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Author's notes
Hi readers, welcome to my fanfiction about FGO and Blue Archive crossover!
Side stories are my side projects that focus on daily life.
This is exclusive, new content separate from the main story yet canon in this fanfiction.
Side stories happened between the main stories without spoiling this fiction's plots. This side story takes place after Hyakkaryouran Chapter 1 (The main story has yet to catch up to that.)
(I can't be writing the main story solely all the time, that thing was really exhausting. It requires too much brain power.)
HEAVILY RECOMMEND READING WITH SONGS (Click the Video Above)
START THE SONG AND ENJOY!
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Fate/Grand Order: Where All Miracles Begin, SCHALE
Side Story: Game Development Department and The Hero Party (3/3)
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The urgent meeting had finally concluded.
The golden hues of the setting sun bathed Hyakkiyako Academy in warm light, casting long shadows that danced across the traditional Japanese rooftops. The town below was alive with the muted sounds of distant chatter, the soft clinking of wind chimes, and the faint rustle of leaves in the breeze. Lanterns began to flicker to life along the cobblestone streets, their soft glow adding to the town's serene beauty.
Ritsuka walked alongside Kikyou, the strategist of Hyakkaryouran. Her short, neatly cut hair framed her sharp yet delicate features, and her two feline tails swayed lazily behind her with each step.
After receiving the girl's texts, he dropped Charlemagne at the Millennium and rushed here at full speed.
"How are you faring, Sensei?"
"I'm doing great." Ritsuka replied, managing a small smile. "But what about you? It must be stressful having to manage everything here."
The teacher sighed, his concern evident in his voice. Knowing Kikyou, she was probably juggling responsibilities far beyond what any one person should. "You've got to be careful not to overwork yourself. I mean it."
"Mhm... I couldn't deny that. Regardless, I felt a lot more at ease with your presence." Said the girl as she leaned on him, her calm demeanor as natural as ever.
The meeting had taken almost three hours.
Two days ago, a student from the academy ventured into the mountains behind the school to gather herbs, as part of a routine errand. Unexpectedly, they stumbled upon a terrifying sight— monsters, or rather— Spirits.
Not just one, but many.
Though fear gripped them, they pushed their luck and managed to escape unharmed.
This harrowing encounter ignited a wildfire of rumors across the city, whispered from one ear to another. But the reality behind those rumors was far more alarming.
The monsters weren't ordinary— they were born from the eerie folklore of
One Hundred Ghost Stories, spirits given form by humanity's negative emotions. Even worse, they were also accompanied by Artifact Spirits, malicious entities born from objects corrupted by evil. While the Artifact Spirits could be dealt with by traditional means, the
ghosts were a far greater challenge.
Unlike their corporeal counterparts, the ghosts could only be harmed by a special weapon: the
White Lotus— The gun bestowed by
the Great Prophet Kuzunoha, wielded only by the Student Council President. A weapon imbued with holiness, its divine attributes made it the only effective countermeasure.
Last time, Ritsuka and Hyakkiyako Academy forces had managed to subdue two of these malevolent ghosts, but the battle had been arduous. If the numbers increased beyond that, they would face overwhelming odds.
Nonetheless, the meeting had resulted in a cautious plan of action. Patrol units and emergency response teams had been arranged by the school. While they prepared for the worst, they dared not act recklessly without a clearer estimate of the ghosts' numbers.
If it comes to the worst, I may need to involve Chaldea.
There are many servants with Divinity or holy attributes— And there's always Katsuki Hokusai... the author of One Hundred Ghost Stories herself.
"Sensei." Kikyou's calm voice broke the silence, her ears twitched slightly as if gauging his reaction. "You've been quiet. Are the meeting's discussions troubling you?"
"A little. There's a lot at stake, and not knowing how many ghosts we're dealing with just makes it harder."
Kikyou nodded. "Uncertainty is a dangerous foe in its own right. But I trust we'll manage, as we always do."
Her reply made the man chuckle, his hand moved with instinct— he patted her head adoringly.
"Sensei, the tension of the day has worn me out. I require tea—and your company to sweeten it. Surely you wouldn't refuse a simple request like that?"
Ritsuka blinked, momentarily caught off guard by her words. "Of course, I'll spoil you. Happy?"
As the glow of the setting sun painted their path, Ritsuka followed her, feeling the weight of the day lighten, if only just a little— hoping nothing bad would happen...
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"Ba-ba-ba-baaam!"
"Sensei has joined the party." Announced cheerfully, Aris threw her hands in the air. "The warrior has finally gained an ally. Now she has a party of her own!"
The girl declared dramatically. Her enthusiasm lit up the atmosphere as the Game Development Department stood at the base of the rumored mountain.
Charlemagne, the professional adventurer, chuckled at her energy— scratching the back of his head, he asked "So, uh... what exactly is my role, little lady?"
Aris placed a finger on her chin, pretending to ponder.
"Like always, you're useless in battle! You don't have any equipment and only have one HP."
"Hey, now!— Aren't you being too rash?" The man protested, laughing.
"But that's okay. You don't have to be good in battle to be helpful to your allies." Expecting the rebuke, the girl replied with a grin.
The useless man chuckled at the girl's innocence. "Hmm, I felt a lot better now. So, tell me— what should I do?"
"Like the same, you'll be our mascot— No, this time you will be the prince!"
"The prince?"
"Yes! We'll be the warriors that escort and protect the prince." The girl warrior declared. "As a prince, you raise morals! I'm feeling much braver now that you're here!"
"I see... So I'm practically useless." Charlemagne teased.
"No! I told you, you raise morals— you support the party just by being here!"
Midori giggled. "That does sound like a good role for you, Charles-sensei."
"Don't forget, princes are the ones who get kidnapped in RPGs." Momoi chimed in, smirking.
"Please don't give them ideas." Charles muttered, but he couldn't hide the grin tugging at his lips.
"Alright!" Aris announced, spinning on her heel to face the darkened forest ahead. "Now that the party is formed! Let's settle on our adventure!"
The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the path. The faint rustling of leaves and distant chirping of crickets filled the air, creating the perfect eerie backdrop for their 'adventure'.
"This is it..." she said dramatically, pointing toward the trail. "Our journey into the unknown begins now!"
Charlemagne, standing behind her, let out a small smile. He didn't need to see her face to see how sparkle her eyes were. Nonetheless, as a temporary teacher, he had to set some ground rules.
"Hear me, warriors! Before we go charging in, we're returning no later than 9 PM. Got it?"
"Yes, sir!" the four girls chimed in unison, their cheerful response echoing through the woods. Now they knew they'd accepted a quest with a time limit.
"Good!" Charlemagne said, nodding. "And remember— stick together. No wandering off."
"Yes, sir!— Now let's find some ghosts!"
With that, the group started up the trails, flashlights in hand and firearms in the back— laughter breaking through the otherwise quiet mountain. The air grew colder as they went deeper and trees loomed larger...
Their first RPG adventure began. The party of adventurers ventured onward, unaware of what truly lay ahead in the shadows of the mountain
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Almost two hours had passed since the group began their adventure into the mountain.
The sun had long disappeared beyond the horizon.
In the dark woods, only the faint glow of their flashlights cut through the dense shadows. The initial excitement had slowly waned as the forest around them grew darker— the cheerful mood giving way to unease.
The deeper they ventured, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. The chirping of crickets had stopped entirely, replaced by an eerie silence broken only by the crunching of leaves underfoot.
"Well... It's been almost two hours, and we haven't seen anything spooky." Modiri said, her voice breaking the silence.
"Agreed." The other twin insisted.
"We haven't seen any ghost yet..." Aris said sadly, disappointed.
"Aris—" Charlemagne gently consoled her. "Sometimes a good adventure is knowing when to call it a day." He flashed the girls his trademark grin, his voice steady and reassuring. "The important thing is that you've all stuck together and made it this far. That's what makes an adventure worthwhile."
The girls smiled, his words seemed to successfully lift their spirits.
As the man was an adventurer himself, he understood their feelings more than anyone. An adventure could have many diversities to overcome— Failure to complete the mission is one of them. This would give them a valuable lesson, Nevertheless— the important part was friendship... trusting your back to your party members.
"Fine." Aris relented with a dramatic sigh. "But I'm not giving up on finding ghosts!"
"Right," Charles said with a soft chuckle, glancing around. "For now, though, let's head back. It's getting late, and—"
"Wait—" Yuzu suddenly whispered, her flashlight beam frozen in place.
"....Yuzu?" Charlemagne tilted his head.
The entire group also turned to her, their curiosity piqued.
"What is it?" Momoi asked.
"There..." Yuzu said, pointing into the woods. "Do you see that?"
The others followed her gaze, their flashlights converging on a single spot. Lying on the forest floor was an old, tattered umbrella, its fabric frayed and stained by years of neglect.
"An umbrella?" Aris muttered, stepping closer.
"Looks like it's been here forever..." Midori added, crouching to get a better look. But as the group's eyes adjusted to the dark, they began to notice something unsettling.
The forest floor wasn't littered with just one umbrella—it was covered in them. Old, tattered umbrellas lay scattered among the trees, their broken frames casting eerie shadows in the dim light.
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"..."
"What... is this?" Momoi whispered, her voice barely audible.
Just before anyone could answer, the nearest umbrella twitched.
"Did... did that just move?" Midori stammered, taking a step back.
Suddenly, the umbrella rose into the air, its broken frame snapping open with an unnatural creak. The others followed suit, one by one— until dozens of umbrellas hovered ominously, their jagged edges gleaming like teeth.
"They're moving!" Aris shouted, her eyes wide with both fear and excitement.
"G-G-G— Ghosts!!!"
The girls hesitated and feared only for a few seconds— until they realized... they had guns. In an instant, weapons were drawn—grenade launcher, assault rifles, and even Aris's oversized railgun cannon.
"Stay back, Charles-sensei!" Aris called, her voice resolute as she aimed her weapon. "You're the prince—we'll protect you!"
Charlemagne stood frozen for a moment, his eyes darting between the girls and the animated umbrellas. "What in the world...?" he muttered.
So this is what Master was talking about... He thought, recalling Ritsuka's vague warnings.
In this world, even the students wield firearms. And against something like this, no less.... He'd seen girls on the streets or in the school carry them around— The contrast between cute school girls and deadly firearms was a little shocking to him.
Boom! Boom! Bang Bang Bang
The air erupted with the sound of gunfire and flashes of light. The girls moved in perfect sync, their bullets tearing through the possessed umbrellas with precision. Aris's railgun fired with a deafening crack, obliterating a cluster of spirits in a single blast.
The man could only watch in awe. Despite their playful demeanor, the girls fought with remarkable skill and coordination until the last umbrella fell to the ground.
"Is everyone okay?" the man asked, stepped forward cautiously.
"Yeah! We even managed to subdue them! Quest— Completed!"
Momoi wiped her brow. "Speak for yourself. I didn't think we'd actually have to fight!"
The other twin followed, nodding her head— her hands still trembling slightly. "Let's just go home now... please?"
Charles looked at the scattered remains of the umbrellas, his expression serious. "I agree. This place is getting more dangerous by the second. We've already found enough to confirm the rumors are true."
Just as the group began to breathe a sigh of relief, a rustling noise echoed through the forest.
Everyone froze.
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"Onee-chan, why not you go check it out?" The younger twin nudged her sister, only to be snapped back. "I'm not those stupid side characters!"
"..."
Out of the blue, From the bushes emerged a figure—a massive, shadowy tiger with glowing red eyes. It's fur pattern emitted red flame... Its body seemed to flicker and distort— as if it didn't entirely belong to this world. Two tiger eyes stared at them ferociously.
"A real ghost— monster!!!" Midori grasped, Yuzu hid behind her.
Nonetheless, the brave Aris didn't hesitate. "I've got this!" she shouted, raising her railgun. With a thunderous crack, the shot pierced through the tiger's chest—but to their horror, it passed straight through. The beast didn't even flinch. No blood, no wound, no sign of damage at all...
"It's... It's not working!" Shaking her confidence, Aris stammered— panic setting in.
"We can't fight this thing!"
"Everyone, let's retreat!" Charlemagne ordered— grabbing Aris by the arms, pulling her back.
The group bolted, their flashlights bobbing wildly as they fled deeper into the forest. The sound of exhaust breathing broke the silence, they ran with all their stamina— just until they suddenly stop on their track.
The escape failed. They found themselves surrounded by red glowing eyes— more shadowy figures emerged from the darkness in every direction. Behind them, the demonic tiger growled menacingly. Around them, more demonic beasts appeared in other animal forms, each more grotesque than the last. Even worse, accompanying them were dozens of animated umbrellas, their tattered frames creaking ominously as they floated into view.
The group was trapped.
"Well, well... I didn't expect visitors this late."
A soft, playful voice echoed through the woods, freezing the group in place. The gnarling beasts stiffened. Black mist in the air formed a small figure illuminated by moonlight. It was a girl –her hand carried a book, her grey hair cascaded down her back, dark red eyes glowed dimly and her face as pale as a corpse— she slowly stepped forward.
"Good evening, little intruders."
The students stared at her, their breaths shallow as their fear intensified. Aris mustered her courage and stepped forward. "Who... who are you?"
The girl tilted her head, her crimson eyes glinting in the faint light as they studied them. "Oh? You're not from Hyakkiyako?" She smiled faintly, though the gesture was anything but friendly. "What a pleasant surprise. Outsiders, huh?"
"Answer the question!" Aris demanded, her voice wavering but resolute.
Instead of answering her question, seeing a familiar face made her chuckle. "And... Sensei, we met again."
"..." The 'Sensei' stared in silence, his hand holding Aris's shoulder— preventing her before she did something reckless.
The girl chuckled softly. "Very well. I am Yabuki Shuro— of the Nature's Beauty Club."
"The Nature's Beauty Club?" Midori whispered.
"Our goal is simple—to recreate the
One Hundred Ghost Stories and manifest them into reality. These little ones—" she gestured to the monstrous creatures around them. "Aren't they adorable?"
"Adorable?!" Momoi snapped, trembling with anger. "These things are dangerous!"
Shuro ignored her, flipping open her book. "I suppose you don't know much... Consider this my grace before you die. We aim to burn this world with the beauty of our creations. And you, my dears, have stumbled right into their playground."
Aris gritted her teeth, stepping forward again.
"As a party of heroes, it's our duty to stop villains like you, no matter what it takes!"
Shuro blinked, then burst into laughter— sharp, echoing laughter that sent chills down their spines. "Heroes, you say? Oh, how innocent. How utterly stupid."
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"Oh, how precious— You truly think you stand a chance against me? Against
them?" She motioned toward the demonic beasts, her grin turning wicked.
"Do you understand the situation you're in? None of you will leave this place alive. Your weapons are useless against my creations unless they're blessed with divinity or holiness. Perhaps you should just surrender. If you're lucky, I might grant you a quick, painless death."
Her dark red eyes narrowed as she scanned the terrified group. "But you're not from the Sisterhood of Trinity, nor do you carry blessings from that nosy fox prophet. So tell me... what will it be? A quick, painless death? Or a long, agonizing one?"
The girls were frozen, their breath shallow and their grips tightening on their weapons. Aris tried to steady her shaking hands as she glanced back at Charles and her companions.
"Time's up—" Shuro said with a mock pout, snapping her fingers.
"You all can die now."
At her command, the beasts surged forward, their roars echoing through the forest. Not one, not ten, but hundreds of them... adding in the number of artifact spirits— thousands would be a better estimate.
"Kyaaaa!!"
"Onee-chan!"
"No—!!!" Aris screamed, tears streaming down her face as the girls' shrieks echoed in the clearing. Their cries of fear and desperation mingling with the sound of rushing death.
Shuro, watching from the sidelines, was certain they were about to die.
Just as the monstrous claws were about to reach them, the world seemed to stop.
Out of nowhere, it was as if night had become day.
The oppressive dark forest was suddenly bathed in a sudden, brilliant light—
The brilliance of the holy light blinded everyone and thousands of evil spirits. The demonic beasts recoiled, growling in confusion and pain. The umbrellas fell lifeless to the ground, their frames crumpling as the malevolent energy animating them was extinguished.
The light grew brighter, a radiant wave that seemed to emanate from nowhere and everywhere at once. The girls shielded their eyes, their fear replaced by stunned awe.
"—Little girls, that was cool."
In front of them— Through the veil of the light, a figure emerged.
He stood tall and unwavering, his white armor gleaming like a beacon of hope in the night— his cape blowing in the wind. His silhouette, broad and resolute— radiated an aura, both warm and powerful, filling the girls with a sense of safety they hadn't known moments before.
Aris froze, her eyes wide with shock. Her heart raced as recognition struck her like a lightning bolt. "It's him..." she whispered, her voice trembling.
The man before her wasn't Ritsuka, yet he bore an uncanny resemblance—his sharp features, his piercing blue eyes, and even the way he stood, unyielding in the face of danger. His presence was like a fortress, his back broad and unyielding, shielding them from harm. The light around him seemed to pulse with life, pushing the encroaching darkness further back with every second.
She had seen him before, in the fleeting glimpses of Ritsuka's recollection. The knight she had mistaken for her teacher.
"You don't run away from adversaries. You confront them."
"That's the coolest thing you could do, Little warriors."
"I guess you've earned the name of the Hero party."
Unsheathing his sword, his blade bathed the area in soft blue light— radiating elegance and holiness, a sword truly fitting for a king.
Shuro's smirk faltered, her crimson eyes narrowing.
"Who are you?" Gritting her teeth, she sneered. Seeing hundreds of her pets vaporized as though baptized, Her voice lacked the confidence it held moments ago.
Stepping forward, his cape fluttered dramatically behind him.
"My name is Charlemagne!"
"Also known as the Charles the Great, the Father of Europe!"
"Wh— at?!" Her voice trembling, in the long-lost record of Earth's history— Thousands of years ago, there was once a king who ruled over the continent. That person bore the same name as the man in front of her.
Aris couldn't tear her eyes away, her earlier fear replaced by awe. Likewise, the other members of the club stood frozen, shocked at the miracle that had saved them.
Charlemagne's gaze swept back to the students, his mouth curled into a bright and proud smile.
"Brave warriors, no less vigorous than my paladins. Your courage is enshrined in my heart!"
"Charles-Sensei...?" Aris stammered, her voice trembling in awe.
Seeing their confused yet admiring faces, Charlemagne beamed a reassuring smile. "Ahahaha! It's alright. Now, it's the prince's turn to protect his people."
The girls slowly nodded, their trust in him solidifying. Charlemagne turned his attention back to the enemy, his expression resolute as he grasped the hilt of his sword.
"Then behold!— My brilliance! My sacred sword! My
Noble Phantasm!"
"Noble Phantasm?!"
"Taste the radiance of my Holy Sword, evil spirits!"
With a single, graceful motion, Charlemagne raised his sword high into the air. The blade pulsed with energy— In the blink of an eye, a pillar of light erupted skyward, piercing through the darkened forest.
The cloud parted, The pillar of light shot into the heavens with unimaginable force, its brilliance banishing the oppressive shadows. The light was so bright that the stars glowed dimly in comparison.
In addition, It wasn't just a singular glow, it was a kaleidoscope of colors, an infinite rainbow that shifted and shimmered with every second. The spectrum danced along the pillar, blending hues of gold, azure, and crimson with ethereal white— Like an countless shade of colors... covering a sacred pillar.
A gentle warmth washed over everything, soothing the hearts of all who bore witness. It wasn't just light— it was hope made manifest, a beacon that seemed to reach into the souls of everyone who gazed upon it.
The phenomenon was big.
So big it was visible across the entire city.
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In the bustling streets of Trinity, the nuns clasped their hands in worship, people paused mid-stride, their gazes lifting to the horizon. A black-haired girl holding an ice cream cone gasped in excitement. "What is
that?!" she exclaimed, almost dropping her treat.
"Wow..."
"What in the world..." another girl murmured.
"Hey! Be careful, you'll fall off the railing!" a blonde twin-tailed girl shouted, grabbing the arm of a pink-haired troublemaker who leaned too far forward to get a better look.
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In a distant tea garden, a princess stood on her balcony, her delicate hand resting on the railing as she whispered. "Beautiful..."
Nearby, at a large wooden table, a silver-haired girl paused mid-sip of her tea, her usually stoic expression softening as she gazed at the sky.
On the highest floor of the tallest building, a girl looked up from her stack of documents, her glasses reflecting the rainbow glow of the pillar.
Farther away, in another district, a girl biking along an empty street came to an abrupt stop... her phone buzzing nonstop with messages from her group chat. She didn't check it— Her beautiful jewel-liked eyes were entranced by the phenomenon.
The divine spectacle could be seen everywhere. Everyone stopped in their activities. Some looked at it in awe, cherishing the moment. Some brought out their phones to record the sight.
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What! What's that!
What is that light!!
Ritsuka and Kikyou stopped in their tracks, the rumble of energy and bystander noises reaching their ears. They were surprised by the sight of what they saw. A pillar of light emerged in the dark mountain, litting the sky up bright with its blue glow and multishade colors.
"What... is that?" Kikyou whispered, her black eyes reflecting the rainbow pillar that lit up the dark sky. Her hand instinctively reached out, gently tugging Ritsuka's sleeve. "It's... beautiful..."
However, Ritsuka was anything but calm. His gaze was fixed on the pillar, his mind racing. He knew far better than anyone— he knew what that light was.
A surge of magical energy, a pillar of light that glowed with vibrant rainbow colors...
There could only be one sword— said to change its color thirty times a day.
And its wielder— there could only be one person.
Charlie... What are you doing?
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"Kyaaa!"
"Midori!! Hold my hand!"
"H— Help meee!"
Within the radius, the force of the holy wind swept over them, their hair whipping wildly in every direction. They clung to trees and rocks, barely managing to stay grounded against the gale.
"Beautiful..." Aris whispered through the chaos, her voice barely audible. Her wide eyes shimmered with wonder as she gazed at the dazzling light surrounding the holy emperor.
The Artifact Spirits screeched in terror, their twisted forms dissolving into nothingness under the pillar's holy radiance. The demonic tiger let out a defiant roar before being consumed by the light, its darkness erased entirely.
Shuro clung to her beast, her expression twisted in disbelief. "No... No, this can't be!" she screamed, her hands trembling as she clutched her book tighter. "With an army, we won't lose a second time!"
With a guttural cry, she extended her hand toward the shadows, calling every creation she ever had. Thousands of evil spirits emerged from the darkness, their grotesque forms howling and shrieking as they rushed toward the radiant knight.
"Kill him!!!"
Charlemagne remained unshaken. His sacred sword gleamed brilliantly in his hand, its holy aura shining with unyielding resolve. His eyes closed as his mouth started chanting.
"
The holy light that shall never fade."
"
The glowing colors of infinite changing forms."
"
O mighty knights, exemplify these heroics of mine—"
He declared, his voice echoing a divine authority.
Luminous angelic wings unfurled from his back, their radiant feathers glowing with a brilliance that rivaled the sun. Slowly, he began to ascend, his figure illuminated against the dark. Around him, twelve ethereal armaments materialized, each representing one of his legendary paladins. Together, they created a prism of light, a spectrum so vibrant it seemed otherworldly.
Each weapon began to glow fiercely. The colors danced and blended, forming a radiant rainbow. Charlemagne himself shone with a sacred blue brilliance, his armor reflecting the divine radiance.
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"
Joyeuse Ordre!"
With his final command, the twelve armaments surged toward the earth in unison, each leaving a streak of radiant light in its wake. The beams struck the ground with cataclysmic force, their impacts creating pillars of energy that pulsed as if alive. The trails glimmered like comets descending from the heavens, their light piercing through the darkness.
Charlemagne descended crashing down, his sword raised high. In one swift, elegant motion, he slashed through the air, his blade leaving a massive arc of brilliance in its wake. The combined force of the attack erupted in a blinding explosion of light, shaking the earth and sending shockwaves across the land.
The sound of the impact was deafening, reverberating across the city. Buildings trembled, windows rattled, and the very air seemed to hum with energy.
Miles away, Ritsuka and Kikyou were caught in the aftermath. The brilliant light of Joyeuse bathed the mountainside in an almost surreal glow, forcing them to shield their eyes with their hands. The wind that followed was fierce, tugging at their clothes and hair as they braced themselves against its force.
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The light had faded, and the mountain was left in utter silence.
The aftermath was shocking to describe.
The once-dense forest was gone, replaced by a cleared expanse. Half the mountain itself had been obliterated, leaving behind smoothed rocks and glowing remnants of the holy energy that had scoured the land.
Not a single monster or evil spirit remained.
"Is— Is it over?" Her voice shaking, Midori clutched to Momoi's arms. Yuzu also dug her head out of the ground.
"It's over..." Aris muttered, still staring at Charlemagne. Her hands trembled slightly, not from fear, but from the overwhelming realization of what she had just witnessed.
Ever since he revealed himself, the girl had become speechless by everything— the entrance, the armor, the cape, the sword... the magical power. As a gamer girl who loved fantasy RPGs, it was like a dream come true— she wouldn't have believed that they were real if she hadn't experienced the lights the blinded her eyes and the wind the blew her away.
Charlemagne, his cape settling behind him, sheathed Joyeuse with a practiced motion. The soft blue light of his blade lingered briefly before fading entirely. He turned to the group, smiling warmly.
"It's finished. You're safe now!"
The girls stared at him, their faces a mixture of disbelief and admiration.
Finally, Aris broke the stillness. "Sensei... that was incredible." she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion but made Charlemagne raise an eyebrow.
"Huh, Seriously...?"
"You're amazing! We always knew you were hiding something, but this?! How did you that?! Teach us!" Momoi exclaimed, her earlier fear replaced with excitement. "Magic?! Spells? Skills? What is a Noble Phantasm?!"
"Yeah!" Midori chimed in, her hands clenched into fists. "That was way beyond anything we've ever seen! No wonder you've always been so mysterious."
Yuzu, standing at the back, tilted her head thoughtfully. "Hmm, it does explain a lot," she muttered.
Charlemagne raised his hands in a panic. "Wait, wait, wait! I'm not your Sensei!"
"Sensei, come on!" Aris laughed, her eyes sparkling. "We already know about your past! You're just trying to keep up the mystery, aren't you?"
"Right, the armor, the sword, the cape—it's just like what we saw in your memories!" Momoi added. "It's okay, Sensei. You don't have to hide it from us anymore!"
Charlemagne sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I'm telling you, I'm not Ritsuka. My name is Charlemagne!"
The girls paused, exchanging skeptical looks.
"Charlemagne?" Aris tilted her head. "So it really wasn't your in-game alias?"
"No, It's my real name. You can try searching on the internet— that's me! Super seriously."
There was a long silence as the girls processed his words.
Finally, Yuzu stepped forward, her expression unusually serious. "Wait... you're really
not Sensei?"
"No! I've been trying to tell you this whole time!"
The realization began to dawn on the group. Aris blinked rapidly, her mouth opening and closing as she struggled to reconcile her assumptions. "W-Wait a second... so you're not Sensei in disguise?"
"Not at all!" Charlemagne insisted, placing his hands on his hips. "I'm my own person! Your Sensei was supposed to introduce me and surprise you all, but his urgent errand came up. He didn't want to break his promise to you, so I was sent there first and he'll be back."
In a flash, Ritsuka's words came to their minds.
I don't remember wearing any of that. You must've seen someone else.
I figured now, that wasn't me. He is Charlie.
Trust me, that's not me. Charlie— Charlemagne and I happened to look similar.
Momoi scratched her head, looking sheepish. "Oh... uh... oops?"
Midori frowned, asking the most convincing question that blinded everyone's thoughts "Then... why do you look so much like him?"
"That, I honestly don't know. I guess we're just coincidentally handsome?" Charlemagne sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
Yuzu chuckled softly, breaking the tension. "I guess that explains why Sensei was acting so weird today. He'd never pull off something that flashy."
Aris crossed her arms, her face red with embarrassment. "W-Well, you should've said so earlier! We were so confused!"
"I tried!" Charlemagne laughed, shaking his head. "You just didn't want to listen!"
The group finally burst into laughter, their earlier tension melting away. No one, or even the Game Development Department would have believed they were different person unless they experienced what they'd just experienced.
To be fair, Ritsuka still kept a lot of secrets from them. They just knew recently that the man was a 'Master'. Although he explained a bit about what he could do, they didn't believe all his words. They expected he could do more, not just commanding servants... The recollection wasn't like watching an episode of anime either, they only show a few scenes... and they were too emotional to memorize the details.
In conclusion, the blame must be put on Ritsuka.
"Anyway, as long as you know we're different person, you can call me what you're comfy with. The man said with his trademark smile. The girls nodded cheerfully.
"Charles-sensei!"
"Fine, fine... you girls!" Couldn't resist their adorableness, he patted their heads.
"Yay! Charles-sensei!"
"You need to tell us a lot of stories now!"
"And— what should we do about this..." Pulling everyone back to reality, Aris asked – Wondering what to do with the 'mess' they, or rather 'he' created. The forest—gone, the mountain—chipped. From some angle, this was somehow a worse outcome compared to the demonic beasts' attack.
"Uhmmm... what about we go home first?"
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Knock Knock
The soft knock on the Game Development Department's door echoed in the stillness of the night. Ritsuka pushed it open gently and stepped inside. The room was dimly lit, and the warm orange glow of a desk lamp illuminated Charlemagne, who stood near the couch.
"Master!" The young knight greeted with a relieved smile. He was back in his casual clothes. "You're back."
"Charlie!" Ritsuka's gaze softened as he took in the sight of the four girls huddled together on the couch, fast asleep. Their peaceful expressions and the way they clung to each other brought a small smile to his face. A blanket had been carefully draped over them, no doubt by Charlemagne himself.
"You took good care of them." Ritsuka said quietly.
Charlemagne glanced back at the girls and then looked at Ritsuka with a somber expression.
"I'm sorry, Master. Today, things happened... it was my fault they were put at risk. I should've stopped them earlier—"
Ritsuka raised a hand to stop him. "No, Charles. It's not your fault. It's mine. I should've given you a proper warning about the situation.
Charlemagne hesitated but eventually nodded. His posture relaxed slightly. "Aren't you going to ask me what happened?"
Ritsuka chuckled softly, careful not to wake the sleeping students. "I should be thanking you for dealing with those spirits."
Charlemagne tilted his head, surprised. "Thanking me?"
"Of course." Ritsuka replied, his voice sincere. he said, leaning against the doorway. "After seeing that pillar of light, I didn't need much else to figure out that it was Joyeuse. Kikyou and I rushed to the mountain and saw what was left. A scorched forest, half a mountain gone, and traces of a battle that could only have involved you."
He smiled faintly, his tone lighter. "If it weren't for you, those girls wouldn't be here now, safe and sound."
Charlemagne rubbed the back of his neck, laughing sheepishly. "I might've gotten carried away."
The two shared a quiet laugh, the sound muffled to avoid disturbing the girls. The young knight told his master the left-out details, first— Shuro escaped. Just as he was about to unleash Joyeuse, she tore a page from a book and disappeared.
Second— the girls.
"They're incredible, by the way..." Charlemagne said, his tone shifting to admiration. "The girls handled themselves better than I expected. Despite being this small, they were brave— even against evil spirits, they didn't back up. They even tried to stop them before they could harm the people.
"That's just how they are." Ritsuka smiled proudly, walking toward them— brushing a strand of hair of hair from Aris's face.
Charlemagne nodded, glancing at the girls once more. "When we got back, they asked me to tell them stories about my adventures. I started, but just as I got to the good part, they fell asleep. Was my story really that boring?"
Ritsuka laughed softly, shaking his head at this joke. Both of them knew the girls were exhausted from today's event.
The two men sat down, their voices low as they exchanged stories and laughter.
"They asked me if my sword was the one from the stone." Charlemagne said with a grin. "Looks like I need to work harder on my reputation."
The master chuckled, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "Don't worry, Charlie. You're already a legend. But I have to admit, I can see them thinking that. You're practically a storybook hero to them."
The young king grinned, his pride clear. "By the way, they were shocked at my gaming skills too. Apparently, I'm 'too good.'"
Ritsuka couldn't hold back his laugh. "I knew it. You've always been competitive. You couldn't afford to lose, even back in Chaldea."
"Of course not!" Charlemagne said, mock offense in his tone. "How could I face my paladins if they found out I lost to the other kings? I mean, Master, just think about it. The Lion King, the King of Kings, and—worst of all—the King of Heroes and his
cheat eyes. I have to keep improving!"
Ritsuka doubled over, laughing. "Only you, Charlie. Only you."
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Charlemagne leaned back, a fond smile spreading across his face.
"I get it now, Master. Why you became their teacher."
"Hmm? Well..." Ritsuka's laughter faded into a soft smile. Normally, he wouldn't linger with a singularity for any longer after it was resolved. Maybe he had spent too long time in this city? Maybe he had deepened their bonds too much? But some things were clear— it wasn't that he was worried about them, it was because he wanted to watch them grow.
The two sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the quiet hum of the room settling over them.
Finally, Ritsuka stood, stretching. "We should get some rest. Let's head back to SCHALE."
Charlemagne nodded, standing as well. "Understood, Master."
With one last glance at the sleeping students, Ritsuka smiled.
"Thank you, Charlie. For everything."
As the door quietly closed behind him, Charlemagne also turned back to the couch, his expression softening.
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"Good night, little warriors."
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The following day came as the sun bathed Millennium Academy in a soft golden hue.
Ritsuka and Charlemagne strolled together to the Game Development Department's room. The students were already inside, waiting eagerly, and when the door opened, a chorus of excited cheers filled the air. After a little shock from two teachers with the same face, they bubbled with excitement and even played spot the difference between them.
Both the master and servant chuckled warmly, they also helped the girls with the new game script. After yesterday's experience, they had gained great inspiration from seeing a real knight in action.
The Game Development Department loved Charlemagne— when they looked at him, their eyes shone with admiration. Aris even demanded the man to visit them often and bring his paladins here.
Later, The duo visited the student council.
Yuuka's reaction was priceless.
At first, she froze, her sharp eyes flicking between the two identical figures. Her lips parted as if to say something, but no words came out.
"Yuuka-chan?" Noa teased from the side, clearly amused. "What's the matter? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Yuuka turned to her friend, her voice shaky. "A-are there... two Senseis?"
Seeing her friend's reaction, Noa giggled— her eyes sparkling with mischief. She knew from the start, but watching her figure it out was much more entertaining.
When the pair approached, Yuuka stumbled backward, her face pale. "Wha— What kind of prank is this?! Two Senseis?!"
Finally, when the truth was revealed, Yuuka buried her face in her hands, her cheeks burning hotter than the sun. The girl apologized to him with embarrassment. Charlemagne waved her apology off with his usual. Yuuka groaned softly, her face still as red as tomatoes.
The days that followed were anything but calm for Ritsuka.
He worked tirelessly to address the aftermath of the incident. Messages flooded his phone, students asking about the breathtaking pillar of light they'd seen. He had to explain the event to Rin, who found his "firework" excuse utterly ridiculous. '
There's no firework in the world that clears acres of land, Ritsuka Sensei.'
So he pulled off the classic one.
'
A gas leak that caused a multicolored pillar of light that everyone in the city could see, vaporized part of a mountain, and radiated holy energy that even the Sisterhood came inquiring the General Student Council? Sensei... do you hear yourself?'
Even though it made some sense, he had no reply to that. Rin's cold voice and piercing glare were still etched in his memory, a reminder that his usual excuses weren't going to fly this time.
Meanwhile, his visits to Hyakkiyako Academy became frequent. Together with Kikyou, he worked on restoring the forest while assisting in the search for Shuro and the remnants of the Nature's Beauty Club. Luckily, with Yin-Yang club's and the Hyakkaryouran's leadership, rather than filing complaints about the destruction, began discussions about repurposing the cleared land for agricultural use or even a small town.
Despite the chaos, the teacher found himself smiling often. He wasn't sad or regretful in the slightest.
At the Game Development Club's room, the sound of laughter and cheers filled the air.
Charlemagne, in his casual clothes— sat on the floor with the girls, a controller in his hand.
"You're really good at this, Charles-Sensei!" Momoi said, her eyes wide as she tried to keep up with him in the game.
"Of course!" Charlemagne grinned. "I can't let my reputation as a king falter, even in games!"
Ritsuka leaned against the doorway, watching the scene unfold with a soft smile.
Aris, Momoi, Midori, and Yuzu.
The students of the Game Development Department had embarked on a journey.
Adventure. Friendship. Overcoming challenges.
They also had witnessed a real hero and, in doing so, had come to understand what it truly meant to be one.
Their journey, filled with laughter, tears, and growth, had finally reached its end.
And so, this tale concluded—
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The Game Development Department and the Hero Party.
FIN.
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Author's notes
Thank you for reading! Finally, this side story came to an end! Did you like it?
I swear this side story is so long (almost 7k words for this chapter alone, 13k in total). It was longer than I expected. I swear, in this fanfic, this one has my most effort. After this, I'll take a New Year break and prepare materials for the upcoming content.
As for why I chose Charlie— The reason is very simple, there's no better person I can play with the same face plot + he's my favorite character, this side story is heavily inspired by the Traum chapter after all. His character is just so good that it fits in the plot perfectly, he fits perfectly for the GDD girls too.
See you after New Year! Stay tuned for a more intense main story and relaxing side stories!
Happy New Year and Merry Christmas!
Last time, this side story happened after the Hyakkaryouran (Vol.5 chap 1)
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