As it turned out, Nagato's excuse was flawlessly inserted into the school records, and the SOS Brigade was released from school early to do a cultural studies project in Fuyuki City. Nagato was also able to get us the penthouse in a nice, fancy hotel in the newer part of the city, Shinto. Being able to manipulate information at will, sure is a handy ability.
"Relatively," Nagato said as we rode the elevator up to our temporary home.
"Wow, this is a nice place!" Haruhi said as we walked in.
Naturally, Haruhi immediately started snooping around and testing everything, birds have to fly, after all.
"The beds are soft, the fridge is fully stocked with cold drinks, and the rooms are nice and spacious!" she said at the end of her investigation. "Great job, Yuki!"
Nagato nodded.
"Now, there's only one matter remaining! Kyon, go get us some food!"
Sending me out when there are 'gas leaks' and spear wielding maniacs wandering the streets doesn't seem like a very good idea.
"Hmm, you're right. Yuki, go with Kyon to get some food!"
Nagato, who had been sitting down reading a book about magic, closed her book, nodded, and stood up.
"I could go too," Koizumi volunteered. "Oddly, I can use my powers here, though not as much as in enclosed space."
"No, you should stay here in case Haruhi and Asahina-san," I said.
Koizumi nodded.
Nagato and I got back in the elevator and started walking, before I realized that Haruhi hadn't actually told us what to get.
"So, what are you in the mood for, Nagato?"
"Nothing in particular," she replied softly.
"You have to have some preference. Italian, Chinese, American?"
"Pizza."
I smiled. "Whatever you want, Nagato. You've done a lot for me this year. You deserve to eat what you want."
Nagato was silent at that for a moment. "I searched local eateries before we left. There's a pizzeria this way." She pointed in the direction, but didn't move to lead the way, so I started walking.
During the walk, I had the odd feeling of being watched. It wasn't until Nagato shoved me forward, causing me to stumble before falling on my face, that I realized those feelings were in fact founded in reality. Turning to look at Nagato, I saw her staring down a man in blue armor wielding a red spear. Nagato's hand was raised and the spear was pointing to the side. It seemed the man had attacked and Nagato had pushed me out of the way while deflecting this man's spear. The man's face was shocked, but it quickly changed to an excited grin.
"Not bad, girl," he said. "Not many people could stop that charge and protect their friend at the same time. I-"
Before the man could finish, Nagato kicked him in the stomach, sending him flying backwards. He did a flip in midair to land on his feet, grinning even wider than before.
"This is going to be fun!" he exclaimed.
The man charged forward and jabbed at Nagato with his spear, Nagato deflected the blow, but this time the man quickly recovered and jabbed again, and again when that blow was deflected. Nagato's arm and the man's spear were both blurs, I could barely tell what was going on.
Nagato spoke one of her incantations and a gun materialized in her free hand, which she promptly shot the man with at point blank range. The man dodged and headed for me, before Nagato seemingly teleported between us and punched the man in the face, sending him tumbling down the street.
The man got up, but his face was now irritated.
"I wouldn't normally do this, but my Master's a bastard," he said. "I've got your measure. You're a powerful magus, maybe even a Servant, but that kid is completely defenseless." He pointed his spear at me and it glowed with an eerie red light. "Gae Bolg!"
The spear turned into a sort of laser as it rushed at me. Somehow, I knew trying to dodge was useless, but when the light came to me. Then Nagato was there, holding the rematerialized spear. The man's eyes were wide.
"You blocked Gae Bolg?" he exclaimed. "That is literally impossible!"
"A reversal of causality," Nagato said. "Causing information to precede its source. An impressive feat for a human, but simple to cancel out for one who controls information."
She pushed the spear back, shoving its shaft into the man's chest and knocking him backwards. The man scowled, then turned to leave.
"My Master is a coward too, so I'm leaving," he said. "Follow me if you want to die!" With that, he ran off into the night.
"Are you okay, Nagato?" I asked.
"I am fine."
"If that guy is just attacking random people, we can't just let him walk away."
"Agreed."
"I'll text the others."
Nagato nodded.
We followed the man's trail, which Nagato could apparently sense somehow. She explained it to me, but I didn't exactly understand, but the gist was that since the man was a "data entity" she could easily track him. We ended up coming to a Catholic church.
"The trail ends here," Nagato announced.
Then let's go in. I led the way into the church. Excuse me, is anyone here? No? Okay then, I'll just quietly—
"How can I help you, my son?" a voice said as a priest walked out from his office.
"Um, hi, has anyone suspicious come through here recently?" I asked.
The man smirked. "You mean Lancer? Blue armor, red spear?"
Nagato stepped between us.
"Relax, you two, we don't have to fight. In fact, I would like to help you. I think you could be very interesting players in this little game of ours."
"You call murdering random people on the streets a game?" I demanded.
"No, I am referring to what we magi call the Holy Grail War."
"Holy Grail? The real deal?"
"Not quite, just a powerful wish granting artifact. You see, in this war, seven magi known as Masters summon seven Servants to fight for them. The last pair standing gets one wish each from the Grail. The Servants classes are Saber, Archer, Lancer, Rider, Caster, Berserker, and Assassin. I trust the names are self-explanatory."
"Yeah. And these Servants are heroes from history and legend. Lancer is Cu Chulainn."
"Indeed. Now, as I said, I think you could be interesting participants. In fact, I would like to help you summon your own Servant."