Chapter 609

"--'As expected of the doctor... it's Rome Archmann, and the Consultant... it's Novia, the chosen one.'"

After sighing, Ritsuka continued.

Finally, there's South America.

"The enemy we face... can no longer be called an enemy. It's the ORT."

"In its presence, everything we do is not a 'battle,' but a hopeless 'struggle' before the world is completely 'devoured' by it."

"Our last remaining companions were almost all gone. Even Chaldea was shot down by it. That was the first time in my life that I was truly in a 'desperate' situation."

Ritsuka picked up the already empty teacup and looked at the bottom.

"Even now, I still can't understand how we won. Perhaps it was just 'luck'. It was the last 'Sun' born in that world, and ORT from another world, it was everyone's self-sacrifice... it was all of this that created a once-in-a-lifetime miracle."

At this point, Ritsuka picked up the kettle and refilled her own cup, as well as Hakuno's and Hibiki's cups.

It was as if this gesture was a way of putting a period to the heavy topic we had just discussed.

The girl has moved on from the past. These memories are part of her life, but they can no longer bind her.

Therefore, when Ritsuka saw Xiao Xiang, who was about to cry after hearing what she said, she instantly felt nostalgic.

"Ah... right... before New Primates, Hibiki was much more reckless than she is now. She got lost as soon as she was summoned, dragging Chikagi along as they wandered around the corridor. In the end, they were lured here by the aroma from the kitchen."

"Waaah! Senior, please don't say that! It's so embarrassing!"

Xiang's face flushed red instantly, and her energetic demeanor turned somewhat flustered.

Zabi-ko watched their interaction, the faint smile on her lips deepened.

Then, she slowly walked around the counter, stood behind the blushing Hibiki, and with an extremely natural movement, extended her hands—

"Wow!"

--It was placed accurately on Hibiki's shoulder, and then gently pressed down, making a preparatory move similar to an attack.

Hibiki jumped up in fright, looking at Zabi-ko with a panicked expression:

"Zabi- Hakuno Kishinami?!"

"Let's check on her growth." Zabi-ko withdrew her hand without changing her expression, looking at Hibiki with the gaze of someone appraising a work of art. "Hmm, as a continuation of life information, all her parameters are developing well. As expected of Novia's daughter, her base stats are very high."

"Don't use that 'inspecting parts from the factory' tone!" Ritsuka finally couldn't hold back, lightly tapping Hakuno on the head with a chop to the head. "And, no touching your juniors! You perverted old man! I was just telling you my past stories!"

"This is just me showing concern for a junior," Zabi-ko said calmly, accepting the teasing and the slap on the wrist. "Speaking of which, Ritsuka, after hearing so much, and after what I've researched..."

Zabi-ko paused, seemingly organizing his thoughts.

"My 'sword' only needs to be sharp and silent. But your 'him' needs to save the world, needs to become the cornerstone of humanity, needs to Gilgamesh on countless battlefields, right?"

Ritsuka stopped moving.

"You didn't tie him to your side like I did, making him 'your only' possession. You let him go, or rather, you embraced the whole world with him. You let him become the light for everyone."

"So, Ritsuka."

Hakuno approached Ritsuka, so close that they could almost feel each other's breath.

She reached out, but instead of attacking, she gently brushed aside a strand of hair that was falling beside Ritsuka's cheek.

"To make Novia willingly burn everything for you, and even make him feel 'this is exactly what I expected'... You, the most top-tier 'Master,' the most greedy woman."

After saying that, Hakuno revealed a clear, mischievous smile.

The entire Bakery fell silent for a few seconds.

He stared wide-eyed at Ritsuka, then at Hakuno, feeling as if he had overheard some incredible secret.

After her initial surprise, Ritsuka's usually energetic face slowly flushed red.

But instead of shyly looking away, she looked directly into Hakuno's eyes.

Then, he burst out laughing.

"... Hakuno, you..."

Ritsuka shook her head helplessly, her blue eyes filled with understanding and cunning.

She knew, of course, that Hakuno Kishinami meant 'we are all winners,' but winners?

No, there were far too many winners; this was all too clear to Ritsuka.

"That's right."

Ritsuka reached out and pinched Hakuno's perpetually expressionless cheek.

"But there were only the two of us in this shop, he wasn't even here. How can that be considered greedy, right?"

Night, like molten Obsidian, gently enveloped the entire neighborhood.

The bustling streets of the day have long since fallen silent, leaving only the streetlights casting lonely halos of light on the sidewalks.

Inside the Bakery "La Repos," the final touches are nearing completion.

Ritsuka had just finished wiping the last tray and neatly placed it on the shelf.

The girl turned off most of the lights in the store, leaving only a warm spotlight above the counter, preserving the "home" warmth in this small space.

She walked to the glass door and skillfully flipped over the wooden sign that read "Open," revealing the words "Closed" on the back.

Ritsuka didn't go upstairs immediately, but stood quietly by the door, her gaze fixed on the shop name she had designed herself.

La Repos -- Place of Rest.

Why was this name chosen?

Ritsuka's thoughts drifted away involuntarily.

Because she needed a Place of Rest.

This has always been her dream, and it's a place that belongs to Ritsuka Fujimaru, since her parents are very happy about it.

At the same time, I hope this place can become Place of Rest for all those weary souls who have fought side by side.

Those who were summoned from Chaldea and returned to the Throne of Heroes.

If they occasionally have a moment of leisure, they might be willing to come here, sit down, and taste the sweetness of the wheat nurtured by the Human Order they have Protection.

Beneath these two reasons lies a secret that Ritsuka has never told anyone.

Hopefully, this will become a "coordinate".

A lighthouse that Novia can find by following the aroma of bread, no matter what time or space he is in or what stories he is experiencing, whenever he wants to "rest".

Honestly, I haven't improved at all.

Ritsuka gave a self-deprecating laugh to herself.

Just then...

A voice rang out in the quiet shop.

"Ritsuka, have a piece of bread."

Ritsuka's body stiffened for a moment.

But that stiffness quickly turned into a long sigh.

She didn't even turn around; she simply used her free hand to touch her forehead.

"... Hakuno Kishinami, you're doing this again, aren't you?"

His tone was filled with a mixture of amusement and exasperation towards Zabi-ko.

Ever since Hakuno discovered that imitating Novia's voice could have an effect on him, this kind of prank has become a regular occurrence.

"If you're hungry, there's a sandwich left for you in the fridge. Stop playing, come down, eat, and go to sleep."

Ritsuka said without turning her head.

"... A sandwich?" The voice seemed slightly confused. "Can't we just have freshly baked bread?"

"Still acting?" Ritsuka finally couldn't hold back any longer. She turned around, hands on her hips, striking a pose of "shop manager" authority. "I'll count to three, and if you don't get down, I'll take away all your hidden games..."

Her words came to an abrupt end.

Because someone had quietly appeared next to the counter without anyone noticing.

That's Kishinami Hakuno, who should be sleeping upstairs.

... wrong.

Ritsuka suddenly remembered.

Hakuno Kishinami skipped dinner and went to sleep on the second floor. I went up to check on her just now; she was sleeping soundly.

So...

The person in front of me... is...?

Ritsuka's breathing stopped.

His pupils contracted sharply.

He slowly raised his head.

Standing there was a young man I knew all too well.

Ritsuka's mind went completely blank for a moment.

He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

It was him.

Novia.

"... Long time no see, Ritsuka." Novia smiled, breaking the frozen silence. "Your Bakery looks fantastic."

"You..." Ritsuka finally found her voice, but it was incredibly dry and hoarse, "... Why..."

"I smelled something nice," he replied matter-of-factly, "So I came over."

Ritsuka was speechless.

Just as Ritsuka was about to take that step, that step that was far too late—

Call out!

A piercing howl, seemingly tearing the night sky apart, descended from the heavens.

Immediately afterwards,

A blinding blue light, like a meteorite, plummeted from the pitch-black night sky, accompanied by a teeth-grinding "crunch" as metal scraped against the ground. Something landed in a suicidal manner at the entrance of the Bakery.

It was a girl riding a single-person flying machine that looked Future and was currently crackling with electricity and emitting black smoke.

The girl had bright blonde hair and wore a blue and white outfit.

She seemed to completely ignore the soon-to-be-wrecked Mount, tumbling and crawling into the shop, and then, with the ferocity of a hungry tiger pouncing on its prey, grabbed Novia's leg.

"Boss--! So many years! I've finally found you--!!"

The girl's cries were so piercing that they could trigger a collective stress response in stray cats within a hundred miles.

"Quick! Come back with me! The police station is really out of money! If they don't pay salaries soon, I'm going to switch jobs and become a food delivery driver for First Delivery Company!"

Novia's face showed that headache-ridden expression that Ritsuka knew all too well.

He tried to pry the girl off his lap, but she held on tightly.

"And another thing! And all those messy girlfriends of yours are causing trouble in different Universe again! One's saying she's going to 'collect all Saberfaces,' and the other's announcing she's 'forming the Universe's Number One Idol Group '! I'm really in a bad situation right now! Boss! Ouch, that hurts, my back! I think I strained it when we landed! No, no, no~! Ah~, please, help me, boss, I'll do anything for you!!"

The mysterious girl, who called herself XX, wailed and incoherently reported her troubles.

For a moment, Ritsuka was at a loss for how to react.

However, she was, after all, Ritsuka Fujimaru.

He is the last Master of Chaldea who formed contracts with over a hundred unique Heroic Spirit and quelled countless Singularity and Lostbelt.

After a ten-second freeze, she slowly revealed a helpless yet knowing smile.

She walked over to Novia, who seemed to have given up struggling, and nudged him in the ribs with her elbow, gently but with undeniable force.

"Should we go and clean up that mess?"