Chapter 35: Zod and the Fifth Holy Grail War (2)

Fuyuki City.

"Zod~"

"Yes, yes, Hari."

Arriving in Fuyuki, Mata Hari and Zod passed the welcome sign at the city entrance. To any observer, they appeared to be a classic 'Onee-Shota' pair—an older sister and her younger brother. In reality, the dynamic was that of a Master and his Secretary, a high-ranking Department Secretary (Zod) and his loyal Servant (Mata Hari).

"Kyaa♡!! Oh, Zod-kun! You're so adorable~♡"

"Mmph!"

Mata Hari pulled Zod into a tight embrace, burying his face directly into her cleavage. Men passing by cast glances of sharp envy at the boy, but Zod remained utterly indifferent to their gazes, his hands idly wandering across her curves.

"Shouldn't we head to the hotel soon?"

"The hotel? Oh my~ Zod-kun, how lewd♡ Taking me to a hotel... just what kind of naughty things are you planning?"

As Mata Hari gazed down at him with a mischievous smile, Zod let out a dry chuckle and delivered a firm slap to her swaying backside.

"Kya-hun♡! That's mean, Zod-kun~ Everyone is watching..."

"Wasn't this exactly what you wanted?"

"Fufu~ Who knows?"

With a continuous, seductive twinkle in her eyes and a wanton smile, she was a true femme fatale. Zod looked at her with feigned exasperation, yet clearly satisfied as he continued to rhythmically stroke her hips.

"I'll perform the summoning ritual tonight. Let's do some sightseeing before that."

"Mm♡ I’d love that♡"

Mata Hari nodded enthusiastically. The two checked into the Hyatt Hotel—which boasted the finest service in Fuyuki—and immediately headed back out to survey the city.

"Emiya! You're late!"

"Sorry, sorry, Tohsaka. Taiga-nee was being really persistent about some things."

On the way to what appeared to be their university, a young man and woman in school uniforms were bickering with a familiarity that suggested a close relationship.

As they walked, they passed Zod and Mata Hari. The woman—a black-haired beauty with twin-tails and striking blue eyes called Tohsaka—suddenly paused, feeling a strange sense of déjà vu, and looked back.

"Excuse me!"

"Hmm?"

Tohsaka called out to Zod. The orange-haired boy with golden eyes, Emiya, looked at her in confusion.

"What is it, Tohsaka?"

"No... that boy... I’ve seen him somewhere before..."

"Forgive me, but why have you called out to me?"

Zod put on an act of innocent curiosity, masking his true nature as a ruthless Secretary of the State. After a few seconds of silence, a look of realization dawned on Tohsaka’s face, followed by shock.

"By any chance, are you Zod? The war hero from 'The League'?"

"Oh my... you recognize me? I’m flattered. It’s an honor for such a beautiful Mademoiselle to know someone like me."

The news of Zod and The League subjugating the terrorist leader Osara Bin Denra and his Al-Qaera cell had been broadcast globally. Their exploits were the primary topic of conversation across the world.

"Do you know him, Tohsaka?"

"Do I know him?! How can you not know him? He’s the leader of 'The League', the superhuman special forces, and the Secretary of the Superhuman Department! In America!"

"Sorry... we don't have a TV at my place. No radio, either."

"Hah? Even my house has a TV! We’re in the Information Age, Emiya! At least get a radio, will you? Do you even read the newspaper?"

"Ahaha... sorry..."

It was a stark contrast. Rin Tohsaka, the eldest daughter and 6th head of the Tohsaka lineage, actively embraced modern technology despite her status as a magus. On the other hand, Shirou Emiya, despite being a spellcaster, lived in total ignorance of world events, lacking even a newspaper. Rin’s expression was one of pure pity.

"I apologize, but could I ask you to refrain from photos? I’m here on vacation for a few days to get some 'off' time."

"Could I at least get an autograph? Please?"

Confronted with Rin’s sparkling eyes—the look of a devoted fan meeting a celebrity—Zod eventually relented and signed her notebook.

"Yes! I got it! Thank you so much!"

"Tohsaka, calm down!"

Shiro broke a sweat trying to restrain Rin, who was jumping for joy. Zod gave them a polite nod and continued his walk.

"That girl with the twin-tails is a magus. The scent of Mystery is thick upon her. She even has a Magic Crest, indicating a lineage at least a century old. And 'Tohsaka'... if she belongs to one of the Three Founding Families, she’ll be our enemy soon enough."

"But Zod-kun will win anyway, right? This Holy Grail War."

At Mata Hari's words, Zod gave a playful shrug.

"Who knows? A Heroic Spirit stronger than me might manifest. One can never be certain."

"You know you're the guy who can take a direct nuclear hit and stay unscathed, right? Unless it’s Heracles himself, I think you’ll beat just about any Heroic Spirit."

Zod chuckled at Mata Hari’s exasperated tone and patted her plump rear again.

"Kyah♡ Really, Zod-kun, your touch is so wicked♡"

"Do you hate it?"

"No♡ I love it!"

With a beaming smile, Mata Hari took the hand Zod offered. Because his growth was stunted alongside his delayed aging, Zod still possessed a 'shota' physique. Even though she had to look down slightly to meet his eyes, she loved it. To her, this felt like a date with an adorable younger brother—a sensation of happiness that seemed to dominate her very brain.

.

.

.

After finishing their brief but happy date (?), they returned to the hotel. Zod began the preparations for the summoning, meticulously drawing the ritual circle on the floor. Minutes later, he began to intone the incantation.

"...Come forth from the Circle of Deterrence! O, Guardian of the Scales!"

Flash!!!

From within a sinister, pitch-black light, a figure emerged—mounted upon a shadowy steed of ill omen, wielding a Sacred Spear stained in darkness and bristling with thorns.

"Lancer, Artoria. I have answered your summons. Just as my steed drinks the storm clouds, my spear shall shatter every rampart. That which blocks your path... I shall break it all."

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