Chapter 21: The Little Demon King and the Great Holy Grail War (10)

"Don't tell me, kid... I never expected you to be the Master of the King of Knights. Just when did you summon King Arthur?"

"Ten years ago... I obtained her when I escaped from the laboratory."

"A government lab rat... an esper... I can see the rough outline of your circumstances."

"You’d better keep it a secret. That is, if you value your life..."

"I only have one life to live, so you needn't worry. My lips are sealed."

"As expected, you're quite useful, old man. Would you like to join my organization after this Holy Grail War? I happen to be looking for a new Enforcer."

"Is this a recruitment? If I refuse, do I die?"

"Naturally."

As Zod shrugged his shoulders with such chilling nonchalance, Sisigou looked at him with an incredulous expression. Eventually, he sighed and gave a slow nod of acknowledgement.

"As long as the pay is generous and you guarantee food, clothing, and shelter, I don't mind. I’ve only been doing the work of a magus out of necessity anyway, and my family's Magecraft fell into ruin long ago... Even working as a freelancer, the money that trickles in is pathetic. 'Philistine' is what those Clock Tower magi call it—those fools who still act like aristocrats while they order me around."

"I'll at least ensure the pay is more than 'generous.' Your daily necessities are guaranteed... and if your performance is exceptional, I might even throw in a bonus."

"A most reasonable employer, it seems. As a gangster, will I be expected to take lives?"

At Sisigou’s question, Zod shook his head, dismissing the notion.

"There are other teams for that sort of work. If you truly wish to avoid it, you won't have to. We have guard duties for our facilities and personal escort assignments as well."

"Now that sounds perfect."

As Sisigou offered a satisfied smirk and shook hands with Zod, Mordred and Artoria Alter were facing each other nearby. Their conversation, naturally, focused on the youth known as Zod.

"So... what you're saying is... Father is that brat's woman?"

"That is correct. I have become his possession... And despite his appearance, he is a man of legal age."

"I see... Wait, NO!! Are you fucking serious?! Treating Father like a mere object?! Can I kill him?! Can I kill that brat?!"

"Desist, Mordred. Even with your strength, victory over him is a physical impossibility. He possesses a vessel that can endure even the impact of a nuclear warhead without expiring. You might leave a scratch upon him, but you will never emerge victorious."

"He looks like nothing more than a pampered little lord to me?"

Mordred spoke with utter disbelief at Artoria Alter’s assessment. Just then, Cu Chulainn Alter manifested from his spiritualized state and interjected.

"Berserker?"

"To put it plainly, the Master defeated me. Completely. Overwhelmingly."

At the Mad King's admission, Mordred felt as if she were hearing the ramblings of a lunatic.

This was a Great Hero of the Age of Gods. Even with his parameters bloated to absurd levels by the Berserker class’s Mad Enhancement, he was claiming he had been defeated by a human Master... She couldn't help but wonder if this was some elaborate joke.

"Hey... is that the truth?"

"Why would I have any reason to deceive you?"

As Cu Alter’s words drove the point home, Mordred stared at Zod in horror. She turned back to Artoria Alter, who looked surprisingly triumphant, as if she were the one who had been praised.

"Father, are you really okay with this?! You said he treats women like objects?"

"You would find happiness if you became his woman and shared his bed as well. Despite barely having left his youth behind, his proportions are quite... substantial."

"That’s crude! My Father isn't like this!"

"Did I not tell you? I am an Alter—the inverted aspect of my soul. I am the shadow side, distinct from the 'me' you once knew."

"No... I... AAAGGGHHHH!! SON OF A BITCH!!"

Frustration burning in her gut, Mordred snatched a cup of cold water offered by Artoria Alter and gulped it down.

"Pfft. You’re quite the pathetic sight, Saber."

"Shut your mouth, Berserker! Before I kill you!"

Cu Alter mocked Mordred, whose head was clearly throbbing from the chaotic situation, causing her to growl at him like a cornered beast.

"At any rate, I didn't expect that Mordred would turn out to be a mere slip of a girl..."

"You bastard!! Are you calling me a girl right now?"

Mordred glared at Cu Alter with murderous intent, drawing Clarent. She looked ready to release her Noble Phantasm at any second.

"Enough..."

Zod, standing with his hands behind his back, looked at them with a low, commanding voice.

"Cu Chulainn... stop provoking the child. And Saber, calm yourself and sit down."

"Huh?! Just because you're a brat doesn't mean you can order me—"

Hummmmm...

"Sit..."

As his eyes glowed with the incipient crimson hum of Heat Vision, Zod's low growl carried an unbearable weight. Cu Alter and Artoria Alter, who knew his true power, broke into a cold sweat. Mordred felt the crushing pressure and perspired as well, but she tried to force it down, gripping Clarent and glaring back at Zod...

Thud!

"Keugh!"

"You little brat... I tried to be nice..."

In an instant, Zod was hovering in the air, gripping Mordred by the collar. Contrary to his eyes that looked ready to incinerate her, his voice was deathly cold as he growled. It looked as though he might pierce her skull with his Heat Vision or snap her neck right then and there.

"Hey, kid! Put Saber—"

"Don't move... unless you wish to die..."

Zod glared at Sisigou, who had stepped forward to intervene. Faced with the raw pressure of a monster with Heat Vision primed, Sisigou’s nerves failed him, and he instinctively retreated.

"Gasp... You..."

"I could just end you here, couldn't I? Shall I kill you?"

"Fuck you... just do it..."

"Heh... sister has some spine, I see?"

"I’d rather die than beg for my life! Someone like me—Mordred—would never beg for mercy from the likes of you!!"

Mordred stared at Zod with eyes full of spite. Only then did he release his grip on her collar, allowing her to finally draw the breath she had been missing.

"I like you. I have a soft spot for those with such stubborn guts... I’ll let you live."

"Huff... huff... you maniac..."

Mordred glared at him with irritation while catching her breath. Zod merely shrugged and returned to his seat.

"I’m recruiting the both of you. Mr. Sisigou... and you, Saber... Once this Great Holy Grail War is over, prepare yourselves to join my organization. I’ll make sure you're well-compensated."

"Huh?! What kind of bullshit is that?! Why the hell would I—!"

"You’d get to live under the same roof as Artoria, you know?"

"I'm in!"

"Saber, aren't you folding a bit too easily?!"

Sisigou protested, shocked by how quickly Mordred switched sides, but she had already lost her mind at the prospect of living with her father under one roof.

Comments (0)

Please log in to leave a comment. Login or Register