“Kid, things are wrapped up on this end.”
Cu Chulainn sent a telepathic message.
“Nothing happened, right?”
“I sent the body over just like you asked, so don't worry. I killed the enemy Assassin along the way, too. You won't have to worry about being ambushed by him anymore.”
That was an unexpected windfall. Now I just needed the Mystic Code I’d requested. I estimated it would take about two hours to create. No matter how talented Da Vinci was, she couldn't do two things at once.
I kept the base camp active.
I contacted Guardian.
“Guardian, you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m perfectly fine. I’m just playing around with him right now. This is actually pretty fun.”
Playing around with Berserker?
“Uh, okay. Just be careful.”
“You’ve seen my controls and you’re still saying that? Don’t worry~ I’ll handle it.”
“Uh... alright.”
It seemed impossible to dominate someone like that through pure speed alone.
“Okita, you’re the key. When we strike the enemy this time, you must use your Noble Phantasm to get behind them. The moment you take that position, I’ll use Order Change to swap you with Guardian. He’ll plunge his sword into the enemy’s back and pull it straight up, splitting them from torso to head.”
“Once we swap, you’ll probably find yourself facing Heracles. You need to be ready to dodge the instant it happens. Got it?”
“I can kill the enemy too! Please, trust me and leave it to me!”
“No, it’s not that I don’t trust your swordsmanship. I don’t trust your sword. In terms of pure skill, Guardian is far inferior to you.”
“To be honest, if he wasn’t a Servant, his skills would be worse than a hobbyist. But that damn sword of his is a total cheat. It never breaks, it never corrodes, and the edge never dulls. Most importantly, it can cut through anything that has a physical form. That’s why I’m swapping you. You saw Berserker, right? Even he couldn't beat it. That means the enemy’s durability is significant. If things go south and you fail to kill the enemy with your Noble Phantasm, I could lose you. That risk is too high.”
“I have no intention of using you here and throwing you away. If you’ll allow it, I want to keep fighting alongside you in the future.”
“So, I’m not changing the plan. It might hurt your pride, but I’m sorry—I can’t allow a change in strategy.”
“...I understand.”
Okita obediently yielded to my words.
As they say, a single word can settle a debt of a thousand gold pieces.
If you have a silver tongue, things just work out~
Now that I’d convinced Okita, that was one problem solved.
Now I just had to meet up with Cu Chulainn and receive the Mystic Code.
While I was spacing out for a moment, a call came through from Chaldea.
“Yes, Doctor Romani—Wait, who are you?”
I thought it was the Doctor, but it was Da Vinci.
“The Caster you predicted is me~ boy.”
“Surprised because I’m prettier than you expected? It only took me five minutes to make the Mystic Code you wanted~”
“The problem is that transmitting it takes some time. Mm-hmm.”
“Chaldea’s systems aren’t normal right now, so even sending items takes a while. Honestly, we’re short on the actual materials needed to fix Chaldea, so we’re scavenging parts from here and there and operating with minimal equipment. So, cut us some slack~ Even the universal genius Da Vinci-chan can’t solve everything without materials~ The Mystic Code will arrive there in ten seconds.”
“You can use Order Change 4 times, Gandr 10 times, and Recovery 3 times.”
“Impressive, isn’t it? If you only use one type, you could probably use it even more. I’ve already packed it full of magical energy.”
“So use it comfortably and don’t worry!”
Da Vinci’s yapping lasted more than ten seconds. I immediately wrapped the cloth around my right hand. The amazing thing about this cloth was that it actually replenished some of the magical energy it consumed back into me.
Oh, the performance is better than I thought?
“Thanks, Da Vinci. This is better than I expected. I thought it would take longer to make. Things are a mess inside Chaldea, so I assumed most Servants would be busy fixing that. I thought maintaining the system would be the priority and making a Mystic Code would be an afterthought. It’s a stroke of luck in our misfortune to have such an outstanding Servant on our side.”
“Heh, something like this isn't hard. Don't worry about Chaldea and fight to your heart's content, boy! Mm-hmm! The staff here are quite capable, so me stepping away for a bit is nothing. Also, you’re going to be interrogated later. There are more than a few suspicious things about you.”
Oh, crap; she’s a genius, so if I get caught by her, she'll see through everything. How should I talk my way out of this?
“Got it. I’ll tell you everything you’re curious about once this is all over.”
“Don’t think about running away~ I’ll make sure you spill everything you know, so be prepared~”
“Da Vinci, stop talking to Damascus. Ah, Damascus, how is your physical condition? Looking at your vitals, you seem quite exhausted. Are you okay?”
Doctor, you really are something else.
“Yes, I’m perfectly fine. Don’t worry. We’re definitely getting out of here anyway. So please, just focus on the Chaldea system. Just have everything ready so we can return at any time. You know what I mean, right?”
The Doctor and Da Vinci probably knew from hearing it through Cu Chulainn. Lev... that bastard. We have to make a run for it before he drags the Director away and burns her.
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll start preparing now.”
“Thank you. I’ll hang up now. I have to go finish this.”
“Alright. Good luck, Damascus.”
The communication cut off with the Doctor’s final words.
“Whew...”
To be honest, I was incredibly tired. I let out a sigh and ran a hand through my hair.
Since my body was currently British, my shimmering blond hair looked surprisingly cool.
“You’re here, Cu Chulainn.”
“Yeah, kid. Preparations are complete.”
“You look perfectly fine for someone who was just in a fight.”
“It’s nothing. It’s Rune Magecraft I learned from Scathach. I can’t afford to lose anywhere.”
“I guess... I’ve read about it, and it really is ridiculous. Tell me more about it once this fight is over.”
“Master... that’s a flag...”
Okita didn't say anything more. She probably didn't want to rain on my parade. But you’ve already said enough for everyone to notice, Okita.
“No, I’m not going. Being a Caster doesn't suit my temperament. Call me as a Lancer in the next fight.”
Absolutely not. If I summon you, I’m definitely summoning you as a Caster.
“Got it. It’s a shame, but I’ll do that.”
“Kid, the one up ahead is Saber.”
“Wow... should I give up?”
“Now of all times?”
“A bit late for that, right?”
“No, Master, please do not give up! I, Okita, will make this a success!”
Even with a monster overflowing with magical energy standing before her, Okita didn't lose heart. I thought she was a bit cute, like a puppy.
_I ask of you._
She only said one phrase, but goosebumps erupted all over my body. Is this what they call Charisma? It’s terrifying.
_Will you challenge me?_
Wow... I wanted to surrender, but I spoke up loudly.
“Hell yeah! That’s right! You said you’re Saber, right?! We’ve got a Saber on our team now, so we don’t need you anymore. Sorry, but you’re going to have to die right here!”
Ah, damn it. I don’t even know anymore. I just yelled.
“Director, it’s dangerous here. Run away. You just need to get far enough away that you can still come here if I call you.”
“Damascus, are you in your right mind?”
“Hey, you bitch! Stop your legs from shaking before you talk! Honestly, even if everyone else dies here, you can’t die. Understand?! If I die, they can find another Master to replace me. But you are irreplaceable! Get your head in the game! If I die, the plan goes awry, but if you die, Chaldea is just fucked! So run! Prepare for the worst and think about what comes next! Rayshifting should be possible thanks to Cu Chulainn. You probably already know, right? Since you weren't originally a Rayshift candidate! In my opinion, you’re already dead! You’re already dead, I tell you! I actually told Cu Chulainn... pant... Director.”
“I’ve prepared a body using a homunculus at the mansion. If you aren't actually dead, you can do whatever you want with it. But if you’ve already passed away, just as I suspect... you’ll have to ask Da Vinci to make some adjustments and live in that body.... I’m sorry. This is the best I can do for now...”
After I finished speaking, the Director lowered her head.
“Director, you are a capable person. Regardless of your family or whatever, no matter how much pull you have, they wouldn't hand over a position like that to someone incompetent. Your father probably didn't praise you because he didn't know how, but I’m sure he was proud of you. You will find your own answer, Director. So... don’t be afraid, and move forward with confidence. That’s all a dim-witted civilian like me has to say.”
At my words, the Director shed tears. And then, as I said, she moved far away.
Okita and Cu Chulainn were staring at me in silence.
I was scared until a moment ago, but now I was so pissed off that fear didn't matter anymore.
“King Arthur, let me ask one favor.”
_What is it?_
Every single word she spoke sent shivers down my spine. I really wanted to run away.
“Don’t let your lackeys get anywhere near the Director. Surely the King of Britain isn't so petty that she’d unleash Servants just to catch a frightened girl?”
_Very well. I accept. I have no desire to hear excuses that you could not fight properly because of such a distraction._
That bitch sure has a lot of pride.
“Uh... thanks...”
I activated the party-wide reinforcement magecraft on my Mystic Code.
“Cu Chulainn, support Okita. Okita, go in right now. We’re finishing this quickly.”
“Oh, you got it.”
“Understood.”
As soon as the words left my mouth, Okita dashed forward.
Saber’s beams of light poured out everywhere, but Okita showed the pinnacle of evasion, just like Guardian. Sliding, jumping, backflipping, side-stepping—she avoided every attack with incredible flair. The terrain changed where the beams passed, and some parts were destroyed and sent flying into the air. Okita used those floating pieces of debris to her advantage. After about fifteen seconds, Okita reached right in front of King Arthur.
But at that moment, King Arthur released her magical energy, forcing Okita to back off about three meters. Okita continued to kite and weave, looking for a timing to attack and take the enemy's back.
Whenever it looked like Okita couldn't dodge, Cu Chulainn summoned the hands of the Wickerman to block the attack, and he continued to interfere with Saber using flames and runes. He specifically used things like conjured ropes to pull on Saber’s arms, throwing off her trajectory and allowing Okita to avoid hits she otherwise would have taken. Since Saber had to block the incoming flames with one arm, Cu Chulainn’s support was more effective than I’d expected. But that was the limit.
Okita finally found an opening to attack and slashed Saber across the face, but not a single scratch appeared on that skin, which was so pale it was almost translucent.
Okita was flustered as well. Seeing that her blade hadn't left even a mark on skin that wasn't even protected by armor, she seemed quite shocked.
‘Is this why you told me to swap with Guardian, Master?’
‘Yeah, exactly. If there was a Japanese sword with the same performance as Guardian’s blade, I could have finished this with you long ago, but we don't have anything like that.’
‘It is a regret. I am sorry.’
‘Don’t be. How can you fight with what you don’t have?’
I spoke with Okita via telepathy. She seemed a bit discouraged, but since the opponent was such an absurd monster, I had no intention of blaming her. On the contrary, Okita had exceeded my expectations. I had planned to just have her kite until she could get behind the enemy with her Noble Phantasm for an Order Change, but the fact that she could even graze King Arthur’s face meant she was a Servant of considerable skill. King Arthur, the face of Fate, wasn't just a figurehead; she was a king with first-rate swordsmanship. Even if she was Saber Alter and couldn't perform delicate swordplay, King Arthur was still King Arthur. From what I could see, even if the regular Saber came, Okita wouldn't lose in terms of pure swordsmanship.
But Okita didn't give up. Since slashing didn't work, she started thrusting. She began stabbing at the gaps in the armor with the tip of her blade. Though there were thudding sounds of impact, she couldn't leave even a scratch on Saber’s body.
As expected, only Guardian’s Excalibur could break through this situation.
However, I had to have insurance. I contacted the Doctor.
“Doctor, Magimari. I want to use it too. Could you give me the URL?”
“What? Are you in your right mind?” “Do I look like I’m in my right mind? I’m asking because I have a plan. Please, just tell me.”
“Ugh... fine. I’ll send it to you right now.”
“Thank you. I’m hanging up.”
The link arrived five seconds later. Merlin, you bastard, stop just watching and help me.
I spoke while keeping the Order Change function of the Mystic Code active.
“Merlin, you son of a bitch! I know you’re watching and playing around through Magimari or whatever! Support us right now! You shitty half-incubus! You hear me? If Chaldea ends here, your life as an incubus is fucked too, so call for help right now, you idiot!”
_????!!!_
King Arthur was startled by my words.
Okita didn't miss this chance and immediately moved behind Saber. And I instantly used Order Change.
Okita and Guardian swapped places, and Guardian tried to plunge his sword into Saber’s abdomen.
“It’s over!”
But King Arthur was no pushover. Just before her abdomen could be pierced, she used Mana Burst to blow Guardian away.
“No, seriously, how is that even possible?!”
Those were Guardian’s words after he went rolling across the ground.
_Cheap tricks._
I racked my brain. I sent a telepathic message to Cu Chulainn.
‘Cu Chulainn, listen carefully to what I say from now on. Depending on the situation, I might use Order Change on you. If that happens, you’ll have to face Heracles. Can you do it?’
Cu Chulainn replied.
‘If it’s just for a moment, I can. But I can’t run away as fast as the lady or Guardian, so it’ll be tough. Not for long.’
‘Don’t worry. I’m joining the fight from now on too.’
‘Huh?! No! Master, what are you talking about?’
‘I have no intention of being picky about my methods. I have the tactical baton Guardian gave me. If push comes to shove, I’ll fight with this. Not only that, I have the joint project you and Guardian made, so I can at least provide interference. There’s no other way now. It’s all or nothing.’
‘...Fine, I get it, kid. If that’s your will, then so be it.’
Cu Chulainn cut the telepathy and spoke aloud.
“Since we’re in the same boat, I’ll trust you and leave it to you!!!”
I began attacking King Arthur with the Mystic Code, which was imbued with homing magecraft. From now on, I’m going all in. I used Order Change once more. It was Okita and Guardian.
Right before the Order Change, I spoke to Guardian.
‘Leave the sword behind. Okita is going to use it.’
_More cheap tricks._
I could see that King Arthur was getting pissed off. Guardian quickly switched to explosive rounds and shot King Arthur in the eyes.
“How’s that, you bastard!”
With those final words, Guardian and Okita were swapped via Order Change.
Comments (0)
Please log in to leave a comment. Login or Register