053 - Secret of an Ancient God

Olga Marie Animusphere

The phenomena known as Heroic Spirits, Olga reflects morosely, is something literally out of this world. Legends manifest, Humanity's very dreams crystalized around these incredible individuals who left an indelible mark on history. Every last one of them is an impossibility that defies common sense.

Take, for instance, Marie Antoinette. A somewhat below-average historical figure whose most well-known facts were her rather unfortunate comment about cake and, well… her death on the guillotine. From a rational point of view, she should be near-useless outside maybe social situations within the very limited field that's dealing with fellow nobles.

But conventional reason has nothing to do with Heroic Spirits. In spite of everything, she stood her ground in a fight with monsters of legend before ultimately providing them with the tools required to get away with their lives. Horses of spun glass, of swift hooves and untiring strides, capable of crossing miles in minutes. Whatever such constructs have to do with Marie Antionette or any of the legends surrounding her, Olga honestly doesn't know. But she's in no position to complain.

And then there's Elizabeth Bathory, a Servant manifested as what should be a painfully stereotypical noble child, spoiled rotten and craving for attention on equal parts. Someone that should be useless in absolutely any situation and yet somehow managed to hold back one of these monsters all on her lonesome.

They're not technically Olga's Servants but, as the Lady Director of Chaldea and ultimately the one in charge, she'll need to make sure to personally thank them for their efforts when a chance presents itself.

(She might even manage to do that much without causing another diplomatic crisis.)

Finally the horses stop their untiring gallop, prompting Olga to look up to examine their current surroundings and hopefully giving her an excuse to move past her sullen mood. She even succeeds at that task… after a fashion. Their current location isn't exactly conductive of positive thoughts, a somewhat gloomy coastal bay covered in a thin mist that allows for a clear view of her immediate surroundings but obscures anything beyond the sandy beach they're currently standing on.

"Okay, we have seen neither hide nor tail of them since my last Hail Mary and we've covered hundreds of miles in the meantime." Haku hesitantly speaks up. "As bullshit as these three are for a whole host of reasons, neither of them stands out for their tracking skills, so they probably won't be capable of finding our trail after we cut through the sea." She continues, her voice gradually becoming lighter as a smile no doubt forms on her lips. "Did we get away? Holy shit I think we got away!

Olga had assumed all her tension would've left after the last hour of completely monotonous riding, but she feels a weight lift off her shoulders at these words all the same. She barely notices it when the horse she was riding starts slowly fading away, even as her body automatically adjusts to avoid falling on her butt.

Instead, she feels a small smile stretch her lips as she watches Haku grab Mashu and spin her around in celebration, her friend letting out an adorable squawk at the unexpected action that turns into a delighted squeal soon enough. Olga's smile is abruptly wiped from her face when Haku finally lets Mashu down, only to plant a lightning-fast kiss on her lips before pulling away.

Olga catches herself reaching for the two of them, only to freeze mid-stride and immediately deflate, letting her outstretched arm fall back to her side without a word. What would she even say? What right does she have to say anything?

(Stupid Mashu looks stupidly adorable with that stupid full-face blush like a stupidly cute tomato.)

As Haku makes her way towards her, Olga firmly stomps any silly thought about getting treated the same way Mashu did that her brain might or might not be entertaining without permission.

"I have just learned that a survival high doesn't really protect you from the consequences of burning your own hands. I really shouldn't have done that." Haku sighs, lifting both hands to examine her grievously burnt palms. "Even my best burning salve is going to take a while to heal this mess."

Olga winces at the reminder of what Haku is suffering through just to save her useless ass, but pushes past the immediate burst of guilt and worry to focus on the big picture. And that means facing the music.

"It seems like I keep piling up life debts on you, Fujimaru. Don't think for a moment that your actions will go unappreciated." She crosses her arms (defensively) firmly before letting out a sigh of her own. "But there's something else we should be addressing now."

"Lady Director?" Haku stops in her tracks, acting surprised for some unfathomable reason. "What are you talking abo–?"

"I know I fucked up, okay?" Olga cuts her off, feeling nowhere near the mood to indulge this whole song and dance. "I didn't want to weaken our position by accepting too quickly and tried to make it clear that we wouldn't just be pushed around, but instead provoked them to strike. I sorely misjudged the situation and it nearly cost us dearly." Closing her eyes, she takes a deep breath before opening them again with a determined frown. "So go ahead and blame me, I'll take full responsibility."

"But… I don't think the Lady Director made any mistake?" Haku scratches her cheek in a clueless fashion, immediately ruining the gravitas Olga was trying to build up. "Honestly, your choice of words made perfect sense in that situation. I'm sure even Marie would agree you didn't go too far, and she's the expert socialité here!"

"Oui! A bit of thorn is expected from every rose, especially in a high-stakes party!" The Rider Servant immediately agrees with Haku's nonsense. "Many leaders fail to see the worth of a shrinking violet, after all!"

"See? It's just their reaction that was disproportionate and irrational!" Haku nods cheerfully while stepping closer, casually wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Don't kick yourself over it, there was no way for anyone to expect that outburst without Clairvoyance."

Olga hates how comforting a simple arm around her shoulders makes her feel. "Be as it may–"

"Besides, we are pretty strong." Haku hums thoughtfully, speaking over Olga's feeble attempt at shifting the blame back to herself like she didn't even notice it. By now, Olga knows better than to believe that. This girl is anything but the cheerful airhead she likes to portray herself as. "We could've handled three hostile Servants without too much trouble… In normal circumstances."

"Speaking of that, who were they?" Mashu chimes in nervously. "Sorry, I'm not very familiar with Japanese history…"

Olga arches an eyebrow at the 'admission'. Two of their True Names were revealed and she's fairly sure Mashu would recognize one of them at the very least, which means asking anyway in an attempt to distract her from her self-flagellation.

Honestly, what's Olga ever done to deserve a friend like her?

"Oda Nobunaga, the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven. Nagao Kagetora, better known as Uesugi Kenshin, the Avatar of Bishamonten. And lastly… Yamato Takeru, the Great Unifier of Japan, Slaughterer of Demons and Gods." Haku answers, making a shiver run down Olga's spine at the reminder of the situation they just escaped. "Honestly, there's no way they were giving their all. We're lucky enough to be alive as things stand, but if they were serious? Not a chance in hell."

She hadn't personally identified Uesugi Kenshin, but it makes perfect sense amongst the other two. Is there any point in feeling despair or should she feel grateful that it wasn't someone even crazier like Jimmu-Tennou instead?

Not a chance in hell indeed… How are they still alive?

"Oh, my! It certainly sounds like you all went through a truly exciting adventure!" An unknown, childish voice echoes around them, source unclear as they all tense warily. "I would usually ask what brings so many heroes to my deserted island, but that conversation was enough explanation."

As the voice speaks, the mist slowly clears up. Not enough to truly fade away, but enough to stop distorting the voice, allowing them to pinpoint the source. A small, shadowed figure sitting on a collapsed tree trunk at the very edge separating the sandy beach from the forest beyond.

"Such convenience!" The figure exclaims in delight. "If only all my guests were that considerate…"

As the mist continues receding, the shadow resolves itself into the form of a little girl with long hair done into twintails and slitted eyes sparkling mischievously, both of them colored a pale lilac. She wears a thin, flowy white dress with lots of frills that would normally reach down her knees, but her current sitting position exposes her knees and shins, allowing her feet to idly kick the air under her seat.

In spite of her harmless appearance, there's something about this definitely-not-child that sets all of Olga's instincts on edge. There's more here than what meets the eye.

"Hey there! The name's Haku. My partners and I are here on behalf of the Organization for the Preservation of Human Order, Finis Chaldea." Haku recovers with the usual swift grace that makes (Olga so jealous) her so reliable and introduces their group to the newcomer. "It's our pleasure to meet you, miss…"

"And here I thought you already knew what you were getting into…" The definitely-not-child pouts mightily. "But if that's how you want to play, then calling me an Earth Goddess would be close enough. If you are supposed to act in Humanity's best interests, then it could be said I'm a representative of the Planet."

A Divine Spirit, here? They are all but extinct in the modern human world, but this Singularity is taking place during the Classic Era, so this encounter isn't too crazy. She would prefer to have Chaldea's scans confirm the claim, but they haven't managed to stabilize the connection yet.

Even if it turns out to be a lie, they gain nothing by uselessly antagonizing the definitely-not-child when diplomacy might get them all they need. Let it not be said that Olga Marie Animusphere cannot learn from her mistakes.

"If we may be so daring, could we inquire about the current state of affairs?" She tries instead. "We are here to fix the current state of the world, but we know precious little about the finer details."

"Wow, just as convincing when putting on a brave front as when sucking up to someone!" There goes Haku, saying something unnecessary again. "As expected of the Lady Director!"

Ignoring her subordinate's cheeky remarks( and the heat on her face), she keeps her eyes on the supposed goddess who answers her request by… shrugging?

"How am I supposed to know anything about that?" She shakes her head uncaringly. "I've never left this island."

"Ah, useless goddess." Good job, Haku! That's the sort of unnecessary remarks you're supposed to be making!

"The irony cuts deep, little mortal." The goddess takes a hand to her chest, miming a wound in the poorest performance Olga has had the displeasure of witnessing in her time politicking at the Clocktower. "A perfect idol like me is supposed to be adored by the masses no matter what, you know? Truth should only be spoken when it's to flatter me."

Olga snorts at that complaint, already expecting another cheeky remark from her subordinate and, in spite of herself, actually kind of looking forward to–

"Yes, My Goddess."

…Wait, what?

Not quite believing what she's hearing, Olga turns around to find Haku rocking her feet in place, a dumb smile on her lips and… Heart-shaped pupils? What's that even supposed to–

"Hey, that's not fair!" Lancer protests before Olga can make heads or tails of the situation. "The only perfect idol who will charm P-san's pupils into pink hearts is me! Wake up, P-san! Don't let the hag win like this!"

Lancer soon realizes her words don't have much of an effect and promptly escalates to physical shock. And, by that, Olga means using her tail to smack Haku on the back of her head with enough force to make her stumble forward. This seems to be effective, causing the Last Master to blinking rapidly as her eyes return to normal, before she takes a look around in evident confusion.

Some sort of Charm skill? Olga surreptitiously reaches for her gem supply. Things might get ugly if this self-professed goddess proves to actually be an enemy.

"What did just… Oh, come on!" Haku catches on quickly, at least, turning to the goddess with a whine of indignation. "You can't tell me you actually enjoy that sort of empty praise. Nobody's that superficial!"

"Just a harmless prank." The self-proclaimed goddess shrugs her shoulders with a smile, not looking repentant in the slightest. "Surely, brave heroes like yourselves will find it on themselves to forgive little ol' me, right?"

"No harm, no foul." Haku sighs tiredly. "Still, we are on something of a tight schedule. If you can't provide assistance…"

"Ara, when did I ever say anything like that?" The self-proclaimed goddess asks, hiding her lips behind her hand. "I just so happen to have something that would help any hero landing on my shore, as long as they prove themselves worthy."

"Something that would help any hero?" Olga can't help but inject some incredulity in her voice. So far, this girl has only proven to be more trouble than it's worth it. "This wouldn't be another harmless prank, would it?"

"Please, as if I would go through all that work just for one prank." The self-proclaimed goddess easily waves her concerns away. "Are you interested or should I go back to waiting for the arrival of the next hero?"

Olga and Haku trade glances. They'd previously claimed to be in a hurry, but the truth is that she should probably lay low for a while, if only to avoid getting located by the Crimson Empress again after all the trouble they had getting away the first time. As things stand, finding a leyline nexus to stabilize their connection with Chaldea is probably too risky, so they are currently without a plan.

"Your faces say everything I need to know." The self-proclaimed goddess chuckles. "Follow me, little mortals. And I shall lead you to the Heroes' Cave, where invaluable treasure awaits!"

"Before that… I didn't quite get your name?"

"Oh, my. How clumsy of you. You may call me Stheno, just Stheno." The so-called goddess finally introduces herself. The name triggers some faint recognition, but Olga can't quite remember the source. "A fair goddess from more civilized times, before the scam bots invaded from beyond the stars. I welcome you to my Shaped Island, Chaldeans."

Truth be told, Olga would feel much better about everything if this supposed goddess wasn't smirking like the cat who ate both the cream and the canary, before successfully framing the dog for it all.

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