Chapter 5: Day 3 ①

The night where I acutely felt danger had passed. Unfortunately, it wasn't for a serious reason, like staying alert as a Servant.

One of the causes of such exhaustion was my Master, Rin.

Last night, while I was taking a bath, she tried to open the bathroom door under various pretexts. She asked if I knew how to use the things kept in there, if I took care of my hair in any special way, what my three sizes were, if I had any inconveniences, and so on...

Rin was probably being considerate, thinking I wouldn't understand the modern bathroom setup. I'd like to believe that was the case, even if some of the things she asked were irrelevant to bathing.

Even if it was purely out of kindness, I'd really rather not have a woman see me washing a girl's body. Although, for some reason, that girl's body is now my own.

So, while bathing, I kept my awareness sharp, maximized my intuition, and managed to sense her presence beforehand. And no matter what she asked, I simply repeated, "I'm fine," or "No problem."

Thanks to that, I managed to keep the bathroom door closed and avoid any incident.

It was the same during the night. Since I can't become a spirit body, I have to sleep to avoid being seen, but I couldn't sleep deeply. Every time I heard a noise, I'd jump up.

After this happened a few times, I was completely unable to sleep. Lying under the covers without any sleepiness, all sorts of unfounded thoughts kept popping into my head.

For instance, the wiggling hand from last night. Rin's hand.

To pass the time, I wondered if Rin was really straight. I felt that pure kindness alone couldn't explain that lecherous look in her eyes at the time. What should I do if Rin did have an inclination toward women? Since this body belongs to Saber, I can't easily allow Rin to touch it.

...Speaking of which, the noises I've been hearing just now are not my own. Since only Rin and I are in this mansion, it must naturally be Rin making them. Is she going to the toilet, then?

Now that I think about it, I haven't been to the toilet since I was summoned. Despite eating and drinking, I haven't felt the urge for that physiological function since I became Archer.

Perhaps, just like how I don't need to eat, I don't need to go to the toilet either. Since I'm a Servant whose purpose is combat, such functions might have been omitted.

It feels terribly lonely to think that Saber was the same, but honestly, I'm relieved right now. The mere thought of such a scenario makes me blush. If I were to actually try to use the toilet in Saber's body, who knows what would happen.

I spent so much time thinking about such things that my spirit was utterly exhausted by the time morning came.

Regardless, I have to start making breakfast.

I don't mind cooking, but the problem is what to make. After all, I can't make the Japanese food I'm good at.

Based on Saber's appearance, the only things I can make are Western dishes. However, since it's morning, a stomach probably won't accept anything too greasy. I recall and consider my not-so-extensive repertoire of Western dishes.

...Alright. This morning, I'll go with French toast and café au lait. It certainly didn't exist in Saber's era, but it's better than trying to make Japanese food.

It's quite simple, but if I make something too heavy, Rin might not be able to eat it. I'd like to make more elaborate food, but for now, I'll settle for this.

As I was setting the table, I sensed Rin waking up.

A few minutes later, she appeared with messy hair, just like yesterday. Perhaps feeling safe since we're both women, this time she appeared in her pajamas. I'm not sure whether to call it seductive, or what.

"Archer, get the milk."

"Here you go."

As I did yesterday, I poured milk into a glass and handed it to her. Rin guzzled it down in one go, then, still half-asleep, walked towards the washroom.

The meal was over, and the dishes were washed.

On the table were two tea sets. Steam and aroma wafted gently from the cups. The black tea was brewed by me, despite my lack of experience with it.

Rin's verdict was, "Well, it passes." The procedure was followed correctly, but the temperature seemed off. I keep treating it like green tea.

Now, since she said we'd go out to gather information today, I sat on the sofa and read a book called 'Ceremonial Swords of the World' until we left. As the title suggests, the content is mostly ceremonial, and despite the name, there are no Noble Phantasms (holy swords) that an Heroic Spirit would likely use.

That doesn't mean it's boring; as someone who originally liked looking at swords, I have many thoughts on it. To be honest, though, just looking at the photos isn't very exciting.

"Archer, it's almost time to go."

Rin called out just as I brought the cup to my lips for a sip.

Looking over, Rin had already put away the empty teacup and was reaching for the coat hanging nearby.

"Understood."

I closed the book with one hand, replied, and finished the tea I'd been drinking. I stood up from the sofa to return the book to its original spot on the shelf.

We walked through the town. We ventured out to the outskirts, where we hadn't gone yesterday, but there was no sign or trace of a Master, and it ended up being a futile effort.

During this time, I was thinking about the future.

Will Saber be summoned?

--- If she is summoned, I want to protect her this time.

I don't want her to die this time. This is not a wish; it's a vow.

I failed once. Even now, the thought of it causes pain in my chest. My body fills with regret, and my heart is torn apart.

Perhaps I can save her this time. No, it's not "perhaps I can save her." I will save her.

The immediate problem is the Servant battles.

According to Rin, assistance in close combat can sometimes be more of a hindrance. This means that, fundamentally, it will be a one-on-one fight.

The most pressing issue is the Lancer I saw on the school grounds. I believe I'm not inferior in simple abilities. Therefore, it's up to my skill.

I must carefully consider how to deal with Lancer's Noble Phantasm, Gáe Bolg: Barbed Spear that Pierces with Death, which I saw in front of the warehouse.

That's something even Saber's physical abilities couldn't evade. It manipulates causality; the fact of it hitting is established first, and the process is corrected to align with the result. To evade it, it's not about being able to move quickly, nor is anti-spear technique important. What is needed is a factor strong enough to overturn causality or tremendous Luck.

This body is indeed Saber's, so it should possess Magic Resistance and god-like intuition. However, I don't know about my current Luck stat. Emiya Shirou was never lucky. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been nearly killed twice in one day.

Even the real Saber managed to keep her injury minor by utilizing her intuition and Luck. Considering that, I don't think I can evade it. No, even limiting the injury to the same degree as Saber's is an impossibly high hurdle.

If Gáe Bolg is used, there's nothing I can do. The only options left to me are to end the battle before it's used, or, as a last resort, try to intercept it with the only card in my hand that might overturn causality: Excalibur. Betting both Rin's life and mine on that is, by any measure, poor odds.

On the way back, we stopped near the school.

I didn't intend to look around in detail. I just came to take a look since the school was on our way home.

However, at this school, which I visited casually, we encountered what might be the only clue of the day.

"It seems like someone is trying to create a Boundary Field here."

I nodded silently to Rin's words. I could indeed sense a "stagnation" of magical energy throughout the school.

It doesn't seem to be complete; there is stagnation, but it's not actively drawing power from the surroundings.

I tried to synchronize my magical energy to analyze it, but I felt a Servant's presence and immediately ignored the stagnation to turn around.

As I looked in that direction, I could tell the presence was rapidly intensifying. They must be approaching at considerable speed. It's safe to assume they've noticed me too.

Rin noticed my lack of response and looked at my face, trying to discern what was happening.

"A Servant is heading our way at great speed. We'll make contact in a few tens of seconds. We'll deal with the Boundary Field later. For now, the Servant!"

"Get inside the school! It's past school hours, so there shouldn't be any students!"

"Understood! Excuse me!"

I picked up Rin and jumped over the surrounding fence in a single bound.

We moved to the schoolyard, assuming a spacious area would be easier for fighting, and a few seconds later, the blue man leaped in. Standing a few meters in front of me, he was now holding a red spear in his right hand.

"Lancer..."

I muttered under my breath. At the same time, I manifested Invisible Air on my hand. I tried to make it look as natural as possible, as if I were fighting bare-handed.

I stood in front of Rin, shielding her, and faced Lancer.

"Heh, well, look at these cute girls."

Lancer spoke in a casual tone, while maintaining his overwhelming presence. During that time, he was slowly gauging the distance, and I was looking for an opening, but I couldn't find one.

He was completely relaxed, yet had no weaknesses. --- This is what it means to be a hero. Borrowing Saber's body, I could finally understand the strength he possesses.

"What do you want, Lancer?"

"So, you already know my Class. Well, can't be helped when I'm carrying a spear... My Master ordered me to fight all the Servants. It's essentially reconnaissance."

Lancer shrugged his shoulders and shook his head with an exaggerated, weary gesture. He rested the red spear on his shoulder and looked at me with a listless gaze.

"...So, you don't intend to settle this here?"

"Nah, that's a different story. I basically became a Servant because I wanted to fight strong guys. You don't seem to have been walking around looking for a fight, but give it up. I'm going to make you fight me, no matter what."

If he was here for reconnaissance, he might retreat if the battle was stalemated, even if I wasn't superior overall.

But if he's serious about fighting, Lancer won't retreat until I drive him off with my skill.

"---Is that so? It can't be helped. If you're eager, why don't you attack first?"

I said brusquely to Lancer.

In response, Lancer's expression completely changed, and he glared at me. My body momentarily stiffened at his menacing look.

"You're going to fight a Servant bare-handed? Are you underestimating me? I'll wait while you draw your weapon. Hurry up and prepare."

He slammed me with a violent killing intent. My throat unconsciously bobbed. Rin, behind me, seemed to be trembling slightly.

--- Calm down, be rational, Emiya Shirou. Since I'm fundamentally losing in skill, I need to try to disrupt the opponent somehow; otherwise, I have little chance of winning with my current ability. I don't know if it will work. Still, I have to do what I can.

"I told you to come at me. Are you planning to treat this as a match when we are about to fight to the death?"

My manner of speaking is like Archer --- not me, but that guy from the previous world. Faced with a crisis, my spirit must be overriding the magical restraint.

Still, when I try to provoke him, my tone becomes exactly like his. I don't feel great about it, but now is not the time to worry about that.

"---Ah, I see. I haven't been this pissed off in a long time. Fine, I'll kill you."

The previously non-directional killing intent focused entirely on me. I kept my heart strong and resisted the pressure.

It's the senses --- my spirit --- not my body that endures the weight of the killing intent. While my physical body is fine, mentally, I'm only slightly better than an average person. Until recently, I was a Mage who was not an Heroic Spirit at all, and a half-baked one at that.

Of course, I've been through a few tight spots, but I've never been in a complete one-on-one situation with a Servant... Is this what a Servant is like? Unconsciously, my palms sweat.

The spear rushed forward without any preparatory movement. It was like a single crimson flash of light.

It's fast...! Due to the artistic speed, I can't completely read the spear's trajectory.

No, I can barely see it, but my senses as 'Emiya Shirou' aren't keeping up with Saber's physical abilities.

I managed to deflect the spear with my sword and avoided a direct hit. A high-pitched clang of metal against metal echoed in the schoolyard.

"Tch! So you already had a weapon after all. It seems I was the one underestimating you."

"---!"

Saying that, Lancer re-gripped his spear and leaned his body forward. A smile played on his lips, and he focused his gaze on my entire body, trying to read my skill and weapon.

I was naive. Lancer isn't agitated at all. He seems mentally excited, but he's perfectly calm as a combatant. The psychological game I played had absolutely no effect.

The spear rushes closer. I somehow knock the side of the spear, deflecting its trajectory ---.

It leaves crimson afterimages as it's unleashed one after another. I keep receiving the attacks with my sword, unable to create a chance to counter.

I'm completely on the defensive. The spear is thrust without a pause after the first strike. I'm so preoccupied with deflecting its trajectory that I don't have the composure to reply. As expected, my skill isn't enough to fully draw out Saber's physical abilities.

However, I can't let him see my limits. I have to somehow pretend that I'm not struggling.

I shift my body to avoid a strike aimed at my abdomen, but the spear grazes the side of my armor.

Before I can recover, the spear presses on. I desperately deflect it, but the spear runs past my shoulder, tearing the fabric.

"…Tch!"

Damn it! Saber never fought so disgracefully against Lancer!

She didn't deflect; she parried the spear. Leaning forward, she read the spear's trajectory and struck back with a magical energy-laden blow. She attacked, seizing the initiative from the opponent with overwhelming power.

That's the fighting style that utilizes Saber's capabilities. But I highly doubt that's a feat that can be achieved through mere imitation, let alone overnight.

...As I am now, I have no choice but to rely on my sword experience and have my body learn it directly.

I focus the experience of Excalibur and try not to restrict the sword's movements.

"Hah!"

Inferior to Saber, but with almost the same movement, I parried Lancer's spear.

Lancer took a step back, using the broadly deflected spear as a pivot, and let out a whistle.

"Ho, that weapon is probably a sword, isn't it? Though I can't accurately judge its length or anything... Are you Saber?"

...My weapon was revealed, but it couldn't be helped. If I had worried about appearances, I wouldn't have survived.

When I deflected the spear, he must have guessed the width of my weapon, and the final strike that parried Lancer was a blow that hit the middle of the spear, as per my experience, eliminating the possibility of other weapons.

The advantage of my 'invisible weapon' is quickly fading. The surprising thing is that he was gauging my fighting power while swinging the spear at that speed. This means Lancer's true ability is not just this. He must have a lot more in reserve. My spirit is tightening up nervously.

"Well, how would I know? I might be Saber, and I might not be."

I spoke lightly, even as I was terrified of Lancer's skill.

As Emiya Shirou, I am achieving results that are better than my skill and quite astonishing, but I must not let him sense my limit.

If he finds out, Lancer may decide that further reconnaissance is unnecessary, and we --- Rin and I --- could be killed right here.

"Hah! What's the point of hiding it now? A sword for a weapon, that body handling, that combat technique. If you're not Saber with all that, then what are you?"

"...Heh. Perhaps one of the remaining Three Knights --- Archer."

"That's a joke that's not funny at all!"

As soon as he said that, Lancer rushed in, leaving an afterimage. The spear's speed increased even more, and its trajectory was now more like a dot than a line.

However, even with Saber-like movements, I can contain Lancer, who is fighting for reconnaissance purposes.

While it would be impossible with Emiya Shirou's body,

--- This body was originally Saber's, after all.

I deflect, evade, and parry the torrent of attacks.

I semi-step to avoid the loosely aimed ones --- probably a blinding barrage.

My body responds to the sword's reaction and moves naturally. I can feel my entire body activating, as if it remembers this body handling.

The earlier disadvantage quickly reversed. The attacker's every move was blocked, and the defender began to dominate.

Lancer tried to win through sheer number of attacks, but I anticipated them and struck them down.

My body moves unbelievably well. What was a struggle just to deflect earlier is now allowing me to advance while avoiding and striking down the spear.

However, I, too, had reached a deadlock.

I can only rely on experience for reactions; if I shift to the offense, that meaning is lost.

The sword only reacts and strikes back at what approaches me, its wielder.

Simply put, the defense uses techniques mimicking Saber, while the offense uses Emiya Shirou's makeshift techniques.

All I can do now is try to make Saber's movements my own as much as possible. I focused entirely on remaining on the defensive, neutralizing Lancer's attacks.

After a prolonged stalemate, perhaps judging that this was getting nowhere, Lancer retreated several meters and began rapidly draining the magical energy from the entire vicinity, as if to deplete it.

"Saber, you've been holding back, haven't you? It's frustrating, but based on that exchange, you have the upper hand. You might have intended to conceal your abilities, but --- I'll teach you firsthand that such arrogance will cost you your life, even against me."

Gáe Bolg: Barbed Spear that Pierces with Death!

Immediately, I also began to charge magical energy to activate Excalibur: Sword of Promised Victory.

However, Lancer finished charging the necessary magical energy for his Noble Phantasm first and lowered his stance. A tremendous amount of magical energy wrapped around Lancer, beginning to flicker like red flames.

No, I won't make it in time!

I desperately charged magical energy into my body, but it wasn't enough to launch a preemptive strike, let alone an interception.

The air grew taut. Lancer, having finished his preparations, was about to rush at me when --- a faint sound of breathing was suddenly heard somewhere.

"Who's there---!"

Lancer turned around reflexively.

In the distance, a figure running away with their back turned could be seen. My sight, enhanced by magical energy, allowed me to identify the person.

Running desperately was Shirou. The Emiya Shirou of this world's past.

"Tch, we've got a witness!"

Saying that, Lancer rushed toward Shirou like a bullet.

"Archer, chase him!"

"Understood!"

Before Rin's voice reached my ears, I had already started running to follow Lancer.

Even with Saber's physical abilities, I couldn't catch Lancer, who was called the fastest Servant. After confirming Rin's presence in the schoolyard, I entered the school building through the shoe cupboard.

The first thing I sensed upon entering the school building was the smell of blood. And the disappearing presence of the Servant who was moving away from here.

Had Lancer already pierced Shirou's heart? I rushed toward him.

My prediction was correct. The man collapsed on the floor --- Shirou's chest was pierced, and despite the wound, there was little bleeding.

The curse of Gáe Bolg. When I took his wrist, there was a pulse, but the blood flow was being forcefully stopped.

At this rate, his life will cease in a few minutes... Even though it's myself, it's unpleasant when someone is killed.

I was content as long as everyone around me was happy. But seeing it as a third party, I felt a surge of irritation at the death of 'Shirou'.

...In this world, I am neither Emiya Shirou nor Saber.

As Archer, a Servant summoned to this world. I wish for everyone, including Shirou, to be happy. --- That is what I think.

"---!"

Rin, who caught up a moment later, gasped as she saw the face of the collapsed Shirou. I did my best to pretend not to notice and turned to face Rin.

"Rin, what do we do?"

"...You chase Lancer. His Master must be beyond him!"

"Understood."

I released the arm of the man leaning against the wall, head bowed. Was there some connection between this body and Shirou?

I felt a sensation as 'something' inside both our bodies activated, and vitality flowed into Shirou through the point of contact.

But I shook that feeling off and ran.

What I must do now is different. I ran in the direction where Lancer's presence had disappeared, glaring at the Master I had yet to see.