I looked all over the house, including all the guest rooms, but there was no sign of her. It's strange. She should be easy to find, considering how eye-catching she is. Even though they call me a master, I don't know anything about her. I don't know who she is or how she can exist.
But one thing I do know is...
No matter how strong they are, they can still get hurt and wounded in a fight.
There she is. Saber is in the silent Dojo and her appearance is quite different from yesterday. I was at a loss for words. It's as if she melts into the silence of the place like clear water. If I fought alongside her, I surely won't take the wrong path.
"Saber."
I called out. Saber slowly opens her eyes and returns my gaze.
"I see you've awoken, Shirou."
She says in a calm voice.
"Yeah. I woke up just now. Saber, what are you doing here?"
"I was resting my body. I don't have the skill to treat your injuries, so I decided to rest myself to stay in perfect condition at least."
Saber looks at me as she speaks.
…Well, um…
Calm down...!
What am I getting so flustered for...!? Indeed, she's incredibly beautiful and she's wearing a very girlish outfit. But I didn't come looking for Saber just to stay silent like this.
"All right. Saber, do you have a moment? This is the first chance we've had to have a proper talk..."
I made up my mind and talked to her. And then...
"Shirou. Before that, there's something I'd like to say regarding what you did last night."
She stops me in displeasure
"Last night?"
"Yes. Shirou...
It's troubling to have my master do something like that. The battle is my domain, so please stick to your own role. I can't protect you if you run off and die in vain."
She states it clearly. That makes the tension I was feeling vanished.
"W-What're you saying? If I hadn't acted back then, you would have been killed."
"In that case, I would merely disappear. There is no reason for you to have gotten wounded. Even when we servants die, we merely return to our original place. But there's no next time for a human master like you if you die. Please try not to act so foolhardily again."
She says this rather simply. It must be because she sounds so practical.
"... Don't be ridiculous! How could I do nothing when you were bleeding so badly...? I don't need a reason to save a girl!"
I react without meaning to. Maybe she was surprised at being yelled at, but she pauses for a moment as if I did something unexpected. And then, she stares at me with indescribable dignity. I back up a bit, being stared at. Her look makes me realize what I've said, and I suddenly feel embarrassed.
"I-In any case, I owe you for carrying me back home. Thanks."
I thanked her while looking away from her.
...It's awkward to thank her in the first place, but it's even more awkward to thank her in this situation. But still, before anything else, I had to thank her for helping me.
"It's only natural for a servant to protect their master, but I appreciate your thanks. You're quite polite, Shirou."
"That's not quite it..."
Now, there's something I need to clarify. This is something I should have asked her last night.
If she's really my servant...
And if she's really going to join the battle...
"But more importantly, can I get back to what I wanted to talk about?"
"Yes."
"I only summoned you by sheer coincidence. Since I'm an amateur mage, are you fine with an inexperienced master like me?"
"Of course. Since we've forged a contract, I am now your sword, and you are my master."
She says without the slightest hesitation. There's no room for argument.
"However, Shirou, I won't allow my master to suffer defeat. If your chances of winning are zero percent, I'll change it to a hundred percent. I will use all possible methods and obtain the Numeron Code for you."
"Hold it. You said "all possible methods". So, you'll do whatever it takes to win? Even..."
Doing something like what that priest said. Involving innocent people and creating a disaster like what happened ten years ago...
"Shirou, That's not a possible method for me. Hurting innocent people would go against my vow as a knight. But I have no choice but to comply if my master orders me to. Though in that case, you will have to use a Command Spell as compensation for trampling over my will."
I was overwhelmed by her angered voice. But still, I'm relieved. Her lack of doubt gave the image of her as an unfeeling fighting machine. But thank goodness, Saber isn't a cold-blooded killer.
"I will never make you do such a thing.
Sorry...
I insulted you without realizing it."
"No, I was too quick to jump to conclusions as well. You've done nothing wrong, Shirou. Please raise your head."
"Eh? Ah...
I just reflexively apologized..."
I raise my head. She smiled. I don't know why...
But whatever.
"Then...
Can I ask you another question? I still don't fully understand the nature of you and the other servants. I can tell "Saber", "Lancer", and the like aren't your real names, but..."
"Yes. That's correct. This is a good opportunity. I'll give you a general outline."
She told me that seven servants are summoned in the Numeron war in Fuyuki. Seven heroic spirits are chosen according to seven 'classes' prepared by the Numeron Code.
They are...
"Saber",
"Archer",
"Lancer",
"Rider",
"Caster",
"Assassin",
And "Berserker".
Heroic spirits are heroes who possessed extraordinary abilities in life and ascended to the level of spirits after death. Servants are just as strong as they are famous. But this also makes their weakness very well known. So, it's customary to call servants by their class names to avoid revealing their identities.
"So, in other words...
You're summoned as a Saber because you were skilled with a sword when you were alive?"
"Yes.
There are heroic spirits who have multiple abilities. But when it comes to my skills with the sword, I can proudly say no one is superior to me. However, there is also a weakness of the saber class. As I'm strong in battle, I'm weak against trickery and scheming. On the other hand, some servants are weak in close combat but excel in other areas."
Having said that much, I understand. If the enemies are strong, you wouldn't fight a proper battle. Beating opponents with your sword isn't the only way to fight. If you can't beat an enemy head-on, you'll have to do it some other way
"For example, the assassin class has skills to erase their presence from detection, the caster class is well versed in magecraft that doesn't exist in this era. Additionally, servants have, what is called, "Noble Phantasms". They are unique and powerful weapons that belong exclusively to each heroic spirit and are our trump cards in the Numeron War."
As I recall, that blue knight's lance can absorb magical energy from the air and pierced Saber's chest with incredible momentum. Not something that fits a regular human being. It carries a strong curse, but I also felt an overwhelming amount of magical energy in the very word lancer said back then. Could it be...?
"Like Lancer's spear...?"
"Yes...
That spear displayed its true powers as a noble phantasm when Lancer poured mana into it and spoke its true name.
The cursed spear, Gae Bolg...
Lancer's true identity is Celtic hero, Cu Chulainn. No matter what kind of servant they are, they will possess a weapon that deals the killing blow, but also reveals the servants' true identity - That is what a Noble Phantasm is."
That's why Noble Phantasms are a trump card. By revealing the name, it launches an unavoidable attack. If not fatal...
The servant's weakness is exposed.
"So, Saber is that invisible sword your Noble Phantasm?"
"... Yes. Shirou, on that matter, I have a request for you."
"Huh?"
"It's about my true name. Normally, I would reveal it to you to formulate a plan. However, since you're an inexperienced mage, a skilled mage could read your thoughts. So..."
"So, you won't tell me your name? I get the point. If I were placed under hypnosis, I would probably blab out any secrets...
All right. Let's do it. I'll leave the use of your Noble Phantasm to your judgment."
"Umm, really?"
"Yeah. I properly thought it over before agreeing to it, so don't worry about it."
It's strange, even though I've decided to fight, the only enemy I know is Tohsaka, and I don't intend to fight her. Well, since she is ready to fight me any day, I shouldn't think that.
"Though it was simplified, that covers everything I need to explain."
"Yeah, I understand the gist of it now. Sorry for the trouble, Saber."
"There's no need to apologize. If you understand the situation, we should now decide what to do next."
I see...
Saber's the same as Tohsaka...
She's the type to attack before being attacked. The way I see it, we could wait and see how things unfold, but this isn't a situation where we can afford to do so. At the very least, we should search for the other matters to prevent the outbreak of any victims...
"Hey Saber, do masters and servants have some kind of mark? I can't react properly unless I at least notice the enemy's presence before being attacked."
"Servants can detect the presence of other servants if they're nearby. Also...
How about you follow the traces of mana that masters leak out?"
"Sorry...
I can't do anything so skillful."
After all, I didn't even notice that Tohsaka was a mage after being in the same school with her for two years. This is bad
"Walking aimlessly around town seems dangerous and I'm also concerned about that Illya girl..."
"Shirou, is there something about Berserkers master that bothers you?"
"No. I just wonder why she's targeting us and that wasn't the first time I encountered her."
After hearing the name "Einzbern," Saber gives me a hard look.
"By the way, Saber, do you know the Einzberns?"
"Yes. Shirou, do you also know about the Einzberns?"
"Yeah. But only once. This unrelated guy asked if the Einzberns daughter is doing well."
"I see...
So, you haven't heard anything."
Saber closes her eyes and ponders.
"This must be fate. If you want to know more about the Einzberns, you should visit the church again."
"The church...?
But I was told I can't go to the church anymore except when I relinquish my command spells."
"It's only a makeshift measure because Shirou doesn't belong to the mage's association, there's no obligation to obey their rules."
"You're right. But I still want to avoid that place…
And I don't think I should go see that priest too much."
She does have a point. But I still getting involved with that priest is a bad idea. Ever since I met Kirei Kotomine, I had a bad feeling about him.
"I understand how you feel. I do not want to have business with him if I could help it."
She declares this with a straight face.
"…?"
That's unexpected.
I never thought heroic spirits would have difficulty dealing with human beings, and most of all
"I know I don't like him, but why don't you? You haven't even met him, right?"
Saber hesitates. After frowning, she lifts her face as if to shake off her hesitation.
"He was a participant of the last Numeron War and until the end, he and Kiritsugu fought seriously."
What did she just say?
How does she...
Know Kiritsugu's name...?
"I was his servant during the fourth Numeron war and we fought together and survived to the end. Kiritsugu saw the priest as his greatest enemy. If there was something that would have destroyed us, it was none other than that man."
In other words, he was also responsible for raising that hell...?
"No. It's a lie. That's impossible. If this was true, then why did Kotomine stay silent, why Kiritsugu...
Nothing has been said to me."
"I don't know about that. However, if that priest was silent, it would be because you didn't ask. That man is one who answers when asked. If you had questioned him, he would definitely have told you the truth."
Saber stares at me silently. The meaning of being a Master. Her green eyes tell me to go to the church of my own will if I want to know about Kiritsugu Emiya. After changing clothes, Saber and I head to the church. Even though Saber urged me to come here, I'm still not prepared. I don't feel like going in there to ask the priest about what happened ten years ago.
"Master."
I turn back to the girl behind me.
"I shall wait here. Call me immediately when danger draws near."
"Agree if something goes wrong, I'll call you immediately."
As I entered the church, the priest was nowhere in sight. In his place, there's a man with golden hair sitting in a chair. probably a foreigner.
"Excuse me. Is father Kotomine here?
I asked him, not expecting a response. He slowly gets up and instantly...
All my muscles stiffen up.
As he walks towards me, something doesn't feel right and why do I have this feeling like I'm going to die right now?
"Fascinating."
The man raises his arm. It reaches out to my neck and...
"You are spellbound by something evil."
He withdrew. Yes, that is only natural. I'm actually the strange one for thinking he was going to kill me just because he was coming closer.
"It has something to do with Kotomine, right? Wait here."
Several minutes of waiting have passed.
"I'm surprised. Did it take you half a day to retire from the war, Shirou Emiya?"
Kotomine appears, greeting me with that annoying tone I remember from last night.
"That's not the case. I just want to ask you something. Otherwise, I wouldn't come to you when being invited.
"That's fine. I'm not free myself either. It will be a problem if you get attached so easily."
Kotomine draws closer, his firm footsteps filling the air.
…Is this what you would call invisible pressure? He has a severe air about him that makes people conscious of their weakness. It must be a good characteristic for priests, but could it also be their greatest fault?
"What's wrong? If you wanna ask something then spit it out. Don't just say hello."
That's right. There's no need to befriend this guy. I just need to ask him my questions and just leave.
"I have one question.
...It's about Kiritsugu.
Why were you silent about him? Kiritsugu Emiya was a master who fought in the last Numeron War. So, why were you silent about it?"
He smiles. He does not look guilty.
…This man is enjoying the fact that Kiritsugu's name came out of my mouth.
"There was no use. What good does knowing that your father was the previous master? Kiritsugu Emiya's achievements have nothing to do with you."
His disinterested tone shows no opening for a rebuttal. Kotomine's answer isn't wrong. Even if my father was a great Master, it doesn't mean I get any benefit out of it.
But...
"No, there is. Didn't I become a master due to being Kiritsugu's son?"
I was raised as his son, and I studied magic as his apprentice. I became a Master just like him and made a contract with the same heroic spirit. There has to be a meaning behind all this.
"That is none of my concern. The title of master is not hereditary as far as I know. You might not be Kiritsugu's legitimate son, to begin with. Originally, a person, who is a mage or not, who didn't know about the Numeron Code to be chosen as a master is quite rare. So, the exception of you being chosen is something I want to discard by chance...
But I sense considerable karma.
To the son of Kiritsugu Emiya, who betrayed the Numeron Code. I might seek an atonement."
"Kiritsugu betrayed the Numeron Code...?"
"Yes...
Your father was a man that came specifically to this town to obtain the Numeron Code. The Numeron Code was his only purpose. That quest was his only pure desire. However, at the very end, Kiritsugu Emiya destroyed the Numeron Code."
Kiritsugu...
Destroyed the Numeron Code? If that's true, the Holy Grail certainly would not approve of Kiritsugu Emiya. But he wasn't mistaken. A Numeron Code that grants any wish. Mages kill each other to obtain it.
…The Holy Grail is the cause of the conflict.
"Kiritsugu believed that the Numeron Code was unnecessary, that's why he destroyed it, right? There's no betrayal in his actions."
"Hmm...
You are saying that because you don't know how Kiritsugu was a long time ago.
I see...
This conversation is pointless, however...
Let me tell you about Kiritsugu Emiya's true colors."
I don't wanna know where this guy heard this version of the Numeron War from. I don't know the details, but as far as I know, Kiritsugu Emiya was employed as the master.
"The Einzbern, the blood of the mage that can be said is the cause of the Numeron War.
A clan whose members were unfit for battle. Towards the end of the last three battles for the Numeron Code, the Einzberns wished for a master specialized in the tactics of war.
Therefore, for a long time, this quest created a ruckus within the clan and led them to kill each other. They even became affiliated with black magic and the shadow creatures until finally, entrusted their wish to Kiritsugu.
The treatment the Einzberns gave him for his service was extraordinary. The Einzberns wanted his blood to be added to their bloodline so the family could have successors more suitable for battle.
To what extent they trusted him is not easy to guess And Kiritsugu did more than answer to their expectations. He was accurate, meticulous, reckless, and also ruthless.
There was no shred of sympathy for the enemy. Once he decides to kill, he will do it without any hesitation.
He would slaughter the servants, even the masters crawling on their knees, begging for mercy, he would aim their heads and pull the trigger.
There was no remorse after killing. This sense of supremacy made him too proud and any feeling of remorse about his crimes vanished.
If there was one thing to say about him is that there was no emotion in him, he acted in an automatic way."
"Kiritsugu was just a tool...?
But he was killed in the end, right? He didn't think of a plan not to involve innocent people, but maybe there was no other way."
"I am the only one who survived against him in the last Numeron war. Being like this, Kiritsugu swiftly accumulated wins and advanced to the next round. If he was about to fight in this war, too, I think you would come to witness what kind of monster he was."
I can't accept Kotomine's story. That Kiritsugu was a cold-hearted killer…
And that a noble family of mages had a connection to my father…
"But...
Kiritsugu..."
"I get it. It's how you feel...
However, he was more than a cold-blooded killer. Kiritsugu truncated his personal feelings for his goal and in the end, he betrayed everyone.
Kiritsugu made the Einzberns longstanding wish a reality. He killed the five masters and then, the Numeron Code appeared before him.
Finally, right before his eyes, the Numeron Code was within his grasp and in the end, he threw it all away.
Just like that, the Numeron War came to an end...
The only memory of your father is an illusion of a true mage.
For real, I won't get any helpful information about Kiritsugu's whereabouts from him. There's only one thing from this conversation I'm sure is not a lie.
"Kotomine, did you hate Kiritsugu?"
The man before me, the one who is uninterested in everything, displays anger towards Kiritsugu.
"Yes. That man and I are bitter enemies, even before we met."
"Bitter enemies..."
"It seems that we reflected the partnership of the Makiri and the Einzbern had. Kiritsugu was such an incorrigible saint. He would gladly sacrifice one life to save ten more to embody the vision of an ideal world where everyone can be happy.
That contradiction was a collapsed ideal...
But he wasn't troubled with any kind of discord.
Therefore, without sustaining any injury where scars only existed from the beginning. He was an unnatural human and I was an unnatural churchman."
'Scars only existed from the beginning'...
In other words, the premise, I believed was wrong?
"...If you're a true human being who gets injured when cut, then you're wrong. If you're a minister, aren't you different from Kiritsugu in that aspect?"
"Well, if that's so, I doubt I'm the same as Kiritsugu."
"..."
"That's right, you and Kiritsugu are the same. You're both anti-hero saviors."
"Antihero...?
What's that?"
"They are the opposite of heroes...
They are unforgivable murderers."
"Are you making fun of me?"
"What...
You misunderstood. I'm welcoming you. My bitter enemy's son is relying on me. I'm not sure if I should be sad or happy."
The priest laughs silently.
…I don't know his true intentions, but he doesn't seem to be bored.
"Well, about the anti-hero. They are beings whose very existence itself is evil, but to the people, their actions are considered good. They are people who are labeled as saviors, even though they never wanted to be.
Those are the heroic spirits called the anti-heroes. An example of this would be a sacrifice. Even if the sacrificed one is evil, he would become a hero if everyone in the village is saved because of the sacrifice, right?
It would not matter to anyone, whether the sacrifice was eaten or buried. If the one whom this disgrace was forced upon saves people, he would become a hero instead of a sinner."
"… Is this like getting a high promotion for dying in combat?"
"No, you're wrong.
The important part is the minds of the people who set up the hero.
A proper hero is created from respect, gratitude, and feelings of guilt. You cannot become an anti-hero from gratitude or guilt.
…Well, humans forget their ugliness and substitute farce with tragedy. Heroes who died as evil will be treated as victims as time goes on, and they will not stay as pure evil."
"…Will not stay as pure evil…?"
"Correct. Antiheroes are both victims and assailants.
…Even though they are created by people, they aren't part of humanity. It is that contradiction that allows them to be 'the enemy of the world' exempt from all the restraining forces of the world.
…But then, any of them aren't pure anti-heroes. They are something that doesn't exist. They are merely what people wish to exist. They are an ideal that humans have created, nothing but sacrifices to deny their original sins. The anti-hero is one of the many wishes that never came true; a synonym for peace."
"…?"
"After all, it's a wonderful thing that never comes true. Both you and Kiritsugu are heading towards being a hero of justice, right? If that's the case then you're both undeniable anti-heroes.
How about changing your desire for the Numeron Code to become a hero?"
"You know...
Being a hero and hero of justice are two different things. I might not know what you want to say, but I won't fall for your tricks."
"Oh...
Which part is different?"
"How should I know? It's just different. Being a hero isn't something you are at birth, it's something you become in the end. Also, to be able to get the Numeron Code isn't only beyond strength."
"I see. Are parent and child still related regardless of blood connection? Both you and Kiritsugu are hardcore."
He said he hates Kiritsugu...
But I haven't felt any resentment for some time...
This guy didn't speak Ill of Kiritsugu even once.
"...Did you really not get along with Kiritsugu?"
"Oh...
Why do you think so?"
"...I just thought of it somehow."
"But it's wrong. I do hate Kiritsugu Emiya. We never even spoke. But we tried to kill each other once. I've told you we're opposite poles.
Rather than not having the answer to the question, some cannot afford it."
His eyes tell me that is why they would never have been able to get along.
"It's alright if you don't understand. Kiritsugu Emiya's wish was "peace". Quite simple, right? But that's a miracle beyond human power. the world without conflict doesn't exist. For he who was determined there was no other way than the Numeron Code. It was his fate to be chased by his ideals.
A world without conflict. Did Kiritsugu really believe in such a thing?
'As a child, I admired heroes of justice.'
Because of that, I strived to be stronger. But the more I grew, the more worn out I became with the discrepancy of reality. I became a person who was far from my ideals.
'Choosing to save one person means choosing not to save another.'
And yet, Kiritsugu pursued the Numeron Code? The ideals that he couldn't fulfill. A world without conflict, the magic that is unlikely to be realized. For that wish, he kept dreaming at the cost of many things.
"...But in the end, Kiritsugu destroyed the Numeron Code..."
"That's right...
then he betrayed himself. It was exactly that moment when I felt resentment. Honestly speaking, I thought it was ok to hand over the Numeron Code. I was curious to see what kind of shape would "tranquility" desired by a single human turn out to be."
"But as a priest, isn't that what you wish for as well?"
"Yes, but that wish isn't mine. I don't have hopes for ordinary people, to begin with."
No hope for ordinary people?
"A wish is something people feel most pleased about. For Kiritsugu Emiya, that was only "the world without conflict". From the start, it was different criteria for me."
"...?"
"It's a simple story. For me, there wasn't a reality in which people feel happiness. I couldn't trust people and people couldn't trust me. The thing you called happiness didn't bring me any joy."
Those words weren't directed. This monologue seemed to be addressed to someone who wasn't here.
"...Well, the story ends here. I answered your question if Emiya Kiritsugu was a Master well enough."
"Uh...no, hold on. It's not just my father, I want to know about. Um, well…"
About my preparation for the role of Master and about how I should go about fighting from now on…
…I bet he'll laugh and make fun of me if I asked something so stupid.
I want to avoid that. I will avoid it.
"Is it about the Einzberns? For them, you, the son of Kiritsugu, are an object of erasure."
"...! That's it...! Who are the Einzbern...?
You talked about the cause of the Numeron War."
"The Numeron War was a magecraft ritual. Since it was a ritual, it is logical some people worked on it.
200 years ago,
Some mages provided each other's secret art and created the Numeron Code's launch corps on this earth.
That was the beginning of the Numeron War.
They are the original top three who are the legitimate owners of the Numeron Code.
The one who created the Numeron Code, Einzbern.
The one who created the command spell that abuses the heroic spirits, Makiri.
The one who offered a land with suitable spirits, Tohsaka.
"...In other words, Einzbern is the most eminent in the Numeron War?"
"In the past...
However, after failing to summon the Numeron Code, she became no more than a participant. Makiri and Tohsaka were the same as well.
Originally, the Numeron Code was created by Einzbern. Her family history is a thousand years old. There a few one-thousand-old family linages who neither had branch families nor interacted with other mages.
Do you understand, Shirou Emiya?
During those thousand years, Einzbern only pursued the realization of the Numeron Code. The monsters who never turned wrong had in the end repeated for decades, their forgotten and exhausted intentions dozens of times. They were neither enthusiastic nor eccentric, not even fanatics. They just carried them out.
500 years of repeating the same mistake.
300 years of accepting that they can't get possession of it alone.
And then...
After another 200 years of examining, they realized there's no hold of it without their powers. With her own murdered spirit, Einzbern cooperated with people of lower origin.
Even though she endured the disgrace of having stolen ownership of the Numeron Code and went as far as breaking the union of protected blood to be lured by foreign mages. But unbelievably, Kiritsugu Emiya betrayed them with the Numeron Code in front of him.
That's the relationship between Kiritsugu Emiya and his family. You and the Eninzberns are under this connection."
It's no wonder that girl came to me first. The fact that the traitor's son became a master will never be forgiven.
"The masters are all carrying the burdens of their karma, but most of all others, Makiri and Einzbern's vindictiveness are extraordinary.
...Makiri is five hundred years old. Einzbern is one thousand years.
If we insist on claiming legitimate rights, the Numeron Code will be cursed unless it goes into either of the two/one of the two hands.
"…"
I'm at a loss for words.
No man can stand against an obsession that has lasted for centuries.
"Don't be depressed. It's true that Kiritsugu did betray the Einzberns, but it doesn't concern you. He held to his beliefs, even if it means opposing a 1000-year-old obsession. He threw away everything for that purpose. Isn't that something to be proud of?"
Kiritsugu opposed to 1000 years of history and got stuck to it until the end. If it's really true...
If I want to be called as Kiritsugu's son, then I have to act like Kiritsugu would. I must follow the path that I choose for myself.
"Has listening to this thousand-year-old story dampened your fighting spirit?"
"No. I already decided to fight no matter the reason. I cannot let these things happen again, like what happened ten years ago. That's all."
I raise my head in determination. The priest nods, apparently satisfied.
"Well, that's enough. The longer the war lasts, the more casualties there will be. Just like Kiritsugu, you can weigh your life against your target, every single night."
"...You may want to tell me that this is none of my business."
"Well, it's not that hopeless. If your servant is superior, all you have to do is sit and wait."
"..."
I turn my back to him. There's nothing else I need to ask. I've kept Saber waiting, so I should be going back now.
"Wait!...
Do you learn healing magecraft?"
"...No, I didn't. But, what about it?"
"So, when there are people wounded, bring them here. If you can make it in time, I will undertake their treatment."
"...Why can you use magecraft? This is a church, so is it illegal?"
"I learned how to use it, even though it was outside my jurisdiction. In the past, many died from fatal disease right before my eyes. I took that as an opportunity to start working on it. It seems that I have been good at thinking about others."
"..."
"However, for healing you, I will ask for compensation. It must be of equal price as I am the overseer."
"No way!...
I refuse. Even if I die, I refuse to be healed by your hands."
I turn away, and this time I really do leave the church. Saber must have been waiting undercover, as she appears as soon as I come through the door.
"Have you finished talking, Shirou?"
"Yes, I learned about the Kiritsugu and the Einzberns too. Also, I was advised by him on how I should behave from now on. Me on the other hand, I talked to him, only for appearance's sake. Somehow, I ended up being taken care of."
"What...?
Was that priest cooperative with you?"
I don't know what's wrong, but Saber is bewildered.
"Shirou...
Don't tell me...
You didn't promise something to the priest as compensation, right? Why wasn't I summoned?"
"..."
I must have had a strange expression because Saber draws near and peers at my face
"If we're a little careless, we might repeat last night's failure. You too should understand that clearly."
Saber draws closer.
"..."
"Please show me your wound, Shirou. Even though I'm responsible for what happened last night, I never helped you, not even once. And in a place like this, I cannot something like terminating a contract."
Saber reaches for my shirt as if to rip it off. She doesn't look scary at all, but rather…
"...Kuh."
Oh, crap. I was trying to hold in, but my laughter spills out. She realizes what I've been trying to suppress and glares at me.
"Shirou...
You, know...
It's a bad hobby to enjoy the turmoil of others."
Her protest is so entertaining that it brings a smile to my face.
"I'm sorry. I was just surprised that you, Saber, panicked so much.
That...
A miscalculation, I am happy about it.
...I have to say that I, too, was stupid."
"I feel like you're hiding something. To have an understanding between us, could you explain it to me?
I must have hit a nerve because she gets even more emotional. Sabers like the class president type. She seriously gets mad when I do something stupid. And since she's serious, her real character appears.
"What are you smiling for, Shirou?"
"I'm sorry. Honestly speaking, I'm glad. Since it's the first time that I saw your true face. I properly realized that Saber is a girl."
"Wha..."
Saber jumps back.
"The gender of a servant has no meaning whatsoever. We are just fighting the enemy. If you are amused with these kinds of things, then that means trouble."
But I somehow don't feel bad, and I'm still smiling. Even though she's a Servant, she's still human in appearance. I don't know anything about the other servants, but this girl I made a contract with is more than just a familiar who knows only combat. She said she hasn't helped me yet once. She saved me from Lancer and she tried to let me escape from Berserker. She saved my life twice, but she still thinks she hasn't helped me yet.
"W... Why are you looking at me like that? Even if you're my master, think about it very carefully before you say something weird from now on!"
"Okay, I get it, I understand."
I hold out my right hand. This is something I wasn't able to do at the very beginning. I have to make the promise I should've made before.
"This is coming a bit late, but...
Saber...
Will you fight with me? I need your help, Saber."
Without a word, Saber walks over to me and shakes my hand.
Her slender fingers. I feel her warmth through my hand.
"My oath hasn't changed. Moreover, we're at a state where it's necessary to help each other. I will give you my power to get the Numeron Code. If you trust me, I'm going to show you the power that matches your heart."
The hesitation within me vanishes. It's been half a day since the night this mess began. But I realize that she's my ally who will fight by my side.