Starting from Adopting Sakura in Type-Moon

"How troublesome. It seems you haven't taken my words to heart at all..."

Looking at Artoria and Irisviel, both on guard and distrustful, Scáthach let out a resigned sigh.

She had just spoken nothing but sound reasoning, yet it still yielded no effect.

Still, that was to be expected. After all, the Holy Grail War was brutal and treacherous. Immersed in such an environment, it was only natural for them to keep their vigilance maxed for their own safety.

But...

Watching Saber before her, already subtly shifting her magical energy, poised to strike at any moment, Scáthach couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle.

A solid starting stance, excellent fighting spirit, and that pure magical energy...

Without a doubt, the woman before her was a powerful warrior—a battle-hardened one. That meant her class was likely one of the top three. If she were a Lancer, Scáthach's own expertise would have spotted it immediately. An Archer's starting stance wouldn't match either, so the answer was clear.

Saber—the Sword Heroic Spirit.

A fine class indeed. And the aura of readiness for battle she exuded was already no less than that of the disciples Scáthach had trained. Even placed among Celtic mythology, she would rank as an exceptionally top-tier hero.

Though she didn't yet know her true name, Scáthach had grown quite interested in her through these observations.

Who would have thought that just stepping out for a stroll would lead her to encounter such a remarkable warrior?

This Holy Grail War seemed even more intriguing than she had imagined. Being stared down by Saber with such battle-hungry eyes, she felt an inexplicable itch in her hands.

But...

On the street, four strikingly beautiful women—each with completely different styles, hair colors, and attire—had gathered together, forming a rare and stunning sight on the streets of Fuyuki City. Passersby couldn't help but stop in their tracks, lingering nearby and casting curious glances their way.

"They're so beautiful..."

Someone murmured, gazing at Scáthach and the others.

"Purple, gold, white, and red hair... Are they foreigners?"

"They must be some big-name celebrities..."

"Can I go ask for a photo or their contact info?"

"Don't bother. Celebrities like them wouldn't pay attention to ordinary people like us."

"But... what if they actually say yes?"

The surrounding crowd began whispering among themselves. Some even pulled out their phones to snap photos of the four rare beauties and share them online.

Even though their voices were low, with a Servant's sharp hearing, Scáthach and Artoria caught every word.

"See? So many people are watching us. If we started fighting, it'd be quite troublesome."

"Not that I mind trouble, but my Master said if I cause him any chaos out here, he'll deduct my allowance. So I'll pass."

Scáthach waved her hand, signaling that she had no intention of fighting here.

Under the weight of so many eyes, Artoria naturally wouldn't be reckless enough to summon her weapon and start a battle. Confirming that Scáthach truly had no desire to fight, she slowly relaxed her hands and gave a slight nod.

Seeing that Scáthach had no intention of engaging, Aozaki Touko didn't say much either, merely letting out a disappointed "Tch." She had hoped to witness a clash between the Queen of the Land of Shadows and another mythological hero.

To that end, she had even prepared herself: once Scáthach tied down the golden-haired girl before them, she would go all out, using lightning-fast tactics to capture the fragile-looking white-haired woman.

After all, a Master and Servant were a two-in-one partnership. Only with mutual understanding and coordination could they unleash their greatest strength. If she could capture the enemy Master, the Servant's power would be severely weakened. Then she could hand the white-haired woman over to Rovey and surely get plenty of good stuff in return.

And...

Though others couldn't tell, it didn't escape her eyes.

As a Grand Puppet Master specializing in puppet magecraft, her senses for dolls and homunculi were exceptionally sharp—especially regarding the Einzbern Family's homunculi, which she had recently dealt with.

Having personally dismantled so many Einzbern homunculi, how could she fail to recognize Irisviel's origins? Not to mention the iconic white hair, but that all-too-familiar aura alone made it impossible to mistake.

Fighting heroes from the distant Age of Gods was beyond her, but if it came to dealing with a mere homunculus, Aozaki Touko had one hundred percent confidence in capturing her. Unfortunately, Scáthach didn't share that intent.

Understanding Scáthach's stance, Touko said nothing more. She simply raised a hand and cast a subtle Bounded Field to disperse the onlookers still gathering around.

"...May I ask how you are called?"

After Touko dispersed the crowd, Artoria let out a breath of relief. After a moment of silence, she looked at the two before her, unsure where to begin, so she started with the simplest yet most impossible question—asking for a name.

"Straight to asking for a true name? You're quite decisive..."

"But revealing my true name is out of the question. You'll probably find out soon enough anyway. For now, I'm just out for a stroll under the pretense of scouting the area—though I wasn't planning to take it seriously. Still, running into you here counts as a gain. A golden-haired Servant, and a white-haired one..."

Scáthach's gaze swept briefly over Artoria before quickly landing on Irisviel.

"A homunculus? Hmm... While it's surprising that this era could produce a miracle on par with the creations of the Age of Gods, considering that people of this age have even managed to create something like the Holy Grail War, it's not all that strange."

Scáthach smiled faintly. Having seen through Irisviel's nature in just a brief moment of contact pleased her.

After all, with such a gain from a short outing, her Master probably wouldn't have anything to complain about when she returned.

She could also take the opportunity to ask Rovey for more modern currency to buy some interesting things from this era. Recently, she had her eye on a nice item, but the money in her pocket was far from enough.

"..."

Hearing Scáthach's words, Irisviel's pupils sharply contracted. Her eyes filled with disbelief. She hadn't expected her secret to be seen through in an instant.

She looked up at Scáthach in shock, feeling more and more that the woman before her was unfathomable.

Beside her, Artoria could only remain silent in the face of this fact. Regardless, agreeing to accompany Irisviel on a stroll through the streets during such a period, and even having their secret seen through, was largely her fault.

It was still because she was too soft-hearted. Thinking that Irisviel had been cooped up in the castle for too long, she figured it wouldn't hurt to take her out for a walk now. After all, it was still daytime, and with her by her side, there was no need to worry about encountering any enemies. So she took the risk and came out to accompany her shopping...

She never expected to run into an enemy so quickly.

"White hair, red eyes... and that strange magical aura. You're from the Einzbern Family, right? Are you her Master?"

Compared to Scáthach, who knew little about the Einzbern Family, Aozaki Touko was far more professional.

She put her glasses back on and curiously studied Irisviel a few times.

"You're... Wound... no, Aozaki Touko?!"

Hearing Aozaki Touko's words, Irisviel, who had been focusing all her attention on Scáthach and hadn't had time to look around, finally took a closer look at the other woman's true appearance.

Red hair, a powerful aura, and especially when she saw that familiar face so similar to the one in the photo, she finally remembered who this person was.

Aozaki Touko. Not long ago, a dangerous individual who had single-handedly led numerous familiars into the Einzbern Castle, stealing important materials and familiars.

"Wound... forget it, it's me. Are you the Einzbern Master?"

Hearing Irisviel about to blurt out that detestable nickname, Aozaki Touko frowned. She instinctively prepared to teach this brat a lesson, but then thought of the mysterious blonde Servant beside her and dropped the idea.

She wasn't Scáthach's Master; in fact, she was the one trying to curry favor with Scáthach and seek her guidance. So if a fight broke out, Aozaki Touko couldn't guarantee whether Scáthach would help, so she let it go.

But what bothered her more now was... where was Emiya Kiritsugu? That Magus Killer she had taught a lesson to not long ago—why hadn't he shown up?

Rovey had said the Einzbern contestant was that ally of justice, so what was this white-haired homunculus in front of her?

Aozaki Touko glanced at her hand, saw she was wearing gloves, and made some deductions.

A decoy? Probably. If so, then Emiya Kiritsugu should be hiding in the shadows, waiting to ambush someone...

"...Yes, is there a problem?"

Though Irisviel was shocked to run into a dangerous person like Aozaki Touko here, recalling the news that she had broken into the Einzbern Castle and taken most of the Holy Grail War materials, she pieced together the general situation.

Kiritsugu's speculation was right. Aozaki Touko, that dangerous Grand Puppet Master, had indeed joined this Holy Grail War!

She deliberately looked at Aozaki Touko's hand, and in response, Aozaki Touko just sneered and waved her gloved hand at her.

"...What are you staring at over there, homunculus lady?"

Irisviel: "..."

This woman is so annoying!

But compared to the two magi locked in a mental duel over there, Scáthach's mood was much calmer.

"Well... speaking of which, you're pretty lucky. I can tell you were born not long ago, and your personality seems naive and inexperienced. But a cute Master like you is still much better than some troublesome types."

Scáthach smiled faintly, then spoke to Artoria.

In response, Artoria didn't answer her words. Instead, she lifted her head, letting that golden, upright ahoge gently sway in the breeze, her expression stern. Though she looked only sixteen or seventeen, her spirited and heroic bearing was quite impressive.

"Hmph... I don't need you to tell me that, unknown Servant. Since we've been summoned by different magi and gathered in the same Holy Grail War, we are enemies. To obtain the Holy Grail, I will definitely defeat you!"

Artoria had no intention of getting along with Scáthach, especially after sensing Irisviel's unease behind her. She wanted to leave immediately.

"Oh? You seem quite eager for the Holy Grail... and full of fighting spirit?"

"So what if I am?"

"Nothing. I just wanted to say that compared to cowards, I actually prefer warriors like you."

Scáthach wagged her finger, spinning the brand-name handbag she had just bought, giving the illusion of twirling some kind of weapon. She licked her lips, and her gaze at Artoria carried a hint of something else.

This feeling of being watched by a venomous snake made Artoria uneasy. She was about to say something more.

"Anyway, it's getting late. Continuing this chat won't yield any useful information, so I'll leave you to it... Enjoy modern food. You need a full stomach to have the energy to fight~ Lovely Saber lady."

Scáthach smiled calmly, stopped spinning the bag on her finger, and pulled Aozaki Touko away, disappearing into the crowd.

Her parting words echoed in Artoria and Irisviel's ears until they faded completely.

"So... that was another Servant?"

Seeing Scáthach vanish completely, Irisviel clutched her chest and spoke with lingering fear.

She hadn't expected to encounter such a terrifying Servant so soon after arriving in Fuyuki City, before even doing anything. Not only was the Servant female like Saber, but the terrifying magical aura she emitted filled her with dread.

Though she trusted Saber's strength, facing that female Servant, her heart couldn't stop trembling...

And not only that, even that dangerous woman Aozaki Touko had shown up here, seemingly partnered with that Servant...

After all, they were standing so close.

Remembering Emiya Kiritsugu's warnings, Irisviel immediately pulled out her phone and sent him this important message, knowing he was in Fuyuki City adjusting his equipment.

Then, she turned to Artoria and said, "Saber, did you figure out her class? She identified yours in such a short encounter..."

"Mm... From that brief contact, I'm certain she is also an extremely powerful warrior. That battle-hardened aura can't be faked."

"When she kept spinning her handbag on her finger, I even vaguely saw the shadow of a spinning spear. She must be... Lancer! No doubt about it. Whether from her movements or her demeanor, she's clearly a veteran spear user."

Artoria thought for a moment, then spoke her conclusion with a grave expression.

"Lancer, huh... I understand."

Irisviel beside him gave a slight nod, then hurriedly sent this crucial information to Emiya Kiritsugu via her phone.

—We've encountered a purple-haired female Lancer, and her Master is Aozaki Touko.

What they didn't realize, however, was that the information Saber had gleaned was merely the surface Scáthach had deliberately exposed.

Big news: extra chapters tonight.

As stated, my saved drafts are mostly used up, but through my relentless efforts over the past couple of days, I've saved up another ten thousand words. So at midnight tonight, I'll release a ten-thousand-word update, transforming into Goryō Kureha. If anyone's interested, feel free to check it out. Many thanks!!

As stated, my saved drafts are mostly used up, but through my relentless efforts over the past couple of days, I've saved up another ten thousand words. So at midnight tonight, I'll release a ten-thousand-word update, transforming into Goryō Kureha. If anyone's interested, feel free to check it out. Many thanks!!

If any readers have made it this far, you can drop a "1" for the author to show support.

I want to know how many people are still reading this book. Thanks~

Chapter 25: Taking the Initiative (1/4)

Location: Underground parking lot near Fuyuki City Gymnasium.

"Master, I'm back."

Carrying several shopping bags full of newly bought expensive clothes, the purple-haired beauty swaggered into this hideout that looked shabby from the outside. She casually grabbed a can of beer Aozaki Touko had bought a few days ago from the table, downed it in one gulp, then leaned back in her seat, gazing at the young man who was intently studying a book nearby.

"Lancer... no, I should call you Queen Scáthach. Back so soon? I thought you and Touko would be out playing for a few days before remembering that there's still a Master like me waiting here."

Rovey slowly closed the book in his hands, his gaze briefly sweeping across the surrounding area to check the results of his meticulously completed ritual array. Only after finishing his inspection did he look at the newly returned Scáthach, speaking with a calm expression.

For Scáthach to engage in such reckless behavior—despite her class being Caster, she went out gallivanting during the Holy Grail War instead of staying in the workshop to help set up defenses—would have driven any other Magus Master to fury.

But Rovey was different. He lacked the arrogant temperament of a Magus, nor did he carry the lofty airs of his teacher or Tokiomi Tohsaka. Moreover, he didn't believe his current status and power qualified him to command an extraordinary hero like Scáthach, so he had no intention of forcing her to obey his orders completely.

Nor was he entirely ignorant of Scáthach's personality.

Drawing on past memories, he had a fairly solid understanding of many famous heroes.