After the faint magical glow of the three command spells on the back of his hand faded, the outermost spell dissipated completely. Tohsaka Tokiomi took a deep breath to calm his agitated feelings, adjusted himself to his best state, and maintaining the elegant posture befitting the Tohsaka Family, he walked out of the underground magic workshop.
He knew that the King needed him to give an explanation.
Tohsaka Tokiomi came before the only ornate chair in the empty hall, bowed to the vacant seat, and awaited the King's arrival.
Dreamlike golden dust swirled, gathering and dispersing to reveal the golden figure of the King. Due to the effect of the command spells, Gilgamesh's rage had been quelled, but his cold, snake-like red eyes told Tohsaka Tokiomi that his mood was still not very pleasant.
"To presumptuously obstruct the King's will, Tokiomi, what exactly gave you such courage?" Gilgamesh questioned with an icy, lifeless tone.
Tokiomi bowed his head respectfully and said, "Great King of Heroes, your humble servant begs forgiveness. The person who just fought with the King was not an enemy. If an internal conflict were to lead to the use of the Sword of Rupture, exposing the King's true form, it would be an immense waste."
Gilgamesh rose expressionlessly from his throne and casually walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking out towards Shinto (New City) where the battle had just taken place.
"Internal conflict, are you referring to your daughter?"
"Precisely. I implore the King to forgive her transgression. Your humble servant will certainly persuade her to return to our side and clear away the rebels who covet the King's treasures."
Gilgamesh looked back at Tokiomi, who still maintained his respectful posture, and felt a sense of dull boredom. His thoughts then turned to the young girl who had shown him great disrespect and drawn her sword against him just moments before.
At this moment, Gilgamesh's rage had been quelled by the command spells. Setting aside his anger, Gilgamesh was now filled with interest for that poised, elegant, resolute, and domineering girl. Even when she was bound and swords were at her throat, the unwavering confidence in her eyes had not wavered in the slightest. The pure will and soul-light she radiated with every gesture were incredibly dazzling and striking.
It seemed this was the first time he had felt something so interesting since coming to this era.
Compared to submissive commoners who could only cower like ants, those who dared to draw their swords and rebel against him were indeed more interesting.
"Tokiomi, even this King did not expect you to have such an interesting daughter."
To Tokiomi's surprise, Gilgamesh smiled, a very happy smile.
"Hmph hmph hmph... Ah hahahahaha...! Tokiomi, you need not persuade her. Let that girl flutter like a butterfly in this Holy Grail War. This King wants to see how her dazzling dance will move on this stage! When she finally faces this King and understands what despair is, what an interesting expression will be on that beautiful, confident face! This King is truly looking forward to this era for the first time."
"This... Yes, I obey your majesty's command, I only ask that the King spare her life." Tokiomi responded with great internal conflict and hesitation. He could not fully grasp the temperament of this most ancient King of Heroes; one moment he was furious, the next he was full of praise. He did not know how to deal with this King's interests.
"Granted."
In truth, Gilgamesh was precisely like this. As the most ancient King of Heroes, he believed he rightfully owned everything in the world, and thus his behavior was tyrannical and his methods cruel. At the same time, he also possessed a magnanimous and tolerant side. He was straightforward, punishing mercilessly yet praising unreservedly. He seemed to strike without mercy, killing at the slightest disagreement, but Gilgamesh's criteria for killing were two-fold: an ugly soul, and murderous intent directed at him. Furthermore, Gilgamesh valued the essence of a person's soul and admired those with self-awareness.
Therefore, Rin's personality and essence, centered on her own will and steadfastly pursuing her own path, were greatly admired by Gilgamesh. Even if she harbored murderous intent towards him, it was not unforgivable, because Gilgamesh was a King who pursued his own pleasure; as long as it was interesting, that was enough.
Rin, who was sound asleep, had no idea that her great battle with Gilgamesh had not only failed to incur his resentment but had instead piqued his interest. What kind of changes this unforeseen development would bring to the future plot remained to be seen.
In the early morning, the first rays of the sun shone.
Jalter yawned and stretched before opening her eyes. As a Servant, even with a true body, she didn't need the human form of rest called sleep, but she still enjoyed the feeling of cuddling with Rin.
The first thing Jalter saw upon opening her eyes was Rin with her back to her, wrapping an elastic bandage around herself in circles, deliberately pulling it tighter with each wrap.
"Ah! Master, why are you wrapping that thing again! It should be a woman's pride, why are you abusing them like this?!"
Rin, with keen reflexes, raised her right hand before Jalter could pounce on her.
"By the name of the contract, get down, don't move."
Thud!
Jalter, who was pouncing towards Rin, suddenly fell under the contract's restraint, losing control of her body and landing face-first on the carpet. She then heard Rin muttering from the side:
"Last time, it must have been because I wrapped it too loosely, leaving room for growth. 'Just right' definitely won't do. Damn it, tighten, tighten, tighten it more! If bandages aren't enough, I might as well wrap a few chains! My pride doesn't need these two lumps to prove it!"
When she finally tied the knot, Rin felt her lungs almost completely compressed, with no room left to expand and breathe.
This way, they surely wouldn't grow any bigger!
Only then was Rin satisfied, releasing Jalter's confinement, and walked towards the kitchen with a beaming smile to make breakfast. Her original 34C size had been completely flattened by her forceful binding!
Bacon, fried eggs, cheese, milk – a standard Western breakfast. Of course, the milk was only for Jalter; Rin didn't drink it. Although she didn't know if it was effective, it was said to be good for chest growth.
"Jalter, eat properly when you're eating. You're acting like a perverted lewd woman."
Rin's face darkened as she watched Jalter sitting opposite her at the dining table, her dark golden eyes staring resentfully at Rin's chest, scanning it back and forth.
"I really can't understand what Master is thinking. I remember the books said that all girls should want their chests to be as large as possible, and they try all sorts of methods for this, but none seem ideal. But why does Master try every possible way to make hers smaller?" Jalter directly posed her question.
As for why... she just felt a little uncomfortable somewhere... she felt somewhat unable to accept it growing day by day... she had clearly changed her mindset to accept everything about being a woman, but subconsciously, she still wanted her body to be more like a boy's... Rin's expression dimmed, and she thought silently. Jalter also saw that Rin didn't want to discuss the issue, so she didn't bring it up again, and they enjoyed their breakfast in quiet companionship. After cleaning the dishes, Rin went to the wardrobe and took out a dress similar in style to yesterday's to change into.
Currently, Rin was simultaneously shifting her mindset to accept everything about being a girl, while subconsciously still wishing her body could be more like a boy's. Rin knew that she hadn't fully severed ties with her previous life; after all, the integration of over twenty years of memories and personality couldn't be completely cut off by just a decision or a vow.
She thought to herself,'Slowly, then...'
After combing her hair into Rin's signature twin-tails in front of the mirror, and preparing to go out with Berserker, a mental message was transmitted to Rin's consciousness along the command spells.
"All Masters are requested to gather at the Fuyuki Church immediately. A major change has occurred in the Holy Grail War. By the authority of the Holy Grail War supervisor, the Holy Grail War is hereby suspended!"
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