Chapter 21: Chapter 18: The Innocent Gluttonous Queen
Afterward, Kurumi decided to return to her own world—she had more spirits to hunt down, steal, and transfer into the modern world. More specifically, Kaguya's world.
Of course, that wasn't happening just yet. The first Spirit meant to be dated by Shidou wasn't even there at the moment. No one could properly look after her in Kaguya's world anyway, since Kaguya was busy with school.
Instead, Kurumi had dropped her straight into Ancient Rome, inside the FGO timeline, where Khan was.
Right now, he was still busy playing the role of Emperor, consolidating his power and securing the support of the people.
But that didn't mean he couldn't spare some time to entertain a certain gluttonous princess.
Instead of restricting her movements or forcing her to behave like Shidou did, he let her roam free, doing whatever the fuck she wanted.
If she wanted to break shit, steal food, or cause chaos, he didn't give a damn. Unlike Shidou, who brainwashed Spirits into playing nice with weaklings or sealing their powers, Khan let her decide her own damn future.
Of course, he guided her—teaching her how to adapt to this world, how to communicate without making a complete fool of herself, and most importantly, how to survive without relying on someone else's mercy.
Khan leaned back, watching her with an amused smirk. "So, how's your first day, Princess? I hope this world is more to your liking than your last one."
"This world is awesome! Thank you, Khan. And thanks to Kurumi too!"
The purple-haired girl sitting before him couldn't stop stuffing her face, snatching food from the table with the ferocity of a starving beast.
She tore into a chicken leg, devouring it like a woman who hadn't eaten in years, grease dripping down her fingers as she barely stopped to breathe between bites.
Khan stared at her, deadpan.
Okay…
I don't think you're talking about the world at all. You're talking about the food, aren't you?
Still chewing, she just grinned at him, completely unbothered.
"Well," Khan sighed, shaking his head. "If you like it, then cool. You can stay as long as you want. And once I wrap up my business here, I'll take you somewhere even better. A world far beyond this one."
Her eyes lit up instantly. "Really?! Is the food even better there?!"
Of course, she only cared about the food.
Even when Kurumi had dumped her into this world, explaining that it was safer, she hadn't questioned a damn thing. The logic of world-hopping? Didn't faze her. The fact that she was now in Ancient Rome? Not even a second thought.
She only cared because Kurumi was the same kind as her. And because the food was fucking amazing.
Khan chuckled. "Yeah. It is."
That was all she needed to hear.
And just like that, she grinned ear to ear, already dreaming about the next feast.
Her drooling was obvious, and she wasn't someone known for subtlety when expressing her emotions.
"Speaking of which, do you have a name, or do you prefer being called by your title, 'Princess'?" Khan asked, his voice smooth as he swirled his glass of red wine, the deep crimson liquid catching the light.
She frowned, clearly displeased by the question.
"I don't like that name," she huffed, her pout borderline adorable despite the irritation behind it. "Every time humans call me 'Princess,' they attack me right after."
Her tone carried a sharp edge, and Khan didn't miss the frustration in her expression. She had every right to be pissed—AST had been hunting her down the second she showed up, their guns blazing while they yelled "Princess" like it was some battle cry.
Khan chuckled, unfazed by her little outburst. "Then, what should I call you?"
His tone was smooth, patient, as he took another sip of his red wine, every movement carrying the grace of a man who knew exactly how to handle a lady.
His air of self-assured sophistication seemed to have an effect—Tohka, now a little flustered, averted her gaze, muttering under her breath.
"I don't know… What do you think, Khan?" she asked, her voice softer now. Then, she lifted her eyes to him, filled with unspoken hope and expectation.
That look? Yeah, it was dangerous.
Khan leaned back slightly, playing with the idea in his head.
"Let me think for a moment."
He had originally planned to give her an English name—something different, something that stood out.
But as soon as he considered translating her Japanese name into English, he stopped immediately.
It was too edgy.
Tohka Yatogami, when translated directly, became Tessa Nightblade—and that? That sounded like the name of some over-the-top, second-rate anime OC.
Sure, it made sense: "Tessa" from the tenth of April, the day of her first descent in the Date A Live world, and "Nightblade" as the translation of "Yatogami."
But in Khan's opinion? It was cringe as hell.
So, he made the obvious choice—he stuck with her original name.
"Your name shall be Tohka Yatogami," he declared, his tone playful yet firm.
She blinked, then her face lit up with a bright, satisfied grin.
"Yes! I like it, Khan!" Tohka beamed, her earlier frustration completely forgotten. "It's so much better than 'Princess.'"
And with that, she officially embraced her true name—one that belonged to her, not something others forced on her with hostility.
"What's your plan after this, Tohka? Do you want to stay here forever, or are you interested in going out to see something new?" Khan asked, his gaze fixed on her.
Tohka frowned, scratching her head as she thought hard about his question.
Her expression was filled with confusion, her lips pursing slightly. "I don't know… but I like how things are right now."
"Then you can stay as long as you want," Khan said without hesitation. "I'm busy right now, but later, I can send you to a much better world—one that's more peaceful, more suited for you. Of course, that will be after the person responsible for you there isn't too busy and has time to look after you."
Instead of looking happy, Tohka's expression fell. She stared at him like an abandoned puppy, her eyes radiating pure pitifulness.
"Will you leave… just like Kurumi?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Her pitiful look made Khan pause for a moment. He wasn't sure why, but despite the obvious sadness in her eyes, he found her strangely… adorable.
Was he secretly a sadist or something?
Shaking off the thought, he firmly shook his head. "No. I'll visit that world from time to time when I'm done with things here."
"Then I'm not going," Tohka declared, her voice carrying an unexpected firmness. "I don't see any point in going to that world if you and Kurumi won't be there."
Khan blinked in surprise. For someone as gluttonous as her, he had expected food to be an easy way to sway her, yet here she was, resisting the temptation just to stay by his side.
If it were some low-life scumbag in his position, she would've already been tricked into bed a hundred times over.
Fortunately for her, it was him—Khan. The man of focus, commitment, and sheer fucking will.
"Alright," he nodded, respecting her choice. "But you'll have to adapt to the brutality of this world. It's not as forgiving as the one I mentioned."
Tohka's face lit up with a wide grin, as if she had just won something.
"Thank you, Khan!" she said happily.
Her gratitude was genuine, but she clearly didn't understand the full weight of his words.
After all, even he had to adapt—to be ruthless, to be cruel, to harden his heart when dealing with the countless backstabbing senators and treacherous people in this world.
But that didn't matter. He had more than enough patience to guide her, step by step, until she fully adjusted.
For now, he simply sipped his wine gracefully, watching Tohka happily devour her plate of food, completely at peace.