The Speed of Light

"You've come, Sanson."

"Yes, indeed, Marie."

Facing each other, the queen and the executioner. Those who were once deprived and those who take away, confronting each other across time.

"Execution is a qualification. Both the one who does it and the one who receives it. I'm the only one who can execute you. You must realize that too, Marie."

With a swish, he draws his sword. The blade that both cuts down criminals and saves them is unsheathed against Marie.

"You joined the ranks of the Dragon Witch just to kill me, right?"

"Exactly. I was waiting for you. I waited, believing you would come. To become even more skilled. To become even more skilled. I killed the people of France over and over and over."

Sanson smiles gently. The blade in his hand is covered in blood, shining red and brilliant.

"I have been taught everything as an executioner. Not just the mindset. Everything. —And I aimed beyond that."

He takes a slow stance, aiming precisely as the executioner.

"At its pinnacle—pleasure. The moment the head is severed, it's truly 'exhilarating.' That's what I aimed for, Marie."

He says with a trance-like expression, intoxicated.

"—I really wanted to know. Marie."

Slowly, Sanson reveals.

"How was my blade? —Did you climax? Did I give you the ultimate pleasure?"

"I cannot answer that. Sanson. It's not something to say, and it's something I don't want to say. There are already perverts around... the two of us can't be welcomed."

Marie responds firmly, a radiant presence that dispels the scent of death.

"Yeah, I know. That's why I'll do better next time. I practiced. I cut off many heads. I wanted to give you more and more wonderful moments. Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill..."

Always, for you. Sanson's words are like that.

"—Give me a chance, Marie. Next time, I'll do even better to show you."

"—Yes, please. Sanson."

Marie nods her head. She softly exposes her neck.

"If you have truly 'improved' —then you should be able to behead me. Come on, try it. Show me what you've accumulated in France. Whether that was the right thing."

With a voice devoid of fear or awe, Marie addresses Sanson.

Sanson's body trembles.

"Thank you. Thank you, Marie. You really are wonderful."

Slowly raising his blade.

"Leave it to me —I will definitely—"

He charges. That blade—

"I'll make you feel good—"

To the neck—

He drops it—

...

...

...

"...Fo...ol...such...foolishness..."

The blade hadn't reached.

The descending blade was firmly blocked by the 'glass adorned with a royal emblem.'

"See? Your blade couldn't reach me, right?"

A crack appeared on Sanson's blade with a slight sound. The crack spread instantly, and the blade shattered into pieces.

It seemed to reflect Sanson's heart—

"Th-That's right. It couldn't be... like this!"

Sanson was in turmoil, no, he was bewildered. Along with his pride, unmistakably... his heart had shattered as well.

"Too bad, Sanson. I should've told you when we first met. The connection between you and me... it's already over."

Marie declared. She announced their parting.

"You killed many people. You honed the blade of a murderer."

With a tone of sadness, as if singing.

"But the more adept you became at killing... your blade that saves sinners started to rust. By the time you joined the Dragon Witch, you had ceased to be the Sanson I knew."

Sanson fell to his knees with a thud.

"Lies, I... could've become even better! I only wanted to make you feel even better! I was only thinking about that!"

The confession tore at his chest, resounding.

"If I could've made you climax once more—! I thought you would forgive me—!"

"You're already a pitiable and adorable person, you know?"

Softly, Marie took his hand and gazed back at Sanson.

"Even though there's nothing that could make you forgiven by me, right?"

"A... ah... Mar...ie..."

With a soft sound, Sanson's form began to disappear. Like a pillar losing its support. Like a mirage.

"Goodbye, Sanson. Somewhere... we'll meet again."

.

With a rumbling of the earth, the evil dragon tramples the town.

Riding upon it is the Dragon Witch.

"Good evening, Dragon Witch. You're arriving rather late, aren't you?"

"...Sanson has disappeared as well. It's ironic how things i hoped for vanish."

"Yes, indeed. Surprisingly, what might remain are the vampires you dislike so much, perhaps?"

.

Witches clad in flames, and a queen holding a blossom, glaring at each other.

"Did she run away? How trivial, how pathetic."

"No, she went with hope. She took with her the final piece to defeat you, the final move to vanquish you."

"...If it's so trivial, then aren't you the same, Queen? Aren't you a fool? Why do you protect the people so much? Do you revel in a sense of duty?"

The witch sneers with extreme scorn.

"You think I protect a country that betrayed you? Protect these people who mocked and sent you to the guillotine? What does protecting this nation accomplish?"

She spits out her fury, facing it with pride.

"Oh, disillusionment. Witches are clueless about such things, aren't they?"

"What...?"

"True, I was executed. There was mockery. There were jeers. But that doesn't give me a 'reason to kill in return.'"

"..."

"A queen cannot exist without the people calling her a queen. A queen won't be called a queen if there are no people."

"If the people don't wish for it... then, even if unwillingly, I'll step down. That is what being a queen means."

The queen weaves her thoughts. Her love. A love that transcends hatred.

"Always 'Vive la France'! The stars shine, they give light, and as long as they make everyone shine, that's enough! I believe that my execution led to future smiles!"

(Love will never lose to hatred, right, Lord Gorgeous?)

"...What on earth are you talking about?"

"I don't understand you either. Your manner of speaking confirmed it. You're not Jeanne. So, who are you really?"

"Shut up!"

Fafnir breathes fire.

(Goodbye, Amadeus. Goodbye, Jeanne. Goodbye... Lord Gilgamesh.)

A memory of first love surfaces.

A memory of an irreplaceable friend.

A memory of a king who laughs heartily, radiating brilliance.

(Because this is how Marie Antoinette lives!)

Activate the Noble Phantasm. To protect the people with oneself as a shield.

"Noble Phantasm release! 'Beloved'...!"

But, it was not to be.

"Idiot! I'm certain I told you not to misuse the power of life! Don't you understand?!"

"Huh...!?"

"Eep...!?"

――In the midst of the blossoms scattering, a halt is called!

"Are you intending to disrespect me?! Marie Antoinette!"

"Lord Gorgeous...!?"

Embracing Marie, Gilgamesh quickly deploys his Noble Phantasm and takes aim at Fafnir.

"Siegfried! It's your turn! Fulfill your duty!"

"Leave it to me!"

Springing forth from the capsule, Siegfried charges at Fafnir.

"Why... why are you here?! Weren't you in a distant town without legs...!?"

"Ha, my legs—more than mere motorcycles or Vimana, I have wealth beyond imagination! If Vimana and motorcycles can't be used, I'll just prepare wealth surpassing them!"

Indeed, he flew in at the speed of light, lightly using it to help Marie.

"During the previous summoning, I was once thrown to the depths of the moon and to the edge of dimensions! In order to return, I used the latest ship of light I meticulously selected! I may favor the ancient, but I also understand the cutting-edge!"

The selection process was difficult. After all, it was a state-of-the-art Noble Phantasm, and his knowledge of civilization had to keep up.

—But the vessel once said. Time should be bought with money. Haste should be valued.

—Marie wanted to help. No matter what.

But, she has someone who loves her. A person named Amadeus, who loves her.

If our feelings are connected, he want to be with her until the end. He don't desire a sorrowful separation. Such a thing is beneath his wishes.

A victory built upon sacrifice, the expected outcome is... Himself and this vessel swore to shatter that norm!

"Lord Gorgeous... why..."

"—You, an ambitious lady, offered to be my partner in the shackles of my night. Such a splendid flower shouldn't be scattered by the roadside."

"――!"

—Yes, that's also a part of it.

Marie treated him without fear, treating him brightly.

She paid respect to the vessel serving as a hero, and acted accordingly.

It was this way of being that he liked. Because he didn't want her to disappear.

"Your wish must be the protection of the common folk. Then, rather than perishing in a place like this town, complete the restoration of the Singularity. Until then, I won't allow you to die."

———'Yes. She found it. Her wish.'

Singing with everyone. Listening to Amadeus's piano.

Restoring the Singularity... with all the people she met!

"—Sing a song or something. I won't go into detail, but that musician is currently feeling extremely heartbroken. He must want to hear your voice."

———'Indeed, she wishes for it.'

—A precious promise between just the two of them. That's why he came this far, beyond the light.

"Yes! Lord Gorgeous!!"

"...Now then, Fafnir. Shall we settle things?"

"R-Run, Fafnir! For now, run!"

"You've lost your backbone, you country bumpkin. What happened to your usual bravado? Out of stock?"

"Shut up, shut up! I will—definitely, definitely defeat you!"

Fafnir flies away.

"Thank you...! Amazing, amazing King!"

"Hahaha, praise me, especially if you're begging! Nothing is impossible for me! It's easy to eliminate light! Hahahaha!"

"...Well. With this, all the actors are assembled."

—Certainly, it was an nameless decision.

He corrected the past misunderstandings with delicate promises and protection.

***

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