"...Oh, my. Now this is an unforeseen development."
"To think... that there is an end."
"It is likely because the Singularity has begun to collapse. —Good grief, truly. The world is interesting precisely because it is boundless. A world with a predetermined end is nothing short of a killjoy."
"Ah, Moses! Where are you going this time?!"
"I'm going to regroup with everyone from Chaldea! I have to entrust you to them! I'll either meet Rameses to get permission to explore the ruins, or I'll go with you... Well, whichever I feel like doing! Yes!"
"You mean—?!"
"It means 'let's save this world'! I see this as the perfect time to demonstrate the majesty of your God and mine! Come, Sphinx, guide the way! They are likely heading for the 'Fortress'!"
"Wait, wait! Don't leave me behind—!!"
"Maria, I leave the cleaning of my chambers to you."
"Yes! Though I am a Queen, I shall not lose to any servant in efficiency, Lord Gorgeous!"
"Also, there is someone I wish for you to meet. Look forward to it, will you?"
"Oh my! Fufu. I shall prepare brioche and bread and await your return!"
"Farewell, then. hold the fort while I am gone."
"Yes! Please take care, Lord Gorgeous!"
(I wonder who it is... I'm looking forward to it! Fufu... I hope we can be friends...)
—My Queen... Vi, Vive La Uruk!
"There is no need to force it, you know? Fuhaha! But that awkwardness is truly delightful! The nobility does not suit you, Air!"
—R-Right, of course! Act natural, act natural!
(Once again, this space of pure preciousness... it's so good...)
The Bow-Crazy Fool's One Shot
"Now then. It is the second day of our stay. It is about time we took action. Any further rest would only breed hubris."
The King, Gilgamesh, folded his arms as he gazed up at the sky of the Holy City.
"That Mongrel Master encountered a Grand Assassin and brought back intelligence. The time to move is now."
"I can't believe there's really a Grand Assassin...! She even got a cloak or something! How did she do it...? That's an opponent you couldn't beat in a million years..."
—No, I think Master defeated him. Somehow, I just get that feeling.
Yes. Not with weapons, not with violence. But by shattering hostility and the will to fight, weaving bonds in their place.
Because we know—very well—that our Master specializes in exactly that kind of battle.
"It's Ricca, after all. She forces her way through most impossibilities. Besides, smart people who move according to logic wouldn't stand a chance against Goetia, Evils of Humanity, or total extinction. We're all fools here."
Olga Marie had completely accepted it. Her attitude was one of resigned understanding: Well, it is Ricca.
"A girl harboring an Evil of Humanity... I never thought I'd feel the truth of 'fact is stranger than fiction' in such a painful way..."
"Do you truly believe the dead leave behind jests and falsehoods for the ages? It is obvious that the threads woven into the tapestry of history harbor their own meaning and significance."
The King of Heroes admonished Roman, who was exasperated. Things without meaning, he implied, are never recorded in history.
"I leave you but one lesson. If there is treasure, take it without hesitation. This is a lesson equal to absolute truth, from a King who has mastered every pleasure in this world, Air."
—Yes! I'll save my game properly, recover my HP, and then grab it!
(And I won't cry even if a mimic bites me!)
"No, tears are meant to flow. Usually from a synergy of physical pain and the bitter smiles of your friends."
As everyone conversed happily, the Knight King and Ricca rejoined the group.
"Everyone. I have successfully persuaded the people of the mountains. Non-combatants, women, and children will be prioritized... We will begin evacuating both the East and West villages in preparation for the 'Judgment'."
The Knight King displayed her dignity and presence with her usual flawless demeanor. She worked until late at night, moved early in the morning, and dedicated herself entirely to the people.
—An ideal... King.
The thought slipped out unintentionally. A King who fights, body and soul, for the people, for tomorrow, for peace.
A King who judges people, a King who captivates people, a King who illuminates people... and a King who saves people.
I felt that the Knight King before my eyes... was exactly such an existence.
(Your words honor me. Princess.)
When I looked, the Knight King was smiling gently, sending a gaze full of benevolence my way.
She heard me...
As Air panicked, eyes darting around, Fou chuckled softly.
"Umu, well done. Master, summon Heracles, Karna, and Cú Chulainn for the escort. We shall leave the village for a short while."
"Roger! We're going to the place Gramps told us about, and the ruins, right?"
At Master's words, everyone nodded.
The schedule from here on is a bit tight. First, we fly to the West Village from here and regroup with that village's leader. The Cursed Arm Hassan has already arranged things. Together with a total of three Hassans, we head out to rescue the 'Imprisoned Hassan' that Master heard about.
Mr. Cursed Arm nodded deeply, saying, "There is no Old Man of the Mountain who would not cooperate with Lord Ricca as she is now," so we assume the military strength is there. And after successfully completing the rescue, we will immediately turn around and fly to the desert ruins to challenge the truth of the 'Lion King's' objective.
Then, immediately request an audience at the Sun King's throne, inform him that preparations are complete, and organize our forces. We will use one day for all of this.
"We will accomplish everything up to the audience with the Sun King in a single day. It has been less than three days since we arrived in this Singularity. As long as the Lion King's judgment and objectives remain unclear, we cannot waste time. —It means preparations for the decisive battle must be completed today. Are you all prepared?"
At the Hero King's words, everyone nodded deeply.
"Let's go! Everyone! Full speed ahead, let's keep pushing!"
Ricca threw her fist high into the air.
"""Ohhhh!!"""
Mash, Olga Marie, and Roman followed suit.
"Bedivere's condition is serious. Absolute rest is the order; we must let him conserve his strength until the audience with the Lion King."
"I leave it to you. —Without that man, the defeat of the Lion King is likely impossible."
Hmph, the Hero King grunted, deep in thought.
—Inputting coordinates into Vimana. I have informed Lady Ereshkigal and Lady Siduri of two patterns: the shortest route and the use of a warp. ...Reply received: 'Leave it to me!' and 'Understood.' Navigation is possible. Fou, can you handle control?
(Leave it to me! I'm happy to be of use to you!)
I sent grateful head-pats to Fou, who squeaked with joy, and informed the King that we were ready.
"Well done. I shall give you candy."
—Wow! Thank you very much!
Air enjoyed the sweetness and sourness spreading through her mouth with a crunch. It really is delicious!
(You look like a hamster, Air!)
—It's sho good!
Seeing Air smiling ear-to-ear with cheeks full, Fou went soft and fluffy like cotton candy.
—Somehow, Fou looks delicious too?!
Fou spun around, turned into a tornado, and reformed.
(Phew! —Ah, looks like I've saved up enough Precious Power, including savings, to maintain a human form without issue now. Good, good!)
—Fou, you can turn into a human?! That's amazing!
"Oh? You balanced the books? Not bad. Have you become domestic enough to be entrusted with the household budget?"
Fou puffed out his chest. Hmph, he looked proud. He was cute, so Air stroked him one more time.
(Honestly, I've saved up an almost infinite amount, but I held back because I didn't know how much I'd need later. But just now, the 'Precious Power used for human formation' can be covered by 'Auto-Generation'! I'll show you sometime!)
—Fou's human form, huh...! Another thing to look forward to on this journey!
(If we're comparing, I can usually only turn into a monster, but for the Beast of Supremacy, it's a different story! Look forward to Beast Mode, Human Mode, and Precious Guardian Mode!)
—Yeah!
"I see, your disappearing act wasn't just for show. But if you intend to walk shoulder-to-shoulder with Air, know that peerless beauty is the bare minimum requirement, understood?"
To the teasing Hero King, Fou replied sharply.
(I think the appearance will be female. The soul is male, though. Probably... Arthur might be the most surprised.)
—No matter the form, Fou is Fou! Be confident! I'm looking forward to it!
(Yeah!)
Fou turned into white bricks and crumbled away with a clatter.
—Fou—?!
"Good! Then let us head out immediately! Mongrels, to Vimana..."
"Yo! Good work! Heading out to the West Village now?"
Calling out casually to the King's voice was the Great Hero, Arash. He was smiling suspiciously broadly and seemed restless.
"Good, good. Hero King, Knight King. Mind if I borrow Mash and Master for a bit?"
—I have a bad feeling.
"What's wrong? Mr. Arash."
"Something with us?"
...I feel like I've seen that smile before.
"No, no, I just thought I'd contribute to making some memories for the heroes who came all the way to our village. Won't you come along? Just trust me."
"...An ominous proposal. Though with him, it is unlikely to be a case of malicious amusement."
—That smile is, definitely... that's right.
"...Very well. I permit it. But do not let them be injured."
"I swear on that. I definitely won't mess up."
Wait... Ah, wait! You two! The answer is—
"Got it! Let's go, let's go!"
"Yes! I wonder what 'memory making' involves...! I am excited!"
"...(My Instinct has realized everything)."
Good fortune be with you, the Knight King nodded slightly.
—That smile is the one before the King casts off his armor...!
"————I see, so that is what this is. Fuhaha! There should be no problem! Mash aside, Master will be fine!"
(I hope it doesn't become a trauma... I'll pray.)
The realizing King, the praying Beast. The worrying Princess.
Wait, you two! Events from a Hero's perspective are all outside the norm! It's definitely going to leave a deep scar on your hearts like the 'Rude Excuse Me'—!!
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"