-216- I should keep my distance

Chaldea, Central Control Room.

As Rozen once again opened his eyes, the scene before him was no longer the dilapidated audience hall, but rather a familiar setting.

However, unlike during the Singularity in Fuyuki City, this time Rozen didn't appear directly in the control room. He was lying inside a "Cubicle," undergoing a safe and efficient Spiritron Transfer.

"I'm back?"

Rozen mumbled these words and immediately felt the weight in his right hand. He lowered his head to gaze at his hand.

"Clang..."

A faint radiance still emitted.

The vessel called the "Holy Grail," resting quietly in Rozen's hand, confirmed the reality of these events, assuring Rozen that it wasn't just a dream.

With a sigh, Rozen lifted his spirits, opened the door of the "Cubicle," and emerged.

"Sizz..."

An effect akin to smoke rising accompanied Rozen's exit from the "Cubicle."

Simultaneously, another "Cubicle" beside him was also opened.

"We're back, Senpai."

Maintaining her armored form, with a shield held in hand, Mash displayed a reassuring smile toward Rozen.

"Fou! Fou!"

Almost at the same time, from within Mash's "Cubicle," a white creature leaped out, landing on the ground as if it had just finished a tour, appearing incredibly at ease.

"So Fou was in my 'Cubicle' during the Spiritron Transfer to France?"

Only then did Mash realize this fact, causing Rozen to chuckle.

Rozen squatted down and patted Fou's fur.

"Thanks a lot this time, little guy."

Though he still didn't know the reason, it was thanks to Fou's presence that Rozen avoided the danger of the abnormal situation that suddenly occured in his body. During their first attack on Orleans, Fou's guidance enabled him to infiltrate the castle, rescuing Jeanne and setting a countermeasure inside Fafnir.

During the subsequent second attack, for safety reasons, Rozen didn't bring Fou along but allowed it to move freely. However, it was still remarkable that this little creature managed to reunite with Rozen and Mash through Spiritron Transfer, even though they didn't know where Fou had run off to.

To be honest, after experiencing this Singularity, Rozen's mind was filled with many questions and thoughts, though those weren't matters to be mentioned now; they could wait for later.

At the very least, Rozen wanted to relax and relieve the ever-taut nerves for now.

Before that...

"Congratulations on successfully restoring the first Singularity."

With the voice came Romani, descending from the command room.

And he wasn't alone.

"You've worked hard. I saw all your efforts, though I've sweated a lot on your behalf. But in the end, you succeeded. You really have my admiration."

Uttering these words was an elder sister-like figure.

A very beautiful elder sister.

She possessed a full figure, a beautiful countenance, and an air of intellect. However, one of her hands was a mechanical prosthetic limb, and this prosthetic hand held a rather magnificent staff. She looked like a goddess out of a fairy tale, radiating charm.

And her appearance was not unfamiliar to most people.

Because...

"Mona Lisa..."

Mash uttered the name with a tone of disbelief.

Indeed.

The figure of the woman before them bore a striking resemblance to the renowned cultural artifact, the Mona Lisa painting."

Rozen, however, wasn't surprised at all; it was as if he had anticipated this moment. He sighed.

"So it's you, Da Vinci."

Da Vinci.

This name, I believe, is familiar to most people, right?

He is a versatile genius, a figure from 15th-16th century Europe, who left a significant impact on civilization. He's one of the few renowned talents in human history, excelling in fields like science, mathematics, engineering, history, music, architecture, sculpture, painting, and even weapons development. His expertise practically encompasses everything, including his lesser-known proficiency in magic.

Of course, if anyone unaware were to witness Rozen addressing this well-endowed woman as Da Vinci, their jaw would probably drop, wouldn't it?

After all, in history, Da Vinci was indeed a man.

Although the example of King Arthur, who appeared in the Fuyuki City Singularity as a male but was summoned as a female, is known, Da Vinci was originally male and transformed herself into a female using a special method upon being summoned.

Moreover, she transformed into a woman identical to the famous Mona Lisa.

As for her reason for doing so, this is what she said:

"Because this way is more beautiful."

That seems to be the only reason.

Rozen still clearly remembered that when he first heard this reason, his initial reaction was...

"Maybe I should keep my distance from this person in the future..."

He changed his gender for such a reason?

Rozen felt this person was too dangerous.

What if one day Da Vinci got the idea that having two Mona Lisas would be nice and changed Rozen's gender to match Mona Lisa's? How would that work out?

Rozen really wouldn't appreciate it.

The reason Rozen was familiar with this renowned figure stems from two factors.

First: She is well-acquainted with his elder brother, Romani, and they had a mutual relationship.

Second: She is one of the three Servants successfully summoned within Chaldea, designated as Experimental Subject E.

Chaldea's system of summoning Servants was perfected and stabilized after successfully summoning this rare genius. Therefore, when Rozen was considering acquiring new Servants for combat, he had thought of Da Vinci but ultimately decided against it.

The reason, as Romani had mentioned, was that she was an indispensable technician in Chaldea. After being summoned, she immediately formed a contract with Chaldea itself and remained there to work, not forming a contract with Rozen.

But she still extended a helping hand.

"You're 'that person' Big Bro mentioned before, aren't you?"

Rozen straightforwardly voiced his thoughts.

"The voice that provided us with a method to deal with the Demon God Pillars, was that also yours?"

Rozen's words were met with a smile from Da Vinci.

"Who else but me could stay calm and play a crucial role in that situation?"

Da Vinci responded in a tone that was rather self-assured.

"I can't help it. After all, I am a genius, quite different from ordinary folks who like to make a big fuss."

Hearing these words, Rozen and Mash exchanged speechless looks, while Romani couldn't help but appear somewhat embarrassed.

"Anyway... you've worked hard this time."

Romani coughed and spoke seriously.

"Thanks to you, the first Singularity has been successfully restored. You've really done a great job."

As Romani's words fell, the technical staff in the command room who had been observing them all this time began applauding.

Rozen and Mash exchanged smiles and shared a moment of peace.