"Swapping out a spot for a live one like this is straight-up crazy, nya~. And Noble Phantasms? Brutal. Absolute nightmare," the black cat whimpered, slumping into the shadows.
"Stop whining and do your job. That's what being a 'live one' is all about. It's a Grand Order, after all," came the dry, unyielding response from the darkness.
"I wanna go home, nya..."
The Airheaded Vampire: Arcueid Brunestud
"Woah, seriously?! So what, you guys actually saved the entire world?!"
Having just heard the grand chronicle of their ordeal from Rikka and Mash—who had Rayshifted into the area shortly after her—Arcueid threw her hands in the air, practically radiating wide-eyed, unfiltered amazement.
"How old are you two, anyway?"
"In terms of active operational age, Senpai and I are roughly the same," Mash answered politely, adjusting her shield. "For me, I suppose I would be around high school age."
"I'm a first-year high schooler!" Rikka chimed in, striking a heroic pose. "Just your average, everyday high school girl! Man, I've always wanted to say that line!"
"Senpai, please refrain from falsifying your background," Mash sighed, shooting her a deadpan look. "You are, without a doubt, an abnormal civilian. An extra-ordinary person."
"You think you're pretty clever, don't you, my sweet little junior?!"
"(Smug grin)"
"Ahaha! You two are so close!" Arcueid burst out laughing, her red eyes sparkling. "Chopping me into pieces, saving the world... man, being a high schooler sounds like a wild time!"
She marveled at them for a second longer before her eyes lit up.
"~Alrighty then! Come 'ere, you! ♪"
"Wh-Wha?!"
Without warning, Arcueid spun around, scooped the walking Rikka into a tight, suffocating hug, and began aggressively nuzzling and rubbing her head.
"E-Eek! Arcueid-san?!"
"You did such an amazing job taking on a responsibility like that!" Arcueid beamed, squeezing her tighter. "Not an elemental sensor like me, and not a machine programmed like a Counter Guardian... the fact that an actual human being like you saved the world is shocking, and it makes me so happy. Because that's something only a true human could ever accomplish."
Wrapped in a intoxicatingly sweet scent and pressed firmly against Arcueid's soft chest, Rikka's face turned bright, vivid crimson.
"I-I don't know if you can strictly call me a 'normal human'..." Rikka mumbled softly into Arcueid's shoulder, her tone dropping into something genuine. "I just... held my ground. I only made it this far because everyone fought so hard and supported me. It's definitely not something I achieved on my own. I only made it through because everyone was there with me."
"I see, I see~! ♪ Look at you being all humble! Big sister loves that! ♪ Now I just wanna shower you with even more praise! Come here! ♪ Take a dose of my Ultimate Headpats~! Just kidding! ♪"
...Arcueid-neesan... Could this woman actually be... the big sister I never had...?!
Faced with Arcueid's cat-like whimsy, boundless mood swings, and innocent cheerfulness, Rikka suddenly experienced a strange, cosmic enlightenment.
"S-Senpai! Get a grip on yourself!" Mash interjected frantically, waving her hands. "You two practically just met! It is far too early to start acting spoiled!"
"Oho? Is someone jealous, nya~? Are you mad that I took your Master away, nya~?"
"I am not! My only rival is Jeanne-san!"
"Well, then it's settled! ♪ I'm basically just a lost wanderer here anyway, so let's go with 'traveling companions show no mercy'! There don't seem to be any annoying entanglements or low-level thugs around here anyway! Taking it easy and having fun for once sounds like a blast!"
Arcueid laughed merrily. ...Hypothetically speaking, if someone who truly understood her nature were present, they would have delivered a scathing critique: 'You never think about anything anyway.'
"A lost wanderer, huh..." Romani muttered with a strained, awkward chuckle over the comms. "Director, what should we do?"
Olga Marie hummed in deep thought, tapping her chin before crossing her arms.
"She hasn't been granted Madness Enhancement, there are no signs of Mental Pollution, and she's capable of rational communication... Arcueid-san."
"If that's too formal, you can just call me Arcueid. Or Arcue, Grail-san! ♪"
"—What class are you?"
Olga Marie swallowed the shock of having her suspicions verified, forcing herself to maintain a cool, professional composure.
"Hmm..." Arcueid tapped her chin playfully. "Financial Crisis, Blood Drinker, Life Eater... I've got a bunch, but right now... Funny Vamp! Let's go with that! Yep, decided! I'm a Funny Vamp! Name's Arcueid—nice to meetcha!"
She snapped a crisp, energetic peace sign near her eye. Though overwhelmed by her sheer chaotic energy, the group pulled themselves together.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Arcueid-san," Mash said with a polite bow. "Let us support Senpai together!"
"I strongly object to you talking about me like I'm a nursing home patient, Mash!"
"Harsh words will naturally fade away once you raise your Spirit Origin as a proper lady! Let us do our best!"
"Man, this junior of mine has developed quite the attitude! Fine, fine, I get it! Just make sure you support me properly! You too, Arcueid-neesan!"
"Will do~! Rikka-chan? Didn't you already use that perfume once today?"
"Stop treating me like an elderly resident!"
With the three of them hitting it off instantly, they set out together, stepping out from the dense shadows of the forest.
"I certainly didn't expect to run into a Stray Servant in a place like this, Director," Romani noted. "Could she be a guide prepared by that Elizabeth person?"
"Who knows," Olga Marie replied, easing up. "Well, as long as she isn't an enemy, it shouldn't be a problem. It's a one-night event, after all... The more the merrier. Even if calculations don't go as planned, a little spontaneity can be fun."
And just like that, the party smoothly accepted Arcueid into their ranks.
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Greyhounds
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"