"Master... should I turn the bike toward home for now?" Artoria asked, pulling her hand back from my cheek to the handlebars.
"Yes. Continue toward home. We failed to accomplish what we set out to do, but morning approaches soon. We'll return after making further preparations." My voice remained indifferent as I rested my chin on her shoulder, channeling mana into [Avalon] within me—the sheath working steadily to mend my broken arms wrapped around her waist.
"Master, permit me to fight Rider next time. I cannot allow the one I have sworn to protect to get injured again." Artoria spoke over R1's exhaust after a brief pause.
"Very well. Next time, you will handle Rider, while I deal with Zouken Matou." Familiar boredom crept back into my voice.
My mind split into three parts mid-conversation. One spoke to her. Another poured mana into [Avalon] to heal my injuries. The last analyzed my battle with Rider earlier.
Meanwhile, our bike roared back toward home.
...
..
.
We were midway back, riding through the Shinto area of Fuyuki when I spotted a shopping mall still open.
I looked at the mall, then lifted my chin from her shoulder, tapping her arm to garner her attention.
"Yes, Master?" She asked.
"Stop at that mall for a moment. We'll get some groceries and modern clothes for you." My words were flat as I glanced at her royal blue dress...certainly out of place in the current era.
Artoria complied, stopping R1 close to the complex.
I dismounted from behind her and stretched my arms overhead; they had healed significantly from the earlier damage.
Meanwhile, my mind catalogued the fact that [Avalon] healed me proportionally to my proximity to Artoria.
"Is this your first time in a mall?" I asked despite knowing her answer, as my steps carried me toward the entrance.
"Yes, Master. While the Grail provided me with the necessary knowledge of this era, I have never physically visited one." Artoria replied, following a step behind me.
We entered moments later. Its interior was deserted at this hour.
[Ultimate Analyst] and [Ultimate Architect] activated in tandem.
The building's structural layout was instantly analyzed and modeled within my consciousness. A three-dimensional schematic of the entire complex materialising in my mind.
I had no need to inquire about directions now. I guided Artoria directly to the fourth floor, turning left past the shuttered storefronts.
There it was...
A clothing shop, still open.
...
..
.
"Uhm... Master, I've never chosen clothes for myself before. Can you help me with choosing something?" Artoria asked with confusion while holding mismatched clothes in her arms.
I looked at her actions with my arms folded beneath my chest. My eyebrow twitching imperceptibly.
As I predicted.
The famous King of Knights from Britain struggled with choosing clothes.
My hands unfolded from beneath my chest as I walked up to her, taking the clothes from her arms to slide them back into their places.
I glanced back at her afterwards.
The art of aesthetics was simply another equation to solve for someone like me.
My hands swept through the racks, calculating color palettes, fabric textures, and body geometry in microseconds. I selected a crisp white shirt, a navy blue skirt, and black tights.
I handed them to her and spoke.
"Try them."
"I-I'll be back in a moment, Master." She looked at my offered clothes and felt her cheeks flush, a slight stumble in her words.
I watched as she retreated inside the changing room and waited for her to return.
She emerged some time later, looking elegant and classy.
Her hands fidgeted with the hem of her skirt as she looked up at me, uncharacteristically shy.
"How do I look, Master?" She asked, her voice steady but her eyes searching for approval.
Hm? Something seems to be missing.
I did not answer immediately. Instead, I reached out to a nearby display, plucking a royal blue ribbon from the shelf.
"Come here." My hand gestured for her to approach.
She stepped forward, hesitant.
I took the ribbon and looped it around her collar. Her breath hitched, and she squirmed slightly under my touch.
"Don't squirm too much." My voice was focused as I tied the ribbon in a stylish knot.
"M-Master..." Her squirming intensified, her cheeks flushing crimson.
"Alright... Done." I pulled back after settling the ribbon and began to circle her, nodding in approval mid movement.
...
..
.
We exited the mall. Artoria walked in her new attire, moving with a bit more confidence than before. I held a grocery bag in my left hand.
Meanwhile... my right hand toyed with a blank debit card.
Acquiring currency was a triviality for me. Using [Ultimate Programmer], I had bypassed the security protocols of several international banks, diverting funds into offshore accounts protected by encryptions fifty years ahead of current capabilities.
In short... I basically had unlimited money.
Boring.
We reached R1 as I handed the grocery bag to Artoria.
I mounted the bike a second later, Artoria sitting behind with the groceries.
R1's engine ignited.
Destination: Home.
...
..
.
Home.
"Master! You have returned." Medea approached the entrance, her pace eager, her expression bright.
However, her gaze quickly landed on Artoria—or rather, Artoria's new clothing.
Saber and Caster locked eyes.
"Hmph."
"Hmph."
They turned away from each other in perfect synchronization.
Artoria - I have to protect Master from her.
Medea - I have warn Master about her.
...
Artoria - He is my Master.
Medea - He is my Master.
I walked past them, ignoring the palpable tension in air. My mind already cataloguing the data on Rider, synthesizing new countermeasures.
Medea's eyes lit up as she spotted me. She rushed forward, blocking my path.
"Master! Master! You were gone for so long. My mana reserves are nearly depleted... perhaps you could replenish them? Mouth to mouth?"
A second voice interjected before I could respond.
"Do not listen to her, Master! She attempts to take advantage of you. She utilized no abilities today; her mana should be ample." Artoria glared daggers at Medea.
I will not let anyone exploit my Master.
A mocking chuckle escaped from Medea.
"Heh. Do not feign such purity, Saber. I know you have kept Master within your line of sight since the moment of your summoning."
"How dare you, Witch!?" Artoria's voice rose in outrage.
"How dare you, Knight!?" Medea bristled at the 'Witch'.
Meanwhile...
I walked past them, tuning out the noise.
The Holy Grail War had begun.
Yet...
A mini Holy Grail War was currently ongoing in my home.
...
..
.
***
[200 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter]
[5 chapters ahead on P@tr3on = [email protected]/Not_Aaryan]
...
[Ultimate Architect]: A OC talent I created, consider it as Izuru having very in-depth knowledge about physical structure creation, If he was given the time and manpower, he could probably build a space elevator, similar to the Tower of Babel from legends.
[Ultimate Programmer]: Chihiro Fujisaki's Talent. As an expert programmer, Izuru can create artificial intelligence programs that are extremely sophisticated, to the degree where the AI can implant someone's memories into another AI form, basically an incomplete form of Immortality.
...
[Author's Thoughts]
Medea could take things slow if there were only her and Izuru, but now that Artoria is here... She has decided to become more proactive.
After all... Where would she cry if someone else stole her home away while she was thinking of taking things slow?
(Note: Anyone wondering how he knew Matou Zouken? Every information about that oldie was written inside the file Medea had handed him earlier on the Matou Family.)