on his shoulder, as if she were resting there because it was comfortable and not for any other elaborate reason.
Kazuya let out a yawn.
"Ahhh… breakfast was tough."
"You're the one who agreed to eat from everyone." Merlin replied, fiddling with his hair like someone petting a stubborn pet. "I would have chosen just three dishes. Four at most."
"If I refused, there would be war."
"And if you accepted, there would be war anyway." She gave him a light pat on the arm. "Conclusion: it's your fault."
Kazuya rolled his eyes.
"It's always my fault."
"Yes. And you've already accepted it as a lifestyle."
The elevator vibrated lightly as it descended.
Kazuya looked at her.
"Merlin, what were you doing before you found me?"
"Planning the day." She answered casually. "I thought about looking for my disciple in this world, but she was busy training. So I came to see if you were still alive."
"Considering the troubles in the cafeteria, good decision."
"Exactly." She crossed her arms behind her head. "When several wives start competing to see who feeds you first, it's always a sign you're about to disappear among the chairs."
Kazuya gave a faint smile.
"That's why I fled."
"And I followed you." Merlin raised an eyebrow.
The elevator panel marked another floor passing.
"Have you had breakfast?" he asked.
"Me? Of course." Merlin answered naturally. "But not in the cafeteria. I have common sense."
"Are you saying I don't?"
"I'm saying you voluntarily go to the center of chaos." She poked his arm. "But it's okay, it's fun to watch."
Kazuya stretched his legs, as if testing the elevator space.
"Today Da Vinci-chan probably has some news."
"I hope she's not messing with your biological data again." Merlin commented. "Yesterday she said something about 'aesthetic optimization adjustments.' Whatever that means."
Kazuya sighed.
"It means she thinks I can't get any handsomer…"
"You really believed that?" Merlin laughed. "She probably wants to test a new scanning filter."
"Maybe." He ran a hand through his own hair. "But she likes to tease me."
Merlin turned her face to him.
"Kazuya, everyone likes to tease you. You're a magnet for it."
"And you like to tease everyone else."
"Because it's fun." She agreed proudly. "And because I have free time."
"Of course you do."
The elevator made another soft ding.
"There are still a few floors left." Merlin observed. "So tell me: what are you doing after talking to Da Vinci?"
"Maybe stop by Mashu's room. Or see what Enkidu wants with me today. He mentioned something about new exercises. Oh, tonight I have a date with Morgan…"
"Ah, great." Merlin smiled. "You barely got out of a fight with Mordred and you're already heading to another training session. Coherent."
"It's better than standing still."
"Or you could just sleep a bit." She suggested, totally casual.
Kazuya shook his head.
"Sleeping now would kill me. Some wife would find me and drag me somewhere else."
"Hm. True." Merlin rested her chin on her hand, thoughtful. "Ishtar was already looking at you like she was plotting something."
"She always does."
"I know. I like watching."
Kazuya let out a short laugh.
"You never get tired of the chaos, do you?"
"No." Merlin answered with the utmost naturalness in the world. "It's free entertainment."
"The problem is I'm the center of the entertainment."
"That's why I stick around." She poked him. "If you fall, I want front-row seats."
"You're incredible."
"I know."
The panel changed to a number close to the destination.
"By the way…" Merlin said, snapping her fingers: "You promised a bunch of things in the cafeteria. How are you going to keep them all?"
"I haven't thought about that yet."
"Then can I watch when you realize there's no escape?"
"You can."
"Excellent."
The elevator slowed down.
Merlin adjusted her hair, pulled her coat back with style, and commented:
"When we get to the corridor, walk close to me."
"Why?"
"Because if some wife shows up, I can say you're under temporary custody."
"Will that work?"
"No."
"Then what's the point?"
"So I can laugh."
Kazuya gave a faint, tired smile.
".... I miss Artoria right now to give you a beating, you know?"
"How cruel, Master! I'm a devoted wife, you know?"
The doors finally opened with a soft hiss.
Kazuya stepped out first, his steps calm. Merlin followed right behind, lifting her chin as if she were parading.
He glanced at her from the corner of his eye.
"So… you're really escorting me?"
"Of course." She answered, giving light taps to her own staff. "You never know when an enthusiastic wife might pop out of a random corner."
"You talk like it's common."
"It is common." Merlin pointed down the corridor. "That spot there? Ishtar usually jumps out from there. That bench up ahead? Medb's favorite spot. And that corner over there—"
A figure emerged from the corner at that exact moment.
"—the place where Morgan might or might not be waiting for you."
Kazuya froze for half a second.
The figure turned her face.
Mashu.
She blinked twice, surprised.
"Ah! Senpai! Merlin-san! Good morning!"
Kazuya let out the breath he didn't even know he was holding.
"Good morning, Mashu."
Merlin gave a mischievous smile.
"I was almost disappointed. Almost."
Mashu came closer, hugging a clipboard full of notes.
"Senpai, I was going to look for you later. Da Vinci asked me to let you know she's in the main lab and that… hm… 'this time I promise I won't open your DNA by force.' Those were her exact words."
Kazuya closed his eyes.
"Great."
Merlin gave sympathetic pats on his shoulder.
"See? That's why I stick around. It's way too fun."
Mashu tilted her head, confused.
"Hm… were you two heading there?"
"Yes." Kazuya answered. "I'm going to talk to her."
"Ah, then I'll come along too!" Mashu smiled, excited.
Kazuya gave a simple nod.
"Okay, come on then."
Merlin shrugged, completely unfazed.
"The more, the merrier. If something explodes, we can blame Da Vinci with multiple witnesses."
"Merlin…" Mashu sighed. "…you always talk like that."
"Realism, Mashu-chan." The mage smiled. "It's professional charm."
Kazuya let out a short "ugh," but kept walking.
The three walked side by side through Chaldea's white corridor.
__________________
(A/N: Did you enjoy the chapter? Then you should know that over on my Patreon you can read up to 15 chapters ahead for just 5USD! And yes—for that price, you also get full access to all of my content. That's right: cheaper than a snack… and with way more drama, action, and guaranteed emotional damage.
The link is right below. See you there!
My Patreon: patreon.com/Adam_Kadmon
Thank you so much for your support — you make all of this worthwhile.)