What Never Changes

What's going on? Why do you want to see me alone...?

Don't tell me... that wasn't enough just now?

Stop saying things that'll cause misunderstandings!!!

Heh. Just kidding.

So... why did you call me out?

......

This is... candy?

That's right. I tried really hard not to let Morgana find out.

Why this all of a sudden?

......

You've been working hard for us all this time.

But then I realized, I've never properly thanked you.

So, it's a small token, but... I prepared a gift.

You like desserts too, Eva, don't you?

You even loved ice cream back on Earth.

For... me?

......

...Heh.

...Why are you laughing?

Oh, nothing... You just seem to have grown dependable.

Before... you seemed a little lacking...

I guess humans really do grow through hardship.

Could you please stop being so toxic with such a straight face?

I've always been a diligent and sincere young man who does his best!

...So that's why you were staring at chests so diligently.

What a truly diligent man.

I-I didn't stare that much!

Heh... I was just kidding.

Looks like you really were peeping, huh?

Ugh...

The gift... Thank you so much.

But I'm not helping you for free, either.

Yes, thanks to your efforts, I can move around more easily...

And the adventure with you all... it's enjoyable.

Eva...

And I'm not sure yet, but...

The more strength I receive... the more my memories seem to return, little by little.

Memories?

Yes... Actually, I lost most of my memories while I was asleep in the Holy Grail.

Who I met in the past...

What I've been doing all this time...

I don't remember anything.

The only thing I remember...

Was my mission... to protect the Holy Grail.

So even spirits lose their memories...

......

Heh... I wonder.

Perhaps... I might have been a human in the past.

Aaaah-!!!

......!

Bedivere, what's wrong?!

Huh? I was helping the Princess with her work...

Then could it be... Elizabeth?

I've been grilling steak this whole time.

Not you either, Elizabeth...?

Then who is the owner of that delicate scream?

L-Look over there!

How could... how could someone do such a vile thing...!

What... What's wrong with you all of a sudden?

It's all over... It's all over, I tell you...

Britannia is going to... be destroyed...

Stop saying such ominous things...

If this world was going to be destroyed so easily,

Then there'd be no point in risking our lives to protect it.

Perhaps she's just hungry?

I don't think so, Bedi.

Her meal portion today was much larger than usual.

So much so that the innkeeper... said she'd cut our wages...

Ugh... This month will be tight too...

Today's meal... was very satisfying...

A table full of steak... it was truly a magnificent sight...

Then why are you acting like this...?

So... to commemorate this feast... I was going to take out that thing.

That thing...?

The... gift sent from Beastrian...

The Legendary Giant Milk Pudding...!

That pudding... has vanished without a trace!!!

Don't tell me... that pudding Belsey gave us as a gift?

You still hadn't eaten it?

Of course! I deliberately saved it for a day with a feast, like today!

You have to fill your stomach first for dessert to taste even better!

You have unique tastes... You could've just eaten it.

Who was it, I ask you?

Who committed such a horrible act?!

It was me.

......!

You... you were the culprit?

Yes. I threw it away yesterday during the big clean-up.

Th-Threw it away... all of it...?

It looked like it was in very bad condition... because it had been stored for too long.

If it had been left for just one more night, it would have completely spoiled.

It's a good thing no one ate it...

Who gave you permission to throw it away!!!

Hm...?

Do you even know how much I was looking forward to that pudding?

While everyone else was savoring the taste with blissful expressions...

I patiently waited, holding back for the sake of my principles!

But... if you had eaten it like that, you would definitely have gotten hurt.

Are you underestimating me, the Fairy Queen?

I'm not someone who would give up just because of a little stomach ache!

Calm down... Morgana.

I understand you're angry, but... Eva was trying to help you...

Ughhh...!

Of course... you all already ate it... so you wouldn't understand!

Forget it!

I can't go on an adventure with someone who carelessly touches other people's things!

KRAAAAH-!!!

You show up at just the right time.

You'd better be prepared.

Today, I am... the Fairy Queen who has forgotten mercy.

If you don't run now... I'll turn you all into charcoal!!!

Phew, I finally feel a little relieved.

Morgan?

That voice... Lueira?

I felt a familiar Mana, so I came to check... and it was you, as expected.

It's been a while, Morgan.

Have you been well?

...I was doing well, I suppose.

Until I woke up this morning, that is.

Heh... Looks like something interesting happened again.

Would you mind telling me about it?

Walking alone is boring, after all.

I was wondering why you were alone...

So that's what happened.

To dare lay a hand on the Fairy Queen's belongings...!

That's something that would have been unimaginable in the past!

Heh... That brings back old memories.

Even when we went on adventures together, Morgan and Eva often argued over food.

They both loved to eat, after all.

Hmph, who said we fought?

I was the core strength of that party, I tell you.

Of course they should have given me the last chicken leg!

But in the end, it was Clarisse who always gave in.

She'd secretly come up and ask for just one more bowl... she was truly cute.

......

Morgan. I have a question.

What is it?

I heard that Eva... doesn't remember anything from the past.

That's right. Her journey to seal the God of Destruction... and her own past... she's forgotten everything.

In that case...

Are you going to keep our memories... a secret?

Even though her appearance has changed a bit...

We were all precious friends and companions.

If she's lost her memories, wouldn't it be okay for us to tell her the truth ourselves?

Tell her the truth...

Before that, I have one question for you.

Lueira. When you think of Clarisse... what feelings come to mind?

......

At first... my heart overflows as if I've returned home,

But eventually, I fall into deep contemplation.

It seems I still... regret the events of that day.

It's similar for me.

That's why I don't say anything.

While there are many happy memories, I don't particularly want to share a heavy burden.

......!

Then... you were deliberately hiding it?

That's right. And Clarisse...

Would want us to keep it a secret, just like this.

......

You're right...

Clarisse isn't the type of person to feel hurt if someone doesn't remember her.

I'm sorry, Morgan.

I was thoughtless.

Have you become too emotional just by spending a little time with Humans?

Don't worry about Eva.

Even though she's lost her memories... she's achieved her greatest wish.

Huh?

...You'll understand in time.

Thank you for accompanying me on this walk, Morgan.

I truly enjoyed it after so long.

Are you heading back now?

No. I'm going to travel to a very, very distant place.

Until the pudding's grudge is settled!

Heh. Why don't you go back to the Inn instead?

Someone's even come to meet you, look.

E-Ethan?!

Thanks, Lueira. Thanks to you, I found her faster than I expected.

Heh. Don't mention it.

Lueira, you... you tricked me from the start!

I'm sorry, Morgan.

I just want Morgan to get along well with her current companions.

How about you forgive them just this once... with the Fairy Queen's mercy?

Nonsense! As if the dead pudding would come back just because...

Alright, alright, I get it, so let's just go back!

Come visit the Inn when you have time later.

I'll definitely repay you for this.

Yes, Swordbringer. Please take good care of Morgan from now on.

Aaaah-!!! Let me go! Let me go, you perverted pig!

Th-This is... a Giant Milk Pudding...?

Why is the vanished pudding here...?

Moo! The Swordbringer asked me for the pudding ingredients!

I thought it wouldn't be easy to make, since it's a pudding made with my clan's secret recipe...

But this blonde lady here whipped it right up! Moo!

Blonde, you say...

Eva. Did you make this?

......Yes.

It was a choice to protect everyone,

But it's also true that I tampered with your belongings without permission.

I'm sorry, Morgana.

It's a little smaller, but... will you forgive me with this?

......

Munch munch...

......

Hmph, well, it's not bad.