Chapter 89: Facing a Tsundere Head-On
"Doctor, Da Vinci, good morning."
Ethan and Mash greeted the two who had been preparing in the control room since early morning.
"Good morning."
Doctor Romani looked at Ethan in his mystic code and Mash in her full Demi-Servant gear.
"So the day of departure has finally arrived. The Rayshift is ready as well."
"Umu, we are also ready."
Seeing the two fully prepared, Doctor Romani's expression became serious.
"This time, the destination is 1st-century Europe, specifically the Ancient Roman Empire—a vast empire stretching from the Italian Peninsula to the Mediterranean."
"Ancient Rome, huh, you two?"
Da Vinci looked extremely intrigued.
"If possible, I'd love to go as well."
"Denied!"
Doctor Romani immediately shut down Da Vinci's enthusiasm.
"First of all, there's still a pile of work left to do in Chaldea. Without a technician like you, it'd be difficult to maintain operations. Moreover, there are no spare chambers left for you to use."
"Chuh, such a shame. I was really looking forward to chatting with the Roman emperors."
Da Vinci shook her head, looking regretful.
"Especially Emperor Caligula or Emperor Nero. I think we'd definitely get along well."
"Alright, alright. Who knows? Maybe Ethan will bring back a Roman emperor this time. Then you'll be able to chat all you want."
"Oh? That sounds reasonable. Well then, I'll leave it all to you, Master of Chaldea."
"..."
Under Da Vinci's expectant gaze, Ethan could only give a wry smile.
It wasn't that he didn't want to summon a certain "Umu Saber"… but it wasn't like he could guarantee pulling her either…
"Alright, let's not drag this out. Aside from Mash, have the two Servants accompanying you been decided?"
Ethan nodded and called out toward the entrance.
"Come in, everyone."
Immediately after, four figures appeared at the control room's doorway one after another.
"Master, why did you only tell me about our departure today?"
Mordred complained, quickly stepping forward to voice her dissatisfaction to Ethan.
"I haven't even finished preparing yet."
"Wasn't it precisely because we were afraid Mordred-san would get too excited that we only told you today?"
Hearing Johanna's words, Martha nodded in agreement.
"After all, whenever there's an event, Mordred-san is always the first to charge ahead. Last time, when I was training my arm strength with Tarasque, she punched him straight into the wall. Ever since then, just seeing her makes Tarasque tremble."
When it came to abusing Tarasque, Martha definitely had no right to comment. Ethan thought this but didn't dare to say it out loud.
"Hmph, it's because it's too boring around here."
Mordred casually threw an arm around Ethan's shoulder.
"Master, where are we going this time? Never mind, it doesn't matter where—let's just go already!!!"
"Wait, wait a second…"
Ethan turned to look around.
In the control room, aside from them, Kiritsugu was also standing against the wall without saying a word.
But one person was missing.
"Where's Jeanne Alter?"
"No idea, I haven't seen her this morning."
"Yeah, normally she's so noisy."
"She's probably off causing trouble somewhere. She always looks like she's living in constant frustration."
Everyone in the room seemed unaware of Jeanne Alter's whereabouts.
Ethan didn't say anything and simply turned toward the control room's entrance.
As he opened the door, he immediately came face-to-face with Jeanne Alter's panicked expression.
"Hmph… I was just… just passing by, that's all! Is there a problem?!"
She crossed her arms and tilted her chin up, acting as if she was untouchable.
"Umu, then you arrived just in time."
Before she could react, Ethan grabbed her hand and pulled her into the control room.
"H-Hey, what… what are you doing?! Let go, let go of me!!!"
Jeanne Alter's face turned bright red as she struggled.
After dragging her inside, Ethan immediately spoke to Doctor Romani:
"Doctor, this time, I'll be taking Mordred and Jeanne Alter with me."
"Oh! Awesome! I get to go outside again!!!"
Mordred cheered excitedly before patting Mash on the shoulder with a grin.
"Well then, I'm counting on you, Mash!"
"Yes, with Mordred-san around, I feel much more reassured."
"Oh, of course! Just leave it to me!"
Unlike Mordred, Jeanne Alter roughly yanked her hand away from Ethan, her face full of disdain.
"Hmph, why should I save humanity? Let me be clear, I'm not like you. I'm a true Anti-Heroic Spirit. What kind of logic is it to have an Anti-Heroic Spirit save humanity? Completely ridiculous."
Hearing Jeanne Alter's words, even Doctor Romani and Da Vinci felt a headache coming on.
Indeed, Jeanne Alter was classified as an Anti-Heroic Spirit.
Asking her to help save humanity was a bit of a stretch.
"Because I need you."
"——————?!"
Ethan's sudden words left Jeanne Alter stunned.
"Even if the world doesn't need you, I need your."
"Y-you… do you even know what you're saying?!"
Jeanne Alter's face turned even redder.
"Of course I do. Lend me your power, Jeanne Alter!"
Ethan extended his hand toward her once again.
"…Hmph!"
Jeanne Alter still let out a displeased grunt, but after a brief hesitation, she reached her hand toward Ethan.
"I don't care about saving humanity, but since you're begging like that… I'll grant your request for now. Hmph."
Just as Jeanne Alter's hand was about to touch Ethan's, murmurs erupted around them.
"Naruhodo, so that's how you communicate with her."
"I want Master to beg me like that too…"
"Um, as expected of a Master chosen by God."
"Master, are you done yet? You don't even need to bring that stubborn one along. I alone am enough to wipe out this Singularity."
Hearing Mordred's indifferent remark, a vein visibly popped on Jeanne Alter's forehead.
"Who are you calling stubborn, you father-obsessed freak?!"
"Nani!! Dragon Thot, you wanna fight again?! If Master didn't always side with you, I wouldn't hold back!"
Ethan helplessly watched as the two started arguing again before turning to Doctor Romani.
"Doctor, can we depart now?"
"Of course."
Doctor Romani immediately responded.
"As long as you enter the spiritron chamber, we can begin Spiritron Transfer. It's the same as always—I'm sure you're used to it by now."
Ethan nodded and looked at the others.
"Everyone, I'll be leaving Chaldea in your hands. I hope you'll support Doctor and Da Vinci."
"Yes, Master, leave it to us."
"While Master is away, we'll take care of everything here."
After receiving their assurances, Ethan nodded at Mash before stepping into the chamber.
Following Doctor Romani's instructions, Mordred and Jeanne Alter entered their respective chambers as well. Even up to the very last second before stepping inside, the two were still bickering…
"Reverse Summoning System, activate!"
The announcement echoed from the control room's system.
"Beginning Spiritron Conversion."
"Countdown to Spiritron Transfer: 3, 2, 1… process complete."
"Commencing Grand Order verification."