Book 2: Chapter 29: Merlin, Donât Be in a Hurry to Leave
âAlright, I got it.â Fujimaru Ritsuka nodded gravely as she accepted the red-and-white ball.
With the Singularity dealt with, it was time to say goodbye.
After Reincarnator 9527âs ashes scattered in the wind, the Servants walked over to Fujimaru Ritsuka and Chen Heng. Their figures now seemed translucent.
The group had already retrieved the Holy Grail and dealt with the Singularity. With the Servantsâ missions accomplished, it was time for them to return to the Throne of Heroes.
âHoly Grail retrieval complete! Next is to correct the timeline. Spiritron transfer preparation ready. You can come back at any time.â Doctor Romanâs voice came from Fujimaru Ritsukaâs wrist.
âGot it, Doctor.â
âSighâ¦this is goodbye? Goodbye, little doggy.â
âAh! We are parting here? However, Master, donât worry. I am a stubborn person. No matter where you go, I will follow. For this is love, right? All the best to you.â
For some reason, Elizabeth Báthory and Kiyohime had very favorable impressions of Fujimaru Ritsuka. Their goodbyes were quite interesting. They vanished into nothing after finishing their last words.
âMaster, it has been pleasant working with you. It would be great if I could help you out the next time.â This was the prim and proper Georgios. Likewise, he vanished after his goodbyes.
The next few Servants also came to say goodbye.
Whatâs worth mentioning was Marie kissing Fujimaru Ritsuka, Chen Heng, and Mash before vanishing. Mozart just showed an expression that said, âHere we go again.â
[Author Note: The original storylineâs lore mentioned Marie has a habit of kissing people. The palace even got separated into two factions: those who were kissed and those who were not.]
It was still fine for Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash. However, Chen Heng felt stunned. This was his first kiss. Although it was not on the lips, it was still a first for himâ¦.
Finally, Jeanne dâArc, Merlin, and Chen Heng remained.
After Jeanne dâArc said goodbye to the real Gilles de Rais, she vanished. Perhaps she delayed her disappearance to say a final goodbye to Gilles.
Chen Hengâs departure needed to wait until he had turned in the mission. As Merlin was his summoned Servant, Merlin had to wait for Chen Heng to leave before he could disappear.
âHey?! He Who Knows Fate, are you not leaving?â Fujimaru Ritsuka looked at Chen Heng in shock. Going by normal convention, Chen Heng should have said a few words, then vanished.
âMe? I need Master to give me a hand.â Chen Heng did not intend to leave for now. He did not want to waste this special privilege of dying without affecting his true body. He wanted to try to spatial jump and develop a spatial ability.
âWhat do you need help with? Just speak.â Fujimaru Ritsuka was rather generous. After all, Chen Heng had helped them a lot on this journey.
âThat person from before could spatial jump. I observed his spatial jumps a few times and want to see if I can achieve the same results with my attraction, replicating his ability. However, I might get injured trying to spatial jump, so I need the support of Masterâs Command Spell. Donât worry; I wonât take too much time.â
âOh, this? Sure. I still have to thank you for all the help you provided us.â Fujimaru Ritsuka did not refuse.
âThen many thanks, Master. However, let me handle something between Merlin and me before that.â
âOh? Sure.â
Chen Heng walked over to Merlin sitting on the grass. It was timeâ¦to put the plan into action.
âAh! He Who Knows Fate, is it time for goodbye? It is time for me to go, then. It was pleasant meeting you. I initially thought thatâ¦never mind. Dissolve the contract, then.â Seeing Chen Heng walk over, Merlin stood up and patted the dirt off his clothes.
âSoâ¦Merlin. Sorry. I canât help it. Do forgive me.â Although Chen Heng said that, he could not help showing a smile on his face.
âHuh? What are you going to do?â Merlin suddenly had a bad premonition. âDonât mess around. Calm down! You are still livestreamingâ¦.â
âSorry. It is precisely because I am livestreaming. Soâ¦on the authority of the Command Spell, the first commandâ¦â Chen Hengâs Command Spell was an unweakened version. Although it would not regenerate after a day, its compulsion far surpassed Fujimaru Ritsukaâs.
âIâ¦ohâ¦noâ¦noâ¦â
17-Year-Old Beautiful Young Lady: Itâs coming! Itâs coming!
Queen of Ice and Snow: Iâve been waiting for a long time. It is finally here. Those materials did not go to waste.
Efreet: What did you discuss with He Who Knows Fate?
Iron Fist Teacher: I might have guessed it.
17-Year-Old Beautiful Young Lady: Donât ask. Just watch carefully. Do not miss this splendid show.
Chen Heng turned off the livestream ten minutes later.
âIâm no longer pureâ¦. He Who Knows Fate, you have to take responsibilityâ¦.â Merlin covered his chest with his arms as if he had suffered a great wrong.
âAlright, alright. Stop pretending. Donât I know you well enough? I already used up the Command Spells. Quickly leave. Bye-bye.â Chen Heng listened silently to Merlinâs complaints but knew that Merlin did not truly care. Merlin was half-human-half-incubus, so he did not have human emotions. Rather, he did not have any feelings.
Perhaps he might in the future, but not now.
âTskâ¦Iâm leaving, then.â Since his acting failed to fool Chen Heng, Merlin immediately vanished.
âMaster, Iâm about to start. Remember to heal me if I lose an arm or leg later.â Chen Heng came to Fujimaru Ritsukaâs side and prepared to experiment with spatial jumping.
âDonât worry. I will heal you. At worst, isnât there still the Holy Grail?â
âOk, Iâm beginningâ¦.â
In the first spatial jump, Chen Heng lost an arm.
In the second spatial jump, Chen Heng lost half a leg.
In the third spatial jump, Chen Heng lostâ¦
In the fourthâ¦
In the fifthâ¦
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After dozens of attempts, Chen Heng finally mastered how to spatial jump. He succeeded ten-odd times without getting injured and now grasped an additional technique.
Chen Heng suddenly felt that this temporary Servant body might be his greatest benefit from this mission.
âMaster, itâs time for me to go. Bye-bye.â
âAlright. Bye-bye, He Who Knows Fate. I hope to meet you in a future Singularity. At the same time, I hope you will join Chaldea in the future.â
Chen Heng watched as Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash left via Spiritron transfer. Then, he tapped the button to turn in the mission.
Finally, he walked into the oval black hole that appeared in front of him.