The summoned Servant was Saber.
She looked familiar... Anyway, it was the legendary King Arthur—Saber Alter. Definitely a powerful Servant.
"I'm Sajou Ayaka. Nice to meet you, Saber."
"Yeah... likewise."
But since she was an Alter, was that why her attitude was a bit off-kilter?
"Then, Saber, I have a few questions. Are you confident in battle?"
"It's my specialty. I am the Knight King, after all."
"I see. So you can use myth-level magecraft, right?"
"...No, I can't. Magecraft and I don't mix well—even Merlin gave up on me."
"Huh..."
Well, back then, the fairy knights and magecraft... it was only that red-haired kid, right?
"Then can you fly? You're from Britain."
"...No."
She can't fly? That small blue fairy knight could, and those white-clad Valkyries too. Aren't they from the same region? No, must be prejudice. Even in Japan, cultures vary by region, so that's probably it.
"I see... What about gigantification or using fire?"
"...Can't do that."
"Huh..."
That big fairy knight could...
"Okay, then simple teleportation?"
"...No."
"...What can you do?"
"...I'm good with a sword."
"My older sister was good with one too."
Artoria, the older sister who used to board at our house. I wonder where she is now.
"...I can shoot beams too!"
"My sister could do that as well."
"..."
"...."
Did I draw a dud? She seemed less capable than the Servants I'd seen before.
"Sigh... Fine, it'll work out somehow. I'm hungry—can you at least make some food?"
"You're asking a Servant to cook?"
"You're my familiar, aren't you? And the Servants I know did it."
"...I don't know how. Except for grilling things."
"....."
Huff... sigh.
Sis, I think I'm already doomed from the start.
==============================
"We're screwed, Nero. I have no money."
"What do you mean, Dumpty?"
Not a single penny. Damn it. Should I use Saint Quartz to summon Morgan...
I'm getting a bit tired of the same old meta. What to do?
"Hmm... I have a little money. Dollars from Las Vegas, but we can exchange them... So, is the gambling here just pachinko?"
"Probably, if it's nearby..."
No way...?
"You're a genius, Nero. Let's go, time to win big."
We exchanged the money and went to the pachinko parlor. And...
"Jackpot~!"
"Umu! Of course, it's me!"
Nero's luck was A-rank, and with Imperial Privilege, she even gained Golden Rule, hitting jackpot after jackpot. The shop was giving us looks? Ignoring that, we swept up the money and left.
"Huhu~ How about that? Do you see me in a new light now, Dumpty?"
"You were always cute, Nero. What's with that?"
"Eek...! When you hit me with that out of nowhere, it hurts my heart..."
Well, she is cute. Her track record is the problem, but she says she's aware of her sins now. The one I met in Rome who later turned into a Beast and attacked... no repentance there. I heard she's become a shut-in in a corner of Chaldea; I should visit her later.
With the money we won, we booked a hotel room. Now that we have a base... what next?
"Is there nothing to do, Dumpty?"
"That's not it... I'm just thinking about how to proceed."
With so few prototypes available, what's the best way...
Who should I summon besides Nero? Lots of thoughts running through my mind.
"Then let's have a drink while we think."
"Ah, thanks... Did you change your outfit already?"
"Umu, of course~ Not usually, but I am your bride, Dumpty."
Nero, being this considerate of her Master...
"You're not some imposter like Yan Qing or something, are you?"
"Isn't it too harsh to say that after summoning me, Dumpty?"
"With your behavior, it's justified."
"Umu... But I am also a bride who loves you, so that's too cruel, Dumpty... Even so, I love you!"
"I love you too. Slurp..."
Hmm, instant coffee. Familiar and cheap—I like it.
"Anyway, I've thought about who to summon."
"Ooh, who is it?"
"When it comes to Tokyo, it has to be her."
I opened my status screen, checked my Saint Quartz balance... hmm, plenty left.
I pressed the summon button. With a flash of light, someone appeared...
"The ever-lazy Manaka has arrived!"
"Not reliable at all."
"Mmm... Huh! M-Master!?"
Manaka jolted awake in a panic. She scrambled up, slipped, and slammed her knee onto the floor.
A sharp crack echoed.
"..."
"...Manaka, reporting for duty."
It sounded painfully loud to anyone, but Manaka gnashed her teeth and knelt. Too late, Manaka.
"At ease, at ease. You look uncomfortable."
"Ah, yes..."
"...Want me to kiss it better if it hurts?"
"Please...!"
Manaka offered her knee. Since she asked, I really did it, giving it a gentle rub. Hehe... Manaka laughed. Behind us, Nero pouted her lips, looking displeased.
"So, why did you summon me?"
"Ah, we're in Tokyo."
"T-Tokyo..."
At the mention of Tokyo, Manaka paled. She started trembling.
"What's wrong?"
"Well... I don't have memories of what happened in Tokyo, unlike Paracelsus and others... but the First Generation seems quite upset about it... I don't know, but when I'm with Paracelsus or other Tokyo Holy Grail War members, the glances..."
"Ahem... Well, it's not your fault. It's the fault of a parallel world's you! I'll talk to the elder, okay? A kid shouldn't be punished for something they didn't do."
"If you do that, I'll be in trouble again..."
"Aren't you already out since you mentioned it?"
"Ah...."
The Hassans must have a tough life too... It's like having the company CEO right next to you.
"Anyway, it's late now. Let's rest at the hotel today and start moving tomorrow."
"Understood. But, the reason you summoned me now is..."
"It gets lonely with just the two of us."
"I prefer being alone with you..."
"And risk jealousy from the others?"
"Umu..."
Is that her way of being considerate?
"Still, it's me, you know. I, the greatest beauty of Rome, am here, and yet you immediately summon another rival—honestly, it's hurtful. I wanted to be alone with you, flirting and all, but you had to summon that Lava Swimmer Club girl. I'm really disappointed, Dumpty."
"You have a lot of complaints, our Nero... Manaka, can you make some food?"
"Huh? Ah, yes..."
"Umu? A late-night snack? Well, I don't cook anymore because people kept complaining. Looking forward to it."
Nero used Imperial Privilege to materialize a small makeshift kitchen.
Manaka dashed out with Agility A+ speed to buy ingredients, then showed off her skilled hands as she cooked.
And...
"Here... Wow, it's done."
"Dumpty, that's..."
"Ah, that's for you to eat."
"...Umu?"
"Hehe..."
"...Dumpty, that could kill a Phantasmal Beast—"
"Don't worry~ You grew up eating poison from your mom and Locusta, so you won't die~"
"Wait, Dumpty! I was too whiny! I'm sorry, I'll bow in apology! I'll even do a naked dogeza, so please—"
"Open wide, here comes the purple-flavored risotto."
"Let go, let go! Ah, ah, ahhh...!!!"
And so, Nero fell silent.
"Spoiled adults need discipline, right, Manaka?"
"Ah, yes... that's right."
"Our Manaka is so good and obedient—I like that. Right?"
"Yes... hahaha..."
'Sometimes Master is scarier than the First Generation... Besides, Nero is foaming at the mouth... she has Gut skills, so she won't die. Still, being alone with Master is actually better for me.'
"Hahaha."
Well, the risotto was edible.