Changing a Skin Doesn't Cost Anything

Previously: After the battle at the docks, Jizi, who intended to leave, was cornered by Irisviel and subjected to all sorts of "play." As a result of her silver hair and red eyes, she was mistaken for Illya by the lady. How will Jizi deal with this? Please tune into today's Holy Grail Online program as we enter the world of magic and exploration.

--- I just felt like writing a recap ---

"There's no way! The abilities I've shown are archery, flame magic, and shapeshifting. These have absolutely nothing to do with your family, the Einzberns! Besides, in this modern era where science is constantly encroaching on the mystical side, becoming a 'noble fantasy' is practically impossible! What on earth have you concocted in your head! It's just because my face looks similar! There are plenty of people who look alike all over the world!"

After dealing with those Heroic Spirits for a long time and being teased by Irisviel until she was utterly dejected, this wildly imaginative deduction finally snapped the string that had been taut in Jizi's mind. The pent-up emotions erupted as a torrent of complaints and roars into the clear, cold night sky of Fuyuki City.

"Hahahahaha, you were so mysterious when you first appeared, but I didn't expect Caster to actually be a child!"

"Who are you calling a child! I'm angry! Do you know that I'm scared of myself when I get angry!"

"You get angry so easily, you really are a child."

"Saber, even you..."

"Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore." Irisviel said with a smile, her expression one of complete satisfaction, to the person before her.

"Hmph!" The reply was a slightly distorted huff of defiance—Jizi had put her mask back on.

"Caster, you're not that old, are you? To become a Heroic Spirit at this age, you must have a past full of twists and turns, right? If you don't mind, you can tell me about it..."

"Shut up!" Her voice was tinged with annoyance this time.

"Okay, okay, we won't talk about that anymore. Then, can you tell me why I don't feel any hostility from you, but rather a sense of familiarity towards both me and Saber?"

Damn it, back to this question again! What should I say? If I just brush it off, she'll definitely see through it and her curiosity will grow even more. But how can I find a reason they'll accept? And Saber over there also has that "I want to know too" expression... Wait a minute, Saber. I've got it.

"Since you've sincerely asked," Caster said, shedding the mask she had donned in her earlier annoyance under the gaze of Irisviel and Saber, revealing a face as beautiful as an elf from a fairy tale. But something felt off? Why were there two blushes on her cheeks? Her demeanor was a little unnatural, her movements fidgety, and her eyes darted around, afraid to meet anyone's gaze. Yet, when her eyes swept past a certain point, there was a distinct pause, just like... a maiden before confessing.

What was going on?

However, before they could ponder further, a clear voice rang out, interrupting their thoughts: "Saber's Servant, you introduced yourself earlier and said you were King Arthur, correct?"

"That's right." Although she didn't know why she was being asked this, there was nothing to be ashamed of.

"There have been many versions of my name passed down. The one most remembered is the 'Fire Woman,' named so because I can control flames." After asking Saber, Caster's topic jumped to herself. "And when I was a little loli... ahem, a little girl, people called me the 'Dark Woman'—Annie (1)."

Saber and Irisviel exchanged a glance—they had never heard of this.

"And as I grew up, I gained another title—please understand, as a witch, I had to constantly change my identity to protect myself. This was experience gained from years of dealing with the Church's hunt for witches." As if sensing a hint of dissatisfaction flashing across Saber's face, Caster specifically explained this to the knight.

"Lina Inverse (2) was the name I used for the longest time. However, my true name, which is almost never known to outsiders, is Hermione Emma Watson Granger (3)."

Saber and Irisviel continued to look at each other—they hadn't heard of any of them! But why did Caster stop there? And why did she look at them expectantly... Huh, it seemed she was mainly looking at Saber?

"This..." Unable to bear Caster's intense gaze, Saber spoke, "Although you are not a knight, since you can honestly state your name, I should respond with knightly courtesy. However, you still haven't answered our question, Caster."

"As expected, you've never heard of me." The other party instantly switched to a disappointed expression, which made Saber a bit flustered—Did I say something wrong?

"Don't you realize that my name is a genuine English name?"

"Ah?" Saber was stunned again. She really hadn't noticed that, but even if she knew now, what difference would it make... "Are you perhaps my subject?" she asked tentatively.

"No, Your Majesty. I lived centuries after your era. Your stories had already become legends by our time."

"Then you..." Saber suddenly stopped her next question because she noticed a dangerous glint in Caster's eyes that could be described as fanatical.

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"When I was a child, I listened to your stories every night to fall asleep! Your every story, your every battle, your every legend, I pestered my parents to read to me dozens, even hundreds of times! Ever since I learned to read, I've been frantically collecting information about you, not letting even a tiny bit slip by. Then I would transcribe them onto exquisite parchment, organize them into volumes, bind them with golden thread, cover them with silk from the East, and keep them in a box scented with vervain. I even slept hugging it at night, and during the day, I hid it in a place more secret than where I hid my grimoires."

"I have visited every ruin where you once set foot with the piety of a pilgrim. The reason I refined my magic was because I heard of your deep affection for the peerless magician Merlin and the spirits of the lake. I wanted to use this method to draw closer to you spiritually—unfortunately, I was not born male, so I could not become a knight like you. Countless times I wished I could have been born in the same era as you, so that my meager talents could have been of some use to you. Countless times I met you in the borderlands of my dreams, you charging across the battlefield, and me behind you, using magic to block incoming arrows for you."

"Caster, you..." Saber was starting to feel a sense of unease.

"I also treasure many portraits of you, hanging them in my dining room, bedroom, and workshop. Being able to gaze upon your visage in my daily life is a great motivation for me. Now that I can see your true form with my own eyes, I want to burn all those painters—they didn't capture even a fraction of your heroic spirit."

"Caster, please calm down." Saber had a premonition that Caster was about to cause a major incident.

"No! Let me speak! My Majesty, my King, my love! Let me speak! Let me tell you the feelings I've poured into sonnets on countless nights! Let me express the emotions that fill my soul. I love you! The reason I responded to the Holy Grail's summons was precisely for the chance to confess this to you!"

"..." Silence.

Irisviel was the first to recover. After all, she was only interested in Caster's identity. As for the almost pathological love Caster displayed towards Saber, while the lady was surprised, she also felt a mischievous impulse—if Caster knew that King Arthur, who had always been known as a man, was actually a woman... Heh heh heh. So, she initiated the conversation, "Then Caster, is it because of your love for Saber that you've shown us favor and helped us?"

"That's right! This feeling is absolutely sincere!" The reply was firm and decisive.

"Then, Saber, how will you respond?" Irisviel asked Saber, who was still somewhat dazed, with a meaningful curve of her lips.

"Caster, I..."

"I know you were married once, but that woman betrayed you! I also know you are a noble knight, so I won't force you into a difficult choice. No matter what your answer is, I won't have any negative feelings towards you because of it. However, my Majesty, if you could promise me, give me a commitment that signifies love between a man and a woman, I will give up the Holy Grail and join your faction, dedicating all my skills to your aspirations! Because that is the wish I have prayed for from the Almighty Chalice. I don't even need a definite answer from you. After all, you know nothing about me. Even if you just give me a chance, a position as a man standing behind you, I am confident that once you get to know me, you will definitely choose me to be the one who accompanies you for life!"

After rattling off another long speech, Jizi continued to play the part of a lovesick woman devoted to love, while inwardly she was cackling: Hahahaha, how are you going to respond now, you Saber-face! Especially after I emphasized the word "man" three times! Your knightly spirit prevents you from harming someone who shows you goodwill—even affection—but your true gender makes it difficult for you to respond to my "love confession." This way, I've answered Irisviel's question, diverted their attention, and can tease Saber. Killing three birds with one stone, hahahaha!

What, perverted? Sorry, as a Servant equipped with a "mental pollution" skill, the common sense of normal people can no longer bind me (this goofball)!

What, deceiving feelings? Please, I haven't lied. As a boy, Jizi genuinely has affection for Artoria, who is a girl—I just exaggerated a little artistically! As for Miss Hermione Emma Watson Granger's feelings for Mr. Arthur Pendragon—heh heh →_→.

Ignoring the minor details that don't need attention...

So, my lovely little lion, how will you respond?

①: A popular hero from the famous game LoL. She likes to set fires and keeps a black bear. [Jizi: She's also a cute little loli!]

②: Originally the protagonist of the famous light novel Slayers and its anime adaptation (also known as The Sword of the Demon God), but now she's more widely known as a resident of the Radiant's Intelligence Tavern in Dota. She's Sand King's good companion, a blood elf girl with a smoking hot body who can float and show off her panties. She's a popular hero, the Slayers, skilled at team control and instant kills. In reality, IceFrog's design inspiration came from that work because her skills in the game all appeared in the original work. IceFrog, you truly are a veteran otaku (similarly, the name of the Stealth Assassin - Riki. Speaking of which, why isn't there Mirana?).

Also: Both ① and ② are referred to as "Fire Girl."

③ Hermione Granger, the female lead in the fantasy epic The Boy Who Lived and His Friends Battle the Snake-Faced Man. A genius beautiful witch from Hogwarts, she ended up with Ron in the end. Truly unbearable.

Emma Watson, the actress who played Hermione in the film adaptation. This girl is very beautiful.

Also: Originally, Lancer's strategy to break Saber's armor with his powerful red brush and apply debuffs with his yellow brush was not implemented due to Jizi's interference. Therefore, Saber remained in her armor state. Her thick medieval knight armor, plus her regrettable cup size... I mean, A-cup, meant that she hasn't revealed her gender except when facing Lancer, who has a "Noble Phantasm used against women." Rider's taunt about her being a young girl was specifically omitted from the original text!

With this explanation, it should be understandable, right? Stares into the distance...

ps. Reasons for today's update:

1. Holiday. 2. Homework is finished. 3. Celebrating the resurrection of "Dou Kai."