I am a Peerless Hero without equal! (WC/Currently in FGO Part 1)

Olga's head shot up from her desk as she realized she had dozed off. She looked around at her environment, her racing heart slowed down as the Director realized she had dozed off in the privacy of her own room rather than somewhere public.

The woman closed her eyes and relaxed, letting out a breath, thanking whatever gods out there that no one saw her slacking off.

Opening them, Olga then saw how she had drooled onto some paper. "Ah, crap."

She wiped her mouth with her sleeves before picking up the paper and seeing how it was a report concerning that self-proclaimed Goddess in the previous Singularity.

Extreme magical energy output, multiple divine authorities, durable enough to smash an island, easily kill Heracles…

Olga trailed off as she scratched her head. Only a portion of the report showed water damage from her drool. It was small enough that only a tiny portion of the content was unreadable. Fortunately, she had committed everything to memory.

Nonetheless, she should destroy this. It wouldn't do good for those underneath her to see how she did something as lowly and unprofessional as 'drooling'.

Perfection is required for the scion of the Animuspheres. Constant perfection is necessary for the Director of Chaldea lest some unscrupulous or divine individuals try to coup her.

Several claps echoed across her sparse and empty room. Olga clapped her cheeks, grimacing as the pain flared up from the clapping around her face. Still, that pain served to keep away any more desire for sleep.

Holding the paper with the drool on it, Olga activated a fire magecraft and caused the thing to burst into flames. Quickly, all that was left of the paper with bits of water damage were ash and the smell of burning in the air.

With the evidence of her slacking destroyed, Olga mentally reviewed everything she had to do for the day. Rubbing her chin, the woman felt anxious from the sheer amount of work she'd have to do.

Everything from reading the logs and paperwork to preparing for the summoning—ugh. Olga tilted her head and shut her eyes. In this brief instance of peace within her mind, the Director imagined herself on a sandy beach, the hot sun on her body, clad in a bikini, a pair of sunglasses on her face.

She imagined herself lounging on one of those foldable chairs she saw on a magazine belonging to the mundane world. A small table beside her. On top of that table was a set of colorful cold drinks to contrast the hot summer sun. A set of mirrors were placed on her chest.

Olga had no idea what those mirrors were for; only the woman on the magazine pages had them.

Olga never really touched the mundane world aside from snippets, but she knew from how relaxed the model looked in the magazine it must be extremely comfortable.

Then, Olga's imagination drifted as she included more to complete that fantasy. Including another approaching her with an opened coconut in their hands. From that coconut sprouted out a colorful bendy straw along with a paper umbrella. The figure was muscular, but not too much. He had a head of black hair and blue eyes—

That shocked Olga out of her fantasy.

She took in a deep breath to calm her nerves, quickly withdrawing her hands from the insides of her pants.

Ugh. They were wet, Olga thought as she passively wiped her dripping fingers on some tissue paper. Annoying, she'll have to make do with wet panties for the rest of the day as there's simply no time to even clean the thing with magecraft.

Still, Olga gave herself one last look from up to down. Seeing that nothing was out of place, she hurried out the door and down the hall, only slowing down when she met a fellow subordinate before speeding up again.

She has an image to maintain. Appearing late would only tarnish the image of the impeccable Director.

The woman reached the command center. About half of the seats were filled as the giant CHALDEAS globe loomed in the center of the room.

Da Vinci sat in her seat…

Olga's mind immediately went to the worst-case scenario.

Was this a declaration of her essentially saying how she'll be the Director from now on?

A frown marred her face. She began to march towards Da Vinci, a spell ready. Being gifted this spiritual body by that Goddess has made her magecraft much more powerful, alongside a drastic increase in how much magical energy she can employ.

At a cursory glance, Olga thinks she has more magical energy than even the mighty Vice Director of the Clocktower herself, Lorelei Barthomeloi.

Da Vinci then got up from the seat, "Director Olga, I've opted to sort out the paperwork you'd have to do today in order of importance. Furthermore, I've decided to do those of lesser importance, those that could've been delegated to others."

Alarm bells began to ring inside Olga's mind. She chose to direct all that paperwork to her; this way, she becomes invaluable to ensuring Chaldea continues functioning. This way, no one could replace her, no one would coup her, she would live up to her father's expectations—

"Thank you, Da Vinci." A well-practiced smile appeared on Olga's face. Magi must always learn how to smile, it's one of the first lessons Olga's father taught her.

A falsely believed smile is as insidious of a weapon as any poison, for he who smiles even at his enemies wields trust as the sharpest blade.

As Olga sat down on the chair, she thought of the chair being boobytrapped. Not that a bomb would cause the new Olga any issues. Not after reinforcing her clothing to such a degree it's comparable to a Supreme Mystic Code, something only the Twelve Lords of the Clocktower would possess.

Olga finished with the paperwork much faster than she had originally planned. Thus, she went to the summoning chamber extra early.

In the room, she saw how the technicians were still setting things up. Carts full of magical artifacts and elements necessary for a ritual were pushed in. Multiple people were painstakingly drawing the intricate ritual circle. No one wanted to be the reason that the summoning failed.

Throughout all this, Olga kept a close eye. She kneeled down gently so as not to disturb the lines drawn and carefully examined every red dust and chalk outline. Olga even halted her breathing.

Perfection demands so much attention.

Next, she examined the materials and elements held in those carts. Sealed tubes were full of various red, green, blue, and prismatic-colored liquids, and capped containers held different forms of magical powders.

Olga began counting the containers in front of her, cross-referencing them with the list of materials in her head. She mumbled as she counted, "50 grams of iron dust… 90 grams of pot ash…"

Just as Olga was deep in determining if the necessary materials were present, she felt a silence descend onto the room.

It was strange. The constant footsteps of technicians walking across the room, the soft chattering— all of it was gone.

That prompted Olga to look around to discern the cause, and she found the silence's spread originating from Ritsuka, Mash, and the fucking Foreigner who were all in this summoning room now.

Olga had to bite down the rising panic in her heart.

No, she will not panic. She will face this coup head-on! With dignity as expected of the Heiress to the Animusphere name.

"Director, can we speak with you somewhere private?" Ritsuka asked.

Taking her to somewhere that'll lessen collateral damage? At least Ritsuka recognizes how Olga wouldn't go down without a fight!

Olga nodded, "Very well. I know of an unused room we can use for privacy."

Olga led the trio out of the room. As those three followed closely behind her, the Director partitioned her mind and readied multiple spells to throw in an instant.

It was a fairly short walk, taking no more than six minutes. Though Thought Acceleration made that walk even longer. With all this extra time, Olga tried to think of a way to halt the coup in its tracks. She finds herself rather unwilling to harm Ritsuka if possible.

But her pride demands that repercussions exist.

Reaching the unused room, Olga gulped down as she opened the door. Just as she reached for the handle, she found her hands shaking.

How unsightly for an Heiress like her.

So Olga made sure to use her body as a shield, blocking out the sight of her shaking hands from those behind her.

"..."

Why was she hesitating to open the door? There's nothing inside, other than the place where the Goddess reveals her true nature and takes over her father's life's work. She'll supplant Olga as the Director, taking control, rendering Olga into a non-factor, and erasing her name from existence. Just like what Lev tried to do, they'll finish it.

It's what any proper Magi would do. It's what her father would do. It's what she would do.

Olga's knee felt weak. As if her weight had increased by a thousand times. As if her bones turned into grass and her flesh jelly. The Director had to lean on the door like a grandma would with a pair of walkers.

"Director…?"

"Please…"

A soft plea came out of Olga's mouth. It belonged only on the lips of those truly desperate.

"Please don't take away my role as the Director of Chaldea, it's the only thing I have left…"

The pride that once filled her chest, the dignity of being an Animusphere, the cold logic of being raised as a Magus—all of it evaporated as Olga was truly desperate to keep her position as the Director of Chaldea.

No matter if others could do a better job, no matter if she's never praised for her efforts, no matter if everyone says how they hate her, no matter if her very father saw Kirschtaria Wodime as a better heir to the Animusphere Magecraft than his daughter by blood, Olga could say at least she was the Director of Chaldea. It's her own source of happiness.

If… if that's taken away, "I truly have nothing left…"

"Uh… huh?!"

"I have nothing left! Other than being the Director of Chaldea!" Olga's vision blurred into a mess of colors with no definitive shapes.

She wanted to stop herself. She wanted to repair her pride and dignity. But the words just don't stop coming. It just keeps spilling out all the stuff she kept bundled up.

"I know I am worthless. I know I am unworthy of being the Director of Chaldea since I can't even Rayshift. I know that everything hates me. Everyone just shoots their snide comments when I'm not looking, saying how young I am, how I only got this position because my father died. And even Lev. Oh god, Lev. LEEEEV! I trusted him unconditionally but then he just up and tried to kill me! In one of the worst ways imaginable for a human, something worse than even what Prometheus would experience! Does everyone just hate me? What did I ever do to deserve this hatred?"

Olga wiped away the blurriness from her eyes, finding the tips of her fingers to be wet. Why are they wet?

"Director…" Ritsuka placed a firm hand on Olga's shoulder, "Not everyone hates you! Please don't say that!"

Olga had a look of bafflement, she was perplexed by what Ritsuka was saying as though he were a crazed person speaking nonsense.

"Of course everyone hates me—"

"That's not true Director Olga!" Mash yelled.

And then she was suddenly engaged in a hug. By Ritsuka of all people.

Instinctively, Olga wanted to push Ritsuka away, but the woman had been so touch-starved her entire life that she was enjoying this display of affection. She melted into his embrace like wax in an oven.

"I… I admit I was ignorant of the depth of pain you're going through. You suffered in silence. My view of you until recently was that of a hard worker, someone controlling the stage from the background. But now I realize just how hard you've had it. You are without a doubt, the hardest worker here in Chaldea. You are the best Director anyone can possibly ask for! You rest so little, spending all of your time caring for me, I am touched, honestly."

With that, Ritsuka let go. He took a few steps back and then performed a 90-degree bow, a picture of Japanese respect, "Please, you have my most earnest gratitude for helping me stay alive through all of my adventures, from helping me recover after I saw the brutality of war to reminding me how I had a raft Mystic Code when Heracles destroyed the boat. Thank you, Director Olga! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!"

Olga's mouth hung open, her jaw moving slightly as she felt her heart beat faster and faster. Never before has someone been so earnest in their praise of her. Any praise that did come was usually honeyed poison, an attempt at manipulation by a fellow Magus, but this…

Olga hesitated to describe what was in front of her as if she didn't want to believe its existence.

…this was raw honesty. There was no hidden poison, just pure sweetness. Intoxicating sweetness so sweet it burned as Olga realized how much she had missed.

Olga wasn't used to this, so she put up defenses.

"Hmph, about time someone recognizes my effort."

She crossed her arms and looked pleased with herself. "I accept your thanks. But I am still needed to ensure the summoning arrays are fit for the ritual, so I'll be leaving now."

Olga's footsteps were quick as she hurriedly left the empty room, brushing past both Mash and Kukulkan. As she rounded the corner of a hallway, away from the sight of anyone, that's when Olga dropped her act. Her footsteps were trembling, she became gitty as a smile appeared on her face.

She let out a silent scream of joy. Her first genuine praise in who knows how long held no hidden blades or intentions, just pure appreciation of what she'd done. This feeling… it felt great. It felt incredible—it felt more than incredible! It was indescribable. The bubbling inside her heart.

"I love this…"

______

"Did I do well? I don't know if I did well…" Ritsuka asked as he turned to the two others in the room.

Mash nodded fervently, with practical stars in her eyes, "You did great Senpai! I'm sure Director Olga knows just how much you appreciate her work."

"That wasn't just acting, you really poured your heart out for her." Kuku observed, "I agree with Mash's assessment. Olga Marie Animusphere is someone who was raised in the den of snakes that is the Moonlit World, I think she more than anyone is able to tell if someone is lying or giving false praise."

Hearing their assurance calmed the doubt in Ritsuka's heart. He did great, the teen assured himself. He did great.

At least he's still somewhat useful, if only as support for those who truly mattered in trying to save mankind.

That thought left a bitter feeling in Ritsuka's mind. The feeling turned to embarrassment when Kuku suddenly asked, "Did you eat breakfast? I can hear your stomach grumbling."

Speaking of food caused Ritsuka to realize just how hungry he was. The teen skipped breakfast altogether to practice for Olga's intervention. Then he realized just how parched his throat was. Did he skip water as well?

"You can Kukulkan?" Mash asked.

"My hearing is precise enough. Anyway, come on, let's go for breakfast." Kukulkan said as she led the way, "I'm starving for some favors as well."

Kuku's words reminded Ritsuka of how she started participating in the act of eating. She was shocked when she joined him, Mash, and Iskander for dinner. She looked almost puzzled when Archer placed the hamburger in front of her, as though she didn't know how to engage in something as fundamental to the human experience as eating.

It made Ritsuka wonder when she last ate anything. Nonetheless, she picked up the burger with her two hands, remarked about how overflowing it was with grease, and then wolfed it down like a glutton.

The trio entered the cafeteria, finding it to be mostly empty of people. That made sense since it was only about two hours before lunch.

"Archer!" Kuku called out as she approached the kitchen. The tanned Servant came out, wearing the full chef outfit, "Ritsuka here hasn't eaten breakfast, make something for him, please? Also, can I have something heavy with flavor?"

"I thought last time was a fluke, so is this going to be a continued thing?"

"What do you mean?"

"You eating. You said how you didn't need to eat. Should I increase the portions to include you for all future meals?"

"Of course," Kuku said in a way as if to state the sky was blue, "I've begun to… enjoy food. To enjoy life. Mash, do you want anything?"

Mash shook her head, "I've already eaten, Goddess."

Archer nodded, seeing just what he needed to cook, and returned to the kitchen.

As the trio sat down, Ritsuka couldn't help but ask the budding question in his mind ever since Kuku started to participate in the act of eating. He didn't ask the last time since just like Archer, the teen also thought it was supposed to be a one-off deal, just like back in Rome in the feasts that Nero hosted.

"So, what made you decide you want to eat?"

That question caused a change in Kuku's face. Momentarily, she appeared frozen in contemplation before replying with a bit of a grimace on her face, her shoulders shaking ever so slightly, "I found an appreciation for the human senses after the last Singularity."

Being struck by Heracles' arrows somehow gave Kuku an appreciation of the human senses? Ritsuka then recalled how people undergo a drastic change after a near-death experience. A staunch atheist might become faithful. Caligula went from a beloved Roman Emperor into one of the craziest, someone who built an 'orgy barge'.

Was Heracles so powerful that it forced Kuku into a near-death experience, thereby changing her views?

"Ah! There you are, my Master!" Iskander proclaimed loudly as he walked into the cafeteria. The giant of a man barely fit in the small, human-sized chair as he sat down across from the teen, right next to the Goddess.

"Given how we're adding a new Servant into our roster, I would like it to be someone who can help me conquer more, an administrator if possible. Someone who can govern the lands I conquered while I'm away."

Kuku shook her head exasperatedly, "It's always you and conquest."

"I am the King of Conquerors o' self-proclaimed Goddess, conquest is in my blood. One day, I shall conquer your heart and we shall conquer the world!"

The Goddess merely sighed while Ritsuka chuckled at his antics.

Archer came out, his presence heralding a delicious aroma that wafted out from the plates he held. On one plate was what Ritsuka recognizes as 'Kung Pao chicken', a Chinese dish full of stir-fried chicken, peanuts, vegetables, and chili peppers for seasoning. On the other plate was a steaming bowl of ramen.

Archer placed the bowl of ramen in front of Ritsuka before placing the chicken in front of Kuku. Iskander stared at the Kung Pao chicken, his nose audibly sniffing the spicy aroma from the dish.

It was strange, as usually such a spicy dish would be paired with rice.

Thankfully, Archer was thoughtful enough to add a pair of chopsticks underneath the ramen. As Ritsuka used the chopstick to bring up a bundle of noodles, he saw how Kuku was using the chopsticks to stab into the chicken like a fork.

"Um, Kukulkan? That's not how you use a chopstick—"

That's when Iskander listened to his impulsive thoughts and moved to grab a chunk of chicken.

"Hey!"

Kuku slapped away Iskander's hands. The King of Conqueror recoiled before chuckling, "Alright, I'll go ask Archer for a plate."

The giant of a man stood up and walked towards the kitchen.

Kuku turned back to face Ritsuka, "You were saying?"

"Um, you're supposed to use a chopstick like this." Ritsuka brought up his hands in a demonstration. The twin stainless steel sticks glistened with ramen broth under the light, allowing Ritsuka to see how it was slightly steaming. Patches of yellow oil accumulated at the lowest point, creating droplets that threatened to break the surface tension and fall.

Ritsuka showed Kuku exactly how one was supposed to use a chopstick.

"Like this?"

It was an atrocity how wrong she placed her fingers around the sticks.

"No."

"Then how—eep?"

Without thinking anything else other than to fix this atrocity, Ritsuka placed his chopsticks back into the ramen and purposefully aligned each of the Goddess's fingers properly, such that she could finally open and close the sticks.

Her skin was unbelievably smooth and warm. The creases on her hands were barely noticeable. Her nails had no flaws, each perfectly symmetrical and pleasant looking. If it were anyone else other than Kuku, Ritsuka would've thought they had just manicured their nails.

Though it was still an atrocity, with Kuku barely able to hold onto a single chunk of chicken with great effort. It was passable. Ritsuka was satisfied, for now.

_____

Mash placed her shield onto the center of this summoning array. Like last time, the magical circle surrounding the shield was incredibly detailed as whole essays can be assembled from the words written. And just last time, Archer, Iskander, Mash, and Kuku were all behind Ritsuka, ready to spring into action should the summoned Servant prove hostile.

Ritsuka stood in front of the shield. He held onto his right arm, his hand that contained his Command Spells. He didn't need Olga to tell him the incantation anymore since he remembered it.

Taking a deep breath, he began, "Let silver and steel be the essence. Let it be filled fivefold for every turn, simply breaking asunder with every filling…"

The circle around Ritsuka reacted by emitting light. As Ritsuka chanted more, the circle in response grew brighter and brighter, until that luminosity was the only thing that Ritsuka could see.

Steadily, the light died down as Ritsuka noticed the new presence in the room. A figure stood atop the shield. Slender physique, soft skin, clear green eyes that looked like freshly cut emerald, and finely textured blonde hair glittered as if sprinkled with gold dust.

Beautiful, that was the first thought in Ritsuka's mind. Even if she wore an armored dress, the woman displayed an elegance that hardly anyone could match.

"I ask of you, are you my Master?"

____

AN: So I did it. I added HER. The face of the Fate franchise.