Ex-Machina in Dimensional Travel

"So, do you want to continue listening to my story, or do you want me to show you around other parts of Chaldea?"

Fujimaru Ritsuka smiled.

After all, their previous story only talked about the second singularity.

"But if you want to continue listening to my story, you'd better wait for me to drink some water to moisten my throat."

"……Um."

It seems that rather than strolling around Chaldea, Shuul is more curious about the other party's past experience in repairing singularities.

Although he could directly use the confession to inquire about the other party's experience, this experience narrated by the other party was still more comfortable than directly looking up the information, so Xiuer did not reject the boy's suggestion.

Besides, he was not in a hurry to use the other party's "experience" to do anything, he just wanted to listen to the story.

hum-

A miniature golden vortex unfolded beside Xuul.

He immediately reached in with his left hand, took out a cup filled with water, and handed it to Fujimaru Ritsuka.

"Hah, thank you."

The boy took the cup without hesitation and drank the liquid in it.

The other party's generous behavior also made Xiuer realize that the boy had really let down all his guard and drank the "liquid" he gave him without even asking.

"Huh—alive. Honestly, this ability is really convenient."

Looking at the rapidly disappearing "passage", Fujimaru Ritsuka sighed sincerely.

"..."

In response, Xiuer said nothing, but just nodded in agreement.

"Let's continue the story. Where was I last?"

"Reminder, from your encounter with a black 'Joan of Arc'."

Seeing that the young man seemed to have really forgotten, Xuel, who had been "recording" the other party's words until he was interrupted, easily pointed out the "broken part".

"Oh, now I remember. Let's continue with this."

Looking at the boy who continued the story again, Xiuer silently turned on the "recording" function that he had just turned off.

……

Chapter 3: Friends?

"Huh—I'm tired after saying so much in one breath."

Fujimaru Ritsuka drank the liquid in the cup in one gulp and smiled happily.

It seems that the boy was very satisfied with this impromptu "storytelling" event.

"Come to think of it, I was so excited that I didn't even notice how much time had passed."

"Answer, total time consumed is 3 hours, 21 minutes, 2 seconds."

"Oh, I didn't expect to be talking for so long. No wonder my throat feels uncomfortable."

Fujimaru Ritsuka scratched his head a little embarrassedly. After all, the water in his hand that he used to moisten his throat was also "brought" by Shuul.

It's a bit unfair to ask the audience to take care of you.

"Reminder, don't mind. You provide the 'story' and I provide the 'water'. This is a reasonable 'transaction'."

Shuul didn't care. He was already satisfied to hear so many stories from different worlds. Although some of Fujimaru Ritsuka's wording was inaccurate, Shuul could use "AI calibration" to restore the whole incident.

So overall, Xiuer is quite satisfied.

"It would be even better if you could say it's 'helping each other among friends.'"

The boy's half-joking words made Xiuer confused.

"friend?"

Xiuer "chewed" on the word, as if thinking about the definition of "friend".

He himself understands the definition of "friend", and he has his own set of standards for identifying "friends".

But he didn't know what "friend" meant to Fujimaru Ritsuka.

After all, everyone has different understandings and judgments of the term "friend".

Seeing that Xiuer was thinking about the meaning of "friend", the person who proposed this word smiled helplessly. His smile was not obvious, so much so that Xiuer, who was thinking with his head down, did not see the smile.

Or it doesn’t matter if you “discover” it.

"Hmm... Doesn't Xiuer understand what a "friend" is?"

Ritsuka Fujimaru looked at Shuul with a smile, as if he had misunderstood something.

It seems that in the former's mind, Shuul, who has his own set of behavioral codes and habits, has no other good relationship with anyone except the other "puppets" created by the other party.

Maybe there are enemies?

But considering the other party's style, it is estimated that the feud was "settled" on the spot as soon as it was formed.

Shuul didn't know what Fujimaru Ritsuka was thinking, but he could still tell from the other's eyes that he seemed to have misunderstood something.

"No, I understand the definition of 'friend'."

"Well, I know the definition. Has Xiuer ever made friends before?"

Xiuer would know what a "friend" was, and it would not be difficult for the boy to understand.

"affim."

"Eh?"

The boy looked at Xiuer in surprise.

"...?"

Xiuer wondered why the other party was so surprised to hear that he had friends.

Shouldn't I have friends?

"No, ahem, nothing."

Ritsuka Fujimaru said this awkwardly, because of his preconceived notions, he actually misunderstood Shule's character.

But he was really curious, could Xuel really have friends with the way he acted?

For some reason, the boy suddenly thought of another possibility.

"Hey, the 'friends' you're talking about, aren't they the ones from Number One?"

"...?"

This is the second time that Xiuer has expressed doubts on this topic.

He did not answer, but stared at Fujimaru Ritsuka's face with his golden eyes. Looking at that expressionless face, the latter felt a little uncomfortable all over.

"Ahahaha...after all, aren't Number One and the others the intelligent individuals you interact with the most?"

"That's why I thought you were referring to them as friends..."

As he spoke, the boy's voice became softer and softer, and the cold sweat that gradually seeped out of his face was enough to show that he was feeling guilty at the moment.

"I'm so sorry! I made a presumptuous assumption and misunderstood Ms. Shule!"

Fujimaru Ritsuka suddenly bowed to Shuul and apologized for his misunderstanding. He shouted it out loud, as if to express his sincerity, and even used honorifics.

His actions also made Xiuer confused.

"..."

The latter did not immediately understand the other party's sudden apology, after all, he knew the reason why the other party thought so.

However, in response to the apology, Xiuer did not respond, but turned around silently and left the vicinity of the glass window.

It’s not that he was avoiding Fujimaru Ritsuka, it’s just that he had seen enough of the “scenery” and it was time to see the “things” that he cared about more.

Seeing Shule's departing back, Fujimaru Ritsuka hurriedly chased after him, if for no other reason than that he still had to fulfill his duties as a "tour guide".

"Come to think of it, 'needing someone to accompany you' makes it sound like you're looking for a guardian for you, Xiuer."

Putting the previous topic behind him, Ritsuka Fujimaru immediately started talking about other things.

"..."

Xuel doesn't respond to every word, but what remains unchanged is that he always listens to every word.

"Ah ha ha……"

Seeing that Xiuer didn't respond and just walked forward on his own, Fujimaru Ritsuka could only laugh dryly.

Occasionally, you can see some heroic spirits passing by on the road. Whenever those heroic spirits pass by, Xuer's eyes will follow them until they reach a blind spot.

Fortunately, the young man had long understood that Xiuer was a man who abided by the rules, or in other words, a man who "kept his promises."

Knowing that the other party would not go up and pick a fight on his own, Fujimaru Ritsuka no longer worried that Shuul would stare at the other Heroic Spirit.

We can't not even allow people to see it, that would be too bad. If that were the case, I'm sure Xiuer would not agree to this regulation.

However, Shul's gaze was so direct that every passing heroic spirit could notice it.

There were some who were curious about Shuul, some who ignored him, some who pulled Fujimaru Ritsuka aside to ask questions, and some who even wanted to join him...

In short, the large number of people allowed Xiuer to see what a "gathering of heroes" meant.

Although Shuul did not cause any trouble, in a sense, he still caused some trouble for Fujimaru Ritsuka.

……

After one hour……

After sending away those heroic spirits who were curious about Shuul, and seeing that no one was disturbing him, Fujimaru Ritsuka finally breathed a sigh of relief.

At this moment, the two were standing in front of Chaldeas, one of Chaldea's important facilities.

Shuul silently observed the blue sphere floating in the air. Judging from its appearance, it looked like a miniature "Earth".

But this "Earth" seems to be a little "burning".

"Well, did you see anything?"

Looking at Shule's back as he looked up, Fujimaru Ritsuka quietly came to his side.

There were a few people who looked like "maintenance personnel" here, apparently checking the equipment. They were also curious about the "girl" who was standing in a "daze" in front of Chaldeas.

Because Ritsuka Fujimaru was standing by, the employees didn't care about Shul's behavior because they trusted the boy.

After all, he was just standing there in a daze and didn't do anything.

"..."

Xiuer was silent, and the young man was not angry.

Anyway, the latter has become more or less accustomed to the other party's sudden silence.

And he already understood that the other party had heard everything, but simply didn't want to answer.

Since Shuel no longer made any other movements and seemed to have entered his own state, Fujimaru Ritsuka no longer disturbed him, but casually found a place to lean against him and waited for him.

Xiuer stood motionless in front of the facility for about ten minutes, during which time the boy just looked at his back idly.

Therefore, Fujimaru Ritsuka gradually felt sleepy while waiting.

After subconsciously confirming Yanxuer's condition, he slowly closed his eyes and prepared to take a nap.

"I'm a little sleepy, but I should be fine if I take a nap..."

The young man thought this in his heart, and within a few seconds, his consciousness sank to the bottom of the lake...

……

I don’t know how long it took…

A cold voice suddenly sounded in front of him.

"Inquiry, do you have a good relationship with other Heroic Spirits?"

"Ugh! Eh?"