Chapter 4: Chaldea or Home
You didn't go and gamble, did you?
Fujimaru Ritsuka was stuffing a piece of stewed radish into his mouth, and upon hearing Gordolf's words, he nearly choked to death.
Cough, cough, cough... What did you say, Director Gordolf? Cough, cough, cough, cough, cough!
Senpai, are you okay? Quick... let me pat your back...
Mash was terrified and hurriedly ran over to pat his back.
Mash, I'm fine... Fujimaru Ritsuka said, comforting Mash while feeling both amused and helpless. We really just wanted to open a shop. We've saved up the money to travel around the world later.
Ahem, I knew it! Gordolf coughed awkwardly, seemingly wanting to say something more, but he became tongue-tied.
He was like an old father facing his child far away from home, with a thousand words in his heart but not knowing where to begin.
No, as the Director of Chaldea, how could he show such a dejected and worried appearance! He must put on a stern and dignified expression...
On Gordolf's round, chubby face, his eyebrows scrunched together again.
Mash leaned toward the camera and added earnestly: And today, we met someone who looks exactly like Professor Kongming. It's Mr. El-Melloi II of this world.
What?! Da Vinci pushed Gordolf aside and squeezed in. That workaholic actually appeared at a bakery? This is even more surprising than Gordolf successfully losing weight and becoming a hunk!
Hey, what do you mean by that, Technical Advisor?!
Good evening, good evening, this is Nemo.
A familiar voice came from the communication device, and Nemo, wearing a white captain's uniform, poked his head out from behind them.
Captain Nemo!
Sorry, last time I was cooperating with the United Nations to investigate the interior of the ship, and I didn't have time to see you off.
He sighed. Although his somewhat aloof expression didn't change much, the concern in his eyes was still evident.
Immediately, five or six small children appeared behind him as if by magic, crowding together and instantly filling the entire screen.
This is the Sailor, ta-da!
This is the Nurse.
It's the bakery.
Great, everyone is here...
Mash was smiling, but the corners of her eyes were slightly moist.
Wow, it looks amazing! The Sailor Nemo's smiling face pressed against the holographic projection.
Captain, I want to eat hotpot too!
They turned to say to Nemo.
Huh? Then let the kitchen team check if there are any chili peppers left...
The communicator transmitted the chattering sounds of Chaldea, making the small cottage with only two people feel a bit livelier.
That feeling of everyone being together is really nice.
But...
Da Vinci hesitated for a moment before speaking.
Fujimaru, don't use the communication device for this kind of thing next time.
Da Vinci-chan?
That straightforward way of speaking didn't sound like a joke.
Da Vinci looked at the two of them with undisguised apology in her eyes.
Yeah... Gordolf nodded dejectedly, looking away.
...If you do, you might be dragged in for a talk by the Clock Tower or the United Nations...
Da Vinci sighed, her beautiful blue eyes filled with disappointment.
Although the portable communicator I made can bypass the United Nations, there is still a possibility of being discovered, so if possible, it's better not to use it.
Is that so? Sorry, I've caused everyone trouble.
Fujimaru Ritsuka smiled apologetically, feeling inevitably dejected.
Next time, I won't be so willful.
Alright, don't be so dejected, Fujimaru-kun.
Da Vinci made a face and said to the two with a smile.
Cheer up. Now, the two of you living well is more important than anything... It's not good to get involved with Chaldea again.
Having lost Chaldeas, the human order protection organization is currently facing the risk of dissolution.
Da Vinci-chan...
Alright, actually the problem is on me, hehe. Even though I'm an all-around genius, I couldn't make a perfect portable communication tool.
...
Anyway, Mash, Fujimaru, you two must live well.
That's right, if you run out of money, just contact me. I'll have people deposit money into your account under the guise of rescuing small animals, yes, yes... foolproof! Gordolf stroked his upturned mustache, his tone full of pride.
Hmm... if you really run into any trouble, Nemo looked at the two of them seriously.
Call me.
Even if he faces being recalled soon, he will still respond.
He is the captain they once had and will have in the future.
At the same time, he is also the Servant who accompanied Fujimaru Ritsuka through multiple Lostbelts and experienced countless life-or-death situations.
Whether it's his sailor or his master, no matter which identity encounters an accident, he would unhesitatingly drive the Nautilus and crush everything in his path.
We will, everyone.
Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash said in unison.
The next day, the Antarctic Bakery opened as usual.
It was packed again.
The two were so busy they didn't have a moment to rest, barely having any time to talk.
Fujimaru Ritsuka began to regret not posting a help-wanted sign yesterday.
Although they prepared more ingredients than yesterday, Mash estimated that they would close even earlier today than yesterday.
Inside the Antarctic Bakery, after experiencing the final peak of customer traffic in the morning, the two finally had a rare moment of leisure.
Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash had just caught their breath and were preparing to tidy up the messy counter and sit down for a cup of tea when the wind chime on the door rang crisply again.
Welcome!
Looking up, it was a regular customer—Professor El-Melloi II had arrived again.
He was still wearing his retro robe, and between his brows, he carried the same lingering fatigue as last time, but today he was not alone.
The wind chime rang.
Following him through the door was a woman. She was dressed in her signature red jacket and black skirt, paired with black high-knee socks, and wore her hair in elegant twin tails. The overall red and black color scheme fully displayed her elegant and capable temperament.
She was very beautiful; no other description was needed. It was that kind of beauty in the traditional sense.
The moment they saw her, both Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash were stunned.
Ms. Ishtar?
Both of them said the name in unison.
Although it was clearly not the same entity, the woman before them was just too similar in appearance and temperament to that Mesopotamian goddess.
Even the hairstyle hadn't changed.
No... not just that tsundere, sharp-tongued goddess of harvest and war.
There was also that one.
The one from the Underworld.
Ereshkigal.
Very similar, too similar.
Fujimaru Ritsuka pondered, recalling that when that Mesopotamian goddess manifested in the world, she had merged with a certain girl.
Since the person before them couldn't be the heroic spirit herself, there was only one possibility.
This was the very girl who had experienced soul resonance with the two Mesopotamian gods.
Tohsaka Rin.