Two Servants

Although Reines felt it was a bit rudimentary, she wasn't a pampered girl, so she naturally didn't complain. Gray and Sakura also had no other thoughts.

So the three of them quietly arrived here without attracting anyone's attention, chose their rooms, and began to prepare.

"Master, do you need my help?"

Just as Reines was controlling her Mercury Maid to start moving the luggage, a voice suddenly rang out beside her.

She turned her head and saw a silver-armored knight with tousled golden hair standing there.

"Saber, didn't I tell you to go on guard? Why are you back?"

"Reines asked."

"Master, I went to keep watch, but that old man took on all the work by himself, so there was no point in me bringing him along, and I came back first."

The blond knight said with a helpless expression.

She was initially quite pleased when Reines summoned her, and was preparing to unleash her power and demonstrate her strength as Saber.

The other Assassin he summoned was arguably more like Saber than him. The skull greatsword and the aura of death emanating from him made him feel as if he were witnessing mountains of corpses and seas of blood. Moreover, as a Saber and a knight, he actually felt a sense of defeat emanating from that Assassin. Although they had never fought, he had a feeling that he would surely die if he were to fight him.

Thinking about it carefully, this was really a loss of composure...

While there were indeed many Servant stronger than himself, like his idol King Arthur, this was the first one who made it impossible for him to have any hope of victory at first glance. However, his only consolation was that this person was not his enemy, but an ally, although he didn't think the other person needed his help in any way.

"Alright, then it's up to you, Saber."

Upon hearing the golden-haired knight's response, Reines stopped insisting and handed the work over to him.

The golden-haired knight was pleased to learn that he still had something to do.

"Locksley Robin Hood, this is a rare opportunity! Everyone, come and help out!"

He shouldered a suitcase, and then called out to his most trusted companion.

However, when a green shadow was summoned from his body, it was clearly visible to the naked eye that the special Servant named Robin Hood looked utterly helpless.

Those eyes seemed to be saying...

"You summoned me, a legendary scout, just for this?"

Chapter 379 Two Servant

Reines El-Melloi Archizolti considered herself a Magus had transcended vulgarity.

She was born into a prominent London aristocratic family, a collateral branch of the Archibald family. Like every girl born into a prominent family, her fate was arranged by the entire family from birth.

She grows up smoothly, then becomes a tool for marriage alliances between collateral families, eventually marrying into other Mage Families to serve as their mother, nurturing offspring with better aptitude, and then just drifts through her life in a daze.

Although she was born into a collateral branch of a prestigious family and could be considered a natural-born aristocrat, for Magus, bloodline and talent are equally important. Despite her considerable talent, she could have had a better future, but unfortunately, this era has never lacked true geniuses.

Kenneth of the new Archibald main family unsurprisingly ascended to the rank of Sovereign, becoming Lord with the potential to reach the Grand Rank in the future. He also took on his only direct disciple, El-Melloi. The Archibald lineage had already been decided; no matter how talented she was, her branch of the family was destined to have no place within the clan.

The legacy of Magic Crest.

The allocation of resources was already predetermined.

No one thought she could surpass these geniuses.

And that is indeed the case.

Reines initially felt a little resentful of her fate, thinking she had just arrived a bit late and might still have a chance. After all, she was a genius, and perhaps if she just showed a little more skill, things wouldn't be so bad.

But the closer one gets to geniuses, the more one understands the gap between oneself and them.

Kenneth created the Moon Spirit Core, succeeded as the head of the family, became Lord, and advanced to the rank of Color-Rank Magus, thus transforming himself into a rising star of Aristocratic Faction.

A year later, his student became a direct disciple, the designated successor of the El-Melloi Faction, advanced to the Festival Rank, and was recognized by Yulifis, the Lord the Spiritual Evocation Department, who declared that he would also have the opportunity to advance to the Grand Rank in the future.

With two such figures looming over her, Reines was utterly devastated, and her parents no longer held any expectations for Reines.

This arrangement laid the foundation for El-Melloi's future prosperity, making a genius like Reines seem almost superfluous. Therefore, they ceased her education to prevent Reines from taking too much of the El-Melloi Faction's knowledge with her when she married into another family.

Their actions could be said to have sealed Reines' fate.

Even Reines herself knew that she could no longer specialize in Magecraft after that; all she could learn were the basics. After all, she had already been utterly defeated before the competition even began.

Although it was extremely painful and I was very unwilling, that was the truth. There was no mercy in the world of Magus; everyone was an extreme realist, and there was no room for kinship.

She understood her fate, guessed everything, and was prepared to grow up aimlessly and then be sent out for a political marriage.

I am nothing more than a canary in a gilded cage.

A canary imprisoned in a cage can only please everyone by following predetermined rules.

But...

Just when she gave up hope, or rather, stopped resisting, fate played another trick on her, or perhaps gave her a true redemption.

Kenneth's student suddenly disappeared a few months ago, even missing his advancement ceremony, which caused a great commotion at the Clock Tower.

Although Kenneth had suppressed her, Reines still found something strange.

However, although Reines felt a little regretful for not being able to see the legendary genius, the one who had defeated her so thoroughly, life had to go on.

After all, the other party is a successor, destined to inherit Kenneth's position in the future, and is the inevitable pinnacle of the Magecraft world. He himself is just a loser, and even if he sees it, it won't change anything. Moreover, there will be no further interaction between them.

Until one day, in Fuyuki City, a remote city in the Far East, a great upheaval occurred.

Kenneth dialed the number for the division of the family property.

He also stated that he wants to adopt a child, who must be a girl and have decent talent, and that he has big plans for her future.

This phone call left the family members who had separated from the main branch somewhat puzzled, wondering what Kenneth was up to.

But he is, after all, the head of the family and the Lord, so it's best to obediently comply. As for the so-called branch family girl he mentioned, who also needs to have good talent, this naturally includes Reines.

That day, the person in charge of the branch family told the girls about this matter, and this matter was undoubtedly an opportunity for them.

This was especially true for Reines.

Although she didn't know what use Kenneth would have for a girl like this, going to the main house and living with Kenneth would definitely be better than staying in the separate household. This might be her chance to escape her fate.

On that day, Reines passed all the tests with utmost seriousness, standing out among the girls from the branch families and being sent to the main family.

That was the beginning of everything, and the turning point in her destiny.

When Kenneth first met Reines, although he felt she was a bit too young, he was quite satisfied with her talent and appearance. He didn't hide anything and directly expressed his idea of arranging a marriage for Reines.

Although Reines was surprised, she accepted it with a wry smile.

After all, she had anticipated that Kenneth would use her to achieve a certain goal before she came, and although this goal was somewhat unexpected, it was not entirely unsurprising.

It seems I can't escape this fate no matter where I go...

This was the destined fate of the girl who had separated from the family.

However, this marriage is different. This marriage is not a simple sacrifice for a political alliance, but a marriage to strengthen a close relationship.

Perhaps feeling a pang of conscience, or perhaps believing he owed her something and wanted to make amends, Kenneth granted Reines the position of head of the household and considered himself her uncle and elder, thus securing Reines a high status.

This touched Reines deeply.

Furthermore, this marriage was not a transaction between families, but between individuals. Kenneth genuinely wanted to arrange everything for the two of them as best he could. Naturally, the person he chose was Rovey, whom he regarded as his own son, or rather, his own younger brother.

In Kenneth's view, this was neither unfair to Reines nor to Rovey. After all, this way, they could truly be together, allowing Rovey to more naturally take over his school of thought and paving the way for Rovey future. It was the best possible outcome.

So after learning the whole truth, Reines accepted it calmly and even held expectations for the person Kenneth admired, and had more hope for the future she had initially given up hope for.

Compared to other families, and Magus whose personalities are unknown and whom they have never met, Kenneth's choice is definitely better.

If someone like me could marry such a genius and give birth to a true Magecraft miracle, perhaps it wouldn't be such a bad thing.

Despite convincing herself of this, she didn't realize until their first meeting that this was indeed her salvation.

From their first meeting, Reines immediately recognized that this Magus was unlike any she had ever seen. This disciple of Kenneth was a true genius, far more than just an ordinary Magus. He possessed magical powers, and his very existence made him an anomaly among Magus.

Despite possessing absolute talent, he is not arrogant. Even when facing Kenneth's obvious attempt to force a sale upon their first meeting, he treats himself with genuine kindness. He doesn't see himself as an object or a burden, but rather as family, caring for him like an older brother.

Anything he can give, the other party will give within his capabilities, even precious Magecraft.

This was a kind of most sincere kindness from the human heart that Reines had never experienced before in her life.

That day also solidified Reines's belief in him; she held his hand tightly and decided never to let go.

As it turned out, her choice was correct.

The time spent with him was the happiest time of Reines' life, whether it was living together or learning Magecraft. It was also the first time that this canary experienced what freedom was and what it meant to live for herself.

Although Rovey didn't see her as his fiancée, but rather as a joke and a Kenneth sister, Reines would never give up easily.

For her, that was the first ray of light in her life, and she had to hold on to it no matter what. Even though she couldn't catch up with it at her own pace, she would still try her best to chase after it, no matter how long it took.

I must stay by my brother's side and exist as his confidant.

But one day, that beam of light suddenly disappeared, and this became a knot in Reines' heart that she could never let go of.

During this time, she visited people repeatedly and inquired with others, all in an effort to find out where the light had gone.

Despite Aiwass and Kenneth's repeated assurances that Rovey was alright, just temporarily unable to return and unsure when, this response clearly failed to satisfy her.

So from then on, she relentlessly searched for traces of Rovey, carefully exploring every place he had been before he left.

Finally, while she continued her search...

Two annoying women sent word that they had a solution.

And then came an invitation, which detailed the new Holy Grail War.

Although the memory of Aozaki Touko and Sajyou Manaka, those two annoying girls who were fighting with her for her brother, still annoyed Reines, she had been at odds with those two for so many years because of them.

Especially Aozaki Touko, who always mocks herself for not understanding what love is at such a young age. She probably doesn't even understand the difference between longing and liking.

Despite her constant mockery, Reines was absolutely certain and never wavered in her heart. She knew very well that whatever her feelings were, they would eventually turn into love. After all, companionship and devotion are the deepest confessions, aren't they?

Although she didn't get along with them, Reines had to admit that those two were too outrageous, each one more outrageous than the last. There was probably no one in the entire modern world who could compare to them, and their feelings for each other would never be inferior to hers. Putting aside that infatuated girl, Sajyou Manaka, who appeared out of nowhere, she could see through Aozaki Touko's feelings.

So Reines had no doubts, came here, and chose to believe in them and participate in this Holy Grail War.

Even though these two guys might be setting a trap for her, she wouldn't miss any opportunity to find that ray of light again.

This time, she was determined to try, no matter what.

Fortunately, thanks to Kenneth's experience from the previous Holy Grail War, Reines avoided many pitfalls this time.

She found the most powerful Sacred Relic and summoned a Servant of the highest class—Saber, Richard I the Lionheart King.

Despite having summoned such Servant, Reines was still somewhat taken aback.

Wasn't the Sacred Relic she used a fragment of armor unearthed from King Arthur's tomb? Logically, shouldn't she have summoned King Arthur no matter what? Why did it end up being Lionheart King?

Could it be that the Sacred Relic was used?

Despite some doubts, the appearance of the Lionheart King may not necessarily be a bad thing; at least his strength seems as reliable as the legends suggest.

However, according to the other party's explanation, "I don't know how I was summoned... What? You're using fragments of King Arthur's armor? The armor my idol wore! Can you give it to me, Master? Please! I'll do anything!"

Upon hearing this answer, although Lionheart King didn't understand why he had been summoned, Reines seemed to know. No one expected that the famous Lionheart King was actually a devoted fan of King Arthur. This was truly surprising.

Reines briefly recalled her Servant, and although he differed greatly from the Servant King Arthur she remembered, she wasn't upset about it.

Lionheart King is.

Like King Arthur, they were both kings, and in some ways, the Crusaders are far more famous than the chaos in Britannia; they might even be more renowned than King Arthur.

That was all she could tell herself.

This Lionheart King was nothing like a king; he was more like a sunny and cheerful knight. After receiving the armor fragments from her, he kept playing with them in his hands and later even made them into his own pendant, which he wore around his neck, looking rather strange.

However, the other party was very obedient, extremely obedient. Because he had given her a gift, the Lionheart King insisted on repaying the favor, so he cooperated with her very well. Not only would he always complete her orders, but he would also take the initiative to handle even the smallest tasks.

This already seems to be an extremely good Servant.

Only--

"Clang!!"

Suddenly, a breaking sound came from downstairs, and Reines's eyes twitched.

Although he's obedient, has good taste, and is easy to get along with, this guy is just too lively. In the past few days alone, because of his clumsiness, he's broken quite a few bottles and jars around her.

He'd only been moving luggage for a short while, and now he'd broken something else?

Reines didn't want to think about it, and she couldn't be bothered to think about it.

So she simply held her forehead and sighed.

It's alright, as long as we can focus on the Holy Grail War, that's all that matters.