Brushing Past

Tsukahara Meiji and Archer Loxia's outing for reconnaissance cost a total of 3,325 RMB.

This included a set of sportswear that, for some reason, was incredibly expensive despite being sportswear, and a pair of shorts that used less fabric than the sportswear but cost more. Since they couldn't have her running around barefoot, shoes and socks were also purchased.

These alone accounted for nearly half of the expenditure.

After that, despite saying that Servants are non-human and don't need to eat, and that eating is a waste of time, she still consumed five fruit tarts with different fillings and a giant parfait overflowing with strawberries and various desserts. Together, these two items accounted for nearly two-thirds of the expenses.

Through this incident, Tsukahara Meiji deeply understood the essence of an ancient saying: Women are all liars. Especially a woman who claimed she didn't need to eat...

How ironic.

(But, does this also mean that my relationship with Archer has eased up a bit?)

Tsukahara Meiji felt a small flicker of happiness. Anyone could see that Archer and Karl didn't get along. And the only thing that could reconcile such disharmony was friendship.

Archer was a Servant, how could she have friends in modern times? So, if she didn't have friends, wouldn't it be enough to just become her friend?

Archer didn't trust Karl, and if he couldn't change that, then their chances in this Holy Grail War were slim. Archer's stats were very low, not because Loxia herself wasn't excellent, but because her Master's magic power couldn't meet her needs. To avoid draining her Master's magic, she had to suppress her own magic consumption, which resulted in the most direct manifestation being her stat data.

Moreover, Loxia, or rather Robin Hood, wasn't an Archer known for a powerful Noble Phantasm. Her archery was peerless, but she lacked a corresponding Noble Phantasm legend. This wasn't originally a problem. Her proper usage should have been as an Assassin, which was exactly what Karl had predicted.

However, the problem was that the two of them hadn't summoned Saber as expected. This issue was fatal. If Archer, the only combatant in Tsukahara Meiji's faction, couldn't unleash sufficient power...

Tsukahara Meiji didn't dare to think further and quickly shook his head, casting aside these negative thoughts.

In poker, once you've drawn your hole cards, even if they're trash, there's no time to lament.

In magic, if your techniques are exposed, you can't regret it; you must focus all your energy on salvaging the situation.

Tsukahara Meiji, the down-on-his-luck Magus, had his magical techniques exposed on the streets more than once, and he was already accustomed to focusing his energy on what was in front of him.

After leaving the dessert shop, Tsukahara Meiji's expression softened considerably, and almost no one paid attention to him anymore—almost everyone's gaze was fixed on Archer Loxia, just as she had calculated.

Was it the effect of the desserts? Or did Archer Loxia's decisive statement earlier have an effect? In any case, Tsukahara Meiji's tension had eased considerably; on the contrary, he was even a little happy.

His previous expression clearly told people: I have a problem! Stay away from me!

Now, his expression was clearly that of a boyfriend on his first date with a beautiful girlfriend, who was initially very nervous but had now relaxed.

As the two strolled, the sun gradually set, and the dimming yellow gradually replaced the azure as the most common color in their vision. Amidst the golden splendor, Tsukahara Meiji quietly watched the colors of the sky change, and suddenly felt that the scenery was beautiful.

Especially...

Standing in the sunset, Archer Loxia's graceful back, her white sportswear dyed warm by the orange-red light, her soft brown long hair appearing even softer in the sunset's glow. Just looking at her back made Tsukahara Meiji's heart flutter. Lacking experience with girlfriends, he felt an incredible emotion welling up as he looked at such a beautiful girl.

Suddenly, he stopped.

Had she sensed her Master's abnormality?

Archer Loxia turned back curiously, "What's wrong, Tsukahara?"

"Shh..."

Tsukahara Meiji showed a surprisingly serious expression. He tried his best to conceal his astonishment, but the unusual glint in his eyes made his expression appear unnatural.

With just a quiet gesture, Loxia immediately understood: he had discovered an enemy.

Because she had also discovered one.

It was the phenomenon of a Servant's unique magical overflow.

It was a bit strange, though.

This power showed no intention of being contained, nor did it seem to be released to attract attention.

It was as if the Servant releasing the magic was simply letting their magic dissipate naturally, without control.

Following the source of the magic, Loxia immediately spotted the [enemy].

It was a pair of people who were clearly Master and Servant.

The Magus had delicate European features, refined and gentle, with sandy blonde hair slightly disheveled and combed back. He was wearing a charcoal gray suit that seemed to flow with some kind of magic.

This man was exquisitely handsome and carried a hint of weathered charm, making him the type to be very attractive... yet Loxia paid him no attention at all...

Because, beside him, there was an even more captivating presence...

It was a burly man over 200 cm tall, dressed in a black suit and sunglasses, like a bodyguard. His sturdy muscles, as hard as sculpted stone, seemed to threaten to tear the suit apart... His arms were broad, and a punch from those powerful arms would be no joke...

This burly man exuded a deadly pressure, like a sharp battle-axe with its metal blade shrouded in chilling mist. Just looking at him sent shivers down one's spine.

The magical fluctuation of Servant-class power just now had come from this burly man.

Although she didn't know what kind of Servant he was, he was definitely a Servant of considerable strength.

However, for Tsukahara Meiji, compared to the imposing burly man, he was more focused on the Magus.

Because he couldn't mistake that face.

Abner Fergus Winifred.

His own teacher, and also a top-tier Magus at the Clock Tower...

(What! It's Teacher Abner!)

Tsukahara Meiji felt as if he had been run over by a speeding chariot, his entire body radiating a spiral of terror! Loxia immediately noticed her Master's abnormality and yanked his arm forcefully, pulling him out of his panic. To outsiders, it just looked like a girl who was angry for some reason was taking it out on him.

Tsukahara Meiji turned his body and accidentally glanced at the towering giant Servant, but before he could confirm the opponent's data, Archer Loxia tugged at his sleeve and dragged him away.

The two Master and Servant pairs brushed past each other.

The other party seemed not to have noticed them, continuing their stroll with an air of swagger.

"Tsukahara, did you get the data?"

"Uh... sorry, it was too brief... I only managed to confirm their Strength was A."

"That's enough. Because they didn't detect us."

Archer Loxia's expression was tense, a dangerous glint flashing in her eyes.

In intelligence warfare, the one who gathers the most information isn't necessarily the winner.

Truly seasoned intelligence experts prioritize how to remain undetected above all else. The more outstanding a Servant is, especially those renowned for their martial prowess, the better their sixth sense and the more sensitive they are to being watched. If Tsukahara Meiji were discovered, it would be a loss outweighing any gain.

In the Holy Grail War, the classes excelling in combat power are Saber and Lancer. Of course, Berserker is also a possibility, but if it were Berserker, it's hard to imagine it being so docile. It's likely Saber or Lancer.

She didn't know what their objective was, but Loxia wasn't about to let this perfect opportunity slip by.

As for her Master's momentary lapse, Loxia instinctively interpreted it as [Terror]. After all, he was new to the Holy Grail War; encountering an enemy Magus would surely make him nervous!

In such a situation, the greatest help a Master can provide to their Servant is simply to stay out of trouble.

"Tsukahara, you hide back here. I'll go track them. Remember, Master, if you're attacked, use a Command Spell to summon me back. Don't hesitate."

After giving him a few cautious instructions, Tsukahara Meiji nodded repeatedly, knowing that Archer was far more reliable than him in this situation.

Seeing his understanding, Archer quietly slipped into the shadows. She constructed her Spiritron Dress with her magic, then entered Spirit Form. Her tracksuit drifted to the ground, and Tsukahara Meiji quickly gathered it up, heading back to the inn without looking back.

Not long after parting ways with Archer, Tsukahara Meiji's phone suddenly rang.

A familiar number displayed on the screen...

"Hello, Karl?... All right, I'm on my way."