"Hey! What the hell is this?!"
"Ho ho... This is something else. Is this your Noble Phantasm?"
The two of them looked up at the giant silver body, letting out bewildered cries.
After flying for a little over ten minutes on Rider's chariot, we had returned to the location of Mechagodzilla with Sakura-chan inside. There were no particular abnormalities in the surroundings. Well, maybe Assassin was keeping watch, but I couldn't sense him. I'd better stay on guard.
"Yeah. It's one of my Noble Phantasms... It's a vehicle, so maybe a Rider can operate it."
"What are you, really...?"
Waver was muttering something under his breath. But it's useless for you to try and figure me out. I got here by ignoring all logic.
As for Iskandar, he was touching the surface with great curiosity and trying to climb it. The sight of Iskandar's huge body clinging to the silver dinosaur was very surreal. I'll let him have his fun for a while.
The problem was,
"Phew."
"What's wrong now? Why do you sound so gloomy?"
"Well, it's my master."
"Oh, speaking of which, where is your master? I don't see them."
"Inside here."
"Inside?"
"The belly is the cockpit. I had them take refuge in there for safety."
"Hmm. Then just open it up already."
"Yeah, you're right."
It's a waste of time to drag this out. I opened the hatch with a flourish.
"Sakura-chan?"
"Sigh... sigh..."
She was asleep.
She had probably cried herself to sleep. Traces of tears were still on her face.
"This girl is my master."
I turned around to introduce Sakura-chan to Waver—
"Hey, why are you backing away?"
"Don't come any closer, you pervert!"
"Huh!?"
As I took a step forward, he shouted something outrageous.
"What were you trying to do, locking a little girl up like that, and naked no less!"
"Wha... oh!"
I understood the situation. I said I was introducing my master, and out came a naked elementary school girl. Anyone would misunderstand. It's like accidentally sending an email full of dirty jokes meant for a friend to your parents. That analogy makes no sense.
Anyway, this misunderstanding is really bad. I have to correct it as soon as possible!
"Calm down. It's a misunderstanding. Like I said, this girl is my master, and—"
"You locked your master up! Naked! In a place like that!?"
"I said it's not like that! Listen to me! Okay, maybe the term 'locked up' is correct since I didn't get her consent, but that's not the point! Look, Command Spells! You see the Command Spells, right!?"
As we argued, Sakura-chan stirred. Her eyes slowly opened. I guess I woke her up.
"Hmm... ah."
"Welcome back, Sakura-chan."
This is actually good timing. With this, I can get more concrete proof,
"Did he force you to be locked in there?"
"Yes."
This is no good.
"There's no way I'm teaming up with youuuuuuuu!!"
---------
"This girl is my master."
Finally, the misunderstanding was cleared up, and I introduced her again.
"I see, so the master of an irregular Servant is also an irregular, eh?"
"..."
Iskandar and Waver were lost in thought.
"This girl has no proper knowledge of magic. She can't be counted on as a fighting force. Is that okay?"
"Ah... that's fine. But, are you and your master on bad terms?"
"Don't say it like you two are on good terms!"
Ever since she woke up, Sakura-chan has been glaring at me with a pouty face. She was wrapped in a rag that Rider gave her, feeling sorry for her nakedness. The ordeal she went through to get her body accustomed to the Matou's magic had closed her heart, but it seemed to be healing faster than I expected. I can't deny that I was partly at fault, but I wonder if she'll forgive me if I apologize.
I can't just leave it alone. Discord with my master can affect me at a crucial moment.
"Sakura-chan."
"...What?"
She was angry. Her face, which had a little life back in it, clearly showed her displeasure.
"I'm sorry for leaving you alone, okay? I was just hoping you might cheer up soon. Or so I thought."
"Do you really mean you're sorry?"
"I do."
"Really?"
"Really."
Oh, this might work?
"Then take responsibility. Show me your sincerity."
"Don't say such difficult things."
You've watched too many dramas. What in the world am I supposed to do to get her to forgive me?
"W-what exactly do you want me to do?"
"Figure it out yourself."
I got up and went back to Rider and the others.
"It was impossible."
"Don't give up!"
"It's better to leave her alone. Time will heal it."
"You're the worst..."
I know, so don't say anything more. It's a good thing she didn't use a Command Spell.
"So, about what we're going to do next."
However, I actually just had a flash of inspiration.
"I want to talk more in-depth."
A way to deepen my trust with these two and lift Sakura-chan's spirits.
"The place for that would be—"
It would be,
"—How about a public bath?"
---------
A public bath. A piece of good old Japanese culture, and a spot that's gradually becoming popular with foreigners. More than anything, the word "bath" brings to mind the phrase "naked communion." It's so ingrained that you might as well equate "bath" with "naked communion." There's no better stage to have a heart-to-heart talk.
Sakura-chan can wash away all the grime from her body, and besides, girls love baths! What's more, it would be perfect if I could buy her some clothes to wear while she's in the bath!
This is a perfect suggestion, a flawless plan. I'm even a little bit in love with it myself. Maybe that's an exaggeration.
Anyway, following this proposal, we headed into town. For whatever reason, Sakura-chan's steps seemed light, as if she was looking forward to it. Rider's request to move the Mechagodzilla since we were moving anyway was unfortunately rejected with full force.
It was late. Few people were walking on the night streets, and we arrived at the public bath without any problems. Sakura-chan, who was only wrapped in a rag, was a problem, and Iskandar would be an even bigger hassle if someone saw him.
When we bought tickets and went inside, the clerk stared at us, but they didn't say anything, perhaps not wanting to cause any unnecessary trouble.
The changing room was empty, thanks to the perfect timing.
"What a body."
"Tell me about it..."
Waver and I muttered to ourselves at Iskandar's bulging muscles. His arms, thick enough to strangle a grizzly bear, were a sight to behold.
"Hmm? What's wrong, you two? Are you entranced by my physique? ...Master, you could use a little more meat on your bones."
"Shut up."
Leaving the two of them to their banter, I turned to face Sakura-chan.
Yes. In a public bath, a small girl is allowed to enter the men's bath. Of course, I can't just push Sakura-chan into the women's bath alone. We'll go in together.
"Sakura-chan."
"...Mm."
She obediently took off the rag she was wearing.
What came out was a young, childish body. It was so underdeveloped that the word "immature" felt wrong.
Her body had been infested with worms, but the outside was clean. She removed the barrier protecting her body without a second thought and didn't try to hide the pink buds on her chest or the vertical line at the base of her legs, even though I was watching her.
I felt like I was being shown what that old man had done to her. She tilted her head at me as I said nothing.
This girl will become like that in 10 years...
"Hey, pervert."
"Hey! I'm not going to let that slide this time, Waver!"
As someone who was staring, it was hard to argue back!
I lightly glared at Waver, who was persistently teasing me, and took Sakura-chan's hand. I opened the door separating the changing room from the bathhouse.
"Wash your body before you get in the tub."
"I know."
"Alright, alright."
Iskandar and Waver replied.
"Sakura-chan, you can do it yourself—"
"Wash me."
"...As you wish."
She sat on a stool, and I knelt behind her.
I'm sorry if you were expecting some kind of juicy event, but all I did was wash her body. Just in silence.
So, I should pretend I didn't see her crying in the mirror.
---------
We got into the bathtub.
The fatigue of the day seemed to melt into the hot water.
However, one of us couldn't bear it for long.
"H-hey, can we get out now?"
It was Waver, whose face was starting to turn red.
"What, are you at your limit already?"
Iskandar shook his head in a disappointed manner.
"You don't want to get dizzy, so why don't you get out first?"
"Yeah, I'll do that..."
Just as Waver was about to lift his foot out of the tub, Iskandar said something as if a thought had just occurred to him.
"Alright, Master. You go buy this girl some clothes."
"Huh!? Me!? Alone!? What are you thinking, leaving your master alone! What if he gets attacked!?"
"Do not fret. You have Command Spells if things go south. Be at ease... Besides, there won't be many who would dare to attack tonight."
After the first proper battle, more than half of the Servants, along with an irregular Servant, had appeared. Tonight, they would be focused on formulating future strategies and recovering the mana they had consumed. Few would be desperate enough to fight at this stage.
"What's that supposed to mean? How do you know that..."
"It is a king's intuition. Now, go. Shoo."
"...Tch!! Argh, fine!! What the hell, who's the Servant here!?"
Muttering complaints, Waver exited the bathhouse.
Sakura-chan was still here, but that was okay.
"So, Sho, is there anything you'd like to say?"
The relaxed atmosphere from before vanished, replaced by a sense of tension. Iskandar the King of Conquerors was there.
"I'm a Servant who came from the future. I know the outcome of this Holy Grail War."
"...Ho."
I decided to tell him. I thought it was the first step to gaining his trust. Even if it resulted in us becoming enemies, I wanted to fight him without any lingering regrets.
"To put it simply, this Holy Grail War won't function properly. The Holy Grail was corrupted in the Third Holy Grail War. Wishes are being arbitrarily twisted and interpreted with malicious intent. Even if you fight and win, the wish you currently hold will be granted in a distorted way. And, according to records, this city was engulfed in flames at the end of this Holy Grail War. I want to stop that."
"And you came here as an irregular from the future to do that?"
"I didn't come here with a purpose. My arrival here was completely unexpected. But I know that to go back to the future, I have to end the Holy Grail War. To return without causing the disaster that was recorded, I have no choice but to dismantle the Holy Grail before it's completed. I can't do it alone."
This was all information I had gathered before coming to the public bath. There were detailed investigation files on the Holy Grail War. And my existence was not in them. I was about to change history.
I don't know what kind of result my intervention will cause, but I've made up my mind.
I shifted my gaze to Sakura-chan.
"Besides, this girl wasn't meant to be a master. I want to end this without anyone getting hurt. For that to happen—"
"For that, you want to use the power of Iksandar the King of Conquerors?"
"...Yes."
His low voice made my mouth close naturally.
"Unfortunately, there is no proof that your words are true."
"That's..."
That's true.
He would have every reason to think I was lying and trying to steal the Grail at the last minute. Or that I was feeding him false information to trap him.
"Even if your story is true, borrowing your power means gaining the enemy's information without effort, does it not? That is boring. There is value in conquering with one's own feet and strength. It is the same with a friend. I demand the same."
"..."
I clenched my hand in the water. Iskandar was calm and calculating to win, and he sometimes used any means necessary. But at the same time, he also held the pride of a King of Conquerors.
In other words, we can't team up.
That single phrase dominated my mind. My disappointment was great, perhaps because I had thought we could become allies.
"But still, it does not change the fact that you are my friend."
"...Huh?"
For a moment, I didn't understand what he was saying, and even when I did, I couldn't grasp his intention.
"A king does not easily go back on his word. You are my friend. I will see what kind of man you are as we act together. I am the King of Conquerors. I conquer not only nations and lands, but also people. It will be easy to conquer you alone."
"So you're teaming up with me?"
"That is correct. You may act freely on that condition. However, this neck is not light, you know? Be mindful. I am still intent on becoming the victor of this war. And... be careful with your advice."
So he's taking me in as an ally while also seeing through my plan, in a way. He's telling me to be prepared for the consequences if I try to set a trap. And to be careful about speaking of future knowledge.
The tension instantly drained out of me. I thought it was all over for a moment.
I'm glad we can fight together, even if he's only half-convinced. There are still many enemies we have to defeat regardless. Even with his full fighting spirit, it should be fine until "that time."
"So, that big thing you had earlier—"
"Ah, that—"
We ended up getting carried away and talking for quite a while. Waver, who was waiting outside, was a whole other story.
---------
Just in case, here are the protagonist's stats.
True Name: Yozuki Sho
Class: Undefined
Attribute: Lawful Neutral
Stats
Strength: E
Agility: E
Endurance: E
Mana: E
Luck: A
Noble Phantasm: EX
Class Skills
Single Action: A
As a Servant born under special conditions, he does not need mana to materialize. However, he needs mana to use his Noble Phantasm.
Noble Phantasm
■■■■■■■
A system that Sho received when he came to this world, which became his Noble Phantasm. He can acquire unknown abilities through sexual intercourse with women. All of them become pseudo-Noble Phantasms.
--------------------------------------------
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