And with this epilogue, I'm setting down the pen for this story. My old chap O'Make may try to bring me back there later, but I am satisfied. Thank you for sharing this ride with me. I wish you all a happy year 2024. And one last time, a good read.
Epilogue
It took a bit of time for her paperwork to be approved by the administration of Tokyo's Correction Center. The prison, while somewhat spared from the many scandals currently muddying the reputation of the police and the investigation forces, were still putting a show of scrupulously respecting regulations. Especially when it concerned the visitation of a high profile and highly dangerous criminal. Well, in truth, it still took a lot less time than it really should have taken for such a high profile and dangerous criminal, especially one who had been visited not too long ago. The director had been very… understanding.
"You have fifteen minutes."
Ritsuka nodded and followed the warden along to the booth. A phone on each side, separated by a thick transparent glass. Standard procedure, avoiding any direct contact between the visitor and the criminal while still allowing them to see each other. A few minutes later, the familiar figure of Akechi entered the other side, picking up the phone.
"You took your time." Despite his accusing words, he didn't seem to be frustrated or bothered in any measure.
"Sorry to inform you, but visitations to Mitsuhide the Second are difficult to obtain."
"Very funny." How many times did he hear that one? She wasn't sure, but she betted at least some history inclined classmates had done so. "The fact you could come at all must mean I'm on the right track."
"You think the plea deal is going well?"
"Spending around four to six hours every day being interrogated beats the unbearable boredom the rest of the time. Given the zeal in which they do so, the intel must be useful."
When the Phantom Thieves returned to a reality where Maruki's distortions were undone, the absence of Akechi was the very first thing they noticed. It didn't take them long to find the newspapers and internet articles depicting the veritable media bomb that the arrest of the Second Detective Prince had been. With full confession and guilty pleading before the investigators, as well as the corroboration of Shido's own testimony, a great many members of the conspiracy that had evaded capture until now had been brought to an unceremonious justice. Shido's paranoia meant he kept a lot of physical evidences of the dirt he had on his associates, facilitating the process.
"Arrests have trickled down lately, but there are still some big fishes being caught." Ritsuka twirled the phone string absently, sitting more comfortably in the chair. "The police isn't very happy to see their image barely rejuvenated in the public's eyes with those arrests."
"Had they been more interested in upholding whatever their code of conduct is instead of being Shido's lowest of lapdogs, they might have avoided the public knowing they ate as corrupt as the ones they are arresting."
Akechi was more than a bit vindicative, but that was the sad truth. Ritsuka suspected a good number of the culprits within the police would see their actions being pardoned or pushed under the carpet, no matter how the new government pretended to apply a zero-tolerance policy. If only to not have one half of the Tokyo police force arrest the other.
"You won't be surprised to hear Shido's been sentenced to death. Unanimously and very quickly." Akechi's deadpan eyes indicated it was, in fact, not a surprise. "The only reason he's still around is to answer for the colossal number of affairs still linked to his name, and I suspect to help corroborate your testimony."
"Did he ask for death?" Now that was a question to ask, though he was suspecting the answer already, the reasoning was… not going to please him.
"As a matter of fact, yes. According to Sae-san, he claimed that his execution would be the best way to strengthen the nation." Said Ritsuka, and just as predicted she watched her friend's smile turned into a rictus.
"That little shit. I can't believe he still has enough ego to pull off something like this."
"Please don't tell me your regret not turning him into a vegetable." Ritsuka sighed as Akechi sent a murderous gaze at the guard watching them. Still a lot on his plate it seemed.
"Partly. Though, at least he has done good on his attempt at using whatever mental compass we pushed down his throat."
"Oh yeah, you must have heard of that."
Akechi nodded sharply. "Ren told me himself. The leader of the Phantom Thief, now with a clean record. To be honest, I'm impressed it took so little time. This sort of procedure is usually quite lengthy and uncertain."
"The main culprit behind the rigged trial confessing everything helped a lot. And everyone participated on way or another." She smiled, recounting the strategic sessions between the many acquaintances of Ren. The police had tried very hard to find something to inculpate Ren for or at least make his record stick, despite Akechi and Shido confessing, it had honestly been a bit pathetic at times.
"I hope he appreciates his luck. Few have the opportunity, or the contacts, for such a successful campaign." Akechi seemed a bit sour. "Not like those idiotic petitions I've heard about."
"What, not even a word of thanks for your remaining fanbase?" Looking at him with false indignation, she pointed dramatically through the glass. "What will I ever tell them, that their five thousand signatures for your immediate liberation are wasted? That their idol is in fact not being threatened by the Phantom Thieves to take the blame for their crimes? That he would happily shoot them all to serve his rightful sentence?"
"Now that's an original idea. Murdering my way into staying in prison." Akechi scratched his chin, contemplative. "I can't say I have ever heard of such thing. It might be tempting."
"Don't push it too far, even with your confession there's still a chance you'll go to the gallows. Statistics aren't kind for serial murderers."
"Thanks for the unnecessary reminder." He seemed more annoyed by the reminder in question than her genuine concern. "Though, I'm curious how you managed to obtain a visit so soon after Ren. At least he had the backing of someone of repute to do so."
"What can I say, I'm very convincing." Her innocent smile elicited an unconvinced snort.
"Bullshit. Someone had to help you, and I know for a fact you don't have your immaterial friends anymore, so spill it."
"Alright, alright. You won't like it though." She glanced at the standing guard, before deciding she could risk it. "It was Shido."
Akechi's smile dropped, his gaze turning colder and his expression darkening as she explained herself.
"In my memories of the true reality, he sent me a call after you turned yourself in, but before he was himself formally arrested. It seems he deduced my charade from your betrayal, and he hoped there was something genuine in my connection with you." Ritsuka stretched her legs, reminiscing what had been a very strange conversation. Some of the similarities between father and son were uncanny, including their very perceptive nature. "Turns out, the Tokyo Correction Center director had some minor dealings with Shido, and he told me how to use them so I could check on you."
Seconds of silence ticked one by one. Akechi's face was unreadable, yet the anger within was plain as day, at least to her.
"I am seriously considering throwing this phone at you." She winced at the honestly murderous growl. Even the guard looked a bit on edge.
"Your call." He almost did the deed at her pun, his arm twitching with barely restrained anger. "I know how you feel, but I would rather have this opportunity rather than none at all. So suck it and let me make use of it to the end."
Her bluntness seemed to calm him down. With someone else she would have taken a more diplomatic path, but Akechi would have probably just ended it here and there if she did so.
"You know…" Akechi tapped on the phone finger by finger. "I have been thinking quite a lot about the future lately. Until very recently, I've always thought my road traced from beginning to end. And now, thanks to your and Ren's intervention, I find myself quite strangely aimless. For the first time in ages, I have no plans. In fact, I have no idea where I even want my future to lead me." He seemed a lot less displeased by the idea than she expected. "What about you? Have you found your path yet?"
"You know I wish nothing more than a normal, quiet life with my friends and family."
"Your track record on that front is horrific." Snickered Akechi.
"Thanks for the reminder." She debated sticking her tongue at him before simply continuing to speak. "But I really would like a simple university life with fast track to international sport team. Though, I'll say a representative of the Kirijo group approached me quite recently. Apparently, they had dealing with similar affairs in the past and they have contacts with my side of things, which is why they contacted me and not Ren. I think they were starting their own investigation by the time the Metaverse disappeared."
"Interesting." A genuine spark of interest lit up in Akechi's eyes. "For all their importance, or perhaps because of their influence, I never approached those of that conglomerate. Shido was wary of provoking them until after he was elected."
"A wise move, apparently. They didn't drop the P word per say but call it a hunch, I think they might know something about it. The guy asked me to contact them in case anything similar happened, or if the Phantom Thieves were to restart their activities."
"Even more intriguing… So, you do have your own plan for the future already. Good. That will be one less subject of preoccupation while I waste away in my cell."
"I'll send you some books to occupy you. I know you prefer your own company, so let's make it less dry."
"You do know that if one of those books is Le Comte de Monte Cristo I will find a way out and make you eat the pages one by one." Threatened Akechi, guessing her intention immediately.
"See? Prison can't be all that bad for you, you still have the same killer instincts." She teased, making a finger gun.
"You think yourself so funny… Tell me, how was he?"
"Who?"
"Edmond Dantes." Akechi leaned on the glass with an inquisitive look. "The real Edmond Dantes. How was he?"
"… Intense. I think that's the word that describes him best. In words or actions, he always had this weight behind him. Like the rest of his kind, he was quite literally unable to forget or let go of his grudge. In fact, he called himself someone different from the Edmond Dantes who abandoned his revenge and led the rest of his life in peace, because he would never be able to."
"So in a way, he was a picture took at a particular moment of Edmond Dantes' life."
"That's a good way to put it." She nodded. "I think… All Avengers, even Jeanne in Orleans, weren't seeking it for just any reason. Each of them wanted to right a wrong, an injustice, an evil. They chose to become monsters to do so… but it was never for anything but a form of justice. That's why… I'm not surprised he was the one to take form within you."
"Do you miss him?"
"His obnoxious laugh still haunts my ears. But that aside…" Ritsuka closed her eyes, the shadows of the Chateau d'If vivid in her mind. "I do, just like all the others. But I'm not regretting my time with any of them. Nor do I regret knowing you."
"What a flattering thing to hear…" He sent a glance at the clock. "Tch, time is running out. What are you going to do right now?"
"See Ren and the gang for a last goodbye. He's returning to town, the others each have their own goals in mind. As for me… I have a plane to catch."
"Going out already? Don't bother telling why now, I'll hear it once you return." He was terribly curious, she was sure, but he contained himself remarkably. "… I'm still surprised to see how close of me I've let you and Ren become."
"Hey, don't lump me in your little love triangle with him and Sumire. Oh, speaking of, Sumire also asked me to wish you good luck when she and I said goodbye."
"A love triangle, really." Akechi was looking at her with the kind of disgust he must be reserving for one of the worst evil any celebrity has come to confront: shippers. "You do know I have nothing in common with that lecherous waste of a father."
"Of course. But don't you dare try to say your attitude toward Ren doesn't reek of homoerotic subtext. The closest I've seen you of any romantic expression was your promise to kill him and him alone." His look became, amazingly enough, even more disgusted. "Come on, let a girl have her fantasy."
"What, was Chaldea such a den of depravity that's what you interpret as romantic?" Shot back Akechi, obviously fishing for information despite his annoyance.
"Among many, I've had to witness the song and dance of Artemis and Orion. Believe me, I know a lot about the forms love can take, and you being repulsed by one doesn't invalidate the others."
"You are seriously trying to paint me as some sort of sex-hating deviant."
"Say the one who looked the other way when I performed the strip-tease dance to open that damn rock. I've had literal monks with less issues than that!" Exclaimed Ritsuka. "You should think about it, really, I'm sure Ren would be open to something…"
"Are you hoping to make me violent?" His annoyance was winning over his amusement, and she wisely decided to backpedal.
"Alright, alright. It's time anyway." The warden looked positively about to kick her out. "I'll keep tab on the trial. Take care."
"Don't get yourself killed before me." Retorted Akechi with an amused tone.
Leaving the prison took much less time than getting in. Her taxi was waiting on the side, as expected. Going in the backseat, Ritsuka waved the conductor to start.
"So, how did it go?"
"Better than I expected, in all honesty." Fifteen minutes wasn't much, but she made the best of it. "He doesn't really know where he wants to go, or what he expects from life anymore, but I think it's okay."
"I see."
Maruki started the engine. It was almost weird to see him in something else than his lab coat, but he didn't look too bad in that taxi driver uniform.
"From school councillor to godhood to taxi driver. Life finds a way to surprise, isn't it?"
"That stings a bit." Frowned Maruki, before his traits relaxed. "Not undeserved, though. Tell me, how do you feel?"
"Maruki…" He kept his eyes on the road, but she could still see his placated expression when she raised her voice.
"Sorry, force of habit. But really, how are you holding up?"
"I'm good. I've finally left the past into the past. Like they would have… no, like they wanted for me."
The hole in her heart wasn't closed as much as it didn't feel hollow anymore. A scratch rather than a fissure, a reminder she would never forget, but nothing that could break her anymore.
"… I'm happy to hear it."
"And you? How are you holding in your new occupation? Having to let people decide where they want to end up?"
"Ouch. Again, not underserved, but still." Complained the ex-councillor. "Well, it won't pay the bill quite as well as I would like, but… I think you are right. The experience has already been more valuable than I thought it would… people talk, in here. I can be an attentive ear, one that doesn't judge, but also doesn't intervene. Simply, letting them relieve what is on their mind, and letting them confront it on their own term… I'm learning a lot. I still feel like I could do something, sometimes."
"That's natural. You wouldn't be Maruki without that big heart wanting for people to live a good, happy life." Despite everything he had done, it was the one thing she would never fault him. That he even took the station of Beast III… it proved his yearning had always been sincere, if misguided.
"Hahaha, at least this is something I can still be proud of… tell me. What's your destination once I leave you at the airport?"
"London. Someone must learn what happened here and take the necessary steps to protect everyone involved… and a few friends I promised to visit."
"I see." He didn't say more, he understood who she was talking about. "Ah, it seems we are just on time."
Ritsuka glanced outside. The van rented by the team was here, with Ren about to come in. Though she noticed him look somewhere else… and following his gaze revealed a black car innocuously stopped at respectable distance, with people whose suits screamed 'government' inside.
"Really now? Still trying to find inexistant charges instead of just cleaning their own house?" She sighed with the frustration of déjà-vu. "You saw this coming, didn't you."
"Indeed." Nodded Maruki, driving up to the van and opening the door to address the Phantom Thieves. "Need a hand?"
"Doctor Maruki?" Ryuji's head peaked from the vehicle, bewildered. "Ritsuka? He's your taxi driver?"
"Pretty neat, uh?" She waved Ren closer. "Come on in, before they realize."
"I guess it's better to split up." Agreed Makoto, her hands on the wheel. "We'll rejoin at the train station."
"But we can't really meet Ritsuka at the airport after, right? It's a bit far out…" Pointed out Futaba.
Ann didn't look enthusiast. "This isn't really the goodbye I pictured…"
"We can't always make things the exact way we want." Wisely said Yusuke.
Haru giggled. "Also, we don't make plane schedules."
"I'll send you pictures and bring souvenirs, don't worry." Said Ritsuka as Ren sat in the car. "See you soon."
"Holdin' you on those souvenirs." Grinned Ryuji. "See ya!"
The van started up with the rest of her friend's cheers and farewells, attracting the attention of the cop car quickly making chase. Maruki waited for a few second before starting the taxi, once certain no one watched them.
"They really wanted to have some grand farewell in front of the train station and airport." Mused Ritsuka. "Would have been nice, actually."
"It's not like we didn't say goodbye already." Shrugged Ren.
"Look at you, still playing the unflappable leader. Won't you feel bored during the summer break?" Ritsuka's gaze trailed toward the bag Ren put on his laps. A bag that looked suspiciously like it just moved. "Oh, but who do we have here."
"… Fuah!" Morgana's head popped out of the bag like the proverbial cat he was. "Not that Boss isn't a great host, but someone got to keep an eye on him."
"You paid the supplement for bringing pet, right?"
"Hehehe, don't worry, I paid for my place." Informed the cat with uncontained smugness, almost to her disappointment. Some part of her had hoped for a recorded reenactment of the "cat toy" incident Ryuji told her about.
"Well then, since we won't be seeing each other for some time…" She grabbed Morgana and started to scratch his ears, making him purr from bliss.
"Are you sure it's me you'll be missing?" Asked Ren with a small smirk and a falsely offended tone.
"I suppose I will remember you sometime, between my longing for soft and warm feline presence." She retorted just as dramatically, carrying the cat like a precious child before putting it back in the bag. They were reaching the train station.
"There's no charge." Said Maruki when Ren reached for his bag. "If you find yourself struggling in life… you can start over, like me. Remember that." He looked behind at the passenger seats, holding his fist up. "So yeah, if that ends up saving you… then we're square."
Ren smiled and fist-bumped the ex-councillor. It was nice to see none of them held anything against the other.
"See you later, Ritsuka."
"Take care, you two." She waved as the taxi left the station, catching a glimpse of the van arriving behind. Good job on Makoto's part for losing the cops.
The journey to the airport was devoid of any more surprises. Well, she was very happy that Shido didn't stay convinced of her desire to be involved in the conspiracy. Having to explain herself on her deception, even with Akechi's help… yeah, it wouldn't have been fun. With how hard the police was trying to regain their reputation, she wouldn't put it past them to grasp at anything vaguely resembling a scapegoat.
"I'm paying the journey." Ritsuka literally shoved the money in Maruki's hand when he helped her take out her baggage. "No excuses, I don't want to hear about you starving."
"I suppose there is no changing your mind… Ritsuka caught the guilty expression, even as Maruki looked away.
It was seriously gnawing at him still. Not that it was surprising, really… but she couldn't leave it as that.
"Look, Maruki. What you did was dirty." He flinched, and she took the baggage from him. "But it was miracle. I don't think anyone, anything else could have given me the chance to see them again. To tell them a proper goodbye." Da Vinci's smile, her comforting presence, her pride. Mash's flushed face, the taste of her lips, her last words…
"… Then even if I failed, I'm truly glad something positive came from all this." Maruki finally pocketed the money. "If you need a ride, I'll always be happy to provide it."
"I'll make sure to hold you on that." She waved, dragging her luggage behind. "Take care."
"Likewise." He waved in return before driving away.
He took the lesson to heart. She really hoped he would one day find in himself the courage to approach his ex-fiancé again. Or find someone else, perhaps? Not that she was one to talk on that front at the moment though… and she realized when looking at her watch that if she mused any more, she would miss the flight!
It was a lovely afternoon, especially for the kind of weather London usually 'enjoyed' in the season. Clear sunlight flowed through the windows of the small manor, where Lord El-Melloi the 2nd welcomed his guests for an afternoon tea. Two guests, to be precise, in a private meeting that he made sure no one would spy, and especially not listen to what one of the guests was currently babbling…
"… and then the Prison of Regression fused with Tokyo as a form of Pseudo-Singularity, overwriting the Texture and altering it to something closer to a dream. After the Demon Gods cleared a path, the Phantom Thieves managed to gather the prayers of Japan to temporarily empower Arsene into a Divine Spirit of rebellion…"
El Melloi the 2nd desperately wanted to let out an audible groan and smash his head on the table face first, preferably in that order and after putting the tea aside. He should have never picked up that phone. He should have pretended being busy in his workshop or slaved away by Reines. He should have simply blacklisted the number after the first call Fujimaru Ritsuka made on his personal phone a year ago, when he was still reeling from the consequences of the Lost Years incident—soon revealed as the timeframe during which the Incineration of Humanity was in effect—and the girl had spilled secrets he swore he never told a single soul until he had agreed to listen.
Learning from her—and the unedited reports he later consulted— that a version of El-Melloi the 2nd was the source of that knowledge, having been summoned to house the Heroic Spirit Zhuge Liang and assist in the resolution of the Grand Order, did make him feel less threatened. Learning that Iskandar had been summoned as well during the Grand Order… That had been the hardest pill to swallow. As much as he would deny it to anyone else, it made him jealous. His King had been here. This version of him travelled with Iskandar, played video games with him, and even fought by his side as a fellow Servant. Waver had almost asked her if the King of Conqueror was still here. It had been a stupid thought. He wasn't the "him" who shared Iskandar's presence and battlefield in the Grand Order…
"What, I'm just making sure you don't try to whine your way out of things."
That moron, idiot, irresponsible… taking the phone from his Master and barging in the conversation like that. El-Melloi the 2nd knew it could have been a fake. A trap made to influence him into accepting Chaldea's demands, helping their side in the Clock Tower investigation. There were countless magecraft that could have been used to deceive him. Yet when Waver Velvet heard Iskandar's voice, he felt as if he was nineteen again, back on that bridge.
"You made Master your students, so do your job as teacher and get her out of here. She won her war, now she needs to rest."
Waver had cursed himself at the time. Being too involved with his students was exactly what he always tried to avoid. Even worse, a Japanese. Yet after hanging the phone, he had found himself starting plans to sway the Clock Tower committee into letting Fujimaru Ritsuka go. Plans that had apparently perfectly coincided with what his Pseudo-Servant version had started on his own side with the complicity of Chaldea's surviving staff, leading the investigating committee to dismiss the—heavily edited and toned down—accomplishments of Fujimaru Ritsuka as mostly being the result of acting as mere proxy for the acting director. What was supposedly left to her own actions and her participation in the Grand Order was still enough to earn her the rank of Cause, but not enough to be branded as an anomaly worthy of study. Kirschtaria Wodime's inflexible defense also played a significant role, though he only learned that later.
Still… to talk to Rider, who thanks to Chaldea's very irregular summoning system carried the records of the fourth Holy Grail war, made him happier than he had been for years. Even so briefly, even if the oaf was as insufferable as before, to speak with his King, the one who remembered him and their time together, unlike the Divine Spirit that Faker had turned into. With the next Holy Grail war being a far-off, but very real opportunity… he still had a possibility of a face-to-face meeting becoming true. Should he manage to get out of Reines' thumb by that time. And it was a very strong thumb.
"… Beast III, without his Skill Nega-Dream to protect it, left itself vulnerable and Joker managed to destroy its core. The nascent Singularity was quickly corrected by the World, stranding us back to a reality where none of Maruki's manipulations happened."
The mad story that had been recounted to him and its ramifications already gave him the start of many headaches. Really, the only reason he was still listening with the appearance of imperturbability was the presence of the third party, the Lord of the Astromancy Department, one of the greatest prodigies of his generation, courted by the leaders of each of the Clock Tower factions…
"I see." Said Kirschtaria Wodime, also eating cake if in a much more dignified manner. "I find this ability you call Persona quite fascinating."
Waver had almost dismissed Fujimaru's whole demand for a private meeting around tea when she mentioned the young Lord had to participate. Even if she supposedly saved his life and avoided him the fate of being indebted to another great family, that she would so easily command his attention was such a ridiculous notion… only for the recently appointed Lord of the Astromancy department to casually drop everything and agree as soon as he mentioned her name. On the other hand, he agreed on Fujimaru asking him to play the middleman: Wodime was too high profile to be contacted lightly, especially by a mere Cause.
"Oh yeah, it is." Nodded Fujimaru. "Teacher, did you look into it after I called you?"
"I'm not…" Waver bite his tongue, pointedly not looking at the very attractive empty spot on the table to facepalm. Yes, he was technically her teacher. Dammit, Servant Waver. "I did." He adjusted his glasses, falling into his lecturer stance almost without thinking. "Carl Gustav Jung, psychiatrist and psychoanalyst of the 20th century as well as the founder of analytical psychology. He helped develop a great number of concepts in the discipline. Among those concerning the present matter are the collective unconscious, archetypes, the shadow and the persona."
"The 20th century… a very recent exploration made through science. Any thaumaturgical foundation would inevitably fall under the umbrella of Modern Magecraft." Noted the young Lord.
"In other words, very weak without an enormous investment of resource and time?" Asked Fujimaru.
"Approximative but correct." Or unless a monster like Flat used it, which was a whole other can of worms. "Let us start with the collective unconscious. Broadly speaking, it can be compared to a vast sea of consciousness, universal and impersonal, that is shared among the entirety of humanity. It is inherited from each past living human, influencing the individual's personal development. What is most intriguing is how Jung described the collective unconscious where they are supposed to exist as: the potential world outside of time."
"The Sea of Souls. That's how the Velvet Room attendant and Igor called it." Said the girl. The Velvet Room was another point of discussion Waver just knew would give him new wrinkles.
"It seems Carl Jung reached a form of comprehension of the Root through his studies of the human psyche." Kirschtaria joined his gloved hands, pensive and inquisitive. "Did you find out whether or not he was a magus?"
"I could not find determining clues, but I am inclined to think he was not." Waver had had too little time to investigate as much as he would have preferred. "In any cases, the collective unconscious is the source and dwelling place of the archetypes. They are universal ideas, thought patterns or images, that form the basis of the common themes and symbols found across the different cultures and societies, like the trickster or the progenitor. Those archetypes, whose concept is unchanging but form is fluid, influence the development of each individual's unique identity."
"The Tarot!" Fujimaru snapped her fingers. "That's the medium through which the Velvet Room categorizes their archetypes. Igor even made me a reading."
"I see. Which figures did they use?"
"Only the major arcana. I thought he used only those from the traditional deck at first, but he divined the Aeon for me, the Faith for Sumire, and Maruki's arcana was the Councillor."
"So they also use cards from Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot, El Gran Tarot Esoterico, and the Visconti-Sforza." Waver pinched his chin, thinking. "I suspect it's a way to broaden the scope while still staying true to the foundation. Other magecraft tend to use equivalences similarly, though it tends to create instability. Still, this would only bring back the foundation to the 15th century at best, when those decks were first made before being used as divination tools."
"If we consider the Persona users were backed by the Counter-Force to face a Threat to Humanity, the abnormal effectiveness it displays in the closed-off texture that was the Cognitive World can be considered outside normal parameters." Pointed Wodime. "Ritsuka, you said the Phantom Thieves are unable to summon their Persona in the mundane world, correct?"
"Yep. I think that's because they all lack both Magic Circuits of their own and actual knowledge of the Mystery behind it. A mystic code could be made to palliate that issue, but I'm not going to approach that any time soon."
"In that case, we can assume the power behind Persona is intentionally limited, outside of circumstances where a corresponding threat is active, like confronting this so-called God of Control." A smile appeared on the young Lord's lips. "Lord El-Melloi II, I assume the Bounded Field around the room will prevent any leak of magical energy."
Fujimaru facepalmed. "I know you want to see it. You could just ask, you know."
"So you can still use the ability, unlike them." Deduced Waver, who received a groan of approval from the girl.
"Yeah, I can, though it's different from the others because of the Demon Gods tampering. The other summon it like some sort of familiar. Mine is… closer to a Demi-Servant's transformation, or maybe a Pseudo-Servant's existence. They must have used Mash as a base." She stood up from her chair, breathing deep in and out. "Do you want to see too, teacher?" He nodded. "Alright. Let's go."
Waver looked as white light enveloped the girl. Her entire attire changed from the Mage's Association uniform to something regal. White and black robes supplemented by golden jewellery on her arms, legs and holding her vastly longer hair. Most notable among them the ten golden rings, gently floating around like a halo.
"Are those…"
"Echoes. They do not possess the originals' absolute authority over Magecraft." Answered Fujimaru, making the rings gather above her palm in answer to Wodime's question. "But they still hold a great amount."
Her voice and attitude also changed, in more and less subtle ways. The closest comparison Waver had was Gray whenever she used Rhongomyniad, as if something foreign superposed itself on top of her personality. Another similarity was the sheer radiance of her magical energy. Fujimaru's Magic Circuits were roughly of the same number and quality as his own, and yet her mere presence already emanated many times the amount he could come up with, even with his supplementary mystic codes.
"How long can you maintain it?"
"Under normal circumstances, I estimate a time limit of three minutes before my Magic Circuits start combusting. Though due to my specific… abilities, should I be facing a Threat to Humanity I expect this limit to raise considerably." She turned her now red eyes towards him. "The Phantom Thieves are not aware I still possess this power. I would prefer no one else but you to have this information."
Facing her was nothing compared to the Divine Spirit of Iskandar, but Waver had no illusions she could destroy this whole manor in the blink of an eye. If anything, she did felt closer to a Servant than a human being. Perhaps the comparison with Gray held even more credit than he thought at first. The radiance dimmed and left as the transformation was undone, and his student sat back in her chair.
"Your secret is safe with me." Assured Wodime. "And I assume with El-Melloi II as well."
"Of course. I have no desire to see the Clock Tower go after a student of mine."
He already had Gray's secret to keep, what was one more. Though it would likely give him a few more grey hairs before he reached old age to have those. Why did he always manage to find people with these kinds of dangerous secrets?
"Thanks…" She finished her teacup, a sigh of contentment escaping. "Ahh, that hit the spot."
"The power of Persona could be a potential foray into uncovering the Third Magic once more." Noted Wodime to Waver's surprise. He hadn't thought of that. "With your ability, the knowledge you have received from the Demon gods and your own experience, you could fashion a Magic Crest and create a lineage dedicated to its study."
"Nope. Nope. I want a normal life, with a normal family, with no more supernatural if I can help it. I'm leaving all those magi things to you guys." Instantly deflected Fujimaru with a firm tone and a wide wave of hands.
A moment of silence settled as Waver shuffled through the information he gathered from his researches on Carl Jung and the recent revelations. One of his interrogations was still the origin of the Velvet Room. According to Fujimaru, neither this Igor nor the attendant were human, but some sort of homunculi. Which begged the question, who created them? A magus whose ambition were similar to the late Marisbury Animusphere, the safeguard of humanity? Or perhaps was it connected to another figure, the mysterious Philemon, a supposedly "wise spirit guide". Was it the same being as the one mentioned in the Epistle to Philemon? Something to ponder on a later time.
"I believe you wanted us to speak about the Phantom Thieves." Waver finally said, deciding to keep his thoughts to himself.
"Oh, yeah. With the Metaverse gone and the Phantom Thieves' ability to manifest their Persona with it, I think it's fair to say they aren't a menace to the secrecy of magecraft anymore, or at least no more than the Japanese government or the Kirijo group already are. On the other hand, they have no one to protect them and I don't think the Mage Association will see it that way."
She snapped her fingers.
"Oh, right, I'd really be happy if Maruki was left alone too, I don't think there are much chance his role will be discovered but just in case, you know. Someone in this tower is certainly salivating at the prospect of studying a former Beast, and if that could happen, like, never, I'm sure everyone will fare much better." Concluded Fujimaru, finishing to munch on the cake she thoroughly devoured over the course of her insane story.
"The latter case should not be too difficult if only the Phantom Thieves and you are in the know. The Phantom Thieves themselves are a more delicate matter." Said Wodime.
"Damn, they're already on someone's radar?"
"The apparent end of their activity and the Japanese government's reaction seems to indicate the situation is under control." Supplied Waver. "However, the fact remains that it is not the first affair of this kind to emerge. Even with the isolation of Japan, some in the Clock Tower are starting to consider its spiritual activity a problem the local magi cannot manage by themselves."
"Damn. That serious? That explains why the Kirijo representative was insistent I contact them if I saw anything of the sort happen again."
"It is likely they are aware of the increased scrutiny they are getting from the Clock Tower. The Holy Church will attempt to expand its influence in the region as well, if only to counteract the Mage Association." The young Lord actually smiled apologetically at the orange-haired exasperated groan.
"I should have asked for a written slip from Martha. Or David, since I almost got to be his daughter in law. Something like 'leave her alone or I'll tell Him'." Mumbled Fujimaru, nose in her empty teacup. Waver tried to not have a headache, once again, over the ramifications of Fujimaru's close (and for one in particular, very close) proximity to some of the Church's and Mage Association's most revered figures. "Seriously, why do they all have to be more interested in being vultures after world threatening events rather than helping during them."
"Magi strive to obtain knowledge and power. The aftermath of a crisis is one of the greatest opportunities to secure both. The Church is not so different once a certain hierarchical level is reached." Kirschtaria put his own cup down before filling everyone else's. "Here."
"Thanks." She gulped a large mouthful, her grimace showing she obviously burned her tongue in the process. "I know it's not always like that, but it really feels like it's the default."
"Luckily, the presence of yet another so-called 'Holy Grail' will not reach their ears." Pointed out Waver, knowing that even if it wasn't the genuine article, with the scale of the incident they would have launched their own investigation and brought an Executor. "A four-way meeting with the Mage's Association, the Church, the Japanese government and magi organizations will likely be underway at some point in the future."
"This is where we must play our cards correctly to protect those involved, starting with the Phantom Thieves."
El-Melloi the 2nd gazed onto his young pair, carefully deciphering his speech and behaviour. Kirschtaria Wodime, at the moment, felt like a very different person compared to the admittedly limited other interactions he had with him in the past. He had expected the young Lord to have the same conduct other genius blessed in all regards had. A larger point of view unbothered by the little people, those who didn't participate in the grander affairs of the world. A pragmatic and a realist, at best. Yet he seemed genuinely invested in safeguarding a ragtag band of people from the Mage Association, even though they could easily threaten the secrecy of Magecraft, or worse, the Association itself. All because they were important in the eyes of Fujimaru Ritsuka.
"The Department of Policy will choose the envoy; it is their prerogative as watcher of the secrecy of Magecraft. They will favor choosing among their own members, but should they be swayed into another candidate, it will belong to the Aristocratic faction, those believing lineage is the superior factor for managing the Clock Tower." Explained Wodime for Fujimaru's sake. "Unfortunately, they are the most likely to push for capture or worse in regard to the Phantom Thieves."
"Dammit, I should have guessed the old guard would be in charge of that one." Cursed the girl under her breath. "Any chance you could do something, teacher?"
"My window of action is too limited. Any transaction to obtain the position would subordinate the El-Melloi to other families, or worse, the Bartholomei." And Reines would have his head. Why did he still have so much debt to reimburse?
"Gods below, you would have been perfect… Wait." She perked up, looking at Wodime. "I know the El-Melloi are part of the Aristocratic faction, is that the same for the Wodime?"
"My family is indeed part of the faction, though my private convictions are closer to the Democrats. And while there are few candidates who would be considered appropriate by the Clock Tower, I could be that person."
"But aren't you, like, too important for that? Department head and all that?"
"Lord El-Melloi II, as her teacher, I believe you might explain it better than me." Waver frowned, with Wodime smiling in his direction. Was the young magus testing him? Still, his other self's pupil was looking at him expectantly, and he refrained from grumbling before starting his explanation.
"The Wodime's magical theories are rooted in the ancient astrological research of the ancient Chaldeans, where the World was layered in spheres each containing their own mana value, in increasing power from Earth to Sky to Heaven, what we call now outer space." Using a layered cake as support for his lesson was not ideal, but one do with what they have. "However, Astrology weakened considerably with the advancement of science, transforming it from the ability to receive power from space to a tool to observe space."
"So it's not that Astromancy is weak, but the world has changed too much from the Age of Gods to make it work in the scale it should…" Fujimaru hummed pensively.
"Correct. While my work has been appraised as genius on paper, it is considered impossible to put in practice." Nodded the magus, a gloved hand resting on the spherical jewel crowning his staff.
"Too bad… Man, now I wish you were there in Babylonia. If Ishtar could throw Venus at the enemy when she used her Noble Phantasm, I'm really curious what you would have done back there."
"I have been working on the data gathered from the Singularities to further my magecraft, but I have yet to analyse those from the Babylonian Singularity. Should you be interested in the matter, I can forward the theoretical result once I have deduced it. If you would be willing to study the Mystery of Persona and share the results in return, that is." He added with a cheeky smile.
"Pfff, nice try genius, but I already told you I'm not founding a magus family." Fujimaru lightly punched him in the shoulder with a grin, and Waver was once again taken aback when Wodime only chuckled casually in return.
"I jest. You more than earned the right to detach yourself from all this."
"Huh-um." Waver coughed to get their attention back, intent on finishing. "Anyway, this is why no matter how much of a genius the Wodime produce and how advanced their theories are, they are fundamentally not considered a threat by the other great families of the Clock Tower. Consequently, the influence and power that could be gained by being the envoy of the Clock Tower to Japan would not be considered dangerous in his hands. If anything, I presuppose the Bartholomei would be very happy to pass this as a favor that would attach him closer to their faction."
"An incisive analysis. I appreciate your honesty." Wodime swirled his tea within the cup, waiting for it to cool. "I will make sure to be selected as the envoy. Be assured I will not allow the Mage's Association to bear on the Phantom Thieves."
Fujiamru let out a long, relieved sigh. "… Thanks, Kirch. I really don't know what I'd do without you."
"Is it not what friends are for?" The young Lord took an appreciative sip of tea before taking on a serious tone. "Though I have to ask for some form of compensation. You understand what I mean, don't you? I believe I have waited long enough for your part of the bargain to be fulfilled."
Waver slowly took out one of his cigars, steeling himself before the heavier atmosphere. What sort of deal had his student done? What could she offer to one such as Wodime? Even considering their apparent relationship, magi were creatures of self-interest before anything else. No matter how mundane or inoffensive a deal may look at first glance, there was always something to look for.
"It wasn't easy to get, you know." He watched Fujimaru take something from an inside pocket, and put it on the table, covered by her hand.
"So you did obtain them." Inquired Wodime, stone-faced.
"Of course." She retired her hand, revealing… tickets? Waver blinked. Concert tickets? For a Japanese concert? Concert tickets, for a Japanese rock concert? "Exclusive, limited-edition tickets. Premium places and a meeting with the artists afterward."
"Magnificent. I was unsure even you would be able to obtain them." Waver barely kept his composure as Wodime complimented the girl as if she had given him a supreme grade Mystic Code.
"No scalper will ever beat someone taught by Julius Caesar himself. I officially rock." Fujimaru grinned proudly.
"Rock and roll." Added Wodime with a smirk.
Waver heroically resisted the sudden urge to arrange an express meeting between his face and the table as his worldview crumbled, as Kirschtaria Wodime, jewel of the Clock Tower, prodigy lauded by the oldest and most traditionalist of the Mage's Association, received tickets for a modern rock concert with a terrible pun.
"Two tickets, one for you and one for your hopelessly smitten Ophelia. When is the wedding, by the way?"
"The Phamrsolone are proud of their history and heritage, but I believe the negotiations are progressing smoothly. And I do count on you joining us that day, with whoever you will eventually find for yourself."
"Rub salt in the wound, will you. Count me in. And jealous. Very jealous." Grumbled Fujimaru as the teasing was returned right at her. "I wouldn't mind the company. Or the support when I'm once again thrust into yet another world-saving mission."
"Didn't you said you would rather avoid the world of magecraft?" Pointed out Waver, trying to regain a footing in the conversation.
"Teacher, I have basic pattern recognition. I'm on four Beasts faced! Four! Out of seven! I don't remember signing up for Counter Force cleaning duty!" She was being petulant and obviously knew it. "Maybe I should conscript the Clock Tower next time. Or at least those Zelretch and Brishisan guys." Waver paled. "If Romani is intent of having me fix his mess, his students could at least have the decency to help! Next Evil of Humanity that shows up at my door, I'm sending it their way!"
No. No no no no no no, no. That was a recipe for disaster. And he wasn't sure the Wizard Marshall would not take her at her word, without even talking about the elusive director of the Department of Lore.
"Lord Brishisan, hum. Actually, he was the one who introduced Daybit to the Department of Lore. Perhaps he and I can help you meet him." Said Kirschtaria casually to Waver's horror. Not that the help of such monster wouldn't be a boon in such disastrous events, but there were reasons they weren't usually approached!
"Oh right, where is Daybit by the way? Him and the others, I mean." Clarified Fujimaru, likely referring to the others surviving Masters of Chaldea. "I didn't kept tab with them… I hoped I could rectify that."
"To my knowledge, no one had seen Hinako after she walked out in the Antarctic. As for Beryl, all traces ended after he went after he went afoul a Dead Apostle Ancestor."
"Good riddance." Said, no, Fujimaru growled at his mention. "I know he was your teammate, but if I had known what he did before he left, I would have had a word. With Lancelot and Gawain by my side."
Waver lighted his cigar, taking a long puff. No one in the Association or even outside it liked the "Werewolf", and the way he had roamed around made quite a few people wary before his disappearance. But it appeared it was something more personal for his student.
"Kadoc is still studying at the Clock Tower and intent on keeping to himself. Ophelia will soon arrive from Germany. By a fortunate coincidence, Peperoncino should come back at the same time from the last job I gave him."
"What a coincidence, that his best client would time the job so well for a reunion." Snickered the girl. "Why don't you give me his rates, by the way? Not that I want to stay in magus or supernatural business, but I'd love someone to have my back when it happens. Just in case."
"Of course, for the sake of an uncertain eventuality." Said Wodime, a knowing smile gracing his lips.
"What of Daybit? I didn't really had the occasion to know him better back then. I mean, he swung by once or twice to listen to what happened in the Singularities…" She squinted, as if trying to recall something. "But yeah, almost all of his time was spent fiddling with CHALDEAS. Didn't he leave with it to the Atlas Institute?"
"… CHALDEAS was disposed of." Waver perked up inconspicuously at the revelation. Such a powerful tool, discarded? No, destroyed. What was the Atlas Institute thinking? "It is also the reason Daybit is coming back, to speak of the matter with Lord Brishisan."
"That's why you said you could have me meet him, you would have seen him anyway. Damn, you geniuses really think way too far ahead. But what was wrong with it?…" Her eyes wandered to Waver. "If you can talk about it here, I mean."
"I'd be glad to be left uninformed of whatever it is." One less thing to worry about was a blessing. He had too many of those. "Let me be clear that I will have no recollection of anything that has been said this afternoon."
"My thanks, Lord El-Melloi II. As well as for your invitation." Wodime finished his tea and stood up.
"Don't expect another one. I have enough eyes on me as it is."
The young Lord inclined his head, ignoring the dry remark and waving a goodbye at Fujimaru, who returned the gesture as he left. Only when Waver saw him by the window, leaving through the gate outside, did Waver sighed and slumped in his chair.
"You okay, teacher?" Asked Fujimaru with the most false innocence he has seen apart from Reines.
"Cut it out. You got what you wanted and ingratiated me with Kirschtaria Wodime by having him reveal his true colors, so I can't even be mad at you." She had least acted sheepish in response to his words. "I swear, this is the last time you get something that outrageous out of me."
"Sorry… Don't worry, I'm leaving too. Thanks for everything, teacher."
And he couldn't even accuse her of being insincere, he was aware she meant it. Dammit Rider!
"I still find it puzzling." She stopped before the door. "After surviving that troublesome Grand Order and the Phantom Thieves incident, why do you still involve yourself with the hidden world? You could walk away now and lose nothing. To what end do you chain yourself ever more tightly to it?"
Her hand caressed the doorknob. She had asked this question herself. As she met the Kirijo employee, as she made a call to El-Melloi, as she took the place to London, as she shook Kirschtaria's hand.
"Why, huh?"
She glanced outside the window. The vast blue sky, the gently flowing river, the bustling city. The ordinary, blissful existence of the mundane. The treacherous, awe-inspiring existence of Mysteries. It was all there. It was all hers. It was all her.
"Because it's my world too." "It's the life I choose to live."
She turned the doorknob, opening the door. Gazed in the twilight, where sun and moon both looked back upon the world. And smiled.
"It's a life I'm happy to live."
END