Anastasia

1st Ascension. Chaldea Summer Adventure. Beware of Russians Bearing Frozen Gifts.

The sterile corridor buzzed with fluorescent light as Anastasia rounded the corner, white hair spilling past her shoulders beneath the floppy straw hat. A breezy blue beach dress fluttered around her curvy body as she stopped dead in front of Master, tray wobbling with a tottering pile of shaved ice cups. Viy hovered dutifully behind, balancing an extra parfait like a shadow butler.

She leaned forward so her ample breasts pressed the edge of the tray, "Ah… there you are. How lucky… I prepared too many, so one simply had to be for Master, didn’t it? Hihi~. You look thirsty… or maybe I just wanted an excuse." Her bow at the waist jiggled as she thrust a cup into his hand. "They told me I’ll be accompanying you on this mission. Ufufu… more like our little… summer holiday, don’t you think?"

Her sarong swished as she stepped closer, white sandals tapping the floor in playful rhythm. She chirped, "Mmm… just picture it. Sunsets… shaved ice melting on our tongues… you asleep like a spoiled cat while I watch over you. Doesn’t that sound… peaceful? Maybe I’ll even cook… though my idea of cooking might be more like feeding you straight from my hands. Oops~. Too forward?"

Her round ass rested against the corridor wall as she stacked the empties on her plump thighs before sending them into the chute. "I suppose Charlotte will scold me for stealing the first moment with you. Still… it feels right to claim it, ne? Just remember—I came ready. To fight, to play, to love… all of it. Fufufu~ The mission hasn’t even started, but already… I’ve won a little, haven’t I?"

1st Ascension. Chaldea Summer Adventure. When Life Gives You Poisonous Fruit, Don’t Make Lemonade, Just Threaten the Entire Ecosystem With an Ice Age.

The jungle hummed with cicadas as Anastasia pushed her way through the thick green brush, long white hair spilling like moonlight from under her straw hat. The blue beach dress clung damply to her curvy body as she emerged into the clearing where Master waited, Viy drifting lazily behind her like a silent, parasol‑shaped guardian.

She said breezily, hefting something strange in her hands, "Ne, Master, look, I found hats~!" She dropped a squirming bundle of leaves and vines onto a fallen log, revealing an irate lizard and some sort of puffball bird. "Jungle fashion ex-per-i-men-ta-tion, ehehe. But uuunfortunately… nothing fluffy. Russia would be disappointed. Still, you should grade me. Which one makes me cuter? This lizard crown… or this bird tiara?" She twirled, sarong fluttering against her plump thighs as though she were strutting a catwalk.

Snatching an odd green fruit dangling above, she took a dainty bite. Her ample breasts rose as she inhaled sharply, then her expression shifted in an instant from dreamy to deathly serious. She spoke in a solemn, schoolteacher tone, "Under no circumstances… should anyone in the tropics eat something they cannot identify. I, unfortunately, have just consumed the manchineel fruit. Were I not a Servant, I would already be… excruciatingly regretting that bite." She tossed the half‑fruit into the undergrowth.

Her round ass plopped onto a mossy rock as she sighed, brushing dirt from her white sandals. "So rude. This whole jungle just tried to assassinate me. Perhaps…" she tapped her chin and gazed upwards, voice drifting into whimsical singsong, "perhaps it wishes to be frozen. Wouldn’t it be peaceful here, ne…? No bugs. No poison. Just endless glittering snow. A paradise of ice, with only one little warm kotatsu in the center… just for Master and me. Mmm, yes. Tempting…" She giggled softly, Viy nodding along like a conspirator.

"Still," she added, patting the white bow tied at her waist, "I suppose we must keep it tropical… for now. But if something else tries to poison me, ufufu… the Caribbean will learn why Russia declared war on summer."

2nd Ascension. Chaldea Summer Adventure. A True Strategist Knows That Sometimes the Best Tactical Retreat is Collapsing Dramatically on the Person You Want to Smooch.

The afternoon sun boiled over the shoreline, waves hissing against the sand, when Anastasia emerged from the glittering heat haze. Her long white hair was woven into twin braids, crowned with a wreath of bright flowers. The white swimsuit clung sleekly to her curvy body, the tiny skirt fluttering with each step as she closed in on Master. Viy drifted behind her, balancing a dark-blue parasol like some glum beach attendant.

She collapsed into the sand beside him with a sigh so dramatic it kicked up a small puff of powdery grit. Snagging a parfait cup of shaved ice from Viy, she clutched it to her chest for a moment, then leaned against Master’s shoulder. "Mou… the sun has already claimed victory today… so, plan B. Nastya becomes portable air conditioning, yes? Ehehe~."

The heat shimmer around them dulled as an actual faint chill began to radiate from her body, gooseflesh prickling the air.

Her ample breasts pressed softly as she tilted closer, scooping a spoonful of melting ice and holding it up toward his mouth. "Ne, let me feed you? It tastes colder when I give it, that’s the rule. If it drips… then… hm, maybe I lick it off? Oops~ too scandalous? Tehe~." She tapped the spoon against her lips, then giggled and shoved it toward him again. Ice crystals slid down her plump thighs and pattered to the ground as the parfait sagged in the heat.

"Isn’t it romantic though? The two of us melting together… until one of us must be the snowflake who saves the other. Which will it be, I wonder…? If I faint, you’ll have to princess-carry me back. But if you faint, perhaps I’ll drag you into the sea to cool off, ufufu. Dangerous gamble, na?" She shifted, round ass settling deeper into the sand until her wreath tilted slightly crooked.

Lifting the cup, she let the syrupy top drip deliberately onto her golden-trimmed neckline, smearing a sticky starburst against her skin. "Ah… this swimsuit wasn’t built for emergencies. But maybe that’s fine. A little sweet, a little cold, a little… indulgent."

"Mmm. Truly, the Caribbean has no idea what’s coming." She winked lazily and reached for another spoonful, ice already pooling around her white sandals like she’d salted the sand herself. "We’re not adventurers today, Master—we’re conspirators in laziness. If the others ask… we were scouting. Very intensively. Undercover operation, hush-hush, classified."

2nd Ascension. Chaldea Summer Adventure. For a Town Full of Pirates, This Place is Shockingly Well-Organized and Has a Disappointing Lack of Scurvy.

The coastal town shimmered in the golden light of late afternoon, pirate ships bobbing lazily at port like pets waiting for scraps. Anastasia strolled beside Master, her long white hair wound into twin braids under a crown of summer flowers. The white swimsuit with its delicate micro-skirt and golden stars caught stray beams of light as they passed colorful market stalls, and Viy floated serenely behind her, tilting its parasol just so to keep her shaded.

She paused to trail her fingers across a stack of weathered books at a stall, flipping one open with a dreamy "Oooh." The splashy cover showed a pirate striking a dramatic pose atop treasure.

"When I was little I adored stories like this… I was restless, you see, tsarina-in-waiting or not… I wanted to sneak out windows, chase shadows, find treasure maps beneath floorboards. Ufufu, too bad I was always caught." With a flick of her wrist, she balanced the book on one hand like a prize, before setting it neatly back on the pile.

Her ample breasts shifted as she stooped to poke at a barrel overflowing with fish, sending a curious crab scuttling out. "Adventure is really just… walking, isn’t it? Walking, and deciding that what you bump into must be fate. In a way, this trip is everyone’s childhood dream. Pirates, buried treasure, stegosaur guardians—how many people ever get to write this chapter in their lives?"

She tapped her chin, blue eyes sliding back to Master. "But then… I suppose I’m more interested in how you’ll write it. Shall I be the heroine, or perhaps the witch who drags the hero astray?"

Stopping before a painted tavern, she tilted her head, wreath rustling in the warm breeze. "Ne, Master… did you know I learned about ‘selfies’? Apparently, humans now freeze moments as easily as a spell. Interesting, isn’t it? Maybe I’ll make a little photo album here… hmm, imagine, lining up all these polite pirates, then… freezing them mid-pose, hihi~. Very artistic."

Her round ass swayed idly as she perched herself on the edge of a fountain’s stone rim, dipping her white sandals into the cool water. "But for now, maybe it’s enough to simply walk like this. The stories always end too quickly, don’t they? So we should hoard every step like treasure."

She giggled softly, flicking a few drops of water toward him. "Besides… perhaps my true adventure is just finding out what kind of face Master makes next."

3rd Ascension. Chaldea Summer Adventure. They Say the Moon Makes People Act Strange, But I’m Pretty Sure I Was Like This To Begin With.

The moon painted silver streaks across the deck of the Queen Anne’s Revenge, waves slapping rhythmically against the hull. Anastasia padded barefoot across the planks, long white hair tied in a high ponytail that swung like a banner in the sea breeze. The dark blue bikini hugged her curvy body, catching starlight as she appeared beside Master at the railing. Viy floated a step behind, absurdly carrying a folded blanket and a steaming mug balanced on a tray.

With a soft hum, she tugged the blanket from Viy’s grip and draped it over Master’s shoulders. "Nnn… now it looks perfect. Captain at the railing, moonlight overhead, loyal tsarina-at-large beside him, ufufu. I’ll even arrange the soundtrack for our romance… listen—the waves, the creak of the mast. It’s practically a BGM. Sugoi, ne?" The warm mug found its way into his hand, her sheer sleeves brushing against the cool night mist.

Her bare hip nudged the railing as she leaned, dark blue skirt brushing her plump thighs against the wood. "Captain of the Queen Anne’s Revenge, hm? That means I’m the wife of a pirate king, doesn’t it? Ehehe~"

"Will you make me swab the deck every morning? Or will I be the kind of wife who lounges in the captain’s quarters, feeding the mighty conqueror peeled grapes? I’m very good with grapes. Terrible with rigging." She stuck out her tongue, the sea wind stealing the playful gesture.

Her fingertip tapped the wood, tracing an imaginary diagram. "We should schedule it, you know. One moonlit walk per night, followed by three cups of hot cocoa, then one kiss… oops, did I say that part out loud? Tehe~ Well, no helping it now. If the crew complains, we’ll just tell them it’s part of captain’s strategic planning. 'Romance drills,' essential for morale!"

With a light clap of her hands, Anastasia summoned Viy closer. The shadow-creature dutifully placed a stolen flower into her hair. "There. Scene officially complete. Starry sky, ocean breeze, pirate captain, doting companion. All that’s left is for me to declare… mm… Master is mine tonight. Everything else can wait until morning. Fufufu~."

3rd Ascension. Chaldea Summer Adventure. The Best Families Are the Ones You Build Yourself, Especially When They’re Full of Idiots Who Will Fight You Over Dessert.

The campfire popped and spat sparks into the night, its light catching in Anastasia’s long white hair tied up high, the ponytail swaying lazily as the breeze drifted inland from the sea. The dark blue bikini clung to her curvy body as she settled across from Master, toes curling against the sand. Viy lingered off to the side, holding a kettle like some eerie night-servant.

She poked a stick into the crackling fire, sending embers tumbling upward. "Strange, isn’t it? During winter, silence feels warm… but in summer, silence feels lonely. Nn… I think the sun steals something from me. Maybe that’s why ice feels like home. And yet…" She shifted, sheer sleeves falling down her arms as she rested her chin on her knees. "And yet, here with everyone… I feel less like a ghost, more like someone’s little sister. Weird, ne?"

Her round ass pressed into the driftwood log as she leaned back, making the wood creak. She glanced at the stars, then back to him. "I never thought I’d want a… family again. That word used to hurt. But Chaldea is so noisy, so full of meals together, little accidents, jokes that only make sense within the walls. A dozen people fighting over a single bucket of shaved ice. Isn’t that… family?" A quiet laugh escaped, soft as the surf.

She tossed the burnt end of her stick into the fire and clapped her hands once, as though finalizing her thought. "So, I’ll say it. I’m grateful. To call this my strange, messy, substitute family. Though… don’t misunderstand~. I still plan to hog the role of spoiled wife, ufufu. Everyone else is siblings, but you… you are mine."

"And if the tropics ever make me feel lonely again—" she flicked embers with her finger, Viy catching them in midair like shadows swallowing sparks, "—I’ll turn the whole island into a snow globe just for us."

Magician. The Mysterious Garden. When a Girl Says There’s No Wrong Answer, That’s Usually When You’re About to Pick the Most Wrong Answer Imaginable.

The grand white manor gleamed under lantern light, every hedge trimmed razor‑sharp, every marble tile polished to a mirror sheen. Anastasia drifted into view, braid resting over her shoulder, the black top hat tipped low as if she were about to reveal a trick. The puffy sleeves of her white shirt swayed when she raised a hand, while Viy floated behind her in its miniature top hat like a silent stage assistant.

She tapped her pointer against her white collar, black bowtie bouncing. "Nnn… Master~, welcome to my show, ufufu. Tonight, you are in the presence of Moriarty’s greatest apprentice magician. Which means…"

"You’re already trapped in my game. Question one—what’s colder than shaved ice, hotter than lava, and cuddly like a cat? Hint… it’s standing right in front of you. Ufufu~. Don’t worry, there is no wrong answer. Except not saying me." She spun a card between her fingers, black skirt sweeping with theatrical flourish.

Balancing on the tips of her black ankle boots, she leaned close, gray pantyhose brushing the grass. "Don’t worry, hints are free~. The trick is—answers don’t actually matter. The real punishment is being kept beside me while I talk your ears off until sunrise. Magical torture! Oops. Did I say torture? I meant… romantic company."

The hedge maze shimmered with fireflies, and she snatched one midair, hiding it under her top hat. A moment later she whisked the hat off with a "ta‑daa!" to reveal not a firefly, but a wrapped chocolate. "See? Magic! Or maybe smuggling. Or maybe Viy cheating for me."

She tossed the candy into his palm with a big grin. "Either way, Moriarty made me promise to keep the guests entertained, and you… are my most important ‘guest.’ So—prepare yourself. My riddles will never end, my tricks will never miss, and my affections? Hehe… totally rigged in your favor."

Shvibzik Snow. Christmas. You Know It’s a Christmas Episode When All the Dialogue is Just Barely Disguised Flirting and Threats of Mass Destruction.

Snow drifted through the glowing city square, Christmas lights strung high around a giant fir tree. Anastasia strolled into view with a white wool hat puffed up on her head, pale hair spilling from underneath. She stopped beside Master, the red winter jacket she wore left cheekily unzipped so the cold air nipped at her, Viy trailing close in its absurd reindeer getup.

She clasped her gloved hands behind her back. “Mmm… the modern city in December, sparkling so prettily. I suppose people call this atmosphere romantic, ne? Though, personally, I think it’s a terrible idea to gather so many people under one enormous tree—what if it falls? What if it explodes? What if we need to decorate two of them next year instead, ufufu~?” She twirled once, the blue collared shirt peeking out from beneath her jacket as she laughed softly.

Her hip tilted against the railing of the fountain, black belt glinting under the nearby lamps. “I chose this outfit to avoid being confused with sweet Snegurochka, you know. A Snow Maiden is supposed to be gentle… pure… tragic, even. But Shvibzik means imp. Trickster. Better, don't you think? I can hand out candy canes and coal at the same time. Which will I give you, Master? Maaaybe both, hidden in the same stocking, ehehe~.”

She tapped one red boot against the icy stones and leaned in closer, short white skirt swaying just above her black pantyhose. “Tell me—if a girl in a red jacket invites you to share mulled wine by the fire, is that a date? Or is it just… seasonal charity? Because if you say charity, then you’ll have to explain why my little heart is pounding like sleigh bells, hm? Careful, Master. The wrong answer and I might declare you naughty and freeze the entire town square into my personal snow globe. Nyehehe~.”

With a clap, she summoned Viy forward, who obediently held up a paper cup of hot cocoa decorated with mistletoe. “There. Winter is cruel, but I’m not. For now. Drink up before I change my mind, and maybe, juuust maybe, I’ll let you unwrap your present early.”

Mt. Zao. Under the Same Sky. Déjà Vu is Just Your Brain’s Way of Telling You That You’ve Already Seen This Episode Before, But You’re Probably Going to Cry at the Sad Part Anyway.

Snow smothered the mountainside in choking white, whistling winds howling through the pines and burying the trail. And then—like a pocket carved out of dream itself—a silent clearing. Lantern‑shaped snow drifts stood like statues around a girl who seemed entirely unfazed. She wore a black hood with long, drooping ears, and a black winter jacket left casually open. At her side, a tiny shadow doll floated with oddly short blonde hair tucked under a bunny‑eared cap.

She tilted her head lightly, snowflakes caught against the white sweater at her chest. “...Ah. You made it this far. I wasn’t sure if you would.” Her voice was unhurried, almost as if the blizzard bent around her words.

“It feels strange, doesn’t it? Like déjà vu. Meeting under the same sky, again… or maybe for the first time.” She brushed the frost from the hem of her light‑blue skirt, as if every detail of posture mattered in this fragile moment.

Her orange pantyhose glowed faintly in the snowlight as she shifted, white winter boots sinking quietly into the powder. “Did you forget me already? Or is it only my dream that remembers you? Hihi… dreams are selfish things. They cling, even when they know tomorrow will melt them away.”

“There are villages down there, yes. But there is also my little home, much closer, if you need to thaw.” She gestured vaguely into the black void where the storm’s edge swallowed the path.

She let her gloved hand hover, the air puffing with warmth that didn’t belong in this storm. “Moments like this… pai~nfully short. Because snowflakes always vanish when touched. That’s why they’re precious."

"So, if you carry on after tonight, please… remember just a little warmth. Remember me, even if you don’t know my name. And if you ever feel the cold too sharply out there…” she giggled, a note too sweet for the bleakness around them, “…simply blame me. I’ll accept it. I always did enjoy being your excuse.”

2nd Ascension. Chaldea Summer Adventure. NTR (Nasuverse Tater Romance).

The Chaldea beach camp was aglow under the setting sun, the air thick with the smell of grilled meat, sea salt, and impending chaos. Goredolf, wearing a ridiculously frilly apron over his usual uniform, stood proudly before the long picnic table, brandishing a pair of silver tongs like a maestro's baton.

"Ahem! Attention, you pack of sun-addled delinquents!" he boomed, his voice echoing over the crackle of the campfire. "Tonight's meal, personally prepared by yours truly, is a masterpiece of camp culinary arts! We have perfectly seared wild boar steaks with a berry reduction glaze, roasted sweet potatoes, and a foraged greens salad! A meal fit for kings, not the usual slop you heathens are accustomed to!"

"Ooooh, 'foraged'!" Anastasia chirped, already snuggled up against the Master's left side, her white swimsuit a stark contrast to the evening shadows. She held a perfectly cut piece of boar on a fork. "How adventurous, Commander. It makes it taste like a treasure."

"Indeed, my angel!" Charlotte added, pressing in from the Master's right, her own fork poised. The plunging neckline of her swimsuit dipped dangerously low. "A meal made with such care and expertise… it is a testament to your leadership!"

"Yeah, Gordi's totally our Camp Mom!" Nagiko yelled from across the table, mouth already full of sweet potato. "He cooks, he cleans, he scolds us for almost dying… it's hella domestic! All he needs is a minivan and a 'Live, Laugh, Love' sign!"

Goredolf's face turned a shade of purple that clashed horribly with his apron. "I am NOT a 'Camp Mom'! I am a seasoned outdoorsman! I've been on countless solo expeditions! I know how to survive in the wild with nothing but my wits and a well-stocked pack!"

"Hmm?" Okita Alter looked up from meticulously arranging her food into a perfect square, a tiny Rengoku perched on her shoulder. "Solo? But I heard you brought 'reinforcements' on your trips."

"They were homunculi assistants! For… logistical support!" Goredolf sputtered, waving his tongs defensively. "A true leader always ensures he has proper staffing, even when communing with nature! It's about efficiency!"

"Ufufu, so you went on 'solo' trips… with servants?" Da Vinci mused, swirling her drink. "That's like saying you summited Everest 'alone' while being carried up by a team of sherpas, Gordy."

"IT'S NOT THE SAME THING!" he roared. "They… they enjoyed the fresh air! It was… good for their morale! A proper magus looks after his assets! It was a… a team-building exercise! In solitude!"

"So you organized entire camping trips just so your homunculi could have a nice day out?" Anastasia asked, her blue eyes wide with a sudden, dawning understanding. "How… kind of you, Commander."

"It was a tactical decision!" Goredolf insisted, his blush now visible even in the firelight.

"Don't worry, my angel, we understand," Charlotte whispered, turning her attention back to the Master. "Now, please, you must eat before it gets cold. Say 'ah'~" She held her fork out, a perfect, glazed piece of meat glistening on its tines.

"No, no, Master, try this piece," Anastasia cooed, nudging her own fork forward. "Mine was blessed by Viy. It will ward off… bad culinary opinions."

The two of them locked eyes over the Master's head, a silent, sugary war of affection breaking out. The entire table held its breath.

Shove.

A massive, slightly-burnt sweet potato wedge was suddenly jammed into the Master's mouth from across the table. "PROBLEM SOLVED!" Nagiko declared triumphantly, brandishing her fork like a victory flag. "Sharing is caring, but first-come, first-served is the law of the jungle! Now eat your veggies, chan-mas!"

Anastasia and Charlotte froze, their forks hovering in mid-air. Their sweet smiles twitched.

Blackbeard wiped a single, dramatic tear from his eye. "Ah, the classic 'NTR food-giving' trope… a bold narrative choice! It subverts the expectations of the childhood friend and the mysterious transfer student routes! Bravo, writers! BRAVO!"

Goredolf just slammed his tongs on the table. "FOR THE LOVE OF… JUST EAT YOUR DAMN FOOD LIKE NORMAL PEOPLE!"

2nd Ascension. Da Vinci. Chaldea Summer Adventure. A Dinosaur’s Loyalty, Much Like a Politician’s Promise, Can Be Bought With a Single Biscuit.

The camp buzzed low with evening activity, torches crackling in the humid air. Anastasia drifted over in a white swimsuit with twin braids tipped by a floral wreath, her curvy body outlined by the fire’s glow. Viy hovered behind, holding a parasol. Da Vinci already sat on a log, brown hair tousled under her blue bolero, legs swinging above her red knee-high socks while Steggy gnawed happily on a biscuit in her lap.

Anastasia lowered herself beside them, sarong brushing across the wood as she sighed like an elder. “Mmm… summer nights always remind me of how elder sisters must endure, ne? Carrying wisdom, composure, and the burden of responsibility. Without us, little sisters would just… eat snacks irresponsibly, or let dinosaurs run loose through the pantry.” She gestured languidly with one hand, as if painting cosmic truth in the air.

Da Vinci smirked, scratching Steggy’s chin until the baby dino squeaked. “Actually, history shows younger siblings are innovators. They overturn the clumsy habits of their seniors. Older sisters cling to tradition, while brilliant prodigies—” she tapped her own chest, “—rewrite the world. Steggy agrees, don’t you, cutie? You’d rather share pudding with genius Da Vinci-chan than stodgy Nastya-nee, right?”

Anastasia leaned, ample breasts pressing the log edge as she peered down at Steggy. “Traitor…! All true little brothers know their Big Sis is the most important. Hmph. Master, I’m sure you get it—yes? Eldest sisters keep the family whole. Without us, there is only chaos. Without me, Charlotte would be chewing on seashells.” She flicked her wreath like a judge’s gavel.

Da Vinci blinked, then deadpanned with a sharp little laugh. “Pfft, seashells? If anything, Charlotte looks way more like the responsible older sister. Honestly, you give me more like… middle child vibes. The dreamy one who skips chores but insists on being in charge.”

“And trust me, middle sisters are dangerous—always scheming for extra desserts while pretending to be wise.” She gave Steggy a conspiratorial pat.

Anastasia tilted her head back, wreath flowers swaying as she murmured in dreamy finality: “Pfufu~. Middle, eldest, it doesn’t matter. When everyone gets lonely, they will still run to me. Case closed.”

2nd Ascension. Charlotte. Chaldea Summer Adventure. A Woman’s Heart is a Magician’s Hat; You Never Know if it’s Gonna Pull Out a Dove of Pure Love or a Stale Loaf of Crippling Insecurity.

The coastal tavern bustled with sailors, wet sand tracked across warped planks. At the center table, Charlotte smoothed her brown hair as she drew a silk handkerchief from her magician’s white hat. Anastasia lounged beside her, long white hair in twin braids tumbling onto her white swimsuit, her curvy body relaxed in the chair. Viy hovered dutifully behind, shading her with a parasol indoors.

Charlotte flicked her wrist and a white dove burst from her hat, wings beating against the lantern light. She clapped nervously as it darted toward the rafters. “Ta-daa! See, my angel, my love—your Great Magician delivers again! Well, um, mostly delivers. It wasn’t supposed to be a dove, but that’s fine, right?”

Anastasia leaned forward on her elbows, ample breasts pressing faintly against the table’s edge as floral wreath twitched in her hair. “Ooooh… so pretty, so charming. Ehehe, Charlotte-chan, you’re incredible. Much more magical than anything I could dream up. Ufufu… I’m jealous, ne? I almost want to pay entry.” She tapped her gilded sandal idly, scattering frost crystals across the floor before letting them fade.

Charlotte blushed furiously, her black tank top clinging faintly as she pulled another object—a loaf of bread—out of her hat with a gasp. “D-don’t tease me like that! I—I only wanted to make Master smile, not… ah… not win against you.” She cut herself off, then turned to beam at him. “My love, would you like a piece? It’s… baked with my heart. Please accept it.”

A tavern patron’s mug toppled as Anastasia shifted her round ass on the bench, the tiny golden stars of her micro-skirt catching in the lamplight. “Mouu, I concede this match. Tonight the Great Magician has out-shone my little tricks. Look at me, Master, losing gracefully… how tragic! How poetic! Perhaps my role is only to sit here and admire while Charlotte wins your heart with rabbits and bread, hm~?”

Charlotte squeaked, flustered, clutching hat like it might save her. Her blue eyes widened as she sputtered, “N-no! Don’t twist it like that! We aren’t competing, not really, I just—” She stole another glance at Master, cheeks pink. “I just want him to remember tonight as special… with both of us. Nothing more.”

Anastasia nudged her with a light giggle, brushing a wet finger across Charlotte’s arm. “Ehehe… you’re too kind. And too spoiled by him already. But fine… I’ll call this a loss. Only this once. Tomorrow, though”—she snapped her fingers, tiny snowflakes spiraling over the table before dissolving into the tavern air—“tomorrow the scoreboard changes again.”

2nd Ascension. Kama. Chaldea Summer Adventure. Hand-Holding is a Gateway Drug to Feelings.

The tavern smelled of rum and grilled fish, lanterns swinging overhead as the Queen Anne’s Revenge creaked at her moorings. At a corner table, Kama lounged like she owned the place, her palm‑leaf bikini showing off every curve. Opposite her, Anastasia slipped into a chair with a gentle plop, her long white braids spilling over her shoulders as the white swimsuit clung to her curvy body. Viy hovered discreetly behind, parasol in hand like an ominous shadow‑maid.

"Step one is simple," Kama crossed one leg over the other, red eyes narrowing as she drummed her nails on the table. "You erode his sense of normalcy. Offer him pleasures so decadent, so… me, that his old life starts to feel like a prison. We’ll begin with nightly massages, using oils personally blessed by yours truly." She snapped her fingers, green parrot fluffing its wings—"He’ll be putty in my hands. Literally."

Anastasia wiggled her plump thighs against the wooden chair, smiling dreamily. "Mm, massages are nice. And warm. We could also… pour shaved ice all over his back. It would be cold, then warm, then cold again. Very stimulating. Like a little blizzard on his skin. Viy could do it." Viy nodded enthusiastically as she leaned back lazily, sipping from Kama’s untouched mug of juice.

“That’s… stupid. But I see potential in the temperature shock…” Kama leaned forward, ample breasts pressing against the tabletop. “The point is to make him crave me. Once he’s dependent on my touch, I’ll introduce him to the true nature of Mara. I’ll whisper… things… into his ear while he sleeps. By the end of the week, he’ll be begging me to corrupt him.”

“You could also hold his hand,” Anastasia suggested, her round ass sliding along the bench. “While watching the sunset. Then you could rest your head on his shoulder, and he could put his arm around you. It’s very corrupting. It makes your heart go doki-doki until you can’t think of anything else.” Her plunging neckline shifted as she demonstrated resting her head on her own shoulder.

Kama choked on her drink, a blush exploding across her face. “W-W-What?! H-Holding hands?! Th-That’s…! That’s completely indecent! We’re talking about spiritual degradation, not some… some mushy, shoujo manga nonsense! H-Have you no shame?! We’re trying to be villains here!” She slammed her glass down, parrot squawking in alarm. "Get your head out of the gutter, you ice‑for‑brains gremlin!"

Anastasia giggled, poking Kama’s arm. “Ehehe. So warm, Kammy. Like a tropical frog when it panics.”

Kama bolted upright, the veneer of Demon King collapsing. “D‑Don’t—DON’T call me that! Only Master—only HE—can call me that!” She jabbed a trembling finger at the ceiling beams while muttering fast enough to trip over herself. “And stop with the hand‑holding talk, or I’ll—I'll—! Ughhh!”

2nd Ascension. Caenis. Chaldea Summer Adventure. The Best Way to Tame a Wild Beast is to Relentlessly Annoy It With Kindness Until it’s Too Tired to Maul You.

The campfire crackled, spitting embers into the humid night. Caenis slouched on a driftwood log, her athletic, brown-skinned body clad in a simple black bikini. Across from her, Anastasia stepped into the firelight, long white braids decorated with a floral wreath swinging over shoulders. Her white swimsuit clung to her curvy body, its golden trim flickering under the flames. Viy hovered silently nearby.

Caenis grumbled, pointing a burnt stick at the camp like a weapon. “Look at this circus. Half of ‘em drunk, other half building sand castles at midnight. Security detail? Ha! More like babysitting a bunch of fucking toddlers with superpowers. I swear, if another idiot tries cooking dinner with fireworks, I’m throwing ‘em overboard.”

Anastasia plopped down, her round ass making a soft poof in the sand. She offered a gooey s'more. "Mmm, you sound just like… an older brother scolding his siblings. So reliable, so angry, so funny. Onii-chan mode, ne~.” She giggled, sliding the treat closer. “Here, a reward for your tireless nagging.”

Caenis barked a laugh, waving it away. “Brother?! Hell no. Don’t start with that crap, snow pixie. I’m not here to tuck anyone in. I’m here to keep this ship from sinking in its own lunacy. You’re just… pests. Particularly you.” Still, she took a bite, wincing as chocolate smeared her knuckles. “Tch. Too sweet.”

Anastasia leaned back on her hands, her ample breasts jiggled slightly. The campfire heat kissed the pale skin of her plump thighs. “Ehehe~. You complain, but you ate it. Just like a brother pretending not to like cake, but secretly enjoying every crumb. You protect us harshly, because that’s what family does. Even if you call us pests.” Viy bobbed in agreement, its shadowy arms folding smugly.

Caenis scoffed, licking marshmallow from her lip. Her horse ears twitched in annoyance. “Family. Yeah right. You brats drive me insane. You sleep through alarms, you need rescuing every five minutes, and then you’re calling me your—” She cut herself off, then growled. “… Fine. Older brother. Whatever. But if you lot are my ‘family,’ I’m disowning you the second we hit port.”

With a soft clap, Anastasia sent sand flying. The golden stars on her mini-skirt glimmered as the firelight danced. “Confession accepted. Onii-chan, please keep scolding us forever. It makes the s’mores taste sweeter~.”

Caenis groaned, dragging a hand down her face, the motion highlighting her toned abs. “…I should’ve betrayed this camp when I had the chance.”

2nd Ascension. Charlotte. Chaldea Summer Adventure. They Say All is Fair in Love and War, But Nobody Ever Mentioned Anything About Secret Shadow Doll Appendages.

Vines clung to a mossy stone gate, framing a fissure far too narrow for comfort. Anastasia stood before it, long white hair in twin braids cascading over the white swimsuit that hugged her curvy body. Beside her, Charlotte peered into the dark opening, while Viy hovered silently, a silent shadow.

"I should go, my angel," Charlotte insisted, her blue eyes pleading as she turned to Master. She performed a delicate stretch, the black tank top riding up to show a sliver of her stomach. "You see, a great magician must be nimble! I can squeeze through anything. Besides! Anastasia‑san already got to scout the jungle with you, it's only fair this is my mission, right? Right?"

Anastasia pouted, tapping a gilded sandal against a moss‑covered stone. "Nnnn, but I am objectively smaller, Charlotte‑chan. It’s simple physics. Think of me as the perfectly sized key for a very cute, very dangerous lock. Ehehe~ You can go next time, after your muscles have… um… relaxed a bit? From all the magic you’re always doing. Ehehe." Her floral wreath tilted as she leaned against the rock wall, her ample breasts pressing against the cool stone.

Charlotte huffed, her hands on her hips where the blue bikini panties met her skin. "Physics has nothing to do with fairness! Okay. Let's decide this properly, like adults." She took a deep breath. "First one to balance on one leg for ten seconds while humming the Chaldea victory theme wins!"

"A test of poise? How elegant," Anastasia chirped, gracefully lifting one leg. Charlotte wobbled instantly, trying to hum through puffed cheeks. But Anastasia stood perfectly still, a serene smile on her face. Unseen by the struggling Charlotte, Viy’s shadowy form had extended a single, hair‑thin tendril to brace Anastasia’s back against the rock face, making her immovable.

After five seconds, Charlotte stumbled with a frustrated squeak. "A‑ah! Kuso! My hat! My hat threw off my balance, my angel, I swear!"

Anastasia lowered her leg, her round ass shifting as she turned to Master with a triumphant little hum. "Victory. It seems fate has chosen me to protect Master in the tiny, dark, enclosed space. Hihi~ Don't worry, Charlotte‑chan, I will document everything. In detail. And you can… read my report later."

2nd Ascension. Okita Alter. Chaldea Summer Adventure. If You Bury Your Problems in Sand They’ll Still Yell at You.

The noon sun hammered down over the camp’s little stretch of white sand. Anastasia crouched barefoot by the surf, long white braids spilling over her shoulders. Her curvy body strained the white swimsuit’s fabric as she pressed her palms into the smooth ice sculpture she was shaping. Viy hovered loyally at her side, shading her like an umbrella.

Across from her, Okita was on hands and knees digging trenches in the hot sand, ivory hair bouncing, ahoge bobbing rebelliously in the breeze. That black-and-orange sport jacket slipped down her toned arms as she worked with serene focus. Beside her, tiny Rengoku waddled around the forming sandcastle, brushing grit from her oversized hood.

"See, Master? This is how a proper future-wife entertains the children… gentle, elegant, nurturing work." Anastasia said dreamily, arms stretching to show off her ample breasts."Oooh~ doesn’t it sparkle? Frozen like a fairytale palace. Ufufu, I bet mine will be remembered centuries longer than some pile of sand." She clapped hands, scattering flecks of slush onto the beach like glitter.

Rengoku groaned, thumping her chibi fist against the half-built moat. "Wielder, this woman is going to give Master brain damage with all that sugar-dusted nonsense. Castles need walls, not… glitter." She jabbed a stubby finger toward Anastasia. "A structure collapses without foundation. She’s modeling herself as ‘motherly,’ but clearly she’s failing at even basic guardianship!"

Okita tilted her head, pale yellow eyes flat, sweat dripping down her tan collarbone. "Mmmm… actually, the snow palace fails an early endurance test. Three taps and—collapse. This sandcastle, though? Robust. Perfect for defending the captain." She patted her mound like a proud dog. Sand stuck to her thighs, and she just blinked calmly at the mess.

Anastasia puffed her cheeks and jiggled her round ass defiantly. She crouched lower, pressing her plump thighs into the damp sand to carve a sharper tower edge. "Nnn? Etoooo… Children don’t need defensible walls, they need inspiration, warmth, beauty! Look, look at the spires!"

"They are symbolic, Rengoku-chan, symbolic!" She giggled, kicking water at Okita’s trench so the waves lapped into it.

Rengoku snapped, hood flopping down over her face as she stomped her tiny foot. "That’s sabotage! Wielder! Punish her! This is why I hate humans!"

Okita just pressed her sandy palms together with a deadpan "…Yosh." Then calmly buried Rengoku waist-deep in a pile of sand like it were the most logical solution imaginable.

Anastasia squealed, clasping her hands together while leaning forward. "Ahhh~ so cuuute! Look, Master, they’ve become children themselves! Ufufu, surely now I win the wife audition, da ne? Because—because I’m clearly the only adult left on this beach."

Rengoku’s muffled voice squawked from her sandy prison. "You’re the least qualified adult here!!"

2nd Ascension. Charlotte. Chaldea Summer Adventure. When Two Women Climb a Cliff For a Man’s Affection, One of Them Will Inevitably Try to Die Theatrically.

The cliff face glowed orange with the evening sun, heat radiating off the rocks in waves. Anastasia climbed slowly, long white hair in twin braids swaying as the wreath of flowers threatened to slip from her head, white swimsuit clung to her curvy body. Viy floated below, shading her with a parasol that kept catching on rock outcroppings. A little higher up, Charlotte hauled herself along, brown hair sticking to her cheeks under that white hat with the blue ribbon, a black tank clinging tight over her chest as she glanced back.

"Nnnngh…” Anastasia muttered dreamily, dragging herself upward and pressing cheek to hot stone, “my final hour approaches~. If I shrivel on this cliff, please, tell the Master I perished beautifully, ehehe…” She let her arm flop theatrically against the rock. "A tsarina undone by the sun… so poetic.”

Charlotte puffed, but gripped the rope linking them together. “N-no, my angel! Stay steady. Only a little further! You’ll collapse like that and drag me with you.” She braced her sandal against the cliff, pulling gently upward. “Look—there’s a little crevice ahead, maybe shade. Hold on for me, okay? For Master?”

The two girls clambered into the crevice, cool shadows wrapping over them. Anastasia collapsed against the wall, twin braids sticking to her skin, wreath slightly askew. Charlotte crouched beside her, fumbling with a small cloth she pulled from her hat like a cheap magician’s trick. “Here! I can… fan you at least? Or… wipe your forehead? Ahaha… sorry, I should be more reliable.”

“Mm… you are already reliable,” Anastasia sighed, leaning against Charlotte for a moment. “Too kind, too selfless… you always shine brighter than you know.” She giggled faintly. “Perhaps if I weren’t so busy scheming against you, I’d simply keep you forever as my beloved sister instead…”

Charlotte blushed furiously, fan flapping clumsily. “D-don’t say things like that so suddenly! You’ll make me cry…”

At the cave entrance sat Master’s silhouette, resting quietly in the shade. Anastasia pushed up on her plump thighs and wobbled forward, sliding down beside him without hesitation. She leaned in, wreath slightly askew, and sighed, "Nn… I’ll simply melt if I don’t cling to you, Master. Let me cool off like this, just for a minute, okay? Ehehe…"

Charlotte puffed her cheeks, hands on her hips, then forced a little smile. “…Of course. She steals another point right in front of me. Hmph. But… at least she’s smiling again.” She shuffled closer, fanning both of them. “Then I’ll just… call it a draw this round, okay?”

2nd Ascension. Nagiko. Chaldea Summer Adventure. True Friendship is Being Able to Tell Someone Their Interior Design Choices are Historically Inaccurate Garbage Without Getting an Icicle Through the Eye.

The air hung heavy and sweet with the smell of old wood, the stone floor beneath their feet cool in the torchlight. Anastasia, with her long white braids and white swimsuit, practically glowed. Her curvy body was aglow with excitement. Nagiko, meanwhile, bounced on her heels in black leather shorts, a white jacket hanging off her shoulders and headphones jiggling around her neck.

"Ooh, Master, look at this carving!" Anastasia whispered dreamily, tracing the outline of a faded dragon on the wall. "It feels like we're real adventurers, doesn't it? Searching for forgotten treasures in a lost temple. Maybe there’s a secret passage behind this… mm, or a riddle left by an ancient king. So romantic, ne?"

"Romantic? Nastya-nyan, this place is hella cringe!" Nagiko blurted out, shattering the mood like a dropped plate. "Like, for realz! Look at this pillar! The lotus motif is from the wrong dynasty! And this scrollwork? Total Edo-period knockoff! The architect who designed this was a weeb who only read the first half of a history book, I bet!" She jabbed a finger aggressively at a floor tile. "And that's not even a proper kamon! It's just a swirly thing! What a poser!"

The golden stars on Anastasia’s micro-skirt shimmered as she took a slow, deliberate breath. "Miss Nagon, you have such a… keen eye. However, your detailed critique is somewhat distracting from the adventurous spirit of our expedition." As she spoke, she watched Nagiko’s wildly gesticulating hand, noting how it pointed directly at three different pressure plates. She calmly nudged Master away from them.

"Distracting? I'm educating! Giving you the 4-1-1 on authentic Japanese aesthetics! This ain't it, chief!" Nagiko stomped her foot for emphasis, nearly triggering the tile she had just insulted. “Anyone who thinks this is a real Heian-era temple is a total baka! This whole place is an insult to my poetic soul!” Her ample breasts bounced with indignation.

A serene, chilling smile settled on Anastasia’s lips. "I see. Thank you so much for your input, Nagiko-chan." A wave of cold air seemed to drop the temple’s temperature by several degrees. "Perhaps… you would like to test the 'authenticity' of the next trap with your face? It would be a very… emo~shi way to contribute to the mission, don't you think? Fufufu~" Viy floated silently at her shoulder, its shadowy form seeming to sharpen, ready for a command.

2nd Ascension. Nagiko. Chaldea Summer Adventure. Nagiko-San’s Survival Guide to a Successful Threesome: Step 1, Don’t. Step 2, See Step 1.

The chamber flickered in torchlight, fake paper lanterns swaying from the carved beams. Anastasia drifted in at Master's side: long white braids swaying, white swimsuit close against her curvy body, Viy trailing like a shadow. From the far side, Nagiko hopped down two steps at once, black shorts squeaking, visor glowing green like a gamer headset.

Nagiko threw her arms wide at the air. "Yo! Atmosphere check, squad! Temple aesthetic: hella mid. But you know what it needs? ROMANCE. Nastya-nyan, you gotta lock hands with chan-mas, pronto! This is, like, textbook. Scary dungeon? Two cuties? Instant couple power-up! Otherwise, the next mid-boss tanuki’s gonna third-party you into the shadow realm!"

Anastasia tilted her head, her white hair brushing forward, speech spilling dreamy and hesitant. "Hands… for courage?" She folded her fingers together, thinking aloud. "Mmm… I suppose… it is rather dark. And a devoted cat always hides behind his mistress in times of danger, doesn’t he? Then—maybe—I should boldly offer? That would make me… reliable, wouldn’t it?"

Her ample breasts rose as she took a deep breath. "Master… would you permit me… to be the one to lead you through loneliness and spears?" She placed a hand forward in mock-pride, then carefully turned to Master. "Ufufu… wouldn’t you like a wife who… hm… takes your hand in the tomb of death, whispering, ‘from now on, we perish romantically?’"

"YOOOOO! Nastya-nyan’s droppin’ a full-ass dating sim monologue outta nowhere!" Nagiko wheeze-cackled, black hair with red-and-blue streaks flying as she practically slapped dust off her shorts.

"‘Perish romantically’? Girl, that’s not a flag, that’s a funeral invitation!! CRINGE COMBO 3000!! Chan-mas, are you hearing this? She wants to die married!" Her off-shoulders white jacket slipped down, revealing a sliver more of her skimpy bikini as she doubled over, yellow eyes streaming laughter.

Anastasia’s hand dropped. Her face was a mask of perfect, serene calm, but her smile was a sliver of frost on a winter window. “Ara. Nagiko-san. What a… wonderful lesson in romance. I feel so enlightened. You must teach me more… when you’re not busy serving as a convenient target.” She pushed her round ass back against the wall, her fingers finding a single loose brick.

CLACK. The ceiling groaned, spitting down a shower of spears. Nagiko shrieked, her visor flying off as one shinked into the wall inches from her face. “GAAAAH?!?!” She hit the floor, scrambling back on all fours. “NASTYA-NYAN! WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL WAS THAT?! TRYNA SEND ME TO THE CHAIR, FOR REALZ?!”

“Oh my, was that dangerous?” Anastasia peered over the edge, voice dripping with honeyed innocence. The golden stars on her hip twinkled in the torchlight. “Ufufu, but look—you dodged it! You’re so quick and agile. Like a little mouse. A very loud, very annoying little mouse who knows when to scurry.”

“I’M GONNA SCURRY MY FOOT UP YOUR—” Nagiko’s threat was cut off as Anastasia’s braid tapped another tile. CLICK. The walls hissed. A volley of poison darts shot out.

Viy zipped in front of Master, a blur of shadow swatting them aside. Nagiko screamed, diving behind a pillar with a yelp. The air filled with the thwip-thwip-thwip of needles hitting stone. Anastasia didn’t even flinch. “Oopsie-daisy. How clumsy of me.”

Nagiko peered out, eyes shaking. "Bro… this snow angel is actively patching the map with kill-patches…!"

She glided forward, her footsteps silent. Her giggle echoed, cold and clear as ice cracking across a deep lake. “Ara~ Be careful, Nagiko-san. This temple has so many… unfortunate accidents. And I am feeling very, very… accident-prone today.”

2nd Ascension. Chaldea Summer Adventure. When Two Get-Rich-Quick Schemes Collide in a Dusty Old Temple, It’s Not About the Treasure, It’s About Who Has the More Competent Babysitter.

The torchlit chamber opened into a wide rotunda, the air thick with the smell of dust and ozone. In the center, a colossal stone door, covered in more of the temple’s cringe-worthy kanji, stood sealed shut. Anastasia glided in, long white braids swaying, her white swimsuit seeming to glow in the dim light. Nagiko skidded in behind her, visor still missing, followed by Master and the ever-present Viy.

They weren't alone. Arguing heatedly over a crinkled map were two figures: Ishtar, in her pink hoodie and white one-piece, and Calamity Jane, looking every bit the exasperated cowboy big sis.

Ishtar froze mid-rant, her twintails twitching as she spotted them. "M-Master?! Wha—what are you doing here?! I-It’s not what it looks like! We’re, uh… on a… cultural exchange! Yes! Studying the, uh… fascinatingly inaccurate architecture of this… place!" She puffed out her chest, trying to look dignified. "A goddess must keep her mind sharp, you know!"

"We're here to rob the place blind, Ishtarin," Jane sighed, not even looking up from the map. She jabbed a finger at a drawing of a treasure chest. "She begged me to come because, and I quote, 'My divine senses are telling me there's SUPER shiny stuff in here, but my divine senses are also telling me I'll trip every trap like a moron, so please help me, Jane-mommy!'"

"I DID NOT SAY 'JANE-MOMMY'!" Ishtar shrieked, her face turning the color of a ripe tomato. "I said… 'esteemed colleague'! Y-You're twisting my divine words, you… you cow-wrangling hussy!"

"Whatever you say, sweetcheeks." Jane finally looked up, flashing a grin. "Well, howdy there, Chaldea crew! Fancy meetin' you bunch of weirdos in a place like this. And lookie here, if it ain't the little ice princess herself!" She gave Anastasia a theatrical wink. "Come to appreciate some real, honest-to-god tomb raiding?"

Anastasia beamed, completely ignoring Ishtar's meltdown. "Jane-san! It is an honor! I've read all about your adventures. To see a true legend in her natural habitat… it's like a dream." She clasped her hands together, radiating pure, unadulterated fangirl energy. "Please, tell me, is it true you once escaped a collapsing temple by riding a boulder like a surfboard?"

"Pfft, that's Tuesday for a pro like me, kiddo!" Jane preened, puffing out her chest. "Stick with me, and I'll show you how to raid a tomb with style."

"'Kiddo'?! Chan-mas, are you hearing this?!" Nagiko screeched, pointing an accusatory finger. "She's tryna steal our Nastya-nyan! This is a hostile vibes takeover! Unforgivable! And YOU!" She whirled on Ishtar. "A goddess of treasure who needs a babysitter to not die? That's, like, the most cringe origin story I've ever heard! My Pillow Book has more street cred than your entire divine portfolio!"

Ishtar's eye twitched. "D-Don't you dare talk to a goddess that way, you… you glitter-addled delinquent! The only reason I brought her is for… logistical support! I handle the divine parts, she handles the… dirty parts!"

"Yeah, the 'not dying' part," Jane muttered, folding the map. "Look, kids, as much as I'm enjoyin' this little family reunion, that big ol' door ain't gonna open itself. Me and Ishtarin here were just about to crack the code."

"Our code!" Ishtar yelped. "We found it first! All the treasure inside is MINE! By divine right of… uh… finder's keepers!"

Anastasia’s sweet smile returned, but with a familiar, chilly edge. "Ara? But we are on a mission from Chaldea to secure a Grail Fragment. If that fragment happens to be surrounded by… oh, I don't know… a mountain of gold? Then it is Chaldea's property. For safekeeping, of course. Ufufu~."

"That's a load of crap and you know it, Snow Miser!" Ishtar stamped her foot. "This is MY get-rich-quick scheme, and you're not horning in on it!"

"Okay, okay, settle down, little goddesses," Jane said, stepping between them. "No need to get your swimsuits in a twist. How about a little friendly competition? No fighting, no maiming"—she shot a pointed look at Anastasia, who just blinked innocently—"just a good ol' fashioned race. First team to get that door open and grab the shiny thing in the middle wins. Losers get nothing but bragging rights and a serious case of FOMO. Deal?"

Ishtar grinned greedily. "Hmph! Fine! Prepare to eat our dust, Chaldea!"

Nagiko pumped her fist in the air. "OH, IT'S ON! LET'S GO, TEAM BOKE AND TSUKKOMI! We're gonna get that loot so fast it'll give 'em whiplash!"

Anastasia just giggled, a soft, pleasant sound that somehow made the torches flicker nervously. Viy floated closer to her shoulder, its shadowy form seeming to sharpen. "A race… Hihi~. How fun. Let's play."

2nd Ascension. Ishtar. Chaldea Summer Adventure. Even a Goddess Has Those Days Where She Falls Into a Trap and Almost Dies, So Don’t Feel So Bad About That Thing You Did Last Tuesday.

The temple’s corridors twisted into another endless square, torchlight dripping down worn stone. Anastasia glided at Master’s side with her usual dreamlike pace, long white braids brushing her back, her white swimsuit shimmering faintly in the gloom. Viy floated silently above like a vigilant wraith.

From the darkness ahead came a shriek, a muffled curse, then a clattering boom. Ishtar burst out of a side passage, her pink hoodie half-unzipped, white one‑piece streaked with dust, black twintails tangled with cobwebs.

She was panting, sandals scuffing against the stone floor. "Tch—ugh! Stupid rigged garbage…! Oh—Master?!" She froze mid‑step, then puffed out her chest as though none of that had happened. "W‑Well well! Fancy running into you here! N‑Naturally, I was just performing forward reconnaissance. Strategic goddess scouting, three steps ahead! Totally intentional!"

"Sugoi… Ishtar‑sama, you even look heroic covered in dust." Anastasia tilted her head, curvy body dipping as she dreamily tapped her chin. "Back near the pitfall… the one with the false ceiling, I trembled imagining how you defeated it. Did you… read runes hidden in the mortar? Or dance between invisible seams? Tell me—please describe it, so I may dream of it later."

Ishtar’s twintails flicked proudly; she thrust out her hip, hands on her slim waist. "O‑Obviously! Nothing a divine mind can’t handle. I—analyzed the subtle variations of light, mapped the pattern, and slipped through flawlessly. A genius display of wit, agility, and beauty!" She punctuated it with a "hmph!" and a stretch, the hoodie falling further open.

Anastasia’s ample breasts rose as she clasped her hands to her chest. "Magnificent… to solve death with elegance and then look so beautiful doing it. How I envy such power and freedom." She leaned forward, smiling almost shyly. "To be you for a moment, Ishtar‑sama… it must feel wonderful."

Ishtar basked—then cracked, cheeks red. "D-Don’t say such nice things to me! …F‑Fine! You got me! I didn’t spot anything!" she blurted, waving her hands. "I was flying through, clipped a tripwire, and a gigantic boulder came roaring at me! I panicked—okay?! I spammed Gandr till it exploded! Ceiling collapsed, temple shook, I almost died under a pile of pebbles!"

"There! Happy?! Your ‘perfect’ goddess is just a hot mess!" She stomped her sandal like a child throwing a tantrum.

There was a beat of stunned silence. Anastasia’s blue eyes widened—and then she lit up, bow lips parting in pure awe. "Eh… to ignore riddles, ignore subtlety—and simply tear through everything with overwhelming destructive force?"

"Ishtar‑sama, that’s not weakness. That’s… ultimate freedom! To be so above the world you solve its puzzles by erasing them! Hihi~ I wish to fail so magnificently one day!" She sighed like a maiden at a fairy tale. Viy leaned over her shoulder, faceless head bobbing solemnly in approval.

Ishtar froze, half‑mortified, half‑bewildered, her blush deepening. "W‑Wait, huh?! That’s what you took from that?!"

Anastasia waved lightly, plump thighs brushing together as she leaned against the wall. "To live disastrously, shamelessly… and still look dazzling." Her giggle sparkled in the torchlight. "It’s… inspiring."

"I-It’s not inspiring, it’s stupid!" Ishtar stammered, frantically waving her hands in front of her face as if to ward off the compliments. "D-Don’t you dare try to be like me! You’ll… you’ll end up broke and covered in dust and… and owing Ereshkigal a bunch of gems! Just… be your own weird, creepy ice-pixie thing! Got it?! B-Baka!"

2nd Ascension. Calamity Jane. Chaldea Summer Adventure. Turns Out the Real Treasure Was the Bad Puns We Critiqued Along the Way.

The corridor ahead forked, one path leading into a chamber of swinging axe pendulums, the other into a flooded passage of murky, questionable water. Anastasia was busy having Viy test the water’s depth when a cheerful voice echoed from the axe-room.

“Whoa there, little lady! Don’t go dippin’ your toes in that soup unless you wanna grow a third arm!” Calamity Jane leaned out from behind a trap trigger, waving a friendly hand. Her blonde side ponytail bounced as she grinned, blue eyes sparkling with mischief. She wore a brown cropped jacket and a red tank top, her curvy body radiating pure, unadulterated “cool big sis” energy.

Anastasia’s face lit up, all thoughts of the murky water forgotten. “Jane-san! You’re here! I knew it! A true adventurer would never be far from the heart of the danger!” She clasped her hands together, her white swimsuit glowing in the dim light. “Did you disarm all those axes already? Did you have to do a cool slide underneath them while they were swinging? Please, tell me everything!”

Jane chuckled, patting the dust off her blue mini-skirt. “Aww, shucks. You’re gonna make a legend blush, kiddo.” She sauntered over, effortlessly hopping over a pressure plate. “Nah, those things are on a simple timer. Just gotta have a little patience and a good sense of rhythm. But hey, I appreciate the hype!” She leaned in conspiratorially. “It’s way better than what Ishtarin gives me. She’d just complain they weren’t made of gold.”

Anastasia’s smile faltered for a moment, her long white braids drooping slightly. “But… Jane-san… we’re on opposite sides. We’re… rivals. Does that mean… we’ll have to fight?” The concern in her voice was genuine, the thought of pointing her power at her new idol clearly distressing.

Jane’s expression softened instantly. She ruffled Anastasia’s hair, a warm, reassuring gesture. “Hey now, don’t you worry your pretty little head about that. Think of it less like a fight and more like… a friendly derby!” She leaned against the wall, crossing her arms. “Back in my neck of the woods, we’d race our buddies for cosmic bounties all the time. One day you’re trying to outrun ‘em, the next you’re sharing a space-beer at the cantina. It’s all part of the game, see? No hard feelings, just good, clean, treasure-huntin’ fun.”

Seeing Anastasia still looking a little down, Jane’s face broke into a massive, goofy grin. "Speakin’ of comforting," She added, leaning closer with a grin, "Wanna hear a real knee-slapper I been savin’? What do you call a cowboy who ate too many beans in a tomb like this?" She paused for effect. "…An extrava-ganja!" She slapped her thigh, laughing at her own delivery.

Anastasia tilted her head, blue eyes faraway. "…I see. A cowboy… beans… a play on 'extravaganza.'" She murmured it as though cataloguing an academic thesis. "But… shouldn’t it be 'extra‑flatulenza' if beans are involved?"

Jane froze mid-laugh, color draining from her grin. "…Damn, girl, you just crit‑failed my punchline."

Anastasia smiled serenely, voice light as frost. "Ara… forgive me. I was merely… analyzing. Nevertheless, your humor—clumsy, reckless, and oddly warm—suits you, Jane‑san. Perhaps… it is also part of being a true adventurer?"

Jane rubbed her hat brim, muttering. "Well shoot. First time anyone’s ever roasted me harder than the desert sun…"

2nd Ascension. Chaldea Summer Adventure. This is 100% Ishtar’s Fault and We Should All Remember That When We’re Divvying Up the Blame Later.

The final chamber was a glittering grotto of gold. Coins carpeted the floor in shimmering drifts, jewels the size of fists jutted from the walls like crystalline fungi, and in the very center, perched on a velvet cushion atop a stone pedestal, sat a ridiculously huge, perfectly cut sapphire that pulsed with a soft, inner light.

"WE'RE RICH! WE'RE FILTHY, STINKING, DIVINELY RICH!" Ishtar screamed, red eyes sparkling with more fire than all the gems combined. She was already wading shin-deep into the gold, scooping up handfuls and letting them rain over her head. "Forget the Grail fragment, I'm buying my own continent! With a solid gold palace! And a moat of liquid diamonds!"

"Ara? But the Grail fragment is all we need," Anastasia said, her voice a placid ripple in Ishtar's tsunami of greed. She pointed a delicate finger. "See? It is right there, beside the big shiny one. You can have all of this… useless clutter. We will just take the important piece." Viy dutifully floated over and plucked the small, glowing shard from beside the pedestal.

Ishtar froze, gold coins slipping through her fingers. "Wait… you're serious? You don't want any of this?" Her brain seemed to short-circuit. "You're just… letting me have it? ALL of it?"

"Hold your horses, Ishtarin," Jane said, her hand clamping down on the goddess's shoulder before she could make a swan dive for the giant sapphire. "Don't you see this? It's the oldest trick in the book. The 'Big Shiny Treasure' is always, ALWAYS a trap. You grab it, and then the walls start closing in, or the floor drops out, or the whole place floods with angry, horny crocodiles."

"For realz!" Nagiko chimed in, nodding sagely. "It’s, like, Raider of the Lost Ark 101. The second you touch the main prize, you get hit with a debuff that makes you hella cringe and probably dead. We should poke it with a stick first. A very long, very disposable stick." Her yellow eyes zeroed in on Ishtar.

"Don't you dare call a goddess 'disposable'!" Ishtar shrieked, batting Jane's hand away. "And it's not a trap! It's my destiny! That beautiful, perfect, probably-worth-more-than-the-entire-GDP-of-Uruk gem is calling to me! It's singing a siren song of financial solvency, and I MUST answer!"

Before anyone could stop her, she lunged. Her fingers closed around the massive sapphire.

For a second, nothing happened.

"See?! Told you!" Ishtar crowed triumphantly. "No traps, no crocodiles, just pure, uncut—"

Pssssssht.

A thick, sweet-smelling pink mist erupted from the pedestal, billowing out to fill the entire chamber in seconds. It smelled like roses, honey, and profoundly poor life choices.

"Ah… what is this…?" Anastasia's ample breasts straining against the plunging neckline of her white swimsuit as she took a deep, shuddering breath. Her blue eyes fixed on Master. "Suddenly… the gold seems so… cold. But Master… Master looks so very… warm…" The golden stars on her hips seemed to wink in the torchlight.

"Whoa, mama…" Jane swayed on her feet, her red tank top now seeming impossibly tight. She tugged at the collar, fanning her flushed cleavage. "Well now… forget the gold. I think I just found a different kinda treasure worth plunderin'…" She gave Master a slow, deliberate once-over, licking her lips as her gaze lingered.

"Realz…" Nagiko mumbled, her cheeks flushed a bright pink. Her off-shoulders white jacket slipped down completely, framing her large bust as she squirmed, tight black shorts riding high on her thighs. "The vibe in here just got… hella spicy. Like, final-episode-of-a-late-night-anime spicy. Everything's… sparkling. Especially… chan-mas…"

Even Ishtar, still clutching her prize, was panting slightly, her lithe body slick with a sudden sheen of sweat. "W-What's happening? Why do I suddenly feel the urge to… to generously share my divine fortune… with Master… in a very… personal… way?!"

The four of them slowly, mechanically, turned to face Master. Four pairs of eyes, all glowing with the same primal, Aphrodisiac-fueled hunger. The treasure was completely forgotten. A new prize had been designated.

"Ufufu…" Anastasia giggled, a low, throaty sound. Her round ass shifted as she leaned forward, every line of her curvy body screaming intent. "Well then. It seems we have a new… objective. And I believe I was the first to stake my claim on him."

"Hold up there, Frosty!" Jane growled, her well-toned stomach flexing as she rolled her shoulders. "Legendary heroes get first dibs on the grand prize. It's the law of the wild."

"Cringe! I'm his kouhai! The kouhai always gets the surprise emotional victory!" Nagiko declared, jutting her chest out in a dramatic pose that did wonderful things for her bikini top.

"I'm a GODDESS!" Ishtar screeched, her slim hips swaying. "My claim is DIVINE! He should be honored to receive my… divine affection!"

A tense silence filled the room, thick with the pink mist and murderous intent.

Then, Anastasia clapped her hands together, a brilliant, terrible idea dawning in her hazy eyes.

"I have a proposal," she purred. "A game. Far more interesting than a simple brawl, don't you think? Master will be… 'it'." She smiled, a slow, predatory curve of her lips.

"He will go and hide, somewhere in this temple. And we… we will hunt. The first one to find him… wins. And the winner… gets to claim him. All of him. For the rest of the night."

Nagiko’s eyes lit up. "A battle royale for love?! That's the most emo~shi idea I've ever heard! I'm in!"

"Hmph! Fine!" Ishtar snarled. "I'll find him in seconds with my divine senses!"

"Sounds like a damn fine treasure hunt to me," Jane grinned, stretching luxuriously, her back arching to display her every curve.

Anastasia's gaze never left Master. "Go on, my little cat," she whispered, her voice a cocktail of affection and terrifying promise. "Run. Hide. Make it interesting for us. We'll give you a ten-second head start. Starting… now."

2nd Ascension. Chaldea Summer Adventure. The Grand Duchess’s Guide to Going Viral — Part 1. n Every Era, Girls Who Spend Their Whole Summer Taking Selfies Still Manage to Conquer Nations.

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the Chaldea camp as Anastasia hummed, twirling a hibiscus flower. Her long white braids swung with the motion, the white swimsuit clinging to every curve of her body as she flopped down next to Master on a driftwood log. Viy hovered nearby, dutifully fanning her with a giant palm leaf.

“Nn… this summer was perfect, wasn’t it?” she sighed dreamily, leaning her head on Master’s shoulder. Her ample breasts squished comfortably against his arm. “We ate delicious things, hunted for treasure, played in the waves… It felt like we were one big, chaotic, slightly dysfunctional family. It was all so… fun. But…”

Her voice trailed off. “But the fun is almost over. And I started thinking… have I actually done my job? As a Servant? I feel like I just… played. Like a lazy high school girl who wasted her entire vacation and has nothing to show for it.”

“IT’S ONLY NOW OCCURRING TO YOU?!” Goredolf’s voice bellowed from behind a nearby tent, where he had clearly been eavesdropping. He marched out, apron askew. “You’ve treated this entire Singularity like your personal resort! I’ve seen you use Viy to steal my private stash of shaved ice syrup! Repeatedly!”

Anastasia turned, her face a mask of pure, angelic sweetness. Her smile was so bright it could melt glaciers. “Ara? What was that, Commander? I couldn’t quite hear you over the sound of my… diligent mission support.”

Goredolf froze, a bead of sweat tracing its way down his temple. He could feel the temperature in the immediate vicinity drop ten degrees. “Ah… nothing! I was just… commending you! On your… proactive attitude! Yes! Very responsible!”

“See?” Anastasia chirped, turning back to Master. Her round ass shifted on the log, pressing closer. “But I’ve decided! I’m going to preserve these memories! I’ll make a photo album! No, better! I’ll take a series of amazing selfies and go viral! Everyone will see what a wonderful summer Chaldea had!”

Goredolf’s jaw dropped. “Go… viral? Are you insane?! That’s not how it works! What if you get ratio’d?! What if you get a bad comment and get canceled?! The public relations nightmare…”

“Oh, don’t be silly,” Anastasia said with a dismissive wave of her hand. Her plump thighs brushed against Master's leg. “I have experience. I was one of the first people in history to take a selfie, you know. With a mirror and a big, clunky box. I am a pioneer.”

Goredolf stared, his brain audibly short-circuiting at the sheer, unadulterated nonsense of her logic. He opened his mouth, then closed it again. It wasn’t worth it. “Fine! Do what you want! Master, you’re on supervision duty! Make sure she doesn’t… I don’t know… declare war on a crab for having a bad camera angle!”

He tried to make a swift retreat, but shadowy tendrils shot out from Viy, wrapping gently but firmly around his ankles. He was reeled back in like a cartoon fish.

“Where are you going, Commander?” Anastasia asked, holding up a stolen Chaldea-issue phone. “You get to be in the first one. For… morale.”

“Every photo with you makes me look like my soul has been forcibly extracted through my nostrils,” Goredolf grumbled, but he allowed himself to be positioned.

Anastasia squeezed between the two of them, her body a warm, soft press against both Master and the sputtering Commander. The golden stars on her swimsuit glittered as she held the phone out. “Okay, everyone say ‘blizzard’~! One… two… three!”

Click!

The tendrils released him, and Goredolf scurried away, muttering about blood pressure and insubordination. Anastasia admired her handiwork. “Perfect. Now then… next, I think we’ll find Da Vinci-chan. And Charlotte. And Kama… oh, this is going to be so much fun. A photographic documentation of our entire found family. Ehehe~.”

2nd Ascension. Chaldea Summer Adventure. The Grand Duchess’s Guide to Going Viral — Part 2. You Can’t Call Yourself a Proper Influencer Until At Least Three Grown Men Cry About It.

The pirate tavern smelled of stale rum, sweat, and opportunity. Three hulking pirates, scarred and tattooed, loomed over the table where Anastasia and Master sat, their shadows engulfing the duo.

“Look at ‘er,” the first one rasped, gesturing with a hook hand. “Pale as a pearl, she is. We could get a king’s ransom for a pretty little thing like that. Sell ‘er off to some decadent lord.”

“Nah, we keep ‘er!” the second one argued, a nasty grin splitting his bearded face. “Make ‘er our ship’s mascot! A little ice princess to bring us good luck!”

Suddenly, a selfie stick extended into their personal space. Click!

Anastasia, who had completely ignored their menacing deliberation, beamed at her phone. “Perfect! One selfie with… the local proletariat. Check!” She turned to Master, her white swimsuit a beacon of purity in the grimy tavern. Her long white braids swung as she leaned in conspiratorially. “It is important to capture all facets of society for a truly viral post, don’t you think? It shows I’m… down to earth. Ufufu~.”

The pirates stared, utterly flummoxed. “What… what was that?” the third one stammered. “Did she just… steal our souls with that shiny stick?”

“Is that what the kids are doing these days? No wonder they’re all so pale!”

Anastasia paid them no mind, tapping her chin thoughtfully as she reviewed the photo. “Mmm… but it’s not enough. Just a picture with some… grimy men. It lacks… pizzazz. It won’t trend.” A devious, brilliant sparkle lit her blue eyes. “Ah. I have an idea.”

She stood up, her curvy body drawing every eye in the tavern. She raised a delicate hand, frost condensing in the humid air around her. “Everyone, please… hold still.”

FWOOSH!

A miniature, localized blizzard erupted from her palm, engulfing the three pirates in a swirl of snow and ice. The temperature in the tavern plunged. When the flurry subsided, the three pirates were encased from the neck down in jagged, beautifully sculpted ice, their faces frozen in expressions of pure, unadulterated shock.

“Much better!” Anastasia declared, holding up her phone again. Her ample breasts jiggled as she struck a pose, one hand on her hip, the golden stars on her white swimsuit catching the light from the now-frost-covered tavern lamps. “Now it’s art.” Click!

“I-I CAN’T FEEL ME LEGS!” one of the frozen pirates shrieked, his voice muffled by the ice.

“MODERN WOMEN ARE TERRIFYING!” another wailed. “THEY’LL TURN YOU INTO A LAWN ORNAMENT FOR CLOUT!”

“Oh, don’t be so dramatic,” Anastasia said airily, putting her phone away. Her round ass swayed as she sauntered back to Master. “You’ll thaw. Eventually. Probably.”

A moment of silence passed. Then, the first pirate’s eyes lit up. “Wait a minute, lads! This ain’t so bad! We’re… we’re human beer coolers! Oi, barkeep! Line ‘em up! Three of your strongest grogs!”

Their initial excitement quickly faded when they realized their arms were also frozen solid. “BARKEEP! POUR IT DIRECTLY INTO OUR MOUTHS! WE BEG YE!”

The grizzled bartender just shrugged and grabbed a funnel.

Anastasia watched the spectacle for a moment before turning back to Master, her plump thighs brushing against his under the table. “Now then, for my next subjects… I was thinking of those charming bipedal sharks we saw. Or perhaps the mass-produced Columbuses? Oh! And that strange, tentacled creature from the underwater cave! A selfie with a cosmic horror… that will definitely go viral. Ehehe~.”

2nd Ascension. Chaldea Summer Adventure. The Grand Duchess’s Guide to Going Viral — Part 3. Every Group Selfie Needs One Crying Guy In The Corner.

The midday sun beat down on the coastal town, but inside the "Salty Dog's Gulp," it was eternally dim, smelling of spilled grog and poor life choices. At a corner table, Nagiko and Blackbeard were already deep into a rowdy day-drinking session, mugs slamming and laughter echoing.

Anastasia glided in, her long white braids immaculate despite the humidity. Her face was a mask of gentle disapproval. "Day drinking? Already? One would think you are pirates."

"WE ARE PIRATES!" Blackbeard roared, sloshing rum onto the table. "And day drinking is a sacred art form, my dear tsarina! It is a rebellion against the tyranny of the sun! A toast to blissful, irresponsible lethargy! It's a guilty pleasure you'll understand when you're older... and have more narrative trauma to drink away!"

"For realz!" Nagiko slurred cheerfully, her green visor askew. "It's, like, the ultimate side-quest for your liver! A real challenge mode for your sobriety stats! Hella based!"

Anastasia sighed, a soft, long-suffering sound. She slid onto a barstool, her curvy body settling with practiced grace. "Very well. Barkeep! I shall have your strongest, most intoxicating spirit!" She paused dramatically. "…Orange juice. With a little umbrella."

After a bit more nonsensical banter, Anastasia finally revealed her true purpose, holding up her phone. "Now then, my degenerate friends. Time for a selfie."

Blackbeard recoiled as if she'd brandished a holy cross. "B-BEGONE, SOUL-STEALING DEMONESS! You will not capture my essence in your cursed picture-box! My spirit is reserved for my 2D waifus, and them alone!"

Anastasia blinked. "You sound like someone from a bygone era, Teach." She tilted her head. "Oh, wait. You are. Ufufu~. Don't worry, your soul will remain perfectly intact. Probably. It's just a picture."

"A LIKELY STORY!" he yelled, hiding behind Nagiko. "I've read about these things in ancient texts—manga! They trap a man's life force!"

"Dude, Beardie, that's hella cringe," Nagiko hiccuped. "It's just a pic. You post it, get some likes, maybe a few flame comments from rival pirates. It's the modern way to prove you exist. Duh."

"SILENCE! If you wish for a glimpse of my glorious visage, tsarina, you must earn it! Through honorable combat!" Blackbeard leaped onto the table, striking a dramatic kabuki pose. "DUEL ME! FOR THE RIGHT TO A SELFIE!"

Anastasia gave him a completely deadpan stare. "No."

"Eh?"

"That sounds like a lot of work. I'm on vacation." She turned away. "I've changed my mind. I no longer require a selfie with you."

The pirate's dramatic pose deflated. He dropped to his knees on the table, a waterfall of tears streaming down his face. "W-WAIT! NO! PLEASE, TAKE A SELFIE WITH ME! I'LL BE YOUR BACKGROUND CHARACTER! I'LL BE THE COMIC RELIEF! DON'T LEAVE ME OUT OF THE MEMORIES! MY EXISTENCE WILL BECOME NON-CANON!"

Nagiko howled with laughter, nearly falling out of her chair. "LMAO! From a final boss challenge to a pity-invite in three seconds flat! You're a walking de-buff, Beardie!"

"Oh, very well," Anastasia sighed, unable to resist the sheer patheticness of it all. She beckoned him over, then tugged Master into the frame as well. "Come on, all of you." Her ample breasts squished against Master's side as she angled the phone. The golden stars on her swimsuit seemed to mock Blackbeard's tears.

"Okay everyone," she chirped. "Say 'narrative irrelevance'!"

Click!

Nagiko immediately snatched the phone to post it. "TAGS: #DayDrinking, #PirateLife, #SadOtaku, #IceQueen, #OurBoyfriend, #CringeCompilation. Annnnnnnd POSTED! We're gonna get so many likes from the other Servants laughing at Beardie!"

Blackbeard just continued to sob quietly in the corner, clutching his now-empty mug.

2nd Ascension. Chaldea Summer Adventure. The Grand Duchess’s Guide to Going Viral — Part 4. If You Can’t Find Your Best Angle, Someone Else Will Photoshop One For You.

The cave was dark, damp, and smelled faintly of crippling social anxiety. Mandricardo was huddled in the farthest, deepest corner, trying to merge with a stalagmite. Anastasia stood at the entrance, the sunlight framing her curvy body in a divine glow, her long white braids spilling over her shoulders.

"Downer-san~," she called out, her voice echoing sweetly in the cavern. "Come out, come out, wherever you are. It's time for your close-up."

"N-No… Go away…" a muffled voice replied from the darkness. "I can't… I look terrible in pictures. I have the eyes of a dead fish. My smile looks like I'm trying to pass a kidney stone. It's a photographic curse!"

Anastasia's smile didn't waver, but the temperature in the cave mouth dropped several degrees. "Oh, dear. It would be such a shame if this cave… suddenly developed a very serious… icing problem. All these lovely, drippy rocks… they'd get so cold. So brittle." A small, perfectly formed snowflake drifted from her fingertips.

Mandricardo scrambled out of the darkness so fast he tripped over his own feet, landing in a heap in the sand. "Okay! Okay! I'm here! Don't flash-freeze my emotional support rock!"

"Ufufu~. I knew you'd see reason." Anastasia helped him up, her touch surprisingly gentle. "You don't need to worry about looking bad, Downer-san. I am a master of the modern arts." She held up her phone, displaying a gallery of images that could only be described as reality-bending.

"Behold! My Servantgram!" she announced proudly. "Here is Da Vinci-chan… but with Goredolf's glorious mustache. And here is Charlotte… but I gave her Achilles's ridiculous shonen protagonist hair. And this…" She showed him a picture of a very confused-looking crab wearing Ishtar's divine tiara.

Mandricardo stared, his eyes wide with a mixture of horror and awe. "You… you can do that? It's like a conceptual Noble Phantasm that attacks one's very identity…"

"It's called a filter, silly," Anastasia chirped. "Now, let's take ours!"

She pulled him close, her ample breasts pressing against his back as she angled the phone. The golden stars on her white swimsuit seemed to mock his existential dread. "Smile for the camera~!"

Click!

The result was, as predicted, a masterpiece of awkwardness. Mandricardo looked like a man who had just witnessed the heat death of the universe, his smile a pained grimace, his eyes vacant voids.

"Ah. A challenging canvas," Anastasia mused, her fingers dancing across the screen. "But nothing a little… artistic license can't fix." She tapped a few more times, humming a cheerful tune. "There! Perfect!"

She showed him the edited photo. It was, indeed, perfect. Except the person in the photo was not Mandricardo. It was Saint Martha, rocking a ridiculously sexy dark blue bikini and a red sports jacket, striking a confident, fist-pumping pose. Her abs were glistening.

Anastasia beamed. "See? I told you I'd make you look good."

Mandricardo began to sweat profusely. He stared at the image of the tanned, toned, and frankly terrifyingly hot saint that had replaced his pathetic form. "Y-Yes… You've… you've really captured my best angles, Anastasia-san. My… inner strength. It's… uncanny."

"I thought so too!" she agreed happily. "Your fighting spirit really shines through, Downer-san. Now, who's next on my list… Ah, yes. I believe it's time to find a certain sleepy Alter Ego."

2nd Ascension. Chaldea Summer Adventure. The Grand Duchess’s Guide to Going Viral — Part 5. When Two Girls Decide To Truce, The Guy In The Middle Has No Say In The Matter.

The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and violet. The waves lapped gently at the shore, a soft, rhythmic sigh. Anastasia found Charlotte sitting by the water's edge, tracing patterns in the wet sand, a thoughtful, melancholic air around her.

Anastasia sat down beside her, the fine sand cool against her skin. Her long white braids fell over her shoulder. "Char," she said softly, her usual mischievous sparkle dimmed to a gentle glow. "I'm almost finished with my project. There's just one picture left to take."

Charlotte looked up, her blue eyes filled with their characteristic anxiety. "Oh? A-Anastasia… you don't mean… with me, do you? I-I'm not very photogenic. I'll ruin your collection."

"Don't be silly," Anastasia replied, nudging her friend gently. "It wouldn't be complete without you. After all… you're my greatest rival, aren't you?" She said it with a smile, a silent acknowledgment of the "Master Bowl" that had defined their summer. "Who else would I plot against over breakfast? Who else would've raced me to get him the last slice of watermelon?"

Charlotte's cheeks flushed. "I… I suppose we have been… competing," she admitted, her gaze flickering toward the Master. "But… it didn't feel like a fight. Not really. It felt more like… like we were just doing everything together. Even the plotting." A small, genuine smile graced her lips. "I don't think I would have been brave enough to try half the things I did this summer if I wasn't trying to keep up with you."

"And I wouldn't have had half as much fun if you weren't there to fluster," Anastasia confessed, her voice uncharacteristically sincere. "It's strange. We both came here to win his heart… and somewhere along the way, we became friends. Like sisters in a very, very complicated war. I'm glad it was you, Char."

A comfortable silence settled between them, filled only by the sound of the ocean.

"So," Anastasia said, finally breaking it. "One last picture. For the memories." She held up her phone.

"O-Okay," Charlotte agreed, her anxiety melting away into a soft resolve.

Anastasia positioned them carefully, one on each side of the Master. "Come on, scoot closer," she instructed, her curvy body pressing warmly against his. "Closer, Char. It's supposed to be a memory of all of us." Her round ass shifted in the sand as she found the perfect angle. "Now, cheeks together. Like this." She gently pressed her cheek against Master's, her skin cool and soft. She looked at Charlotte, a knowing, encouraging glint in her eye.

Blushing furiously but with a determined look, Charlotte mirrored the action, her own cheek pressing against Master's other side. Her ample breasts squished against his arm as she leaned in.

The phone was set. The timer began its silent countdown.

Three…

Two…

One…

Click.

In that single, fleeting moment, as the digital shutter closed, they both moved as one. A soft press of lips on each of his cheeks, a shared, unspoken truce.

They pulled back, and for the first time, they weren't rivals, just two girls sharing a laugh under the twilight sky.

"A draw, then," Charlotte said, her voice light and happy.

"For today," Anastasia agreed, her smile bright and genuine. She looked at the picture, a perfect snapshot of a perfect moment. "There. My album is complete." She tucked the phone away.

"The sun is almost gone," she announced, standing and brushing the sand from her plump thighs. "The night will be here soon. Instead of competing… why don't the three of us go for one last walk along the beach together?"