Epilogue II: The Pair

A few moments before Rei left the place, several hundred meters from it, two figures could be seen. The former having a somewhat deadpan look on her face while the latter had an exhausted one.

The former, Gudako Fujimaru, the Last Master of Chaldea was acting rather uncharacteristically this time.

She sighed as she held her head.

They were looking upon the piles of rubble and debris spread all over and the ground that they are stepping in. This was just a part of the whole park which looked peaceful and beautiful before had become.

And so, she began to recall everything before arriving here.

——

[A few minutes earlier]

Before the explosion occured, they were transported near the city. As such, they took the opportunity to find a high ground and try to observe the battle from afar.

One may ask why she didn't try to help Rei in this situation. The answer of that was plain obvious. It was his 'personal' problem with that other Spirit and he doesn't want anybody to interfere from it—and that includes her and her Kouhai, thus, throwing them out of the place and set up something akin to a bounded field to contain themselves within.

At first, they could not see what was happening inside the barrier since it was made not only to contain what's inside but to also prevent outsiders from seeing what is inside of it. That was until cracks and ruptures from the barriers began to form, slowly chipping away its properties to conceal what's inside.

That was when the opportunity came, a gap or hole that was completely devoid of any barrier and such that was located on the upper section, much to Gudako's luck, the place where she was gave her the liberty to see the battle first hand.

Truthfully, Gudako's eyes could follow their movements as the two Spirits fought. To her credit, she could only do this kind of observation due to her experience commanding heroic spirits in the countless battles that occured on her journey. As such, something like this should be a given.

As the battle progressed, Gudako could see that the climax was approaching. If she were to compare what was going to happen next, then it would be that the two Spirits would unleash there greatest attacks—or to more likely due to the convergence of 'prana', 'mana', or 'reiryoku', depending on what term you like.

It would be attacks that would be on a similar scale of an 'Anti-Army' or 'Anti-Fortress' classification of a 'Noble Phantasm'.

The barrier won't hold long, probably, the collision that may occur within would not contain the explosion it would cause. And so, she immediately commanded Mashu to prepare her Noble Phantasm.

What was behind them was the city itself after all. Protecting what's behind them was necessary, after all, who knows how much damage would this explosion cause.

And to do so, Gudako thought of an interesting idea. What about trying to overload the supply of mana in Mashu's Noble Phantasm in order to enlarge its overall output?

Did she try this before? Maybe she did or maybe she did not, what's important is that trying this now should definitely give some favorable results.

"Mashu, begin to activate your Noble Phantasm… this will nullify at least most of the incoming blast," Gudako then placed her hand on Mashu's shoulder as she prepared to use it. "And there's something I want to test. Deploy it as wide as possible. I'll begin supplying the mana," And she begun transferring.

Mashu could feel it inside her as she placed the shield in front of her, "Mashu, aim for the where you think its best," Gudako commanded her. She focused and closed her eyes as the buildup within her begin. Her will harder than the iron.

Mashu opened her eyes, resolve written on her face. A glowing glyph appeared beneath her.

'That which heals all wounds'

'And grudges, our glorious homeland'

Mashu raised her shield filled with dedication and perseverance, which its weight did not bother her in the slightest. Mashu could feel she was carrying the world itself by her hands, which is filled with her desire to protect everyone.

Gudako's mana kept on supplied on her and Mashu's Noble Phantasm's output began to grow.

Mashu could see the embodiment of Camelot about to take form, she only need to strike the hammer.

'Manifest yourself'

And the final chant was sung. All that's left was to call out its name.

"<Lord Camelot!>"

Mashu slammed the shield down the ground as much as she can hold on. The deeper it roots, the wider its influence. Mashu channeled everything she got to the building and to behold…

The building that they are stepping in got swallowed by the white castle as Mashu's noble phantasm reformed many times as it can until it was the largest castle Mashu has her eyes set on it. It wasn't even translucent; it completely materialized to its fullest to the point Mashu could see its details perfectly; the insignia, the gate, the windows...

*BOOOOOOOOMMMM*

...and the presumed explosion came. And the castle took the explosion, never moving, never breaking. It protected the city that is located from behind without no doubt.

——

After that, Gudako told Mash to make her Noble Phantasm cease as soon as the explosion ended. Mashu nodded promptly, her gaze scanning the area.

She found nobody as the cloud of dust soon spread over the place when she undeployed her Noble Phantasm. But certainly, she felt one—or two, no, 'several' presences lurking somewhere on the sky.

The sound of something akin to a gun firing in rounds could be heard several hundred meters away.

However, they were still quite far from where they are, added the fact that the dust and the remaining pieces of the cracking barrier were still obscuring their eyes from. In Mashu's guess, those presences were located on the opposite direction from theirs.

Are they an enemy or an ally? The only way to find out was to seek those people out.

'Maybe it was Rei-senpai? But...' Mashu halted her thoughts. There could be no way that he was one of those presences. First of all, his armament wasn't that of a 'gun' but a 'sword', second, if she was correct, he would seek some assistance or help if he or the other Spirit was wounded or injured in the first place.

Besides, fighting someone right off the bat just after a previous one wouldn't be called the wisest choice.

Unfortunately, before they could reach and properly see where those presences were, Mashu felt that they had already disappeared right after the sounds of guns ceased from continuing.

Noticing the same, Gudako inquired Mashu just to be sure, "Mashu, did they left already?"

"...Yes, Senpai. But we can confirm that they are not Rei-senpai and the other Spirit," Mashu replied as she nodded.

Gudako merely listened. Even if she wants to inquire more details, that could be left later, finding Rei and the other Spirit would be their first priority.

They moved in haste and tried to check on Rei and the other Spirit only to find nothing.

Yes, nothing but utter ruin all over the place. Probably, Rei left the area as soon the battle ended. He has the capability of doing that after all.

And thus, bringing them up in this situation stated from before.

"Ah...." Gudako called out with a somewhat dry tone, "Mashu..."

"Yes, Senpai?" Answered Mashu who was still surveying the area. So far, she felt that there were people near in where they are standing before who she presumed as Rei and the other Spirit.

Turning her head to her Senpai on the next second, Mashu only tilted her head slightly in response.

"We...no," Gudako corrected as she shook her head. "I, um, kinda....really contributed on messing up this one huh"

"Uhm..." Mashu scratches her cheek as she tries to give a gentle answer to Gudako who has now a dry and tired look on her face. "It's not entirely your fault, Senpai," Mashu said in attempt to comfort her.

Yes, it was sa fact that it wasn't her entire fault. Nonetheless, she was 'partly' at fault making her involved definitely.

Surely, who was joking here. She who has ventured throughout many places starting from restoring proper human history, fighting off BEASTS of Humanity, and destroying off pruned timelines, was now kind of sulking for someone on a problem that might consider as a 'average' or even 'easy' at best.

Yet, she somewhat failed—or rather, she somewhat escalated the situation which bore a misunderstanding that led all to this.

As in, who would've expected that a simple misunderstanding would wind up resulting into a fight to a scale of...Servants fighting off to kill each other.

...

...

Oh yeah. Speaking of quarrels involving love and relationship...they kinda reminded them of Sigurd and Brynhildr.

However, the Servants know restraints, only focuses their fights on themselves in order to minimize the damage they would cause to their surroundings, and has a different circumstances. These Spirits though doesn't have that kind of 'restraints', nor care about their surroundings—is what they would've concluded back then if Rei haven't set up this barrier which ended up futile in the long run.

At least he tried right?

"..." Gudako silently pondered.

Could she have handled the situation much better? Oh she knows she could, and yet, she didn't. She was definitely aware of her circumstances. Gudako was definitely losing her edge. Is it because she had grown too complacent in this 'somewhat' peaceful world that she was sent in?

It was then Mashu sighed. She knows, something, of course she does. The dilemma and distress that her Senpai was facing even from back then about thinking and finding out ways to return back to Chaldea.

And several months had passed ever since then. Their endeavors never practically bore fruit.

Still, Gudako didn't lose hope, she strived and struggled on attaining that objective of returning back...and she still does so up until now, never wavering, never stopping.

For her to make such 'simple' mistakes that took part of an...'argument' which eventually led up blowing a part of a city, Mashu couldn't help but give a glance at her Senpai.

If Mashu were to point out what is the center or point of concern towards her Senpai is...then its probably she was just...'tired'.

Her Senpai needs to take a real break. To relax. Being trapped in this world for so long really took a toll on Gudako's well being more than expected. Even if Gudako acts carefree, jolly, and confident on the outside, Mashu knows that deep in her Senpai's mind, she was always trying to ponder about ways and clues on how to return back to Chaldea.

That's why she needs to rest. Her Senpai's mind right now was probably in distress due to the recent problems, including this situation, or pile up on her head.

So first, she needs to get her Senpai's thoughts on track.

"Senpai, I'm sorry for this," Mashu said out of the blue as she lifted one of her arms in the air. She closed her eyes as if she was gathering resolve.

"Mashu? What are y—" Sadly, Gudako didn't get to finish her words...

*SLAP!*

"Eeeeek!"

...her Kouhai proceeded and slapped her ass 'hard'—ehem, 'lightly' in notice which earned an adorable yelp from the Master of Chaldea.

To be honest, Mashu wanted to slap Gudako 'hard'—correction, 'lightly' on the head and somehow, the trajectory changed downwards. Coincidence? An accident?

That was an accident—yes—and that was final.

The two remained silent right after.

"..."

"..."

The Master was looking teary eyed as she gazed at her Kouhai while her Kouhai looked ashamed, however, she was showing some resolution and seriousness in her eyes.

It was then, Gudako recognized that resolute look that her Kouhai was giving her. Slowly, she widened her eyes in realization. She noticed.

Seeing that reaction out from here Senpai, Mashu asked her Senpai in concern, "...have you made up your thoughts, Senpai?"

At the same time, she looked embarrassed from her unaccounted mistake.

"That's..." Gudako tried to reply. But she cut it short as she shook her head. Blinking her eyes, she then faced her Kouhai once more.

"Ah, thanks... Mashu, that really helped," said Gudako with still teary eyes as she caressed her stinging ass. Still, it was REALLY painful to be honest! Getting a slap on the ass from a Demi-servant was no joke as all!

"...I'm sorry about that again, Senpai," Mashu bowed expressing shame on her tone while still having a flushed expression.

Still, she can't bring up the topic of slapping her ass even though she intended it to be on her head. Things like these should be better left ignored.

Seeing this, Gudako let out a chuckle as

she wiped her momentary tears away. Even if it's just a misunderstanding...or not, who knows? She still knew that this Kouhai of hers was still looking after her all the time.

"No no, don't mind it. I should be the one saying that to you...and to some others as well," Gudako replied while showing Mashu a gentle smile as she patted her head which further reddened the face of her Kouhai.

"Should I go apologize to them for the misunderstanding as fast as possible?"

"...I don't think that would work considering how things progressed. Its still too early, we need to make sure Rei-senpai and his girlfriend...Tohka-san, makes up before apologizing..."

"You're right..." Gudako nodded as she agreed. "That way, we can simply explain and talk things out as calm as possible..."

Gudako started to ponder more as she was about to add more, however, Mashu quickly shifted her gaze to the south before speaking.

"We need to leave Senpai, the local authorities or those...AST are quickly approaching the vicinity. They'll be here at any second," Mashu said as she looked up in a distance.

"Got it," Stretching her arms in the air, Gudako sighed once more. "Let's go home for now, shall we?"

——

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[A/N: Quite shorter chap than usual eh (if ya consider 2.5k short that is...).

WRYYYYYYY—Ah, hm?

Anyways, as you can see, it's titled 'Epilogue II' for a specific reason. I plan to make an individual chapter for each perspective of the MC's and other parties making the epilogue be cut into 3 parts.

I mean, the previous chap is 4.5k for godsake, if I add 2.5k and another 3k estimate fr the next chap, doesn't it make the epilogue 10k words? That would be really tedious to read so I split it.

This was the second one so next week or so, I would release the final chap for this arc before jumping on the next arc.

After that, I will take time to prepare the draft and ideas for the upcoming arc which would require some work, I'mma go reread the novel again for references and ideas to see how it goes. And phew....this is gonna be tough.

By the way, what do you guys think about a poll? Wanna have one, or not? Comment here guys, and about what topic the poll would be...it would be revealed as soon as I hear ya opinions.

So gimme stones, POWA STONES---!

With that said, ciao~]