Shinji Matou At Your Service

Chapter 131: Signal

That night, the weather in Fuyuki City was extraordinarily unusual, unlike anything seen before.

The strong northern winds that had persisted for several days suddenly ceased, as if they had never existed.

After nightfall, instead of dropping, the temperature began to rise sharply. The snow melted, and the humidity in the air increased to the point where an unexpected mirage phenomenon appeared, something that should never occur in this season.

This hot and humid weather was limited to a tiny area centered around Fuyuki City. Even the weather forecasters couldn't explain the reason, which only intensified the strange premonitions that the citizens were already feeling.

Several urban guerrilla incidents, gruesome murder cases, and child disappearances all remained shrouded in mystery, with no leads. Under the current state of a nighttime curfew with no end in sight, coupled with the recent industrial wastewater disaster, people were on edge from the series of strange events, physically and mentally exhausted. Even the abnormal weather felt like a harbinger of greater calamity.

Only those who had experienced war knew that it was a sign of approaching conflict, the calm before the storm.

Saber silently drove the Mercedes-Benz that was originally intended for Irisviel, while Kiritsugu sat in the passenger seat, smoking one cigarette after another without a word.

Saber didn't like the smell of smoke, but she didn't stop Kiritsugu because she knew that her Master was using this method to alleviate his restlessness, forcing himself to remain calm and think about the next course of action.

With Irisviel and Maiya already in the hands of the enemy, Saber could only rely on her Master to come up with a good solution.

...

Tohsaka Tokiomi opened the ancestral treasure chest of the Tohsaka family. It contained the "Magic Box," a magical item bestowed upon the Tohsaka family for their jewel magecraft, crafted by Zelretch, the highest-ranked magus who was still active. The box appeared ordinary on the outside, but it was imbued with the Second Magic, a spatial folding enchantment, making its capacity far greater than its size. The flow of time inside and outside the box also differed, with one hour inside equivalent to a day outside. Therefore, it was used by the Tohsaka family as a safe deposit box to store their most precious magical artifacts and books. The magical attire prepared by Tokiomi for today's events was also stored here.

Similarly, there was a magic staff inherited from his master Zelretch, with a rare magic gem embedded at its tip, capable of greatly enhancing the effects of gem magecraft.

The gemstone pendant and ring that Tokiomi himself crafted contained the accumulated magical energy he had saved since childhood.

There are eighteen magic gems, each of which is a high-level magical gem that contains an A-ranked grand magecraft. They are part of a one-time limited magical outfit.

There are over twenty other magical gems, sealed with magecraft of different levels.

The specially tailored suit, designed to complement gem magecraft, not only provides a certain degree of physical and magical defense but also features hidden pockets throughout the body for storing gems, facilitating their use in various situations.

The shoes are equipped with reduced gravity, allowing for high mobility beyond human limits in case of emergencies.

After putting on each of these pieces of equipment, Tokiomi finally took a moment to tidy his appearance in front of the mirror, ensuring that he would not disgrace the honor of the Tohsaka family.

Gilgamesh sat in Tokiomi's designated seat, holding a tall glass, drinking alone. Although he had some dissatisfaction with Tokiomi, he appreciated Tokiomi's serious and dedicated attitude – at least he was a qualified mongrel. As the king, he would respond to his request.

...

It was not just a coincidence that Waver and Rider were absent when Kiritsugu and Saber blocked the door.

Rider had used his trump card, "Ionian Hetairoi," for two consecutive nights without drawing additional magical energy from Waver. This reckless behavior had placed a tremendous burden on his magical energy and spiritual core. As a result, after the battle, Rider entered a spiritual form and could no longer maintain a physical presence as usual.

Although Rider did not say anything, observant Waver still noticed Rider's weakness. Taking him to a certain corner of Fuyuki City's wooded area, Waver summoned Rider there. Rider's recovery in this location would be faster than anywhere else.

A few days ago, Waver had seized the future in this place.

Now, in this place, Waver heard Rider's inner voice.

The great King of Conquerors reflected on his dreams in life, questioned the Holy Grail, showed concern for Waver, and expressed his determination to defeat Archer and Saber. The former was a king's pledge, while the latter was a genuine desire to change that sorrowful belief and make Saber join his ranks, shining brightly on the battlefield.

When Rider had recovered enough to use "Ionian Hetairoi" once again, Waver returned to the old shack of the Mackenzie family. This small, old wooden house made him increasingly reluctant to leave because it possessed a warmth that the world of magecraft lacked.

What surprised Waver was that Mackenzie had long known that Waver was not their grandson. His implied magecraft had been deciphered by an ordinary, unrelated, and unremarkable old man.

The old man said to Waver, "Who are you? But it doesn't matter who you are. Although I can't understand why Martha and I both treat you as our grandson. But we've lived for so long, and we just consider all the strange things in the world as unbelievable, without delving into the details... In any case, as our grandson, you show extraordinary kindness."

Waver asked the old man, "Aren't you angry?"

The old man shook his head. "Well, technically I should be angry... but Martha has been genuinely happy lately, which was unimaginable before. In that regard, I'm grateful to you. And it seems like you and that man named Alex are honest young people, which is rare nowadays. The purpose behind your actions must be something we find difficult to understand."

If Waver were to judge by his standards, this old man was too lax and slow. Even the experimental white mice in the Clock Tower Academy were more alert.

Waver didn't understand why the old man didn't hate him or blame him. Waver only understood the workings of the Clock Tower, and the old man's tolerance was beyond his comprehension.

"I don't understand your situation, and I don't know if I can ask you this... If possible, can we continue like this for a while? Not just for me, but Martha doesn't seem to suspect anything for now. Although we don't know if this is a dream or something else, for us, it is a priceless treasure—a gem of spending time with a kind grandson."

Waver's heart was filled with sadness as he looked down at his hands.

He firmly believed that one day these hands would unveil the mysterious truth. He believed in his abilities—even if the world denied him, as long as he didn't give up on himself, someday...

That was the possibility he had long held on to.

But what were the results?

Even the most basic of basic hypnosis suggestions couldn't succeed. Even if he used the excuse of bad luck or unexpected circumstances, it wouldn't hold up. His magecraft couldn't even maintain its normal effect on a kind old man who continued to ask for deception.

At this level of triviality, if it were that man, all he would need to do is take the initiative, pay a visit, and share a few drinks with a smile to succeed.

Waver's magecraft fell short of this level and even garnered sympathy from others.

Waver was filled with extreme regret and even found it somewhat comical. He considered himself a clown.

He had never realized what was right in front of his eyes, only looking at nonexistent things and mistaking his beloved self-portrait for a mirror. Now he could understand what those people who mocked him at the Clock Tower were thinking. Waver himself wanted to join them in mocking his foolishness.

But now he couldn't laugh. Gulen Mackenzie and Martha were not expecting a comedy. They had important reasons to ask for Waver's help. Upon careful consideration, besides being the object of ridicule, this may have been the first time someone asked him to play a different role.

"...I'm sorry, I can't promise that. Because I can't guarantee that I can safely return here again."

"So, are you doing something life-threatening?"

"That's right." Having experienced a battle among Servants that shook the heavens and the earth, Waver deeply understood human fragility.

Mr. Gulen remained silent, pondering for a while before nodding heavily.

"Although I don't know how important that thing is to you, I hope you listen to my words. After living a lifetime and looking back on one's life, in the end, nothing can compare to life itself."

This admonition was opposite to the truth that Waver had spent his youth pursuing.

The so-called path of magecraft began with accepting death and heading towards a realm that could only be reached by burning one's own life. Until today, this should have been his guiding principle.

But if he wanted to find a suitable way of life, perhaps the words of this kind old man were the truth.

Waver embraced an indescribable sense of loss in his heart as he gazed at the dazzling starry sky.

Suddenly, he felt a slight yet clear impact.

That is a signal similar to when the Holy Church gathers Masters.

PS: Sometimes, equipment is more important than the magus's strength. Kirei didn't show his full power to Shirou. Many of the high-quality Mystic Codes he carried were blown up by Kiritsugu, leaving only the "Azoth Dagger" he carried with him. On the other hand, Tokiomi fought fully equipped.

PS2:

Iskandar: Saber, join me.

Saber: You should ask if my Knights of the Round Table agree.

Knights of the Round Table: Say that again, I dare you.

The Emperor's Comrades, including Hephaestion, Ptolemy, Seleucus, etc.: Try saying that. (There are several Heroic Spirits under the Emperor's command who are even stronger than him.)

Merlin, planting flowers and watching the show in the Garden of Avalon: Oh, oh, they're fighting, they're fighting.

PS3: The Knights of the Round Table can't beat the Emperor's Comrades because the Emperor has more people. The Round Table has just over a hundred members, including many knights who, like Bedivere, do not have enough achievements to become Heroic Spirits. On the other hand, the Emperor has an absolute number of Heroic Spirits in the five digits.

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