Chapter 37: Nun in Prayer
The hard concrete road surface burst apart, soil and gravel scattering into the air as violent magical energy swept through them. The glow of magical energy flickered, illuminating the entire street.
It took a long time for Mitsuzuri Ayako to recover from that incredibly shocking scene, only to finally realize that someone was currently holding her by the waist. Once she saw the person's face clearly, Ayako's pupils dilated, and her eyes filled with disbelief.
"You... you are... Orihara!?" No matter what, she never imagined that the person who saved her would be him.
Even though they had just seen each other at school not long ago and had chatted, they were reunited again at this moment of the night in such an incredible way.
"Curfew was already in effect, yet you're still running around at night. If I hadn't happened to run into you today, you'd be dead, you know?" Shirou sighed, looking down at the girl held in his arms as she stared up at him nervously.
"I..." Ayako was at a loss for words. She wanted to explain, but her body was trembling uncontrollably because of the scene just now, and her speech was even a bit slurred.
After all, putting aside her martial arts prowess that exceeded ordinary people, Ayako was just a high school girl; it was only natural for her to feel afraid after such an event.
While Shirou was thinking this, Saber happened to walk over.
"Where is Morgan?" Shirou looked at the blonde girl who had arrived before him with some confusion.
She seemed to be a bit angry, her cheeks puffed out slightly.
"She ran away," Saber said in a somewhat displeased tone. "That woman said she would wait until she had prepared her throne before coming to fight me again."
"How... casual of her," Shirou couldn't help but remark.
"By the way, Shirou, that Noble Phantasm you used just now..." Saber was about to ask him, but suddenly remembered that Mitsuzuri Ayako was still beside them.
"She already saw it; it doesn't matter even if you speak out loud," Shirou said, looking at Ayako, who was nervously shrinking her neck. "Don't go telling anyone about tonight's events, Captain~"
"I... I understand...!" Ayako nodded repeatedly. Even if Shirou hadn't said anything, she could vaguely guess that speaking of such matters would bring trouble, and might even be life-threatening.
After confirming that Ayako understood, Shirou looked back at Saber.
"Let's talk while we walk. By the way, Mitsuzuri, where is your home? I'll walk you back."
Caught off guard by the question, Ayako froze for a moment before replying hurriedly.
"I live in the Semina Apartments, fourth section of Genmu-zaka in the New City."
"I see. Let's go then."
After letting Ayako lead the way, Shirou and Saber spoke of the past regarding how he obtained these powers. Of course, matters concerning the System and the girls from another world were omitted; he had no intention of digging his own grave.
.
.
.
Watching the silhouettes of the red-haired youth and the two girls gradually fade into the distance, Caren, who was standing on the rooftop of a building observing through magecraft, finally withdrew her gaze.
At this moment, her expression carried a hint of confusion within her daze, and a hint of bewilderment within her confusion. Simply put, she was completely dumbfounded.
"Why would Mr. Orihara...!?"
Although she knew he was a magus—and a very powerful one capable of erasing her constitution—Caren had never thought from start to finish that this magus, who had stolen her first kiss, would be a participant in the Holy Grail War.
"That Saber should be his Servant..."
Despite having a Servant, he took to the field himself, displaying power that allowed him to deal with Archer with ease and even kill him. What she had seen and heard tonight was too bizarre, even making Caren doubt if she was currently dreaming.
At this time, Jeanne d'Arc spoke in a serious tone.
"I probably understand the reason why I manifested; it is most likely because of that person."
Hearing Jeanne's words, a look of panic appeared on Caren's face.
"Ruler, I don't think Mr. Orihara is a bad person! There must be a reason why he did this!"
"..."
Jeanne was stunned for a moment. She hadn't said anything about what she intended to do, yet her Master had suddenly and anxiously started explaining on his behalf. These signs all pointed to one thing: there was a connection between them, and the relationship was likely extraordinary.
"Master, do you know him?" Jeanne cast a questioning gaze at Caren. She suddenly had a feeling that "there is a traitor among us."
"Ugh... I... I indeed know Mr. Orihara. He helped me out with a huge favor before, and didn't ask for any compensation..." Speaking to this point, Caren hesitated.
She suddenly thought: did her first kiss count as compensation? But Mr. Orihara said that if he were to change her cursed constitution, a kiss was necessary, so it probably didn't count as compensation...
Caren's thoughts wandered aimlessly, and under the moonlight, her face flushed crimson.
"Master, you are overthinking. I manifested to prevent the order of the Holy Grail War from being destroyed. As long as he does not do anything atrocious, I have no need to do anything to him," Jeanne's tone was incredibly serious.
Hearing Jeanne's words, Caren finally let out a sigh of relief. But before she could relax completely, Jeanne added another sentence.
"Master, you know that as Ruler, I have the ability to detect the locations of Servants. There is no aura of a Servant on that person at all; he is definitely not a Heroic Spirit. Therefore, for him to possess that kind of power is truly incredible."
Under Caren's somewhat dazed expression, Jeanne continued.
"If he truly does something to destroy the order of the Holy Grail War, I will have no choice but to move against him. When that time comes, I hope you will not be too attached to him, Master."
"I... I understand..."
Under the hazy moonlight, Caren's gaze was somewhat vacant. The moon seemed to trail a double image, and her heart was more complicated than ever before.
Before participating in this Holy Grail War, she never thought she would one day become an enemy of the man who had helped her.
"I didn't want it to be like this..."
Her reason for participating in the Holy Grail War was simply that she didn't want to leave this world filled with fantasy—so different from her dull, ordinary life—and... she wanted to see that person once more.
But as it looked now, their reunion might be filled with the smoke of gunpowder. Just thinking about this, Caren clenched her hands, her fingers interlocking tightly. Her current mood was just like those tightly locked fingers: full of conflict.
"Please don't be a bad person, Mr. Orihara..."
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