Chapter 305

Ritsuka forced a smile. "Thank you, Novia... Consultant. I'm sorry to have troubled you."

"I am Xiao Xiang's father, and we were already quite familiar with each other. There's no need for me to put on such a show."

Upon hearing this, Ritsuka immediately lowered her head, making it impossible for Novia to discern her expression.

"... How's it going outside now?"

"Unable to communicate with the outside world, and the employees who went out to investigate haven't returned, it seems that, as Lev said, the outside world of Chaldea has been destroyed."

"... Yeah."

The girl's tone was now very downcast, "I thought about whether I should make a phone call..."

Her voice gradually turned into a sob.

"To my dad, my mom, and my friends, I suddenly disappeared. Are they worried about me...? If I had the chance, I'd like to tell them about everyone I met and everything that happened here, but now they..."

The girl's hands trembled as she clenched them into fists.

"They... have all perished in the flames!"

Then, Ritsuka got out of bed and stood in front of Novia, still with her head down. Tears streamed down her face, and even though she covered her face with her hands, tears still fell through her fingers.

"I lack the resolve to save the world, and even with the Director's extensive explanation, I'm afraid I haven't fully grasped it..."

She wiped away her tears, her tone becoming firm, "But I hate this, I don't want to see this, so I will do it!"

Then, the girl raised her head and looked at Novia with a determined gaze.

"If I could do it!"

Nevertheless, tears still flowed silently.

"Thanks."

Seeing her, Novia smiled, a smile appearing in her ocean-blue eyes.

In this way, he became certain of the unwavering resolve of his will.

"Ritsuka, your one sentence has determined the Fate of the world, and it can also be said to be the Fate of me, Xiao Xiang, and countless others."

Hearing Novia say this, Ritsuka realized that if she had lost her parents and friends, then Novia would have lost her wife and daughter... just like herself.

If Xiao Xiang were still alive, she wouldn't want her father, Novia, to Sorrow, given her lively personality. As Xiao Xiang's friend, Novia should also cheer up.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have cried. It was a bit despicable."

"Crying is a sign of courage; even I cry."

Ritsuka was so surprised by what she heard that she laughed for some reason.

"That's normal. I get angry and cry too. After all, the less someone does that, the more likely they are to place their emotions elsewhere and never get them back, right?"

Who would find simple tears unattractive?

I'm afraid not.

Queen of Heaven, having already obtained the Chaldea Combat Suit and the Mage's Association Uniform through the proper procedures, and only lacking the final piece— the Atlas Institute uniform— Ritsuka held Novia's hand and sincerely said these words:

"Novia, please give me Consultant uniform from Atlas Institute!"

Temple of Time.

Lev stumbled toward the Temple and called out to Goetia above.

"My king, why does that foolish Consultant of the Atlas Institute possess such power?"

Lev, who was beaten to death by the Director, was not truly dead. After all, as long as the Temple of Time still existed, the Demon God Pillar could not be destroyed, and death would be resurrected. However, the pain and humiliation were etched into his heart.

"Flauros."

However, upon hearing Lev's words, Goetia, unusually, stood up and stared at Lev with a cold gaze.

Although the Demon God King's gaze remained unchanged, this time Lev sensed a completely new emotion—it seemed to be... dissatisfaction with him?

Why was the king dissatisfied with him? Was it because the king had seen that scene, and therefore he was disappointed in him?

Just as Lev was speculating, Goetia slowly spoke.

"To address that person with such a title is Original Sin, an Evil, and it is only right that you met such an end."

"W-what?! Your Majesty, what is this—"

"In human terms, it was year 51 of the Gregorian calendar."

These few words instantly made Lev understand the cause and effect of the matter, but they also left him deeply confused.

"But why would that person get involved? Given their status and power, they probably already knew about our plan..."

"It should be observation, observing humanity's last hope efforts and us, who are taking the first step in God's great work, to see which 'Future' truly deserves our support."

"I see, I see..."

Having been enlightened by his own king, Lev's initial dissatisfaction with Novia instantly transformed into admiration and regret for not recognizing the adult's true identity.

"Flauros, let me ask you one more question: besides this one, have you made any other new discoveries?"

Immediately, Lev straightened his back and swore an oath.

"Your Majesty, I assure you, this is absolutely the only case like this, and it will never happen again!"

Bunny girl Ritsuka.

Chapter 352 Sorry, Xiao Xiang, I'm sorry...

"This outfit is truly amazing..."

On the morning before heading to the First Singularity, Ritsuka Fujimaru sat on her bed in her room, resting her chin on her hands, and sighed as she looked at her reflection in the mirror, wearing the white, yellow, and black Chaldea Combat Suit.

Since Fuyuki returned, as she is the last Master, the entire Chaldea has started to work for her. The girl also worked very hard, and in just two or three days, she acquired the 'spirit' and 'qualities' that the previous 48 Master would have taken some time to acquire.

In short, she successfully passed the Chaldea test and obtained two Mystic Code: the Mage's Association Uniform and the Chaldea Combat Suit.

"This is way too close to my skin, it's so Shame..."

The girl preferred the Association's outfit to the Combat Suit, which was somewhat revealing, but since the Director and Romani both said that "it's better to wear the Combat Suit for battle," and Ritsuka also looked at Mash's attire as Demi-Servant, she decided to wear it herself.

As for Ritsuka's most coveted Atlas Institute uniform, she hasn't obtained it yet, and the reason is...

"Although I am Uomo Universale, I still need to refer to the design from the Consultant of the Atlas Institute to truly embody the concept of 'creating the strongest person'."

Just as Ritsuka was asking the Director and Romani, "When will we finally get Novia's Consultant's uniform?", a female voice rang out. Ritsuka turned around and immediately recognized the mature woman as none other than the adult version of Gran from before...

Is it your mother?

Just as Ritsuka was filled with confusion, the Director provided her with the answer.

"This is Leonledo, the technical Consultant of Chaldea, and a Servant."

"Huh?!"

"Leonledo, the honorary Consultant of the Chaldea Technical Bureau, is merely my cover."

Da Vinci adjusted his glasses, looking at Ritsuka with a hint of pleasure. "I am none other than Leonardo da Vinci, the renowned inventor of the Renaissance!"

"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"

"Hmm, that's a good reaction."

Da Vinci smiled broadly, "I'm exactly looking forward to seeing that expression on other people's faces."

"Wasn't Da Vinci a man? He even designed that Chariot that looks like a UFO!"

"Ah, I see. Ritsuka Fujimaru, you may be a young girl, but you're the kind of person who gets excited when you see pictures of weapons in history class, right?"

Da Vinci touched his eyes again. "The reason I do this is actually quite simple: the Mona Lisa is the ideal of beauty in my heart, and I have spent my whole life pursuing beauty."

"Yes, the Prototype was someone who loved the Mona Lisa so much that he turned himself into the Mona Lisa. You could say he was a pervert."

Little Da Vinci, following closely behind, retorted without hesitation, "As for me, that's not the case at all, Fujimaru, you can rest assured."

"Gran, aren't you Servant too? After all, you look so much like Da Vinci..."

Little Da Vinci shrugged, seemingly displeased, at Ritsuka's question.

"I am the Prototype, the second unit created for some unknown purpose. Perhaps it was created to find someone to do the work for. When it malfunctions one day, it will be taken away and dismantled, and the useful parts will be taken out to become the kind of 'Ship of Theseus'."

"How could you say that? Little Gran is my good boy!"

Da Vinci asserted this.

"It feels like the so-called 'children' in the Prototype area are not as good as the 'children' in the Teacher's area."

Upon hearing Little Da Vinci's reply, Da Vinci frowned.

After all, the reason she created Little Da Vinci while she was Servant was to fulfill the 'dream' she couldn't complete while she was alive. Originally, Little Da Vinci's completion time was still a few months away, which involved the transfer of related abilities...

But before the Human Order Incineration, when Da Vinci met Novia, who was not 'Favia', he had the thought, 'Although they are not the same person, people with such similar appearances must have similar values. Since he could not witness it with me, then you shall witness it.'

As the saying goes, one gets flustered if someone is only Treta Yuga similar to another, let alone someone who is almost identical.

After all, Da Vinci also felt that he would leave one day as Servant, and Little Da Vinci needed someone to take care of him. So Leonardo da Vinci put the task of taking care of Da Vinci on the maintenance Consultant Novia. Otherwise, why would she activate Little Da Vinci a few months in advance? Wasn't it just to let the two of them get closer and make it easier to take care of him in the future?

However, it seems that the two are just ordinary master and apprentice. How could this be? Number Two is a young Mona Lisa, who is the epitome of 'beauty'. Could it be because her spirit and appearance are too young? I can't possibly adjust Number Two's stage... Oh well, let nature take its course.

"I see. Speaking of which, Gran, your Teacher is Consultant to Novia, right?"

Just as the 'mother and daughter' were talking, Ritsuka interrupted.

Ritsuka had already learned from Romani that his Teacher was Novia after receiving a facial massage from Little Da Vinci on the first day. Asking again now was just to confirm it.

"... The Teacher said that if it's not necessary to say it, that's what the Teacher said to me when I went to see Fujimaru that day."

Little Da Vinci glanced at Ritsuka's profile with his blue eyes.

She did remember that when Novia said those words, her tone was even quite gentle. Originally, during their conversation, she had a mountain of things to say about studying, but when she heard those words, she inexplicably felt utterly defeated by Ritsuka Fujimaru, whom the Teacher had never met.

But I still felt that since the Teacher had entrusted me with this task, I should do it.

But what happened afterward Human Order Incineration and everything that happened to Novia, made Little Da Vinci, who was supposed to be inhuman, inexplicably angry just thinking about it.

Even though they had only known each other for a short time, their relationship was very close. They went to the brink of death together, fought, survived, and then embarked on a journey together again. It was so enviable. She felt that she could also participate in this kind of event that increased affection, which was like something out of a fairy tale.

Unfortunately, the Prototype for Little Da Vinci was strictly forbidden at the time, which is why he is now extremely unhappy with the Prototype.

"Just as I thought!"

Ritsuka's expression brightened. "So, that means if I want the Atlas Institute uniform, I need Novia 'Consultant approval? Is that what you mean, Da Vinci?"

"Fujimaru, once you pass the Association uniform test, the other two tests shouldn't be a problem for you. I'll go tell Novia to bring you the Atlas Uniform later. I'm here to give you the Chaldea Combat Suit, so take it."

As he spoke, Da Vinci handed the yellow, white, and black uniform to Ritsuka.

"It's alright, there's no need to tell Consultant Novia now. I'll go see him in person tomorrow morning and tell him, Consultant Da Vinci!"

The next morning, the day before heading to the First Singularity, Ritsuka, dressed in her Combat Suit, went to Novia's room.

"Novia, I 'Consultant coming in."

Actually, after Ritsuka cried out in pain during a dream about missing her family, Novia compensated her by saying, "As compensation for me trespassing into your room, you can also pass through my room's Ritsuka recognition system."

Although Ritsuka kept shaking her head at the time, saying that she didn't need it and should be grateful instead, and kept telling herself that she would never rush in like that... But times have changed. She was only there to obtain the Atlas Institute uniform, which was not a big problem at all.

"They weren't here so early...?"

Gazing at the empty room, Ritsuka's bewildered golden eyes flickered slightly.

So he sat up on the bed, since there were no chairs in Novia's room, and the only place to sit was on the bed.

To pass the time while waiting, Ritsuka began to observe the room's layout. The sheets were washed very clean, the windows were wiped spotless, the floor was dust-free, and there were several empty vases on the bedside table.

There's always a vague sense of emptiness, yet there's also a touch of life in it.

Novia came here, to this isolated Antarctica, he must miss his family very much... And now, like me, he has lost his family. Maybe he was just saying those things to comfort himself before, and secretly he might be holding a picture of his family and shedding tears...

After thinking about it this way, Ritsuka subconsciously touched her lower body, which was covered by her Combat Suit, and felt that she had been a bit too shameless.

Although I initially wore it to prove that I had successfully passed the test, I was also curious on the way here how Novia would see me dressed like this... Now that I think about it, it probably wasn't so good.

Even so, Ritsuka thought.

Why am I so fixated on Novia? Or is it that I still haven't been able to let go?

I can't let my imagination run wild. This is my elder, the father of a female student I know... and he has a family...