Chapter 17: Day 6 ①

I woke up naturally because the night was so restless. I was exhaling in ragged breaths without realizing it.

My back felt disgusting. The clammy sensation indicated that I must have been sweating in my sleep.

I opened my eyes while regulating my breathing, and the unfamiliar ceiling was the first thing in my line of sight. I quietly sat up in the futon and looked around. This is... the detached guest room of the Emiya residence.

Huh? Why am I sleeping in the annex, instead of the storage shed or my own room?

Ah, that’s right. I’m no longer human; I exist as a Servant now. Even with a week about to pass, I still don't have a solid sense of reality.

I recall yesterday's events with my still-groggy, not-fully-awakened head. ...The first thing that comes to mind is that it was tough and a lot happened.

The first thing to mention is that I sparred with Lia, albeit with a bamboo sword.

I was the one who asked for it, wanting to test how well I could move, but naturally, Saber... Lia was strong. My mental energy was slowly worn down from the tachiai (starting stance), and when I finally resolved to attack, I was easily parried. Then, she retaliated mercilessly at the slightest opening.

If I just list the facts, it’s no different from when I was Emiya Shirou, but the fact that I was beaten in the same way despite my vastly improved physical abilities means that I still can’t match Lia’s technique.

The sharpness of her swings and the speed of her taizabaki (body management) are different from the training I received back then. I realized firsthand how much she had been holding back during those times. It was only after gaining physical abilities equivalent to a Servant that I could correctly understand the recklessness of Emiya Shirou challenging a Servant with his old body and skills.

However, I have to give myself credit for not being defeated immediately. Even with my current exceptional physical ability, I certainly couldn’t call it an even match. Merely keeping pace was nerve-wracking, and I even doubt if it was a proper fight.

Based on that, what I lack now are technique and experience. In terms of raw ability, I probably surpass other-class Servants, but if I rely completely on that, my future is predictable.

For now, the only choice is to continually train to fully utilize this physical ability and practice managing the colossal amount of magical energy that is orders of magnitude greater than a human’s.

And this is something I'd rather not recall, but yesterday's bath was also tough.

Of course, I refused. I tried to resist desperately in my own way, but since Lia (who looks exactly like me) didn't refuse, Fujinee's hand didn't relent, and I was inevitably dragged in.

I tried hard to keep my gaze averted as much as possible, but even that had its limits. If I looked up, I saw Fujinee's and Lia's naked bodies; if I looked down, my own body, an exact duplicate of Lia's, came into view.

Ultimately, something straight out of a manga happened within a few minutes, and I used that opportunity to make an excuse that I was dizzy and fled. I wonder what would have happened otherwise.

What welled up as I thought back was guilt more than embarrassment. All the more because both Fujinee and Lia didn't mind at all, thinking they were just two women together.

It's true that my current appearance is definitely not one that could be called male, but my inner self hasn't changed. In that sense, it's natural for the two women not to be concerned about me, but I can't be so nonchalant.

...Still, I find it so awkward to call her Lia. Especially compared to Rin and Shirou, whom I’ve just gotten to know, I spent ages calling her Saber.

I was the one who suggested it, but I never expected it would actually be used consistently. I figured it would just be a pseudonym for use by third parties. Well, I suppose I should just be glad that 'Alto' is at least somewhat more masculine than 'Lia'.

I shook my finally awakened head and started walking towards the washstand. The borrowed nightwear was sticking to my body with sweat, and it still felt disgusting.

Speaking of which, I didn't get a satisfactory bath yesterday either. I woke up early, so I have time before breakfast. Maybe I should take one now.

After setting the bath to reheat, I went back to the room to get my change of underwear, a blouse, and a skirt.

Returning to the changing room, I took off my nightwear, trying to keep my gaze from dropping as much as possible, and entered the bathroom.

I put my hand into the bathwater, and sure enough, it was still lukewarm.

I decided to wash my body first, put body soap on the sponge, lathered it up, and scrubbed my body. Just for the record, I kept my eyes closed.

This isn't the first time I've washed myself like this. Calm down, calm down, I told myself as I finished washing my body.

The time taken was just over fifteen minutes. Considering I used to finish washing in about five minutes, that's easily three times longer.

When I was Emiya Shirou, I could wash my body without any hesitation, but that's no longer the case. I can definitely call it my body because it moves according to my will, but at the same time, it’s also clearly a borrowed one. Above all, I could never treat Saber's body carelessly.

Still, perhaps I'm getting more used to it than at first; some of the resistance has lessened. Of course, I still can’t look at myself naked, but for me, that's significant progress.

Next, I untied my braided hair, wet it with hot water, and lathered it with shampoo.

This is also a struggle. Naturally, the sheer volume of hair is vastly different. At first, I scrubbed it roughly, the same way I used to, but apparently, that causes hair damage.

Even so, I felt like the hair quality hadn't changed at all, but if Rin (who is a woman) says so, then it must be common knowledge for women.

"......Haa."

Being a woman is quite a hassle.

Finally, I finished washing my hair, wrapped it in a towel, and got into the bathtub. They said this helps retain moisture in the hair, but regardless, it's just convenient for keeping my long hair bundled up since it can be a bit bothersome.

Closing my eyes, I felt the illusion of my body relaxing and mental fatigue draining away. My consciousness naturally sank into thought.

Somehow, the flow of events this time and the last time is changing. I noticed this quite a while ago.

First, I, the Servant Archer of Tohsaka Rin, am in a combat-ready state.

The Archer from when I was Emiya Shirou, for whatever reason, took Saber's tachi (sword) head-on. I managed to react because I knew it was coming, but the previous Archer was incapacitated by Saber and couldn't move properly.

And then there was the meal and the discussion afterwards.

It might be a minor issue, but it probably affected the difference in the time we met Illya. Previously, Berserker attacked not on the hill in the next town, but on a road in Fuyuki.

However, if I had been defeated by Lia and unable to move, we might not have been able to repel Berserker. I could have held a stalemate alone, but Lia cannot damage Berserker through simple melee combat.

If she had sufficient magical energy supply, she might be able to repel him with her Noble Phantasm, but as long as Shirou is her Master, Lia will remain magically depleted, so the predicament would be the same either way. It was unexpected, but we barely managed only because both Lia and I were there.

Overall, I think the flow is moving in a better direction. We are stronger strategically than before, and we repelled Berserker without Shirou getting hurt.

I also told Sakura not to come to the Emiya house for a while, which helps me, as I want to avoid her getting involved at all costs.

However, there is one thing that concerns me. Shinji seems to have completely turned against Shirou.

Last time, he offered an alliance, even if it was superficial, but this time, that didn't happen.

Shirou was not invited to Shinji's house, and no information about Ryudou Temple has reached us.

Shinji denies the school's barrier, and I know it's a lie, but as someone believed to be Saber's double, I can't tell Rin or Shirou.

Is there any way to stop Shinji? I believe I can delay him by crushing the magic circles that form the basis of the barrier the day before it activates, but that won't stop it entirely. If I keep interfering, he might give up, but will it work out that well?

In any case, my summoning to the Holy Grail War is affecting everything.

If I play my cards right, I should be able to keep the damage to a minimum. Then, I have to do my best.

...Ugh, I feel kind of dizzy. Am I lightheaded? Maybe I should get out now before it gets worse.

"Oh, Alto. Are you taking a bath too?"

"WHOA!? Lia!?"

Lia opened the bathroom door and was looking at me. She had already taken off her clothes and was about to enter the bath.

I was just about to get up and get out of the tub, but I reflexively sank back into the hot water.

"Baths are wonderful, aren't they? I've grown quite fond of them since being summoned to this era."

"Ah, yeah. They feel good."

I submerged myself up to my chin and couldn't tear my eyes away from the front. My replies were absent-minded, the only kind my dizzy head could manage.

"What happened yesterday? Suddenly, you got a nosebleed."

Hearing the 'manga-like event' spoken aloud, I felt blood rush to my head even more out of embarrassment.

My face must have been completely red anyway since I had been in the hot water for so long.

"A-Ah. I think the water was too hot for me."

"Fufu, you sound just like Shirou. It suits you quite well."

I can't see Lia's expression since I'm looking away, but I can tell she's smiling from her tone.

Has Lia finally started to warm up to me? I think her guard has definitely been lowered somewhat.

Is it because she heard Rin’s conjecture about the ‘differentiation of individuals due to divergence in legend’ and understood that I am a separate personality from her? Previously, when I spoke in Emiya Shirou’s tone, she looked at me with great suspicion, but now she dismisses it as a mere joke.

Since my manner of speaking seems to revert when my emotions run high, the current situation is actually quite helpful to me.

"By the way, what were you doing after that? It seems you disappeared."

"I was patrolling the area. It's better to be safe than sorry, you see."

"I see."

I noticed my reverted tone and instinctively tried to mimic Saber, but as I'm not used to it, I faltered midway.

Fortunately, Lia did not pursue the subject of my tone further, and I nodded, satisfied with the content of the conversation.

The patrol was a pretext. I did a quick patrol, but I didn't spend much time on it.

The reason I lied was that I was on the roof checking my Projection Magecraft. That was something I absolutely could not let anyone see.

The target was a Noble Phantasm: Lancer's Gáe Bolg: Barbed Spear that Pierces with Death.

Of all the things I've projected so far, none other than Caliburn: Golden Sword of the Victorious has been this formidable. I could only think of Projection as the one thing I could do that could contribute to our fighting strength.

I thought it was reckless of me to project a Noble Phantasm, which is said to be the embodiment of mystery, but it seems that the act of using it itself is not a problem.

However, as expected, the amount of magical energy consumed was vastly greater than when projecting Caliburn, and the accuracy plummeted. It seems to consume less energy than using Excalibur: Sword of Promised Victory normally, but even so, it's doubtful whether it can withstand combat.

I also don't know whether invoking the True Name would consume my own magical energy. I simply have no way to test it. If I did test it, Rin or Lia would notice the concentration of magical energy, and there is certainly no opponent to use it on right now.

My purpose for checking is to increase my options for a dire situation—a time when I can't afford to be particular about anything. It would be best if such a situation never arose, but with my level of combat technique, it is difficult to avoid. I cannot be optimistic.

Indeed, if the Holy Grail War ends without incident and I remain just 'Archer', that would be the best outcome.

If there is an actual need for them to know, I don't mind. While my feelings would be complicated, I don't care about myself.

I just don't want them to know that Emiya Shirou’s eventual outcome is this. I won't let it turn out like mine. I am here to prevent that future from happening.

...Ah, that's right. I need to make breakfast soon. There probably isn't much time left.

Wait, what? I can't put any strength into my body—

"Alto? What's wrong?"

Saber... no, Lia is approaching.

"N-Nothing a—"

"Alto!?"

I tried to wave my hand to show I was fine, but it didn't move. My vision was enveloped in black.