"Munch, munch... I wonder what I'll be like when I'm finally playable? What's a 'Funny Vamp' even supposed to be strong against? Oh, maybe I'll do four times damage to men! No way, that's totally broken!"
"Excuse me, do you mind if I pass through?"
"Sure, sure! Go right ahead~"
"I'm coming through! I'm through! Bye-bye!"
"Wait, I'm actually going to be okay, right?! If I mess this up, it's my head on the chopping block!"
"Pardon me, I've received permission. Is it all right if I proceed?"
"Ah, how polite. Thank you very much!"
"Alright, it only makes sense for a guy as cool as me to head to a cool paradise, right? Coming through!"
"Oh, you..."
The Summoning Chapter — The Many Threads of Fate
"Now then, shall we begin?"
Sitting upon his throne, brimming with equal parts resolve and amusement, the King of Heroes toyed with a Guaranteed 5-Star Summon Ticket in his right hand. He signaled the start of the proceedings.
"The Restoration of Human Order is complete. From here on lies an unknown struggle that even I cannot foresee. We shall trace the lines of fate, pull upon the threads of destiny, and let a new battle unfold."
The gathered crowd swallowed hard in unison.
"It's finally starting... this battle..."
"Indeed. Now, as the curtain rises, let the summoning circle spin with pride! We have overcome seven Singularities and the Temple of Time, yet even we shall struggle in this, the most grueling of conflicts—the Ritual of Collection!"
He slammed his hand against the arm of his throne. With a resounding thud, the commencement was declared.
"A battle for feminine charm! A quest for my fellow Sabers! Show me the moment you overcome this trial using the strength of our bonds and unity!"
The battle of resolve and preparedness began!
—He... he's so fired up! It feels even more intense than when we were clearing the Singularities!
The King of Heroes watched Ea's overwhelmed reaction with genuine affection as he uncorked a bottle of the Sky God's wine, took a deep draft, and laughed.
"Hmph. You've heard the talk of 'balancing the scales,' haven't you? It is well and good that we seized a perfect conclusion, save for a few rebels... but I realized something. Every bit of cosmic backlash has gathered right here."
(Took you long enough.)
"Indeed, it is quite late in the day. But look at it this way: this is also a ritual to reclaim the future. The more I fail this gacha—the more I 'die' in the pulls—the more rock-solid our perfect ending becomes. And if I pull the target? Then I achieve a perfect conclusion for myself. See? Nothing but victory awaits! Laugh, laugh! This war is one where only victory remains! Fuahahahaha!"
Ea and Fou exchanged a look at the King's transcendental logic.
—Our... no, the King's struggle... it wasn't all for nothing, was it?
(I mean, the logic technically tracks... but he just sounds like he's lost his mind and is desperate.)
"The day will come when you both understand. To be a King is not to fear the mud, but to swallow the filth and smile defiantly. That is the truth of a King's way of life."
Having finished his sermon on kingship, he snapped his fingers. The summoning circle began to spin.
"Will my feminine charm bear fruit first, or will Gil's Saber arrive?"
"Our battle is just beginning, Senpai!"
"I just hope this doesn't end like a manga by Ken Ishikawa..."
Everyone shared their thoughts as they watched the Heroic Spirit take shape.
"Now, appear! I care not if some fluke of fate brings you here easily! Surprise your King as if a 5-star appeared right after a skip!"
(Actually, that's the kind of thing that makes your heart stop.)
—That's true... new encounters are always wonderful!
Under the collective gaze of the room, the figure appeared...
"Hey there! It's your big sis, Boudica. Feel free to just call me—huh? Oh, haha... why is everyone staring at me so hard?"
The Rider, Boudica—bearing the name of the goddess of victory and the protection of Andraste—had arrived.
"A familiar face, I see."
(The 'big sis' who shows up so often in the gacha you can practically sense her coming.)
—The woman of compassion who managed even Spartacus in Rome! You've come!
Ignoring the unreadable expressions on the King and Fou's faces, Ea expressed her joy.
"It's Big Sis Boudica! Welcome!"
"Thanks, Master. Mash, everyone... you all worked so hard. I'm a bit late, but let me congratulate you. Well done. You're all such good kids..."
With tears in her eyes, Boudica gave everyone a hug, one by one, offering her gratitude and blessings.
(She's a hardened mother who has experienced the happiness of a husband and two daughters. She's a different kind of 'mom' than the Raikou brand—more of a 'Rikka's Mom' type.)
Fou let out an appreciative huff.
—The Master's soul is being healed again! Oh, this is a summoning more precious than raw combat power!
"So, you haven't arrived as an Avenger this time. Since 'Rome' is here, it's for the best that we avoid unnecessary trouble."
Ea didn't miss the concerning word the King dropped.
—An... Avenger?
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