"Why, are you still reminiscing?"
The one speaking was none other than Hansen, who was right in front of her.
At this moment, he was shirtless, one arm cradling the still-dazed King with the ahoge, while his other hand held a glass of red wine he had swiped from somewhere.
His muscular lines, perfect enough to rival an ancient Greek sculpture, shimmered with a honey-colored luster under the sunlight, especially the menacing, demon-faced muscle groups on his back.
Even while in a relaxed state, they still exuded a heart-stopping sense of oppression.
Hansen leaned down slightly, wearing that wicked smile that made people both angry and helpless.
"Your body is very honest, King with the ahoge."
"Sh-shut up!"
Saber gritted her teeth in anger, but ultimately held back: "This was just... a necessary strategic supply!"
At this moment, the young king's feelings were exceptionally complex; at such an intimate distance, and having been teased repeatedly by this detestable man, yet deep down inside, she actually...
...felt little ill will toward this rude fellow.
—Whatever, just like the necessary act of treating wounds on the battlefield, this time, I will just forgive him...
Saber comforted herself in her heart, and the last shred of shame and resentment dissipated because of it.
"Hmm?"
Feeling the tense muscle lines of the young king in his arms relax, Hansen couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
Mana Replenishment complete, favorability +1?
Does that mean if I do more Mana Replenishment, I can unlock more positions... no, more special CGs?
Galgames are great, you have to play them!
"Yes, yes, yes, strategic supply."
Hansen shrugged, sat down on the edge of the bed, and without any hesitation, reached out to help Saber tidy up her messy ahoge.
"But seriously, that master of yours is truly too useless. If you stay with him, you'll likely end up in tragedy again."
Hearing the name Kiritsugu Emiya, Saber's eyes dimmed slightly.
"master... perhaps he has his reasons." Although she was still defending her master, Saber's confidence was clearly lacking.
"Give me a break, what does a guy who only knows how to carry out assassinations and Blast understand about the king's way?" Hansen took a sip of wine, a flash of disdain in his eyes. "In this world, only absolute power is the truth."
"So-called schemes, in the face of overwhelming power, are nothing more than a fig leaf for the weak."
As he spoke, Hansen suddenly set down his wine glass, his originally lazy eyes instantly becoming sharp.
At that moment, Saber felt as if she saw a beast that had been dozing off suddenly open its eyes.
"What's wrong?" Saber instinctively tensed her body, the magic power within her instantly surging.
"Nothing."
The smile on the corner of Hansen's mouth became even more cruel and playful.
He tilted his head slightly, his gaze seemingly piercing through the thick stone walls of Einzbern Castle, looking toward the depths of the forest covered in wind and snow outside.
"Just a few more suicidal little bugs that seem to have smelled something and come over."
In his divine sense, several faint, ghost-like auras were approaching the direction of Einzbern Castle from afar.
That cold and dark feeling was undoubtedly the unique scent of the Assassin class.
"Bugs?" Saber frowned. "Are they enemies? I'll go right now..."
She just wanted to get up, but was held down by Hansen, who wrapped an arm around her slender waist.
"What's the rush? Given their cautious demeanor, they have no intention of attacking during the day."
Hansen's large hand rubbed Saber's round, soft waist, feeling the delicate touch transmitted through only a thin layer of silk fabric.
"Besides, your task now is to rest well and adapt to the new power within you."
Feeling the scorching heat from the palm of the large hand on her waist, Saber's heart raced like a panicked deer, and most of her usually calm judgment was lost: "But..."
"Listen to me."
Amidst the brief tenderness, Hansen's voice then became strong and overbearing: "There's no 'but' about it. Since you've consumed my magic power, you are my person."
"..."
Speechless and silent, Saber's cheeks flushed red again, but this time, she surprisingly did not refute.
She could clearly feel that in the domineering and direct magic exchange just now, a strange and profound link seemed to have been forcibly established between their souls.
Beneath this man's arrogant and overbearing exterior, she felt a nature that was not evil, but rather incomparably pure and grand.
"Since... I have accepted your assistance."
Saber struggled to sit up, solemnly tidying her messy clothes, trying to restore the dignity and majesty of the King of Knights.
"Then, before my master gives the order to make you an enemy, I will regard you as... a temporary ally."
"Just an ally?" Hansen said in a disappointed tone, leaning in closer with a wicked smile, his high nose bridge almost touching her nose tip.
Lu Xun once said, at this distance, you're either about to fight or about to kiss.
(Lu Xun:?)
Saber leaned back in a panic like a startled cat, blushing and struggling to pull away a little distance: "Th-then what else do you want?"
"At least..." Hansen pointed to his stomach, a smile of successful mischief appearing on his face, "at dinner, don't fight me for the last piece of grilled steak."
Saber: "..."
Looking at the detestable yet slightly handsome smile on the man's face in front of her, Saber suddenly felt.
This Holy Grail War, which she had originally regarded as fate and tragedy, seemed... not as cold and desperate as she had imagined.
...
...
Not long after, the guest room door opened again.
Saber walked in front, her footsteps so light it was ridiculous; she even had to deliberately control her strength with every step to avoid crushing the solid wooden floorboards beneath her feet.
The magic power within her was no longer a babbling brook, but a rushing river.
Every cell was cheering, and the activity of the Dragon Factor had been stimulated to the extreme.
She subconsciously clenched her fist, the air in her palm being pinched and exploded, emitting a crisp sound.
"What, still not used to it?"
The man's lazy voice came from behind.
Saber turned her head sharply, glaring at him with some shame and annoyance.
At this moment, the beautiful blush on her cheeks had not yet faded.
The whole person looked both charming from being just nourished, and carried a dangerous aura of wanting to kill someone to silence them.
"This magic power... is too vast." Saber bit her lip and said truthfully, "And its nature is very overbearing. You... what era of hero are you exactly?"
"As long as it's useful, why are you asking so many questions?" Hansen adjusted his collar and walked past her. "Remember our agreement, don't fight for my steak at dinner."
Saber: "..."
Steak? How am I not as good as a steak, you bastard!
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