"Senior, please don't use a duck to describe a lady..."
Mash said softly.
Fou jumped from where Kotori had been standing to Mash's feet.
She looked up at Ritsuka Fujimaru.
" Fou..."
It let out a comforting whimper.
Even Fou...
Ritsuka Fujimaru knelt down and picked up Fou.
"Never mind..."
She took a deep breath.
Then he turned to look at Tomoe Gozen.
Tomoe Gozen was standing not far away, looking in the direction where Kotori had disappeared.
" Tomoe Gozen!"
Tomoe Gozen turned around.
"Ah, Ritsuka Fujimaru- san."
"Um... did Kotori- san go back?"
"Yes, it should be."
"Um, may I ask what Kotori- san usually likes to do?"
Tomoe Gozen looked into Ritsuka Fujimaru's sparkling eyes.
"... You really want to be friends with Kotori?"
"Yes! I really want to!"
"Why?"
"Because Kotori- san is amazing! And so cute!"
"..."
Tomoe Gozen was silent for two seconds.
"Cute?"
"Yes! The way you stood in front of everyone to protect them was so cool! And the way you hugged Fou was so cute!"
"And she's so small, yet so strong, the contrast is just too adorable..."
Ritsuka Fujimaru became more and more excited as she spoke.
Tomoe Gozen's expression subtly changed.
"You wouldn't...?"
"Um?"
"Do you like Kotori?"
"Huh?!"
Ritsuka Fujimaru's face flushed red instantly.
"No, that's not what I meant! I just want to be friends with her!"
"Yeah..."
It's true!
Tomoe Gozen looked at Ritsuka Fujimaru's expression.
She could tell.
The red-haired girl meant no harm to Kotori.
I simply wanted to get closer to them.
But that's precisely why she's in such a difficult position.
Ever since the other party found out that he and Kotori were living together, Ritsuka Fujimaru would always intentionally or unintentionally steer the conversation toward Kotori whenever she tried to chat with him.
"Miss Tomoe Gozen, does Miss Kotori usually prefer sweet or savory food?"
"Miss Tomoe Gozen, does Kotori kick off the covers when she sleeps?"
"Miss Tomoe Gozen, is there anything that Miss Kotori particularly dislikes?"
"Miss Tomoe Gozen-- "
She's still quite inexperienced when it comes to various chat techniques.
But precisely because they are unfamiliar with the process, they can immediately see through the other person's intentions.
Ritsuka Fujimaru also noticed Tomoe Gozen's troubled expression.
Her mind raced.
Since conquering Kotori is as difficult as climbing to the sky.
Why not try to improve your relationship with Tomoe Gozen first?
" Tomoe Gozen!"
"Um?"
"Besides taking care of Kotori, what else do you like to do?"
"... Huh?"
Tomoe Gozen paused for a moment.
This is the first time that the topic of conversation isn't about Kotori.
"I... usually cook, clean, and knit clothes, things like that."
Knitting? That's amazing! I want to learn too!
"Really?"
"Um! Tomoe Gozen, could you teach me?"
"Well... of course."
A smile appeared on Tomoe Gozen's face.
"Actually, knitting clothes is quite interesting."
"Very good!"
Ritsuka Fujimaru took a step closer to Tomoe Gozen.
"What does Tomoe Gozen usually knit?"
The two started chatting.
Mash stood by and watched this scene unfold.
"You're amazing, senior..."
She muttered something under her breath.
Fou nestled in Mash's arms, her purple eyes half-closed.
" Fou..."
evening.
The Central Temple of Uruk.
Main hall.
Gilgamesh summoned everyone to the temple.
Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash sat on one side of the long table.
Fou lay on Mash's lap.
Two semi-transparent Projection floated beside them: Dr. Roman and Director Olga Marie.
Across from them sat Jaguar Man and Ana.
Gilgamesh sat in the main seat.
Siduri stood beside him.
Merlin leaned against a pillar.
Tomoe Gozen, Leonidas, Ushiwakamaru, and Musashibō Benkei sat on the other side of the long table.
Kotori didn't come.
Gilgamesh scanned everyone present.
You've all seen what happened today.
" Ishtar, the goddess who protects Uruk, was captured on the spot by a foreign god."
His voice echoed in the hall.
"This was unheard of even during the height of the divine era."
"The morale of the people of Uruk is currently low."
"Only a few people still believe in me and that red-haired Berserker."
He paused for a moment.
"Now, I'd like to hear your opinions."
The hall was silent for a few seconds.
Then Merlin spoke first.
" Quetzal's strength should have been confirmed by now, right?"
"That's right."
Leonidas nodded.
"Their direct combat strength may surpass that of Ishtar."
"Her final attack, the Wind- Noble Phantasm..."
Ushiwakamaru chimed in.
"That move directly blew the aftershocks of the Noble Phantasm collision into outer space."
"If that move was used for attack..."
She didn't continue speaking.
But the meaning is obvious.
"And she seems to be particularly skilled in close combat."
Benkei added.
"In close combat, even Leonidas might not be able to defeat her."
"Hey, don't drag me into this mess!"
Leonidas's voice sounded somewhat helpless.
"But what she said is true."
"That woman's fighting skills were unlike anything I'd ever seen on the battlefield."
"It is neither any known martial arts style, yet it is more refined than any known style."
Gilgamesh tapped his fingers on the armrest.
"So what is your conclusion?"
"There's no chance of winning in a direct confrontation."
Merlin summarized for everyone.
"At least for now."
"..."
Dr. Roman's Projection rubbed his chin.
So the question now is how to deal with Quetzalcoatl.
She gave us a deadline, saying that when she comes to Uruk next, she will listen to our choices.
"To submit or to be destroyed."
"What if we do nothing and she comes next time?"
"Of course, we will not submit."
Gilgamesh's voice turned cold.
" The King of Uruk will never bow to any being."
Even if the other party is a god.
"But..."
He glanced at Ritsuka Fujimaru.
What are your thoughts, Chaldea?
Everyone looked at Ritsuka Fujimaru.
Ritsuka Fujimaru was still in a daze.
"Huh? Me?"
"Right."
"Uh... let me think..."
She ran her fingers through her hair.
Then Dr. Roman's voice rang in her ears.
" Ritsuka, take the initiative."
"Go and negotiate with Quetzalcoatl Koyatt."
"What?"
"Think about it, Quetzalcoatl didn't kill a single person in the entire battle."
"And what she said before, like 'surrender or destruction,' seemed more like she was deliberately trying to scare you."
"If she really wanted to destroy Uruk, she had many opportunities just now."
"So, go and talk to her."
"Maybe we can bring her over to your side too."
Olga Marie also spoke up.
Roman is right.
"Furthermore, according to mythological records, Quetzalcoatl is a benevolent god."
She utterly despised human sacrifice rituals and deeply loved humanity.
"If negotiations proceed properly, an alliance is not out of the question."
Ritsuka Fujimaru listened to the advice of her two superiors.
"So the doctor means I should lead everyone to find Quetzalcoatl?"
"Right."
"Isn't this a terrible idea?!"
Ritsuka Fujimaru almost jumped up.
"The last time I looked for her, we ran into Jaguar Man and almost all of us were wiped out!"
"Are we going to find someone even more powerful this time?"
That's different.
Dr. Roman's Projection shook his finger.
"Last time, this was the Jaguar Man's territory; you were the intruders."
"This time, you took the initiative to talk to Quetzalcoatl Koyatell; your attitude is different."
"Besides, haven't you already established a good relationship with the Jaguar Man?"
"This time, the Jaguar Man can put in a good word for you."
"Plus, Tomoe Gozen can also go, adding another powerful combatant."
"With Merlin here, we can do our best to ensure you escape alive."
"So, absolutely no problem!"
"Go, go, Ritsuka, I believe in you!"
I believe you too.
"You two,"
Ritsuka Fujimaru looked at the two Projection above her head.
Black lines appeared on his forehead.
But ultimately...
She sighed again.
"... Okay then."
"I'll go."
She stood up.
"If things are beyond our control, we can only do our best and leave the rest to fate."
"Then it's decided."
Gilgamesh patted the armrest.
"Led by Ritsuka Fujimaru of Chaldea, along with Mash, Ana, the Jaguar Man, Merlin, and Tomoe Gozen, they will head to the southern forest to negotiate with Quetzalcoatl."