《Fate: A Dragon's Journey》


 Chapter Glossary

    Chapter Glossary


    These are the mostmon terms used in Fate.


    Mana/Od: Both Mana and Od are two types of magical energy. Mana is produced by The World and can be gathered from the air and earth, but particrly coalesces in streams call Ley Lines. Od is the magical energy taken from the World and refined by the Magic Circuits in the body.


    Holy Grail: The legendary holy cup. Grants wishes by opening a hole to The Root. This allows ess to nearly unlimited Mana. The Greater Grail is a semi-sentient being who chooses Masters and Servants. The Lesser Grail is a physical object that absorbs the magical energy of fallen Servants. Once enough Servants are absorbed, the Lesser Grail can ess The Root from the physical world.


    Holy Grail War: The fight over the Holy Grail. Typicallyes with with its own set of rules. The Fuyuki Grail War began in the 1800s and urs every 60 years. It began as an attempt to ess The Root.


    Master: A mage who has entered into a contract with a Servant.


    Heroic Spirit: A copy of humanity''s greatest heroes that are kept in the Throne of Heroes. These beings are abination of the actual person and all myths/legends/feats attributed to them.


    Servant: A copy of a Heroic Spirit from the Throne of Heroes bound to the physical world by a Master.


    ss: The archetype vessel into which Heroic Spirit can be summoned. These archetypes make it easier for the Holy Grail manifest Heroic Spirits as Servants in the physical world. The main 7 sses in the Fuyuki Grail War are Saber, Lancer, Archer, Caster, Assassin, and Berserker. The sses of Shielder, Ruler, Avenger, and Saver have also been observed in unique cases.


    Command Seal/Spell: A magical mark that can be used topel Servants into action. They are made of pure mana, so they can be used for other purposes as well. Masters are typically given three Command Seals.


    Noble Phantasm: A weapon or ability used by Heroic Spirits. These are usually symbols of their renown and represent a Heroic Spirit''s unique strengths and abilities.


    Mystic Code: A weapon or magical item used by mages to augment their magical orbat abilities.


    Familiar: A magical creature that obeys the will of its master. Typically takes the form of a small animal, but technically includes Servants, golems, and puppets.


    The Throne of Heroes: A location outside of time and space where ya stores Heroic Spirits. These beings are usually used as agents of The Counter Force. However, mages have broken into this ce to use Heroic Spirits as Servants in Holy Grail Wars.


    Homunculi: Artificial human-like beings mostmonly produced by the Einzbern family. These beings have no souls but are adept at producing magical energy and following their programming.


    The Mage''s Association: The most prominent group of mages in the world. From their headquarters in the Clocktower of London, these mages seek to teach, regte, and keep magic a secret from non-mages.


    Magic/Thaumaturgy: There are two types of magecraft: Thaumaturgy and Magic. Magic is sometimes called True Magic to separate it from the general term of magic. Thaumaturgy is any magecraft that could be aplished by sufficiently advanced science, but is done through supernatural means instead. For example, lead can be transmuted to gold through transmutation magic, but can also be transformed through nuclear fission. True Magic is something that cannot be done through science. As science and magecraft advances, the ssification of certain spells can change from Magic to Thaumaturgy and vice versa. Currently, there are only 5 True Magics, which are listed below.


    First Magic: Unknown. Could be the concept known as the "Denial of Nothingness", which allows for the creation of matter from nothing.


    Second Magic: Known as the "Operation of Parallel Worlds". Allows a user to shift into parallel universes. This is the reason why all Fate works can be considered canon. Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg is its current user.


    Third Magic: Known as the "Materialization of the Soul". Grants immortality and resurrection abilities by removing the soul from the cycle of The Root. The Third Magic was originally achieved by the Einzbern family, but its secret was lost one thousand years ago. For the next eight centuries, the Einzberns sought to recover it until finallying up with the concept of the Holy Grail War.


    Fourth Magic: Details are unknown, but mages agree it definitely exists.


    Fifth Magic: Time Travel. Though, because this can be aplished using the Second Magic, there may be other elements yet unknown. Aoko Aozaki is its current user.


    The Root/Swirl of the Root/Akasha: The source of all Mana and human souls. Most mages endeavor to ess the Root for purposes of immortality, power, or renown. When a human dies, their soul is returned to the Root. When a human is born, a soul is taken from the Root. Because the Root''s power is spread across humans more or less equally, the less humans there are, the more magical potential each will hold. In the past, magic wasmonce. However, it has all but faded in the present day.


    ya: A semi-sentient being who is the collective conscience of humanity. ya was once a part of Gaia, but grew too powerful. ya collects the best of humanity as Heroic Spirits in the Throne of Heroes. They are used to defend humanity as actors of the Counter Force.


    Gaia: A semi-sentient being who acts as the conscious will of the Earth. Gaia uses magical beasts to defend nature and animals. These creatures are the agents of the Counter Force. Supernatural acts of magic require energy called Mana to maintain or will be destroyed by Gaia. Gaia frequentlyes into conflict with ya.


    The Church: A Christian group that seeks to collect holy artifacts, deal with sinful abominations such as Vampires, and control believers. Frequentlyes into conflict with The Mage''s Association.


    The Counterforce: A term used to describe actions taken by Gaia or ya to defend their respective domain. If one grows too strong and threatens the other''s safety, the defendant will summon certain agents such as Heroic Spirits or magical beasts. Gaia and ya endlessly counter each other''s efforts and keep the word in bnce. In the past few thousand years, ya has grown significantly in power.


    Dead Apostles: Humans that have be vampires, gaining a zombie like hunger for human flesh. One of the main targets of The Church.

 Chapter 1: The ghost in the forest

    Chapter 1: The ghost in the forest


    Before you go further, this fanfic contains the following tags: Incest and Harem. Turn around if you cant read those.


    The first chapter contains some heavy themes. Well, nothing this tform cant stomach.


    ---


    We, humans, have a habit of taking things for granted. Only when something has gone far out of our reach, do we yearn to get it back.


    Haruki''s mind wandered as he stood before his mother''s grave with an umbre shielding him from the wretched downpour. Yesterday, while he was out working at his part-time job, his mother hung herself in her room.


    She worked tirelessly as a teacher in the morning and bar attendant in the evening. Not the best profession for a beautiful woman, but she endured it to earn his school fees and other expenses. She got more than enough from her teacher''s job, but she kept doing her second job. She refused to take any help from him, saying he wasn''t allowed to do any job. He snuck behind her back and got a part-time job to surprise her on her birthday with a gift.


    He could''ve said so many things to her, like "thank you for working so hard for me" and much more. He was reincarnated in this fictional world where the Magus and Servants battled for the ultimate wish-granting tool without a cheat. Even as a normal human, he tried his best to build physical strength and practice in dojos. He just wanted a peaceful life with his mother after all the bullshit he went through in hisst life. And the only way to ensure peace was through strength.


    After all, he had no cheats to contend against the all-powerful Magus.


    And that was it.


    It was toote now. Standing here alone with regrets and a handy umbre, he realized how wrong he was. He will have to carry these regrets or crumble under their weight. If a demon appeared here right now and offered him a deal to bring his mother back, he''d dly offer anything, even his life.


    He just wanted to say how much he appreciated her.


    ''But that''s not possible, is it?''


    It wasn''t like him to be philosophical. He wracked his brain for a rational solution. The uing Holy Grail War. It might be a way to resurrect his mother but how was he supposed to be a Master without magic circuits?


    He stepped out of the cemetery and wandered into the wide streets of Miyama Town. Staying in his home will drive him crazy. His mother''s bank ount had about 5,50,000 yen while he had 30,000 yen. They might seem like a lot at first nce. However, a cheap room''s rent was about 25,000 and above.


    This wasn''t the life he imagined after reincarnating in the FATE world, not even close. This must be the punishment for bullying his little brother in his past life, whose immense talent was wasted with his passive demeanor. He just wanted to bring his brother on the right path to help the family business, but he went too far and made their rtionship irreparable. His brother would have cursed him after hisdy bodyguard murdered him and herself in cold blood.


    ''Way to go out, Lil'' bro.''


    His death hit him more than he imagined. To fill the void left from his death, he tried reading the manga and anime his brother rmended to him all the time and ended up joining the weebmunity. He didn''t care at that point after already giving a middle finger to his family and friends.


    Even then, he couldn''tprehend his brother''s fetish with lolis.


    ''What did he even see in them?''


    Mature women were the best. That''s probably one of the reasons he became so attached to his mother.


    He shook his head and put an end to his thoughts. Coming to his senses, he found himself in a forest.


    ''The outskirts of Miyama town.''


    He wrapped back the umbre and sat on the nearby bench. As he cast a gaze at the cloudy sky, a sense of loneliness engulfed him. He held his head in his hands.


    "When did I turn into such a momcon?"


    "Haruki" A ghostly whisper reached him.


    Haruki Hayashi, that was his name But who said it? From the corner of his eyes, he saw an ethereal figure on the roadside. The silhouette reminded him of my mother, just for a bit.


    He sighed and followed wherever it wanted to lead him. Two ring lights peered through the fog. A truck steered right in his direction.


    "A ghost taking me to Truck-kun. Does it want me to isekai? Or join the wandering ghostsmunity?"


    He chuckled at the irony. The lore of Truck-kun could be real. He had never imagined that reincarnation was real until it happened to him. He nced down at his foot. One step away from the truck''s path.


    "Should I?"


    Maybe he''d get another chance like Subaru and get back.


    ''Nah, that''s impossible.''


    He took a step back.


    Buzz! The phone in his pocket tingled his thighs. He fished it out and saw a missed call from none other than Yandere herself. As he reached the call back button, a loud screech pierced his ears.


    ...The truck slipped on the wet road, drifting uncontrobly off the road. It just so happened to be speeding toward his direction as if saying, "Bro,''ere. It''s your friend, Truck-kun."


    Everything happened so fast he couldn''t react.


    ''Oh dear lord, is this the closure to my second life?''


    ***


    For those who couldn''t tell, there is more his mother''s death than just a simple suicide. I didn''t want to spoil but a lot of readers were triggered over this.

 Chapter 2: Hope

    Chapter 2: Hope


    A/N:- Wait, hold on! Someone asked why didn''t he learn magic? Well, magic doesn''t work like that in Nasuverse. You need magic circuits to cast magecraft spells. Haruki doesn''t have any magic circuits.


    ***


    A groggy feeling rose in Haruki''s head. His eyes flew open to a pristine white ceiling.


    ''Where the fuck I am?''


    He pushed himself up and surveyed the surroundings. A pure white room with nothing but a bed exclusive to him.


    "You idiot. How can a dragon almost die in a truck crash? You''re such a hopeless kid."


    A woman''s voice echoed, saying some not-so-nice things about a dragon almost dying in a truck crash.


    Haruki turned to his right and his eyes stretched in disbelief.


    A woman sat cross-legged on a red couch holding a pipe in her hand. Her ruby hair cascaded down to her raven dress, which barely covered her long legs. Her most eye-catching feature was the ck horns curving behind her head, giving her the appearance of a demon from a fantasy manga.


    She was hands down the most beautiful woman Haruki had ever met. The statement was considerably heavying from a guy with decent experience in two worlds.


    The woman''s lips curled up in a bright grin, as her crystal-clear golden eyes narrowed to slits. "You won''t be getting out of this withpliments. Tell me. Why did you not use the system?"


    ''Did she just read my mind? What System?''


    "Yes. I did."


    Mind reading was the worst kind of privacy invasion in his humble opinion.


    "Who''re you? What is this ''System'' and ''Dragon'' you keep talking about?"


    "Huh? You don''t remember me?"


    "I don''t think I met you before."


    Haruki wasn''t the type to forget a piece of art like her. Could she be the goddess who reincarnated him?


    A whirlpool swirled inside her eyes before her pupils widened in shock. "I-It can''t be."


    "What happened, love?"


    "I I forgot to activate your system."


    "..."


    This goddess was on another level. No, she was on another ne of existence. She reincarnated him but forgot to activate his cheat.


    Such sphemy!


    "I''m sorry."


    "First of all, who are you?"


    "Arch, the mother goddess of all dragons and luck."


    The goddess of dragons and luck reincarnated him. This was shady. Too shady for his taste. He was one of the guys who read every sentence of Terms & Conditions so it didn''te to bite him in the asster. A goddess wouldn''t reincarnate him without a reason. It sounded like she was making excuses. Otherwise, why would she not notice for seventeen years? Then again, he was a normal human with more than average strength. He wasn''t a wuxia protagonist or an idiot who would scream at a goddess for this. She might just swat him out of existence just for that.


    "I can understand your suspicions. The reason I chose you is something personal."


    Personal? Did his handsome visage charm this goddess?


    "Keep dreaming." she rolled her eyes.


    ''What a bummer.''


    "So, any reason you have hauled my dead ass here?"


    "It was to save you. Though it was unnecessary since someone else already helped you."


    "Who is it?"


    "See them for yourself after I send you back. What were you doing chasing women around the city when your mother worked her ass off every day? Don''t you have a conscience?"


    Haruki chased women to find someone else other than his mom. He didn''t want to creep out his only family because of his forbidden feelings. With a handsome face and decent body, his luck with girls wasn''t that bad. He received love letters now and then. But the girls in his school didn''t turn him on. Only the mature women did, and none of them wanted a long-term rtionship with a student like him. With his experience, he could easily start a sessful business. But he was toozy to even try. Even if he did, his mother wouldn''t have epted the money for she had an EX-ss stubbornness.


    "Were you watching me this whole time?"


    "I was," she answered in a matter-of-fact tone. "I also remember you jacking off to incest hentai. It was a little weird."


    To think she even watched that part of his lifeher dictionarycked the word privacy!


    "It was just once..." he said. "Okay?"


    "You, do you really love your mother as a woman?"


    "Of course, I do. Now you''re being an idiot for asking an obvious question," he ignored her deep frown and continued, "What did you want me to do in Nasuverse?"


    He refused to believe a mean woman like her sent him to Nasuverse out of kindness.


    "Conquer the world."


    "You wanted a normal human to conquer a world full of gods and spirits. Not to talk about the Ultimate Ones of others."


    A''s consciousness was known as the Ultimate One such as Type Mercury and Type Venus, but Gaia and ya weren''t a part of them. Earth had a blonde vampire instead. It literally took the definition of ''Fighting against the whole world'' to another level. Not to mention she didn''t activate his cheat.


    He stared at her with disappointment in his eyes.


    "I did say I turned you into a dragon," she said, pouting her cheeks. "I just forgot to activate your abilities. It would still be a bit difficult, but you could have managed just fine with the System."


    Abilities and System Haruki got more and more curious about this System she kept mentioning.


    "Are you so bored that you''d send a random guy to conquer a fictional world?"


    "I have my personal reasons. Let''s leave it at that. I''m about to send you back with your new abilities. Try not to die before conquering the world."


    "Yes, Ma''am! Can I ask another question?"


    "If it''s about your mother," she said with a sigh. "I cannot help you in any way. My powers will break the fragile fictional world held together by imagination. The only way I can interact with it all is through you. The Holy Grail, even if corrupted, can resurrect your mother."


    There was some hope. Turning that into reality would require a shit ton of effort. He will still need a servant to participate in the war. The war had long started, and the servants should''ve been summoned. Sakura informed him a week earlier about everything. He''ll have to settle with one of the seven servants.


    ''Who do I choose though?''


    The strongest and the most arrogant blonde antagonist and Heracles were out of the question. They will never cooperate. Archer was fated to be summoned by Tsundere Tohsaka. That left him with Lancer, Saber, Rider, and Caster.


    Lancer was a cool dude, someone Haruki could get along with. Artoria was the ticket to an easy victory, and Rider was strong enough to give the legendary King Arthur a run for her money. Caster was the weakest servant as every other servant had something that could resist or counter her magecraft. However, she was also the one Haruki liked the most. She was one of the most tragic characters in Greek mythology. Besides, who doesn''t love and cheer for an underdog?


    "Actually, you will find a servant near you when you wake up."


    "Who is it?"


    "Find them yourself."


    She caressed his cheeks with her warm hand. He found it oddly familiar. Before he solved the mystery of the familiar sensation, his eyes started to droop.


    ''This goddess and her fetish for knocking me out.''


    Haruki still couldn''t wipe the grin off his face.


    ''Fuyuki Holy Grail War, here Ie!''

 Chapter 3: Dragon Blood System

    Chapter 3: Dragon Blood System


    Medea nced down at the young man resting his head on herp. His messy raven hair covered his rather charming face. She had pulled him away from the crashing truck just in the nick of time, but the mental shock made him pass out on the spot.


    Cough! Cough!


    A burning pain shot through her chest, bringing out some nasty coughs. She leaned her weight on the tree and took deep breaths. The magic power in her body dwindled every fleeting moment. She had no time to reach the Ryuudou Temple, where the Grail was about to be summoned.


    "To be summoned and disappear before a fight, is this the end?"


    She only had two choices. Either give up her dream or contract the young man sleeping calmly on herp and ept him as her Master. As a Heroic Spirit of Caster ss, she could sense the magic power swirling inside his body. It was no less than her previous Master, the magus whose charred body could still be found in his workshop. Despite being a self-centered scum, his skills as a Magus were great, at least for this era where the magecraft had been reduced to a fraction of its former glory.


    ''I don''t have time to be picky.''


    She thought as her eyes drooped close.


    ***


    As Haruki''s senses returned, he felt something soft under his head. He skeptically opened his eyes. The glittering stars looked amazing as always. The hooded woman, whosep he slept on, was leaning against a tree seemingly unconscious.


    ''Who in the world?''


    He shot up reflexively and observed her. The shy robe, a pale face under the hoodshe was Medea, the Caster ss Servant. Born as a princess of Colchis, then forced by Aphrodite to unconditionally love the Argonaut, Jason, whom she never met before. After giving her everything, the so-called hero left her for another woman.


    A true piece of shit.


    Her story was still vivid in his memories.


    ''She saved me from the truck?''


    It made sense considering this ce was only some hundred meters away from Ryuudou Temple. Caster found her Master Kuzuki in Ryuudou Temple, or she was supposed to.


    "Wait."


    Without Caster taking control of the temple, she had no chance to summon the Assassin ss servant.


    Haruki gently shook her shoulder, aplishing nothing. Should he kidnap her? He couldn''t summon a Servant unless he asked Sakura''s help. The process wasplicated as hell.


    ''Also, where is the System?!''


    As if answering his question, a hologram-like cobalt blue window appeared before him.


    [Dragon Blood System is now online!]


    [List of Functions avable in Dragon Blood System]


    -Status: Shows your current Parameters, Skills, and Authorities.


    -Tasks: Set a task and finish them to get rewarded by your goddess.


    -Partners: Dragons take pride in their partners. Mating with strong partners can awaken new skills and authorities.


    -Gacha: ess the shop of gacha powered by the Goddess of Luck!


    ''Dragon Blood System? Partners list and Gacha shop...''


    His weeb senses tingled in anticipation.


    [Quantifying your current status]


    [Haruki Hayashi]


    Species: Dragon [Current awakening progress 0.2%]


    Age: 17


    Gender: Male


    Height, Weight: 179cm/74kg


    Alignment: Chaotic Neutral


    [Parameters]


    Strength: 5 (E-)


    Endurance: 6 (E-)


    Agility: 4 (F)


    Magical energy: 24 (D)


    Luck: 10 (E)


    [Authorities]


    Dragon Heart


    A dragon heart imnted into your body by Arch. It will be moreplete every time you dominate a battle or your body surpasses its limits.


    Dragon Blood


    The dragon heart pumps pure Dragon Blood in your veins. The blood brimming with fire energy can be used for many purposes. You have to find them yourself.


    [Skills]


    Sojutsu [E]


    Info: Acquired from your great practice with a spear.


    Effect: Increases damage with spear-type weapons.


    Bujutsu [D]


    Info: Acquired from immense proficiency in Bujutsu arts.


    Effect: Increases damage with physical attacks.


    Charisma [D]


    Info: Natural talent to lead others as well the charm to attract the opposite gender.


    Effect: People will have a favorable first impression of you as long as you are not enemies with them.


    He only awakened 0.2% of his powers? And toplete it, he had to dominate in battles, push his physical limits, or have sex with strong women to gain skills and authorities? This was one twisted way to grow stronger. Though he preferred using wits to gain the advantage, purely relying on dominance might not be bad. Still, he refused to sleep with women for power, unless the woman willingly slept with him. He stopped treating people like shit after his brother died.


    He looked at the skills. Sojutsu and Bujutsu, which he had learned for self-defense. As a young master, he was very familiar with the world, how the upper hierarchy kicked the weak around. Martial arts and Bujutsu was the least he could do to gain strength without having magic circuits to be a mage. The Charisma Skill perhaps came from his past life as he spent a majority of his life leading his subordinates.


    ''Arch, can I get a rough estimate of my power?''


    Her reply came in the form of a blue window.


    Answer: 1 point corresponds to an average human''s ability in that certain stat.


    He had five times the strength and twenty-four times the magical energy of an average human. It made him stronger than most Magus out there.


    Answer: Yes. This was the lowest I could put you as a dragon.


    ''Why would you want to put me low and expect me to conquer this absurdly powerful world?''


    Answer: Who doesn''t love and cheer for an underdog?


    His face twitched at her retort. He''d prefer to hear her gentle voice instead of these screens, or it''d be a waste of such a sweet voice... He wasn''t in a position to whine about it.


    He postponed the investigation of other functions. Bringing Medea to a safe ce took more priority. Even if she refused to form a contract, giving her shelter was the least he could do to repay her.


    He turned around and pulled her hands over his shoulder, lifting her on his back. He steadied his grip on the ground and dashed toward the city.


    The rain restarted, dropping on his head like a machinegun''s bullets.


    Glowing particles drifted from Medeashe was disappearing! Servants required magical energy to remain in this world. Medea killed her Magus Master after getting summoned, and without a source of energy, she was bound to disappear.


    Haruki elerated his pace, soon arriving in the streets he grew up in.


    Good thing nobody witnessed him entering the house with Medea. He stopped and looked up at his home. Nothing seemed out of ce. As if the brte will wee him if he opens the doorthe feeling was stuck in the back of his head.


    He opened the door with the key. A strange feeling passed through him as if something around him changed.


    Swiveling his head, he tried to search for the oddity.


    "Must be my imagination."


    He strode inside, and a faint floral scent weed him. The nostalgic scent he grew up with still lingered in the air. He switched on the lights and carried Medea through the hallways filled with warm and bitter memories before taking the stairs.


    Creak. He paused and tapped the wooden stairs with his heel.


    ''This shouldn''t be this hollow afterst month''s renovation.''


    Keeping his eyes off of the room at the end of the corridor, he entered the first room and ced Medea on the bed. Her robes immediately drenched the mattress.


    He plopped on the edge of the bed and took a deep breath. Running from the forest to home with a grown-up woman on his back wasn''t an easy feat on an empty stomach.


    He changed out of the wet clothes and donned a simple shirt and shorts. He set a chair before the bed and slumped down. Medea''s chest heaved ever so slowly. Her robe had gotten wet from the rain.


    ''Should I change her clothes?''


    He immediately discarded the idea. She mightbel him as a pervert and kill him with her Magecraft from the Age of the Gods.


    ''Say no to the bad endings!''

 Chapter 4: The Whispers Intensifies

    Chapter 4: The Whispers Intensifies


    Some things might be wrong in this fiction ''cause I don''t know everything about FATE. It''s impossible to take everything into consideration when I write, so tell me if you find anything wrong. I''ll try to fix it.


    Also, romance is gonna be kinda slow in this one.


    ***


    "Fuck. I forgot about her magic power."


    Haruki recalled that Medea was about to disappear moments ago. Looking closer, Haruki found her doing just fine.


    ''Should I transfer Prana?''


    The only way to do so was through bodily fluids aka either she drank his semen or he filled her with his semen. He wasn''t about to do either as blood also carried magic power. What''s more, he had dragon blood in his veins, which should have plenty of mana.


    ''I hope she doesn''t realize my race from my blood.''


    As Haruki got up to bring his knife. Bzzzt. His phone vibrated. He picked it up to find notifications of dozens of emails.


    11:56 - Senpai, I heard what happened to your mother. Please, hang in there until I''m free.


    13:00 - Senpai, are you there?


    13:50 - Haruki-senpai, please reply.


    15:49 - Senpai?


    Haruki rubbed his forehead in worry. Where did he go wrong with Sakura? He only saved her when the children were bullying her for her ''foreign violet'' hair in the park. He didn''t realize she was Sakura until she introduced herself. She looked a lot different in her childhood.


    As a proud weeb who consumed almost everything rted to the FATE franchise, he preferred to stay the hell away from her fucked up family. Contrary to his wishes, she transferred to his school and started observing him from a distance, trailing him around the school. She had to be stopped before the animews turned her full yandere. So, with the intent to put an end to everything, Haruki approached his stalker.


    Well, the meeting went quite wrong when she revealed the unpleasant things Zouken and Shinji''s father did to her. Though he prided himself for knowing how twisted humans could get, seeing a little girl getting that brutal treatment still chilled his spine.


    In selfish pity, he ended up bing her only friend. As much as he wished to help her, he could do nothing other than beating Shinji up. Well, it was enough to stop him from viting Sakura though. Shinji will be his first target in this war. Shinji was no stronger than any average human, and he had no talent in magecraft. But he was the fake master of Rider with Sakura being the true one.


    ''I hope this isn''t that route.''


    He shuddered at the possibility. Heaven''s Feel. The only route where Sakura was made into the Lesser Grail, the tool to summon the Greater Grail. Yandere Sakura became unstoppable, ughtering Servants left and right. The thought of Yandere Sakura chasing him sent shivers down his spine. His first goal was to prevent that from happening.


    ''About goals''


    He hadn''t checked the ''Tasks'' function of this System.


    "Tasks."


    [Tasks]


    -Task Creator: Create a new task.


    -Active tasks: Lists active tasks.


    Touching the ''Active tasks'' brought nothing, so he tried the ''Task Creator.'' It brought up another window, asking for a ''Task.''


    "Resurrect my mom through the Grail."


    Calcting rewards based on difficulty Assessmentplete.


    Task #1: Resurrect my mom through the Grail.


    Difficulty: A-Rank


    Rewards: 3x Premium-Grade Gacha Coupons


    The premium gacha coupons brought him back to his first experience with gacha games. They certainly made him an addict, well, for a week or so only.


    ''Why Gacha though? Can''t you just reward me directly?''


    The concept of Gacha was fishy.


    Answer: I cannot do anything else as a Goddess of Luck sorry, if a weak goddess like me disappointed you.


    ''Weak? I never said that you gave me the hope to bring back my mom. I was ready to sell my soul for it. How could you disappoint me?''


    Answer: Thanks for your understanding.


    ''She might be a good person deep down.''


    Bzzzt. His phone pleaded for his attention, which turned out to be another message from Sakura. He dialed her number, and she instantly picked up the call.


    "I''m sorry, Senpai," she apologized before he said anything. "I couldn''te to Okaa-san''s funeral."


    "Don''t mind that. What''s up with the messages? I was sleeping. You don''t need to worry about me."


    "Senpai, I''ming over."


    Should he tell her about my participation in this war? She''lle to know even if he doesn''t. She might go bonkers if he didn''t tell her.


    "Okay. Come at dinner time."


    "Take care, Senpai," she said and hung up the call.


    Haruki observed Medea again. She still showed no signs of disappearing.


    ''Did I see wrong?''


    He shrugged and headed to the kitchen. He tucked the kitchen knife in his pocket and filled a ss with water. As he put the ss to his lips, a blow of cold wind caressed his neck.


    "Haruki"


    The same whisper echoed.


    ''Who the fuck?''


    He turned around to find no one. Was it just his imagination again or some ghost was haunting him? The only person who died in his house was his mother.


    ''It can''t be!''


    He refused to believe the thought of his innocent mother haunting him. He moved out of the kitchen and the lights in the narrow corridor flickered as if some paranormal activity was about to happen.


    Cold sweat covered his forehead. He may have superhuman strength, but he had no way to fight a ghost. He sure as hell wasn''t about to be killed by some random ghost. Not after he found some hope to revive his mother! He rushed upstairs to his room and shut the sliding door. This was the safest ce against the ghosts. Heroic Spirits were way superior to some random ghosts.


    The cold airing from the window cooled his sweat. He sat before Medea and sighed.


    ''That was scary.''


    Medea still slept soundly. Haruki couldn''t feed her blood without uncovering her hood. He also couldn''t resist the curiosity about her look. Who wouldn''t be curious to see a waifu in real life. As he slowly pulled her hood soaked in blood, a pale face with long, sharp ears appeared. Despite the bloodstains on her cheeks, she looked as beautiful as a woman could get.


    He shook his head. Jason was such an idiot for abandoning her.


    Her beauty aside, he still needed to do something about her. As much as he sympathized with her tragic past, he had no intentions to be yed to death by her, which she would undoubtedly do if he formed a contract with her. The broken assassin who conquered her heart in the canon was a different man. A serial killer with almost zero emotions. He couldn''t be that guy, neither did he n to be.


    ''If only I had Asahi''s skills to woo women, this war would be a piece of cake.''


    His brother would just go and seduce all the female servants and masters to his side. There would be no war if everyone was on the same side.


    "Uh." Medea''s face suddenly morphed as she squirmed.


    Was she having a nightmare?

 Chapter 5: The Spirit

    Chapter 5: The Spirit


    [Medea''s POV]


    The bubbles filled with memories wandered in Medea''s mind. Each bubble reflected glimpses of her past. Learning the magecraft as the disciple of Goddess Hecate, roaming the streets of a lively kingdom her father ruled, or spending time to learn etiquette from her mothershe was living a dream life, content within the peaceful bounds of her kingdom.


    Until that day, when a ship arrived. Jason, the most famous Argonaut, arrived at Colchis to snatch the Golden Fleece in her father''s possession. Jason had no way to ovee this trial by himself, so Goddess Aphrodite controlled Medea''s mind into loving Jason.


    The blind love for Jason was merely the start of her nightmare. The charmpelled her tomit atrocious acts to help Jason without feeling any shred of remorse.


    The bubble exploded and the next bubble stopped before her. It showed a man''s corpse. A familiar man who was once known as Apsyrtus, her brother. She turned her eyes away from the sight of her brother chopped in pieces while whispering an apology.


    The memories kept showering her in regrets until her eyes snapped open. An unfamiliar ceiling entered her eyes.


    ''Where am I?''


    She pushed down the fluffy futon and sat up. The well-lit room filled with odd books gave her a twisted illusion as if she was in the haunted graves she upied after escaping from Colchis. She couldn''t put a finger on it, but this ce reeked of tragedy. Somehow weak magical energy flowed in the air, enough to sustain her in the physical world.


    ''How odd. Is this a magus workshop?''


    Magus did all sorts of demonic rituals. This might be the result of one such atrocity.


    "Oh, you''re awake."


    She turned her head to the voice. A young man smiled at her, his messy raven hair sticking to his calm, handsome face. The person she saved in the forest. Medea scrutinized the hollow look in his deep red eyes, something she never expected from a boy this young.


    "You are?"


    "Haruki," the boy said. "Haruki Hayashi."


    "I passed out in the forest?"


    "Yes."


    "This ce is your workshop?"


    "No," he paused, hesitation apparent on his face. He shook his head firmly, awakening an odd glimmer in his eyes. "I want to be your Master in this war."


    Medea''s eyes flew wide open, not expecting the young man''s offer. She wanted the same. Still, she couldn''t help but wonder, was he one of those idiotic Magus intent on winning the grail for the riches? She cast her gaze on the room. Surely, the wooden ceiling seemed a little cheap in her eyes.


    ''I cannot die yet. I... must use him as a puppet to win. Colchis, I want to return to my roots and kill him before Aphrodite curses me. I must do that.''


    As much as she hated to manipte an innocent, she had no other choice. This might be herst opportunity to cleanse her regrets with the Holy Grail. She wasn''t a hero, so she had no chance of being chosen by the Throne of Heroes. This war was too abnormal to summon a Spirit with an ''Evil'' alignment like her.


    A sudden chill froze her. Her eyes darted toward the door, only to find nothing.


    ''...What was that?''


    She drew a deep sigh. "I agree. Shall we form the pact?"


    "What do I have to do?"


    Medea held out her hand. Haruki tilted his head in wonder and sped her hand.


    Medea closed her eyes, muttering her request to the Grail itself. A momentter, a crimson glow enveloped Haruki''s hand. Medea released his hand and observed the leftover mark of themand spell. She already forced her previous master to consume all threemand spells, so her new Master had nothing.


    ''My chances of winning with Commands Spells were abysmal. Do I stand a chance without them?''


    Amand spell was the crystallization of great magical energy that allowed Servants to use their trump card; it also acted as a Master''s leash on a servant.


    ''I will have to rely on his magical energy.''


    Medea tried to sense her connection, curious how much magical energy this young master possesses.


    Thump!


    Her heart throbbed in her ears. Widening her eyes, she stared at Haruki.


    ''So much''


    Her thoughts halted, and her head snapped toward the door. An ethereal figure floated behind Haruki. Just looking at the golden embers in its eyes froze Medea.


    ''What is this Spirit?''


    Any Spirit she ever encountered paled before this. She couldn''t fathom how many grudges or regrets they had to be this strong. Instead of attacking, it just hovered there as if watching over the young man.


    Medea calmed down and assessed the situation. This faint smell of blood, her master''s gloomy aura, and the Spirit''s attachment to himshe quickly came to a conclusion.


    ''So that''s how it is, Master. What kind of man are you to gain this fierce protection from an Evil Spirit?''

 Chapter 6: Treasure Box

    Chapter 6: Treasure Box


    Here are some references images for main characters (Check paragraphments)


    Haruki


    Arch


    Medea


    And vote!


    ***


    The moment Medea confirmed the contract, Haruki felt something flowing through his body.


    [Medea is added to the ''Potential Partners'' list.]


    Medea stared wide-eyed at something behind him. He looked over his shoulder to find nothing.


    "Is something wrong?"


    Medea shook her head with a tiny smile that tugged at Haruki''s heart. "Nothing. You can call me Caster."


    "Alright."


    "Would it be okay for me to rest? We''ve to use any chance to save our magical energy."


    "No problem."


    Haruki got up and left the room. He went to the living room and took a seat on the couch. He was itching to check the Partners list.


    "Partners list."


    The list popped up instantly.


    [Partners]


    None


    [Potential Partners]


    Medea: A Sorcerer from the Age of Gods and your current Servant, tied to you by the Fuyuki Holy Grail System.


    -Current Status  Confused over your mana exceeding low-ss Servants.


    -Rtionship Status  11/100


    -Species  Spirit


    -Age  Uncountable


    -Gender  Female


    -Height, Weight  163cm/51kg


    -Alignment  Neutral Evil


    -Parameters


    Strength: 10 (E)


    Endurance: 21 (D)


    Agility: 32 (C)


    Magical energy: 54 (A)


    Luck: 40 (B)


    -Authorities


    None


    -Noble Phantasm


    Rule Breaker


    Description: An anti-magic Noble Phantasm capable of destroying and dispelling any Magecraft.


    -Skills


    Rapid Words of Divine [A]


    Info: Using the Age of Gods, Medea can cast spells without the use of Magic Circuits.


    Item Construction [A]


    Info: A skill inherent to the Caster ss. Medea can construct magical items far superior to modern magi.


    Territory Creation [A]


    Info: A skill inherent to the Caster ss. Medea can convert any ce into her territory to gather mana from the surroundings.


    The system chose Medea as a potential partner. He didn''t mind having Medea as a lover after he was done resurrecting his mother.


    ''One step at a time. Let''s start with earning her trust. Arch, you love to invade people''s privacy, don''t you?''


    Answer: No. It''s for your good. You can conquer your potential partners easily with this.


    ''Eleven out of hundred points. How much is that?''


    Answer: 0-10 points  Stranger, 11-20 points  Acquaintance, 21-50 points  Friends, 51-75  Loyal friends, 76-99  More than a friend, less than a lover, 100 and above  Lover.


    ''Acquaintance is not bad.''


    Harukipared her stats to the servant''s stats he recalled. Artoria had an A-Rank in almost all parameters, showing how powerful of a servant she was. Medea''s skills also weren''t that overwhelming. He had to work hard topensate for her weaknesses, starting with summoning the Assassin ss Servant before someone else does it. Especially Zouken, the old ancestor of the Matou n. That old mage will ruin everything if he summons Hassan of the Cursed Arm. He''d rather not fight someone who could crush his heart without properly fighting him.


    This war was certainly going to be a hell of a battle.


    "Mom, just you wait. I''ll have you by my side, or I''ll die trying."


    A chilly wind brushed past his face. For a moment, he thought it was his mother, who did this to encourage him. He pped his cheeks to shake off the depression.


    ''What about my magic circuits?''


    They were essential in casting any kind of spell. Having this much mana would be a waste without them.


    Answer: A dragon exerts its dominance on the mana itself to cast spells. You don''t need magic circuits for that.


    This goddess might be into BDSM. Thinking, Haruki chuckled.


    ''I''ll think after eating something.''


    Though he could cook edible meals, letting Medea eat it might be a bit cruel. He decided to buy something from the restaurant before Sakura arrived and insisted on cooking.


    He knocked on his room''s door. "Caster, I''m going out. Can you look after home?"


    "Master, wait. I''ming," she said and snappily slid the door.


    "You don''t need to."


    "You are not going without me. Your magical energy is hardly concealed. It will give your position to others Masters. I can hide it and protect you."


    She remained firm, unwilling to back out.


    "Alright," he consented. She will certainly help if the ghost strikes again.


    She suddenly vanished. Haruki could still sense her presence around him.


    "Master, this is my spiritual form. The magic consumption is reduced but my senses are fairly limited."


    "Juste in your physical form. I mean, it would be better to experience this new century through your eyes. I have plenty of magical energy to spare."


    "Master, I can''t."


    This stubborn woman was probably having thoughts like ''I don''t want to trouble him'' or ''He can''t be serious about bringing me with him.'' Haruki was fairly assured of this.


    Haruki rubbed the back of his neck. "Sheesh. What are you hesitating for? It''s not like someone will identify you after you cover your ears."


    "..."


    He let out a sigh at her silence. It felt awkward to be the only one talking in a conversation. But he had to persist and earn her trust. They will both die if none of them trusted each other in this war.


    ''Arch, am I doing this wrong?''


    [Answer: No it''s vital to trust your allies in a war.]


    This goddess was so kind.


    "...Master, my clothes aren''t suited for this city."


    The minor achievement of persuading the stubborn woman brought a smile to his face.


    "You can try my mother''s clothes."


    Medea was slim and petitepared to his mother. A cold wind touched the back of his neck, a shiver running down his spine.


    "Master?"


    "Follow me."


    He headed to his mother''s room. The pale pink walls with white furniture made the room elegant and girly at the same time. He opened the cupboard and shuffled through the dresses.


    Medea materialized beside him and curiously looked at the clothes. Suddenly, her eyes narrowed, and she stretched her finger. "Master, does that chest belong to you?"


    He followed her finger to a wooden chest lying on the shelf. It also had a giant keyhole like those ssic treasure chests.


    Medea grabbed the box with both arms. "It has an enchantment on it."


    "Enchantment? ...Mom was a Magus?" He shook his head. "That''s impossible."


    Medea flipped the chest and stared at the small square cutout with delicate text, her blue eyes shimmering with mild amusement. "It is an intricate blood identification-type spell. I can crack it through brute force. Master?"


    "Is there no other option?"


    "Try dripping your blood on this area. It should unlock if she left it as your inheritance."


    He needed to confirm the new theory shoved in his face. Taking a needle from his mother''s sewing set in the drawer, he pricked his finger. He touched the designated area and waited.


    Click! The chest''s lid loosened. Haruki opened the chest. The contents were enough to make a grown man like him blush.


    ''Why is she collecting my sleeping photos?''


    Medea picked the photos and shuffled through them. He even found a recent one where he was sleeping entirely naked in his room.


    ''What the hell, Mom!''


    Medea silently put the photos aside as if being considerate of his dignity. He picked up the white envelope left in the chest and tore the seal. He pulled the letter from inside and read it.


    {Haru dear. If you''re reading this letter, that means I have died or gone missing...


    I wanted to say this line from my twenties!


    Sorry for getting distracted.}


    ''Haru that''s the nickname she chose for me. Can''t believe my airhead mom wrote this letter.''


    Shaking his head, he continued reading.


    {Drop some of your blood inside the chest Even after I swear to protect Haru, I''m asking him to spill blood. I''m the worst kind of mother.}


    "That''s not true," he muttered, despite knowing she wasn''t here.


    He pricked the same wound on his finger and dripped the blood in the chest. Shiiing! The wooden base split, revealing an earth-like orb. On closer inspection, the drawing on it seemed to be a perfect imitation of a globe. Such attention to detail made it an exotic item.


    "Caster, is this a magic artifact?"


    "I don''t feel any magical energy from this."


    Haruki returned to the letter for any clues.


    {You see that little earth. That could be the reason... I died.}


    His mind nked out.

 Chapter 7: Atlas Temple’s Contract

    Chapter 7: As Temple¡¯s Contract


    ''Mom died because of this little orb? It wasn''t a suicide?''


    Haruki steeled himself and read further.


    {I might have gone missing ormitted suicide that''s how the Magi kills someone. They make it look like their victim took their lives. So, if something simr happened to me, don''t me yourself. None of this was your fault!}


    She predicted everything, that he''d be depressed after her death, so she left a letter for him.


    ''Who did this?''


    An indescribable hatred swelled as the skin on his hand turned red.


    ''Who the hell did it? Why didn''t she tell me before?''


    Haruki gritted his teeth and went back to the letter.


    {Haru, so don''t feel guilty if I''m not there. Take this chance to restart fresh with Sakura. She is a good girl


    Or not.


    I can''t believe I have to give my Haru to a girl. I worked so hard to raise you, and now some other woman will eat you.


    Why is the world so unfair!}


    The letter poured cold water onto his rage. She had a severe sonplex.


    {Haru, promise to never forget me.}


    ''How can I do that?''


    {As for the orb, keep it safe. It''s a contract for the As Temple. Leave everything and go to the As Mountains in the Maghreb. Show it to them, and they will protect you from everyone. Please, do that if the Magus Associationes after you.}


    ''As Temple.''


    He had never heard of it before. Maybe he did, and forgot.


    "Caster, you know something about As Temple?" His voice unintentionally came off cold.


    "Nothing." She shook her head. "I know of a titan named As. He was punished by Zeus to bear the weight of the sky on his shoulders for all eternity."


    He didn''t have enough information.


    {Also, Haru. Look at my gift in the envelope. Please cherish it, okay?}


    He flipped the contents of the envelope on the bed. A pack of photos came out.


    Haruki gulped.


    A woman in a ck bikini, running her hands through her dark ash-blonde hair. Her golden eyes were full of mischief as if sheughed at my reaction. The sight under her waist left me speechless. Her legs were spread, her smooth slit on full disy.


    ''Mom never acted like this.''


    There were times when he thought of her as a pervert. Like the time she asked him for a massage in her nightwear or stumble into the bath while he was showering.


    Those weren''t coincidences after all. He felt relieved that he wasn''t the only one in the wrong.


    ''Mom also loved me''


    He wanted to ask this question right now. He covered the photos with the envelope and nced at Medea, who fiddled with the As Contract orb. A relieved sigh escaped him. His dignity was preserved. He quietly slipped the pictures into the envelope and tucked the envelope into my pocket.


    "We''ll look into itter."


    Medea nodded and ced the contract into the chest and locked it. Her eyes darted around the hanging dresses. She was confused about what to wear. She shook her head and reached for the nearest dress.


    "Wait."


    Stopping her from choosing a random dress, Haruki shuffled through the dresses, ignoring the white bridal dress hung at the corner.


    "How about thisbo?"


    "...Looks good."


    "I''ll be waiting outside then."


    She lightly nodded. Haruki walked out and went to his room. The nights in Fuyuki City weren''t too cold, but tonight was beyond ''cold.'' This thin outfit won''t do. He changed into a midnight blue sweatshirt and dark pants.


    Generating a Task from your desires...


    ''A Dragon''s Wrath'' Task is now avable.


    Task #2: A Dragon''s Wrath


    Objective: Kill the people involved in your Mother''s murder.


    Difficulty: B-Rank


    Rewards: 1 X Premium Gacha Coupon


    Would you like to ept this Task?


    The System also generated tasks based on his desires. A cool addition as he didn''t have the time to create a task for everything.


    "epted."


    He''d take revenge even without this quest. As if he''ll let them live after killing the only member of his family.


    ''Even if they are a goddamn Dead Apostle, I''ll smash their head.''


    "Master."


    Medea''s voice prompted him to turn, and his eyes widened. She styled her blue hair in a neat ponytail. A simple denim jacket over a ck shirt-style top with a long tan skirt and low profile knee-high boots. No one could call her an ancient sorceress. Rather she appeared like a supermodel!


    "I used illusion magic to turn my ears normal."


    "You look nice."


    Medea smiled innocently as she checked herself. "Really?"


    He replied with a nod. Her smile faded, and her stern expression returned.


    ''Weak to sincerepliments. I see.''


    He noted down her weakness.


    "Well, let''s go."

 Chapter 8: Golden Boy

    Chapter 8: Golden Boy


    Fuyuki City was divided into two sections by the River Mion.


    Miyama Town, the residential area, and Shinto Town, the newer district with more modern structures. To be honest, Haruki preferred the old town because of its traditions. The new town had been rushed after the fire ten years ago,cking a certain appeal.


    To go to Mount Miyama, the shopping district, one had to pass by the bridge connecting Shinto and Fuyuki. Haruki stumbled into an unexpected person there.


    A man gazing at the river with his hands tucked in his ck jacket. His short golden hair glittered in the night sky.


    Gilgamesh, the survivor of thest Holy Grail War. The corrupted Holy Grail had given him a physical body, now he was contracted with the Sadist Priest for magical energy.


    "Master?"


    "It''s nothing."


    This man could annihte him in mere seconds as he was right now. But he couldn''t quench the thought of beating the hell out of him. These violent thoughts rarely urred to him.


    ''Is this a side effect of being a dragon?''


    Dragons are known for their personification of strength and their lust for battles. He might also be a battle junkie the more he awakens.


    ''Damn it!''


    He calmed down his boiling blood and kept walking.


    "What do you want to eat?"


    "Servants do not need food to survive. Master''s magical energy will suffice," Medea replied.


    "You might not get another chance to live like a normal girl. It''s better to make the best use of it."


    She assumed silence, pondering over his words. Haruki looked over his shoulder. Gilgamesh was curiously staring at Medea. Her supernatural beauty must''ve garnered his suspicion. Frankly, Gilgamesh will ever be attracted to someone since he put every woman beneath himself except for one woman.


    Artoria Pendragon.


    ''What a weird guy.''


    Medea seemed to be lost in thoughts. Curious, he asked Arch for Medea''s current status.


    Medea''s current status  You want me to live a normal life, is that even possible? No, it isn''t. I must win the Holy Grail and fulfill my revenge that I must do.


    So she sought the Grail for revenge against Jason and Aphrodite. Nothing out of his expectations.


    Haruki gave Medea an assuring smile. "Don''t worry. I promise we''ll win if you keep following my orders."


    The knowledge of the entire war and his system might just be enough to turn the tables.


    She stared at him as if doubting his words. Now wasn''t the right ce to go deeper in this topic.


    Soon, they arrived on the bustling street of Mount Miyama. Medea didn''t pay a single nce to the numerous eyes following her. Instead, she chased Haruki with her eyes. Curious of her thoughts again, Haruki tried to open the privacy breach expert. A nudge from Medea stopped him.


    "Master, why do you seek Grail?"


    "Don''t you know that by now?"


    "To revive your mother?"


    "Yes. Shemitted suicide or so the detectives said. But that letter made me realize the truth," he said and clenched his fists. "It was a murder. Whoever did this, I''ll kill everyst one of them."


    "We might be more simr than I thought," Medea whispered.


    "Well, I don''t know about that," Haruki muttered and stopped by the famous ramen stall.


    Medea looked around with a frown while he waited in the queue. A super beauty at a local ramen stall gathered quite the crowd. The chef grinned as he saw more and more people flocking beside Haruki.


    ''Free promotion.''


    The chef tried to hold off Haruki''s order to maximize the gain. A re from Haruki stopped him from doing so. The middle-aged man rubbed his head before he quickly handed over the order.


    ''Sheesh. My time is precious, you know.''


    "Let''s go. We''ve got a lot of work to do."


    Medea merely nodded her head in response.


    ***


    Medea stopped in the alley before the house and snapped her fingers. Her robes slipped out of the void and wrapped around her. In a sh, she was back to her ''Caster'' mode. Lowering her hood, she revealed a cold smile befitting an evil witch.


    "Master, do I have permission to deal with the trash?"


    Some people had stalked them all the way to Haruki''s house, their objective being Medea.


    "Go ahead," Haruki said with a shrug.


    He couldn''t care less about those guys. They asked for death by chasing the wrong woman. Crossing the street, Haruki entered the home.


    "Senpai!"


    He raised a brow at the girl sitting at the door. A charming young woman wearing a light pink cardigan and pale yellow skirt. She tucked a strand of purple hair behind her ears, brushing the red ribbon with her fingers. She got up and nced at the bags in Haruki''s hands. A dejected look crossed her face before her usual sunny smile reced it.


    "Sorry for beingte," she said. "Senpai, you don''t need to eat unhealthy food. I can cook."


    "I can''t trouble you every day. You should focus on your life more."


    Haruki walked past Sakura and inserted the key into the door.


    "Stonehead senpai," Sakura muttered behind his back. She usually whispered things, but he couldn''t hear them clearly.


    ''My hearing seems sharpertruth or cebo effect?''


    He chuckled, getting a frustrated groan from Sakura. Of course, he understood her feelings. But for the sake of avoiding building turmoil in her heart, he always acted oblivious to her feelings. She carried the pieces of the Holy Grail tainted by the Angra Mainyu inside her. Any strong emotion would lead to a life-threatening situation for either of them. [1]


    Also, he couldn''t see her as a woman. After all, he had known her since she was five or six. It''d be weird if he developed any romantic feelings for her. Despite that, he admired her courage for enduring hell for over a decade.


    Shaking his head at the troubles awaiting him in the future, he unlocked the door and walked inside.


    "Sakura,e on. I brought your favorite Miso Soup with extra chicken toppings."


    He expected a word of gratitude from her, but she replied with silence. Haruki turned around to find Sakura staring at Medea, her violet eyes filled with hostility and wariness.


    "What is a Servant doing here?" she asked in a cold voice.


    Medea ignored her and looked at Haruki. "Master, is she an allied Mage?"


    "Master... you mean Haruki-senpai?" Sakura raised her voice as her head snapped toward Haruki. "What is the meaning of this?"


    "We''ll talk after dinner. The ramen is getting cold."


    Cold ramen never tasted good.


    "Senpai okay."


    ***


    [1] - Haruki''s stance regarding Sakura is gonna piss a lot of people. I can feel that xD. Jokes aside, it won''tst long. He''lle to the right side soon.

 Chapter 9: A Visitor

    Chapter 9: A Visitor


    The dining room was filled with a heavy, almost visible tension. Sakura red at Medea as if she met her archenemy while elegantly eating the ramen. It was hard to see her gesture as a threat.


    "Caster, you can eat too, you know," Haruki said.


    "Okay," Caster said awkwardly and picked up the chopsticks. As a Servant, the Holy Grail armed her with the general knowledge of this era, including the etiquette of using chopsticks.


    She put the noodles in her mouth and froze for a moment. Her eyes slowly widened as the spices melted in her mouth.


    "Good," she said with a sigh.


    Haruki nodded and focused on savoring his food.


    The tense dinner finished soon. Sakura took the dishes to the kitchen and returned just as quickly.


    "Senpai, now answer. What is a servant doing with you?"


    Haruki showed her themand spell mark burned on the back of his hand. "She is my Servant, so she naturally should be with me."


    Sakura''s lips trembled. She barely maintained a calm expression. "Why? Did she threaten you? Did she manipte you? She bewitched you?!"


    Haruki already told her he was going to stay away from the Holy Grail War. This change of mind left her in a surprse.


    Medea''s lips twitched a little, clearly irritated at being called ''Witch.'' Haruki couldn''t hold back and chuckled. Even she could be influenced by words.


    Sakura''s eyes turned vacant. "Senpai"


    "I asked her myself."


    "Why? For what rea" her eyes snapped wide open. "You you want to bring her back?"


    She found out his wish. Was he that easy to read?


    "That will be my wish."


    "Senpai, don''t do that. It''s dangerous. It''s far too dangerous, please," she pleaded in a trembling voice. "The other masters... they won''t spare a chance to eliminate you."


    "You worrywart." Haruki took her hand and squeezed it, giving an assuring smile. "It''s fine. I can handle them. I have the strongest Servant on my side."


    While Medeacked brute power, her Noble Phantasm was a cheat in this war. The ability to steal another Servant made her the strongest if used with right strategy.


    Sakura Matou is added to the ''Potential Partners'' list.


    ''Well''


    Sakura turned to Medea. The sorcerer dodged Sakura''s sharp re.


    "I am not the strongest," she whispered as she pushed back her chair and got up. "Master, meet me after finishing your lover''s quarrel."


    "L-Lover," Sakura uttered and freed her hand from me. "You got it all wrong. Senpai is"


    "Really? Then I apologize," Medea said nkly and walked out.


    Medea was annoyed with Sakura. Haruki could see that much.


    "Sakura, calm down," he said. "You''re getting worked up for nothing."


    "I understand, Senpai... I understand. But I don''t know what to do."


    "Just don''t act like this. You of all people should know how cowardly I am. I won''t take any fights I can''t win."


    "Senpai isn''t a coward. I have seen how hard you push yourself every day inside the dojo. A person like you can''t be a coward," she said, sounding a bit more cheery. "My Nii-san on the other hand"


    Haruki grinned. "That guy is the picture-perfect definition of a coward."


    Sakura nodded in agreement and gazed down at her left hand. The threemand spells were intact on her hand. Though Shinji ordered Rider around, Sakura was the true master of the Rider Servant named ''Medusa.''


    ''What is she thinking now? Show her status please.''


    Sakura Matou: A descendant of the Tohsaka Family and inheritor of the Matou family.


    -Current status  Worried, and lost over whether she should take back Rider from her brother to help you.


    -Rtionship Status  93/100


    -Species  Human


    -Age  16


    -Gender  Female


    -Height, Weight  158cm/47kg


    -Alignment  Neutral Good


    -Parameters


    Strength: 1 (F)


    Endurance: 2 (F)


    Agility: 2 (F)


    Magical energy: 20 (D)


    Luck: 8 (E)


    -Authorities


    None


    -Noble Phantasm


    None


    -Skills


    Sorcery Trait: Conversion [A]


    Info: This trait increases the effectiveness of storing magical energy in objects.


    Note: This trait is currently sealed.


    Sorcery Element: Hollow [B]


    Info: This element increases the effectiveness of spells capable of harming spiritual beings.


    Note: This element is currently sealed.


    Sorcery Element: Water [E]


    Info: One of the five natural elements, gives easier ess to Water Magecraft spells.


    Cooking [D]


    Info: A natural talent to quickly learn different culinary skills and techniques.


    Her sealed Trait and Element must be her original before Zouken used his worm crest magecraft on her, changing her fundamental elemental affinity to that of the Matou family''s magecraftWater. She still wanted to help Haruki with Rider. Medusa could be a very big help. Sakura will have to take control of Rider from Shinji.


    ''As if that bastard will give up Rider so easily.''


    That aside, the 93 points in the rtionship status struck him with a realization.


    ''I fucked up a bit''


    How was he supposed to respond to her? Harems were fun and all, but they hardly worked in real life, especially with a possessive girl like Sakura. Medea was fine as she was a servant born in the old era, where harems used to be the norm. On the other hand, Haruki could easily imagine Sakura putting a dagger through his chest.


    ''No use thinking about it now.''


    "Senpai, I trust you," Sakura said, giving a soft smile. "Please win and bring Kaede Oba-san back."


    "I will. Is Shinji acting good?"


    "Nii-san is running around with his Servant he doesn''t have time to care about me."


    "Isn''t that fine though? I don''t really care what he does out there as long as you''re unhurt."


    "Senpai" she muttered and looked at him with zed eyes. "Can I stay here tonight Never mind. I have to show my face at home or he will hurt Senpai."


    Haruki narrowed his eyes at her murmurs. She must be talking about Zouken.


    "You can crash in my room. I''ll be up for some time to learn some things from Caster."


    "I can''t" she shook her head. "I just remembered something important."


    "Okay. If that''s what you want."


    "I''ll do the dishes."


    "Let me help."


    He never tried it before. It couldn''t be that hard. He will have to learn it anyway until his mother returned.


    Sakura rose from the seat, and Haruki followed her. She tried to deny his help but he was adamant.


    Well, washing is harder than he thought. He rubbed too hard and the delicate dish snapped in half. Sakura stared at him wide-eyed before her cheeks flushed.


    "Senpai is strong" she whispered.


    ''Why are you blushing at that?!''


    "You have to be gentle. Watch me."


    She showed him how to clean dishes, telling him what he did wrong. He was a bit mesmerized by her mature demeanor. It was enough to raise a question: Does she have a split personality disorder?

 Chapter 10: Trust

    Chapter 10: Trust


    Haruki sent Sakura off and returned to his room. Medea was back in her robe, leaning on the table near the window to stare out of the window. Did Sakura''s words hurt her? Under the facade of the viinous woman hell-bent on revenge, she still had a heart yearning for love, which she usually suppressed.


    "Master, we are going to take control of Ryuudou Temple. It is a ley line and the ce where the Greater Grail will materialize. I can build a temple to even the odds of the battle."


    The temple where Shirou''s bespectacled friend and Caster''s original master in the Fate series lived. Also, the ce where the Greater Grail will be summoned after the Lesser Grail had the souls of at least six servants.


    Her suggestion was good considering her battle potential, but one thing needed an immediate fix.


    Haruki leaned on the study table and folded his arms on his chest. "Sheesh. I told you to consult me first when you scheme. Can you please do that?"


    "But Master. I know what I''m"


    He put a finger on her lips to quiet her down. "Medea. I know far more about this war and you."


    She stopped, literally frozen to her spot. Haruki smiled at her shocked appearance. This was needed to make her think of him as an equal, not some random Master she could discard at her will. He had no desire to be treated as disposable trash or treat someone as one.


    "...How do you know my true name?"


    "As I said before, I just know. I''m cool with your strategy, but ask me about these things first. We''re both in this war together, remember?"


    "I am sorry."


    A brief but sincere apology. He could live with that.


    "Just trust me with these matters."


    She bobbed her head, her lips raising a bit under her hood.


    "Before the temple, Medea, I want to summon another servant."


    Her smile froze again before a forced smile reced her stiff expression. "Am I that hopeless that you want to dismiss me so soon?"


    "Waitno. Hear me out."


    Before the misunderstandings intensified, he exined about Sakura and her family. Zouken imnted the tainted fragment of the grail from thest war inside Sakura with the help of parasitic worms. Just the thought of worms wriggling inside someone chilled his spine, yet Sakura lived such a life for over a decade.


    Her willpower was nothing to scoff at.


    He also exined Zouken''s ns of using Sakura as a Lesser Grail which happened after he summoned the Assassin servant.


    Medea stared at him, blue eyes filled with surprise. He just ryed the future of this war, so her shock was reasonable.


    "Master, is that true? If so, how did you"


    "A goddess came to my dreams and told me everything."


    His favorite excuse for everything rted to his reincarnation.


    "...Which goddess? Did you see their appearance?"


    He shook his head. "I couldn''t."


    Medea wouldn''t know even if he told her about Arch.


    "It''s unfortunate," Medea said, her voice twinged with remorse. She looked straight at me. "Master what else do you know about this war?"


    "The goddess prophesied the entire war. Originally, I wasn''t supposed to participate, so a lot will divert and create"


    "An alternate timeline."


    "Correct."


    "Master" she said. "Tell me. What happened to me in the war? Did I win?"


    The tiny bit of hope in her eyes made him sigh. She died in every timeline, or rather she didn''t stand a chance from the start. Every Servant summoned in this war had high magic resistance. Her best attacks couldn''t defeat anyone.


    Haruki lightly shook his head. "No."


    She closed her eyes before turning around, looking out of the window. This crushed her self-confidence and hopes.


    Haruki patted her shoulder. "I told you so many timeswe''ll win. Do my words sound that forgettable?"


    Did heck the charisma to earn her trust?


    "Master, if we''re going to fight together I need to know the spells in your arsenal."


    "Spells? I have none, as of now."


    "..."


    "You can teach me. I''ve always been a fast learner."


    He would need to learn more close-quarterbat to help Medea. A tank for the magician, perhaps a dragon knight. That could be decidedter as thebat strategy will depend on his second servant.


    "I will try to teach you" she said, looking away.


    ''Yep. She has zero confidence in my ability.''


    He decided to summon the servant first. He had no catalyst though. The catalyst determined what kind of servant will be summoned. Like how Mordred was summoned with a shard of the round table. What if he used his blood as a catalyst? He didn''t remember any assassin servants having a dragon attribute.


    ''I could be wrong.''


    "Do you know the summoning ritual?"


    "Yes, I do," she said and exined the summoning ritual specific to the Fuyuki Grail System. She had learned it through her previous master.


    Haruki turned out to be half right. A catalyst was required if the summoner wanted to skip the chants. He still wanted to try his blood, so he had to skip the chants. Knowing the world he was in, the chants had high chances of being cringeworthy.


    Medea created the summoning circle with her magic power. It took her less than a minute to create a blue intricate magic circle on the floor.


    "Master, do you perhaps carry a catalyst? Or you wish to chant for the summoning ritual?"


    "Take out Rule Breaker."


    "Master?"


    "Just do it."


    "Okay."


    While looking confused, she pulled her Noble Phantasm from behind her back. The dagger reflected a prism light. It was bent in the middle with arge arc near its tip. It looked more like a decoration dagger than a weapon, which was true. It had almost zero capability as a weapon. Killing a human was stretching its limits.


    Rule Breaker.


    This Noble Phantasm could technically nullify any Magecraft or spell. Even a Servant Contract would be nullified if he stabbed a Master with it.


    He stretched his hand. "Give."


    She stared at the dagger and his hand as though hesitating whether to trust him with her Noble Phantasm. She had no idea about his intention of drawing out his blood.


    "Sorry, I was thinking about something," she whispered and held out the dagger.


    His lips lifted up, knowing he broke through her walls.


    He took the dagger and shed his palm. He kept looking ahead, putting on a poker face to try to bury the pain... which didn''te


    He looked down. The dagger merely slipped on his flesh, not even slicing his skin.


    ''Huh?''


    "Pfffft."


    Medea broke into a fit of chuckles. She covered her mouth with her hand, but the wrinkles at the corner of her eyes gave herughter away.


    "Boy, you have thick skin hahahaha"


    Even the typically silent Archughed her ass off at his blunder.


    The day couldn''t get any weirder.

 Chapter 11: Second Servant

    Chapter 11: Second Servant


    "Thanks for the fun, boy," Arch said with a chuckle. "Let me reward you for that."


    [Generating a Task from your desires]


    [''Summoning a Servant'' Task is now avable.]


    [Task #2: Summoning a Servant]


    [Objective: Summon a Servant to aid you in the Holy Grail War]


    [Difficulty: C-Rank]


    [Rewards: 1 X Premium Gacha Coupon]


    [Would you like to ept this Task?]


    "Just teaching you how to use this to its full potential."


    ''Alright, you win. I''ll start using this system to get rewarded for everything I do in my daily life.''


    "I won''t reward you if it''s not anything hard!"


    ''Summoning a servant is hard?''


    "It isn''t. But the consequences are."


    ''Consequences?''


    What was she talking about? Unease filled his heart.


    "You''re about to flip the war upside down with this move. Everything you know about the uing events will change... Do you still wish to proceed?"


    ''Sakura having a crush on me has already changed plenty. I was ready for the so-called butterfly effect the moment I made my decision to participate. So...''


    He epted the quest to dismiss the window blocking his sight.


    ''Artoria, Gilgamesh, Heracles, Lancer, or even that fucking Zouken, let them line up. I''m gonna defeat them and win for Mom.''


    Arch fell silent this time.


    "...You momcon idiot."


    ''Yes. That''s me, and I''m proud of it!''


    Arch didn''t say a thing after that.


    Medea wiped the tears at the corner of her eyes afterughing at his blunder.


    "Forgive me, Master your clueless expression was too" She coughed again. "My Noble Phantasm isn''t sharp enough to cut Master''s skin Master, are you even human?"


    "I don''t think I am." He shook his head and stretched his hand. "Cut it. I''ll use my blood as a catalyst."


    "That''d be"


    She took his hand and traced her glowing finger on his palm. A frigid sensation seeped into his veins before droplets of blood dripped down on the magic circle. The wound closed back as if the cut wasn''t there in the first ce.


    Something rebounded inside him, turning everything upside down. A cold sensation filled him, birthing odd thoughts. Like the illusion of a dragon breathing a tornado of mes. His body felt hot as if he was in a hot shower notched up beyond the danger zone.


    ''Is this my magic power, mana?''


    "Master, redirect the feeling to the summoning circle."


    He closed his eyes and concentrated on pulling out this invisible energy. It obeyed his thoughts and gathered toward his hands beforeing out with a burst of crimson glow.


    An oppressive air filled the room.


    His blood trickled into the blue magic circle, burning brighter and brighter until it burst into fragments.


    Medea stared at the sheer quantity of od flowing out of him. It was beyond what a human should generate. And yet, he kept pouring out enough od to start up the summoning ritual.


    Haruki stepped back and held his breath. Medea hid Rule Breaker and summoned her staff, ready to explode into action for any unexpected development.


    ck petals swirled around, carrying a pleasant aroma. A mild itch enveloped his left handthe threemand spells had materialized.


    ''Summoning done!''


    [Taskpleted. Well done!]


    [1 x Premium Tier Gacha rewarded.]


    "So that''s how it feels to be called by the Throne of Heroes."


    A sensual voice drifted into the room. Calling it sensual might be a big understatement. It was downright seductive.


    Then, the servant materialized amidst the ck petals.


    Haruki''s eyes couldn''t go any wider.


    A woman wrapped in a jet ck dress with unusual long tapered ears like those of elves, and an elegant face adorned with a wide grin.


    Out of all servants, he never expected her to be summoned. He didn''t know whether to celebrate Semiramis''s appearance or cry because his blood attracted the Queen of Poisons.


    ''Why? She is the daughter of a mermaid goddess and a human, so she shouldn''t have the dragon attribute. I don''t understand.''


    He was utterly confused.


    "I don''t know. Maybe she is secretly a dragon!"


    Her cheery disposition was surprisingly cute. He threw the thought to the back of his head.


    ''The Grail thinks we share simr traits?''


    He couldn''t think of any simrity with Semiramis.


    "Could be. You were quite a terrible person in the past."


    ''I wasn''t a backstabber for fuck''s sake.''


    "Are you my Master, the person who summoned me?" Semiramis wrapped a hand around her waist and held her chin. "You do indeed possess magic power of some caliber. Such a fine young man burdened with the fate to win a cruel war... What a shame."


    His mental age had almost reached fortynot young by any standard!


    "Shouldn''t that bemon in your era?" Medea interrupted with her own question as she walked to my side and stared at Semiramis. "You hold impressive magic power for an Assassin-ss Servant."


    Semiramis narrowed her golden eyes on Medea. "I can say the same to you Caster. Why is another servant contracted with you? Pray tell, Master."


    "Master, I do not trust this woman," Medea said through some kind of telepathy. "She reminds me of the depraved wench married to that man."


    She wasn''t entirely wrong. Semiramis had a long history of being on both sides of backstabbing. She poisoned the king to steal the throne. The guy had iting after he forced her away from her husband.


    ''So many characters and waifus. Nasuverse is a mess through and through.''


    He shook his head. "Assassin, Caster is also my servant. I''d be grateful if you don''t look at her with such hostility."


    Semiramis flipped her hand and ck petalsnded on her hand.


    "This house reeks. Remnants of its past haunt every corner," she said and scattered the petals with a blow.


    With mischief dazzling in her golden eyes, she gazed at Haruki.


    No.


    Her eyes were trained on something behind him.


    "Am I right, Spirit of Vengeance?"


    ''Could she be talking about the ghost haunting me?''


    The ghost was the only being qualified to be called the Spirit of Vengeance.


    "Ah, sorry for saying unnecessary things. Let''s introduce ourselves."


    She held out her hand. The bronze spike protruding from her palm gave him chills. She leaned forward with a yful smile, emphasizing her breasts barely hidden underneath her dress. "The world''s oldest poisoner. My Master, are you truly certain that you can wield Semiramis in this war?"


    She had Assassin ss, yet she excelled in using Magecraft and summoning phantasmal beasts. Her Noble Phantasm "The Hanging Gardens of Babylon" was a force to be reckoned with. The overpowered fortress was one of the sickest things ever created in any anime. Defeating Gilgamesh will be a lot easier with a massive flying fortress.


    "Only a masochist will shake hands with you," Haruki said. "And you can call me Haruki if you want."


    "Master Haruki." Semiramis nodded before drawing back her hand. "First of all, where is my throne? Don''t say you didn''t prepare it it''s fine. I will make do with anything. Just take me out of this small ce. I''m suffocating!"


    "Master, this woman disgusts me."


    Haruki had to agree with Medea on this one. How dare she call the ce his mother bought with her blood and sweat as suffocating!


    Then again, Semiramis was a genuine empress who ruled an empire for decades.


    ''We''ll have to put aside our differences in order to win.''

 Chapter 12: SR Item!

    Chapter 12: SR Item!


    "Spend the night in this room. We''ll talk tomorrow."


    Semiramis frowned at Haruki''s words. "Only for today. I won''t spend more time in this house."


    Haruki agreed with a shrug. He was going to move to the Greater Grail either way. Ryuudou Temple will fulfill her ''royal urges'' for the duration of the war.


    "Don''t try to poison me, okay?" he asked.


    Semiramis squinted and traced her thumb on her lips. "My Master, your blood is too delicious to be poisoned."


    "Your seductions won''t work."


    She had no idea how many situations like this happened with his mother. She crawled into his bed half-naked, or identally entered the bath with a single towel. He was surprised he didn''t gain any charm resistance skill.


    ''Those were all acts to seduce me to the dark side!''


    He should''ve let go of his moralistic hesitations and pounced on her. She might''ve shared her secrets with him. There might have been a chance to save her before that.


    ''Fuck.''


    He shook off the regrets. Semiramis smiled and closed the door in his face.


    "Witch," Medea muttered and poked my shoulder. "Master, you''re ready to learn magecraft?"


    "Give me ten minutes. I gotta do something."


    "I''ll wait in the living room," Medea said and walked downstairs.


    She became a bit more talkative today. His efforts weren''t in vain. He rechecked Medea''s status, finding her rtionship status at 23/100. Her current status was kinda funny  Finding ways to stop the ck witch from betraying Master. It was kinda cute to see her worked up over Semiramis. Though it still surprised him that she remained silent about Sakura even after he described her past with extravagant details.


    ''Sakura''s circumstances aren''t tragic enough to earn her pity.''


    Medea was the only one who could help Sakura with her Noble Phantasm by severing the connection between Sakura and the worm crest. He chose to bring it up after their study session.


    He checked Semiramis''s status.


    Semiramis: The legendary queen of the Assyrian Empire and your current Servant, tied to you by the Fuyuki Holy Grail System.


    -Current Status  Considering whether to turn you into her puppet or not.


    -Rtionship Status  8/100


    -Species  Spirit


    -Age  Uncountable


    -Gender  Female


    -Height, Weight  167cm/51kg


    -Alignment  Lawful Evil


    -Parameters


    Strength: 10 (E)


    Endurance: 20 (D)


    Agility: 20 (C)


    Magical energy: 50 (A)


    Luck: 40 (B)


    -Authorities


    None


    -Noble Phantasm


    Hanging Garden of Babylon [EX]


    Description: An anti-world Noble Phantasm which manifests as a flying fortress capable of casting EX-rank magecraft within its confines.


    Sikera Uum [B+]


    Description: An anti-army Noble Phantasm which turns the surrounding air and mana itself into poison. Phantasmal Creatures can be summoned within the boundaries of the Hanging Garden of Babylon.


    -Skills


    Double Summon [B]


    Info: Grants ss skills of both Caster and Assassin sses.


    Item Construction [C]


    Info: A skill inherent to the Caster ss. Semiramis can only use this to create her special poison.


    Territory Creation [EX]


    Info: A skill inherent to the Caster ss. Semiramis can create the Hanging Garden of Babylon by gathering a certain amount of earth and stone from historic ruins in the vicinity of Baghdad.


    Presence Concealment [C+]


    Info: A skill inherent to Assassin ss. Semiramis can hide her presence. The effect is considerably weakened when preparing an attack,


    Divinity [C]


    Info: Semiramis is the offspring of a Syrian fish-goddess and a mortal. Her divinity manifests as defensive scales on her body.


    Familiar (Dove) [D]


    Info: Semiramis can direct and control doves through her thoughts.


    ''Turning me into a puppet this woman is dangerous.''


    He just worked so hard to earn Medea''s trust, now a new backstabber popped up.


    ''Give me a break!''


    He took a deep sigh and tossed the problem to the back of his mind. He went to his mother''s room and plopped down on her bed.


    ''Arch, gacha please.''


    A wheel popped up in the air with the ''Premium Gacha Wheel'' text shining above it. Different sections showed loot boxes with various background colors. The text under the wheel revealed information about the different grades.


    White - Common


    Green - Umon


    Blue - Rare


    Red - Super Rare


    Purple - Epic


    Golden - Legendary


    Rainbow - Mythic


    ''Spin!''


    The wheel spun, weaving a colorful trail. It slowed down, the pointer creeping from golden to rainbow to white, and stopped on the red loot box.


    SR item!


    [Congrattions! You have acquired 1 x ''Key to the Land of Dead.'']


    [Key to the Land of Dead]


    [Description: The key to open a portal to the Land of Dead. Each use consumes 10 points of your mana.]


    [Rank: Super Rare]


    ''The Land of Dead? What''s that ce? Could it be a ce crawling with undead monsters?''


    He only knew of a ce like this in the Nasuverse.


    The Land of Shadows.


    The domain of Scathch. They had different names but gave a simr impression.


    ''Arch, is this ce safe?''


    "The first floor should be good for you. You wanted battles, the Gacha gave you the battles!"


    ''Is this like a dungeon?''


    "Yeah. Try it if you want to awaken more."


    ''I will. Thanks.''


    How could he let go of a chance to be stronger?


    "Don''t thank me why am I even talking to you?"


    The goddess seemed to be going through some existential crisis.


    Sakura reached her homea western-style mansion located in the southern end of Miyama Town, also known as the foreigner''s district. Not too far from Tohsaka residence, which had be known as a haunted house by the neighbors. Sakura knew better not to trust any rumors when it came to a Magus nhouse.


    Sakura quietly slipped into her room and locked the door. Sitting on her table, she gazed out of the window. Yesterday, she lost her only mother-figure in her life, and today, her only brother-like figure wanted to jump in the zing fire of the Holy Grail War.


    Kariya Matou, her uncle, reached out to her before Haruki, promising to free her from this cursed family. Yet, the fire of war swallowed him. She hadpletely lost every hope until that day.


    ''I''m not letting it happen again.''


    She clenched her fists, and themand spells on the back of her right hand sparkled.


    "I have to confront him."


    "Sakura~."


    The devil showed up at her door. Sakura gulped down the rising premonitions in her chest and opened the door. Shinji''s broad smile further bolstered the bad feeling.


    "Dear Sister, you went to him, didn''t you? That guy who always puts his nose in our family affairs."


    Sakura ignored his question and awkwardly raised her hand to greet the woman behind Shinji. Rider, the woman whose purple hair went beyond her knees. Despite having a violet eye cover over her eyes, she acknowledged her real master''s greeting with a nod.


    ''Please, bear with it until I burn the book.''


    Sakura eyed the scarlet book in Shinji''s left hand. The Book of the False Attendant. Created by Sakura to temporarily grant Shinji Rider''s ownership. Until the book burned from overuse or Rider died, Sakura couldn''t regain anymand over the Servant she summoned through the Fuyuki Grail System, or formally known as Heaven''s Feel.


    "Answer me," Shinji spat, grabbing Sakura''s throat with his right hand. "Where did you go?"


    Sakura couldn''t understand this hatred Shinji harbored for her. She never said anything unnecessary, never did she go against him in any other way. Yet, his eyes held an enmity as if she was an enemy, not his adopted sister.


    Sakura clutched Shinji''s hand. "Stop it, or I will tell Grandfather."


    Zouken''s name ignited fear in his eyes. He red back with even more hatred, squeezing her throat with even more force. Sakura just smiled, knowing all too well about Shinji''s limits. As she expected, he let go and shoved her.


    "I will deal with you after the war."


    Leaving a warning, he left with Rider in tow.


    "And I''ll deal with you before the war," she muttered.


    She returned to her room and noticed the insects chirping a bit too loudly today. Shaking her head, Sakura pulled out her notebook and scribbled down her next steps. No matter what she thought, everything came down to someone pushing Rider until the Book of the False Attendance burned from Rider overusing her mana. It was easier said than done against Rider, the youngest of the Gorgon sisters in Greek Mythology.


    If only the worms spared her magic power, she could''ve helped Haruki just a little.


    "I''ll have to ask for her help," she muttered, recalling the ck-haired honor student everyone adored in her school. "I will not let anyone harm Senpai."


    She made her resolve to approach her only living blood rtive in this world.

 Chapter 13: Magecraft

    Chapter 13: Magecraft


    Rin covered her face and sneezed, earning a pitiful look from the white-haired man standing with a broom in his hand.


    He crossed his arms on his chest. "Master, should I brew some coffee?"


    "Clean this mess first! And I like tea more than coffee."


    Rin red at Archer as though trying to intimidate him. Archer just shrugged and continued sweeping the debris. Her body tingled with a numb feeling after using every drop of magical energy in her reserve. She chose 2 AM as it was the moment when her magical energy peaked. Paired with the vast amounts of magical energy amassed in the jewel pendantthe Tohsaka family''s heirloomshe sessfully summoned her first servant. Her timing turned out to be wrong, all thanks to the messed-up clocks in her home.


    Her dreams of summoning the strongest ss, Saber, vanished like the magical energy in her jewel. To top everything off, she even messed up the summoning ritual, giving Archer amnesia. In a burst of rage, he destroyed her living room.


    He refused to acknowledge her as a Master until she forced obedience with onemand spell. Not the best use of the monstrous magical energy, but at least it brought the two on the same page.


    "Master, what is your wish?"


    Rin crossed her legs and folded her arms on her waist. Her father hadn''t stated his wish in his will, and she couldn''t give two hoots about the greater good. If she had a wish, she''d make it true with her own hands. The whole reason she participated was to elevate the Tohsaka''s family status.


    "So you have none," Archer concluded with an exasperated shrug of his shoulder. "A tasteless youngdy."


    Rin barely held her foot from smashing his smug face. Even tens of her couldn''t scratch his skin, much less teaching him a lesson.


    ''Argh, father. I thought servants were familiars like birds and animals. But this guy is a monster in a human vessel.''


    "What is your wish, Archer?"


    Much like Masters, Heroic spirits also fought for their ambitions. Some wanted to avenge someone, some wanted to kill, some wanted to redo their past regrets. Even a cynical asshole like Archer should have a wish. Rin was a tad curious about this Servant of hers.


    "Master, why are you forgetting about your botch? I only have a vague remembrance of my origins. I cannot remember my wish as well."


    Rin sighed.


    "Don''t worry. The strongest Master and Servant won''t lose to anyone," Archer said.


    "Yeah."


    ***


    Medea chewed her thumb on the couch in the living room. The new servant was bad news. The Throne of Heroes had given her basic info of servants. Semiramis had been abandoned by her parents; she might still bear grudge against them, especially her goddess mother. She was a bad match with Haruki, who cherished his mother a bit too much. Medea could smell a stench of her own kind from Semiramisthe ck-haired queen was the kind to toy with others. The only difference being their motivesMedea wanted to redo her past mistakes while Semiramis relished others'' misery.


    ''I can''t let it happen. As long as I can predict her actions, Master can shut her down withmand spells.''


    He had been so optimistic and loving toward his mother. Just the thought of his dreams crushed for Semiramis''s amusement numbed her mind. The pressure of Haruki''s wish weighed down on her thin shoulders.


    "What''s with the long face?"


    Medea snapped out of her thoughts. Haruki appeared, looking a lot brighter than earlier. His mother''s private pictures had done something to him. She couldn''t help but chuckle at his pure yet dirty love for mother. Even the Great Hero Oedipus hadn''t loved his mother to Haruki''s level.


    "Sit down, please. We''ll start with the basics of magecraft."


    Haruki dragged the opposite couch closer to hers and sat, his eyes filled with a subtle curiosity.


    "So, Master. How much do you know about modern magecraft?"


    It was better to gauge his limits to improve efficiency.


    "Uhm, let''s see. Modern magecraft is inferiorpared to the Age of Gods. Current magecraft is limited by human intellect, magical energy there was something more I''m forgetting it Mystery!"


    "Yes. The mystery is the unknown that originates from the root. A representation of endless probabilities. The age of humans brought a substantial decline in mysteries as science expanded to epass knowledge on anything and everything. The more science developed, the fewer the mysteries became, which in turn brought down the power of magecraft."


    Haruki pped with sparkling eyes. "Understood, sensei."


    Medea suppressed the heat creeping on her sharp ears and coughed. It was her first time teaching someone. It reminded her of her time with Hecate in her temple. The goddess of magic descended to teach Medea, nominating her for a priestess seat in her temple. She adored Medea to no end, but Jason''s arrival had put an end to everything. Hecate stoppeding down, even going as far as to ignore Medea''s messages.


    "Sensei?"


    Medea pulled her consciousness back to reality. Haruki gazed at her with a hint of worry in his eyes. The same gaze had captured her attention during their earlier conversation about Haruki knowing the future.


    ''T-Those eyes again. As if he is looking at me like a little girl. It feels so weird''


    She had been shunned so many times that the simple thought of being worried over confused Medea to no end.


    ''What am I thinking? I was supposed to teach Master magecraft.''


    She revealed a tiny smile to show she was doing fine and patiently exined the most important element of every magecraftmagic circuits, or simply called the engine responsible for converting the life energy ''Mana'' into magical energy ''Od'' found in humans.


    "Can you control the flow of your magical energy without a switch?"


    "I think I can."


    Haruki closed his eyes and traced the unknown flowing through his veins. He had felt traces of it during the summoning ritual. A cool sensation flooded his veins before a burst of heat exploded in his body. He started having illusions of horns growing out of his head and wings sprouting from his back. Then, a dragon breathing golden mes.


    His magical energy burst forth as a scarlet glow around his body.


    Medea was sweating under her hood. His magical energy heated the air itself! His Od seemed to be of transparent color as though it was untainted by any element. She had never seen someone''s magical energy oozing this kind of pressure in her whole life. This magical energy was beyond anything this half-assed Fuyuki Spirit Summoning System could bring.


    ''Master isn''t a human.''


    His magical energy confirmed her doubts.


    "Fire," Haruki muttered and a tiny orb of fire bloomed on his fingers. "So fucking easy."


    "This"


    Haruki didn''t even use a single chant to cast the spell, as if the fire element followed or rather obeyed his will and came to life. She thought she had learned enough as a disciple of Hecate. Now, here she was, gaping at someone born in the Age of Humans manipting elements to their whim like a Nature Spirit.


    ''Does he even need my lessons?''


    Medea sighed.

 Chapter 14: Learning the Ancient Greek

    Chapter 14: Learning the Ancient Greek


    Skill acquired: Mana Flow Control


    Mana Flow Control [E]


    Info: Acquired from having adept control over the mana.


    Effect: Mana can be controlled at peak efficiency without any side effects.


    Sorcery Element acquired: Fire


    Sorcery Element: Fire [E]


    Info: One of the five natural elements, gives easier ess to Fire Magecraft spells.


    Haruki found Medea''s wide-eyed expression priceless.


    ''Where else do you see an ancient sorceress looking like she had seen a ghost?''


    The orb of fire flickered above his fingers; it was neither hot nor did it burn him. Dragons had it easier when controlling the fire. Goddess Arch was right about using magecraft without any magic circuit whatsoever. The mana in his body danced to his whims.


    "Master the fire element, and it''ll evolve into an authority," Arch said.


    Authority as inplete control. Authority over fire meant nobody could light a fire without his approval. That''s how authorities worked in fiction he had read so far.


    "It''s true."


    His gamer soul loved the system boxes, but Arch''s sweet and soothing voice was a lot better.


    "How did you" Medea asked. "Did you learn it before?"


    "Nope. Told you I''m a fast learner."


    Lying was bad, but he couldn''t afford to show his cheats without Medea trusting him from the bottom of her heart. She could be surprisingly devoted once she started liking someone, and she could be the cruelest woman to a stranger.


    Medea reeled in her surprise and moved on with the lessons. Thaumaturgy foundationthey were the basis of magecraft in this world. A set of rules made to interfere with the world. In simpler terms, a thaumaturgy system was a group of programs. The magic circuits passed themand to execute these programs through the magic power of a magus.


    Elemental affinity was straightforward; it helped in reducing the efforts required to manipte the natural forces of the world.


    Then, a Sorcery Trait added a twist to the simple elemental magecraft by making it more fun and effective. Rin''s Tohsaka''s Sorcery Trait was Conversion, which allowed her to store and draw out magic power from objects. Rin''s Family found the most sess with jewels. Shirou used ''Reinforcement'' to reinforce objects after structural analysis. There were dozens more different traits, some unique to a magus family, some unique to a certain type of people.


    Generally, a magus family usually focused on harnessing the utmost power of a certain Sorcery Trait. They passed down magic circuits with their umted knowledge, making each generation stronger than thest. It made the older magus families dangerous.


    And that concluded the basics of magecraft for him.


    "Um, which thaumaturgy system do you follow?" he asked.


    "I don''t need one, Master. I''m from the era when people used Divine Words to bring forth miracles. Goddess Hecate taught me hernguage I do not need incantation or magic circuits to use magecraft."


    Truly overpowered.


    "Can you teach me?"


    She shook her head. "It''s impossible. People of the modern era can no longer pronounce anynguage from the Age of Gods."


    He was about to retort, but the strange gleam in her eyes caught him off guard.


    "You may be able to do it. Do you want to try?"


    "Yes."


    How could he let go of an opportunity to learn her overpowered magecraft?


    Medea slipped her hands into her robe and brought out a stack of parchments and a feather quill pen.


    "Let''s get to it."


    It seems his n to go to the dungeon won''te to fruition tonight.


    Thus, his first difficult lesson after reincarnation started.


    ***


    Five hourster.


    Haruki kept writing the Ancient Greek characters despite his droopy eyes threatening to close. Medea had to acknowledge his determination. Most Magus would pass out after summoning a Servant. Not only did he stay up for five hours, he alsoprehended most of the basic characters.


    Medea couldn''t test if Haruki could pronounce the words unless he perfectly grasped the Ancient Greek like a native speaker of her era.


    "Master, it''s enough. You need to sleep."


    "Huh?" Haruki mumbled something and copsed, falling right onto herp. He crawled around as though finding the best ce and snuggled his head against her belly. He closed his eyes after a few twists and turns.


    Medea froze for a good moment. His spoiled behavior was out of her expectations. Recalling he had just lost his mother, Medea took a deep sigh and allowed this spoiled behavior for tonight. He already fell asleep, so she could do nothing about it.


    "Just this once," she repeated, internally struggling to brush Haruki''s hair. This was the most intimate she had been with a man ever since Jason kicked her out. And this man trusted her enough to tell her about his dream with the goddess and the future.


    After years of betrayal, she had forgotten how it felt to be trusted. The warm feeling in her chest made her lightheaded.


    "Enjoying life as a normal girl," she muttered the words spoken by Haruki. She had been repulsed by the thought back then. Now it seemed a bit usible.


    Just as Medea gently touched her Master''s face, a chill dawned on the room. Medea flinched and slowly looked up. An ethereal figure of a woman stood before her. Unlike thest time, she could see the Spirit''s features and the dark ring around her neck. As someone hailing from the Age of Gods, she knew what it meant. Haruki''s mother possessed a strong soul before her death.


    "Master''s mother, why are you hiding from him?"


    The woman wrapped a hand around her and held her chin, giving a smile full of mischief. "Do you hate me for it?"


    "I have no right to hate you."


    The woman tried to touch Haruki but her hand passed through his head. "I don''t want him to see me in this pathetic state. A mother must always look her best before her son."


    ''These mother and son are cut out of the same cloth. Extreme affection for each other.''


    "I''m Kaede Hiyashi. The mother of your master. Don''t tell him about this meeting, okay?"


    Despite Kaede shing a friendly smile, Medea felt her battle instincts screaming at her. This woman could crush her. Medea never thought a dead spirit could be this threatening. Kaede was in another realmpared to anyone Medea ever met.


    ''Divine Spirit?''


    Medea shook her head. It was nigh impossible for a Divine Spiritthe highest-ranked Nature Spiritsto exist in this era, where everyw of heaven lost its mystery.


    "Do we have a deal?"


    The sorceress from the Age of Gods meekly bobbed her head like a frightened kitten.


    "That''s my girl. Take care of my Haru until he brings me back."


    "Do you believe in our victory?"


    Kaede smiled as she looked at Haruki. "Not yours, but his. Haru isn''t the one to call quits once he decides on something. Take it from someone who ''observed'' this child since the moment he was born."


    Kaede ended the reminiscence of her past and looked at Medea with envious eyes. Medea would''ve given up her position to Kaede if thetter had a physical body. Sadly, Kaedecked a physical body to give him ap pillow.


    "You can sleep. I''ll watch over Haru. A weirdo is lurking around," Kaede said, ncing toward the stairs outside the door.


    ''Assassin?''


    Medea nodded again and leaned back on the couch. Throughout her journey, she slept in caves, forests, even inside a river. Sleeping like this was no problem for her. Though Haruki''s faint breath tickled her sometimes in a weird way.


    ***


    (Semiramis)


    Semiramis''s heart sped up, almost bursting from her chest. The Spirit hadn''t lifted a finger, yet she felt a cold wind caressing her throat. She was in the Spirit''s domain. She didn''t belittle the house before Haruki; she wanted to escape this ce as soon as possible.


    She snuck back to Haruki''s room and shut the door. She opened the window and breathed a sigh. A couple of white dovesnded on her shoulders and rubbed their soft feathers against her. She traced her fingers on the warm wings, recalling the time her hateful mother left her on a shore. The doves nurtured her until a shepherd from the vige adopted her. There would be no Queen of Assyria without these cute feathered birds.


    "I know my master''s wish now," she muttered and summoned another flock of doves. "Observe the surroundings."


    The birds flew towards the sky tinged with orange hues; the same way she will win the war and rise to the peak of this era. Anybody standing between her and the throne will be engulfed in her poison.


    "I have to construct my fortress"


    Traveling a country or two was a child''s y for a servant. But doing it undetected from the world will consume some extra time. The collection of her materials and three days of chanting might be too dangerous.


    ''I''ll adapt to the information''


    "I shall see if my master is worth a coin."


    She closed the window and slipped inside the nket. She erased Haruki''s scent before closing her eyes. Servants didn''t need sleep, but it helped them in conserving mana. She needed a lot of mana for manifesting her Noble Phantasm, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

 Chapter 15: Conquer?

    Chapter 15: Conquer?


    Haruki woke up with something supple under his head. His pillow wasn''t this satiny, and this delicious scent His eyes flew open. Medea''s sleepy face weed him.


    ''Ah, I fell asleep on herp.''


    It was a test, and he half expected her to push him away. But she let him sleep on herp for four hours! Now he was reluctant to leave these soft thighs for school, but Shinji will order Rider to create a magic formation to suck the magic power of students. He was fine with him messing with everyone except for Sakura. That girl will stubbornly attend school even if he told her not to.


    ''I''ll ask Semiramis to take over the Ryuudou Temple.''


    The people there will die anyway when the Grail materializes, so he was doing them a favor by robbing their homes.


    Medea stirred and nced down at him. The tiny red on her cheeks looked adorable as hell.


    "Master?"


    "Morning. Sorry for sleeping like this."


    She lightly shook her head. "It was partially my fault for teaching you in that state."


    ''Taking the me for myziness What a beautiful woman. Jason, you fucking bastard. How dare you exile this kind woman!''


    An abrupt stack of blue windows blocked Medea''s face.


    Generating a Task from your desires


    ''Conquer Medea'' Task is now avable.


    Task #3: Conquer Medea


    Objective: Achieve a ''Lover'' rtionship with Medea.


    Difficulty: C-Rank


    Rewards: 1 X Premium Gacha Coupon


    Would you like to ept this Task?


    ''Stop reading my feelings!''


    "...Ever heard of the term ''automatic''?"


    He released a sigh. He had started to like Medea after the time and effort she put into teaching him. He was still a healthy male with an extreme passion for mature women. Medea was the perfectbination of crazy sensuality and innocence.


    How could someone not like her?


    ''Am I a scum for having these feelings for two women?''


    "Giving up so easily? Didn''t you think of bing a harem protagonist after you realized this was an anime world?"


    ''Yeah. I did. Then reality pped me into submission because a certain goddess forgot to activate my cheat skill.''


    "I didn''t"


    ''What?''


    "Nothing. Are you epting the task?"


    ''Yes''


    He''ll just have to be stubborn when his mother returns. He was sure she would yield if it''s only one woman probably. He could imagine her saying, "It''s fine if it''s one."


    With optimism fueling his desires, he epted the task. The windows vanished, and he made eye contact with a frowning Medea. She touched his forehead and felt his pulse.


    "His Od is like boiling water. Is he suffering from the aftereffects of summoning?" Medea thought out loud, her voice tinged with worry.


    Her concern provoked a smile from Haruki. "I''m fine. Just a bit tired."


    "Then, rest. I mean not on myp. A bed would be more appropriate."


    He chuckled and left herp. He repeated his n to leave Ryuudou Temple to Medea. She readily agreed to escort him to school in her spiritual form.


    He headed off to shower. The cold water always brought a strange rity to his thoughts. Other than Golden boy Gilgamesh, he had to keep an eye out for Illyasviel and her Berserker Servant, Demigod Hero Heracles. Stemming from his legendary twelvebors, Berserker could resurrect twelve times. Each resurrection granted him immunity to the attack that killed him. Though not perfect as Saber''s Noble Phantasm took several of his lives in an instant. Medea and Semiramis will probably kill him two or three times at most before the madman crushes them.


    The threat of losing Medea filled him with more motivation. He needed more battles to be strong!


    The Dragon Heart skill said dominating battles increased the awakening, not on the losing side. So sparring with Medea wasn''t the best option. He had to ask Medea if she could create any strong familiar. Her Item Construction skill had no limitations like Semiramis.


    ''Where should I do it though?''


    This house was too crammed for fights. Outskirts of Miyama town rarely had visitors, an ideal ce for some morning chaos.


    Back in the bedroom, he found the sorceress flipping through the pages written by him with a grin. She looked a little creepy with her eyes hidden behind her hood.


    "Medea, can you summon something to improve my battle skills?"


    She looked up. "Uh. Why would you fight with two servants on your side? You''re tired too."


    "Having servants doesn''t mean I can''t help you two."


    "Okay I can summon the golden dragon my father kept to guard the Golden Fleece. However, I cannot control it."


    ''Golden dragon, huh. It could be a good pet in the future.''


    "I meant something weak that any average magus could kill."


    "With your current strength, dragon tooth warriors. I can create any amount you desire."


    "Dragon tooth warriors? The mob familiars?"


    They sounded overpowered, but in fact, were skeleton soldiers with weapons. Shirou Emiya dealt with them with a reinforced pipe.


    "Do not underestimate them, Master. They have the magical energy of a dragon. A legion of these warriors can sweep through most modern magus."


    She wasn''t wrong. Unless a mage specialized in taking down hordes, they''d be crushed to death beneath the bone warriors.


    "Alright. Let''s go."


    He dragged her out of the living room and headed out. Semiramis could take care of the house in their absence.


    "Where are we going?"


    "The forest where you saved me."


    She pulled his hand, stopping him dead in his tracks. "Master, you should have told me."


    Her robe leaped at him, pressing him against her slender body. He made full use of the opportunity by rubbing his cheeks on her warm breasts. After suffering several seconds of sexual harassment, Medea lifted the robe and pushed him out.


    She shut her eyes and breathed a long sigh. "We are here."


    "Huh?"


    He turned around to find the chair on which he almost broke down in tears. I forgot that Medea could fly and even teleport. Though thetter had restrictions attached to it.


    ''Wonderful.''


    He moved to the open area amidst the trees and took his stance. "I''m ready."


    Medea snapped her fingers. A thin blueyer expanded beyond the trees. "I ced a bounded field around us. Ordinary people won''t disturb us."


    Medea tossed several fangs on the ground, and the skeleton soldiers rose, holding swords andnces. Five in total.


    "Don''t disappoint me," Medea said and retreated a step. Her hood couldn''t conceal the thin smile dancing on her lips.


    Losing to these mobs? The mere thought made his blood boil. His final aim was Gil''s head since he was the biggest obstacle between him and his mother.


    ''Like hell I''d lose!''


    He wasn''t nominated to the national jjutsupetition for nothing. He just had no wish to leave his mother all alone and fly over to Hokkaido, so he could only reject.


    As the skeletons had weapons, he had to wait for their attack and disarm them. But the dragon tooth warriors remained frozen in their ce.


    "Medea?"


    Medea also seemed confused. "They aren''t heeding mymand to attack you."


    Haruki had a good guess why they did it.


    "Ufufu," Arch giggled. "How cute."


    ''Are they respecting the hierarchy?''


    "Yes. Even a barely awakened dragon like you is well above in the hierarchy."


    He groaned at the hopeless situation and punched the dragon tooth warrior''s chest. The murky bones snapped before its entire skeleton broke down. Five points of strength could hit with almost the same force as a shotgun. What about Berserker with over fifty points in strength? The thought horrified him.


    "You have something else for me to fight?"


    "I can create basic skeleton soldiers with the Item Construction skill."


    "Please do."


    A horde of skeletons rose from the ground. Haruki cracked his knuckles.


    ''Let''s see how far I can go with these mobs.''

 Chapter 16: Easy battles

    Chapter 16: Easy battles


    This time the skeletons summoned by Medea didn''t dally around and stumbled toward Haruki. The first skeleton swung down its stone sword. Even an olddy could dodge the attack, given she stayed calm in the face of a skeleton with two blue embers in its hollow eye sockets.


    Haruki sidestepped the attack and snatched the sword from the skeleton. The stone sword with blue runes had a hefty feeling to it. No wonder the skeleton attacked slowly and mechanically like a rusty machine.


    "Haa!"


    Haruki gripped the sword with both hands and swiftly plunged the sword through the skeleton''s hollow ribs. Yet, the sword stopped a moment before it actually struck the spine.


    "Physical defense," Medea answered in his head.


    The multiple joints in the skeleton''s spine shattered. Without proper support from a spine, it broke down into a pile of bones. The tiny mes in the skeleton''s eyes died.


    He had no time to celebrate as two skeletons caught him in a pincer movement. Ance and longsword were ready to smash him into a pulp. A quick step to his right saved his bones. He hacked at one skeleton''s legs and spun, smashing the stone sword in the other skeleton''s face. Thest two skeletons ttered toward him and stabbed his lungs with some coordination. Haruki parried the attacks and gave a cheap low kick to knock the skeletons off their feet.


    His menacing eyes peered down at the skeletons. His lips broke into a twisted grin. Looking down on his enemy ted him. A strange feeling congested his chest. He lifted his leg and stomped the innocent skeleton''s head. Simrly, he crushed the other two skeletons'' heads.


    "Master"


    The stark change in Haruki befuddled Medea. She saw a simr change when he read the letter left by his mother. This raging side of Haruki might be a detriment in the war. Of course, she took it as her duty to find the cause of this change. Perhaps it was rted to the phenomena that turned his skin red as though fire surged through him. Of course, as his servant, she wouldn''t let anyone exploit her master.


    Medea pondered, unknown to the changes happening in her heart.


    The skeletons faded into ashes; so did the sword gripped in Haruki''s hands.


    [Awakening progress: 0.22%]


    The notification sealed the bubbling emotions. Haruki let out a long sigh.


    "I went overboard."


    He got drunk on power. He hadn''t gone through many emotional changes in this life other than the time his mother hung herself. Only his dragon race could be responsible for his anger issues. He just had this hunch.


    "Fuck."


    His dragon race was a double-edged sword. Though the drawbacks were minor if he kept his head cool and focused on the battle.


    "Sorry. I lost my cool there."


    "It''s fine, Master. Do you want to fight stronger skeleton warriors?"


    "You have a stronger version?"


    "These were the weakest ones. The better ones can utilize weapons and techniques like real warriors."


    "Heck yeah. I need a weapon a spear is better."


    He poured hundreds of hours into sojutsu, only because it allowed him to use a simple stick as a weapon. Well, it was also the coolest.


    "I can create a mystic code it might take days if I start now."


    Mystic codesa very versatile tool that could do many things such as enhancing a spell, performing a magecraft outside of a magus''s specialty, or storing things in an imaginary space. Some could even develop their conscience.


    Medea''s item construction skill created mystic codes far above the ones humans of this era were capable of. And she could do so without wasting any wealth as her skill was also capable of creating any material with magic power.


    Medea also knew how to create potions that granted limited immortality or turn a human into a walking magic stock.


    She was a terrifying foe against any magus. However, servants with magic resistance were her bane.


    "Mystic codes I remember them. Can you make a spear capable of casting a reinforcement spell on me?"


    "I absolutely can. However, as I said before, it will take time I think putting time in my temple is more efficient."


    Haruki shook his head. Even if Medea fortified her temple to the limits, the results would be the same against Gilgamesh.


    "Don''t forget we have Semiramis now."


    The Hanging Gardens of Babylon was far superior in both defense and offense.


    "My temple is inferior?" Medea whispered, eyes narrowed on Haruki. Losing against Semiramis of all people irked her. She never had any mercy for people who schemed against her, but she had to swallow her resentment as they both served the same master.


    Haruki shook his head. "I never said that. It''s just not enough to take down Gilgamesh."


    Medea reluctantly agreed with Haruki. Gilgamesh, the king of heroes, carried every Noble Phantasm in existence inside the Gate of Babylon. He had a Noble Phantasm avable for every situation possible, even to counter and nullify magecraft.


    Medea summoned the skeleton warriors. They appeared the same but their aura waspletely different. Haruki charged in the same manner and pulled thence in a skeleton''s hand. Other skeletons grouped up and attacked him at the same time.


    The skeleton couldn''t resist his inhuman strength. Haruki seized the weapon and spun an entire circle with thence. The skeletons backed off to dodge before pouncing at him.


    The previous skeleton warriors summoned by Medea couldn''t hold a candle in terms of tactics and coordination.


    Could their teamwork be of any use before absolute strength? Haruki stabbed thence in a skeleton''s open mouth and smashed the back of its hollow head. As he clutched the shaft with both hands, a stone sword crashed into his back.


    The heavy sword surprisingly hurt less than the time he fell downstairs.


    ''Dragon body.''


    Appreciating the traits of his new race, he iled thence with a healthy skeleton, shoving the skeletons meters away. The minimum distance he required to demonstrate the full power of his Sjutsu.


    He swung thence thrice, his movements a mere blur. Three skeleton heads burst into white fragments before their headless bodies copsed.


    For the next few moments, the forest echoed with bones cracking and asional cooing of pigeons.


    [Awakening progress: 0.29%]


    Medea watched the battle through her hood. These levels of battles happened daily in her kingdom when warriors fought for a chance to be knights. However, Haruki''s precise movements caught her eyes. His talent and instincts were no less than any heroic spirits in their prime, and his race far more mysterious. If he survived this war, he had every chance to be a famous figure in this era.


    Yet, this man was willing to throw away every chance to revive his mother. Praiseworthy and foolish at the same time.


    "Give me more," Haruki requested with a smile.


    He could spare ten more minutes. He''ll need another shower to wash away the umting sweat.


    Medea fulfilled his request and threw more skeleton warriors at him. For each batch, she sneakily increased theirbat knowledge and made their structure sturdier. Yet, Haruki ughtered even the strongest skeleton warriors.


    She found it hard to believe that this man never learned magecraft.

 Chapter 17: A threat

    Chapter 17: A threat


    [Sojutsu Skill evolved to D rank]


    The beating Haruki gave to the skeletons upgraded his skill. His priority of snatching the pole-type weapons was worth it.


    [Awakening progress: 0.99%]


    Only a tiny fraction shy from a full percent. A satisfied grin formed on his face.


    ''Status.''


    [Quantifying your current status]


    [Haruki Hayashi]


    Species: Dragon [Current awakening progress 0.99%]


    Age: 17


    Gender: Male


    Height, Weight: 179cm/74kg


    Alignment: Chaotic Neutral


    [Parameters]


    Strength: 7 (E-)


    Endurance: 8 (E-)


    Agility: 6 (E-)


    Magical energy: 25 (D)


    Luck: 10 (E)


    The awakening progress instantly increased his parameters. He gave a grateful smile to Medea.


    "Thanks for the help. Can we return now?"


    Medea returned a smile and wrapped him in her robe. Haruki made sure not to bother her too much this time.


    They returned home.


    ***


    Haruki sighed at his sweaty shirt. "I need another shower."


    "Then, I''ll prepare something to eat."


    She was confident in her cooking skill cultivated over countless years. With the modern knowledge from the Throne of Heroes, she wasn''t going to lose to the modern chefs!


    Just as Haruki exited the room, Kaede appeared before Medea. She was wearing a white apron over a white turtleneck.


    "Let me help you. I know what Haru likes and dislikes."


    Medea agreed with a nod. Nobody could possibly know more about her master than this doting mother.


    In the kitchen, Medea changed to the clothes Haruki gave her and wore an apron. She followed Kaede''s orders to fry shellfish dipped in simple batter.


    "The oil is too hot!"


    "You overcooked it!"


    "This sauce is too sweet!"


    Kaede showed no mercy at her mistakes. Medea felt lost at words.


    ''Why am I getting this treatment?''


    She just wanted to cook something to fill Haruki''s stomach. Kaede trained her in bringing out the perfect taste of fish. Medea couldn''t help butpare Kaede to her aunt. Circe used to obsess over food like Kaede. She had earned herself a reputation as a witch for turning men into animals.


    Medea finally passed Kaede''s hard standards.


    "That''s a good daughter."


    "D-Daughter?"


    Medea repeated, her voice shaking.


    Kaede revealed a mischievous smile. "Would you prefer it if I called you daughter-inw~?"


    Medea shook her head. "Master and I don''t have that kind of rtionship."


    Despite rejecting the idea, her mind wandered back to the time she went out with Haruki. The words he said to her echoed through her.


    A normal life.


    Cooking, teaching, and having a warm meal togetherwasn''t she living a normal life with her master?


    It was a hundred times better than her previous life.


    Yet, it would alle to an end once the war ends. She would crumble into energy, then the Fuyuki Holy Grail System would absorb her. This was the fate of every servant unless they used their wish to continue living.


    ''My wish is revenge.''


    She herself was confused at theck of hatred in her heart.


    Kaede sighed, a tinge of regret in her eyes. "Quite the indecisive one, aren''t you? Oh well. I know a woman like you wouldn''t mind Haru goofing around with his mother such a pity."


    Medea was speechless again. Ignoring the awkward topic, she grabbed the dishes.


    "Sakura is indeed a better choice," Kaedemented.


    Medea froze. Sakura shared a far deeper bond with Haruki than her. The way they talked and trusted each other, Medea wouldn''t be surprised if they became a couple. Then why was her heart twisting as if someone thrust her Noble Phantasm through her chest?


    Kaede couldn''t bear Medea''s twisted expression and gently patted her shoulders. "No need to have your heart broken, silly. Haru can take care of both you and Sakura."


    Kaede''s teasing smile irked Medea, rekindling her hatred for mature women. "Why would you do that when you also love your son?"


    "I don''t know. It was his wish to make a harem. I''m just giving my dear son a chance."


    "Harem?" Medea blinked her eyes. Her Master had a harem fetish on top of having forbidden feelings for his mother.


    He was an odd one.


    Most countries dered polygamy illegal. However, Magus pissed onws like these every day. They held power above humans, why would they let humanws confine them?


    "Sheesh. You don''t have time to think about it now. Serve him breakfast and send him to school."


    ***


    Haruki donned his school uniform. Tanned pants, shirt, and shoes. He had a love and hate rtionship with this dress. It looked so outdatedpared to what he used to wear. Then again, it was the year 2004, almost two decades earlier than his original world.


    As he took a seat at the dining table, Semiramis entered the room.


    "My Master, how is your morning~?"


    While smiling sweetly, she greeted Haruki. Her eyes had no emotion. The eyes of a snake ascertaining its prey.


    This Empress was going to be a hard nut to crack. Haruki returned a grin. "Good, I guess. How was your rest?"


    "Lovely. Master can leave the cooking to me~."


    "Nope."


    As if he was dumb enough to leave his food in the hands of Semiramis, the self-proimed World''s Greatest Poisoner.


    She clicked her tongue. "You haven''t even tasted my special dishes."


    "d I didn''t."


    Medea came and served the dishes. Her apron gave her motherly charm he never expected from her. The tempura''s aroma filled his nose. He wasted no time digging in the food. The taste and crunchy texture were no different from what his mother used to cook for him. The momcon inside him almost shed a tear.


    "Where did you learn this?"


    "I saw it on the inte."


    Medea used the excuse Kaede prepared for her.


    Semiramis casually grabbed a piece from his te and brought it to her mouth. "Nothing special."


    Medea rolled her eyes. "Your Majesty shouldn''t bother with us."


    "I saw you train, my master. I must say I''m impressed by your moves and tenacity."


    Haruki frowned. "Those doves in the forest were yours?"


    Semiramis''s smile brightened at his question. "I wanted to protect my master from any unforeseen danger~."


    "As if I''d believe that."


    Haruki shook his head. She must''ve wanted to gather information on him and Medea, which she got. She heard Medea''s true name from his mouth during the training.


    Medea sighed at the realization. Unlike other servants, her Noble Phantasm had no use inbat. It took away her element of surprise. After all, Semiramis now knew she had no trump card that could flip the tides of battle.


    A provoking grin surfaced on Semiramis''s face. Annoyed, Medea assumed a bloodthirsty smile. The same smile Jason''s kins saw before they fell under her prized knife. A nerve-shaking chill spread through the room.


    "Semiramis If you ever betrayed Haruki, I swear I will drag you to hell myself."


    A serious threat.


    She was the type to eliminate her opponents instead of talking. Yet, she couldn''t duke it out unless Semiramis attacked first. Semiramis''s unchanging smile gave her this weird impulse of knocking the Empress off her high horses.


    Semiramis dismissed the threat with a smile. She winked innocently at Haruki and Medea. "You two seemed mistaken. I never aspired to betray my cute, hardworking master."


    While his servants shed with words, Haruki gulped down everything on the table. He ate over twice his usual appetite, yet he felt he could devour some more. Seeing the clock ticking close to eight, he stopped and packed a bento. He grabbed his school bag from his room and knocked on the table.


    "Medea is going with me. You can do whatever you want here."


    Semiramis joined her hands under her chin. "My master has no orders for me?"


    "Scout the Fuyuki City and take control of the Ryuudou Temple. Medea and I''ll get the materials for your fortress tonight."


    "Consider it done, my master~."


    The Queen of Assyria epted the orders with augh that bewitched and drove countless men crazy.


    Haruki shrugged and headed to the school with Medea in her spiritual form.


    ''Sakura didn''te today.''


    She had always been here to pick him up for the Sjutsu practice. Although she wasn''t exactly fit for fighting, she had stubbornly joined to spend more time with him. His usual lunch break was with her, enjoying the bento made by his mom and an extra made by Sakura.


    ''It''s kinda lonely without her.''

 Chapter 18: Talk between sisters (I)

    Chapter 18: Talk between sisters (I)


    Just know, power stones fills my happiness meter.


    ***


    Homurahara Academy was the local high school Haruki attended with Sakura. Other characters like Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka were also studying here. Haruki rarely interacted with the two as he had my hands full dealing with Sakura''s ever-growing affection and Shinji''s antics.


    Haruki entered the school fifteen minutes before the bell rang. The students returning to sses after their club activities chased me through the hallway. His brow twitched; he barely held the curses in his mouth. Having Sakura''spany came with some drawbacks.


    Haruki stopped outside ss 2-A and frowned. The ssroom was strangely silent. He slid open the door and stepped inside. The reason for the silence was none other than Sakura standing face to face with her sister.


    As one would expect from the main heroine, Rin Tohsaka was a beautiful young woman with aquamarine eyes. A part of her long wavy brown hair was styled in twin-tails tied with a ck ribbon, while the rest cascaded down her shoulders. She had a long red coat over her Homurahara academy uniforma tanned vest over a white shirt and a ck skirt.


    Rin immediately recognized Haruki but she felt something off about him. He was shrouded in different air, standing out yet blending in.


    ''Archer, do you feel it?''


    "I don''t, Master."


    Archer, who was in his spiritual form, replied instantly. He had been through the war before and possessed vague memories of the participants. This dark-haired boy wasn''t one of the masters as far as he knew. Though something about him irked Archer.


    Rin nodded and snapped her attention back to Sakura. "How can I help you?"


    Rin couldn''t fathom why Sakura would approach her with such a serious expression. Sakura usually kept a distance from her.


    After all, on paper they shared no bond whatsoever after Zouken Matou adopted Sakura. From a Magus perspective, she and Sakura were enemies as they came from different families.


    Sakura didn''t notice Haruki. Staring down Rin with serious eyes, she opened her mouth. "Tohsaka-senpai, can we talk in private?"


    It took a moment for Rin toprehend Sakura''s request.


    ''Did she find out I attend the Martial Arts Club to watch her?''


    She shook her head.


    ''Doesn''t look like it.''


    Sakura was usually an easy-going girl with a brilliant smile. Though at times, she would gloomily sit in the park for hours as though waiting for someone. Rin would''veforted her if it weren''t for her "trouble" with expressing her feelings.


    "Tohsaka-senpai?"


    Rin nodded and walked past Sakura. "Follow me."


    As Sakura turned around, her eyes met Haruki. "S-Senpai."


    "What''s going on here?"


    He was aware of Sakura''s ns to take back Rider from Shinji. But why was she meeting Rin of all people? The two were more like acquaintances instead of sisters. Sakura looked up to Rin Tohsaka even in this timeline. Heck, she still used the red ribbon given by Rin when Sakura was adopted. This goes to show how much she cherished her time with Rin.


    "Pleasee with me."


    "Alright."


    He followed the sisters through the hallways.


    "Master, this girl is a magus."


    Medeamunicated in her spiritual form.


    ''I know. Her servant is strong too.''


    "How strong?"


    ''He killed you in one of the timelines.''


    In Saber''s route, she was killed by Gilgamesh. In Rin''s route, Archer killed her with little to no effort. Heaven''s feel route showed True Assassin tricking Medea using her master Kuzuki. She was forced to stab herself with her Noble Phantasm, even then True Assassin plunged a dagger into her throat for a swift but brutal death.


    Medea fell silent as Rin took a turn for the stairs leading to the roof.


    ''Scared?'' Haruki provoked the usually calm Medea. ''I won''t let it happen as long as I''m around.''


    He''d rather abandon his current quest to revive his mother than losing Medea. With his system, there would always be a chance to bring back his mother. However, Medea won''t be the same even if he did manage to revive her.


    Medea could feel the determination in his voice. For once, she was grateful to be in her spiritual form, or she wouldn''t be able to control her surging emotions.


    Rin opened the roof''s door. Sakura gestured to Rin to go ahead before she looked back at Haruki.


    "Senpai, sorry for noting today. I''ve brought a bento if you feel hungry."


    Her angelic smile dazed him. How could someone smile so brightly after going through such horrors?


    "Master" Medea grumbled. "Focus."


    Haruki coughed. "Let''s eat together during the break."


    "Yes, Senpai."


    Sakura walked toward Rin, who was admiring the scene from behind a fence. Her gazedened withplicated emotionsnded on Rin''s back. She reached for the red ribbon tied to the left side of her hair and gently stroked it.


    "Rin Nee-san."


    Rin''s cool expression dissolved into surprise. Eyes wide, she stared at Sakura. It''s been ages since Sakura called her sister. Sakura''s smile filled with nostalgia brewedplicated feelings in Rin''s heart. She loved Sakura, and the fact Sakura acknowledged her as an older sister almost made her grin. Almostbecause the cold and calcting beliefs instilled in her mind raised her wariness against Sakura''s change.


    Sakura continued, "Rin Nee-san, I need your help."


    Sakura''s cutesy voice blew away Rin''s aloof mask.


    "W-What is it?"


    "I want to get rid of Shinji, Nee-san."


    With a sweet smile, Sakura voiced her request. Haruki and Rin just stared at Sakura.


    ''I changed her too much,'' Haruki thought.


    Sakura in the original series was rather soft-spoken and prone to embarrassment, always hiding her desires from others. Suffering in silence was her motto before she met Haruki.


    "Why?" Rin asked in an indifferent tone. Her so-called "Magus" persona was on full disy. "You''re going to participate?"


    She didn''t outright reveal anything about the Holy Grail War because of Haruki''s presence.


    "I do," Sakura replied in a firm voice. "Shinji is Rider''s Master. He threatened to kill Haruki-senpai with her help. Rin Nee, it''s the only thing I''ll ever ask of you. So, please..."


    Haruki raised his hand. "Hold up. That idiot is going to kill me?"


    "No, you wait. Sakura, you told him?"


    Rin was greatly puzzled by Sakura''s decision to tell her crush about the magus society.


    Sakura lightly shook her head. "Senpai''s Kaa-san was a magus."


    Haruki grabbed Sakura''s arm. "Mom told you?"


    "Yes. She did."


    "I was the only one in the dark about her," Haruki grumbled.


    ''Just you wait, Mom. I''ll have you answer every question after I get you back.''


    "She could have done it to protect you."


    Arch, the dragon goddess, hadn''t been very active in other matters. Her speaking up for his mother was suspicious.


    ''Very very suspicious.''


    "..."

 Chapter 19: Talk between sisters (II-III)

    Chapter 19: Talk between sisters (II-III)


    Rin was disturbed by Haruki''s identity. Fuyuki City was under her family''s jurisdiction. A magus was living in her town whose son was her ssmate, and Kirei didn''t inform her about this. She felt her brows sink deeply. Her hunch about Priest hiding things from her might be right.


    ''People are undermining Tohsaka''s authority after Otou-san''s death.''


    Haruki saw Rin''s frown and shook his head. He ced a hand on Sakura''s shoulder.


    "Senpai?"


    "Why do you want Rider?"


    He obviously knew her motive, but he wanted to hear it from her.


    "II want to help Senpai," Sakura said as her body shook. "I don''t know what I''d do if something happened to you..."


    The fear of losing him was evident in her violet eyes.


    "What about Zouken?"


    "He"


    "He''ll not let you do that," he said with a sigh before looking dead into her eyes. "Sakura, you''re the most important person to me."


    Other than his mother, he had spent the most time with her. She had remained glued to his side ever since she was five or perhaps six.


    Sakura didn''t know how to respond to the out-of-nowhere confession from Haruki. Despite that, the timid smile on her face said everything.


    "Same," she said, giving an upturned nce at him. "I mean Senpai is my most important person."


    She wouldn''t have told him about her deepest secrets otherwise. Though she regretted telling some of the horrifying things, it didn''t faze Haruki. He always listened to her whenever she poured her heart out and cursed her family. When she was done ranting, he would rub her head like an older brother. She missed the old days where she could be herself.


    "Cute" Haruki mumbled and softly rubbed her head like she was imagining. "You don''t need to ask for someone''s help. I''ll take Rider from Shinji."


    Rin wasn''t sure what to feel about this straight-out-of-a-manga scene happening before her.


    ''Master, is that envy I feel from you?''


    Archer rubbed salt on her wounds. Just the other day, she and Ayako Mitsuzuri were talking about having a boyfriend. Ayako pitched Haruki as a boyfriend candidate because of the ''cold'' exterior they carried around the school. She already knew his rtionship with Sakura, so it only flustered her when Ayako brought this up.


    ''Shaddap!''


    "Shinji has a servant," Sakura said. "He will"


    Haruki ced a finger on her lips, effectively silencing her from speaking further.


    "You forgot I also have one."


    "Wait just a minute," Rin interrupted. "You''re a Master?!"


    Her suspicion was right all along!


    Haruki nodded. "That makes us enemies."


    "That doesn''t make sense. I can''t sense your magical energy so you aren''t a mage. Why are you participating in the war?"


    She didn''t want Sakura''s only friend to die in the war.


    "It''s because of me," Medea said as she appeared behind Haruki. "I''m masking Master''s magic."


    As Medea made her presence known, Archer also materialized behind Rin and folded his arms on his chest. He looked ready to retaliate against any possible attack.


    Medea stared at Archer. Despite being of Archer ss, he had the physique of a swordsman. The confidence in his eyes made her sneer.


    "I''m not interested in fighting here," Archer said, shaking his head. "Caster."


    "Coward."


    Archer just grinned while his Master red at Haruki.


    "Don''t you know the rule? Servants shouldn''t appear in a popted ce, much less fight."


    Rin was losing her mind from the surprises. First, she found out Sakura had a boyfriend, then that boyfriend turned out to be a Master in the Grail War.


    "We''re not fighting. Instead," Haruki said and extended his hand. "I want us to be allies."


    "Rin Nee-san will be on our side?"


    Sakura gave a puppy-eyed nce at Rin, hoping it would persuade her. She loved Rin, but she also adored Haruki. She was willing to use anything as long as Haruki didn''t meet the same fate as Kariya Matou.


    Rin was put on the spot once again. Will she honor Tohsaka''s name and abandon her sister? Or will she help her sister walk through the burning path of the Holy Grail War?


    The hesitation in her eyes was apparent to Haruki. Seeing her like that, Haruki easily guessed what she would do.


    ''She idolizes her father too much.''


    He thought and sighed. Her father was a cold-hearted individual, but at least he had good intentions when he sent Sakura to the Matou family.


    Rin and Sakura both had rare talents. Rin was an Average One, capable of wielding all five elements as well as a natural affinity to Tohsaka''s Conversion Sorcery Trait. Sakura, whilecking any such affinity, possessed the Hollow element. Grooming two such Magus was impossible for the Tohsaka Family. So instead of letting one daughter thrive while the other never saw her true potential, Tokiomi Tohsaka let Matou adopt Sakura. His good intentions yielded a bad result.


    Rin stepped on Haruki''s toe. "Did the Church acknowledge your participation?"


    Feeling irritated, Haruki took his revenge by stepping on her shoe.


    "Argh!"


    His ''restrained'' strength almost crushed her delicate legs. Rin kneeled and held her foot. With tears in her blue eyes, she red up at him.


    "You jerk."


    "You did it first," he said with a shrug. Before she protested any further, he assumed a cold look. "Don''t you dare bring up the ''I''m a girl'' card. I hate that crap the most."


    Sakura wasn''t surprised at this side of Haruki. A side reserved to deal with strangers and Shinji. Other than her, he rarely talked to anyone. Rejecting girls'' confessions and other people, he came off as cold to everyone in the school, earning him the nickname of Cold Prince. Not that he cared about how they called him behind his back.


    Rin stood up and faced Haruki. "Answer my question first."


    The Church had the right to interfere if a Magus fought in the war without informing them. In fact, the Church was fine with anyone as long as their wish didn''t cause any major effects on the world. Rin hoped he got disqualified for his ''stupid'' attitude, or he''d die in the war and make Sakura cry.


    Medea smiled at Rin''s question. "The Church''s supervisor Kirei Kotomine met my previous master, Atrum Galliasta. I have yet to inform the Church about my new master."


    "That fake priest is my family friend, so I''ll help you meet him," Rin said, still ring at Haruki. "Come with me tonight."


    Haruki so wanted to lift the curtains off these so-called Fake Priest''s deeds. She was oblivious to the fact that her current family caretaker, Kirei Kotomine, murdered her father in the previous Holy Grail War. The Priest also wished for the end of humanity in the most painful way. But Haruki refrained from any irrational move. The Priest''s servant, Gilgamesh, was far too strong for him.


    At least right now.


    "Sure. Let''s go after school."


    Meeting Kirei had toe sooner orter.


    "Sakura, we''re leaving."


    He took Sakura''s hand, who stubbornly pulled him.


    "Senpai, please. We need Rin Nee-san''s help."


    With three servants on their side, she''d be assured of their victory without any sacrifice.


    "She will help us," Haruki said, looking at Rin. "Or you don''t want to help the sister your family abandoned?"


    Rin froze at his voice filled with frost.


    "Master, why are you acting like this?" Medea asked.


    ''If I have to be the viin to reunite the stubborn sisters, then so be it.''


    He hadn''t tried before due to hisck of power. Even if he told Rin about Sakura''s circumstances, nothing would change. The hot-headed Rin would charge into the Matou family and get devoured by Zouken''s worms. The Clock Tower would also take no action against Zouken as he was a well-respected figure there. His ''experiment'' with Sakura wasn''t that rare within the families associated with the Clock Tower. The monsters associated with the Clock Tower could kill him even if Medea and Semiramis tried to protect him.


    ''The old vampire.''


    Haruki didn''t need to worry about him for now. His Second Magic was limited in what it could observe. If he tried to observe this timeline too far, he might end up making it the only ''true'' timeline which exists.


    Sakura didn''t dally any longer. After giving a concerned look to Rin, she left with Haruki.


    Medea gave a smile to Rin and Archer. "Allies or enemies? Choose wisely."


    With a confident deration, she disappeared from their view. Rin, left alone with Archer, sighed.


    "Master, you want to help that girl?"


    Archer wasn''t opposed to the idea. As long as his ''goal'' of killing Shirou was fulfilled, he didn''t care about anything.


    Rin leaned against the fence and looked up at the sky. "I will until the final battle. They will be on their own after that."


    "Someone else is here," Archer warned and changed into his spiritual form.


    Rin turned around and found Shinji Matou on the second building''s terrace. A woman with long purple hair appeared out of nowhere and looked back for just a moment. Then, she started inscribing something on the ground.


    "She noticed us," Archer said. "But her master isn''t aware."


    "Sakura was right. Rider doesn''t seem cooperative with Shinji."


    Rin decided to check out what they were doing after school.


    ***


    Haruki escorted Sakura to her ss before he made his way to Shirou''s ss. Standing near the door, he observed the handsome teen with auburn hair earnestly listening to Taiga''s lecture. Haruki honestly couldn''t sense any servant around Shirou.


    ''Medea, do you see a servant nearby?''


    "I don''t."


    His hunch was right. Saber hadn''t been summoned by Shirou as Archer and Lancer hadn''t fought. They were earlier in the war than he expected.


    ''I don''t remember every detail.''


    While he was beating himself over the massive blunder, Arch spoke up.


    "No need to beat yourself over it You used to be a human before. It''s impossible to have a wless memory."


    ''You really have a soothing voice.''


    His first impression of her being a tsundere dragon turned out to be wrong.


    ''Why didn''t my blood summon a Saber ss Servant then?''


    Medea hummed at his question. "Perhaps Master focused too much on summoning an Assassin."


    ''We''ll return early to summon another servant.''


    "Master how many do you want?"


    Medea was stumped at his greed.


    ''The more the merrier.''


    "Ya?" Taiga shouted as she turned to Haruki. "Hayashi-kun?"


    She walked up to him, wrapped her arms around his neck, and pulled him down to her chest. "I heard about your mother I''m sorry you had to go through that."


    She was usually cheerful and almost childish with her students unless someone called her tiger. But she also knew the pain of losing someone as she had lost Kiritsugu, her first crush.


    The students murmured about his mother''s death, giving him pitiful looks.


    Haruki pulled himself back with a sigh and smiled at Taiga. "I''m fine, Taiga-sensei."


    She once tried to enlist him into the kendo club, but he rejected her. Despite that, they still respected each other as fellow martial artists.


    "Come to me if you need any assistance," she said and hollered at the students to quiet down.


    Haruki returned to his ss, only to be greeted with whispers of him going out with Sakura, which he ignored, and sat down on his seat. With a bored expression, he peered at his notebook. In Saber ss, quite a few servants stood out like Artoria Pendragon, Miyamoto Musashi, Siegfried, Nero, Okita Souji, and Mordred.


    Who should he choose?

 Chapter 20: Sigh

    Chapter 20: Sigh


    I know you guys are hyped for the Saber-ss servant. The thing is I have 12 chapters on my patr.eon, which means I have already decided which servant Haruki will summon. I''m not going to change the story now.


    So


    It''s


    Time


    To


    Stop!


    It''s a note for those whoment thinking that I''ll change the plot for them. It makes me feel bad for some reason. Like I''m seizing my cousin''s candy and eating it in front of them. I have the entire fate/stay night plot mapped out, so I don''t need any suggestions regarding servants.


    Jk <3

 Chapter 21: Possessive (I)

    Chapter 21: Possessive (I)


    Haruki settled on summoning Artoria for two reasonsher ideals and her strength.


    The former he disliked a little, but he couldn''t deny her usefulness against Semiramis. She would butt heads with Semiramis as she lived her life with chivalry and honor.


    Thetter was just brilliant. With his magical energy, her stats could be near max. Once she got the Avalon, not even True Magic would be able to harm her.


    His victory would be all but guaranteed.


    But, there was a tiny problem with his n.


    ''Avalon.''


    The artifact capable of granting Artoria absolute defense as well as being the catalyst to summon herit was inside Shirou''s body at this very moment.


    ''Time to yeet Shirou, I guess.''


    Shirou could still be a hero of justice without the Avalon. Despite understanding the root of Shirou''s trauma and his desire, Haruki had no qualms about stealing Avalon from him.


    ''Medea, any progress on the mystic code spear?''


    "I have finished the design and abilities. I can make it during the night."


    ''Go home and work on it now.''


    He had ns to explore the dungeon tonight. Theck of a weapon would drastically increase the difficulty.


    "There is a servant nearby. Thus, I cannot leave your side."


    Haruki sighed and got up from his seat. His teacher, Souichirou Kuzuki, turned around and fixed his sses. The former assassin gave Haruki a stare bereft of any emotion.


    "I''m not feeling well, Sensei. Can I rest in the infirmary?"


    "You may."


    Like other teachers, Souichirou also knew what had happened to his mother. With Haruki''s near top academic results, Souichirou allowed him freedom for a few days.


    Haruki took his bag and headed outside.


    "Wait, where are you going?"


    Rin stopped him in his path. Chin high, arms crossedshe gave him a proud tsundere look. Haruki groaned inwardly. This tsundere was making his life difficult for no reason.


    "Gonna sleep in the infirmary. Don''t worry, I''ll be here after school."


    "Good," Rin looked away with a huff and murmured to herself, "Why does Sakura like this jerk?"


    Haruki stopped himself from cursing her seven generations and sighed. "Hey Rin, do you love Sakura?"


    The question caught Rin off guard. She put her hands on her waist and leaned forward. Subjected to her curious gaze, any high schooler would be flustered and lose their calm. But Haruki just smiled, maintaining eye contact with her.


    "What kind of question is that, Hayashi-kun?"


    "Can''t answer a simple question? As expected, all members of the Tohsaka n are socially inept on top of being losers."


    Rin pointed her finger at him and almost cast Gandr to blow him into oblivion. Every word that came out of his mouth triggered her.


    Haruki revealed a broad smirk at her frustration. He was having a good time making her explode. "I''m Sakura''s friend, remember? She''ll be sad if you hurt me?"


    Gritting her teeth, she suppressed her boiling anger. A magus wouldn''t fall for such an obvious ckmail attempt. Thinking, she managed to calm down.


    "Master, what are you doing? Won''t it worsen our rtionship with her?"


    Medea had no idea what he was trying to achieve with Rin.


    ''I was having some fun my bad.''


    "What do you want?" Rin asked, ring at him.


    "I''ll be honest. I want you to make up with Sakura."


    It was the only thing he wanted, which would make Rin give up on winning the Holy Grail. Bonded with her sister, Sakura might give up on him in the worst-case scenario, her feelings for him will soar higher.


    ''I have no choice but to ept her.''


    It wasn''t like he didn''t find Sakura beautiful. It was far from the truth as she was one of the most beautiful girls in his life. Sweet and gentle, yet stronger than anyone he knew. Still, his care for her only stretched until the limits of a brother, or so he believed.


    "Are you sure about that?" Arch questioned softly. "What if Sakura left you for someone else? Would you still say that?"


    Haruki felt like a boulder fell on his head. The mere thought of Sakura being with someone made his skin red.


    ''When did I be so possessive?''


    "Ufufu. Perks of being a dragon."


    Arch''s yful exnation made him sigh. Being a dragon brought a fair share of troubles.


    Rin waved her hand in his face. "Sleeping?"


    "I was thinking about possibilities."


    "Possibilities?"


    "The chances of Sakura bing a Lesser Grail in this war."


    "Sakura and Lesser Grail? What do you mean?"


    With a look of utter confusion, she questioned. She couldn''t find any rtionship between the two. Even Archer was confused.


    As Haruki was about to reply, the ssroom door behind him opened and Kuzuki appeared.


    "What are you two doing?"


    Rin clutched her head. "Ah, Sensei. My head is throbbing!"


    Writhing in agony, Rin gave a top-notch performance. The former assassin easily saw through her tricks, but he didn''t point it out.


    "Hayashi, take Tohsaka to the infirmary."


    "Roger, Sensei."


    Haruki took Rin''s hand and dragged her toward the infirmary.


    ***


    Fate/Stay Night feels iplete without Artoria. So summoning Nero and other servants will be after the Holy Grail arc.

 Chapter 22: Possessive (II)

    Chapter 22: Possessive (II)


    Sheesh. Nobody likes Artoria now. I know her character is a bit boring and nd. But we can''t have Salter without summoning Saber first. Her alter version is super hot, you know?


    ***


    After taking a few turns in the corridor, Haruki took a cut to the stairs. Rin didn''t need the infirmary''s help, neither did he want to stay there.


    "Hayashi."


    He bumped into Shinji, who happened to being down the rooftop. His wide eyes fell on Haruki''s hand joined with Rin''s. Rin yanked her hand from Hayashi''s grasp and gave a forced smile.


    "Matou-kun, would you please move?"


    "Move, Seaweed," Hayashi ordered, acting like a typical bully.


    Shinji swallowed the hatred down his throat. With Rin present, he couldn''t summon Rider. Although he wasn''t fully assured, apetitive magus like Tohsaka had high chances of participating in the Holy Grail War.


    ''I have to wait until Rider''s Noble Phantasm is ready.''


    Shinji looked down on others, but he also was a coward by nature, especially in front of Tohsaka who was a genius in magecraft.


    Shinji proudly walked down the stairs and bumped his shoulder with Haruki, only to feel like he crashed into an immovable wall.


    Haruki smirked and imposed his leg in Shinji''s way. Shinji tumbled down the stairs and smashed his nose into the concrete.


    "Later, Seaweed."


    Rin watched the bullying with a nk look. She herself was somewhat of a bully, but Haruki took it to a different level.


    "It''s in harassment," Rin whispered.


    Haruki chuckled to himself. It seemed both sisters had a habit of thinking out loud.


    "I don''t know about that," Haruki said and observed the crimson magic circle drawn on the wall. It had numerous serpents housed inside an octagon with strange letters drawn on both the inside and outside of the magic circle.


    Rin ced her hand over the magic circle and analyzed its structure. "It''s a bounded field."


    "Indeed," Medea said as she emerged from the shadows. "A dangerous magecraft made with a servant''s blood." Medea held her chin. "Master, it''ll be troublesometer. Shall I dismantle it?"


    "Don''t bother. I''ll take care of Shinji today."


    If Saber''s summoning goes right, even Zouken would be dead before midnight. Freeing Sakura and taking Rider took priority, then he will take a look into the Ryuudou Temple.


    Haruki slumped against the wall. "Back to our topic. You don''t know anything that happened to Sakura?"


    Rin slumped beside him, her eyes peering at the sky. "I haven''t really talked to her for years"


    The usual greeting they shared now and then didn''t qualify as a proper conversation.


    "Sakura is going through so much at this moment, and only you can help her."


    "Exin."


    Haruki shook his head. "Ask her yourself."


    "You are annoying, you know?"


    "Yup, but I care about Sakura, and Sakura loves you."


    Rin couldn''tprehend how a high schooler like herself could dwell on these topics so naturally. She had trouble saying more than ''hello'' and ''goodbye'' to her sister. Yet, he talked about love and stuff so freely.


    "You said something about Lesser Grail. Sakura knows about that too?"


    "She doesn''t. And don''t bring it up before her."


    She flinched from his cold eyes. "Okay"


    "Good. You can return now."


    "Huh?"


    "Caster, escort her to the ss."


    "Understood, Master."


    "Waaaaaait."


    She had more questions, some were rted to him, some to his mother''s background. Her protests had no results on Medea. Haruki''s servant pushed Rin out of the door before locking it shut.


    Rin mmed the door in anger. "Jerk. Stupid. Idiot. Numbskull."


    She spouted curses as she left for the ss.


    Haruki chuckled for an odd moment until a blue window silenced him for good.


    [Rin Tohsaka is added to the ''Potential Partners'' list.]


    ''You want me to conquer both sisters?''


    "I am showing you the way. Whether you walk it or not, depends on you."


    The prospect of having the sisters in each of his arms tempted him. Just a bit. He immediately checked the genius mage''s status.


    Rin Tohsaka: A descendant and inheritor of the Tohsaka family.


    -Current status  Thinking of a way to approach Sakura.


    -Rtionship Status  21/100


    -Species  Human


    -Age  17


    -Gender  Female


    -Height, Weight  159cm/47kg


    -Alignment  Lawful Neutral


    -Parameters


    Strength: 3 (F)


    Endurance: 3 (F)


    Agility: 3 (F)


    Magical energy: 20 (D)


    Luck: 11 (E)


    -Authorities


    None


    -Noble Phantasm


    None


    -Skills


    Sorcery Trait: Conversion [A]


    Info: This trait increases the effectiveness of storing magical energy in objects.


    Sorcery Trait: Reinforcement [B]


    Info: This trait increases the effectiveness of reinforcement magic.


    Sorcery Element: Earth [D]


    Info: One of the five natural elements, gives easier ess to Earth Magecraft spells.


    Note: This element is currently sealed.


    Sorcery Element: Wind [B]


    Info: One of the five natural elements, gives easier ess to Wind Magecraft spells.


    Sorcery Element: Water [D]


    Info: One of the five natural elements, gives easier ess to Water Magecraft spells.


    Sorcery Element: Fire [A]


    Info: One of the five natural elements, gives easier ess to Fire Magecraft spells.


    Martial Arts [D]


    Info: Acquired from immense practice in hand-to-handbat.


    Despite having lower overall stats, she was stacked with skills. She didn''t have any mana control skill, meaning either it was exclusive to him or Rin was unskilled. The former had more chances of being true as even Medea didn''t have the mana flow control.


    ''She is strong.''


    Unless he managed to close the distance, she would one-up him with her Gandr magic and reinforcement magic. It''ll be a tough fight for sure, which made him grin foolishly.


    Medea threw a strange nce at him. "I don''t understand you sometimes..."


    "What?"


    "Why are you being nosy with Rin Tohsaka?" she said as she folded her arms on her waist and looked away.


    Haruki blinked his eyes. She seemed to be discontent about this as though his talk with Rin made her jealous.


    ''That''s kinda cute.''


    Haruki smiled and patted the ground. "Come over."


    Medea didn''t ignore his orders. With a sigh, she approached and sat beside him. She still didn''t say a thing and began creating tools to create his mystic code. She could feel his gaze full of curiosity and warmth on her, but she continued her work, despite a thin blush on her face.

 Chapter 23: Budding Feelings

    Chapter 23: Budding Feelings


    Medea concentrated on taking notes. She could''ve used her ''Item Construction skill'' to create a mystic code for Haruki. However, having known Haruki''s goals of battling alongside her, she went an extra mile to give the mystic code an extra boost. Even she had to wrack her brain to make something durable enough to sh against a Noble Phantasm. Even her level of reinforcement wouldn''t provide durability tost a few minutes against a mid-tier servant. From what she heard, all the Servants in this war were powerful.


    Haruki felt like he could watch her all day without getting bored.


    ''Love is a powerful emotion.''


    As much as he wanted to watch his beautiful servant, he had to sleep lest he ended up copsing inside the dungeon. He couldn''t kidnap Shirou under Rin''s watch, so sleeping was the best use of his time. He immediately thought of going to the infirmary to steal a nap but shook off the idea. Medea would wrap her ''shop'' and follow him around. Sleeping here was a little price for having Medea''s handmade mystic code.


    ''Arch, can you create the tasks for summoning another servant and killing Zouken?''


    Task #5: Third Summon


    Objective: Summoning another servant.


    Difficulty: C-Rank


    Rewards: 1 X High-Rank Gacha Coupon


    Would you like to ept this Task?


    The difficulty drastically dropped this time around. It was easy to guess who was responsible.


    Artoria Pendragon.


    She will make things easy for him, instead of raising the danger level.


    Task #6: Payback


    Objective: Kill Zouken Matou.


    Difficulty: B-Rank


    Rewards: 1 X Premium Gacha Coupon


    Would you like to ept this Task?


    B-Rank difficulty meant the old magus won''t go down easily. He will have three servants at his call in a battle. Thest thing he''d want is making a stupid mistake in overconfidence.


    ''What''s high-rank gacha? What are other ranks?''


    "Wait let me find my list"


    Haruki imagined Arch fumbling around her room for a tier list. It was a funny and unbelievable picture.


    Rates of Gacha drops


    Premium: Mythic item - 0.8%, Legendary item - 3.2%, Epic item - 10.4%, Super-Rare item - 85.6%


    High-Rank: Legendary item - 0.5%, Epic item - 2.5%, Super-Rare item: 6.8%, Rare item - 90.2%


    Mid-Rank: Epic item - 0.4%, Super-Rare item: 1.6%, Rare item - 5.9%, Umon item - 92.1%


    Low-Rank: Super-Rare item: 0.3%, Rare item - 1.2%, Umon item - 5.5%, Common item - 93%


    ''What are these shitty pull rates?!''


    Even the Fate game had better rates for 5 stars than this system.


    "I didn''t want to give any Mythic items at all," Arch admitted. "but I can''t go against my authority. You''ll rely on the items instead of bing strong yourself. Items are tools. What matters, in the end, is your fists."


    He could understand what Arch wanted to convey.


    "At first," Arch whispered. "I didn''t expect you to give in to the temptation of power and **** women for authorities I knew the type of man you would be after death."


    ''And?''


    "I still had some doubts but you didn''t let me down."


    Getting acknowledged by Arch made his chest giddy.


    ''d to hear that. And I ept the tasks.''


    He leaned his back against the wall and made himselffortable. With a deep breath, he closed his eyes and tried to sleep.


    ***


    The fourth period of the ss ended, then came the break. Sakura''s most awaited moment in school time, where she could show off her cooking skills to Haruki. Today, she had worked super hard on preparing the chicken ramen for him.


    With a smile, she walked toward the door, only for a ssmate to take her hand.


    "Matou-san, Matou-san, are you going out with Hayashi-Senpai?"


    It was a cute girl with short ck hair. Despite being ssmates, Sakura didn''t remember her name or the names of the girls around the cute girl.


    ''I wish I was going out with him.''


    Sakura gave a bitter smile. She had long realized Haruki never saw her as a woman, only as a family figure. Perhaps the worms writhing under her skin made him hesitate. She''d do anything to get a normal body.


    ''If only Grail could grant two wishes...''


    Sakura pushed back the painful thoughts. "No. Haruki-Senpai is single"


    "Ehhhh. I thought you two were dating."


    Everyone in the school thought that. Sakura had gotten used to this peculiar rtionship between her and Haruki. Closer than friends, yet not still a family.


    "Want to have lunch with us?" asked a girl with tanned skin.


    Sakura bowed. "Thank you for asking, but I have ns with Senpai."


    "Okay"


    The girls quietly left her, whispering things to each other.


    Sakura sighed and walked to Haruki''s ss, only to find Rin standing outside, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. She seemed to be contemting something.


    Sakura couldn''t find the courage to initiate a conversation. Having Haruki by her side helped a lot. She didn''t disturb Rin and peeked into the ss.


    "Senpai isn''t here," she whispered.


    Standing a few meters away, Rin naturally heard Sakura.


    "He is on the roof," Rin said, a tinge of frustration in her voice. "Having fun with his servant."


    Sakura''s mind went nk. Not all Masters shared a perfect spiritual bond with their Servant. They had to resort to sexual activities to share mana. That''s why Masters preferred a servant of the opposite gender.


    ''Senpai wouldn''t fall for that witch right?''


    She was skeptical. After all, she had seen him dating women in the area. All of them were older than him and more experienced. Medea gave her the same vibes.


    ''I don''t have any right to stop him''


    She could still warn him about the legends of Medea, the Witch of Betrayal. He most likely knew about his servant. A wake-up call wouldn''t hurt anyone.


    Rin saw Sakura''s serious expression and covered her smug grin. ''It''s my revenge, dummy. Sakura will hate you now.''


    Even if it wasn''t sex, Rin was confident Haruki would be doing something shady that he didn''t want to show anyone.


    "Rin Nee-san. I''ll see youter."


    Sakura bowed briefly before she turned and hurriedly walked toward the stairs. Rin followed her in a hurry to watch the drama unfold.


    Sakura found the door locked, so she knocked. "Senpai."


    Medea, on the other side of the door, frowned. She could feel Sakura and Rin''s presence.


    ''Annoying bugs''


    She nced at Haruki, who was sleeping with a soft smile on his face. He did it all because he didn''t want to disturb her during her work. A strong urge to spoil him grew in her heart. She was quick to realize her growing attachment to the young man.


    ''Gods, he is barely a fraction of my age. Am I really falling for a man this young?!''


    She sighed and threw the feelings to the back of her head.


    ''I''ll think about it after winning the war.''


    Nothing woulde to fruition if they didn''t win. Her master had sworn to resurrect Kaede, and he might even sacrifice himself to achieve that.


    ''Extreme love is the most dangerous thing in this universe''


    People in extreme love knew no limits. Whether it was ying her family or burning a whole town, she had done it all before under Eros''s spell.


    "Senpai," Sakura called once again.


    Medea stored the tools in the imaginary space built inside her robes before she opened the door. Sakura and Rin walked past her and looked at Haruki sleeping soundly.


    "Rin Nee-san, you''re a liar."


    Rin scratched her head. Of all things, she never predicted Haruki would be dozing off on the roof. His soft smile raised her heartbeat for some reason.


    ''He is really good-looking''


    "Master, I never expected to hear it from you," Archermented, chuckling in her head.


    Rin blushed a little. As Rin reached out to wake Haruki, Sakura grabbed her hand. With a finger on her lips, Sakura shushed Rin.


    "Let Senpai sleep."


    Rin couldn''t help but shudder. Sakura''s soft smile had this frightening atmosphere that could shake anyone''s will.


    "Yes," Medea agreed and cast a bounded field around the roof, cutting off any sounding from outside. Her skillful magecraft was only noticed by Archer, who simply conveyed it to Rin.


    Sakura put down her bag and carefully sat beside Haruki. She was going to wake him before lunch ended.


    Medea looked at Sakura sitting so close to Haruki. She could feel the maggots wreaking havoc inside the purple-haired girl. Despite being a gifted mage, she couldn''t provide any od to her servant since the maggots fed on her magical energy.


    ''Master would want to save her as well.''


    Medea could use Rule Breaker to sever the link between Sakura and the crest worms. But doing so would leave them in a berserk state, and they will most likely kill Sakura.


    ''I''ll need to make preparations before Master asks me. It''ll make him happy''


    Medea''s lips curled up. Covering her mouth, she giggled.


    Rin and Sakura heard her creepyughter and looked at her in confusion.

 Chapter 24: Dream

    Chapter 24: Dream


    A white dove took flight in the bright sky. Haruki found himself following it from a fixed distance as if he was inside a third-person game. The shing view of the vivid blue ocean left him breathless.


    ''Is this Semiramis''s past?''


    He associated everything dove-rted to his Assassin Servant.


    Soon, an ind appeared in the distance. The dovended on the coast where a ck-haired girl sat with flocks of doves surrounding her.


    ''She looks cute.''


    "Come h-here," Semiramis said as she turned to him.


    Her voice was beyond childish, and she stuttered; it was hard to find any resemnce between her and the woman he summoned except for their sharp ears and mesmerizing golden eyes. This was the result of living in the wild for a decade or so after her mother abandoned her. It was surprising she could speak a proper word.


    ''She is the descendant of some mermaid goddess.''


    Haruki watched as the dove snuggled up to her.


    "A girl?"


    Unfortunately, the moment was ruined by a middle-aged shepherd who had wandered far from his destination.


    Semiramis didn''t seem excited to hear his voice. She slowly stood up and turned to face the shepherd.


    "Mi-Mister," Semiramis stuttered.


    The shepherd gave a kind smile. "Are you lost?"


    Semiramis fell silent.


    Then everything became vague. Brief scenes of Semiramis''s life shed before him. Her struggles from she learned to properly speak, to dealing with the children, who shunned her for her long ears. During all this, she was struggling with her inner demons.


    Even then, her life wasn''t that tragic.


    Sure her mother abandoned her, and she grew up alone on an ind. It was far from what happened to Sakura.


    Haruki kept following Semiramis''s life as an old general came to meet her and fell for her beauty. That night, Semiramis sat in her small room as she admired herself in the mirror. After a long silence, she opened her mouth.


    "Men are such pitiful creatures," she mumbled with a cold expression. "Driven by their desires."


    "I will not sumb to them like my mother."


    "I will conquer them."


    "Rule over them."


    The turning point for Semiramis''s life was her first marriage. She couldn''t do anything right now. But it didn''t mean she was going to remain weak and let men control her life.


    The dream ended at that moment. Haruki opened his eyes to find Rin, Medea, and Sakura around him. Medea was holding her chin, deep in thoughts. Rin coughed before she looked away with a tiny blush. Sakura pulled a pic nket out of her bag and unfolded it. Humming a strange tune, she spread it on the ground and opened the bento.


    Haruki was used to the strange sight since it happened almost every day at the school. Except for the time they used the cafeteria for lunch.


    "Rin Nee-san. Caster-san. Join us."


    Medea couldn''t help but find Sakura cute. She had an extreme weakness for all cute things.


    Unable to resist the aromatic ramen, Rin sat down with a proper posture befitting her status. Haruki knew it was merely a front she put on for everyone. The real Rin was a bossy girl, who loved teasing her friends. Her true self was anything but elegant.


    Medea also joined, and the four began eating. The sight of them sitting together was an odd one for sure.


    A magus from the Age of Gods.


    A girl who could potentially form a contract with Angra Mainyu, the All World''s Evil. If the Counter Force didn''t exist, she could wipe out humanity.


    Then there was Rin. A proud magus who sought Holy Grail just to appease her father''s soul in achieving what her father couldn''t.


    All of them were here because of him.


    ''A good thing, I suppose.''


    After an uneventful lunch, Sakura packed up everything in her bag and looked at Haruki. She couldn''t just warn him when Medea was still around. Rin interpreted her hesitation as her reluctance to leave Haruki. Her position in Sakura''s heart was second to him. That much was clear.


    ''I deserve it for abandoning her''


    Deep down, she still felt guilty over everything. She shook off her gloom with a bright grin.


    "ss is about to start."


    "Rin Nee-san," Sakura mumbled with a soft smile. "Okay."


    Deciding to tell Haruki when Medea wasn''t around, Sakura took her bag. "Senpai, will youe?"


    Haruki looked over his shoulder. He could feel Semiramis''s presence nearby through their connection.


    ''She must be done with the temple.''


    He shook his head. "Not now. I have to do some stuff."


    "Okay."


    "Wait," he said and rubbed her head. "You worked hard. Don''t forget to rest, okay?"


    Sakura was momentarily caught off guard. He was cherishing her more after his mother''s death. She just hoped this spoiling didn''t stop once he became sessful in the war.


    "I will," Sakura replied, her chest fluttering with warmth. "You didn''t sleepst night."


    Suppressing her smile, Sakura gave him a suspicious look. "What were you doing?"


    "Studying for the war." He looked at Rin and mouthed to her to take Sakura and catch up about everything.


    Rin tilted her head, not understanding his intention. After two more tries, she realized his motive.


    Rin gulped nervously as she walked through the door with Sakura.


    ''Hope she doesn''t give up.''


    Rin had trouble connecting with others, so the chances were rather high.


    As soon as the door closed, Semiramis materialized before him. "My master, did you have fun?"


    "What do you mean?"


    "You had a dream about my past. Did you not?" She grinned. "This connection between us is annoying, don''t you think?"


    Through the bond, she sensed when Haruki essed her memories.


    "Your past doesn''t matter," Haruki said in a firm voice. "All I need from you is your abilities as a Heroic Spirit."


    Semiramis looked at him in disbelief. Many men had asked for her love and her beauty, but he was the first man to ever ask for her power. As if her beauty didn''t enter his eyes.


    "As long as I get my wish, I will dly lend my strength to your cause."


    "And what is that?"


    "To rule the world," she said, giving a calm smile. "To be the Empress of this world. A Ruler."


    Her ambitions triggered something in Haruki. His magical energy pulsated as if it wanted to break free and attack Semiramis.


    "Dragons are conquerors," Arch exined. "Tyrants. Brutes. They never share their throne."


    ''I don''t want to be a tyrant though.''


    Tyrants never lived long. He, on the other hand, wanted to live hundreds of years with his family. Dragons could live longer than that in Nasuverse.


    "What if the tyrant has absolute strength? Will his subjects rebel?"


    ''No. They won''t,'' he sighed. ''It''ll be a long time before I''m anywhere close to absolute.''


    "Indeed."

 Chapter 25: She is alive?

    Chapter 25: She is alive?


    Semiramis and Medea both felt the surge of magical energying from Haruki. His eyes had taken a sharp glint, shaking them a little. Medea especially recognized this invisible pressureing from him. It was the same presence she felt from the guardian of the golden fleecea giant golden dragon.


    ''Impossible...''


    A dragon couldn''t exist outside the Reverse side, the home of all the Divine Spirits and the phantasmal species.


    ''Is he the result of a magecraft? Or a mixed-blood?''


    Without proper information, her guesses flew in every direction.


    Semiramis didn''t know Haruki''s race, but she sure as hell saw the change in Haruki''s presence.


    Haruki suppressed his mana and smiled. The look of shock in his servants'' eyes made him chuckle.


    "Did I scare you?"


    "My master, you aren''t scary," Semiramis said with a light giggle. "Ipleted the task you bestowed upon me. The ley line is under our control. It will reduce the burden on my master."


    Ley Linesthe spiritualnds which generated mana for the world. Fuyuki had four such locations. The Tohsaka household, Kotomine Church, Ryuudou temple, and Fuyuki Civic Center, where the Fourth Grail War was summoned.


    Haruki had forgotten how good they could be.


    "Good job."


    Semiramis curled up her lips. "I made everything clean. Shouldn''t you reward me for taking extra steps to erase evidence?"


    "What do you want?"


    What could he possibly give to the former empress?


    "I want to know my master''s wish?"


    The only thing that raised her curiosity. It was crucial knowing it so their wish doesn''t shter.


    "Resurrection of my mother."


    "Resurrection? That''s beyond the realms of True Magic. Pulling a soul out of Akasha can''t be achieved by this Grail, my master."


    Haruki froze for a second.


    ''Arch.''


    "Normally, yes. But your mother''s soul is already in this world, anchored to your home. You only need to prepare apatible vessel for her. The easiest way is the Holy Grail."


    ''My home'' his eyes widened. ''The ghost I saw was Mom?''


    "Yes she had been observing you since her death."


    ''That''s''


    He didn''t know what to say. Instead, he looked around, hoping to catch a glimpse of her figure.


    "Master?" Medea called, a hint of concern in her voice. She ced a hand on his shoulder. "About your mother Her soul is still intact without any degradation."


    She promised Kaede to hide it from Haruki. Yet, she couldn''t see him losing hope, even for a second.


    "You saw her?"


    Medea nodded. "She appeared when you were sleeping"


    "Why is she hiding from me?"


    "She doesn''t want you to see her like that. She wished for you to win and bring her back"


    Haruki took a sigh of relief. At least he could meet her before going through the war.


    ''Arch, who is my mother?''


    Before the incident, he didn''t know his mother was a magus. She was an unbelievable actor to pull one up on him for seventeen years. To give birth to him, a dragon, she must be someone special. As much as he loved his mother, being toyed around in someone''s hands didn''t sit well with him.


    "She is a former mage of the Mage''s Association"


    ''That''s it?''


    "I''m not the one you should be interrogating. You should ask her yourself."


    Her answer sounded like an excuse.


    ''How many things are you hiding from me?''


    "...A woman has many secrets."


    ''Fine. I''ll grab my mother for answers.''


    Haruki looked at Semiramis. "Well, you heard Caster. It''s possible."


    "I guess your mother was a mage," Semiramis mused. "Or a witch."


    "That, I don''t know. Neither do I care about that."


    "My master is a good son. I hope your mother is worth the effort."


    "She truly is," he said. "Caster, how''s the progress?"


    "I can finish it by evening."


    "Good. Start now. I''ll check Ryuudou Temple."


    "I won''t let you go alone."


    "I have Assassin with me."


    "That''s even worse. Let mee. I want to look at the Grail mechanism with my own eyes. It will only take an hour. Yes, only an hour. I will get to your job after that."


    Medea gave more and more excuses in a hurry. She didn''t want him to spend a single moment alone with Semiramis. The worries of Semiramis tempting Haruki clouded her rational thoughts. Something simr happened before. It all started with Jason casually talking with the princess and ended with him marrying her.


    She wasn''t going to let history repeat itself!


    Haruki raised his hand and put it on her head. "Your devotion sure is scary. Then again, it''s also what makes you charming."


    After realizing her feelings for Haruki, she couldn''t help but smile when Haruki acknowledged her as charming.


    ''I''m hopeless''


    Semiramis looked at the two having a moment. She was always the center of attention wherever she went. Right now she was a side character for them. It gave her a bitter feeling, and more so when the one neglecting her was a man.


    "Let''s go then."


    Semiramis employed her Presence Concealment. Medea cast ''Shroud'' to envelop herself and Haruki in darkness. Wrapping him in her robe, she took off in the direction of the Ryuudou Temple.


    "I don''t enjoy flying," Semiramis grumbled and flew after them.

 Chapter 26: Order

    Chapter 26: Order


    Haruki slipped out of Medea''s robe and ascended the long stairs leading into the temple. He arrived at the open area of the temple.


    "It should be in the cavern underneath the temple," Haruki said.


    "Let''s go there."


    Haruki could sense faint traces of mana in the air. The flowing mana was different from his, yet it gave a simr impression.


    He trailed the mana traces into the shrine.


    "Master is sensitive to mana," Medea muttered.


    Semiramis nodded before following Haruki with Medea.


    The mana became more abundant as he wandered deep into the shrine. A door stopped him in his tracks. He kicked it open, revealing stairs descending into a dark cave. He created a fireball to lead the way down.


    "Master, I''ll be at the front."


    Medea stepped past him and descended the stairs.


    "Fine by me."


    The stairs softened into normal terrain. Haruki once again felt the strange feeling he felt when he entered his home with Medea.


    "Master, we entered a bounded field. An advanced one at that," Medea said.


    "It was stopping the priests from entering this area," Semiramis added. "You know that much, right?"


    "I do," he shrugged. "My home also has a bounded field?"


    Medea nodded. "Your mother must have set it up to protect you."


    "Makes sense."


    Haruki continued into the cavern. The putrid smell made him scrunch his nose. After walking for fifteen or so minutes, he arrived at the depths of the caves. The heart of the Ley Line. The mana in the air was ample to the point Haruki felt mana entering his lungs with each breath.


    In the center, Haruki saw a giant magic circle made of a dizzying number of intricate symbols.


    "That''s it!" Medea muttered. "This is the magic circle to summon the wish-granting device."


    "Crack it open if you can. I don''t want to recreate Mom''s body with that thing inside."


    Who knew what kind of twisted amalgamation Angra Mainyu would create for his wish. They had to find a way to purify the corruption. In other words, kill the Avenger Servant''s soul clinging to the Grail.


    ''Sakura''s Hollow element could be useful.''


    But she was too weak.


    He turned to Medea and ced his hand on her shoulder. "I''m counting on you."


    Medea gave a determined nod. "I''ll not disappoint."


    Haruki sighed. He was relying on Medea for the Mystic Code and the Grail. She could handle both just fine as long as she had time.


    "Semiramis," he said with a faint smile. "You can go to collect the materials."


    Semiramis narrowed her eyes. "My master, I can''t carry tons of materials by myself."


    "...Don''t you have a space spell or something like that to store things?"


    "My master, I never had the time to dabble in the highest level of sorcery."


    She was too busy learning to rule over the Assyrian Empire.


    "Master," Medea said. "My robe only has a few meters of space Creating imaginary number spaces used to be an achievement even in the Age of Gods. It''s impossible in the current era without a specific Noble Phantasm."


    ''Can I gain authority over space?''


    "Not so easy, boy," Arch said. "Messing with space is only second to messing with time. A small mistake will lead you to a different dimension or timeline. Also, your magical energy is too weak to grant authority over space. The only path for you is to evolve. Evolve. Evolve."


    "I see. We''re fucked then."


    The Hanging Gardens of Babylon would immensely help him.


    How was he supposed to bring a giant fortress worth of materials without an inventory?


    "Wait. Medea, Semiramis, how much can you lift?" he asked, lips curling into a grin. "Probably a ton?"


    The servants shivered, a bad premonition tugging at their consciousness.


    "Y-Yeah," Medea answered as she snuck over to the magic circle and started analyzing it.


    "My Master, lifting dirt is below this Semiramis."


    "Do you want to win or not?" he asked, looking at with slight disgust in his eyes. "I don''t care if you were an empress or a goddess. I want results, notints."


    He unknowingly slipped into the ''leader'' mode from his past life. He hated unruly subordinates, who kept whining without giving any results. With Rin as an ally and Artoria about to be summoned, he had nothing to fear. He could show his ''true'' face since Semiramis agreed to lend her power.


    Semiramis couldn''t believe she was being forced to do such a task. Controlling the monks and sending them on a journey was a fun errand. Carrying dirt from a different country was not!


    Just as she was about to reject, Haruki''s eyes became cold. His piercing gaze chilled her spine, giving her shivers.


    "I will not do it," she rejected, her voice brimming with authority. She felt she would lose her ''ce'' in the hierarchy if she submitted now.


    "Did you not promise to lend your strength?" his voice became emotionless. "Was it just a false promise from the oh-so-great Empress of Assyria."


    Semiramis fought her ''instincts'' telling her to submit to Haruki. "Ordering a beautiful woman to dobour, my master is a very naughty person."


    "Like I said, I don''t care if you''re beautiful or the ugliest woman in the world. If you want to win, follow my orders, or I''d be forced to use this." He shed hismand spells. "Got that?"


    He wasn''t going to build her fortress while shezed around. Of course, the Command Spells was just a bluff.


    Semiramis gritted her teeth. Every Command Spell was precious. For him to waste one on a trivial order could lead to their demiseter.


    [Charisma Skill evolved to C rank]


    The boon of ordering a former empress around.


    ''Mighte in handy sometime.''


    He observed Semiramis. Her face was calm, but the glint in her eyes was terrifying. He revealed a faint smile. Having faced numerous mafia and yakuza leaders, he could keep a calm face.


    "Very well, my master. You shall have my cooperation in this task." She turned around with a huff. "Don''t be naive to believe you can threaten me again with the Command Spells."


    "It''s your goddamn fortress, Miss Empress. You don''t want to help with that?"


    Semiramis didn''t reply and bit her lips. ''I epted orders from a young man. Uneptable.''


    She clenched her fists for a few moments before she released all the tensions with a deep sigh.


    ''He isn''t normal to give mepulsions.''


    She prided herself over her willpower. Any weak woman would have long fallen and danced on top of his palms. She nced at Medea, who was busy analyzing the Grail''s magic while grinning like a fool.


    ''Like that obedient ve.''

 Chapter 27: I’m taller now?

    Chapter 27: I¡¯m taller now?


    Semiramis observed the city with her dove familiars. She was still wondering how to gather so many materials for her dazzling Noble Phantasm. The best way was to spend tons of money, which will strengthen the Mystery of the Hanging Gardens. But her Master didn''t have the wealth required for that route, so they could only steal the items.


    Haruki spent about an hour with Medea. From her previous words to the current magic circleid before her, Medea had pieced together some information. The Grail was a tool with the sole purpose of opening a door to Akasha with an enormous supply of magical energy. The amount of energy was about the same as seven servants of her level. In other words, every servant in the war would be sacrificed to open the door to Akasha.


    Her Master had told her about another option, which only required the souls of six servants. She couldn''t validate his im as she didn''t see the Greater Grail systemits physical manifestation and its core. It was meant to only appear when the Lesser Grail had amassed enough energy. Even so, she came to know that her wish required the sacrifice of seven servants as it would create a different timeline where Jason will be dead before Aphrodite cursed Medea. Any change rted to the timeline was only achievable through Akasha.


    That meant discarding her wish as well as her life.


    Giving another look at Haruki, Medea sighed.


    ''Can Master give me happiness? If yes''


    She didn''t mind sticking around with him even after the war ended. Was it love that pushed her or just pure reliance on someone who opened their heart to her? She didn''t know, neither did she care.


    Medea told her findings to Haruki through telepathy. As if she''d trust the Poisonous Witch with precious information like this. If pushes to shove, Medea didn''t mind discarding Semiramis.


    Haruki, who already knew the information, sighed.


    ''Anything about Angra Mainyu?''


    "Nothing for now. I can''t do anything without manifesting the Greater Grail System," Medea conveyed with a tiny smile. "I''m confident in doing it in less than a day."


    He wholeheartedly believed in her. In one of Shirou''s bad endings, she had done the same and fulfilled her wish by using Shirou for his projection magic. She had the capability of tinkering with magic. After all, the entire Heaven''s Feel System was still made with magecraft of the modern era. It couldn''t stop her if she set her eyes on obtaining her wish.


    "Hmm." Haruki rubbed his chin. "Caster, you should work on my Mystic code today, then on the Grail."


    "As you wish, Master."


    Haruki ced his hand on her cheeks. "Thanks for making my life easy."


    Medea ced her hand on his, revealing a charming smile. "It''s what I want to do."


    "My master, stop flirting," Semiramis said. "Can I move to this ce? It mayck the luxury of a castle, but I can make do with it."


    "Sure. I''ll still stay at home."


    "I''ll stay with Master," Medea added, recalling Kaede''s teasing behavior. She was going to lure out the mischievous woman for her son.


    They returned to the surface. He chose a random room and sat down with his servants.


    "Caster, you''ll be working on that. Semiramis will be creating bounded fields around the temple."


    "I already did that," Semiramis said with a smile and triggered the bounded fields. "My dumb master."


    He felt the thinyer of mana in the air. For Mages, the effect was non-existent unless it was a specialized bounded field like Medusa''s Noble Phantasm ''Blood Fort Andromeda'', which sucked the magical energy of anyone trapped in it. Any human would unconsciously avoid this area protected by normal bounded fields.


    "I have something to do at the school," Haruki said and checked his wristwatch. "In about two hours, I''ll leave with Semiramis."


    "Master"


    "Stop worrying. I''ll be fine."


    "Okay"


    Medea relented, afraid of annoying him too much.


    "Can you create some skeletons for me?"


    Since he had some time, he was going to smash some skeleton heads.


    "Of course," she turned to Semiramis with a re. "Help out Master."


    Two witches red at each other. Semiramis gave up with a sigh.


    "Fine"


    He dragged the two into the yard. The wide, open area was an awesome ce to spar. Medea created some dragon tooth soldiers and left a ton of dragon fangs to Semiramis. Her job was to recreate them until he was exhausted while Medea worked on the Mystic Code.


    Haruki wasted no time in charging at the skeleton warriors. Using the same snatch and kill technique, he finished off a group of nine skeleton warriors.


    Semiramis sat on the wooden tform outside the shrine, resting her face in her hands.


    "More," Haruki said.


    Shezily tossed a few dragons fangs to create another batch. A fight of this level was outright boring to her.


    ''Damn it.''


    His pride hurt, just a little. Keeping his dragon pride under control, he dove into another fight and finished off the seven dragon warriors.


    [Awakening progress: 1.0%]


    [Authority acquired: Dragon Core (Iplete)]


    A wave of magical energy burst from him, pushing him off the ground. He levitated a few meters off the ground, feeling the magical energy rampaging around him.


    Semiramis''s eyes widened. Her years of experience in magecraft and witchcraft didn''t tell her about this situation. She was about to help him, but Medea held her back.


    "Don''t disturb him," Medea said, watching Haruki closely. If anything was dangerous, Haruki would have told her.


    He looked fascinated and happy as he felt the magical energy coursing through his veins. His Od slowly reeled in and umted near his heart. He sensed another heartbeat from the newly found ''dragon core'' in his chest. The dragon core had multiplied his magical reserves by several folds. His muscles felt hardened, his flesh bursting with energy. It was as if he was reborn.


    [Mana Flow Control Skill evolved to D rank]


    "This is just the beginning," Arch said, a hint of pride in her voice. "You''ll see how broken our race truly is."


    ''I can see that already.''


    "It''lle with many risks such as Gaia or ya finding you andbeling you as a threat to humanity or the world. Your dragon aura is sealed, and your current power is no threat to any conceptual entity."


    ''This will be a bumpy ride''


    He looked over to Semiramis and Medea. The former was full of curiosity about his change while thetter had a hint of worry in her eyes. He stopped himself from clearing her concerns and bringing her usual soft smile back.


    ''Not now.''


    Instead, he checked his status and the new authority.


    [Haruki Hayashi]


    Species: Dragon [Current awakening progress 1.00%]


    Age: 17


    Gender: Male


    Height, Weight: 181cm/75kg


    Alignment: Chaotic Neutral


    [Parameters]


    Strength: 10 (E)


    Endurance: 10 (E)


    Agility: 8 (E-)


    Magical energy: 40 (B)


    Luck: 10 (E)


    [Authorities]


    Dragon Heart


    ...


    Dragon Core (Iplete)


    A dragon core that can generate nearly unlimited magical energy as per your desires.


    His height and weight increased alongside his stats. No wonder he had this odd feeling about his body being more robust.


    ''What''s the catch with this core?''


    No conditions were listed under the dragon core despite it being iplete.


    "Sharp as usual," Arch answered. "It will burn your blood if used too much."


    ''That''s How do Iplete it?''


    "Awaken more."


    He saw this retorting from a mile. Arch was bing too predictable for a goddess.


    "I''m a muscle-head. Is that what you want to say?"


    ''No. I was talking about our rtionship. We''re growing closer every day. Don''t you think?''


    ""

 Chapter 28: Fifth

    Chapter 28: Fifth


    Haruki dodged Semiramis''s questions about his tiny transformation. Both of them had realized his race being non-human, but he didn''t care much. Dragons only lived on the reverse side of the world, so they had no way to prove he was a dragon. He had no wings, no scales, or fangs. He looked like any other human.


    Apanied by Semiramis in her spiritual form, he sprinted all the way to the school. It was a breeze for his current stats. Since there was still half an hour left, he snuck onto the rooftop and leaned on the balcony. Gazing at the orange sun in the distance, he sighed.


    ''I miss mom.''


    He wanted to return home to confirm Medea''s words. That might lead to him missing Shirou. Knowing Shirou, he would probably stay over at the Archery Club to do odd jobs. With Rin and Archer around, he needed a third person to guide Shirou to the temple.


    "Semi, I need your help."


    Her name was too long for him, so he effectively cut it in half.


    Semiramis squinted. "That name."


    Only her second husband used that affectionate name. As scummy as he was, the General spoiled her rotten with every luxury he could afford. It became his downfall after Semiramis poisoned him.


    "Is something wrong with it?"


    Revealing a bright grin, she said, "No. You can use that."


    Though he felt something was off, he didn''t question further. "I want you to brainwash a kid."


    "Oho. My master is quite the evil person for your age. Who is it? The girl with Servant? You want to defile her and steal her servant?"


    Haruki gave her a nk stare. "It''s a boy."


    "So Master"


    He covered her mouth. "Don''t even finish that sentence."


    Semiramis giggled, her golden eyes glinting with sultriness. Her charm stunned him for a second. Sharp pain in his palm ended his daze. Semiramis dug her teeth into his flesh and sucked his blood.


    Haruki quickly pulled back his hand and wrapped his handkerchief around his hand. He red at the woman with a bloody mouth. "Woman, what is wrong with you?"


    Semiramis wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. "A fine delicacy."


    As a witch, she had learned every kind of witchcraft in her era. Some of which involved blood rituals of both male and female blood. This was the first time she had tasted blood this sweet and rich with magical energy. She felt like a few drops of his blood would replenish her entire magical reserves. She couldn''t confirm as her magical energy was already full before drinking his blood.


    Semiramis stepped forward, bringing her aroma with her. The nails on her palms vanished as she reached out and cupped his cheeks. "My nonhuman master let''s make out."


    Haruki pulled down her hands. "Sorry. I don''t n to betray the girl I love."


    As if he was going to fall for her tricks and end up braindead in some alley. Unless she was out of magical energy, he wasn''t going to have sex with her. Well, if she truly fell for him, he''d change his mind.


    Semiramis didn''t look disheartened from the rejection. On the contrary, she was shing a wide smile. "Who do you want to brainwash? Let''s finish this, so I can move into my home."


    "Sure."


    He returned to the ss, using his sickness as an excuse. Rin stared at him, a little shocked to see him return right now. He waved at Rin and pointed Semiramis to Shirou, urging her to finish this quickly. Shirou''s protagonist luck could flip the situation if they pushed him too hard.


    The ss soon ended.


    Rin walked up to his seat, carrying her bag in her left hand. "Ready?"


    "Always."


    Rin frowned, noticing his reluctance to meet the Sadist Priest. The ss turned noisy, whispering things about him and Rin being a thing. Her brows twitching, she hardly resisted the urge to explode at the imbeciles.


    He chuckled and dragged Rin out of the ssroom.


    ''Your coast is clear.''


    "My master, why are we doing this?"


    ''I''ll tell youter.''


    He hadn''t told her about his decision to summon another servantKing Arthur, or rather Queen Artoria. The tyrant queen and the legendary king of knights will surely have friction between them. She might tell him to summon a different Heroic Spirit, which he wasn''t going to do. It was better to deal with her after the summoning than right now.


    "You are being secretive, my master. I hate when people hide important things from me."


    Semiramis stayed back to lure Shirou out to a different ce. Haruki raced down the stairs. In the hallways underneath, he bumped into Sakura, who was carrying a stack of assignments to the faculty.


    Her sullen face regained a cheery smile. "Senpai."


    Seeing him holding hands with Rin raised a g in her heart. Haruki released Rin''s hand and took the stack of papers from her.


    "I told you to not push yourself."


    His worried expression wiped her suspicion clean. It wasn''t like she could do anything if Haruki wanted to be with Rin.


    ''Rin Nee-san is too beautiful and elegant. She can get any man in the world she wouldn''t fall for the only man I love right?''


    Unaware of her possessive desires, Sakura led Haruki to the faculty. She requested to tag along to the church, to which Rin agreed. Haruki would have rejected Sakura if not for Rin''s agreement. He had no servant if they were attacked by another servant. It was a different case for Rin. Even if she had the habit to hide her feelings, she would never let someone hurt Sakura or anyone from her family even if she had to fight a servant by herself.


    After Sakura took her bag from her ss, they left the school premises. Shinji''s eyes stalked him from a distance. He lightly chuckled, gaining a look of curiosity from the sisters walking on each side.


    "A flower in each hand," Archmented, her voice sharp. "Having fun, aren''t you?"


    ''Indeed.''


    Haruki''s joy was short-lived as he saw a young man with golden hair approaching. His hand tucked in his pocket, he walked briskly without a care in the world.


    ''Fuck.''


    Haruki hoped to go unnoticed, but Gilgamesh stopped before Sakura, a neutral look in his eyes.


    "Hurry up and be the fifth."


    Saying his piece, he walked away. From start to end, he had never nced at Haruki or Rin. Haruki''s core had kept his Od from leaking, but Rin was still releasing faint Od. Every Master, no matter how good they were, couldn''t stop this from happening. After all, a part of their magical energy was being provided to their servants. Unless they were Caster, the ss with maximum control of their magical energy.


    Sakura was clueless. "Senpai, what did he say?"


    Haruki clenched his fists. "Just a weirdo. Don''t pay any attention to him."


    Sakura could tell he was lying. Even Rin saw through his facade. Sakura took her handkerchief and wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead. The fear of a fight breaking out made him sweat. None of them would live if Gilgamesh struck now. Even Semiramis and Medea. Thankfully, Gilgamesh was only here to tell Sakura to be the fifth Lesser Grail, the same thing he might say to Illyasvielter.


    "Senpai, I''m not a little girl anymore. You understood what he meant. I won''t pester you to tell me but"


    "I''ll tell when the time is right," he said, ruffling her hair. "Besides, I never thought of you as a little girl."


    Except when she was like six. His tiny lie made Sakura smile. Rin made weird faces from the side. From mild curiosity to utter disgust at their open flirting. Her ability to pull off so many expressions in a second was beyond hisprehension.

 Chapter 29: Church

    Chapter 29: Church


    After walking for over ten minutes, Haruki frowned. The church was still a long-distance away. More importantly, it was on top of a hill. Rin could walk just fine, but Sakura was a different case. Even if she seemed normal, Haruki didn''t feel right about letting her use so much physical strength.


    "Sakura, wait."


    Sakura stopped, tilting her head in confusion.


    ''Was she always this cute?''


    She seemed almost irresistible to him. An urge to spoil her rotten washed over him. His eptance of Sakura as a partner flooded him with numerous new feelings.


    Sakura''s confusion only grew when Haruki took her bag. He handed their bags to Rin, who begrudgingly epted.


    "Senpai?"


    Haruki leaned and swooped Sakura into his arms. Sakura panicked andtched onto his neck in a hurry. A princess'' carry on a street crowded with civilians left her flustered. Haruki found her rather lightpared to his expectations. He wasn''t ustomed to his growing strength.


    "I''ll carry you."


    Sakura couldn''t look into his soft eyes brimming with affection. He had changed. The way he looked at her was different from before. As if his mother''s death had pushed him into seeing her as more than just a little sister.


    Rin stared at the two with a wide-open mouth. These two were flirting all around as though trying to rub it in her face. She turned her head and clicked her tongue.


    "Braindead lovers."


    Haruki chuckled at her sneakingint. Sakura was still staring at him as if looking for an answer to this princess'' carry, her pale cheeks dyed in a crimson red.


    "Just take it as my payment for everything you did for me."


    She made his home lively. After all, his house used to be rather quiet with only two people around.


    Sakura felt a heat growing in her abdomen. It flowed through her lower body, making her panties sticky.


    "I understand I''ll rest here," Sakura said and buried her head in his chest. She couldn''t let him see this side of her. It was unbearably hard to hide her growing lust, taking every bit of her willpower. Yet, she never stopped approaching him.


    Physical pain?


    Nothing was more agonizing than the hungry worms devouring every unit of her Od.


    Mental pain?


    Her spirit had been broken again and again under Zouken''s approach to tamper with her magic circuits.


    She had grown used to every kind of pain. If it meant spending just one more minute with Haruki, she was willing to endure more pain.


    Haruki made Sakura asfortable as he could. With the sun setting in the distance, Haruki carried Sakura through the steep road. His mother had an old car parked somewhere in the next building garage, but he couldn''t drive because of license issues.


    A slow walk for over thirty minutes brought the three before the church. Rin lightly kicked the double door standing in her way. The steel door creaked as it slowly opened. Haruki strolled through the open area outside the church until he was literally at the church''s door. He let Sakura down at her request. She stretched her arms, a few tears creeping out from the edges of her eyes.


    Haruki noticed the Command Spells on the back of his hand and frowned.


    ''I shouldn''t havemand spells if I''m Caster''s Master.''


    He tucked his right hand into his pocket. Rin hadn''t spotted his Command Spells yet. Her knowledge of the Holy Grail War was limited, so he could bluff his way out of her questions. But Kirei was a veteran. The priest will immediately guess him to be the Master of two servants. Haruki wasn''t ready to show his hand to the Master of Gilgamesh and Cu Chinn.


    "Thank you, Senpai."


    Haruki returned a soft smile as he patted her head with his left hand. "Let''s meet this shady priest then return home."


    Rin giggled. His nickname for Kirei couldn''t be any better.


    "Yes. He is a mage. A fake priest without a doubt. Did your mother meet Kirei before?" She carefully asked in a patient voice, without any intention to scratch his wounds.


    "I don''t know about that."


    Archer materialized behind Rin. "I''ll keep watch for an ambush."


    Unlike his cynical words, his frowning expression seemed serious. Could he have known Gilgamesh''s identity? Haruki had no idea if Archer remembered Gilgamesh from this timeline.


    "Well, go on."


    "Where is Caster?" Archer questioned.


    "Probably cooking food," Haruki said with a half-shrug of his shoulders. "I don''t know for sure."


    "It''s a war, Master''s ally. You may have grown stronger since ourst meeting but you''ll undoubtedly die if Master was a typical mage."


    Archer stared at him for a second before he faded into prismatic particles.


    "Thanks for your advice, Archer. But I trust Rin. At least I hope Sakura''s sister doesn''t betray my trust." Haruki nced at Rin with a smile. "Right?"


    Rin raised her hands to her chest defensively and gawked at him. "Y-You. Of course, we''re allies. I won''t fight him until he tells me everything."


    Thetter half of her words were directed at Sakura.


    "Cute," Sakura muttered from the side. "Rin Nee-san, you''re the best Nee-san!"


    Sakura buttered up her sister even more, lowering any chance of Rin and Haruki fighting in this war. As long as she was there to connect Haruki and Rin, Haruki will have an ally in Rin.


    "Let''s move, hmph!"


    Together, the three of them walked into the church.


    Darkness lingered in every corner. The structure was anything but holy in its appearance and its aura. The statue of a praying woman stood beyond the rows of chairs. Under the statue, a man could be seen in dark vestments. Holding a holy book in his hand, the man prayed as though he was a diligent priest.


    ''Fucker.''


    Haruki cursed the seven generations of the sadist priest.


    Kirei turned around. Looking at Rin standing with two strangers, he flipped his book shut.


    "Ho. Rin, I expected your visit for days. Now youe with two strangers. A surprise indeed."

 Chapter 30: Kirei Kotomine

    Chapter 30: Kirei Kotomine


    Kirei had predicted Rin woulde to meet him in a day or two. Yet, he didn''t predict her to be apanied by the Matou Family Heir and that woman''s son of all people. He couldn''t be wrong about anything rted to that woman.


    His mother was a Brand: ck, a renowned magus who soared through the Clocktower''s rankings. She was a nuisance, so he kept an eye on her and her only son, who came into the world without a father. After her untimely suicide, his path to the Grail was as clear as the sky.


    Yet, her son came into the mix.


    ''This wasn''t supposed to happen. Though, isn''t it better?''


    He suppressed the grin from creeping on his face. A Master with no prior experience in the world of Magus. The young man''s despair would be more vorful than the tofu dish he enjoyed in the evening. Kirei''s heart started beating in a lively rhythm.


    "Master," a male voice echoed in his head. "I sense a servant nearby."


    "It must be Rin''s," Kirei said. "Don''t mind them as long as there is no killing intent."


    "Ou," Lancer replied.


    Rin folded her arms, giving a sideways nce at Kirei. "Kirei, this is Haruki Hayashi, a new master."


    "Rin, this is the first time you ask my assistance."


    Rin frowned slightly and looked away.


    "The Seventh I presume," Kirei said. His gruff voice sounded rather monotonous contrary to his joyous heart.


    Haruki narrowed his eyes. The Priest''s eyes had glowed briefly. Even the tiniest spark appeared brighter than a star at night in Kirei''s lifeless pupils.


    "I''m the Master of Caster-ss Servant."


    "She formed a new contract. I see."


    The arrogant master of the Galliasta family failed in taming the woman. It was a better result since Atrum Galliasta had no desire to battle.


    "What is your name, Fifth Master?" Kirei asked.


    The Master of Assassin and Saber hadn''t reported yet, so he assumed they had yet to be chosen. It was a bit odd as all the Masters should have been chosen by now. Gilgamesh''s irvoyance wouldn''t be wrong. He believed in the King of Heroes who saved his soul from eternal pain and showed him his true nature.


    "Haruki Hayashi."


    Haruki revealed a calm expression throughout. Cu Chinn was lurking within the vicinity, but he wasn''t a threat. The warrior trained by Scathach held honor close to his heart. Doing a sneak attack wasn''t his cup of tea. Gilgamesh was still taking a stroll. All in all, he was rtively safe even without a servant. He still kept his guard up for any quick turn of events.


    "Hayashi," Kirei chuckled. "Do you know the rules of the Holy Grail War?"


    "I do."


    With a smile, Kirei walked toward Haruki, his boots cking in the silence of the church. "You have taken Atrum Galliasta''s ce in the fifth iteration of the Holy Grail War. A ritual meant to select the people worthy of holding the Holy Grail"


    Haruki wanted to yawn at his exnation. He gave no new information, just the old boring facts about the Holy Grail. He put extra emphasis on eliminating Masters rather than Servants as it made the job easier. Haruki merely shrugged. The only Masters in this war were Kirei, Rin, Shinji, Illyasviel, and him. Other than Rin, he''d have no problem killing others. He''d rather not kill Illyasviel as long as he had a choice. She only had a few more years of life left after Einzbern modified her body. How many years though? He had no idea.


    ''Should I try to negotiate?''


    As far as he knew, the girl got rather cocky after getting Heracles as her Servant and roamed the streets at night in search of other Masters while looking for a chance to interact with her brother Shirou. He could perhaps persuade her since Einzbern''s goal of recovering the long-lost Third Magic wasn''t her personal quest.


    After finishing his nearly five-minute-long exnation, Kirei asked another question, "Any questions, Hayashi?"


    "I understand everything."


    Kirei med this carefree attitude on youth. After all, he had seen youths doing the most absurd things without thinking of the consequences.


    Kirei turned to the silent Sakura. The smart girl was standing with her hands sped behind her back, hiding the two Command Spells etched on her hand from Kirei. Haruki appreciated the sight of her ample bosom pushing against her cardigan.


    "Could she also be?" Kirei asked.


    "No," Rin denied in a cold voice and shook her head. "She is his friend."


    She had mended her rtionship with SakuraKirei didn''t need to know of this fact.


    "Well, we''ll get going now," Haruki said. "Thanks for your help, Kotomine-sensei. I''ll be sure to win with the assistance you provided. Mage is the strongest ss, I''ll prove it!


    He added a charming smile at the end, ying the weeb teenager''s role to a tee.


    Kirei trusted him, or rather the information he and the Holy Church had gathered on Kaede Hayashi and her son. He was inept at Magecraft. So Caster could only be using him as a disposable for his magical energy.


    He sped his hands behind his back and guided the trio to the gate.


    Haruki waved at Kirei with a smile. "If I have questions, I''ll seek you again, Kotomine-sensei."


    Kirei nodded. "I''ll be here."


    As the Priest returned, Haruki sighed, only to feel a pinch on his sleeve. Rin looked at him, growing suspicious of his top-notch acting skills. Even she was fooled by his cheery demeanor back in the church.


    "Why are you acting?"


    "Deceiving an enemy," he said with a shrug. "I don''t trust that guy. And you shouldn''t."


    "I never did."


    Kirei had trained her in Bajiquan, giving her tutge onbat and magecraft. Despite all of this, she never grew close to him. Something about him irked her. She just had this feeling tugging at her mind, that this man could never be trusted.


    "Good."


    He pushed back the n of revealing Kirei''s true colors until the time was right.


    He took the initiative to take Sakura''s hand. She looked surprised for a moment before she clutched his warm hand.


    "Senpai you look different. A little taller."


    "Really?" he said, a tinge of surprise in his voice. "Am I taller, Rin?"


    Rin held her chin and gazed up and down. Her focused observation ended when Archer appeared and patted her shoulder.


    "Master, you should do it at private times."


    Rin stepped back and raised her arms in defense. "I was just examining his physical."


    Archer sharpened his eyes on Haruki. "Now that I see it, you look taller than before. An abnormal growth spurt?"


    He wasn''t the one to question that since he himself grew due to the abuse of his Projection Magecraft.


    "Senpai, I''m hungry! Let''s go and cook something."


    Sakura didn''t like Archer scrutinizing Haruki so closely. So she used the tactic of a hungry little sister. Rin forgot everything in the face of Sakura''s cuteness. With three bags in her hands, she began walking down the hill.


    Haruki picked up Sakura in a princess carry and followed the ck-haired magus.

 Chapter 31: Reality Marble?

    Chapter 31: Reality Marble?


    For those who want more chapters, vote! Last week we ended in the top 40. So the deal is simple. A chapter for every ten ranks like one extra chapter for top 30, two extra chapters for top 20, and 4 extra chapters for top 10!


    ***


    Shinji Matou spat on the ground. "Bitch."


    Rider stood behind Shinji, silent as ever. She was serving Shinji out of a personal goal, not from her heart. Consoling her ''temporary'' Master''s anger was far from that goal.


    "How long will this take?" Shinji growled, ring at Rider. "Just finish this quick."


    "Yes, Master."


    As someone with zero affinity with magecraft, Shinji couldn''t detect the monstrous amount of magical energy in Rider''s body. For him, she was just a servant handed to him by his grandfather. A powerful being who would obey every one of his orders.


    Rider returned to creating anchor points for her Noble Phantasm ''Blood Fort Andromeda.'' An inferior version, which merely sucked the magical energy of humans.


    Sitting on the terrace alone, Shinji''s stomach growled. He had to remain energetic, or he wouldn''t be able to apany his servant in her hunt at night.


    "We''re returning," he said and headed down the stairs.


    Instead of returning homewhere he had to see the rotten face of his grandfatherShinji chose to dine at an Italian restaurant.


    Waiting for his order, Shinji casually nced out of the window, only to find Rin Tohsaka walking with three bags in her hands. Behind her, Haruki carried Sakura like a princess.


    Rin turned around and smiled at the two. "Hurry over, slowpokes!"


    Haruki shook his head and maintained his steady pace.


    Shinji watched the three disappear into a supermarket across the road.


    "That Tohsaka woman," Shinji said, clenching his fists. She told him she had no interest in him whatsoever. Yet, she was mingling with Haruki, the man who had been nothing but trouble his whole life. Despite being from one of the Ancient Magus families in Fuyuki, he was bullied, beaten, and cursed.


    ''Tohsaka, you won''t stop me. Nobody will.''


    ***


    (Haruki)


    Haruki let down Sakura after she protested nonstop. People looked at them oddly. The mothers shopping there chuckled, muttering, "Oh, youth."


    Sakura''s pale cheeks couldn''t be any redder. She took a cart and rushed to the opposite side.


    "Wait, Sakura." Rin shoved the bags onto his chest and followed after Sakura in a hurry.


    Haruki looked at the time and sighed. Twenty minutes past seven. Rin dragged them here to buy ingredients for dinner.


    "Done," Semiramis informed. "What do I do now?"


    ''Wonderful. Keep an eye on him.''


    "I will. What''s special about this kid? His Od quantity is pitiful."


    That meant Semiramis couldn''t see Avalon in Shirou''s body.


    ''I''ll tell you when I return.''


    "Do I have permission to send my familiars in search of other Masters?"


    ''No harm in scouting.''


    "I shall await your return, my master."


    Semiramis ended the talk with a dramatic line. Haruki nced over his shoulder. In the crowd, his eyes stopped on a certain young man with seaweed hair.


    ''I felt his hatred before.''


    He looked toward Rin, who was busy grabbing vegetables with Sakura. He was a little surprised at Sakura''s calm behavior when dealing with a flustered Rin. Perhaps it was his due support or his mother''s gentle care, Sakura had lost her timid nature and be more confident.


    He walked the two and helped them get through the shopping quickly. He went out of the supermarket. Rin still followed them.


    "Why are youing with us?" he asked. "You wannae over to my house?"


    "I''m in a good mood, so I''ll make you something." Rin made an excuse. She had specifically brought the ingredients she was familiar with, just to show off her cooking skills to Sakura. She got addicted to Chinese dishes whenever Kirei took her out to eat, so she wasted hundreds of hours on recipe books and materials to perfect her skills.


    "You better make it damn good," he said with a shrug and took Sakura''s hand. "Let''s go"


    It seemed Rin won''t leave him alone until dinner. He was going to sneak away while she cooked. It will give her time to bond with Sakura as well as allow him to extract Avalon and summon Saber. His n only had one drawbackhe''d have to do the summoning in Semiramis''s presence.


    ''Ah whatever. I hope she doesn''t oppose me on summoning Artoria.''


    Holding grocery bags in one hand and Sakura''s hand in the other, Haruki returned home. The door was surprisingly open.


    ''Semiramis didn''t lock it.''


    He entered to find all the lights on.


    Rin took a step inside the door and felt the sensation of passing through a bubble. She stopped and frowned at Haruki. He shouldn''t be able to create a bounded field.


    ''Something isn''t right.''


    "We have entered a Reality Marble."


    Archer appeared and summoned his favored Kanshou and Bakuya. He could feel the magical energy in the air; it was thicker than outside by a decent margin.


    "No. It''s not a Reality Marble"


    It took him a moment to realize the difference. This wasn''t a manifestation of someone''s inner world. He had seen quite a few Reality Marbles before. All of them were a headache to deal with. Yet nothing here gave him a sense of danger. It looked like a typical Japanese house.


    ''An illusion type? Or a different bounded field?''


    He was perplexed. Rin found his confused expression rather odd.


    "Rin Nee-san?" Sakura asked seeing Rin staring at everything in confusion.


    ''I''ll be mad if she insulted our home.''


    She had spent more time here than her own mansion, which brought her nothing but nightmares. This ce had be her home, and she wouldn''t let anyone belittle it. Not even her blood sister!


    Haruki looked over his shoulder and sighed. "What is holding you two now?"


    Archer hid his swords behind his back. "It''s nothing. Right, Master?"


    "Yeah. I was drawn in by the intricacies of a Japanese house. These little details make it more dynamic?" she bbered whatever came to her mind.


    Haruki stared at her nkly. "This ce might be too humble for your taste, Ojou-sama."


    He went to the kitchen and stowed the groceries.


    Rin stayed rooted to the spot. Archer patted her back and returned to his spiritual form.


    "Take off your shoes and wear the slippers," Sakura said and headed upstairs.


    Rin stared at her sister''s back. Sakura was familiar with Haruki''s house, too much that it concerned her.


    [author] Favorite if you liked it![/author]

 Chapter 32: Mystic Code

    Chapter 32: Mystic Code


    We are #13. Dammit guys, keep up the good work!


    ***


    Haruki found Sakura in the kitchen. She was busy slicing vegetables with Rin. Sakura turned to Haruki, waving her knife in the process.


    "Senpai, we don''t need your help."


    Haruki shuddered whenever he saw Sakura with a kitchen knife. "I''ll be gone for half an hour."


    "What about dinner?"


    "I''ll be back before it cools down. Rin, look after Sakura."


    "You don''t have to say that," Rin said and shot him a re. "Don''t challenge someone without me."


    Haruki willfully ignored her and exited the house. He couldn''t ask Medea to pick him up since she was busy making his Mystic Code. Nor could he ask Semiramis to stop watching Shirou.


    ''No time to waste.''


    He took off into a jog before speeding up. The cold wind of the winter brushed his cheeks as he tore through the streets. Perhaps a little while ago he wouldn''t have thought of achieving this speed, but this felt natural.


    The few people on the streets were baffled by his speed. Some strange rumors will spread about his phantom-like figure speeding through the dark streets.


    Not long after, Haruki reached the Ryuudou Temple.


    "Good job," Arch said. "I can feel your growth from here."


    ''Do you not have any job other than stalking me?''


    "Stalking? How crude. I call it the observation of my disciple."


    ''Why the pause?''


    He interrogated the dragon goddess as he walked into the temple.


    "I was thinking about something," Arch said. "Besides that, I do my job as a goddess."


    ''Like?''


    "Like looking after my world for example."


    ''Your world?''


    "You talk too much. Focus on what you''re doing."


    ''Sus.''


    "My master, here," Semiramis slid open the door and invited him inside.


    Shirou was leaning against the wall, unconscious. Haruki couldn''t think of a way to pull out the scabbard of Excalibur from his body.


    ''Will cutting him open work?''


    He wasn''t sure if it was even possible. The sheath was magically imnted in Shirou by Kiritsugu Emiya. It was too big to be floating inside the body.


    ''Medea, it is.''


    The thought made him sigh. Another task for the sorceress.


    ''I really need to talk to her about her wish.''


    He sure as hell had no desire to let Medea seek meaningless revenge. Perhaps it was lust for a beautiful woman or affection, he didn''t know neither did he care. Nearly every dragon possessed a ''selfish'' trait after all.


    Semiramis haughtily looked at Shirou before she turned to Haruki with a sweet smile.


    "Why did I carry this young man here, my master?"


    "Wait here."


    Haruki slipped into the corridors and quietly slid open the door of Medea''s room. The sorceress sat with her eyes closed, holding out her hands in a way her palms nearly touched each other. A tiny violet orb floated between her palms; it crackled and sizzled the air with each pulse. She pped the orb in her hands before she slowly drew her hands back. A violet beam joined her palms, extending as she pulled her hands away.


    She opened her eyes and nearly lost her concentration. "M-Master."


    "Don''t mind me."


    She nodded and gripped the violet shaft with her left hand. "Ha!"


    She yanked out the entire shaft in one go and carefully ced it on the low table. The crackles died as the intense magical energy receded into the shaft. The weapon took form under Haruki''s curious eyesan indigo blue spear with a ck spearhead. The thin silver runes assimted seamlessly into the shaft. Calling the spear beautiful was an understatement.


    Haruki sat down and examined the spear. "That''s my weapon."


    Medea propped up on an elbow and gazed at Haruki. "It is, Master It has preprogrammed reinforcement magecraft. Its durability and attack power can rival or even surpass an E-Rank Noble Phantasm."


    There was no hint of pride or arrogance in her voice as though creating a Mystic Code that would make any mage drool was a daily urrence. Despite her calm behavior, hernguid eyes gave away her exhaustion.


    Haruki reached out and pressed his hand on her cheeks. If the table wasn''t between them, he''d most likely have kissed her. "Tired?"


    Taking his hand, she leaned against it with a beautiful smile. "I''m out of magical energy."


    She had consumed over ny percent of her magical energy reserves creating this spear. Although their connection could refill her reserves, it''ll take nearly a day at this speed.


    "Master, can we"


    "My master, where are you~?" Semiramis intruded, only to meet Medea''s cold eyes.


    "What?" Semiramis shot a re back at Medea. "Did I intrude on your romantic time?"


    Haruki brushed Medea''s cheeks before reaching to her long ears. Medea lost her anger instantly, and the pale skin on her tapered ears reddened just like her cheeks.


    "Master?"


    "Can you do one more thing for me?" Haruki asked with a sigh.


    She briskly nodded. One or a thousand, she could do any number of tasks for the man she adored.


    Semiramis observed the spearying on the table. It seemed to be made out of ancient metal.


    ''She must have created it for him.''


    It was of no importance to her. Nodding, Semiramis took a seat. The spikes attached to the end of her long braidsnded on the table with a ''tuck'' sound. She swished her hair behind her ear and revealed a charming smile. "My master, you think of me as an ipetent woman?"


    Semiramis could see Haruki came here to ask for her help regarding the young man lying in the room. He didn''t tell her about the problem, meaning he didn''t trust in her abilities.


    "Uh, it''s not like that," Haruki said. "Medea is just more suited for the job."


    "Which job is it?"


    "I''ll exin then."


    Haruki revealed the story of Shirou and Avalon.


    Medea already knew his ns for summoning a Saber-ss servant, but she never imagined they would be summoning the legendary King Arthur. As shocking as it was, Medea felt relieved. King Arthur at least wouldn''t scheme against them like Semiramis.


    "I suppose defending this ce will be easier with King Arthur. Our defenses will remain paper-thin until I build the gardens," Semiramis murmured her thoughts regarding a new servant. Her Noble Phantasm was an excellent fortress, but it was not invincible. She had scouted a few troublesome servants with the potential to take down her fortress. "We need a second line of defense."


    Haruki frowned slightly. It seemed that his prediction was wrong. He only considered half the facts. Sure, Semiramis couldn''t stand people who were all about morals. She was also a woman who used everything at her disposal to win.


    "You still have a lot to learn," Arch said with a giggle. "Don''t you, my dear son?"


    ''What did you say just now?''


    "As a mother goddess of all things dragon, you count as my precious son."


    ""


    "My master, listen," Semiramis said, tapping the table with her fingers. "You''re naive if you thought I can''t take out a pesky scabbard."


    She wouldn''t allow herself to be underestimated. Gone were the days of nning to take down her master. A young man of his potential could be a precious ally in the future. After all, an empress couldn''t rule her empire alone. She needed loyal ''soldiers'' to conquer the magus organizations with deep histories.


    "We don''t have time," Medea said with a snort. "I can sever the link between the scabbard and its owner and take it out without harming him."


    Medea took Haruki''s hand and walked toward Shirou''s room.

 Chapter 33: You are a dragon

    Chapter 33: You are a dragon


    Almost out of top 10. Tomorrow''s chapter depends on you and your stones!


    ***


    Shirou didn''t know what was happening to him. His mind was a blurry mess through and through. He couldn''t control any part of his body as though he was struck with severe paralysis.


    ''What happened? Where am I?''


    He faintly recalled finishing sses. What could have happened after that led to this situation? His mind was too out of focus to specte anything.


    While Shirou was growing more confused by the situation, Haruki entered the room with Medea and Semiramis. Medea wasted no time as she pulled out her Rule Breaker and stabbed Shirou''s chest. The dagger sank into his soul and severed the link between him and Avalon in an instant. Pieces of metal covered in golden aura drifted out of Shirou and floated above Medea''s hand.


    Shirou felt like he lost something. A thing so precious it couldn''t be put into words. But he could do nothing.


    "Avalon, the ever-distant utopia yearned by King Arthur," Medea murmured and assembled Avalon. "It is as beautiful as the legends describe it."


    Haruki couldn''t help but nod at her words. Medea turned to Haruki and presented Avalon in her hands. The golden sheath was decorated with enamel blue. A luxury that could only be afforded by kingssuch was the grace and nobility of Avalon.


    Semiramis pressed her hand on her cheeks. "I have to agree on this. How did this boy obtain this treasure?"


    "That''s a long story," Haruki said and took the sheath.


    "I love stories, my master," Semiramis said with a wink. "Ancient tales go hand in hand with fine tea."


    Haruki ignored her seductive invite and looked at Shirou. "Semi, can you send him home without making anything suspicious?"


    The only reason he tried to be sneaky was for Taiga-sensei. She had always looked after him in the school even when he didn''t want her to. Any harm to Shirou will leave her devastated.


    "It''ll be a child''s y," Semiramis said.


    "Please do."


    Haruki left the room with Medea and headed to a different room. He once again asked Medea for the summoning circle. Medea sensed the urgency in his voice and pushed back the idea of replenishing her magical energy.


    ''Later, when I teach him.''


    She nned a different approach and squatted down to carve the summoning circle. Haruki watched her since he had nothing else to do. He will never know his attentive gaze made Medea sloppy. She took twice the time, fumbling a few times.


    "Finished."


    "Well done," Haruki said and gave her a hand. She grabbed it without hesitation and pulled herself up.


    "We can start now," Medea said, swallowing her urges.


    "Sure."


    While holding Avalon, Haruki channeled his magical energy into the circle. The Od flowed out of him like a tide and discharged into the magic circle. Medea had to check twice if he was the same person who made a contract with her. The difference in Od quality and quantity was like heaven and earth.


    ''What happened earlier changed Master.''


    His growth was only a good thing. Seeing him grow stronger filled her with pride and a little worry. If he kept growing at this rate, he will attract the attention of pesky mages. It''ll be harder to deal with them once the greater grail stopped supplying her with magical energy.


    ''I''ll have to do something.''


    Nobody was going to ruin her or her master''s life. Those who tried will pay the price with their blood.


    A blinding light signaled the arrival of a newrade.


    As the light faded, Haruki found himself standing face to face with his new servant.


    Artoria Pendragon.


    A young woman whose blonde hair seemed to emit a light glow. She donned shining armor over a vivid blue dress. Her armor and old-fashioned dress melded seamlessly with her dignified air. She might have intimidated Haruki if it weren''t for a strand of blonde hair sticking out of her head.


    ''Ahoge.''


    Artoria''s lips parted. "I ask of you. Are you"


    Artoria paused and shock shed in her emerald eyes. Not because she sensed a Servant. The young man before her gave her a sense of deja vu. His magical energy carried a familiar signature.


    ''Vortigern.''


    The white dragon who stood against the Age of Man in Britain.


    "Why did you stop?"


    Artoria stared at Haruki emotionlessly. "You''re a dragon."


    It was Haruki''s turn to be surprised.


    ''Other dragons can sense me.''


    Artoria was half dragon and half human. A human with a dragon core to be precise.


    Haruki turned to Medea, who gazed at him with inquisitive eyes.


    "Yes."


    There was no use lying now since Artoria already knew his race. Medea revealed a smile, realizing he trusted her with the truth. She already had an idea about his race. His agreement only confirmed her theory.


    "Then are you master?" she said, her voice valiant like her appearance.


    Her question brought a hot feeling in Haruki''s left hand. The pain made him flinch.


    ''Now both hands. Great.''


    Artoria spotted the glow of the Command Spell and nodded her head. "I, Servant Saber, havee forth in response to your summons. From this time forth, my sword shall be with you and your fate shall be with me."


    It didn''t matter whether he was a dragon or a human. As long as he summoned her in the Holy Grail War, her sword was his tomand.


    This concluded their contract.


    Artoria finally paid attention to Medea. "You are?"


    "Master''s first servant," Medea said in a polite tone. "There is another servant beside me. Let''s get along and win."


    "Another?"


    Artoria blinked her eyes. "Three servants?"


    How was this possible? She wanted to ask. The war that happened ten years ago had seven servants, each belonging to one master. Yet, her master had taken control of three servants and had sixmand spells in his possession.


    ''This will be too easy.''


    It was a dishonorable thought, unfitting of the King of Knights. Yet, it was her honest thought. Her master had enough magical energy to withstand three contracts at once. It seemed endless due to his magic core.


    ''I nearly wonst time.''


    With two more servants and a powerful master, she will not lose.


    Harukimended Artoria''sposure. Any other person would have lost their shit after knowing he had three servants. But she remainedposed throughout.


    [Artoria Pendragon is added to the ''Potential Partners'' list.]


    ''Another one...''


    Seeing her flustered would be a delight, yet he chose to no think with his lower body. Even though fucking Artoria could bring him a lot of benefits, he would need to work a lot to bring down her defenses. He might have tried it if he wasn''t working his ass off to revive his beloved mother.


    "My master, I''m sorry I screwed up."


    Semiramis''s voice reached his ears.

 Chapter 34: Trapped

    Chapter 34: Trapped


    We are still top 10.


    *Happy loli noises*


    ***


    Semiramis glued herself to the wall and concealed her breath with ''Presence Concealment.''


    ''Why are they still here?''


    "Semi, what happened?" Haruki asked. "Where are you now?"


    She could hear the footsteps shaking the ground; they wereing closer.


    "My master, I was found by Berserker''s Master. I''m stuck in a building now."


    Berserker''s master had spread a of magic familiars inside Shirou''s house. She walked right into it, alerting them of her presence. It forced her to flee without a thought. Thanks to the head start, she narrowly escaped death. But Berserker was like a dogcharging in her direction as though he could smell where she was.


    She had to change course from Ryuudou Temple and hide in a nearby building. After all, her agility was D-Rank; a far cry from Berserker''s A-rank agility.


    ''Thank goodness he is under Mad Enhancement.''


    Although the skill increased all parameters, the downside of losing sanity left him at a disadvantage in this field. Her ''Presence Concealment'' would be useless in front of a sane Heracles. Her C-Rank skill was suited for spying, not suitable for hiding from that kind of monster. A demented demigod was still a demigod. She had a feeling she would be caught if she moved an inch.


    "My master?" she called Haruki who seemed to have turned a blind eye to her plea. "Can you send Medea to rescue me?"


    "I was just asking her that she doesn''t have magical energy after creating my Mystic Code," Haruki said with a sigh. "I''ll use amand spell to bring you back. It''s not the time to face Berserker and her master."


    "No, don''t waste it like this."


    A Command Spell could single-handedly turn the tide of the battle.


    "Then what do you suggest I should do?"


    Even if he sessfully summoned Artoria, she wasn''t suited for this task. She could do nothing other than charging straight at the enemy with ''honor'' and ''chivalry.''


    Semiramis took a long breath. "I will stay out here. They won''t be able to find me as long as I move around in the shadows. They won''t be so free to chase me forever."


    "Are you sure?" Haruki said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I have six Command Spells as of now."


    As tempting as his offer may be, she refused it nheless. She was vexed that Berserker''s masterid a perfect trap even though the boy was missing for a few hours at best.


    ''He carried Avalon in his body Berserker''s master is ready to kill me, a servant, for him Who the hell is that boy?!''


    She gritted her teeth, swearing to poison Berserker''s Master once she defeated that monster of a servant. She exited the building and slipped into the darkness of the night. Her doves showed her the path.


    ***


    "This is messed up," Haruki said with a sigh. Should he still proceed to kill Zouken Matou with just the three of them?


    ''I have to free Sakura.''


    Artoria should be enough to take down Zouken, but he needed Medea''s ability to lock him down. There was only one chance. If Zouken escapes, he will recreate his body from worms and lurk in the shadows, waiting for a chance to strike.


    ''He won''t get any.''


    He wasn''t going to let Zouken be his Sword of Damocles. Never would he fight him in a situation where the old fool had a chance to run away. He nced at his wristwatch. Four hours were left until midnight. If Semiramis didn''t return by then, he would attack the Matou mansion with Artoria and Medea. Besides, Medea needed time to replenish her magical energy. If she can''t do it in time, he will let her choose between his blood or his sperm. He preferred thetter after Semiramis took a bite out of his hand.


    "Master, what is my order?" Artoria asked, sensing the serious air around Haruki. Hearing a young woman calling him ''Master'' in a polite yet gentle voice hit him with an odd feeling. It wasn''t the case with Semiramis and Medea as they both had a mature aura around them.


    ''It feels forbidden.''


    "I should have sent you to a world where very is illegal," Arch said, her voice sharp.


    ''I''d have be a ve trader. That''s for sure.''


    ""


    Haruki smiled at Artoria. "Make yourselffortable here. We''ll be going outter."


    "Are we going to fight a servant?"


    He shook his head. "Yes and no."


    Haruki gave a brief on Sakura and Rider''s situation as well as Zouken''s cruel actions toward Sakura.


    Artoria frowned. "To vite a young girl in the name of training, that mage is utterly evil."


    She had seen how disgusting and dishonorable a mage could be. This, however, was on a different level.


    "He is, and I n to end his evil reign," he said. "I need your strength to save her."


    "To aid my master, it is my duty as a knight and a servant."


    "Oh. By the way, didn''t you also go through crazy training when you were young?"


    Quite ironic for her to defend Sakura when she had been in Sakura''s position before. Well, she was blessedpared to Sakura''s training.


    "I had the responsibilities of the crown. She does not. From your words, it seems the old mage never gave a choice to the girl."


    ''The crown, huh.''


    Haruki inwardly scoffed and tossed Avalon at her. Avalon was trash for him. For Artoria, however, it was a Noble Phantasm that provided absolute defense as well as boosted her regeneration to cheat-level.


    Artoria instinctively caught Avalon and her eyes widened. The cold scabbard made her nostalgic. This Avalon was the real deal, not a cheap copy.


    ''Thisthis is unbelievable.''


    To think she''d see Avalon after it was stolen back when she was still a king.


    "Thank you, Master. With Avalon, our victory is all but guaranteed."


    She could deal with the King of Heroes with Avalon in her hand. In thest war, Kiritsugu had ordered her to destroy the Holy Grail with twomand spells instead of letting her fight Gilgamesh. Even with her magic resistance, she couldn''t resist thepulsion of twomand spells.


    "I like that confidence," Medea remarked with a smirk that said otherwise.


    ''Master will get charmed by this queen if I dally too long I must make my move.''


    As she opened her mouth, Haruki turned to the clock and sighed.


    "I need to go. Sakura and Rin are waiting."


    "Understood."


    The long pause in her answer raised a suspicion.


    "What''s the matter?" he asked with a frown.


    ''Does she want to talk about refilling magical energy?''


    She dodged his eyes as though she was hiding something. "Nothing, Master."


    "Saber, can you protect this temple in my absence?"


    "I shall. You need not worry."


    Her polite words prompted a sigh from Haruki.


    "Caster, rest and try to recover some magical energy." He leaned and pecked her lips. "I''ll help you after I return."


    Caught off guard by the kiss, Medea stared in shock. Only after Haruki exited the room, did she process what happened and her cheeks grew hot.


    ''It''s just a kiss. Nothing to be embarrassed about.''


    His feelings were more important right now. Did he really wish for a rtionship, despite knowing what she did in the past? Despite having forbidden feelings for his mother?


    Medea wished she could peer into his heart and find the answer.


    Meanwhile, Artoria tilted her head, wondering about the rtionship between them.


    ***


    Lmao. It wasn''t Semiramis this time. She got baited into a trap by a loli.

 Chapter 35: Creeping Shadows

    Chapter 35: Creeping Shadows


    Haruki stepped out of the Ryuudou Temple.


    "A certain someone is forgetting something," Arch said.


    Taskpleted. Well done!


    1 x High-Rank Gacha coupon rewarded.


    ''Thanks.''


    He nearly forgot about the reward for summoning Saber.


    "D-Don''t thank me. I''m just doing my job."


    He gave an amused smile at her stuttering, tsundere-like response.


    ''It''s time for spin.''


    The gacha wheel appeared before him again and spun. Slowly, it crept around and stopped on the purple.


    ''Epic!''


    He could barely contain his excitement.


    [Congrattions! You have acquired 1 x ''Noble Phantasm: Right Hand - Evil Eater.]


    Noble Phantasm: Right Hand - Evil Eater


    Description: Amakusa Shiro Tokisada created countless miracles through his hands as well as guided his believers through hardships.


    Rank: Epic


    Skills:


    -Almighty Key [A]


    Info: Creates a link to every Thaumaturgy Foundation carved in the world.


    -Precognition [D]


    Info: Gives insights into the future based on your knowledge regarding certain events.


    -Eternal Youth [B]


    Info: Halts the aging process of the body.


    ''This is beyond perfect.''


    He had hit the jackpot despite his E-Rank Luck. Among the other Noble Phantasms, this wasn''t anything groundbreaking. But for a Magus, the ability to cast any magecraft spell was their wet dreame true. The precognition was the cherry on top; it could bring some impressive results in the hands of someone who knew bits and pieces of nearly every important event in the Nasuverse.


    "I suggest you don''t rely on it too much," Arch said. "Absolute power can crush every possibility. Increasing your strength will help you to the end."


    ''I know, sheesh. You don''t have to be my mommy every time.''


    His mother was super chill. She never tied any responsibility to him and shouldered everything by herself. Even when he offered to work, she refused with a pout. That image brimming with cuteness was still safe in the depths of his heart. He had to lie with Sakura''s name just to begin a part-time job.


    "...I''m not your mommy," Arch murmured.


    Haruki shook his head. Just a few moments ago, she was calling him ''My precious son.'' Now she was denying it. As expected, a goddess couldn''t be understood by human logic.


    ''How do I use this Noble Phantasm?''


    He wasn''t going to be a Frankenstein by cutting his arm off and stitching this Noble Phantasm. He wasn''t that hungry for strength.


    "Your arm will retain the same appearance and functionality. Keep two things in your mind. The process will be painful. Your magical energy will run rampant until the Noble Phantasm is fully integrated."


    ''Pain isn''t a problem. How long will it take to fully integrate?''


    "One night of sleep I''ll have to summon you here to integrate the arm of a Heroic Spirit."


    That meant he couldn''t use the Noble Phantasm tonight.


    ''You know, Arch. You are a good woman.''


    "W-What do you want to say?"


    ''Nothing. You have been nothing but kind to me. It''s hard to find good in a priest these days, much less a genuine goddess.''


    "Is that what you think?" Arch took a short pause as though she was collecting her thoughts. "I may have ulterior motives in helping you."


    Anyone with ulterior motives will never outright confess their intentions. He had a suspicion she wanted more than just making him an overlord of this world. Would it entertain her enough to go through such a tedious process of reincarnating him and giving him powers? He wasn''t sure.


    Arch fell silent like she usually did to dodge certain topics. Haruki began sprinting through the streets.


    ''I''m here if you want to reveal your ''ulterior'' motives.''


    ***


    In the confines of a Japanese-style room, a girl sat in seiza before an unconscious Shirou. Her long white hair flowed out of her purple Russian hat, covering her morphed face.


    "What did they do to Onii-chan?"


    He was paralyzed, unable to move an inch.


    Illyasviel couldn''t understand their reason for kidnapping him. He was a half-baked magus as he possessed no magic circuits. He always helped everyone around him. Never did he try to harm everyone.


    ''Did they realize my rtionship with Shirou?''


    She and Shirou shared no blood rtion. She was a homunculus born between Irisviel Von Einzbern and Kiritsugu Emiya, whoter betrayed the Einzbern family and destroyed the Greater Grail. He had adopted Shirou as his son, leaving Illyasviel behind in the cold walls of the Einzbern Castle.


    ''I should be despising you, but why do I feel sad?''


    In the end, he was her little brother. Her growth had been stunted a decade ago when she was eight years old. She looked nothing like an older sister.


    Unknown to her, the lights in the room dimmed a little. The darkness crept behind her, stopping right behind her. Two hands emerged from the shadows and touched Illyasviel''s shoulders.


    "Ilya."


    A delicate whisper reached Illyasviel. Her crimson eyes stretched, and a look of disbelief spread across her face.


    "Okaa-san"


    She shakily turned around. Her mother''s beautiful face gazed back at her.


    "Ilya, my daughter," she said in a yful voice and stretched her arms. "Come to mother."


    Illyasviel was too shocked to notice Irisviel''s skin was darker than usual as though a shadow was cast on her. Her pure white dress was also tainted by a shadow.


    "No, it''s impossible," Illyasviel said with a frown. "Okaa-san died because of Kiritsugu. You can''t be Okaa-san."


    Her mother clutched her chest as a trail of tears trailed down her cheeks. "Ilya, Kiritsugu left he left us. He isn''t here anymore. Only you are. So, please" With emotions brimming in each word, Irisviel stretched her hand. "Help me Assassin and her Master are going to kill me. Vite me with their poison."


    "Tada, Shirou. I''m home!"


    A cheerful voice alerted the two of them. The owner of the voice slowly approached through the corridor.


    "Ilya, help Ryuudou Temple..." Irisviel''s voice echoed as her figure melted into the shadow.


    ''Ryuudou Temple. The Greater Grail will descend there this time'' She gritted her teeth. ''Angra Mainyu. It dared to use Okaa-san''s face and voice to deceive me.''


    The corruption of the Grail at the hands of Angra Mainyu was known by the Einzbern family. They couldn''t care less about any of it, for they sought their lost Third Magic.


    The footsteps grew louder and louder.


    ''What should I do? Leysritt might know a way to treat the poison. Berserker,e back please.''


    Just as Taiga Fujimura stopped outside the room, a crash echoed outside the house. Illyasviel opened the window and leaped outside. Berserkerunched himself into the air and caught her amidst her leap of faith. Berserkernded and put Illyasviel on his shoulder.


    "Berserker, go that way."


    She wasn''t going to let Assassin walk away without paying a price.


    ''I hope Shirou recovers soon. If not, I''ll have to ask for Leysritt''s help.''


    Her homunculus servants won''t be happy after knowing she nned to help Kiritsugu''s son.

 Chapter 36: Cursed Luck

    Chapter 36: Cursed Luck


    ''Semi, any progress?''


    Haruki checked up on Semiramis as he neared his house. Just the thought of Semiramis sneaking through the city made him chuckle. The former queen had her work cut out after making a minor mistake.


    "My doves don''t see him now. I might have shaken Berserker off."


    ''Head home once you''re sure.''


    Illyasviel wasn''t crazy enough to attack someone in the residential area. Even if she did, Archer was there to buy time until Saber arrived.


    "My master, that boy. What is his rtionship with Berserker and his master?"


    ''Just know that Berserker''s master and Shirou are like siblings.''


    "T-That. Berserker won''t leave us alone now Shirou is under my poison. Only I can cure it."


    ''Hold up. We''re screwed, aren''t we? None of us will live if Heracles bes serious.''


    "My master is he that strong? We have King Arthur now."


    ''The summoning failed I couldn''t do it, Semi. That Avalon turned out to be fake.''


    Semiramis fell silent. Haruki chuckled, barely stopping himself fromughing out loud. Semiramis was truly scared. Anyone would be scared of being chased by Berserker, who could crush Semiramis and Haruki with his bare hands.


    "I wasn''t ipetent just so you know. Berserker''s masterid out a perfect trap inside the door"


    ''I know. You used to be a Queen. This type of work isn''t your specialty.''


    "My master understands me. I knew we were destined to have greatpatibility after I saw you."


    ''Heh. Says the woman who wanted to brainwash me into her puppet.''


    "...I never thought of that. Ah, my master. My familiars spotted Berserker. He is leaping through the air in Ryuudou Temple''s direction."


    Haruki stopped in his tracks.


    ''How did Illya know?''


    Medea wasn''t in any state to fight. Even if she had magical energy, the most she could do was escape.


    ''Thank goodness I summoned Saber.''


    "You just said you couldn''t summon Saber you liar."


    ''I was teasing you. Sheesh, don''t be mad. I''ll return to support Saber. You go home and tell Rin toe with Archer.''


    "You don''t want me to fight?" she asked, a hint of doubt in her voice.


    ''It''s not the time to show off my three beautiful Heroic Spirits.''


    Herbat ability was unremarkable outside of her domain. Heracles might be weak to her poison due to his legends. One or two deaths by Semiramis''s poison would make him immune to every poison. Her Hanging Gardens and her strategies served his needs more than her strength.


    ''Time to convey the news to Artoria and Medea.''


    The telepathy didn''t work with Artoria. She had formed a contract with the World before her death. She was alive with a physical body and will be until she obtains the grail. He couldn''t share his magical energy with her through the spiritual link or talk to her through telepathy. It was the only disadvantage of summoning one of the strongest servants.


    ''Medea, Berserker is headed your way.''


    "Master! B-Berserker? I''m in no condition to fight."


    He cursed his past self who left Medea without mana.


    ''Leave the area with Artoria.''


    "Master, our n for Grail"


    ''You''re more important to me. We can retake the ce back tomorrow.''


    The rules of the Holy Grail War were simple. No fights were allowed during the day. Though many masters broke it to gain the upper hand, but Illyasviel wasn''t one of them.


    ''Understood.''


    He turned around and sprinted in the Ryuudou Temple''s direction. Passing through the streets, he came across a street without any lights. He cursed his luck when he spotted his archnemesis standing there beside a woman with long purple hair.


    Shinji and Rider.


    Rider held a girl in a school uniform by her neck. She opened her mouth and sank her teeth in the girl''s nape.


    ''Wasn''t she supposed to hunt in the shopping district''s alleys?''


    Haruki was a little confused. Did Shinji get so desperate that he started hunting here instead of waiting for people to pass in the dead alleys?


    ''Is this the result of choosing a spear over the sword?'' Haruki thought with a bitter smile. Lancers always got the short end of the stick in Nasuverse.


    Rider licked the blood from her lips and looked at Haruki. Shinji turned around and his eyes widened a bit. His face twisted before an ecstatic smile shed on his face.


    ''Medea, take Artoria ande to me. I need a hand here.''


    Semiramis''s location was unknown. Ryuudou Temple was a few moments from here with Medea''s speed.


    "Did you meet Berserker?" Medea asked, her voice shaking in absolute horror. "Use yourmand spell and summon us."


    ''No. I can manage for a few minutes.''


    He could get through this situation without wasting amand.


    "Ugh! I''ming."


    Shinji slipped a hand into his pocket while he held an ancient-looking Grimoire in his other hand. "Hayashi. Oh, Hayashi. I was hoping I''d run into your sorry ass. Fate brought us together in the end."


    Haruki shook his head in response. Rider quietly made her victim lean against the wall. As she stood, two chains materialized in her hands.


    Shinji flipped open the Grimoire. The pages flipped on their own as the book glowed with a color simr to Rider''s hair. "Still cocky, huh. You see this woman. She is my servant. A supernatural spirit. She can crush a pathetic creature like you with her fingers."


    "So boring," Haruki said with a shrug. "See youter."


    He turned around and dashed into another street. Medusa possessed C-Rank agility in her weakened state. He wasn''t confident of outrunning her, yet he possessed one advantagehe grew up in these streets. Buying two or three minutes was nothing much if he used everything to his advantage. As he sprinted, his body grew hot. The dragon blood in his veins boiled, craving battle. He ignored the impulses and kept taking turns.


    ''He is such a pain in the ass like his old man.''


    He was sure Zouken was observing everything through his insect familiar''s eyes.


    ''Did I use all my luck in that gacha pull?''

 Chapter 37: Against Rider

    Chapter 37: Against Rider


    Medusa chased Haruki without breaking her calm expression. Just as Haruki took another turn, Medusa jumped in the air. Haruki stopped and stepped aside. A twinkling nail plunged from the sky and impaled the concrete road where he stood a second ago. Ridernded before him with her hands on the ground. She looked like a cat ready to pounce on a rat.


    ''A sexy cat.''


    Haruki was a little surprised at his leisure to joke in this situation. Was it his growth that made him stand fearlessly before a servant? Even when weakened under Shinji''s control, Medusa was still a servant, a spiritual being with superhuman abilities.


    Medusa thoroughly analyzed her opponent through her sharpened senses. The blindfold covering her eyes did nothing to hinder her senses. Her Noble Phantasm Breaker Gorgon kept her Mystic Eyes of Petrification sealed, which in turn raised her other senses beyond ordinary humans. Her magic detection skills were beyond an average Caster-ss servant. Through those senses, she could feel an odd sense of pressureing from Haruki. Magical energy that didn''t belong to humans, dwelled in his body; it was concentrated near his heart as though he possessed a core.


    ''He smells like Sakura.''


    Her real master''s scent lingering on him affected her more than his magical energy.


    "Are you sure you want to be ordered around by that scumbag?" Haruki asked, tilting his head a little. "Your real master is my childhood friend."


    Medusa looked at Haruki and her lips parted. "Good or evil doesn''t matter."


    Shinji was her master, so she had to obey his orders. Her personal issues with Shinji''s character didn''t matter in the slightest.


    ''But, if possible.''


    She wanted to save Sakura from the Matou family. Before Sakura became a monster like she did. Before she swallowed her loved ones in a blind rage. Yet, she couldn''t go against her role to fulfill her personal wish. Such conflicting thoughts brewed in her mind in the span of several moments.


    Haruki sighed at her silent rejection. She was too loyal for her own good. Hearing footsteps behind him, he turned around. Shinji caught up to them, bing utterly exhausted in the process. ring at Haruki, he gritted his teeth.


    "Rider, don''t let him run. Give him pain. Squash him like a bug. Show him the power of a servant."


    Medusa swung her chains andunched herself at Haruki like a bullet. The dagger attached to Medusa''s chain burst the sound barrier, leaving an afterimage. Haruki ducked as fast as he could before he rolled to his side.


    ''Fuck.''


    It was only the start of Medusa''s continuous assault. He wasn''t trained to dodge bullets, much less dodging a knife that broke sound barriers. Even in that desperate situation, his thoughts were calm, his vision clear. His body moved before the daggers entered his field of vision as though his brain instantly processed the information.


    Kch! A dagger skewered his left shoulder, gouging out a chunk of flesh. Medusa stopped and yanked her chains. Haruki smiled at Medusa.


    ''She is holding back.''


    She did nothingpared to her fight against Saber Alter in Heaven''s Feel route. Haruki frowned at the burning sensation in his shoulder. With just a thought, his magical energy flowed like a tide and gathered in his wounded shoulder. The pain disappeared; so did the wound. A dragon''s regeneration was a cheat skill on its own.


    [Skill acquired: Blood Conversion]


    ''Odd name.''


    He decided to check itter.


    Shinji looked at Haruki with wide eyes. "...Magecraft."


    The single word that came out of his mouth was filled with hatred.


    "How can you have magecraft?" Shinji shouted at the top of his lungs. He, thest descendant of the Matou family, was born without magic circuits. He was fine with it until Sakura came and took his position as the heir. She could use magecraft but he couldn''t.


    "Hayashi, you always, always, always tried to oppress me. I did nothing to you. I was minding my business. But. You came and took my slutty sister. You beat me up whenever you felt like it."


    Now he possessed magic circuits. In Shinji''s eyes, such strength could only be obtained through the use of magecraft. Shinji pulled his hair as his eyes shed with a crazy glint.


    "You used magecraft to beat me No matter how hard I trained my body, I was always beaten to the ground. Magecraft... Magecraft. Magecraft. Magecraft."


    He had descended into madness. Haruki looked at him with a condescending gaze. "I don''t need magecraft for pussies like you."


    "Damn you. Rider, kill him."


    "Not today," Haruki said with a smile. "My backup is here."


    As if hearing his words, Medea appeared in front of him and created a barrier to block Medusa''s chains. "Master, I couldn''t persuade her. She is fighting him alone."


    She had tried her best, but the King of Knights stayed behind to buy time and ''protect'' the Grail. She red at Shinji, swearing to torture him for injuring Haruki. He cowered from the unseen chill wrapping his heart.


    "Nothing is going the way I wanted," he said with a sigh and hugged Medea from behind, entrusting his body to her.


    The mental toll of pushing his perception came after the battle ended. He wanted to lie down and rest. The battle wasn''t without its merits though; it gave him an idea of his current strength.


    ''Need to train more. I got to start the dungeon.''


    Even though only a day had passed since he awakened, he was greedy for more power. Servants were good and all, but he had to avenge his mother with his own hands. His current strength amounted to pretty much nothing inparison to the task Arch gave him.


    "I didn''t give you a deadline though," Arch said. "You don''t have to rush it."


    ''Are you trying tofort me?''


    "...No. I''ll be troubled if you went up and died recklessly."


    ''Cute.''


    Medusa felt his resolve; it was stronger than his determination during their battle, where she held back. The most obvious reason was he had no hostility against her master. There was nothing but pity in his eyes when he looked at Shinji. The less obvious reason was Sakura''s attachment to him.


    Haruki turned his attention to Shinji frozen stiff in his spot.


    ''I''ll fuck him up tomorrow.''


    He had to find what the hell was wrong with Artoria. He could kill Medusa right now with Caster''s help. A spell was all she needed to obliterate Medusa, but that wasn''t his n. He had to burn the book in Shinji''s hand and free Medusa from her ''duties.''


    ''What is Artoria thinking? We would''ve taken Medusa if she was here.''


    "You''ll give Shinji a swift death?" Arch asked.


    ''No. I''ll ask Semi to poison him, then toss him into Zouken''s basement.''


    Shinji wasn''t going to have it easy like his alternate timeline self. Haruki looked around and as expected one of Zouken''s familiar insects watched them from the sky.


    Medea wrapped him in her cloak, and they disappeared from Shinji''s vision.


    "Huh?" Shinji''s eyes widened in horror. "Servant? Rider, that woman was a servant?"


    "Yes, Master," Medusa replied.


    The book slipped from Shinji''s hand and fell to the ground. He held his head with both hands andughed. Hisughter filled the streets.


    Medusa shook her head as her chains vanished.


    ''He has lost it.''


    She stopped before Shinji. The young man raised his head and scoffed at her calm expression.


    "You''re useless, Rider."


    Rider didn''t say anything. Shinji stopped himself from using the Book of False Attendance to torture her. She was his only hope to win the war and receive the blessing to use magecraft. He didn''t want to get on her bad side. Haruki''s bullying turned him into an even bigger coward.


    ''You aren''t less useless, Master,'' Medusa thought as she gazed at her pitiful master. Only one fate awaited the weak in this war. ''Death.''


    ***


    Shinji received plot armor? Lol. He will dieter.

 Chapter 38: Doubts

    Chapter 38: Doubts


    At the end of the stairs leading into the Ryuudou Temple, Artoria stood, her face carrying a solemn expression. The wind blew past her cheeks, gently brushing her hair. The choice she made moments ago still lingered in her mind. Caster had ordered her to retreat in desperation. Of course, she wanted to retreat and help her Master against Rider. But she had already sensed Berserker quickly approaching the temple. Caster''s magical energy was low, so Artoria stayed back to cover Caster retreat. Berserker didn''t change direction when Medea departed, making her relieved about her choice.


    ''Master might get angry.''


    He had shown her respect, even returning her Avalon. However, she felt like she made the right decision this time. Without anyone in the area, she could go all out against Heracles with her Excalibur. The exceptional regeneration provided by Avalon will allow her to show her true power and slowly chip away at his twelve lives. Unless Heracles could destroy her brain in one strike, she will be victorious. In fact, the feeling of Avalon and her boosted parameters gave her a sense of invincibility.


    ''A dragon''s magical energy.''


    It was then the Greek Hero, whose fame was on par with her,nded on the stairs. A web of cracks spread under his bare feet. His colossal figure wore a single diator skirt. Each muscle on his body was covered in lead, bulging with monstrous strength.


    Even Artoria was put off by the madness emanating from his bloodshot eyes. He was a caged beast ready to unleash his fury on his foes.


    ''It''ll be a hard fight.''


    Artoria narrowed her eyes at the white-haired girl sitting on Berserker''s shoulder. She could sense the homunculus magical energy was above Haruki.


    ''Einzbern''s homunculus.''


    The girl looked simr to the daughter of her old friend, Irisviel Von Einzbern. But she met the kid a decade ago. The little girl would have be a young woman by now, or so she imagined. The advanced homunculus of the Einzbern appeared close to humans, yet none of them possessed emotions. Irisviel was an exception since Einzbern prepared her as a Lesser Grail.


    ''Kiritsugu never told me his daughter''s name.''


    Artoria summoned her Noble Phantasm Excalibur. An invisible sword appeared in her hand, sheathed by a barrier of super-high pressure air. Invisible Air, the Magecraft Merlin taught her. After all, Excalibur was known to all servants in the Throne of Heroes and modern mages.


    Illyasviel hopped down Heracles'' shoulder and tilted her head. "Are you Saber? Where are Assassin and her master?"


    Saber''s dignified aura, her posture, and her ancient armor reminded Illyasviel of the knights from fairy tales. A servant from the Assassin-ss will never opt for a duel against someone of Berserker''s level. His aura alone could crush a weaker servant''s fighting spirit, let alone an Assassin''s.


    "Assassin?" Saber questioned. "There is no Assassin here."


    "You''re alone here then?"


    Saber nodded since her words carried no lies. She was curious about the reason for these two hunting down her Master, but she didn''t let it show on her face.


    "I''m not here to fight you," Illyasviel said as she cheerfully climbed the stairs. "You can return to whoever your Master is."


    Artoria could swing her sword and murder Illyasviel, but such tactics weren''t chivalrous. More importantly, she sensed no fighting intent from either of them as though their goal was simply finding Haruki.


    Artoria gripped her sword. "You won''t find anyone inside."


    "I must check," Illyasviel replied, her voice determined. "They can''t escape what''sing for them. Berserker, with me!"


    Heracles strode past her, showing no intention of fighting her. Artoria turned around. Heracles''s back was wide open, but Artoria knew better. The moment she makes any movement, Heracles will strike back.


    "What did Assassin do?" Artoria asked.


    "He poisoned Shirou," Illyasviel said as she prepared her magical bird familiars and sent them to scout the ce. "My brother."


    She put away Excalibur, grim at the discovery. She didn''tpletely believe Berserker as it could be a lie to nt seeds of discord between her and Haruki. There was one thing that irked her.


    ''Did he poison other masters and force them to surrender their servants?''


    A single doubt slipped into her heart. Was he simr to her previous master who used the most underhanded tactics to assassinate masters? Her hatred for Kiritsugu still remained for he destroyed her chance of fulfilling her wish. All she wished was to stop her past self from pulling out the Caliburn. If only some more worthy king led the kingdom, Merlin''s prophecy would nevere true and her empire would never face a brutal end. If she wasn''t king, the whole rebellion would have never started.


    After all, a simple rejection had fueled the rebelion.


    ''Mordred.''


    The memories of her "son" were fresh in her mind.


    With a frown, she descended the stairs to the temple her master ordered her to protect and wandered in search of her master.

 Chapter 39: Commitment

    Chapter 39: Commitment


    Haruki''s house.


    Sakura''s gentle hums filled the kitchen. The dulcet tones created a wordless melody. Rin found her feet moving to the rhythm of her sister''s humming. The happiness radiating from her sister''s expression infected her with delight.


    ''Is she happy that we''re back to being sisters?''


    Rin felt a smile tugging at her lips. It was worth breaking the agreement between Matou and Tohsaka regarding Sakura''s lineage.


    ''Isn''t it because of this war and Hayashi-kun?''


    The Holy Grail War was known to be brutal and inhumane, where taking someone''s life was considered a victory. She never thought it would be the thread that tied them together. Haruki deserved praise for sticking with Sakura despite knowing her magus lineage. It also reminded her of the half conversation she had with Haruki about Sakura and her rtionship with Lesser Grail. She fidgeted, wondering how to bring it up.


    "Master, you can do it," Archer cheered Rin. "This house looks like it hasn''t been cleaned geez, that kid has lost his mind."


    ''How about you sweep it with your powers? It''s the least we can do for intruding.''


    "Dammit. The Command Spell you used to control me is enforcing my thoughts I have to clean up now."


    Rin chuckled, breaking Sakura''s concentration.


    "Nee-san?"


    "I was just talking with Archer," Rin replied with a smile.


    "Servant" Sakura muttered, recalling the woman whose face failed to disy a single emotion.


    The youngest of the three earth goddesses worshipped for their beauty. That same beauty attracted the jealousy of Poseidon''s wife and Athena. The goddess of war Athena cursed Medusa, turning her into the Gorgon monster of nightmares and legends. Her cold demeanor reflected the hardships she went through during her life.


    ''We might get along''


    As someone whose childhood was nothing but tragedy, Sakura greatly empathized with Medusa. She reduced the stove fire and sighed.


    ''Senpai, where did you go?''


    "Ne, Sakura. I was wondering if you and Hayashi-kun are dating?"


    "We are not," Sakura replied in a t voice. "We''re just close friends."


    "Huh?"


    Rin couldn''t believe her ears. They had been together for as long as Rin could remember. She could see Haruki''s care for Sakura, or he won''t go out of his way to bring them together.


    ''What kind of man treats a close friend like a princess!''


    This was too much. Even she wasn''t this slow when it came to romance. She wanted to shout at their faces, curse them for being just friends for over a decade.


    "Actually Senpai might have feelings for his mother," Sakura muttered, only to feel a wind caressing her face. Surprised, she looked around to find nothing.


    "What?" Rin raised her voice. "What did you say?!"


    "Senpai''s eyes when he looked at Obaa-san It might have been my imagination. I don''t know," Sakura said and revealed a wry smile. "This might be why he is trying to bring her back."


    "That''s It could just be the love normal parents share," Rin said. "I mean who likes their mother ''that'' way."


    "It could be," Sakura said. "We will only know if Senpai obtains the Grail."


    "Yeah."


    Sakura turned to Rin and sped her shoulders. "Nee-san, can you give up on the Grail for me?"


    Sakura knew she was asking for too much. Yes, they were sisters by blood, but they hadn''t acknowledged each other for over a decade. Rin had trained to be an outstanding magus. What if her purpose was just to hold the Greater Grail in her hands? Sakura wasn''t aware of her sister''s reason for participating in the war.


    ''I never want to see Senpai and Nee-san going at each other.''


    "Sakura, I" Rin said, a hint of hesitation in her voice. It was her father''s lifelong wish to achieve the Holy Grail. Whatever his purpose was, he died fighting for the Grail. Should she give it up without even trying?


    "I''m sorry." Sakura loosened her hold. "Nee-san."


    She turned back to the stove and put a lid on the steaming dish. Without saying a word, she walked out of the kitchen.


    At least she tried to.


    But Rin grabbed her hand. She could swear she saw a painful look sh in Sakura''s eyes. It wasn''t her imagination.


    ''What are you doing! She is your sister. Four wars happened in the past, who says a sixth won''t happen in the future?''


    Rin wanted to p herself for hesitating. As long as the Einzbern family craved the Third Magic, there will always be a Holy Grail War. She will get a chance in the future.


    "Sakura, I will help Hayashi-kun." Rin shed the widest smile possible. "Let''s get his mother back. Having a single rtive in your wedding will feel odd."


    "Nee-san"


    Sakura felt a lump in her throat. Instead of saying anything, she threw herself at Rin. Tears gushing out of her eyes. If it weren''t for Haruki telling her about Rin''s hardships, she might have developed a hatred for Rin. Even then, she held grudges for her. Rin was living a normal life, being adored by everyone around her while she had to deal with torture day in and day out. The tears gushing out of her eyes washed away every bit of her resentment with Rin.


    "I love you, Nee-san."


    Rin awkwardly raised her arms, only to put them down. Archer appeared outside the kitchen with a broom in his hands. His brow sank into a deep frown.


    "Master, stop hesitating," he said with telepathy.


    Rin groaned inwardly and patted Sakura''s back. "Sakura, Hayashi-kun told me you were suffering. What did Matous do?"


    "What did Senpai say?" Sakura said in a soft voice. "Please tell me, Nee-san."


    "Nothing. He told me to ask you instead."


    Sakura turned the gears of her brain, trying to find an excuse. She couldn''t tell Rin about the things she went through. It would disgust her, break their rtionship.


    Just when Rin was about to press her even more, the door opened.


    Haruki entered the house to find Rin and Sakura hugging each other. Emiya stood there with a broom in his hand, taking his servant role to the extreme. It seemed like a scene out of some parody of Fate anime.


    Before Haruki raised a question, Sakura released Rin and gave him a frowning stare.


    "What happened to your school shirt, Senpai?"


    Haruki had tossed the torn shirt on his way. It was the sure way of worrying Sakura, so he bought a new shirt from a store.


    "Some idiot spilled water on it. Caster has the shirt with her," he said, receiving an unconvinced look from both sisters. "Is dinner ready?"


    "Ready to serve!"


    Sakura cheerfully returned to the kitchen. Haruki took a breath of relief and tried to return to him, only to be stopped by Rin. She took his hand and pulled him upstairs. Archer headed outside to keep an eye out for any servants lurking in the shadows.


    ''What pissed her now?''


    Rin dragged him all the way to his room, where Semiramis sleptst night. A soft fragrance lingered in the air. Rin frowned, thinking who it belonged to. She sat on the bed and crossed her legs.


    "Who did you fight?"


    Haruki frowned at her voice filled with authority. He didn''t like being ordered even if it came from his ally or the sister of the woman he liked.


    "You said something?" he asked and rubbed his ears. "My brain didn''t register your order."


    "Ugh" Rin groaned. "I''m your ally. No" she put her right hand on her chest. "I, Rin Tohsaka, will guide you to victory. For Sakura''s happiness, I will give up on this Grail."


    Kirei would call her unfair for helping someone until the end, but she didn''t care a bit about him. Sakura''s happiness meant more to her than her half-assed rtionship with Kirei.


    Haruki was a little surprised at her decision.


    ''What happened when I wasn''t here?''


    "Ahem." Rin coughed as she stood and extended her hand with a tiny smile. "It is best that we exchange important information with each other."


    "It is," he agreed. "Only if you ask me more nicely. I''m not your servant."


    Rin''s brow twitched, but she managed to give a nod. Haruki took her hand with a satisfied smile. Rin stared at his hand which epassed her tiny hand. Despite training in martial arts for years, she didn''t develop over-the-top muscles as if she wasn''t made for this. Her hand was feeblepared to his taut hand.


    "I''m counting on you, Rin Tohsaka."


    He gave a smile that made Rin blush.

 Chapter 40: Survival instincts

    Chapter 40: Survival instincts


    "She reunited with her sister."


    An aged voice resounded in a dark room. A hunched old man stood in an ocean of insects, leaning on a wooden stick for support. He was basking in the virescent glowing from the singlemp on the ceiling. The worms wriggling and chirping in hundreds of chambers in the walls was a symphony to his ears.


    Zouken Matou.


    He once swore to eliminate all evil in the world and create a utopia for everyone. For that wish, he sought a miracle beyond the reach of his human hands. The throes of time had twisted his mind and soul to the point he forgot his real purpose.


    Left with nothing but an obsession forpleting the Holy Grail for immortality.


    "Shinji has lost himself Sakura is disobeying everymand I send to her... Is this not the time?"


    He had left one worm crest in the nerves connecting to her heart. It was for an emergency case as well as controlling her thoughts through suggestions. He could hear what happened around Sakura. Right now, he couldn''t send any suggestion as though something blocked him.


    "It is time," a voice answered as Angra Mainyu emerged from the mass of insects.


    A woman with long silver hair and red eyes simr to Illyasviel. She wore a skirt tainted in its curse. This form was nothing but ast ditch effort out of pure survival instinct. Having heard Medea''s n to ''kill'' it, the All World''s Evil could no longer stay still. It, who possessed no ''self'', had used the remnants of Irisviel''s soul to manifest in the physical world. It naturally inherited several traits from Irisviel, thus leading it to contact Illyasviel first.


    Zouken sluggishly turned to Avenger and his dark eyes widened. "Who are you?"


    He felt like he had seen the woman before. Where and when? His corroded soul could no longer remember. Yet, he had a feeling she was more than just a normal Einzbern Homunculus.


    Avenger tilted its head, for it didn''t know who or what it was. All it remembered was its goal of representing everyone''s desire to be the All World''s Evil and lead humanity to its demise.


    "I''m Avenger I need your help in creating the Lesser Grail."


    It stuttered, feeling lightheaded from the corrosion of its ''self.'' It could no longer contact the iplete Lesser Grail, the one it shared exceptionalpatibility with. So it searched for persons whose souls were tainted with the mud. Surprisingly, it found three people. One of them was a man whose entire heart was made out of corrupted mud of the Grail. Another was a being so powerful and radiant that Avenger shrunk in instinctive fear. Thest one was the old magus standing before it. He had traces of the tainted mud all over him.


    "Avenger? The servant whose soultched onto the Grail in the Third War So you want toplete the grail huh."


    "I will fulfill your wish."


    Zouken pondered for a moment before he shared his wish. "I wish for immortality."


    "I''ll give" Avenger''s voice sounded a little desperate as it vanished from Zouken''s eyes.


    Zouken closed his eyes and tilted his head back. The chirps of hispanions filled him with wisdom.


    "Sakura Target her weakness. Twist her. Break her spirit" he muttered. "I will start with him she holds him dearly without ''her'' protection, he is nothing."


    He had given up on his wish this time because of that woman''s chances of participating in the Fuyuki Holy Grail. But she died a mysterious death, doing him a favor. He couldn''t wait to engage with her son and his servant. If only that Tohsaka girl didn''t guard him, he could have taken him and his servant down alone.


    As an old magus, he was confident in his strength.


    ***


    Haruki plopped down on the bed and raised his head to the ceiling. Rin had left in a fit of embarrassment, looking cuter than ever in the process.


    "My Master, I found her! Bringing her back now."


    He had sent Semiramis to find Saber. After getting away from Rider, he had gone straight to the Ryuudou Temple, only to find no traces of Artoria anywhere. Medea had pointed out that Berserker and Illyasviel were present inside the temple.


    ''Don''te now.''


    "My master, you want me to spend the night on the streets? There are brutes out there I might get dragged by some shady man."


    ''As if. Just manipte some rich person into leaving their house. Archer is here, and I don''t want to show you two to Rin. She might get super cocky.''


    "Understandable. By the way, my master never told me King Arthur was a pretty blonde!"


    ''Did you ask her why she left without a fight?''


    "She wants to meet you as soon as possible. She has some questions for you. From the looks of it, it''s rted to Berserker''s Master."


    ''Tell her to meet me in the morning. I''m busy at the moment.''


    He dyed Zouken''s demise until tomorrow. Neither he nor Artoria was in the best of their mental conditions. A simple hesitation could give Zouken a chance to escape.


    "Busy? Oh. Will you be pushing down your ve witch?"


    Semiramis was so bubbly as though she was a different person. She didn''t wish to maintain her all-powerful queen''s image during these conversations that never happened face to face. The difference was like Jeanne D''arc and her alter ego. Honestly, he preferred this side of Semiramis over her haughty queen side.


    "You wanna join?" he teased.


    In the end, it''ll depend on what Medea chose. The brazen woman might just go straight into the bed.


    "Huh? My master wants me to warm your bed?" she asked in an innocent voice. "It can''t be after you rejected me so brutally when I asked."


    ''...''


    "If my master wins the war, I might..." Semiramis giggled and cut off the connection.


    ''I might backstab you, huh.''


    He finished her words and shook his head. Keeping up his guard around her became more crucial. He sighed and recalled Rin''s deration.


    ''Sakura is my lucky charm.''


    To think the girl he was pushing back brought him two servants. He could still manipte Illya and bring her on his side. After all, Semiramis had poisoned Shirou, and nobody in the era could make an antidote in a short time. Shirou''s antidote will just be a way to calm down her anger and invite her over to a chat. He had many things that could tempt the homunculus girl to his sidethe most effective solution was none other than the power of friendship!


    "Kaa-san, are you here?" He whispered, looking around with desperate eyes. "If you are, please show yourself I can''t go on like this"


    She wasn''t the only one who knew how to act. It was only a little payback for keeping him in the dark for his entire life.


    "Haru"


    ***


    Irisviel isn''t alive. Just wanted to make that clear. It''s thest of her soul which will eventually fade away.

 Chapter 41: Answers

    Chapter 41: Answers


    "Haru" A whisper followed the wind. "I can''t Now isn''t the time"


    Haruki''s eyes widened. He could never forget this soothing voice, not even in a million years.


    "Why did you hide everything? Why?"


    "I''m sorry. It was necessary to keep them away."


    "Them? Who? Are they your murderers?!"


    "My murderer" she trailed off.


    Haruki felt a warm body pressing against his back. The supple softness of his mother was ingrained in his mind. Her unmatched breasts were the point of envy of every woman in the neighborhood, and he got a feeling of them every day when she sent him off to school with a bright smile and a warm embrace. The woman hugging him wasn''t his mother.


    The scenting from her belonged to Sakura.


    "Did you possess Sakura?"


    Kaede decided to ignore his sharp awareness with Sakura''s body and scent. "I''ll apologizeter."


    He grabbed her hands from his shoulder and turned around. The softness in Sakura''s gaze was melting. It was undoubtedly his mother.


    "Kaa-san."


    He threw his arms around, pushing her back on the bed. He was on the verge of tears when she ruffled his hair and squeezed him in her arms. His dragon pride didn''t let him shed a single tear, helping him keep some dignity before the woman he loved.


    ''I wanted to spank her for what she did, but it''s Sakura''s body.''


    Sakura''s bust wasn''t any less than his mother''s.


    "How does Sakura-chan live in this body?" Kaede asked, surprised by the number of worm crests swimming in Sakura''s blood. "I was right to dote on such a tragic girl."


    "Can you fix her?"


    "These intricate tasks are suited for Medea, not me," she admitted and rubbed her chin on his shoulder. "I won''t tell you about my murderer. You''ll die even with your little servants."


    Haruki''s eyes stretched in shock. "It''s friggin'' ya who murdered you?"


    "ya won''t make a murder sneaky." Kaede shook her head. "He still qualifies as a cmity."


    Hearing his usually gentle mother cursing so casually made him think back to the bold, provoking pictures.


    "So it''s a man is he my father?"


    That would make sense about his lineage. Cmity could be anything in Nasuverse. Beast-ss servants, Types, gods, daemons. It was hard to guess which one killed his mother.


    "Um, no," she said. "About your father he is long dead."


    ''Already kicked the bucket.''


    Even if he was alive, Haruki wasn''t letting him meet his mother. She belonged to him. Not the scum who never showed his face after Haruki came to this world.


    "Did you love him?"


    "Never," she denied in a jiffy and nuzzled her cheeks with his. "I only love you, my momcon son."


    "Aren''t you a soncon too?" Out of all retorts at the tip of his tongue, he chose the most gentle one.


    "I am," she confessed. "I''m proud of that!"


    ''Didn''t I say the same words to Arch?''


    The gears of his mind turned, but he couldn''t find any resemnce between them. His mother was bold, a master maniptor through and through. One so high that his mind, which had been sharpened through numerous lows and highs, couldn''t see through her. Another was a forgetful goddess, who watched him for nearly two decades but forgot to activate his system. Like how high must one be in order to achieve this brilliance.


    "Don''tpare me to her," Arch growled. "I''m a dragon goddess, not a foolish mother. I had my reasons to neglect your system, hmph!"


    "Haru" his mother whispered. "I always wanted to ask Do you love me? Do you see your mother as a woman?"


    Haruki was about to nod, but his mother''s hands trailed up his spine and caressed his back. Her tits squished against his chest. She released a hot sigh, and bit on his earlobes. His body heated up, and he found it harder and harder to control the lust building in his core.


    "Do you see me as a female you want to fuck every day and night until her belly is like a balloon?"


    Her sultry voice sent shivers down his spine, nearly causing him to pop an erection. If she had tried this trick before, he''d have let go of his restraints and pushed her down. The disparity between the woman he grew up with and the woman confessing her feelings to him couldn''t be any wider.


    "I do."


    Kaede licked his earlobe before she backed away with a giggle and pulled him into her chest. "I wish I had tried this before Haru, Mama wants a kiss."


    "Uh, but you are in Sakura''s body."


    "Sadly You kick the other servants'' asses and get the grail," Kaede said and hushed her voice into seductive whispers. "I want to be embraced in the body you create for me, my dear Haru~."


    "Fine by me."


    "I''ll return Sakura''s body before it explodes!"


    She patted his head once before she vanished from his face. He straightened himself and took a sigh.


    ''At least she is alive and well. Did Sakura see what happened here?''


    It would be a little awkward if she saw him in his vulnerable state. He wanted to be a reliable person in her eyes. Her reliable man to be precise.


    A gentle breeze told him of his mother''s arrival.


    "Anything else you want to ask?"


    "I wanna see you."


    "I left photos for you, Haru. One of them shows everything. So please don''t make that face"


    She barely managed to hold her ground before Haruki''s sincere gaze. She will never show the ugly scar to him.


    Haruki could only ept what she said. If she didn''t want to reveal herself, then nobody could force her to. Her stubbornness was on whole another level. If stubbornness could be scaled from 1 to 10, his mother would be 11!


    "Close your eyes," she said.


    "Fine."


    As he closed his eyes, Kaede appeared before him, her golden eyes flickering. The adorable face of her son up-close flooded her chest with warmth. It reminded her how much he meant to her. She tried to cup his face in her hands, only for her hands to pass through him.


    ''Stupid Daemon. Why did he have to kill me?''


    Kaede pouted her cheeks. "Don''t rush the war for me take your time and be stronger. We''ll have to fight stronger entities in the future. I know you can do it!" Kaede vanished with those words. "You can open your eyes now. The girls worked hard on the dinner. Don''t let it go to waste."


    "Strong entities?"


    He blinked his eyes. He had to fight Heracles and Gilgamesh. Golden Boy had Enuma Elish; the sword could casually destroy half the world, and she called him weak.


    He didn''t want to imagine how he could fight them as he was now.


    ''No point in letting it weigh me down.''

 Chapter 42: Taste of Blood

    Chapter 42: Taste of Blood


    ''Tell me about my new skill.''


    Blood Conversion [E]


    Info: Acquired from Dragon Blood Authority.


    Effect: The dragon blood can be converted into flesh to heal flesh wounds.


    "Healing with blood."


    If only he skill used the magical energy in his core for the healing instead of his blood.


    "No pointining. Medea..."


    The sorceress appeared before him and flipped back her hood. "Master?"


    She was clueless about this summon.


    "How do you want to replenish your magical energy?" He went straight to the point. "Blood or Semen? Think about it. I''ll do it after dinner."


    It was a test to see his mother''s reaction. Whether or not she supported his ambition of making a harem. Even if she denied him, he couldn''t leave Medea and Sakura. They had grown on him more than he ever thought.


    Medea was put on the spot for the umpteenth time today. Her magical energy reserves were painfully low, barely reaching twenty percent. Only a magus''s help will restore it. However, engaging in sex here was the worst option. Kaede was one powerful spirit, and Medea feared her wrath.


    ''She might kill me''


    She thought of a different approach to avoid a tragic ending.


    "Master, what do you want to do?"


    She dumped the responsibility on Haruki.


    Haruki showed an amused smile. "You''re asking a man if he wants to share his blood or fuck a lovely woman?"


    Medea unconsciously smiled at thepliment. "I mean"


    Letting her hesitate was a bad idea. Haruki seized her hand and yanked her. She fell on hisp, her butt directly above his crotch. He brushed her hair from her cheeks. His tender touch made her blush.


    "Medea, do you trust me?"


    His solemn voice nailed home the seriousness of his question. As Medea opened her mouth, she felt a lump blocking her throat. Her heart told her to wait instead of giving a rushed answer.


    "I have entrusted my back to you as a precious ally," Haruki said and pressed his lips on her cheeks.


    Medea nodded seriously. Nobody would reveal everything about Grail without trust.


    ''Master doesn''t seem like a person to take a stupid approach. He trusts me.''


    Unknown to the thoughts brewing in Medea''s head, Haruki reached for the pointed ear poking through her azure hair and pinched it between his thumb. "I want us to be more than that. I know a momcon like me doesn''t have the right to say this, but I want to make you a happy woman. Will you stay here with me after the war ends. As my woman?"


    He shredded through her heart''s defenses. She never thought her usually serious master would outright ask her to be his woman, and all of it came from his heart without a hint of a lie.


    Medea couldn''t endure the feelings swelling in her chest. Sliding her arms around his neck, she hugged him. "Master, I don''t care about anything I just want to be with you."


    If it was his n to slowly soften her heart with affection until she craved life in this warm house, then he seeded. He gave him warmth on the rainy night, giving her shelter and his trust. Going back in time with the Grail will change nothing. Everything will remain the same. How could she crave something so far out of her hands when a man was vowing to cherish her for who she was?


    100 points gained with Medea. Rtionship status changed to ''Lover.''


    Task Completed. Well done!


    1 x Premium Tier Gacha rewarded.


    "Medea conquered," Arch said. "Congrattions, boy. Now fuck her to get some juicy authorities."


    He rolled his eyes. ''Way to ruin the mood.''


    "Master Haruki-sama, we should go now. Dinner will get cold."


    An odd feeling of confidence filled him when he heard the all-powerful sorceress addressing him with ''sama.'' He won''t be able to hold back his lust if she addressed him one more time with the new name. He rubbed her ears again, something he found satisfying. Her embarrassed reaction was just a plus for having fun with her soft ears.


    "We''ll continue after dinner."


    Medea nodded and released her hold on his neck. Continuing this would only lead in that direction. She looked forward to experiencing it with him.


    As they left the room, Kaede materialized in the room, chewing her thumb with a big frown. "I''m getting ntr''d before my eyes"


    She wasn''t a bit ''angry'' about it. After all, she had lost the ability to feel such trivial emotions long ago. Her onlyint was...


    "I can''t join them!"


    ***


    Sakura served dinner in the dining room. The table was big enough for everyone including Archer but he refused to join them in the dinner. Sakura was distracted, a disorienting feeling tugging at her head. Rin said she was in the toilet for nearly ten minutes. She didn''t recall going to the toilet or having the urge to go there.


    ''Am I finally breaking down?''


    She shook her head, getting back her confident smile. Haruki had decided to show her the affection she wanted for a long time. She wasn''t going to let a small doubt stop her now.


    Meanwhile, Rin raised her head from her bowl and looked at Caster. Her magician robes and chopsticks was a strange sight even for Rin who grew up to always expect the unexpected. Haruki, who sat beside Caster, shed a smile. Rin buried her head in her bowl.


    ''Why am I hiding? We''re allies. Equal position. Equal power.''


    She had nothing to be embarrassed about! She puffed her chest and matched his gaze with confidence.


    Haruki returned an amused smile, holding back a chuckle.


    ''What is she doing?''


    ***


    Artoria clutched the railings of the bridge with her left hand and lifted her yellow hood with her right hand. The river sandwiched between two parts of the city glittered under the moonlight.


    "What did Master say?"


    Semiramis'' emerged from the shadows with a smile. "Wait until he contacts me again."


    "...Did he get injured in the fight?"


    Even when clouded by doubts, she prioritized his safety above all.


    Semiramis chuckled in a hand. Artoria''s indecisiveness amused her. "He is well. You, on the other hand, look bothered about something. The wind here is pleasant. Why don''t we talk about your problem before we look for a ce?"


    Artoria turned her head, her emotionless emerald eyes locking on Semiramis'' face. "Did you poison an innocent man?"


    Semiramis twitched at her usation. "I don''t harm someone if my goals are unrted to them."


    "You did it then," Artoria said, her voice still emotionless. "Did Master order you to do it?"


    Even if he was a dragon, she didn''t want to support another Kiritsugu who cared naught for honor and promises.


    "You''re getting everything wrong about my master," Semiramis said with a frown. "Berserker''s Master caused a big confusion."


    Semiramis usually wouldn''t be patient with someone. But she was standing before King Arthur. A fellow ruler and a powerful servant who could lead them to an easy victory. So she exined everything from the start.


    Artoria was perplexed at the turn of events. More than that, she was a little embarrassed for jumping to conclusions.


    "My master could have killed that man after getting Avalon, but he didn''t. For you to doubt his character" Semiramis sighed, acting like she was hurt. "I thought King Arthur had an eye for judging people."


    Artoria felt every word piercing her heart. She clenched her fists unconsciously, crushing the metal railing under her gauntlets. "I''ll apologize to him."


    Unknown to Semiramis, her advice fueled Artoria''s inferiorityplex further.


    Semiramis leaned on the railing to hide her smirk, feeling proud for getting them on the same page.


    ''So easy. This naive girl is the legendary King Arthur? She seems to have some trust issues.''


    She''d have doubted the fact if it weren''t for the enormous magical energy emanating from Artoria''s petite frame. Semiramis had to use her skills as Assassin and Caster just to stop it from attracting other servants.


    ''I stole clothes to cover her armor. Semiramis, the Queen of Assyria, using her presence concealment to steal frommoners.''


    Even if she ends up conquering the world, this dark memory will haunt her for the rest of her life.


    ''He better be grateful about it and reward me ordingly. What do I ask?''


    She recalled the sweet taste of his blood and licked her lips. She was no vampire, but the taste of his blood gave her the urge to drink some more. It was like wine, but sweeter and rich with magical energy. She wouldn''t be able to discern if someone served her a ss of his blood.


    ''I''ll save the reward for when I''m out of magical energy.''


    Despite her flirtatious interactions with Haruki, she wasn''t going to let him or any other man have the pleasure of sharing a bed with her.

 Chapter 43: Medea (R-18)

    Chapter 43: Medea (R-18)


    4 chapters, and I disappear for another week.


    ***


    [author] 4 chapters for this week. I don''t need to say anything else. *Inserts Spongebob Imma head out meme*[/author]


    Haruki headed to the bath after dinner. His mother had put extra money into carving a rather small pool on the floor. It could fit more than five people. Though he only used the pool when he was in the mood to rx.


    ''Mom is really modest.''


    As a magus, avish lifestyle was easy to get for her, but she chose to settle with a small house.


    ''Why was she doing two jobs for me?''


    He couldn''t understand her reason to put herself through so much.


    ''Another question to ask her.''


    "What''s your n now?" Arch asked. "I''m curious about your mindset after suffering a loss."


    ''I''m over it now. Getting to the Land of the Dead is a priority. I need to find a way to get the Hanging Garden''s materials faster.''


    His previous n will take too much time. Time was a luxury he wouldn''t be able to afford once Kirei and Gilgamesh came to know about his number of servants.


    ''Rin can''t lend me that amount.''


    He had the option of asking his mother. Perhaps she amassed some wealth for emergencies. He doubted it could fund the cost of the materials for the fortress.


    "Stressed? You will feel better after pushing down the woman who beat you."


    ''The make-her-submit strategy. Did you try it?''


    He expected no less from a dragon.


    "Huh, no. I don''t have any mates. Nobody is stronger than me."


    ''Did you forget to see your doctor this month?''


    "Hmph."


    ''There goes the tsundere goddess''


    "Haruki-sama, can I wash your back?" Medea asked as she appeared. "I''ll also wash after you."


    Servants produced sweat just like normal humans. The creation of the mystic code, then a tense flight through the cityall made her sweat a lot. The uing event needed her to be at best if she wanted to be more loved.


    ''I''ll show him heaven!''


    She pumped her fists.


    Haruki chuckled at her enthusiasm. "I''ll dly offer my back then."


    Medea gulped in anticipation as he pulled up his shirt. She finally got a decent look at the chiseled body that belonged to her man. He tossed his shirt and pants before he took off his boxers in one fell swoop.


    Medea''s eyes widened.


    ''B-Big too big. A dragon is hiding another dragon down there!''


    Her confidence to show him heaven crumbled into dust. She was more worried if she could even take the entire thing inside her.


    ''I-I''ll do my best.''


    An air of determination flowed around her.


    Haruki stretched his muscles which were still brimming with energy. The first awakening made him tougher than ever.


    Noticing Medea''s surprise, he smiled. His looks might have changed after death, but his penis was the same as beforea machine made to conquer women. Well, he only used it to vent his lust. Today will be the first day to make love to a woman he loved.


    ''Can''t wait for it.''


    Medea followed him into the shower cubicle. She was too diligent in rubbing his back, giving him the feeling of a spoiled husband. He picked an important topic to distract himself from the graceful movements of her hands.


    "What can we do about Sakura?"


    "Nothing I haven''t found a way to extract the worms from her blood. I need to be quick and precise before they eat away at her body."


    She could create potions for limited immortality, but they won''t work when a body is being eaten from inside. To make a different potion to kill them within a short time without harming Sakura would take a lot of time. After all, most of the materials she used wouldn''t be avable in this era, where the mystery was on the verge of disappearing. Creating a mystic code would again consume time. She felt incredibly ipetent tock the ability to fulfill his request.


    "We need someone who could kill the worms in Sakura''s bloodstream in seconds. Right?"


    "Yes, Haruki-sama."


    "Someone who knows in and out of the human body"


    Haruki knew one person. She was closer than he could ever imagine.


    "Semiramis. Her poison can help."


    Medea''s eyes widened. She hung her head, epting that the Queen had a far higher chance of aplishing the task without much preparation.


    "I don''t want us to owe her a favor," Medea muttered. "She will use it against us."


    Haruki turned around and hugged Medea. "She will do it."


    A word from his mouth or sixmand spells; it was easier to guess which one carried more might.


    Once he calmed down his boiling emotions, he came to realize the soft body held within his arms. The scent wafting from her hair captivated him.


    "H-Haruki, I need to wash"


    Seducing him here wasn''t the best idea. Anyone could walk in and ruin the mood.


    "Okay."


    He exited the shower. Medea grabbed his clothes and helped him dress. She had taken the ''wife'' role in a matter of an hour.


    Haruki was used to servants doing things for him in his previous life, so he didn''t fuss over it.


    ''As expected of Nasuverse, the servants are natural at acting the role of a wife.''


    Nero, the UMU Empress, even had the Bride alignment to boot.


    "Did you bring the spear?"


    He was going to test it while she took her time washing.


    Medea pulled the spear out of her robe and handed it to him. Haruki nodded and made his way out of the bath. He stumbled into a wandering Archer, who was searching for him.


    His gray eyes flickered toward the spear in Haruki''s hand. "A Mystic Code."


    As expected of the Wrought Iron Hero, he had a keen eye for weapons.


    "Wanna try?"


    Emiya held the spear in his hands and closed his eyes. The reinforcement magecraft spell allowed him to grasp the structure of the spear in a mere second.


    "A Specialized Mystic Code. It''s set to invoke a reinforcement spell to strengthen the wielder when supplied with magic energy." Archer returned the spear and held his chin. "It''s impressive craftsmanship. You''re skilled with a spear?"


    "A novice at best."


    Even though he was the best among normal humans, his skills with the spear couldn''t bepared to any servant out there.


    "Rin told me we''re allies now. I don''t have much to do here. Do you want to learn from me?"


    Emiya didn''t have the best skills with a spear, but he had battled the greatest spear users throughout his life. He quite liked the selfishness Haruki''s wish carried, even if he knew that wish would fall t in front of the Greater Grail. The concept of resurrecting a family member was nothing but false hope to bunch up his crumbling life. At least those ideals were born out of his selfishness, unlike Shirou''s ideals to be a hero of justice who could save everyone. Such fake ideals only existed in fairy tales, not in real life.


    ''Let''s hope he learns more with Sakura and Rin and moves on from his impossible wish.''


    Haruki blinked his eyes in surprise. The offer immensely helped him in every way.


    "Let''s start tomorrow morning."


    "Great."


    Was this the start of a new friendship? Haruki hoped it was. After all, Emiya was a reliable guy. Even so, he was always sacrificed just so his younger self could getid and have threesomes. The Counter Guardian had his work out for him in every route.


    ***


    Haruki returned to his room and tried swinging the spear. The weight behind each swing generated a sharp sound. Unlike the wooden spear he was used to, it was rather hefty and more solid to grip.


    ''Perfectly bnced as all things should be.''


    Haruki filled the spear with mana. The silver runes on the shaft gained a faint glow. A deep purple sea surrounded him. Ripples ran along its surface, creating a rhythmic symphony to his ears. Each ripple snapped something inside him as though he was breaking free of a shell. Itsted for several seconds, but it carved a deep impression on his heart.


    As he came to himself, the silver runes gained a violet glow. Sizzling violet magical energy trailed his movements. He didn''t dare swing the spear, knowing all too well the magical energy will burst forth to crush even the stone wall. He felt like the spear could absorb more magical energy.


    ''How high is the reinforcement?''


    He checked his status to find nothing. The status showed his base stats, nothing more, nothing less.


    "Do you want to see the weapon''s stats?" Arch offered in a tempting voice. "I can help you."


    ''You''re so helpful Arch. I don''t deserve this kindness''


    "I''ll analyze it when youe here for your Noble Phantasm."


    ''Thanks.''


    Haruki waited for the magecraft spell to die on its own. Itsted nearly five minutes, an impressive amount for the magical energy he spent.


    ''Not even a tenth.''


    He practiced with the unnamed spear until someone knocked on his door. He opened the door to find Sakura. The blush on her cheeks was prominent due to her pale skin.


    "Senpai, can we talk inside?"


    Rin also climbed the stairs at that moment. "Wait. Let me join."


    That''s how he found himself seated between the sisters. Coming straight from the bath, the aroma of soap enveloped him from both sides.


    Rin was nervous to be inside a boy''s roomte at night. Countless possibilities yed in her mind; each one giving her a rush of embarrassment. She noticed a spear leaning against the wall and approached it.


    "This is?" She stopped herself from touching the elegant spear. "A Mystic Code?"


    She recalled the man sitting close to Sakura was offered to represent nationals half a year ago. His refusal and reason stirred the school for days toe.


    ''I can''t go because of my mom.''


    She couldn''t help but think of Sakura''s statement about his affection for his mother. Was Sakura right about this? She gulped her dry saliva. If it was, what would Sakura do?


    "Caster made this?"


    "Yup. A masterpiece."


    "It''ll sell for a million for its beauty alone" Rin muttered under her breath.


    Her family had gone from one of the richest Fuyuki to an upper-ss family in the span of a decade. The culprit was Kirei''s trash management of her family assets. Good thing she gained money for her patents yearly, otherwise, her Jewel Magecraft would force her to take loans.


    "Crap. I''m not here for this," Rin cursed under her breath and crossed her arms under her chest. "We''re going to stay here today. You could get attacked while I''m not here. It''s better to take care of those what-ifs."


    Haruki couldn''t help but smile when she drew weird gestures while going to great lengths to exin why it was vital for her to stay here.


    "You can stay in mom''s room with Sakura. Or sleep in the living room. Options are limited here."


    "I''m also staying here?" Sakura asked.


    "You aren''t going anywhere," he said, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. "I met Shinji earlier. He has gone mad. I don''t want you anywhere near him."


    Shinji would most likely vite Sakura if she returned to Matou''s mansion now.


    Sakura became tense from the hug. More so when Rin''s inquisitive eyes said, "You said you two weren''t dating, then what''s this?"


    Haruki pulled her to lean against his shoulder and stroked her hair. She closed her eyes and loosened up.


    "We''ll manage in your mom''s room," Sakura said. "Senpai, when will you strike Shinji?"


    She couldn''t wait to remove the thorn that stuck with her ever since she was little. If Haruki wasn''t here, he might have done something horrible.


    ''He always looked out for me. If only he could solve one more issue''


    She trailed her thoughts with a deep sigh. She couldn''t ask for him to help out with worm crests when he was busy with the Holy Grail War. Someone out there must have the power to help her. A miracle to help her be normal again.


    "Goodnight, you two."


    Rin wasn''t going to be a third wheel here. Despite all her ferocity, her heart belonged to a teenage girl. She also longed for a thrilling romance, one that rocked her world with sweetness. This feeling got stronger the more time she spent around this couple. So escaping this was a way to her freedom!


    Haruki let Sakura go, even though the girl really wanted to stay longer.


    "Night," Rin gave a brief farewell and walked out of the room.


    Haruki stopped Sakura by her hand. "Wait."


    Sakura turned around, only to feel his strong hands holding her face.


    ''He is going to''


    He gently pressed his lips against hers. Sakura always dreamed of her first kiss to be taken by him. She wanted to share her every first with him, but she repressed her feelings. She didn''t feel worthy to be his, and she was afraid to ask for more.


    Yet, the abrupt kiss stirred the demons in her heart. More desires grew in her heart. The feelings she suppressed until now burst forth like a tornado.


    ''He wants me.''


    The thought alone gave her the strength to clutch his shirt, lean back her head, and stuck her tongue out.


    Haruki was a little surprised to see her boldness. He just wanted to reassure her that he didn''t treat her as a little girl. Even in surprise, his reaction was licking back her little tongue.


    The fierce sh of tongue and intimate exchange of saliva left Sakura breathless.


    Haruki pulled back, leaving a trail of silver string attached to Sakura''s lips. Her untangled, sweaty violet hair stuck to her face. Her face was a blushing mess as she panted hot sighs in his face.


    "S-Senpai" She covered her lewd expression with her hands. "Why did you?"


    Her adorable act filled his heart with sugar. He had to stop himself from prying open those hands and kissing her again.


    "I have to say it then I guess. Sakura, I want you to be mine."


    Sakura peered through a gap in her hands and saw his serious expression. He wasn''t lying.


    ''He really does''


    "Don''t get so excited now. Medea and I found a way to get rid of your worm crests. You just need to wait for a day or two."


    She uncovered her face and tried to say something, but her throat refused to let out any word. Her eyes blurred before heaps of tears gushed forth.


    "I told you. Don''t get emotional."


    "I am not emotional." She rubbed her sleeve on her eyes as though trying to hide her tears. "I''m happy"


    She always worried over her feelings for Haruki, whether he liked her or not. Getting a straight answer from him relieved her. Herst problem that gnawed at her soul was going to be fixed soon.


    "Senpai''s servant is Medea, the Witch of Betrayal" Sakura said, attempting to change the topic. She had to warn him even if he knew about her.


    "Don''t call her witch in front of her. And no, she is a sweet woman. Her legends don''t do her justice."


    The way he praised Medea made Sakura suspicious. Medea had helped him with Shinji and Rider, otherwise, he wouldn''t have survived an encounter with a hostile Shinji. She was on their side, helping them out.


    ''I shouldn''t be jealous''


    She whispered numerous times, pushing back the ugly feelings trying to reared its ugly head.


    Haruki didn''t dare tell her about his rtionship with Medea and his mother. He already risked it by confessing to her right now. However, Sakura wandering around with an inferiorityplex was also a ticking bomb.


    Haruki solved her remaining doubts with a crushing hug. Her soft body melted in his embrace, and her breath slowly hiked up in arousal. "I''m sorry for not telling you earlier."


    "No, Senpai It''s not your fault."


    His scent was only making her lust stronger. If she stayed any longer, things might go extreme. She pushed him back. "Goodnight, Senpai... I''ll see you tomorrow."


    She dashed out of the room and returned to Kaede''s room. Locking the door behind her, she slumped down. Her hands slowly crept down while she cupped her breast with her other hand. The act that came after relieved her oppressive sexual desires for the night.


    ***


    Medea entered the room and shut the lock. A wind swept behind Haruki and casually brushed his cheeks.


    "Haru, I know what you''re up to here," Kaede whispered emotionlessly in his ears as a wind traced the back of his neck. "I won''t interfere if you n on making a harem."


    She came at the right time to answer his long-awaited questionhis harem.


    "But, don''t expect me to get along with every woman. I can tolerate Medea, and I love Sakura-chan. I don''t like Semiramis at all. Her greed for power gets on my nerves."


    Kaede was a woman without ambitions. Joining Clocktower was a means to provide safety to Haruki, otherwise, Mage Association would have never seen her face nor known her abilities. She could squash her pride if it meant keeping her son happy.


    "I''m not sure about Semiramis myself."


    "Great. I wanted Haru''s first time, but it''s not possible anymore."


    Medea took form in front of him. "Haruki-sama, it''s your first time?"


    Medea was going to flip a table if Haruki nodded right now. How could a man sweet talk like this without having real experience? It frightened her to imagine his growth.


    Haruki gave a nod at her question. "Kind of."


    He wasn''t counting his previous life''s experience here. That life had long be dust.


    Kaede chuckled. "Medea-chan, can I borrow your body? It''s a mother''s duty to guide their son. I can''t do it without your help."


    "No."


    Medea''s instant rejection crushed Kaede''s hopes. This mother-inw of hers better be joking because she wasn''t going to back out. Her weak and timid self had faced betrayals after betrayals, even from the ones she loved so much. She had every bit of desire to squeeze the most out of this life, with the man she loved.


    ''Master''s first timehow can I give up on this opportunity?''


    She licked her lips, her predatory eyes concealed behind her hood.


    "F-Fine I''ll cry in the corner."


    Kaede''s presence disappeared from the room. Was her rejection too cold?


    "Kaa-san, I love you," Haruki said as he plopped down on the bed. "You don''t have to borrow someone else''s body. I''ll give you one soon. We''ll make plenty of love then."


    "Haru, you''re making me blush," she whispered. "Medea-chan, I''m calling dibs on the day I''m resurrected. Haru will be mine and mine alone that day and night."


    "Understandable." Medea agreed with the notion. "Please go now. I don''t want to make you more envious."


    "Sayonara."


    She just didn''t wish to be seen as a selfish woman in his eyes.


    Haruki took Medea''s hand and pulled her to sit beside him. Medea felt her heartbeat rising for good. Her previous experience couldn''t help her anxious heart at this moment.


    "Nervous?" he smirked. "I''m too."


    He had his share of sex throughout his previous life. None of them had any love involved. Well, most were his attendants from his family or his secretaries who were more than happy to warm his bed.


    The sinking unease of holding Medea''s fragile hand couldn''t be helped.


    Medea giggled as she pulled back her hood and dematerialized her cloak. Her smirk was yful and mischievous, and her azure eyes were filled with affection. The loveliness of a woman in love radiated from her, giving rise to a wave of anticipation.


    Medea was about to close in for a kiss when Haruki raised his hands and grabbed ahold of her face. Medea pressed her palms on his chest, and hurriedly slipped onto hisp. Her passion burned brighter than ever when their lips met. Her hands flew for his clothes and hastily unbuttoned his shirt. His craving for her lips softened her grip halfway, stopping her conquest on his clothes. Her cunt clenched in anticipation, getting her slightly wet with just the kiss.


    ''This is his first time?!''


    His movements had no sloppiness whatsoever. She chalked his wild kissing techniques to his desire for her.


    The sweet aroma of her saliva fueled his primal desires. His hands reached down and cupped her breasts over her velvet robe. The silk robe got in his way more than he liked. He almost used his mes to burn the robe stopping him.


    ''Dragons are too emotional.''


    Pulling back his lips, he took a look at Medea''s misty-eyed face. Her violet lips quivered, prompting another yful peck from him.


    A stunning blush tinted Medea''s long ears. He leaned and yfully bit her ears. "You look incredibly cute."


    Hispliment hit her weak point. As a lover of cute things, being cute in her man''s eyes was the best thing ever! The sense of achievement made her giddy, even more when he toyed with her elf-like ears. Haruki''s hand trailed down her neck, and he gently pinched her nipple poking a hole through her robe. She squirmed under his gentle-yet-rough caress of her breast. Once he had enough taste of her ears, he released her and pinched the slits of her dress.


    He haphazardly undressed her, impatience apparent in his movements. She was left in nothing but a lovely pink bra. Her wless body wasid out before him. Seductive tight thighs, lovely long legs, and an alluring butt that couldn''t be more perfect.


    His hands reached to attack her breasts, but she escaped with a yful giggle and slid down hisp.


    "Let me do this first."


    It was Haruki''s turn to help her in lowering his shorts. His half-erect cock sprang free before her face, filling her nostrils with its musky scent. As she kneeled before him, her ever so revealing warm cleavage sucked his gaze.


    A woman so strong kneeling before him ted his pride to another level. The feeling ended when her flexible fingers wrapped around his shaft. She gazed up at him with a smirk as though saying, "Watch this closely."


    He indeed did what she wanted. She smacked her lips and opened her mouth, taking the crown in her mouth. Her nimble fingers held the base of his shaft as she worked her warm mouth to swallow his cock. She didn''t have the best blowjob techniques, but damn her warm mouth felt good.


    Slowly but surely the pressure increased, and his breathing heavily from pleasure. As she bobbed her head up and down hisp, he pinched her ears while stroking her hair. The head swelled in her mouth, and he released his mana-filled seed.


    Medea swore she would have choked on the massive load if she wasn''t a servant. Still, the lust of seventeen years clogged her throat. It took several gulps to swallow everything. But when she did, her entire body felt rejuvenated. It was better than drinking her immortality potions, better than any source of magical energy in existence.


    ''By the gods, he is truly a dragon.''


    Haruki panted for a couple of seconds before he regained himself and gazed down at her. His lustful grin made her shudder.


    "It''s my turn now."


    He pulled her up. With one graceful movement, he flipped her around and forced her to sit on hisp. His hardened cock was pressed between her closed thighs, a couple of inches below her hole.


    He pressed his lips on the creamy skin of her nape. His fingers left a zing trail on her waist before stopping at the bridge of her bra. He pulled at it with a little force. A loud snap was heard inside the room. Her tits bounced to show gratitude. Nothing was in his way of touching those tits. They weren''t the biggest, but they weren''t small eitherher B-Cup breasts fit perfectly within his big palms. The pink nipples became more erect under his hand.


    His red eyes flickered with primal lust as he mauled at her breasts like a starved man leaping at a te of food.


    Jolts of pleasure ran through her veins as moans. His frenzied worship forced moans of ecstasy out of the sorceress.


    ''H-He is like a wild beast.''


    Medea should have thought so before giving herself to a dragon. Now he was the evil dragon, and she was a helpless princess at his mercy.


    He slipped a hand into her panties and fiddled with her puffy mound. A nip or two at her clit, he shoved two fingers inside. The folds of her depths tightened around his fingers. Several careful probes made her moan louder than ever.


    ''Found it.''


    Massaging her breast and scratching her weak spots at the same time was too much for the sorceress. A violent gush of feminine juices gushed from the depths of her juices as she shook and squirted, leathering his fingers and her panties with her love nectar.


    Azure orbs rolled to the back of her head.


    This was her first orgasm after a long time. It was also the biggest orgasm of her life.


    "So wet. I''m skipping the forey."


    His voice wasmanding, and she obeyed with a nod.


    He lifted her body and lowered her beside him. She pulled back legs in an M position, giving him easy ess to remove her panties.


    Medea''s teary eyes gazed at him as he disrobed her. She never thought her first time with her master would be like this.


    She forced her body up and wrapped his arms around his neck. Sitting on hisp, she gripped his leathery cock and probed her opening with it. She moved the crown back and forth inside without letting it fully enter her.


    She couldn''t help a pleasing shiver from his warmth. She released her grip on him and pressed her forehead against him. Her sticky hair clung to his face, her feminine scent deepening his desire to push up his hips.


    "Haruki-sama, let''s win this war."


    She gave an utterly confident deration.


    "We will."


    Haruki gripped her butt. She arched her back at the unexpected roughness. A single, firm pull on her butt parted her insides, and he reached all the way to her womb.


    The tightness made him groan.


    Medea gasped at the sensation of being filled to the brim. "O-Oh fuck Haruki-sama."


    If she hadn''t climaxed just now, she swore this would be another climax. She clung to his neck and pumped her hips. His hands never left her butt, violently forcing her up and down hisp. Despite the fact she moved, he was the one under control of everything. Her weak spots were scraped again and again until her mind went nk, and she squirted on the bed.


    Haruki smirked and forced her to keep moving even when she just came!


    The squelching sounds were made as he pumped into her pussy brimming with her juices. For a couple of minutes, he kept giving the pleasure she hadn''t felt for a long time.


    "Medea" he grunted as he lifted her in the air and pushed her down. He took her leg and raised it in the air, forcing her to twist her body. "I''m close."


    He slid back in and increased the tempo further.


    "Give it to me," Medea squeezed out the words between moans.


    Haruki shut his eyes tight and rammed inside, giving her a painful yet stunning creampie. She once again felt her insides coiling around him, squeezing him for all his worth. His seed was spilled at that moment.


    Haruki pulled back. Instantly, a mix of their love juices spilled forth from her hole.


    She took a pillow and rested her head, relishing in the burst of pleasure and shivering ecstasy.


    ''It was insane''


    Haruki was about toy beside her when a series of notifications blocked his vision.

 Chapter 44: New Authority

    Chapter 44: New Authority


    [''Partners'' Authority activated.]


    [Authority acquired: Protection from the Witches]


    [Skill acquired: Magic Resistance]


    [Dragon Blood Authority is resonating with Magic Resistance skill.]


    [Magic Resistance skill evolved to A-Rank.]


    Haruki was stumped by his new authority and skill.


    Protection from the Witches


    You are immune to attacks from a witch.


    Magic Resistance [A]


    Info: Created from your Dragon Blood Authority.


    Effect: Grants protection against magical attacks. Any spell below A-Rank is nullified altogether.


    A look of surprise shed in his eyes.


    ''I''m immune to Semiramis and Medea now. Nothing special, I guess.''


    He waited for some sassyment from Arch, but she didn''t give anything.


    His cock begged for his attention, ready to go a few more rounds. He looked back to Medea. Her face was flushed while her body wasyered in sweat. A sorceress with beauty rivaling a goddess. His cock hardened even more. That was until a faint crimson glow erupted from her.


    "Medea?" he voiced, concerned at her state.


    Medea shut her eyes tighter as she felt his magical energy coursing through her. Her core was already filled after she swallowed his semen. So the abundance of magical energy did the impossible. The magical energy enveloped her servant core and nourished it.


    "Ah!" She moaned from the overwhelming warmth of her master. "Haruki-sama~."


    Any growth of her parameters should be impossible, but the nourishment strengthened her magic resistance as well raised her magical energy reserves.


    ''This upgrade''


    She glowed from the euphoria filling her chest. Raising her body, she saw his concerned look.


    "Did you know it will happen?"


    "WhatYou''re stronger?"


    Her magical energy had increased. Even an amateur magus could tell her change.


    "All thanks to your dragon blood." Medea gave him anguid stare, one full of seduction and fondness. Her gaze descended on his cock, and a giggle escaped her lips. "Haruki-sama."


    She gracefully closed the distance and pressed her hands on his chest. Of course, he didn''t give her the satisfaction of pushing him down. Grabbing her by her thin waist, he flipped her around. She may be the strongest magus in the current world, but she was inside his bedroom. He couldn''t control the rhythm if she rode him. His carnal desires couldn''t be sated with slow sex.


    Medea fell over on the soft bed and her boobsnded on the pillow. She raised herself, lifting her butt higher for him.


    "Mhmm this is fine too."


    She never experienced this position. After all, Jason''s ''righteous'' mind thought of mating like animals as a disgusting act.


    ''Curse that man.''


    He never truly cherished her. Always using her for doing his dirty jobs. After receiving the throne, he had the balls to feel ''scared'' of her cruel methods; the ones she used to give him a kingdom.


    She nced back, receiving a grin from Haruki. Even though he was more handsome than Jason, he cared for her in his own way. She may have been raised as a princess, but a simple life with him cured the ''poison'' in her heart. Even though she knew everything will go haywire at some point considering his dragon race.


    "What are you waiting for, Haruki-sama?" she shot him an impatient look and wriggled her butt. "Empower me again!"


    Haruki wasn''t waiting. Rather, he was admiring the lines of herparativelyrge butt melding seamlessly with her waist. Digging his hands into her soft butt, he spread her asscheeks. She reached down and stretched her pussy to help him prate. Once he did, Medea let out a breath she didn''t know she had. She closed her eyes and widened her stance. Her eyes fluttered, her head spinning with pleasure.


    Squishy noises filled the room since his cock was slick with her juices, and her vaginal walls were still lubricated with her fluids and his cum.


    "It feels so fucking good," Haruki murmured as he massaged her butt.


    Medea responded with a muffled moan, putting more effort into working her hips back and forth.


    It was only the beginning of an hour-long session.


    After which, the couple found themself cuddling with each other. Globs of their juices could be seen all over the bed, some even on the floor.


    Haruki knew he could go on. With his stamina and new physique, he might be able to shoot a lot more loads.


    ''Did I be a hentai protagonist?''


    The goddess of dragons was silent as ever.


    ''d she isn''t a voyeur or maybe she is masturbating to this?''


    He smirked at the thought and snuggled his face deeper in Medea''s sweaty breasts. She was mentally and physically spent after being drilled by him. Her physical parameters weren''t the best due to her Caster ss. Otherwise, he doubted he could best her like this.


    ''Artoria has the potential to be a beast.''


    Her reserved demeanor will hold her back even if she bes his woman.


    Medea stretched her arm and covered him. The juices bottled up inside her dripped at the slight movement of her body. Thankfully, she was a servant. Conceiving a child was impossible for her. The fun he had with her would undoubtedly make a girl pregnant. A child meant another weakness. One who couldn''t pull their weight. His future will be full of battles if his mom''s words were any indication.


    ''Need to be careful with Sakura.''


    He was rougher with Medea because she could take everything with her servant body. Sakura will break if he unleashes his lust on her.


    He lightly pped himself to chase the horny thoughts away. He still had a war to win, and a wish to achieve. Then prepare to kill the bastard who killed his mother.


    ''I need to make Sakura stronger.''


    Sakura was his woman. Her fate was intertwined with his. If that person could kill his mother, then killing Sakura would be a piece of cake. He wouldn''t be as lucky as he was with his mother. Sakura''s soul won''t be here to resurrect her. The first step would be finding a way to return her hollow element.


    ''I want to treat her like a princess for letting her suffer.''


    Hisck of strength was the reason for her suffering. He didn''t me Arch for not activating his system. He might have attacked Zouken for putting Sakura through hell.


    Medea ran her fingers through his hair and caressed his scalp. "Any reason for that frown?"


    "Just thinking about some things."


    "I''m stronger than ever, Haruki-sama. I need to test my new limits how much longer these effects willst. I must see for myself."


    "Let''s do that tomorrow. We''re going somewhere before."


    Medea would be his life insurance inside the Land of Dead.


    "Where? What about your Ancient Greek lessons?"


    "It''s a special ce. We''ll do the lessons afterward."


    Medea sighed. "Only if you sleep properly."


    She was concerned over his health. After all was said and done, he wasn''t a spiritual being like her. He had to eat and sleep. Unlike her, he could train to grow stronger.


    ''I have a new method of growing strong now.''


    One that involved making her beloved happier. She licked her lips. This might be the best training in the world.


    Haruki knew the sorceress was going to attack him.


    ''Hey, Arch! Where are you?''


    After a long, painful silence, Arch answered, "Oh, you got an authority rted to witches. Pretty weak if you ask me and don''t me me for seeing you naked now. I stopped watching when you started..."


    ''I don''t mind.''


    He had full confidence in his looks. Why would he mind if one sexy goddess watched him?


    ''Roll the dice!''


    He cashed in his Premium Gacha Coupon earned from conquering the woman, whose mischievous hand slipped around his cock.


    The familiar gacha wheel spun in his face.

 Chapter 45: Another Chance

    Chapter 45: Another Chance


    It was a room endlessly surrounded by darkness. A room the light forgot to bless for days. In one such room, a woman sat against the wall. Her hollow magenta eyes peered at the ceiling. If not for her thumping heart, anyone would have deemed her a corpse with how pale she looked.


    Her vision was blurry, her brain even more.


    How long has it been since she came here?


    She, who used to riddle her limbs in runic sorcery, couldn''t feel the left side of her body. Everything was hollow. Her nerves, her senses, her pain receptors had stopped responding. If it weren''t for her superb life force, she would have long died from blood loss.


    After all, her left arm was cleanly chopped. Her Command Spells were stolen. Her life was like a candle fire flickering in the moonlit night.


    ''Why?''


    She mustered a thought. A question directed at the priest who betrayed her at the peak of her happiness. As the cold embrace of death slowly wrapped her, the faint memories of her life yed before her eyes.


    Bazett Fraga McRemitz.


    She was born in an ancient magus family that had cut ties with the Mage''s Association for being peculiar among the magus families. Where other families passed down their Sorcery Trait through the magic crests, Fraga''s Sorcery Trait ''God''s Holder'' was passed through bloodlines. Through a blood ritual, the possessor of God''s Holder could create Fragarach. A Noble Phantasm wielded as a Mystic Code.


    Taking the Mystic Code, she chose to depart the coastal vige and joined Mage''s Association. She was sent on missions. One of the missions led to an encounter with Kirei Kotomine, an executor of the Holy Church.


    They fought together on numerous asions, tackling the schemes of vampires and many heretics.


    As a martial arts expert and a devoted fan of Cu Chinn, she preferred to build bonds in the old, traditional way. Kirei was the right candidate to be her friend.


    So she trusted Kirei and told her story.


    A few monthster, Kirei invited her to Fuyuki City to participate in the 5th Holy Grail War. It was her chance to be a master and summon Cu Chinn as her servant. She wished for nothing more than a happy ending to the hero she adored in the fairy tales.


    She entrusted her back to Kirei and did the summoning ritual.


    It was the worst decision of her life.


    The moment themand spells burned into her hand, and the moment the wild visage of Cu Chinn graced her eyes, Kirei cleanly sliced her hand with his ck Key.


    A confused Cu Chinn rushed to help her, but amand from Kirei stopped him. Kirei forced Lancer into a contract with him and left her to die.


    As she closed her eyes to ept her fate, a gentle wind blew and caressed her hair. A blurry figure appeared before her, their hand reaching out.


    "Do you want to live?"


    A voice called out to her. A voice that was soft as the whisper of an angel. A voice that could also be mistaken for a devil''s temptation. The Irish woman''s instincts honed through numerous life and death came to life.


    "Answer me."


    The figure''s voice distorted, sounding far away and close at the same time.


    Bazett opened her mouth and squeezed out a word through her dry throat.


    "Ye s."


    If given another chance, she wanted to sever Kirei''s hand and take back Lancer. Could the figure standing before her fulfill her ''wish''?


    ***


    (Haruki)


    Haruki''s breath was held in his chest as the gacha wheel spun. Each moment shaved his mental health. It was hisst premium coupon, and he had no goals noble enough to him another one.


    ''I hate gacha.''


    The addiction was deadly.


    Perhaps the god above heard him or his E-Rank Luck helped him. The wheel stopped at purple!


    ''Another epic!''


    [Congrattions! You have acquired 1 x ''Noble Phantasm: Trap of Argalia.]


    The name rang a bell. He read the description to see what kind of miraculous item it was.


    Noble Phantasm: Trap of Argalia


    Description: The ornate goldennce that once belonged to Argalia, the Prince of Cathay. Thence famed to bring down anyone with its golden tip during the jousting tournaments.


    Rank: Epic


    Skills:


    -Down with a Touch! [A]


    Info: The Lance forces the lower half of any spiritual body into their spiritual form. The result depends on the target''s luck.


    His eyes were as dead as they could get. This Noble Phantasm belonged to none other than the most popr trap throughout the world.


    Astolfo. Even his Noble Phantasm included the ''trap'' word in it.


    He had used it against a crazy servant in Fate Apocrypha.


    ''It''s so so.''


    Unless the enemy servant was a braindead berserker like Spartacus, thisnce had no way of hitting a target.


    His frustration was seen by Medea, who couldn''t help but frown.


    "Haruki-sama?"


    "Nothing" he sighed and got up. "Let''s go."


    He lost the mood to continue after losing his chance. He wore his clothes quickly before watching Medea clean her body with a water spell. The sorceress blushed for a reason unknown when she noticed his gaze. They already fucked like beasts, what was there to be embarrassed about now?


    ''Arch, give me the key.''


    A crimson key, almost fading into ck, appeared in his hands. He instinctively knew what to do with the key. He pushed the key forward and twisted it into an imaginary door.


    Medea opened her eyes wide as she saw the space twist on Haruki''smand. Her spatial teleportation spell ''Trofa'' was an imitation of the True Magic governing teleportation, which couldn''t bring half the result of this phenomenon.


    Medea came forward and shielded him, holding her staff at bay.


    A scarlet mist flowed out of the gap in the space and wove the door that went through the roof. It was more appropriate to be described as an arch created into the space with a dark whirlpool inside.


    The door was there in the physical world, at the same time it wasn''t there.


    ''Creepy. Arch, can you store things for me?''


    "No," denied the goddess. "I''m not your servant."


    ''Booo.''


    He took his spear and patted Medea''s shoulder. "It''s not dangerous. We''re going inside."


    Medea stopped him from entering. "Haruki-sama, please tell me what this is about."


    Haruki sighed and exined the existence of the key that was given by ''the goddess that came to his dreams.''


    "It''s a key to let you grow stronger through battles?" she asked, frowning. "I understand why you asked for Dragon Tooth Soldiers"


    Her hood fell down to hide her face, and her lips curved into a smile that was anything but evil. "This goddess you speak of. She seems rather fond of you to meet you on a daily basis. Could she be...?"


    Her smile was anything but beautiful at this moment. Her ''Jealous wife'' mode sent chills down his spine.


    "Hey, I''m not in love with you," Arch retorted. "Correct it. Now!"


    ''Silence for a second.''


    He put his hands on Medea''s shoulder and looked straight into her eyes. "Are you still doubting me? I feel betrayed."


    Medea saw his sincere look, and her heart melted. The sorceress squashed her dangerous thoughts and threw herself in his arms. "Sorry, Haruki-sama. My paranoia is acting up again..."


    Haruki patted her back as a grin crossed his face. He''d do anything to stop his women from bing the creatures known to men as yanderes.


    ***


    This chapter might be a bit confusing to most readers since Cu Chinn''s original master only showed up in Fate/Hollow VN. Well, she will y a major role in this story.

 Chapter 46: Land of Dead

    Chapter 46: Land of Dead


    "Medea, I''ll be back in a second."


    A sweaty workout with Medea dehydrated him. He opened the door, only to find an abundance of darkness outside as if his room had teleported in the depths of the abyss.


    "Haru, you''re too careless," Kaede gently scolded him. "You didn''t put a bounded field around the room before you pounced on her. Think about poor Sakura."


    Haruki rubbed his forehead. "Thanks, Kaa-san. You saved me."


    Her caring side always touched him. He got so horny that he ended up forgetting his new lover. He didn''t know how to face Sakura if she heard Medea''s moans.


    Kaede brushed his hair with the wind. "It''s my responsibility."


    She didn''t seem bothered by his intercourse with Medea.


    "What did you do by the way?"


    "I isted your room in a different dimension. It''s an advanced-level bounded field. I''ll teach you after the war."


    A nce at Medea''s surprised expression told him how impressive his mother''s feat was. Medea could build a bounded field that isted an area from the world, but with days of preparation.


    "I look forward to learning from you," Haruki said.


    "And I look forward to the day I''m back, Haru."


    Kaede ended the bounded field. Haruki went into the kitchen and hydrated himself.


    ''I want an inventory.''


    He was so jealous of the protagonists who could carry everything in their inventory.


    ''I''ll obtain one of the True Magic for this.''


    He only knew the Second, Third, and Fifth Magic. None of them governed over the concept of space so far. The First or Fourth Magic might be rted to space.


    Haruki returned to his room and stepped into the door with Medea. He felt the space around him shift. Iridescent light exploded and dyed the ck surroundings. He opened his eyes to a jaded door. Torches lit by vivid blue embers were mounted on both sides of the wall. The peculiar mes reminded him of will-o''-the-wisp from folklore.


    Medea''s eyes darted around. An evil aura clung to the walls, even mixing itself in the air. She couldn''t grasp where or what this ce was, just that this ce had an evil aura. Usually, her magical energy should have stopped anyone from teleporting her. Yet, she was pulled in all the same without her consent.


    Haruki was calm as ever even in the face of this evil aura. Rather, he didn''t feel a thing as if his dragon body made him immune to such effects.


    "Let''s enter," he said.


    Haruki stepped forward and pushed open the door with one hand. The same blue torches illuminated the way to an otherwise dark corridor.


    [First floor: The Land of Dead.]


    ''You even modified the system for this?''


    "I had to," Arch said, taking pride in her achievement. "I have modified the system for a couple more high-ranking items that functions like the key."


    ''You''re sweet.''


    "Your glib tongue won''t work on me."


    ''I never use my glib tongue on others.''


    Before stepping into this unknown world, Haruki created numerous tasks. The failed gacha attempts made him lust for more coupons.


    Task #7: Training


    Objective: Clear the first floor of the Land of Dead.


    Difficulty: F-Rank


    Rewards: 3 X Low-Rank Gacha Coupon


    Task #8: Training


    Objective: Clear the second floor of the Land of Dead.


    Difficulty: F-Rank


    Rewards: 3 X Low-Rank Gacha Coupon


    ...


    A task for the floor of the Land of Dead. The E-Rank difficulty spanned from the 5th to 6th floor, and each task rewarded him with 1 Mid-Rank Gacha Coupon. While 7th to 14th floor were D-Rank, giving 1 High-Rank Gacha Coupon for each task.


    ''This difficulty was scaled for me before my awakening?''


    Otherwise, this ce wouldn''t be in low-difficulty mode. Arch molded an entire ce for him to grow stronger, how could she let him have it easy?


    ''Arch?''


    "What?"


    The goddess answered as if she couldn''t read his thoughts.


    ''Forget it.''


    Two balls of blue mes appeared at the end of the corridor. A skeleton with a helmet atop its head and a rusty sword in its hands. It looked like a level 1 skeleton every role-ying game dungeon had.


    "Medea, don''t interfere in any of the fights unless I''m close to death."


    Medea was taken aback by his deration. Knowing his strange ability to grow through battles, she nodded in acknowledgment.


    "I won''t."


    Haruki gripped his spear and charged at the skeleton. A simple swing of his spearunched the skeleton back into the wall. It crumbled into dust, leaving behind a white marble.


    "A drop. It''s like a game dungeon."


    "Indeed," Arch agreed. "Pick it up."


    Haruki walked over and grabbed the marble. He could feel the magical energy inside the tiny marble.


    [Magical Essence (Low-Rank)]


    Info: The crystallization of magical energy.


    His mind raced at that moment, and a n too mischievous to be put into words formed. He tucked the marble in his pocket and grinned.


    ''It''s perfect.''


    "Wasn''t it weaker than my Dragon Tooth warrior?"


    Haruki nodded at Medea''s question. "Well, it''s only the first floor."


    ''Let''s hope Arch didn''t put an evil god on thest floor.''


    "You''re raising gs there, my boy," Arch humored his fighting spirit. "Though this recklessness is what makes us dragons."


    ''Speak for yourself. I''m a cautious fellow.''


    He continued his journey in the dungeon. He encountered a couple more skeleton soldiers before a new type of skeleton blocked their path. The bones peeking out of its dull bronze armor were pure white as though someone polished them not long ago. The ax in its bony hands was thicker than the rusty swords wielded by weaker skeleton soldiers.


    The skeleton guarded the door that led to the next floor.


    ''It''s boss?''


    Haruki repeated the same process of rushing at the skeleton and swinging his spear. The skeleton instantly crashed into the wall to its left and crumbled just like its minions.


    [Taskpleted. Well done!]


    [3 X Low-Rank Gacha Coupons rewarded.]


    "Boss," Haruki muttered with a deadpan face. "Was it?"


    [Magical Essence (Mid-Rank)]


    Info: The crystallization of magical energy.


    At least it dropped a higher-ranked marble after its demise.

 Chapter 47: Awakenings?

    Chapter 47: Awakenings?


    Haruki pushed open the door. A curved staircase heading into the next floor came into sight.


    ''It''s going up. A tower?''


    He expected it to be a dungeon, not a tower.


    "Thend here is rotten," Arch said. "I thought it was better to create a structure. It''s shaped like a triangle, and you''re at the bottom. The higher you go, the bigger the floors."


    ''A genius. Is yourst name Kayaba?''


    "I''m not a nutty game master."


    Haruki''s eyes widened. Arch caught his SAO reference as though she lived and breathed an otaku life.


    "And don''t underestimate a goddess'' intelligence."


    ''Ah yes. The goddess who forgot to awaken my system.''


    "Iforget it."


    Haruki shook his head. Riling her up didn''t get him the answer he needed. The rtionship between his mother and Arch was a suspicious one. It could also be rted to the reason she didn''t awaken his system before his mother''s death. Even Arch wasn''t stupid enough to forget a thing for seventeen years.


    This floor was once again riddled with skeletons. The boss was four of the skeleton bosses of the previous floor with several normal skeleton warriors. Nevertheless, he made short work of them.


    [Taskpleted. Well done!]


    [3 X Low-Rank Gacha Coupons rewarded.]


    "Haruki-sama, did you gain anything other than those marbles?"


    Haruki checked his status.


    [Awakening progress: 1.15%]


    "Not much. We need to go deeper to find strong opponents."


    Medea shuffled the marbles in her hands. They were pleasing to touch and could act as mini leylines to provide magical energy. However, the few they had would barely make a dent in her massive mana pool.


    "The second floor was more difficult than the first one. How big is this ce?"


    "We''ll know soon."


    So he entered the third floor.


    The first fellow he encountered drifted through the hallways. A ghostly figure shrouded in a white robe, from which three sharp ck ws stuck out. A bloody tongue simr to a lizard''s tail was in ce of its mouth. The ghost was straight out of a horror movie.


    "It''s a wraith, Haruki-sama. Souls with deep grudges against something. Ordinary attacks won''t hurt it.," Medea informed. "My enhanced reinforcement spell should work on it."


    "Wraith," he repeated. This ce had more things inmon with the Land of Shadows than just a simr name.


    The wraith finally decided to pay attention to him. It soared, nearly touching the ceiling, and wailed. The crimson tongue shot out. Haruki instinctively blocked the tongue with his spear. The cunning wraith wrapped its tongue around the shaft and tried to yank the spear from his hand.


    ''Woah. This thing has a brain.''


    "Haruki-sama, its tongue is its medium to interact with the physical world."


    Haruki grabbed the tongue trying to disarm him and crushed it into a bloody pulp. Activating the reinforcement, he plunged the spear into its head. Violet mana swirled at the spear tip, bing a fierce cyclone that effortlessly copsed the wraith''s spiritual body. It left behind a simr Magical Essence to the skeleton boss.


    [Awakening progress: 1.31%]


    ''Sheesh. Now I know why Kuzuki could go against Artoria. Medea is such a cheat mage.''


    "That was anticlimactic," Medeamented with a grin and took his hand tainted in the spirit''s blood. She pulled out a clean cloth from her robe. "It might be a curse if left alone."


    Haruki gazed at her with a smile as she dutifully rubbed his hand. "How is your magical energy now? Any side effects yet?"


    Medea found the warmth in his eyes a refreshing sight.


    ''He was so different when he was making love to me.''


    She grinned at the desires that rose in her heart, wickedly so. "Worried for me?"


    "I shouldn''t?"


    "I''m better than I ever was." She sped his hand and guided it to her breast. "Can''t you feel it?"


    Her magical energy pulsated to his touch, as if synchronizing with him on levels deeper than a simple master and servant contract. He felt like he could draw out her magical energy if he wanted to.


    "She is yours," Arch said. "Don''t forget it."


    ''Show her status.''


    Medea: A Sorcerer from the Age of Gods and your current Servant, tied to you by the Fuyuki Holy Grail System.


    -Current Status  Can people die from too much happiness?


    -Rtionship Status  103/100


    -Species  Spirit


    -Age  Uncountable


    -Gender  Female


    -Height, Weight  163cm/51kg


    -Alignment  Neutral Evil


    -Parameters


    Strength: 10 (E)


    Endurance: 21 (D)


    Agility: 32 (C)


    Magical energy: 75 (EX)


    Luck: 40 (B)


    -Authorities


    None


    -Noble Phantasm


    Rule Breaker


    ...


    Her magical energy had grown from A-Rank to EX-Rank.


    ''Is this permanent?''


    His status didn''t update after he used reinforcement. Medea''s status also shouldn''t be updated if it was a temporary result of receiving his magical energy.


    "Your magical energy expanded her spiritual core," Arch answered. "It''s a permanent change."


    ''I''m awesome will it happen every time we fuck?''


    "Stop being too greedy, little dragon. It won''t work on Medea until your next major awakening. Her current vessel is limiting her. Too much magical energy can make her explode."


    Haruki shuddered, promising himself to refrain from any creampies.


    ''When is my next awakening?''


    "Five percent, then ten, twenty-five, fifty, and finally one hundred percent. The next awakening will unlock more potential of your body."


    ''Wonderful.''


    He was a little hyped for the five percent awakening and every awakening after it.


    ''Will I be as strong as you at one hundred percent?''


    "Possibly," Arch said. "I don''t want you reaching that level"


    ''Worried that I''ll push you down?''


    "...There is nothing but boredom here."


    Archpletely dismissed the random thought that popped in his head. Of course, he was just teasing her. Putting aside her otherworldly beauty, he didn''t know enough to consider her as a partner. On the other hand, he wondered what kind of powerup she could give him.


    "Haruki-sama," Medea said, her eyes misty with desire. "Do you want to?"


    Seeing him in a daze flooded her with an influx of emotions.


    ''He is so infatuated with me.''


    She couldn''t help but giggle. A shimmer of his attention was enough to keep her happy. These feelings were no weaker than the curse Aphrodite put her under, but they were native to her heart.


    "I was thinking of something," Haruki said and pulled back his head. "I want to clear five floors today."


    Arch needed time to change his hand with Noble Phantasm.


    Medea agreed with him with her whole heart. She may have objected if he said something along the lines of going as far as they could go. However, the first five floors will be a walk in the park if the enemies were weak like the skeletons.


    "You also need to rest after that," she said. "We can do the lessons first thing in the morning."


    "Sure thing."


    He tossed the marble in his pocket and wandered through the corridors. The wraiths that he encountered were in without exception. The boss was like an altered version of the previous wraiths with a ck robe and deadly ws. Unlike the other wraiths, this one had no tongue.


    Medea didn''t say a thing this time, letting him decide the course of battle and gain more experience. He needed time to incorporate his martial arts into his spear techniques. Since Medea had almost zero experience in formal martial arts training, she couldn''t teach him anything.


    The ck wraith arrived before Haruki in the blink of an eye; it was faster than anything he encountered so far in this ce. But they couldn''t hold a candle to Medusa''s chains.


    Sparks erupted as the metallic ws of the wraith shed with his spear. A sharp gale originated from their collision, blowing the blue torches in the narrow corridor.


    ''It''s strong.''


    The force behind the ws was impressive, to say the least. The wraith scraped the spearwhich became harder than steelwith its w. Haruki winced at the unpleasant screech, reminding him of that one shitty teacher who used the traditional chalk and board just to make students cringe. Having seeded in its distraction, the wraith swung its left w at Haruki''s face.


    Medea squirmed in anxiety. Keeping her impulses in check was harder than she ever thought. Fortunately for her, Haruki parried the attack on simple instincts before driving the spear in its stomach.


    "Rest in peace."


    With those words, he filled the spear with more magical energy.


    [Awakening progress: 1.40%]


    Haruki wiped the sweat off his forehead. Things got a bit scary in this battle. He never expected the wraith to pull a trick like this.


    "Haruki-sama." Medea strutted up to him. "Are you hurt?"


    He shook his head. "They will get more intelligent in the deeper floors."

 Chapter 48: Touch of Wind

    Chapter 48: Touch of Wind


    Haruki breezed through the floors. Skeletons, wraiths, and even bigger wraiths tried futile attempts to stop him. The floors became more spacious and enemies became more abundant. That gave him space to maneuver. The ughter continued until he arrived at the end of the 5th floor. The passage opened up into a wide room. What awaited him in the room was a giant ck wraith with ws bigger than Haruki. Its evil aura sent a chill down Medea''s spine.


    "Haruki-sama, be careful."


    Haruki just grinned in response. The numerous fights with wraiths had made him more sensitive to wraiths. He could estimate their strength with their aura alone! This one was nearly four times stronger than the wraith he fought on the 3rd floor.


    ''Weird. I should have received a skill for this.''


    "Unawakened authorities don''t count as skills," Arch answered. "Dragon eyes are also special."


    The screech that emerged from the wraith forced Haruki to dy this conversation for ater time. The wraith fluttered down and swiped its massive ws. The strength behind the w exceeded E-Rank. If Haruki hadn''t be stronger from the first floor, he might have chosen to evade. But current Haruki simply raised his spear and held his ground.


    It was just the start of the battle. The sh between the wraith and the unawakened dragon shook the ce. Medea held her breath every time Haruki demonstrated his spear techniques. There was no crudity in his movements, every step and every thrust disyed an elegance she only saw in the veterans. The wraith couldn''t keep up with his speed and got skewered from every side. He wasn''t only utilizing the reinforcement for harming the wraith''s spiritual body, and mostly used his muscle strength to keep this a fair fight.


    ''Tough battles bring more glory.''


    Haruki crushed the wraith''s ws first. The wraith began to lose control, spreading even more of its evil aura. Haruki leaped into the air, breaking every past record he had, and swung his spear wrapped in a violet aura. His innate strengthbined with his momentum sted the wraith into the wall. Its hands vanished, and it lost its final anchor in the physical world. The wraith''s body fell as though it was a weightless feather and drifted into specks of violet.


    Despite the fierce collision, not one scratch could be seen on those gloomy walls.


    ''The walls here are freaking strong.''


    [Taskpleted. Well done!]


    [1 X Mid-Rank Gacha Coupon rewarded.]


    [Awakening progress: 2.9%]


    ''Not even two percent in five floors.''


    Then again, the enemies he faced were too weak.


    ''Let''s check my status.''


    [Haruki Hayashi]


    Species: Dragon [Current awakening progress 2.90%]


    Age: 17


    Gender: Male


    Height, Weight: 182cm/75kg


    Alignment: Chaotic Neutral


    [Parameters]


    Strength: 21 (D)


    Endurance: 23 (D)


    Agility: 20 (D)


    Magical energy: 54 (A)


    Luck: 10 (E)


    [Authorities]


    Dragon Heart


    ...


    [Skills]


    Sojutsu [C]


    Info: Acquired from your great practice with a spear.


    Effect: Increases damage with spear-type weapons.


    Bujutsu [C]


    Info: Acquired from immense proficiency in Bujutsu arts.


    Effect: Increases damage with physical attacks.


    Some of his skill received a minor upgrade, but his stats received a massive boost. Haruki saw his clock close to 1 AM.


    ''Not bad for a couple of hours.''


    Haruki grabbed the marble left behind by the wraith.


    [Life Essence (High-Rank)]


    Info: The crystallization of magical energy.


    Haruki tossed it in his pocket. He had 12 Low-Rank and 1 Mid-Rank Gacha coupons. Frankly, he expected nothing out of them. The trap weapon had already pped him with disappointment. He didn''t need more of that in his life.


    "Haruki-sama, are we returning?"


    "Yup."


    ''Arch.''


    The key reappeared in his hands. He once again opened an imaginary door. Medea kept her eyes peeled, trying to decipher the mysteries behind the key. s, she couldn''t find anything even when the gate fully converged before them.


    ''It doesn''t have any mysteries.''


    It should have been impossible. Creating a spatial rift required the great use of mysteries exceeding magecraft.


    True Magic.


    Haruki extended a hand, which she grabbed, and walked inside the whirlpool. As he appeared back in his room, the door behind him vanished without a trace.


    The crimson key vanished from his hand. "Kaa-san."


    The first thing he did was call out his mother.


    "Yes, Haru," she said. "Do you need something?"


    He half expected her to act like the gate to a weird dimension never opened in his room.


    "I''m going to sleep. Give me a goodnight kiss."


    "A." Haruki felt a soft wind touch his cheeks. "There. I did. Please dream about your kind mother."


    "..."


    She was a strange mother, but he loved her nheless.


    "My master!" Semi''s bubbly voice interrupted him. "Where were you? I was trying to contact you."


    "I was in a dungeon."


    "Oh. You took Medea to the dungeon." He could imagine her evil smile on the other side. "Wise decision to humble her pride. My master, you''re so overbearing."


    He couldn''t disagree with her. He knew he could be overbearing at times, a skill that was needed to keep the corporate ves aka his employees in check. It was still nothingpared to the time he used to be a young master.


    "Let''s sleep."


    Haruki took off his shirt and pulled out a pair of shorts from his wardrobe.


    Medea stared at the bed still stained with their fluids; it reminded her of everything that happened here. Frankly, she wouldn''t mind sleeping on it, but she wanted Haruki to have proper rest after grueling battles.


    "Haruki-sama, please wait."


    She went ahead and changed the bedsheets. Haruki watched her work with an amused smile on his face. Seeing her diligence made him fuzzy sometimes.


    I have too many things to do tomorrow.''


    Training with Emiya, torturing Shinji, taking Medusa as an ally, purging the heap of worms Zouken, freeing Sakura from worm crests as well as Zouken''sst hope attached to her heart. Lastly, retaking the Ryuudou Temple, where he had high chances of running into Illyasviel''s trap.


    "Another tiring day," Arch said. "Don''t crumble under the weight."


    ''A kiss from Kaa-san is enough to keep me going for years.''


    "...Good for you."

 Chapter 49: The Call

    Chapter 49: The Call


    "Hello, sleepyhead."


    Haruki woke up to Arch''s voice. It was different from their usual conversation inside his head. Her otherworldly appearance still gave him a shock, though not as much as their first meeting. He noticed something more importanther aura. Itpelled him to obey as if she was his queen. Being a creature of pride himself, he resisted the feeling with every fiber of his being.


    Arch smugly put the pipe between her lips as she crossed her legs. She pped twice. "Wee back to where it all started. Let''s get you hooked up with your new Noble Phantasm."


    She seemedpletely different from the tsundere he had grown used to. She was more confident in talking face to face than talking through the system.


    "How much will it hurt?" he asked.


    "Enough to bring back all of your childhood memories."


    "Weak." He extended his hand with a feeble smile. "Try me."


    Arch flipped her palm and summoned a crimson tear-shaped crystal. The crystal hovering over her palm possessed an impressive amount of magic energy, more than even the boosted Medea.


    "I extracted all of the Noble Phantasm''s power," she said. "Lie over there."


    "You won''t **** me, right?" he asked with a poker face. Something about her made him wary. It was an instinct, a sixth sense, some might say.


    Arch was a female dragon, and she could simply overpower him in this ce. Be cautious or be dominated, his instincts warned him.


    ''No shit.''


    He no longer judged people by their appearance. His seemingly innocent mother was an enchantress. Who knew what kind of hidden personality this woman had?


    The pipe pressed in Arch''s mouth vanished, and her lips curved into a mischievous grin. "I might have raped you when you were sleeping."


    Haruki''s lips formed a t line. "You didn''t."


    Sex with Arch will give him more than simple authority. His core, his magical energy, even his muscles showed no change.


    "Hahaha, you got me there. Fine, I have no ns of forcing myself on someone."


    Haruki sighed andid back on the bed. "Let''s get this over with. I wanna sleep."


    Arch got up from the red couch and sat down on the bed. Ever so slowly she reached out and touched his face. "I can give you pain immunity if you desire so. It will cost you ten of your low-rank coupons."


    "No thanks."


    He loved his gacha coupons too much to use them for something so trivial.


    "I''m starting then."


    Arch pressed a finger on his wrist, and his arm split open. As scary as his exposed muscles appeared from his perspective, he felt no pain. The crystal drifted down and melted into his blood vessels.


    "Brace yourself."


    As Arch''s words ended, his nerves exploded with agony. Haruki dug his teeth into his other wrist, coping with the pain with a different pain.


    The foreign magical energy filled his arm. His own magical energy rejected Shirou Amakusa''s energy, but Arch controlled the flow of crimson and white magical energy and guided the crimson to envelop white.


    "This should do."


    Arch heaved a sigh of relief and watched him gritting his teeth. A gentle light filled her golden eyes. She crossed her arms, her fingers twitching as though she was holding something back.


    Once the process was done, Arch touched his arm again. The wound closed up as if it was never there.


    Haruki got up and clenched his fist. He couldn''t feel much of a difference right now.


    "Check it again after you wake up."


    He nodded. "The pain wasn''t as bad as I expected."


    "Let''s say you''re more resilient than I expected."


    "Always underestimating everyone, that''s a dragon for you."


    "We''re superior to everyone. It''s our right to look down on them," Arch stated in a cool, matter-of-the-fact voice.


    "Don''t give me Gilgamesh vibes now."


    He despised a lot of anime characters but Gilgamesh took the cake in Nasuverse for his stupendous arrogance. Yes, two-thirds of his body was god, and he was the hero whose epic derived all the heroes. But he was bested by Shirou, who was barely considered a mage by every standard. That alone earned him the title of the most foolish person.


    Arch just snorted. "Go now. I have some things to do."


    Haruki nced around the room; there was nothing here except for the bed and couch. "What do you even do here?"


    "It''s a random room I created to meet you," she said smugly. "You will never see my real home."


    "Is that where you keep all the treasures and dildos?"


    "Yesno! I don''t use dildos!"


    "A dragon goddess riding a dildo," Haruki muttered with a serious expression and nodded. "I have watched something like that."


    He closed his eyes and tried to remember the name of that holy scripture.


    Arch was having none of the disrespect. She waved her hand and sent him back.


    ***


    The stores in Mount Miyama closed before midnight. However, one certain restaurant never followed that rule. It always kept its lights open two hours into midnight.


    Today wasn''t any different.


    The owner was a young woman with a double bun hairstyle and an apron over her cheongsam. She took pride in being the manager of Koushuuensaikan Taizan, the only quality Chinese restaurant in Fuyuki City.


    "Where is he?" she asked, eyes fixed on the door. "Why is hete?"


    As though answering her question, the door opened and the visitor she had been waiting for entered. A ck-haired man in his thirties. He silently walked over to the table and took a seat.


    "Batsu-chan, sorry for beingte."


    Batsu practically melted from his deep voice. "Nothing to worry about, Kotomine-san. Your order ising in a sec!"


    She heated the stove and warmed the only dish Kirei Kotomine ate.


    Awaiting histe-night snacks, Kirei connected with his servant.


    "Lancer, what is the status of Rin and Hayashi?"


    "That girl didn''t leave the boy''s house."


    Kirei nodded his head at Cu Chinn''s report. It confirmed that Rin had joined hands with Haruki.


    ''Isn''t it interesting?''


    He and Gilgamesh never factored in Haruki''s involvement in this war. Gilgamesh had Sha Naqba Imuru to see every possibility in the world. Yet, he could not foresee Haruki''s participation. Then again, he had known Gilgamesh for ten years now. He didn''t find anyone worthy of him to use his full strength. All but one servant Gilgamesh battled during the Fourth Holy Grail War.


    Iskandar, the King of Conquerors.


    ''Where are the sixth and seventh?''


    The war had officially started, but the two masters never made their appearance. He felt like he failed in his responsibility as the Supervisor of the war.


    ''Lancer, search for thest two masters.''


    "Yes Master."


    He could hear Cu Chinn gritting teeth from hundreds of meters away. Lancer''s futile resistance and his will to avenge thrilled him to no end.


    "Here is your order, Kotomine-san."


    Batsu ced his order and cheerfully skipped back to the kitchen.


    "Thank you, Batsu-chan."


    Kirei stuffed his face with a spoon full of mapo tofu. The fiery taste burned his tongue and provoked beads of sweat on his forehead. It wasn''t an understatement to say only two things made Kirei Kotomine feel alive. One was ruining others'' lives and the second was this dish.


    He unzipped his vestments until his chest and continued to savor the exquisite taste of mapo tofu. By the time he finished the dish, his entire body was bathed in sweat. As he put down the spoon, his ck heart boomed. His eyes stretched wide as a look of surprise shed on his always calm face.


    "This"


    was a call.


    The entity, who bestowed him with a new heart, was summoning him to do its bidding.


    Kirei''s lips cracked a smile.


    The war just got more interesting.

 Chapter 50: Tiny mistake

Chapter 50: Tiny mistake


    I messed up a bit. I thought I published chapter 51 before, but it wasn''t published. The chapter you all read today was Chapter 52. I apologize for messing up the order.


    Chapter 52 is titled The Call, and Chapter 51 is titled the Touch of Wind.

 Chapter 51: Almighty Key

    Chapter 51: Almighty Key


    In a room where a low, ssical tune flowed. An elegant painting and a massive television adorned the pristine white wall. Two curved couches were ced opposite each other, respectively upied by Semiramis and Artoria.


    The ck-haired Queen was sipping coffee from a mug while appreciating each tone of the music with her eyes closed. Her entire posture rxed in thefort of the fluffy couch.


    The blonde girl was sitting with Avalon on herp. Her expressionless eyes were observing each of Semiramis''s movements. She reached her limit in a couple of minutes and voiced out her concern.


    "Did you talk with him?"


    Haruki had requested her strength in dealing with Zouken. She had to ask Semiramis to ry her question if they were still going to do it.


    ''I hope he isn''t too angry.''


    "My, what''s the rush?" Semiramis took another sip and smiled. "He is sleeping. I won''t lie, Artoria. My master sounded disappointed in you."


    Artoria clenched her fists. It was only natural for him to be disappointed. Not only did she reject his order, but she also questioned his honor. She wouldn''t be surprised if was punished for this.


    Semiramis felt Artoria''s anxiety and covered her mouth with her hand to hide her smile. She could read Artoria''s thoughts without putting in any effort.


    ''I''m so d he summoned Artoria.''


    Easy to read, easy to manipte, and easy to please. She was the perfect servant she never knew she needed.


    ''I''ll ask my master to keep her after the war.''


    Artoria''s wish didn''t matter to her. With how naive Artoria was, Semiramis doubted her wish was anything other than saving her kingdom. That could change depending on how Artoria and Haruki''s rtionship progressed. The King of Knights or a modern, unknown dragon?


    ''My master won''t lose.''


    He could give her, a veteran,pulsions to submit her entire being to his cause. How could a naive king stand up to that man?


    "Did he tell you about his wish yet?"


    Artoria clenched her fists and looked down. "He didn''t," she replied with a shake of her head. "Wecked the time to have a proper talk."


    She wouldn''t usually bother with trivial matters, but the origins of Haruki''s race had long raised numerous questions in her mind. Vortigern should be thest dragon in the Age of Humans. Where did her mastere from nearly identical magical energy?


    "All my master wishes is the resurrection of his mother."


    Artoria raised her brows in surprise. "Resurrection is possible?"


    She didn''t have much knowledge about magecraft. Neither did she know of the Holy Grail''s limitations.


    "His mother''s soul is still lingering around him. A soul with memories and experience intact."


    "That''s not normal. Master''s wish is selfish..." She was of the mindset that the dead shouldn''t be disturbed and never be brought back. "It''s not my ce to judge his wishes."


    He had earned his ce in the war. It was better to use his wish on his mother rather than doing something evil.


    "Indeed so. You see, our master is a selfish man instead of a selfless king like you. You must have seen numerous men like him in your life. Answer me, what do men like him seek?" Semiramis trailed off her question with a grin.


    Artoria felt an aura simr to Morgan around Semiramis. Sharpening her eyes, Artoria maintained silence rather than falling into Semiramis''s trap.


    "Pleasure," Semiramis answered her question. "Selfish men are synonymous with the word ''pleasure.'' I gave my advice. The rest is up to you. Whether you earn his forgiveness or earn his wrath, I shall not interfere."


    Semiramis put down her mug and walked out of the room, her ck dress trailing her.


    ''Let''s see how my master will react to this situation now. Will he be a scum who takes advantage of a naive woman or a fool who lets this opportunity slip by?''


    She didn''t want Haruki to be any of these. She looked forward to the results as she expected more from her master.


    Meanwhile, Artoria gazed at the stars outside the window, her eyes solemn.


    "Pleasure."


    She wasn''t unknown to pleasure, especially a man''s. After all, Merlin had turned her into a pseudo-male once as an experiment. It was all done for the time she had to back down from her duty.


    She looked at her emotionless face in the ss. "Who would even be interested in this worthless body?"


    ***


    The next morning came, and Haruki''s biological clock woke him up. Medea was glued to him in her brassiere and panties, her face buried in his chest. Well, it was a lot better than waking up alone.


    Noble Phantasm: Right Hand - Evil Eater incorporated.


    Skills epted - 2


    Skills rejected - 1


    Overallpatibility - 66.6%


    Skill acquired: Almighty Key


    -Almighty Key [A]


    Info: Creates a link to every Thaumaturgy Foundation carved in the world.


    Skill acquired: Precognition


    -Precognition [D]


    Info: Gives insights into the future based on your knowledge regarding certain events.


    Dragon Blood Authority rejected Eternal Youth skill


    ''It''s better this way.''


    Stopping the growth would be a pain at this stage. As he tried to get a feel of his new Noble Phantasm, two shackles of crimson runes appeared around his wrist. The vague crimson runes reached his forearm. The knowledge of all magecraft spells flowed into his head. His brain simultaneouslyprehended each spell with almost zero dys.


    Alchemy, ck Magic, Astrology, Kabbh, Runes, Necromancy, Onmyoudou, Jewel Magecraft, Healing Magecraft, Hojoutsuthe art of ying demons, even the holy scriptures used by the Holy Church. The Almighty Key connected him to every Thaumaturgical Foundation. Simply put, he obtained the master key to ess the Magecraft System carved into the world by every school of Magecraft. Every magecraft spell that could be invoked without Mystery was at his disposal.


    "This is phenomenal."


    He would discard the normal magecraft after learning Ancient Greek from Medea. The knowledge still had immense use for him, giving him an advantage over the mages.


    "Morning, Haru. You got a new toy."


    Haruki instinctively turned to the door.


    "I can''t be there," Kaede whispered. "Haru you know it."


    She seemed down, so he deactivated the Almighty Key and cheered her up with a couple of sweet words. The movements roused Medea from her sleep.


    "Haruki-sama, good morning."


    She was sluggish after a long, rxing sleepsomething she hadn''t experienced under themand of her previous master.


    "Ready to teach me?"


    "Yes, of course. Let me wear something"


    "Don''t." Haruki crashed into herp and rubbed his cheeks against her silky thighs. "You can start now."


    Medea blushed at his spoiled behavior. "How will you learn anything like this?"

 Chapter 52: Archer’s skills

    Chapter 52: Archer¡¯s skills


    Medea''s lessons ended when someone knocked on the door.


    "Senpai."


    Haruki left Medea''sp and dressed up. "Spiritual form."


    Medea quickly vanished. Haruki opened the door to find Sakura. "Morning. Showered already?"


    Sakura nodded with a shy smile while she fidgeted with her fingers behind her back. "I came to wake you up for school."


    She hade here after calming her fluttering heart. She couldn''t think straight as the events ofst night kept shing through her head. They were lovers now, but how should she act before him?


    Haruki was about to stop Sakura from going to school, but Shinji''s face popped up in his head. That idiot might trigger Medusa''s Noble Phantasm to take over the school. He looked at the clock showing seven o''clock and nodded. "I have to train with Archer too. Where is Rin?"


    "Sleeping. Rin Nee-san isn''t an early riser."


    "I''ll get herter. Can you cook breakfast?"


    "I already did the preparations," Sakura said, revealing a confident smile. "I also washed your clothes."


    Since she couldn''t contribute in any other way, she had taken over all the housework in her hands.


    "Someone''s pretty active today," he said with a cheeky grin and pinched her cheeks. "I''ll be out for a couple of minutes after training."


    Semiramis had contacted him during his lessons, asking to meet as soon as possible. She was up to something again. Possibly another scheme.


    "Senpai" Sakura nced up, her eyes nearly tearing up. "It hurts."


    Haruki hurriedly released his hold on her cheeks, finding them beet red. He gently rubbed her cheeks.


    ''It''s hard to control my strength sometimes.''


    ***


    Archer leaned back and stretched his legs on the nted roof. The rays of dawn fell on his white hair and tanned face. He narrowed his gray eyes on one specific house in the northern area of Miyama Town. An old, elegant building surrounded by a barrier. He could even see the rusty door with his C-Rank irvoyance skill,monly known as Hawkeye.


    "Should I nuke him with Cdbolg?" he mused with a smirk and shook his head. "Rin won''t give me permission to use it."


    He jumped down from the roof and walked through the door. The faint aroma rippling through the air made him frown. He snuck into the kitchen. With his high-sped eyesight, he scrutinized the cooked rice, chicken, and other ingredients that were used for Onigiri.


    ''The rice is a bit hard for Onigiri.''


    Archer peeked his head out of the kitchen.


    ''No one is here.''


    He covered the pan and heated the stove at a low temperature. He waited until the rice achieved perfection.


    He had suffered numerous years under ya''s contract. The contract that made him into a Heroic Spirit and a Counter Guardian. He was just the vessel of the True Heroic Spirit Emiya carrying out his duties saving millions by killing thousands in some timeline. The Throne of Heroes existed outside the concept of time, so ya could send her ''guardians'' in infinite timelines that branched from the Root to ''save'' humanity.


    After bing a Counter Guardian his beliefs changed, but one thing remained the samehis passion for cooking and every type of housework. It was the same when he was alive and well as Shirou Emiya.


    He climbed the stairs to find Haruki rubbing Sakura''s cheeks. The two flirted first thing in the morning. His eyes widened as he gazed at his master''s ally.


    ''He changed again.''


    His C-Rank Mind''s Eye (True) skill helped him detect any and every danger to him. The young man before him gave signs of danger. Even a prodigy magus like Rin couldn''t trigger his instincts like Haruki. Archer trusted his skill, which came to fruition as a result of fighting numerous battles as a Counter Guardian. Haruki had grown stronger than the bottom tier servants. The magus who could do so were few and far between. This growth shouldn''t be achievable in years, much less a single night.


    ''His secret might get him in trouble with the Clocktower.''


    Archer couldn''t help but grin at Rin''s naivety. How wrong she was to think of Haruki as a normal person fighting for his mother.


    "Archer, free for my training?" Haruki threw a question just as Archer moved toward Rin''s room. "Surely you didn''t forget."


    "I remember it. Let''s start with a morning walk to the forest. I''ll be waiting outside."


    "Alright." Haruki patted Sakura''s head. "I''ll be back."


    "Okay."


    "You" Arch muttered. "You two are talking like married couples"


    She had pushed him into this harem concept after he had given up on it entirely. She now had to watch him being lovey-dovey with his girls.


    ''Jealous?''


    "No."


    Sakura returned to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Haruki went back to his room and fetched his spear.


    Mystic Code: Nameless Spear


    Description: An unknown spear crafted using techniques from the Age of Gods.


    Rank: Super Rare


    Skills:


    -Reinforcement [A]


    Info: This Mystic Code enhances the user''s body.


    Effect: The strength of reinforcement depends on the amount of mana. Strength points gained vary from 1 point to 30 points.


    Haruki licked his lips. The full power of his spear made him Artoria''s equal in strength and even had the magical energy to keep it up for a long fight.


    "It will be obsolete as you progress," Arch said, fulfilling her role as his stalker. "You might have to use all of your magical energy to gain 1 strength point at some point."


    ''I will upgrade the spear when that timees.''


    "Haruki-sama, I can carry it for you," Medea said from beside him and took the spear from him. She stored the spear in her robe and pulled out the marbles to ce them on his study table. "What should I do with them?"


    Haruki took all of the marbles from his pocket and threw them in a pouch. "We''ll collect more of these."


    They will immensely help him in creating Semiramis'' Hanging Gardens of Babylon.


    Haruki exited the house and met Archer.


    "Follow me."


    Archer dashed out of the house. Haruki followed him through the unupied streets, keeping up with Archer just fine. Archer looked over his shoulder, only to get a grin from Haruki.


    ''Quite the show off he is.''


    Archer raised the bar for the training as he instantaneously vanished around the corner of the street. Haruki traced the lingering mana with his eyes and chased after Archer.

 Chapter 53: Projection

    Chapter 53: Projection


    The training was different from Haruki''s predictions. Archer simply asked him to do normal pushups. Medea almost materialized to scold Archer for wasting his time on a trivial workout. Haruki could do pushups for a very long time with his current endurance, so she wasn''t wrong.


    Seeing the doubt on Haruki''s face, Archer smirked. "Want to make it difficult?"


    Archer conjured a pair of swords in his hands. ck and white, each with the symbol of Yin and Yang near the bottom of their des.


    "A better way to train is carving the experience in your muscle memories."


    "Projection trace version," Haruki muttered the name of Archer''s specialized magecraft. The normal projection used one''s imagination to materialize objects through the use of magical energy, but Archer''s version reproduced an object''s history as well as its skills through his Reality Marble ''Unlimited de Works.''


    ''Doesn''t hurt to try.''


    A simple spear or a legendary Noble Phantasm?


    ''I want Gae Bolg or Rhongomyniad.''


    It was impossible to project something without seeing it beforehand. Of course, Haruki had seen both of the weapons on hisputer screen before.


    "It still counts," Arch said. "Can you do it though?"


    ''Don''t disturb me.''


    He didn''t pick Rhongomyniad due to its mysteries and the fact it was a seal protecting the world from the Reverse Side of the World. So he picked Gae Bolg instead and closed his eyes, imagining the crimson spear whose only purpose was bestowing deaths upon its foes. A design simple yet ominous for its great power. Carved from Curruid''s skill, a great sea monster of the distant past, it was Scthach''s weapon of choice in every battlefield.


    His magical energy whirled, bringing forth a blurry shaft before him. Medea came out of her spiritual form and scrutinized the intricate mysteries forming before her eyes. "Gradation Air Magecraft."


    ''He said he didn''t know any magecraft. Was he lying?''


    Medea shook her head. Lies or truth didn''t matter anymore.


    "This guy" Archer stared at him in a trance. The fact that someone other than him could use this version greatly surprised him.


    Haruki had already drilled the concept of creation into the object, imagined the basic structure, and realized the materials behind the creation.


    ''Next one is tougher.''


    Haruki didn''t pay any attention to the onlookers as he poured all of his imagination into bringing the spear to life.


    ''How was Gae Bolg made exactly?''


    "Like any weapon," Arch whispered. "By a cksmith."


    ''Huh.''


    The shaft before him took on a crimson color, appearing synonymous with the real thing. Without any actual substance, it was hollow inside. The next steps were a piece of cake for him. He knew what Gae Bolg experienced in Scthach''s hands.


    Complete ughter of spirits and gods alike.


    Haruki opened his eyes and caught the crimson spear.


    ''Twenty pounds or more? It''s freaking heavy for a spear.''


    He performed a few moves without breaking a sweat.


    "Iplete," Archer said with a chuckle. "Amendable endeavor nheless."


    Some people were born with greater talents than others, he admitted. Some worked harder to make up for this natural talent. Haruki belonged to the former category, Archer could say it without a doubt.


    Haruki sighed. The reality was as Archer said. He couldn''t reproduce the mysteries behind Gae Bolg. Hecked information. But it didn''tpletely fail though. The spear was tougher than the fully reinforced Mystic Code created by Medea. In the end, he had mostly replicated the materials used for Gae Bolg.


    "You''ll get better," Arch consoled him. "It was your first try, remember?"


    Haruki could never understand this dragon goddess. He nced at Archer with a smirk. The perfect teacher to teach him the craft of projection.


    "Teach me your projection."


    Archer suddenly regretted his decision to teach Haruki. As he tried to throw a snarkyment at Haruki, he felt a presence behind him. He quickly turned around and assumed a stance.


    "Come out."


    "It seems I''m found."


    A voice came from behind a tree. The owner revealed himself as a man with deep crimson eyes and a white earring hanging from each ear. He had short, spiky blue hair with four bangs on his forehead and a thin rat tail swinging along with the breeze. He put his crimson spear over his shoulder and strolled toward the group with leisure.


    "Lancer." Haruki turned to Medea. "Make bounded fields when we train."


    "...I''m sorry."


    She never took in the possibility of a servant following them outside the city.


    "Don''t fret over it."


    "Yo. Servants are having a party here," Lancer said and spun his spear before he put it back on his shoulder. Closing his right eye, he nced at Haruki''s spear. "What are you doing with a fake, kid?"


    The death aura had lured him from the city. Kirei hadn''t given him an order to reconnaissance, so he had to check out what might be another servant. Never in his right mind did he expect to see a half-baked copy of his Shishou''s spear here.


    "You aren''t original as well," Haruki replied. "A copy from the Throne of Heroes."


    Lancer simply chuckled at Haruki''s remark. He gave a half-hearted nce at the de in Archer''s hands. "Assassin?"


    Archer shrugged. "You''re from the Lancer-ss."


    "Cu Chinn, the son of Lugh," Haruki added. "Thanks for revealing your identity."


    "Fucked up, didn''t I?" Lancerughed at his blunder. He was at an immediate disadvantage in a fight against the two servants whose origins were unknown. He hadn''t given any order to engage in a fight in the first ce.


    "Your master will be angry," Haruki said. "He doesn''t care about you in the first ce."


    Lancer''s carefree aura faded as a killing intent filled the air. It was an unconscious reaction against those he deemed enemies.


    "How do you know my master?"


    Haruki was unfazed against Lancer''s hostility. "Don''t you want to avenge your real master?"


    Lancer''s face took on a cold look. He despised Kirei, and his cowardly tactics. The priest had killed his master before his own eyes and used her Command Spells to force his allegiance. A warrior like him was bent to be a hound for information gathering against his own will. This shouldn''t be known to anyone other than Kirei and him.


    "What are you getting at, kid?" He pointed his spear at Haruki, neither confirming nor denying his words. "Come clean."


    "Caster." Haruki stretched his hand. Medea created a bounded field before she ced her Noble Phantasm in his hand. "This will free you from your contract with the priest."


    Archer immediately recognized the ceremonial dagger of Medea from his hazy memories, but he stayed silent and watched Haruki''s next action.


    ''He is far more than he lets on.''


    Haruki wasn''t going to let Medea fight more than necessary now, so exposing her true name wasn''t that crucial. Seeing Lancer''s thoughtful expression, Haruki''s face broke into a grin. Cu Chinn may appear fierce, but he was a believer of justice, especially against women. He had used this fact against him. Lancer''s rejection was a risk he willingly took.


    "What do you say?" Haruki asked once again. "Will you remain his hound or be your own man and avenge your fallen master?"

 Chapter 54: Fourth Servant

    Chapter 54: Fourth Servant


    Lancer recalled the wide smile he saw after he was summoned. It was innocent like a child finally met their idol, not fit for a woman in her twenties.


    "Why should I believe you? Who even are you? My former master''s death, how do you know about it?"


    Haruki handed the iplete Gae Bolg to Medea and traced his finger on the elegant dagger. "I can''t disclose it unless you be my servant. I can''t take the risk of revealing my trump card to your master."


    "I''ll take Geis to never reveal this to my master."


    "Geis, heh. The spell can be overpowered through a Command Spell."


    Haruki naturally knew about the curse magecraft through the Almighty Key. The Geis spell ced a mystical restriction on the target. However, it could be easily shattered by the overwhelming magical energy of the Command Spell.


    "Shit. Why do I have to do this for an unknown woman?" Lancer pulled at his hair in frustration. "Just answer one question, kid. Why do you want the grail?"


    "Haruki-sama," Medea corrected Lancer with an expressionless look. "My master''s name is Haruki. He seeks the Greater Grail to resurrect his mother, who was unjustly killed. Before you say our wish can''t be granted, we have our ways to aplish this."


    "She said all I wanted." Haruki shrugged. "Rest is up to you."


    Lancer nodded in approval. The spear in his hand vanished as he approached Haruki. "What do I have to do?"


    Haruki gestured toward the dagger with his gaze. "Let me stab you with the Rule Breaker."


    Lancer''s eye twitched. The servant in blue attire disabled the runic protections of his armor, willing to take the blow like a man.


    "Wait," Archer interjected. "You''re confident to provide two servants at the same time?"


    "Of course."


    The three servants didn''t put any burden on him. Though that might change once the war ends since Grail would no longer provide the servants any magical energy.


    "I''m ready. Finish it before the priest calls."


    Haruki asked Arch to create a task.


    Task #22: Fourth Servant


    Objective: Forming a contract with Cu Chinn.


    Difficulty: B-Rank


    Rewards: 1 X Premium Gacha Coupon


    Would you like to ept this Task?


    ''B-Rank? Shouldn''t it decrease since the war is going to be easier?''


    The contract carried more impact than he thought. It might lead to an ending he didn''t expect.


    ''I''m forgetting something important.''


    He rubbed the back of his neck. That something could lead to his potential loss despite having five servants on his side.


    ''Is it Gilgamesh?''


    He shook his head. Gilgamesh would perish before such force even if he brings out his greatest weaponEnuma Elish. Gilgamesh couldn''t be the cause. Berserker couldn''t be the cause for the very same reason.


    ''Is the Mage''s Association going to interfere if I get Lancer on my side?''


    There were too many abnormalities for him to ount for in Nasuverse.


    "What got you so hesitant Haruki?" Lancer asked.


    "Haruki-sama?" Medea asked. "Do you have something on your mind?"


    Haruki shook his head. "Nothing."


    He epted the task under Medea''s worried gaze before he mercilessly plunged the dagger into Lancer''s chest. Violet-colored magical energy burst from Lancer''s chest, whirling around them. The spell constraining Cu Chinn to Kirei Kotomine shattered, and a new Command Spell appeared on his right hand, right above Semiramis'' Command Spells.


    ''Just one, huh. Kirei used two. Well, another one joined my side.''


    Once he brings Medusa and Heracles to his side, he''d have all seven servants.


    ''Will Gilgamesh''s soul be enough for the Grail to grant my wish?''


    He wanted to keep his servants alive if possible. They''d be helpful against any future threats, especially the Magus Association.


    Archer calmly watched as Lancer joined him as an ally. He never thought their training session would turn into a contract ceremony, and that Haruki would have so much knowledge of Lancer''s current and previous master.


    "It was easy," Lancer said, an unconcealed surprise in his voice. "You''re my master now. Is he also your servant?"


    Lancer''s eyes held some hostility towards Archer, which he himself didn''t know the origin of. Archer had yet to say anything sarcastic about the entire situation, yet somehow Lancer felt pissed.


    Haruki shook his head. "His master is a friend and an ally."


    "Oh. It''s all good then." He red at Archer before clicking his tongue. "I feel like punching someone in the face."


    "Bastard" Archer''s brow twitched as he clenched his swords. "You want a fight, don''t you?"


    Lancer pounded the ground with his spear, an intense scowl on his face. "Bring it on, white-haired old man."


    "Haruki-sama, will they be alright?" Medea was concerned whether these two will kill each other at some point. "Should I stop them?"


    Haruki looked at the two butting heads with each other and sighed. "Leave them be. I want to see how the priest reacts to this situation."


    "I can assure you that he won''t be happy. Are our forces enough to fight Gilgamesh now?"


    Cu Chinn was another strong fighter whose agility was top-notch among other servants. With Artoria''s Excalibur and Avalon, no servant stood a chance against them.


    "Definitely. Gilgamesh is at the bottom of my priority list. Let''s deal with Matous first."


    War had just started. He had plenty of time to deal with Gilgamesh.


    ***


    Haruki returned home alone since the servants had assumed spiritual forms.


    "Archer, go ahead. Let me talk with Lancer."


    Archer materialized. "Call me if the hound doesn''t obey you."


    Lancer red at Archer''s back and spat on the ground. "Pathetic excuse of an archer."


    Haruki simply chuckled as Lancer whined about Archer.


    ''Nasu sure loves tsunderes.''


    "About our contract," Lancer said in a serious voice. "Answer me."


    "Your former master was named Bazett, the wielder of Fragarach." Haruki pieced together everything he knew about Lancer''s previous master from his memories. "She could have ttened everyone with you if it was a normal war."


    "Normal you say, master," Lancer asked. "The overseer is a fraudulent maniptor. It''s pretty abnormal from the start."


    "That''s just the tip of the iceberg."


    Haruki told Lancer about Gilgamesh staying from the previous war as well as the Grail''s corruption.


    "The Priest never let me see Gilgamesh once It''s messed up. Well, I had no wish, to begin with," Lancer admitted and looked at Haruki with a grin. "You still didn''t answer my initial question."


    "I can''t answer what I don''t know," Haruki responded with a grin of his own. "Let''s say I saw everything in a dream."


    Lancer threw an incredulous nce at him. "Even toddlers can find better excuses."


    Medea tilted her head. "Was the dream perhaps your mother''s doing?"


    Caught off guard by her innocent tone, Haruki shook his head. "She is but a mystery to me."


    "What about me?" Lancer pointed at himself. "What am I to do in the meantime?"


    "Keep an eye out for other servants."


    "Alright."


    He contacted Semiramis and told her to wait for a few more minutes. He had to lead Cu Chinn, otherwise, he''d have gone to meet them.


    "My master is neglecting me I wanna cry. Bad master."


    "..."


    Sometimes he wondered if all the rulers of the past were nutjobs.

 Chapter 55: Apology

    Chapter 55: Apology


    Haruki entered the house to find Sakura dozing off on the couch.


    ''Did she not sleep? Was she too excited?''


    He could imagine her staring at the ceiling, giggling to herself. Archer came down the stairs at that moment.


    "Do you have the key to Rin''s room?"


    Haruki nced at the clock ticking towards 8 o''clock. "I''ll wake her up. Can you watch Lancer?"


    "That guy is annoying," Arch groaned.


    "Just keep an eye so he won''t do anything reckless."


    "I''ll help him." Archer sighed.


    Haruki walked upstairs to his room and grabbed a nket. He draped it over Sakura before he returned to his mother''s room. The door opened itself, and his mother''s whispers caressed his ears.


    "She was calling for her father during sleep. Such a sweet little girl."


    "Kaa-san."


    "Have fun~."


    Haruki shook his head and walked inside. Rin was curled up on the bed. His eyes were drawn to her tight ck stockings leading to the white skin peeking from under her ck mini skirt.


    "What a beautiful mess she is. No wonder themunity called her Thsaka."


    The rm clock chirped at that time. Rin''s face twitched as her hand fumbled out of her grasp and pounded the poor clock.


    "Shut up."


    She became content after silencing the rm and pulled up the nket, going back to sleep with a smile.


    ''She is hopeless in the morning.''


    Haruki gently put a hand on her shoulder and jerked her. Rin woke up with a gasp as though she had seen a nightmare. Her unblinking eyes stared at him in a daze before she frowned with an unsightly irritation.


    "We have school."


    "School is a waste of time for us," she chirped and clutched the nket.


    Haruki snatched the nket from her. "We''re going."


    She red at him for a moment before she fell backward. "Let me sleep," she groaned and turned over, burying her face in the pillow.


    "Shinji will put his n to work today. Do you want to sit here while the students are getting their souls sucked out of their bodies?"


    Haruki tossed the nket on her back and walked out of the room. Rin sluggishly sat up and rubbed her eyes.


    "That spineless coward" she cursed Shinji. "Why did it have to be today?!"


    ***


    Sakura woke up by the time Haruki and Medea set all the dishes on the dining table.


    "Senpai, let me." Sakura hurriedly helped him while muttering an apology.


    "Couldn''t sleepst night?"


    Sakura tugged at her red ribbon as she spoke, "I slept on the couch."


    ''She is lying,'' Haruki thought. She had a habit of touching her ribbon whenever she lied. Still, he didn''t push her further and enjoyed a quiet breakfast.


    "I''ll be going now. Come to the school with Rin."


    Sakura tried to stop him, but he silenced her with a kiss on her lips. While she was blushing, he snuck in another kiss and left his house. He told Lancer toe to school with Archerter.


    "Haruki-sama, you are terribly affectionate with that girl?" Medea asked as he followed Semiramis''s directions.


    ''You should know it by now, Medea.''


    An awkward silence followed as though Medea digested his words.


    "...I do. It''s painful that I can''t monopolize your affection..."


    Haruki sighed at her distress.


    ''You already knew I had feelings for Kaa-san and Sakura.''


    "I did it''s still astonishing, Haruki-sama. I''m conflicted between happiness and misery. For me to have this chance at all makes me extremely happy"


    ''What''s there to be sad about?''


    "That I have to share this happiness with another woman!"


    ''Do you hate Kaa-san?''


    "No maybe her approach is a little off-putting, but she epted me despite my shorings."


    ''Do you hate Sakura?''


    "How could someone hate that girl? I feel as if I lived a bright and cheerful lifepared to hers Truthfully speaking, I envy her willpower. If I was half courageous like her, I''d have gained the power to kill gods."


    ''You still want to kill Aphrodite?''


    "Yes. I''ll kill every god of love if I could. They make me sick to my stomach."


    ''Some are not that bad,'' he recalled Kama who manifested as a pseudo-servant in Sakura''s body. ''We''ll kill Aphrodite someday.''


    He also wanted to explore the Reverse Side of the World for its mysteries. He might be powerful enough to tackle a Divine Spirit or two by then.


    "Killing gods You''ll have to upgrade my vessel, Haruki-sama."


    He''d have to find a better body for her. Her current bodypletely restricted her growth, which could only grow with his semen or through eating human souls. Haruki didn''t care if she chose thetter option, but the reward wasn''t worth the lives. An entire city might not be enough to upgrade one parameter rank.


    "We just have to do that every day" she mumbled.


    Haruki shuffled through the Foreigner''s District of Miyama Town, where the Tohsaka and Matou''s mansions were located. Semiramis indeed robbed a foreigner''s mansion, one that reeked of luxury from every brick of its exterior.


    Haruki hopped over the metal fence.


    Semiramis, standing at the mansion''s door in the distance, waved her hand. "My master~."


    The door behind Semiramis opened, and Artoria walked out and waved her hand with an awkward smile. "Master."


    Haruki stopped before Artoria and crossed his arms on his chest. "Can you exin why you left me hanging yesterday?"


    Artoria lowered her head. "I apologize for everything. It was my fault for not following Caster."


    She owned up to her mistake.


    "Let''s say Caster didn''t make it in time, and I died as a result. What would you have done?"


    "But Master, you have Command Spells for any emergency" Artoria reasoned. "I also became a bit greedy to finish Berserker."


    ''She got greedy?''


    Haruki blinked his eyes at her confession. Out of all people, he hadn''t expected her to get heated to rush through the war.


    ''How do I punish her when she looks so apologetic?''


    He shook his head. "Don''t do it ever again." His tone unintentionally became colder as he spoke. "We''re supposed to look out for each other."


    "It won''t," Artoria said and ced a hand on her chest. "I take that pledge as your sword."


    "My master, don''t be so harsh on her." Semiramis rubbed Artoria''s head. "She is aware of her failure."


    Artoria brushed off Semiramis''s hand. "Are we going to kill that Magus today?"


    "We will. How will youe with me though?" Haruki asked as he stared at Artoria''s armor. "Not the best cosy for school."


    Artoria tilted her head in confusion. "Should I change?"


    "I can hide her master," Semiramis suggested with a grin. "Or would you prefer to see Artoria in girly clothes?"


    "Well, why not? She looks pretty cute in normal clothes."


    Especially in the white dress Rin lent to Artoria in the anime.


    Semiramis narrowed her eyes. "How do you know that?"


    Haruki kept a calm expression under Semiramis''s probing gaze. "I have seen her photo from ten years ago. She used apletely different look back then."


    Artoria nodded at his words. She had taken a distinct appearance from Irisviel''s suggestion.


    "Hooo~, I also want to see it now," Semiramis said. "Where is our lovely witch?"


    "Who are you calling a witch?" Medea materialized immediately. "You whore empress."


    Semiramis threw a nk stare at Medea, not expecting her to follow Haruki this time. "You were called a backstabbing witch by the masses. I fear you have seduced my master to do evil things."


    Medea''s mana flowed out in her anger, stunning both Artoria and Semiramis.


    "W-Wait, Caster. How did your magical energy increase? Did you feast on human souls?"


    Medea snorted. "I won''t stoop to that level."


    "Then how?" Semiramis was dying to know the answer. "My master, what did she do?"


    Haruki assumed a faint smile. "It''s a family secret."


    "Mou~, I''m not your family?" she yfully asked.


    "You are not. Besides, what will you do after getting strong? Do you prefer to rule with might or your wits?"


    Semiramis gave an angry frown, which quickly vanished. "It doesn''t hurt to get strong I don''t want to run like a coward again."


    "Weak," Medea scoffed. "I can blow you away in an instant if I wanted to."


    "Oh my. The witch is feeling jealous of our good rtionship, Master."


    "You little empress."


    Medea finally lost her patience and engaged in a fight with Semiramis. Pulling at each other''s hair, wing each other''s faces, even ripping apart dressesit was a catfight more entertaining than a real battle.


    ''No time to waste.''


    Haruki sighed and took Artoria''s hand. "I''ll help you with clothes."


    Artoria nodded her head as she nced at the hand sping hers. Through the gauntlet, she could feel his hand.

 Chapter 56: Worst Outcome

    Chapter 56: Worst Oue


    Artoria heard Haruki''spliment and nced at her image in the mirror.


    She currently wore a white-colored two-piece battle dress. The upper vest was parted from her navel into two pointy portions, which connected diagonally to the back portion. The vest was held by two strings attached diagonally to a choker on her fair neck.


    She put a hand on her chest which was revealed by the dress. Her dress showed a fair bit of her cleavage, along with her neck and corbones.


    A diamond-shaped cutout was present in the middle below her breasts.


    Her white-colored battle skirt was parted in the middle, just like her vest, revealing a blue frilly underskirt connected with the outer one.


    Her arms up to her shoulders were covered in white ruffles.


    "This is gorgeous," Harukiplimented her with an amused smile as he crossed his arms on his chest. Fate was truly ironic considering her dress was opposite to what she wore in her Alter Ego aka ck Saber.


    Artoria brushed off hispliment with a polite smile. "This is too eye-catching."


    "You can distract students like this."


    Medea kicked open the door, only to freeze. "T-This outfit so cute!"


    Medeaunched herself at Artoria and rubbed her cheeks against her. Artoria''s eyes turned round as her ahoge swiveled foolishly as though expressing her astonishment.


    ''She brought animews to real-life.''


    Semiramis walked up to Haruki and hooked her arm around his. "Let''s exchange some affectionate words in my room."


    "Sure."


    He agreed readily, leaving Semiramis with a wide-open mouth. She was rejectedst time, but he epted her ''suggestion'' this time around. She looked at his grin and shuddered.


    "Y-Yes. Let''s go," she stammered and took his hand.


    Her protruding bronze spike returned to the spiritual form as soon as it came in contact with his hand. The Protection from the Witches protected him from harm by directly affecting the cause of harm, who was Semiramis in this case.


    Semiramis''s eyes widened briefly before she regained a subtle smile. "A neat trick if I must say, my master."


    "What neat trick?" he asked with an innocent expression. "Did something happen?"


    Semiramis shook her head before she led him into her room. She had imed the mostvish bedroom for herself with a queen-size bed. Haruki sat down on the bed.


    "Whose house is it by the way?"


    "Nobody''s," Semiramis said as she sat beside him. Her scent drifted toward him, clinging to his senses in a futile attempt to seduce him. "It was vacant when we found it."


    "It''s not bad actually."


    The mansion was close to the Matou Household.


    "Can you scout a mansion for me?"


    "Why, of course. Leave that to me. Anything else, my master?" she asked as she leaned against his shoulder, nearly brushing their lips. "I can do anything my master suggests."


    Haruki was more than tempted to push her down to teach her the consequences of provoking a young dragon. But he didn''t want to break Medea''s heart for a momentary impulse.


    "p me."


    Semiramis stared at him as though he was some rare creature. "My this is unusual. I didn''t anticipate my master to have that kink. Can you repeat the order please?"


    "I said p me," he repeated calmly and turned to face. "As hard as you can."


    He had to test the limits of this protection for any future authority he got from his mother or someone else.


    "I will obey yourmand," Semiramis said and pped him with the entire force of her E-rank strength. Contrary to her expectations of dying his face red, her hand crumbled into white particles.


    "No. Wait. How?"


    Her hand returned to spiritual form without her consent. She couldn''t process the powers at work here to stop her. She forcefully materialized her hand and heaved a sigh of relief.


    Haruki couldn''t help but chuckle, breaking his calm exterior for once. Semiramis''s startled expression tickled his funny bone.


    Semiramis felt her cheeks growing hot. She warded off the rush of embarrassment with a broad grin. "Aren''t you full of surprises, my master? How did you gain this skill as a what''s your race, my master? Are you a dragon?"


    Haruki pondered briefly before he nodded his head. "Dragon probably the weakest one alive."


    He wasn''t worried about Semiramis anymore, so he revealed his secret. The only problem with his race was the abundance of dragon-ying Heroic Spirits and Noble Phantasms.


    "Not for long, my master. You''ve broken through your previous limits. One day, you be the pride of your racea divine ss dragon."


    "That might take a long while."


    "I''ll be here to watch over your growth."


    She had to recruit him at all costs now. Nothing was more assuring than having a strong familiar on her side.


    "It''s safe to say I''m immune to your attacks now," Haruki revealed calmly. "Semi, I need your help with Sakura''s case."


    He could try the baptism magecraft of the Holy Church to erase the worms, but he''d rather not experiment on Sakura at all.


    "What help? Do you want me to kill her worms?"


    "Yes."


    "It''s easy. When are we doing it?"


    "After we kill Zouken."


    "Command noted, my master."


    Haruki sighed as he reyed the n of killing Zouken in his mind. He had to kill Zouken''s worm in Sakura''s body right after killing Zouken. He could either bring Sakura along with others, or left Sakura in Medea and Semiramis''s care.


    "What do you think is more effective?" Arch questioned. "More efficient in this case."


    ''Thetter one.''


    He closed his eyes and tested his new precognition skill. A flurry of information regarding Shinji, Zouken, and Rider streamed through his nk vision.


    Three possible oues surfaced, each ending in Zouken and Shinji''s deaths. The only variable was Sakura. She was controlled by Zouken, and she managed to overpower Zouken''s control. In the other oue, Sakura stayed home with Semiramis and Medea and safely escaped the situation. Thest ending though left him with a cold spirit.


    ''What the fuck is Sakura doing?''


    The future Haruki had chosen to stay with Sakura to support her while Artoria, Rider, and Lancer slew Zouken. Even though he remained there to motivate Sakura during the procedure, it achieved the opposite effect. Sakura gave up halfway when Haruki expressed a slight disgust at the worms and made a rash decision to kill herself.


    The horror of such an oue numbed his mind.


    ''Good thing I used my precognition.''


    Semiramis tapped his shoulder. "Your face is pale as if you saw a ghost."


    "It was a thought more terrifying than a wraith."

 Chapter 57: Rematch (I)

    Chapter 57: Rematch (I)


    Haruki spent a couple more minutes using his Precognition skill. His current intel failed to trigger the skill. Something drastically increased the Grail War''s difficulty; it also rendered his Precognition skill useless since it required information. The change put his heart at unease.


    ''Just what am I missing?''


    Semiramis waved her hand in his face. "My master, your witch is concerned over there."


    Haruki looked over at Medea carrying a bit of concern on her face. Artoria appeared from behind her, still wearing the white dress. Instead of mulling over small details, Haruki exined every step they had to take today. Medea proposed to bring Sakura alongside them to kill Zouken or finish Sakura''s treatment before killing Zouken.


    "Do as I say."


    A stern instruction from Haruki stopped her from asking any more questions. Even Semiramis couldn''t question his authority. Artoria just nodded her head in utter obedience.


    "Sweet. Now, let''s go."


    He led the servant trio to the school. He didn''t attend the ss, instead, he messaged Sakura about not attending the ss for some important task. He went to the school roof and cast a bounded field excluding the door.


    "Master, Archer ditched me," Lancer said through telepathy. "What do I do now?"


    ''Guard the perimeter. I have a score to settle with someone.''


    "This again I''ll do it."


    ''We''ll be fighting someer, so don''t worry about it.''


    "A duel. It''s all I want."


    Haruki scratched his head. ''About that. It''s just an old magus. He is a cunning one. I might need your help in locking down the area.''


    "I can force him to a one-on-one duel with my runes. A battle till one of us dies."


    ''That''d be nice.''


    Haruki couldn''t wait to finish his business with Matous and move on to the bigger fish.


    Haruki leaned against the wall and went for a nap until Shinji showed up. Medea pulled his head to her chest, offering him aforting embrace.


    "We might go there again," she said. "Please have some rest."


    "Yeah."


    He wasn''t going to reject such a sweet offer. Semiramis and Artoria also sat beside him.


    "There wasn''t any point in wearing a dress," Artoria said, despite feeling a sense of freedom in her new outfit.


    Semiramis shook her head. "As long as it makes you more alluring."


    Haruki slipped down Medea''s chest and fell on herp. "Night."


    ***


    After three hours, the lunch bell rang. With it, Shinji stomped out of the ssroom and headed straight to the roof. Increasing Rider''s strength was on his mind, more so after Haruki gave him a slipst night.


    ''I''ll show these assholes.''


    He clenched his fists with a serious look, something he rarely showed. As he turned for the roof stairs, he found an unexpected duo ahead of him with a bento in their hands.


    "Sakura."


    "Who?" Rin turned around at Shinji''s call and stepped forward, hiding Sakura from Shinji''s view. "Matou-kun, do you have some business with Sakura?"


    Sakura quietly looked at Rin''s protective side acting up, feeling giddy all of a sudden. Haruki did the same for years but seeing someone else protect her filled her with a warm feeling.


    ''I can''t be protected all the time I need to find a way to help Senpai.''


    "Having lunch on the roof?" Shinji grinned. "I can treat you to something nice in the cafeteria."


    "Cafeteria''s food is delicious only on the outside, so no thanks."


    Rin shot down Shinji''s offer. The majority of the high school admired her for both good and bad reasons. She had learned to discern between the two on her own.


    "Sakura, where is your lover boy?" Shinji growled. "Tell me or else."


    "Or else?" Rin revealed a sweet smile at the threat. "What would you do?"


    She didn''t think Shinji could touch Haruki before. It''d be nigh impossible now that he had two servants.


    Shinji swallowed his hatred. Out of all the people in the world, only three brought out true terror in himhis half-dead grandfather, Haruki, and Rin for her fierce nature. He was aware of Rin''s fierce side was unknown to most people.


    "Thanks, Nee-san," Sakura muttered in Rin''s ears, receiving a bright smile from Rin.


    "Let me know when you find him" Shinji left a reminder as he made his way to the second building. As he opened the door, he saw Haruki sleeping on his servant''sp while two unknown women sat by his side.


    "Well, he came," Semiramis said with an amused smile. "Caster."


    Medea hesitated in waking Haruki up. She would''ve killed Shinji if not for Haruki''s instruction.


    "Haruki-sama"


    She broke Haruki''s light sleep. He immediately looked at Shinji with a grin. "Hello there."


    Shinji had a bad feeling about this, about the strangers beside him. Rider came out of her spiritual form and wielded her chained daggers.


    "Rider, kill him."


    Rider didn''t move as though she didn''t hear Shinji''smand. Her entire focus was on Haruki, the changes in his magical energy to be precise.


    ''He wasn''t a human after all.''


    Rider mused with a nk face, not letting her amusement show up on her face.


    Haruki felt his battle urges nearly explode, his instincts calling for another sh with Rider.


    ''I was looking forward to this.''


    He got up and fetched his Mystic Code from Medea. He pointed it at Medusa''s face. "Rider, ready for our rematch?"


    Rider acknowledged with a silent nod. Whether she fought Haruki or the three servants beside him, there would only be one oueher master''s death. Death awaited her and Shinji.


    ''Master won''t listen to me and escape.''


    "But not here." Haruki shook his head. "This ce is too small to move around. Caster, take us to a more appropriate ce."


    Medusa''s strength was her unpredictable agile attacks. He wanted a challenging fight that could push his growth, not an instastomp match.


    Medea summoned her staff. "Rider, don''t resist. I''m using a teleportation spell."


    Rider nodded before she looked over her shoulder. Her real master and her sister looked down on her.


    ''She will at least be free from one trouble''


    Her lips curved in an almost indiscernible smile. Sakura''s twisted face was thest thing she saw before Medea''s spell took her away.


    Meanwhile, on the roof, Rin and Sakura stared at each other.


    "Who were they?" Sakura asked, her voicecking her usual sweetness. "The woman and the blonde girl, where did they take Senpai?"


    "They could be his mother''s friends," Rin said with a nod. "Remember his mother was a magus. He must have called them for help. As for where they are, only Caster knows."


    Rin came up with a quick excuse. She felt like Sakura would lose something if she didn''t give a solid reason.


    "Let''s forget it..." Sakura whispered. Haruki had epted her, so she had nothing to fear. "I want to find him. Archer, can you do something?"


    Archer appeared and leaped on the handrail. "Oh hound, we need your help!"


    "Hound?"


    Before Archer answered her question, Rin heard the door kick open. A spear grazed past her hair, filling Rin''s ears with its sonic boom. Archer backflipped over the spear trajectory andnded with a wide grin.


    "Lead us to your master."


    As Gae Bolg returned to its owner, Lancer finally paid attention to the girls beside Archer. "Who are they?"


    "Servant" Rin pointed at Lancer''s face. "You''re Hayashi-kun''s second servant."


    Archer didn''t have any reason to hide this from Rin, though he hid Kirei''s true nature from Rin for now. She was left impressed that an untrained magus like Haruki could keep two servant contracts without showing any strain. She pped it on him being a magus''s son.


    "I don''t know any Hayashi guy," Lancer replied in a quizzical tone.


    "Hayashi is Haruki''sst name, idiot," Archer retorted. "Can''t even get your master. A faithless hound you are. Just lead us to your master."


    "It''s not my fault, old fucker. I won''t go anywhere until you answer my question first." Lancer observed the two girls. "Who are these misses?"


    "I-I''m Sakura." Sakura felt timid before Lancer''s daunting aura. "Haruki-senpai''s g-girlfriend."


    Rin blinked a couple of times as the surprise sank in her nerves. "You what girl?"


    "I''ll tell youter. Please, take us to senpai."


    Lancer saw the concern in Sakura''s voice and her expression. "Master got better luck with women than me."


    Only Archer heard Lancer''s grumbles. It made him smugger, making Lancer regret he never said anything.

 Chapter 58: Rematch (II)

    Chapter 58: Rematch (II)


    Haruki grinned as he found himself in the same forest where everything started, now facing off against Medusa. Shinji cowered behind his servant, already imagining Haruki''s spear impaling his chest.


    "Don''t interfere," Haruki ordered the servant trio. Medusa might still give him some trouble, but victory would belong to him nheless. It was a simple truth, not arrogance.


    "They will do it though," Arch retorted. "Medea will do it even if it makes you mad."


    Everyone gave Haruki and Medusa the space they needed.


    Medusa bent forward and touched the ground. She vanished from his sight. Haruki quickly turned and blocked Medusa''s explosive kick with his spear. She still pushed him a couple of steps back. Her Monstrous Strength skill temporarily boosted her strength parameter to B-Rank, giving her an edge over Haruki.


    ''I''ll be crushed if I rely on my sight to fight.''


    He raised his strength to near B-Rank via reinforcement. Medusa disappeared again and maneuvered around him, leaving several afterimages in her trail. Every opening she got, she attacked him. Honor and chivalry meant nothing to the monster of legends. She targeted him from every direction, throwing her daggers at his weak spots like an assassin. At the same time, she regarded his reaction to her attacks and added a few faints here and there.


    "I''ll kill you gently," she whispered behind him and kneed his back.


    His reinforced back ate the full brunt of her knee. He staggered a few steps before he regained his bnce.


    By the time he turned around, Medusa had vanished in the veil of dense forest. She darted from tree to tree, creating a web of chains that extended from her hair. Her superior experience pushed him into a corner, or so it seemed from Semiramis''s perspective.


    They were entangled in a furious whirlwind of blows. Violet arcs shed with pink as Medusa''s serpent-like fluidity shed with Haruki''s precise spear hits. The ceaseless noise of metal on metal echoed throughout the forest, frightening every other life form including Semiramis'' familiars.


    "He is losing," Semiramis said as she turned to Medea. "I''m still surprised my master can keep up with Rider. She is stronger than me."


    "You''re wrong," Artoria said, her eyes unmoving from Haruki and Medea''s zing battle. "Master is being defensive on purpose."


    Medea nodded. "He hasn''t used his trump card."


    "The truth was far from my observation." Semiramis put on a serious expression as she looked at Shinji. "That boy is fated to perish here today. He shouldn''t have angered my master."


    "What did he do?" Artoria asked, clueless about Haruki''s hatred of Shinji. "Can you fill me in?"


    Medea told Artoria everything she knew about Shinji''s past.


    Meanwhile, Medusa struggled to put a scratch on Haruki. Her daggers couldn''t actually pierce Haruki''s reinforced body. Haruki blocked every attack aimed at his weak spots as though he could foresee her attacks. Then again, she expected a ''monster'' like herself to be this formidable.


    "I''m inferior to others," Medusa admitted. "I''ll feast on your blood to regain my strength."


    She wondered why she provoked him when his calm expression hadn''t flinched since the start of the battle. Maybe she just wanted to raise his unease.


    "Yeah, no. My blood is for me and me alone."


    Haruki swung his spear in front of him, and it answered with a crisp swish that tore through the air and parried another dagger thrust from Medusa. This time Medusa rebounded from his strength. The effects of her "Monstrous Strength" skill wore off, leaving her with C-Rank strength. Theck of magical energy sapped her parameters even further.


    Haruki closed in on Medusa and swung down his spear on her head. She crossed her daggers to block; the force pushed her half a foot into the ground.


    Haruki let go of the spear and delivered a spin kick to her gut. She crashed into a tree, tossing wooden splinters everywhere.


    "There she goes."


    Haruki relished the utterly terrified look on Shinji''s face. As Medusa got back up, he dashed out and traded a couple of blows with Medusa. She still had her Noble Phantasm "Bellerophon" but shecked the magical energy to pull it off. So she focused on fighting by instinct, which wasn''t enough. Her movements slowed down considerably after losing the skill boost. Nothing she did got her through Haruki''s perception. She had analyzed Haruki''s fighting style to a tee. Yet, she couldn''t do anything against an opponent who was vastly superior in both parameters and had a bottomless supply of magical energy.


    ''It''s not hard.''


    Haruki idly thought. He followed Medusa''s snake-like techniques thanks to his enhanced perception and his experience in the Land of Dead. He had a hunch that the authority in his eyes was rted to ''perception'' or ''time.''


    "She is super nerfed," Arch chuckled. "She isn''t using her Mystic Eyes. Considering your Magic Resistance skill, it will only lower your parameters."


    "Give up, Rider," Haruki said as he tilted his head to dodge her dagger and shoved his fist in her gut. "You can''t beat me."


    The non-lethal punch sucked all the air from her lungs. She fell to her knees, clutching her stomach. She expected more attacks to pour down on her defenseless back, yet no pain came. She raised her head, peering through her blindfold. Haruki wasn''t looking at her as if he was done with her.


    ''My defeat was inevitable.''


    She could still pull off her blindfold and try her Mystic Eyes. She could push her Monstrous Strength into bing a monstrous entity that might evolve into an unstoppable cmity. A nce at the pathetic fear on Shinji''s face, and she gave up every notion to fight. She had done her job as a servant. She tried more than anyone would do in her position.


    ''He isn''t worth the rampage.''


    She might have done it if her master treated her with respect and kindness. She just couldn''t find it in herself to be a monster to defend trash like Shinji.


    Meanwhile, Haruki grinned at the notification panel floating in his face.


    [Awakening Progress: 4.5%]


    More than three dungeon floors worth of progress in one fight. He''d dly take this growth any time of the day.


    "Caster, seize the Grimoire from Shinji."


    Medea cast the ''As'' spell on Shinji. The air grew heavy and trapped Shinji in one ce. It could freeze a servant who possessed C-Rank mana parameter or lower. Shinji, who didn''t even have magic circuits, could do nothing as the chill of the spell seized every fiber of his being. The Grimoire flew out of his grasp and came to Haruki''s hand.


    "W-What what are you doing?" Shinji''s eyes shook in pure terror, the only body part he could move at the moment. "Matou Family won''t spare you you if anything happens to me."


    Haruki smiled at the threat as he sparked a fire in his hand. The Grimoire, which gave Shinji a sense of authority, burned into ashes within seconds.


    "Don''t worry," Haruki said, walking to Shinji. "You won''t be getting an easy death. About the Matou Family," he sneered. "Your old man will join you in hell."


    "Why?" Shinji growled, realizing he won''t be getting mercy now. "What DID I do?"


    He couldn''t find anything wrong with himself. He always minded his own business after Haruki began his bullying. He only attempted to kill Haruki after all the suffering he went through at his hands.


    "I didn''t save Sakura because I couldn''t You BULLIED me every day. You beat me up like I was your personal punching bag. You are the BAD guy. You won''t get away easily."


    Haruki shook his head. "I don''t care if I''m good or bad. You''ll die. That''s all there is to it."


    He might be innocent in this timeline, but he was simply Haruki''s most hated character.


    Tired of Shinji''s excuses, he pped Shinji with his spear and knocked him out.

 Chapter 59: Medusas choice

    Chapter 59: Medusa''s choice


    Haruki returned to Medusa, whose body was slowly crumbling in drifting particles. Even then, her face failed to show any strong emotion. Despite duking it out with him, she never showed any intent to kill him. She still unconsciously regarded him as Sakura''s friend, an ally that didn''t deserve her wrath.


    "Haruki-sama, she''ll disappear."


    The Book of False Attendant had partially severed the contract between Sakura and Medusa. She would vanish if Sakura didn''t refresh their contract and transfer some of her magical energy to her.


    "You aren''t allowed to go yet," Haruki said. He sliced open the ring finger of his left hand with his spear and pressed the finger against Medusa''s lips. "Sakura will decide your fate, not me."


    A few drops of his blood carried more magical energy than a normal magus had in their entire body.


    Medusa tried shaking her head, but the sweet scent of his blood allured her. Despite tasting the blood of numerous people, she never came upon something that enticed her to this extent. She unconsciously opened her mouth, and two vampiric fangs grew out. She gave in to her nature and sank her fangs in his finger. A few drops rejuvenated her full of life force.


    "Dragon?" she pulled back and stared at him. Suddenly, she didn''t feel bad for losing to him. She might be a dragon''s match if she wasn''t restricted to this vessel.


    Haruki gave a simple nod before he shoved the finger back in her mouth. She took his hand, and her tongue slithered as if it was a tiny serpent. She gently sucked out his blood while licking his finger at the same time.


    Semiramis clicked her tongue at the sight. The blood she craved was being sucked by someone else. Relishing such delicacy for free was a crime she will never forgive Medusa for.


    "It should be enough." Haruki tried taking his finger, but Medusa didn''t let go and continued sucking. "Hey, I have limited blood."


    Medusa licked his wound like a cat licking milk; theparison suited her more than he thought. With ast lick, Medusa released his finger and swept her tongue over lips.


    "Thank you for the dessert."


    Haruki pulled Medusa to her feet. Medea cast a healing spell on his tiny wound as if she couldn''t bear to see him bleed.


    "My master, your battle was a treat to my eyes." Semiramis congratted him with a round of soft ps. "You almost sent her poor soul to Nergal."


    Artoria nodded in conjunction with Semiramis''spliment. As she was about to say something, her instincts kicked in, and she looked to her right. "Master, someone is approaching. Judging by their speed, they are servants."


    "It''s Lancer. He probably came here with Sakura."


    Semiramis grinned. "The new servants. I want to meet them."


    Haruki contemted whether or not he should let Rin see Artoria and Semiramis. He was heading to Zouken in a minute. Should he bring Rin or leave her with Sakura? After foreseeing Sakura''s reaction, it''d be better for Rin or anyone close to Sakura during her treatment.


    ''We don''t need that many servants for Zouken though. But I can''t let Zouken see them through Sakura.''


    Haruki turned to Semiramis. "Nothing left his mansion, right?"


    "Not yet."


    Zouken wasn''t the only one using his familiars to keep others under observation.


    "Oh, yeah. Medea, toss this guy at our home. I don''t have time to exin this to others."


    "dly, Haruki-sama."


    Medea bound Shinji with ropes made out of magical energy and teleported. Another moment, she was back. Haruki sent Semiramis and Artoria to wait near Matou''s mansion while he, Medusa, and Medea stayed behind.


    Haruki asked Medea to create a pair of fingerless leather gloves to cover his Command Spells. Nobody seemed to have noticed the unusual number of Command Spells on his hands.


    ''They pay more attention to my charming face.''


    "Yeah, keep feeding your narcissism," Arch retorted.


    ''Your introduction was dripping with narcissism. Hey, look. I''m the Mother Goddess of all Dragons and Luck.''


    "You! You''re so annoying."


    A couple of secondster, two shadows tore through the forest andnded before him. Medea instantly released the spell she had been chanting. A high-level bounded field covered everyone in its small radius. It suppressed every particle of magical energy from leaving the field. She didn''t have enough time and preparations to seal the area from the world itself.


    Sakura jumped down Cu Chinn''s back, likewise Rinnded from Archer''s hands.


    Archer frowned. "A high-level bounded field."


    "What do they want to hide?" Rin asked as she looked around but she couldn''t find the blonde and ck-haired girl anywhere.


    "Senpai! Rider!" Sakura rushed toward Haruki and took his hands. Finding him unhurt from head to toe, she patted her chest and heaved a big sigh of relief. "I''m d you''re fine."


    "What? Did you think Shinji would hurt me?" Haruki grinned. "Aren''t you underestimating your boyfriend?"


    "Ah, no I didn''t say that." Sakura timidly scratched her cheeks. "I know Senpai is stronger than everyone in the school."


    Her confidence made him chuckle. He nudged Rider, who had been silent this entire time. "Here is the servant you ordered."


    "Rider" Sakura''s lips formed a wry smile. "I''m sorry for abandoning you before."


    She couldn''t afford to have an active contract with the worm crests constantly eating away her magical energy. Otherwise, she''d have unleashed Medusa on Zouken and be done with everything.


    "You aren''t to be med," Medusa said. Despite her circumstances, she was d to be summoned in a human form.


    "What in the world happened here?" Lancer scratched his head as he looked at the devastatedndscape. "Master, did a battle ur?"


    Medusa smiled and nced at Haruki to exin the situation.


    "Snakedy went ham, and she got her ass kicked." Haruki shrugged. "This is basically the result."


    Sakura giggled at Medusa''splicated expression.


    "Master, about our contract," Medusa said, calmly shifting the topic. "Can you provide me with magical energy now?"


    Sakura shook her head. "Senpai, what should we do about the contract?" She was worried that Rider would disappear without an anchor. "Rin Nee-san, can you form a temporary contract with Rider?"


    She didn''t want Haruki to take on the burden of more than two servants. After all, neither she nor Rin were aware of the limit of Haruki''s magical energy or his contract with Semiramis and Artoria.


    "I can" Rin grumbled. Her magical energy was close to full after two days of rest. Still, her magical energy will barely be enough to form another contract. The aftereffect of another contract will leave her sluggish.


    Medusa tried to approach Rin for the contract but Haruki grabbed her hand. "Why not me? You think I''m unworthy?"


    Medusa just licked her lips in answer. Haruki gave a wry smile. These bloodthirsty servants saw him as a blood bank. They will suck him dry one day.


    Haruki''s confidence changed Sakura''s mind. "Senpai, I''ll leave it to you then"


    A window popped up before Haruki''s eyes.


    Task #23: Fifth Servant


    Objective: Forming a contract with Medusa.


    Difficulty: D-Rank


    Rewards: 1 X High-Tier Gacha Coupon


    Would you like to ept this Task?


    ''Eh, Arch is being considerate.''


    "..."

 Chapter 60: Fifth Servant

    Chapter 60: Fifth Servant


    Rin sauntered up to Haruki and gave him a stare full of doubts. "Are you sure about this? It might destroy your body..."


    She didn''t imagine how any magus of her age could possibly take on the burden of three servants. It might be possible if they were born with the magic circuits of high quality and quantity.


    Haruki could see the concern hidden in her eyes. As always, she wasn''t good at conveying her emotions. Instead of giving a useless retort, he grabbed the Rule Breaker from Medea and thrust it into Medusa''s chest.


    Sakura felt her connection with Rider dwindling. A prickly sensation overtook her hand, the same spot where her Command Spells used to be. Two more Command Spells were added to his right hand. When added with the three on his left hand, the total number came to a whopping nine.


    Taskpleted. Well done!


    1 x High-Rank Gacha coupon rewarded.


    He had collected a total of fifteen coupons, which he was going to redeem after taking care of Zouken.


    Meanwhile, Rin stared at Medusa, whose entire presence changed after the contract. Her magical energy wasn''t any weaker than Archer.


    ''He brought out the full strength of three servants?''


    On top of that, he didn''t show any hint of exhaustion.


    ''What is he, a demon?


    She couldn''t find any evidence to deny her im.


    ''One thing in concrete. Hayashi-kun isn''t a normal person.''


    Archer, on the other hand, felt his instincts tingling. The change in Master boosted Medusa''s strength by several times. She went from a non-threatening servant to a massive threat to him.


    Well, nobody sensed these changes better than Medusa herself.


    ''I can defeat him now.''


    She lightly chuckled at everyone''s surprised expression. Everyone severely underestimated her due to her crippled parameters under a Master without any magic circuits. Before she posed no threat to most of the Servants, but now


    ''I can bring out my full strength.''


    The never stopping flow of magical energying from Haruki gave her the confidence to summon Bellerophon right here and now.


    "Master," she said and kneeled before Haruki like a knight would do. "I may be a monster with snakes for hair and a petrifying gaze you still saved me from my fate. I swear everything to you as your servant, so feel free tomand me as you please."


    She indirectly revealed her identity to everyone. After all, only one figure shared the legend of petrifying gaze alongside snakes for hair.


    "Someone is pretty talkative today," Haruki said with a smile. "Very well. Lend me your strength in the battles toe."


    [Medusa is added to the ''Potential Partners'' list.]


    "You have strange preferences, Master," Medusa muttered to herself before she got on her feet. "I look forward to working with you."


    Medusa gave a nod to Sakura. The aroma of blood lingering in the air left her with no choice but to return to her spiritual form. She couldn''t show her ''monstrous'' or ''bloodthirsty'' side to Sakura.


    "That is settled now. Sakura,e with me."


    Haruki pulled Sakura behind a tree. The youngdy found her heart racing as she stood with her back against the tree. Eyes brimming with unshed tears, she looked up at him. "S-Senpai."


    "Silly girl, get your head out of the gutter." He flicked her forehead. "How are you feeling?"


    "I''m feeling better than ever Senpai, what happened to Shinji?"


    "You won''t see him again." Haruki shrugged off Shinji''s fate and pressed his hand on her cheek. "Medea will remove your worm crests with another helper. Go with her."


    Sakura swallowed her anxiety and timidly nodded. "Will it be alr"


    Haruki shut her mouth with a brief kiss. "Remember, you endured this for ten years. No second guessing yourself now."


    To further prove his point, he kissed her once again. A long, drawn out kiss that sparkled a light in Sakura''s eyes. She reached out and clung onto his neck, showing her fierce desires through the vigorous sh of their tongues. He stopped her before things escted into another territory.


    Sakura blushed as she mmed her head in his chest. "I can''t lose now... Senpai, what about you?"


    "I''ll finish the old man."


    "Please, take care Zouken is very cunning. He''ll do everything to survive."


    "Don''t worry about my side. I''ll take Rin, Archer, Lancer, and Rider with me. He can''t possibly contend against three servants."


    "Senpai, I-I''ll be waiting."


    She couldn''t wipe the worries off of her face. Haruki hugged her and made her rxed by stroking her hair. In the matter of moments, she was more than ready to face the biggest test of her life.


    Haruki took Sakura''s hand and guided her to Medea. The sorceress saw everything that happened between him and Sakura, but she didn''t point out anything.


    "I''ll leave the rest to you," Haruki said and pushed Sakura toward Medea. "Off you go."


    "Haruki-sama, I''ll be in touch." Medea gave a nod to Haruki before she wrapped Sakura in her robe and vanished.


    Lancer approached Haruki with a yful smirk. "Master, don''t ride on two boats simultaneously. Things can get really messy."


    "I got it handled. Thanks for your wisdom though."


    "I did nothing special."


    Rin, who was busy discussing Haruki''s magical energy with Archer, finally noticed Sakura and Medea had disappeared. "Wait! Hayashi-kun, where did they go?"


    "Sakura wasn''t feeling alright, so I sent her home."


    "She was alright until now. What did you do behind that tree?"


    "I''ll exinter"


    Haruki paused and looked toward the sky. A ck dot loomed over them, getting bigger with each second. His excellent eyesight captured everything in great detail. A massive ck titan with a white-haired girl on his shoulder. The unexpected visitor was none other than the duo of Illyasviel and Heracles.


    "Fuck. Why now?"

 Chapter 61: Conflict

    Chapter 61: Conflict


    "Slow doooooown. Basaka!"


    Whether it was wolves or her own magical circuits sucking her life force away, Illyasviel had been close to death numerous times in thest months. Yet, nothing came close to the ridiculous jump Berserker did from her mansion.


    Her homunculus servants had sensed raging waves of magical energy somewhere in the forest, so she came out to investigate it. Berserker brought her to this ce, where two masters stood along with three servants.


    Berserker shook the forest with hisnding. Cu Chinn remained unflinching under Berserker''s beast-like re.


    "A worthy opponent." He chuckled and summoned Gae Bolg. "Master, let me fight."


    Haruki nudged Cu Chinn''s shoulder. "Let''s finish my business first."


    "They won''t let us go without a fight."


    Illyasviel hopped down Berserker''s shoulder and patted her chest in relief. "I''m alive."


    "Berserker," Rin muttered as beads of sweat rolled down her forehead.


    The contrast between Illyasviel standing next to the ck titan Berserker threw her off. Berserker''s sheer size brought out a dreaded feeling. Berserker surpassed every servant she saw in raw power but she couldn''t find a clue about Berserker''s True Name.


    Rin clicked her tongue before she swiveled to her servant. "Archer, can you win?"


    Archer grinned. "Master, are you kidding me? We''re the strongest duo."


    Putting aside the narcissist duo, Haruki smiled at Illyasviel. "An uninvited guest."


    "Parties are fun my way." Illyasviel giggled yfully as she lifted the sides of her skirt and curtsies. "Nice to meet you, Rin and Unknown Master. I''m Illya. Illyasviel Von Einzbern. You should have heard of us."


    "Einzbern." Rin stiffened at the mention of the name. "How can I forget one of the founder families of the Holy Grail War?"


    She couldn''t fathom how this cheerful girl was artificially made through the miracle of Alchemy Magecraft.


    "It makes things easier for me." Illyasviel nodded politely as she smiled at Haruki. "I never heard of a young magus living in Fuyuki."


    "Illyasviel, can we do thister?" Haruki sighed. "I have something important to do right now."


    He started with gentle persuasion. If it didn''t work, he''d break through with brute force. Thebined force of Cu Chinn, full-powered Medusa, and Emiya could take more than ten lives or even end Berserker''s life.


    "More important," Illyasviel replied. "Ne, Onii-chan. Are you Assassin''s Master?"


    Haruki shook his head. "Rider and Lancer are my servants."


    "I''ll leave you alone then. I also have somewhere else to be."


    She had to find a cure for Shirou''s poison, which required her to hunt down Assassin and their Master.


    "Berserker, let''s go."


    Berserker red at Haruki for a good moment before he swooped up Illyasviel and leaped into the air.


    Rin put her arms on her waist and breathed a sigh of relief. "Why is she interested in Assassin''s Master?"


    "We''ll seeter." Haruki''s hand on her shoulder spooked her out. "Come with me, everyone."


    Haruki enhanced his physical attributes with his Mystic Code, then he dashed through the forest. Rin''s ponytails fluttered as she stared at Haruki''s superhuman disy of agility. It was no less than Archer''s agility when he carried her around.


    "He is"


    "Master, hold on to me."


    Archer picked her up and followed after Haruki. Cu Chinn put back Gae Bolg and grinned at Medusa.


    "Keep up with me, yeah?"


    He disappeared in a gust of wind. Medusa chased him like a bullet piercing through the air. In an odd few seconds, she was head to head with Cu Chinn. The Irish Hero surpassed her in a sudden burst of speed, but she had a leg up on him in endurance.


    ***


    No random event came in Haruki''s way this time as he sessfully rendezvoused with Semiramis and Artoria. They hadn''t tried anything in his absence. Though Semiramis had taken the time to cast a spell around the mansion to keep an eye on Zouken.


    "My master, your prey is inside. Can you call Medea to fetch me?" Semiramis was being solemn for the quest, understanding how much it meant to Haruki. "I don''t want to fly"


    Harukiplied with Semiramis''s request. Medea arrived like a phantom and took Semiramis away.


    Artoria quietly nced at Haruki. She was alone with her master for the first time since she was summoned by him. Sensing something behind her, she threw a quick nce over her shoulder.


    "Master."


    "They''re friends."


    Three figuresnded behind them one after another. She had heard about all of them from Haruki, so she acknowledged with a polite nod.


    The others didn''t take Artoria''s presence so lightly.


    Archer froze as he connected Artoria to the servant whose appearance pushed him deeper into the world of mages and mysticism. His ideal to save everyone clouded his mind so much that he had failed to save what was in front of him.


    ''Saber. Haruki summoned her as well?''


    He was Master of four servants, wielder of a Mystic Code on par with a Noble Phantasm as well as a talented magus with aptitude for Projection Magecraft. He kept surprising Archer at every turn in this war.


    Rin stretched her hand and leaped at Artoria. She grabbed Artoria''s shoulder, getting a clueless head tilt from the knight.


    "Another servant!" Rin couldn''t keep a lid on her boiling curiosity. "Who is your master?!"


    Artoria unconsciously nced at Haruki, giving Rin the answer she needed.


    "No, it''s impossible." Rin refused to believe. "Hayashi-kun can''t have four servants."


    "It''s five, actually," Haruki admitted calmly. "Rin, look where we are right now."


    His high charisma cooled down her head, and she observed her surroundings.


    "Matou Mansion, why are we here?"


    Haruki touched Rin''s forehead. She was confused about his intentions until a rush of images filled her mind. Haruki used the mental inference spell ''Shared Mind'' to transfer Sakura''s fragile moments. Rin saw her sister venting out her anger and frustration in front of Haruki.


    Her legs lost all strength, and she copsed on her knees.


    "Master."


    Archer tried to help. Haruki gestured to Medusa and Cu Chinn. They held back Archer.


    Rin''s body trembled. "Everything was in front of me, but I denied everything."


    Haruki crouched in front of her and patted her cheeks. "I''m also responsible for her suffering. I was too weak to help Sakura."


    "Why didn''t you? Aren''t you a strong magus?"


    "Believe it or not I was an ordinary person before the war."


    Rin looked up at him, and her face twisted in rage. "I''ll kill him."


    Rin clenched her fists. A wave of dark emotions clouded everything ahead of her. She only had the old Matou ancestor in her sight.


    Haruki expected her to be this hotheaded. "No, we''ll kill him."


    ***


    Illyasviel didn''t jump around with Berserker since it was day. She decided to walk to Shirou''s home. Her ''Mental Interference'' spell could divert the attention of any onlookers, so nobody would see her and Heracles in in sight.


    Heracles walked out of the forest and squeezed his ax-sword in his hand. A low growl escaped his throat as he looked at the figure awaiting them on the road.


    "Berserker," Gilgamesh said as he approached Illyasviel with his hands tucked in his pocket. "And an offspring of a homunculus and a human no less. You might have potential as the Grail''s vessel."


    Gilgamesh''s words gave her a foreboding feeling. Illyasviel jumped down and created a pair of familiar birds with her hair. The birds created a formation with the blonde servant as their target.


    "Who are you?"


    Illyasviel''s question went unanswered.


    Numerous golden ripples formed behind Gilgamesh, from which swords, polearms, and every kind of weapon peeked out.


    "A fight with a Great Heroic Spirit like you may relieve me of my boredom."


    Without any warning, the weapons came down on Heracles. He roared and struck down the weapon no less dangerous than a Noble Phantasm.


    Gilgamesh grinned to find a worthy opponent in this monotonous Grail War.


    "My treasury is infinite, Berserker. How long can you survive?" Gilgamesh rained down more Noble Phantasms on Heracles. "How long can you keep that doll safe? Show me, Berserker!"


    Heracles didn''t charge like a mindless beast. Instead, he stayed near Illyasviel and thwarted any Noble Phantasming at her.


    Illyasviel controlled her magical energy. "Storch Ritter: Knight of Stork, Zhre!"


    The bird constructs released a wave of bullets. Gilgameshughed as the bullets dispersed before hitting him.


    "You amuse me, little doll."


    "Berserker, kill him!"

 Chapter 62: Interference

    Chapter 62: Interference


    Once Rin collected herself, Haruki infiltrated the mansion with everyone and cast a massive bounded field with Cu Chinn''s help. Nobody was allowed to leave until they broke the barrier.


    The grass suddenly rustled as numerous insects emerged and blended into an old man. He wore in gray and green robes and held a walking stick in his right hand.


    "You brought a party for me." Zouken was unperturbed in the face of four servants. "Tohsaka girl, how have you been?"


    Rin flinched from the hollow gaze directed at her. "Zouken, you scum. You''ll pay for everything you did to Sakura."


    She charged a gandr shot at the tip of her finger. Zouken''s stick deflected the destructive magical energy.


    "Oho. It''s inappropriate to infiltrate someone''s house and insult them."


    Rin gritted her teeth. Just as she prepared another attack, Haruki ced a hand on her shoulder.


    "Being too emotional won''t help."


    "Yes."


    Zouken straightened his back a bit. "Your mother was the greatest magus to walk on this. You seem like a disappointment."


    Haruki felt something off about this situation. The Zouken he knew was a coward who cherished his life above all. He shouldn''t havee here if he knew four servants were zoning in on him.


    "Have you seen Sakura? She didn''te home yesterday," Zouken continued his taunts. "Her friends are waiting for her."


    Haruki squeezed his fists, barely holding himself from punching Zouken''s old mug. "Lancer, do it."


    Cu Chinn swiftly carved four runes on the ground and pointed his spear at Zouken. "I don''t know who you are, old man. But you reek of insanity and madness."


    An invisible bounded field enclosed Cu Chinn and Zouken. It was a sacred area where nobody could leave and no outsiders could interfere until one of them died.


    Zouken tapped the ground with his walking stick. "Two hundred years of dedication. It won''t stop at anything."


    "Lancer, end it."


    Cu Chinn quickly closed the distance in a burst. Zouken grinned as the spear wrapped in a crimson aura cut into his heart. Zouken disintegrated into a pile of worms.


    "Destroy all the worms," Haruki said, feeling like he was backseat gaming someone.


    Cu Chinn shed every worm in one swipe. The worms struggled in theirst breath, however, a ck shadow covered the sky. A protectiveyer of ck magical energy covered the worms, inting them until they burst into a tiny explosion. When all of them erupted, a massive explosion rang out and engulfed Cu Chinn.


    Artoria appeared before Haruki in her armor. "Master, he escaped."


    Cu Chinn emerged unscathed from the dust, his face twisted in fury. "He brute-forced through my rune."


    Even a servant couldn''t conjure enough magical energy to shatter his rune and its curse. Yet, a magus did so in a few seconds.


    Haruki looked up. The darkness faded, leaving a sky covered in dark clouds. An unknown force broke Lancer''s runes. Haruki looked at Medusa, who seemed to be staring at the sky in a daze.


    "Rider, what did you see?"


    Medusa took a moment to answer, "An amalgamation of shades as if all the darkness in the world gathered in one ce."


    "Angra Mainyu," Haruki whispered and contacted Medea to confirm Sakura''s safety.


    "Haruki-sama, Sakura is fine. We''re going to start her treatment. You sound worried..."


    ''I can handle it. There should be a crest near Sakura''s heart. Make sure to deal with it as soon as possible.''


    "I shall, Haruki-sama. Take care out there."


    Haruki cut off the connection. ''Did Angra Mainyu possess Illyasviel instead?''


    Haruki shook his head at the possibility. Sakura was manipted into a contract with Avenger. Illyasviel had no reason to fall into Avenger''s trap.


    ''Wait, Shirou. Did Avenger manipte her with Shirou''s name? Motherfucker is changing the war even without a servant.''


    Haruki cursed the protagonist and his luck. He was crystal clear about one thingZouken''s ally was Angra Mainyu, who seemed to be limited in his movements. Otherwise, he''d have attacked everyone instead of just bailing Zouken out of the crisis.


    "Everyone, search the mansion and exterminate any worm crests. My bounded field is intact, which means Zouken hasn''t escaped."


    He wasn''t going to give up his goal even if Angra Mainyu wanted to protect the rotten magus.


    Archer closed his eyes. "I''m the bone of my sword."


    The wrought iron gears inside his mindscape turned as he essed the information in his inner world. He projected his signature swords, Kanshou and Bakuya, and tossed them to Haruki. "They will be more harmful to the worm crests."


    Haruki handed over the spear to Rin and wielded the swords. "They arefortable."


    Archer looked over to Cu Chinn, who brandished his spear in response.


    "I don''t need them."


    Medusa shook her head. "I can crush them."


    "Master," Artoria said and summoned Avalon. "Keep it near you."


    She didn''t need Avalon for a battle of this magnitude. She''d be more relieved if Haruki stayed protected while she hunted down Zouken.


    "Alright, now go."


    Archer, Cu Chinn, Rider, and Saber stormed into the mansion. Rin was about to follow Archer into the mansion, but Haruki pulled her back. He couldn''t let her see the basement filled with worms, neither did he want to see it himself.


    "Not you," Haruki said. "You''ll be with me."


    Rin stared at him with a bewildered expression. He seemed more anxious to kill Zouken than her.


    "Come on. We''ll search the perimeter."

 Chapter 63: End of a Dream

    Chapter 63: End of a Dream


    Haruki squashed the worm crests hidden in the bushes. The sickening crunch warped Rin''s face. The worms crawled away to escape their fate, only for a sword to impale them into the ground.


    "How did his actions go unnoticed?" Rin clutched the spear in her sweaty palms. "You should have gone to Mage''s Association."


    Haruki shook his head. "Human experiments aren''t rare in the magus world. Also, Zouken enjoys a noble reputation in the Clocktower. Do you think they''d offend a prominent magus over an unknown girl?"


    Her sister or any other life wasn''t worth a dime in the eyes of the Clocktower''s higher-ups. The cold, harsh reality sank in Rin''s head.


    Haruki said nothing more and left her alone. Zouken was one sick bastard for filling every corner with his familiars. When the familiars realized there wasn''t any salvation for them, they became aggressive and attacked Haruki.


    Rin aimed her right hand at the crawling insects and consecutively fired ck balls of condensed magical energy. The rune ''Gandr'' sted right through several familiars like a bullet.


    "Don''t throw away my Mystic Code." Haruki shrugged and continued his rampage. As if he''d let any of these survive.


    The familiars suddenly sprouted wings and flew in one direction. They huddled up in a grotesque, wriggling mass of worms and took Zouken''s form. The old man''s arm morphed into a monstrous w and reached out to Haruki.


    "Idiot."


    Haruki stabbed Kanshou, the ck sword, in Zouken''s palm. The yang sword of the pair made Zouken cry out in agony. Haruki didn''t let the opportunity slip by as he gripped the white yin sword Bakuya and thrust it into Zouken''s chest.


    "Curse you kid," Zouken spat as he felt his children screech and dpose. He had thought of ambushing the defenseless Haruki and taking him captive.


    "You thought I''d be easy to kill." Haruki gave an amused smile as he cast a reinforcement spell and grasped Zouken''s throat with his right hand. "What happened? Can''t exploit children now?"


    Zouken kept staring back with nk eyes, refusing to believe a teenager got the upper hand against a Pride like him. Pride, the third-highest ranking in the Clocktower proved his individual strength. Yet, a teenager read and countered his moves.


    "Apple doesn''t fall far from the tree," Zouken whispered, recalling the fame of Haruki''s mother in the Clocktower.


    "I wonder what would happen if I chant a verse of the Baptism Sacrament?" Haruki''s smile became brighter. "Can these spiritual bodies ept the holy power of the Lord?"


    The Noble Phantasm Evil Eater wasn''t just for its name. He could cast the highest level of sacrament spells taught in the Holy Church. Baptism Sacrament was at one of the lowest ranked spells, and it was deadly against any spiritual body. Zouken was a mass of familiars, who all had spiritual bodies. Sakura''s Hollow element hard countered Zouken and his entire being.


    Zouken''s eyes opened wide. "No Don''t do this I''ll fulfill your wish through the Grail."


    The old man realized the severity of the situation more than anyone. One chant of the Baptism Sacrament won''t kill him, but it will leave him in soul-crushing pain. Several chants will turn him into ashes.


    Feeling Haruki''s grip loosen around his throat, Zouken continued, "The Grail, we have brought it into the world We can make infinite wishes. Yours will be granted by her."


    He would live at any cost and fulfill his dream. He couldn''t stop after being so close to the sweet immortality.


    Haruki let go of Zouken''s throat. The old man caressed his neck in stunned silence before he burst intoughter.


    "Good choice, Kid."


    Rin stared at Haruki, shocked to find Haruki switching sides at the mention of a wish. "What are you doing? Don''t you fucking do this to Sakura."


    She couldn''t stop herself from cursing. All the expectations she had shattered in that instant. She clenched her right fist, summoning her magical energy to the Command Spell.


    Zouken grinned and sent a swarm of insects Rin''s way. "My children want you to crawl inside you. Give me your blood, Tohsaka daughter."


    Rin responded with continuous Gandr shots to take down the worms.


    "You are fierce like your father."


    Rin blocked Zouken''s worms while gritting her teeth.


    ''He will pay for it.''


    Zouken was truly ecstatic to find a precious mage nearby to help him regenerate. At the brightest moment of his life, a sharp pain surged through his chest. He looked down to see a pair of ck and white des poking out of his chest.


    "Remember ten years ago. Your son, Kariya, gave Sakura hope," Haruki said as he pulled back the des and kicked Zouken to the ground. He flipped him around with another kick. "I did what I could to replicate that tiny bloom of hope. It wasn''t enough."


    He wanted to do more than just this to Zouken, but hecked the luxury of time with the Grail lingering in the background.


    "You yed me."


    Zouken''s soul might have deteriorated but his wits remained sharp. Rin also realized Haruki''s attempt to get back at Zouken. She wasn''t fond of torturing people, but she wasn''t against letting Zouken suffer more.


    The disturbance caused all four servants to return to Haruki''s side.


    Cu Chinn kicked a worm approaching him and spat on the ground. "A disgusting bastard. Rotten to his soul."


    "Master," Artoria said. "Shall I?"


    If nothing else, she could take the burden of taking someone''s life off of his shoulders.


    Haruki just shook his head. Rin walked up to him and looked down on Zouken. The worms making up his body were falling apart.


    "Why Sakura?"


    Zouken chuckled feebly. "She is invaluable research material her suffering contributed a lot."


    Rin clenched the spear before she raised it high. "Sakura isn''t someone''s property."


    "Hoh. Your Otou-san gave her to repay an old favor."


    "He had his reasons," Rin dered. "Otou-san wouldn''t abandon Sakura if he had a choice."


    "Do you believe in those words yourself?"


    Rin''s hand shivered. With a determined expression, she gripped the spear. Haruki snatched the Mystic Code before she ended Zouken''s life.


    "Those bastards," Zouken said. "They aren''ting for me"


    The Grail had abandoned him


    His words sounded like an ominous foreshadowing from a mob. In fact, he was recalling his new rades''


    Haruki grinned and turned up the Mystic Code''s reinforcement to its limits. Taking the spear covered in violet embers, he struck Zouken''s forehead. A violet aura exploded out, enveloping Zouken in mes.


    The violet mes burned Zouken and his dream of immortality.

 Chapter 64: Delay

    Chapter 64: Dy


    [Task Completed. Well done!]


    [1 X Premium Gacha Coupon rewarded.]


    [Awakening Progress: 5.1%]


    Haruki swiped the spear to shake the hideous blood. Silence enveloped the surroundings, his heartbeats growing louder and louder.


    "Your awakening," Arch said. "Want me to dy it?"


    ''Please do.''


    He couldn''t let it happen when the threat of Angra Mainyu hadn''tpletely vanished.


    Artoria shook his shoulder. "Master, are you feeling sick? As I thought, letting me kill the magus was a better idea."


    She had felt nauseated on her first kill after years of strict training to be a king. Haruki was a normal student before everything.


    "It''s not what you think," Haruki denied with a shake of his head. "I might have used too much magical energy."


    "You should rest," Rin said.


    Medusa folded her arms on her chest, idly observing the magical energy''s flow in Haruki''s body.


    "Master grew stronger," she conveyed with telepathy. "Is it because you killed the mage?"


    Haruki stared at Medusa''s calm expression. ''You get strong from drinking blood, I get strength from ughter. A perfect match if I say so myself.''


    "A peculiar ability. I assume it''s from the dragon race."


    She sounded more amused than afraid of his ability. Rather, she felt a bit giddy to find someone who shared something simr with her.


    "Master, can we go?" Cu Chinn asked. "This stench is making me vomit."


    Rin scrunched her nose. "It''s horrendous."


    Artoria shed her sword, shredding all the remnants of flesh and sending it far. "


    "Strong," Rin muttered, envying Saber''s strength. "What do we do now? Return home?"


    Aspetitive a person she was, she trusted Haruki''s judgment after relying on him. He solved Sakura''s servant problem, took care of the Matou Family all the while getting himself five servants.


    Haruki shook his head. He didn''t contact Medea in fear of disturbing her during the crucial moment.


    Rin stared at his face for a moment before she sighed. "What do you think happened between Otou-san and Matous?"


    "Forget about that for now. Zouken was toying with your head," Haruki said, narrowing his eyes. "Miss Tohsaka''s confidence is shaken so easily?"


    "O-Of course no!"


    "Then stop whining."


    "Master, my advice is to collect evidence on him," Artoria advised. "We have executed a magus the Mage''s Association may not take it too kindly."


    Artoria had heard of the nefarious reputation of the Mage''s Association. Mages were given free rein over innocent lives as long as they left no evidence.


    She despised the fact that this self-indulgence was allowed.


    Rin finally remembered she was the Second Owner of Fuyuki. The Association had made the Tohsaka family in charge of every supernatural activity in thends of Fuyuki. A mage was murdered in her territory.


    Rin felt her head spinning at the thought of giving all the exnations to the Association. If she didn''t, her family might lose reputation in the Clocktower, and she might even get a punishment.


    ''I won''t regret it.''


    The Tohsaka family was already declining. If it sank at the cost of saving her sister, she had no reason for regrets.


    Haruki told Archer, Cu Chinn, and Medusa to scout the city for any traces of Angra Mainyu. They weren''t allowed to fight him under any circumstances. Even Cu Chinn didn''t show any battle spirit when Haruki told him about the horrors of the All World''s Evil. Artoria had to stay since she couldn''t turn into her spiritual form.


    Haruki entered the mansion with Rin and Artoria and ran through every room. Rin found the secret passage to the basement and almost followed her impulses to check it out. Of course, Haruki didn''t allow her anywhere near the basement.


    After nearly an hour of investigation, they collected enough evidence to drown the Association in facts.


    Rin tossed all the documents in a bag. "All done. Let''s return to Sakura."


    "We''re going to your mansion."


    Haruki hadn''t received Medea''s message. He might as well finish his awakening somewhere safe. Rin''s mansion wasn''t far from here.


    Rin frowned, staring him down as if he had something suspicious. "You''re hiding something. What is it?"


    Haruki shrugged. "It''s better if you don''t know."


    "If you say so."


    Rin gave up on finding out about this secret. On the surface at least.


    ''I''ll find it sooner orter.''


    Artoria, now back to her white dress, walked back into the room. With her arrival, Haruki departed from the now-empty mansion.


    Tall trees surrounded the eerily silent two-storey mansion. Tohsaka mansion lived up to its reputation for being the ''haunted house'' of Fuyuki.


    Rin unlocked the door, which also disabled the barrier around the ce. She looked back to find Haruki and Artoria staring at her.


    "What?"


    Haruki shook his head. "I keep forgetting you''re filthy rich."


    "Rich?" She looked up at the mansion that had aged well considering it was built over two generations ago. "It''s the norm for magus families. I''m more amazed that your mother didn''t indulge in luxury. Was she indebted to someone?"


    "I also want to know her history."


    Haruki followed Rin inside the mansion. Rin took him to the living room, offered them seats before she copsed face down on a couch.


    "I feel dead the insects were too much."


    Haruki breathed a sigh of relief after two back-to-back fights. "Rin, shouldn''t you serve us some tea?"


    Without bothering to lift her face, Rin waved her hand. "Ask your Servant."


    Artoria nced away from Haruki''s expectant gaze. "Master, I can''t in my time there were no tes, the meat was merely cooked and thrown onto the table drinks only involved basic mead."


    She only learned about tea after being summoned in this era.


    Rin raised her head and gave Artoria pitiful look. "Poor you."


    "So that''s why she is such a glutton," Haruki whispered, recalling Artoria''s monstrous appetite. "Guess I''ll make something."


    Rin grinned, pointing him towards the kitchen. "Be careful. You''re our Lord Savior."


    "..."

 Chapter 65: The Rule

    Chapter 65: The Rule


    Bazett had seen humans feasting on another human''s blood; distorted experiments that pushed the word ''extreme''; and Chimera, the hideous creature strewn together from multiple life forms. She could confidently say she had seen the worst things in her life. Yet, the ''thing'' before her shook her nerves.


    Four grotesque eyes blinked and moved within a giant cocooned mass of flesh. The hideous manifestation of the legendary Holy Grail left her with dread. She couldn''t believe the mages were going to spill blood and die for this demonic wish-granting machine. Worst of all, she was one of those mages before she was betrayed.


    As if not fearing the grotesque structure, a woman with long, flowing white hair caressed the Grail as if she was a mother consoling her child.


    "You''ll be perfect soon," she whispered.


    Gilgamesh was standing behind Bazett, feeling amused at fate. First mother and now daughter, both lost their lives just to let the All World''s Evil blossom into the world. "This world is full of surprises."


    The woman, formerly known as Illyasviel, approached Bazett. Her pristine, naked form was covered in crimson lines resembling magic circuits. Angra Mainyu molded Illyasviel''s body into its most beloved formIrisviel Von Einzbern.


    "Put some clothes on" Bazett whispered. Even as a woman, she was strangely attracted to Angra Mainyu''s feminine grace.


    Angra Mainyu heard Bazett and tilted her head. "Clothes?" (A/N:- Angra Mainyu will be referred to as female from now on.)


    The markings on her body glowed intensely. The Grail manifestation oozed dark mud as a small ck hole swirled above it. The phenomenon ended instantaneously.


    "Another failure. I can''t contain the mana from the root."


    Illyasviel had superior specs than Sakura, yet Angra Mainyu felt Sakura''s Hollow Element would help her in this conundrum. A vessel with no limits. Angra Mainyu needed that to connect with the Grail and bring its darkness into the world.


    For the time being, she sucked the mana from the leylines. Two red butterfly wings sprouted behind her and enveloped her in a cocoon. The shell cracked and dispersed into ashes. Angra Mainyu appeared in a long, ck dress which she wore during her interactions with Illyasviel. Her glowing scarlet eyes were nk, yet her face carried a grin. "Clothes."


    Gilgamesh looked at Angra Mainyu. "You are still weak."


    The incarnation of All World''s Evil could barelypete with a servant.


    Angra Mainyu nodded her head. "I need the purple girl. But the old man is dead."


    She couldn''t save her precious pawn due to her limitations. Gilgamesh refused to intervene for a magus as creepy as Zouken.


    "Purple girl? The Second Lesser Grail?" Gilgamesh asked.


    "There is just one problem. The girl is protected by that boy he has six servants on his side."


    "Six servants?" Gilgamesh mused and nced behind. Heracles was tied up within the Chains of Heaven. "Everyone besides Heracles have allied hey, you there. Go fetch the Lesser Grail."


    Bazett stared at him nkly. "How will I fight against six servants?"


    She could take on one servant under optimal conditions. Six servants would be doom for everyone.


    Gilgamesh wanted to fight, but he needed time to recover from his fight with Heracles.


    Angra Mainyu walked up to Berserker. "Basaka, I''m temporarily ending our contract. Hang in there, okay?"


    She unknowingly acted like Illyasviel without finding it strange.


    "What are you going to do?" Gilgamesh asked as he saw Angra Mainyu severing her connection with Berserker.


    "I''m invoking a rule."


    Angra Mainyu approached Bazett and touched her chest. An unknown force pulled Bezett, which she couldn''t resist and got dragged into the Grail''s manifestation. The dark mud filled with curses swallowed her.


    Angra Mainyu sat down and scribbled a magic circle on the floor.


    A magic circle that initiated the ritual to summon the Heroic Spirits.


    There was a rule under Fuyuki''s Grail System. A rule the overseer could use should the Masters allies with each other. It simply granted the authority to summon seven additional Servants to fight the allied Masters and Servants.


    The branched ley lines under Fuyuki shriveled as Angra Mainyu used them to summon the servants of her choice.


    Gilgamesh watched everything unfold with a grin. After all, the utterly boring war was going to be the greatest Holy Grail War. A small city like Fuyuki would not survive the wrath of thirteen Servants.


    "Shall I act as the Ruler?"


    He didn''t want to participate in this chaos and end everything. So he simply chose to be the overseer and rulemaker between the two factions.


    With Bazett as the physical anchor, the first servant manifested into the world. At the center of it all, stood a fully armored knight whose sword dug into the muddy ground. The two demonic horns on the knight''s helm made it far from the chivalric knights like King Arthur. The helm covering the knight''s face split and merged with the armor, revealing a youthful face with emerald green eyes.


    Gilgamesh couldn''t close his opened mouth. "Saber."


    He mistook her for his archnemesis, the King of Knights. The only servant whose beauty was worthy of acknowledgement in this world. However, he felt something off about her. Saber wouldn''t wear armor with crimson marking, and she always kept her sword concealed from the eyes.


    Gilgamesh released the seal on Sha Naqba Imuru. All the secrets were revealed in that instant.


    "You''re Mordred," Gilgamesh said, disappointment written all over his face. "The Treacherous Knight of the Round Table."


    To think Angra Mainyu summoned the Knight who was responsible for King Arthur''s downfall in the legends.


    "I take it you''re my Master?" Mordred asked, staring at the Grail''s manifestation. "Truth be told, it''s not the ce I want to be summoned in."

 Chapter 66: The Six

    Chapter 66: The Six


    Gilgamesh pointed at Angra Mainyu standing behind Mordred. "That is your Master."


    Mordred couldn''t help but grin at the revtion that her Master was a homunculus. She was created with Artoria and Morgan Le Fay''s DNA, a homunculus who became a teen in the mere span of a decade. Never did she think her Master would be a homunculus.


    Angra Mainyu ignored Mordred''s enthusiasm. "I''ll exin everythingter."


    Mordred had no other option but to watch as Angra Mainyu summoned the next servant.


    A young woman whose half face was covered in a white skull mask. Her short, violet-colored hair cupped her face, half of which was concealed by a white skull mask. Her ck, form-fitting outfit only emphasized her lethal curves. Whether it was her attire or the kunai in her hands, everything about her screamed the word ''Assassin.''


    She kneeled before Angra Mainyu, her gaze still on the ground. "I havee to this world because of you. I shall devote my poisonous body, my willmy everything to you."


    "Hassan of Serenity" Angra Mainyu muttered Assassin''s name with a nod. "I ept."


    Hassan ced her hand on her chest before she stood up and concealed herself in the darkness.


    "This process is slow."


    Angra Mainyu thought to try what no mage should ever doshe drew out some magical energy from the Root and took the leftover from the ley lines. She summoned four servants in one go. No matter how she wanted, she couldn''t bring herself to summon another Berserker-ss Servant.


    ''Stop controlling my actions.''


    The underground cave was instantly crammed with several powerful entities. Gilgamesh watched them on a throne as if he was their king. Not every servant took his arrogance lightly.


    One particr woman red at Gilgamesh, her crimson eyes glowing with fierce intent. "You dare show contempt to the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven. Shall I take it as an invitation to war?"


    The Servant of Archer, who was wearing a military outfit, looked no older than a teenager. Yet, her gaze and her aura lived up to her name, Demon King of the Sixth Heaven, Oda Nobunaga.


    Gilgamesh didn''t put the neer in his eyes. "Another fodder to relieve my boredom."


    "Fodder?" Nobunaga was genuinely pissed, so she summoned a massive number of matchlocks behind her. "King or God, everything will return to thisnd one day."


    She was a Heroic Spirit from the modern age without much ''Mystery'' behind her existence. But her skill ''Unifying the Nation by Force - Innovation'' put her in an advantage against the Heroic Spirits with high ''Mystery.''


    Before Nobunaga could fire one shot, a young man blocked her. His gentle smile was enough to disarm all the hostility in the atmosphere.


    "We shouldn''t be fighting among each other."


    He had long, messy white hair and wore high-quality robes simr to a king. He in fact was the very King of Magecraft, whomanded the seventy-two demon gods as his familiars. Angra Mainyu summoned him for his undeniable strength as well as the ten rings around his arms. Solomon''s Rings could nullify any and every magecraft in the world.


    "Come on. Come on. Let''s not set fire on the ship we''ll sail to victory," A blonde man interjected an overly friendly remark into the situation. "Name is Jason, Captain of the Argonauts. The magus who summoned me is one stunningdy."


    Nobunaga didn''t back down in the face of two servants and pulled the trigger of every matchlock on Gilgamesh.


    Solomon grimaced and quickly chanted a magecraft spell. The hail of bullets froze in the air before a spark burned them to ashes. It wasn''t his nature to earn others'' hostility, but he couldn''t let a fight break out that could potentially ''hurt'' his Master.


    Gilgamesh wasn''t paying attention to the ruckus caused by Nobunaga. His eyes were locked on thest servant who was kneeling on the ground. Another woman with features simr to Artoria. Instead of blonde hair, she had eye-catching white hair with a single ck bang. Mordred only spared the woman one nce before looking away. The woman didn''t have the aura of a monarch like her ''father.''


    "Rider," Angra Mainyu called the white-haired woman. "What is this ritual?"


    "Nothing, Master." Rider opened her eyes with a grin. "I was feeling nostalgic from this scent. The scent of mynd." She looked at Nobunaga. "Old friend, we met again."


    Nobunaga''s eyes widened at the familiar voice. "Kenshin what the fuck! We''re summoned by the same master!"


    Nobunaga never thought she would reunite with her old rival Uesugi Kenshin in this way. The self-proimed avatar of Bishamonten became her sparring partner for a brief time. It was a hard-fought battle with Kenshin''s ''Armor is on the Chest'' skill rendering her matchlock bullets useless. She always got overwhelmed by Kenshin''s unusual way of using spear and katana at the same time.


    "Call me Kagetora would you? Why must Kenshin be more popr than my real name?" Kagetora said with a wry smile before regaining her bright self. "It''s the will of Bishamonten to reunite us here. Let''s celebrate it with a drink, yeah?"


    "Some sake right now would make my day."


    The servants stared at the pair jovially talking while forgetting the rest of them.


    Angra Mainyu appraised each servants'' parameters, only to be disappointed at Jason''s low parameters.


    ''Why did I even summon him? He is so weak''


    The answer to her question came soon as Jason curiously made his way towards Heracles.


    "Oi, who is this brute?" Jason shivered even though the colossal man was imprisoned by a Noble Phantasm. "No way, Heracles?! Friend, how did you end up like this? Master, free my friend right this instant."


    Angra Mainyu sighed. She ended up summoning Heracles'' friend from the past. Instead ofmenting over it, she gathered all of them and told them their purpose.

 Chapter 67: *Not a Chapter*

Chapter 67: *Not a Chapter*


    Just gonna upload pics of all the characters who appeared so far in the story. Check thements!

 Chapter 68: Artoria in a dilemma

    Chapter 68: Artoria in a dilemma


    Kagetora and Nobunaga whispered a lot of things to each other.


    "Silence, you fools," Mordred stepped forward, crushing the ground underneath her. "Did you say they summoned my father?" Her voice was full of passionate feelings.


    "King Arthur is summoned in this era by that man named Haruki Hayashi."


    "Awesome! Finally!" Mordred stabbed her sword with a bright smile. "It''s time to settle my score with my father."


    She could prove her capability to King Arthur once and for all. Nothing else mattered in Mordred''s eyes.


    "I''ll train outside."


    While Mordred cheerfully left the cave to train and get used to the new vessel, Oda Nobunaga stabbed her katana in the ground.


    "So we are here to kidnap a girl for you?" Nobunaga spat with a disgusted face. "I''ll leave that part to the rest."


    She wasn''t here for the Grail, just to have fun with a couple of battles and admire the scenery.


    Kagetora shook her head. "I won''t do it either."


    She could fight as the revered God of War but not hurt the powerless people of hernd. She had lived her life protecting them and she will continue that lifestyle even now.


    "It''s beneath a king to implicate amoner," Solomon dered in a righteous tone.


    ''I''m not fighting the hero who gathered six Servants under his banner.''


    His thoughts were very unbefitting of his reputation.


    Angra Mainyu, of course, predicted such a scenario. The rune-like Command Spells on her body glowed.


    "Nagao Kagetora, you must obey my orders for you are my Servant."


    "Hahaha. You think you can bend the Avatar of Bishamonten to your will?"


    Angra Mainyu twisted a massive grin as she poured more magical energy, making her Command Spells glow even brighter.


    "I only want you to kill the Servants under Haruki Hayashi. The rest will be taken care of by Hassan."


    She wasn''t the actual Master of these Servants. Bazett was contracted with them, who was submerged in Greater Grail''s manifestation. Being a part of the Grail herself, Angra Mainyu could still use the Command Spells on them.


    "I fight to die. This is nothing to me" Kagetora gritted her teeth as the Command Spell forced obedience upon her soul. Refusal would lead to her demise. The crisis made herugh even more. These were the times she truly felt alive.


    ''Wow. She is crazier than before,'' Nobunaga thought and punched Kagetora in her face. The unexpected punch blew her several meters.


    Nobunaga pulled Kagetora with her breastte. "Stupid, musclehead. Agree for now. We''ll find a way to escapeter."


    She couldn''t lose her drinking partner like this. It was hard to find people with good taste for sake like Kagetora.


    Angra Mainyu exerted more and more power through her Command Spells, which made her entire body sting. Angra Mainyu, All World''s Evil, felt the pain for the first time in her new body.


    ''Everyone will feel it once I fully connect to the Origin of the World.''


    "Alright, I''ll work with you," Kagetora agreed without bothering to conceal the hostility on her face. Honestly, she would rather die than work with a Master like Angra Mainyu, whose intentions screamed evil from the get-go.


    Nobunaga took Kagetora and dashed out of the cave.


    Solomon looked at Angra Mainyu and sighed. "Will you force me as well?"


    Angra Mainyu nodded her head innocently. Solomon, despite having the ability to disarm every magecraft spell, raised his hand as if he was surrendering himself.


    "I''ll follow yourmands, Master."


    Solomon was, in the end, a chicken at his heart.


    ***


    The guest room of the Tohsaka Mansion.


    Haruki was sleeping on a bed, enveloped in a pale glow. Artoria sat nearby on a chair, watching the strange process Haruki was undergoing for nearly ten minutes now. He described it as ''Awakening.''


    ''His magical energy has grown.''


    She touched his hand to find it hard as a rock. His skin suddenly distorted, growing white scale-like protrusions.


    ''White dragon. Is he the reincarnation of Albion?''


    She couldn''t fathom how an offspring of a dragon survived in the current. It just made no sense to her.


    Just then, someone knocked on the door. "Hayashi-kun, open the door."


    "Master is sleeping" Artoria paused and frowned. "Rin, did you feel that?"


    "I did. All the mana in the air suddenly watered down. Someone messed with the ley lines."


    "We should wake him up," Rin said, her voice carrying a sense of urgency. "It''s more important than his sleep."


    Artoria observed Haruki again.


    ''He can''t be disturbed now. Rin shouldn''t know about him.''


    The situation forced Artoria to go out of the room alone and quickly shut the door behind her.


    "He didn''t wake up?" Rin asked. "I can try if you don''t mind."


    Artoria made a serious expression. "He was tired after having sex. He will be out for another three or four hours."


    Rin''s eyes widened. "He had sex with you?"


    Artoria furiously shook her head. "The purple-haired girl came"


    "Sakura was here? Why didn''t she meet me?"


    "She was in a hurry."


    Artoria made up one lie after another to keep Haruki''s secret. She had bonded with Rin over their meal, which only made those lies even more terrible.


    "They must be overzealous after getting rid of the gue called Zouken" Rin whispered with a nod, imagining a passionate exchange between Haruki and her sister to sate the thirst of a decade.


    ''What am I thinking!''


    She shook off her perverted thoughts and rubbed her cheeks. "I''ll look into it with Archer. You stay here with Hayashi-kun."


    "I will."

 Chapter 69: *About Solomon*

    Chapter 69: *About Solomon*


    I am just gonna clear something about Solomon.


    "How did Angra Mainyu summon Solomon?"


    Grail can choose whichever Servant to summon ording to Master''s personality. Angra Mainyu is part of the grail. She can summon any servant as long as they are recorded in the Throne of Heroes, not the Divine Spirits, of course. She doesn''t need Catalysts.


    "Why has ya/Gaia not noticed Angra Mainyu''s actions?"


    She didn''t care when fourteen servants were summoned or Angra Mainyu became a mess with Sakura. Nasu himself said Grand Servants will be summoned when half the world was submerged in All World''s Evil.


    "How did Solomon be a normal Caster?"


    Solomon has the qualifications to be summoned as Grand Caster. However, he can also be summoned as a normal Caster. Marisbury summoned Solomon as Caster in FGO timeline. He is strong but not as broken as his Grand Caster version. He is still limited by his homunculus vessel.

 Chapter 70: Recreation Scales

    Chapter 70: Recreation Scales


    [A/N: Hey, I''m back... after a long break! I''ll probably publish this story on a weekly basis!]


    Haruki woke up, refreshed like he was ready to tackle any problem in the world.


    [Authority acquired: Recreation Scales]


    Recreation Scales


    Your scales can duplicate the ''Element'' of any attack they receive. The scales gain the traits of that said ''Element'' as well as extreme resistance against it.


    He only had to concentrate to summon the glossy white scales. Their magnificence was in a ss of its own. He sparked a tiny me and touched the scales. They took on a fiery red color, emitting warmth as if he was sitting near a hearth. He could consciously control the intensity of mes.


    "Your scalese from the void," Arch said. "The Void is the absence of everything. It can be filled by any element."


    "Does it gain physical attack if I get hit by a weapon?"


    Haruki reset the scales back to their original state. He picked up his spear lying by the bedside.


    "I can regenerate," he muttered and stabbed his palm. The spear bounced off with a nk, giving zero damage to his new scales. "Pretty high defense. That''s an authority for ya."


    He ced his hand on the bed and closed his eyes. With max reinforcement, he drove the spear through his hand. The scales broke, but before the spearhead touched his skin, anotheryer of scales flourished and thwarted the attack. The new scales had a silver gleam as if they were metallic in nature.


    "Are they?" he lightly tapped the scales with the spear, receiving a ng in response.


    "The scales of a dragon are their best defense mechanism," Arch questioned, pride brimming in her voice. "Do you like it?"


    "I have high offensive potential with magecraft spells and my spear. I needed a defensive skill."


    "The scales are finite. They are growing from your blood. Your heart can''t pump out infinite dragon blood, so tread with caution."


    "What about dragon-ying weapons? Can my scales hold up against them?"


    "Unfortunately, no. You''re not at the stage where you can overwhelm the dragon yer trait."


    "Well, shit."


    He had to find a way to nullify this weakness, or even a weak mage with a dragon-ying weapon will do irreversible damage.


    "I''ll need to test the speed of changing the element."


    If it was fast enough to switch its element multiple times in a short moment, then he could face off against the Heroic Spirits morefortably.


    "Haruki-sama," Medea''s voice echoed as she showed up. Seeing him brought a soft smile to her calm face. "You grew scales."


    She had left him for a few hours and he had awoken a new ability in that time. He always managed to amaze her.


    Haruki withdrew his scales. "Forget about it. How is Sakura?"


    Medea sat down beside him and grinned, revealing everything about the operation. He yanked her hand, nearly crushing her in his arms.


    "I knew you''d be sessful Thank you so much."


    "I should be thanking you" Medea patted his back. "You gave me a purpose to live for I had forgotten what it was like to have a normal life."


    "How did Semi do? Did she cooperate with everything?"


    "Semiramis did fine, Haruki-sama. There is one small problem with Sakura I think you should see it yourself."


    Haruki had a bad premonition. The ''small'' problem in her eyes could be a world-shaking crisis for Sakura. Before Haruki could probe further, another presence materialized in the room.


    Semiramis found Medea hugging Haruki and immediately became enraged. "Miss Witch, I sent you here to bring Master back. Why are you HUGGING him instead of telling him about the ley line PROBLEM?"


    Haruki never saw Semiramis this angry. She always reacted yfully, seemingly unbothered at times.


    "Ley line?" Haruki frowned and finally sensed the change in the surroundings. The magical energy in the air had be scarce. "What happened?"


    Medea sighed. "Some magus exhausted the mana in the ley lines. The whole city will suffer as a result."


    She pointed toward the flower pot sitting on the window. The red rose had shriveled as though something sucked off all of its vitality. He had never seen this phenomenon in any Nasuverse-rted stuff.


    "Who is it now?" Haruki rubbed his forehead, trying to guess the culprit''s identity. "Angra Mainyu? It has to be him."


    "I think so too," Medea said. "What did he need so much magical energy for?"


    "Let''s hope he didn''t do that" Haruki gripped his spear and walked towards the door. "Semi, bring Artoria and Rin here. Also, send some scouts to the Ryuudou Temple. Medea, take me to Sakura."


    Seeing Sakura with his own eyes will put him at ease. Otherwise, these worries tugging at his mind will not go away.


    Semiramis embraced him from behind. "My master, you don''t have to do everything alone. You have six servants ready to do your bidding."


    She originally nned to exclude herself from the six; fearing that would make her a hypocrite, she chose to include herself.


    ''He may act too mature for his age; he is still a teenage boy in the end.''


    She stepped up to help him lest the pressure of the Great War crushed his young shoulders. She finally knew what tickled her master''s fancy.


    Semiramis'' ''concerns'' got a chuckle out of Haruki.


    "Since when did you be a good woman, Semi?" Haruki gently peeled her fingers off his chest and turned around. "It scares me to be on the receiving end of your worries."


    He preferred her seductions over her seemingly genuine care.


    ''There is no telling what she cooks in her poisonous mind.''


    Semiramis puffed up her cheeks. "You''re already immune to me, why not trust me? I want to rule the world Having a man like you by my side will be relieving."


    "We''ll talk about itter. We have more concerning matters at hand."


    "I too would love to chat with you freely." Semiramis winked at Medea. "See youter, Miss Witch."


    Medea''s lips twitched. Semiramis'' immense contribution forced Medea to think twice before hurting Semiramis. Instead of fighting Semiramis, Medea wrapped her arms around Haruki and took him to his desired location.

 Chapter 71: God of Love

    Chapter 71: God of Love


    A/N: >.>


    ***


    Sakura woke up to a chime and opened her eyes. Nobody was there to greet her. No Haruki-senpai, no Rin, or the women who treated her. She was alone on Haruki''s bed.


    "Senpai?"


    Her words received no response. She had expected Haruki to be waiting here to shower her with kisses. After gaining freedom from her ''fate'', she felt empty from the inside.


    ''Where is everyone?''


    She got out of the bed and stumbled toward the door.


    The door, however, opened to a bright forest. The sun shone brighter, and a flock of parrots sang a pleasant tune as if weing Sakura into the ethereal garden.


    ''Senpai?''


    She almost squealed in joy, thinking about it as a present from her lover.


    "Shut up," an unfamiliar voice, brimming with annoyance, reached her. "Come here, girl."


    Sakura noticed the numerous lotus flowers floating on the river, and a giant cherry blossom tree near the river. Only one little girl got to enjoy the cherry blossoms.


    Sakura cautiously approached the girl but froze midway. The little girl had short white hair and red eyes. Other than her distinct features, the girl had the same appearance as her younger self.


    The little girl caught a drifting petal and chuckled. "Cherry blossoms are beautiful. We both can agree on that."


    "Who are you?"


    Anyone would be creeped out to see their younger self.


    "I''m Kama, the God of Love." Kama leaned her back against the tree. "This is Swarga, the resting ce for kind souls."


    Sakura stared at Kama with wide eyes as though she was unable to process Kama''s words.


    Kama turned her head with a smile. "You don''t get it, do you? Or you just don''t wish to ept this cruel, dreadful reality?"


    Kama got up and approached Sakura. Taking Sakura''s hand, she pulled Sakura off her feet. Kama cupped Sakura''s face in her little hands.


    "You died in that surgery."


    "...You''re lying."


    Kama patted Sakura''s head. "Your love had enough power to summon a god of love by your side. Regrettably, that very love took your life. Had you not gone through that surgery, you would have been alive and well."


    A tear escaped Sakura''s eye as she closed her eyes. "You''re lying"


    "Oh, dear." Kama wiped Sakura''s tears with her thumb. "I''m sad to inform you it''s not."


    "Haruki-senpai"


    "I don''t get it." Kama tilted her head. "How can you love him so much? He didn''t save you. He certainly didn''t fight for your existence. You were treated like a friend until he found out that you had a servant."


    The god of love failed toprehend her undying affection for Haruki.


    "Senpai" Sakura muttered and clenched her fists. "He was there for me. Always there for me. My only warmth in this world he never betrayed me. He stood up for me"


    "The love that kept you alive also took you away from your beloved. Your poor child." Despite her consoling words, her smile was twisted and cruel. A smile that derived pleasure from others'' pain and misery. "How tragic How fascinating"


    Unbeknownst to Kama, her smile reminded Sakura of the old man who tormented her every day. Sakura peeled Kama''s hands before she shoved Kama with one hand.


    "It''s you, Zouken." Sakura''s eyes were nk as she dragged the stick through the rustling grass. "You couldn''t get me, so you''re using this hallucination to break me."


    The god of love scrambled, shivering all the while. Sakura lumbered toward Kama like an undead.


    "I''ll kill you."


    "Sorry. I''m sorry. It was a joke!"


    The god of love sprinted towards the tree. She clumsily climbed the tree and pulled herself on a high branch.


    Sakura looked up at Kama. "Come, let''s finish this once and for all."


    Even Shiva''s mes weren''t enough to make the god of love cry. Yet, the dead look in Sakura''s eyes made Kama tear up in fear.


    "Sakura, listen. You''re alive, this is a dream! I repeat this is a dream!"


    Sakura didn''t listen, standing still like a zombie. Kama manipted the river water with a wave of her hand and sshed Sakura''s face.


    "Dream?" Sakura regained some light in her eyes. "But I''m wet..."


    Seeing Sakura lost in another delusion, Kama slowly crept down the tree and tugged at Sakura''s sleeve. "It''s your mindscape. Your mind world. You''re just sleeping, not dead."


    Sakura heaved a sigh of relief. "Kama, I must return Haruki-senpai is waiting for me."


    "Yes, you can return. Just sit down and listen to me first."


    Sakura nodded her head and sat in a seiza position. The god of love fell in a daze, so Sakura shook her shoulder. "Kama?"


    "Yes, yes. It''s Kama''s fault."


    "What?"


    "Nothing. As you know, I''m Kama, the God of Love. Don''te to me for love advice."


    Sakura frowned. "Stop being so random. I want to know why I''m here."


    "Your world will be destroyed."


    "Huh?" Sakura didn''t know how to react to the revtion, so she just tilted her head. "How?"


    "Someone possessed your body recently," Kama said with a serious expression unfitting for her young, cute face. "That person is a Beast Candidate."


    "Beast Candidate? I don''t understand you."


    "Beasts are the Evils of Humanity. Think of them as the Demon Lords who will bring various cmities until humanity is no more."


    Sakura put a finger on her lips, trying to recall anything rted to these so-called Beasts. She couldn''t find anything in her memory. Well, most of her attention was on Haruki. How could she have time to care about a Demon Lord or whatnot?


    "I know everything you know. No one you ever met is a Beast; their aura would have made a poor girl like you piss your pants. I do find this person strangely familiar. I wonder why?"


    "So, this Beast Candidate will destroy the world?"


    Kama shook her head. "Their appearance is merely a message. Like me, the other Evils of Humanity will manifest. It''s always been this way."


    Sakura was unsurprised at Kama''s confession. "You do seem like an evil we should kill."


    "We are one and the same." Kama sighed. "Your heart stopped beating during the surgery. A moment of death brought you to me."


    Kama had no memories after Shiva erased her existence. The next moment she was in deep slumber inside Sakura''s mindscape. Kama would always be idle if it weren''t for the Beast Candidate possessing Sakura for a moment. Even after regaining full consciousness, Kama couldn''tmunicate with Sakura. That is until Sakura''s heart stopped beating under extreme stress.


    Today, they finally met each other.


    Sakura didn''t freak out, rather she waspletelyposed. She could feel Kama wasn''t lying this time. "I don''t want to think about it now."


    She didn''t have the leisure to care about these Beasts, or the rest of the world.


    ''Senpai will be worried about me.''


    "You may go but keep one thing in your mind." Kama waved her hand, and the world began crumbling. Sakura''s consciousness turned hazy. Before Sakura fully faded, Kama cupped Sakura''s face and gave a sadistic grin. "Now that I have awoken, I shall manifest from time to time."


    Kama''s warning was thest thing Sakura heard before she woke up for real.


    ***


    Link for Kama''s wiki page if you want to know more about this fe /wiki/Kama#F/GO

 Chapter 72: The Beast in my home

    Chapter 72: The Beast in my home


    A surprise awaited Haruki in his room. The ''small'' problem mentioned by Medea was easy to spot. Sakura''s hair had lost its color. Pure, lustrous white unlike the old people. Her appearance reminded him of the cynical god of love Kama.


    Medea folded her arms on her chest. "Her hair turned white during the surgery. This side effect is very, very strange."


    "It could be Marie Antote Syndrome." Haruki caressed Sakura''s cheeks. "How long till she regains consciousness?"


    "I don''tshe is waking up."


    Sakura''s finger twitched, and she opened her eyes. Upon seeing Haruki, her ruby red eyes became misty.


    "Senpai." She threw herself in his arms, her tears drenching his shirt. "I missed you I missed you so much."


    "What happened?" He could tell something was wrong, otherwise Sakura wouldn''t cry like this.


    "I I saw a god."


    Sakura recounted her meeting with Kama without leaving out anything.


    "Master, this god needs to die," Medea said, caressing Sakura''s head. "I won''t allow anyone to toy with my family again. I''ll let it happen again."


    Sakura felt flustered from Medea''s overprotective behavior. Looking at Haruki, she found him frowning. He, in fact, was looking at Sakura''s status.


    Sakura Matou: A descendant of the Tohsaka Family and inheritor of the Matou family.


    -Current status  Relieved


    -Rtionship Status  165/100


    -Species  Human, Divine Spirit


    -Age  17, Uncountable


    -Gender  Female


    -Height, Weight  158cm/47kg


    -Alignment  Neutral Good


    -Parameters


    Strength: 5 (E-)


    Endurance: 5 (E-)


    Agility: 5 (E-)


    Magical energy: 30 (C)


    Luck: 20 (D)


    -Authorities


    None


    -Noble Phantasm


    None


    -Skills


    Sorcery Trait: Conversion [A]


    Info: This trait increases the effectiveness of storing magical energy in objects.


    Sorcery Element: Hollow [B]


    Info: This element increases the effectiveness of spells capable of harming spiritual beings.


    Sorcery Element: Water [E]


    Info: One of the five natural elements, gives easier ess to Water Magecraft spells.


    Cooking [D]


    Info: A natural talent to quickly learn different culinary skills and techniques.


    Blessing of the Goddess [C]


    Info: The protection of a (bad) goddess. Takes lifeforce from nearby allies to heal wounds.


    Sakura surely didn''t dream about the god. Her physical parameters rounded up to 5 while magical energy and luck experienced a considerable growth. She also regained her family ''Conversion'' sorcery trait and her unique ''Hollow'' element. Despite the incredible growth in Sakura''s strength, Haruki didn''t look the least happy.


    ''Sakura could be in danger.''


    A Divine Spirit residing inside a human was nothing but trouble, especially when the said god could be a Beast. It was already a miracle that Kama hadn''t merged or taken over Sakura''s body. He shivered at the mere thought of someone else imitating Sakura after ''killing'' her.


    ''This world just won''t let her rest for a second. What do I do about Kama?''


    Even though he liked the depressed divine spirit, he didn''t want Kama to stay involved with Sakura. The situation would end in two scenarios if he didn''t separate the two.


    Sakura bing a Pseudo Servant, or Sakura bing a Demi Servant.


    Divine Spirits couldn''t manifest in the current age without a host. If Kama used Sakura as a catalyst to manifest, she would be a Pseudo Servant. She will be able to exhibit strength greater than most Heroic Spirits. For Haruki, it was the worst possible scenario as this process required Sakura and Kama to merge.


    The second option, Demi Servant, was nearly impossible. It would allow Sakura to use some of Kama''s skills while being herself. Mash Kyrielight was the best example of a Demi Servant, but she was created through cruel human experiments. Even then, her lifespan had been reduced to years from the burden ced on her soul.


    Haruki stroked Sakura''s hair. "We will separate you from Kama."


    Haruki looked toward Medea. The sorceress narrowed her eyes, thinking of a way to fulfill his wish.


    "I''ll need time"


    The matters of souls couldn''t be treated lightly by any means. The factors involved were too many and the consequences very severe.


    "Medea-san, can I use a magecraft spell on you?" Sakura asked as she gently pushed Haruki. "I want to try something."


    "Your magical energy is free now." Medea took two steps back and summoned her staff to boost the magic defense of her robe. "Fire away."


    Sakura nodded and aimed a finger at Medea''s chest. "My spirit in your question. Your answer in prohibition. Rise, Rise, Rise. The gluttonous king of the ancient. My foe is now before me." Her chant was quick and precise without any mistakes.


    A beam of high-pressured water hit Medea. The sorceress erected a barrier to tank the spell. When the spell couldn''t bore a hole through the barrier, the water split into thin jets of water and engulfed the barrier. Medea''s barrier began to lose magical energy while Sakura''s spell grew stronger.


    "Absorption?" Medea gave an appreciative look at Sakura. "And it''s fairly strong for a novice."


    Sakura nced at Haruki as though expecting apliment from him. He chuckled and rubbed her head just like she anticipated.


    "The spell can easily injure a servant with low magic resistance. You''ll catch up to Rin in no time."


    Sakura''s face lit up with a smile at the prospect of being ''close'' to her sister. "Senpai, I''ll be strong. I won''t let anyone separate us not even the god of love."


    "Don''t overdo it." Haruki kissed her forehead and forced her to rest in the bed. He pulled Medea into the living room.


    "Haru," his mother''s voice was followed by a gentle breeze. "Don''t you worry about the Beast-ss now. We''ll take care of that issue after the Grail War."


    "You are one yourself, aren''t you?"


    The person who possessed Sakura before was his mother. She might have been the trigger for Kama to appear.


    "Yes, I''m one of the Seven Evils of Humanity. I was going to tell you that."


    Kaede''s easy acknowledgment threw Haruki off his game. He could guess what kind of evil his mother possessed. Finding his befuddled expression amusing, Kaede chuckled.


    "This Kama is different from the Servant version, Haru," Kaede whispered in his ears. "Sakura''s ''Hollow'' origin doesn''te from nothing. Theoretically speaking, Sakura has infinite space inside her soul."


    "I see. Is there a way to separate her from Sakura?"


    "Just create another vessel for Kama A blonde in golden armor just arrived outside. Wait, it''s your favorite Gilgamesh~."


    Haruki sighed at the unfortunate timing of Gilgamesh. ''Why is he here?''


    The wind gently pushed his back. "Go see him before he wrecks our home!"

 Chapter 73: He ran away?

    Chapter 73: He ran away?


    Haruki told Semiramis to hurry up. Artoria was feasting on some bread in Rin''s kitchen, so Semiramis'' search took longer than she intended. Haruki called Medusa and Cu Chinn. He was convinced that he could beat Gilgamesh. However, the dragon yer weapons in Gilgamesh''s arsenal scared him.


    It turned out that Medusa and Cu Chinn were already standing at his door, ring at Gilgamesh d in golden armor. Standing on top of a fence, Gilgamesh looked down on Haruki''s servants with pure contempt.


    "Master, can I smash his fucking face?"


    Only Cu Chinn could say something like this despite knowing Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes.


    "Lowly Servant, I''m not here for you." Gilgamesh turned his attention to Haruki. "You''re the lowborn whomand six Servants. A mongrel with dragon filth."


    He hadn''t sealed Sha Naqba Imuru after searching for Sakura through its irvoyance. Even so, he couldn''t fully discern Haruki''s origin. Then again, Haruki''s background was of no importance to him.


    Medea held herself back from unleashing her rage. Thanks to Haruki''s affection and care, she had gotten better at controlling her rampant emotions.


    Medusa stood by Haruki''s side, ready to follow his orders on a moment''s notice.


    Gilgamesh''s anger red up at Haruki''s silent stare. "Hurry up and bring me the Lesser Grail."


    Gilgamesh was going to keep Sakura with him. Only the winner between Angra Mainyu and Haruki will be able to im Sakura. It would be hisst mercy for mankind.


    Haruki didn''t take Gilgamesh''s words to heart. "You got the wrong address, Kiddo."


    "How insolent. I wasn''t going to kill your Servants. But you left me with no choice, Mongrel." Gilgamesh folded his arms on his chest as golden ripples appeared behind him. "Witness the beauty of the Gate of Babylon before you perish to its treasures."


    "Archer!" Artoria dashed into the yard, stopping before Haruki with Excalibur in her hands. "Stay your hand."


    Gilgamesh was stunned, to say the least. It was his first time seeing Artoria in a proper dress. Her white dress properly brought out her innocent charm, rekindling Gilgamesh''s desires from ten years ago.


    While Gilgamesh was busy admiring Artoria, Semiramis strolled to Haruki''s side. "I bought cavalry, my master."


    Haruki patted her back. "Good job, Semi. You can rest inside."


    "Let''s rest togetherter, Master."


    "Sure."


    Semiramis stared at him, wondering why he epted her offer so easily. The way he treated her changed after she helped Sakura, almost as if he began to acknowledge her as a partner instead of a simple servant. The fact that she had earned this recognition through her abilities, instead of maniption, filled her chest with pride.


    "Silly Master" she giggled.


    Archer stood behind Gilgamesh, holding Kanshou and Bakuya in his hands. Rin was beside him, eyeing the servant in golden armor.


    Gilgamesh chuckled, not paying attention to the fact that six servants had surrounded him. "Geez, you foolish woman became more feminine in my absence. "


    The impact of Artoria in a pure white dress almost dazed the King of Heroes.


    Artoria remained unperturbed by Gilgamesh''s remarks. Summoning her magic armor, she pointed her concealed de at Gilgamesh. "Archer, you shouldn''t be here."


    "I want to battle you, Saber." Gilgamesh shook his head. "This ce is too shabby for our divine reunion. Come with me, Saber. I have the Grail in my grasp. All of your wishes wille true. Join me in this conquest."


    Haruki approached Artoria and slipped his arm around her waist as though dering his possession over Artoria. "We can''t fight him here."


    He had conveyed the same to Medusa, Medea, and Cu Chinn. His mother was a Beast-ss, but she was only a soul at the moment. She will certainly not survive if the house gets obliterated.


    Artoria couldn''t help but notice the strangepulsion in Haruki''s words as though his voice carried some kind of authority. She had B-Rank Charisma skill, which should render most, if not every charm useless. Confused, she didn''t pay any mind to Haruki''s intimate gesture.


    "I understand." She couldn''t bring harm to the innocents by fighting here.


    Haruki pecked her cheeks with a grin. "d you understand."


    The lingering warmth of the kiss left Artoria stunned for a moment. Shaking her head, she looked at Gilgamesh. "Archer, since this ce is shabby by your standards, let us move somewhere secluded"


    She suddenly paused and raised her sword. A wave of swords exploded out of the Gate of Babylon, each one intent on taking Haruki''s life. The projectiles were a blur in Rin''s eyes, but Artoria and Medusa struck down each projectile with ease. Right now, Artoria and Medusa were quite literally at the peak state of their vessels.


    Gilgamesh pulled out a in-looking sword and pointed at Haruki. "Lowlife, you dare to taint Saber with your tarnished hands."


    Gilgamesh had hoped Haruki would engage in a war with Angra Mainyu. That event will be Gilgamesh''sst leniency against mortals before Angra Mainyu unleashes her wrath on the world. Besides, he could kill Haruki anytime, or so he thought.


    "Artoria is my Servant for your kind information." Haruki grinned fearlessly. "What do you even want with Sakura? Don''t you have Illyasviel as the Lesser Grail?"


    He shot an arrow in the dark as he was unaware of Illyasviel''s current whereabouts.


    "Angra Mainyu wille for the Fifth," Gilgamesh said before he turned around. "Your six Servants will sh against the seven Servants of Angra Mainyu. The winner shally im to the faulty Lesser Grail."


    Gilgamesh was assured of Angra Mainyu''s victory since she had Heracles on their side. The Greek Hero had earned his respect with tenacity. None of the Servants around Haruki could match Heracles in his eyes. Simply put, he saw them as nothing more than dogs with a slight bite.


    "Jerk." Rin threw a Gandr bullet at Gilgamesh''s face. "Stop talking like my sister is some object. Archer!" She thrust her right hand, the one with her Command Spells. "The Master of Tohsaka n orders you"


    Emiya ced his hand over Rin''s mouth and pointed at Gilgamesh. An enormous magic circle spread underneath Gilgamesh, then he disappeared without a trace.


    "Did I kill him?" Rin blinked her eyes. "Was he that weak?"


    "He is gone." Haruki couldn''t believe his eyes. Gilgamesh had too much pride to escape the way he did just now. Even if Gilgamesh was going to die, he wouldn''t resort to such tactics.


    ''Angra Mainyu?''


    Gilgamesh would be done for if he had stayed until Emiya activated his Noble Phantasm. Unlimited de Works was a direct counter to Gilgamesh''s ''Gate of Babylon spam'' fighting style.


    ''Well I got the information I needed.''


    Haruki saw Rin lost in some thought and flicked her forehead. "You looked like a witch. The poor guy ran away."


    "Stop joking." Rin almost yelled. She couldn''t tell if he was being serious or not. "You have to fill me in on the Lesser Grail and Sakura''s connection."


    "Fine. Let''s go inside."


    With the change in Sakura''s condition, he could reveal everything to Rin.

 Chapter 74: The Nightmare

    Chapter 74: The Nightmare


    Give some love to my original story.


    Title - The Soulmancer''s Ascension /book/the-soulmancer''s-ascension_23938260905532305


    ***


    Gilgamesh was furious to find himself in the Ryuudou Temple. He red at Angra Mainyu, the only person besides the Grail Manifestation. "You ruined my reunion with Saber."


    "You were about to die," Angra Mainyu said in a matter-of-fact voice. "They would have killed you."


    She wasn''t very fond of the arrogance Gilgamesh disyed, but she owed him too much. Even though she was the incarnation of All World''s Evil, there were parts of her that manifested from Irisviel and Illyasviel''s hearts.


    Angra Mainyu''s dull expression fueled Gilgamesh''s anger. "I would be killed by those groveling mongrels? I am the King of"


    A hail of bullets scratched Gilgamesh''s golden breastte. Oda Nobunaga walked into the cave with a grin, Nagao Kagetora following behind her.


    "There were six Servants if your godly eyes didn''t notice. You would be a sizzling steak if they came at you together."


    Kagetora nodded. "Master was right in teleporting you to safety."


    Nobunaga''s sarcasm and Nagao''s kindness couldn''t diffuse Gilgamesh''s rage. His Gate of Babylon burst open with a rain of Noble Phantasms. Kagetora''s eyes sharpened as her divine armaments manifested right behind her. The Provision of Eight Flowers. She grabbed two katanas and deflected the iing Noble Phantasms.


    "Oh my! You want a fight, then bring it. I will never retreat from a fight!"


    Gilgamesh felt the unrestrained fighting spirit and bloodlust in Kagetora''s eyes. Even though she had a face identical to Artoria, their demeanor couldn''t be any more different. Oneughed in the thrill of the battle while the other had a noble, fairy tale-like dream of saving her kingdom.


    Despite being ''disrespected'' Gilgamesh didn''t feel anger. "Fight when your Mastermands."


    He sent his golden armor to his Gate of Babylon before he tucked his hands in his pocket and walked away from the scene.


    "Coward," Nobunaga muttered. "Kenshin, I found a spot for drinking. Wannae?"


    She had found a giant tower when she was keeping an eye on Gilgamesh and the enemy Master, who had six Servants under his banner.


    ''He is a tricky fellow.''


    Kagetora nodded. "I want some sake."


    Nobunaga slipped her arm around Kagetora''s waist, and the pair left the cave.


    "Assassin."


    Hassan of Serenity appeared at her master''s call and kneeled. "Master, yourmand?"


    "I want you to sneak into his house and bring the girl." Angra Mainyu looked at Assassin with nk eyes. "Are you confident?"


    If Assassin could do the task silently, then Angra Mainyu wouldn''t need to waste time dealing with the six Servants. Besides, Hassan of Serenity wasn''t that useful in a frontal sh. Angra Mainyu could gamble with Hassan of Serenity''s life. And she still had the option to summon a Berserker-ss Servant.


    Hassan of Serenity raised her head. "I shall not fail."


    "Try to escape if you fail."


    ***


    As Haruki entered through the door, the entire house shifted in cubic blocks as if the floor was made from Lego blocks. A long spiral of stairs rose from the ground. Haruki''s Japanese-style house morphed into a Victorian-era mansion under their very eyes.


    Cu Chinn gaped at theplete turnover. "The Master, what did you do?"


    Artoria silently looked around. The ce seemed like Einzbern''s mansion she visited a decade ago, albeit a bit livelier.


    Unaware of the surprised group, Rin walked through the door, only to bump her nose into Artoria''s armor. "What? Why is everyone standing like monkeyswhat is that!"


    The house she slept inst night had turned into an unfamiliar ce.


    Medea nudged Haruki. "Haruki-sama, it''s her"


    Haruki nodded, imagining the culprithis mothergiggling somewhere in the house. Her pranks were borderline dangerous for his heart. Still, he loved her to death.


    "I must have triggered a spell my mom left behind." Haruki gave a vague exnation. "Let''s not dally here."


    Others might have believed him, but Emiya didn''t buy the excuse. He didn''t sense an ounce of magical energy during the process. He couldn''t see any type of hidden mechanics behind the walls. It only pointed to one possibilitysomeone had physically morphed the house to their whims.


    ''We are in someone''s Reality Marble or much worse.''


    He nced at Rin, whose eyes sparked with unbridled curiosity. Nobody, not even Rider, seemed to doubt Haruki for hiding a secret.


    ''Are these guys too trusting or am I too paranoid?''


    Shaking his head, he followed Haruki into the living room.


    Much like the rest of the house, the living room had changed drastically. A massive round table spherical table sat in the center of the room. A throne-like structure and two ornate chairs were ced on one side of the table while six of the same chairs sat on the other side of the table.


    Haruki immediately understood the ''hierarchy'' his mother created in the room. The throne was clearly for him while the two seats belonged to Medea and Sakura, his lovers. The rest of the seats were for the rest of his Servants, Rin, and Emiya.


    ''She is a Beast alright.''


    "She is a vengeful soul clinging to your house," Arch casually insulted Kaede. "You should see through her trickery."


    ''Second mom, don''t hate my first mom.''


    "I''m not your mom!"


    ''Yes, yes.''


    Medea patted Haruki''s shoulder and pointed at the chair sitting right to the throne-like seat. "Haruki-sama, I''ll take that seat."


    "You want to be my right hand?" Haruki, of course, used telepathy to ask the question.


    Medea nodded and gave her reply through telepathy. "If I can''t be your sole woman, I''ll be the most useful one."


    "I don''t mind."


    Semiramis'' eyes gleamed as she strode toward the table. Without anyone''s permission and with a pose befitting a former queen, she rested her butt on the throne and threw her light leg over the left. She closed her eyes and let her mind wander to the past, where each and every one of her vassals used to shower her in awe. The sense of authority lifted the corner of her lips.


    "My master, how do I look?"


    Receiving no answer, she opened her eyes. Nobody was there to praise her in the suffocating darkness. The throne she sat upon seethed like a pool ofva. She felt chills closing her from every side. The feeling wasn''t what she expected from an illusion.


    ''W-What is happening?''


    Herposure crumbled as the darkness wrapped her. She was freezing in the dark until a sharp pain ran through her.


    "Semi, snap out of it!"


    Haruki''s voice pulled Semiramis back from the darkness. Opening her eyes, she saw him looking down at her with a worried frown.


    "Were you hallucinating?"


    Semiramis touched her stinging cheeks and realized Haruki had to hit her to break the illusion with a p. A hard p that left her cheeks red.


    "A nightmare" She got up with Haruki''s help and stared at the throne. "It''s cursed."


    Her A-Rank Mana should have made her immune to most of the curses in the first ce. Despite that, she was sucked into the surreal nightmare like a human. Theck of magical energy in the throne only raised her confusion about its inner workings.


    Haruki held back hisughter. His mother truly didn''t like Semiramis, going as far as to showing her nightmares.


    "ck Empress." Medea didn''t miss the opportunity to mock Semiramis. With a wide grin, she pped Semiramis'' back. "The throne isn''t cursed. You just aren''t the ''rightful owner.''"


    "Bull" Semiramis almost cursed but Medea''s wide grin stopped her. "Who is the rightful owner then?"


    She didn''t believe Haruki''s mother could create something soplex. Modern magecraft wasn''t supposed to be that sophisticated.


    At Semiramis'' question, Rin looked at Artoria. "Is she?"


    Artoria shook her head. "I am not."


    She was never going to sit on another throne. One life as a king gave her more regrets than she ever wished for. Any more, and the world will run out of grails to fulfill her wishes.


    Rin approached the throne and traced her finger on the armrest. "I don''t think it''s a Mystic Codex."


    Rin plopped down and crossed her arms. "It''s notouch!"


    She hopped off the church and rubbed her butt. It felt like she was sitting on a bed of sharp pins when the throne seemed to be smooth.


    She kicked the throne in rage. The throne moved a bit, making Rin stumble back until she crashed into Haruki.


    "Easy there." Haruki chuckled and pushed her shoulders. "Miss Tohsaka."


    "Never mind me. This looks like it''s possessed by a ghost."


    The entire transformation of the house was a supernatural event in Rin''s eyes. She''d be creeping out if it was her before the Holy Grail War. She had seen too much to cower before an illusionary being.


    "Lancer, you want a go?" Haruki asked, giving a fair chance to others.


    With a shake of his head, Cu Chinn went over to the closest chair and ced Gae Bolg against the table. He hade to hate the crown after falling to the vile schemes of Medb, the Queen of Connacht.


    Haruki''s gaze went to Medusa and Emiya since they were the only ones left in the room.


    "Master, you''re the owner of this house. The throne will recognise you."


    "I''ll try then." Haruki sat down on the throne and crossed his legs. "And I''m fine. Everyone, please sit down. We need to talk about the Ley Line disorder in Fuyuki."


    Semiramis sighed when she saw nothing happen to Haruki. It was a reminder that her era was over. Emiya and the rest made themselvesfortable on the seats while Medea quietly sat on Haruki''s right side.


    Just as Semiramis thought of taking the left seat, the door creaked open, and Sakura walked inside.


    Rin turned around and froze.

 Chapter 75: Arch’s Wrath

    Chapter 75: Arch¡¯s Wrath


    Sakura curled strands of white hair around her finger as she dodged her sister''s inquisitive eyes. "Rin Nee-san."


    Rin walked over to Sakura and pulled her ear. "I was worried sick about you. What were you doing? Dying your hair for your boyfriend. Are those red lenses?"


    "I-I was busy."


    "Busy in." Rin nced at Haruki. "I understand everything."


    Rin misunderstood everything.


    Sakura couldn''t understand why her sister looked so smug, and what her sleeping had to do with Haruki.


    When Rin didn''t push her for an answer, Sakura breathed a sigh of relief, realizing her change was taken as nothing more than cosmetics. She looked over to Haruki sitting on a throne.


    ''Senpai looks cool''


    "Sakura, here," Medea called Sakura and gestured with a hand.


    Mustering a smile, she walked past Semiramis and sat down on Haruki''s left. She shifted ufortably under Semiramis'' hard stare.


    "Chill." Haruki stroked her hair. "How did you get here?"


    "Something woke me up. I saw arrows drawn on the wall when I came out of the room. I was standing at the door before I knew it."


    She had followed the instructions, thinking it was Haruki taking her somewhere. She unintentionally followed the ghost mother of Hayashi Household.


    "I was right." Sakura rxed in her seat. "Did something happen when I was sleeping?"


    "Nothing big," Rin answered.


    Semiramis, who was being ignored, turned around in a huff and sat beside Medusa, a deep frown on her face. It didn''t take a genius to see how pissed Semiramis was.


    Medea patted Haruki''s leg, prompting him to shift his posture. He propped his left elbow on the armrest and leaned his head on his fist.


    Semiramis started the discussion, "Angra Mainyu has seven Servants and Gilgamesh on its side."


    She was terrified of such a lineup. Her Hanging Garden of Babylon would be smashed if these Heroic Spirits unleashed their true power.


    Haruki eyed the silent blonde knight. "I have the best meatshI have Artoria and Avalon."


    The only worry on his side was Angra Mainyu having ''infinite'' magical energy. If it wanted Sakura so badly, then Illyasviel wasn''t the best vessel.


    ''It shouldn''t be as strong as Dark Sakura.''


    Angra Mainyu merging with Sakura made them a Beast-Candidate. Sakura''s hollow element amplified by the Grail''s power could beat every Servant in the room. She was an anomaly capable of beating every Servant in existence. The bane of every spiritual life form.


    Semiramis chuckled as she patted Artoria''s shoulder. "The Great King of Knights, usher us to victory."


    Cu Chinn tapped the table with the Gae Bolg. "We destroy them head-on."


    He never had a good fight since the war started. Fighting seven Servants will be his redemption. In the end, his goal was to destroy the Priest and his Servant, Gilgamesh.


    "Have some patience." Emiya calmed Cu Chin''s boiling fighting spirit. "We''ll die if we rush in blindly. Any information on the other servants'' identities?"


    "Semi?"


    Semiramis nodded at Haruki''s call. "My scouts have their eyes on three Servants. I can show you their appearances."


    Flipping her hand, she closed her eyes in deep concentration. Violet smoke condensed above her palm before it created a static image of two women sitting together on top of a structure.


    Haruki narrowed his eyes. ''Nobunaga.''


    He couldn''t pinpoint the second Servant''s name with her face alone. After all, there were far too many Servants with Saber''s face.


    "What''s her hair and eye color?"


    The smoke dispersed as soon as Semiramis opened her eyes. "Her hair is white as the moon. Her eyes are a lighter shade of emerald."


    "That''s Kenshin," Haruki said, his eyes brimming with confidence. "The Avatar of Bishamonten. Oda Nobunaga and Nagao Kagetora. Talk about hard opponents."


    Both of them hailed from the modern era, and were considered top-rank Servants in their respective sses.


    "How are you so sure of their True Name?" Rin asked. "Heroic Spirits are summoned in their peak age, not from the time of their death."


    She had noticed this simrity in all the Servants gathered inside the room. None of them looked past their twenties.


    Haruki pulled up his sleeve and converged his white scales.


    His Servants didn''t act crazy at the revtion. Cu Chinn only said "Oh, Master is a dragon" before he shrugged. He had already imagined Haruki to be something extraordinary for his ability to contract multiple Servants.


    "A dragon?" Emiya asked with a frown. "Your power ups came from your race I thought it was some bullshit like love."


    Haruki chuckled at Emiya''s whispers. Rin leaped over the table, shing her white panties as she did. With super serious eyes, she touched his hand covered in scales.


    "Dragon scales" Her eyes sparkled in excitement. "Can you transform into a giant, me breathing dragon?"


    "I can''t."


    He couldn''t transform in his current awakening.


    "Do you have a tail?"


    "No."


    "Can you use Magic?"


    "No."


    Rin folded her arms on her chest. "Boo. Useless."


    She had read about dragons and how overpowered their race really was. Unfortunately, Haruki couldn''t do the magic tricks she wanted.


    Haruki shrugged. ''Arch, what''s her verdict?''


    Arch''s reply came instantly, "How dare she? Fuck her. Drain her magical energy and make her your ve."


    Task #24: A Fate Worse than Death


    Objective: Enve Rin Tohsaka.


    Difficulty: S-Rank


    Rewards: 5 X Premium Gacha Coupon


    The difficulty was justified. Betraying Sakura''s trust was harder than fighting Gilgamesh solo.


    ''Five premium coupons. She triggered you that hard?''


    "I hate her."


    Rin got nervous when Haruki stayed silent at her joke.


    ''Did he take it to heart?''


    She felt like she had grown closer to Haruki after they fulfilled their revenge. She used to joke around like this with Mitsuzuri. Did she go too far this time?


    "Uh, uh. Hayashi-kun?"


    As he looked up, Rin fidgeted with her hands. Her eyes darted around before stopping on Sakura.


    "Help your Nee-san." was what she wanted to say but she couldn''t find the courage to utter a word under Haruki''s nk stare.


    "Rin."


    "Yes?"


    "Get back to your seat."


    "Yes, Sensei."


    Confused at her own words, Rin walked back to her chair and sat down.


    Haruki put the small drama aside. "Semi, show me the third one."


    As Semiramis conjured the image, Artoria smacked the table as she got up.


    "Mordred?"


    The armored-servant held a sword with a crimson hilt. The demonic-looking knight was the strongest opponent Artoria faced during her reign as the king.


    The knight once considered her sessor by her kingdom.


    Mordred, the Treacherous Knight.

 Chapter 76: Deeprooted hatred

    Chapter 76: Deeprooted hatred


    A/N: Currently writing Sakura''s lemon. Gimme stones if you want to read it faster!


    ***


    The past came to haunt Artoria once again. Gilgamesh was already enough headache for her. Now, she had to deal with another foe. In the final battle of Cann, Artoria''s rhongomyniad had dealt the finishing blow to the Treacherous Knight, while she perished minutes after the battle. Nothing good ever came from their sh, and it probably won''t change even in the modern era.


    Artoria assumed a calm expression. "Master, Mordred wille for me."


    Haruki peered into her eyes with a smile. "I don''t doubt that. Right now isn''t the time to fight her. Semi, can you go deeper into the Ryuudou Temple?"


    Semiramis raised her head. "A bounded field stopped my doves."


    "Sucks." Haruki remained silent for a while. "That''s it, then. The discussion is over for now."


    "But we barely discussed" Rin paused when Haruki''s gaze prated her.


    "Rin, we need to talk. Medea, Sakura, join me."


    He left his throne and stood before the table. Medusa and Emiya were given free rein. Medusa opted to stick around with him in spiritual form while Emiya went outside to enjoy some solitary peace. Haruki asked Cu Chinn to assist Semiramis, but Semiramis looked at him with zed eyes.


    "What about our rest, my master? Am I uninvited now?" Semiramis was utterly curious why Rin was suddenly so important. Something was going on, and she wanted to be part of it all. "Can I join please?"


    "Come if you like." Haruki shrugged. "I was going to talk about your Hanging Gardens."


    Rin was a crucial piece in bringing the materials for the Hanging Gardens.


    So, Haruki, nked by Medea, Sakura, Rin, Artoria, and Semiramis, entered his newly built room. Rather, it was the same old room with a fresh coat of paint.


    "I''m d it''s like this," Medea muttered, recalling their first time on the bed. "Haruki-sama, are we selling those?"


    "Your instincts are on point." Haruki opened the drawer and picked up the pouch Magical Essences, the crystallized life source of the monsters he had killed in the Land of Dead. He tossed one over to Rin, who almost fumbled her catch. "I want to sell these to the Mage''s Association."


    Rin felt the surge of magical energy inside the white marble. Sakura curiously picked one marble up and felt the magic power surging through its core. She couldn''t utilize magecraft when the worm crests kept devouring her magic power. It wasn''t the case now. Her magic sensitivity was on par if not greater than Rin, the genius mage.


    "Did you transfer your magical energy?" Rin peeked into the drawer to find a collection of different sized marbles. "Incredible. It''s worth decades of my magical energy."


    They were just like jewels her family had used for decades. It had to be noted that the containers filled with magical energy were worth a fortune. Magus could use these jewels to instantaneously cast a high-level spell without consuming any magical energy. The lofty price for the jewels was the main reason for the Tohsaka family''s decline, well, Kotomine Kirei also yed a big role by haphazardly throwing away stuff.


    But the Tohsaka family had Sakura now, and Haruki by extension. Rin was assured of the Tohsaka n''s rise in the future. The Clocktower would bow down to the dominant power of a dragon within decades!


    Rin examined the white marble with narrowed eyes. "These will be worth millions of yen."


    Mage''s Association even bought a mage''s body fluids for their magical energy. These marbles would certainly be in high demand among the magus families, who were always low on such resources for their research.


    Haruki smiled at Rin''s interest in the magical essence. "I can bring a lot more if you are ready to trade them with the association."


    "What do you want in exchange?" Rin frowned. "If it''s for money, we can do this"


    "I don''t need money." Haruki shook his head. "I need some specific materials from Iraq and Baghdad. A lot of them actually."


    "My master," Semiramis said, sounding a tad emotional. "The cost is too high will these tiny marbles be enough?"


    The marbles were worthless in the eyes of a sorceress such as Semiramis.


    "I did say I can bring more of them. Arge quantity, even."


    Haruki already nned to dive into the Land of the Dead for both his awakening and these precious marbles.


    Rin folded her arms under her chest. "There is a better customer for the jewels than the association." Rin made a sour expression as she recalled the household that despised anything and everything Japanese. "Edelfelts"


    She wasn''t deeply acquainted with the Edelfelt family, her distant rtives. They could afford any number of jewels Haruki could throw at them. Like the Tohsaka family, the Edelfelt also specialized in the Jewel Magecraft. And unlike Tohsaka, the Edelfelts were ranked among the wealthiest and most influential families in the Clocktower.


    The familiar name from Rin''s mouth puzzled Haruki for a moment. "Edelfelt? The drill-haired ojou-san?"


    Luviagelita Edelfelt, the daughter of the Edelfelt family, and Rin''s rival in the Clocktower. The said rivalry had yet to develop since Rin only went to Clocktower to study after the Holy Grail War reached its conclusion.


    "Yes, her! How do you know her?" Rin asked, casting a suspicious gaze on Haruki. She had only seen Luviagelita, the heiress of the Edelfelt household, in pictures. It was odd for Haruki to know about her from Japan of all ces. Wasn''t he an ordinary person before the war started?


    "I don''t know."


    "..."


    "Anyways, can you contact them? I need Semi to start working on Semiramis'' Noble Phantasm as soon as possible."


    "I will do it right away. We''ll need to go to London or Find to meet her."


    The Edelfelt household was located in Find, but Luvia was studying in the Clocktower.


    Haruki closed the drawer and looked at Rin. "Can you handle this, Rin? I''ll be a lot busy with something else."


    He would have loved to meet a potential ally for his troubles. However, he had to farm the enemies in the Land of Dead. His personal strength took priority.


    "Leave it to me!" Rin wasn''t going to let down the man who saved her and her sister. She had been doing nothing but running around since the war. It was time for her to shine and show her worth. "Sakura, I''ll be returning to my mansion you''re wee there anytime."


    Sakura did want to go with Rin, but the talk from before seemed like the Grail wanted her for some reason. Going out right now would be foolish, to say the least. She wanted to stay here with Medea and hone her magecraft skills.


    "Be careful, Nee-san," Sakura warned, a look of concern in on her face.


    Rin put her hands on her hips, smiling smugly as she did. "I got this."


    Haruki smiled at Rin''s enthusiastic side. "Medusa, can you apany Rin?"


    Angra Mainyu had no reason to chase Rin outside of Japan. Still, letting Medusa apany Rin was better than risking Rin''s life. Medusa''s A-Rank Agility paired with Monstrous Strength skill should give her an edge over other servants. Outrunning Uesugi Kenshin and Oda Nobunaga won''t be hard for Medusa.


    "I can, Master," Medusa replied through telepathy. "Sakura''s sister will see no harm under my protection."


    Rin left the room with a big smile while a stealthy Medusa tailed her.


    "Mom," Haruki plopped down on the bed and called his mother out. "What made you change home now?"


    Artoria stared at her master as though he had gone insane. Then, she felt it. A ghostly presence stirring the winds in the room. The Excalibur came together through golden sparks to protect Haruki.


    "Artoria, it''s my mom," Haruki calmly said, stopping Artoria from purging Kaede''s spirit with her sword.


    "Haru, our home was too small for your party," Kaede said. "I couldn''t let them doubt our dignity."


    Haruki showed a wry smile. "Why were you working overtime if we weren''t poor?"


    "Uhm I wanted to raise Haru with the money I earned through hard work. I wanted to be a good mother. Best mother in the multiverse but I kicked the bucket before I could show my true love sad."


    Her earnest ims earned a look of disapproval from Semiramis. The former Empress wasn''t fond of mothers in general. She remained silent to not anger the man deeply in love with his mother.


    Haruki was too busy to notice anything outside of his narrow field of vision focused solely on Kaede''s voice. "You are the best mother I could ask for."


    He was unsure if Kaede knew he was a reincarnated person. A Beast-ss like her could effortlessly dig through his memories. Yet, she never brought it up.


    "She does know you aren''t her original son," Arch answered his confusion. "Don''t worry."


    ''...That''s strange.''


    A mother would naturally freak out at this incident. Then again, Kaede wasn''t a normal human being. She was a Beast born with a sole goal: Destroy humanity.


    "She is just a pervert," Arch said. "She just wants your dick."


    ''I don''t understand why do you hate her so much?''


    "I don''t hate her. I loathe her very existence. I wanted to crush her and the world she should thank you for being alive."


    Arch''s voice was filled with genuine hatred, or she was too good at faking emotions. Either way, the Dragon Goddess wasn''t a fan of Kaede.


    ''You know how much I love her. If you''


    "I know how big of a momcon you are. I''ll not touch her as long as you are alive. If you die by any chance, however, consider the world erased from existence."


    Haruki shuddered from the sheer hatred dripping from Arch''s voice. Arch was giving serious yandere vibes. Who else would destroy a world for one person? His death would endanger the entire world, including his lovers.


    ''More reasons to not risk my life.''


    ***


    A looooong chapter to clear some mysteries and create more in the process.

 Chapter 77: Soft side?

    Chapter 77: Soft side?


    "Kaede Oba-san is alive?" Sakura muttered. It took her moments to recognize Kaede''s voice, but she couldn''t believe what was happening in front her. Her teary eyes darted around in search of Kaede. "Senpai, tell me is she alive?"


    Apart from Haruki, Kaede was the only one to treat her warmly. Kaede loved her more than her real mother, who had done nothing when her father delivered her at Zouken Matou''s hands as if she was a Christmas present.


    "Her soul is," Haruki agreed with a sigh. "We need the Grail to create a vessel for her."


    Haruki, with the knowledge from his ''Evil Eater'' Noble Phantasm, and Medea, with her excellent magecraft knowledge, could technically create a vessel like the Servants if they gave their best efforts. Neither Haruki nor Kaede were satisfied with the method since the vessel would limit her potential as a Beast.


    Holy Grail, with the infinite supply of magical energy, could create a vessel worthy of the Beast-ss.


    Meanwhile, Sakura felt a cold air wrapping her like the hands of her mother-like figure.


    "Sakura-chan~, I''m a bad ghost possessing this house. I also changed the house with my magical powers!"


    The voice boiled up Sakura''s emotions as droplets of absolute relief poured out of her eyes. Haruki walked up to her and stroked her hair until she calmed down. She still rested in his embrace with a big smile on her face.


    Medea grabbed Semiramis'' long ear to stop her from interfering. Despite knowing Semiramis for a short time, Medea could tell what went in Semiramis''s head. The Empress wanted Haruki''s attention, and she''d go to crazy lengths to achieve her desires. Semiramis wasn''t any less crazy than Medea, who had scorched Jason''s family and his future wife for revenge.


    Artoria was in the most awkward spot for being in the first-ss seat for the heartwarming scene. Times like these made her recall fond memories of her ever-so-lively Knights of the Round Table and the mischievous Merlin.


    "I got work to do, you know?" Haruki whispered in Sakura''s ears. "Rest up now, you won''t sleep tonight."


    Sakura''s face grew hot under his teasing, and she was grateful for the fact nobody saw her beet-red cheeks. Once her embarrassment settled down, she quietly stepped towards the lonely-looking Artoria.


    Haruki chuckled and returned to the bed. Semiramis pouted as if her life depended on it. He just stayed silent, wondering what Semiramis was going to do. She leaned andid her head on hisp.


    ''Why did I do this?'' The former Empress of Assyria began to question her urges. ''Am I under some spell?''


    Haruki blinked his eyes at the uncharacteristic, spoiled behavior of Semiramis.


    ''Is it just my imagination or Semi has be like soft today?''


    Both of them were questioning themselves while gazing into each other''s eyes.


    "You keep calling her so affectionately," Arch said, her voice devoid of any passion. "What did you expect?"


    ''We''re talking about Semiramis? THE Semiramis who poisoned more men than my local cemetery can hold.''


    "Wait."


    -Current Status  My master is admiring me what do I do if he seriously wants to sleep with me? He is immune to my poison I''m powerless.


    -Rtionship Status  78/100


    ''Seventy-eight? How?''


    How did he reach ''more than friends, less than lovers'' status with her so quickly? Did he have a secret skill for speedrun dating?


    He stared at the woman who was so full of herself as if he was dying to sleep with her.


    "You said you''ll rest with me." Semiramis looked away, her cheeks on fire. "Master, where will you get the gems?" She quickly changed the topic.


    "That is a secret."


    Medea crossed her arms smugly. "Not for me. I know Haruki-sama''s every secret."


    Sakura couldn''tpletelyprehend the rivalry between Medea and Semiramis.


    Artoria, who was at her wit''s end, walked up to Sakura. "You had violet hairst time. How did they change?"


    "I dyed them" she nodded her head and hushed her voice. "Haruki-senpai likes white hair."


    "Oh" Artoria gave a nd response. "Did you notice something different in Master?"


    "He is more expressive?"


    Sakura watched Haruki toy with Semiramis'' ears while thetter writhed about in embarrassment. The person Sakura grew up with didn''t smile so often, perhaps to hide his happiness before her hardships.


    ''It''s all over Zouken is dead for good. Next is''


    Sakura couldn''t help but blush as she remembered the next phase of her rtionship with Haruki.


    Artoria got more confused when Sakura suddenly blushed as though she was in a daydream.


    ''Everyone in this house is weird.''


    She was subjected to such a warm environment before, thanks to Irisviel. Without that experience, she might have been on edge here. It reminded her of Irisviel''s warm interactions with her child. Frankly, she preferred this ce over herst summoning ce, where Kiritsugu made things difficult for everyone.


    Artoria dispersed her magic armor, returning to her new and familiar dress.


    "Master, are we going there?" Medea asked as she glued herself to Haruki''s side. "We''re more prepared this time."


    Haruki looked at Sakura, who wasn''t willing to step out of her delusions. Honestly, he wanted to spend more time with Sakura, but he had to go. He wouldn''t be getting stronger by sitting in a ce.


    "Yes, Artoria, you want toe?"


    Haruki didn''t mind sharing the secret training ground with his new servant. Artoria, Excalibur, and Medea would dial down the clear time of any floor in the Land of Dead, which gave them more marbles to sell.


    Artoria had no inkling of the mysterious ce being talked about by Caster and her Master. Even then, she nodded resolutely. "I will apany Master."


    Semiramis frowned in displeasure. "Master, you can''t take her. What if Gilgamesh showed up again? Artoria is our prime offense against him."


    "I''ll toast anyone who dared to step into my home," came the voice of Haruki''s beloved mother. "Just You can''t let anyone destroy the house the house is my anchor."


    "I can''t rule out the possibility of Gilgamesh returning" Haruki took a sigh. "Sorry, Artoria. You''ll have to stay here to protect the home."


    "I''ll do so."


    Semiramis clung to Haruki''s side, sandwiching his arm between her breasts. "Let mee, please, my master."


    Haruki gave up under her shameless requests. "Fine."


    "Yay!" Semiramis pecked his cheeks out of pure happiness. "Let''s go!"


    Semiramis was showing a different side. A far cry from her calcting behavior,ing straight from her heart. Haruki, frankly, wasn''t ready to handle this cuteness.

 Chapter 78: Animal Spirits

    Chapter 78: Animal Spirits


    Check out my homie''s story. Son of the Hero King. It got great fantasy world with smut and nice characters! /book/son-of-the-hero-king_24153504605334705


    ***


    In a world of eternal gloom, a castle of dark stones was built upon hills. An enigmatic woman sat at the edge of the castle wall. Her ck tight outfit melded her in the shadows. A pair of red eyes scanned a massive tower that loomed over the castle. Her castle. Spirits of the old clung to the newly constructed mysterious structure as though trying to possess it.


    "Who made it?"


    The Ruler of the Land of Shadows couldn''t see through the tower since an invisible wall blocked her perception. The woman killed spirits of demigods daily. Yet, the hidden barrier refused to budge under her relentless assault. On asion, she saw spirits pass the barrier and enter the tower. As if an entity allowed them to enter its boundaries. An entity beyond the realm of Divine Spirits.


    "I must get to the bottom of this."


    The tower reduced her workload of calling spirits. However, she felt uneasy about a conscious tower rampaging inside her domain. She had to enter the tower and meet the owner.


    No one was allowed to show off in her territory.


    ***


    Semiramis arrived at the mysterious location. The overwhelming sorrows far above any battlefield filled with corpsesshe could feel every bit of darkness lingering in the mncholic corridors.


    "It''s a different world."


    This was all she could think to describe this ce.


    Haruki nodded at Semiramis''s assumption. "It is."


    The Land of Dead had the convenient manifestation of the mobs on the floor and bosses having their separate rooms. He believed it to be a world created by Arch for training him. He had a hunch that it was more than just a training ground. The giant tower and System had to be built with a greater purpose.


    "How did my master get the key to this dimension?"


    Medea was also curious about the answer, but she didn''t pry too much into Haruki''s secrets. Semiramis was of the opposite mindset. If there was a mystery, she wanted to get to the core of it.


    "Sheesh, stop with the interrogation. I''ll reveal everything when the time is right. Let me focus on fighting now."


    Haruki walked ahead and stumbled into a new creature around the corner. A hound with rotten flesh clinging to its skeleton.


    The hound pounced at him with open jaws. Haruki strengthened the spear with reinforcement and casually swung it. The hound''s jaw shattered from the overwhelming force before it spun three times in the air and crashed on the ground.


    Haruki stomped on the canine''s head.


    [Awakening Progress: 5.3%]


    ''It''s rather weak for a 6th-floor mob or I am far stronger than thest time.''


    "It''s thetter, young one. These are spirits of dead animals mutated with time," Arch said. "If I''m being honest here, you can''t go past the 30th floor with your current strength."


    ''I can surpass Artoria''s stats with reinforcement. You''re telling me that I can''t go beyond the 30th floor?''


    "Can you fight Heracles alone?"


    Haruki barely kept his calm. ''What is this fucked up difficulty? What is the boss of thest floor then? Cthulhu?''


    Arch giggled yfully. "I''m the final boss."


    ''You are the final woman I have to conquer? Okay, bring it on. I can''t be a real dragon without a dragon mate.''


    "..."


    As expected of the shut-in goddess, Arch couldn''t one-up him in a battle of words. At least not in this fashion. Things might have turned out differently if they talked inside Arch''s room where she showed more confidence. She owned that ce and acted like it.


    Haruki stomped his way through the hordes of different household pets, skeleton warriors, and wraiths. Medea almost cried out every time he killed small foxes and cats. Semiramis went out of her way to torment undead kittens, much to Medea''s despair. Frankly, the mobs were no match for him or his yet-to-be-named Mystic Code. He was d he didn''t bring Artoria. The King of Knights would be overkill on these piss easy floors.


    In less than two hours, he was standing before the door leading into the 10th-floor boss room. Semiramis held a massive bag filled with magical essences. She didn''t look displeased to work as a supporter of the group.


    "Should we stop for a bit?" Medea asked, handing Haruki a water bottle. "The boss could be a strong one."


    Semiramis winked at him. "My master can borrow myp if you want~."


    "And why would he do that when his lover is here?" Medea shot down Semiramis with pure, unadulterated facts. "Don''t you ever feel embarrassed?"


    Unfazed, Semiramis smiled. "A monarch cannot survive without a thick skin."


    Haruki gulped down the water without paying attention to the bickering women. Their fights only amused him. Semiramis had earned Medea''s respect after their work together with Sakura''s condition. Likewise, Semiramis appreciated Medea''s knowledge in magecraft. The pair wanted to get along, but they had too much pride to admit it.


    Medea, especially, didn''t want Semiramis to get closer to Haruki.


    ''They probably never had a close friend Arch, show me my status.''


    [Haruki Hayashi]


    Species: Dragon [Current awakening progress 5.7%]


    Age: 17


    Gender: Male


    Height, Weight: 183cm/76kg


    Alignment: Chaotic Neutral


    [Parameters]


    Strength: 30 (C)


    Endurance: 30 (C)


    Agility: 28 (C-)


    Magical energy: 70 (EX)


    Luck: 10 (E)


    ''EX-rank mana. Not bad indeed.''


    With the reinforcement spell, there wasn''t any difference between him and a top-ss Servant. The only difference was in skills and experience. He was still a novicepared to Artoria who trained since she was young and spearheaded wars for more years than his current age.


    "Mages will kill their families if they could have your mana," Arch said. "Your next authority will help with perception. You already know that I suppose."


    ''I guessed as much.''


    Haruki crushed the water bottle, forcing Semiramis and Medea to pause their battle. "Let''s go."


    He kicked open the door and furrowed his brows. A three meters tall red lion-headed beast rested in the center of the room. He was very familiar with the hybrid of lion and dog, an offspring of Tiamat, the Goddess of Beginning. Also known as Beast II.


    "It''s not an ordinary Uridimmu," Arch said. "It''s a beast that feasted on the resentment in the Land of ShLand of Dead it''s stronger than the one you remember."


    Haruki almost missed her stumble on the Land of Dead. He already doubted this ce to be inside the Land of Shadows. Arch just confirmed those doubts.


    ''Scthach Onee-sama.''


    The death-seeking warrior was one of his favorites, if not the most favorite Heroic Spirit. He naturally hoped to get along with her and possibly be her disciple. Only Chiron came close to her in the matters of teachingbat.


    ''Imagine I have to fight Scthach at the top.''


    "..."


    Uridimmu stepped forward and howled, shaking the very air in the room.


    "Haruki-sama"


    "I got this." Haruki pecked Medea''s lips before he rushed at the impatient beast.


    He cut off his momentum with a sudden left turn and nked the beast with a vicious kick. With a dash, he caught up to the monster barreling through the air and drove the glowing spear through its spine. For extra measures, he strengthened his leg with the reinforcement spell and precisely kicked the spear shaft. Instead of nailing the monster on the ground, as he imagined, the spearhead slowly dragged the monster, scratching the ground with ear-piercing sounds.


    [Awakening Progress: 5.81%]


    Harukinded on the ground and dusted his hands. "Whew,rger monsters are fun to beat."

 Chapter 79: A Queens Request

    Chapter 79: A Queen''s Request


    Haruki picked up his spear and looked back to his twopanions. Medea hurried over and wiped his sweat. While her hood concealed her expression, a soft smile on her face was all but guaranteed, considering the loving care in her hand.


    Haruki couldn''t help but feel fuzzy from her ridiculous attention to his being. He took the cloth from Medea''s hand and gently hugged her. "No need for this. I''ll shower when I return."


    Medea nodded enthusiastically in response to his whispers without an ounce of embarrassment. "I''ll clean everything."


    Haruki looked toward Semiramis, half-expecting the former empress to pout as a disy of jealousy. Semiramis, however, carried an uncharacteristic solemn look.


    ''What got her serious?''


    He separated from Medea, who seemed very reluctant to leave his embrace. "Semi?"


    "My master, do you know anything about the monster you fought? It gave me a very familiar feeling. As if I''ve seen it before."


    Haruki thought over Semiramis'' unexpected nostalgia with Uridimmu. As a former queen, Semiramis had great judgment. She couldn''t possibly mistake Tiamat''s offspring for some ordinary beast.


    ''Tiamat''s spawn Uridimmu and Semiramis.''


    He wrecked his brain and found a connection between the two.


    "Their roots."


    The former queen of Assyria and Tiamat originated from the same ceAncient Mesopotamia. Assyria, the empire Semiramis ruled, existed in an ancient Mesopotamian Civilization. And Tiamat was a goddess that hailed from the Mesopotamian religion. It made sense Semiramis found the beast familiar.


    "Genius." Arch gave a rare word of praise.


    ''It''smon history bullshit.''


    "..."


    "My master, where did you go?" Semiramis waved her hand in his face. "You can borrow my chest if you want. Just don''t fall asleep while standing."


    She patted her chest, causing her mature bosom to shake. It wasn''t a gesture to seduce, yet it grasped Haruki''s attention. The endless ravine descending in her ck dress firmed its grip on Haruki, pulling him in and never letting go.


    The former queen didn''t miss the momentary distraction her gesture caused. Her lips curled mischievously.


    ''Look at my serious master trying to sneak a peak at my chest.''


    It would be a sin to not capitalize on her ''small victory.'' Leaning closer, she slightly lowered the ck cloth covering her breasts. Bit by bit, the ck fabric moved, revealing more and more of fair flesh. The extreme contrast of her skin and the jet ck dress kept Haruki''s eyes glued as though he was under a spell.


    Semiramis'' smile turned into a grin. ''This is so wonderful.''


    Teasing Haruki was the most fulfilling thing she did after getting summoned. The satisfaction was on par with the exhration of standing over the masses.


    "Semiramis," Medea growled at the witch trying to steal her man right under her nose. "You shameless wench."


    Only a few moments had passed since Haruki discovered the link between Semiramis and Tiamat. The few moments seemed forever under Semiramis'' tease. In all honesty, her recent change had raised her charm more than she could imagine. It was impossible for him to not be attracted to the lovelydy.


    Haruki sighed to himself. He let his guard down.


    "I think I already told you this," Arch said. "As you approachpletion, your desires will be harder to contain. The hardest breakthroughs are spiritual. You need to stay true to yourself or you''ll never reach my level. Remember, the basic instinct of every dragon is to neverpromise."


    He could understand Arch''s brief analogy on desires. That didn''t mean he''d let his urges get the better of him. His goal remained the sameiming the grail to create a vessel for his mother. The goal of expanding his harem was nowhere near as important as protecting his current family.


    Arch chuckled. "I thought you wanted to be a harem king."


    Haruki gave a wry smile. ''Fantasies are just fantasies.''


    He felt overwhelmed when he thought about his everyday life with three women. Adding more would add more chaos.


    "You''ll still fuck more women. I just know it."


    Arch knew Haruku better. He wouldn''t be able to stop himself when beautiful women like Semiramis would tease him so openly. He wouldn''t be able to resist them for long. It was impossible.


    Semiramis stepped back with a bright smile and turned to Medea. "You sweetie, are you scared? That I''ll steal your man?"


    Medea despised the sheer confidence oozing from Semiramis'' grin.


    She despised the way Semiramis had smitten Haruki.


    ''Haruki-sama will fall for her''


    Semiramis was different from the Cresa, the princess who seduced Jason and forced her tomit ughter. Yet Medea felt unease and her buried nightmares surfaced.


    Medea''s silence was unexpected for Haruki. He took a closer look at her, only to find her shaking. He red at Semiramis, who gave an apologetic smile.


    "I went too far"


    Her apology saved her from the punishment Haruki had in his mind.


    "Medea," Haruki muttered as he took the sorceress into his arms and patted her back. "No one is taking me from you. Medea is my first woman, okay?"


    His warmth and his words poured cold water on Medea''s raging nightmares. "I''m sorry, Haruki-sama for being so insecure. I-"


    "Medea, if you said sorry again, I" he leaned down and bit her ears hidden under her hood. "I swear on my mother, I''ll fuck you here. Right before Semiramis'' eyes. I''ll not stop until I fill your womb with my semen."


    He took used his mother''s method against Medea.


    Medea shivered. "T-That is too much."


    "We, dragons, don''t know where to draw the line between tame and extreme."


    Medea gave a stuttering nod. "I won''t do it again."


    Haruki gave her a pat on her head to cheer her up and moved away. Medea took a deep breath and flipped back her hood. Remorse was written all over Semiramis'' face. Had it changed Medea''s mind from taking revenge? Not so much. Medea had to make a statement to maintain her ''position.''


    Her mouth twisted into a wicked grin that had earned her nickname ''Witch.'' "Semiramis, Haruki-sama and I share the deepest bond. I advise you to seek someone else to satisfy your lustful urges this dungeon is not for utterly perverted specimens such as you."


    Medea''s sharp words of insult stunned Semiramis. Regaining her calm, sheughed and pointed at Medea''s crotch. "You are no less perverted than me, Miss Witch."


    Blush was easily noticeable on Medea''s pale skin. "What are you trying to say?"


    Haruki blinked his eyes. ''Did she get wet from that?''


    Medea wanted to run away and hide somewhere. For the sake of her pride, she stood there with a calm face, despite the sweat trickling down her forehead.


    "Medea, let''s not continue this fight," Semiramis said and extended her hand in an attempt to signal a ceasefire. "I want us to be friends."


    Her request caught Medea and Haruki by surprise.

 Chapter 80: The Dance

    Chapter 80: The Dance


    Semiramis''s pride was grander than her Hanging Gardens of Babylon; both Haruki and Medea were aware of it. By acknowledging Medea, Haruki''s first servant and lover, she was putting down her pride as well as her dignity. Throwing the towel wasn''t a possible action for Semiramis.


    Medea looked at Haruki for advice, who simply smiled.


    "The choice is yours alone" he turned to Semiramis. "But I''d be happier if there was no conflict inside our home."


    Semiramis stared at Haruki for a long moment before she smiled softly. ''Our home'' was his own way of acknowledging her as one of Haruki''s own people. She finally earned his trust, the foundation for every rtionship. It took some sincere approach and plenty of care. The skill thatpletely denied every bad action from witches also yed a big part.


    ''How can he be so cute?''


    Semiramis held back her desire to rush at her master and trap him in a crushing hug. The dark atmosphere of the Land of Dead didn''t bother her budding desires in the slightest.


    "Semiramis." Medea epted the handshake. She had stopped hesitating the moment Haruki brought up his happiness. She couldn''t deny any word that came out of his mouth. "Do not call me witch again and we can be friends."


    Semiramis was desperate for Medea''s friendship, not the other way around. Medea utilized this advantage to its fullest and put up a simple condition.


    Semiramis shook her head. "Why? Miss Witch is such a cute name. It shows our bond as fellow witches."


    Medea clenched her jaw and gripped Semiramis'' soft hand. Medea''s vessel was upgraded after she slept with Haruki. Semiramis felt the full brunt of this reinforced strength and squirmed in agony.


    "S-Stop, you''ll break my hand Sorry. Please. Miss Medea."


    In desperation, Semiramis called Haruki for help. Haruki licked his lips, his grin on the same level as Medea''s wickedness.


    "Consider this payback for seducing me."


    Semiramis'' ''friend'' and her master bullied her, bringing her to the verge of tears. Harukiughed and took her hand before pressing his lips on the back of her hand. After numerous pecks, he gently rubbed her hand.


    "Does it still hurt?"


    His gentle smile was worlds apart from his wicked grin. Semiramis knew it in her heart it was all an act. But she couldn''t control her cheeks from flushing.


    "No, it doesn''t." she pulled back her hand. "Let''s continue."


    "If you say so."


    Haruki picked up the magical essence dropped by Uridimmu, which was of high-quality. The first high-quality magical essence. It carried enough magical power to conduct rituals on its own.


    "This ce is miraculous" Medea was fascinated. "Haruki-sama, what type of being created it?"


    "A bored goddess." Haruki took Medea and Semiramis'' hands and kicked the door. "Eleventh floorit''s somewhat different."


    The torches weren''t present, yet the corridors seemed bright. The magical energy seemed dense as if he was near the Ryuudou''s Temple, a leyline.


    "It''s sofy." Semiramis took a deep breath, feeling the magical energy invading her lungs. The darkness of the death and dense magical energyshe felt like she was back to the courtyard made for her witchcraft.


    Unable to contain her nostalgia, Semiramis glided in grace from ces to ces. Her ck hair slithered behind her as she indulged in a bout of refined dance. Her sensuality burst through the gloominess the Land of Dead had to offer.


    Medea had learned to dance in her time as the princess. But she would never let Haruki know about it. Not after Semiramis'' morous disy.


    Semiramis took Haruki''s hand and pulled him into her world. Haruki''s knowledge of dancing didn''t go beyond the basic ballroom dance which only consisted of elegant steps. As though reading his dilemma, Semiramis held his hands and hummed through the hallways. The simple steps didn''t require any music.


    As a fast learner, Haruki got better and better at grasping the rhythm in the same way he adapted to Medusa''s attacks during their battle. The perception ability of his eyes tremendously improved his


    Eventually taking the lead from Semiramis.


    When the realization hit her, Semiramis threw her head back and giggled. "You''re so childish, my master. I''ll happily follow your lead even to the afterlife."


    "Is that an oath, I wonder?"


    Semiramis smiled, happiness radiating all over. "Isn''t it too early to ask about that, my lovely master?"


    Medea bit her lips, dark emotions coursing through her. Haruki sensed Medea''s displeasure and stopped flirting with Semiramis.


    He advanced through the corridors while holding Medea''s hand. "You seem angry."


    "You looked so happy with Semiramis I was jealous."


    "I''d also be jealous if you talked to another guy with a smile. It''s natural," Haruki didn''t me her for feeling jealous. He leaned to her side and whispered, "Anyways, we''ll have some fun after this. I can make your vessel stronger now that I have awakened again."


    Medea recalled theirst time and gulped, her anticipation rising. The process of strengthening her vessel had enticing side effects. "Y-Yes, I-I''ll be in your care."


    Haruki chuckled at her growing nervousness. "You''ll definitely be in my care."


    Semiramis, who was just a few inches away, heard everything. As an assassin and a servant, her hearing was top-notch.


    ''Medea''s growth came from my master''s semen?''


    She licked her lips, finding yet another reason to seduce her master. It seemed inevitable that she and Haruki danced in bed.


    Haruki was too lost in Medea''s eyes to notice the snake-like gaze of the Poison Master.


    ***


    Thoughts on the chapter?

 Chapter 81: *For PC users*

Chapter 81: *For PC users*


    Since pc users can''t read on site, here is the Scribblehub link for them. /series/300960/fate-a-dragons-journey/

 Chapter 82: Deal with Lady Edelfelt

    Chapter 82: Deal with Lady Edelfelt


    "Luvia is in the middle of an important task given to her by the Clocktower. It''s hard to get a hold of her now. I''m sorry I couldn''t be of help."


    A soft but fearless voice came from the phone pressed against Rin''s ears. The owner was the mother of the current Head of the Edelfelt family.


    Lady Edelfelt.


    "Luviagelita is busy?" Rin rubbed her pulsing temples. "I called the Edelfelt household for an important discussion regarding the magic jewels."


    "Oho, you have my attention."


    "My friend in Fuyuki City wants to exchange a great quantity of the stocked up jewels we use."


    "Fuyuki?" the voice sounded surprised for a moment. "I thought you moved out after your father''s death You''re in the middle of a Holy Grail War of unimaginable scale. The Clocktower already assembled some mages to solve the problem. What could have triggered this?"


    The Clocktower sending a mage was well within her and Haruki''s expectations. Not that the mages had any chance to deal with this messy war unless they sent a Magician, which had one in a million chances.


    "The remnants of an evil god possessed the Holy Grail. Its goals are unknown but it has summoned seven servants as its army."


    Rin purposely left Sakura out of her story. Mage''s Association would be interested in Sakura if they found out an evil god sought Sakura.


    "That is not good. Rin, you must abandon your position as Master and leave the city."


    "I can''t do it, Lady Edelfelt. I''m the supervisor of Fuyuki City. I have to help the mages from the association. Um, who did they send?"


    "Lord El Melloi II is in charge. I do not know about the rest."


    Rin narrowed her eyes. The name Lord El Melloi II recently rose as one of the best professors in the Clocktower. His revolutionary teaching methods changed the basics of magecraft lessons. He was an influential figure in the Clocktower for the power he held.


    "So about the jewels."


    Lady Edelfelt giggled. "How many?"


    "He didn''t disclose the number but he said it''s a lot. My friend isn''t the one to exaggerate things."


    "You trust this person a great deal."


    "I do, Lady Edelfelt. He is a great guy."


    Haruki hid many things from her and came off as a shady guy. He never lied to her about anything. She trusted Sakura''s judgment of character since she knew Haruki for a long time.


    "Oho, it seems spring is near for Tohsaka Princess."


    Rin blushed as she realized Lady Edelfelt''s meaning. "It''s not like that, Lady Edelfelt. We''re just friends"


    She would never do anything that''d disappoint Sakura. Eyeing her man was the easiest way to break their mended rtionship. She, however, couldn''t stop a deranged fantasy from taking root in her heart.


    "It all starts with ''friends'', youngdy," Lady Edelfelt continued teasing Rin. "What does your friend desire in exchange? Money?"


    "He is in urgent need of several materials from Iraq and Baghdad. I''d be very grateful if the deal finished as soon as possible."


    Lady Edelfelt took a moment to answer, "Give me the name of materials. I''d send them your way. You and Luvia can finish the deal once she is avable. Are you fine with this arrangement?"


    Lady Edelfelt trusted the Tohsaka name enough to send payment in advance. "It''s wonderful, Lady Edelfelt. I''ll message you everything in a second!"


    She was over the moon to get the materials without visiting some foreign country. It saved so much precious time.


    "Take care, sweetheart. Don''t die before fulfilling your payment."


    "I will not."


    Rin''s voice was filled with confidence. They had a literal dragon from the mythologies as the master of several servants. To top everything off, he never let his emotions control him.


    He was the leader they needed to fight the evil god.


    Rin put back the phone in its holder and slumped in the chair. "I did something."


    The daughter of the Tohsaka n aplished something on her own. Even though she was an impressive mage, Haruki hogged all the spotlight from her. She hadn''t received any opportunity to act as Archer''s Master or the daughter of Tohsaka n. She couldn''t bear witness to the fruit of her training.


    ''At least we killed the scum together.''


    She contributed to the fight, or so she wanted to believe. Shaking her head, she sighed and leaned her head on the couch.


    "Archer, we need to up our game. We can''t go down as NPCs in the greatest Holy Grail War in history."


    "Master, you''re overthinking it." Emiya made an appearance and ruffled her hair. "I''ll get you some herbal tea."


    Once Emiya left the room, Medusa emerged from the shadows. "You''re helping a ton by supporting Sakura."


    Rin stared at Medusa. The beauty with a blindfold should be thest woman to offer herforting words.


    Medusa revealed a small smile at her doubtful look. "It''s what Master would say if he was here."


    Rin could vividly imagine Haruki saying those words with a cheeky grin. His confidence to disregard her status was one of his charms.


    Rin snapped out of her daze and blushed. "I-I get it. No need to exin."


    Her blush was enough proof for Medusa''s sess. Medusa got a fine grasp of Haruki''s character in the brief time. He''d spare no effort in making his close ones happy. He reminded her of her younger self whomitted atrocious acts to be stronger. To protect her sisters from the humans who branded her family as a monster.


    The same fate might befall on her master because of his dragon race.


    She truly hoped the people around Haruki helped him with this enormous pressure.


    ***


    You can support me and read 10 more chapters on /GMilfHunter

 Chapter 83: Archery

    Chapter 83: Archery


    A/N: Yes, the story isn''t dropped.


    ***


    The Land of Dead, the tower of dead spirits, and Medea''s nightmare of seeing her beloved fluffy but terrifying spirits get crushed. Haruki''s merciless spear drove a hole through every spirit whether it was a dog, cat, or lion.


    Medea clutched her head in agony. Haruki caressed the beautiful strands of blue hair falling down her face.


    "I also feel unmotivated to kill them."


    Fighting little animals was no fun. Fighting big, burly men was exhrating.


    "They are just animals," Arch said. "They won''t appear past the twentieth floor."


    Haruki ryed the good news to his grief-stricken lover.


    "Haruki-sama, what floor are we on?"


    "Fourteenth," Semiramis answered as she spun the pouch of gems. "Next floor should be the boss room. My master, I suggest a break at the boss room''s door. My friend Medea needs some rest."


    "Absolutely."


    The trio proceeded to rest outside the boss room before pushing open the ancient door. It was the same lion-headed beast he encountered on the 10th floor.


    Much bigger and angrier.


    "Uridimmu." Semiramis'' ck eyes zed. "My master, ughter!"


    "Haruki-sama, be careful. It looks fiercer than thest boss."


    "The duality of women."


    He ramped up the reinforcement spell on his spear and leapt forth. The unreasonable strength offered by the reinforcement spell shot up his momentum. His figure blurred into a violet streak.


    And he smacked the Uridimmu; the lion-headed beast tried to dodge, desperately trying to push its body out of harm''s way. The speed of the dragon in a human''s body exceeded its perception.


    Haruki skewered the beast''s chest and flung him to the ceiling. What came crashing down was a lifeless corpse.


    The offspring of Tiamat was stronger. However, he had also awakened more since the 10th floor. Each fiber of his muscle became used to the abuse of Medea''s cheat-like reinforcement spell.


    The fight was unfair to begin with.


    [Awakening Progress: 6.9%]


    ''That''s a nice number, Arch. Wanna try it with me?''


    "..."


    He checked on his status.


    [Haruki Hayashi]


    Species: Dragon [Current awakening progress 6.9%]


    Age: 17


    Gender: Male


    Height, Weight: 183cm/76kg


    Alignment: Chaotic Neutral


    [Parameters]


    Strength: 35 (B-)


    Endurance: 34 (C)


    Agility: 33 (C)


    Magical energy: 75 (EX)


    Luck: 10 (E)


    Haruki picked the Life Essence orb left behind by the Urdimmu. It was almost the size of his palm this time. The bigger the orb, the more Life Essence it stored, and the more valuable it was to mages. The Edelfelt Family would be delighted.


    "Catch." He tossed the orb at Semiramis who caught it without a flinch. "Semi, how many do we have now?"


    "It''s the 204th."


    "Well, we got more than I predicted."


    He came with a hundred minimum as a target. However, the numerous household spirits exceeded his expectations.


    A mocking smile appeared on Semiramis'' wless face. "For people to consider these trash quality orbs valuable, the magecraft has fallen quite far since my time."


    She was born in an era where the Mystery was on continuous decline after Norse Pantheon''s annihtion. Even so, gods and mortals could interact in her time and the Mystery far surpassed today''s age of science.


    Medea hummed in agreement. "I''d never run out of magic power supplying these in my time."


    The quality of mana in her era was that great.


    Semiramis chuckled at Medea''s reminiscence. "The distorted witch who ughtered her kin for love. Your story was famous throughout my empire. People called you crazy for murdering your children in cold blood."


    Meeting Medea changed her opinion for the better. Medea was just another woman with different priorities.


    Medea frowned her delicate brows. "I didn''t have any children, Haruki-sama. This is a made-up version of my real story."


    "I don''t care. It''s all in the past now."


    "Haruki-sama"


    The sorceress was getting affectionate. Semiramis pulled the couple in heat out of the room and continued their adventure.


    ***


    Back in Haruki''s house, Sakura paced back and forth in the hallway outside of Haruki''s room. Haruki had vanished to do his serious business of collecting more gems to sell. Sakura couldn''t care less about his secrets.


    Her current problem was mundane, inconquestialpared to the ongoing war. She couldn''t decide on a room to stay in.


    "Sakura-chan can move into Haru''s room," Kaede advised Sakura as her mother-inw. "He won''t argue with you over this."


    Sakura shook her head. "Medea-san is more deserving of that right."


    Having Haruki as a lover was more than what Sakura ever dreamt of. She had no reason to overstep her boundaries and infuriate the sorceress. Medea had been nice and friendly to her, even solving her lifelong problem with Semiramis.


    "If you say so, Sakura-chan."


    "Kaede Oba-san, I''ll move into the left room."


    "Sure thing."


    Sakura didn''t bring anything from her room in the Matou Mansion. The house didn''tck anything either way. She could always ask Rin to buy any necessity since she was forbidden from leaving the mansion.


    ''I''m bored. When will Haruki-senpai return and''


    She blushed as her imagination ran wild. She pped her cheeks to shake off the lewd thoughts.


    "I''ll hone my fighting skills."


    Medea, the sorceress, wasn''t present to teach her magecraft.


    "Why don''t you pick a weapon?"


    Sakura frowned at Kaede''s suggestion. "Where will I find one?"


    "The house has a dojo. Follow my lead."


    Sakura came out of the room and followed the signs on the walls. It led her to a dojo bigger than the one in her school.


    "Fufu, it''s for Haru to flex his muscles. To make his chiseled body sweat Hmm, he grew taller since he awakened his dragon blood. I can''t wait" Kaede mumbled in a dreamy voice.


    Sakura felt drawn to the line of training weapons on a stand. She picked up her desired weapon and pulled at its string. She had never been a part of the archery club, but the wooden longbow felt familiar. Almost as if she yed with it before.


    "There is a colorful ring for testing."


    She firmly gripped the wooden longbow, notched an arrow, and drew the string with the proficiency of a skilled marksman. The wooden bow creaked as she forced the arrow to her cheek and closed her left eye.


    The wooden arrow shot through the dojo with lightning speed and pierced the very center of the colorful ring.


    "Bullseye. Sakura-chan handles the bow like a pro!"


    Sakura blushed at thepliment and gazed at the longbow in her hand. Holding a bow gave her a sense of security, though it wasn''t quite the level of Haruki.


    ''Is it because of Kama?''


    She fired another arrow that sliced through the first arrow and punctured the center dot. Another couple of arrowsnded in the same spot.


    ''Magecraft and archery I can help Haruki-senpai with something.''


    Sakura practiced archery for over an hour and her dress became drenched in sweat.


    "Kaede Oba-san, do you have a change of clothes? Something eye-catching"


    Either way, she couldn''t wear Homuhara academy uniform when it was supposed to be her first night. She had to wear something special, but the Matou Family only gave her in and cheap dresses.


    Kaede giggled. "I got the perfect dress for you. Come to my room."

 Chapter 84: Responsibility

    Chapter 84: Responsibility


    The abundance of Tiamat''s offspring in the tower made no sense to Haruki. From 15th to 19th floors, every corridor had at least one Uridimmu. It got to the point where Haruki could predict every one of their moves.


    If that wasn''t enough of a joke, the boss at the 20th floor was an even bigger version of Uridimmu. Despite its tougher hide and razor-sharp ws, he trashed the beast in about fifteen seconds.


    [Awakening Progress: 8.7%]


    He was so close to the highly anticipated ten percent mark.


    ''Arch, you got some bones to pick with Tiamat?''


    Haruki tossed a question at the dragon goddess, expecting some cheesy answer in return.


    "Maybe they want to die first. I don''t know."


    Arch''s response was vague at best as if she was unsure.


    ''Ipetent goddess.''


    "..."


    ''How many hours have passed?''


    His wristwatch didn''t work in this space, so keeping track of time was impossible.


    "Seven."


    He couldn''t go deeper as others would be waiting for him on the dinner table. They would all starve in waiting rather than having dinner without him. Artoria might be a big exception to the rule.


    He also had to honor his promise with Sakura.


    So, he beckoned hispanions to his side. "We''re leaving."


    Medea nodded and nudged Semiramis. "Don''t miss anything."


    "Argh, don''t hit me."


    Haruki chuckled and twisted the key. They returned to the cozy little room where they unwind for a couple of minutes.


    "Semi, let''s call it a day after dinner. We''ll talk about the rest tomorrow."


    Semiramis interpreted his words as ''leave us alone'' and ''you don''t belong in this room.'' Medea''s clingy behavior only led Semiramis to feel more out of ce. She didn''t cower and leave for she was once the Empress of Assyria. She wasn''t going away without a reward from her master!


    "My master, don''t shoo me out like I''m a whore"


    The door mmed open to interrupt Semiramis. The culprit, a silver-haired girl, beamed to find her lover safe. "Haruki-senpai."


    Haruki was too stunned to speak. Dark memories crept up his mind, all due to Sakura''s dress. The full-sleeved ck dress looked ssy with long red strips, meshing well with her contrasty silver hair.


    ''Dark Sakura!''


    It was the same dress Sakura wore in the Heaven''s Feel route to terrorize Fuyuki City and all other servants. Dark Sakura''s dress wasposed of the Grail''s content. Haruki couldn''t understand how she got her hands on the exact replica of the dress.


    Sakura, seeing his startled look, hung her head. "Does it look ugly?"


    The dress given by Haruki''s mother didn''t work, shemented.


    "Who said you look ugly?" Haruki approached her and gently pinched her cheeks. "I was shocked how beautiful and elegant Sakura became in thest couple of years. I can''t imagine you as the same girl who cried and rubbed your snot in my chest."


    A heavy blush took over Sakura''s face. She hit his chest with the force of a kitten. "I used to be a child back then!"


    Haruki smiled to see her cheerful nature smile. The smile wasn''t hiding any pain like it used to before the Holy Grail War.


    ''I wouldn''t mind if she became a yandere''


    He could make an exception for Sakura just because of her otherworldly cuteness.


    Medea always had her eyes on Haruki but this moment was a special case. Semiramis took her entire attention. Her expression was just that agonizing from Medea''s point of view. The aloof Empress was like a lone tree standing in a blistering desert.


    Medea stretched the empress'' lips into a forced smile. "You can''t seduce a beggar like you are right now. Smile, my little empress."


    Semiramis frowned, then realized the meaning behind Medea''s phrase. She was showing pure envy for Sakura due to their intimate bond. Medea''s intentions became clear as day.


    ''She is trying to cheer me up. This Witch.''


    Semiramis couldn''t contain her amusement. Covering her mouth, sheughed, attracting the eyes of everyone. Her smile had captivated countless subjects in her empire. The effect of her pure happiness enchanted everyone in the room.


    Haruki rubbed Sakura''s head and turned to Semiramis. "Semi, keepughing like that."


    "Umm, I''ll be all smiles if you keep me happy."


    "Ahaha, I''ll try. Let''s have dinner before discussing anything."


    Artoria entered the room with an expressionless face. "Master, your bath is ready. We''ll have dinner afterwards."


    She carried a dignified look, yet her ahoge spun foolishly at the thought of food.


    Haruki smiled and stretched his arms. "Who wants toe with me?"


    Two hands were instantly raised and one meekly hand made its presence known.


    Seeing others, Artoria raised her hand as well. "Master, I can wash your back."


    "I was joking, sheesh. I''ll end up banging if youe with me."


    A dragon''s libido was truly dangerous. He had to break his promise with Medea for a different reason.


    Artoria''s hand went down and she tilted her head. "What''s this banging you speak of, Master? Do you want to bang something while showering?"


    The King of Camelot was unaware of vulgar words.


    "It''s an adult secret," Haruki said, ignoring the three sad faces that emerged. "I''ll be back in a minute."


    Haruki walked past Artoria and vanished around the corner.


    "Medea, do your best!" Medea heard Haruki''s voice in her head.


    ''Where do I do my best? Haruki-sama, borate.''


    "Don''t think I didn''t see youforting Semi."


    Medea sighed. ''Semiramis made me remember When Jason ditched me for that princess, it was heartbreaking.''


    She reckoned she was making a face simr to Semiramis.


    "I''ll give her more timeter. There are so many things to do."


    ''Haruki-sama, I''m your right hand woman. Leave Semiramis'' problem to me!''


    "You go, girl."


    Sakura excused herself to finish some chores. Artoria didn''t have anything to do so she followed after Sakura to help her. She had no ulterior motives like finding out about today''s dinner or trying to sneak some bits in the name of trialing.


    Medea found herself alone in the room with her new friend Semiramis.


    "Say, Medea. We both know my master has taken a liking to me. Do you object to it?"


    Medea stared at Semiramis'' face, who revealed a captivating smile. Semiramis would keep pursuing Haruki regardless of her answerthe defiant look in the empress'' eyes revealed everything. But having Medea''s support would be the best-case scenario.


    "Answer me, my friend."


    Medea smiled and revealed her answer. "I won''t."


    The answer would''ve been the opposite if the question was asked on the day Semiramis was summoned. After the fateful events, Medea couldn''t hate Semiramis despite all her vicious ws.


    Semiramis threw her arms around Medea. "I knew you''d support me in my love conquest. You''re the nicest witch ever!"


    "And you''re a bitch a good bitch."


    "Baw-waw."


    "..."


    ***


    You can support me and read 10 more chapters on /GMilfHunter

 Chapter 85: Haruki hates Arch?

    Chapter 85: Haruki hates Arch?


    A/N: Hello.


    ***


    Hassan of Serenity observed the small house from the outside. The smaller the house, the harder her task it''d be to kidnap her target Sakura. If push came to shove, she''d assassinate every person in the home with her poisonous body and then run away with Sakura. Her A+ Rank Agility would be hard to counter by most Heroic Spirits.


    But she will not fail for she was a Hassan. Once the leader of the flourishing sect of assassins Hashshashin in Persia.


    ''Master didn''t assign a time limit.''


    From what she heard, Sakura was important to her corrupted master. Yet her master showed no urgency, even telling her to retreat if things got hairy.


    She had time to conduct the first and the most necessary step in every mission.


    Reconnaissance.


    Information was indispensable to use her trump card, Shapeshifting. The bewitching woman could shift into another person as long as their physique resembled hers. Her goal was to imitate a person close to Sakura and take her away.


    Serenity maximized her Presence Concealment and ck smoke shrouded her. A+ Rank Presence Concealment made her invisible even to the sharpest of the Heroic Spirits. As long as she didn''t attack, nobody would be able to detect her.


    She climbed over the fence and ran circles around the house. The back door creaked open in the cold night as if inviting her inside.


    She fearlessly charged into the house.


    ***


    "I made it!" a shout echoed as the Japanese-style sliding door opened with a snap. "Haruki-kun, I finished your task."


    "Open your eyes."


    The authoritative voice robbed her smile and forced her to open her eyes. "Ah!"


    Haruki was entirely naked as he was preparing to shower. She saw everything. His chiseled figure seared into her consciousness and his member made her gulp.


    She stood there, gaping at the unexpected sight of her sister''s boyfriend in the bathhouse.


    "Rin."


    "I''m sorry!" Rin lowered her head, her cheeks flushed. "I thought you weren''t here for a bath."


    It was eleven at night, far past time for a night bath.


    Haruki covered his lower body with a towel and walked up to Rin. From her lower point of view, she could see the white tower around his waist and the small bulge contained within it.


    "Since you''re here, let''s wash together."


    Rin jolted up and stepped back. "No!"


    She turned tail and escaped the scene.


    "I wasn''t joking this time," Haruki whispered with a sigh.


    He wanted to get close to Rin Tohsaka since they were a family now. Well, he might have some lustful ulterior motives but he wasn''t going to act on them inside this giant bathhouse. She was safe with him probably.


    Haruki closed the door and sank into the bathtub. The cool water washed away his fatigue. Even the body of a dragon couldn''tpensate for hisck of rest. He was barely a dragon, not even ten percent.


    "You''ll be there soon."


    ''Leave all theforting to my dragon mom. She is a pro.''


    "You really want to turn me into your mother."


    ''Moms are the best thing in existence.''


    "Pervert."


    Her tone wasn''t the least bit condescending. Rather she sounded cheerful, happy even.


    He closed his eyes and collected all the information about the current state of the Holy Grail War in his mind. Angra Mainyu possessed Illyasviel''s body and summoned Servants.


    ''Mordred, Kenshin, Nobunaga, Heracles, Gilgamesh. The Assassin, Caster, and Berserker haven''t been spotted anywhere.''


    Thepatible sses list of those Servants helped in discerning the leftover Servants. The longer they go unknown, the more problematic they will be. His meta-knowledge of this world had no use if he couldn''t prepare a counterstrategy for those servants.


    His side had Emiya, C Chinn, Artoria with Avalon, Medusa at her peak, Semiramis, and Medea with a better vesselthis much force should decimate tens of Servants. But they were dealing with the craziest servants in the Throne of Heroes.


    ''I have to upgrade Semiramis and Medea''s vessels.''


    The upgrade process required him to pump a Servant full of his cum. So male servants were out of the question. He didn''t mind strengthening the others, however, if they consented to the process. The stronger they got, the better it was for him. Medusa and Artoria would do anything at the prospect of bing stronger. Artoria, especially, won''t have any second thoughts.


    ''What type of effect will my cum have on normal women?''


    Sakura was no longer normal with Kama residing inside her soul. The only ordinary woman around him was Rin Tohsaka, the genius magus.


    ''I''ll find it when the timees. Mom, roll all the low-rank gacha.''


    He had stacks of gacha coupons; a couple of premium ones, a dozen high-rank ones, and about fifty low-rank coupons. This amount should get him one legendary item.


    The familiar gacha wheel spun and spun.


    Swords, spears, daggers, gauntlets, shields, armor, health potions, and amuletsthe gacha wheel rained down item after item on him. The only caveatnone of them surpassed the Umon rank. Quite literally useless in a battle against servants.


    ''Low-rank tickets are useless.''


    "They are called low-rank for a reason."


    Haruki moved on to the premium and high-rank gacha coupons. The first attempt dragged its way to the purple rank.


    "Epic?"


    [Congrattions! You have acquired 1 x ''Noble Phantasm: Pain Breaker.]


    "Pain Breaker?"


    He curiously checked its description.


    Noble Phantasm: Pain Breaker


    Description: The materialization of an innocent maiden''s love from Greek Mythology.


    Rank: Epic


    Skills:


    -All Wounds Must Be Repaired [A]


    Info: All wounds, curses, and status effects are cured.


    Something tugged at Haruki''s mind. He had seen this Noble Phantasm before somewhere.


    "I''ll give you a special reward if you can guess the owner of this Noble Phantasm."


    Haruki couldn''t back down in the face of a special reward from a dragon goddess. Anything special in Arch''s eyes had to be of immense value to a mortal like him.


    He reread the description. "Materialization of an innocent maiden''s love. It''s Lily Medea!"


    She was the epitome of innocence in the Greek Myths of Nasuverse.


    "...Correct answer."


    ''What''s my reward, Mom?''


    "You win my"


    ''My what? Say it. Don''t leave me hanging like this.''


    "You win my used panties! Ahaha."


    Arch broke intoughter as she finished her greatest joke of the century. Haruki didn''t share the sentiment. All emotions vanished from his eyes and eyes as if he was a homunculus.


    "Arch, don''t talk to me ever."


    He stepped out of the bath and wore clothes. Without saying a word to his ''mother'', he entered the dining room. Medea and Semiramis sat side by side, whispering to each other. Medea put in the effort, and it showed.


    ''Medea is truly devoted.''


    The faces of his lovers eased his expression. He took a seat and began eating.


    ''I hate Arch.''


    "..."


    He didn''t forget to shoot an emotional damage arrow at Arch. She pissed him off with her unfunny joke, and she''d pay for it. The fact he fell for it made it even worse!


    ***


    You can support me and read 10 more chapters on /GMilfHunter

 Chapter 86: 88: Sakura’s Night (R-18)

    Chapter 86: 88: Sakura¡¯s Night (R-18)


    Big bro is back with goodies. Tis a longass lemon.


    ***


    After dinner, Haruki led Sakura by hand. She followed him, trailing the floor with her eyes. They came upon Rin, who was strolling around with Archer.


    Haruki raised his hand to greet her. "Found your dream room yet?"


    "I-I did. It''s right over there."


    Sakura sensed a hesitation in Rin''s words, which wasn''t present before.


    "Rin Nee-san,e to my room. We can live together."


    As a matter of fact, she yearned to be together with Rin after moving into the Matou Household. The dream might have twisted under a torturous life but the basis of it was still there, in her heart.


    Rin shook her head. "It''s fine. I''ll move back to Tohsaka Mansion after the war ends."


    Haruki chuckled. By the progression of these gs, Rin might end up in his bed before the war ends. He wasn''t going to deny her if she truly wanted it. He might not develop feelings of love for her, but he cared a great deal for the tsundere.


    Having a rtionship with Rin won''t be a bad idea to keep Sakura happier.


    Rin waved her hand with an apologetic smile and scurried away from the couple.


    "Haruki-senpai, did something happen between you and Senpai? She seemed off."


    Sakura''s ability to read the women around him was unparalleled. She could sniff out any potential development between him and women.


    "Nothing major. Let''s forget Rin and focus on our night. Right, my cute childhood friend?"


    "Y-Yes, Senpai."


    They entered the room. Haruki shut the door and whispered to his mother about the barrier. Getting her affirmative answer, he turned around with a faint smile. Sakura gulped dryly and lowered her butt to the bed. Her childhood dream was bing reality. All the suffering felt measly when she saw his smile.


    After all, he was her precious senpai who cherished her in a world of cruelty and despair. A pir holding her wreck ball of emotions together. He never rejected her selfish attempts to rely on him, encouraging her at every chance.


    "Haruki-senpai" She rubbed her eyes which were bing teary. "I should be happy about this but my eyes won''t stop I''m so sorry."


    "You''re such a crybaby." Haruki couldn''t help but hug her and rub her head. Her sweet aroma surrounded him. "No more crying from tomorrow. Let everything out right this moment."


    Sakura sniffed and cried until her tears ran dry. Every thought of dread, grief, and woe was blown apart, shredded inside her like fog in a burst of hot morning sunshine.


    "Senpai"


    She raised her head and kissed him. Cupping his face, she pushed her tongue inside his mouth. Her tongue eagerly devoured every drop of saliva that contained traces of powerful magical energy. Her aggressive kiss momentarily stunned him.


    ''Let''s see how far my kouhai leads me.''


    Her hand pressed against his chest and she tried to unhook the buttons of his shirt. Her clumsy fingers trembled as the kiss took all the breath out of her.


    She broke off the kiss and pushed him back, her face the perfect depiction of an enamored woman.


    "Senpai was that a good kiss?"


    Her zed eyes sought validation, perhaps apliment for her efforts.


    "Not bad for a rookie," Haruki said with a chuckle and held her chin. "Follow my example."


    She gulped in rising anticipation and let him disy his skills. As his lips captured hers, she moaned softly in his mouth with whimpers of pleasure. He wasn''t aggressive like her but gentle as if he was handling a fragile piece of ss. His objective wasn''t to satisfy her craving. Oh no, every second of this treatment heightened her desires. The effect was more pronounced due to a God of Love sharing a soul with hers.


    Sexual urges overwhelmed her mind but she remained as obedient if not more. She has had simr cravings for years. How could she sumb to them so easily?


    He pulled back when she was breathless, a silver strand bridging their mouths. The glow of bliss and delight and her long glossy white hair made her appear holy and divine. Then he looked at her ck dress and all of his illusions melted.


    "Senpai, what do you want me to do now?" She asked without a hint of her previous blush. "Should I take off our clothes first?"


    The kiss threw her shyness out of the park. What''s left was a woman eagerly looking to satisfy and please her man. She looked ready to do anything for him.


    "Sillyss, we''ll get there. Let''s start by getting you wet."


    Sakura blushed up a storm, her calm gone like a fleeting cloud. "I-I''m already"


    She was wet the moment they walked down the hallways or even before. He had truly riled up her tensions by mentioning the night over and over.


    "You''re already?"


    "Wet," she whispered, gazing down at the tent that sprung from his trousers. "Senpai too you''re like that."


    She smiled blissfully knowing he was aroused by her.


    "Yeah, you made me this way. Will youfort it?"


    Sakura leaned in with a curious look and unfastened his belt before unzipping his pants. He helped her and the tower came out, nearly smacking her nose.


    "Kyah"


    She covered her mouth with both hands and cutely shrieked when she saw the partially-erect penis sticking out in front of her eyes. The throbbing penis packed inside his pants was bigger and thicker beyond her expectations.


    He brushed her hair and smiled. "Do you know what a blowjob is?"


    She nodded vacantly, the shock of his size still holding her hostage. "I have seen it in AV and eroge."


    She sometimes needed material to masturbate and relieve her lust. The phone gifted by Haruki''s mother was a godsend for her. The adult videos on the inte immensely helped her calm those urges.


    "Wow, my Sakura watches porn. You never told me about it."


    Sakura remained silent, not bringing up the side effects of Zouken''s experiments.


    ''What side effects?''


    Her traumatized brain essentially brainwashed her into forgetting most of Matou Household''s existence. They were unneeded at this moment. Her Senpai was the most important.


    Unknown to her sinking thoughts, Haruki trailed a finger on her back and soon his finger descended in the crevice of her ass.


    She snapped out of her thoughts and looked up from hisp.


    "Keep going."


    Feeling his urges, she reached out and wrapped her slender fingers around his manhood, enveloping it in the warmth of her palm. The sensation of her soft hand made him even harder. Sensing his taut arousal, she moved her palm downwards, rubbing the sensitive skin within her hold.


    Haruki shivered and exhaled. "Don''t stop."


    She tucked her hair behind her ear and gave the crown a lick. She didn''t miss the shiver that followed.


    ''Senpai is feeling good. I''m making him feel pleasure''


    She felt like crying again. Sniffing back the tears, she rolled her tongue around his crown before pressing her lips against it. The bulbous head slid inside her mouth. She was an amatuer but she had seen sensual pornstars perform blowjobs, numerous times at that.


    He didn''t take all her offense without any retaliation. He lifted the hem of her ck dress and let it rest over her back. He softly caressed the wet spot on her panties with his middle finger. Her plump lips trembled at his touch and an immediate moan left her.


    She wriggled her hips. "Ahh Senpai is touching me"


    Haruki raised a brow and gently spanked her. "I told you to not stop."


    Her cheeks flushed from the punishment. He ced his hand on her head and slowly lowered her head. The warm flesh of her mouth surrounded his cock as it traveled down her throat, grazing her esophagus with its length.


    The heat around his cock made him twitch in her mouth. Tears welled up in her eyes and she coughed. He tried to stop her from choking but she gave him a re.


    "Senpai, let me!" She managed out a word with his cock in his mouth before starting her lustful act. Her wet lips moved up, leaving his shaft covered in her slick saliva. "Haruki-senpai."


    She kept muttering his name in her throat while eyeing him and soaking his rod in her saliva. Precum leaked out and she immediately licked it clean with her rough tongue. The burst of magical energy made her writhe in pleasure.


    He gave her a few heavy pats and returned to bobbing her head in his crotch, while touching her over her panties. He wasn''t fingering her to prevent any distractions in her blowjob.


    Her tongue crawled from the base to the head and an obscenely wet sound rang throughout the room as it mixed with the saliva in her mouth.


    His eyshes trembled as he looked up and winced. The shivers almost numbed his lower body. Sakura was inexperienced in many things but reading Haruki''s expression wasn''t one of them. Being together for over ten years, she could see through his calm expression as if it was the effect of a skill.


    "Nhbnn Haruki-senpai, please cum in my mouth."


    Her sweet, partly innocent voice raised the pressure around his cock.


    "Not yet."


    When he answered in a hoarse voice and shook his head, her gaze heated up.


    ''Senpai is close.''


    The new expression on his face encouraged her to put in more effort and make him feel good. Even though she was itching to touch and caress her crotch, she used her hands to please him.


    Haruki immediately felt her surging passion. Her tongue moved about in a messy but eager way. Her palm spiraled down his sensitive flesh then roughly moved down his shaft.


    He held back as much as he could and lowered her panties. He reached in to rub the fleshy vulva sticking to her panties and tease her clit. He''d make here together with him no matter how much he had to endure.


    Sakura leaked a throaty moan as her eyes widened. Just a little teasing made her flood. He continued stroking her clit as she twitched with his cock in her mouth.


    "Ah, I''m"


    He thrust his hips and pulled her head down, shooting his load in the back of her throat. Her cheeks swelled in an instant. A series of gurgling sounds came from her as she weed his hot semen.


    Haruki unloaded in her mouth until thest drop and let go of her. His cock slid out of mouth with a slight pop. She tilted her head back and gulped each drop of semen.


    "So thick and sticky"


    Her magic circuits began processing the magical energy contained in his sperm.


    "Ahhhhnnnnn!"


    A long, sensual moan escaped her lips and her eyes rolled back. A sudden intake of magical energy made her writhe as a warm energy flooded her. It felt like she was orgasming over and over.


    "Senpaaaaaai~."


    Haruki worriedly shook her shoulder, who barely seemed conscious. "Sakura?"


    "Hah!" She regained some light in her eyes. She traced the semen leaking from the corner of her mouth and licked her finger. Her sultry gesture could provoke any male''s heart. "Mhmmm, Senpai, your love is unbearable."


    With a nk look, he flicked her forehead. "You scared me. What happened?"


    She rubbed her belly with a soft smile. "Haruki-senpai''s magical energy filled me to the core. I''m feeling warm inside"


    His eyes widened in realization. "Crap, I forgot to take that into the equation."


    Everyone had a maximum limit of Od; some great, some below average. For mages, sex wasn''t a big deal as their semen carried less magical energy than an average person''s maximum Od. He was a special case for having potent magical energy, far superior in quality and quantity.


    If he was with Rin instead of Sakura, his magical energy would''ve destroyed her magic circuits. But it was Sakura, a woman strengthened by Kama''s awakening and the possessor of Hollow Element.


    ''I need to be careful in the future.''


    Her Hollow Element was far too mysterious to be reliable. Letting her swallow his cum or any creampie was out of the question. Any damage to the magic circuits was irreversible.


    Sakura touched his chest. "Did my blowjob feel good?"


    "Yes, of course. It was great."


    She giggled wildly and pressed her cheeks against his chest, sliding over to hisp in a yful way. "Senpai, I''m wet. You''re hard let''s do it. I can''t wait"


    Haruki pushed her shoulders and started with the buttons on her dress. The special dress given by Kaede truly had a unique sense of fashion. He gripped both sides of her dress and separated them. Her cherished breasts jiggled briefly, barely contained within her soft pink bra. Droplets of sweat covered the soft-looking flesh, a result of their previous activity.


    The smooth belly under exuded an innocent appeal as if begging him to caress it. Unable to hold his urges, he stroked her belly, tracing arcs on her soft flesh.


    "Don''t be nervous."


    Sakura had almost covered her chest in a reflex. Taking a deep breath, she puffed out her chest instead and let her dress fall behind. She unhooked her bra at the same time and a mesmerizing pair of breasts sprang out. Tiny peachy nipples poked out of a narrow are. Yet despite belonging to the E-Cup category, they remained taut and springy, brimming with youth.


    "Cute and adorable. I really want to suck on them."


    "You can." Sakura lowered her head. "It''s not fair, Senpai. You also need to take off your shirt."


    Haruki quickly removed his shirt and tossed his pants aside, bing fully naked. "Fair now?"


    Sakura nodded meekly and tried to step off the bed to take off her panties. He didn''t let her go. Taking her hand, he pulled her in his arms and squeezed her left breast; its warm flesh spilled out of his palm.


    ''Lovely.''


    Haruki caressed her tits and then kissed her. Her sensitive nipples hardened.


    "I can''t leave the other unattended, now can I?"


    He made her stand on her knees and gave equal love to the hefty pair. His tongue trailed her are in a spiral while his fingers deformed the pale breast in obscene shapes.


    "Sheesh, when did my childhood friend grow such arge pair?"


    Sakura drew a sharp breath and pulled him, burying him between her melons. "We used to regrly hug. Senpai was dense"


    "My mind probably filtered out anything sexual," he said apologetically while yfully jiggling her breasts. "Let''s focus on our present and future. The present me wants something. Will you do it?"


    "Senpai, you freed me from my burdens you changed my fate and reunited me and Rin Nee-san. I don''t care if it''s evil or heretical, I''ll do anything for you. Anything."


    Her passionate answer earned a smile. Her loyalty maxed out after he saved her from Zouken.


    He raised his body and whispered something in her ears.


    Sakura''s cheeks flushed red at his request. "S-Senpai, it''s unnecessary you can enter."


    "Young seed, listen. Sex between lovers isn''t just about humping each other. It''s more than that."


    Sakura nodded as if she peered into something divine from his words. She veered away from him. As hey on the bed, she sat on his chest with her butt facing him and leaned down.


    Sakura was trying the sixty nine position.


    "Closer."


    Sakura moved her ass, still inches away from his face.


    "More."


    She squirmed and pushed her butt in his face. A sweet and sour scent drifted from the soaked spot on her rather cute pink panties. He blew warm air at the outline of her pussy, making her wriggle on the spot.


    "I''m sensitive there Senpai, don''t tease me."


    Haruki dragged the thin piece of fabric. Her dripping slit was revealed with a neat ck triangle resting above it. Rin and Sakura used to share the ck hair and eye color. But the tortures in Matou''s household transformed them into violet except for her pubic hair.


    Sakura breathed roughly under his intense stare. To distract her mind and pleasure him, she stroked his penis. She lifted her breasts in both hands and pressed them in towards each other with his fully-erect penis in between.


    The warm and firm titty pressure felt so pleasant that he couldn''t help a groan.


    "Just like that."


    Sakura opened her lips, stuck out her tongue, and let a trail of nectar drip between her breasts. The umted sweat and her saliva reduced the friction and made the entire experience more pleasurable.


    "Well then, I''m digging in."


    Haruki also began his conquest. He spread her open with his thumbs and licked her overflowing juices. She clenched the bedsheet and shut her eyes. The tongue crawling about her sacred garden numbed her mind.


    "Ahmmm"


    Tremors ran through her but she continued squeezing his penis enveloped in her bosom. Sticking out her tongue, she licked the crown poking out.


    It was Haruki''s turn to groan.


    The back and forth of lust and pleasure continued. Sakura''s body was like a furnace. His gentle ministrations acted like oil, raising her heat. It was nothing like touching herself. His fingers and tongue showed her real pleasure.


    She was forced to a climax. Forced to gush more juices on her lover''s face.


    Haruki''s cock throbbed and shot another load in her mouth. In her leaning position, she couldn''t swallow anything and gravity pulled cum out of her mouth. A white trail of semen dripped on her breasts. She wanted to lick the semen clean but the earlier phenomenon stopped her.


    ''It feels like a waste''


    She looked around to find anything to store the delicious semen of her beloved senpai. There was a bottle filled with water on the desk. She reached out but her butt was held in her senpai''s hands.


    "You didn''t swallow it, right?"


    Haruki''s concerned voice put an end to her search. She let go of the thought and let go of any idea.


    "I didn''t."


    "Good."


    Sakura stared at his hard cock with wide eyes then crawled over to lie beside him. "Senpai, fuck me now."


    After two short orgasms, she was fully ready to be his woman.


    "Which position would you like?"


    Sakura thought for a second. "Any position where I can see Senpai''s face," she asked or rather pleaded with damp eyes.


    "How adorable," Haruki said with a smirk and leaned his back against the bed''s headboard. "Then sit on myp."


    His penis pointed at the ceiling, hard and full of vigor. She slipped her legs around his thighs and guided his salivating cock to her lower lips. She almost lost bnce in the process.


    Haruki rubbed her head and made her arch. The tip of his penis slid inside her slippery flesh. Her vaginal walls tightly wrapped his penis, preventing easy pration.


    A mixture of excitement and nervousness took over her face. "Senpai, hold my hands"


    She stretched her hands, interlocking her fingers with his. The slight agony seemed to melt as her heart fluttered. She loosened a tad as if holding hands with him rxed her nerves.


    "Now, slowlye down."


    Sakura obeyed hismand and gently lowered herself on the crazy hard meat rod. At the same time, he thrust up his hips, seeking more pleasure and warmth. Her pussy was tight but not unbearable.


    When it came to sex, he was passionate and almost domineering. With Sakura, however, he acted gentle and kept the pace slow. It was her first time, and he had no desire to give her more pain. Even his dragon instincts remained calm even though he was inside a stunning woman.


    His instincts were aware of his guilt.


    Moaning softly, Sakura continued her effort in swallowing his penis to the limit. She looked down at the ce of their union, and found just a tad bit left. She mmed down her butt on hisp and the tip of his cock touched a fleshy spot.


    Tingles surrounded her lower body. The feeling of bliss coursing through her mind overpowered the slight numbness and pain.


    ''I''m finally one with Haruki-senpai''


    Sakura sniffed, her eyes tearing in happiness.


    "Does it hurt?"


    Sakura rubbed her eyes and beamed. "It doesn''t hurt at all. Senpai is so gentle."


    Harukiughed off herpliment and ced his chin on her shoulder. Kissing and pecking her neck, he reached out and grabbed ahold of her butt. The flesh squished under his ten fingers, returning a warm sensation.


    Sakura wrapped her arms around his chest as he explored every cranny of her sweet body. With his support, she raised her perky butt and sank it, slowly picking up a rhythm that gradually increased. The thick cock drove in and out of her narrow vagina, inciting sweet sighs of pleasure.


    Her vaginal flesh drooled in its hunger for carnal pleasure, it rubbed against his penis, and the pleasure grew even further. The room echoed with that pping sound and the indecent wet sound of nectary flesh rubbing together.


    Panting, she kissed his neck as she felt her insides tremor in small increments. "Senpai, it''s amazing. Ohhhh, I''m going crazy!"


    "You have seen nothing yet."


    As she pushed her butt, Haruki mmed her ass hard and elerated the movements. The gaps of the sound of flesh hitting flesh became shorter and shorter. She swung her hips at a speed that roughly exceeded the limits of a human.


    "Ahhhh! Mhmmmm!"


    The shift of momentum made her tits jiggle, bounce, and bump into his chest. He squeezed her lovely E-Cup tits and her vagina produced more love juices.


    The leaking precum alone made her twitch and spasm. Her eyes widened and spine straightened. Her chin faced the ceiling while a trail of drool leaked from her mouth.


    She came just from feeling his precum.


    While Sakura experienced a short climax, Haruki had yet to ejacte. As though sensing his imminent explosion, her vagina tightened in response as if coercing his penis into exploding and spraying his seed inside her womb.


    "Senpai, cum!" Sakura''s excited voice echoed in his ear. "Cum inside me!"


    Even though she was sensitive after the climax, she craved the ultimate pleasure made only possible by his mana-rich semen. It was also the only way to achieve her end goal.


    Haruki bit her shoulder. "Are you sure?"


    "I can handle it," Sakura said between arousing moans. "Please, give it to me."


    She begged with teary eyes, desperation in her voice. "Please"


    Haruki winced as her pleasurous flesh gripped him, trying to wring out his semen.


    He couldn''t deny her when she pleaded with so much passion. "Fine."


    If she couldn''t digest his magical energy, he''d draw out the excess energy with his Mana Control Skill.


    He further elerated his thrusts then mmed her butt hard, unleashing his boiling desires inside her.


    "Ahhhh! Mhmmmm!"


    A soothing warmth coursed through her lower body, slowly traveling up through her bloodstream. Just as it reached her chest, a strong jolt ran through her.


    Her mind went nk and her eyes rolled back as if she lost contact with reality. Her body gave in, and she copsed in his arms. Her slow,bored breathing indicated she was exhausted.


    ''Did she pass out from pleasure?''


    Haruki tried to sense the flow of mana in her magic circuits. Nothing abnormal could be felt. Her Od wasn''t raging like it did when she swallowed his cum.


    ''Is creampie different from drinking my semen?''


    Only one person could answer his question but she and him were having a bit of a conflict at the moment.


    [''Partners'' Authority activated]

 Chapter 87: Master of Breast Valley

    Chapter 87: Master of Breast Valley


    A/N: The best chapter name ever.


    ***


    [''Partners'' Authority activated]


    [Authority acquired: Master of Breast Valley.]


    ''What?''


    He checked on the skill in his status.


    Master of Breast Valley


    Sakura and your passion came together to form a separate, living pocket dimension within Sakura''s hollow soul.


    It is possible to store and retrieve objects inside Sakura''s pocket dimension known as Breast Valley. The pocket space under your control will increase with your familiarity with the region.


    Commands  Store, Withdraw, Trash.


    Haruki pushed Sakura''s shoulders. Sure enough there was a red horned imprint right above her cleavage like a pair of draconic horns. Her big breasts held a pocket dimension now, which could expand as he became more familiar with its concept.


    Sakura regained her consciousness after the mutual orgasm. She ced a hand on his chest, exhausted, even though she had five times the endurance of an average person.


    "Senpai your dragon cum is strong I almost felt Kama''s presence right there."


    "Girl, I told you something like this would happen. You didn''t listen."


    Sakura pushed her body and pecked at his lips. "I have to force it now if Senpai keeps getting stronger like this, I''d be left behind. I won''t be able to bear your child in the future."


    The talk progressed toward her motivation to be stronger, suddenly changing its course to her bearing a child. He was confused, bbergasted.


    "Why do you want a child?"


    Sakura meekly nodded. "I want a baby dragon just like Senpai."


    Haruki stared at her, skeptical. He brought up his status and peered into her thoughts.


    Sakura Matou: A descendant of the Tohsaka Family and inheritor of the Matou family.


    -Current status  I''m so happy to get his seed. With his child, I won''t be pushed aside! I-Is it going to be a real dragon?


    -Rtionship Status  199/100


    -Species  Human, Divine Spirit


    -Age  17, Uncountable


    -Gender  Female


    -Height, Weight  158cm/47kg


    -Alignment  Neutral Good


    -Parameters


    Strength: 10 (E)


    Endurance: 10 (E)


    Agility: 10 (E)


    Magical energy: 35 (B-)


    Luck: 20 (D)


    -Authorities


    Master of Breast Valley (Shared with you)


    -Noble Phantasm


    None


    -Skills


    Sorcery Trait: Conversion [A]


    Sorcery Element: Hollow [A]


    Sorcery Element: Water [E]


    Cooking [D]


    Blessing of the Goddess [C]


    Medea barely crossed the 100 mark recently, and Sakura almost reached 200. Medea could sacrifice her life for him, her devotion surpassed the ordinary. What lengths would Sakura go for him? Haruki couldn''t imagine.


    Her current thoughts made him smile wryly.


    ''This little vixen.''


    She could stay relevant if she gave birth to his childsuch was her thought. He couldn''t everprehend how she came to this conclusion with all his attention and care. He must becking in conveying his feelings.


    "You got these massive honkers but you''re so immature inside." Haruki grabbed her tits, squeezing them with his rough hands. "Do you think I''d push you aside after everything I did?"


    His tone was brimming with fury. Sakura panicked, her eyes glistening with tears.


    "S-Senpai, I''m sorry I won''t do it again."


    "There is only one way of forgiveness for you."


    Sakura keenly listened to his way of forgiveness, only to be lifted up and mmed down on his cock.


    "Ahhh. It''s touching a w-weird ce.."


    "I enjoy being with you. I''ll carve those feelings in your voluptuous body."


    Sakura moaned, pleasure overwhelming her mind. She couldn''t say a word under his tormenting thrusts.


    He didn''t let her rest even after an hour. It was the cost of doubting him.


    When all was said and done, Sakura was lying beside him, all sweaty and soft like a puddle of jelly.


    "Senpai"


    "Be quiet for a second. I''m trying something."


    For testing purposes, he tore a part of the bedsheet and willed the cloth to be sent to the pocket dimension.


    "Store."


    The cloth disappeared from his hand, and Sakura''s imprint briefly glowed. He thought about the same cloth and muttered, "Withdraw."


    The cloth returned to his hand.


    ''Sakura is my inventory.''


    Of all the ways to achieve an inventory, this one was the most bizarre and unexpected. The name Breast Valley reminded Haruki of the innocently monster and masochist version of Sakura named Passionlip. The creation of BB had bigger breasts than Sakura, nearly twice her size to be precise. Aside from their tragic background, they shared no simrities.


    Sakura rubbed the draconic imprint which she couldn''t see due to its position. "My chest is tingling I can feel Haruki-senpai''s love here."


    She asked nothing about his magic trick as if she already made up her mind about her tickling chest.


    Haruki steeled his expression and exined the little he knew about his new authority.


    "B-Breast Valley? How lewd, Senpai"


    "..."


    "Senpai can store things inside me. He''ll use me like a living storehouse."


    Her smile looked so radiant, as if being used by him brought her immense happiness. Kama choosing Sakura wasn''t any coincidence. Sakura was a goddess of love and devotion.


    "Don''t you feel the pocket dimension in your chest?"


    "I don''t"


    It seemed like only he could ess the pocket dimension.


    "Senpai, do you like my purple hair or my current white one?"


    "White hair and red eyesbo is fabulous. I love it."


    He revealed his honest thoughts about her appearance. Sakura with purple hair was cute and homely but her white hair and red eyes transformed her into a breathtaking beauty.


    Sakura nuzzled her cheeks on his chest, grinning like a fool. His answer satisfied her soul.

 Chapter 88: First appearance

    Chapter 88: First appearance


    A/N: *Imagine a letter full of emotional words*


    In the darkest hour of night, the door quietly opened and a hooded figure crept into Haruki''s room. The intruder stopped to watch Sakura clinging to Haruki. Their minds wandered in thend of dreams.


    Try as they may, their intrusion didn''t escape Haruki''s sharp senses. Dozens of thoughts surrounded him in an instant as he slowly opened his eyes and turned to his side.


    "It''s you."


    "Haruki-sama" Medea whispered, voice cracking as if she was about to cry. "Can I sleep here?"


    She slipped into the bed and hugged him. Her velvet robe slid around his naked chest and tickled him. She didn''t care about the messy bed sheets or the smell of lust drifting around the room.


    "What happened?"


    Medea would never show her vulnerable side without an excuse. Some mishap happened while he made love to Sakura.


    Medea hugged him tighter. "I was feeling lonely."


    "Medea, tell the truth."


    "Haruki-sama" she whined, fighting her urge to spill her heart out to him. "Nothing"


    "Fine. Don''t tell"


    "I had a bad dream," Medea revealed the truth after hearing the disappointment in his voice. "I was on the ship Argo with my old crewmates Heracles, Anta, and Jason Theyughed at me, scorned me for clinging to a young man They called me a pathetic wench"


    Haruki stroked her hair while listening to her heart. Sakura had made him very patient in these matters. "Do they matter to you now?"


    Medea shook her head, rubbing her chin against him. "They don''t. They are fools who threw away their life for that bastard Jason."


    "Then don''t cry."


    "I also came to get my due." Medea drew circles on his chest. "Haruku-sama, you broke your promise."


    She wasn''t lying about feeling lonely. He did say he''d fill her up during bath but the thing with Semiramis came upter.


    "How did it go with Semi?"


    "We''re a bit closer than before, and she wants to get into bed with Haruki-sama."


    "That''s nothing new."


    Medea gave him an insane but conditional defensive authority against the witches and Sakura gave him an inventory. What kind of authority would Semiramis yield? Her legends revolved around monarchy and poison.


    ''I wonder about Medusa and Artoria.''


    Their legends couldn''t be any more different from each other. Every authority would be different and new, a new tool in his arsenal to destroy his enemies.


    ''I can''t wait.''


    Before that, he had to satisfy the hungry sorceress lying in his arms. Since Sakura was deep in sleep, he could get away with fucking Medea here. Besides, he''d get fuck them together sooner orter since Sakura and Medea got along with each other.


    Medea slipped out of her ornate robes and straddled him. She took the charge this time, swaying her butt as she rode him. To make sure she didn''t wake up Sakura, Medea pressed herself against him and kissed him.


    It wasn''t long before he unloaded inside her, bringing her to her limits. Her second ascension brought her to a new height of ecstasy. She raised her gaze towards the ceiling and moaned. The voices she held back during her bout with Haruki came out in a shaking shriek.


    Sakura''s eyshes fluttered before her eyes opened. She wasn''t shocked or surprised. Leaning her face on her palm, she gave an amused smile, thest reaction one would expect from Sakura in this situation.


    "What a debaucherous man Sakura chose to devote her soul to."


    She radiated a dense magical energy, equal or perhaps greater than the sorceress lying on top of him.


    "Kama?" Haruki''s pupils dted as he put his arms around Medea and sat up. She was out to deal with her vessel''s evolution. "You finally came out. I wish you didn''t."


    "That''s so mean, Mister Young Dragon. I have been waiting for a chance to meet the man Sakura loves so much." Kama gave him a bored look. "You''re just so so a young dragon lost in his desires. I wager you will lose Sakura and everyone else you love on this path of debauchery."


    Kama''s cynical side was a facade put up to protect her weak-hearted disposition. Even so, her words pissed him off.


    "If loving my women is debauchery, then sure." Haruki shrugged. "Shouldn''t a god of love promote love instead of hating on it?"


    "Haha I hate love. It''s a useless sentiment that brings doom in every era. Only a fool devotes their soul to the other. I''m sorry if I came off as harsh but I''m just stating the facts. The first person to fall in love was really the biggest idiot!"


    Another woman came to vent their feelings on him. Since when did he be their personal therapist?


    Seeing his astonished expression, Kama''s fierce eyes softened. "It''s my fault. I shouldn''t even be here"


    She loved messing with others, especially their love life. Sakura wasn''t a target of her sadism. The girl had suffered enough in her life. Besides, she didn''t feel like dealing with Haruki.


    She wasn''t aware of her depressed look. Her glum outlook made Haruki''s brain gears spin.


    ''What if I seduce her?''


    Seducing her would aplish too many things. From securing the safety of Sakura''s soul to bringing a potential Divine Spirit to his side. He had some experience from Medea. With his knowledge about Kama, seducing Kama won''t be hard.


    He could do it.


    "It''s not your fault though." Haruki shook his head, disapproving her me. To prove his point, he freed his hand from Medea''s back and rubbed Kama''s head. "I hate that you are in Sakura''s body but it wasn''t your fault. Fate juked us, and here we are."


    Kama was an odd one. She died due to Parvati''s insistence on awakening Shiva to make a child with Parvati. She died working for other people''s affections and love. She began boycotting love, even though harbored a deep sentiment for being loved. He knew this much about Kama.


    Could she really be med for shunning love and affection?


    Kama stared at him, red eyes blinking ceaselessly. She finally understood the man Sakura loved. A charismatic man with an empath heart.


    She brushed his hand aside and folded her arms, assuming a cold look. "I do not need your pity, youughably hopeless human."


    Haruki''s brow twitched. ''This tsundere goddess.''


    She was trying to earn his hatred. That''s what Kama did. Getting others to hate her yet harboring hope that they''d stay by her side. A goddess who was as indecisive as she was weak-willed.


    Before Haruki could make more advances, Kama waved her hand. "I shall see youter. Take care of Sakura in my absence."


    She went hiding in her shell.

 Chapter 89: Preferred Roles

    Chapter 89: Preferred Roles


    Angra Mainyu summoned all her servants before the pulsing grotesque sight of the Corrupted Holy Grail. The five Heroic Spirit, each hailing from a different era and region, stood obediently before her. Well, except for Oda Nobunaga and Nagao Kagetora, who came from the same era.


    "My servants" Angra Mainyu slowly said as she eyed the five Heroic Spirits. Her emotionless gaze stopped on the knight in demonic armor. "Saber I summoned you to ovee a challenge you could never in your life. Defeat your father."


    Angra Mainyu hadplete knowledge of every servant on Haruki''s side, whether it was the enigmatic Counter Guardian or the Queen who poisoned her husband. She chose to give every servant a matchup ording to theirpatibility in the war that''d happen as soon as her Assassin showed sess or failure.


    Mordred was the best candidate to battle Arthur. She''d put everything on the line to beat King Arthur Pendragon.


    Mordred brought up a clenched fist as her helm split open, revealing a youthful face. "I wounded the King that took his life. It won''t be a heavy wound this time. I will defeat that hypocrite King and ughter all servants standing in my way. My wish is to challenge the Sword of Appointment. He, who despised my pedigree, will bear witness to my victory over the Sword of Appointment."


    She was born of infidelity between King Arthur and King''s own sister, Morgan Le Fay. The tainted pedigree denied her the right to throne, or so she thought. She''d show her right to rule by pulling out the sword that her father one pulled out.


    Gilgamesh chuckled on his throne. "A half-assed homunculus can only dream of defeating my Artoria. You will fail."


    "What nonsense. Of course I will defeat the King. I will smash his face!"


    Mordred puffed up with pride and so proimed. From the overpowering weight behind her words, one could see that she possessed dignity befitting a king.


    "His?" Gilgamesh asked before he realized Mordred''s ignorance. "You''ll be disappointed once you meet Artoria."


    "Artoria again? Who is Artoria?"


    Gilgamesh closed his eyes, imagining the chaotic fight between Mordred and Artoria. A battle between a mother and daughter over the throne, which Artoria never wanted.


    "Smells like family drama in here," Nobunaga whispered. "Otara, did fights like these happen in your house too?"


    Oda n was rife with internal struggles. She wondered if the Nagao n had the same issues.


    "I am not sure. I was mostly on the frontline, leading my men against Takeda."


    Most of her busy time was spent sharpening her des and wondering about her weapon choice. She also tried the western guns and matchlocks. It turned out she absolutely sucked at using any weapon with projections. Nobody knew that, of course. Echigo''s God of War, Touhachi Bishamonten''s Avatar, couldn''t use a gun. It''d be embarrassing if people came to know about this.


    "You''re weird." Nobunaga smirked. "That''s why I like you."


    "Haha. It''s rare for people to say that with my inhumane disposition."


    Angra Mainyu shifted her gaze to her next target, Rider Jason. "You must defeat Medea."


    Jason shivered hearing the name his mind forced him to forget. The name of the crazed woman who burned every person at his wedding. The joyous and blissful ceremony turned into a funeral for his close ones. Even his children weren''t spared.


    "Why is that witch back? What gives?"


    He was so dead. She''d kill him.


    "Wait!"


    He looked back to his friend who was tied by golden chains. The giant of a man traveled the world and fought every monster. He who overcame twelvebors as an undefeated warrior and ultimately rose to the seat of a godHeracles.


    As a summoned servant, Heraclescked his usual intelligence and dignity. His strength was still a real deal.


    ''Her sorcery can''t do jack against Heracles. All are trash before his unparalleled strength.''


    He had nothing to worry about with Heracles by his side. His thoughts reached rity once the clouds of fear vanished. In the waves of calm, he realized a possibilityMedea might still love him. On the wedding day, she killed everyone but him. She left him alive, possibly for him to repent and return to her. It made sense the more he thought about it. After all, she killed her family for him. How could she fall out of love with him, the most charismatic and eloquent man she had ever met.


    "Angra Mainyu," Jason said, tone brimming with a new confidence. "I want Heracles free. He''ll be leading the charge under mymand. My Noble Phantasm ''Astrapste Argo'' can boost him and summon my crewmates. The righteous hero will prevail over the trash and scummy mage."


    Angra Mainyu thought for a second. Freedom for Heracles meant a chance of chaos but she felt like the risk was worth it. Something beckoned her to free Heracles from his miserable state. "It''ll be done."


    After arranging ns for two enemy servants, Angra Mainyu turned towards Nagao Kagetora. "Son of the God Lugh, C Chinn you will defeat him."


    "A demigod?" Kagetora''s eyes lit up, battle spirit surging around her. "By Bishamonten''s will, I shall defeat the demigod."


    Nobunaga nudged Kagetora out of her battle lust state. "Their Lancer has the Spear of Fated Death."


    "Ohhh! The sh of mythic spear and my armaments."


    Kagetora grinned foolishly, picturing her sh with Cu Chinn.


    Nobunaga shook her head side to side. Her friend was more battle hungry than her, a befitting pursuit for the avatar of a god of war.


    "Who am I fighting?"


    "The Archer Emiya a dangerous servant from the future" Angra Mainyu paused between words as if taking time to think. "Watch out for his Noble Phantasm"


    "An Archer from the future. Some challenge you''re giving me."


    Angra Mainyu noticed ack of enthusiasm in Nobunaga''s voice, which Kagetora failed to notice. The Avatar of Bishamonten showed most emotions in the face of battles or when daydreaming about those battles.


    "I''ll head out now." Nobunaga took Kagetora''s hand and practically dragged out of the suffocating cave.


    On their way, she bumped into the ck-haired priest. She ignored him before any words of displeasure came out of her mouth. She hated those who relied on god. Priests and Shrine Maidens were on top of her dislike list.


    Meanwhile, in the cave, Solomon kept an aloof expression while praying to the god. He wasst in line and he wasn''t ready to kill another servant. The era had changed, so much potential for exploration and travel.


    All his prayers of survival were in vain, however. Angra Mainyu shifted her gaze to him, showing no emotion on her face.


    "And Solomon I want you to lead them."


    The King of Magecraft was most worthy to lead her servants, using his highest-ranked magecraft spells to support the party. He might have taken down every servant but his vessel wouldn''t allow the use of such great power. Heracles and Kagetora would wipe the floor with every servant.


    For Solomon, this was the best case scenario. He could sit back and observe the battles from afar.


    ''It can''t be helped. I am a servant and she is my master.''


    He followed God''s will most of his life, so following orders wasn''t anything strange.


    Angra Mainyu directed a role to all of her servants. She wasn''t a tactical genius or anything remotely close to it. She just knew the skills each servant possessed.


    How well would herpatibility list do?


    Only time will tell.


    ***


    Read 15 more chapters and support me at my patre.on! /GMilfhunter

 Chapter 90: Ascension

    Chapter 90: Ascension


    Three chapters in three days? Holy fk.


    ***


    Chapter 92: Ascension


    A new dawn arrived in Fuyuki City, and the news about the withering flora spread in every neighborhood. Articles about the never seen phenomenon made its way to the front page, specting the rise of a new virus or flu.


    Chaos and despair took over all but one man. The priest who derived pleasure from others'' suffering. He smiled as he strolled through Fuyuki streets after meeting Gilgamesh in the early morning. He basked in the sunlight, the cold breeze of winter, and the distorted expressions around him.


    ''Straymbs.''


    Kirei Kotomine felt fulfilled after years, ten years to be precise. The satisfaction was still inferior to driving the Azoth Sword through his then mentor, Tokiomi Tohsaka. He suddenly had the urge to meet Rin and confess his crimes. She would show such beautiful despair.


    "You''re the weirdest priest I have ever seen."


    Nobunaga, who apanied Kirei, couldn''t help butment. She had met many wannabe world dominators and salvation bringers in her life, but none of them came close to Kirei''s level of evil. He genuinely wished for the world to end, and he''d go to any lengths to achieve it.


    She seriously considered switching sides to more sane people. At least she hoped to see sane people on the other side.


    ''How do I go about it?''


    She was bound by the contract of the Command Spell, otherwise, she''d have fought to death. There was no point in taking a fight where she''d be subdued with a word, much like her friend Kagetora.


    ''There has to be a way.''


    She needed to find a way to switch sides then beat up the arrogant gold-haired jerk. Seperating from Angra Mainyu was a must to aplish her goal.


    ***


    Waking up early proved to be difficult for Sakura. So, Haruki let her stay tucked in. From Medusa to C Chinn, there was nock of heroes with nose sharper than humans can ever have. They wouldn''t take him seriously if he was covered in a thick smell of sex. He had to maintain his image as a leader.


    "Haruki"


    He ignored the rather pitiful voice whispering in his head as he explored the long corridors of the mansion. His mansion.


    "Haruki, listen to me."


    At this point he was just messing with Arch. She pulled an unexpected prank on him, and being alone for a while would be her price to pay. He was rather surprised that Arch hadn''t found out. Did she stop reading his mind?


    "Sniff, Haruki. Don''t be a jerk."


    ''Are you actually crying?''


    "...No."


    ''Liar.''


    Haruki never thought a day woulde when the overbearing goddess cried inside her small room.


    "Don''t speak to me right now."


    Arch stopped whining and hid in herir. Haruki left her to her own devices and took a quick shower. Fresh out of shower, he headed to the kitchen where he found Medea in the kitchen with an unexpected helper on her side. Semiramis wasn''t in her signature ck empress dress. Rather, she wore a loose crimson maxi dress with ck frilly ents and held a white apron in her hands as if she was checking it out.


    Semiramis'' lips stretched in a wide grin as she saw him. "My master, congrattions on waking up." Semiramis put on the apron before his eyes. "Your mother''s dress is a bit on the loose side. It''s still morefortable to move around."


    Medea giggled. "This doofus empress almost tripped earlier. Haruki-sama should have seen her."


    "Medea, you promised to keep it a secret."


    "Haruki-sama must know my secrets."


    "..." Semiramis stared at Medea before shaking her head. "My master, Artoria is training inside the dojo. You can apany her if you wish to strengthen your bond with her. If you want to go the other way and strengthen your bond with this Humble Empress, please watch me cook for you with all my heart~."


    Haruki wondered if Semiramis was always this talkative. She seemed like apletely different person today.


    "Don''t be embarrassed, my master. I am a little rusty. But I can assure you about the elegance in my culinary arts."


    Medea flicked Semiramis''s cheeks. "Please shut your mouth. Let me focus here."


    Semiramis retaliated with an elbow. Medea stopped her urge to smack Semiramis. After her second upgradest night, she could floor Semiramis with her physical strength alone.


    Medea looked over her shoulder. "Haruki-sama, my vessel is strengthened twice now. I''m prepared for the war."


    With her connection to Haruki and increased magical reserves, she could cast spells once deemed impossible due to her low magical energy supply.


    Haruki asked Arch to show Medea''s status, which she did without uttering a word.


    Medea: A Sorcerer from the Age of Gods and your current Servant, tied to you by the Fuyuki Holy Grail System.


    -Current Status  I am bursting with strength. I can take on any Heroic Spirit!


    -Rtionship Status  132/100


    -Species  Spirit


    -Age  Uncountable


    -Gender  Female


    -Height, Weight  163cm/51kg


    -Alignment  Neutral Evil


    -Parameters


    Strength: 20 (D)


    Endurance: 32 (C)


    Agility: 35 (C+)


    Magical energy: 80 (EX)


    Luck: 40 (B)


    -Authorities


    None


    -Noble Phantasm


    Rule Breaker


    ...


    Her confidence had reached unprecedented levels after her second strengthening.


    "Ascension sounds better than vessel strengthening."


    "Ascension" Medea nodded as if she liked the word. "I have gone through two Ascensions. What will happen at my third?"


    "We''ll see when we get there. It won''t take long."


    Haruki was also a bit stumped about his ability. Getting authorities and skills from sexhis cheat was as unbelieavable as it could get inside the Nasuverse. Not surprising considering Arch was from outside the Nasuverse, unrestricted from its rules andws.


    "What about me, my master?" Semiramis pressed her chest against him and looked up at him. "Will I go through Ascension by your grace?"


    Haruki rubbed her hair. "Tonight, maybe. I need your spies out there to monitor Angra Mainyu''s servants."


    Semiramis didn''t need more strength since she''d soon busy herself in creating the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. But Haruki needed the authority from her.


    Semiramis smiled as if she was happy at his answer. "I''ll have a big surprise before that. Look forward to it."


    "Surely it''s about enemy Servants."


    "Oops, you got me." Semiramis giggled as she drew back. "Two Servants, Oda Nobunaga and Kenshin,e to drink at a location every few hours. We canunch a sneak attack and take them down."


    "Oda and Kenshin it won''t be easy."


    They had Angra Mainyu as their masters to unleash their full potential. Nagao Kagetora was the most problematic one due to her divine armaments and inhumane fighting skills.


    Haruki tried to conceive the future with his Precognition Skill. The results left him in deep shock.


    "We won''t fight them."


    "What do you mean we won''t fight them?" Semiramis frowned. "My master, look at our forces. They are two and we are six. We also have you. Are you saying we''re not strong enough to fight them?"


    Semiramis fired her doubts without stopping for a moment.


    Medea turned off the stove and approached Haruki. "Let Haruki-sama exin."


    She was a bit vexed about Haruki''sck of confidence but she felt like there was a reason for it.


    The Former Empress and Sorceress waited for an exnation.


    ***


    Read 15 more chapters and support me at my patre.on! /GMilfhunter

 Chapter 91: Boldness

    Chapter 91: Boldness


    "We won''t fight them because we don''t need to fight them," Haruki exined with his eyes closed. "I think they are unsatisfied with their current master, Angra Mainyu. If things work out, which I''m sure will, we might get two more servants."


    Nobunaga and Kagetora tried to talk in two out of three scenarios, instead of fighting them from the get-go. An odd decision from the chaotic battle junkies. And in thest scenario, Cu Chinn provoked Kagetora into a battle. He didn''t hear the content of their conversation, but this could only be caused by some disagreement with Angra Mainyu.


    Semiramis widened her eyes. "I''m sorry for rushing to the conclusion."


    Medea touched her forehead and sighed. "Haruki-sama and two more women"


    The sorcerer was having a little difficulty thinking about Haruki''s future harem, which was essentially her family.


    ''I trust Haruki-sama''s judgment but will he be able to keep control with so many beautiful women around him?''


    Semiramis pinched Medea''s waist. "What got you so cold? Master won''t go to other women as long as we suck everything out of him."


    She slowly and seductively licked his lips, as if imagining the scenario. She wisely disguised her attempt to reassure Medea, and at the same time, revealed her desires for him.


    Haruki rubbed the back of his head. He wasn''t sure of his libido at this point. "Medea, I got something for you."


    He asked Arch to bring out the newly acquired Noble Phantasm. The Pain Breaker Noble Phantasm materialized as a smaller version of Medea''s current staff. While Medea''s staff was worn down, the staff in Haruki''s hand shone with vibrance.


    "Haruki-sama" Medea slowly took the staff and inspected it from every angle.


    "Where did you get this?"


    "Don''t worry about that. Check if you can use the healing spell on this Noble Phantasm?"


    Medea''s lily version was from before the time she got betrayed by Jason. Her love, despite being forced by Aphrodite, was pure. That same love materialized as the Pain Breaker Noble Phantasm. Haruki wasn''t sure if Medea could use it.


    "Semi, give me your hand."


    Semiramis bashfully extended her hand, only to feel a prick. She hastily pulled back as Haruki''s scale cut her hand, bringing out blood.


    "My master, you''re heartless to use my frail body as a test subject?"


    "It had to be you, Semi. It had to be you."


    He seriously doubted he could cut his hand with his current stats, unless he went back to his room to retrieve his spear. Injuring Medea was never the option, so Semiramis had to tank the bullet for his curiosity.


    Medea clenched her new staff. "May it be a world where no one can hurt others and no one can be hurt Pain Breaker!"


    A whirlpool of bright aura was created under her feet, and many bubbles spread around the kitchen. She raised the staff and gently waved it. Magical dust sprinkled from her staff and covered Semiramis. The former empress'' wound closed itself in a matter of moments.


    "Wow, my pain is gone. Medea brought me to a world without pain and misery!"


    Medea felt like pping Semiramis'' grinning face. She didn''t choose the activation chant for the Noble Phantasm, otherwise, the verses would be grimmer.


    "Medea will be the healer and ranged nuker of the party." Haruki nodded. "Artoria will be a tank and damage dealer hybrid. Medusa and Cu Chinn will be pure DPS. Emiya, well, he will do his own thing."


    Semiramis pointed at herself, doubt filling her eyes. "What about me? What role am I ying in the greatest Holy Grail War?"


    "Well, you''ll sit on myp and advise me."


    "As long as it''s within the exquisite chambers of my Hanging Gardens of Babylon."


    "It won''t be possible to make your Noble Phantasm in time." Haruki shook his head. "Angra Mainyu won''t give us four or five days. We have to leave your Noble Phantasm out of our strategies."


    The fact that Angra Mainyu hadn''t sent servants to his doorstep was already a miracle. Nothing stopped Angra Mainyu from echoing the first hymn of the war. This silence only meant two things  Angra Mainyu orchestrated some machinations behind his back or Gilgamesh gave them some time to prepare. It was something the arrogant demigod would do out of increasing his entertainment value.


    "Tsk. I understand," Semiramis agreed, albeit reluctantly. Her greatest authority would go without making a magnificent appearance. It was a moment of disappointment. "My master, go before you disappoint me more."


    "You sulky little." Haruki pulled her by her hand and gently smacked her ass. "Your Noble Phantasm will be helpfulter on, trust me. You need to work on other tasks, like prepping the other servants for the offense. Well, if the materialse here, you can dedicate your time in creating your Noble Phantasm."


    He was in the dark about three enemy servants. That gave him no excuse to be unprepared in case of a sudden attack. Being prepared was far better than running around like headless chickens.


    "My time haseth to be your general. Medea, my beautiful friend, will you assist me?"


    "I see no reason to reject your plea."


    "Thank you. Thank you."


    Haruki smiled at their surprisingly amicable rtionship. Sakura got along with Medea and his mother. Medea got along with Sakura, Kaede, and Semiramis. His mother shared a family-like bond with Sakura and a somewhat good rtionship with Medea. And Semiramis was friends with Medea, an acquaintance with Sakura, and aplete stranger with Kaede.


    ''There won''t be much enmity between them.''


    His harem life was set for now. The same couldn''t be said about his future lovers, however.


    "I''ll go spar with Artoria then."


    A spar with Artoria might be fruitful. He might even get to know more about the Mana Burst Skill.


    Medea smiled and rubbed her hands on her apron. "Don''t take too long. Breakfast will be ready soon."


    "Got it."


    Haruki exited the kitchen and walked down the hallways. The wind caressed his hair, indicating the presence of his beloved mother.


    "Haru,e to your room. We need to talk."


    "Can it wait?"


    "Of course I''ll trap her in the meantime."


    "Trap who?"


    "Haha, nothing. No need to worry about it. Enjoy your sparring session!"


    Haruki put her suspicious acts behind her and opened the dojo''s door. The wooden floor stretched across an area more than twice the size of his academy''s dojo. In the center of this vast space, Artoria sat on her knees, eyes closed as if she were meditating. Her delicate face was worth admiring.


    Still, Haruki didn''t feel like going crazy over her. Artoria was a little young for his taste even though she might be almost the same age as him. Her body stopped aging the day she pulled out Caliburn from the stone.


    ''I kinda want to see herncer version.''


    "Ufufu." Arch giggled, looking awfully happy for some reason. "You should have summoned her Lancer version then. Wait, this Holy Grail can''t do that!"


    ''Fuck you.''


    "Come to my room."


    Haruki blinked his eyes in session. Arch became bolder after being treated as air for a night.


    ''Sure. Bring me over to your room when I sleep.''


    A long, awkward silence ensued. Arch may have used up all the courage in her invitation. Haruki shook his head. Silencing the Goddess of Dragons and Luck was a child''s y on his part.

 Chapter 92: 95: Serious Training

    Chapter 92: 95: Serious Training


    Artoria opened her eyes and gazed at her master. "Master." Her voice echoed in the dojo. "How long have you been standing there?"


    "To not sense my presence, isn''t my sword cking off in her duties?"


    Haruki''s provoking grin didn''t have any effect on her. She stood up and took a deep breath. "I was reflecting upon my past, Master."


    "Is it rted to Mordred?"


    Artoria gave a slight nod of her head and looked down at her hand. "The Treacherous Knight Ourst battle was a sh of different ideals. Mordred fought for her rebellious cause, and I raised my sword to quell the chaos brought by that rebellion. We both lost when the sun went down Cann Hill Mordred perished, whereas Sir Bedivere carried me to Lady Lake to recover where I had to make my choice between death or eternal pursuit of redemption."


    Artoria fell quiet, realizing she spoke too much for no reason. As a knight and king, she didn''t need to dwell on her emotions. She recovered her serious, calm expression with the realization.


    "Let me guess. You aren''t sure about Mordred''s purpose this time. Will she oppose you as your heir or an enemy servant? Is that eating you from the inside?"


    Artoria shook her head. "No, that doesn''t worry me in the slightest. I was just thinking about a possibility what would have happened if I relinquished my throne to Mordred on time? Could it have prevented the downfall"


    Haruki ced a finger on her lips, silencing her before her jar of regrets opened for real. "Artoria, you''re a terrible mother, you know that? I want to see Mordred kick your ass."


    Artoria gripped his wrist as a deep frown shed on her face. "Master, are you saying you''ll cheer for our enemy over me? Am I that worthless of a human being?"


    Being the stiff knight she was, she took his joke at face value.


    "Geez, what do I do with you?" Haruki folded his arms and sighed. "You had your reasons to neglect Mordred, your own blood. I won''t delve into them. You''ll head into the battle as my servant, as my sword, and fight for my victory. Whether it is Mordred or Gilgamesh, you''ll raise your sword for my purpose. Is that correct?"


    "I shall." Artoria nodded her head under his firm tone. She failed to create the promised utopia for her people. She could be useful to his cause and win the war at the same time. "Without any hesitation."


    "You know, Artoria, wallowing in regret is thest thing a king should do."


    Artoria could see the disappointment in Haruki''s eyes. She had a better grasp of others'' emotions than her own. A habit that stemmed from her low self-worth. She couldn''t do anything to improve his mood, however, since her mind was set on changing the fate of the country that had once been her kingdom.


    Haruki breathed another sigh. ''Simple words won''t get to that thick skull.''


    He lifted her chin with an icy gaze. "Toss me a wooden spear. I am in the mood for some training."


    "Yes, Master."


    Artoria walked to the training weapon holder with a confident gait and reached for the spear.


    "Pick a weapon for yourself."


    She frowned a little, then nodded, epting his suggestion. Throwing the spear over to him, she assumed a close sword stance. She lunged at Haruki without a warning and shed with her sword.


    He didn''t move an inch. The wooden sword struck his chest with a thud.


    Artoria''s eyes widened. She had seen his battle with Medusa, where he matched her blow to blow. Reacting to this attack should have been a piece of cake for him. Yet he didn''t dodge or decided not to react to her attack.


    "Why, Master?"


    "Do you doubt my status as a dragon?" He narrowed his eyes and pped away her wooden sword. "Put more strength in your blows. How will I learn something new without finding my limits? Use your Mana Burst and your Noble Phantasm if need be. Let me experience the sword of the King of Knights."


    He couldn''t imagine fighting Artoria the day he discovered hisck of special abilities. Yet, here he was, unflinching against her sh, even if that attack was as casual as it could get. Now that he had a chance, he would make the most out of it and enjoy a good battle.


    A fight to improve upon hisck of techniques.


    Artoria sensed his fighting spirit and his hunger for battle. Squeezing the hilt in her grip, she let the magical energy flow through her and the wooden sword. "A wooden weapon can onlyst one blow if I use Mana Burst with it."


    "You are mistaken." Kaede''s voice echoed around them. "I will never prepare cheap equipment for my son''s training. I made these weapons with a reinforcement spell in mind. In fact, their core structure is denser. If your weapon breaks, I''ll immediately transfer a new one to you."


    His mother foresaw everything, or she just designed the mansion to give him the best treatment.


    Artoria shouted a battle cry and swung her sword. Haruki quickly channeled reinforcement through his spear and intercepted Artoria''s wooden sword. A blue light shed from Artoria''s sword as their weapon made contact.


    A ng resounded throughout the dojo.


    Artoria leaped back a couple of meters and gazed at him with a hint of shock in her eyes. He took her blow head-on without taking a step back.


    Haruki felt his trembling fingers. The destructive force behind Mana Burst couldn''t be dissipated by a mere parry. "What a beast of strength. I''d be flying if you used it with your Excalibur."


    He expected no less from the legendary king with a dragon core.


    "I will use my reinforcement to the max. You should use your Mana Burst to its maximum power."


    "Please do. I do not want you to hold back. Show me everything. Then we can devise a route to refine your strengths."


    Artoria wouldn''t be saying this if her master was a normal mage. Her Master, however, was a monster with extreme potential. A valuable war asset in their war against All World''s Evil.


    Violet sparks flew from Haruki''s fingertips before wrapping around the spear like a dragon.


    "Come."


    Artoria didn''t refuse him, instead smiled. With a fierce cry reminiscent of a lion, Artoria leaped forth, releasing her magical energy. Her stomp shook the earth, her speed piercing the sound barrier.


    Sword and spear shed. There was no hatred or rage between the fighters. Only two warriors relishing their first sh.


    The wooden weapons were strengthened enough to ssify as a Noble Phantasm even if the weakest one.


    Since the battle started, Artoria went on aplete offense, stepping so close that swinging his spear became harder and harder. She pushed him back with aggressive attacks, forcing him into defense.


    Unknowingly, Haruki''s cheeks drew into a grin as he blocked another quick sh. "I can''t always stay on defense. I will try something new."


    Haruki gave up on defense and went on offense. With a spirited roar, he stomped the ground and stepped forward. Violet and blue radiance swelled instantly. His herculean strengthunched Artoria back, but as expected of a Saber-ss, she leaped into the air and dashed back to him. She immediately shed at his wide-open shoulder. A series of dragon scales bloomed before the mana-coated wooden sword contacted his shoulder. The scales cracked like a piece of ss.


    "Master, your pure strength exceeds mine." She never thought she''d say these words to anyone, much less a youth. He was that much of a monster  a dragon in her eyes. "But your attacksck finesse  the decisiveness."


    In a battle of raw strength, he''d win ten out of ten times. A battle didn''t solely depend on brute power. She couldn''t have triumphed over the White Dragon Vortigern if that were the case.


    "I know that much, Artoria. That''s precisely why I''m learning abilities."


    Haruki showed the dragon scales that now gleamed with blue light  his scales absorbed her magical energy and gained a hybrid of magical and physical resistance.


    "Now let''s go at it seriously. Medea''s new Noble Phantasm can heal me even if I lose a limb or two."


    He gave her reassurance and jumped back into the fight. The violet and blue shed again. Every time Artoria''s sword reached him, his scales materialized and protected him. He didn''t mindlessly cover himself in ayer of dragon scales like armor  that''d slow him down and his reaction time. He only used the scales whenever Artoria hit him. To achieve this, he had to be mindful of every little movement of her sword.


    [Awakening Progress: 9.99%]


    His eyes morphed into narrow slits, like those of a snake, or more precisely, a dragon. He reached the threshold for another awakening.


    Artoria gazed into his eyes and felt her body numb. Her Magic Core revolved, pumping her limbs full of magical energy, and freeing her from captivity.


    "Master"


    "Keep swinging."


    He was in the zone. Artoria wasn''t the only one with a strangely active Magic Core. His Magic Core continuously channeled magical energy, which reinforced his tough body even more.


    Artoria never liked battle as it led to death. The death of the innocent. The death of sinners. Nothing good came out of violence for the sake of violence. But she never drew back from a battle, either.


    ''Then why am I feeling this way?''


    She wasn''t swinging her sword to train Haruki. As if infected by his fighting spirit, she was enjoying the battle. Enjoying the thrill of trading blows with her master. Fighting to show respect to her master, who was more of a dragon than she ever was.


    Sakura, who came to call Haruki for breakfast, became speechless at their battle. The dojo was humongous, and the battle urred miles away from her. Sakura couldn''t even see any attack, even with her improved stats. The legendary battle crushed all her hopes of providing any support to him. What use was archery if she couldn''t track her opponent?


    "It''s a minor trick. Don''t worry." Kaede reassured her. "Sakura-chan, why do you look gloomy?"


    "Oba-san I have a request."


    "Go on. I''m all ears."


    "Can I be useful in this war?"


    "No. This Holy Grail War has no ce for rookie mages like you."


    Sakura hung her head and clenched her fists. Hearing the bitter truth from Kaede''s mouth made her heartache. The war happened with her as the grand prize. She was the ultimate cause of this conflict, yet she couldn''t provide any help.


    "But." Kaede took a long pause. "You''re forgetting one thing. You have a new authority to store items inside your bosom. I wish I had it too. I''d force him to touch my chest every day. Hmph, that''d be so fun."


    Sakura''s face turned red. "Oba-san!"


    "Oh, dear me. My repressed feelings are surfacing now that Haru epted my love."


    "Thank you Oba-san."


    "Your gratitude is unnecessary. Haru is fighting this war because he loves you. He wants to protect you."


    Sakura nodded, this time with a firm gaze. "I''ll ask Medusa to give it her all."


    "Well, you can do something that''ll be an immense help to Haru."


    Her eyes glittered. "What is it?"


    "It''s nothing much. Just ask Medusa to have sex with Haru."


    "Oba-san"


    "I''m not joking, Sakura-chan," Kaede continued in a solemn voice. "Didn''t you witness it yourselfst night? Haruki can learn new authority and skills through sex."


    Sakura couldn''t give a reply. Haruki''s ability made her speechless to her core.


    "I know it''s very cruel to ask you, his girlfriend, to let him sleep with other women. But my hands are tied Haru is reserving himself to protect your and Medea''s feelings More authorities will give him more chances to win this war."


    "I I''ll do it, Oba-san," Sakura said in a calm voice, contrary to her messy thoughts. "There is no other choice."


    "Thank you, Sakura-chan. I knew I was right about you prioritizing Haru over everything. I love you."


    Sakura nodded and tried her best to observe Haruki.

 Chapter 93: My Mana Burst

    Chapter 93: My Mana Burst


    [Sojutsu skill evolved to A-Rank.]


    Sparring with Artoria bore some fruit, well, more fruit than Haruki''s initial expectations.


    "Master," Artoria said. "We have to stop. Your magical energy is very low and mine ispletely flushed"


    Not only did Haruki continuously abuse the Reinforcement spell, Artoria also channeled her Mana Burst skill, which consumed Haruki''s magical energy. All for nearly half an hour.


    His Dragon Core slowed down in magical energy generation after twenty-five minutes, since he started focusing on observing the flow of Artoria''s magical energy rather than the fight. The power of his core depended on his desires, after all. It wouldn''t needlessly pump out magical energy if he wasn''t in desperate need of it.


    Haruki tossed away the wooden spear filled with cracks. It was the ninth wooden spear. A feeling of numbness came over his entire body. "Saber, did you enjoy going wild?"


    Artoria slightly tilted her head at his posed question. "I do not enjoy battles, Master."


    Halfway through their battle, she had realized the meaning of this battle  Haruki wanted to unleash his destructive urges. He absolutely loved the feeling of letting loose in a battle.


    "Are you sure about that?" Haruki inquired with an amused grin. "The woman I fought loved swinging her sword. She was full of desire to ovee me. Lying isn''t very chivalrous."


    Unless he saw some hallucinations, Artoria was smiling during their bout. The martyr King of Knights, the beacon of chivalry, was having fun in a battle. He wouldn''t believe it if it didn''t happen before his eyes.


    "I am not lying, Master," Artoria said, voice low and gritty. "I do not enjoy battles."


    To Haruki, her words seemed a desperate attempt to convince herself about her true nature.


    "Do you want to know the reason?" Arch asked,ing off like a helpful goddess for once. "I''ll enlighten you even if you say"


    ''Artoria has the body of a human and the heart of a dragon. She is meant to be the reincarnation of Red Dragon. Coming into close contact with me, another half-ass dragon, awakened something in her. Correct?''


    "Curse you."


    Arch wanted to flex her knowledge on the dragons, but he robbed her of that opportunity. He felt like he was bullying a little sister.


    ''I treated my second mom like my imouto.''


    "Don''t you dare!"


    Artoria frowned at him as if she was seriously pondering whether to retort against his ridiculous im. ''I can never enjoy battle.''


    She subconsciously chose not to revel in any pleasure until she found closure as a King. It was her sin as the king who failed to deliver a peaceful end to her kingdom.


    Haruki ignored Artoria for a second and nced at Sakura, who was standing nearly a mile away alongside the foggy silhouette of his mother.


    ''My eyesight is better than ever.''


    Haruki narrowed his eyes at Sakura''s expression. She observed him with calm eyes, opposite of her mannerism during their intimacy sessionst night. Something bothered her that turned her gloomy.


    ''What is it this time?''


    "Forget about her. Do you want to fully awaken this authority?" Arch asked. "You''ll need to rest for a couple of hours."


    "Let me finish breakfast" he whispered. "I''m gonna check my Mana Burst first."


    He was curious about the form of his Mana Burst since the skill came in many forms, depending on a Servant''s myth. Artoria''s Mana Burst improved her defense, physical strength, and agility  not all of them happened at the same time. Artoria Alter''s Mana Burst considerably boosted her defense. Karna''s Mana Burst (me) enchanted his weapon with mes. Minamoto-no-Raikou''s Mana Burst (Lightning) covered her with divine lightning.


    Artoria raised her brows at his words. "Master, you cannot"


    "Be quiet for a second."


    Haruki vaguely understood the concept behind the skill as he fought Artoria. He had to raise the pressure of his magical energy flow, then expel it in an instant. So, he imagined his magical energy gushing out of his core like a spray of high-pressured water. The magical energy rushed through him and erupted out with a silver sh.


    "Hmm?" Haruki hummed in confusion. "My magical energy is silver? That''s the color of my scales."


    [Skill acquired: Mana Burst (Adaptive)]


    [Mana Flow Control skill evolved to C-Rank.]


    ''Adaptive?''


    Amidst his confusion, Arch shed the skill description before him.


    Mana Burst [Adaptive] [E]


    Info: Originating from your Void Element, your magical energy can adapt to elements in your arsenal.


    Effect: Infuse body and weapon with magical energy.


    "me," Haruki whispered afterprehending the skill''s concept. The silver aura morphed and twisted before exploding into a crimson fire. The mes covered him like protective armor.


    As expected from his race, his Mana Burst was extraordinary.


    Artoria had no words to say. She couldn''t understand his Mana Burst. "How can your magical energy morph?"


    "It''s not changing. It''s adapting to my desires." Haruki closed his magical energy reservoir to stop the Mana Burst. "There is a difference. We''ll talk about it after breakfast. Aren''t you starving?"


    The ahoge on Artoria''s head swiveled as soon as he mentioned food. He couldn''t help but chuckle.


    "You''re a glutton."


    "Nutrition is necessary to keep battle efficiency to maximum."


    "Yeah sure." Haruki rubbed her head and walked past her. The distance between him and Sakura shrunk within seconds, despite his casual gait. Kaede''s ability to twist this house was mystical and scary at the same time. "Mom, I love you."


    "Someone looks happy," Kaede whispered in his ears. "You let out all your steam in that fight."


    "It was fun."


    Being a dragon had its caveats and benefits. He was developing a lust for fighting; he felt like it was better to ept it. The war would be tedious if he despised fighting. Not to mention his awakening depended upon his battles.


    "Senpai" Sakura looked at him with her hands sped behind her. "Are you tired?"


    "A little. I''m more concerned about you. Is everything alright with your body?"


    Sakura''s glum faded as a blush took over her face. "Senpai! I''mpletely fine."


    "I don''t believe you." Haruki grasped her wrist and walked towards the door. "Let me examine you."


    "H-How will you do that?"


    "I''ll take off your clothes first in the shower," he whispered. "Then observe every change in your body."


    He nced at Artoria, who looked away. Her sharp senses let her hear things far away in great detail. She eavesdropped on their conversation, regardless of her intentions.


    "Why don''t you join us?" Haruki asked, disguising his amusement behind a stoic front. "It''ll be more efficient that way."


    He was all sweaty after sparring; he could say the same for Artoria.


    Sakura''s embarrassment flew away as she recalled her conversation with Haruki''s mother. "Yeah, join us. Artoria."


    Haruki stopped abruptly, his wide eyes fixed on Sakura. As if he saw a dead rising from the grave.


    ***


    Read 15 more chapters and support me at my patre.on! /GMilfhunter

 Chapter 94: Consensual Adultery

    Chapter 94: Consensual Adultery


    A/N: The chapter title is fire, I swear xD


    ...


    Sakura''s eptance brought Haruki into another steamy situation. Artoria methodically took off her dress and folded it neatly before cing it aside.


    Right before his eyes, she unhooked her bra, then dragged her panties down her slim legs. Her sun-starvedplexion lent her that young princess aura, a delicate woman with subtle feminine curves.


    For a woman, who looked like Sakura''s age, her back was surprisingly muscr. Two delicate buds crowned her milky-white breasts that appeared like a pair of teacups sitting side by side. Haruki wasn''t a connoisseur of breast size but he found Artoria''s pair adorable, pleasant to the eye.


    "Master, Sakura, take off your clothes. We have to hurry."


    His keen stare failed to get a reaction out of Artoria. The more calm and collected she acted, the more he had the urge to make her submit.


    "Huhu, give in to your dragon instincts," Arch said. "Turn the inferior dragon into your ve."


    ''Shut up before I make you my ve.''


    Sakura knew Artoria was dense but thisck of modesty caught her by surprise. Sakura turned to Haruki with surprise dwelling in her eyes, who gazed at Artoria with an indescribable look. "Senpai."


    "She doesn''t see herself as a woman," Haruki whispered. "How am I going to make her love me? It sounds impossible, isn''t it?"


    "A little." Sakura yed along nicely without getting angry at his absurd question about seducing another woman. "How about you fuck her?"


    The bold suggestion confirmed Haruki''s doubt about external influence corrupting Sakura. The influence was none other than his own mother.


    ''What is she teaching her?''


    "She wants to increase your strength by letting you fuck other women. Isn''t that a surprising action for a yandere to take?"


    ''Indeed''


    He had to handle this matter with care without hurting Sakura or Medea.


    "Master, I made a contract to obey you, not give you my heart. I simply hold no interest in romance or finding love," Artoria heard his conversation with Sakura and conjured a reply. "I submitted my body to fulfill my promise as a king. There is no other use for me." she nced at Sakura. "You''re more suited for romance you''re prettier than I could ever be."


    Her reply befitted the one who sacrificed her life for her kingdom and still couldn''t find peace, and a woman whocked self-confidence.


    "You spent all of your magical energy in the battle." Haruki slowly unbuttoned his shirt as he spoke. "Let''s replenish that first, shall we?"


    He would not correct her or gush out praises for her. He believed in showing over telling. To pull Artoria out of her past, he had to give her a ''present.''


    Artoria raised her brows. "Master''s magical energy is also low at the moment. You should recover first. I can recover some with food and the environment, then the restter."


    "We can''t do that. What if we got attacked while eating?"


    Haruki''s made-up scenario sounded usible. So possible that Artoria couldn''t whip up a reason for rejection.


    "I have a way to replenish your magical energy that is fast and doesn''t rely on my magical energy reserves."


    Her lips parted as a look of realization crossed her face. "Master''s bodily fluids."


    "Correct." Haruki took off his boxers and hisid penis slipped out. "Do I need to teach you the next part?"


    "I know." Artoria shook her head as she got on her knees before him and gripped his manhood in her hand. Having experienced the same pleasure with Morgan''s hands, she knew all there was about pleasing a man.


    Sakura watched Artoria stroke his penis to life until it was fully raging. Artoria opened her mouth and gulped the penis, slowly slid her lips over the skin, only to hit her limit halfway down the shaft.


    Artoria didn''t look at him, her eyes filled with a conviction. Haruki rectified it by reaching out and sliding his hands through her blonde locks. Gripping firmly but not painfully, he forced her head to tilt back, so she made eye contact while blowing him.


    He could see a tint of red on her face as her breathing reached a level simr to their battle. His lips curled up in a grin as he gently assisted Artoria''s movements by pulling her face.


    He breathed out a hot sigh, feeling his climax approaching. Even Medea couldn''t get him to cum this fast. There was just something different about Artoria''s mouth, something rted to her dragon core if he had to point out one thing.


    Sakura stared unblinkingly at the obscenity happening before her eyes. Contrary to brewing hate for her lover, she felt her breathing soar and her core clench. A dewy dribble leaked out of Sakura, staining her freshly changed panties.


    ''No. It can''t be.''


    Although her lovermitted consensual adultery in front of her, she was feeling aroused, ready to pounce on him.


    As if dictated by gods, Rin opened the bath''s door, humming in her own world. That was until she saw Haruki engaging in a lewd act with his Servant.


    "What the hell?! Sakura, Sakuraaa,e here"


    "Nee-san, lower your voice!"


    Rin''s mouth hung open. She was calling out to her sister to reveal Haruki''s licentious act, only to find Sakura standing in the same ce.


    Haruki didn''t care about anything at the moment. He drew Artoria even closer and unloaded ropes of magical energy filled cum in her mouth. Artoria''s eyes widened, her brows forming creases. She fell on her butt and covered her mouth, coughing out the sticky fluid. She licked it back, not allowing the magical energy to waste.


    As her magic core processed the magical energy, a wave of heat surged through her. Her face reddened as she hyperventted on the spot.


    "Master, something is happening" she supported herself with her arm and copsed, falling unconscious.


    Haruki snapped out of his lethargy and shook Artoria. "She passed out."


    "I also did," Sakura added. "Is it the same?"


    "What is happening here?" Rin butted into the conversation. "Can anyone exin, please?"


    "Be quiet for a second."


    Haruki took Artoria in his arms and observed the flow of her magical energy. Her Core spun so fast that he could hear it outside her body. Blue lines ran across her body like a mage''s magic circuits, cracking and turning golden. Her skin also cracked in ces. Suddenly, the blue glow returned and overpowered the gold, suppressing the golden with sheer might.


    Her magic core stopped its relentless spinning as her condition returned to a somewhat stable condition.


    Haruki got up and frowned at Rin. "Carry Artoria to a bed. Sakura, help her."


    Rin absentmindedly stretched her arms to receive Artoria. Sakura assisted Rin as the sisters took Artoria out of the bath.


    ''What was happening back there?''


    "You already know it."


    He sighed and sank into the bathtub. How could he not notice the brief change in Artoria''s aura? She had an aura simr to his own.


    The aura of a dragon.


    ''My semen is a fucking disaster now.''

 Chapter 95: The Innocent Schemer

    Chapter 95: The Innocent Schemer


    Rin paced back and forth in her room, a keen frown refusing to leave her face. She needed answers to the weird rtionship dynamic between her sister, Artoria, and Haruki.


    ''Is he manipting Sakura into this?''


    The Haruki she knew wouldn''tmit such a heinous act But she couldn''t ignore the scene with Artoria. Also, his failed attempt to invite her to bathe with him  all the clues pointed to Haruki harboring hidden lust for women. Then she recalled his confession for failing to save Sakura until now, which was riddled with regrets.


    ''There are two sides to every story.''


    She respected him after his swift decision to dispatch Zouken Matou. There was no way she''d let all the goodwill go down over some bullshit misunderstanding.


    ''Why did he have to sleep now?''


    She chewed her thumb, seriously contemting dragging Haruki out of the bed. The man went to rest after breakfast. Sakura and Medea refused to let anyone inside his room.


    "Master, what got your panties in the bunch?" Emiya appeared with a sarcastic grin stered on his face. "Let me take a shot. You saw him naked again."


    He heard her grumble after the scene went downst night. He couldn''t make fun of her without causing ate-night ruckus. Nothing stopped him now from teasing the hell out of his asionally flustered but all time fiery master.


    "Shut up. Get your ass back to guarding."


    Emiya revealed a smile full ofpassion, as if sympathizing with her cause. "I suppose you''re at that age."


    "Rin Nee-san." Sakura opened the door, showing a rather meek smile. "I have a request."


    Emiya walked out of the room, leaving the sister to their own devices. "When is this war gonna start?"


    He admitted he was a little pumped for the war since Shiro wasn''t involved. Without the drive to save anyone, his younger self from another timeline wouldn''t be a proficient fighter.


    Standing against Angra Mainyu ensured he fought for the right side of this war. The side of justice. Even if he had to follow a selfish youth''s lead.


    ***


    A few minutester.


    Sakura cleared her throat. "Ahem, I''m sorry for gathering everyone like this. P-Please bear with me for the sake of Haruki-senpai."


    She stood in a rather spacious room, smiling apologetically at the women upying the two beds ced side by side.


    Medea, Semiramis, Medusa, Artoria, and Rin  all five women got abruptly called out. Especially Artoria. She couldn''t wrap her head around the weird phenomenon that made her unconscious.


    Medea crossed her arms under her chest. "Sakura, you didn''t endure all those years to stutter before a bunch of dead women and your own sister. Stand with more confidence."


    "Who are you calling dead?" Semiramis snapped. "I''m more alive than I have ever been."


    Medea shook her head. "You can''t argue with me when I help Sakura. Master loves her more than me and you."


    "So what if he does? I don''t care."


    The friends began arguing. Medea''s acknowledgement of Haruki''s boundless feelings for Sakura triggered a wave of bashfulness in Sakura. Holding her cheeks, she started imagining her fantasy of flowery romance.


    "Stop fighting like children." Rin red at the two, then shifted her attention to Sakura, her gaze softening rapidly. "Sakura, what do you want to say?"


    Rin pulled her sister out of her fantasy. Sakura cleared her throat and assumed her most serious expression.


    "Haruki-Senpai hid something from all of us, even me. Kaede Oba-san revealed his secret behind his back." Senpai trailed her words, pulling everyone in the mystery of this secret. "He has an unfathomable power, which can single-handedly raise our odds of winning the war."


    Artoria stood and pinned Sakura down with her dignified gaze. "What is it?"


    Her hunger for the Holy Grail was highest among Haruki''s servants. The absolute defense of Avalon wouldn''t fare well in an all-out battle of fourteen servants. She also found it hideous to rely on Avalon alone.


    Hiding behind a shield wasn''t chivalrous.


    Medusa narrowed her eyes behind her blindfold, curious about this secret power of her master. As a Gorgon, she had her own ability  the power to petrify the enemy with her gaze.


    Semiramis and Medea misunderstood Haruki''s authority of empowering servants through sex as his only ability.


    Sakura noticed the wave of curiosity passing through the room. This was her desired result. It''d be difficult to make anyone agree to her n if she failed to capture their interest. She ignored Medusa, who rarely showed a change in expression. Convincing Medusa wouldn''t take much effort, even if she had to shed some tears.


    "Haruki-senpai" Sakura touched her face. "He gains powerful skills from having sexual intercourse with women."


    One could hear a pin drop in the room. Haruki''s ability swept everyone in a state of disbelief.


    "What? What the fuck did you say?" Rin forgot all her aristocratic manners and spouted the first few that came to her mind. "I don''t believe it!"


    Haruki''s ability made no sense. All magecraft branches were based on logic, even if the said logic came from a different era.


    ''There is an exception if it''s True Magic.''


    Rin briskly shook her head. Although he was a dragon, a young man like Haruki couldn''t have reached the Root and be a Magician. All magus in the Association worked toward one goal with different methods  reaching the Root.


    "Rin, please be quiet for a second." Semiramis'' expression lost all amiability as a sharp, dignified aura flowed from her. "I believe in Sakura. I know why he is immune to every attack from me."


    Medea put a hand over her mouth and frowned. "I get your meaning. That ability"


    Semiramis nodded. "My master''s life will not be easy after this war."


    Rin hopped down from the bed in a lively manner and looked at Medea and Semiramis. With her hands on her hips and a haughty look on her face, she looked like a female delinquent.


    "Don''t whisper everything on your own. If you have anything, let us know."


    "Can you please share your knowledge?" Artoria asked politely. "It would be beneficial if everyone is on the same page."


    "Hah." Semiramis scoffed before her face took on a mature,passionate smile. "Of course. Everyone needs to be on the same page. Medea, do you want to tell everyone?"


    Medea flipped back her hood as everyone ced their attention on her. "Haruki-sama gained a kind of immunity from witches after having sex with me."


    "I was forced into my spiritual state when I tried attacking my master."


    Sakura pped. "He got a new ability afterst night" she toyed with her white locks, looking embarrassed to bring up Haruki''s inconceivable authority. "He can store items inside my b-b-body."


    Medea smacked her lips. "Sakura''s ability is more useful than mine. My ability only lowered his wariness for a certain scheming empress."


    Semiramis noted down the insult for some paybackter. "I am curious about mine. I''m sleeping with him after he wakes up."


    Her deration made Rin gasp. She looked toward Sakura, who seemed happy over Semiramis'' decision.


    Medea hesitated in revealing Haruki''s other ability to empower his servants. That ability will surely convince everyone in the room. She felt ufortable about so many women having sex with him even as a ime urrence. She had seen his prowess; there was simply no way they would not yearn to feel the pleasure again.


    "I know it is a big request to sleep with a man whom you don''t love but please give it a thought." Sakura ced her hands on herp and bowed. "Senpai''s ability will make him more powerful."


    Medea lowered her head. ''Sakura is doing everything and I''m moping over this''


    She stood up and stood by Sakura''s side. "Haruki-sama has another ability"


    "Oh shit, not again," Rin grumbled.

 Chapter 96: Twist

    Chapter 96: Twist


    The assassins of the Hashshashin Sect lived and thrived in the shadows. The Poison Girl, Hassan of Serenity, was no exception to the rule.


    In her life, she had been to the narrow but lively streets of Indian slums, thevish mansion of Persian Kings and Nobles, and the rebellious capital of the Far East  the expansive nature of her upation gave her an opportunity to taste the air of countless locations.


    She still wasn''t prepared for her; it made her squirm in unease. Surrounding her was a pitch-ck darkness that twisted even her excellent sense of distance. An inexpressible anguish filled the air within the vague boundaries. She could hear vague shrieks around her.


    A room so unbelievably wide, yet she felt ufortably pressed.


    "Sakura-chan is manipting Haru''s servants. What a naughty child," a woman thought out loud. "She is exceeding my expectations, that innocent girl."


    "Who?"


    "Ara, I forgot I put you here." The woman turned her attention to Serenity, her amber eyes boring two holes in the darkness. "Don''t worry, Child. I will not harm you, but he will."


    Serenity didn''t reply to the yful voice. There was nothing to speak about, anyway. She was caught in her mission before she got the time to gather intel. Only death awaited for failures in her upation. A pitiful but fitting end for the one revered as Visha Kanya, with a poisonous heart and body.


    A vague silhouette emerged in the darkness. The form became cleared as Serenity focused.


    "You"


    Serenity''s heart nearly stopped. Few could seize her throat by shock, but the spiritual body before her defied all logics set by a normal soul. It was a monstrosity that could destroy the mind of people with a weak will. Even a servant like her wasn''t immune. A distortion erupted in her mind.


    "It''s hideous, isn''t it?" The voice now carried self-loathing. "This happens when you dip your toes in another''s job. Level 1 warrior attempting to create a Philosopher''s Stone. Ah, merging two souls  what was that idiot goddess thinking?"


    Serenity retracted her gaze. "Kill me."


    "Ara, don''t be hasty~." The voice turned yful and teasing. "My son might be the person you''re looking for. Until hees around, have some rest in this artificial dark world~."


    "The person I''m looking for" she muttered.


    Who was she looking for in her life? It had been forever since shest thought about it. But the answer was, will, and always be the same.


    Someone she could touch without the fear of killing them.


    Someone who won''t sumb to her poisonous self.


    A simple wish of the simple girl who was tired of ripping families apart by her poison.


    "Hassan of Serenity, I have changed my mind. I will free you, but on one condition."


    "What condition?"


    The air suddenly froze, and all of her senses copsed as if she was in a void. A yfulughter boomed as the woman''s spiritual body flickered in and out of reality.


    The world distorted and ruptured as a new reality emerged. Ancient buildings rose from nothing, illuminated by the dazzling light of two suns in the sky.


    ''Two suns?''


    "Fufu."


    Another veil was lifted as the sun twisted and revealed their original form  a pair of radiant eyes. Then she emerged. A giant surpassing the scale of normalcy. The world seemed like a mere marble in her hand.


    A pair of golden eyes, the size of a star, gazed down at Serenity. The Assassin was pulled in, forced to stand on the giantdy''s palm, which was the size of a city, perhaps bigger. Her sense of scale had distorted in this dimension, and nothing she saw could be believed.


    The woman with silky brown hair giggled. "Hassan of Serenity, assassinate my child, whomands six servants against your evil mistress. I am giving you the job you came here to do."


    She, whocked embodied meekness and obedience, nodded her head. The goal aligned with Serenity''s own goal.


    "Make it fun, my adorable child~."


    ***


    Gears of fate didn''t stop rotating during Haruki''s sleep. He stretched his arms as he sat up on the bed.


    [Authority acquired: Void Creation]


    Allows you to create a void anywhere within your line of sight. The void''s durability and size depend on your focus and willpower.


    Haruki raised a brow at the somewhat confusing ability. "How do I use it?"


    He looked at the flowerpot sitting on the table and imagined a void between the pot''s base and the wooden surface. An invisible space pushed up the flowerpot. As the flowerpot neared the ceiling, Haruki winced and covered his eyes. Overusing the ability caused a sharp pain behind his eyes.


    The flowerpot broke into pieces. The space he created ceased to exist once his concentration broke.


    "Even the watered-down version of space warp is giving you a headache," Arch mocked him. "Do not call me Mom from now on. I''m disowning you."


    ''Whose fault is it I didn''t awaken my powers? Huh?''


    It took him four days to reach his current strength. Only four days. He might be one-shotting Gilgamesh and Heracles if he awakened his powers at birth.


    "Can you stop bringing it up over and over?" Arch snapped atst. "If you want to me someone, me your hoe of a mother."


    ''What? My mom did that? Why did she do that?!''


    Arch went silent, refusing to answer any of his questions. He felt another headache creeping over him. His own mother chose to make him powerless, even after knowing his helplessness over Sakura''s fate. She watched Sakura suffer with a smile, all the while referring to her as her daughter.


    He just couldn''t believe Kaede being so cruel towards Sakura.


    ''Arch could be lying.''


    There was no definite answer to the mystery until he got both of them in the same room and interrogated them.


    "It''s impossible. I suggest you give up. I''d rather die than breathe the same air as that traitorous wench."


    ''I''ll make it happen, Arch.''


    The mother-lover took a solemn oath.


    The door creaked open, and a grinning head popped out from the small opening. "My Master~, you are awake!"


    "Focus on Semiramis and the war," Arch said.


    ***


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