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It was two days before Hakuno was involved in a fight to the death, but once again her day started with her being elbow deep into a pile of books. Lancer was in Astral form, yet Hakuno could picture him lounging in the chair across from her, tossing a ball up and catching it once handed to pass the time as she worked. Such a picture of ease would've been a lie though, as the slightest indication of threat would have had Lancer up and ready. Hakuo blinked away the imagined image, refocusing herself on the research.

There's not too much about Mara's children Hakuno complained to Lancer as she set another book off to the side. I'm hoping that means there weren't that many of them.

Or if there are a lot of mini demons in those books of yours, that only one fucked off to have a 'tragic romance'. Lancer agreed with the sentiment.

About three books later, Hakuno had something. This book is talking about some deed the Demon King deemed unforgivable. An insult wrought by one Sakanoue-no-Tamuramaro.

I hope it's not just that this guy stole a sweetroll. Lancer's presence drifted away slightly. Another book soon floated over to Hakuno, briefly tapping the top of her head in gentle mischief. She accepted the delivered book and began reading.

Lancer had just enough time to settle back in when the mental cry of I FOUND IT! made him jolt. At least he wasn't physical and had no way to embarrass himself by falling out of his chair or something like that.

What have you got, Master?

Hakuno gave a grin that almost, almost, resembled Lancer's when he got excited for a fight. She nudged a book in the direction she sensed he was in, open to a certain section. The Tale of Suzuka Gozen proclaimed the pages. Sakanoue was her lover. And the man that killed her.

A bad way to go Lancer might as well have been commenting that the weather was pleasant with that tone of voice. But we've got the fox wench by the tail now, Master. She and her rude ass Master won't know what hit them.

MATRIX LEVEL E UNLOCKED beeped Hakuno's terminal. It still did not show her the skills or stats of Suzuka. The Moon Cell was nowhere near that generous. But everything related to history was filled in. Hakuno started to put away the books, thinking over all she knew now. We should train one last time in the arena. Hakuno had spent enough time with her research as it was. Mind and body were both important in warfare, so it was said anyway.

After you then, Master.

—

Night greeted their return from the arena as it always did. There was a soft thump as Hakuno sat on her bed. This place was slightly more homey now than it had been before. Maybe she was getting used to Lancer, or maybe the new wrought iron chandelier from Taiga that hung over Lancer's space had just made the whole room more personalized. Hakuno wondered if there was a purpose to the interlocking swirls on its design. The never melting candles it sported were also appreciated.

Lancer made himself at home in the hammock he'd constructed. He flopped on his back, for all the world seemed at ease. "You know Master, this isn't a bad first opponent for us. Things could be a hell of a lot worse at least.". Lancer's eyes were closed, and his tone conversational. Like they were talking about what movies they liked or what they were planning for vacation. Not the looming battle ahead. "Neither of them has done a damn thing to stir up any sympathy. A bleeding heart like yours can be a liability in battle, but thankfully your survival instinct seems to trump that."

"I'm not sure I've really processed all this." Hakuno admitted, face twisting in a grimace. Her mind acknowledged the thought: 'I have to kill someone'. But that thought had been put in a locked-up box after her near panic attack in the hallway. It was still there, sitting menacingly in the corner of her mind it had been shoved to. The thought was still recognized as a truth, but it was deliberately not unprocessed. It very likely would not be processed until either Hakuno herself was dying or watched Sakagami die in her place.

"Denial can only get you so far, lass. But it's best you come to terms with the situation at your own pace. You've been doing well, don't get me wrong!" Lancer was quick to reassure her of that at least "Those programs in the arena never even touched me those last couple rounds". Hakuno's inexperienced orders conflicted with Lancer's instincts at first. She'd caused him to take more damage than necessary. But they had found a rhythm now, her magic supporting at least a few of the fancier tricks Lancer wanted to pull off. They would have to find out together if all this progress had been for naught when it came to actually fighting another proper servant though.

Hakuno glanced over at her Servant, wondering how he could manage to be so calm. She almost expected Lancer to start snoring… but she was starting to see through his tricks by now. Just a little bit of a peek under his surface. His frame was too stiff for true relaxation, the looming fight ahead must plague his mind too then.

He clearly must have noticed her gaze, what she'd figured out, as Lancer sighed and sat up to meet her eyes "Look, Hakuno, I'm going to be blunt with you here. This fight isn't going to be easy, it's almost certainly going to be dangerous, but you need to relax. There's only a few hours left until morning, until the fight, there's nothing else we can do at this point to prepare." His tone was gentle but firm, the words seeming… not rehearsed, but familiar from Lancer. Like he'd had to give similar talks before, maybe to other warriors when he was alive?

"But… what if I didn't to enough?" Hakuno grimaced, unable to hide any insecurities with the conversation being this direct and blunt.

"Then we die." Lancer shrugged, seemingly unphased by the possibility, "But that won't happen." Lancer's expression became a feral grin of excitement "Master, you've busted your ass improving yourself, restoring me, and even finding out more about our enemy. You've done every damn thing possible that won't sic this damn SERAPH system on us so relax and get some rest. We've got ass to kick and a fight to win tomorrow, you hear me?"

Hakuno offered what she hoped was a grateful smile. Best to get some rest. They had a long day tomorrow.