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Chapter 127 - Chapter 122: Clash and Strategy

"Move…!! Achilles… ACHILLES!!"

"Without a ticket, this gate stays shut. Wait your turn."

"ACHILLES!!"

"No choice. This sword will sever your obsession."

"Stick out your neck."

Strategy Meeting

"Hey, Mash-chan, any romance experience? No boyfriend? Ever held hands?"

"Uh, well…"

"I'm a weird creature now, but I'm confident in my looks. So, when I'm summoned to Chaldea, how about a date—"

"Hey, Orion!"

"Ugh, Rikka-chan! I'm in the middle of flirting!"

"You're neglecting Artemis. Treat her right."

"Well, she's… heavy. Really heavy. Too much for this plushie. So, a little break… How about a date, Rikka-chan?"

"No way I'd steal someone's guy. Here, Artemis."

"Thanks, Rikka-chan! You're so kind!"

"No, just… non-messy love is nice, right?"

(Senpai's eyes are distant…)

"Be happy, Artemis. I'm human, but I pray for you and Orion."

"I've decided!"

"Huh?"

"Rikka-chan! Be our matchmaker! And worship me! I'll shower you with blessings!"

"What's this idiot saying!?"

"But, Darling! It's my first time! Someone prayed for me, not themselves! Rikka-chan… stole my first! Teehee! Double peace!"

"Just slap an end mark on that."

"Darling, so mean! Anyway, Fujimaru, Rikka-chan, got it! You're still a virgin, but I'll bless you!"

"Senpai got favored by a goddess…!"

"You… a monster?"

"Rikka, bright. I like too."

"Yay! Blessed! …Hope Gil's okay. Also, my virginity's outed."

"He hates gods…"

"Ugh, wish I was a guy… I'd marry Mash."

"Huh!?"

"Olga, be my wife too?"

'What're you saying, idiot?'

'Not entirely against it… Olga?'

'Get to work!!'

"She might be less picky than me."

"Want a blessing? Third-best archery skills?"

"A fateful encounter!"

"No way, Orion's off-limits!"

"Don't want it! It's Artemis's!"

"Hahaha! Love you, Rikka-chan!"

While chatter bloomed, they strategized.

"We're nearing seas where Viking charts won't help. Romantic, but Blackbeard's the issue."

His Servant-laden ship would sink theirs, even repaired.

"Got a plan, Governor?"

"Seeking my counsel?"

"No stiff talk. We're in a flashy contract. A deputy asking the boss isn't weird, right?"

"Hm."

No obstacles at sea mean a shootout, but their Noble Phantasm ship ensures a sinking. A storm's chaos might let them approach unnoticed.

"We're faster. Cause chaos, ram with the reinforced ram from crew materials."

Golden Hind's speed is notable. Use it.

"Super flashy plan! Love it!"

"A storm-causing Noble Phantasm's in my vault."

"Seriously!? No, pass! Messing with the sea curses luck! The storm king'd be pissed!"

"Hm, omens matter to pirates. Then—"

"Yo! Leave plans to us goddesses!"

"Ugh—!"

Recognizing Artemis and Euryale, nausea hit Gilgamesh.

Barely held back ether spewing…

"You okay?"

"Fine… I'll eat something. Continue…"

"Listen! Euryale shoots from afar, I wreak havoc on their ship!"

"Huh?"

"Darling! AUO's looking at me like trash! Comfort me!"

"Okay, okay. Artemis was summoned through my framework, so she can use my powers… My powers…"

"Walk on water! That's it!"

"Don't say 'that's it'!! I wanted cooler powers! Walking on water? Am I a water strider!?"

"Son of a sea god, and that's it…?"

"Don't pity me—!!"

Got it. Euryale's arrows cause chaos, Orion creates an opening.

"Fou! (How about blowing their powder magazine?)"

Fou…!

(I scoped their ship's layout. I can guide the plushie knockoff to the magazine. Light the fuse, dash, boom.)

Too reckless! You don't need to—

(Don't worry. Crew told me, 'Branch out from lewd beast.' I'm risking it for image rehab. They're harsh, lumping me with that filthy trash… You're on my side, right?)

Compared to Blackbeard, Fou's cleaner and cuter…

(Thanks, Nameless! You're beautiful!)

"Grr! Clinging, beast!?"

(Oh, he's awake.)

"More cards to play. So—"

"Yes! My input!"

Master raised her hand.

"Artemis, she wants to protect you!"

"She?"

'…Me. Lady Artemis.'

Atalanta's voice, half-dead. Gilgamesh grabbed wine.

"What! Atalanta's here!? Hello, hello! You okay!?"

'…Yes…'

(Realizing her worshipped goddess's true nature crushed her soul. Haha, wine's tasty.)

Hero King, club president…

'I'll guard Archer Artemis during the boarding. I can buy time. Agreed with Master. Please allow… Why the wine?'

"Don't mind it. I permit. But an Archer guarding an Archer…?"

Quickly, Rikka spoke. Vessel, endure.

"What logic is guarding Artemis?"

'I have another Noble Phantasm.'

"Oh?"

'With it, stalling's easy. Needs one Command Spell and Artemis's blessing…'

"Of course! Rikka, help my Atalanta?"

"Definitely! Go all out!"

"Great spirit, Rikka! Plan's set! Time to pay Blackbeard back!"

"Oooh!!"

'Hey? Wine and nausea—are you okay?'

"No worries."

'Really? Gil, maybe return to Chaldea…'

"I'm fine. Sorry, Roman, Marie."

"Hero King, headache pills, anti-nausea, and… marshmallows, if you'd like."

"Thanks."

"Senpai, want a back rub?"

"No need, Asterios."

Plan set.

Forward!

"Beast SMS ping. What's up? (Fou?)"

'Heard you're in a risky plan. Worried. Sent lunch, water bottle, and eleven kids to cheer. Stay safe p(^^)q —Tiamat'

"No, no, too early for Babylonia! Just lunch and bottle! (Fou!?)"

'PS: Tried for Alter Ego slot, got rejected. Sad (/´△`\)'

"Yeah, well… (Kyu)"

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