"Can you imagine 'seeing' that Beast as soon as you close your eyes? Like a shadow-following nightmare. No matter how I console myself, I can't break free from it—of course, I'm not saying I'm afraid of it, it's just... more like a responsibility?"
"With great power comes great responsibility."
"Of course, my moral standards haven't reached that high level yet."
After casually saying a sentence that left a deep impression on him, Takumi realized what he said and smiled somewhat embarrassedly.
He didn't think he reached the level of Spider-Man in the movies, where having ability meant having to help others. He might still be relatively indifferent, the type to draw a sword to only help when seeing injustice on the road.
"But I feel I seem... to really have that little chance to defeat him head-on?"
Takumi looked at his palm, his tone not too certain.
But the next second, Takumi suddenly clenched his palm into a fist forcefully, saying with determined eyes:
"—So, I want to become stronger, and the faster the better!"
Nightingale looked into Takumi's eyes. This time Takumi didn't dodge, looking back frankly.
Clang!
The sound of a forging hammer falling "rang out."
This sound striking directly at the soul was like someone swinging a hammer in front of eyes, hitting a red-hot iron ingot. Sparks and molten iron splashed everywhere, illuminating the surrounding night, making Nightingale involuntarily want to close her eyes.
Sensing something seemed to happen, Nightingale directly suppressed her body's instinct, widening her eyes to look at Takumi's pupils.
Only to see the little people fighting in the flames before had disappeared, leaving only a cluster of flames much more turbulent than just now inside.
[Heart of Fire]—Continuously Awakening.
'What happened?'
Nightingale was a bit confused. She could sense Takumi changed a bit in this short conversation, but didn't know where this change happened.
But no matter what, she could still feel that trace of faint impatience revealed in Takumi's heart now, so her goal wouldn't change.
"I don't know what happened to you, but you must go back to rest. If you are unwilling, even if I break your limbs, I will take you back!"
Nightingale moved her wrist, saying seriously.
"Haha, I know. Saying so much is just to pour out properly. After all, having experienced so many battles, the times I could rest properly before battle started were indeed few. So I still cherish this hard-won opportunity to rest very much."
Takumi shook his head and laughed, having no thought of continuing to go his own way after others discovered the problem.
And just as he said, Nightingale was a good listener. The super-high Mad Enhancement rank made Nightingale only care about things she cared about. Although she also had the instinct to see through the "crux," she wouldn't publicize it widely, or reveal excessive concern and pity, somewhat feeling ruthless.
What Takumi needed was this atmosphere where he could chat casually, instead of a large group of people surrounding him insisting on caring about him. Like someone casually saying they were an orphan, disabled, or deaf-mute, and as a result, everyone around cast pitiful gazes.
Having experienced and felt this kind of concern too much, Takumi would feel uncomfortable instead.
Current him still preferred the free and easy, cheerful atmosphere of Drake and the pirates more.
The two started to walk back.
"By the way, what are they doing over there where it's brightly lit, with a bunch of colorful lights, and fireworks?"
While walking, Takumi pointed to a place in the distance that looked very lively.
He had actually been concerned about that side for a long time.
"Because Elisabeth is preparing to hold a concert over there. Seems many people are participating. Do you want to go?"
Nightingale glanced in the direction Takumi pointed, saying nonchalantly.
"Elisabeth huh... Forget it. If I listen to her songs, I estimate it will be hard for me to even sleep well."
Takumi hesitated to speak, finally silently praying for the people going to the concert in his heart.
Takumi: "Then Miss Nightingale, did you see Master Scáthach and Master Li Shuwen?"
Nightingale: "You mean that woman in a bodysuit with a good figure, and an Asian man who looks quite fierce?"
Takumi: "So you saw them? I said I didn't see wrong when I came back before. It's just they seemed to be in a bad mood; they didn't ignore me when I greeted them."
Nightingale: "I don't know if the ones I saw are the same two you mentioned, but it seems they also went to the concert."
Takumi: "..."
"This concert is quite charming, ow."
Takumi held back for a long time, spitting out a nutritious sentence.
***
Two hours ago.
That was when Takumi brought Geronimo and the others to Edison's base and went to deal with Fionn and Diarmuid.
Elisabeth wasn't idle either. She went directly to Edison, proposing the idea of holding a concert with shining eyes.
Honestly, Elisabeth had a sweet voice, gorgeous clothes on her body, which was the costume of the Third Ascension card art. Just looking at a glance, who could deny she was an idol-type Servant?
Edison was just deceived by Elisabeth's appearance so smoothly.
Then he pondered. Since the 20-hour workday was canceled, giving "employees" a holiday and distributing some benefits was also not bad.
Subsequently, he decisively made the decision, agreeing to Elisabeth's request.
"Wait... Forget it, as long as you like it."
In the same room, Karna, who heard the conversation between the two, just wanted to open his mouth to stop it, but didn't expect Edison decided so quickly. Could only shut up silently, choosing to watch the changes quietly.
Edison wasn't clear why Karna opened his mouth then suddenly shut up. Being in high spirits, he soon threw this small matter to the back of his mind.
He even personally organized mechanical soldiers to build a large concert stage completely inconsistent with the era, full of technological style, for Elisabeth.
And backhandedly gave a short holiday to "employees" in unimportant positions and those providing material support to the front line in the rear, letting them all go to listen to the concert!
Making Elisabeth wag her tail in excitement.
While the Robin Hood trio, who saw all this, looked at each other, coincidently shut their mouths, the smiles on their faces becoming weird unknowingly.
Can't let only us encounter such bad luck! .Jpg.
Edison was undoubtedly the king of productivity in this Singularity. In about half an hour, he arranged various facilities for the entire concert. Even entertainment facilities like bars and dance floors besides the concert were built.
Plus Elisabeth's Noble Phantasm already had amplification equipment, the speed was simply too fast!
***
After Takumi put on the eye patch, cast a soundproof barrier on his bed with Runes, and sank into dreamland peacefully.
—Elisabeth's concert began.
Almost the instant she opened her mouth, spherical sound waves carrying black ripples spread outward from the center of the concert, making all people who came to the concert excitedly stiffen.
Sitting in the bar near the stage, Scáthach and Li Shuwen, who were drowning their sorrows in alcohol, also fell into silence along with it.