[FMMIKA] Chapter 276: End of the Conflict

"Mash...?"

Ritsuka was left speechless and wondered if all of this was a dream.

Fujimaru Ritsuka, the Savior of Humanity and the sole Master of Chaldea felt a little jolt in her heart as she stared at Mash with an expression of disbelief.

It wasn't until now that Ritsuka regained her senses.

The armor Mash was currently wearing bore a striking resemblance to the Dragon Emperor, both in its frosty silver color and style.

"..."

Ritsuka opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end, nothing came out. Instead, it was Mash who spoke.

"I'm sorry, Senpai. I am, of course, your Servant, but above all, I am a knight of His Majesty. My body has long belonged to His Majesty."

"..."

With those words, Ritsuka found herself at a loss for words.

===

In just a minute and a half of intense combat, the war between France and Chaldea came to a complete end, with the empire emerging victorious, and Chaldea's Master, Fujimaru Ritsuka, captured.

Afterward...

As Artorius triumphantly walked toward her, Ritsuka tried her best to put on a pleasing smile, hoping to secure some favor.

Even though she had a somewhat flawed personality, being a little abrasive and all, it didn't mean she enjoyed intense battles or excitement. Such things were not suitable for a young, fair-skinned, slender, well-endowed beauty like her!

So, Ritsuka decided to be a charming girl. It was embarrassing, sure, but it was better than losing her life, right?

Unfortunately, it didn't work.

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't muster that expression of charm.

Relying on humor, flattery, and making herself out to be an extraordinary figure, she hoped to transform the story of saving the world into a harem tale.

Such thoughts did indeed cross Ritsuka's mind.

But...

It just didn't work.

Ritsuka tried her best, but in the end, she could only muster an angry, almost tearful expression.

"Fool."

After delivering this verdict, Artorius swiped his hand across Ritsuka's head like a chopping knife.

And she really did start crying.

"Let's return to the palace."

Watching her in this state, Artorius felt considerably lighter and then turned around with a cheerful smile, preparing to use his teleportation magecraft to return to the Palace of Versailles.

Aside from Ritsuka and the Servants that was with her, the rest of the member of her guerilla group in the Mediterranean Sea were also captured and brought along as part of the spoils of war.

France was victorious, and the small thorn in its side known as the Chaldea had been completely subdued. The path to the empire's external conquests was now smoother and more open than ever.

"Your Majesty."

"Mash, come here."

After returning to the Palace of Versailles, Mash blushed, feeling somewhat embarrassed. However, she was ultimately embraced by Artorius, and flanked by Mordred.

"You did well, now all of you can go and rest." Artorius consoled and praised the Anti-Chaldea trio who had fought against Chaldea.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Without hesitation, d'Eon obeyed the Dragon Emperor's command.

Carmilla, though somewhat displeased, also lowered her head in agreement. If possible, she'd prefer to be treated as Mash and Mordred were, in his embrace.

"Keep up the good work."

Both of them were obedient, but the black-clad one wasn't.

"Is there something else?"

Looking at Jalter, who still stood in place, Artorius asked.

Hearing Artorius's question, d'Eon and Carmilla momentarily stopped and looked at Jalter.

In any case, they had fought alongside each other, making them comrades of sorts. If something were to happen, they certainly wouldn't stand with Jalter in the case of trouble with the Dragon Emperor, but they would at least say a few good words for her.

"Can I go see that fellow?"

This time, Jalter's attitude was not as defiant as before when facing Artorius.

When she said 'that fellow', although she didn't name anyone, everyone present knew who she was referring to.

Jeanne d'Arc.

Currently, she, along with four other captives—Ritsuka, Marie, Kiyohime, and Elizabeth—were confined to rooms in the Palace of Versailles. As the spoils of the emperor, their fate rested on his hand.

"..."

"Sure." After a brief pause, Artorius nodded.

"You can see whoever you want." He then looked at d'Eon and Carmilla. "You two can also go see whoever you like."

"..."

""Thank you, Your Majesty.""

After Artorius said that, both Carmilla and d'Eon breathed a sigh of relief.

In fact, just as Artorius said, they also had someone they wanted to see.

d'Eon had a good relationship with Queen Marie. Carmilla and Elizabeth were practically inseparable. It's just that they were more familiar with the 'etiquette' than Jalter, so they didn't dare to make their request to the Dragon Emperor right away.

"Then you all can go."

Artorius waved his hand, allowing the trio to go.

Although the trio hadn't performed exceptionally well in the operation to hunt down Chaldea, if it weren't for Artorius's intervention at the end, they would probably only have captured one or two Servants, allowing the main Chaldea's members to escape.

But no good deed goes unpunished.

After this round of events, Carmilla and d'Eon had truly integrated into the imperial system, and there was even the possibility of further developments in the emotional connection between Jalter and Artorius.

"..."

Watching them leave, Mordred, who was lying in Artorius's lap, seemed nonchalant, as if she had nothing to say. On the other hand, Mash appeared somewhat gloomy.

"What's on your mind, Mash?" Artorius asked directly. "Do you also want to go see your senpai?"

"No." Mash shook her head. "Of course, I will go see my senpai, but not right now... I was thinking that this way, between the Empire and Chaldea, there might..."

"...Might be a conflict, a battle ahead. Is that what you're thinking?"

"..."

"Um..."

Mash nodded, her expression somewhat conflicted.

Although in the conflict between Chaldea and the Empire, between Ritsuka and Artorius, Mash had chosen the latter, it didn't mean she had no feelings for the former.

Being caught in the middle was agonizing for Mash. Choosing one side meant being at odds with the other.

Seeing Mash in such agony, Artorius's heart softened.