The bell was tolling. Pouring light over Ritsuka's head.
[Dragon. The Evening Bell guided you. Therefore—I must ask. And, those who step into this mausoleum must die without exception.]
Gashari, the [Old Man of the Mountain] declared.
[Show me the proof. The way of being that you truly are one who desires the world and the future. With my all, I shall witness your soul, your destiny—]
The Old Man of the Mountain's words were cold yet sincere. There was not a fragment of falsehood or vanity.
'Show me the proof that you are you,' the existence before her said.
—The trembling stopped.
[—Yes!]
What, if that's the case... it's what I've been doing for a long time.
"—Fuu."
She deactivated her armor, removing her cloak, shield, bow, and...
"Mother, wait here."
Slowly placing down her other half, Yasutsuna, she approached with a desperate expression.
—What I've always been doing. Being me.
Step by step, she trod firmly, eventually stopping in front of the [Old Man of the Mountain].
—Suppressing the sense of loss and fear like standing on a cliff edge, about to fall into the abyss with a single step, about to be pushed off without a lifeline, Ritsuka inhaled.
—It's nothing. I just have to do it again.
And, she declared. Who she is.
What kind of human—she is... She showed it with herself alone—!
"——I am Fujimaru Ritsuka! Master Number 48! My hobbies are communication and subculture in general! What I hate is prejudice! My motto is——"
Ritsuka's words of power shook the mausoleum. Resonating as if to drown out the Bell of Destiny.
"『If there is a will, I can become friends even with God』!! If you have time, I would like to tell you about my half-life until coming here, would that be alright!"
[————Very well. Show me your life before me.]
While widening his eyes at the girl who disarmed herself and challenged him unarmed, he narrowed his eyes and urged the dialogue.
"Thank you! Um, well then—"
Ritsuka began to speak. Of her half-life.
Being born as a copy of her father and mother, and failing to meet their expectations.
Living while disappointing her father and mother. Receiving all kinds of persecution in middle school.
Meeting Guda-shi when her sense of life became thin. Receiving irreplaceable time and salvation.
Graduating and changing her way of life. That Guda-shi had passed away. That she shed tears and wailed.
Coming to Chaldea by Guda-shi's final guidance. And from there, fighting to save Human Order.
Defeating Lancelot with Mash and Gil in France.
Seeing her best friend Olga Marie's Reality Marble for the first time in Rome and being impressed.
Forming a bond with the great pirate in Okeanos who reminded her of her friend.
Gaining a mother and brother in London, and witnessing the heart and soul of the King of Heroes she respects.
Burning the figure of the coolest brother into her soul in America.
And—defeating the Evils of Humanity... her own possible potential, together with her precious partner and pride, the 'Dragon Witch', the Avenger of rightful wrath, the Iron Angel.
Her precious best friend, junior, companions. And—that the journey walking with the great Kings continues even now.
"I will definitely take back the future! I won't forgive the King of Mages... Goetia, who stole the future that belonged to everyone!"
[—...]
The Old Man of the Mountain simply narrowed his eyes and listened.
He calmly watched the single girl showing her 'Life', her 'Way of Being', staking her entire soul.
"I might be an Evil of Humanity, but regardless of that, I want to take back the future! I want to take back the future where everyone lives, tomorrow, staking everything of this body!"
[—Is that your will?]
"Of course! For my sake, I will take back everyone's future! Because the whole world is waiting for me, because the whole world is calling me!"
Shaking the mausoleum, Ritsuka roared.
"I am Fujimaru Ritsuka! A maiden who overcomes pity to slay evil, and will surely save the world someday——!!!"
Yes, she declared and demonstrated.
'I am me, and one who desires the future of the world.'
[————]
Having heard every single word, the Old Man of the Mountain lowered his sword.
[—Understood. I have certainly assessed your soul.]
He thrust the shield in his left hand into the ground.
"...Huh?"
Suddenly, Ritsuka realized that the sound of the bell she had been hearing had subsided and become silent.
[Fujimaru Ritsuka. It seems the Evening Bell has certainly acknowledged your life. Heaven will likely no longer alter your destiny.]
Narrowing his eyes, the Old Man of the Mountain announced cheerfully.
[—To think you would challenge me unarmed, not with hostility or malice, or even the will to survive, but silencing Heaven's Will with just 'Your Way of Being', killing my doubt. —Hmph. This is the first time this Old Man of the Mountain has permitted an assassination from the front.]
"Eh, have you been challenged to fight with weapons, Hassan-sama?"
[In the distant past, such memories certainly exist. —Fujimaru Ritsuka.]
"Y-Yes!"
To Ritsuka straightening her posture pishiri, the Old Man of the Mountain announced with satisfaction.
[It is a good journey, good memories. —Good, truly good... is the path of your journey. Though a pagan, you seem to be one worthy of trust. —That heart that never wavers, never falters, and remains composed—was exactly what we, the Old Men of the Mountain, needed...]
...He is the Assassin who kills Assassins, the Hassan who kills Hassans. To bring a Great Cause to that broken role, he hoisted a greatsword as his weapon.
He never forgave the corruption of the Old Men of the Mountain. Those who serve God falling to human greed. He exempted that sin by decapitation, becoming the hope for the next generation.
Among the Old Men of the Mountain handed down to the present day, not a single one escaped that yoke. In other words—
—It is proof that everyone, spirit and body, fell to human greed and could not escape corruption. That is why he, too, continued to carve eternal time in the abyss.
...He couldn't help but think. If the Old Men of the Mountain had possessed the spirit and soul to advance nobly while shouldering the evils of humanity.
If the Old Men of the Mountain had possessed the strength to fulfill their duty and life without drowning in power or greed.
Perhaps—his own body 'could have ended'—
[—Fujimaru Ritsuka.]
With that thought, the Old Man of the Mountain spoke.
"Y-Yes!"
[—Is the sword of an Assassin necessary for your journey?]
Ritsuka gasped.
"Eh—that means..."
[I am asking if my assassination arts are needed for a part of the aid for the ending you seek.]
A moment of blankness, and Ritsuka nodded immediately.
"Of course! Of course! It looks super strong! No, it is strong! Definitely strong!"
[—Accepted. Then my sword shall tie a bond with you and swear aid.]
Ritsuka gently placed her hand on the proffered sword. Determination flowed from the sword stained with faith.
[Here, the bond is tied. May the Sword of Assassination be of help to your path. —Hopefully, for a long time.]
"Yes! I look forward to working with you! Gramps (Jiiji)!"
[—]
The Old Man of the Mountain froze at the outlandish nickname.
"Ah, ...was that bad?"
[—Fine. I am nameless. No agreements, no desires. Call me as you like.]
"So magnanimous!! —Ah, then Gramps, can I ask just one thing?"
Ritsuka cleared her throat kohon.
"—If someday I end up drowning in the power of the Evils of Humanity... please take my head."
She bowed deeply.
[—...]
"Because I am human... I might make a mistake someday. I might stand in everyone's way. —I might become corrupt. I don't want to make everyone sad when that happens... so Gramps, I ask this of you."
Ritsuka has resolved herself.
And she pleaded for her own 'Kaishaku' (Seconding).
An end before she makes someone sad.
If it's Gramps, she can entrust it. Because he is Death itself.
Because Death is equal to everyone. —Surely, he will give an end even to me who has become a 'Beast.'
That is the bond, that is the connection.
In exchange for the Old Man of the Mountain's aid... Ritsuka offered her 'Head.'
[—Accepted. When the Dragon falls to a Beast, my sword shall release your soul. —Raise your head.]
The Old Man of the Mountain placed his hand on the shoulder of Ritsuka who raised her head.
[—We must both remain composed so as not to meet such an ending.]
"Yeah! It's too dangerous for a 'what if'!"
The Old Man of the Mountain narrowed his eyes, and Ritsuka laughed.
[—And, I have something to tell you.]
At the same time, he gave advice to the junior who ran through.
[Dragon. Anger is good. Determination is good. But, there is something you must never forget.]
"Something I must not forget?"
Calmly, the Old Man of the Mountain nodded.
[—Mercy. Even if you wield power, even if you desire the future, you must never forget mercy. That applies equally to the one who achieved the Incineration of Humanity.]
"To Goetia too...?"
[It is essential to see through the true intentions and determination of that one, of those called the Evils of Humanity, and to truly slay them... Do not forget, Dragon.]
...While hesitating, Ritsuka chewed on those words.
"—A heart of mercy. I understand, Gramps. I'll carve it into my heart."
[—Good. And—though a young one might not understand.]
Gently, the Old Man of the Mountain handed something to Ritsuka.
[Rest is also essential to life. —Use this as aid.]
What she received was 'Al-Bukhūr'. Incense that gives peace to those who smell it.
"Wow! Thank you Gramps! ...Nnn, it smells calming."
[...—Having invited you, it would be rude to leave it at this. —Take this.]
He handed a pitch-black cloak to Ritsuka.
[It is what I wore in life. You should use it to decorate your Dragon Armor.]
"Cool!! Now I can do the Black Getter tactic! Thank you Gramps!"
Ritsuka immediately equipped her full armament.
[Does it suit me!? Gramps, does it suit me!?]
Zankantou in her right hand, the bow harboring the moon's brilliance in her left. Gauntlets on both hands, Nemean Dragon Wings on her back. And—a bloodstained scarf transformed from the Old Man of the Mountain's cloak, and a mantle exuding dignity.
The Dragon Armor equipped even more viciously and ominously. That item stained with the Old Man of the Mountain's technique gave Ritsuka Presence Concealment and awe against all life.
[—Good.]
[Yaaaay! Thank you, Gramps! I'm glad I came here!]
Eventually, Ritsuka and the Old Man of the Mountain finished their meeting and parted.
[Dragon. Time left is short. Before the Holy Lance regains its true form... defeat the Lion King.]
The Old Man of the Mountain looked up at Ritsuka, who mounted the Dragoon and was about to fly off.
[In that fortress, there is a fool whose person is imprisoned. —He shall become a poisonous flower to aid you. Go.]
"Yes! Thank you for everything! Gramps!"
[—It is I who should thank you. ...At the end of this journey, this battle... I wish to disappear this time. —That is nothing other than the 'Ending' I desired——]
Drawing a pitch-black trajectory, the Old Man of the Mountain watched the back of Ritsuka leaving the mausoleum—forever—
Epilogue: The Return of the Dragon
"The sound of a bell——!? Sir Mash, is that true!"
"Y-Yes. She said there was the sound of a bell, so she was going."
"That, that cannot be... Why, why did the First Founder give her the Notification of Death!?"
"Notification of... Death?"
"Those who hear the sound of that bell do not return alive! Ohh, why, why not an immature one like me, but our hope—"
[I'm hooome!]
"Ah, Senpai!"
"What!! Lady Ritsuka, well done returning safely———"
[Sorry for making you worry! Everyone! Offer your heaaads!!]
"Hahaa——!!"
[Eh!?]
"Mr. Hassan!?"
"N-No! For some reason, I heard the First Founder's voice from Lady Ritsuka..."
('...You came back, Ritsuka. I wasn't worried. Because my body wouldn't last if I was.')
('Yes, yes. Mother believed in you, Ritsuka. You've become even more reliable...')
"I'm home, both of you! ...Marie?"
('What were you doing in a place where communications don't connect———!!!')
"I'm sorryyyyy———!!!"
-------------------------------
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