I walked around Fuyuki and looked at the surroundings. A modern city, seen after a long time.
To the 21st century, having crossed over 600 years of time to return. It's such a poignant affair. My original family wouldn't be here, I suppose. My original name and family, which I can't even remember now.
Now, it's a story of a previous life with no meaning whatsoever. Perhaps seeing the modern city made me sentimental.
"Archer? What's wrong?"
[No... It's just, I'm a little moved. I am a person who lived through eras both before and after the common era, right? Seeing an era over 1500 years later... It's a truly vague feeling.]
"Well, that's understandable. What was the ancient era you lived in like?"
[Hmm... Well, there were transforming robots, and Odysseus of Greece was a pilot who operated robots.]
"... Archer, no matter how much younger I am than you, I'm not a child."
[It's truly a sad reality that no one believes me even when I tell the truth...]
Celts weren't about mecha, but the neighborhood next door was, right? Since the ancient Greek artifact, the Antikythera mechanism, is real, no one can believe it. A trace of the gods that even the Mage's Association couldn't hide—or rather, didn't hide because they themselves didn't know.
It's sad that reality won't believe me...
[So, how long do I have to stay spiritualized?]
"You'll stand out. Archer, you, uh, stand out too much."
[If it's me, I can also use magecraft for perception interference and to prevent others from recognizing me as a Servant, you know?]
"Huh? Really?"
[Are you saying Primordial Runes can't even do that much?]
"Now that I hear it, you're right."
As expected, she's a bit of a goofball. I materialized in a place with no people and put on clothing suitable for the modern era.
"A hoodie...?"
"It's plain and good, isn't it? Here, it even has a furry hat attached. I made it on the spot, is it okay?"
"Hmm, I guess... It doesn't look out of place at all."
Having been a modern person in the past, I adapted faster than anyone else. Unfortunately, Rin is about 5cm taller than me. Well, being short is familiar to me and not really a complex. I take her hand.
"Huh, wha?"
"Now, let's go to that game center next! It looks fun!"
"You really are self-willed!"
I roamed the city and played with Rin. We went to the game center, went to a karaoke place, and ate at a family restaurant. It truly was a fun day. These peaceful days, I really missed them, didn't I?
When was the last time I played so happily? It must have been... a month before Nessa died. After that, I don't think there was ever a time I was happy. Sending off my wives, whom I loved in turn and who loved me, was agonizing, to the point I seriously considered suicide. After Medb died, it was Aífe and Scáthach, who was immortal, who stopped me from committing suicide, even though she aged internally alongside me.
My children eventually left due to their lifespans, and I ended my life with Aífe. I didn't want to cause Scáthach such pain, so I tried to have her kill me... but I couldn't do it. Even knowing the pain of the one left behind, I couldn't make her kill me.
Do I regret it now, after death? No... Even if I regret it, the me back then could never have done it. Even the me now is afraid of having her kill me. In that sense, I am a cowardly hero. The greatest coward of Ulster. A coward who is afraid of his precious person getting hurt.
Even after living 600 years, I still have a weak heart. Is that why... I can't stand seeing people filled with hesitation. It's like looking at myself, you see. What would I say if I faced Artoria? Perhaps I'd tell her to give up now? It's not your fault, so stop now...
From the standpoint of a king, I would criticize her and tell her to stop, but I think I would empathize with her and try to make her stop. Perhaps she would blame herself. Like me... 'It's my fault.' In my case, I blamed myself, saying it was my fault for having a long lifespan, and resented myself for becoming too strong. Even though I could have reached the same state of immortality as Scáthach, I gave up.
Scáthach would be with me forever... but if I had sent off Aífe too after already sending off my children, I wouldn't have been able to endure it. The Morrígan also couldn't stay in the Land of Shadows forever and had to leave for the Divine Realm. I'm truly pathetic... My heart has grown this weak, what would Setanta say if he saw me now?
"What are you thinking about? Archer."
"... It's nothing. Seeing such a peaceful daily life in the modern era makes me think a lot. I'm glad Rin lives in such a good world. In the Age of Gods, it was a world where anyone would die without combat power due to the many Phantasmal Species. And on that one island, war and war, and more war... There wouldn't have been many peaceful eras like this. It's not that there are no wars, but seeing that there are many peaceful countries like this, I think it's not bad."
"Well~ I'm not really interested in that sort of thing. You really are a king, thinking like that, despite your appearance."
"What about me? Even if I look like this, inside I'm a 600-year-old man, you know?"
"... No matter how I look, it doesn't seem like it."
"Please don't judge by appearances~"
"No, your actions too... Never mind."
She's really direct. Well, I like that boldness. More like Uathach than Conla? Even if she were born in the past, she definitely would have become a great person. No, more like Medb? Actually, closer to Deirdre.
"Rin, what do you wish for from the Holy Grail?"
"Hmm? Hmmm... Nothing in particular?"
"Do you desire the glory of victory?"
"If I had to say, then yes. I'm not particularly interested in my family's long-cherished desire."
"Is that so... Well, that's a relief."
"?"
As expected, it should be fine even if I destroy the Grail. The city viewed from atop a building on a night after sunset looked so peaceful. We finished our city tour and returned to the mansion. On the way back, I spiritualized and walked with Rin... Soon, Rin suddenly stopped. On the road above to the side... were Gilgamesh and Matou Sakura.
"Die now. If you get used to it, you won't even be able to die, you know?"
"...."
Rin, who overheard their conversation. Indeed... a warning. If it were to happen, it would lead to the worst outcome like Heaven's Feel, you see. At least, it seems okay for now...
Gilgamesh left, and Sakura also left the spot. Rin, who had been watching Sakura's retreating figure, soon shook her head side to side and headed home.
[Are you okay, Rin?]
"Yeah... it's nothing."
[... If you're worried, how about following her?]
"Following... It's not really the time for that."
[If you don't say it, they won't know.]
"What?"
[Rin... if you don't say it, people won't know. The feelings you have for her, if you don't convey them, she won't know. So, someday, convey your feelings to her.]
"... As expected of a king from myth."
[Because I know. I also had conflicts with family. Seeing the current Rin reminds me of myself and Nessa in the past. Please, I hope the two of you reconcile.]
"..."
Rin quietly bowed her head, sighed, and walked forward. Of course it would be impossible right now... They've lived like strangers for 10 years. Tohsaka Tokiomi... you're truly the worst father. It's because of a bastard like you that this happened... Separating the sisters, making them live like strangers. And then saying it would be good if they fought each other, that madman... That way, one of them would definitely reach the Root?
You're a madman like Conchobar... Matou Kariya isn't normal either, but he's an adult hundreds of times better than you. At least he's someone more qualified to be a father than you. Because of you, the sisters lived tragic lives. How can a father make sisters like this... You're the worst kind of human, so different from the previous king who was like a father to me.
I truly hope those sisters reconcile and get along well, like me and Nessa did. Rin is like the past me, Sakura is like the past Nessa... I want to put an end to tragedies like this.
Returning home, Rin simply took a shower and immediately lay down in bed. Today seemed tiring, and her mind seemed complicated, so I didn't say much either. Rin must be suffering too... It really brings back old memories.
Shall I prepare breakfast? She'll eat it if I make it, but otherwise she just gets by with a glass of milk. That's why her growth is slow. Even though she can still grow more. You have to eat well and sleep well to grow. She's quite a high-maintenance Master, isn't she?
"... Have sweet dreams, Rin."
I patted the head of the sleeping girl and left the room. This Holy Grail War, somehow... It doesn't feel bad in its own way. I'm feeling motivated.
I set up new bounded fields at night, organized the warehouse I couldn't finish last night, and so on... What's this now?
Piercing it with the wisdom of the Land of Shadows, it was a box containing the Kaleidostick. Oh my... Actually, its ability itself is similar to the Jeweled Sword, so having it might be good... And, Class Cards. I could probably make at least those based on my wives...?
".... Shall I try?"
What a foolish idea, let's try it right away.
"Ah, can you hear me?"
[Oh? Whose voice is that now!]
"Let's have a little chat."
[Hoh~ Well well, Ruby-chan is getting excited after so long~!]
And so... In the middle of the night, I talked with Ruby, who was trapped in a mimic, and even made one Class Card. This is something, it actually worked.
For now... Let's hide this. It's not the time to use it yet.
"Morning has come, so let's prepare breakfast."
It was almost time for her to wake up, so breakfast comes first.
"Nnn... Good Archer... What, you prepared breakfast again? You don't have to..."
"Rin, during your growth period, you need to eat a lot, you know? So please make sure to have breakfast!"
"Growth period..."
Apparently self-conscious about it, Rin finally ate breakfast. Hmm, good to see. After finishing the meal, Rin headed to school. I followed such Rin and headed to the school. Crossing the school gate, Rin sensed the presence of a bounded field. I could see it from outside too, of course.
"Archer, this is..."
[It's a bounded field that melts and absorbs people. It's not activated now, just absorbing magical energy very slowly. Well... at this level, it would only cause fatigue enough to make you yawn. But if it activates and a long time passes...]
"What kind of madman..."
Our Wakame is the one who did it. Actually, the Wakame version of Medusa's bounded field isn't that threatening. It would be dangerous if it were the bounded field set by Sakura's Medusa, though. Even I would feel considerable pressure. After all, it's a bounded field that recreates the temple of Medusa, the most famous monster in Greek mythology.
For now, Rin lived her school life, searching for who the Master was without seeming out of place. Matou Shinji wouldn't be visible anyway since he has no Command Spells. The reason I'm not telling is because it's better not to inform her yet. Since Sakura is involved, not now. It's a family matter that needs to be approached a bit carefully.
Time passed, and in the evening after everyone left school, Rin roamed the school, having even put the security guards to sleep, and removed the bounded field. Since it was a carelessly set bounded field by Shinji's unmotivated Medusa, the foundations placed here and there were at a level Rin could dismantle by herself with time, even without my help.
"Good, this much should..."
Next, she went to remove the foundation on the roof, but...
"What, removing it?"
"!?"
At that moment, Rin and Setanta, who was crouching on top of the water tank on the roof, made eye contact.
"Lancer... Did you set up this bounded field?"
"No? I just came to check it out a bit, but there's another Master here, you see. I watched for a while. You're skilled, huh? For a modern magus, you seem talented, don't you?"
He has a good eye, Setanta. Since I used spiritualization and concealment magecraft, even he didn't notice me... but he sensed through instinct that a Servant was present. That beast-like intuition, it's innate.
Hun~ Hun~!
Setanta attacked Rin by swinging his spear playfully and appropriately. Being a physical type, Rin dodged well, using reinforcement magecraft, and jumped off the roof.
"Archer! Catch me!"
I safely caught the falling Rin and landed. After jumping once to create distance, I put Rin down and released my spiritualization. Landing on the school grounds, Setanta, who saw me, grinned with an 'as expected' look in his eyes.
"As expected, it was you after all, Uncle."
"Long time no see, Setanta."
"What, you two know each other!?"
"Yes, that is Cú Chulainn. My nephew."
"The Hound of Ulster, the Child of Light...! This Holy Grail War really has only big shots gathered!?"
Well, that's true.
"... Thanks for the warning, Uncle. Because of that, my Master is safe."
"Not at all~ You're always immature in that regard. There won't be a second time, okay?"
"Yeah, got it."
Setanta, who took my warning well, moved his hideout and saved Bazett. Rin tilts her head at our conversation.
"Well, let's leave the talk for now... If warriors of Ulster have met, there's one thing, right?"
"If we met as individuals, that is..."
I glanced back at Rin standing behind me. Then, Rin nodded and responded.
"Alright, show me your power, Archer!"
"As expected... But I refuse."
"Huh?"
"Rin, now it's your turn as the Master to step forward! Show him what a first-rate Master is!"
".... What are you saying, Uncle. Did you eat something wrong? Did you eat Medb's cooking or something?"
Medb takes an undeserved loss.
"No no, what are you suddenly saying!? Here, you're supposed to step forward coolly, right!?"
"What are you talking about? It's to show him! Your power, your infinite potential... the true power of a magus! Now, show him your hidden other self!"
At the same time, I summoned a mimic and opened the box. And──
[Now, make a contract with me once again and become a magical girl, Rin-san~!]
"What is this──"
As the Kaleidostick flew out of the mimic and touched Rin's hand, a brilliant red light burst forth.
Keeeen──Fwaaaah!
Soon, a swirling light exploded, and sparkling red stars appeared. And then, she revealed her form.
"A star that shines even more brilliantly in the darkness! Magical☆Girl Kaleido Ruby♡ has arrived!"
"────What is that."
Clap clap clap clap~
Setanta stared blankly at Rin as if dumbfounded, and I applauded while looking at her. Khew~ This is the real deal. Magical girls are the icon of dreams and hope. It's romantic, isn't it~
"────Just what is this!!!!!!"
Rin, simultaneously embarrassed and furious about her current appearance, shouted at the top of her lungs towards the sky.
"What... is that?"
And Shirou, who had been cleaning the archery dojo until late, was dumbfounded seeing Setanta in full blue tights and Rin in a magical girl outfit in the middle of the school grounds.