《Fate: A Dragon's Journey》


 Chapter Glossary

    Chapter Glossary


    These are the mostmon terms used in Fate.


    Mana/Od: Both Mana and Od are two types of magical energy. Mana is produced by The World and can be gathered from the air and earth, but particrly coalesces in streams call Ley Lines. Od is the magical energy taken from the World and refined by the Magic Circuits in the body.


    Holy Grail: The legendary holy cup. Grants wishes by opening a hole to The Root. This allows ess to nearly unlimited Mana. The Greater Grail is a semi-sentient being who chooses Masters and Servants. The Lesser Grail is a physical object that absorbs the magical energy of fallen Servants. Once enough Servants are absorbed, the Lesser Grail can ess The Root from the physical world.


    Holy Grail War: The fight over the Holy Grail. Typicallyes with with its own set of rules. The Fuyuki Grail War began in the 1800s and urs every 60 years. It began as an attempt to ess The Root.


    Master: A mage who has entered into a contract with a Servant.


    Heroic Spirit: A copy of humanity''s greatest heroes that are kept in the Throne of Heroes. These beings are abination of the actual person and all myths/legends/feats attributed to them.


    Servant: A copy of a Heroic Spirit from the Throne of Heroes bound to the physical world by a Master.


    ss: The archetype vessel into which Heroic Spirit can be summoned. These archetypes make it easier for the Holy Grail manifest Heroic Spirits as Servants in the physical world. The main 7 sses in the Fuyuki Grail War are Saber, Lancer, Archer, Caster, Assassin, and Berserker. The sses of Shielder, Ruler, Avenger, and Saver have also been observed in unique cases.


    Command Seal/Spell: A magical mark that can be used topel Servants into action. They are made of pure mana, so they can be used for other purposes as well. Masters are typically given three Command Seals.


    Noble Phantasm: A weapon or ability used by Heroic Spirits. These are usually symbols of their renown and represent a Heroic Spirit''s unique strengths and abilities.


    Mystic Code: A weapon or magical item used by mages to augment their magical orbat abilities.


    Familiar: A magical creature that obeys the will of its master. Typically takes the form of a small animal, but technically includes Servants, golems, and puppets.


    The Throne of Heroes: A location outside of time and space where ya stores Heroic Spirits. These beings are usually used as agents of The Counter Force. However, mages have broken into this ce to use Heroic Spirits as Servants in Holy Grail Wars.


    Homunculi: Artificial human-like beings mostmonly produced by the Einzbern family. These beings have no souls but are adept at producing magical energy and following their programming.


    The Mage''s Association: The most prominent group of mages in the world. From their headquarters in the Clocktower of London, these mages seek to teach, regte, and keep magic a secret from non-mages.


    Magic/Thaumaturgy: There are two types of magecraft: Thaumaturgy and Magic. Magic is sometimes called True Magic to separate it from the general term of magic. Thaumaturgy is any magecraft that could be aplished by sufficiently advanced science, but is done through supernatural means instead. For example, lead can be transmuted to gold through transmutation magic, but can also be transformed through nuclear fission. True Magic is something that cannot be done through science. As science and magecraft advances, the ssification of certain spells can change from Magic to Thaumaturgy and vice versa. Currently, there are only 5 True Magics, which are listed below.


    First Magic: Unknown. Could be the concept known as the "Denial of Nothingness", which allows for the creation of matter from nothing.


    Second Magic: Known as the "Operation of Parallel Worlds". Allows a user to shift into parallel universes. This is the reason why all Fate works can be considered canon. Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg is its current user.


    Third Magic: Known as the "Materialization of the Soul". Grants immortality and resurrection abilities by removing the soul from the cycle of The Root. The Third Magic was originally achieved by the Einzbern family, but its secret was lost one thousand years ago. For the next eight centuries, the Einzberns sought to recover it until finallying up with the concept of the Holy Grail War.


    Fourth Magic: Details are unknown, but mages agree it definitely exists.


    Fifth Magic: Time Travel. Though, because this can be aplished using the Second Magic, there may be other elements yet unknown. Aoko Aozaki is its current user.


    The Root/Swirl of the Root/Akasha: The source of all Mana and human souls. Most mages endeavor to ess the Root for purposes of immortality, power, or renown. When a human dies, their soul is returned to the Root. When a human is born, a soul is taken from the Root. Because the Root''s power is spread across humans more or less equally, the less humans there are, the more magical potential each will hold. In the past, magic wasmonce. However, it has all but faded in the present day.


    ya: A semi-sentient being who is the collective conscience of humanity. ya was once a part of Gaia, but grew too powerful. ya collects the best of humanity as Heroic Spirits in the Throne of Heroes. They are used to defend humanity as actors of the Counter Force.


    Gaia: A semi-sentient being who acts as the conscious will of the Earth. Gaia uses magical beasts to defend nature and animals. These creatures are the agents of the Counter Force. Supernatural acts of magic require energy called Mana to maintain or will be destroyed by Gaia. Gaia frequentlyes into conflict with ya.


    The Church: A Christian group that seeks to collect holy artifacts, deal with sinful abominations such as Vampires, and control believers. Frequentlyes into conflict with The Mage''s Association.


    The Counterforce: A term used to describe actions taken by Gaia or ya to defend their respective domain. If one grows too strong and threatens the other''s safety, the defendant will summon certain agents such as Heroic Spirits or magical beasts. Gaia and ya endlessly counter each other''s efforts and keep the word in bnce. In the past few thousand years, ya has grown significantly in power.


    Dead Apostles: Humans that have be vampires, gaining a zombie like hunger for human flesh. One of the main targets of The Church.

 Chapter 1: The ghost in the forest

    Chapter 1: The ghost in the forest


    Before you go further, this fanfic contains the following tags: Incest and Harem. Turn around if you cant read those.


    The first chapter contains some heavy themes. Well, nothing this tform cant stomach.


    ---


    We, humans, have a habit of taking things for granted. Only when something has gone far out of our reach, do we yearn to get it back.


    Haruki''s mind wandered as he stood before his mother''s grave with an umbre shielding him from the wretched downpour. Yesterday, while he was out working at his part-time job, his mother hung herself in her room.


    She worked tirelessly as a teacher in the morning and bar attendant in the evening. Not the best profession for a beautiful woman, but she endured it to earn his school fees and other expenses. She got more than enough from her teacher''s job, but she kept doing her second job. She refused to take any help from him, saying he wasn''t allowed to do any job. He snuck behind her back and got a part-time job to surprise her on her birthday with a gift.


    He could''ve said so many things to her, like "thank you for working so hard for me" and much more. He was reincarnated in this fictional world where the Magus and Servants battled for the ultimate wish-granting tool without a cheat. Even as a normal human, he tried his best to build physical strength and practice in dojos. He just wanted a peaceful life with his mother after all the bullshit he went through in hisst life. And the only way to ensure peace was through strength.


    After all, he had no cheats to contend against the all-powerful Magus.


    And that was it.


    It was toote now. Standing here alone with regrets and a handy umbre, he realized how wrong he was. He will have to carry these regrets or crumble under their weight. If a demon appeared here right now and offered him a deal to bring his mother back, he''d dly offer anything, even his life.


    He just wanted to say how much he appreciated her.


    ''But that''s not possible, is it?''


    It wasn''t like him to be philosophical. He wracked his brain for a rational solution. The uing Holy Grail War. It might be a way to resurrect his mother but how was he supposed to be a Master without magic circuits?


    He stepped out of the cemetery and wandered into the wide streets of Miyama Town. Staying in his home will drive him crazy. His mother''s bank ount had about 5,50,000 yen while he had 30,000 yen. They might seem like a lot at first nce. However, a cheap room''s rent was about 25,000 and above.


    This wasn''t the life he imagined after reincarnating in the FATE world, not even close. This must be the punishment for bullying his little brother in his past life, whose immense talent was wasted with his passive demeanor. He just wanted to bring his brother on the right path to help the family business, but he went too far and made their rtionship irreparable. His brother would have cursed him after hisdy bodyguard murdered him and herself in cold blood.


    ''Way to go out, Lil'' bro.''


    His death hit him more than he imagined. To fill the void left from his death, he tried reading the manga and anime his brother rmended to him all the time and ended up joining the weebmunity. He didn''t care at that point after already giving a middle finger to his family and friends.


    Even then, he couldn''tprehend his brother''s fetish with lolis.


    ''What did he even see in them?''


    Mature women were the best. That''s probably one of the reasons he became so attached to his mother.


    He shook his head and put an end to his thoughts. Coming to his senses, he found himself in a forest.


    ''The outskirts of Miyama town.''


    He wrapped back the umbre and sat on the nearby bench. As he cast a gaze at the cloudy sky, a sense of loneliness engulfed him. He held his head in his hands.


    "When did I turn into such a momcon?"


    "Haruki" A ghostly whisper reached him.


    Haruki Hayashi, that was his name But who said it? From the corner of his eyes, he saw an ethereal figure on the roadside. The silhouette reminded him of my mother, just for a bit.


    He sighed and followed wherever it wanted to lead him. Two ring lights peered through the fog. A truck steered right in his direction.


    "A ghost taking me to Truck-kun. Does it want me to isekai? Or join the wandering ghostsmunity?"


    He chuckled at the irony. The lore of Truck-kun could be real. He had never imagined that reincarnation was real until it happened to him. He nced down at his foot. One step away from the truck''s path.


    "Should I?"


    Maybe he''d get another chance like Subaru and get back.


    ''Nah, that''s impossible.''


    He took a step back.


    Buzz! The phone in his pocket tingled his thighs. He fished it out and saw a missed call from none other than Yandere herself. As he reached the call back button, a loud screech pierced his ears.


    ...The truck slipped on the wet road, drifting uncontrobly off the road. It just so happened to be speeding toward his direction as if saying, "Bro,''ere. It''s your friend, Truck-kun."


    Everything happened so fast he couldn''t react.


    ''Oh dear lord, is this the closure to my second life?''


    ***


    For those who couldn''t tell, there is more his mother''s death than just a simple suicide. I didn''t want to spoil but a lot of readers were triggered over this.

 Chapter 2: Hope

    Chapter 2: Hope


    A/N:- Wait, hold on! Someone asked why didn''t he learn magic? Well, magic doesn''t work like that in Nasuverse. You need magic circuits to cast magecraft spells. Haruki doesn''t have any magic circuits.


    ***


    A groggy feeling rose in Haruki''s head. His eyes flew open to a pristine white ceiling.


    ''Where the fuck I am?''


    He pushed himself up and surveyed the surroundings. A pure white room with nothing but a bed exclusive to him.


    "You idiot. How can a dragon almost die in a truck crash? You''re such a hopeless kid."


    A woman''s voice echoed, saying some not-so-nice things about a dragon almost dying in a truck crash.


    Haruki turned to his right and his eyes stretched in disbelief.


    A woman sat cross-legged on a red couch holding a pipe in her hand. Her ruby hair cascaded down to her raven dress, which barely covered her long legs. Her most eye-catching feature was the ck horns curving behind her head, giving her the appearance of a demon from a fantasy manga.


    She was hands down the most beautiful woman Haruki had ever met. The statement was considerably heavying from a guy with decent experience in two worlds.


    The woman''s lips curled up in a bright grin, as her crystal-clear golden eyes narrowed to slits. "You won''t be getting out of this withpliments. Tell me. Why did you not use the system?"


    ''Did she just read my mind? What System?''


    "Yes. I did."


    Mind reading was the worst kind of privacy invasion in his humble opinion.


    "Who''re you? What is this ''System'' and ''Dragon'' you keep talking about?"


    "Huh? You don''t remember me?"


    "I don''t think I met you before."


    Haruki wasn''t the type to forget a piece of art like her. Could she be the goddess who reincarnated him?


    A whirlpool swirled inside her eyes before her pupils widened in shock. "I-It can''t be."


    "What happened, love?"


    "I I forgot to activate your system."


    "..."


    This goddess was on another level. No, she was on another ne of existence. She reincarnated him but forgot to activate his cheat.


    Such sphemy!


    "I''m sorry."


    "First of all, who are you?"


    "Arch, the mother goddess of all dragons and luck."


    The goddess of dragons and luck reincarnated him. This was shady. Too shady for his taste. He was one of the guys who read every sentence of Terms & Conditions so it didn''te to bite him in the asster. A goddess wouldn''t reincarnate him without a reason. It sounded like she was making excuses. Otherwise, why would she not notice for seventeen years? Then again, he was a normal human with more than average strength. He wasn''t a wuxia protagonist or an idiot who would scream at a goddess for this. She might just swat him out of existence just for that.


    "I can understand your suspicions. The reason I chose you is something personal."


    Personal? Did his handsome visage charm this goddess?


    "Keep dreaming." she rolled her eyes.


    ''What a bummer.''


    "So, any reason you have hauled my dead ass here?"


    "It was to save you. Though it was unnecessary since someone else already helped you."


    "Who is it?"


    "See them for yourself after I send you back. What were you doing chasing women around the city when your mother worked her ass off every day? Don''t you have a conscience?"


    Haruki chased women to find someone else other than his mom. He didn''t want to creep out his only family because of his forbidden feelings. With a handsome face and decent body, his luck with girls wasn''t that bad. He received love letters now and then. But the girls in his school didn''t turn him on. Only the mature women did, and none of them wanted a long-term rtionship with a student like him. With his experience, he could easily start a sessful business. But he was toozy to even try. Even if he did, his mother wouldn''t have epted the money for she had an EX-ss stubbornness.


    "Were you watching me this whole time?"


    "I was," she answered in a matter-of-fact tone. "I also remember you jacking off to incest hentai. It was a little weird."


    To think she even watched that part of his lifeher dictionarycked the word privacy!


    "It was just once..." he said. "Okay?"


    "You, do you really love your mother as a woman?"


    "Of course, I do. Now you''re being an idiot for asking an obvious question," he ignored her deep frown and continued, "What did you want me to do in Nasuverse?"


    He refused to believe a mean woman like her sent him to Nasuverse out of kindness.


    "Conquer the world."


    "You wanted a normal human to conquer a world full of gods and spirits. Not to talk about the Ultimate Ones of others."


    A''s consciousness was known as the Ultimate One such as Type Mercury and Type Venus, but Gaia and ya weren''t a part of them. Earth had a blonde vampire instead. It literally took the definition of ''Fighting against the whole world'' to another level. Not to mention she didn''t activate his cheat.


    He stared at her with disappointment in his eyes.


    "I did say I turned you into a dragon," she said, pouting her cheeks. "I just forgot to activate your abilities. It would still be a bit difficult, but you could have managed just fine with the System."


    Abilities and System Haruki got more and more curious about this System she kept mentioning.


    "Are you so bored that you''d send a random guy to conquer a fictional world?"


    "I have my personal reasons. Let''s leave it at that. I''m about to send you back with your new abilities. Try not to die before conquering the world."


    "Yes, Ma''am! Can I ask another question?"


    "If it''s about your mother," she said with a sigh. "I cannot help you in any way. My powers will break the fragile fictional world held together by imagination. The only way I can interact with it all is through you. The Holy Grail, even if corrupted, can resurrect your mother."


    There was some hope. Turning that into reality would require a shit ton of effort. He will still need a servant to participate in the war. The war had long started, and the servants should''ve been summoned. Sakura informed him a week earlier about everything. He''ll have to settle with one of the seven servants.


    ''Who do I choose though?''


    The strongest and the most arrogant blonde antagonist and Heracles were out of the question. They will never cooperate. Archer was fated to be summoned by Tsundere Tohsaka. That left him with Lancer, Saber, Rider, and Caster.


    Lancer was a cool dude, someone Haruki could get along with. Artoria was the ticket to an easy victory, and Rider was strong enough to give the legendary King Arthur a run for her money. Caster was the weakest servant as every other servant had something that could resist or counter her magecraft. However, she was also the one Haruki liked the most. She was one of the most tragic characters in Greek mythology. Besides, who doesn''t love and cheer for an underdog?


    "Actually, you will find a servant near you when you wake up."


    "Who is it?"


    "Find them yourself."


    She caressed his cheeks with her warm hand. He found it oddly familiar. Before he solved the mystery of the familiar sensation, his eyes started to droop.


    ''This goddess and her fetish for knocking me out.''


    Haruki still couldn''t wipe the grin off his face.


    ''Fuyuki Holy Grail War, here Ie!''

 Chapter 3: Dragon Blood System

    Chapter 3: Dragon Blood System


    Medea nced down at the young man resting his head on herp. His messy raven hair covered his rather charming face. She had pulled him away from the crashing truck just in the nick of time, but the mental shock made him pass out on the spot.


    Cough! Cough!


    A burning pain shot through her chest, bringing out some nasty coughs. She leaned her weight on the tree and took deep breaths. The magic power in her body dwindled every fleeting moment. She had no time to reach the Ryuudou Temple, where the Grail was about to be summoned.


    "To be summoned and disappear before a fight, is this the end?"


    She only had two choices. Either give up her dream or contract the young man sleeping calmly on herp and ept him as her Master. As a Heroic Spirit of Caster ss, she could sense the magic power swirling inside his body. It was no less than her previous Master, the magus whose charred body could still be found in his workshop. Despite being a self-centered scum, his skills as a Magus were great, at least for this era where the magecraft had been reduced to a fraction of its former glory.


    ''I don''t have time to be picky.''


    She thought as her eyes drooped close.


    ***


    As Haruki''s senses returned, he felt something soft under his head. He skeptically opened his eyes. The glittering stars looked amazing as always. The hooded woman, whosep he slept on, was leaning against a tree seemingly unconscious.


    ''Who in the world?''


    He shot up reflexively and observed her. The shy robe, a pale face under the hoodshe was Medea, the Caster ss Servant. Born as a princess of Colchis, then forced by Aphrodite to unconditionally love the Argonaut, Jason, whom she never met before. After giving her everything, the so-called hero left her for another woman.


    A true piece of shit.


    Her story was still vivid in his memories.


    ''She saved me from the truck?''


    It made sense considering this ce was only some hundred meters away from Ryuudou Temple. Caster found her Master Kuzuki in Ryuudou Temple, or she was supposed to.


    "Wait."


    Without Caster taking control of the temple, she had no chance to summon the Assassin ss servant.


    Haruki gently shook her shoulder, aplishing nothing. Should he kidnap her? He couldn''t summon a Servant unless he asked Sakura''s help. The process wasplicated as hell.


    ''Also, where is the System?!''


    As if answering his question, a hologram-like cobalt blue window appeared before him.


    [Dragon Blood System is now online!]


    [List of Functions avable in Dragon Blood System]


    -Status: Shows your current Parameters, Skills, and Authorities.


    -Tasks: Set a task and finish them to get rewarded by your goddess.


    -Partners: Dragons take pride in their partners. Mating with strong partners can awaken new skills and authorities.


    -Gacha: ess the shop of gacha powered by the Goddess of Luck!


    ''Dragon Blood System? Partners list and Gacha shop...''


    His weeb senses tingled in anticipation.


    [Quantifying your current status]


    [Haruki Hayashi]


    Species: Dragon [Current awakening progress 0.2%]


    Age: 17


    Gender: Male


    Height, Weight: 179cm/74kg


    Alignment: Chaotic Neutral


    [Parameters]


    Strength: 5 (E-)


    Endurance: 6 (E-)


    Agility: 4 (F)


    Magical energy: 24 (D)


    Luck: 10 (E)


    [Authorities]


    Dragon Heart


    A dragon heart imnted into your body by Arch. It will be moreplete every time you dominate a battle or your body surpasses its limits.


    Dragon Blood


    The dragon heart pumps pure Dragon Blood in your veins. The blood brimming with fire energy can be used for many purposes. You have to find them yourself.


    [Skills]


    Sojutsu [E]


    Info: Acquired from your great practice with a spear.


    Effect: Increases damage with spear-type weapons.


    Bujutsu [D]


    Info: Acquired from immense proficiency in Bujutsu arts.


    Effect: Increases damage with physical attacks.


    Charisma [D]


    Info: Natural talent to lead others as well the charm to attract the opposite gender.


    Effect: People will have a favorable first impression of you as long as you are not enemies with them.


    He only awakened 0.2% of his powers? And toplete it, he had to dominate in battles, push his physical limits, or have sex with strong women to gain skills and authorities? This was one twisted way to grow stronger. Though he preferred using wits to gain the advantage, purely relying on dominance might not be bad. Still, he refused to sleep with women for power, unless the woman willingly slept with him. He stopped treating people like shit after his brother died.


    He looked at the skills. Sojutsu and Bujutsu, which he had learned for self-defense. As a young master, he was very familiar with the world, how the upper hierarchy kicked the weak around. Martial arts and Bujutsu was the least he could do to gain strength without having magic circuits to be a mage. The Charisma Skill perhaps came from his past life as he spent a majority of his life leading his subordinates.


    ''Arch, can I get a rough estimate of my power?''


    Her reply came in the form of a blue window.


    Answer: 1 point corresponds to an average human''s ability in that certain stat.


    He had five times the strength and twenty-four times the magical energy of an average human. It made him stronger than most Magus out there.


    Answer: Yes. This was the lowest I could put you as a dragon.


    ''Why would you want to put me low and expect me to conquer this absurdly powerful world?''


    Answer: Who doesn''t love and cheer for an underdog?


    His face twitched at her retort. He''d prefer to hear her gentle voice instead of these screens, or it''d be a waste of such a sweet voice... He wasn''t in a position to whine about it.


    He postponed the investigation of other functions. Bringing Medea to a safe ce took more priority. Even if she refused to form a contract, giving her shelter was the least he could do to repay her.


    He turned around and pulled her hands over his shoulder, lifting her on his back. He steadied his grip on the ground and dashed toward the city.


    The rain restarted, dropping on his head like a machinegun''s bullets.


    Glowing particles drifted from Medeashe was disappearing! Servants required magical energy to remain in this world. Medea killed her Magus Master after getting summoned, and without a source of energy, she was bound to disappear.


    Haruki elerated his pace, soon arriving in the streets he grew up in.


    Good thing nobody witnessed him entering the house with Medea. He stopped and looked up at his home. Nothing seemed out of ce. As if the brte will wee him if he opens the doorthe feeling was stuck in the back of his head.


    He opened the door with the key. A strange feeling passed through him as if something around him changed.


    Swiveling his head, he tried to search for the oddity.


    "Must be my imagination."


    He strode inside, and a faint floral scent weed him. The nostalgic scent he grew up with still lingered in the air. He switched on the lights and carried Medea through the hallways filled with warm and bitter memories before taking the stairs.


    Creak. He paused and tapped the wooden stairs with his heel.


    ''This shouldn''t be this hollow afterst month''s renovation.''


    Keeping his eyes off of the room at the end of the corridor, he entered the first room and ced Medea on the bed. Her robes immediately drenched the mattress.


    He plopped on the edge of the bed and took a deep breath. Running from the forest to home with a grown-up woman on his back wasn''t an easy feat on an empty stomach.


    He changed out of the wet clothes and donned a simple shirt and shorts. He set a chair before the bed and slumped down. Medea''s chest heaved ever so slowly. Her robe had gotten wet from the rain.


    ''Should I change her clothes?''


    He immediately discarded the idea. She mightbel him as a pervert and kill him with her Magecraft from the Age of the Gods.


    ''Say no to the bad endings!''

 Chapter 4: The Whispers Intensifies

    Chapter 4: The Whispers Intensifies


    Some things might be wrong in this fiction ''cause I don''t know everything about FATE. It''s impossible to take everything into consideration when I write, so tell me if you find anything wrong. I''ll try to fix it.


    Also, romance is gonna be kinda slow in this one.


    ***


    "Fuck. I forgot about her magic power."


    Haruki recalled that Medea was about to disappear moments ago. Looking closer, Haruki found her doing just fine.


    ''Should I transfer Prana?''


    The only way to do so was through bodily fluids aka either she drank his semen or he filled her with his semen. He wasn''t about to do either as blood also carried magic power. What''s more, he had dragon blood in his veins, which should have plenty of mana.


    ''I hope she doesn''t realize my race from my blood.''


    As Haruki got up to bring his knife. Bzzzt. His phone vibrated. He picked it up to find notifications of dozens of emails.


    11:56 - Senpai, I heard what happened to your mother. Please, hang in there until I''m free.


    13:00 - Senpai, are you there?


    13:50 - Haruki-senpai, please reply.


    15:49 - Senpai?


    Haruki rubbed his forehead in worry. Where did he go wrong with Sakura? He only saved her when the children were bullying her for her ''foreign violet'' hair in the park. He didn''t realize she was Sakura until she introduced herself. She looked a lot different in her childhood.


    As a proud weeb who consumed almost everything rted to the FATE franchise, he preferred to stay the hell away from her fucked up family. Contrary to his wishes, she transferred to his school and started observing him from a distance, trailing him around the school. She had to be stopped before the animews turned her full yandere. So, with the intent to put an end to everything, Haruki approached his stalker.


    Well, the meeting went quite wrong when she revealed the unpleasant things Zouken and Shinji''s father did to her. Though he prided himself for knowing how twisted humans could get, seeing a little girl getting that brutal treatment still chilled his spine.


    In selfish pity, he ended up bing her only friend. As much as he wished to help her, he could do nothing other than beating Shinji up. Well, it was enough to stop him from viting Sakura though. Shinji will be his first target in this war. Shinji was no stronger than any average human, and he had no talent in magecraft. But he was the fake master of Rider with Sakura being the true one.


    ''I hope this isn''t that route.''


    He shuddered at the possibility. Heaven''s Feel. The only route where Sakura was made into the Lesser Grail, the tool to summon the Greater Grail. Yandere Sakura became unstoppable, ughtering Servants left and right. The thought of Yandere Sakura chasing him sent shivers down his spine. His first goal was to prevent that from happening.


    ''About goals''


    He hadn''t checked the ''Tasks'' function of this System.


    "Tasks."


    [Tasks]


    -Task Creator: Create a new task.


    -Active tasks: Lists active tasks.


    Touching the ''Active tasks'' brought nothing, so he tried the ''Task Creator.'' It brought up another window, asking for a ''Task.''


    "Resurrect my mom through the Grail."


    Calcting rewards based on difficulty Assessmentplete.


    Task #1: Resurrect my mom through the Grail.


    Difficulty: A-Rank


    Rewards: 3x Premium-Grade Gacha Coupons


    The premium gacha coupons brought him back to his first experience with gacha games. They certainly made him an addict, well, for a week or so only.


    ''Why Gacha though? Can''t you just reward me directly?''


    The concept of Gacha was fishy.


    Answer: I cannot do anything else as a Goddess of Luck sorry, if a weak goddess like me disappointed you.


    ''Weak? I never said that you gave me the hope to bring back my mom. I was ready to sell my soul for it. How could you disappoint me?''


    Answer: Thanks for your understanding.


    ''She might be a good person deep down.''


    Bzzzt. His phone pleaded for his attention, which turned out to be another message from Sakura. He dialed her number, and she instantly picked up the call.


    "I''m sorry, Senpai," she apologized before he said anything. "I couldn''te to Okaa-san''s funeral."


    "Don''t mind that. What''s up with the messages? I was sleeping. You don''t need to worry about me."


    "Senpai, I''ming over."


    Should he tell her about my participation in this war? She''lle to know even if he doesn''t. She might go bonkers if he didn''t tell her.


    "Okay. Come at dinner time."


    "Take care, Senpai," she said and hung up the call.


    Haruki observed Medea again. She still showed no signs of disappearing.


    ''Did I see wrong?''


    He shrugged and headed to the kitchen. He tucked the kitchen knife in his pocket and filled a ss with water. As he put the ss to his lips, a blow of cold wind caressed his neck.


    "Haruki"


    The same whisper echoed.


    ''Who the fuck?''


    He turned around to find no one. Was it just his imagination again or some ghost was haunting him? The only person who died in his house was his mother.


    ''It can''t be!''


    He refused to believe the thought of his innocent mother haunting him. He moved out of the kitchen and the lights in the narrow corridor flickered as if some paranormal activity was about to happen.


    Cold sweat covered his forehead. He may have superhuman strength, but he had no way to fight a ghost. He sure as hell wasn''t about to be killed by some random ghost. Not after he found some hope to revive his mother! He rushed upstairs to his room and shut the sliding door. This was the safest ce against the ghosts. Heroic Spirits were way superior to some random ghosts.


    The cold airing from the window cooled his sweat. He sat before Medea and sighed.


    ''That was scary.''


    Medea still slept soundly. Haruki couldn''t feed her blood without uncovering her hood. He also couldn''t resist the curiosity about her look. Who wouldn''t be curious to see a waifu in real life. As he slowly pulled her hood soaked in blood, a pale face with long, sharp ears appeared. Despite the bloodstains on her cheeks, she looked as beautiful as a woman could get.


    He shook his head. Jason was such an idiot for abandoning her.


    Her beauty aside, he still needed to do something about her. As much as he sympathized with her tragic past, he had no intentions to be yed to death by her, which she would undoubtedly do if he formed a contract with her. The broken assassin who conquered her heart in the canon was a different man. A serial killer with almost zero emotions. He couldn''t be that guy, neither did he n to be.


    ''If only I had Asahi''s skills to woo women, this war would be a piece of cake.''


    His brother would just go and seduce all the female servants and masters to his side. There would be no war if everyone was on the same side.


    "Uh." Medea''s face suddenly morphed as she squirmed.


    Was she having a nightmare?

 Chapter 5: The Spirit

    Chapter 5: The Spirit


    [Medea''s POV]


    The bubbles filled with memories wandered in Medea''s mind. Each bubble reflected glimpses of her past. Learning the magecraft as the disciple of Goddess Hecate, roaming the streets of a lively kingdom her father ruled, or spending time to learn etiquette from her mothershe was living a dream life, content within the peaceful bounds of her kingdom.


    Until that day, when a ship arrived. Jason, the most famous Argonaut, arrived at Colchis to snatch the Golden Fleece in her father''s possession. Jason had no way to ovee this trial by himself, so Goddess Aphrodite controlled Medea''s mind into loving Jason.


    The blind love for Jason was merely the start of her nightmare. The charmpelled her tomit atrocious acts to help Jason without feeling any shred of remorse.


    The bubble exploded and the next bubble stopped before her. It showed a man''s corpse. A familiar man who was once known as Apsyrtus, her brother. She turned her eyes away from the sight of her brother chopped in pieces while whispering an apology.


    The memories kept showering her in regrets until her eyes snapped open. An unfamiliar ceiling entered her eyes.


    ''Where am I?''


    She pushed down the fluffy futon and sat up. The well-lit room filled with odd books gave her a twisted illusion as if she was in the haunted graves she upied after escaping from Colchis. She couldn''t put a finger on it, but this ce reeked of tragedy. Somehow weak magical energy flowed in the air, enough to sustain her in the physical world.


    ''How odd. Is this a magus workshop?''


    Magus did all sorts of demonic rituals. This might be the result of one such atrocity.


    "Oh, you''re awake."


    She turned her head to the voice. A young man smiled at her, his messy raven hair sticking to his calm, handsome face. The person she saved in the forest. Medea scrutinized the hollow look in his deep red eyes, something she never expected from a boy this young.


    "You are?"


    "Haruki," the boy said. "Haruki Hayashi."


    "I passed out in the forest?"


    "Yes."


    "This ce is your workshop?"


    "No," he paused, hesitation apparent on his face. He shook his head firmly, awakening an odd glimmer in his eyes. "I want to be your Master in this war."


    Medea''s eyes flew wide open, not expecting the young man''s offer. She wanted the same. Still, she couldn''t help but wonder, was he one of those idiotic Magus intent on winning the grail for the riches? She cast her gaze on the room. Surely, the wooden ceiling seemed a little cheap in her eyes.


    ''I cannot die yet. I... must use him as a puppet to win. Colchis, I want to return to my roots and kill him before Aphrodite curses me. I must do that.''


    As much as she hated to manipte an innocent, she had no other choice. This might be herst opportunity to cleanse her regrets with the Holy Grail. She wasn''t a hero, so she had no chance of being chosen by the Throne of Heroes. This war was too abnormal to summon a Spirit with an ''Evil'' alignment like her.


    A sudden chill froze her. Her eyes darted toward the door, only to find nothing.


    ''...What was that?''


    She drew a deep sigh. "I agree. Shall we form the pact?"


    "What do I have to do?"


    Medea held out her hand. Haruki tilted his head in wonder and sped her hand.


    Medea closed her eyes, muttering her request to the Grail itself. A momentter, a crimson glow enveloped Haruki''s hand. Medea released his hand and observed the leftover mark of themand spell. She already forced her previous master to consume all threemand spells, so her new Master had nothing.


    ''My chances of winning with Commands Spells were abysmal. Do I stand a chance without them?''


    Amand spell was the crystallization of great magical energy that allowed Servants to use their trump card; it also acted as a Master''s leash on a servant.


    ''I will have to rely on his magical energy.''


    Medea tried to sense her connection, curious how much magical energy this young master possesses.


    Thump!


    Her heart throbbed in her ears. Widening her eyes, she stared at Haruki.


    ''So much''


    Her thoughts halted, and her head snapped toward the door. An ethereal figure floated behind Haruki. Just looking at the golden embers in its eyes froze Medea.


    ''What is this Spirit?''


    Any Spirit she ever encountered paled before this. She couldn''t fathom how many grudges or regrets they had to be this strong. Instead of attacking, it just hovered there as if watching over the young man.


    Medea calmed down and assessed the situation. This faint smell of blood, her master''s gloomy aura, and the Spirit''s attachment to himshe quickly came to a conclusion.


    ''So that''s how it is, Master. What kind of man are you to gain this fierce protection from an Evil Spirit?''

 Chapter 6: Treasure Box

    Chapter 6: Treasure Box


    Here are some references images for main characters (Check paragraphments)


    Haruki


    Arch


    Medea


    And vote!


    ***


    The moment Medea confirmed the contract, Haruki felt something flowing through his body.


    [Medea is added to the ''Potential Partners'' list.]


    Medea stared wide-eyed at something behind him. He looked over his shoulder to find nothing.


    "Is something wrong?"


    Medea shook her head with a tiny smile that tugged at Haruki''s heart. "Nothing. You can call me Caster."


    "Alright."


    "Would it be okay for me to rest? We''ve to use any chance to save our magical energy."


    "No problem."


    Haruki got up and left the room. He went to the living room and took a seat on the couch. He was itching to check the Partners list.


    "Partners list."


    The list popped up instantly.


    [Partners]


    None


    [Potential Partners]


    Medea: A Sorcerer from the Age of Gods and your current Servant, tied to you by the Fuyuki Holy Grail System.


    -Current Status  Confused over your mana exceeding low-ss Servants.


    -Rtionship Status  11/100


    -Species  Spirit


    -Age  Uncountable


    -Gender  Female


    -Height, Weight  163cm/51kg


    -Alignment  Neutral Evil


    -Parameters


    Strength: 10 (E)


    Endurance: 21 (D)


    Agility: 32 (C)


    Magical energy: 54 (A)


    Luck: 40 (B)


    -Authorities


    None


    -Noble Phantasm


    Rule Breaker


    Description: An anti-magic Noble Phantasm capable of destroying and dispelling any Magecraft.


    -Skills


    Rapid Words of Divine [A]


    Info: Using the Age of Gods, Medea can cast spells without the use of Magic Circuits.


    Item Construction [A]


    Info: A skill inherent to the Caster ss. Medea can construct magical items far superior to modern magi.


    Territory Creation [A]


    Info: A skill inherent to the Caster ss. Medea can convert any ce into her territory to gather mana from the surroundings.


    The system chose Medea as a potential partner. He didn''t mind having Medea as a lover after he was done resurrecting his mother.


    ''One step at a time. Let''s start with earning her trust. Arch, you love to invade people''s privacy, don''t you?''


    Answer: No. It''s for your good. You can conquer your potential partners easily with this.


    ''Eleven out of hundred points. How much is that?''


    Answer: 0-10 points  Stranger, 11-20 points  Acquaintance, 21-50 points  Friends, 51-75  Loyal friends, 76-99  More than a friend, less than a lover, 100 and above  Lover.


    ''Acquaintance is not bad.''


    Harukipared her stats to the servant''s stats he recalled. Artoria had an A-Rank in almost all parameters, showing how powerful of a servant she was. Medea''s skills also weren''t that overwhelming. He had to work hard topensate for her weaknesses, starting with summoning the Assassin ss Servant before someone else does it. Especially Zouken, the old ancestor of the Matou n. That old mage will ruin everything if he summons Hassan of the Cursed Arm. He''d rather not fight someone who could crush his heart without properly fighting him.


    This war was certainly going to be a hell of a battle.


    "Mom, just you wait. I''ll have you by my side, or I''ll die trying."


    A chilly wind brushed past his face. For a moment, he thought it was his mother, who did this to encourage him. He pped his cheeks to shake off the depression.


    ''What about my magic circuits?''


    They were essential in casting any kind of spell. Having this much mana would be a waste without them.


    Answer: A dragon exerts its dominance on the mana itself to cast spells. You don''t need magic circuits for that.


    This goddess might be into BDSM. Thinking, Haruki chuckled.


    ''I''ll think after eating something.''


    Though he could cook edible meals, letting Medea eat it might be a bit cruel. He decided to buy something from the restaurant before Sakura arrived and insisted on cooking.


    He knocked on his room''s door. "Caster, I''m going out. Can you look after home?"


    "Master, wait. I''ming," she said and snappily slid the door.


    "You don''t need to."


    "You are not going without me. Your magical energy is hardly concealed. It will give your position to others Masters. I can hide it and protect you."


    She remained firm, unwilling to back out.


    "Alright," he consented. She will certainly help if the ghost strikes again.


    She suddenly vanished. Haruki could still sense her presence around him.


    "Master, this is my spiritual form. The magic consumption is reduced but my senses are fairly limited."


    "Juste in your physical form. I mean, it would be better to experience this new century through your eyes. I have plenty of magical energy to spare."


    "Master, I can''t."


    This stubborn woman was probably having thoughts like ''I don''t want to trouble him'' or ''He can''t be serious about bringing me with him.'' Haruki was fairly assured of this.


    Haruki rubbed the back of his neck. "Sheesh. What are you hesitating for? It''s not like someone will identify you after you cover your ears."


    "..."


    He let out a sigh at her silence. It felt awkward to be the only one talking in a conversation. But he had to persist and earn her trust. They will both die if none of them trusted each other in this war.


    ''Arch, am I doing this wrong?''


    [Answer: No it''s vital to trust your allies in a war.]


    This goddess was so kind.


    "...Master, my clothes aren''t suited for this city."


    The minor achievement of persuading the stubborn woman brought a smile to his face.


    "You can try my mother''s clothes."


    Medea was slim and petitepared to his mother. A cold wind touched the back of his neck, a shiver running down his spine.


    "Master?"


    "Follow me."


    He headed to his mother''s room. The pale pink walls with white furniture made the room elegant and girly at the same time. He opened the cupboard and shuffled through the dresses.


    Medea materialized beside him and curiously looked at the clothes. Suddenly, her eyes narrowed, and she stretched her finger. "Master, does that chest belong to you?"


    He followed her finger to a wooden chest lying on the shelf. It also had a giant keyhole like those ssic treasure chests.


    Medea grabbed the box with both arms. "It has an enchantment on it."


    "Enchantment? ...Mom was a Magus?" He shook his head. "That''s impossible."


    Medea flipped the chest and stared at the small square cutout with delicate text, her blue eyes shimmering with mild amusement. "It is an intricate blood identification-type spell. I can crack it through brute force. Master?"


    "Is there no other option?"


    "Try dripping your blood on this area. It should unlock if she left it as your inheritance."


    He needed to confirm the new theory shoved in his face. Taking a needle from his mother''s sewing set in the drawer, he pricked his finger. He touched the designated area and waited.


    Click! The chest''s lid loosened. Haruki opened the chest. The contents were enough to make a grown man like him blush.


    ''Why is she collecting my sleeping photos?''


    Medea picked the photos and shuffled through them. He even found a recent one where he was sleeping entirely naked in his room.


    ''What the hell, Mom!''


    Medea silently put the photos aside as if being considerate of his dignity. He picked up the white envelope left in the chest and tore the seal. He pulled the letter from inside and read it.


    {Haru dear. If you''re reading this letter, that means I have died or gone missing...


    I wanted to say this line from my twenties!


    Sorry for getting distracted.}


    ''Haru that''s the nickname she chose for me. Can''t believe my airhead mom wrote this letter.''


    Shaking his head, he continued reading.


    {Drop some of your blood inside the chest Even after I swear to protect Haru, I''m asking him to spill blood. I''m the worst kind of mother.}


    "That''s not true," he muttered, despite knowing she wasn''t here.


    He pricked the same wound on his finger and dripped the blood in the chest. Shiiing! The wooden base split, revealing an earth-like orb. On closer inspection, the drawing on it seemed to be a perfect imitation of a globe. Such attention to detail made it an exotic item.


    "Caster, is this a magic artifact?"


    "I don''t feel any magical energy from this."


    Haruki returned to the letter for any clues.


    {You see that little earth. That could be the reason... I died.}


    His mind nked out.

 Chapter 7: Atlas Temple’s Contract

    Chapter 7: As Temple¡¯s Contract


    ''Mom died because of this little orb? It wasn''t a suicide?''


    Haruki steeled himself and read further.


    {I might have gone missing ormitted suicide that''s how the Magi kills someone. They make it look like their victim took their lives. So, if something simr happened to me, don''t me yourself. None of this was your fault!}


    She predicted everything, that he''d be depressed after her death, so she left a letter for him.


    ''Who did this?''


    An indescribable hatred swelled as the skin on his hand turned red.


    ''Who the hell did it? Why didn''t she tell me before?''


    Haruki gritted his teeth and went back to the letter.


    {Haru, so don''t feel guilty if I''m not there. Take this chance to restart fresh with Sakura. She is a good girl


    Or not.


    I can''t believe I have to give my Haru to a girl. I worked so hard to raise you, and now some other woman will eat you.


    Why is the world so unfair!}


    The letter poured cold water onto his rage. She had a severe sonplex.


    {Haru, promise to never forget me.}


    ''How can I do that?''


    {As for the orb, keep it safe. It''s a contract for the As Temple. Leave everything and go to the As Mountains in the Maghreb. Show it to them, and they will protect you from everyone. Please, do that if the Magus Associationes after you.}


    ''As Temple.''


    He had never heard of it before. Maybe he did, and forgot.


    "Caster, you know something about As Temple?" His voice unintentionally came off cold.


    "Nothing." She shook her head. "I know of a titan named As. He was punished by Zeus to bear the weight of the sky on his shoulders for all eternity."


    He didn''t have enough information.


    {Also, Haru. Look at my gift in the envelope. Please cherish it, okay?}


    He flipped the contents of the envelope on the bed. A pack of photos came out.


    Haruki gulped.


    A woman in a ck bikini, running her hands through her dark ash-blonde hair. Her golden eyes were full of mischief as if sheughed at my reaction. The sight under her waist left me speechless. Her legs were spread, her smooth slit on full disy.


    ''Mom never acted like this.''


    There were times when he thought of her as a pervert. Like the time she asked him for a massage in her nightwear or stumble into the bath while he was showering.


    Those weren''t coincidences after all. He felt relieved that he wasn''t the only one in the wrong.


    ''Mom also loved me''


    He wanted to ask this question right now. He covered the photos with the envelope and nced at Medea, who fiddled with the As Contract orb. A relieved sigh escaped him. His dignity was preserved. He quietly slipped the pictures into the envelope and tucked the envelope into my pocket.


    "We''ll look into itter."


    Medea nodded and ced the contract into the chest and locked it. Her eyes darted around the hanging dresses. She was confused about what to wear. She shook her head and reached for the nearest dress.


    "Wait."


    Stopping her from choosing a random dress, Haruki shuffled through the dresses, ignoring the white bridal dress hung at the corner.


    "How about thisbo?"


    "...Looks good."


    "I''ll be waiting outside then."


    She lightly nodded. Haruki walked out and went to his room. The nights in Fuyuki City weren''t too cold, but tonight was beyond ''cold.'' This thin outfit won''t do. He changed into a midnight blue sweatshirt and dark pants.


    Generating a Task from your desires...


    ''A Dragon''s Wrath'' Task is now avable.


    Task #2: A Dragon''s Wrath


    Objective: Kill the people involved in your Mother''s murder.


    Difficulty: B-Rank


    Rewards: 1 X Premium Gacha Coupon


    Would you like to ept this Task?


    The System also generated tasks based on his desires. A cool addition as he didn''t have the time to create a task for everything.


    "epted."


    He''d take revenge even without this quest. As if he''ll let them live after killing the only member of his family.


    ''Even if they are a goddamn Dead Apostle, I''ll smash their head.''


    "Master."


    Medea''s voice prompted him to turn, and his eyes widened. She styled her blue hair in a neat ponytail. A simple denim jacket over a ck shirt-style top with a long tan skirt and low profile knee-high boots. No one could call her an ancient sorceress. Rather she appeared like a supermodel!


    "I used illusion magic to turn my ears normal."


    "You look nice."


    Medea smiled innocently as she checked herself. "Really?"


    He replied with a nod. Her smile faded, and her stern expression returned.


    ''Weak to sincerepliments. I see.''


    He noted down her weakness.


    "Well, let''s go."

 Chapter 16: Easy battles

    Chapter 16: Easy battles


    This time the skeletons summoned by Medea didn''t dally around and stumbled toward Haruki. The first skeleton swung down its stone sword. Even an olddy could dodge the attack, given she stayed calm in the face of a skeleton with two blue embers in its hollow eye sockets.


    Haruki sidestepped the attack and snatched the sword from the skeleton. The stone sword with blue runes had a hefty feeling to it. No wonder the skeleton attacked slowly and mechanically like a rusty machine.


    "Haa!"


    Haruki gripped the sword with both hands and swiftly plunged the sword through the skeleton''s hollow ribs. Yet, the sword stopped a moment before it actually struck the spine.


    "Physical defense," Medea answered in his head.


    The multiple joints in the skeleton''s spine shattered. Without proper support from a spine, it broke down into a pile of bones. The tiny mes in the skeleton''s eyes died.


    He had no time to celebrate as two skeletons caught him in a pincer movement. Ance and longsword were ready to smash him into a pulp. A quick step to his right saved his bones. He hacked at one skeleton''s legs and spun, smashing the stone sword in the other skeleton''s face. Thest two skeletons ttered toward him and stabbed his lungs with some coordination. Haruki parried the attacks and gave a cheap low kick to knock the skeletons off their feet.


    His menacing eyes peered down at the skeletons. His lips broke into a twisted grin. Looking down on his enemy ted him. A strange feeling congested his chest. He lifted his leg and stomped the innocent skeleton''s head. Simrly, he crushed the other two skeletons'' heads.


    "Master"


    The stark change in Haruki befuddled Medea. She saw a simr change when he read the letter left by his mother. This raging side of Haruki might be a detriment in the war. Of course, she took it as her duty to find the cause of this change. Perhaps it was rted to the phenomena that turned his skin red as though fire surged through him. Of course, as his servant, she wouldn''t let anyone exploit her master.


    Medea pondered, unknown to the changes happening in her heart.


    The skeletons faded into ashes; so did the sword gripped in Haruki''s hands.


    [Awakening progress: 0.22%]


    The notification sealed the bubbling emotions. Haruki let out a long sigh.


    "I went overboard."


    He got drunk on power. He hadn''t gone through many emotional changes in this life other than the time his mother hung herself. Only his dragon race could be responsible for his anger issues. He just had this hunch.


    "Fuck."


    His dragon race was a double-edged sword. Though the drawbacks were minor if he kept his head cool and focused on the battle.


    "Sorry. I lost my cool there."


    "It''s fine, Master. Do you want to fight stronger skeleton warriors?"


    "You have a stronger version?"


    "These were the weakest ones. The better ones can utilize weapons and techniques like real warriors."


    "Heck yeah. I need a weapon a spear is better."


    He poured hundreds of hours into sojutsu, only because it allowed him to use a simple stick as a weapon. Well, it was also the coolest.


    "I can create a mystic code it might take days if I start now."


    Mystic codesa very versatile tool that could do many things such as enhancing a spell, performing a magecraft outside of a magus''s specialty, or storing things in an imaginary space. Some could even develop their conscience.


    Medea''s item construction skill created mystic codes far above the ones humans of this era were capable of. And she could do so without wasting any wealth as her skill was also capable of creating any material with magic power.


    Medea also knew how to create potions that granted limited immortality or turn a human into a walking magic stock.


    She was a terrifying foe against any magus. However, servants with magic resistance were her bane.


    "Mystic codes I remember them. Can you make a spear capable of casting a reinforcement spell on me?"


    "I absolutely can. However, as I said before, it will take time I think putting time in my temple is more efficient."


    Haruki shook his head. Even if Medea fortified her temple to the limits, the results would be the same against Gilgamesh.


    "Don''t forget we have Semiramis now."


    The Hanging Gardens of Babylon was far superior in both defense and offense.


    "My temple is inferior?" Medea whispered, eyes narrowed on Haruki. Losing against Semiramis of all people irked her. She never had any mercy for people who schemed against her, but she had to swallow her resentment as they both served the same master.


    Haruki shook his head. "I never said that. It''s just not enough to take down Gilgamesh."


    Medea reluctantly agreed with Haruki. Gilgamesh, the king of heroes, carried every Noble Phantasm in existence inside the Gate of Babylon. He had a Noble Phantasm avable for every situation possible, even to counter and nullify magecraft.


    Medea summoned the skeleton warriors. They appeared the same but their aura waspletely different. Haruki charged in the same manner and pulled thence in a skeleton''s hand. Other skeletons grouped up and attacked him at the same time.


    The skeleton couldn''t resist his inhuman strength. Haruki seized the weapon and spun an entire circle with thence. The skeletons backed off to dodge before pouncing at him.


    The previous skeleton warriors summoned by Medea couldn''t hold a candle in terms of tactics and coordination.


    Could their teamwork be of any use before absolute strength? Haruki stabbed thence in a skeleton''s open mouth and smashed the back of its hollow head. As he clutched the shaft with both hands, a stone sword crashed into his back.


    The heavy sword surprisingly hurt less than the time he fell downstairs.


    ''Dragon body.''


    Appreciating the traits of his new race, he iled thence with a healthy skeleton, shoving the skeletons meters away. The minimum distance he required to demonstrate the full power of his Sjutsu.


    He swung thence thrice, his movements a mere blur. Three skeleton heads burst into white fragments before their headless bodies copsed.


    For the next few moments, the forest echoed with bones cracking and asional cooing of pigeons.


    [Awakening progress: 0.29%]


    Medea watched the battle through her hood. These levels of battles happened daily in her kingdom when warriors fought for a chance to be knights. However, Haruki''s precise movements caught her eyes. His talent and instincts were no less than any heroic spirits in their prime, and his race far more mysterious. If he survived this war, he had every chance to be a famous figure in this era.


    Yet, this man was willing to throw away every chance to revive his mother. Praiseworthy and foolish at the same time.


    "Give me more," Haruki requested with a smile.


    He could spare ten more minutes. He''ll need another shower to wash away the umting sweat.


    Medea fulfilled his request and threw more skeleton warriors at him. For each batch, she sneakily increased theirbat knowledge and made their structure sturdier. Yet, Haruki ughtered even the strongest skeleton warriors.


    She found it hard to believe that this man never learned magecraft.

 Chapter 20: Sigh

    Chapter 20: Sigh


    I know you guys are hyped for the Saber-ss servant. The thing is I have 12 chapters on my patr.eon, which means I have already decided which servant Haruki will summon. I''m not going to change the story now.


    So


    It''s


    Time


    To


    Stop!


    It''s a note for those whoment thinking that I''ll change the plot for them. It makes me feel bad for some reason. Like I''m seizing my cousin''s candy and eating it in front of them. I have the entire fate/stay night plot mapped out, so I don''t need any suggestions regarding servants.


    Jk <3

 Chapter 26: Order

    Chapter 26: Order


    Haruki slipped out of Medea''s robe and ascended the long stairs leading into the temple. He arrived at the open area of the temple.


    "It should be in the cavern underneath the temple," Haruki said.


    "Let''s go there."


    Haruki could sense faint traces of mana in the air. The flowing mana was different from his, yet it gave a simr impression.


    He trailed the mana traces into the shrine.


    "Master is sensitive to mana," Medea muttered.


    Semiramis nodded before following Haruki with Medea.


    The mana became more abundant as he wandered deep into the shrine. A door stopped him in his tracks. He kicked it open, revealing stairs descending into a dark cave. He created a fireball to lead the way down.


    "Master, I''ll be at the front."


    Medea stepped past him and descended the stairs.


    "Fine by me."


    The stairs softened into normal terrain. Haruki once again felt the strange feeling he felt when he entered his home with Medea.


    "Master, we entered a bounded field. An advanced one at that," Medea said.


    "It was stopping the priests from entering this area," Semiramis added. "You know that much, right?"


    "I do," he shrugged. "My home also has a bounded field?"


    Medea nodded. "Your mother must have set it up to protect you."


    "Makes sense."


    Haruki continued into the cavern. The putrid smell made him scrunch his nose. After walking for fifteen or so minutes, he arrived at the depths of the caves. The heart of the Ley Line. The mana in the air was ample to the point Haruki felt mana entering his lungs with each breath.


    In the center, Haruki saw a giant magic circle made of a dizzying number of intricate symbols.


    "That''s it!" Medea muttered. "This is the magic circle to summon the wish-granting device."


    "Crack it open if you can. I don''t want to recreate Mom''s body with that thing inside."


    Who knew what kind of twisted amalgamation Angra Mainyu would create for his wish. They had to find a way to purify the corruption. In other words, kill the Avenger Servant''s soul clinging to the Grail.


    ''Sakura''s Hollow element could be useful.''


    But she was too weak.


    He turned to Medea and ced his hand on her shoulder. "I''m counting on you."


    Medea gave a determined nod. "I''ll not disappoint."


    Haruki sighed. He was relying on Medea for the Mystic Code and the Grail. She could handle both just fine as long as she had time.


    "Semiramis," he said with a faint smile. "You can go to collect the materials."


    Semiramis narrowed her eyes. "My master, I can''t carry tons of materials by myself."


    "...Don''t you have a space spell or something like that to store things?"


    "My master, I never had the time to dabble in the highest level of sorcery."


    She was too busy learning to rule over the Assyrian Empire.


    "Master," Medea said. "My robe only has a few meters of space Creating imaginary number spaces used to be an achievement even in the Age of Gods. It''s impossible in the current era without a specific Noble Phantasm."


    ''Can I gain authority over space?''


    "Not so easy, boy," Arch said. "Messing with space is only second to messing with time. A small mistake will lead you to a different dimension or timeline. Also, your magical energy is too weak to grant authority over space. The only path for you is to evolve. Evolve. Evolve."


    "I see. We''re fucked then."


    The Hanging Gardens of Babylon would immensely help him.


    How was he supposed to bring a giant fortress worth of materials without an inventory?


    "Wait. Medea, Semiramis, how much can you lift?" he asked, lips curling into a grin. "Probably a ton?"


    The servants shivered, a bad premonition tugging at their consciousness.


    "Y-Yeah," Medea answered as she snuck over to the magic circle and started analyzing it.


    "My Master, lifting dirt is below this Semiramis."


    "Do you want to win or not?" he asked, looking at with slight disgust in his eyes. "I don''t care if you were an empress or a goddess. I want results, notints."


    He unknowingly slipped into the ''leader'' mode from his past life. He hated unruly subordinates, who kept whining without giving any results. With Rin as an ally and Artoria about to be summoned, he had nothing to fear. He could show his ''true'' face since Semiramis agreed to lend her power.


    Semiramis couldn''t believe she was being forced to do such a task. Controlling the monks and sending them on a journey was a fun errand. Carrying dirt from a different country was not!


    Just as she was about to reject, Haruki''s eyes became cold. His piercing gaze chilled her spine, giving her shivers.


    "I will not do it," she rejected, her voice brimming with authority. She felt she would lose her ''ce'' in the hierarchy if she submitted now.


    "Did you not promise to lend your strength?" his voice became emotionless. "Was it just a false promise from the oh-so-great Empress of Assyria."


    Semiramis fought her ''instincts'' telling her to submit to Haruki. "Ordering a beautiful woman to dobour, my master is a very naughty person."


    "Like I said, I don''t care if you''re beautiful or the ugliest woman in the world. If you want to win, follow my orders, or I''d be forced to use this." He shed hismand spells. "Got that?"


    He wasn''t going to build her fortress while shezed around. Of course, the Command Spells was just a bluff.


    Semiramis gritted her teeth. Every Command Spell was precious. For him to waste one on a trivial order could lead to their demiseter.


    [Charisma Skill evolved to C rank]


    The boon of ordering a former empress around.


    ''Mighte in handy sometime.''


    He observed Semiramis. Her face was calm, but the glint in her eyes was terrifying. He revealed a faint smile. Having faced numerous mafia and yakuza leaders, he could keep a calm face.


    "Very well, my master. You shall have my cooperation in this task." She turned around with a huff. "Don''t be naive to believe you can threaten me again with the Command Spells."


    "It''s your goddamn fortress, Miss Empress. You don''t want to help with that?"


    Semiramis didn''t reply and bit her lips. ''I epted orders from a young man. Uneptable.''


    She clenched her fists for a few moments before she released all the tensions with a deep sigh.


    ''He isn''t normal to give mepulsions.''


    She prided herself over her willpower. Any weak woman would have long fallen and danced on top of his palms. She nced at Medea, who was busy analyzing the Grail''s magic while grinning like a fool.


    ''Like that obedient ve.''

 Chapter 27: I’m taller now?

    Chapter 27: I¡¯m taller now?


    Semiramis observed the city with her dove familiars. She was still wondering how to gather so many materials for her dazzling Noble Phantasm. The best way was to spend tons of money, which will strengthen the Mystery of the Hanging Gardens. But her Master didn''t have the wealth required for that route, so they could only steal the items.


    Haruki spent about an hour with Medea. From her previous words to the current magic circleid before her, Medea had pieced together some information. The Grail was a tool with the sole purpose of opening a door to Akasha with an enormous supply of magical energy. The amount of energy was about the same as seven servants of her level. In other words, every servant in the war would be sacrificed to open the door to Akasha.


    Her Master had told her about another option, which only required the souls of six servants. She couldn''t validate his im as she didn''t see the Greater Grail systemits physical manifestation and its core. It was meant to only appear when the Lesser Grail had amassed enough energy. Even so, she came to know that her wish required the sacrifice of seven servants as it would create a different timeline where Jason will be dead before Aphrodite cursed Medea. Any change rted to the timeline was only achievable through Akasha.


    That meant discarding her wish as well as her life.


    Giving another look at Haruki, Medea sighed.


    ''Can Master give me happiness? If yes''


    She didn''t mind sticking around with him even after the war ended. Was it love that pushed her or just pure reliance on someone who opened their heart to her? She didn''t know, neither did she care.


    Medea told her findings to Haruki through telepathy. As if she''d trust the Poisonous Witch with precious information like this. If pushes to shove, Medea didn''t mind discarding Semiramis.


    Haruki, who already knew the information, sighed.


    ''Anything about Angra Mainyu?''


    "Nothing for now. I can''t do anything without manifesting the Greater Grail System," Medea conveyed with a tiny smile. "I''m confident in doing it in less than a day."


    He wholeheartedly believed in her. In one of Shirou''s bad endings, she had done the same and fulfilled her wish by using Shirou for his projection magic. She had the capability of tinkering with magic. After all, the entire Heaven''s Feel System was still made with magecraft of the modern era. It couldn''t stop her if she set her eyes on obtaining her wish.


    "Hmm." Haruki rubbed his chin. "Caster, you should work on my Mystic code today, then on the Grail."


    "As you wish, Master."


    Haruki ced his hand on her cheeks. "Thanks for making my life easy."


    Medea ced her hand on his, revealing a charming smile. "It''s what I want to do."


    "My master, stop flirting," Semiramis said. "Can I move to this ce? It mayck the luxury of a castle, but I can make do with it."


    "Sure. I''ll still stay at home."


    "I''ll stay with Master," Medea added, recalling Kaede''s teasing behavior. She was going to lure out the mischievous woman for her son.


    They returned to the surface. He chose a random room and sat down with his servants.


    "Caster, you''ll be working on that. Semiramis will be creating bounded fields around the temple."


    "I already did that," Semiramis said with a smile and triggered the bounded fields. "My dumb master."


    He felt the thinyer of mana in the air. For Mages, the effect was non-existent unless it was a specialized bounded field like Medusa''s Noble Phantasm ''Blood Fort Andromeda'', which sucked the magical energy of anyone trapped in it. Any human would unconsciously avoid this area protected by normal bounded fields.


    "I have something to do at the school," Haruki said and checked his wristwatch. "In about two hours, I''ll leave with Semiramis."


    "Master"


    "Stop worrying. I''ll be fine."


    "Okay"


    Medea relented, afraid of annoying him too much.


    "Can you create some skeletons for me?"


    Since he had some time, he was going to smash some skeleton heads.


    "Of course," she turned to Semiramis with a re. "Help out Master."


    Two witches red at each other. Semiramis gave up with a sigh.


    "Fine"


    He dragged the two into the yard. The wide, open area was an awesome ce to spar. Medea created some dragon tooth soldiers and left a ton of dragon fangs to Semiramis. Her job was to recreate them until he was exhausted while Medea worked on the Mystic Code.


    Haruki wasted no time in charging at the skeleton warriors. Using the same snatch and kill technique, he finished off a group of nine skeleton warriors.


    Semiramis sat on the wooden tform outside the shrine, resting her face in her hands.


    "More," Haruki said.


    Shezily tossed a few dragons fangs to create another batch. A fight of this level was outright boring to her.


    ''Damn it.''


    His pride hurt, just a little. Keeping his dragon pride under control, he dove into another fight and finished off the seven dragon warriors.


    [Awakening progress: 1.0%]


    [Authority acquired: Dragon Core (Iplete)]


    A wave of magical energy burst from him, pushing him off the ground. He levitated a few meters off the ground, feeling the magical energy rampaging around him.


    Semiramis''s eyes widened. Her years of experience in magecraft and witchcraft didn''t tell her about this situation. She was about to help him, but Medea held her back.


    "Don''t disturb him," Medea said, watching Haruki closely. If anything was dangerous, Haruki would have told her.


    He looked fascinated and happy as he felt the magical energy coursing through his veins. His Od slowly reeled in and umted near his heart. He sensed another heartbeat from the newly found ''dragon core'' in his chest. The dragon core had multiplied his magical reserves by several folds. His muscles felt hardened, his flesh bursting with energy. It was as if he was reborn.


    [Mana Flow Control Skill evolved to D rank]


    "This is just the beginning," Arch said, a hint of pride in her voice. "You''ll see how broken our race truly is."


    ''I can see that already.''


    "It''lle with many risks such as Gaia or ya finding you andbeling you as a threat to humanity or the world. Your dragon aura is sealed, and your current power is no threat to any conceptual entity."


    ''This will be a bumpy ride''


    He looked over to Semiramis and Medea. The former was full of curiosity about his change while thetter had a hint of worry in her eyes. He stopped himself from clearing her concerns and bringing her usual soft smile back.


    ''Not now.''


    Instead, he checked his status and the new authority.


    [Haruki Hayashi]


    Species: Dragon [Current awakening progress 1.00%]


    Age: 17


    Gender: Male


    Height, Weight: 181cm/75kg


    Alignment: Chaotic Neutral


    [Parameters]


    Strength: 10 (E)


    Endurance: 10 (E)


    Agility: 8 (E-)


    Magical energy: 40 (B)


    Luck: 10 (E)


    [Authorities]


    Dragon Heart


    ...


    Dragon Core (Iplete)


    A dragon core that can generate nearly unlimited magical energy as per your desires.


    His height and weight increased alongside his stats. No wonder he had this odd feeling about his body being more robust.


    ''What''s the catch with this core?''


    No conditions were listed under the dragon core despite it being iplete.


    "Sharp as usual," Arch answered. "It will burn your blood if used too much."


    ''That''s How do Iplete it?''


    "Awaken more."


    He saw this retorting from a mile. Arch was bing too predictable for a goddess.


    "I''m a muscle-head. Is that what you want to say?"


    ''No. I was talking about our rtionship. We''re growing closer every day. Don''t you think?''


    ""

 Chapter 33: You are a dragon

    Chapter 33: You are a dragon


    Almost out of top 10. Tomorrow''s chapter depends on you and your stones!


    ***


    Shirou didn''t know what was happening to him. His mind was a blurry mess through and through. He couldn''t control any part of his body as though he was struck with severe paralysis.


    ''What happened? Where am I?''


    He faintly recalled finishing sses. What could have happened after that led to this situation? His mind was too out of focus to specte anything.


    While Shirou was growing more confused by the situation, Haruki entered the room with Medea and Semiramis. Medea wasted no time as she pulled out her Rule Breaker and stabbed Shirou''s chest. The dagger sank into his soul and severed the link between him and Avalon in an instant. Pieces of metal covered in golden aura drifted out of Shirou and floated above Medea''s hand.


    Shirou felt like he lost something. A thing so precious it couldn''t be put into words. But he could do nothing.


    "Avalon, the ever-distant utopia yearned by King Arthur," Medea murmured and assembled Avalon. "It is as beautiful as the legends describe it."


    Haruki couldn''t help but nod at her words. Medea turned to Haruki and presented Avalon in her hands. The golden sheath was decorated with enamel blue. A luxury that could only be afforded by kingssuch was the grace and nobility of Avalon.


    Semiramis pressed her hand on her cheeks. "I have to agree on this. How did this boy obtain this treasure?"


    "That''s a long story," Haruki said and took the sheath.


    "I love stories, my master," Semiramis said with a wink. "Ancient tales go hand in hand with fine tea."


    Haruki ignored her seductive invite and looked at Shirou. "Semi, can you send him home without making anything suspicious?"


    The only reason he tried to be sneaky was for Taiga-sensei. She had always looked after him in the school even when he didn''t want her to. Any harm to Shirou will leave her devastated.


    "It''ll be a child''s y," Semiramis said.


    "Please do."


    Haruki left the room with Medea and headed to a different room. He once again asked Medea for the summoning circle. Medea sensed the urgency in his voice and pushed back the idea of replenishing her magical energy.


    ''Later, when I teach him.''


    She nned a different approach and squatted down to carve the summoning circle. Haruki watched her since he had nothing else to do. He will never know his attentive gaze made Medea sloppy. She took twice the time, fumbling a few times.


    "Finished."


    "Well done," Haruki said and gave her a hand. She grabbed it without hesitation and pulled herself up.


    "We can start now," Medea said, swallowing her urges.


    "Sure."


    While holding Avalon, Haruki channeled his magical energy into the circle. The Od flowed out of him like a tide and discharged into the magic circle. Medea had to check twice if he was the same person who made a contract with her. The difference in Od quality and quantity was like heaven and earth.


    ''What happened earlier changed Master.''


    His growth was only a good thing. Seeing him grow stronger filled her with pride and a little worry. If he kept growing at this rate, he will attract the attention of pesky mages. It''ll be harder to deal with them once the greater grail stopped supplying her with magical energy.


    ''I''ll have to do something.''


    Nobody was going to ruin her or her master''s life. Those who tried will pay the price with their blood.


    A blinding light signaled the arrival of a newrade.


    As the light faded, Haruki found himself standing face to face with his new servant.


    Artoria Pendragon.


    A young woman whose blonde hair seemed to emit a light glow. She donned shining armor over a vivid blue dress. Her armor and old-fashioned dress melded seamlessly with her dignified air. She might have intimidated Haruki if it weren''t for a strand of blonde hair sticking out of her head.


    ''Ahoge.''


    Artoria''s lips parted. "I ask of you. Are you"


    Artoria paused and shock shed in her emerald eyes. Not because she sensed a Servant. The young man before her gave her a sense of deja vu. His magical energy carried a familiar signature.


    ''Vortigern.''


    The white dragon who stood against the Age of Man in Britain.


    "Why did you stop?"


    Artoria stared at Haruki emotionlessly. "You''re a dragon."


    It was Haruki''s turn to be surprised.


    ''Other dragons can sense me.''


    Artoria was half dragon and half human. A human with a dragon core to be precise.


    Haruki turned to Medea, who gazed at him with inquisitive eyes.


    "Yes."


    There was no use lying now since Artoria already knew his race. Medea revealed a smile, realizing he trusted her with the truth. She already had an idea about his race. His agreement only confirmed her theory.


    "Then are you master?" she said, her voice valiant like her appearance.


    Her question brought a hot feeling in Haruki''s left hand. The pain made him flinch.


    ''Now both hands. Great.''


    Artoria spotted the glow of the Command Spell and nodded her head. "I, Servant Saber, havee forth in response to your summons. From this time forth, my sword shall be with you and your fate shall be with me."


    It didn''t matter whether he was a dragon or a human. As long as he summoned her in the Holy Grail War, her sword was his tomand.


    This concluded their contract.


    Artoria finally paid attention to Medea. "You are?"


    "Master''s first servant," Medea said in a polite tone. "There is another servant beside me. Let''s get along and win."


    "Another?"


    Artoria blinked her eyes. "Three servants?"


    How was this possible? She wanted to ask. The war that happened ten years ago had seven servants, each belonging to one master. Yet, her master had taken control of three servants and had sixmand spells in his possession.


    ''This will be too easy.''


    It was a dishonorable thought, unfitting of the King of Knights. Yet, it was her honest thought. Her master had enough magical energy to withstand three contracts at once. It seemed endless due to his magic core.


    ''I nearly wonst time.''


    With two more servants and a powerful master, she will not lose.


    Harukimended Artoria''sposure. Any other person would have lost their shit after knowing he had three servants. But she remainedposed throughout.


    [Artoria Pendragon is added to the ''Potential Partners'' list.]


    ''Another one...''


    Seeing her flustered would be a delight, yet he chose to no think with his lower body. Even though fucking Artoria could bring him a lot of benefits, he would need to work a lot to bring down her defenses. He might have tried it if he wasn''t working his ass off to revive his beloved mother.


    "My master, I''m sorry I screwed up."


    Semiramis''s voice reached his ears.

 Chapter 38: Doubts

    Chapter 38: Doubts


    At the end of the stairs leading into the Ryuudou Temple, Artoria stood, her face carrying a solemn expression. The wind blew past her cheeks, gently brushing her hair. The choice she made moments ago still lingered in her mind. Caster had ordered her to retreat in desperation. Of course, she wanted to retreat and help her Master against Rider. But she had already sensed Berserker quickly approaching the temple. Caster''s magical energy was low, so Artoria stayed back to cover Caster retreat. Berserker didn''t change direction when Medea departed, making her relieved about her choice.


    ''Master might get angry.''


    He had shown her respect, even returning her Avalon. However, she felt like she made the right decision this time. Without anyone in the area, she could go all out against Heracles with her Excalibur. The exceptional regeneration provided by Avalon will allow her to show her true power and slowly chip away at his twelve lives. Unless Heracles could destroy her brain in one strike, she will be victorious. In fact, the feeling of Avalon and her boosted parameters gave her a sense of invincibility.


    ''A dragon''s magical energy.''


    It was then the Greek Hero, whose fame was on par with her,nded on the stairs. A web of cracks spread under his bare feet. His colossal figure wore a single diator skirt. Each muscle on his body was covered in lead, bulging with monstrous strength.


    Even Artoria was put off by the madness emanating from his bloodshot eyes. He was a caged beast ready to unleash his fury on his foes.


    ''It''ll be a hard fight.''


    Artoria narrowed her eyes at the white-haired girl sitting on Berserker''s shoulder. She could sense the homunculus magical energy was above Haruki.


    ''Einzbern''s homunculus.''


    The girl looked simr to the daughter of her old friend, Irisviel Von Einzbern. But she met the kid a decade ago. The little girl would have be a young woman by now, or so she imagined. The advanced homunculus of the Einzbern appeared close to humans, yet none of them possessed emotions. Irisviel was an exception since Einzbern prepared her as a Lesser Grail.


    ''Kiritsugu never told me his daughter''s name.''


    Artoria summoned her Noble Phantasm Excalibur. An invisible sword appeared in her hand, sheathed by a barrier of super-high pressure air. Invisible Air, the Magecraft Merlin taught her. After all, Excalibur was known to all servants in the Throne of Heroes and modern mages.


    Illyasviel hopped down Heracles'' shoulder and tilted her head. "Are you Saber? Where are Assassin and her master?"


    Saber''s dignified aura, her posture, and her ancient armor reminded Illyasviel of the knights from fairy tales. A servant from the Assassin-ss will never opt for a duel against someone of Berserker''s level. His aura alone could crush a weaker servant''s fighting spirit, let alone an Assassin''s.


    "Assassin?" Saber questioned. "There is no Assassin here."


    "You''re alone here then?"


    Saber nodded since her words carried no lies. She was curious about the reason for these two hunting down her Master, but she didn''t let it show on her face.


    "I''m not here to fight you," Illyasviel said as she cheerfully climbed the stairs. "You can return to whoever your Master is."


    Artoria could swing her sword and murder Illyasviel, but such tactics weren''t chivalrous. More importantly, she sensed no fighting intent from either of them as though their goal was simply finding Haruki.


    Artoria gripped her sword. "You won''t find anyone inside."


    "I must check," Illyasviel replied, her voice determined. "They can''t escape what''sing for them. Berserker, with me!"


    Heracles strode past her, showing no intention of fighting her. Artoria turned around. Heracles''s back was wide open, but Artoria knew better. The moment she makes any movement, Heracles will strike back.


    "What did Assassin do?" Artoria asked.


    "He poisoned Shirou," Illyasviel said as she prepared her magical bird familiars and sent them to scout the ce. "My brother."


    She put away Excalibur, grim at the discovery. She didn''tpletely believe Berserker as it could be a lie to nt seeds of discord between her and Haruki. There was one thing that irked her.


    ''Did he poison other masters and force them to surrender their servants?''


    A single doubt slipped into her heart. Was he simr to her previous master who used the most underhanded tactics to assassinate masters? Her hatred for Kiritsugu still remained for he destroyed her chance of fulfilling her wish. All she wished was to stop her past self from pulling out the Caliburn. If only some more worthy king led the kingdom, Merlin''s prophecy would nevere true and her empire would never face a brutal end. If she wasn''t king, the whole rebellion would have never started.


    After all, a simple rejection had fueled the rebelion.


    ''Mordred.''


    The memories of her "son" were fresh in her mind.


    With a frown, she descended the stairs to the temple her master ordered her to protect and wandered in search of her master.

 Chapter 40: Survival instincts

    Chapter 40: Survival instincts


    "She reunited with her sister."


    An aged voice resounded in a dark room. A hunched old man stood in an ocean of insects, leaning on a wooden stick for support. He was basking in the virescent glowing from the singlemp on the ceiling. The worms wriggling and chirping in hundreds of chambers in the walls was a symphony to his ears.


    Zouken Matou.


    He once swore to eliminate all evil in the world and create a utopia for everyone. For that wish, he sought a miracle beyond the reach of his human hands. The throes of time had twisted his mind and soul to the point he forgot his real purpose.


    Left with nothing but an obsession forpleting the Holy Grail for immortality.


    "Shinji has lost himself Sakura is disobeying everymand I send to her... Is this not the time?"


    He had left one worm crest in the nerves connecting to her heart. It was for an emergency case as well as controlling her thoughts through suggestions. He could hear what happened around Sakura. Right now, he couldn''t send any suggestion as though something blocked him.


    "It is time," a voice answered as Angra Mainyu emerged from the mass of insects.


    A woman with long silver hair and red eyes simr to Illyasviel. She wore a skirt tainted in its curse. This form was nothing but ast ditch effort out of pure survival instinct. Having heard Medea''s n to ''kill'' it, the All World''s Evil could no longer stay still. It, who possessed no ''self'', had used the remnants of Irisviel''s soul to manifest in the physical world. It naturally inherited several traits from Irisviel, thus leading it to contact Illyasviel first.


    Zouken sluggishly turned to Avenger and his dark eyes widened. "Who are you?"


    He felt like he had seen the woman before. Where and when? His corroded soul could no longer remember. Yet, he had a feeling she was more than just a normal Einzbern Homunculus.


    Avenger tilted its head, for it didn''t know who or what it was. All it remembered was its goal of representing everyone''s desire to be the All World''s Evil and lead humanity to its demise.


    "I''m Avenger I need your help in creating the Lesser Grail."


    It stuttered, feeling lightheaded from the corrosion of its ''self.'' It could no longer contact the iplete Lesser Grail, the one it shared exceptionalpatibility with. So it searched for persons whose souls were tainted with the mud. Surprisingly, it found three people. One of them was a man whose entire heart was made out of corrupted mud of the Grail. Another was a being so powerful and radiant that Avenger shrunk in instinctive fear. Thest one was the old magus standing before it. He had traces of the tainted mud all over him.


    "Avenger? The servant whose soultched onto the Grail in the Third War So you want toplete the grail huh."


    "I will fulfill your wish."


    Zouken pondered for a moment before he shared his wish. "I wish for immortality."


    "I''ll give" Avenger''s voice sounded a little desperate as it vanished from Zouken''s eyes.


    Zouken closed his eyes and tilted his head back. The chirps of hispanions filled him with wisdom.


    "Sakura Target her weakness. Twist her. Break her spirit" he muttered. "I will start with him she holds him dearly without ''her'' protection, he is nothing."


    He had given up on his wish this time because of that woman''s chances of participating in the Fuyuki Holy Grail. But she died a mysterious death, doing him a favor. He couldn''t wait to engage with her son and his servant. If only that Tohsaka girl didn''t guard him, he could have taken him and his servant down alone.


    As an old magus, he was confident in his strength.


    ***


    Haruki plopped down on the bed and raised his head to the ceiling. Rin had left in a fit of embarrassment, looking cuter than ever in the process.


    "My Master, I found her! Bringing her back now."


    He had sent Semiramis to find Saber. After getting away from Rider, he had gone straight to the Ryuudou Temple, only to find no traces of Artoria anywhere. Medea had pointed out that Berserker and Illyasviel were present inside the temple.


    ''Don''te now.''


    "My master, you want me to spend the night on the streets? There are brutes out there I might get dragged by some shady man."


    ''As if. Just manipte some rich person into leaving their house. Archer is here, and I don''t want to show you two to Rin. She might get super cocky.''


    "Understandable. By the way, my master never told me King Arthur was a pretty blonde!"


    ''Did you ask her why she left without a fight?''


    "She wants to meet you as soon as possible. She has some questions for you. From the looks of it, it''s rted to Berserker''s Master."


    ''Tell her to meet me in the morning. I''m busy at the moment.''


    He dyed Zouken''s demise until tomorrow. Neither he nor Artoria was in the best of their mental conditions. A simple hesitation could give Zouken a chance to escape.


    "Busy? Oh. Will you be pushing down your ve witch?"


    Semiramis was so bubbly as though she was a different person. She didn''t wish to maintain her all-powerful queen''s image during these conversations that never happened face to face. The difference was like Jeanne D''arc and her alter ego. Honestly, he preferred this side of Semiramis over her haughty queen side.


    "You wanna join?" he teased.


    In the end, it''ll depend on what Medea chose. The brazen woman might just go straight into the bed.


    "Huh? My master wants me to warm your bed?" she asked in an innocent voice. "It can''t be after you rejected me so brutally when I asked."


    ''...''


    "If my master wins the war, I might..." Semiramis giggled and cut off the connection.


    ''I might backstab you, huh.''


    He finished her words and shook his head. Keeping up his guard around her became more crucial. He sighed and recalled Rin''s deration.


    ''Sakura is my lucky charm.''


    To think the girl he was pushing back brought him two servants. He could still manipte Illya and bring her on his side. After all, Semiramis had poisoned Shirou, and nobody in the era could make an antidote in a short time. Shirou''s antidote will just be a way to calm down her anger and invite her over to a chat. He had many things that could tempt the homunculus girl to his sidethe most effective solution was none other than the power of friendship!


    "Kaa-san, are you here?" He whispered, looking around with desperate eyes. "If you are, please show yourself I can''t go on like this"


    She wasn''t the only one who knew how to act. It was only a little payback for keeping him in the dark for his entire life.


    "Haru"


    ***


    Irisviel isn''t alive. Just wanted to make that clear. It''s thest of her soul which will eventually fade away.

 Chapter 41: Answers

    Chapter 41: Answers


    "Haru" A whisper followed the wind. "I can''t Now isn''t the time"


    Haruki''s eyes widened. He could never forget this soothing voice, not even in a million years.


    "Why did you hide everything? Why?"


    "I''m sorry. It was necessary to keep them away."


    "Them? Who? Are they your murderers?!"


    "My murderer" she trailed off.


    Haruki felt a warm body pressing against his back. The supple softness of his mother was ingrained in his mind. Her unmatched breasts were the point of envy of every woman in the neighborhood, and he got a feeling of them every day when she sent him off to school with a bright smile and a warm embrace. The woman hugging him wasn''t his mother.


    The scenting from her belonged to Sakura.


    "Did you possess Sakura?"


    Kaede decided to ignore his sharp awareness with Sakura''s body and scent. "I''ll apologizeter."


    He grabbed her hands from his shoulder and turned around. The softness in Sakura''s gaze was melting. It was undoubtedly his mother.


    "Kaa-san."


    He threw his arms around, pushing her back on the bed. He was on the verge of tears when she ruffled his hair and squeezed him in her arms. His dragon pride didn''t let him shed a single tear, helping him keep some dignity before the woman he loved.


    ''I wanted to spank her for what she did, but it''s Sakura''s body.''


    Sakura''s bust wasn''t any less than his mother''s.


    "How does Sakura-chan live in this body?" Kaede asked, surprised by the number of worm crests swimming in Sakura''s blood. "I was right to dote on such a tragic girl."


    "Can you fix her?"


    "These intricate tasks are suited for Medea, not me," she admitted and rubbed her chin on his shoulder. "I won''t tell you about my murderer. You''ll die even with your little servants."


    Haruki''s eyes stretched in shock. "It''s friggin'' ya who murdered you?"


    "ya won''t make a murder sneaky." Kaede shook her head. "He still qualifies as a cmity."


    Hearing his usually gentle mother cursing so casually made him think back to the bold, provoking pictures.


    "So it''s a man is he my father?"


    That would make sense about his lineage. Cmity could be anything in Nasuverse. Beast-ss servants, Types, gods, daemons. It was hard to guess which one killed his mother.


    "Um, no," she said. "About your father he is long dead."


    ''Already kicked the bucket.''


    Even if he was alive, Haruki wasn''t letting him meet his mother. She belonged to him. Not the scum who never showed his face after Haruki came to this world.


    "Did you love him?"


    "Never," she denied in a jiffy and nuzzled her cheeks with his. "I only love you, my momcon son."


    "Aren''t you a soncon too?" Out of all retorts at the tip of his tongue, he chose the most gentle one.


    "I am," she confessed. "I''m proud of that!"


    ''Didn''t I say the same words to Arch?''


    The gears of his mind turned, but he couldn''t find any resemnce between them. His mother was bold, a master maniptor through and through. One so high that his mind, which had been sharpened through numerous lows and highs, couldn''t see through her. Another was a forgetful goddess, who watched him for nearly two decades but forgot to activate his system. Like how high must one be in order to achieve this brilliance.


    "Don''tpare me to her," Arch growled. "I''m a dragon goddess, not a foolish mother. I had my reasons to neglect your system, hmph!"


    "Haru" his mother whispered. "I always wanted to ask Do you love me? Do you see your mother as a woman?"


    Haruki was about to nod, but his mother''s hands trailed up his spine and caressed his back. Her tits squished against his chest. She released a hot sigh, and bit on his earlobes. His body heated up, and he found it harder and harder to control the lust building in his core.


    "Do you see me as a female you want to fuck every day and night until her belly is like a balloon?"


    Her sultry voice sent shivers down his spine, nearly causing him to pop an erection. If she had tried this trick before, he''d have let go of his restraints and pushed her down. The disparity between the woman he grew up with and the woman confessing her feelings to him couldn''t be any wider.


    "I do."


    Kaede licked his earlobe before she backed away with a giggle and pulled him into her chest. "I wish I had tried this before Haru, Mama wants a kiss."


    "Uh, but you are in Sakura''s body."


    "Sadly You kick the other servants'' asses and get the grail," Kaede said and hushed her voice into seductive whispers. "I want to be embraced in the body you create for me, my dear Haru~."


    "Fine by me."


    "I''ll return Sakura''s body before it explodes!"


    She patted his head once before she vanished from his face. He straightened himself and took a sigh.


    ''At least she is alive and well. Did Sakura see what happened here?''


    It would be a little awkward if she saw him in his vulnerable state. He wanted to be a reliable person in her eyes. Her reliable man to be precise.


    A gentle breeze told him of his mother''s arrival.


    "Anything else you want to ask?"


    "I wanna see you."


    "I left photos for you, Haru. One of them shows everything. So please don''t make that face"


    She barely managed to hold her ground before Haruki''s sincere gaze. She will never show the ugly scar to him.


    Haruki could only ept what she said. If she didn''t want to reveal herself, then nobody could force her to. Her stubbornness was on whole another level. If stubbornness could be scaled from 1 to 10, his mother would be 11!


    "Close your eyes," she said.


    "Fine."


    As he closed his eyes, Kaede appeared before him, her golden eyes flickering. The adorable face of her son up-close flooded her chest with warmth. It reminded her how much he meant to her. She tried to cup his face in her hands, only for her hands to pass through him.


    ''Stupid Daemon. Why did he have to kill me?''


    Kaede pouted her cheeks. "Don''t rush the war for me take your time and be stronger. We''ll have to fight stronger entities in the future. I know you can do it!" Kaede vanished with those words. "You can open your eyes now. The girls worked hard on the dinner. Don''t let it go to waste."


    "Strong entities?"


    He blinked his eyes. He had to fight Heracles and Gilgamesh. Golden Boy had Enuma Elish; the sword could casually destroy half the world, and she called him weak.


    He didn''t want to imagine how he could fight them as he was now.


    ''No point in letting it weigh me down.''

 Chapter 42: Taste of Blood

    Chapter 42: Taste of Blood


    ''Tell me about my new skill.''


    Blood Conversion [E]


    Info: Acquired from Dragon Blood Authority.


    Effect: The dragon blood can be converted into flesh to heal flesh wounds.


    "Healing with blood."


    If only he skill used the magical energy in his core for the healing instead of his blood.


    "No pointining. Medea..."


    The sorceress appeared before him and flipped back her hood. "Master?"


    She was clueless about this summon.


    "How do you want to replenish your magical energy?" He went straight to the point. "Blood or Semen? Think about it. I''ll do it after dinner."


    It was a test to see his mother''s reaction. Whether or not she supported his ambition of making a harem. Even if she denied him, he couldn''t leave Medea and Sakura. They had grown on him more than he ever thought.


    Medea was put on the spot for the umpteenth time today. Her magical energy reserves were painfully low, barely reaching twenty percent. Only a magus''s help will restore it. However, engaging in sex here was the worst option. Kaede was one powerful spirit, and Medea feared her wrath.


    ''She might kill me''


    She thought of a different approach to avoid a tragic ending.


    "Master, what do you want to do?"


    She dumped the responsibility on Haruki.


    Haruki showed an amused smile. "You''re asking a man if he wants to share his blood or fuck a lovely woman?"


    Medea unconsciously smiled at thepliment. "I mean"


    Letting her hesitate was a bad idea. Haruki seized her hand and yanked her. She fell on hisp, her butt directly above his crotch. He brushed her hair from her cheeks. His tender touch made her blush.


    "Medea, do you trust me?"


    His solemn voice nailed home the seriousness of his question. As Medea opened her mouth, she felt a lump blocking her throat. Her heart told her to wait instead of giving a rushed answer.


    "I have entrusted my back to you as a precious ally," Haruki said and pressed his lips on her cheeks.


    Medea nodded seriously. Nobody would reveal everything about Grail without trust.


    ''Master doesn''t seem like a person to take a stupid approach. He trusts me.''


    Unknown to the thoughts brewing in Medea''s head, Haruki reached for the pointed ear poking through her azure hair and pinched it between his thumb. "I want us to be more than that. I know a momcon like me doesn''t have the right to say this, but I want to make you a happy woman. Will you stay here with me after the war ends. As my woman?"


    He shredded through her heart''s defenses. She never thought her usually serious master would outright ask her to be his woman, and all of it came from his heart without a hint of a lie.


    Medea couldn''t endure the feelings swelling in her chest. Sliding her arms around his neck, she hugged him. "Master, I don''t care about anything I just want to be with you."


    If it was his n to slowly soften her heart with affection until she craved life in this warm house, then he seeded. He gave him warmth on the rainy night, giving her shelter and his trust. Going back in time with the Grail will change nothing. Everything will remain the same. How could she crave something so far out of her hands when a man was vowing to cherish her for who she was?


    100 points gained with Medea. Rtionship status changed to ''Lover.''


    Task Completed. Well done!


    1 x Premium Tier Gacha rewarded.


    "Medea conquered," Arch said. "Congrattions, boy. Now fuck her to get some juicy authorities."


    He rolled his eyes. ''Way to ruin the mood.''


    "Master Haruki-sama, we should go now. Dinner will get cold."


    An odd feeling of confidence filled him when he heard the all-powerful sorceress addressing him with ''sama.'' He won''t be able to hold back his lust if she addressed him one more time with the new name. He rubbed her ears again, something he found satisfying. Her embarrassed reaction was just a plus for having fun with her soft ears.


    "We''ll continue after dinner."


    Medea nodded and released her hold on his neck. Continuing this would only lead in that direction. She looked forward to experiencing it with him.


    As they left the room, Kaede materialized in the room, chewing her thumb with a big frown. "I''m getting ntr''d before my eyes"


    She wasn''t a bit ''angry'' about it. After all, she had lost the ability to feel such trivial emotions long ago. Her onlyint was...


    "I can''t join them!"


    ***


    Sakura served dinner in the dining room. The table was big enough for everyone including Archer but he refused to join them in the dinner. Sakura was distracted, a disorienting feeling tugging at her head. Rin said she was in the toilet for nearly ten minutes. She didn''t recall going to the toilet or having the urge to go there.


    ''Am I finally breaking down?''


    She shook her head, getting back her confident smile. Haruki had decided to show her the affection she wanted for a long time. She wasn''t going to let a small doubt stop her now.


    Meanwhile, Rin raised her head from her bowl and looked at Caster. Her magician robes and chopsticks was a strange sight even for Rin who grew up to always expect the unexpected. Haruki, who sat beside Caster, shed a smile. Rin buried her head in her bowl.


    ''Why am I hiding? We''re allies. Equal position. Equal power.''


    She had nothing to be embarrassed about! She puffed her chest and matched his gaze with confidence.


    Haruki returned an amused smile, holding back a chuckle.


    ''What is she doing?''


    ***


    Artoria clutched the railings of the bridge with her left hand and lifted her yellow hood with her right hand. The river sandwiched between two parts of the city glittered under the moonlight.


    "What did Master say?"


    Semiramis'' emerged from the shadows with a smile. "Wait until he contacts me again."


    "...Did he get injured in the fight?"


    Even when clouded by doubts, she prioritized his safety above all.


    Semiramis chuckled in a hand. Artoria''s indecisiveness amused her. "He is well. You, on the other hand, look bothered about something. The wind here is pleasant. Why don''t we talk about your problem before we look for a ce?"


    Artoria turned her head, her emotionless emerald eyes locking on Semiramis'' face. "Did you poison an innocent man?"


    Semiramis twitched at her usation. "I don''t harm someone if my goals are unrted to them."


    "You did it then," Artoria said, her voice still emotionless. "Did Master order you to do it?"


    Even if he was a dragon, she didn''t want to support another Kiritsugu who cared naught for honor and promises.


    "You''re getting everything wrong about my master," Semiramis said with a frown. "Berserker''s Master caused a big confusion."


    Semiramis usually wouldn''t be patient with someone. But she was standing before King Arthur. A fellow ruler and a powerful servant who could lead them to an easy victory. So she exined everything from the start.


    Artoria was perplexed at the turn of events. More than that, she was a little embarrassed for jumping to conclusions.


    "My master could have killed that man after getting Avalon, but he didn''t. For you to doubt his character" Semiramis sighed, acting like she was hurt. "I thought King Arthur had an eye for judging people."


    Artoria felt every word piercing her heart. She clenched her fists unconsciously, crushing the metal railing under her gauntlets. "I''ll apologize to him."


    Unknown to Semiramis, her advice fueled Artoria''s inferiorityplex further.


    Semiramis leaned on the railing to hide her smirk, feeling proud for getting them on the same page.


    ''So easy. This naive girl is the legendary King Arthur? She seems to have some trust issues.''


    She''d have doubted the fact if it weren''t for the enormous magical energy emanating from Artoria''s petite frame. Semiramis had to use her skills as Assassin and Caster just to stop it from attracting other servants.


    ''I stole clothes to cover her armor. Semiramis, the Queen of Assyria, using her presence concealment to steal frommoners.''


    Even if she ends up conquering the world, this dark memory will haunt her for the rest of her life.


    ''He better be grateful about it and reward me ordingly. What do I ask?''


    She recalled the sweet taste of his blood and licked her lips. She was no vampire, but the taste of his blood gave her the urge to drink some more. It was like wine, but sweeter and rich with magical energy. She wouldn''t be able to discern if someone served her a ss of his blood.


    ''I''ll save the reward for when I''m out of magical energy.''


    Despite her flirtatious interactions with Haruki, she wasn''t going to let him or any other man have the pleasure of sharing a bed with her.

 Chapter 43: Medea (R-18)

    Chapter 43: Medea (R-18)


    4 chapters, and I disappear for another week.


    ***


    [author] 4 chapters for this week. I don''t need to say anything else. *Inserts Spongebob Imma head out meme*[/author]


    Haruki headed to the bath after dinner. His mother had put extra money into carving a rather small pool on the floor. It could fit more than five people. Though he only used the pool when he was in the mood to rx.


    ''Mom is really modest.''


    As a magus, avish lifestyle was easy to get for her, but she chose to settle with a small house.


    ''Why was she doing two jobs for me?''


    He couldn''t understand her reason to put herself through so much.


    ''Another question to ask her.''


    "What''s your n now?" Arch asked. "I''m curious about your mindset after suffering a loss."


    ''I''m over it now. Getting to the Land of the Dead is a priority. I need to find a way to get the Hanging Garden''s materials faster.''


    His previous n will take too much time. Time was a luxury he wouldn''t be able to afford once Kirei and Gilgamesh came to know about his number of servants.


    ''Rin can''t lend me that amount.''


    He had the option of asking his mother. Perhaps she amassed some wealth for emergencies. He doubted it could fund the cost of the materials for the fortress.


    "Stressed? You will feel better after pushing down the woman who beat you."


    ''The make-her-submit strategy. Did you try it?''


    He expected no less from a dragon.


    "Huh, no. I don''t have any mates. Nobody is stronger than me."


    ''Did you forget to see your doctor this month?''


    "Hmph."


    ''There goes the tsundere goddess''


    "Haruki-sama, can I wash your back?" Medea asked as she appeared. "I''ll also wash after you."


    Servants produced sweat just like normal humans. The creation of the mystic code, then a tense flight through the cityall made her sweat a lot. The uing event needed her to be at best if she wanted to be more loved.


    ''I''ll show him heaven!''


    She pumped her fists.


    Haruki chuckled at her enthusiasm. "I''ll dly offer my back then."


    Medea gulped in anticipation as he pulled up his shirt. She finally got a decent look at the chiseled body that belonged to her man. He tossed his shirt and pants before he took off his boxers in one fell swoop.


    Medea''s eyes widened.


    ''B-Big too big. A dragon is hiding another dragon down there!''


    Her confidence to show him heaven crumbled into dust. She was more worried if she could even take the entire thing inside her.


    ''I-I''ll do my best.''


    An air of determination flowed around her.


    Haruki stretched his muscles which were still brimming with energy. The first awakening made him tougher than ever.


    Noticing Medea''s surprise, he smiled. His looks might have changed after death, but his penis was the same as beforea machine made to conquer women. Well, he only used it to vent his lust. Today will be the first day to make love to a woman he loved.


    ''Can''t wait for it.''


    Medea followed him into the shower cubicle. She was too diligent in rubbing his back, giving him the feeling of a spoiled husband. He picked an important topic to distract himself from the graceful movements of her hands.


    "What can we do about Sakura?"


    "Nothing I haven''t found a way to extract the worms from her blood. I need to be quick and precise before they eat away at her body."


    She could create potions for limited immortality, but they won''t work when a body is being eaten from inside. To make a different potion to kill them within a short time without harming Sakura would take a lot of time. After all, most of the materials she used wouldn''t be avable in this era, where the mystery was on the verge of disappearing. Creating a mystic code would again consume time. She felt incredibly ipetent tock the ability to fulfill his request.


    "We need someone who could kill the worms in Sakura''s bloodstream in seconds. Right?"


    "Yes, Haruki-sama."


    "Someone who knows in and out of the human body"


    Haruki knew one person. She was closer than he could ever imagine.


    "Semiramis. Her poison can help."


    Medea''s eyes widened. She hung her head, epting that the Queen had a far higher chance of aplishing the task without much preparation.


    "I don''t want us to owe her a favor," Medea muttered. "She will use it against us."


    Haruki turned around and hugged Medea. "She will do it."


    A word from his mouth or sixmand spells; it was easier to guess which one carried more might.


    Once he calmed down his boiling emotions, he came to realize the soft body held within his arms. The scent wafting from her hair captivated him.


    "H-Haruki, I need to wash"


    Seducing him here wasn''t the best idea. Anyone could walk in and ruin the mood.


    "Okay."


    He exited the shower. Medea grabbed his clothes and helped him dress. She had taken the ''wife'' role in a matter of an hour.


    Haruki was used to servants doing things for him in his previous life, so he didn''t fuss over it.


    ''As expected of Nasuverse, the servants are natural at acting the role of a wife.''


    Nero, the UMU Empress, even had the Bride alignment to boot.


    "Did you bring the spear?"


    He was going to test it while she took her time washing.


    Medea pulled the spear out of her robe and handed it to him. Haruki nodded and made his way out of the bath. He stumbled into a wandering Archer, who was searching for him.


    His gray eyes flickered toward the spear in Haruki''s hand. "A Mystic Code."


    As expected of the Wrought Iron Hero, he had a keen eye for weapons.


    "Wanna try?"


    Emiya held the spear in his hands and closed his eyes. The reinforcement magecraft spell allowed him to grasp the structure of the spear in a mere second.


    "A Specialized Mystic Code. It''s set to invoke a reinforcement spell to strengthen the wielder when supplied with magic energy." Archer returned the spear and held his chin. "It''s impressive craftsmanship. You''re skilled with a spear?"


    "A novice at best."


    Even though he was the best among normal humans, his skills with the spear couldn''t bepared to any servant out there.


    "Rin told me we''re allies now. I don''t have much to do here. Do you want to learn from me?"


    Emiya didn''t have the best skills with a spear, but he had battled the greatest spear users throughout his life. He quite liked the selfishness Haruki''s wish carried, even if he knew that wish would fall t in front of the Greater Grail. The concept of resurrecting a family member was nothing but false hope to bunch up his crumbling life. At least those ideals were born out of his selfishness, unlike Shirou''s ideals to be a hero of justice who could save everyone. Such fake ideals only existed in fairy tales, not in real life.


    ''Let''s hope he learns more with Sakura and Rin and moves on from his impossible wish.''


    Haruki blinked his eyes in surprise. The offer immensely helped him in every way.


    "Let''s start tomorrow morning."


    "Great."


    Was this the start of a new friendship? Haruki hoped it was. After all, Emiya was a reliable guy. Even so, he was always sacrificed just so his younger self could getid and have threesomes. The Counter Guardian had his work out for him in every route.


    ***


    Haruki returned to his room and tried swinging the spear. The weight behind each swing generated a sharp sound. Unlike the wooden spear he was used to, it was rather hefty and more solid to grip.


    ''Perfectly bnced as all things should be.''


    Haruki filled the spear with mana. The silver runes on the shaft gained a faint glow. A deep purple sea surrounded him. Ripples ran along its surface, creating a rhythmic symphony to his ears. Each ripple snapped something inside him as though he was breaking free of a shell. Itsted for several seconds, but it carved a deep impression on his heart.


    As he came to himself, the silver runes gained a violet glow. Sizzling violet magical energy trailed his movements. He didn''t dare swing the spear, knowing all too well the magical energy will burst forth to crush even the stone wall. He felt like the spear could absorb more magical energy.


    ''How high is the reinforcement?''


    He checked his status to find nothing. The status showed his base stats, nothing more, nothing less.


    "Do you want to see the weapon''s stats?" Arch offered in a tempting voice. "I can help you."


    ''You''re so helpful Arch. I don''t deserve this kindness''


    "I''ll analyze it when youe here for your Noble Phantasm."


    ''Thanks.''


    Haruki waited for the magecraft spell to die on its own. Itsted nearly five minutes, an impressive amount for the magical energy he spent.


    ''Not even a tenth.''


    He practiced with the unnamed spear until someone knocked on his door. He opened the door to find Sakura. The blush on her cheeks was prominent due to her pale skin.


    "Senpai, can we talk inside?"


    Rin also climbed the stairs at that moment. "Wait. Let me join."


    That''s how he found himself seated between the sisters. Coming straight from the bath, the aroma of soap enveloped him from both sides.


    Rin was nervous to be inside a boy''s roomte at night. Countless possibilities yed in her mind; each one giving her a rush of embarrassment. She noticed a spear leaning against the wall and approached it.


    "This is?" She stopped herself from touching the elegant spear. "A Mystic Code?"


    She recalled the man sitting close to Sakura was offered to represent nationals half a year ago. His refusal and reason stirred the school for days toe.


    ''I can''t go because of my mom.''


    She couldn''t help but think of Sakura''s statement about his affection for his mother. Was Sakura right about this? She gulped her dry saliva. If it was, what would Sakura do?


    "Caster made this?"


    "Yup. A masterpiece."


    "It''ll sell for a million for its beauty alone" Rin muttered under her breath.


    Her family had gone from one of the richest Fuyuki to an upper-ss family in the span of a decade. The culprit was Kirei''s trash management of her family assets. Good thing she gained money for her patents yearly, otherwise, her Jewel Magecraft would force her to take loans.


    "Crap. I''m not here for this," Rin cursed under her breath and crossed her arms under her chest. "We''re going to stay here today. You could get attacked while I''m not here. It''s better to take care of those what-ifs."


    Haruki couldn''t help but smile when she drew weird gestures while going to great lengths to exin why it was vital for her to stay here.


    "You can stay in mom''s room with Sakura. Or sleep in the living room. Options are limited here."


    "I''m also staying here?" Sakura asked.


    "You aren''t going anywhere," he said, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. "I met Shinji earlier. He has gone mad. I don''t want you anywhere near him."


    Shinji would most likely vite Sakura if she returned to Matou''s mansion now.


    Sakura became tense from the hug. More so when Rin''s inquisitive eyes said, "You said you two weren''t dating, then what''s this?"


    Haruki pulled her to lean against his shoulder and stroked her hair. She closed her eyes and loosened up.


    "We''ll manage in your mom''s room," Sakura said. "Senpai, when will you strike Shinji?"


    She couldn''t wait to remove the thorn that stuck with her ever since she was little. If Haruki wasn''t here, he might have done something horrible.


    ''He always looked out for me. If only he could solve one more issue''


    She trailed her thoughts with a deep sigh. She couldn''t ask for him to help out with worm crests when he was busy with the Holy Grail War. Someone out there must have the power to help her. A miracle to help her be normal again.


    "Goodnight, you two."


    Rin wasn''t going to be a third wheel here. Despite all her ferocity, her heart belonged to a teenage girl. She also longed for a thrilling romance, one that rocked her world with sweetness. This feeling got stronger the more time she spent around this couple. So escaping this was a way to her freedom!


    Haruki let Sakura go, even though the girl really wanted to stay longer.


    "Night," Rin gave a brief farewell and walked out of the room.


    Haruki stopped Sakura by her hand. "Wait."


    Sakura turned around, only to feel his strong hands holding her face.


    ''He is going to''


    He gently pressed his lips against hers. Sakura always dreamed of her first kiss to be taken by him. She wanted to share her every first with him, but she repressed her feelings. She didn''t feel worthy to be his, and she was afraid to ask for more.


    Yet, the abrupt kiss stirred the demons in her heart. More desires grew in her heart. The feelings she suppressed until now burst forth like a tornado.


    ''He wants me.''


    The thought alone gave her the strength to clutch his shirt, lean back her head, and stuck her tongue out.


    Haruki was a little surprised to see her boldness. He just wanted to reassure her that he didn''t treat her as a little girl. Even in surprise, his reaction was licking back her little tongue.


    The fierce sh of tongue and intimate exchange of saliva left Sakura breathless.


    Haruki pulled back, leaving a trail of silver string attached to Sakura''s lips. Her untangled, sweaty violet hair stuck to her face. Her face was a blushing mess as she panted hot sighs in his face.


    "S-Senpai" She covered her lewd expression with her hands. "Why did you?"


    Her adorable act filled his heart with sugar. He had to stop himself from prying open those hands and kissing her again.


    "I have to say it then I guess. Sakura, I want you to be mine."


    Sakura peered through a gap in her hands and saw his serious expression. He wasn''t lying.


    ''He really does''


    "Don''t get so excited now. Medea and I found a way to get rid of your worm crests. You just need to wait for a day or two."


    She uncovered her face and tried to say something, but her throat refused to let out any word. Her eyes blurred before heaps of tears gushed forth.


    "I told you. Don''t get emotional."


    "I am not emotional." She rubbed her sleeve on her eyes as though trying to hide her tears. "I''m happy"


    She always worried over her feelings for Haruki, whether he liked her or not. Getting a straight answer from him relieved her. Herst problem that gnawed at her soul was going to be fixed soon.


    "Senpai''s servant is Medea, the Witch of Betrayal" Sakura said, attempting to change the topic. She had to warn him even if he knew about her.


    "Don''t call her witch in front of her. And no, she is a sweet woman. Her legends don''t do her justice."


    The way he praised Medea made Sakura suspicious. Medea had helped him with Shinji and Rider, otherwise, he wouldn''t have survived an encounter with a hostile Shinji. She was on their side, helping them out.


    ''I shouldn''t be jealous''


    She whispered numerous times, pushing back the ugly feelings trying to reared its ugly head.


    Haruki didn''t dare tell her about his rtionship with Medea and his mother. He already risked it by confessing to her right now. However, Sakura wandering around with an inferiorityplex was also a ticking bomb.


    Haruki solved her remaining doubts with a crushing hug. Her soft body melted in his embrace, and her breath slowly hiked up in arousal. "I''m sorry for not telling you earlier."


    "No, Senpai It''s not your fault."


    His scent was only making her lust stronger. If she stayed any longer, things might go extreme. She pushed him back. "Goodnight, Senpai... I''ll see you tomorrow."


    She dashed out of the room and returned to Kaede''s room. Locking the door behind her, she slumped down. Her hands slowly crept down while she cupped her breast with her other hand. The act that came after relieved her oppressive sexual desires for the night.


    ***


    Medea entered the room and shut the lock. A wind swept behind Haruki and casually brushed his cheeks.


    "Haru, I know what you''re up to here," Kaede whispered emotionlessly in his ears as a wind traced the back of his neck. "I won''t interfere if you n on making a harem."


    She came at the right time to answer his long-awaited questionhis harem.


    "But, don''t expect me to get along with every woman. I can tolerate Medea, and I love Sakura-chan. I don''t like Semiramis at all. Her greed for power gets on my nerves."


    Kaede was a woman without ambitions. Joining Clocktower was a means to provide safety to Haruki, otherwise, Mage Association would have never seen her face nor known her abilities. She could squash her pride if it meant keeping her son happy.


    "I''m not sure about Semiramis myself."


    "Great. I wanted Haru''s first time, but it''s not possible anymore."


    Medea took form in front of him. "Haruki-sama, it''s your first time?"


    Medea was going to flip a table if Haruki nodded right now. How could a man sweet talk like this without having real experience? It frightened her to imagine his growth.


    Haruki gave a nod at her question. "Kind of."


    He wasn''t counting his previous life''s experience here. That life had long be dust.


    Kaede chuckled. "Medea-chan, can I borrow your body? It''s a mother''s duty to guide their son. I can''t do it without your help."


    "No."


    Medea''s instant rejection crushed Kaede''s hopes. This mother-inw of hers better be joking because she wasn''t going to back out. Her weak and timid self had faced betrayals after betrayals, even from the ones she loved so much. She had every bit of desire to squeeze the most out of this life, with the man she loved.


    ''Master''s first timehow can I give up on this opportunity?''


    She licked her lips, her predatory eyes concealed behind her hood.


    "F-Fine I''ll cry in the corner."


    Kaede''s presence disappeared from the room. Was her rejection too cold?


    "Kaa-san, I love you," Haruki said as he plopped down on the bed. "You don''t have to borrow someone else''s body. I''ll give you one soon. We''ll make plenty of love then."


    "Haru, you''re making me blush," she whispered. "Medea-chan, I''m calling dibs on the day I''m resurrected. Haru will be mine and mine alone that day and night."


    "Understandable." Medea agreed with the notion. "Please go now. I don''t want to make you more envious."


    "Sayonara."


    She just didn''t wish to be seen as a selfish woman in his eyes.


    Haruki took Medea''s hand and pulled her to sit beside him. Medea felt her heartbeat rising for good. Her previous experience couldn''t help her anxious heart at this moment.


    "Nervous?" he smirked. "I''m too."


    He had his share of sex throughout his previous life. None of them had any love involved. Well, most were his attendants from his family or his secretaries who were more than happy to warm his bed.


    The sinking unease of holding Medea''s fragile hand couldn''t be helped.


    Medea giggled as she pulled back her hood and dematerialized her cloak. Her smirk was yful and mischievous, and her azure eyes were filled with affection. The loveliness of a woman in love radiated from her, giving rise to a wave of anticipation.


    Medea was about to close in for a kiss when Haruki raised his hands and grabbed ahold of her face. Medea pressed her palms on his chest, and hurriedly slipped onto hisp. Her passion burned brighter than ever when their lips met. Her hands flew for his clothes and hastily unbuttoned his shirt. His craving for her lips softened her grip halfway, stopping her conquest on his clothes. Her cunt clenched in anticipation, getting her slightly wet with just the kiss.


    ''This is his first time?!''


    His movements had no sloppiness whatsoever. She chalked his wild kissing techniques to his desire for her.


    The sweet aroma of her saliva fueled his primal desires. His hands reached down and cupped her breasts over her velvet robe. The silk robe got in his way more than he liked. He almost used his mes to burn the robe stopping him.


    ''Dragons are too emotional.''


    Pulling back his lips, he took a look at Medea''s misty-eyed face. Her violet lips quivered, prompting another yful peck from him.


    A stunning blush tinted Medea''s long ears. He leaned and yfully bit her ears. "You look incredibly cute."


    Hispliment hit her weak point. As a lover of cute things, being cute in her man''s eyes was the best thing ever! The sense of achievement made her giddy, even more when he toyed with her elf-like ears. Haruki''s hand trailed down her neck, and he gently pinched her nipple poking a hole through her robe. She squirmed under his gentle-yet-rough caress of her breast. Once he had enough taste of her ears, he released her and pinched the slits of her dress.


    He haphazardly undressed her, impatience apparent in his movements. She was left in nothing but a lovely pink bra. Her wless body wasid out before him. Seductive tight thighs, lovely long legs, and an alluring butt that couldn''t be more perfect.


    His hands reached to attack her breasts, but she escaped with a yful giggle and slid down hisp.


    "Let me do this first."


    It was Haruki''s turn to help her in lowering his shorts. His half-erect cock sprang free before her face, filling her nostrils with its musky scent. As she kneeled before him, her ever so revealing warm cleavage sucked his gaze.


    A woman so strong kneeling before him ted his pride to another level. The feeling ended when her flexible fingers wrapped around his shaft. She gazed up at him with a smirk as though saying, "Watch this closely."


    He indeed did what she wanted. She smacked her lips and opened her mouth, taking the crown in her mouth. Her nimble fingers held the base of his shaft as she worked her warm mouth to swallow his cock. She didn''t have the best blowjob techniques, but damn her warm mouth felt good.


    Slowly but surely the pressure increased, and his breathing heavily from pleasure. As she bobbed her head up and down hisp, he pinched her ears while stroking her hair. The head swelled in her mouth, and he released his mana-filled seed.


    Medea swore she would have choked on the massive load if she wasn''t a servant. Still, the lust of seventeen years clogged her throat. It took several gulps to swallow everything. But when she did, her entire body felt rejuvenated. It was better than drinking her immortality potions, better than any source of magical energy in existence.


    ''By the gods, he is truly a dragon.''


    Haruki panted for a couple of seconds before he regained himself and gazed down at her. His lustful grin made her shudder.


    "It''s my turn now."


    He pulled her up. With one graceful movement, he flipped her around and forced her to sit on hisp. His hardened cock was pressed between her closed thighs, a couple of inches below her hole.


    He pressed his lips on the creamy skin of her nape. His fingers left a zing trail on her waist before stopping at the bridge of her bra. He pulled at it with a little force. A loud snap was heard inside the room. Her tits bounced to show gratitude. Nothing was in his way of touching those tits. They weren''t the biggest, but they weren''t small eitherher B-Cup breasts fit perfectly within his big palms. The pink nipples became more erect under his hand.


    His red eyes flickered with primal lust as he mauled at her breasts like a starved man leaping at a te of food.


    Jolts of pleasure ran through her veins as moans. His frenzied worship forced moans of ecstasy out of the sorceress.


    ''H-He is like a wild beast.''


    Medea should have thought so before giving herself to a dragon. Now he was the evil dragon, and she was a helpless princess at his mercy.


    He slipped a hand into her panties and fiddled with her puffy mound. A nip or two at her clit, he shoved two fingers inside. The folds of her depths tightened around his fingers. Several careful probes made her moan louder than ever.


    ''Found it.''


    Massaging her breast and scratching her weak spots at the same time was too much for the sorceress. A violent gush of feminine juices gushed from the depths of her juices as she shook and squirted, leathering his fingers and her panties with her love nectar.


    Azure orbs rolled to the back of her head.


    This was her first orgasm after a long time. It was also the biggest orgasm of her life.


    "So wet. I''m skipping the forey."


    His voice wasmanding, and she obeyed with a nod.


    He lifted her body and lowered her beside him. She pulled back legs in an M position, giving him easy ess to remove her panties.


    Medea''s teary eyes gazed at him as he disrobed her. She never thought her first time with her master would be like this.


    She forced her body up and wrapped his arms around his neck. Sitting on hisp, she gripped his leathery cock and probed her opening with it. She moved the crown back and forth inside without letting it fully enter her.


    She couldn''t help a pleasing shiver from his warmth. She released her grip on him and pressed her forehead against him. Her sticky hair clung to his face, her feminine scent deepening his desire to push up his hips.


    "Haruki-sama, let''s win this war."


    She gave an utterly confident deration.


    "We will."


    Haruki gripped her butt. She arched her back at the unexpected roughness. A single, firm pull on her butt parted her insides, and he reached all the way to her womb.


    The tightness made him groan.


    Medea gasped at the sensation of being filled to the brim. "O-Oh fuck Haruki-sama."


    If she hadn''t climaxed just now, she swore this would be another climax. She clung to his neck and pumped her hips. His hands never left her butt, violently forcing her up and down hisp. Despite the fact she moved, he was the one under control of everything. Her weak spots were scraped again and again until her mind went nk, and she squirted on the bed.


    Haruki smirked and forced her to keep moving even when she just came!


    The squelching sounds were made as he pumped into her pussy brimming with her juices. For a couple of minutes, he kept giving the pleasure she hadn''t felt for a long time.


    "Medea" he grunted as he lifted her in the air and pushed her down. He took her leg and raised it in the air, forcing her to twist her body. "I''m close."


    He slid back in and increased the tempo further.


    "Give it to me," Medea squeezed out the words between moans.


    Haruki shut his eyes tight and rammed inside, giving her a painful yet stunning creampie. She once again felt her insides coiling around him, squeezing him for all his worth. His seed was spilled at that moment.


    Haruki pulled back. Instantly, a mix of their love juices spilled forth from her hole.


    She took a pillow and rested her head, relishing in the burst of pleasure and shivering ecstasy.


    ''It was insane''


    Haruki was about toy beside her when a series of notifications blocked his vision.

 Chapter 44: New Authority

    Chapter 44: New Authority


    [''Partners'' Authority activated.]


    [Authority acquired: Protection from the Witches]


    [Skill acquired: Magic Resistance]


    [Dragon Blood Authority is resonating with Magic Resistance skill.]


    [Magic Resistance skill evolved to A-Rank.]


    Haruki was stumped by his new authority and skill.


    Protection from the Witches


    You are immune to attacks from a witch.


    Magic Resistance [A]


    Info: Created from your Dragon Blood Authority.


    Effect: Grants protection against magical attacks. Any spell below A-Rank is nullified altogether.


    A look of surprise shed in his eyes.


    ''I''m immune to Semiramis and Medea now. Nothing special, I guess.''


    He waited for some sassyment from Arch, but she didn''t give anything.


    His cock begged for his attention, ready to go a few more rounds. He looked back to Medea. Her face was flushed while her body wasyered in sweat. A sorceress with beauty rivaling a goddess. His cock hardened even more. That was until a faint crimson glow erupted from her.


    "Medea?" he voiced, concerned at her state.


    Medea shut her eyes tighter as she felt his magical energy coursing through her. Her core was already filled after she swallowed his semen. So the abundance of magical energy did the impossible. The magical energy enveloped her servant core and nourished it.


    "Ah!" She moaned from the overwhelming warmth of her master. "Haruki-sama~."


    Any growth of her parameters should be impossible, but the nourishment strengthened her magic resistance as well raised her magical energy reserves.


    ''This upgrade''


    She glowed from the euphoria filling her chest. Raising her body, she saw his concerned look.


    "Did you know it will happen?"


    "WhatYou''re stronger?"


    Her magical energy had increased. Even an amateur magus could tell her change.


    "All thanks to your dragon blood." Medea gave him anguid stare, one full of seduction and fondness. Her gaze descended on his cock, and a giggle escaped her lips. "Haruki-sama."


    She gracefully closed the distance and pressed her hands on his chest. Of course, he didn''t give her the satisfaction of pushing him down. Grabbing her by her thin waist, he flipped her around. She may be the strongest magus in the current world, but she was inside his bedroom. He couldn''t control the rhythm if she rode him. His carnal desires couldn''t be sated with slow sex.


    Medea fell over on the soft bed and her boobsnded on the pillow. She raised herself, lifting her butt higher for him.


    "Mhmm this is fine too."


    She never experienced this position. After all, Jason''s ''righteous'' mind thought of mating like animals as a disgusting act.


    ''Curse that man.''


    He never truly cherished her. Always using her for doing his dirty jobs. After receiving the throne, he had the balls to feel ''scared'' of her cruel methods; the ones she used to give him a kingdom.


    She nced back, receiving a grin from Haruki. Even though he was more handsome than Jason, he cared for her in his own way. She may have been raised as a princess, but a simple life with him cured the ''poison'' in her heart. Even though she knew everything will go haywire at some point considering his dragon race.


    "What are you waiting for, Haruki-sama?" she shot him an impatient look and wriggled her butt. "Empower me again!"


    Haruki wasn''t waiting. Rather, he was admiring the lines of herparativelyrge butt melding seamlessly with her waist. Digging his hands into her soft butt, he spread her asscheeks. She reached down and stretched her pussy to help him prate. Once he did, Medea let out a breath she didn''t know she had. She closed her eyes and widened her stance. Her eyes fluttered, her head spinning with pleasure.


    Squishy noises filled the room since his cock was slick with her juices, and her vaginal walls were still lubricated with her fluids and his cum.


    "It feels so fucking good," Haruki murmured as he massaged her butt.


    Medea responded with a muffled moan, putting more effort into working her hips back and forth.


    It was only the beginning of an hour-long session.


    After which, the couple found themself cuddling with each other. Globs of their juices could be seen all over the bed, some even on the floor.


    Haruki knew he could go on. With his stamina and new physique, he might be able to shoot a lot more loads.


    ''Did I be a hentai protagonist?''


    The goddess of dragons was silent as ever.


    ''d she isn''t a voyeur or maybe she is masturbating to this?''


    He smirked at the thought and snuggled his face deeper in Medea''s sweaty breasts. She was mentally and physically spent after being drilled by him. Her physical parameters weren''t the best due to her Caster ss. Otherwise, he doubted he could best her like this.


    ''Artoria has the potential to be a beast.''


    Her reserved demeanor will hold her back even if she bes his woman.


    Medea stretched her arm and covered him. The juices bottled up inside her dripped at the slight movement of her body. Thankfully, she was a servant. Conceiving a child was impossible for her. The fun he had with her would undoubtedly make a girl pregnant. A child meant another weakness. One who couldn''t pull their weight. His future will be full of battles if his mom''s words were any indication.


    ''Need to be careful with Sakura.''


    He was rougher with Medea because she could take everything with her servant body. Sakura will break if he unleashes his lust on her.


    He lightly pped himself to chase the horny thoughts away. He still had a war to win, and a wish to achieve. Then prepare to kill the bastard who killed his mother.


    ''I need to make Sakura stronger.''


    Sakura was his woman. Her fate was intertwined with his. If that person could kill his mother, then killing Sakura would be a piece of cake. He wouldn''t be as lucky as he was with his mother. Sakura''s soul won''t be here to resurrect her. The first step would be finding a way to return her hollow element.


    ''I want to treat her like a princess for letting her suffer.''


    Hisck of strength was the reason for her suffering. He didn''t me Arch for not activating his system. He might have attacked Zouken for putting Sakura through hell.


    Medea ran her fingers through his hair and caressed his scalp. "Any reason for that frown?"


    "Just thinking about some things."


    "I''m stronger than ever, Haruki-sama. I need to test my new limits how much longer these effects willst. I must see for myself."


    "Let''s do that tomorrow. We''re going somewhere before."


    Medea would be his life insurance inside the Land of Dead.


    "Where? What about your Ancient Greek lessons?"


    "It''s a special ce. We''ll do the lessons afterward."


    Medea sighed. "Only if you sleep properly."


    She was concerned over his health. After all was said and done, he wasn''t a spiritual being like her. He had to eat and sleep. Unlike her, he could train to grow stronger.


    ''I have a new method of growing strong now.''


    One that involved making her beloved happier. She licked her lips. This might be the best training in the world.


    Haruki knew the sorceress was going to attack him.


    ''Hey, Arch! Where are you?''


    After a long, painful silence, Arch answered, "Oh, you got an authority rted to witches. Pretty weak if you ask me and don''t me me for seeing you naked now. I stopped watching when you started..."


    ''I don''t mind.''


    He had full confidence in his looks. Why would he mind if one sexy goddess watched him?


    ''Roll the dice!''


    He cashed in his Premium Gacha Coupon earned from conquering the woman, whose mischievous hand slipped around his cock.


    The familiar gacha wheel spun in his face.

 Chapter 45: Another Chance

    Chapter 45: Another Chance


    It was a room endlessly surrounded by darkness. A room the light forgot to bless for days. In one such room, a woman sat against the wall. Her hollow magenta eyes peered at the ceiling. If not for her thumping heart, anyone would have deemed her a corpse with how pale she looked.


    Her vision was blurry, her brain even more.


    How long has it been since she came here?


    She, who used to riddle her limbs in runic sorcery, couldn''t feel the left side of her body. Everything was hollow. Her nerves, her senses, her pain receptors had stopped responding. If it weren''t for her superb life force, she would have long died from blood loss.


    After all, her left arm was cleanly chopped. Her Command Spells were stolen. Her life was like a candle fire flickering in the moonlit night.


    ''Why?''


    She mustered a thought. A question directed at the priest who betrayed her at the peak of her happiness. As the cold embrace of death slowly wrapped her, the faint memories of her life yed before her eyes.


    Bazett Fraga McRemitz.


    She was born in an ancient magus family that had cut ties with the Mage''s Association for being peculiar among the magus families. Where other families passed down their Sorcery Trait through the magic crests, Fraga''s Sorcery Trait ''God''s Holder'' was passed through bloodlines. Through a blood ritual, the possessor of God''s Holder could create Fragarach. A Noble Phantasm wielded as a Mystic Code.


    Taking the Mystic Code, she chose to depart the coastal vige and joined Mage''s Association. She was sent on missions. One of the missions led to an encounter with Kirei Kotomine, an executor of the Holy Church.


    They fought together on numerous asions, tackling the schemes of vampires and many heretics.


    As a martial arts expert and a devoted fan of Cu Chinn, she preferred to build bonds in the old, traditional way. Kirei was the right candidate to be her friend.


    So she trusted Kirei and told her story.


    A few monthster, Kirei invited her to Fuyuki City to participate in the 5th Holy Grail War. It was her chance to be a master and summon Cu Chinn as her servant. She wished for nothing more than a happy ending to the hero she adored in the fairy tales.


    She entrusted her back to Kirei and did the summoning ritual.


    It was the worst decision of her life.


    The moment themand spells burned into her hand, and the moment the wild visage of Cu Chinn graced her eyes, Kirei cleanly sliced her hand with his ck Key.


    A confused Cu Chinn rushed to help her, but amand from Kirei stopped him. Kirei forced Lancer into a contract with him and left her to die.


    As she closed her eyes to ept her fate, a gentle wind blew and caressed her hair. A blurry figure appeared before her, their hand reaching out.


    "Do you want to live?"


    A voice called out to her. A voice that was soft as the whisper of an angel. A voice that could also be mistaken for a devil''s temptation. The Irish woman''s instincts honed through numerous life and death came to life.


    "Answer me."


    The figure''s voice distorted, sounding far away and close at the same time.


    Bazett opened her mouth and squeezed out a word through her dry throat.


    "Ye s."


    If given another chance, she wanted to sever Kirei''s hand and take back Lancer. Could the figure standing before her fulfill her ''wish''?


    ***


    (Haruki)


    Haruki''s breath was held in his chest as the gacha wheel spun. Each moment shaved his mental health. It was hisst premium coupon, and he had no goals noble enough to him another one.


    ''I hate gacha.''


    The addiction was deadly.


    Perhaps the god above heard him or his E-Rank Luck helped him. The wheel stopped at purple!


    ''Another epic!''


    [Congrattions! You have acquired 1 x ''Noble Phantasm: Trap of Argalia.]


    The name rang a bell. He read the description to see what kind of miraculous item it was.


    Noble Phantasm: Trap of Argalia


    Description: The ornate goldennce that once belonged to Argalia, the Prince of Cathay. Thence famed to bring down anyone with its golden tip during the jousting tournaments.


    Rank: Epic


    Skills:


    -Down with a Touch! [A]


    Info: The Lance forces the lower half of any spiritual body into their spiritual form. The result depends on the target''s luck.


    His eyes were as dead as they could get. This Noble Phantasm belonged to none other than the most popr trap throughout the world.


    Astolfo. Even his Noble Phantasm included the ''trap'' word in it.


    He had used it against a crazy servant in Fate Apocrypha.


    ''It''s so so.''


    Unless the enemy servant was a braindead berserker like Spartacus, thisnce had no way of hitting a target.


    His frustration was seen by Medea, who couldn''t help but frown.


    "Haruki-sama?"


    "Nothing" he sighed and got up. "Let''s go."


    He lost the mood to continue after losing his chance. He wore his clothes quickly before watching Medea clean her body with a water spell. The sorceress blushed for a reason unknown when she noticed his gaze. They already fucked like beasts, what was there to be embarrassed about now?


    ''Arch, give me the key.''


    A crimson key, almost fading into ck, appeared in his hands. He instinctively knew what to do with the key. He pushed the key forward and twisted it into an imaginary door.


    Medea opened her eyes wide as she saw the space twist on Haruki''smand. Her spatial teleportation spell ''Trofa'' was an imitation of the True Magic governing teleportation, which couldn''t bring half the result of this phenomenon.


    Medea came forward and shielded him, holding her staff at bay.


    A scarlet mist flowed out of the gap in the space and wove the door that went through the roof. It was more appropriate to be described as an arch created into the space with a dark whirlpool inside.


    The door was there in the physical world, at the same time it wasn''t there.


    ''Creepy. Arch, can you store things for me?''


    "No," denied the goddess. "I''m not your servant."


    ''Booo.''


    He took his spear and patted Medea''s shoulder. "It''s not dangerous. We''re going inside."


    Medea stopped him from entering. "Haruki-sama, please tell me what this is about."


    Haruki sighed and exined the existence of the key that was given by ''the goddess that came to his dreams.''


    "It''s a key to let you grow stronger through battles?" she asked, frowning. "I understand why you asked for Dragon Tooth Soldiers"


    Her hood fell down to hide her face, and her lips curved into a smile that was anything but evil. "This goddess you speak of. She seems rather fond of you to meet you on a daily basis. Could she be...?"


    Her smile was anything but beautiful at this moment. Her ''Jealous wife'' mode sent chills down his spine.


    "Hey, I''m not in love with you," Arch retorted. "Correct it. Now!"


    ''Silence for a second.''


    He put his hands on Medea''s shoulder and looked straight into her eyes. "Are you still doubting me? I feel betrayed."


    Medea saw his sincere look, and her heart melted. The sorceress squashed her dangerous thoughts and threw herself in his arms. "Sorry, Haruki-sama. My paranoia is acting up again..."


    Haruki patted her back as a grin crossed his face. He''d do anything to stop his women from bing the creatures known to men as yanderes.


    ***


    This chapter might be a bit confusing to most readers since Cu Chinn''s original master only showed up in Fate/Hollow VN. Well, she will y a major role in this story.

 Chapter 46: Land of Dead

    Chapter 46: Land of Dead


    "Medea, I''ll be back in a second."


    A sweaty workout with Medea dehydrated him. He opened the door, only to find an abundance of darkness outside as if his room had teleported in the depths of the abyss.


    "Haru, you''re too careless," Kaede gently scolded him. "You didn''t put a bounded field around the room before you pounced on her. Think about poor Sakura."


    Haruki rubbed his forehead. "Thanks, Kaa-san. You saved me."


    Her caring side always touched him. He got so horny that he ended up forgetting his new lover. He didn''t know how to face Sakura if she heard Medea''s moans.


    Kaede brushed his hair with the wind. "It''s my responsibility."


    She didn''t seem bothered by his intercourse with Medea.


    "What did you do by the way?"


    "I isted your room in a different dimension. It''s an advanced-level bounded field. I''ll teach you after the war."


    A nce at Medea''s surprised expression told him how impressive his mother''s feat was. Medea could build a bounded field that isted an area from the world, but with days of preparation.


    "I look forward to learning from you," Haruki said.


    "And I look forward to the day I''m back, Haru."


    Kaede ended the bounded field. Haruki went into the kitchen and hydrated himself.


    ''I want an inventory.''


    He was so jealous of the protagonists who could carry everything in their inventory.


    ''I''ll obtain one of the True Magic for this.''


    He only knew the Second, Third, and Fifth Magic. None of them governed over the concept of space so far. The First or Fourth Magic might be rted to space.


    Haruki returned to his room and stepped into the door with Medea. He felt the space around him shift. Iridescent light exploded and dyed the ck surroundings. He opened his eyes to a jaded door. Torches lit by vivid blue embers were mounted on both sides of the wall. The peculiar mes reminded him of will-o''-the-wisp from folklore.


    Medea''s eyes darted around. An evil aura clung to the walls, even mixing itself in the air. She couldn''t grasp where or what this ce was, just that this ce had an evil aura. Usually, her magical energy should have stopped anyone from teleporting her. Yet, she was pulled in all the same without her consent.


    Haruki was calm as ever even in the face of this evil aura. Rather, he didn''t feel a thing as if his dragon body made him immune to such effects.


    "Let''s enter," he said.


    Haruki stepped forward and pushed open the door with one hand. The same blue torches illuminated the way to an otherwise dark corridor.


    [First floor: The Land of Dead.]


    ''You even modified the system for this?''


    "I had to," Arch said, taking pride in her achievement. "I have modified the system for a couple more high-ranking items that functions like the key."


    ''You''re sweet.''


    "Your glib tongue won''t work on me."


    ''I never use my glib tongue on others.''


    Before stepping into this unknown world, Haruki created numerous tasks. The failed gacha attempts made him lust for more coupons.


    Task #7: Training


    Objective: Clear the first floor of the Land of Dead.


    Difficulty: F-Rank


    Rewards: 3 X Low-Rank Gacha Coupon


    Task #8: Training


    Objective: Clear the second floor of the Land of Dead.


    Difficulty: F-Rank


    Rewards: 3 X Low-Rank Gacha Coupon


    ...


    A task for the floor of the Land of Dead. The E-Rank difficulty spanned from the 5th to 6th floor, and each task rewarded him with 1 Mid-Rank Gacha Coupon. While 7th to 14th floor were D-Rank, giving 1 High-Rank Gacha Coupon for each task.


    ''This difficulty was scaled for me before my awakening?''


    Otherwise, this ce wouldn''t be in low-difficulty mode. Arch molded an entire ce for him to grow stronger, how could she let him have it easy?


    ''Arch?''


    "What?"


    The goddess answered as if she couldn''t read his thoughts.


    ''Forget it.''


    Two balls of blue mes appeared at the end of the corridor. A skeleton with a helmet atop its head and a rusty sword in its hands. It looked like a level 1 skeleton every role-ying game dungeon had.


    "Medea, don''t interfere in any of the fights unless I''m close to death."


    Medea was taken aback by his deration. Knowing his strange ability to grow through battles, she nodded in acknowledgment.


    "I won''t."


    Haruki gripped his spear and charged at the skeleton. A simple swing of his spearunched the skeleton back into the wall. It crumbled into dust, leaving behind a white marble.


    "A drop. It''s like a game dungeon."


    "Indeed," Arch agreed. "Pick it up."


    Haruki walked over and grabbed the marble. He could feel the magical energy inside the tiny marble.


    [Magical Essence (Low-Rank)]


    Info: The crystallization of magical energy.


    His mind raced at that moment, and a n too mischievous to be put into words formed. He tucked the marble in his pocket and grinned.


    ''It''s perfect.''


    "Wasn''t it weaker than my Dragon Tooth warrior?"


    Haruki nodded at Medea''s question. "Well, it''s only the first floor."


    ''Let''s hope Arch didn''t put an evil god on thest floor.''


    "You''re raising gs there, my boy," Arch humored his fighting spirit. "Though this recklessness is what makes us dragons."


    ''Speak for yourself. I''m a cautious fellow.''


    He continued his journey in the dungeon. He encountered a couple more skeleton soldiers before a new type of skeleton blocked their path. The bones peeking out of its dull bronze armor were pure white as though someone polished them not long ago. The ax in its bony hands was thicker than the rusty swords wielded by weaker skeleton soldiers.


    The skeleton guarded the door that led to the next floor.


    ''It''s boss?''


    Haruki repeated the same process of rushing at the skeleton and swinging his spear. The skeleton instantly crashed into the wall to its left and crumbled just like its minions.


    [Taskpleted. Well done!]


    [3 X Low-Rank Gacha Coupons rewarded.]


    "Boss," Haruki muttered with a deadpan face. "Was it?"


    [Magical Essence (Mid-Rank)]


    Info: The crystallization of magical energy.


    At least it dropped a higher-ranked marble after its demise.

 Chapter 47: Awakenings?

    Chapter 47: Awakenings?


    Haruki pushed open the door. A curved staircase heading into the next floor came into sight.


    ''It''s going up. A tower?''


    He expected it to be a dungeon, not a tower.


    "Thend here is rotten," Arch said. "I thought it was better to create a structure. It''s shaped like a triangle, and you''re at the bottom. The higher you go, the bigger the floors."


    ''A genius. Is yourst name Kayaba?''


    "I''m not a nutty game master."


    Haruki''s eyes widened. Arch caught his SAO reference as though she lived and breathed an otaku life.


    "And don''t underestimate a goddess'' intelligence."


    ''Ah yes. The goddess who forgot to awaken my system.''


    "Iforget it."


    Haruki shook his head. Riling her up didn''t get him the answer he needed. The rtionship between his mother and Arch was a suspicious one. It could also be rted to the reason she didn''t awaken his system before his mother''s death. Even Arch wasn''t stupid enough to forget a thing for seventeen years.


    This floor was once again riddled with skeletons. The boss was four of the skeleton bosses of the previous floor with several normal skeleton warriors. Nevertheless, he made short work of them.


    [Taskpleted. Well done!]


    [3 X Low-Rank Gacha Coupons rewarded.]


    "Haruki-sama, did you gain anything other than those marbles?"


    Haruki checked his status.


    [Awakening progress: 1.15%]


    "Not much. We need to go deeper to find strong opponents."


    Medea shuffled the marbles in her hands. They were pleasing to touch and could act as mini leylines to provide magical energy. However, the few they had would barely make a dent in her massive mana pool.


    "The second floor was more difficult than the first one. How big is this ce?"


    "We''ll know soon."


    So he entered the third floor.


    The first fellow he encountered drifted through the hallways. A ghostly figure shrouded in a white robe, from which three sharp ck ws stuck out. A bloody tongue simr to a lizard''s tail was in ce of its mouth. The ghost was straight out of a horror movie.


    "It''s a wraith, Haruki-sama. Souls with deep grudges against something. Ordinary attacks won''t hurt it.," Medea informed. "My enhanced reinforcement spell should work on it."


    "Wraith," he repeated. This ce had more things inmon with the Land of Shadows than just a simr name.


    The wraith finally decided to pay attention to him. It soared, nearly touching the ceiling, and wailed. The crimson tongue shot out. Haruki instinctively blocked the tongue with his spear. The cunning wraith wrapped its tongue around the shaft and tried to yank the spear from his hand.


    ''Woah. This thing has a brain.''


    "Haruki-sama, its tongue is its medium to interact with the physical world."


    Haruki grabbed the tongue trying to disarm him and crushed it into a bloody pulp. Activating the reinforcement, he plunged the spear into its head. Violet mana swirled at the spear tip, bing a fierce cyclone that effortlessly copsed the wraith''s spiritual body. It left behind a simr Magical Essence to the skeleton boss.


    [Awakening progress: 1.31%]


    ''Sheesh. Now I know why Kuzuki could go against Artoria. Medea is such a cheat mage.''


    "That was anticlimactic," Medeamented with a grin and took his hand tainted in the spirit''s blood. She pulled out a clean cloth from her robe. "It might be a curse if left alone."


    Haruki gazed at her with a smile as she dutifully rubbed his hand. "How is your magical energy now? Any side effects yet?"


    Medea found the warmth in his eyes a refreshing sight.


    ''He was so different when he was making love to me.''


    She grinned at the desires that rose in her heart, wickedly so. "Worried for me?"


    "I shouldn''t?"


    "I''m better than I ever was." She sped his hand and guided it to her breast. "Can''t you feel it?"


    Her magical energy pulsated to his touch, as if synchronizing with him on levels deeper than a simple master and servant contract. He felt like he could draw out her magical energy if he wanted to.


    "She is yours," Arch said. "Don''t forget it."


    ''Show her status.''


    Medea: A Sorcerer from the Age of Gods and your current Servant, tied to you by the Fuyuki Holy Grail System.


    -Current Status  Can people die from too much happiness?


    -Rtionship Status  103/100


    -Species  Spirit


    -Age  Uncountable


    -Gender  Female


    -Height, Weight  163cm/51kg


    -Alignment  Neutral Evil


    -Parameters


    Strength: 10 (E)


    Endurance: 21 (D)


    Agility: 32 (C)


    Magical energy: 75 (EX)


    Luck: 40 (B)


    -Authorities


    None


    -Noble Phantasm


    Rule Breaker


    ...


    Her magical energy had grown from A-Rank to EX-Rank.


    ''Is this permanent?''


    His status didn''t update after he used reinforcement. Medea''s status also shouldn''t be updated if it was a temporary result of receiving his magical energy.


    "Your magical energy expanded her spiritual core," Arch answered. "It''s a permanent change."


    ''I''m awesome will it happen every time we fuck?''


    "Stop being too greedy, little dragon. It won''t work on Medea until your next major awakening. Her current vessel is limiting her. Too much magical energy can make her explode."


    Haruki shuddered, promising himself to refrain from any creampies.


    ''When is my next awakening?''


    "Five percent, then ten, twenty-five, fifty, and finally one hundred percent. The next awakening will unlock more potential of your body."


    ''Wonderful.''


    He was a little hyped for the five percent awakening and every awakening after it.


    ''Will I be as strong as you at one hundred percent?''


    "Possibly," Arch said. "I don''t want you reaching that level"


    ''Worried that I''ll push you down?''


    "...There is nothing but boredom here."


    Archpletely dismissed the random thought that popped in his head. Of course, he was just teasing her. Putting aside her otherworldly beauty, he didn''t know enough to consider her as a partner. On the other hand, he wondered what kind of powerup she could give him.


    "Haruki-sama," Medea said, her eyes misty with desire. "Do you want to?"


    Seeing him in a daze flooded her with an influx of emotions.


    ''He is so infatuated with me.''


    She couldn''t help but giggle. A shimmer of his attention was enough to keep her happy. These feelings were no weaker than the curse Aphrodite put her under, but they were native to her heart.


    "I was thinking of something," Haruki said and pulled back his head. "I want to clear five floors today."


    Arch needed time to change his hand with Noble Phantasm.


    Medea agreed with him with her whole heart. She may have objected if he said something along the lines of going as far as they could go. However, the first five floors will be a walk in the park if the enemies were weak like the skeletons.


    "You also need to rest after that," she said. "We can do the lessons first thing in the morning."


    "Sure thing."


    He tossed the marble in his pocket and wandered through the corridors. The wraiths that he encountered were in without exception. The boss was like an altered version of the previous wraiths with a ck robe and deadly ws. Unlike the other wraiths, this one had no tongue.


    Medea didn''t say a thing this time, letting him decide the course of battle and gain more experience. He needed time to incorporate his martial arts into his spear techniques. Since Medea had almost zero experience in formal martial arts training, she couldn''t teach him anything.


    The ck wraith arrived before Haruki in the blink of an eye; it was faster than anything he encountered so far in this ce. But they couldn''t hold a candle to Medusa''s chains.


    Sparks erupted as the metallic ws of the wraith shed with his spear. A sharp gale originated from their collision, blowing the blue torches in the narrow corridor.


    ''It''s strong.''


    The force behind the ws was impressive, to say the least. The wraith scraped the spearwhich became harder than steelwith its w. Haruki winced at the unpleasant screech, reminding him of that one shitty teacher who used the traditional chalk and board just to make students cringe. Having seeded in its distraction, the wraith swung its left w at Haruki''s face.


    Medea squirmed in anxiety. Keeping her impulses in check was harder than she ever thought. Fortunately for her, Haruki parried the attack on simple instincts before driving the spear in its stomach.


    "Rest in peace."


    With those words, he filled the spear with more magical energy.


    [Awakening progress: 1.40%]


    Haruki wiped the sweat off his forehead. Things got a bit scary in this battle. He never expected the wraith to pull a trick like this.


    "Haruki-sama." Medea strutted up to him. "Are you hurt?"


    He shook his head. "They will get more intelligent in the deeper floors."

 Chapter 48: Touch of Wind

    Chapter 48: Touch of Wind


    Haruki breezed through the floors. Skeletons, wraiths, and even bigger wraiths tried futile attempts to stop him. The floors became more spacious and enemies became more abundant. That gave him space to maneuver. The ughter continued until he arrived at the end of the 5th floor. The passage opened up into a wide room. What awaited him in the room was a giant ck wraith with ws bigger than Haruki. Its evil aura sent a chill down Medea''s spine.


    "Haruki-sama, be careful."


    Haruki just grinned in response. The numerous fights with wraiths had made him more sensitive to wraiths. He could estimate their strength with their aura alone! This one was nearly four times stronger than the wraith he fought on the 3rd floor.


    ''Weird. I should have received a skill for this.''


    "Unawakened authorities don''t count as skills," Arch answered. "Dragon eyes are also special."


    The screech that emerged from the wraith forced Haruki to dy this conversation for ater time. The wraith fluttered down and swiped its massive ws. The strength behind the w exceeded E-Rank. If Haruki hadn''t be stronger from the first floor, he might have chosen to evade. But current Haruki simply raised his spear and held his ground.


    It was just the start of the battle. The sh between the wraith and the unawakened dragon shook the ce. Medea held her breath every time Haruki demonstrated his spear techniques. There was no crudity in his movements, every step and every thrust disyed an elegance she only saw in the veterans. The wraith couldn''t keep up with his speed and got skewered from every side. He wasn''t only utilizing the reinforcement for harming the wraith''s spiritual body, and mostly used his muscle strength to keep this a fair fight.


    ''Tough battles bring more glory.''


    Haruki crushed the wraith''s ws first. The wraith began to lose control, spreading even more of its evil aura. Haruki leaped into the air, breaking every past record he had, and swung his spear wrapped in a violet aura. His innate strengthbined with his momentum sted the wraith into the wall. Its hands vanished, and it lost its final anchor in the physical world. The wraith''s body fell as though it was a weightless feather and drifted into specks of violet.


    Despite the fierce collision, not one scratch could be seen on those gloomy walls.


    ''The walls here are freaking strong.''


    [Taskpleted. Well done!]


    [1 X Mid-Rank Gacha Coupon rewarded.]


    [Awakening progress: 2.9%]


    ''Not even two percent in five floors.''


    Then again, the enemies he faced were too weak.


    ''Let''s check my status.''


    [Haruki Hayashi]


    Species: Dragon [Current awakening progress 2.90%]


    Age: 17


    Gender: Male


    Height, Weight: 182cm/75kg


    Alignment: Chaotic Neutral


    [Parameters]


    Strength: 21 (D)


    Endurance: 23 (D)


    Agility: 20 (D)


    Magical energy: 54 (A)


    Luck: 10 (E)


    [Authorities]


    Dragon Heart


    ...


    [Skills]


    Sojutsu [C]


    Info: Acquired from your great practice with a spear.


    Effect: Increases damage with spear-type weapons.


    Bujutsu [C]


    Info: Acquired from immense proficiency in Bujutsu arts.


    Effect: Increases damage with physical attacks.


    Some of his skill received a minor upgrade, but his stats received a massive boost. Haruki saw his clock close to 1 AM.


    ''Not bad for a couple of hours.''


    Haruki grabbed the marble left behind by the wraith.


    [Life Essence (High-Rank)]


    Info: The crystallization of magical energy.


    Haruki tossed it in his pocket. He had 12 Low-Rank and 1 Mid-Rank Gacha coupons. Frankly, he expected nothing out of them. The trap weapon had already pped him with disappointment. He didn''t need more of that in his life.


    "Haruki-sama, are we returning?"


    "Yup."


    ''Arch.''


    The key reappeared in his hands. He once again opened an imaginary door. Medea kept her eyes peeled, trying to decipher the mysteries behind the key. s, she couldn''t find anything even when the gate fully converged before them.


    ''It doesn''t have any mysteries.''


    It should have been impossible. Creating a spatial rift required the great use of mysteries exceeding magecraft.


    True Magic.


    Haruki extended a hand, which she grabbed, and walked inside the whirlpool. As he appeared back in his room, the door behind him vanished without a trace.


    The crimson key vanished from his hand. "Kaa-san."


    The first thing he did was call out his mother.


    "Yes, Haru," she said. "Do you need something?"


    He half expected her to act like the gate to a weird dimension never opened in his room.


    "I''m going to sleep. Give me a goodnight kiss."


    "A." Haruki felt a soft wind touch his cheeks. "There. I did. Please dream about your kind mother."


    "..."


    She was a strange mother, but he loved her nheless.


    "My master!" Semi''s bubbly voice interrupted him. "Where were you? I was trying to contact you."


    "I was in a dungeon."


    "Oh. You took Medea to the dungeon." He could imagine her evil smile on the other side. "Wise decision to humble her pride. My master, you''re so overbearing."


    He couldn''t disagree with her. He knew he could be overbearing at times, a skill that was needed to keep the corporate ves aka his employees in check. It was still nothingpared to the time he used to be a young master.


    "Let''s sleep."


    Haruki took off his shirt and pulled out a pair of shorts from his wardrobe.


    Medea stared at the bed still stained with their fluids; it reminded her of everything that happened here. Frankly, she wouldn''t mind sleeping on it, but she wanted Haruki to have proper rest after grueling battles.


    "Haruki-sama, please wait."


    She went ahead and changed the bedsheets. Haruki watched her work with an amused smile on his face. Seeing her diligence made him fuzzy sometimes.


    I have too many things to do tomorrow.''


    Training with Emiya, torturing Shinji, taking Medusa as an ally, purging the heap of worms Zouken, freeing Sakura from worm crests as well as Zouken''sst hope attached to her heart. Lastly, retaking the Ryuudou Temple, where he had high chances of running into Illyasviel''s trap.


    "Another tiring day," Arch said. "Don''t crumble under the weight."


    ''A kiss from Kaa-san is enough to keep me going for years.''


    "...Good for you."

 Chapter 49: The Call

    Chapter 49: The Call


    "Hello, sleepyhead."


    Haruki woke up to Arch''s voice. It was different from their usual conversation inside his head. Her otherworldly appearance still gave him a shock, though not as much as their first meeting. He noticed something more importanther aura. Itpelled him to obey as if she was his queen. Being a creature of pride himself, he resisted the feeling with every fiber of his being.


    Arch smugly put the pipe between her lips as she crossed her legs. She pped twice. "Wee back to where it all started. Let''s get you hooked up with your new Noble Phantasm."


    She seemedpletely different from the tsundere he had grown used to. She was more confident in talking face to face than talking through the system.


    "How much will it hurt?" he asked.


    "Enough to bring back all of your childhood memories."


    "Weak." He extended his hand with a feeble smile. "Try me."


    Arch flipped her palm and summoned a crimson tear-shaped crystal. The crystal hovering over her palm possessed an impressive amount of magic energy, more than even the boosted Medea.


    "I extracted all of the Noble Phantasm''s power," she said. "Lie over there."


    "You won''t **** me, right?" he asked with a poker face. Something about her made him wary. It was an instinct, a sixth sense, some might say.


    Arch was a female dragon, and she could simply overpower him in this ce. Be cautious or be dominated, his instincts warned him.


    ''No shit.''


    He no longer judged people by their appearance. His seemingly innocent mother was an enchantress. Who knew what kind of hidden personality this woman had?


    The pipe pressed in Arch''s mouth vanished, and her lips curved into a mischievous grin. "I might have raped you when you were sleeping."


    Haruki''s lips formed a t line. "You didn''t."


    Sex with Arch will give him more than simple authority. His core, his magical energy, even his muscles showed no change.


    "Hahaha, you got me there. Fine, I have no ns of forcing myself on someone."


    Haruki sighed andid back on the bed. "Let''s get this over with. I wanna sleep."


    Arch got up from the red couch and sat down on the bed. Ever so slowly she reached out and touched his face. "I can give you pain immunity if you desire so. It will cost you ten of your low-rank coupons."


    "No thanks."


    He loved his gacha coupons too much to use them for something so trivial.


    "I''m starting then."


    Arch pressed a finger on his wrist, and his arm split open. As scary as his exposed muscles appeared from his perspective, he felt no pain. The crystal drifted down and melted into his blood vessels.


    "Brace yourself."


    As Arch''s words ended, his nerves exploded with agony. Haruki dug his teeth into his other wrist, coping with the pain with a different pain.


    The foreign magical energy filled his arm. His own magical energy rejected Shirou Amakusa''s energy, but Arch controlled the flow of crimson and white magical energy and guided the crimson to envelop white.


    "This should do."


    Arch heaved a sigh of relief and watched him gritting his teeth. A gentle light filled her golden eyes. She crossed her arms, her fingers twitching as though she was holding something back.


    Once the process was done, Arch touched his arm again. The wound closed up as if it was never there.


    Haruki got up and clenched his fist. He couldn''t feel much of a difference right now.


    "Check it again after you wake up."


    He nodded. "The pain wasn''t as bad as I expected."


    "Let''s say you''re more resilient than I expected."


    "Always underestimating everyone, that''s a dragon for you."


    "We''re superior to everyone. It''s our right to look down on them," Arch stated in a cool, matter-of-the-fact voice.


    "Don''t give me Gilgamesh vibes now."


    He despised a lot of anime characters but Gilgamesh took the cake in Nasuverse for his stupendous arrogance. Yes, two-thirds of his body was god, and he was the hero whose epic derived all the heroes. But he was bested by Shirou, who was barely considered a mage by every standard. That alone earned him the title of the most foolish person.


    Arch just snorted. "Go now. I have some things to do."


    Haruki nced around the room; there was nothing here except for the bed and couch. "What do you even do here?"


    "It''s a random room I created to meet you," she said smugly. "You will never see my real home."


    "Is that where you keep all the treasures and dildos?"


    "Yesno! I don''t use dildos!"


    "A dragon goddess riding a dildo," Haruki muttered with a serious expression and nodded. "I have watched something like that."


    He closed his eyes and tried to remember the name of that holy scripture.


    Arch was having none of the disrespect. She waved her hand and sent him back.


    ***


    The stores in Mount Miyama closed before midnight. However, one certain restaurant never followed that rule. It always kept its lights open two hours into midnight.


    Today wasn''t any different.


    The owner was a young woman with a double bun hairstyle and an apron over her cheongsam. She took pride in being the manager of Koushuuensaikan Taizan, the only quality Chinese restaurant in Fuyuki City.


    "Where is he?" she asked, eyes fixed on the door. "Why is hete?"


    As though answering her question, the door opened and the visitor she had been waiting for entered. A ck-haired man in his thirties. He silently walked over to the table and took a seat.


    "Batsu-chan, sorry for beingte."


    Batsu practically melted from his deep voice. "Nothing to worry about, Kotomine-san. Your order ising in a sec!"


    She heated the stove and warmed the only dish Kirei Kotomine ate.


    Awaiting histe-night snacks, Kirei connected with his servant.


    "Lancer, what is the status of Rin and Hayashi?"


    "That girl didn''t leave the boy''s house."


    Kirei nodded his head at Cu Chinn''s report. It confirmed that Rin had joined hands with Haruki.


    ''Isn''t it interesting?''


    He and Gilgamesh never factored in Haruki''s involvement in this war. Gilgamesh had Sha Naqba Imuru to see every possibility in the world. Yet, he could not foresee Haruki''s participation. Then again, he had known Gilgamesh for ten years now. He didn''t find anyone worthy of him to use his full strength. All but one servant Gilgamesh battled during the Fourth Holy Grail War.


    Iskandar, the King of Conquerors.


    ''Where are the sixth and seventh?''


    The war had officially started, but the two masters never made their appearance. He felt like he failed in his responsibility as the Supervisor of the war.


    ''Lancer, search for thest two masters.''


    "Yes Master."


    He could hear Cu Chinn gritting teeth from hundreds of meters away. Lancer''s futile resistance and his will to avenge thrilled him to no end.


    "Here is your order, Kotomine-san."


    Batsu ced his order and cheerfully skipped back to the kitchen.


    "Thank you, Batsu-chan."


    Kirei stuffed his face with a spoon full of mapo tofu. The fiery taste burned his tongue and provoked beads of sweat on his forehead. It wasn''t an understatement to say only two things made Kirei Kotomine feel alive. One was ruining others'' lives and the second was this dish.


    He unzipped his vestments until his chest and continued to savor the exquisite taste of mapo tofu. By the time he finished the dish, his entire body was bathed in sweat. As he put down the spoon, his ck heart boomed. His eyes stretched wide as a look of surprise shed on his always calm face.


    "This"


    was a call.


    The entity, who bestowed him with a new heart, was summoning him to do its bidding.


    Kirei''s lips cracked a smile.


    The war just got more interesting.

 Chapter 50: Tiny mistake

Chapter 50: Tiny mistake


    I messed up a bit. I thought I published chapter 51 before, but it wasn''t published. The chapter you all read today was Chapter 52. I apologize for messing up the order.


    Chapter 52 is titled The Call, and Chapter 51 is titled the Touch of Wind.

 Chapter 51: Almighty Key

    Chapter 51: Almighty Key


    In a room where a low, ssical tune flowed. An elegant painting and a massive television adorned the pristine white wall. Two curved couches were ced opposite each other, respectively upied by Semiramis and Artoria.


    The ck-haired Queen was sipping coffee from a mug while appreciating each tone of the music with her eyes closed. Her entire posture rxed in thefort of the fluffy couch.


    The blonde girl was sitting with Avalon on herp. Her expressionless eyes were observing each of Semiramis''s movements. She reached her limit in a couple of minutes and voiced out her concern.


    "Did you talk with him?"


    Haruki had requested her strength in dealing with Zouken. She had to ask Semiramis to ry her question if they were still going to do it.


    ''I hope he isn''t too angry.''


    "My, what''s the rush?" Semiramis took another sip and smiled. "He is sleeping. I won''t lie, Artoria. My master sounded disappointed in you."


    Artoria clenched her fists. It was only natural for him to be disappointed. Not only did she reject his order, but she also questioned his honor. She wouldn''t be surprised if was punished for this.


    Semiramis felt Artoria''s anxiety and covered her mouth with her hand to hide her smile. She could read Artoria''s thoughts without putting in any effort.


    ''I''m so d he summoned Artoria.''


    Easy to read, easy to manipte, and easy to please. She was the perfect servant she never knew she needed.


    ''I''ll ask my master to keep her after the war.''


    Artoria''s wish didn''t matter to her. With how naive Artoria was, Semiramis doubted her wish was anything other than saving her kingdom. That could change depending on how Artoria and Haruki''s rtionship progressed. The King of Knights or a modern, unknown dragon?


    ''My master won''t lose.''


    He could give her, a veteran,pulsions to submit her entire being to his cause. How could a naive king stand up to that man?


    "Did he tell you about his wish yet?"


    Artoria clenched her fists and looked down. "He didn''t," she replied with a shake of her head. "Wecked the time to have a proper talk."


    She wouldn''t usually bother with trivial matters, but the origins of Haruki''s race had long raised numerous questions in her mind. Vortigern should be thest dragon in the Age of Humans. Where did her mastere from nearly identical magical energy?


    "All my master wishes is the resurrection of his mother."


    Artoria raised her brows in surprise. "Resurrection is possible?"


    She didn''t have much knowledge about magecraft. Neither did she know of the Holy Grail''s limitations.


    "His mother''s soul is still lingering around him. A soul with memories and experience intact."


    "That''s not normal. Master''s wish is selfish..." She was of the mindset that the dead shouldn''t be disturbed and never be brought back. "It''s not my ce to judge his wishes."


    He had earned his ce in the war. It was better to use his wish on his mother rather than doing something evil.


    "Indeed so. You see, our master is a selfish man instead of a selfless king like you. You must have seen numerous men like him in your life. Answer me, what do men like him seek?" Semiramis trailed off her question with a grin.


    Artoria felt an aura simr to Morgan around Semiramis. Sharpening her eyes, Artoria maintained silence rather than falling into Semiramis''s trap.


    "Pleasure," Semiramis answered her question. "Selfish men are synonymous with the word ''pleasure.'' I gave my advice. The rest is up to you. Whether you earn his forgiveness or earn his wrath, I shall not interfere."


    Semiramis put down her mug and walked out of the room, her ck dress trailing her.


    ''Let''s see how my master will react to this situation now. Will he be a scum who takes advantage of a naive woman or a fool who lets this opportunity slip by?''


    She didn''t want Haruki to be any of these. She looked forward to the results as she expected more from her master.


    Meanwhile, Artoria gazed at the stars outside the window, her eyes solemn.


    "Pleasure."


    She wasn''t unknown to pleasure, especially a man''s. After all, Merlin had turned her into a pseudo-male once as an experiment. It was all done for the time she had to back down from her duty.


    She looked at her emotionless face in the ss. "Who would even be interested in this worthless body?"


    ***


    The next morning came, and Haruki''s biological clock woke him up. Medea was glued to him in her brassiere and panties, her face buried in his chest. Well, it was a lot better than waking up alone.


    Noble Phantasm: Right Hand - Evil Eater incorporated.


    Skills epted - 2


    Skills rejected - 1


    Overallpatibility - 66.6%


    Skill acquired: Almighty Key


    -Almighty Key [A]


    Info: Creates a link to every Thaumaturgy Foundation carved in the world.


    Skill acquired: Precognition


    -Precognition [D]


    Info: Gives insights into the future based on your knowledge regarding certain events.


    Dragon Blood Authority rejected Eternal Youth skill


    ''It''s better this way.''


    Stopping the growth would be a pain at this stage. As he tried to get a feel of his new Noble Phantasm, two shackles of crimson runes appeared around his wrist. The vague crimson runes reached his forearm. The knowledge of all magecraft spells flowed into his head. His brain simultaneouslyprehended each spell with almost zero dys.


    Alchemy, ck Magic, Astrology, Kabbh, Runes, Necromancy, Onmyoudou, Jewel Magecraft, Healing Magecraft, Hojoutsuthe art of ying demons, even the holy scriptures used by the Holy Church. The Almighty Key connected him to every Thaumaturgical Foundation. Simply put, he obtained the master key to ess the Magecraft System carved into the world by every school of Magecraft. Every magecraft spell that could be invoked without Mystery was at his disposal.


    "This is phenomenal."


    He would discard the normal magecraft after learning Ancient Greek from Medea. The knowledge still had immense use for him, giving him an advantage over the mages.


    "Morning, Haru. You got a new toy."


    Haruki instinctively turned to the door.


    "I can''t be there," Kaede whispered. "Haru you know it."


    She seemed down, so he deactivated the Almighty Key and cheered her up with a couple of sweet words. The movements roused Medea from her sleep.


    "Haruki-sama, good morning."


    She was sluggish after a long, rxing sleepsomething she hadn''t experienced under themand of her previous master.


    "Ready to teach me?"


    "Yes, of course. Let me wear something"


    "Don''t." Haruki crashed into herp and rubbed his cheeks against her silky thighs. "You can start now."


    Medea blushed at his spoiled behavior. "How will you learn anything like this?"

 Chapter 52: Archer’s skills

    Chapter 52: Archer¡¯s skills


    Medea''s lessons ended when someone knocked on the door.


    "Senpai."


    Haruki left Medea''sp and dressed up. "Spiritual form."


    Medea quickly vanished. Haruki opened the door to find Sakura. "Morning. Showered already?"


    Sakura nodded with a shy smile while she fidgeted with her fingers behind her back. "I came to wake you up for school."


    She hade here after calming her fluttering heart. She couldn''t think straight as the events ofst night kept shing through her head. They were lovers now, but how should she act before him?


    Haruki was about to stop Sakura from going to school, but Shinji''s face popped up in his head. That idiot might trigger Medusa''s Noble Phantasm to take over the school. He looked at the clock showing seven o''clock and nodded. "I have to train with Archer too. Where is Rin?"


    "Sleeping. Rin Nee-san isn''t an early riser."


    "I''ll get herter. Can you cook breakfast?"


    "I already did the preparations," Sakura said, revealing a confident smile. "I also washed your clothes."


    Since she couldn''t contribute in any other way, she had taken over all the housework in her hands.


    "Someone''s pretty active today," he said with a cheeky grin and pinched her cheeks. "I''ll be out for a couple of minutes after training."


    Semiramis had contacted him during his lessons, asking to meet as soon as possible. She was up to something again. Possibly another scheme.


    "Senpai" Sakura nced up, her eyes nearly tearing up. "It hurts."


    Haruki hurriedly released his hold on her cheeks, finding them beet red. He gently rubbed her cheeks.


    ''It''s hard to control my strength sometimes.''


    ***


    Archer leaned back and stretched his legs on the nted roof. The rays of dawn fell on his white hair and tanned face. He narrowed his gray eyes on one specific house in the northern area of Miyama Town. An old, elegant building surrounded by a barrier. He could even see the rusty door with his C-Rank irvoyance skill,monly known as Hawkeye.


    "Should I nuke him with Cdbolg?" he mused with a smirk and shook his head. "Rin won''t give me permission to use it."


    He jumped down from the roof and walked through the door. The faint aroma rippling through the air made him frown. He snuck into the kitchen. With his high-sped eyesight, he scrutinized the cooked rice, chicken, and other ingredients that were used for Onigiri.


    ''The rice is a bit hard for Onigiri.''


    Archer peeked his head out of the kitchen.


    ''No one is here.''


    He covered the pan and heated the stove at a low temperature. He waited until the rice achieved perfection.


    He had suffered numerous years under ya''s contract. The contract that made him into a Heroic Spirit and a Counter Guardian. He was just the vessel of the True Heroic Spirit Emiya carrying out his duties saving millions by killing thousands in some timeline. The Throne of Heroes existed outside the concept of time, so ya could send her ''guardians'' in infinite timelines that branched from the Root to ''save'' humanity.


    After bing a Counter Guardian his beliefs changed, but one thing remained the samehis passion for cooking and every type of housework. It was the same when he was alive and well as Shirou Emiya.


    He climbed the stairs to find Haruki rubbing Sakura''s cheeks. The two flirted first thing in the morning. His eyes widened as he gazed at his master''s ally.


    ''He changed again.''


    His C-Rank Mind''s Eye (True) skill helped him detect any and every danger to him. The young man before him gave signs of danger. Even a prodigy magus like Rin couldn''t trigger his instincts like Haruki. Archer trusted his skill, which came to fruition as a result of fighting numerous battles as a Counter Guardian. Haruki had grown stronger than the bottom tier servants. The magus who could do so were few and far between. This growth shouldn''t be achievable in years, much less a single night.


    ''His secret might get him in trouble with the Clocktower.''


    Archer couldn''t help but grin at Rin''s naivety. How wrong she was to think of Haruki as a normal person fighting for his mother.


    "Archer, free for my training?" Haruki threw a question just as Archer moved toward Rin''s room. "Surely you didn''t forget."


    "I remember it. Let''s start with a morning walk to the forest. I''ll be waiting outside."


    "Alright." Haruki patted Sakura''s head. "I''ll be back."


    "Okay."


    "You" Arch muttered. "You two are talking like married couples"


    She had pushed him into this harem concept after he had given up on it entirely. She now had to watch him being lovey-dovey with his girls.


    ''Jealous?''


    "No."


    Sakura returned to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Haruki went back to his room and fetched his spear.


    Mystic Code: Nameless Spear


    Description: An unknown spear crafted using techniques from the Age of Gods.


    Rank: Super Rare


    Skills:


    -Reinforcement [A]


    Info: This Mystic Code enhances the user''s body.


    Effect: The strength of reinforcement depends on the amount of mana. Strength points gained vary from 1 point to 30 points.


    Haruki licked his lips. The full power of his spear made him Artoria''s equal in strength and even had the magical energy to keep it up for a long fight.


    "It will be obsolete as you progress," Arch said, fulfilling her role as his stalker. "You might have to use all of your magical energy to gain 1 strength point at some point."


    ''I will upgrade the spear when that timees.''


    "Haruki-sama, I can carry it for you," Medea said from beside him and took the spear from him. She stored the spear in her robe and pulled out the marbles to ce them on his study table. "What should I do with them?"


    Haruki took all of the marbles from his pocket and threw them in a pouch. "We''ll collect more of these."


    They will immensely help him in creating Semiramis'' Hanging Gardens of Babylon.


    Haruki exited the house and met Archer.


    "Follow me."


    Archer dashed out of the house. Haruki followed him through the unupied streets, keeping up with Archer just fine. Archer looked over his shoulder, only to get a grin from Haruki.


    ''Quite the show off he is.''


    Archer raised the bar for the training as he instantaneously vanished around the corner of the street. Haruki traced the lingering mana with his eyes and chased after Archer.

 Chapter 53: Projection

    Chapter 53: Projection


    The training was different from Haruki''s predictions. Archer simply asked him to do normal pushups. Medea almost materialized to scold Archer for wasting his time on a trivial workout. Haruki could do pushups for a very long time with his current endurance, so she wasn''t wrong.


    Seeing the doubt on Haruki''s face, Archer smirked. "Want to make it difficult?"


    Archer conjured a pair of swords in his hands. ck and white, each with the symbol of Yin and Yang near the bottom of their des.


    "A better way to train is carving the experience in your muscle memories."


    "Projection trace version," Haruki muttered the name of Archer''s specialized magecraft. The normal projection used one''s imagination to materialize objects through the use of magical energy, but Archer''s version reproduced an object''s history as well as its skills through his Reality Marble ''Unlimited de Works.''


    ''Doesn''t hurt to try.''


    A simple spear or a legendary Noble Phantasm?


    ''I want Gae Bolg or Rhongomyniad.''


    It was impossible to project something without seeing it beforehand. Of course, Haruki had seen both of the weapons on hisputer screen before.


    "It still counts," Arch said. "Can you do it though?"


    ''Don''t disturb me.''


    He didn''t pick Rhongomyniad due to its mysteries and the fact it was a seal protecting the world from the Reverse Side of the World. So he picked Gae Bolg instead and closed his eyes, imagining the crimson spear whose only purpose was bestowing deaths upon its foes. A design simple yet ominous for its great power. Carved from Curruid''s skill, a great sea monster of the distant past, it was Scthach''s weapon of choice in every battlefield.


    His magical energy whirled, bringing forth a blurry shaft before him. Medea came out of her spiritual form and scrutinized the intricate mysteries forming before her eyes. "Gradation Air Magecraft."


    ''He said he didn''t know any magecraft. Was he lying?''


    Medea shook her head. Lies or truth didn''t matter anymore.


    "This guy" Archer stared at him in a trance. The fact that someone other than him could use this version greatly surprised him.


    Haruki had already drilled the concept of creation into the object, imagined the basic structure, and realized the materials behind the creation.


    ''Next one is tougher.''


    Haruki didn''t pay any attention to the onlookers as he poured all of his imagination into bringing the spear to life.


    ''How was Gae Bolg made exactly?''


    "Like any weapon," Arch whispered. "By a cksmith."


    ''Huh.''


    The shaft before him took on a crimson color, appearing synonymous with the real thing. Without any actual substance, it was hollow inside. The next steps were a piece of cake for him. He knew what Gae Bolg experienced in Scthach''s hands.


    Complete ughter of spirits and gods alike.


    Haruki opened his eyes and caught the crimson spear.


    ''Twenty pounds or more? It''s freaking heavy for a spear.''


    He performed a few moves without breaking a sweat.


    "Iplete," Archer said with a chuckle. "Amendable endeavor nheless."


    Some people were born with greater talents than others, he admitted. Some worked harder to make up for this natural talent. Haruki belonged to the former category, Archer could say it without a doubt.


    Haruki sighed. The reality was as Archer said. He couldn''t reproduce the mysteries behind Gae Bolg. Hecked information. But it didn''tpletely fail though. The spear was tougher than the fully reinforced Mystic Code created by Medea. In the end, he had mostly replicated the materials used for Gae Bolg.


    "You''ll get better," Arch consoled him. "It was your first try, remember?"


    Haruki could never understand this dragon goddess. He nced at Archer with a smirk. The perfect teacher to teach him the craft of projection.


    "Teach me your projection."


    Archer suddenly regretted his decision to teach Haruki. As he tried to throw a snarkyment at Haruki, he felt a presence behind him. He quickly turned around and assumed a stance.


    "Come out."


    "It seems I''m found."


    A voice came from behind a tree. The owner revealed himself as a man with deep crimson eyes and a white earring hanging from each ear. He had short, spiky blue hair with four bangs on his forehead and a thin rat tail swinging along with the breeze. He put his crimson spear over his shoulder and strolled toward the group with leisure.


    "Lancer." Haruki turned to Medea. "Make bounded fields when we train."


    "...I''m sorry."


    She never took in the possibility of a servant following them outside the city.


    "Don''t fret over it."


    "Yo. Servants are having a party here," Lancer said and spun his spear before he put it back on his shoulder. Closing his right eye, he nced at Haruki''s spear. "What are you doing with a fake, kid?"


    The death aura had lured him from the city. Kirei hadn''t given him an order to reconnaissance, so he had to check out what might be another servant. Never in his right mind did he expect to see a half-baked copy of his Shishou''s spear here.


    "You aren''t original as well," Haruki replied. "A copy from the Throne of Heroes."


    Lancer simply chuckled at Haruki''s remark. He gave a half-hearted nce at the de in Archer''s hands. "Assassin?"


    Archer shrugged. "You''re from the Lancer-ss."


    "Cu Chinn, the son of Lugh," Haruki added. "Thanks for revealing your identity."


    "Fucked up, didn''t I?" Lancerughed at his blunder. He was at an immediate disadvantage in a fight against the two servants whose origins were unknown. He hadn''t given any order to engage in a fight in the first ce.


    "Your master will be angry," Haruki said. "He doesn''t care about you in the first ce."


    Lancer''s carefree aura faded as a killing intent filled the air. It was an unconscious reaction against those he deemed enemies.


    "How do you know my master?"


    Haruki was unfazed against Lancer''s hostility. "Don''t you want to avenge your real master?"


    Lancer''s face took on a cold look. He despised Kirei, and his cowardly tactics. The priest had killed his master before his own eyes and used her Command Spells to force his allegiance. A warrior like him was bent to be a hound for information gathering against his own will. This shouldn''t be known to anyone other than Kirei and him.


    "What are you getting at, kid?" He pointed his spear at Haruki, neither confirming nor denying his words. "Come clean."


    "Caster." Haruki stretched his hand. Medea created a bounded field before she ced her Noble Phantasm in his hand. "This will free you from your contract with the priest."


    Archer immediately recognized the ceremonial dagger of Medea from his hazy memories, but he stayed silent and watched Haruki''s next action.


    ''He is far more than he lets on.''


    Haruki wasn''t going to let Medea fight more than necessary now, so exposing her true name wasn''t that crucial. Seeing Lancer''s thoughtful expression, Haruki''s face broke into a grin. Cu Chinn may appear fierce, but he was a believer of justice, especially against women. He had used this fact against him. Lancer''s rejection was a risk he willingly took.


    "What do you say?" Haruki asked once again. "Will you remain his hound or be your own man and avenge your fallen master?"

 Chapter 54: Fourth Servant

    Chapter 54: Fourth Servant


    Lancer recalled the wide smile he saw after he was summoned. It was innocent like a child finally met their idol, not fit for a woman in her twenties.


    "Why should I believe you? Who even are you? My former master''s death, how do you know about it?"


    Haruki handed the iplete Gae Bolg to Medea and traced his finger on the elegant dagger. "I can''t disclose it unless you be my servant. I can''t take the risk of revealing my trump card to your master."


    "I''ll take Geis to never reveal this to my master."


    "Geis, heh. The spell can be overpowered through a Command Spell."


    Haruki naturally knew about the curse magecraft through the Almighty Key. The Geis spell ced a mystical restriction on the target. However, it could be easily shattered by the overwhelming magical energy of the Command Spell.


    "Shit. Why do I have to do this for an unknown woman?" Lancer pulled at his hair in frustration. "Just answer one question, kid. Why do you want the grail?"


    "Haruki-sama," Medea corrected Lancer with an expressionless look. "My master''s name is Haruki. He seeks the Greater Grail to resurrect his mother, who was unjustly killed. Before you say our wish can''t be granted, we have our ways to aplish this."


    "She said all I wanted." Haruki shrugged. "Rest is up to you."


    Lancer nodded in approval. The spear in his hand vanished as he approached Haruki. "What do I have to do?"


    Haruki gestured toward the dagger with his gaze. "Let me stab you with the Rule Breaker."


    Lancer''s eye twitched. The servant in blue attire disabled the runic protections of his armor, willing to take the blow like a man.


    "Wait," Archer interjected. "You''re confident to provide two servants at the same time?"


    "Of course."


    The three servants didn''t put any burden on him. Though that might change once the war ends since Grail would no longer provide the servants any magical energy.


    "I''m ready. Finish it before the priest calls."


    Haruki asked Arch to create a task.


    Task #22: Fourth Servant


    Objective: Forming a contract with Cu Chinn.


    Difficulty: B-Rank


    Rewards: 1 X Premium Gacha Coupon


    Would you like to ept this Task?


    ''B-Rank? Shouldn''t it decrease since the war is going to be easier?''


    The contract carried more impact than he thought. It might lead to an ending he didn''t expect.


    ''I''m forgetting something important.''


    He rubbed the back of his neck. That something could lead to his potential loss despite having five servants on his side.


    ''Is it Gilgamesh?''


    He shook his head. Gilgamesh would perish before such force even if he brings out his greatest weaponEnuma Elish. Gilgamesh couldn''t be the cause. Berserker couldn''t be the cause for the very same reason.


    ''Is the Mage''s Association going to interfere if I get Lancer on my side?''


    There were too many abnormalities for him to ount for in Nasuverse.


    "What got you so hesitant Haruki?" Lancer asked.


    "Haruki-sama?" Medea asked. "Do you have something on your mind?"


    Haruki shook his head. "Nothing."


    He epted the task under Medea''s worried gaze before he mercilessly plunged the dagger into Lancer''s chest. Violet-colored magical energy burst from Lancer''s chest, whirling around them. The spell constraining Cu Chinn to Kirei Kotomine shattered, and a new Command Spell appeared on his right hand, right above Semiramis'' Command Spells.


    ''Just one, huh. Kirei used two. Well, another one joined my side.''


    Once he brings Medusa and Heracles to his side, he''d have all seven servants.


    ''Will Gilgamesh''s soul be enough for the Grail to grant my wish?''


    He wanted to keep his servants alive if possible. They''d be helpful against any future threats, especially the Magus Association.


    Archer calmly watched as Lancer joined him as an ally. He never thought their training session would turn into a contract ceremony, and that Haruki would have so much knowledge of Lancer''s current and previous master.


    "It was easy," Lancer said, an unconcealed surprise in his voice. "You''re my master now. Is he also your servant?"


    Lancer''s eyes held some hostility towards Archer, which he himself didn''t know the origin of. Archer had yet to say anything sarcastic about the entire situation, yet somehow Lancer felt pissed.


    Haruki shook his head. "His master is a friend and an ally."


    "Oh. It''s all good then." He red at Archer before clicking his tongue. "I feel like punching someone in the face."


    "Bastard" Archer''s brow twitched as he clenched his swords. "You want a fight, don''t you?"


    Lancer pounded the ground with his spear, an intense scowl on his face. "Bring it on, white-haired old man."


    "Haruki-sama, will they be alright?" Medea was concerned whether these two will kill each other at some point. "Should I stop them?"


    Haruki looked at the two butting heads with each other and sighed. "Leave them be. I want to see how the priest reacts to this situation."


    "I can assure you that he won''t be happy. Are our forces enough to fight Gilgamesh now?"


    Cu Chinn was another strong fighter whose agility was top-notch among other servants. With Artoria''s Excalibur and Avalon, no servant stood a chance against them.


    "Definitely. Gilgamesh is at the bottom of my priority list. Let''s deal with Matous first."


    War had just started. He had plenty of time to deal with Gilgamesh.


    ***


    Haruki returned home alone since the servants had assumed spiritual forms.


    "Archer, go ahead. Let me talk with Lancer."


    Archer materialized. "Call me if the hound doesn''t obey you."


    Lancer red at Archer''s back and spat on the ground. "Pathetic excuse of an archer."


    Haruki simply chuckled as Lancer whined about Archer.


    ''Nasu sure loves tsunderes.''


    "About our contract," Lancer said in a serious voice. "Answer me."


    "Your former master was named Bazett, the wielder of Fragarach." Haruki pieced together everything he knew about Lancer''s previous master from his memories. "She could have ttened everyone with you if it was a normal war."


    "Normal you say, master," Lancer asked. "The overseer is a fraudulent maniptor. It''s pretty abnormal from the start."


    "That''s just the tip of the iceberg."


    Haruki told Lancer about Gilgamesh staying from the previous war as well as the Grail''s corruption.


    "The Priest never let me see Gilgamesh once It''s messed up. Well, I had no wish, to begin with," Lancer admitted and looked at Haruki with a grin. "You still didn''t answer my initial question."


    "I can''t answer what I don''t know," Haruki responded with a grin of his own. "Let''s say I saw everything in a dream."


    Lancer threw an incredulous nce at him. "Even toddlers can find better excuses."


    Medea tilted her head. "Was the dream perhaps your mother''s doing?"


    Caught off guard by her innocent tone, Haruki shook his head. "She is but a mystery to me."


    "What about me?" Lancer pointed at himself. "What am I to do in the meantime?"


    "Keep an eye out for other servants."


    "Alright."


    He contacted Semiramis and told her to wait for a few more minutes. He had to lead Cu Chinn, otherwise, he''d have gone to meet them.


    "My master is neglecting me I wanna cry. Bad master."


    "..."


    Sometimes he wondered if all the rulers of the past were nutjobs.

 Chapter 55: Apology

    Chapter 55: Apology


    Haruki entered the house to find Sakura dozing off on the couch.


    ''Did she not sleep? Was she too excited?''


    He could imagine her staring at the ceiling, giggling to herself. Archer came down the stairs at that moment.


    "Do you have the key to Rin''s room?"


    Haruki nced at the clock ticking towards 8 o''clock. "I''ll wake her up. Can you watch Lancer?"


    "That guy is annoying," Arch groaned.


    "Just keep an eye so he won''t do anything reckless."


    "I''ll help him." Archer sighed.


    Haruki walked upstairs to his room and grabbed a nket. He draped it over Sakura before he returned to his mother''s room. The door opened itself, and his mother''s whispers caressed his ears.


    "She was calling for her father during sleep. Such a sweet little girl."


    "Kaa-san."


    "Have fun~."


    Haruki shook his head and walked inside. Rin was curled up on the bed. His eyes were drawn to her tight ck stockings leading to the white skin peeking from under her ck mini skirt.


    "What a beautiful mess she is. No wonder themunity called her Thsaka."


    The rm clock chirped at that time. Rin''s face twitched as her hand fumbled out of her grasp and pounded the poor clock.


    "Shut up."


    She became content after silencing the rm and pulled up the nket, going back to sleep with a smile.


    ''She is hopeless in the morning.''


    Haruki gently put a hand on her shoulder and jerked her. Rin woke up with a gasp as though she had seen a nightmare. Her unblinking eyes stared at him in a daze before she frowned with an unsightly irritation.


    "We have school."


    "School is a waste of time for us," she chirped and clutched the nket.


    Haruki snatched the nket from her. "We''re going."


    She red at him for a moment before she fell backward. "Let me sleep," she groaned and turned over, burying her face in the pillow.


    "Shinji will put his n to work today. Do you want to sit here while the students are getting their souls sucked out of their bodies?"


    Haruki tossed the nket on her back and walked out of the room. Rin sluggishly sat up and rubbed her eyes.


    "That spineless coward" she cursed Shinji. "Why did it have to be today?!"


    ***


    Sakura woke up by the time Haruki and Medea set all the dishes on the dining table.


    "Senpai, let me." Sakura hurriedly helped him while muttering an apology.


    "Couldn''t sleepst night?"


    Sakura tugged at her red ribbon as she spoke, "I slept on the couch."


    ''She is lying,'' Haruki thought. She had a habit of touching her ribbon whenever she lied. Still, he didn''t push her further and enjoyed a quiet breakfast.


    "I''ll be going now. Come to the school with Rin."


    Sakura tried to stop him, but he silenced her with a kiss on her lips. While she was blushing, he snuck in another kiss and left his house. He told Lancer toe to school with Archerter.


    "Haruki-sama, you are terribly affectionate with that girl?" Medea asked as he followed Semiramis''s directions.


    ''You should know it by now, Medea.''


    An awkward silence followed as though Medea digested his words.


    "...I do. It''s painful that I can''t monopolize your affection..."


    Haruki sighed at her distress.


    ''You already knew I had feelings for Kaa-san and Sakura.''


    "I did it''s still astonishing, Haruki-sama. I''m conflicted between happiness and misery. For me to have this chance at all makes me extremely happy"


    ''What''s there to be sad about?''


    "That I have to share this happiness with another woman!"


    ''Do you hate Kaa-san?''


    "No maybe her approach is a little off-putting, but she epted me despite my shorings."


    ''Do you hate Sakura?''


    "How could someone hate that girl? I feel as if I lived a bright and cheerful lifepared to hers Truthfully speaking, I envy her willpower. If I was half courageous like her, I''d have gained the power to kill gods."


    ''You still want to kill Aphrodite?''


    "Yes. I''ll kill every god of love if I could. They make me sick to my stomach."


    ''Some are not that bad,'' he recalled Kama who manifested as a pseudo-servant in Sakura''s body. ''We''ll kill Aphrodite someday.''


    He also wanted to explore the Reverse Side of the World for its mysteries. He might be powerful enough to tackle a Divine Spirit or two by then.


    "Killing gods You''ll have to upgrade my vessel, Haruki-sama."


    He''d have to find a better body for her. Her current bodypletely restricted her growth, which could only grow with his semen or through eating human souls. Haruki didn''t care if she chose thetter option, but the reward wasn''t worth the lives. An entire city might not be enough to upgrade one parameter rank.


    "We just have to do that every day" she mumbled.


    Haruki shuffled through the Foreigner''s District of Miyama Town, where the Tohsaka and Matou''s mansions were located. Semiramis indeed robbed a foreigner''s mansion, one that reeked of luxury from every brick of its exterior.


    Haruki hopped over the metal fence.


    Semiramis, standing at the mansion''s door in the distance, waved her hand. "My master~."


    The door behind Semiramis opened, and Artoria walked out and waved her hand with an awkward smile. "Master."


    Haruki stopped before Artoria and crossed his arms on his chest. "Can you exin why you left me hanging yesterday?"


    Artoria lowered her head. "I apologize for everything. It was my fault for not following Caster."


    She owned up to her mistake.


    "Let''s say Caster didn''t make it in time, and I died as a result. What would you have done?"


    "But Master, you have Command Spells for any emergency" Artoria reasoned. "I also became a bit greedy to finish Berserker."


    ''She got greedy?''


    Haruki blinked his eyes at her confession. Out of all people, he hadn''t expected her to get heated to rush through the war.


    ''How do I punish her when she looks so apologetic?''


    He shook his head. "Don''t do it ever again." His tone unintentionally became colder as he spoke. "We''re supposed to look out for each other."


    "It won''t," Artoria said and ced a hand on her chest. "I take that pledge as your sword."


    "My master, don''t be so harsh on her." Semiramis rubbed Artoria''s head. "She is aware of her failure."


    Artoria brushed off Semiramis''s hand. "Are we going to kill that Magus today?"


    "We will. How will youe with me though?" Haruki asked as he stared at Artoria''s armor. "Not the best cosy for school."


    Artoria tilted her head in confusion. "Should I change?"


    "I can hide her master," Semiramis suggested with a grin. "Or would you prefer to see Artoria in girly clothes?"


    "Well, why not? She looks pretty cute in normal clothes."


    Especially in the white dress Rin lent to Artoria in the anime.


    Semiramis narrowed her eyes. "How do you know that?"


    Haruki kept a calm expression under Semiramis''s probing gaze. "I have seen her photo from ten years ago. She used apletely different look back then."


    Artoria nodded at his words. She had taken a distinct appearance from Irisviel''s suggestion.


    "Hooo~, I also want to see it now," Semiramis said. "Where is our lovely witch?"


    "Who are you calling a witch?" Medea materialized immediately. "You whore empress."


    Semiramis threw a nk stare at Medea, not expecting her to follow Haruki this time. "You were called a backstabbing witch by the masses. I fear you have seduced my master to do evil things."


    Medea''s mana flowed out in her anger, stunning both Artoria and Semiramis.


    "W-Wait, Caster. How did your magical energy increase? Did you feast on human souls?"


    Medea snorted. "I won''t stoop to that level."


    "Then how?" Semiramis was dying to know the answer. "My master, what did she do?"


    Haruki assumed a faint smile. "It''s a family secret."


    "Mou~, I''m not your family?" she yfully asked.


    "You are not. Besides, what will you do after getting strong? Do you prefer to rule with might or your wits?"


    Semiramis gave an angry frown, which quickly vanished. "It doesn''t hurt to get strong I don''t want to run like a coward again."


    "Weak," Medea scoffed. "I can blow you away in an instant if I wanted to."


    "Oh my. The witch is feeling jealous of our good rtionship, Master."


    "You little empress."


    Medea finally lost her patience and engaged in a fight with Semiramis. Pulling at each other''s hair, wing each other''s faces, even ripping apart dressesit was a catfight more entertaining than a real battle.


    ''No time to waste.''


    Haruki sighed and took Artoria''s hand. "I''ll help you with clothes."


    Artoria nodded her head as she nced at the hand sping hers. Through the gauntlet, she could feel his hand.

 Chapter 56: Worst Outcome

    Chapter 56: Worst Oue


    Artoria heard Haruki''spliment and nced at her image in the mirror.


    She currently wore a white-colored two-piece battle dress. The upper vest was parted from her navel into two pointy portions, which connected diagonally to the back portion. The vest was held by two strings attached diagonally to a choker on her fair neck.


    She put a hand on her chest which was revealed by the dress. Her dress showed a fair bit of her cleavage, along with her neck and corbones.


    A diamond-shaped cutout was present in the middle below her breasts.


    Her white-colored battle skirt was parted in the middle, just like her vest, revealing a blue frilly underskirt connected with the outer one.


    Her arms up to her shoulders were covered in white ruffles.


    "This is gorgeous," Harukiplimented her with an amused smile as he crossed his arms on his chest. Fate was truly ironic considering her dress was opposite to what she wore in her Alter Ego aka ck Saber.


    Artoria brushed off hispliment with a polite smile. "This is too eye-catching."


    "You can distract students like this."


    Medea kicked open the door, only to freeze. "T-This outfit so cute!"


    Medeaunched herself at Artoria and rubbed her cheeks against her. Artoria''s eyes turned round as her ahoge swiveled foolishly as though expressing her astonishment.


    ''She brought animews to real-life.''


    Semiramis walked up to Haruki and hooked her arm around his. "Let''s exchange some affectionate words in my room."


    "Sure."


    He agreed readily, leaving Semiramis with a wide-open mouth. She was rejectedst time, but he epted her ''suggestion'' this time around. She looked at his grin and shuddered.


    "Y-Yes. Let''s go," she stammered and took his hand.


    Her protruding bronze spike returned to the spiritual form as soon as it came in contact with his hand. The Protection from the Witches protected him from harm by directly affecting the cause of harm, who was Semiramis in this case.


    Semiramis''s eyes widened briefly before she regained a subtle smile. "A neat trick if I must say, my master."


    "What neat trick?" he asked with an innocent expression. "Did something happen?"


    Semiramis shook her head before she led him into her room. She had imed the mostvish bedroom for herself with a queen-size bed. Haruki sat down on the bed.


    "Whose house is it by the way?"


    "Nobody''s," Semiramis said as she sat beside him. Her scent drifted toward him, clinging to his senses in a futile attempt to seduce him. "It was vacant when we found it."


    "It''s not bad actually."


    The mansion was close to the Matou Household.


    "Can you scout a mansion for me?"


    "Why, of course. Leave that to me. Anything else, my master?" she asked as she leaned against his shoulder, nearly brushing their lips. "I can do anything my master suggests."


    Haruki was more than tempted to push her down to teach her the consequences of provoking a young dragon. But he didn''t want to break Medea''s heart for a momentary impulse.


    "p me."


    Semiramis stared at him as though he was some rare creature. "My this is unusual. I didn''t anticipate my master to have that kink. Can you repeat the order please?"


    "I said p me," he repeated calmly and turned to face. "As hard as you can."


    He had to test the limits of this protection for any future authority he got from his mother or someone else.


    "I will obey yourmand," Semiramis said and pped him with the entire force of her E-rank strength. Contrary to her expectations of dying his face red, her hand crumbled into white particles.


    "No. Wait. How?"


    Her hand returned to spiritual form without her consent. She couldn''t process the powers at work here to stop her. She forcefully materialized her hand and heaved a sigh of relief.


    Haruki couldn''t help but chuckle, breaking his calm exterior for once. Semiramis''s startled expression tickled his funny bone.


    Semiramis felt her cheeks growing hot. She warded off the rush of embarrassment with a broad grin. "Aren''t you full of surprises, my master? How did you gain this skill as a what''s your race, my master? Are you a dragon?"


    Haruki pondered briefly before he nodded his head. "Dragon probably the weakest one alive."


    He wasn''t worried about Semiramis anymore, so he revealed his secret. The only problem with his race was the abundance of dragon-ying Heroic Spirits and Noble Phantasms.


    "Not for long, my master. You''ve broken through your previous limits. One day, you be the pride of your racea divine ss dragon."


    "That might take a long while."


    "I''ll be here to watch over your growth."


    She had to recruit him at all costs now. Nothing was more assuring than having a strong familiar on her side.


    "It''s safe to say I''m immune to your attacks now," Haruki revealed calmly. "Semi, I need your help with Sakura''s case."


    He could try the baptism magecraft of the Holy Church to erase the worms, but he''d rather not experiment on Sakura at all.


    "What help? Do you want me to kill her worms?"


    "Yes."


    "It''s easy. When are we doing it?"


    "After we kill Zouken."


    "Command noted, my master."


    Haruki sighed as he reyed the n of killing Zouken in his mind. He had to kill Zouken''s worm in Sakura''s body right after killing Zouken. He could either bring Sakura along with others, or left Sakura in Medea and Semiramis''s care.


    "What do you think is more effective?" Arch questioned. "More efficient in this case."


    ''Thetter one.''


    He closed his eyes and tested his new precognition skill. A flurry of information regarding Shinji, Zouken, and Rider streamed through his nk vision.


    Three possible oues surfaced, each ending in Zouken and Shinji''s deaths. The only variable was Sakura. She was controlled by Zouken, and she managed to overpower Zouken''s control. In the other oue, Sakura stayed home with Semiramis and Medea and safely escaped the situation. Thest ending though left him with a cold spirit.


    ''What the fuck is Sakura doing?''


    The future Haruki had chosen to stay with Sakura to support her while Artoria, Rider, and Lancer slew Zouken. Even though he remained there to motivate Sakura during the procedure, it achieved the opposite effect. Sakura gave up halfway when Haruki expressed a slight disgust at the worms and made a rash decision to kill herself.


    The horror of such an oue numbed his mind.


    ''Good thing I used my precognition.''


    Semiramis tapped his shoulder. "Your face is pale as if you saw a ghost."


    "It was a thought more terrifying than a wraith."

 Chapter 64: Delay

    Chapter 64: Dy


    [Task Completed. Well done!]


    [1 X Premium Gacha Coupon rewarded.]


    [Awakening Progress: 5.1%]


    Haruki swiped the spear to shake the hideous blood. Silence enveloped the surroundings, his heartbeats growing louder and louder.


    "Your awakening," Arch said. "Want me to dy it?"


    ''Please do.''


    He couldn''t let it happen when the threat of Angra Mainyu hadn''tpletely vanished.


    Artoria shook his shoulder. "Master, are you feeling sick? As I thought, letting me kill the magus was a better idea."


    She had felt nauseated on her first kill after years of strict training to be a king. Haruki was a normal student before everything.


    "It''s not what you think," Haruki denied with a shake of his head. "I might have used too much magical energy."


    "You should rest," Rin said.


    Medusa folded her arms on her chest, idly observing the magical energy''s flow in Haruki''s body.


    "Master grew stronger," she conveyed with telepathy. "Is it because you killed the mage?"


    Haruki stared at Medusa''s calm expression. ''You get strong from drinking blood, I get strength from ughter. A perfect match if I say so myself.''


    "A peculiar ability. I assume it''s from the dragon race."


    She sounded more amused than afraid of his ability. Rather, she felt a bit giddy to find someone who shared something simr with her.


    "Master, can we go?" Cu Chinn asked. "This stench is making me vomit."


    Rin scrunched her nose. "It''s horrendous."


    Artoria shed her sword, shredding all the remnants of flesh and sending it far. "


    "Strong," Rin muttered, envying Saber''s strength. "What do we do now? Return home?"


    Aspetitive a person she was, she trusted Haruki''s judgment after relying on him. He solved Sakura''s servant problem, took care of the Matou Family all the while getting himself five servants.


    Haruki shook his head. He didn''t contact Medea in fear of disturbing her during the crucial moment.


    Rin stared at his face for a moment before she sighed. "What do you think happened between Otou-san and Matous?"


    "Forget about that for now. Zouken was toying with your head," Haruki said, narrowing his eyes. "Miss Tohsaka''s confidence is shaken so easily?"


    "O-Of course no!"


    "Then stop whining."


    "Master, my advice is to collect evidence on him," Artoria advised. "We have executed a magus the Mage''s Association may not take it too kindly."


    Artoria had heard of the nefarious reputation of the Mage''s Association. Mages were given free rein over innocent lives as long as they left no evidence.


    She despised the fact that this self-indulgence was allowed.


    Rin finally remembered she was the Second Owner of Fuyuki. The Association had made the Tohsaka family in charge of every supernatural activity in thends of Fuyuki. A mage was murdered in her territory.


    Rin felt her head spinning at the thought of giving all the exnations to the Association. If she didn''t, her family might lose reputation in the Clocktower, and she might even get a punishment.


    ''I won''t regret it.''


    The Tohsaka family was already declining. If it sank at the cost of saving her sister, she had no reason for regrets.


    Haruki told Archer, Cu Chinn, and Medusa to scout the city for any traces of Angra Mainyu. They weren''t allowed to fight him under any circumstances. Even Cu Chinn didn''t show any battle spirit when Haruki told him about the horrors of the All World''s Evil. Artoria had to stay since she couldn''t turn into her spiritual form.


    Haruki entered the mansion with Rin and Artoria and ran through every room. Rin found the secret passage to the basement and almost followed her impulses to check it out. Of course, Haruki didn''t allow her anywhere near the basement.


    After nearly an hour of investigation, they collected enough evidence to drown the Association in facts.


    Rin tossed all the documents in a bag. "All done. Let''s return to Sakura."


    "We''re going to your mansion."


    Haruki hadn''t received Medea''s message. He might as well finish his awakening somewhere safe. Rin''s mansion wasn''t far from here.


    Rin frowned, staring him down as if he had something suspicious. "You''re hiding something. What is it?"


    Haruki shrugged. "It''s better if you don''t know."


    "If you say so."


    Rin gave up on finding out about this secret. On the surface at least.


    ''I''ll find it sooner orter.''


    Artoria, now back to her white dress, walked back into the room. With her arrival, Haruki departed from the now-empty mansion.


    Tall trees surrounded the eerily silent two-storey mansion. Tohsaka mansion lived up to its reputation for being the ''haunted house'' of Fuyuki.


    Rin unlocked the door, which also disabled the barrier around the ce. She looked back to find Haruki and Artoria staring at her.


    "What?"


    Haruki shook his head. "I keep forgetting you''re filthy rich."


    "Rich?" She looked up at the mansion that had aged well considering it was built over two generations ago. "It''s the norm for magus families. I''m more amazed that your mother didn''t indulge in luxury. Was she indebted to someone?"


    "I also want to know her history."


    Haruki followed Rin inside the mansion. Rin took him to the living room, offered them seats before she copsed face down on a couch.


    "I feel dead the insects were too much."


    Haruki breathed a sigh of relief after two back-to-back fights. "Rin, shouldn''t you serve us some tea?"


    Without bothering to lift her face, Rin waved her hand. "Ask your Servant."


    Artoria nced away from Haruki''s expectant gaze. "Master, I can''t in my time there were no tes, the meat was merely cooked and thrown onto the table drinks only involved basic mead."


    She only learned about tea after being summoned in this era.


    Rin raised her head and gave Artoria pitiful look. "Poor you."


    "So that''s why she is such a glutton," Haruki whispered, recalling Artoria''s monstrous appetite. "Guess I''ll make something."


    Rin grinned, pointing him towards the kitchen. "Be careful. You''re our Lord Savior."


    "..."

 Chapter 65: The Rule

    Chapter 65: The Rule


    Bazett had seen humans feasting on another human''s blood; distorted experiments that pushed the word ''extreme''; and Chimera, the hideous creature strewn together from multiple life forms. She could confidently say she had seen the worst things in her life. Yet, the ''thing'' before her shook her nerves.


    Four grotesque eyes blinked and moved within a giant cocooned mass of flesh. The hideous manifestation of the legendary Holy Grail left her with dread. She couldn''t believe the mages were going to spill blood and die for this demonic wish-granting machine. Worst of all, she was one of those mages before she was betrayed.


    As if not fearing the grotesque structure, a woman with long, flowing white hair caressed the Grail as if she was a mother consoling her child.


    "You''ll be perfect soon," she whispered.


    Gilgamesh was standing behind Bazett, feeling amused at fate. First mother and now daughter, both lost their lives just to let the All World''s Evil blossom into the world. "This world is full of surprises."


    The woman, formerly known as Illyasviel, approached Bazett. Her pristine, naked form was covered in crimson lines resembling magic circuits. Angra Mainyu molded Illyasviel''s body into its most beloved formIrisviel Von Einzbern.


    "Put some clothes on" Bazett whispered. Even as a woman, she was strangely attracted to Angra Mainyu''s feminine grace.


    Angra Mainyu heard Bazett and tilted her head. "Clothes?" (A/N:- Angra Mainyu will be referred to as female from now on.)


    The markings on her body glowed intensely. The Grail manifestation oozed dark mud as a small ck hole swirled above it. The phenomenon ended instantaneously.


    "Another failure. I can''t contain the mana from the root."


    Illyasviel had superior specs than Sakura, yet Angra Mainyu felt Sakura''s Hollow Element would help her in this conundrum. A vessel with no limits. Angra Mainyu needed that to connect with the Grail and bring its darkness into the world.


    For the time being, she sucked the mana from the leylines. Two red butterfly wings sprouted behind her and enveloped her in a cocoon. The shell cracked and dispersed into ashes. Angra Mainyu appeared in a long, ck dress which she wore during her interactions with Illyasviel. Her glowing scarlet eyes were nk, yet her face carried a grin. "Clothes."


    Gilgamesh looked at Angra Mainyu. "You are still weak."


    The incarnation of All World''s Evil could barelypete with a servant.


    Angra Mainyu nodded her head. "I need the purple girl. But the old man is dead."


    She couldn''t save her precious pawn due to her limitations. Gilgamesh refused to intervene for a magus as creepy as Zouken.


    "Purple girl? The Second Lesser Grail?" Gilgamesh asked.


    "There is just one problem. The girl is protected by that boy he has six servants on his side."


    "Six servants?" Gilgamesh mused and nced behind. Heracles was tied up within the Chains of Heaven. "Everyone besides Heracles have allied hey, you there. Go fetch the Lesser Grail."


    Bazett stared at him nkly. "How will I fight against six servants?"


    She could take on one servant under optimal conditions. Six servants would be doom for everyone.


    Gilgamesh wanted to fight, but he needed time to recover from his fight with Heracles.


    Angra Mainyu walked up to Berserker. "Basaka, I''m temporarily ending our contract. Hang in there, okay?"


    She unknowingly acted like Illyasviel without finding it strange.


    "What are you going to do?" Gilgamesh asked as he saw Angra Mainyu severing her connection with Berserker.


    "I''m invoking a rule."


    Angra Mainyu approached Bazett and touched her chest. An unknown force pulled Bezett, which she couldn''t resist and got dragged into the Grail''s manifestation. The dark mud filled with curses swallowed her.


    Angra Mainyu sat down and scribbled a magic circle on the floor.


    A magic circle that initiated the ritual to summon the Heroic Spirits.


    There was a rule under Fuyuki''s Grail System. A rule the overseer could use should the Masters allies with each other. It simply granted the authority to summon seven additional Servants to fight the allied Masters and Servants.


    The branched ley lines under Fuyuki shriveled as Angra Mainyu used them to summon the servants of her choice.


    Gilgamesh watched everything unfold with a grin. After all, the utterly boring war was going to be the greatest Holy Grail War. A small city like Fuyuki would not survive the wrath of thirteen Servants.


    "Shall I act as the Ruler?"


    He didn''t want to participate in this chaos and end everything. So he simply chose to be the overseer and rulemaker between the two factions.


    With Bazett as the physical anchor, the first servant manifested into the world. At the center of it all, stood a fully armored knight whose sword dug into the muddy ground. The two demonic horns on the knight''s helm made it far from the chivalric knights like King Arthur. The helm covering the knight''s face split and merged with the armor, revealing a youthful face with emerald green eyes.


    Gilgamesh couldn''t close his opened mouth. "Saber."


    He mistook her for his archnemesis, the King of Knights. The only servant whose beauty was worthy of acknowledgement in this world. However, he felt something off about her. Saber wouldn''t wear armor with crimson marking, and she always kept her sword concealed from the eyes.


    Gilgamesh released the seal on Sha Naqba Imuru. All the secrets were revealed in that instant.


    "You''re Mordred," Gilgamesh said, disappointment written all over his face. "The Treacherous Knight of the Round Table."


    To think Angra Mainyu summoned the Knight who was responsible for King Arthur''s downfall in the legends.


    "I take it you''re my Master?" Mordred asked, staring at the Grail''s manifestation. "Truth be told, it''s not the ce I want to be summoned in."

 Chapter 66: The Six

    Chapter 66: The Six


    Gilgamesh pointed at Angra Mainyu standing behind Mordred. "That is your Master."


    Mordred couldn''t help but grin at the revtion that her Master was a homunculus. She was created with Artoria and Morgan Le Fay''s DNA, a homunculus who became a teen in the mere span of a decade. Never did she think her Master would be a homunculus.


    Angra Mainyu ignored Mordred''s enthusiasm. "I''ll exin everythingter."


    Mordred had no other option but to watch as Angra Mainyu summoned the next servant.


    A young woman whose half face was covered in a white skull mask. Her short, violet-colored hair cupped her face, half of which was concealed by a white skull mask. Her ck, form-fitting outfit only emphasized her lethal curves. Whether it was her attire or the kunai in her hands, everything about her screamed the word ''Assassin.''


    She kneeled before Angra Mainyu, her gaze still on the ground. "I havee to this world because of you. I shall devote my poisonous body, my willmy everything to you."


    "Hassan of Serenity" Angra Mainyu muttered Assassin''s name with a nod. "I ept."


    Hassan ced her hand on her chest before she stood up and concealed herself in the darkness.


    "This process is slow."


    Angra Mainyu thought to try what no mage should ever doshe drew out some magical energy from the Root and took the leftover from the ley lines. She summoned four servants in one go. No matter how she wanted, she couldn''t bring herself to summon another Berserker-ss Servant.


    ''Stop controlling my actions.''


    The underground cave was instantly crammed with several powerful entities. Gilgamesh watched them on a throne as if he was their king. Not every servant took his arrogance lightly.


    One particr woman red at Gilgamesh, her crimson eyes glowing with fierce intent. "You dare show contempt to the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven. Shall I take it as an invitation to war?"


    The Servant of Archer, who was wearing a military outfit, looked no older than a teenager. Yet, her gaze and her aura lived up to her name, Demon King of the Sixth Heaven, Oda Nobunaga.


    Gilgamesh didn''t put the neer in his eyes. "Another fodder to relieve my boredom."


    "Fodder?" Nobunaga was genuinely pissed, so she summoned a massive number of matchlocks behind her. "King or God, everything will return to thisnd one day."


    She was a Heroic Spirit from the modern age without much ''Mystery'' behind her existence. But her skill ''Unifying the Nation by Force - Innovation'' put her in an advantage against the Heroic Spirits with high ''Mystery.''


    Before Nobunaga could fire one shot, a young man blocked her. His gentle smile was enough to disarm all the hostility in the atmosphere.


    "We shouldn''t be fighting among each other."


    He had long, messy white hair and wore high-quality robes simr to a king. He in fact was the very King of Magecraft, whomanded the seventy-two demon gods as his familiars. Angra Mainyu summoned him for his undeniable strength as well as the ten rings around his arms. Solomon''s Rings could nullify any and every magecraft in the world.


    "Come on. Come on. Let''s not set fire on the ship we''ll sail to victory," A blonde man interjected an overly friendly remark into the situation. "Name is Jason, Captain of the Argonauts. The magus who summoned me is one stunningdy."


    Nobunaga didn''t back down in the face of two servants and pulled the trigger of every matchlock on Gilgamesh.


    Solomon grimaced and quickly chanted a magecraft spell. The hail of bullets froze in the air before a spark burned them to ashes. It wasn''t his nature to earn others'' hostility, but he couldn''t let a fight break out that could potentially ''hurt'' his Master.


    Gilgamesh wasn''t paying attention to the ruckus caused by Nobunaga. His eyes were locked on thest servant who was kneeling on the ground. Another woman with features simr to Artoria. Instead of blonde hair, she had eye-catching white hair with a single ck bang. Mordred only spared the woman one nce before looking away. The woman didn''t have the aura of a monarch like her ''father.''


    "Rider," Angra Mainyu called the white-haired woman. "What is this ritual?"


    "Nothing, Master." Rider opened her eyes with a grin. "I was feeling nostalgic from this scent. The scent of mynd." She looked at Nobunaga. "Old friend, we met again."


    Nobunaga''s eyes widened at the familiar voice. "Kenshin what the fuck! We''re summoned by the same master!"


    Nobunaga never thought she would reunite with her old rival Uesugi Kenshin in this way. The self-proimed avatar of Bishamonten became her sparring partner for a brief time. It was a hard-fought battle with Kenshin''s ''Armor is on the Chest'' skill rendering her matchlock bullets useless. She always got overwhelmed by Kenshin''s unusual way of using spear and katana at the same time.


    "Call me Kagetora would you? Why must Kenshin be more popr than my real name?" Kagetora said with a wry smile before regaining her bright self. "It''s the will of Bishamonten to reunite us here. Let''s celebrate it with a drink, yeah?"


    "Some sake right now would make my day."


    The servants stared at the pair jovially talking while forgetting the rest of them.


    Angra Mainyu appraised each servants'' parameters, only to be disappointed at Jason''s low parameters.


    ''Why did I even summon him? He is so weak''


    The answer to her question came soon as Jason curiously made his way towards Heracles.


    "Oi, who is this brute?" Jason shivered even though the colossal man was imprisoned by a Noble Phantasm. "No way, Heracles?! Friend, how did you end up like this? Master, free my friend right this instant."


    Angra Mainyu sighed. She ended up summoning Heracles'' friend from the past. Instead ofmenting over it, she gathered all of them and told them their purpose.

 Chapter 69: *About Solomon*

    Chapter 69: *About Solomon*


    I am just gonna clear something about Solomon.


    "How did Angra Mainyu summon Solomon?"


    Grail can choose whichever Servant to summon ording to Master''s personality. Angra Mainyu is part of the grail. She can summon any servant as long as they are recorded in the Throne of Heroes, not the Divine Spirits, of course. She doesn''t need Catalysts.


    "Why has ya/Gaia not noticed Angra Mainyu''s actions?"


    She didn''t care when fourteen servants were summoned or Angra Mainyu became a mess with Sakura. Nasu himself said Grand Servants will be summoned when half the world was submerged in All World''s Evil.


    "How did Solomon be a normal Caster?"


    Solomon has the qualifications to be summoned as Grand Caster. However, he can also be summoned as a normal Caster. Marisbury summoned Solomon as Caster in FGO timeline. He is strong but not as broken as his Grand Caster version. He is still limited by his homunculus vessel.

 Chapter 73: He ran away?

    Chapter 73: He ran away?


    Haruki told Semiramis to hurry up. Artoria was feasting on some bread in Rin''s kitchen, so Semiramis'' search took longer than she intended. Haruki called Medusa and Cu Chinn. He was convinced that he could beat Gilgamesh. However, the dragon yer weapons in Gilgamesh''s arsenal scared him.


    It turned out that Medusa and Cu Chinn were already standing at his door, ring at Gilgamesh d in golden armor. Standing on top of a fence, Gilgamesh looked down on Haruki''s servants with pure contempt.


    "Master, can I smash his fucking face?"


    Only Cu Chinn could say something like this despite knowing Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes.


    "Lowly Servant, I''m not here for you." Gilgamesh turned his attention to Haruki. "You''re the lowborn whomand six Servants. A mongrel with dragon filth."


    He hadn''t sealed Sha Naqba Imuru after searching for Sakura through its irvoyance. Even so, he couldn''t fully discern Haruki''s origin. Then again, Haruki''s background was of no importance to him.


    Medea held herself back from unleashing her rage. Thanks to Haruki''s affection and care, she had gotten better at controlling her rampant emotions.


    Medusa stood by Haruki''s side, ready to follow his orders on a moment''s notice.


    Gilgamesh''s anger red up at Haruki''s silent stare. "Hurry up and bring me the Lesser Grail."


    Gilgamesh was going to keep Sakura with him. Only the winner between Angra Mainyu and Haruki will be able to im Sakura. It would be hisst mercy for mankind.


    Haruki didn''t take Gilgamesh''s words to heart. "You got the wrong address, Kiddo."


    "How insolent. I wasn''t going to kill your Servants. But you left me with no choice, Mongrel." Gilgamesh folded his arms on his chest as golden ripples appeared behind him. "Witness the beauty of the Gate of Babylon before you perish to its treasures."


    "Archer!" Artoria dashed into the yard, stopping before Haruki with Excalibur in her hands. "Stay your hand."


    Gilgamesh was stunned, to say the least. It was his first time seeing Artoria in a proper dress. Her white dress properly brought out her innocent charm, rekindling Gilgamesh''s desires from ten years ago.


    While Gilgamesh was busy admiring Artoria, Semiramis strolled to Haruki''s side. "I bought cavalry, my master."


    Haruki patted her back. "Good job, Semi. You can rest inside."


    "Let''s rest togetherter, Master."


    "Sure."


    Semiramis stared at him, wondering why he epted her offer so easily. The way he treated her changed after she helped Sakura, almost as if he began to acknowledge her as a partner instead of a simple servant. The fact that she had earned this recognition through her abilities, instead of maniption, filled her chest with pride.


    "Silly Master" she giggled.


    Archer stood behind Gilgamesh, holding Kanshou and Bakuya in his hands. Rin was beside him, eyeing the servant in golden armor.


    Gilgamesh chuckled, not paying attention to the fact that six servants had surrounded him. "Geez, you foolish woman became more feminine in my absence. "


    The impact of Artoria in a pure white dress almost dazed the King of Heroes.


    Artoria remained unperturbed by Gilgamesh''s remarks. Summoning her magic armor, she pointed her concealed de at Gilgamesh. "Archer, you shouldn''t be here."


    "I want to battle you, Saber." Gilgamesh shook his head. "This ce is too shabby for our divine reunion. Come with me, Saber. I have the Grail in my grasp. All of your wishes wille true. Join me in this conquest."


    Haruki approached Artoria and slipped his arm around her waist as though dering his possession over Artoria. "We can''t fight him here."


    He had conveyed the same to Medusa, Medea, and Cu Chinn. His mother was a Beast-ss, but she was only a soul at the moment. She will certainly not survive if the house gets obliterated.


    Artoria couldn''t help but notice the strangepulsion in Haruki''s words as though his voice carried some kind of authority. She had B-Rank Charisma skill, which should render most, if not every charm useless. Confused, she didn''t pay any mind to Haruki''s intimate gesture.


    "I understand." She couldn''t bring harm to the innocents by fighting here.


    Haruki pecked her cheeks with a grin. "d you understand."


    The lingering warmth of the kiss left Artoria stunned for a moment. Shaking her head, she looked at Gilgamesh. "Archer, since this ce is shabby by your standards, let us move somewhere secluded"


    She suddenly paused and raised her sword. A wave of swords exploded out of the Gate of Babylon, each one intent on taking Haruki''s life. The projectiles were a blur in Rin''s eyes, but Artoria and Medusa struck down each projectile with ease. Right now, Artoria and Medusa were quite literally at the peak state of their vessels.


    Gilgamesh pulled out a in-looking sword and pointed at Haruki. "Lowlife, you dare to taint Saber with your tarnished hands."


    Gilgamesh had hoped Haruki would engage in a war with Angra Mainyu. That event will be Gilgamesh''sst leniency against mortals before Angra Mainyu unleashes her wrath on the world. Besides, he could kill Haruki anytime, or so he thought.


    "Artoria is my Servant for your kind information." Haruki grinned fearlessly. "What do you even want with Sakura? Don''t you have Illyasviel as the Lesser Grail?"


    He shot an arrow in the dark as he was unaware of Illyasviel''s current whereabouts.


    "Angra Mainyu wille for the Fifth," Gilgamesh said before he turned around. "Your six Servants will sh against the seven Servants of Angra Mainyu. The winner shally im to the faulty Lesser Grail."


    Gilgamesh was assured of Angra Mainyu''s victory since she had Heracles on their side. The Greek Hero had earned his respect with tenacity. None of the Servants around Haruki could match Heracles in his eyes. Simply put, he saw them as nothing more than dogs with a slight bite.


    "Jerk." Rin threw a Gandr bullet at Gilgamesh''s face. "Stop talking like my sister is some object. Archer!" She thrust her right hand, the one with her Command Spells. "The Master of Tohsaka n orders you"


    Emiya ced his hand over Rin''s mouth and pointed at Gilgamesh. An enormous magic circle spread underneath Gilgamesh, then he disappeared without a trace.


    "Did I kill him?" Rin blinked her eyes. "Was he that weak?"


    "He is gone." Haruki couldn''t believe his eyes. Gilgamesh had too much pride to escape the way he did just now. Even if Gilgamesh was going to die, he wouldn''t resort to such tactics.


    ''Angra Mainyu?''


    Gilgamesh would be done for if he had stayed until Emiya activated his Noble Phantasm. Unlimited de Works was a direct counter to Gilgamesh''s ''Gate of Babylon spam'' fighting style.


    ''Well I got the information I needed.''


    Haruki saw Rin lost in some thought and flicked her forehead. "You looked like a witch. The poor guy ran away."


    "Stop joking." Rin almost yelled. She couldn''t tell if he was being serious or not. "You have to fill me in on the Lesser Grail and Sakura''s connection."


    "Fine. Let''s go inside."


    With the change in Sakura''s condition, he could reveal everything to Rin.

 Chapter 78: Animal Spirits

    Chapter 78: Animal Spirits


    Check out my homie''s story. Son of the Hero King. It got great fantasy world with smut and nice characters! /book/son-of-the-hero-king_24153504605334705


    ***


    In a world of eternal gloom, a castle of dark stones was built upon hills. An enigmatic woman sat at the edge of the castle wall. Her ck tight outfit melded her in the shadows. A pair of red eyes scanned a massive tower that loomed over the castle. Her castle. Spirits of the old clung to the newly constructed mysterious structure as though trying to possess it.


    "Who made it?"


    The Ruler of the Land of Shadows couldn''t see through the tower since an invisible wall blocked her perception. The woman killed spirits of demigods daily. Yet, the hidden barrier refused to budge under her relentless assault. On asion, she saw spirits pass the barrier and enter the tower. As if an entity allowed them to enter its boundaries. An entity beyond the realm of Divine Spirits.


    "I must get to the bottom of this."


    The tower reduced her workload of calling spirits. However, she felt uneasy about a conscious tower rampaging inside her domain. She had to enter the tower and meet the owner.


    No one was allowed to show off in her territory.


    ***


    Semiramis arrived at the mysterious location. The overwhelming sorrows far above any battlefield filled with corpsesshe could feel every bit of darkness lingering in the mncholic corridors.


    "It''s a different world."


    This was all she could think to describe this ce.


    Haruki nodded at Semiramis''s assumption. "It is."


    The Land of Dead had the convenient manifestation of the mobs on the floor and bosses having their separate rooms. He believed it to be a world created by Arch for training him. He had a hunch that it was more than just a training ground. The giant tower and System had to be built with a greater purpose.


    "How did my master get the key to this dimension?"


    Medea was also curious about the answer, but she didn''t pry too much into Haruki''s secrets. Semiramis was of the opposite mindset. If there was a mystery, she wanted to get to the core of it.


    "Sheesh, stop with the interrogation. I''ll reveal everything when the time is right. Let me focus on fighting now."


    Haruki walked ahead and stumbled into a new creature around the corner. A hound with rotten flesh clinging to its skeleton.


    The hound pounced at him with open jaws. Haruki strengthened the spear with reinforcement and casually swung it. The hound''s jaw shattered from the overwhelming force before it spun three times in the air and crashed on the ground.


    Haruki stomped on the canine''s head.


    [Awakening Progress: 5.3%]


    ''It''s rather weak for a 6th-floor mob or I am far stronger than thest time.''


    "It''s thetter, young one. These are spirits of dead animals mutated with time," Arch said. "If I''m being honest here, you can''t go past the 30th floor with your current strength."


    ''I can surpass Artoria''s stats with reinforcement. You''re telling me that I can''t go beyond the 30th floor?''


    "Can you fight Heracles alone?"


    Haruki barely kept his calm. ''What is this fucked up difficulty? What is the boss of thest floor then? Cthulhu?''


    Arch giggled yfully. "I''m the final boss."


    ''You are the final woman I have to conquer? Okay, bring it on. I can''t be a real dragon without a dragon mate.''


    "..."


    As expected of the shut-in goddess, Arch couldn''t one-up him in a battle of words. At least not in this fashion. Things might have turned out differently if they talked inside Arch''s room where she showed more confidence. She owned that ce and acted like it.


    Haruki stomped his way through the hordes of different household pets, skeleton warriors, and wraiths. Medea almost cried out every time he killed small foxes and cats. Semiramis went out of her way to torment undead kittens, much to Medea''s despair. Frankly, the mobs were no match for him or his yet-to-be-named Mystic Code. He was d he didn''t bring Artoria. The King of Knights would be overkill on these piss easy floors.


    In less than two hours, he was standing before the door leading into the 10th-floor boss room. Semiramis held a massive bag filled with magical essences. She didn''t look displeased to work as a supporter of the group.


    "Should we stop for a bit?" Medea asked, handing Haruki a water bottle. "The boss could be a strong one."


    Semiramis winked at him. "My master can borrow myp if you want~."


    "And why would he do that when his lover is here?" Medea shot down Semiramis with pure, unadulterated facts. "Don''t you ever feel embarrassed?"


    Unfazed, Semiramis smiled. "A monarch cannot survive without a thick skin."


    Haruki gulped down the water without paying attention to the bickering women. Their fights only amused him. Semiramis had earned Medea''s respect after their work together with Sakura''s condition. Likewise, Semiramis appreciated Medea''s knowledge in magecraft. The pair wanted to get along, but they had too much pride to admit it.


    Medea, especially, didn''t want Semiramis to get closer to Haruki.


    ''They probably never had a close friend Arch, show me my status.''


    [Haruki Hayashi]


    Species: Dragon [Current awakening progress 5.7%]


    Age: 17


    Gender: Male


    Height, Weight: 183cm/76kg


    Alignment: Chaotic Neutral


    [Parameters]


    Strength: 30 (C)


    Endurance: 30 (C)


    Agility: 28 (C-)


    Magical energy: 70 (EX)


    Luck: 10 (E)


    ''EX-rank mana. Not bad indeed.''


    With the reinforcement spell, there wasn''t any difference between him and a top-ss Servant. The only difference was in skills and experience. He was still a novicepared to Artoria who trained since she was young and spearheaded wars for more years than his current age.


    "Mages will kill their families if they could have your mana," Arch said. "Your next authority will help with perception. You already know that I suppose."


    ''I guessed as much.''


    Haruki crushed the water bottle, forcing Semiramis and Medea to pause their battle. "Let''s go."


    He kicked open the door and furrowed his brows. A three meters tall red lion-headed beast rested in the center of the room. He was very familiar with the hybrid of lion and dog, an offspring of Tiamat, the Goddess of Beginning. Also known as Beast II.


    "It''s not an ordinary Uridimmu," Arch said. "It''s a beast that feasted on the resentment in the Land of ShLand of Dead it''s stronger than the one you remember."


    Haruki almost missed her stumble on the Land of Dead. He already doubted this ce to be inside the Land of Shadows. Arch just confirmed those doubts.


    ''Scthach Onee-sama.''


    The death-seeking warrior was one of his favorites, if not the most favorite Heroic Spirit. He naturally hoped to get along with her and possibly be her disciple. Only Chiron came close to her in the matters of teachingbat.


    ''Imagine I have to fight Scthach at the top.''


    "..."


    Uridimmu stepped forward and howled, shaking the very air in the room.


    "Haruki-sama"


    "I got this." Haruki pecked Medea''s lips before he rushed at the impatient beast.


    He cut off his momentum with a sudden left turn and nked the beast with a vicious kick. With a dash, he caught up to the monster barreling through the air and drove the glowing spear through its spine. For extra measures, he strengthened his leg with the reinforcement spell and precisely kicked the spear shaft. Instead of nailing the monster on the ground, as he imagined, the spearhead slowly dragged the monster, scratching the ground with ear-piercing sounds.


    [Awakening Progress: 5.81%]


    Harukinded on the ground and dusted his hands. "Whew,rger monsters are fun to beat."

 Chapter 82: Deal with Lady Edelfelt

    Chapter 82: Deal with Lady Edelfelt


    "Luvia is in the middle of an important task given to her by the Clocktower. It''s hard to get a hold of her now. I''m sorry I couldn''t be of help."


    A soft but fearless voice came from the phone pressed against Rin''s ears. The owner was the mother of the current Head of the Edelfelt family.


    Lady Edelfelt.


    "Luviagelita is busy?" Rin rubbed her pulsing temples. "I called the Edelfelt household for an important discussion regarding the magic jewels."


    "Oho, you have my attention."


    "My friend in Fuyuki City wants to exchange a great quantity of the stocked up jewels we use."


    "Fuyuki?" the voice sounded surprised for a moment. "I thought you moved out after your father''s death You''re in the middle of a Holy Grail War of unimaginable scale. The Clocktower already assembled some mages to solve the problem. What could have triggered this?"


    The Clocktower sending a mage was well within her and Haruki''s expectations. Not that the mages had any chance to deal with this messy war unless they sent a Magician, which had one in a million chances.


    "The remnants of an evil god possessed the Holy Grail. Its goals are unknown but it has summoned seven servants as its army."


    Rin purposely left Sakura out of her story. Mage''s Association would be interested in Sakura if they found out an evil god sought Sakura.


    "That is not good. Rin, you must abandon your position as Master and leave the city."


    "I can''t do it, Lady Edelfelt. I''m the supervisor of Fuyuki City. I have to help the mages from the association. Um, who did they send?"


    "Lord El Melloi II is in charge. I do not know about the rest."


    Rin narrowed her eyes. The name Lord El Melloi II recently rose as one of the best professors in the Clocktower. His revolutionary teaching methods changed the basics of magecraft lessons. He was an influential figure in the Clocktower for the power he held.


    "So about the jewels."


    Lady Edelfelt giggled. "How many?"


    "He didn''t disclose the number but he said it''s a lot. My friend isn''t the one to exaggerate things."


    "You trust this person a great deal."


    "I do, Lady Edelfelt. He is a great guy."


    Haruki hid many things from her and came off as a shady guy. He never lied to her about anything. She trusted Sakura''s judgment of character since she knew Haruki for a long time.


    "Oho, it seems spring is near for Tohsaka Princess."


    Rin blushed as she realized Lady Edelfelt''s meaning. "It''s not like that, Lady Edelfelt. We''re just friends"


    She would never do anything that''d disappoint Sakura. Eyeing her man was the easiest way to break their mended rtionship. She, however, couldn''t stop a deranged fantasy from taking root in her heart.


    "It all starts with ''friends'', youngdy," Lady Edelfelt continued teasing Rin. "What does your friend desire in exchange? Money?"


    "He is in urgent need of several materials from Iraq and Baghdad. I''d be very grateful if the deal finished as soon as possible."


    Lady Edelfelt took a moment to answer, "Give me the name of materials. I''d send them your way. You and Luvia can finish the deal once she is avable. Are you fine with this arrangement?"


    Lady Edelfelt trusted the Tohsaka name enough to send payment in advance. "It''s wonderful, Lady Edelfelt. I''ll message you everything in a second!"


    She was over the moon to get the materials without visiting some foreign country. It saved so much precious time.


    "Take care, sweetheart. Don''t die before fulfilling your payment."


    "I will not."


    Rin''s voice was filled with confidence. They had a literal dragon from the mythologies as the master of several servants. To top everything off, he never let his emotions control him.


    He was the leader they needed to fight the evil god.


    Rin put back the phone in its holder and slumped in the chair. "I did something."


    The daughter of the Tohsaka n aplished something on her own. Even though she was an impressive mage, Haruki hogged all the spotlight from her. She hadn''t received any opportunity to act as Archer''s Master or the daughter of Tohsaka n. She couldn''t bear witness to the fruit of her training.


    ''At least we killed the scum together.''


    She contributed to the fight, or so she wanted to believe. Shaking her head, she sighed and leaned her head on the couch.


    "Archer, we need to up our game. We can''t go down as NPCs in the greatest Holy Grail War in history."


    "Master, you''re overthinking it." Emiya made an appearance and ruffled her hair. "I''ll get you some herbal tea."


    Once Emiya left the room, Medusa emerged from the shadows. "You''re helping a ton by supporting Sakura."


    Rin stared at Medusa. The beauty with a blindfold should be thest woman to offer herforting words.


    Medusa revealed a small smile at her doubtful look. "It''s what Master would say if he was here."


    Rin could vividly imagine Haruki saying those words with a cheeky grin. His confidence to disregard her status was one of his charms.


    Rin snapped out of her daze and blushed. "I-I get it. No need to exin."


    Her blush was enough proof for Medusa''s sess. Medusa got a fine grasp of Haruki''s character in the brief time. He''d spare no effort in making his close ones happy. He reminded her of her younger self whomitted atrocious acts to be stronger. To protect her sisters from the humans who branded her family as a monster.


    The same fate might befall on her master because of his dragon race.


    She truly hoped the people around Haruki helped him with this enormous pressure.


    ***


    You can support me and read 10 more chapters on /GMilfHunter

 Chapter 87: Master of Breast Valley

    Chapter 87: Master of Breast Valley


    A/N: The best chapter name ever.


    ***


    [''Partners'' Authority activated]


    [Authority acquired: Master of Breast Valley.]


    ''What?''


    He checked on the skill in his status.


    Master of Breast Valley


    Sakura and your passion came together to form a separate, living pocket dimension within Sakura''s hollow soul.


    It is possible to store and retrieve objects inside Sakura''s pocket dimension known as Breast Valley. The pocket space under your control will increase with your familiarity with the region.


    Commands  Store, Withdraw, Trash.


    Haruki pushed Sakura''s shoulders. Sure enough there was a red horned imprint right above her cleavage like a pair of draconic horns. Her big breasts held a pocket dimension now, which could expand as he became more familiar with its concept.


    Sakura regained her consciousness after the mutual orgasm. She ced a hand on his chest, exhausted, even though she had five times the endurance of an average person.


    "Senpai your dragon cum is strong I almost felt Kama''s presence right there."


    "Girl, I told you something like this would happen. You didn''t listen."


    Sakura pushed her body and pecked at his lips. "I have to force it now if Senpai keeps getting stronger like this, I''d be left behind. I won''t be able to bear your child in the future."


    The talk progressed toward her motivation to be stronger, suddenly changing its course to her bearing a child. He was confused, bbergasted.


    "Why do you want a child?"


    Sakura meekly nodded. "I want a baby dragon just like Senpai."


    Haruki stared at her, skeptical. He brought up his status and peered into her thoughts.


    Sakura Matou: A descendant of the Tohsaka Family and inheritor of the Matou family.


    -Current status  I''m so happy to get his seed. With his child, I won''t be pushed aside! I-Is it going to be a real dragon?


    -Rtionship Status  199/100


    -Species  Human, Divine Spirit


    -Age  17, Uncountable


    -Gender  Female


    -Height, Weight  158cm/47kg


    -Alignment  Neutral Good


    -Parameters


    Strength: 10 (E)


    Endurance: 10 (E)


    Agility: 10 (E)


    Magical energy: 35 (B-)


    Luck: 20 (D)


    -Authorities


    Master of Breast Valley (Shared with you)


    -Noble Phantasm


    None


    -Skills


    Sorcery Trait: Conversion [A]


    Sorcery Element: Hollow [A]


    Sorcery Element: Water [E]


    Cooking [D]


    Blessing of the Goddess [C]


    Medea barely crossed the 100 mark recently, and Sakura almost reached 200. Medea could sacrifice her life for him, her devotion surpassed the ordinary. What lengths would Sakura go for him? Haruki couldn''t imagine.


    Her current thoughts made him smile wryly.


    ''This little vixen.''


    She could stay relevant if she gave birth to his childsuch was her thought. He couldn''t everprehend how she came to this conclusion with all his attention and care. He must becking in conveying his feelings.


    "You got these massive honkers but you''re so immature inside." Haruki grabbed her tits, squeezing them with his rough hands. "Do you think I''d push you aside after everything I did?"


    His tone was brimming with fury. Sakura panicked, her eyes glistening with tears.


    "S-Senpai, I''m sorry I won''t do it again."


    "There is only one way of forgiveness for you."


    Sakura keenly listened to his way of forgiveness, only to be lifted up and mmed down on his cock.


    "Ahhh. It''s touching a w-weird ce.."


    "I enjoy being with you. I''ll carve those feelings in your voluptuous body."


    Sakura moaned, pleasure overwhelming her mind. She couldn''t say a word under his tormenting thrusts.


    He didn''t let her rest even after an hour. It was the cost of doubting him.


    When all was said and done, Sakura was lying beside him, all sweaty and soft like a puddle of jelly.


    "Senpai"


    "Be quiet for a second. I''m trying something."


    For testing purposes, he tore a part of the bedsheet and willed the cloth to be sent to the pocket dimension.


    "Store."


    The cloth disappeared from his hand, and Sakura''s imprint briefly glowed. He thought about the same cloth and muttered, "Withdraw."


    The cloth returned to his hand.


    ''Sakura is my inventory.''


    Of all the ways to achieve an inventory, this one was the most bizarre and unexpected. The name Breast Valley reminded Haruki of the innocently monster and masochist version of Sakura named Passionlip. The creation of BB had bigger breasts than Sakura, nearly twice her size to be precise. Aside from their tragic background, they shared no simrities.


    Sakura rubbed the draconic imprint which she couldn''t see due to its position. "My chest is tingling I can feel Haruki-senpai''s love here."


    She asked nothing about his magic trick as if she already made up her mind about her tickling chest.


    Haruki steeled his expression and exined the little he knew about his new authority.


    "B-Breast Valley? How lewd, Senpai"


    "..."


    "Senpai can store things inside me. He''ll use me like a living storehouse."


    Her smile looked so radiant, as if being used by him brought her immense happiness. Kama choosing Sakura wasn''t any coincidence. Sakura was a goddess of love and devotion.


    "Don''t you feel the pocket dimension in your chest?"


    "I don''t"


    It seemed like only he could ess the pocket dimension.


    "Senpai, do you like my purple hair or my current white one?"


    "White hair and red eyesbo is fabulous. I love it."


    He revealed his honest thoughts about her appearance. Sakura with purple hair was cute and homely but her white hair and red eyes transformed her into a breathtaking beauty.


    Sakura nuzzled her cheeks on his chest, grinning like a fool. His answer satisfied her soul.

 Chapter 88: First appearance

    Chapter 88: First appearance


    A/N: *Imagine a letter full of emotional words*


    In the darkest hour of night, the door quietly opened and a hooded figure crept into Haruki''s room. The intruder stopped to watch Sakura clinging to Haruki. Their minds wandered in thend of dreams.


    Try as they may, their intrusion didn''t escape Haruki''s sharp senses. Dozens of thoughts surrounded him in an instant as he slowly opened his eyes and turned to his side.


    "It''s you."


    "Haruki-sama" Medea whispered, voice cracking as if she was about to cry. "Can I sleep here?"


    She slipped into the bed and hugged him. Her velvet robe slid around his naked chest and tickled him. She didn''t care about the messy bed sheets or the smell of lust drifting around the room.


    "What happened?"


    Medea would never show her vulnerable side without an excuse. Some mishap happened while he made love to Sakura.


    Medea hugged him tighter. "I was feeling lonely."


    "Medea, tell the truth."


    "Haruki-sama" she whined, fighting her urge to spill her heart out to him. "Nothing"


    "Fine. Don''t tell"


    "I had a bad dream," Medea revealed the truth after hearing the disappointment in his voice. "I was on the ship Argo with my old crewmates Heracles, Anta, and Jason Theyughed at me, scorned me for clinging to a young man They called me a pathetic wench"


    Haruki stroked her hair while listening to her heart. Sakura had made him very patient in these matters. "Do they matter to you now?"


    Medea shook her head, rubbing her chin against him. "They don''t. They are fools who threw away their life for that bastard Jason."


    "Then don''t cry."


    "I also came to get my due." Medea drew circles on his chest. "Haruku-sama, you broke your promise."


    She wasn''t lying about feeling lonely. He did say he''d fill her up during bath but the thing with Semiramis came upter.


    "How did it go with Semi?"


    "We''re a bit closer than before, and she wants to get into bed with Haruki-sama."


    "That''s nothing new."


    Medea gave him an insane but conditional defensive authority against the witches and Sakura gave him an inventory. What kind of authority would Semiramis yield? Her legends revolved around monarchy and poison.


    ''I wonder about Medusa and Artoria.''


    Their legends couldn''t be any more different from each other. Every authority would be different and new, a new tool in his arsenal to destroy his enemies.


    ''I can''t wait.''


    Before that, he had to satisfy the hungry sorceress lying in his arms. Since Sakura was deep in sleep, he could get away with fucking Medea here. Besides, he''d get fuck them together sooner orter since Sakura and Medea got along with each other.


    Medea slipped out of her ornate robes and straddled him. She took the charge this time, swaying her butt as she rode him. To make sure she didn''t wake up Sakura, Medea pressed herself against him and kissed him.


    It wasn''t long before he unloaded inside her, bringing her to her limits. Her second ascension brought her to a new height of ecstasy. She raised her gaze towards the ceiling and moaned. The voices she held back during her bout with Haruki came out in a shaking shriek.


    Sakura''s eyshes fluttered before her eyes opened. She wasn''t shocked or surprised. Leaning her face on her palm, she gave an amused smile, thest reaction one would expect from Sakura in this situation.


    "What a debaucherous man Sakura chose to devote her soul to."


    She radiated a dense magical energy, equal or perhaps greater than the sorceress lying on top of him.


    "Kama?" Haruki''s pupils dted as he put his arms around Medea and sat up. She was out to deal with her vessel''s evolution. "You finally came out. I wish you didn''t."


    "That''s so mean, Mister Young Dragon. I have been waiting for a chance to meet the man Sakura loves so much." Kama gave him a bored look. "You''re just so so a young dragon lost in his desires. I wager you will lose Sakura and everyone else you love on this path of debauchery."


    Kama''s cynical side was a facade put up to protect her weak-hearted disposition. Even so, her words pissed him off.


    "If loving my women is debauchery, then sure." Haruki shrugged. "Shouldn''t a god of love promote love instead of hating on it?"


    "Haha I hate love. It''s a useless sentiment that brings doom in every era. Only a fool devotes their soul to the other. I''m sorry if I came off as harsh but I''m just stating the facts. The first person to fall in love was really the biggest idiot!"


    Another woman came to vent their feelings on him. Since when did he be their personal therapist?


    Seeing his astonished expression, Kama''s fierce eyes softened. "It''s my fault. I shouldn''t even be here"


    She loved messing with others, especially their love life. Sakura wasn''t a target of her sadism. The girl had suffered enough in her life. Besides, she didn''t feel like dealing with Haruki.


    She wasn''t aware of her depressed look. Her glum outlook made Haruki''s brain gears spin.


    ''What if I seduce her?''


    Seducing her would aplish too many things. From securing the safety of Sakura''s soul to bringing a potential Divine Spirit to his side. He had some experience from Medea. With his knowledge about Kama, seducing Kama won''t be hard.


    He could do it.


    "It''s not your fault though." Haruki shook his head, disapproving her me. To prove his point, he freed his hand from Medea''s back and rubbed Kama''s head. "I hate that you are in Sakura''s body but it wasn''t your fault. Fate juked us, and here we are."


    Kama was an odd one. She died due to Parvati''s insistence on awakening Shiva to make a child with Parvati. She died working for other people''s affections and love. She began boycotting love, even though harbored a deep sentiment for being loved. He knew this much about Kama.


    Could she really be med for shunning love and affection?


    Kama stared at him, red eyes blinking ceaselessly. She finally understood the man Sakura loved. A charismatic man with an empath heart.


    She brushed his hand aside and folded her arms, assuming a cold look. "I do not need your pity, youughably hopeless human."


    Haruki''s brow twitched. ''This tsundere goddess.''


    She was trying to earn his hatred. That''s what Kama did. Getting others to hate her yet harboring hope that they''d stay by her side. A goddess who was as indecisive as she was weak-willed.


    Before Haruki could make more advances, Kama waved her hand. "I shall see youter. Take care of Sakura in my absence."


    She went hiding in her shell.

 Chapter 89: Preferred Roles

    Chapter 89: Preferred Roles


    Angra Mainyu summoned all her servants before the pulsing grotesque sight of the Corrupted Holy Grail. The five Heroic Spirit, each hailing from a different era and region, stood obediently before her. Well, except for Oda Nobunaga and Nagao Kagetora, who came from the same era.


    "My servants" Angra Mainyu slowly said as she eyed the five Heroic Spirits. Her emotionless gaze stopped on the knight in demonic armor. "Saber I summoned you to ovee a challenge you could never in your life. Defeat your father."


    Angra Mainyu hadplete knowledge of every servant on Haruki''s side, whether it was the enigmatic Counter Guardian or the Queen who poisoned her husband. She chose to give every servant a matchup ording to theirpatibility in the war that''d happen as soon as her Assassin showed sess or failure.


    Mordred was the best candidate to battle Arthur. She''d put everything on the line to beat King Arthur Pendragon.


    Mordred brought up a clenched fist as her helm split open, revealing a youthful face. "I wounded the King that took his life. It won''t be a heavy wound this time. I will defeat that hypocrite King and ughter all servants standing in my way. My wish is to challenge the Sword of Appointment. He, who despised my pedigree, will bear witness to my victory over the Sword of Appointment."


    She was born of infidelity between King Arthur and King''s own sister, Morgan Le Fay. The tainted pedigree denied her the right to throne, or so she thought. She''d show her right to rule by pulling out the sword that her father one pulled out.


    Gilgamesh chuckled on his throne. "A half-assed homunculus can only dream of defeating my Artoria. You will fail."


    "What nonsense. Of course I will defeat the King. I will smash his face!"


    Mordred puffed up with pride and so proimed. From the overpowering weight behind her words, one could see that she possessed dignity befitting a king.


    "His?" Gilgamesh asked before he realized Mordred''s ignorance. "You''ll be disappointed once you meet Artoria."


    "Artoria again? Who is Artoria?"


    Gilgamesh closed his eyes, imagining the chaotic fight between Mordred and Artoria. A battle between a mother and daughter over the throne, which Artoria never wanted.


    "Smells like family drama in here," Nobunaga whispered. "Otara, did fights like these happen in your house too?"


    Oda n was rife with internal struggles. She wondered if the Nagao n had the same issues.


    "I am not sure. I was mostly on the frontline, leading my men against Takeda."


    Most of her busy time was spent sharpening her des and wondering about her weapon choice. She also tried the western guns and matchlocks. It turned out she absolutely sucked at using any weapon with projections. Nobody knew that, of course. Echigo''s God of War, Touhachi Bishamonten''s Avatar, couldn''t use a gun. It''d be embarrassing if people came to know about this.


    "You''re weird." Nobunaga smirked. "That''s why I like you."


    "Haha. It''s rare for people to say that with my inhumane disposition."


    Angra Mainyu shifted her gaze to her next target, Rider Jason. "You must defeat Medea."


    Jason shivered hearing the name his mind forced him to forget. The name of the crazed woman who burned every person at his wedding. The joyous and blissful ceremony turned into a funeral for his close ones. Even his children weren''t spared.


    "Why is that witch back? What gives?"


    He was so dead. She''d kill him.


    "Wait!"


    He looked back to his friend who was tied by golden chains. The giant of a man traveled the world and fought every monster. He who overcame twelvebors as an undefeated warrior and ultimately rose to the seat of a godHeracles.


    As a summoned servant, Heraclescked his usual intelligence and dignity. His strength was still a real deal.


    ''Her sorcery can''t do jack against Heracles. All are trash before his unparalleled strength.''


    He had nothing to worry about with Heracles by his side. His thoughts reached rity once the clouds of fear vanished. In the waves of calm, he realized a possibilityMedea might still love him. On the wedding day, she killed everyone but him. She left him alive, possibly for him to repent and return to her. It made sense the more he thought about it. After all, she killed her family for him. How could she fall out of love with him, the most charismatic and eloquent man she had ever met.


    "Angra Mainyu," Jason said, tone brimming with a new confidence. "I want Heracles free. He''ll be leading the charge under mymand. My Noble Phantasm ''Astrapste Argo'' can boost him and summon my crewmates. The righteous hero will prevail over the trash and scummy mage."


    Angra Mainyu thought for a second. Freedom for Heracles meant a chance of chaos but she felt like the risk was worth it. Something beckoned her to free Heracles from his miserable state. "It''ll be done."


    After arranging ns for two enemy servants, Angra Mainyu turned towards Nagao Kagetora. "Son of the God Lugh, C Chinn you will defeat him."


    "A demigod?" Kagetora''s eyes lit up, battle spirit surging around her. "By Bishamonten''s will, I shall defeat the demigod."


    Nobunaga nudged Kagetora out of her battle lust state. "Their Lancer has the Spear of Fated Death."


    "Ohhh! The sh of mythic spear and my armaments."


    Kagetora grinned foolishly, picturing her sh with Cu Chinn.


    Nobunaga shook her head side to side. Her friend was more battle hungry than her, a befitting pursuit for the avatar of a god of war.


    "Who am I fighting?"


    "The Archer Emiya a dangerous servant from the future" Angra Mainyu paused between words as if taking time to think. "Watch out for his Noble Phantasm"


    "An Archer from the future. Some challenge you''re giving me."


    Angra Mainyu noticed ack of enthusiasm in Nobunaga''s voice, which Kagetora failed to notice. The Avatar of Bishamonten showed most emotions in the face of battles or when daydreaming about those battles.


    "I''ll head out now." Nobunaga took Kagetora''s hand and practically dragged out of the suffocating cave.


    On their way, she bumped into the ck-haired priest. She ignored him before any words of displeasure came out of her mouth. She hated those who relied on god. Priests and Shrine Maidens were on top of her dislike list.


    Meanwhile, in the cave, Solomon kept an aloof expression while praying to the god. He wasst in line and he wasn''t ready to kill another servant. The era had changed, so much potential for exploration and travel.


    All his prayers of survival were in vain, however. Angra Mainyu shifted her gaze to him, showing no emotion on her face.


    "And Solomon I want you to lead them."


    The King of Magecraft was most worthy to lead her servants, using his highest-ranked magecraft spells to support the party. He might have taken down every servant but his vessel wouldn''t allow the use of such great power. Heracles and Kagetora would wipe the floor with every servant.


    For Solomon, this was the best case scenario. He could sit back and observe the battles from afar.


    ''It can''t be helped. I am a servant and she is my master.''


    He followed God''s will most of his life, so following orders wasn''t anything strange.


    Angra Mainyu directed a role to all of her servants. She wasn''t a tactical genius or anything remotely close to it. She just knew the skills each servant possessed.


    How well would herpatibility list do?


    Only time will tell.


    ***


    Read 15 more chapters and support me at my patre.on! /GMilfhunter

 Chapter 90: Ascension

    Chapter 90: Ascension


    Three chapters in three days? Holy fk.


    ***


    Chapter 92: Ascension


    A new dawn arrived in Fuyuki City, and the news about the withering flora spread in every neighborhood. Articles about the never seen phenomenon made its way to the front page, specting the rise of a new virus or flu.


    Chaos and despair took over all but one man. The priest who derived pleasure from others'' suffering. He smiled as he strolled through Fuyuki streets after meeting Gilgamesh in the early morning. He basked in the sunlight, the cold breeze of winter, and the distorted expressions around him.


    ''Straymbs.''


    Kirei Kotomine felt fulfilled after years, ten years to be precise. The satisfaction was still inferior to driving the Azoth Sword through his then mentor, Tokiomi Tohsaka. He suddenly had the urge to meet Rin and confess his crimes. She would show such beautiful despair.


    "You''re the weirdest priest I have ever seen."


    Nobunaga, who apanied Kirei, couldn''t help butment. She had met many wannabe world dominators and salvation bringers in her life, but none of them came close to Kirei''s level of evil. He genuinely wished for the world to end, and he''d go to any lengths to achieve it.


    She seriously considered switching sides to more sane people. At least she hoped to see sane people on the other side.


    ''How do I go about it?''


    She was bound by the contract of the Command Spell, otherwise, she''d have fought to death. There was no point in taking a fight where she''d be subdued with a word, much like her friend Kagetora.


    ''There has to be a way.''


    She needed to find a way to switch sides then beat up the arrogant gold-haired jerk. Seperating from Angra Mainyu was a must to aplish her goal.


    ***


    Waking up early proved to be difficult for Sakura. So, Haruki let her stay tucked in. From Medusa to C Chinn, there was nock of heroes with nose sharper than humans can ever have. They wouldn''t take him seriously if he was covered in a thick smell of sex. He had to maintain his image as a leader.


    "Haruki"


    He ignored the rather pitiful voice whispering in his head as he explored the long corridors of the mansion. His mansion.


    "Haruki, listen to me."


    At this point he was just messing with Arch. She pulled an unexpected prank on him, and being alone for a while would be her price to pay. He was rather surprised that Arch hadn''t found out. Did she stop reading his mind?


    "Sniff, Haruki. Don''t be a jerk."


    ''Are you actually crying?''


    "...No."


    ''Liar.''


    Haruki never thought a day woulde when the overbearing goddess cried inside her small room.


    "Don''t speak to me right now."


    Arch stopped whining and hid in herir. Haruki left her to her own devices and took a quick shower. Fresh out of shower, he headed to the kitchen where he found Medea in the kitchen with an unexpected helper on her side. Semiramis wasn''t in her signature ck empress dress. Rather, she wore a loose crimson maxi dress with ck frilly ents and held a white apron in her hands as if she was checking it out.


    Semiramis'' lips stretched in a wide grin as she saw him. "My master, congrattions on waking up." Semiramis put on the apron before his eyes. "Your mother''s dress is a bit on the loose side. It''s still morefortable to move around."


    Medea giggled. "This doofus empress almost tripped earlier. Haruki-sama should have seen her."


    "Medea, you promised to keep it a secret."


    "Haruki-sama must know my secrets."


    "..." Semiramis stared at Medea before shaking her head. "My master, Artoria is training inside the dojo. You can apany her if you wish to strengthen your bond with her. If you want to go the other way and strengthen your bond with this Humble Empress, please watch me cook for you with all my heart~."


    Haruki wondered if Semiramis was always this talkative. She seemed like apletely different person today.


    "Don''t be embarrassed, my master. I am a little rusty. But I can assure you about the elegance in my culinary arts."


    Medea flicked Semiramis''s cheeks. "Please shut your mouth. Let me focus here."


    Semiramis retaliated with an elbow. Medea stopped her urge to smack Semiramis. After her second upgradest night, she could floor Semiramis with her physical strength alone.


    Medea looked over her shoulder. "Haruki-sama, my vessel is strengthened twice now. I''m prepared for the war."


    With her connection to Haruki and increased magical reserves, she could cast spells once deemed impossible due to her low magical energy supply.


    Haruki asked Arch to show Medea''s status, which she did without uttering a word.


    Medea: A Sorcerer from the Age of Gods and your current Servant, tied to you by the Fuyuki Holy Grail System.


    -Current Status  I am bursting with strength. I can take on any Heroic Spirit!


    -Rtionship Status  132/100


    -Species  Spirit


    -Age  Uncountable


    -Gender  Female


    -Height, Weight  163cm/51kg


    -Alignment  Neutral Evil


    -Parameters


    Strength: 20 (D)


    Endurance: 32 (C)


    Agility: 35 (C+)


    Magical energy: 80 (EX)


    Luck: 40 (B)


    -Authorities


    None


    -Noble Phantasm


    Rule Breaker


    ...


    Her confidence had reached unprecedented levels after her second strengthening.


    "Ascension sounds better than vessel strengthening."


    "Ascension" Medea nodded as if she liked the word. "I have gone through two Ascensions. What will happen at my third?"


    "We''ll see when we get there. It won''t take long."


    Haruki was also a bit stumped about his ability. Getting authorities and skills from sexhis cheat was as unbelieavable as it could get inside the Nasuverse. Not surprising considering Arch was from outside the Nasuverse, unrestricted from its rules andws.


    "What about me, my master?" Semiramis pressed her chest against him and looked up at him. "Will I go through Ascension by your grace?"


    Haruki rubbed her hair. "Tonight, maybe. I need your spies out there to monitor Angra Mainyu''s servants."


    Semiramis didn''t need more strength since she''d soon busy herself in creating the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. But Haruki needed the authority from her.


    Semiramis smiled as if she was happy at his answer. "I''ll have a big surprise before that. Look forward to it."


    "Surely it''s about enemy Servants."


    "Oops, you got me." Semiramis giggled as she drew back. "Two Servants, Oda Nobunaga and Kenshin,e to drink at a location every few hours. We canunch a sneak attack and take them down."


    "Oda and Kenshin it won''t be easy."


    They had Angra Mainyu as their masters to unleash their full potential. Nagao Kagetora was the most problematic one due to her divine armaments and inhumane fighting skills.


    Haruki tried to conceive the future with his Precognition Skill. The results left him in deep shock.


    "We won''t fight them."


    "What do you mean we won''t fight them?" Semiramis frowned. "My master, look at our forces. They are two and we are six. We also have you. Are you saying we''re not strong enough to fight them?"


    Semiramis fired her doubts without stopping for a moment.


    Medea turned off the stove and approached Haruki. "Let Haruki-sama exin."


    She was a bit vexed about Haruki''sck of confidence but she felt like there was a reason for it.


    The Former Empress and Sorceress waited for an exnation.


    ***


    Read 15 more chapters and support me at my patre.on! /GMilfhunter

 Chapter 91: Boldness

    Chapter 91: Boldness


    "We won''t fight them because we don''t need to fight them," Haruki exined with his eyes closed. "I think they are unsatisfied with their current master, Angra Mainyu. If things work out, which I''m sure will, we might get two more servants."


    Nobunaga and Kagetora tried to talk in two out of three scenarios, instead of fighting them from the get-go. An odd decision from the chaotic battle junkies. And in thest scenario, Cu Chinn provoked Kagetora into a battle. He didn''t hear the content of their conversation, but this could only be caused by some disagreement with Angra Mainyu.


    Semiramis widened her eyes. "I''m sorry for rushing to the conclusion."


    Medea touched her forehead and sighed. "Haruki-sama and two more women"


    The sorcerer was having a little difficulty thinking about Haruki''s future harem, which was essentially her family.


    ''I trust Haruki-sama''s judgment but will he be able to keep control with so many beautiful women around him?''


    Semiramis pinched Medea''s waist. "What got you so cold? Master won''t go to other women as long as we suck everything out of him."


    She slowly and seductively licked his lips, as if imagining the scenario. She wisely disguised her attempt to reassure Medea, and at the same time, revealed her desires for him.


    Haruki rubbed the back of his head. He wasn''t sure of his libido at this point. "Medea, I got something for you."


    He asked Arch to bring out the newly acquired Noble Phantasm. The Pain Breaker Noble Phantasm materialized as a smaller version of Medea''s current staff. While Medea''s staff was worn down, the staff in Haruki''s hand shone with vibrance.


    "Haruki-sama" Medea slowly took the staff and inspected it from every angle.


    "Where did you get this?"


    "Don''t worry about that. Check if you can use the healing spell on this Noble Phantasm?"


    Medea''s lily version was from before the time she got betrayed by Jason. Her love, despite being forced by Aphrodite, was pure. That same love materialized as the Pain Breaker Noble Phantasm. Haruki wasn''t sure if Medea could use it.


    "Semi, give me your hand."


    Semiramis bashfully extended her hand, only to feel a prick. She hastily pulled back as Haruki''s scale cut her hand, bringing out blood.


    "My master, you''re heartless to use my frail body as a test subject?"


    "It had to be you, Semi. It had to be you."


    He seriously doubted he could cut his hand with his current stats, unless he went back to his room to retrieve his spear. Injuring Medea was never the option, so Semiramis had to tank the bullet for his curiosity.


    Medea clenched her new staff. "May it be a world where no one can hurt others and no one can be hurt Pain Breaker!"


    A whirlpool of bright aura was created under her feet, and many bubbles spread around the kitchen. She raised the staff and gently waved it. Magical dust sprinkled from her staff and covered Semiramis. The former empress'' wound closed itself in a matter of moments.


    "Wow, my pain is gone. Medea brought me to a world without pain and misery!"


    Medea felt like pping Semiramis'' grinning face. She didn''t choose the activation chant for the Noble Phantasm, otherwise, the verses would be grimmer.


    "Medea will be the healer and ranged nuker of the party." Haruki nodded. "Artoria will be a tank and damage dealer hybrid. Medusa and Cu Chinn will be pure DPS. Emiya, well, he will do his own thing."


    Semiramis pointed at herself, doubt filling her eyes. "What about me? What role am I ying in the greatest Holy Grail War?"


    "Well, you''ll sit on myp and advise me."


    "As long as it''s within the exquisite chambers of my Hanging Gardens of Babylon."


    "It won''t be possible to make your Noble Phantasm in time." Haruki shook his head. "Angra Mainyu won''t give us four or five days. We have to leave your Noble Phantasm out of our strategies."


    The fact that Angra Mainyu hadn''t sent servants to his doorstep was already a miracle. Nothing stopped Angra Mainyu from echoing the first hymn of the war. This silence only meant two things  Angra Mainyu orchestrated some machinations behind his back or Gilgamesh gave them some time to prepare. It was something the arrogant demigod would do out of increasing his entertainment value.


    "Tsk. I understand," Semiramis agreed, albeit reluctantly. Her greatest authority would go without making a magnificent appearance. It was a moment of disappointment. "My master, go before you disappoint me more."


    "You sulky little." Haruki pulled her by her hand and gently smacked her ass. "Your Noble Phantasm will be helpfulter on, trust me. You need to work on other tasks, like prepping the other servants for the offense. Well, if the materialse here, you can dedicate your time in creating your Noble Phantasm."


    He was in the dark about three enemy servants. That gave him no excuse to be unprepared in case of a sudden attack. Being prepared was far better than running around like headless chickens.


    "My time haseth to be your general. Medea, my beautiful friend, will you assist me?"


    "I see no reason to reject your plea."


    "Thank you. Thank you."


    Haruki smiled at their surprisingly amicable rtionship. Sakura got along with Medea and his mother. Medea got along with Sakura, Kaede, and Semiramis. His mother shared a family-like bond with Sakura and a somewhat good rtionship with Medea. And Semiramis was friends with Medea, an acquaintance with Sakura, and aplete stranger with Kaede.


    ''There won''t be much enmity between them.''


    His harem life was set for now. The same couldn''t be said about his future lovers, however.


    "I''ll go spar with Artoria then."


    A spar with Artoria might be fruitful. He might even get to know more about the Mana Burst Skill.


    Medea smiled and rubbed her hands on her apron. "Don''t take too long. Breakfast will be ready soon."


    "Got it."


    Haruki exited the kitchen and walked down the hallways. The wind caressed his hair, indicating the presence of his beloved mother.


    "Haru,e to your room. We need to talk."


    "Can it wait?"


    "Of course I''ll trap her in the meantime."


    "Trap who?"


    "Haha, nothing. No need to worry about it. Enjoy your sparring session!"


    Haruki put her suspicious acts behind her and opened the dojo''s door. The wooden floor stretched across an area more than twice the size of his academy''s dojo. In the center of this vast space, Artoria sat on her knees, eyes closed as if she were meditating. Her delicate face was worth admiring.


    Still, Haruki didn''t feel like going crazy over her. Artoria was a little young for his taste even though she might be almost the same age as him. Her body stopped aging the day she pulled out Caliburn from the stone.


    ''I kinda want to see herncer version.''


    "Ufufu." Arch giggled, looking awfully happy for some reason. "You should have summoned her Lancer version then. Wait, this Holy Grail can''t do that!"


    ''Fuck you.''


    "Come to my room."


    Haruki blinked his eyes in session. Arch became bolder after being treated as air for a night.


    ''Sure. Bring me over to your room when I sleep.''


    A long, awkward silence ensued. Arch may have used up all the courage in her invitation. Haruki shook his head. Silencing the Goddess of Dragons and Luck was a child''s y on his part.

 Chapter 92: 95: Serious Training

    Chapter 92: 95: Serious Training


    Artoria opened her eyes and gazed at her master. "Master." Her voice echoed in the dojo. "How long have you been standing there?"


    "To not sense my presence, isn''t my sword cking off in her duties?"


    Haruki''s provoking grin didn''t have any effect on her. She stood up and took a deep breath. "I was reflecting upon my past, Master."


    "Is it rted to Mordred?"


    Artoria gave a slight nod of her head and looked down at her hand. "The Treacherous Knight Ourst battle was a sh of different ideals. Mordred fought for her rebellious cause, and I raised my sword to quell the chaos brought by that rebellion. We both lost when the sun went down Cann Hill Mordred perished, whereas Sir Bedivere carried me to Lady Lake to recover where I had to make my choice between death or eternal pursuit of redemption."


    Artoria fell quiet, realizing she spoke too much for no reason. As a knight and king, she didn''t need to dwell on her emotions. She recovered her serious, calm expression with the realization.


    "Let me guess. You aren''t sure about Mordred''s purpose this time. Will she oppose you as your heir or an enemy servant? Is that eating you from the inside?"


    Artoria shook her head. "No, that doesn''t worry me in the slightest. I was just thinking about a possibility what would have happened if I relinquished my throne to Mordred on time? Could it have prevented the downfall"


    Haruki ced a finger on her lips, silencing her before her jar of regrets opened for real. "Artoria, you''re a terrible mother, you know that? I want to see Mordred kick your ass."


    Artoria gripped his wrist as a deep frown shed on her face. "Master, are you saying you''ll cheer for our enemy over me? Am I that worthless of a human being?"


    Being the stiff knight she was, she took his joke at face value.


    "Geez, what do I do with you?" Haruki folded his arms and sighed. "You had your reasons to neglect Mordred, your own blood. I won''t delve into them. You''ll head into the battle as my servant, as my sword, and fight for my victory. Whether it is Mordred or Gilgamesh, you''ll raise your sword for my purpose. Is that correct?"


    "I shall." Artoria nodded her head under his firm tone. She failed to create the promised utopia for her people. She could be useful to his cause and win the war at the same time. "Without any hesitation."


    "You know, Artoria, wallowing in regret is thest thing a king should do."


    Artoria could see the disappointment in Haruki''s eyes. She had a better grasp of others'' emotions than her own. A habit that stemmed from her low self-worth. She couldn''t do anything to improve his mood, however, since her mind was set on changing the fate of the country that had once been her kingdom.


    Haruki breathed another sigh. ''Simple words won''t get to that thick skull.''


    He lifted her chin with an icy gaze. "Toss me a wooden spear. I am in the mood for some training."


    "Yes, Master."


    Artoria walked to the training weapon holder with a confident gait and reached for the spear.


    "Pick a weapon for yourself."


    She frowned a little, then nodded, epting his suggestion. Throwing the spear over to him, she assumed a close sword stance. She lunged at Haruki without a warning and shed with her sword.


    He didn''t move an inch. The wooden sword struck his chest with a thud.


    Artoria''s eyes widened. She had seen his battle with Medusa, where he matched her blow to blow. Reacting to this attack should have been a piece of cake for him. Yet he didn''t dodge or decided not to react to her attack.


    "Why, Master?"


    "Do you doubt my status as a dragon?" He narrowed his eyes and pped away her wooden sword. "Put more strength in your blows. How will I learn something new without finding my limits? Use your Mana Burst and your Noble Phantasm if need be. Let me experience the sword of the King of Knights."


    He couldn''t imagine fighting Artoria the day he discovered hisck of special abilities. Yet, here he was, unflinching against her sh, even if that attack was as casual as it could get. Now that he had a chance, he would make the most out of it and enjoy a good battle.


    A fight to improve upon hisck of techniques.


    Artoria sensed his fighting spirit and his hunger for battle. Squeezing the hilt in her grip, she let the magical energy flow through her and the wooden sword. "A wooden weapon can onlyst one blow if I use Mana Burst with it."


    "You are mistaken." Kaede''s voice echoed around them. "I will never prepare cheap equipment for my son''s training. I made these weapons with a reinforcement spell in mind. In fact, their core structure is denser. If your weapon breaks, I''ll immediately transfer a new one to you."


    His mother foresaw everything, or she just designed the mansion to give him the best treatment.


    Artoria shouted a battle cry and swung her sword. Haruki quickly channeled reinforcement through his spear and intercepted Artoria''s wooden sword. A blue light shed from Artoria''s sword as their weapon made contact.


    A ng resounded throughout the dojo.


    Artoria leaped back a couple of meters and gazed at him with a hint of shock in her eyes. He took her blow head-on without taking a step back.


    Haruki felt his trembling fingers. The destructive force behind Mana Burst couldn''t be dissipated by a mere parry. "What a beast of strength. I''d be flying if you used it with your Excalibur."


    He expected no less from the legendary king with a dragon core.


    "I will use my reinforcement to the max. You should use your Mana Burst to its maximum power."


    "Please do. I do not want you to hold back. Show me everything. Then we can devise a route to refine your strengths."


    Artoria wouldn''t be saying this if her master was a normal mage. Her Master, however, was a monster with extreme potential. A valuable war asset in their war against All World''s Evil.


    Violet sparks flew from Haruki''s fingertips before wrapping around the spear like a dragon.


    "Come."


    Artoria didn''t refuse him, instead smiled. With a fierce cry reminiscent of a lion, Artoria leaped forth, releasing her magical energy. Her stomp shook the earth, her speed piercing the sound barrier.


    Sword and spear shed. There was no hatred or rage between the fighters. Only two warriors relishing their first sh.


    The wooden weapons were strengthened enough to ssify as a Noble Phantasm even if the weakest one.


    Since the battle started, Artoria went on aplete offense, stepping so close that swinging his spear became harder and harder. She pushed him back with aggressive attacks, forcing him into defense.


    Unknowingly, Haruki''s cheeks drew into a grin as he blocked another quick sh. "I can''t always stay on defense. I will try something new."


    Haruki gave up on defense and went on offense. With a spirited roar, he stomped the ground and stepped forward. Violet and blue radiance swelled instantly. His herculean strengthunched Artoria back, but as expected of a Saber-ss, she leaped into the air and dashed back to him. She immediately shed at his wide-open shoulder. A series of dragon scales bloomed before the mana-coated wooden sword contacted his shoulder. The scales cracked like a piece of ss.


    "Master, your pure strength exceeds mine." She never thought she''d say these words to anyone, much less a youth. He was that much of a monster  a dragon in her eyes. "But your attacksck finesse  the decisiveness."


    In a battle of raw strength, he''d win ten out of ten times. A battle didn''t solely depend on brute power. She couldn''t have triumphed over the White Dragon Vortigern if that were the case.


    "I know that much, Artoria. That''s precisely why I''m learning abilities."


    Haruki showed the dragon scales that now gleamed with blue light  his scales absorbed her magical energy and gained a hybrid of magical and physical resistance.


    "Now let''s go at it seriously. Medea''s new Noble Phantasm can heal me even if I lose a limb or two."


    He gave her reassurance and jumped back into the fight. The violet and blue shed again. Every time Artoria''s sword reached him, his scales materialized and protected him. He didn''t mindlessly cover himself in ayer of dragon scales like armor  that''d slow him down and his reaction time. He only used the scales whenever Artoria hit him. To achieve this, he had to be mindful of every little movement of her sword.


    [Awakening Progress: 9.99%]


    His eyes morphed into narrow slits, like those of a snake, or more precisely, a dragon. He reached the threshold for another awakening.


    Artoria gazed into his eyes and felt her body numb. Her Magic Core revolved, pumping her limbs full of magical energy, and freeing her from captivity.


    "Master"


    "Keep swinging."


    He was in the zone. Artoria wasn''t the only one with a strangely active Magic Core. His Magic Core continuously channeled magical energy, which reinforced his tough body even more.


    Artoria never liked battle as it led to death. The death of the innocent. The death of sinners. Nothing good came out of violence for the sake of violence. But she never drew back from a battle, either.


    ''Then why am I feeling this way?''


    She wasn''t swinging her sword to train Haruki. As if infected by his fighting spirit, she was enjoying the battle. Enjoying the thrill of trading blows with her master. Fighting to show respect to her master, who was more of a dragon than she ever was.


    Sakura, who came to call Haruki for breakfast, became speechless at their battle. The dojo was humongous, and the battle urred miles away from her. Sakura couldn''t even see any attack, even with her improved stats. The legendary battle crushed all her hopes of providing any support to him. What use was archery if she couldn''t track her opponent?


    "It''s a minor trick. Don''t worry." Kaede reassured her. "Sakura-chan, why do you look gloomy?"


    "Oba-san I have a request."


    "Go on. I''m all ears."


    "Can I be useful in this war?"


    "No. This Holy Grail War has no ce for rookie mages like you."


    Sakura hung her head and clenched her fists. Hearing the bitter truth from Kaede''s mouth made her heartache. The war happened with her as the grand prize. She was the ultimate cause of this conflict, yet she couldn''t provide any help.


    "But." Kaede took a long pause. "You''re forgetting one thing. You have a new authority to store items inside your bosom. I wish I had it too. I''d force him to touch my chest every day. Hmph, that''d be so fun."


    Sakura''s face turned red. "Oba-san!"


    "Oh, dear me. My repressed feelings are surfacing now that Haru epted my love."


    "Thank you Oba-san."


    "Your gratitude is unnecessary. Haru is fighting this war because he loves you. He wants to protect you."


    Sakura nodded, this time with a firm gaze. "I''ll ask Medusa to give it her all."


    "Well, you can do something that''ll be an immense help to Haru."


    Her eyes glittered. "What is it?"


    "It''s nothing much. Just ask Medusa to have sex with Haru."


    "Oba-san"


    "I''m not joking, Sakura-chan," Kaede continued in a solemn voice. "Didn''t you witness it yourselfst night? Haruki can learn new authority and skills through sex."


    Sakura couldn''t give a reply. Haruki''s ability made her speechless to her core.


    "I know it''s very cruel to ask you, his girlfriend, to let him sleep with other women. But my hands are tied Haru is reserving himself to protect your and Medea''s feelings More authorities will give him more chances to win this war."


    "I I''ll do it, Oba-san," Sakura said in a calm voice, contrary to her messy thoughts. "There is no other choice."


    "Thank you, Sakura-chan. I knew I was right about you prioritizing Haru over everything. I love you."


    Sakura nodded and tried her best to observe Haruki.

 Chapter 93: My Mana Burst

    Chapter 93: My Mana Burst


    [Sojutsu skill evolved to A-Rank.]


    Sparring with Artoria bore some fruit, well, more fruit than Haruki''s initial expectations.


    "Master," Artoria said. "We have to stop. Your magical energy is very low and mine ispletely flushed"


    Not only did Haruki continuously abuse the Reinforcement spell, Artoria also channeled her Mana Burst skill, which consumed Haruki''s magical energy. All for nearly half an hour.


    His Dragon Core slowed down in magical energy generation after twenty-five minutes, since he started focusing on observing the flow of Artoria''s magical energy rather than the fight. The power of his core depended on his desires, after all. It wouldn''t needlessly pump out magical energy if he wasn''t in desperate need of it.


    Haruki tossed away the wooden spear filled with cracks. It was the ninth wooden spear. A feeling of numbness came over his entire body. "Saber, did you enjoy going wild?"


    Artoria slightly tilted her head at his posed question. "I do not enjoy battles, Master."


    Halfway through their battle, she had realized the meaning of this battle  Haruki wanted to unleash his destructive urges. He absolutely loved the feeling of letting loose in a battle.


    "Are you sure about that?" Haruki inquired with an amused grin. "The woman I fought loved swinging her sword. She was full of desire to ovee me. Lying isn''t very chivalrous."


    Unless he saw some hallucinations, Artoria was smiling during their bout. The martyr King of Knights, the beacon of chivalry, was having fun in a battle. He wouldn''t believe it if it didn''t happen before his eyes.


    "I am not lying, Master," Artoria said, voice low and gritty. "I do not enjoy battles."


    To Haruki, her words seemed a desperate attempt to convince herself about her true nature.


    "Do you want to know the reason?" Arch asked,ing off like a helpful goddess for once. "I''ll enlighten you even if you say"


    ''Artoria has the body of a human and the heart of a dragon. She is meant to be the reincarnation of Red Dragon. Coming into close contact with me, another half-ass dragon, awakened something in her. Correct?''


    "Curse you."


    Arch wanted to flex her knowledge on the dragons, but he robbed her of that opportunity. He felt like he was bullying a little sister.


    ''I treated my second mom like my imouto.''


    "Don''t you dare!"


    Artoria frowned at him as if she was seriously pondering whether to retort against his ridiculous im. ''I can never enjoy battle.''


    She subconsciously chose not to revel in any pleasure until she found closure as a King. It was her sin as the king who failed to deliver a peaceful end to her kingdom.


    Haruki ignored Artoria for a second and nced at Sakura, who was standing nearly a mile away alongside the foggy silhouette of his mother.


    ''My eyesight is better than ever.''


    Haruki narrowed his eyes at Sakura''s expression. She observed him with calm eyes, opposite of her mannerism during their intimacy sessionst night. Something bothered her that turned her gloomy.


    ''What is it this time?''


    "Forget about her. Do you want to fully awaken this authority?" Arch asked. "You''ll need to rest for a couple of hours."


    "Let me finish breakfast" he whispered. "I''m gonna check my Mana Burst first."


    He was curious about the form of his Mana Burst since the skill came in many forms, depending on a Servant''s myth. Artoria''s Mana Burst improved her defense, physical strength, and agility  not all of them happened at the same time. Artoria Alter''s Mana Burst considerably boosted her defense. Karna''s Mana Burst (me) enchanted his weapon with mes. Minamoto-no-Raikou''s Mana Burst (Lightning) covered her with divine lightning.


    Artoria raised her brows at his words. "Master, you cannot"


    "Be quiet for a second."


    Haruki vaguely understood the concept behind the skill as he fought Artoria. He had to raise the pressure of his magical energy flow, then expel it in an instant. So, he imagined his magical energy gushing out of his core like a spray of high-pressured water. The magical energy rushed through him and erupted out with a silver sh.


    "Hmm?" Haruki hummed in confusion. "My magical energy is silver? That''s the color of my scales."


    [Skill acquired: Mana Burst (Adaptive)]


    [Mana Flow Control skill evolved to C-Rank.]


    ''Adaptive?''


    Amidst his confusion, Arch shed the skill description before him.


    Mana Burst [Adaptive] [E]


    Info: Originating from your Void Element, your magical energy can adapt to elements in your arsenal.


    Effect: Infuse body and weapon with magical energy.


    "me," Haruki whispered afterprehending the skill''s concept. The silver aura morphed and twisted before exploding into a crimson fire. The mes covered him like protective armor.


    As expected from his race, his Mana Burst was extraordinary.


    Artoria had no words to say. She couldn''t understand his Mana Burst. "How can your magical energy morph?"


    "It''s not changing. It''s adapting to my desires." Haruki closed his magical energy reservoir to stop the Mana Burst. "There is a difference. We''ll talk about it after breakfast. Aren''t you starving?"


    The ahoge on Artoria''s head swiveled as soon as he mentioned food. He couldn''t help but chuckle.


    "You''re a glutton."


    "Nutrition is necessary to keep battle efficiency to maximum."


    "Yeah sure." Haruki rubbed her head and walked past her. The distance between him and Sakura shrunk within seconds, despite his casual gait. Kaede''s ability to twist this house was mystical and scary at the same time. "Mom, I love you."


    "Someone looks happy," Kaede whispered in his ears. "You let out all your steam in that fight."


    "It was fun."


    Being a dragon had its caveats and benefits. He was developing a lust for fighting; he felt like it was better to ept it. The war would be tedious if he despised fighting. Not to mention his awakening depended upon his battles.


    "Senpai" Sakura looked at him with her hands sped behind her. "Are you tired?"


    "A little. I''m more concerned about you. Is everything alright with your body?"


    Sakura''s glum faded as a blush took over her face. "Senpai! I''mpletely fine."


    "I don''t believe you." Haruki grasped her wrist and walked towards the door. "Let me examine you."


    "H-How will you do that?"


    "I''ll take off your clothes first in the shower," he whispered. "Then observe every change in your body."


    He nced at Artoria, who looked away. Her sharp senses let her hear things far away in great detail. She eavesdropped on their conversation, regardless of her intentions.


    "Why don''t you join us?" Haruki asked, disguising his amusement behind a stoic front. "It''ll be more efficient that way."


    He was all sweaty after sparring; he could say the same for Artoria.


    Sakura''s embarrassment flew away as she recalled her conversation with Haruki''s mother. "Yeah, join us. Artoria."


    Haruki stopped abruptly, his wide eyes fixed on Sakura. As if he saw a dead rising from the grave.


    ***


    Read 15 more chapters and support me at my patre.on! /GMilfhunter

 Chapter 94: Consensual Adultery

    Chapter 94: Consensual Adultery


    A/N: The chapter title is fire, I swear xD


    ...


    Sakura''s eptance brought Haruki into another steamy situation. Artoria methodically took off her dress and folded it neatly before cing it aside.


    Right before his eyes, she unhooked her bra, then dragged her panties down her slim legs. Her sun-starvedplexion lent her that young princess aura, a delicate woman with subtle feminine curves.


    For a woman, who looked like Sakura''s age, her back was surprisingly muscr. Two delicate buds crowned her milky-white breasts that appeared like a pair of teacups sitting side by side. Haruki wasn''t a connoisseur of breast size but he found Artoria''s pair adorable, pleasant to the eye.


    "Master, Sakura, take off your clothes. We have to hurry."


    His keen stare failed to get a reaction out of Artoria. The more calm and collected she acted, the more he had the urge to make her submit.


    "Huhu, give in to your dragon instincts," Arch said. "Turn the inferior dragon into your ve."


    ''Shut up before I make you my ve.''


    Sakura knew Artoria was dense but thisck of modesty caught her by surprise. Sakura turned to Haruki with surprise dwelling in her eyes, who gazed at Artoria with an indescribable look. "Senpai."


    "She doesn''t see herself as a woman," Haruki whispered. "How am I going to make her love me? It sounds impossible, isn''t it?"


    "A little." Sakura yed along nicely without getting angry at his absurd question about seducing another woman. "How about you fuck her?"


    The bold suggestion confirmed Haruki''s doubt about external influence corrupting Sakura. The influence was none other than his own mother.


    ''What is she teaching her?''


    "She wants to increase your strength by letting you fuck other women. Isn''t that a surprising action for a yandere to take?"


    ''Indeed''


    He had to handle this matter with care without hurting Sakura or Medea.


    "Master, I made a contract to obey you, not give you my heart. I simply hold no interest in romance or finding love," Artoria heard his conversation with Sakura and conjured a reply. "I submitted my body to fulfill my promise as a king. There is no other use for me." she nced at Sakura. "You''re more suited for romance you''re prettier than I could ever be."


    Her reply befitted the one who sacrificed her life for her kingdom and still couldn''t find peace, and a woman whocked self-confidence.


    "You spent all of your magical energy in the battle." Haruki slowly unbuttoned his shirt as he spoke. "Let''s replenish that first, shall we?"


    He would not correct her or gush out praises for her. He believed in showing over telling. To pull Artoria out of her past, he had to give her a ''present.''


    Artoria raised her brows. "Master''s magical energy is also low at the moment. You should recover first. I can recover some with food and the environment, then the restter."


    "We can''t do that. What if we got attacked while eating?"


    Haruki''s made-up scenario sounded usible. So possible that Artoria couldn''t whip up a reason for rejection.


    "I have a way to replenish your magical energy that is fast and doesn''t rely on my magical energy reserves."


    Her lips parted as a look of realization crossed her face. "Master''s bodily fluids."


    "Correct." Haruki took off his boxers and hisid penis slipped out. "Do I need to teach you the next part?"


    "I know." Artoria shook her head as she got on her knees before him and gripped his manhood in her hand. Having experienced the same pleasure with Morgan''s hands, she knew all there was about pleasing a man.


    Sakura watched Artoria stroke his penis to life until it was fully raging. Artoria opened her mouth and gulped the penis, slowly slid her lips over the skin, only to hit her limit halfway down the shaft.


    Artoria didn''t look at him, her eyes filled with a conviction. Haruki rectified it by reaching out and sliding his hands through her blonde locks. Gripping firmly but not painfully, he forced her head to tilt back, so she made eye contact while blowing him.


    He could see a tint of red on her face as her breathing reached a level simr to their battle. His lips curled up in a grin as he gently assisted Artoria''s movements by pulling her face.


    He breathed out a hot sigh, feeling his climax approaching. Even Medea couldn''t get him to cum this fast. There was just something different about Artoria''s mouth, something rted to her dragon core if he had to point out one thing.


    Sakura stared unblinkingly at the obscenity happening before her eyes. Contrary to brewing hate for her lover, she felt her breathing soar and her core clench. A dewy dribble leaked out of Sakura, staining her freshly changed panties.


    ''No. It can''t be.''


    Although her lovermitted consensual adultery in front of her, she was feeling aroused, ready to pounce on him.


    As if dictated by gods, Rin opened the bath''s door, humming in her own world. That was until she saw Haruki engaging in a lewd act with his Servant.


    "What the hell?! Sakura, Sakuraaa,e here"


    "Nee-san, lower your voice!"


    Rin''s mouth hung open. She was calling out to her sister to reveal Haruki''s licentious act, only to find Sakura standing in the same ce.


    Haruki didn''t care about anything at the moment. He drew Artoria even closer and unloaded ropes of magical energy filled cum in her mouth. Artoria''s eyes widened, her brows forming creases. She fell on her butt and covered her mouth, coughing out the sticky fluid. She licked it back, not allowing the magical energy to waste.


    As her magic core processed the magical energy, a wave of heat surged through her. Her face reddened as she hyperventted on the spot.


    "Master, something is happening" she supported herself with her arm and copsed, falling unconscious.


    Haruki snapped out of his lethargy and shook Artoria. "She passed out."


    "I also did," Sakura added. "Is it the same?"


    "What is happening here?" Rin butted into the conversation. "Can anyone exin, please?"


    "Be quiet for a second."


    Haruki took Artoria in his arms and observed the flow of her magical energy. Her Core spun so fast that he could hear it outside her body. Blue lines ran across her body like a mage''s magic circuits, cracking and turning golden. Her skin also cracked in ces. Suddenly, the blue glow returned and overpowered the gold, suppressing the golden with sheer might.


    Her magic core stopped its relentless spinning as her condition returned to a somewhat stable condition.


    Haruki got up and frowned at Rin. "Carry Artoria to a bed. Sakura, help her."


    Rin absentmindedly stretched her arms to receive Artoria. Sakura assisted Rin as the sisters took Artoria out of the bath.


    ''What was happening back there?''


    "You already know it."


    He sighed and sank into the bathtub. How could he not notice the brief change in Artoria''s aura? She had an aura simr to his own.


    The aura of a dragon.


    ''My semen is a fucking disaster now.''

 Chapter 95: The Innocent Schemer

    Chapter 95: The Innocent Schemer


    Rin paced back and forth in her room, a keen frown refusing to leave her face. She needed answers to the weird rtionship dynamic between her sister, Artoria, and Haruki.


    ''Is he manipting Sakura into this?''


    The Haruki she knew wouldn''tmit such a heinous act But she couldn''t ignore the scene with Artoria. Also, his failed attempt to invite her to bathe with him  all the clues pointed to Haruki harboring hidden lust for women. Then she recalled his confession for failing to save Sakura until now, which was riddled with regrets.


    ''There are two sides to every story.''


    She respected him after his swift decision to dispatch Zouken Matou. There was no way she''d let all the goodwill go down over some bullshit misunderstanding.


    ''Why did he have to sleep now?''


    She chewed her thumb, seriously contemting dragging Haruki out of the bed. The man went to rest after breakfast. Sakura and Medea refused to let anyone inside his room.


    "Master, what got your panties in the bunch?" Emiya appeared with a sarcastic grin stered on his face. "Let me take a shot. You saw him naked again."


    He heard her grumble after the scene went downst night. He couldn''t make fun of her without causing ate-night ruckus. Nothing stopped him now from teasing the hell out of his asionally flustered but all time fiery master.


    "Shut up. Get your ass back to guarding."


    Emiya revealed a smile full ofpassion, as if sympathizing with her cause. "I suppose you''re at that age."


    "Rin Nee-san." Sakura opened the door, showing a rather meek smile. "I have a request."


    Emiya walked out of the room, leaving the sister to their own devices. "When is this war gonna start?"


    He admitted he was a little pumped for the war since Shiro wasn''t involved. Without the drive to save anyone, his younger self from another timeline wouldn''t be a proficient fighter.


    Standing against Angra Mainyu ensured he fought for the right side of this war. The side of justice. Even if he had to follow a selfish youth''s lead.


    ***


    A few minutester.


    Sakura cleared her throat. "Ahem, I''m sorry for gathering everyone like this. P-Please bear with me for the sake of Haruki-senpai."


    She stood in a rather spacious room, smiling apologetically at the women upying the two beds ced side by side.


    Medea, Semiramis, Medusa, Artoria, and Rin  all five women got abruptly called out. Especially Artoria. She couldn''t wrap her head around the weird phenomenon that made her unconscious.


    Medea crossed her arms under her chest. "Sakura, you didn''t endure all those years to stutter before a bunch of dead women and your own sister. Stand with more confidence."


    "Who are you calling dead?" Semiramis snapped. "I''m more alive than I have ever been."


    Medea shook her head. "You can''t argue with me when I help Sakura. Master loves her more than me and you."


    "So what if he does? I don''t care."


    The friends began arguing. Medea''s acknowledgement of Haruki''s boundless feelings for Sakura triggered a wave of bashfulness in Sakura. Holding her cheeks, she started imagining her fantasy of flowery romance.


    "Stop fighting like children." Rin red at the two, then shifted her attention to Sakura, her gaze softening rapidly. "Sakura, what do you want to say?"


    Rin pulled her sister out of her fantasy. Sakura cleared her throat and assumed her most serious expression.


    "Haruki-Senpai hid something from all of us, even me. Kaede Oba-san revealed his secret behind his back." Senpai trailed her words, pulling everyone in the mystery of this secret. "He has an unfathomable power, which can single-handedly raise our odds of winning the war."


    Artoria stood and pinned Sakura down with her dignified gaze. "What is it?"


    Her hunger for the Holy Grail was highest among Haruki''s servants. The absolute defense of Avalon wouldn''t fare well in an all-out battle of fourteen servants. She also found it hideous to rely on Avalon alone.


    Hiding behind a shield wasn''t chivalrous.


    Medusa narrowed her eyes behind her blindfold, curious about this secret power of her master. As a Gorgon, she had her own ability  the power to petrify the enemy with her gaze.


    Semiramis and Medea misunderstood Haruki''s authority of empowering servants through sex as his only ability.


    Sakura noticed the wave of curiosity passing through the room. This was her desired result. It''d be difficult to make anyone agree to her n if she failed to capture their interest. She ignored Medusa, who rarely showed a change in expression. Convincing Medusa wouldn''t take much effort, even if she had to shed some tears.


    "Haruki-senpai" Sakura touched her face. "He gains powerful skills from having sexual intercourse with women."


    One could hear a pin drop in the room. Haruki''s ability swept everyone in a state of disbelief.


    "What? What the fuck did you say?" Rin forgot all her aristocratic manners and spouted the first few that came to her mind. "I don''t believe it!"


    Haruki''s ability made no sense. All magecraft branches were based on logic, even if the said logic came from a different era.


    ''There is an exception if it''s True Magic.''


    Rin briskly shook her head. Although he was a dragon, a young man like Haruki couldn''t have reached the Root and be a Magician. All magus in the Association worked toward one goal with different methods  reaching the Root.


    "Rin, please be quiet for a second." Semiramis'' expression lost all amiability as a sharp, dignified aura flowed from her. "I believe in Sakura. I know why he is immune to every attack from me."


    Medea put a hand over her mouth and frowned. "I get your meaning. That ability"


    Semiramis nodded. "My master''s life will not be easy after this war."


    Rin hopped down from the bed in a lively manner and looked at Medea and Semiramis. With her hands on her hips and a haughty look on her face, she looked like a female delinquent.


    "Don''t whisper everything on your own. If you have anything, let us know."


    "Can you please share your knowledge?" Artoria asked politely. "It would be beneficial if everyone is on the same page."


    "Hah." Semiramis scoffed before her face took on a mature,passionate smile. "Of course. Everyone needs to be on the same page. Medea, do you want to tell everyone?"


    Medea flipped back her hood as everyone ced their attention on her. "Haruki-sama gained a kind of immunity from witches after having sex with me."


    "I was forced into my spiritual state when I tried attacking my master."


    Sakura pped. "He got a new ability afterst night" she toyed with her white locks, looking embarrassed to bring up Haruki''s inconceivable authority. "He can store items inside my b-b-body."


    Medea smacked her lips. "Sakura''s ability is more useful than mine. My ability only lowered his wariness for a certain scheming empress."


    Semiramis noted down the insult for some paybackter. "I am curious about mine. I''m sleeping with him after he wakes up."


    Her deration made Rin gasp. She looked toward Sakura, who seemed happy over Semiramis'' decision.


    Medea hesitated in revealing Haruki''s other ability to empower his servants. That ability will surely convince everyone in the room. She felt ufortable about so many women having sex with him even as a ime urrence. She had seen his prowess; there was simply no way they would not yearn to feel the pleasure again.


    "I know it is a big request to sleep with a man whom you don''t love but please give it a thought." Sakura ced her hands on herp and bowed. "Senpai''s ability will make him more powerful."


    Medea lowered her head. ''Sakura is doing everything and I''m moping over this''


    She stood up and stood by Sakura''s side. "Haruki-sama has another ability"


    "Oh shit, not again," Rin grumbled.

 Chapter 96: Twist

    Chapter 96: Twist


    The assassins of the Hashshashin Sect lived and thrived in the shadows. The Poison Girl, Hassan of Serenity, was no exception to the rule.


    In her life, she had been to the narrow but lively streets of Indian slums, thevish mansion of Persian Kings and Nobles, and the rebellious capital of the Far East  the expansive nature of her upation gave her an opportunity to taste the air of countless locations.


    She still wasn''t prepared for her; it made her squirm in unease. Surrounding her was a pitch-ck darkness that twisted even her excellent sense of distance. An inexpressible anguish filled the air within the vague boundaries. She could hear vague shrieks around her.


    A room so unbelievably wide, yet she felt ufortably pressed.


    "Sakura-chan is manipting Haru''s servants. What a naughty child," a woman thought out loud. "She is exceeding my expectations, that innocent girl."


    "Who?"


    "Ara, I forgot I put you here." The woman turned her attention to Serenity, her amber eyes boring two holes in the darkness. "Don''t worry, Child. I will not harm you, but he will."


    Serenity didn''t reply to the yful voice. There was nothing to speak about, anyway. She was caught in her mission before she got the time to gather intel. Only death awaited for failures in her upation. A pitiful but fitting end for the one revered as Visha Kanya, with a poisonous heart and body.


    A vague silhouette emerged in the darkness. The form became cleared as Serenity focused.


    "You"


    Serenity''s heart nearly stopped. Few could seize her throat by shock, but the spiritual body before her defied all logics set by a normal soul. It was a monstrosity that could destroy the mind of people with a weak will. Even a servant like her wasn''t immune. A distortion erupted in her mind.


    "It''s hideous, isn''t it?" The voice now carried self-loathing. "This happens when you dip your toes in another''s job. Level 1 warrior attempting to create a Philosopher''s Stone. Ah, merging two souls  what was that idiot goddess thinking?"


    Serenity retracted her gaze. "Kill me."


    "Ara, don''t be hasty~." The voice turned yful and teasing. "My son might be the person you''re looking for. Until hees around, have some rest in this artificial dark world~."


    "The person I''m looking for" she muttered.


    Who was she looking for in her life? It had been forever since shest thought about it. But the answer was, will, and always be the same.


    Someone she could touch without the fear of killing them.


    Someone who won''t sumb to her poisonous self.


    A simple wish of the simple girl who was tired of ripping families apart by her poison.


    "Hassan of Serenity, I have changed my mind. I will free you, but on one condition."


    "What condition?"


    The air suddenly froze, and all of her senses copsed as if she was in a void. A yfulughter boomed as the woman''s spiritual body flickered in and out of reality.


    The world distorted and ruptured as a new reality emerged. Ancient buildings rose from nothing, illuminated by the dazzling light of two suns in the sky.


    ''Two suns?''


    "Fufu."


    Another veil was lifted as the sun twisted and revealed their original form  a pair of radiant eyes. Then she emerged. A giant surpassing the scale of normalcy. The world seemed like a mere marble in her hand.


    A pair of golden eyes, the size of a star, gazed down at Serenity. The Assassin was pulled in, forced to stand on the giantdy''s palm, which was the size of a city, perhaps bigger. Her sense of scale had distorted in this dimension, and nothing she saw could be believed.


    The woman with silky brown hair giggled. "Hassan of Serenity, assassinate my child, whomands six servants against your evil mistress. I am giving you the job you came here to do."


    She, whocked embodied meekness and obedience, nodded her head. The goal aligned with Serenity''s own goal.


    "Make it fun, my adorable child~."


    ***


    Gears of fate didn''t stop rotating during Haruki''s sleep. He stretched his arms as he sat up on the bed.


    [Authority acquired: Void Creation]


    Allows you to create a void anywhere within your line of sight. The void''s durability and size depend on your focus and willpower.


    Haruki raised a brow at the somewhat confusing ability. "How do I use it?"


    He looked at the flowerpot sitting on the table and imagined a void between the pot''s base and the wooden surface. An invisible space pushed up the flowerpot. As the flowerpot neared the ceiling, Haruki winced and covered his eyes. Overusing the ability caused a sharp pain behind his eyes.


    The flowerpot broke into pieces. The space he created ceased to exist once his concentration broke.


    "Even the watered-down version of space warp is giving you a headache," Arch mocked him. "Do not call me Mom from now on. I''m disowning you."


    ''Whose fault is it I didn''t awaken my powers? Huh?''


    It took him four days to reach his current strength. Only four days. He might be one-shotting Gilgamesh and Heracles if he awakened his powers at birth.


    "Can you stop bringing it up over and over?" Arch snapped atst. "If you want to me someone, me your hoe of a mother."


    ''What? My mom did that? Why did she do that?!''


    Arch went silent, refusing to answer any of his questions. He felt another headache creeping over him. His own mother chose to make him powerless, even after knowing his helplessness over Sakura''s fate. She watched Sakura suffer with a smile, all the while referring to her as her daughter.


    He just couldn''t believe Kaede being so cruel towards Sakura.


    ''Arch could be lying.''


    There was no definite answer to the mystery until he got both of them in the same room and interrogated them.


    "It''s impossible. I suggest you give up. I''d rather die than breathe the same air as that traitorous wench."


    ''I''ll make it happen, Arch.''


    The mother-lover took a solemn oath.


    The door creaked open, and a grinning head popped out from the small opening. "My Master~, you are awake!"


    "Focus on Semiramis and the war," Arch said.


    ***


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