"Saber?"

"Yes, Master?"

"I think I just died? In the real world, that is."

"Oh."

What does an immortal goddess say to someone that just died? I've seen the deaths of countless individuals of the course of my rule over Lastation, but never a personal one. Maybe Kei, but she's still alive and kicking. Uni is a CPU Candidate and will outlive me, and everyone else is just that; citizens of my nation. I've killed monsters, but those are monsters, not people, as horrible as that sounds.

"Saber, what is it like for you, as a Goddess, when your people die?"

"It was hard for me, at first. I tried to make sure that my citizens knew that I was there for them. I tried to personally invest myself in each of my citizens, but then they started to die, and with every death was horrible. Eventually, I chose to close myself off, if only to avoid the heartbreak. I still try to grieve, but the population of the city of Lastation alone exceeds two million, while the national population is closer to four hundred million. I simply could not do that, and face the deaths of all of those people. Call me a cowardly Goddess, but if it means that I don't have to personally grieve the deaths of everyone who died over the course of my reign, I won't care."

"I see. Thank you for sharing."

i stand up and brush off my dress. "Would you like something to eat?"

"Sure. Make sure you get something to eat, alright?" Why does he have to sound so worried when he says that? Oh, wait. Hyperdevotion.

"I-I don't need you to tell me that!"

...

"Was it something I said?"

Hakuno didn't seem to be prepared, but she showed herself to be surprisingly competent as a Master.

"YOU WILL LISTEN TO MY PLOT-ADVANCING LECTURE. GOT IT?"

And he had made a killing at the slots, damn it. Well, time to face the music. The Rider-Class Servant went to face his fate... after a few more rounds of poker and roulette.

"I don't have a gambling problem." That would be a lot more convincing if he hadn't won three million dollars in three hours. Yeah, no gambling problems at all. Yeah...

The combined might of Caster and her Master finally managed to drag the great Dragonslayer out of the casino five hours later, having made at least ten billion... or maybe only 250 million. Who really knows? Who really cares?

"Who are you talking to?" I have no idea what she's talking about. I'm not speaking to anyone that I'm aware of for the very simple reason that I'm thinking. Not speaking. "You asshole." Did Caster just try to hit me?

"Now that I have your attention...you're still paying any attention to me."

"I'm contemplating something."

"Do share."

"Right. Well, eighty-eight percent of all drivers license suspensions were due to failure to comply with summons or fines in the year 2012 in the American state of Florida. The problem comes from the fact that that only leaves so much room for the most common violations in that state. Accidentally taking your golf cart on the freeway, feeding meth to an alligator, feeding an alligator to a meth-dealer, and being an alligator meth-dealer."

"Stop quoting John Oliver and be serious."

"I'm always serious." I think I just managed to break Caster. She's gesticulating wildly in my general direction, practically foaming at the mouth.

"Your Master is a horrible influence on you."

"Saber? Are you hungry? Saber?" I want to try and make up for whatever I did earlier. Her profile doesn't seem to have her favorite food, so I do the best that I could with some curry. "There you are. Saber?" She's staring at a portrait of a young woman who greatly resembles her. "You're younger sister?"

"How did you know?"

"Just a guess. Now, are you hungry?"

"I suppose I am. Wait, what are you doing?"

This guy...does he know about Hyperdevotion?

"I'm going to feed my hungry Servant. Consider it penance for my earlier actions."

"I don't need you to feed me!" Is this what he considers 'getting closer' to me?

"If you don't want curry, I can go get something else."

"You made other things? For me?"

"Of course. My sister would make me do the same so often that I started to enjoy cooking. Even with virtual food, I still enjoyed cooking it." He lifted a spoon to my lips and I decided to give it up.

"Don't think I'm doing this because I care about you. I'm just hungry. Itadakimasu." Did I really just say that out loud? I really need to stop doing that!

"I don't remember ever bringing up how much you care about me, though I am reasonably flattered." I just want to disappear. Right now. Just vanish into the wind. "I'm also sure that you know that the Moon Cell is recording and archiving everything that we say."

The bond of trust between Master and Servant has been strengthened. As a result, the Noble Phantasm HDD will no longer inflict physical injuries upon the Master

Really? This is what improves our Lily Rank? This isn't funny.

HDD will no longer inflict physical injuries upon the Master?

"Are you still hungry, Noire?"

"What do you mean?" The curry is gone. All of it. I ate both bowls without realizing it.

"I guess you are."

"NO, I'M NOT! I-I mean, thank you for the food, but I'm okay. How about you? Did you get anything to eat?"

"If I say no, will you feed me?" I can do this, just don't embarrass yourself.

"If you want me to, I guess I will."

"Thank you, Noire." He gives me a hug and closes his eyes. Uni is giving a knowing look, despite the fact that it's a portrait. "Don't forget to dress up. Would hate to keep you from cosplaying." I run away without giving him another chance to say anything.

Michael and Noire Lily Rank: 1