"King Conchobar, my dog is stronger than ten soldiers and boasts the power of a hundred regular dogs (Celtic dogs easily exceed several meters in length)! He is a magnificent hound!"
"That is wonderful! We shall have no worries about our protection! Come, let the feast begin!"
"Sheesh, that bastard Conchobar went on ahead without me. I hope there's some food left for me... Huh?"
『GRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!』
"What is it, pup? You want a piece of me?"
――
『YELP, YELP, WHINE!!』
"W-What was that death cry just now!?"
"It came from the garden!!"
"S-Sétanta...!?"
"Yo, King Conchobar. Why'd you let the watchdog loose when you knew I was coming?"
『The corpse of the dog』
"It wasn't trained properly, so I ended up killing it. You should at least put a collar on it."
Cú Chulainn, all by himself, (accidentally) beat to death the blacksmith Culann's prized dog, which not even a squad of soldiers could defeat. (King Conchobar, having forgotten Cú Chulainn was coming, failed to inform Culann, leading to the dog being let loose.)
At this time, Cú Chulainn was a first-grader in elementary school.
"I've made coffee, Andersen."
"Good, thanks for your hard work. Put it there. It's time for a break anyway."
"Is the writing going well?"
"It's annoying, but yes, it is! I was hesitant about making that guy the main character, but once I started writing, it's been thrilling! No matter how absurd the description, just being 'that guy' makes it work! No need for convoluted logic! I can add retroactive descriptions as much as I want! There's no editor nagging me about deadlines! This is what I call thrilling!"
"...That's good to hear. Don't overdo it, though."
"I know. However..."
(What on earth is making that inhuman King so high-spirited? Is it Chaldea? The Master? ...It bothers me strangely. That level of excitement... it's as if he has obtained something one-of-a-kind for himself. ...Something he didn't have until now? What in the world is it? Is that the cause of his good mood?)
"..."
"...Well, fine. Leaving one or two mysteries as foreshadowing until I finish writing this 'Story for You' isn't bad, I suppose..."
『Silly Apron』
"Is it really okay!?"
"Yes. We'll start with a trial period. I'll invite you as an employee of 'Sweets Jeanne'."
"Alter...! Is... Is it really okay...!?"
"——Compared to that fake arbitrator who was pure hell, I realized you were much, much better. I'll be a little kind to you. Just a little, mind you."
"——Thank you! My other self!"
"Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch!! Take it easy, you Arts Gorilla!! Idiot!!"
"Let's do our best together from now on!!"
"Let—go—of—me!!!!"
"Kon-chan is so cute... so cuuuute..."
"Yes, we must invite her to Chaldea no matter what!! Dress-up! Just let me play dress-up with her!"
"Kon-chan is seriously an angel... Must protect... This one must protect..."
"Oh my, single Lady Suzuka Gozen. Have you found a partner yet?"
"Not yet, duh. And that was totally unnecessary!"
"Please do your best? Because I, you see? Have already found my precious, precious Master♥"
"So annoying..."
"Indeed. Mocking a pure-hearted girl doing her best is shameful. Cat wouldn't even eat such arrogance, Original."
"Gah, Cat!! When did you— guh!?"
"Don't mind it, Suzuka. If you polish yourself, a good match will surely descend upon you. Just like Cat drawn to a carrot, nyahaha."
"Thanks! Cat is seriously cool! Totally different from the Original!"
"I like hard workers. I like Master and everyone too, excluding the Original. Now, today is another day for fox hot pot."
"Let go—! Please let go of me—!! Damn it, that hit me right in the body, I can't move—! Master! Heeelp!!"
"I'll paint your nails later, okay—!"
"Nightingale-sensei, I washed my hands~"
"Yes, very well done, Jack."
"Nightingale-sensei, did I wash them well?"
"Just like that, Nursery."
"Wash, ed."
"Yes, you washed your big hands well, Asterios. Keep it up."
[I will wash my ha—]
"STERILIZATION!!!"
[Your reaction time is too fast—!!!?]
The Perspective of "The World"
"Fujimaru Rikka, humanity's last Master. On my authority and my pride, I have a request."
Carrying the meeting table, the white-haired young man, Karna, speaks sincerely.
"No matter how this dialogue ends, I want you to swear that, right here and now, you will never resort to acts that harm one another."
"You mean no combat?"
Karna nods slowly.
"Our processes and the places we aim for may differ, but I believe that what we and you desire are extremely close. I do not wish for you to kill each other here."
Adding a plea to his words, he slowly sets down his spear.
"I swear on my name and my father's authority that during this talk, I will not harm you. Will you also swear... not to harm Edison and Madame Blavatsky?"
Bowing deeply, the Hero of Charity wishes without malice.
"——Hmph. Noble as always. Is your participation this time due to your faith in them?"
"No, simply because I was implored. Once asked for help, I give it my all."
"Hmph. As expected of a man who would answer the summons even of a moving lump of meat."
"...Ea. Rest your soul for a moment. The selection can wait until after the meeting."
——Yes, King of Heroes.
Responding to the King's kindness, she holds off on sorting the armaments.
——Phew... Ah, King. May I continue sorting the original texts for Curse Removal and Transcription from earlier?
"As long as you do not overexert yourself. It would be out of the question for your precision to drop at a crucial moment. Take it slowly."
——Yes! I won't overdo it.
"Aniki, are you okay with this?"
To Rikka's question, Cú Chulainn responds with a wink.
"Yeah. A dog's gotta be able to 'wait', after all."
"Umu. To think the handler makes such a difference. It seems Kotomine was lacking as a breeder after all."
"Damn straight. If it's the Missy, I'll stick with her to the bitter end even if the Command Spells run out. But if it were that shitty priest, the moment the spells are gone, that's it. I'd bite through his throat and leave him to rot in the fields."
"That was likely the result of his wit. Well, that is an impossible future. As long as you remain the watchdog of my paradise, your spear shall never pierce you."
"Yeah, I believe that without a doubt too."
Exchanging words, Aniki leans against the wall, and the King sits on his portable throne.
"Now, it is time for dialogue. Reveal your motives, pride, and objectives without omission. Depending on the circumstances, your camp may yet earn the honor of a promised victory."
"Well, betrayal and treachery will be paid back double, though."
For just a moment, Cú Chulainn smiles ferociously, and Gilgamesh laughs with amusement.
Two of the three strongest forces Chaldea boasts attend behind the Master; there is not a shred of reason for them to act humbly.
"I am grateful. ——I am Karna. Due to certain circumstances, I am aiding America. Over there is..."
He points a finger...
"The survival of America depends on this dialogue...! Madame! Give me strength! Madame!"
"Yes, yes, do your best, do your best! You'll be fine! Have courage and confidence, and roar!"
"U-Umu! Umu! Alright! Then!! Play the Presidential BGM!"
Simultaneously with the signal, heroic and powerful background music fills the meeting room.
"...Is that the King?"
Nightingale appears dashingly from the hole that was blasted open.
"I-Is his head... a costume...?"
Following her, Mash appears greatly confused by the muscular President. It's no wonder.
"There is a danger of him being a vector for rabies and infectious diseases. We should promptly capture him and administer vaccinations."
Mash immediately stops Nightingale, who is about to draw her gun from its holster.
"Please wait! Please wait, Nightingale-san!"
"Move aside! You, as an assistant, have no right to stop me!"
"K-Karna-san. Medical acts are..."
"...I would appreciate it... if you could refrain."
Karna speaks painfully and apologetically.
"S-Sorry to keep you waiting! Shall we begin the meeting then!"
Clapping her hands, the girl tightens the atmosphere around them.
"Well, let's start with self-introductions? I am Helena Blavatsky! Assistant to this Lion... er, Great President King, and a messenger of the great Lemuria! You may treat me well!"
Saluting sharply, the girl, Helena, smiles brightly.
"The Madame who pioneered occultism, is it? Master, if I say she is the founder of the literature you humans touch upon at the age of 14, does the extent of her influence convey itself?"
——Age 14... The founder of a culture that hits right when you're most susceptible to true power... Amazing!
"Amaaaaazing!! I know, I know! It's the Lemuria Impact, right? The one that doesn't thirst or hunger, returning to nothingness!"
『That is the Innocent Blade, Rikka. ...Good grief, the moment something touches a nerve, you get like this. Focus!』
Olga Marie admonishes her, never letting her guard down. That doesn't change even if she is invisible.
"I'm sorry!"
"Celtic... doesn't have a shred to do with that! Never heard of a Celtic hero with any education! They're all muscle-brained through and through, hahaha!"
Cú Chulainn cheerfully spouts things that are hard to react to. He himself is enjoying this genuinely, but...
——I believe that the skills to live with nature and manipulate runes cannot be performed by savage beings... I think the Celts are being dragged a bit too much by their image, yes.
"It cannot be helped. In their case, anecdotes soaked in blood far outnumber those of dedicating themselves to culture. It is only natural that the spread of rumors becomes biased."
——Even so, I believe that performance was definitely not something savage people could do.
(When we get back, do you want to try learning an instrument too, Ea? I'll teach you all sorts of things.)
——Maybe I'll consult Shiki-chan! If I do, please keep me company for practice, Professor Fou!
(Professor... what a nice ring to it...)
Fou flies far away into the distance and becomes a firework.
——Fou——!?
"That beast is getting better at his death act..."
"I am Mash Kyrielight! I am Senpai's main Servant! Senpai's! Main Servant!"
『You repeated it, didn't you? That's right, isn't it? That is your identity, after all?』
Jeanne Alter fills the display with a smug face.
"I'll be the Servant who becomes Senpai's number one someday, surely!"
"You're already the only one, though... I didn't have any juniors..."
"Florence Nightingale. A nurse assisting Dr. Rikka with procedures."
Bowing slightly, Nightingale glares sharply at Edison.
"...Pleased to meet you."
『Olga Marie Animusphere. I am the Director who holds full authority over and commands the Grand Order. Gil is in the position of Chaldea's Grand Owner, and I handle the trivial and miscellaneous matters.』
『I'm Romani Archaman. I'm also medical staff.』
『I am the Caster of Midrash♥ A woman investing my everything into Roman-sama's future. Pleased to make your acquaintance♥』
"Fuhaha! The coffee is sweet, Marie!"
『It is very... sweet...』
——Hero Princess Ea! Gilgashana-Gilgameshia! ...Ehehe, having a name to introduce myself with is wonderful!
"To think I am the godfather... Fuhaha! I never thought I would become a parent naming a princess!"
The King of Heroes laughs pleasantly, gently patting the head of Ea, whose face is beaming with joy.
(I will die if I touch Ea's preciousness.)
Wrapped in light, Fou ascends to heaven.
——W-Wait! Don't go! Fou—!
(I will die if I touch Ea's preciousness)
Fou ascends even further.
Fou~!
"I am Cú Chulainn of Ulster. Well, stating my name at this point is just a formality."
"You're here because you beat the Clan's dog to death, right? That's the origin."
"Yeah. I accidentally beat a huge beast with the strength of ten men to death."
"Accidentally!?"
"Accidentally," Cú Chulainn laughs.
"My name is Gilgamesh. King of Kings. Normally, ignorance of this visage even after being bathed in the honor of an audience would not be allowed to live... but this time is special! Worship! Praise! I grant you special permission! Fuhahahahaha!!"
Gilgamesh laughs pleasantly with an attitude that would be earth-shattering to anyone who knew his usual self.
"——So you have found someone to protect, King of Heroes. That is joyous."
In a whisper intended for no one, Karna lets slip a sigh of relief with a smile.
"Now then——"
"Unnecessary, Karna-kun! I cannot remain fearful! Now is the time to announce it! My name!!"
Expanding his blue, muscular frame, the Lion-Man shouts with a volume that is truly like a roar.
"Everyone, nice to meet you! Congratulations!! I am the King who rules this America, burdened with the role of crushing those savage Celts!"
With a volume that rivals the blaring trumpet BGM, he announces his name loudly.
"A Servant and a Gentleman who feeds Servants!! The Great President King! Thomas Alva Edison!!!!!"
The Lion-Man shouts, shaking the atmosphere... no.
"Eh!?"
Mash leaks a sound.
『E-!?』
Roman shouts.
"Son is a great person!! That's common knowledge everyone knows!"
Smug, Rikka puffs out her chest. She is greedy for cultural knowledge.
"——Oi, enough with the jokes. Are you some kind of lunatic who believes himself to be Edison?"
"It's true! I really am Thomas Alva Edison!!"
Edison pleads tearfully under the King's glare.
——Tattatarira~♪
(So... precious)
Witnessing Ea humming in high spirits, Fou melts.
"Stop fooling around!! Are you mocking me! No matter how you look at it, that is a beast!!"
——Edison was a lion... I didn't know... Fou! Can we be Friends this time?
(You lack the cuteness and preciousness to join me by Ea's side. Come back when you're at least a poodle.)
——Poodles are precious...
Everyone voices their various impressions.
"——No, excuse me. I was speechless."
"Hahahahahahaha!! Sorry, got anything to record this? I seriously wanna show Connla and the others! Man, to think the King of Inventors was a cat! I feel a sense of affinity~!"
Cú Chulainn laughs, slapping his knee. Nightingale is speechless.
"Edison? The King of Inventors Edison? You? Not a chimera?"
"Indeed! Though now I am not the King of Inventors, but the Great President King shouldering America!!"
"Question! When did Edison-san go to Japari Park?"
Rikka raises her hand energetically, throwing out her question.
"What are you saying! I am unmistakably human! A human is a superior existence of beast possessing reason and intellect, and it is not distinguished by skin color or face shape! Even if I have the head of a lion! If my intellect and reason remain! Then I am undeniably Thomas Alva Edison!!"
Gaooo, Edison roars.
"...That phrasing. It seems he did not have that ridiculous head from the start. And, that incongruity I've felt from him since earlier... Ah, I see."
——Did you notice something, King?
"Umu. I have read the trick behind his claim to be King. He, no... 'They' seem to have leaned heavily into patriotism."
...I am a little curious, but it would be unrefined to pry deeply. For now, I will look forward to the King's reveal.
"Do not worry. When the time comes, I shall surely teach you."
——He heard everything!
『...That's incredible positivity. Saying it's fine if he has a lion's head as long as he is himself... I want some of that confidence...』
Olga Marie sighs.
"I wouldn't mind sharing some?"
『G-Gil's confidence is too heavy even in the slightest amount!』
『Yeaaah. Shouldering all the evils of this world is impossible~』
"Hey, we're getting derailed."
"Now then, your name is Fujimaru Rikka, correct? Humanity's last Master, commanding the King of Heroes and the Mad Dog of the Clan."
"I'm not commanding them. We are fighting together!"
Lion and Dragon facing each other. Neither shows any sign of being intimidated by the other.
"Let me be blunt. Why not use that power which corrected four eras to exterminate the Celts with us?"
"——Huh? You know? About our journey?"
"Umu," Edison nods.
"A certain person informed me of it! The lowest, worst scoundrel in this world! That hateful eccentric said, 'Something like this happened, but I am in good health. You won't have such a grand adventure, Edison-kun,' and so on! Truly utterly unpleasant!!"
『Ah, they really don't get along...』
『Haa, fighting doesn't earn a cent, in fact, it's a loss in medical bills, yet they go at it often...』
The Jerusalem Team mutters, exasperated.
"Well, that doesn't matter. Anyway, now we must destroy the Celts! They are retrogressing the era! The United States of America is a cutting-edge nation born of capital and rationality! This country belongs to us, a dwelling for those with intellect! And yet, those savages multiply like planaria, and the American army was defeated by the difference in military strength!"
"Planaria, huh. Well put. ...Seriously, that guy never does anything decent."
Cú Chulainn mutters bitterly. He seems to have only thoughts on his acquaintance's disgraceful behavior.
"However, fortunately, I, a Heroic Spirit, have descended upon this country! The battle lines were restored and the war situation became equal thanks to the new state system and new military system I proposed. ——Those savages, competing with me in mass production is the height of folly!"
"So the image of Celts being savage is common... Well, it's true though."
"A fair assessment."
"However, even so, there are concerns. The number of Generals, that is, Servants! Is insufficient! Overwhelmingly so! Even with an organized army, there are no one-man-army aces! Bases captured by soldiers are snatched back by a single Servant! The frustration and unreasonableness of having numerical superiority overturned by just one person...! Our Servants number three, including myself! Other summoned Servants are scattered and pay us no heed! If I lacked reason, this is a situation where I would be screaming! For Heroic Spirits who should save America to fear the enemy and refuse to fight is negligence beyond measure!! GAAAAAAAAA!!"
Edison lets out a scream that reaches the heavens.
——He roared~! Amazing! He really is a lion!
"...I feel like decapitating him and mounting his head would be perfect for decoration."
(I don't want that displayed in My Room.)
"P-Please calm down, Mr. President. Er, if it is to save the world, we are not unwilling to cooperate."
"Oh! You understand!"
Edison smiles, seeing Mash show agreement.
"...If you really intend to save the 'World', that is."
"Yes. Dr. Rikka. ...May I ask two questions?"
"Umu, what is it? Since they are the words of none other than Ms. Nightingale, I shall answer sincerely. ——Gentlemanly, and sincerely. Oh, Elegantic! Karna-kun, record that in the Great President King's log!"
"Fuhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!! Fool! Was that not a surprise attack!! Despicable! Restrain yourself!! Fuhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!"
"...I just don't get your sense of humor."
Cú Chulainn looks confusedly at Gilgamesh rolling on his throne laughing.
"First. Until arriving here, we saw mechanized corps several times. Was that your idea? Is that the goal of your new system?"
"Exactly! The conclusion reached to break through this national crisis! National unity, a rebirth as a single flock of citizens—no, a single army! Service to the nation regardless of age or gender! Eventually, all citizens will become machines and defeat the Celts! Of course, securing labor is necessary for that. Securing labor scattered across various places, twenty-hour workdays, a surveillance system that never rests, and of course, providing top-tier welfare. For without entertainment, there is no labor."
He clenches his fist and thrusts it up.
"We play three times as much as a normal person, work three times as much, and keep winning three times as much! This is the shape of the new America I aim for!!"
——Even I could sense the breakdown in his argument.
Can a single human work the amount of three people, three times as much? If forced to work, forced to labor, let alone three times, they won't be able to demonstrate even half the performance.
"Indeed. Making one person work three times as much will inevitably crush them. Preparing the best environment, drumming in the know-how, letting them rest and work appropriately, and having each individual demonstrate their best performance. That is nothing other than correct and optimal organizational management."
——It's obvious that there is a limit to the work one person can do. As the King says, if you take humans and workers—society's assets—too lightly, or burden them too much, you cannot derive the best results.
This is especially true having seen the skill of the King who built paradise up close. I feel I cannot blindly agree with his opinion.
"...Are you hung up on such things?"
"Hm? What did you say?"
"No, I was talking to myself. Then, the second question. How will you save the world?"
...Yes. That is the vital point.
What is the plan to save the world proposed by Edison, the Great President King...?
"That will be accomplished if we secure the Holy Grail. It is unclear who in the Celtic army possesses the Holy Grail, but..."
"Well, it's Medb. Why, that makes it quick. We just beat up Medb and snatch the Grail, and we win."
"How vulgar... Say usurpation. Usurpation."
...However.
"——No, there is no need to correct the era."
The words Edison spoke were astonishing.
"——As I thought."
Rikka speaks as if she has reached an understanding.
"The 'World' you speak of... is only 'America', isn't it? Edison."
"——Indeed."
"...Huh?"
"——"
...This is the meaning of the words Karna spoke.
Rikka, determined to save the entire 'World'.
Edison, determined to save only 'America'.
Although the approach is the same...
"...Edison, you are..."
The result they aim for is far too different.
"The Mac Cumhaill kid and Diarmuid were taken out, huh."
"No way!? That jealous man and the adulterer who only had his looks going for him, they're already done for!? Did a wheel of cheese hit them in the head or something..."
"Who cares. The advantage of dead guys is that you don't have to remember them anymore. A dead warrior has no value, no meaning."
"Oh my, Cú-chan, you're so dry♥ I love that part of you too! ...I wonder who got them..."
"Doesn't matter who. ..."
"Oh? Where are you going?"
"I'm going to deal with the soldiers they were commanding. The head has been crushed. No point in keeping a disorderly mob. We don't need an army led by incompetents who were easily taken out by the enemy."
"True. Kill them all quickly, please! ...Ah, right, Cú-chan."
"Ah?"
"It's a fact that those two got beaten... why don't you kill some stray Servants to make up for it? It's troublesome if they side with the force that defeated them, right?"
"..."
"Come on, like 'Elisabeth Báthory' or 'Nero Claudius'... It would be a cinch for you, Cú-chan, right?"
"...I'll think about it. If killing all 6,850 of their soldiers doesn't satisfy me, they're next."
"Okaaay♥ Have a nice trip♥"
"...A Servant who reaped them so easily... Could it be..."
-------------------------------
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