To Become a King and a Magician 596-600

Title: Jeanne Alter’s Bomb!

Go back a few minutes earlier.

Opening her eyes again from the darkness, Jeanne Alter sneered with a face tinged with disappointment—or perhaps outright displeasure—as she surveyed the environment around her, which felt as if she were inside the body of some monstrous thing.

“What the hell… Am I still alive? How annoying.”

A quarter of her body was shattered—from her left chest down to her left leg. Though her heart had been overflowing with rage and hatred just moments before, Jeanne Alter had genuinely believed she would vanish forever when she was swallowed by the Holy Grail’s light.

She was not a true Servant—she was merely a replica, conjured by Gilles de Rais who used the Holy Grail to fulfill his wish. She had no right to exist in this world.

“Where is this place? Disgusting, nauseating… it reeks.”

“Inside the Demon God Pillar.”

Another voice came from nearby. Jeanne Alter turned toward it. Atalanta lay in a similar state—her arms and legs bound, her entire body embedded within the fleshy wall.

Seeing Jeanne Alter awake, Atalanta spoke with mocking tone: “You’re conscious now, Master?”

“Archer… you’re still alive too? You’re lucky—what exactly is this ‘Demon God Pillar’?”

“You’re right—you aren’t a legitimate Servant. You’re nothing more than a miracle made possible once through the Holy Grail. And since you passed out earlier, it’s only natural you don’t understand the current situation.” Atalanta sighed slightly. “The Demon God Pillar is the true form of the man who attacked you. Simply accept that we’ve been absorbed by it.”

Absorbed?

Jeanne Alter frowned sharply. “He plans to eat us? Don’t joke. There are limits to acting so arbitrarily! He suddenly appears, ruins my vengeance, kills Gilles—and then me—and now he wants to absorb me? What an even more capricious bastard than any god!”

“But.” Atalanta said, “the reason you’re still alive right now isn’t because you’ve been absorbed, is it?”

“Your Spirit Origin has just been destroyed. You’re merely a copy. Your very existence here is already unnatural. If your Spirit Origin is gone, it should be normal for you to vanish instantly. Yet here you are—alive. How does it feel having your body filled with chunks of flesh?”

“Do you want to die?”

Jeanne Alter stared at her deeply for a moment, then coldly replied. Blood-red Karma Fire ignited around her—but it vanished within less than a second. The constant, gnawing fatigue surging from within her body immediately drained the color from her face.

Atalanta advised gently: “Give up. You can’t do anything now. You’re stuck here like me, waiting to be dissolved and return to the Throne of Heroes… No, correction—you won’t even get that privilege.”

For Servants, death doesn’t mean permanent erasure. After all, they are mere copies of their original selves residing on the Throne of Heroes—their true bodies exist beyond this world. Even if destroyed, they may be summoned again.

But Jeanne Alter was different. She was a replica created via the Holy Grail—both Servant and original body fused into one. If she were fully destroyed, she would vanish completely—with no possibility of return.

“Did you come here just to argue with me? And what’s with this attitude? You’re restrained but don’t try to escape—you’ve given up. Is this what you call a hero? How laughable.”

“I simply have no reason.” Atalanta answered. “Even though you’re my Master and cursed me with Mad Enhancement, I have no interest in helping you destroy France. This summoning has been an absolutely terrible experience for me. If I could, I’d return to the Throne of Heroes as soon as possible.”

Compared to this ordeal, the version of herself mentioned by the Magician must have experienced a far better Holy Grail War.

Atalanta recalled Aoko’s reaction upon their first meeting—a look of familiarity, mixed with shock at why she was here.

It seemed the version of herself summoned in another Holy Grail War had shared a close bond with that woman. And quite likely, it had been an excellent relationship.

“I wonder how my own experience was back then…”

Thinking thus, Atalanta closed her eyes, as if surrendering entirely to defeat. Calmly, she waited to be fully absorbed.

Watching her like this, Jeanne Alter clenched her teeth tightly, then lowered her head helplessly. As Atalanta said—she truly couldn’t do anything now. All she could do was surrender to absorption… and then vanish utterly from this world.

(What a wretched birth. Even the way I’m dying is humiliating…)

“—The most effective method is to attack its entire body. Obliterate it completely with one massive-scale strike!”

Suddenly, faintly, that voice echoed inside Jeanne Alter’s mind—or rather, in her ears.

Her eyes snapped wide open as she frantically scanned her surroundings.

No one else was there. Aside from motionless Atalanta, no one else was nearby.

So that voice…

(Is it coming from outside? Or… no, wait—is he—this bastard who absorbed me—hearing it too?)

Since Jeanne Alter now resided within Flauros’s body and was undergoing assimilation, there existed a partial sensory link between them. Anything Flauros heard, she also heard simultaneously.

With a massive-scale strike… she could obliterate the bastard who destroyed everything for her?

“Haha… Hahaha… Bastard… In the end, you still make me hear trash like this… Divine favor? Or mercy from heaven…?”

“It’s fine… actually… good.”

The blood-red Karma Fire, moments ago extinguished, erupted violently once more.

Feeling the shift in the space around her, Atalanta opened her eyes: “What are you planning? You know full well that you’re currently—wait… you’re—”

Jeanne Alter was in the midst of assimilation. She had no Mana freely available to use. Even the simplest act—like igniting fire—was impossible, because every flame she summoned now burned away her dwindling remaining life.

Igniting fire meant slow suicide.

Her pallid face earlier had been due to this. The pain was unbearable—even for a moment. But now, the fire she lit did not fade instantly; instead, it roared higher and fiercer!

“Do you want to die?”

“Hah! Die? I don’t even have a life left to waste! If I’m going to die, I’ll take this disgusting flesh pillar straight to hell with me!”

Bathed in roaring flames, enduring the agony of her own disintegration, Jeanne Alter nearly screamed at the top of her lungs the true name of her Noble Phantasm—

“Feel this, bastard! This is the scream of my soul tormented by hatred! 【La Grondement Du Haine】!”

-

Title: Here Should Be the Nuclear Explosion Theme Song

Outside.

The sudden eruption of blood-red Karma Fire instantly engulfed the entire Demon God Pillar, scorching its surface with unimaginable heat!

The body of the Demon God Pillar began to char.

The flesh fragments composing its form slowly turned to ash and disintegrated under the roaring flames. The blazing fire—like a demon of infernal wrath—clearly devoured the monstrous pillar, saturated with corruption and evil.

“Wuaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh—! !”

Flauros’s agonized scream echoed violently from within the sea of fire.

“This isn’t possible! Impossible! This Noble Phantasm… A replica! That fake! Why is it still blocking me now—of all times?! False Saintess!”

“Eh?”

Hearing Flauros’s roar, Ritsuka and her companions—who had already been stunned by the sudden blaze—fell silent once more.

False Saintess?

“Witch Jeanne?!” Ritsuka stared at Jeanne in disbelief. “Is this fire caused by Witch Jeanne?”

【Seems so. Well, after all, this is Jeanne Alter. She was attacked stealthily and then swallowed whole. Her mood must’ve exploded—and she intended to give up and drag her enemy down to hell with her.】

【Regardless, this is a perfect opportunity. If Jeanne Alter detonates from within, Aoko merely needs to unleash massive output from outside—it’ll be enough to completely annihilate the Demon God Pillar. Has your Magic finished charging, Aoko?】

“Didn’t you tell me to maximize the power as much as possible? Of course I had to prepare thoroughly.”

As she spoke, the number of layered magical circles stacked before Aoko’s fist had grown so immense that mere observation induced dread. If translated into status effects and buffs, the count approached one hundred.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

In the Control Room.

Watching the Mana values skyrocketing on the monitors, all staff unconsciously turned their gazes toward Naoki. The last time such abnormal Mana levels appeared was when Naoki fought Solomon—back then, it was Divine Spirit-tier power.

Now, Aoko—a human—was approaching that same threshold.

(Definitely no mistake—they’re family. Both Natsukawa and Aozaki.)

If asked who felt the most relieved right now, it was undoubtedly Roman. The final vision he’d witnessed through Clairvoyance ten years ago was a future where everything burned to cinders. To prevent such an outcome, he’d devoted every moment over the past decade to learning everything he could, hoping to be useful in the future.

But now… he felt almost no pressure. Though this should have been a world-ending crisis, he felt no overwhelming burden.

The reason? The person sitting beside him right now.

“Natsukawa… thank you.”

“Huh? Why are you suddenly thanking me, Roman?”

“It’s nothing. I just wanted to say it now.”

Roman offered a faint smile.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

At that moment—

“I think this is enough…”

With both hands supporting the towering, multi-layered magical circle above her head—resembling a colossal cannon—Aoko took a deep breath and poured Mana into the innermost ring closest to her palms.

The next second—

*SWISH!*

Before the eyes of Ritsuka and her companions, a brilliant “sun” of blue light slowly rose from beyond the horizon!

The sheer magnitude of mana immediately drew Flauros’s attention. Though he’d anticipated stopping Aoko the moment he realized she was preparing a spell, the raging Karma Fire burning inside his own body had rendered him unable to concentrate his Mana to interrupt her.

Now, Aoko’s magical cannon was far beyond what the Demon God Pillar alone could possibly resist!

“This can’t be… impossible… Our Sacred Pillar… Our Seventy-Two Demon Gods… Could we be defeated by lowly human Masters and Servants?! This is impossible… utterly impossible aaaahhhhhhhhh…!”

Flauros’s heart-wrenching screams echoed violently throughout the inferno.

But no matter how much he refused to accept it, Aoko gave him no chance to fight back. The flames consuming his body would not die.

“I throw!”

Facing the Demon God Pillar now entirely engulfed in fire, Aoko hurled the incredibly heavy magical projectile from her hands with all her strength!

*BOOMMMMMM!*

In an instant, blinding white light and a thunderous roar swept across the entire world.

So intense was the radiance that it nearly blinded Ritsuka and her companions—they immediately dove behind Mash for cover. Mash raised her shield to brace against the incoming shockwave.

*BAM!*

Like being struck by a fully-loaded truck traveling at full speed, the force made Mash feel her shield might fly out of her grasp—but the sensation lasted only a moment. Like a violent wind that came and vanished without trace, the shockwave and the light lasted but a heartbeat… then disappeared entirely from everyone’s sight.

Only a vast crater remained where the Demon God Pillar had stood.

Staring at the meteor-impact-like scar in the earth, then glancing at Aoko beside them, Ritsuka was the first to lose control of her laughter after a brief silence: “Hahaha… This is too…!”

“You went way overboard, Magician…” Hinako sighed helplessly while massaging her temples. “Even though you truly obliterated the Demon God Pillar, your attack just reshaped the entire landscape… A hole over a hundred meters wide? It’s incredible you managed that.”

“Will this affect history?”

【I doubt it. Even if it does, it’ll likely be retroactively rewritten as something plausible—an actual meteor strike, or a natural gas explosion, or similar.】

Naoki explained.

【Still… even so, you really went overboard, Aoko. Don’t you know what restraint means?】

“Hah?” Aoko immediately frowned. “Didn’t you tell me to destroy it with maximum firepower?! I worked my ass off crafting that massive bullet until my Mana was nearly drained! You just sat there watching—not even cheering me on—and now you’re lecturing me?!”

【I did say that… Haaah, forget it. I have no right to criticize you. After all, if I’d gone there myself, I probably would’ve done something even more extreme. Sorry. And also… thank you for your hard work, Aoko.】

“Hmph! Now that’s more like it!”

Aoko crossed her arms and huffed proudly: “So… is this really over? Is this Singularities mission done? Turned out pretty fast.”

【Yes. The Demon God Pillar has been annihilated. With your blast, the Holy Grail was surely destroyed along with it. Thus, the root forming this Singularities is gone. I believe the area will collapse soon. Roman, prepare the Spiriton transfer to retrieve Fujimaru—I understand.】

They could return to Chaldea.

Understanding Naoki’s meaning, Ritsuka let out a long, relieved sigh, her shoulders slumping: “Thank goodness…”

【Thank you for your hard work, Fujimaru. Rest well when you return.】

“Yeah…”

【Alright, communication ends here. See you later, Fujimaru, Mash, Senior Hinako. And Aoko…】

“Just come find me when you’ve got time.” Aoko said. “You’ve got other business, right? Take care of it first. I’m not in a hurry.”

【Understood.】

-

Title: Jeanne Alter Is Recovered

After communication with Chaldea was temporarily severed,

Ritsuka sat on the ground and gazed up at the sky: “So… this means one Singularities has been resolved?”

“Thank you for your hard work, Senpai.”c Mash said as she sat down beside her. “But if we count the time, it hasn’t been long—only about two hours since we arrived in this Singularities. All of this is thanks to Aoko-san; she did so much even before we got here.”

“No, not really…”

Aoko turned toward Jeanne, who stood nearby, staring at the massive crater. “Jeanne… you’re about to disappear, aren’t you?”

Jeanne turned and nodded. “Yes. The Singularities has ended, and as a Servant summoned by the Holy Grail, I will soon return to the Throne of Heroes… Thank you, Miss Aoko, Fujimaru, Mash, and also Miss Akuta.”

“If not for your arrival, I might never have resolved this anomaly so quickly. I am deeply grateful.”

“No, actually, we didn’t do anything…” Ritsuka hurriedly waved her hands. “The true hero should be Aoko-san. In the end, I didn’t do anything at all. I feel a little guilty…”

Jeanne smiled gently and shook her head. “No, Fujimaru. Just standing here was already extraordinary. Servants require Masters to fully unleash their power. Had you not supported Mash here, we would have fallen beneath Fafnir’s breath.”

“R-really?”

Ritsuka blushed slightly and scratched her head.

At that moment, Jeanne’s body suddenly began emitting particles of light.

Watching her form slowly dissolve, Jeanne sighed softly: “It seems my time has come. Then, farewell for now, everyone. By the way—if possible, please convey to Mr. Natsukawa my gratitude on behalf of my parallel self. Back then, I never had the chance to say it.”

In the Holy Grail War that took place fourteen years ago in the parallel world, when everything concluded, Jeanne had rushed away without thanking Naoki. As Ruler, it had been her duty to handle unforeseen circumstances—but ultimately, Naoki had resolved everything himself.

That was why Jeanne had always wanted to thank him. And now, through memories shared with her parallel self, she spoke these words on behalf of the other Jeanne.

Ritsuka gave a slight nod. “I understand. I’ll tell the Department Head.”

“Yes, then—farewell. May your future journeys go smoothly.”

With those final words, Jeanne vanished completely before Ritsuka and her companions. And just before disappearing entirely, Jeanne turned her head slightly once more—and looked again at the very spot where the Demon God Pillar had stood.

(My other self… With this, we will surely never meet again.)

Jeanne Alter had been in the process of assimilation by the Demon God Pillar. Now that the Pillar had been obliterated by Aoko’s maximum-power attack, there was no possibility she could remain in this world.

(To the end, I still couldn’t fully understand…)

(Though you can’t hear me anymore… I hope your other self finds peace, my other self.)

Having watched Jeanne depart from this Singularities, Aoko stretched her body vigorously, then waved to the three of them: “I think it’s about time for me to leave too.”

“Aoko-san… That’s true—you’re not native to this Singularities. But how will you return? You didn’t arrive here via Spiriton transfer.” Mash frowned in confusion.

Aoko smiled. “You don’t need to worry about that. I have my own way of returning. If the opportunity arises, I believe we’ll meet again in the next Singularities. Until then, lend me your help again, lovely ladies—oh wait, Akuta isn’t a girl.”

“Are you deliberately trying to provoke me?” Hinako glared at Aoko. “If you’re leaving, just go already. It doesn’t mean we’ll never see each other again. You’re acting like this is a permanent farewell. Humans are so dramatic about things like this.”

“Well, what can I say—we humans are sentimental. Oh, Fujimaru, come here for a moment. I want to talk to you.”

“Eh?”

Ritsuka walked up to Aoko, confused. Before she could even ask anything, Aoko leaned close and whispered into her ear: “I’ve got a small task for you, Fujimaru. Please keep an eye on that idiot at Chaldea for me.”

“The Department Head? Why?”

“To prevent that seductive woman from cheating while we’re all gone. My man is incredibly popular. Every time he went out before, he’d bring home some girl. You must watch him closely. This heavy responsibility—I entrust it to you. Well then, bye-bye!”

Aoko gave Ritsuka a firm pat on the back, then turned and walked away into the distance.

(Aoko-san… You’re really asking me to gather evidence of the Department Head’s infidelity, aren’t you?)

Ritsuka stared helplessly at Aoko’s retreating back.

(But given the Department Head’s lifestyle… what even counts as cheating?)

Recalling his daily life—how casually he spent time with Director Olga, how Rei dragged him into rooms, how Touko summoned him to the workshop—Ritsuka genuinely had no idea what qualified as betrayal.

【Fujimaru, Mash, Akuta】

As Ritsuka stood lost in thought, Roman’s voice came from her bracelet.

【Spiritron transfer is ready. Prepare for return transfer.】

“Oh… Got it!”

After responding, Ritsuka glanced at Mash, who smiled warmly at her, and Hinako, standing silently. Taking a deep breath, she smiled.

“Let’s go home.”

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Not long after.

A few seconds after Ritsuka and her companions completed the Spiriton transfer.

Near the now-empty, colossal crater—

A shadowy figure appeared silently.

“Hmmm… Just barely enough time. Though the residual information is nearly nonexistent, fortunately, he left traces behind in this world.”

“My Master truly sent a girl to save another girl. I’ll demand a good reward later—alright, rest for now within my body.”

“Jeanne Alter.”

-

Title: Can Gifts Also Be Delegated?

Chaldea, Central Control Room.

The moment Ritsuka opened her eyes, she didn’t see the massive explosion crater—instead, she saw the familiar ceiling of Chaldea, and CHALDEAS just a few steps away.

*KREK...*

As the frame’s cover slid open, Ritsuka stepped out and looked around: “We’re back?”

“Yes, we’ve successfully returned to Chaldea, Senpai.”

Like Ritsuka, Mash—also wearing Chaldea’s operational uniform—walked over. Nearby, Hinako rose from her own capsule, glanced their way, then immediately headed toward the exit.

Typical reaction.

“Fou~~~”

At that moment, accompanied by a cheerful call, Fou suddenly leapt out of Ritsuka’s capsule. In a few quick hops, he was perched atop her head.

Seeing this, Mash couldn’t help but say: “Fou, so you did transfer with Senpai? By the way, Fou vanished mid-transfer—I barely even noticed.”

“Me too. It felt like Fou was sometimes there, sometimes not—like an hallucination.”

“Fou!”

Unsatisfied with their comments, Fou gave a tiny hop on Ritsuka’s head, then darted down to the floor and sprinted toward the door.

Just as he reached the doorway, a hand stretched out ahead of him—as if waiting—and scooped him up gently.

“You really had me worried, Fou. You didn’t help at all out there. Watch out—I’ll toss you out of Chaldea like Merlin.”

“Fou—!”

“Hahaha, just kidding! Don’t be mad, come here.”

Gently stroking Fou’s fur, Naoki—who appeared at the doorway—looked toward Ritsuka and Mash. “Welcome back, Fujimaru, Mash. Thank you for your hard work during the first Singularities operation.”

“No, it wasn’t tiring at all, Big Brother.” Mash shook her head slightly. “Actually, Aoko-san did almost all the heavy lifting.”

“That’s right.” Ritsuka chimed in, hurrying forward to stand beside Naoki. “Aoko-san helped so much. Unlike the Department Head, who just lounged in the control room drinking cola until he had to pee. I didn’t do anything there!”

Naoki smiled. “Yes, yes, yes—it’s my fault, my fault. But don’t say I did nothing, right? At least I confirmed your presence, and throughout the entire encounter with the Demon God Pillar, I continuously provided support.”

“That’s what you’re supposed to do as Operations Department Head.”

Roman walked over, looking utterly defeated, and gave Naoki’s head a light, exasperated smack. “If you were going to go yourself, why did Fujimaru and the others have to risk their lives in such a dangerous battle?”

“This is training, isn’t it? Honestly, it was quite a good experience. What do you think, Fujimaru?”

A “good experience”?

Recalling the past few hours spent in the first Singularities, Ritsuka fell silent for a moment, then smiled and nodded. “Well… if you call it ‘good,’ then sure, it was. But the progression was too fast—going straight into fighting super-sized bosses and stuff like that? It was a little…”

“Get used to it. I went through the same thing once.”

“Don’t compare your experiences with others’!” Roman glared at Naoki. “Fujimaru, Mash—come with me to the medical bay. This is your first full Spiriton transfer. I need to run a complete body scan to make sure there are no complications.”

Mash nodded. “Yes, Doctor Roman. Come on, Senpai.”

“Alright. We’ll go now, Department Head.”

“When you’re done, remember to come to the cafeteria. As thanks for your hard work these past few hours, I’ll cook you something delicious.”

“Really?!”

Hearing the promise of food cooked by the Department Head, Ritsuka’s eyes instantly sparkled. “Mash, Doctor Roman, let’s hurry up and finish the check-up!”

“Wait, wait—Fujimaru, don’t push! Natsukawa, don’t forget to save some cake for me!”

“A-ah, me too, please, Big Brother!”

Watching Roman and Mash being dragged along by Ritsuka as they rushed off toward the medical bay, Naoki smiled and shrugged. “You’re all so energetic… With this, one Singularities has been resolved.”

Turning to face the crimson CHALDEAS and the glowing Singularities above it, Naoki took a deep breath—and left the control room.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Not long after.

Cafeteria.

The moment he entered, Naoki heard the rhythmic chop-chop of vegetables being sliced on a cutting board. Gray, wearing an apron and busily working nearby, came into view.

As if sensing footsteps behind him, Gray turned around. “Big Brother? Why are you suddenly in the kitchen?”

“No big deal—I just came to prepare lunch. Fujimaru and the others just got back. I’m going to cook them something tasty.” Naoki explained. “And I can’t keep letting you slave away in the kitchen every day, Gray. Consider this me helping lighten your load.”

“You just itch to cook, don’t you?” Gray chuckled. “Besides, I’m not alone here. Another chef will arrive soon.”

Gray smiled. “Honestly… I’m not too burdened. Since I can’t perform Spiriton transfers and I can’t assist in the field like the others, the only thing I can do is ensure you all can focus on your missions without worrying about meals.”

Gray couldn’t perform Spiriton transfers.

It wasn’t that he lacked the ability to adapt to the process—he simply didn’t possess sufficient aptitude compared to Hinako, Ritsuka, and Mash. With the current staff levels sufficient, there was no need for Gray to risk himself by participating in transfers.

Patting Gray’s head, Naoki sighed. “It’s not ‘just.’ Maintaining logistics is vital. If I couldn’t eat three meals a day made by you, my motivation would drop ninety-nine percent.”

“That’s an exaggeration, Big Brother.” Gray couldn’t hold back his laughter.

At that very moment—

“I cannot ignore those words, Master.”

Rei entered through the door, already dressed in a maid uniform, and immediately wrapped her arms around Naoki’s arm. “Are you implying my cooking isn’t as delicious as Gray’s?”

“I already said it was just hyperbole. Are you seriously competing over this? For years now?”

“Because I’m just a maid, right? I can’t afford to neglect my duties—or Gray will fire me immediately.”

Rei smiled, then pointed to her chest. “Oh, by the way, Master—the task you assigned me is done. So… should we discuss the reward now?”

Naoki’s face stiffened instantly. “Ugh… Let’s talk about that later. Right now, just get lunch ready. Gray, come help.”

Seeing Naoki trying to escape in embarrassment, Gray looked at Rei with mild helplessness. “Sister Rei, please rein yourself in a bit. Even if you don’t mind the clothing issue, washing men’s clothes still—”

“Ohhh, our mistake. We sincerely apologize~~~” Rei clasped her hands together, closed one eye, and grinned sweetly at Gray. “But you’re so patient, Gray. How about…”

She leaned close to Gray’s ear and whispered: “This time, can you take my reward instead?”

“Ugh… I—I’ll help Big Brother first!”

Gray’s face flushed bright red, and he bolted away from Rei in flustered shame.

【You’re truly generous.】

Manaka’s voice echoed in Rei’s mind.

Rei smiled. “After all, watching him look so anxious is kind of amusing, isn’t it? If you count the time, Gray has spent the longest with Master. It wouldn’t feel right if I always stole his place.”

【That’s true. If it’s Gray, I wouldn’t mind either. He’s a good kid.】

“Right?”

-

Title: Carrots and the Stick That Make You Dizzy

Although the first Singularities had been successfully resolved, since this was merely the first of many, not all Chaldea staff attended the lunch celebration. They came only to greet Ritsuka and her companions briefly before returning to their posts.

As one of the three most crucial figures in this Singularities operation, Hinako also did not appear in the cafeteria. According to Naoki, she disliked large gatherings and would only show up near closing time—as the last guest.

Thus, in the end, only Ritsuka, Mash, Naoki, Gray, and Rei gathered for lunch.

Then—

“Ugh… I can’t eat another bite… Really, I just can’t…”

Slumped back against the cafeteria sofa with a distended belly, Ritsuka let out a groan that blended bliss and agony.

She had operated for over two hours in the first Singularities—more than an hour of which involved constant movement. She was already exhausted. Her breakfast that morning had been negligible. So, naturally, she became one of the five who ate the most.

The result? Now she was painfully full. Her stomach bulged; she lay sprawled on the sofa. If someone didn’t know better, they’d think she was a young pregnant mother.

“You ate too much, Senpai.” Mash said with gentle helplessness. “Overeating can seriously harm your health.”

“It’s the Department Head’s fault—he cooked way too well! I didn’t even realize how much I was eating. Honestly, this is all his fault!”

Peering from the kitchen, Naoki chuckled. “Good grief—I went through all that trouble cooking you delicious food, and now it’s my fault? Next time, don’t come at all. After I fill you up, I’m the villain?”

“No! Department Head, I’m sorry!”

“Big Brother, don’t tease Miss Fujimaru so much.”

Gray, having just finished washing dishes, walked over, wiping his hands dry.

Naoki shrugged, stepped out of the kitchen, and sat across from Ritsuka. “Alright, Fujimaru. Though I’ve said this several times already, I still want to say it: Congratulations. You completed your first Singularities. Even though most of the heavy lifting relied on Aoko’s power, you held on until the very end. You did exceptionally well.”

“And Mash—you participated in your first serious battle as a Servant. You unleashed your Noble Phantasm, protected others from Fafnir’s assault, and even defeated Lancelot. Excellent work.”

“As your superior, for this operation… out of 100 points… Hmmm… about seventy.”

At first, hearing Naoki’s praise, Ritsuka and Mash felt proud. But when they realized the score was barely above passing, their pride evaporated. Mash didn’t care much—but Ritsuka…

“Only seventy?! Department Head, you’re being ridiculously strict!”

“That’s for your own good. If I let you feel satisfied now, I guarantee you’ll face catastrophic difficulties later.” Naoki laughed. “Besides, don’t get too relaxed. One Singularities is done, but six more remain. Even if I give you rest between them, you should use that time to train.”

“Especially you, Fujimaru. Stamina, Mystic Code, determination—you must improve in every aspect. Mash, make sure you keep an eye on her.”

“Yes, I’ll watch over Senpai closely, Big Brother.”

Watching this collusion between the adopted siblings, Ritsuka—who had initially felt relieved at the prospect of rest—suddenly lost all happiness. She understood their logic… but it felt like coming home from work, eating lunch, and then your boss immediately demanding you return for overtime until midnight.

Few people enjoy that feeling.

“Alright, we’ve sat long enough.”

Suddenly, Naoki stood up and addressed Ritsuka: “Gray and I have spent over ten minutes washing dishes and cleaning. Add the two minutes I’ve talked to you here—that’s fifteen minutes total. That’s more than enough time for digestion after a meal. Let’s begin today’s training.”

“Eh?”

Ritsuka froze for a moment.

“Training? Now? Today?”

“Yes.”

“But you said we’d rest!”

“Wasn’t lunchtime your rest period?”

“Normally, people get a full day off! And Mash and I just returned from a Singularities! At least wait until tomorrow morning—”

“Watch out—you’ll get fat.”

Naoki instantly deployed the one phrase every girl dreads: “By the way, everything I cooked today was high-calorie. If you want to maintain a good figure, you need to exercise while eating properly. Right now is the perfect time to burn off everything you just consumed. If you go straight to your room and lie down, your weight will skyrocket by tomorrow.”

“Ugh… Department Head, you planned this on purpose!”

“Yes, I did. We’re going first. Gray, you can join us in the training room no later than ten minutes. Otherwise, tonight’s dinner is rice porridge and bread.”

Watching the Department Head casually stroll away with Gray, Ritsuka collapsed face-down onto the table. “This Department Head is a demon… He’s a master of carrots and sticks. It feels like facing a veteran teacher.”

“Big Brother used to be a teacher. He probably perfected this method back then.” Mash explained. “I agree with him, too. Even if it’s not for fitness, exercising after meals aids digestion and helps maintain your shape.”

“Mash too… Haaah, I know…”

Rising from the sofa, Ritsuka was just preparing to head out with Mash when Rei happened to emerge from the kitchen.

“Oh? Are you two heading back to your rooms?”

“No. The Department Head said we need to exercise after eating, so I’m going to the training room. Rei-san, why are you just coming out of the kitchen?”

“I’m cleaning. Even though Master and Gray washed the dishes, the kitchen itself needs tidying. Otherwise, it gets cluttered inside—even standing or holding onto anything becomes impossible. And the mixed odors? Not pleasant.”

Hmm?

Standing? Holding? Odors?

Though these were perfectly normal words, Ritsuka instinctively sensed something… off. Perhaps it was a woman’s sixth sense. Something about Rei’s phrasing felt… oddly suggestive.

(That’s right… the task Aoko-san gave me…)

After a brief pause, Ritsuka asked Rei, slightly embarrassed: “Um… Rei-san, may I ask you something?”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“According to you… what exactly would the Department Head have to do to be considered cheating—or unfaithful?”

Rei: “?”