Magic Spear and Holy Sword (Continued)

"..."

Upon hearing this, Cú Chulainn's lips twitched slightly.

Although the guy in front of him was indeed analyzing the situation with a straight face, something about it just sounded so awkward. Did he really look like a fisherman from head to toe? And what normal person would enjoy selling fish?

And what on earth is "The Old Man and the Sea and the Sea"?

In what way does he resemble an old man?

It's not so much about "The Old Man and the Sea," it's more like "Lao Tzu's Sea."

Are you provoking me?

Cú Chulainn, thinking the other party was mocking him, narrowed his eyes and exuded a dangerous aura.

"Huh? Did I say something wrong?"

Upon witnessing this scene, Richard I was slightly taken aback.

Although he did come to deliver a challenge, he absolutely had no intention of mocking the other Servants.

Judging from the servant's behavior, I must have said something wrong, perhaps touching a sore spot and angering him.

Was his real name not Santiago, and was he not a fisherman by profession?

In that case, he needs to explain quickly.

He always maintained a sense of respect for heroes, even enemies.

"That's not right at all. How could there be a fisherman like me? Besides, I'm not Santiago or any other fisherman. I'm just myself."

Cú Chulainn tapped his ear lightly with his little finger, speaking with extreme impatience.

"Then why are you selling fish here...?"

Filled with curiosity, Richard I lowered his voice, trying to sound as polite as possible, to ask Cú Chulainn, "Hasn't the Holy Grail War already begun?"

"Yes, why? Actually, I've been searching for the answer myself."

"Originally, I wanted to start a war directly, but the master who summoned me insisted that I had to repay this guy's favor and debt, so I started working odd jobs everywhere with him."

Cú Chulainn's expression turned extremely strange upon hearing this. He said with a wry smile, "Things are just as you see. Without Master's cooperation, and too lazy to participate in the Holy Grail War myself, I came here to sell fish. But even though I've hidden in such a remote place, it's amazing you still managed to find me."

"No, that was thanks to my partner."

Upon hearing Cú Chulainn's account, Richard I gave a truthful reply.

However, upon hearing this, he still harbored some doubts.

"Um... I didn't mean anything by it, I just have a question I wanted to ask you."

"You say."

Cú Chulainn raised an eyebrow.

"But... Magus really that poor as you say? Shouldn't all the Masters who can participate in the Holy Grail War be quite wealthy? Aren't they all nobles of this era? I've already investigated after I was summoned, and Magus of this era should be very rare, and they should all be nobles or upper-class people. How could such people be poor?"

This was Richard I couldn't understand.

After all, the master who summoned him was clearly a true nobleman, and it was obvious that he was very wealthy. Not to mention all the valuable items, the fact that he was given fragments of King Arthur's armor alone showed just how powerful he was.

You have to understand that this is a treasure that even he, during his reign as a king, had never obtained.

Furthermore, since it is Holy Grail War with seven people fighting each other, the other Magus who are opponents with their Masters should also be of equal status and strength.

While investigating outside, he discovered that the science of this era was very advanced, but there was no magic, though there were traces of Magecraft, and hardly anyone knew about it. This also indicated that Magecraft had become an extremely rare thing, probably only in the hands of a few people, namely the so-called nobles of this era.

However, the current situation made Richard I realize that it seemed the participants in this Holy Grail War weren't just noble Magus; there appeared to be commoner Magus as well...?

After listening to Cú Chulainn's description, he couldn't help but begin to seriously reflect on his own actions.

"Hey! You're really here to cause trouble, aren't you?"

After being repeatedly provoked by this guy's blunt words, Cú Chulainn, who was originally preparing to go back to drink, could no longer bear it. He raised his hand and summoned his scarlet magic spear. Then, his original floral shorts and shirt transformed into a blue bodysuit. He pointed it directly at Lionheart King and said fiercely.

"If you're really here to cause trouble, then let me tell you, you've succeeded!"

"Ah, no, no, I didn't mean to cause trouble."

Upon hearing this, Lionheart King shook his head repeatedly, earnestly explaining, "I'm here today only to issue a challenge."

"..."

Upon hearing Richard I's words, Cú Chulainn paused for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said:

"Aren't you just here to cause trouble?"

"Absolutely not. I am still very polite. As a king, one should have the demeanor of a king. Battles should be fair and square, and should be conducted with a sense of ceremony."

Lionheart King immediately shook his head and explained, "Since this is the Holy Grail War, we must all be heroes from different histories. So I thought I'd issue challenges to each one individually and take every battle with each hero seriously."

"You're quite the ritualist, huh..."

After Lionheart King's explanation, Cú Chulainn fell silent.

He glanced at Richard I stood before him with a dignified and upright appearance, and a sunny and cheerful demeanor, and suddenly found himself speechless.

If it were anyone else, he would definitely take such words as a trick to fool people, but this guy, he could tell at a glance, was indeed the kind of person who was very serious, an ideal hero or king, and would definitely not lie.

This guy really came here to challenge himself.

Although his blunt words were a bit irritating, they were definitely not meant to provoke or make fun of me. He was genuinely serious and even brought out his manners.

For a moment, Cú Chulainn even began to wonder if he had been too petty, actually arguing with a silly roe deer like him. He must have been really bored.

So the two of them just stared at each other, wide-eyed, for quite a while.

During this time, because he stood there blocking the way, he received complaints from other people.

Fortunately, both were handsome men with different styles and were very polite, so they weren't arrested by the city management officers. After realizing that neither of them were bad people, they went to other places to continue chatting.

First was Cú Chulainn. He felt that this blond king, whose country he didn't know, seemed a bit naive, so he took the initiative to introduce himself.

"I am Lancer, and I answered the call to come to this era to fight against all kinds of heroes. I have no regrets or wishes. What about you?"

"Ah, oh, I am Saber."

Richard I quickly understood what Cú Chulainn was saying and gave a serious self-introduction.

"I am a king, and also a knight. I have come to help my master win the Holy Grail. Of course, this is my duty, but it is also to repay my master's kindness. I will help my master win the Holy Grail and bring back the person she cares about!"

"Oh? So you wish for resurrection? That's a good wish. Hmm, I see. So, are you going to start a fight right here?"

Upon hearing this, Cú Chulainn first grinned, then revealed a smile. He then raised the Crimson Demon Spear in his hand and twirled it, clearly ready to begin the battle.

"We can't fight here."

However, upon seeing this Richard I quickly waved his hand.

Then he was told seriously that he couldn't fight there.

Although it's dark now, there are too many people around. If the two of them start fighting here, it will definitely affect other people, and it might even expose the Holy Grail War. His master had warned him not to make too much of a commotion.

Cú Chulainn was taken aback upon hearing his explanation.

His master had been working part-time and hadn't told him about this rule.

However, after thinking about it carefully, it's not a good idea to fight here. After all, this is my own stall, and if I accidentally smash it, I don't know where I'll be able to continue selling fish tomorrow.

So he sheathed his magic spear and continued to look at Richard I before him, waiting for him to speak.

After all, he came to issue a challenge, so he must have already decided where to start the battle.

Seeing Cú Chulainn stop, Lionheart King breathed a sigh of relief. He understood what Cú Chulainn meant and didn't think anything of it. At this point, it was indeed more in accordance with the rules for him to take the initiative.

So he pointed to the black sports car he had casually driven out of Reines's villa garage in the parking space, then gestured for Cú Chulainn get in, and drove him to other places.

Upon seeing this, Cú Chulainn's eyelids twitched slightly.

Because at this moment Richard I had already naturally returned to the driver's seat, and had even thoughtfully opened the passenger door for him.

This guy really does have a relaxed vibe...

Is he really an idiot?

Cú Chulainn began to ponder.

If it were the old Cú Chulainn, he felt he would have readily and casually gotten in the car if someone had offered him a ride. However, the atmosphere was a bit strange now, and he wouldn't be so outrageous as to do so.

Although he could tell this guy was a greenhorn, Cú Chulainn wouldn't let his guard down with someone he'd only met once. So he shook his head, pointed to the unfinished stall behind him, and said, "Just tell me the location. My work isn't finished yet."

"Then let me help you..."

Richard I was about to help Cú Chulainn deal with the situation, but Cú Chulainn refused, citing that they were enemies.

It was only then that Richard I realized that Cú Chulainn was concerned about this, so he apologized directly.

"I was indeed rude just now. Since you've agreed, let's meet at the Fuyuki City Bridge. Before 8 PM tonight is fine; I'll wait for you there."

He glanced at his expensive watch, then casually set a time. Richard I then opened the roof of the sports car, took out a pair of high-end black sunglasses from a storage box, and looked at Cú Chulainn.

The scene that unfolded before his eyes truly stung Cú Chulainn's heart for some reason.

The difference in treatment...

Speaking of which... are we really participating in the same Holy Grail War?

Raising his head, Cú Chulainn looked again at the black sports car that was driving away, listening to the fading roar of the engine and Richard I's calls, and he clenched his fist inwardly.

I'm not envious, I'm not envious...

Those are all just empty words; as a servant, you have to prove yourself with real ability.

I'm going to teach him a lesson later! I need to give him a good beating!

With that thought in mind, Cú Chulainn silently picked up the remaining salted fish from today's sale, then turned and left without hesitation.

--

"Hey Shirou, is your taste still as tacky as ever? Why did you choose such a shabby coffee shop?"

In a coffee shop in Fuyuki City, a young man with blue seaweed-like hair was casually stirring his coffee while propping his chin on his hand, saying something with a hint of helplessness. Meanwhile, Shirou, sitting opposite him, was constantly trying to appease the owner, whose expression had stiffened after hearing Shinji Matou's complaints about the coffee.

The white-haired girl ignored him, Karen finished her coffee, and then looked out the window with a bored expression.

"Actually, I think it's not bad. After all, this is within my budget. If it really doesn't work out, Shinji, you should go home first. I heard your cousin and your uncle came to your house, didn't they?"

Faced with his friend's complaints, Shirou, being the nice guy he is, could only apologize on his behalf while trying to calm him down, afraid that Shinji Matou might say something wrong and make the atmosphere tense, since he had a mission tonight.

However, compared to the easygoing Shirou, Karen was much more straightforward. She glanced at Shinji Matou and then said in a sinister tone, "Hurry up and get lost after you finish drinking, you annoying seaweed head. Don't delay our mission. Besides, you were the one who came here on your own initiative, weren't you?"

"None of your business! You crazy woman!"

Upon hearing this, Shinji Matou also stood up abruptly and confronted Karen head-on without backing down. Shirou to the side, obviously had expected this to happen and could only smile wryly as he tried to mediate between the two. Clearly, this was not an isolated incident; the two of them would act like this whenever they had a conflict.

Karen and I belong to a different circle than the Executor and nuns. Shinji Matou, being a descendant of Magus, also belongs to this circle, but due to his lack of talent and the fact that his father did not inherit that circle, Shinji Matou only knows about it but has never actually entered it. Therefore, Karen often teases him seriously and finds him somewhat of a hindrance.

However, the main reason was that he knew how terrifying and dangerous this circle was, and he didn't want Shinji Matou, an ordinary person, to get involved and get hurt.

Judging from their posture, they've already formed a proper trio. Of course, if Shinji Matou were a girl, then what she just said would have been a complete tsundere, but unfortunately, that's not the case.

Although he had always been at odds with Karen, Shinji Matou racked his brains to think of ways to stay as long as possible because of his relationship with Shirou. To be honest, he was genuinely afraid of his Uncle Kariya and that purple-haired girl who appeared out of nowhere; they were clearly from the same circle as Shirou and Karen.

"Fine, I won't argue with you. Trying out a down-to-earth coffee shop once in a while is a good option, and since you recommended it so highly, I'll..."

"No, actually I don't really care. I just picked this one randomly."

Just as Shirou was about to explain, he heard Shinji Matou's voice.

"Shut up!"

Shirou stared blankly at Shinji, who had suddenly become angry for no apparent reason. Although he had known Shinji for a long time, sometimes he really couldn't understand what was going on in Shinji's head. Were all rich people like him this strange?

Although Shirou was lost in thought, it didn't distract him from his contemplation; he was still seriously considering how to fulfill his duties as Overseer. The chaotic battle Servant at the Seaside Park earlier that day had left a deep impression on him, causing him to question his own abilities. Could he truly help his master protect this city?

However, just as he was lost in thought, a young man he had seen before walked over at that moment. When they saw Rovey, Shirou and Karen couldn't help but look somewhat surprised.

"You are... a friend of my father/master!"

The two of them stood up simultaneously, while Shinji Matou on the other side immediately looked at Rovey. Not only Shirou and Karen, but he had also seen Rovey at school, and the other party had said that he was an acquaintance of his uncle.

"It's me. What a coincidence! I never expected to run into you here."

Upon seeing these three little ones, Rovey had an indescribable feeling.

He was especially surprised when he saw Shinji Matou seemed perfectly normal on the surface. It seemed the butterfly effect of the changed World Line had pulled him back on track. Speaking of which, many people initially thought Shinji was jealous of Sakura, but with the completion of the Kinoko Nasu's storyline and the release of the Heaven's Feel Film, everyone was astonished to find that they had all misunderstood Shinji. After all, with that Old Worm pulling the strings, it was impossible for him not to go astray.

Now, Shinji Matou stood up for Shirou once again. In his view, although the person in front of him should indeed know Kirei Kotomine Matou Kariya, he exuded a mysterious and dangerous aura. He knew from the Matou Family's notes how monstrous the creatures were. He would never be foolish enough to trust Magus of someone else's connection, nor would he allow his friend to be used.