"As for investigating the Mage's Association's specific movements, hiding the Spirit Origin portraits Miss Fujimaru used, and dealing with the aftermath of the Servants' departure—those were all things I handled."
"Though, it wasn't particularly difficult."
"Sherlock Holmes!"
Fujimaru Ritsuka's eyes lit up, and she shot up from her chair.
"My, my! What an adorable reaction! Excellent!"
Sherlock Holmes looked quite pleased as well—at least, he was pleased with Fujimaru Ritsuka's reaction.
"So hiding in advance was not in vain."
"Hey, hey, hey, hide already!"
Da Vinci, however, looked entirely unappreciative. She grabbed Sherlock Holmes by the hand, dragged him straight into the Magic Workshop, then slammed the workshop door shut with a bang.
"Dear me, how rough."
Sherlock Holmes dusted off his sleeve, wearing a somewhat helpless expression.
"Sorry, Ritsuka, but Sherlock Holmes is a secret among secrets. In all the reports I sent to the Mage's Association over the past year or so, I never even revealed so much as the 'S' in Sherlock Holmes, you know?"
"The only Servants currently allowed to operate legally in Chaldea are myself, Leonardo da Vinci, and Lawrence Anno Falgao. A person called Sherlock Holmes simply does not exist, understood? In any case, this is insurance, just in case. You understand, right?"
Da Vinci spoke with utter seriousness.
"O-Okay."
Though she did not entirely understand, Fujimaru Ritsuka nodded.
"I shall overlook being referred to as 'a person called Sherlock Holmes' for now, Miss Fujimaru. This is also for the safety of Chaldea's former staff, especially you and Miss Mash."
Sherlock Holmes raised one finger.
"That is to say, there are [unseen enemies], and my existence makes me an [ally unseen by the enemy]. Everything requires contingencies, especially in circumstances like these, where we have no choice but to place our fates in others'