My mother's love song

Naturally, the world outside has become a mess.

After all, the blank space of the year that was burned cannot be treated as if it did not exist.

From the perspective of outsiders, it is like waking up to find that a year has passed.

I heard that the Magic Association will also send an investigation delegation as soon as possible.

"It is beyond doubt that all intelligent activity on Earth ceased during this year. You are to report the reasons and process."

As for the interior of Chaldea, some of the servants who were originally stationed there have gradually retreated.

Since the problem of human incineration has been solved, there is no point in them staying in Chaldea, it will only increase the electricity bill.

Da Vinci explained, "The only ones left now are those who have been here since before the Grand Order began, such as me, or those who are unique servants like Aleister-kun who cannot sit idly by and watch Ritsuka and Mashu."

"Don't say stupid things. I was brought here by force."

"Of course, the spirit base models have been preserved. If there is a need to transfer spirit particles, the contract can be concluded as before."

"That's great... I don't have to say goodbye to everyone completely." Mash nodded with relief.

Rhodes immediately poured cold water on him: "But soul transfer is impossible."

"Yes, we can't do it casually like before. The transfer of spirit particles can only be carried out with the permission of the United Nations and the Association.

Now that everything has returned to normal, it is very likely that the transfer of soul particles will be banned." Da Vinci said.

"But, we'll sort things out when the time comes! If things are headed in the wrong direction, I'll find a way to deal with issues like power and responsibility!"

“Fuwu…!”

"Alright. Anyway, this is the situation in Chaldea."

Da Vinci turned his head and winked at him. "Although I still have many questions to ask you, I will leave these two children to you. Aleister Crowley-kun."

Now, the only 20 remaining staff members of Chaldea are working overtime to deal with post-war affairs and negotiations with various parties, and the task of taking care of Ritsuka and Mashu naturally falls on Rhodes, a crown-rank idler.

"Oh, there's really nothing I can do about it. I'm a Grand Caster after all."

There seemed to be sparks flying between Da Vinci and Aleister's eyes, one emphasizing his status as a senior, while the other emphasized his status as a crowned leader.

Having said that, being treated as a reliable adult for the first time made Rhodes feel happier than defeating Goetia.

In the white corridor, Mashu walked beside Rhodes.

Today she was wearing the Chaldea uniform and the iconic red glasses, looking less heroic and more intellectual.

Their shoulders were two fists apart, maintaining a distance that was neither too close nor too distant. The girl secretly observed the blond young man next to her.

"Um...are you really Mr. Rhodes...?"

Rhodes said, "That's right, you should have heard the whole story from Miss Da Vinci, right?

I am both Rhodes and Aleister Crowley, both sides are the real me, and I can switch my appearance freely."

"Hmm, I see. It's still a little hard to believe..."

Mashu responded with a stiff expression.

At this moment, the girl's mood was somewhat complicated.

Compared to the mysterious handsome gentleman now, the original Shota Rhodes is indeed more adorable...

Because the other person's appearance had changed into a more mature young man than herself, Mash changed his name for him from "Rod-kun" to "Mr. Rod".

I really want Rod-kun to turn back into a cute little kid...

She really couldn't say such sincere words.

"Ugh."

Mashu noticed that her cheeks were getting hot, and immediately changed the subject, "Come to think of it, so many things happened while I was away!

The doctor turned out to be Solomon... In order to save human history, he chose to self-destruct with Goetia, but was resurrected by Mr. Rhodes...

Then Mr. Rhodes used Solomon's inherited treasure to defeat Goetia...Ah, my brain is in a mess!"

Mashu puffed up her cheeks in annoyance when she thought about how much she had missed while she was away.

Looking at her cute expression, Rhode smiled and said, "That's what I want to know. What happened to Mashu?"

"Hmm~ This... Actually, I'm not very clear. When I came to my senses, I was already standing in front of the coordinates of the soul transfer.

It seems like someone said something very gentle to me, but I can’t remember it…”

Mashu said as she turned to look at the white beast resting on her shoulder.

"I was awakened by Fufu's voice, and then I saw the ground collapsing in front of me, and Mr. Rhodes and Senior were falling, so I subconsciously reached out my hand... Does Fufu know something?"

Fu Fu: "Fu, Fu?"

Rhode: "Ah, Fufu said she didn't know. Well... let's just let things take their own course."

Mashu asked a reasonable question: "Wasn't it Mr. Rhodes who saved me?"

“…I’d like to say I did it, but that’s not the case. Someone who values ​​Mashu very much must have saved you.”

"That's it."

Mashu murmured thoughtfully as he stroked Fufu's fur.

"One day I have to thank the person who saved me. By the way, Mr. Rod."

She set her eyes on the back of Rhodes' left hand.

On the middle finger of Rhodes' left hand, he wore a simple golden ring.

"That's the doctor's..."

Rhodes raised his hand and stared at the ring.

“Well, this is the ring left by Romani Ajman, one of the Ten Rings of Solomon.

During the Fifth Holy Grail War more than ten years ago, the founder of Chaldea used this to summon Caster Solomon's relic."

Having said this, he withdrew his hand.

"By the way, this is mine now, because I am the successor of [Magic King] Solomon and the ruler of [Demon King] Goetia.

[Mysterious King] Aleister Crowley. So even if Miss Mash asks me for it, I won’t give it to you, okay? "

Mashu pouted: "No way!"

Rhodes stroked the ring and said, "Although Romani Akiman is no longer in Chaldea, he must still be alive somewhere on Earth.

So Mashu, don't worry, it's about that man, he might be hiding somewhere, enjoying his strawberry cake."

"Yeah. I thought so too!"

Mash gave Rhodes a trusting smile.

The two walked through the long corridor and came to the dormitory area from the control room.

Opposite Mashu's room is Fujimaru Ritsuka's room.

"excuse me."

Mash opened the dormitory door.

In the tidy space, the orange-haired girl was lying on the bed, sleeping with steady breathing and a peaceful expression.

“Fuuuu, wuuuu…”

Fu Fu jumped off Mashu's shoulder, came to Ritsuka's pillow, and licked the girl's cheek with her tongue.

"…Senior, you haven't woken up after all."

Mashu looked at Ritsuka with concern, as he closed his eyes.

Three hours have passed since returning from the Grand Prix time, and Fujimaru Ritsuka still shows no signs of waking up.

While in the basket, it took a long time for her various physical values ​​to stabilize, and then Rhode and Mash moved her to her own dormitory.

Mashu clenched her hands, turned to look at Rhodes nervously, and asked, "Could it be that the transfer failed?"

“Miss Da Vinci said that there was nothing wrong with Ritsuka’s physical condition, and that he was probably just too tired.

Your predecessor has been under mental stress for a long time and finally finished the battle, so he is probably too tired.

Let's just trust Da Vinci and wait here for her to wake up."

As Rhodes spoke, he pulled out two chairs, placed one in front of Mashu and one beside himself, then put the staff aside and sat down.

After Rhodes said this, Mashu immediately showed a relieved expression and sat down on the chair following Rhodes.

“…Yeah, yeah! That’s true! We’ve already conquered all the singularities, so how could you possibly fall down in a place like this?”

At this moment, the girl was surprised to find that her restless heart calmed down just because of Rhodes' words.

This kind of thing...

Obviously, I could only do this with the encouragement of my predecessors.

Thinking of this, Mashu felt a little complicated. She placed her hands neatly on her round over-the-knee socks and straightened her back.

"what happened?"

Rhodes looked at the girl who was sitting upright in surprise.

“…Nothing!” Mashu shook her head violently.

If you think about it carefully, now it's just Mr. Rhodes and I alone! ?

...if we don't count the senior who is in a coma.

Mashu felt a little nervous for some reason and began to swallow. Beside her, Rod took out an apple from the paper bag he brought and began to peel it.

"Well, Mr. Rhodes, please forgive me if I'm wrong, you are more than just a Grand Caster..."

In the white room, Mash glanced at Rhodes' face with a cautious look.

This is a secret that neither Li Xiang nor Da Vinci knew: this morning, Rod appeared in Mash's dream with Goetia.

At that time, Rhodes and Goetia looked like companions, and what he said was also of concern.

Sure enough, Mr. Rhodes also...

"Well, you found me."

"Uh... th-that's, I'm sorry."

"It's okay, forget it. It's not a secret anyway."

Rhodes raised his head and smiled, then lowered his head again and concentrated on peeling the apple.

“I’m not actually a human evil [Beast]. Although I’m not a human evil, I can be said to be a disaster beast [Beast·666] that is the source of human evil.

The reason why I am not evil is because I am not born on this planet or in human history... No, maybe it's because I don't actually love humans.

In fact, Goetia also said something similar, that a guy like me should never be a beast... or something like that."

"...Mr. Rhodes?"

Mashu felt sad at what the magician said.

"But I really like humans."

Rod said: "Although I was reluctant to come to Chaldea, the people here are very friendly and no one doubts my identity. This alone makes me very happy!"

At this moment, Mashu suddenly stretched out her hand and placed it on the back of Rhodes' hand holding the fruit knife.

"I will hide Mr. Rhodes' secret and won't tell anyone."

"Thank you, Miss Kyrielight."

"Correspondingly, Mr. Rhodes, please don't address me like that."

"……Uh?"

Rhode blinked, and Mash pursed her lips and whispered with a slight blush on her cheeks.

"Just like before, just call me Mashu."

Of course, it would be best if you could turn back into a child and call me Sister Mashu... The girl swallowed the second half of the sentence.

"Matthew."

Rod called her name softly, and Mash smiled cheerfully.