*Grrrr...!!!*
"Whaaat... Isn't her growth too fast? Or, did losing to Assassin yesterday cause an explosive growth out of that frustration?"
"I just put in a lot of effort all night."
The day after Caster's kidnapping incident, Artoria became able to draw out even more of her dragon power than yesterday. Did the battle with Assassin give her some hint? Even if her dragon breath isn't at Báthory-level yet, her gradual growth is clearly visible. If this continues, she might be able to use dragon breath roar soon...
"Artoria is a truly incredible prodigy. Perhaps, I'm starting to understand why Merlin made such a choice."
"Huh?"
"... No, it's nothing."
That was close... Could it be so she wouldn't be devoured by the Red Dragon? That she might not become a new Vortigern... He might have had such worries. Fast... It hasn't even been a few days since I started teaching her and she's growing this quickly? It wasn't noticeable on the first or second day. I thought she'd only reach this level near the end...
Aren't you mastering this too quickly? Is that why you didn't teach her at all, Merlin? But... if she wouldn't be devoured by the Red Dragon, just as Siegfried or Sigurd weren't devoured by Fafnir and became great heroes, perhaps she would have become a savior hero who dominated that chaotic Britain by force and led it to a relatively peaceful demise.
This is this, a disciple whose teaching is overflowing with reward.
"Your talent is certainly above mine. To your eyes, I must seem obviously strong, but I achieved that through long periods of effort. Unlike you, who rested while being king for ten years, I never stopped training even when I was king and reached this point... It's impressive. Your talent is overflowing."
"Hmph, thank you, Archer. So, what's for dinner today?"
"At this point, aren't you calling me for food rather than dragon power?"
"Ahem... th, that can't be."
"Sigh, go change your clothes. I'll prepare it."
"Yes!"
She only gets like this when it's time to eat... I go to the kitchen to prepare the meal.
... Seeing that side of her reminds me of my wives, I must say. It makes me think of my children too. That splendid blonde hair that reminds me of Illann, a personality like Conla... She resembles my wives in many ways too.
I miss them, but... I wonder if I could endure facing them. What reaction should I show? I want to reunite with a smile, but... is that possible?
"... Sigh, I really am a petty person."
In life I was overflowing with confidence, but in my later years I became a cowardly brat. Is this why the gods call humans weak? Among heroes, is there anyone with emotions as weak as mine? Sending off my loved ones, my heart has become far too fragile. Because of that, I still can't go all out. To fight with all my heart... that era keeps coming to mind.
"Is the preparation ready?"
... Who told whom not to dwell on the past? Says the one who can't escape the past the most. Really... she's too dazzling. I think I understand why Merlin called her his hope, why those Round Table fellows gathered and followed her.
It feels reliable and soothing, as if seeing them. Is it because I've gained a comrade I can trust my back to?
"Yes~ it's done. Let's eat."
"It looks delicious again today. Then, I'll eat well."
This shouldn't happen... I start wanting this daily life to continue. Even though I've lived for hundreds of years... to wish for daily life once more. I shouldn't, but... I don't want to feel the sadness of parting again... How foolish.
After the meal, we go to meet the two as they finish school as always. But... something, the atmosphere is strange.
"This is...!"
"A bounded field has been deployed. Stubborn... let's go!"
She's being stubborn and not calling us, what is she doing!? Anyway, stubborn people need to be understood! Rider came out again despite what happened last time. Looking at the bounded field level, Sakura isn't the Master. Then it should be easier.
Clang! Clangclangclang!
The sound of fighting from the building's rooftop reaches us, so Artoria and I quickly leap up to the rooftop. On the rooftop, Shinji was being chased by Shirou, and Rin fighting Rider was visible.
"You used it after all, huh? Rin."
Clang!!!
"Tch..."
"Stop dodging around and hand over that heart!!!"
"Why does the Master have a Servant's power...!"
That's my work, you brat.
"That is...?"
"My work. Then, shall we go? I'll leave the Master to you. Rider is already Rin's prey."
"Understood."
Artoria goes to capture Shinji, and I charge at Rider.
"!? Archer──"
*BOOM!!!!!*
The straight punch I threw while charging strikes her abdomen, and at that moment, my eyes meet Rin's and we have a conversation through our gaze. Rin makes a determined expression and firmly grips the demonic spear.
"{Gáe Bolg Alternative}" (The Piercing Death Flight Spear)!!!
The moment Rider's opening appears, Rin throws Gáe Bolg. Originally it's a thrown spear that pierces space, but that's a technique, so no matter how much she borrows her power, it's not something she can use. So she throws just the spear like Setanta.
*Thwump!!!!*
"Kuhak...!!!"
And the red demonic spear pierces her spiritual core (heart). The red spear that came out through Rider's back was stained with blood.
"... Sa, kura..."
Muttering Sakura's name, Rider soon disappears. It was a definite elimination. Rin reacted briefly to the name Sakura, but soon canceled her transformation and showed an expression as if nothing happened.
[As expected of Rin-san~ You defeated Rider safely! And all thanks to this Ruby-chan!]
"No, it's not! Anyway, we finally defeated one."
"Indeed. I hope the other teams win this smoothly too."
It was partly easy because Shinji was the Master. Rider herself wasn't passionate either...
"This is really..."
Down below, was he there? I saw with Clairvoyance Kuzuki Sōichirō, who was about to come up but stopped. If he had come, I wonder what would have happened. Matou Shinji seems to have just been let go...
It became a bland ending. Did things go too much as expected?
There was no damage to the school either, and we simply leave the academy and head home.
"Getting kidnapped, almost killed by Rider... you're really no help, Emiya-kun!"
"S, sorry..."
"I told you to call Saber but you didn't, anyway... you're so stubborn."
"And yet you're worried about him, aren't you? Rin."
"Shut up!"
This is what a tsundere is. Since we're going, we decide to have dinner at the Emiya house for a modest celebration of safely defeating the Rider team. On the way to shop for it, after shopping, evening comes and it becomes dark night.
"Didn't you buy a bit too much?"
"Artoria will eat it all, so don't worry."
"Ahem... If people hear, they'll think I'm a glutton, Archer."
"Huh? You aren't?"
"Why do you look so shocked!?"
"No, but the person who ate the entire family restaurant menu and dessert too..."
"Huh? Saber was that much of a big eater?"
"Archer, just where have you been taking Saber...?"
"Ahem...! Please forget it, Shirou, Rin."
Embarrassed, Artoria clears her throat and cuts off their words. Even though she's in her thirties, she has girlish aspects.
But... on the way home, in a deserted park, an ominous magical energy is felt. This is a simple bounded field to keep ordinary people out.
"This is this, they finally came. I wondered when they'd show up."
"Huh? What is?"
"Look ahead, Rin. Those who want to fight us have come."
"... Indeed."
Before us, the faction I'd been waiting for blocks our path. In a way, one of the most troublesome and strongest teams in this Holy Grail War along with their Master, a faction more difficult to defeat than Berserker...
The causality reversal Lancer combo was waiting for us. This won't be easy... It's hard to counter causality reversal, and now the counter has come... This is why those with complete legends are troublesome. Conall, your distant descendant points a blade at me.
"Hey there, long time no see, uncle."
"This time the Master came along too. A descendant of Conall... Interesting. And Fragarach, is it? The causality-reversing blade Manannán mac Lir gave to Lugh..."
"Pleased to meet you, Fergus mac Róich. I've been looking forward to meeting you."
Bazett smiles at me while putting on her gloves. Fitting for a descendant of Ulster, her spirit is good... She's quite strong too. Of course she'd lose against me in a fight, but she's at a level where she could fight an average Servant head-on. Against Assassin (Cursed Arm) or the Shinji version of Rider, she could probably fight to some degree and win with a counter.
Truly fitting of Ulster. It makes me proud, but she's an enemy...
"Setanta... You really have a tragic fate. The descendant of Conall inherited the Noble Phantasm given to your father by the husband of the goddess you committed adultery with. Isn't that right?"
"Why is that story coming up now!?"
"Adultery...? Lancer?"
"No no, that... it's an old story!"
"Setanta, it was fun teasing you about your J's, wasn't it? My lawful wife Emer was the only one angry back then, coming with a sword, and I beat you like a dog on her behalf. Isn't that right, nephew of Cú Chulainn?"
"No, that..."
"I took responsibility and accepted her as a wife, but for you it was all just enjoying yourself, wasn't it? Are you going to flirt with a descendant of Ulster this time too?"
"... Lancer?"
"No no, misunderstanding! Are you going to keep doing this, uncle!?"
"Who's the one who philanders around?"
As expected, Setanta has good comedic impact. Should I stop teasing him here?
"You all stay back. This is our Ulster fight."
"... Understood."
This isn't a place for Saber to step in. This is our fight.
"Then Rin, are you ready? Their Master will fight too."
"Sigh... I'll do it. I just have to do it, right? Of all people, to have the strongest enforcer in history as an enemy... What is Ulster really?"
"A monster gathering?"
"That sounds about right... Install (Dream Summon)!"
[Here we go~!]
Rin transforms into Lancer along with Ruby, taking out the card. Bazett and Setanta are surprised seeing her.
"Heh~ isn't that the teacher's power? You're doing something incredible, uncle?"
"A human, Servant-ification...? Truly fitting of the King of Ériu. Then I too will fight with all my heart."
"I like that... Let's recreate an Ulster fight here. Let's go, Master!"
"Got it!"
Rin and I clash with the Lancer faction and continue a fierce battle. Perhaps because I'm weaker than in life, Setanta at full power notices that aspect of me and attacks. So confident. I told Rin not to use her Noble Phantasm through spiritualization, so the conditions for the causality reversal counter shouldn't be met.
"Here, Rin!"
"Got it! What's with that muscle-brain woman being so strong!?"
I continue the battle coordinating with Rin on the spot... From afar, Shirou and Artoria watch us.
"Amazing... Is this really a fight between humans?"
"... Rin and Archer, they coordinate well."
"Huh? Ah, you're right. Like people who've been together for a long time. Tohsaka, her eyes were originally blue but they turned red? She looked tense earlier, but she's gradually starting to smile... It's like she's becoming a different person."
"..... Archer, he smiles that well when fighting. Or, is it because he's with Rin..."
=====================================================
The website for reading paid chapters is available on my Patreon. The number of chapters on Patreon: 93
Link: patreon.com/UltraMagnus_T