"Hiss... you're quite rough too."
After returning from space, Zuke released the disheveled Mordred from his embrace and couldn't help but rub his neck.
Just now, when doing that kind of thing with Mordred, his whole body was a bit relaxed, and even the "ki" on his body had been unconsciously withdrawn.
As a result, unexpectedly, precisely because he withdrew his "ki," his body's defensive power decreased, giving Mordred a chance to break through his defense.
Of course, Mordred, who was deeply engrossed at the time, didn't have the opportunity to think about other things. She just instinctively held onto Zuke, then like a little lion, bit down on the back of Zuke's neck.
Many people, when doing that kind of thing to the point of losing themselves, often have some instinctive actions. Biting was a relatively common behavior.
It's just that this time Mordred's bite had successfully left an obvious bite mark on the back of Zuke's neck, even breaking the skin a bit.
This made Zuke couldn't help but smile bitterly—after all this time, after getting used to keeping "ki" all over his body, this was still the first time he'd been "injured."
Although this "injury" was just breaking the skin a bit, it was still worth Zuke's attention—he really hadn't noticed before that when doing that kind of thing, he would unconsciously withdraw his "ki."
It seemed that in the future when doing these things, he'd have to work hard to maintain "ki" all over his body. Otherwise, he might really capsize in bed.
"Stop talking nonsense. You're the one who's really rough!"
The Mordred who was released by Zuke leaned somewhat limply against the wall by the street, looking at Zuke with a completely flushed face and saying fiercely.
Just now in space, she had been tormented quite badly by Zuke. Her whole person had almost lost consciousness, with many actions being purely bodily instinct.
But what made her even more ashamed was that her body's instinct wasn't to escape from Zuke's clutches, but rather to work even harder to press her body into Zuke's body.
It was as if she wanted to fuse her body into Zuke's body. Thinking back on it now, she felt her brain must have broken.
However, Mordred also understood that it was because she had never experienced that kind of novel and stimulating feeling before, so she instinctively craved more of that experience.
In this regard, Zuke's statement that dating was "finding some novelty" had indeed succeeded. She had experienced the most novel thing.
"However, this time you did successfully leave a wound on my body."
Looking at Mordred's embarrassed and angry appearance, Zuke's originally somewhat conflicted mood also relaxed. He rubbed his neck while smiling at Mordred.
"How about it? If we count that 'battle' just now, you've also accomplished what Gawain couldn't—leaving a mark on my body."
"Do you think I'm stupid!? That doesn't count as a normal 'battle' at all! Gawain would never do that kind of thing with you!"
Mordred's face was full of embarrassment and anger. The way she looked at Zuke also became unfriendly—of course, after making eye contact with Zuke, her momentum softened again.
It seemed that although Mordred's personality was very strong, after encountering the even stronger Zuke, she would also become somewhat weak.
"Anyway... anyway, that 'battle' doesn't count! I'll definitely find another opportunity to hurt you through real combat!"
"Even if you say that, there isn't much time left in this Holy Grail War."
Hearing this, Zuke explained to Mordred.
"I'll tell you the truth. Most of the Heroic Spirits in the Holy Grail War have already been captured alive by me. I can kill them at any time and push the Holy Grail War's progress to the end."
Seeing Mordred show a shocked expression, he continued:
"The only ones not yet dealt with are you and Lancer... Are you sure you can complete your goal before I take care of Lancer?"
Hearing this, Mordred was completely stunned.
Although she was quite confident in her own strength, this confidence also had limits—she could still clearly recognize the gap between herself and Zuke.
Although she didn't know what Heroic Spirit that Lancer was, in front of Zuke, they definitely wouldn't last more than one or two moves before being captured.
In other words, as long as Zuke was willing, he could take care of Lancer at any time. After that, she probably wouldn't have much opportunity to collect Zuke's weaknesses and fight him again.
"Ugh... but just leaving a wound on you through this kind of thing, it feels very unsatisfying..."
Mordred bit her lip, looking very conflicted—although she had left a bite mark on Zuke, this kind of wound wasn't what she wanted.
But if she gave up this opportunity, she might not have much time afterward to continue challenging Zuke.
Seeing Mordred looking unable to make a choice, Zuke looked her over, then finally spoke:
"Forget it, I won't tease you anymore... actually, there's another solution."
"Another solution?"
Mordred paused, then quickly looked at Zuke, waiting for him to explain his solution.
"Originally, if lacking a Heroic Spirit soul like yours, the Lesser Grail shouldn't be able to manifest... but I should have a way to make up for your portion of the soul so the Lesser Grail can manifest normally."
What Zuke was referring to was of course what he had discovered when leaving Reines's base earlier—Heroic Spirit souls and planetary energy were the same type of energy.
If Zuke was willing, he could even use magic to extract part of the energy from Earth on the spot, then stuff it into the Lesser Grail to replace the Heroic Spirit soul.
"This way, you won't have to become the Grail's fodder. You can stay until the day you have confidence to challenge me."
"There's a method like that?"
Mordred's eyes lit up and she couldn't help but feel somewhat tempted—she indeed didn't have confidence to find Zuke's weaknesses in a short time, but if time could be extended, she felt there was hope.
But thinking about it again, she showed a somewhat worried expression:
"But after the Holy Grail War ends, my existence will be forcibly returned to the Throne of Heroes. Unless there's a way to separate me from the Grail system."
"There is indeed a way."
Zuke nodded, narrowing his eyes as he looked at Mordred and said.
"I can take you to another world. That way, even if the Grail wants to return you, it won't be able to sense your existence."
Irisviel was currently using this method to break free from Fuyuki City's Grail system. Even if the Grail wanted to send Irisviel back to the Throne of Heroes, it probably couldn't do it.
To be continued…