As a Ninja, All I Want Is to Live Off Others in Type-Moon

98. The Director Wants to Fight in the Holy Grail War

"Next time, for sure."

Higashino Kanade made the promise with a serious expression, while noticing that Theresa behind Olga Marie had gone a little dark-faced, apparently furious that he was deliberately sweet-talking Olga Marie.

"Marie, we should go."

Seeing that Olga Marie was about to be completely talked around, Theresa hurriedly reminded her and tried to take her away.

"But... never mind. Let's go."

Olga Marie still wanted to speak with Higashino Kanade, someone who valued her, but after hesitating, she ultimately followed Theresa's advice.

"Wait, I have a question." Higashino Kanade stopped them.

"What is it?" Olga Marie looked at him in confusion.

"What are you doing on the Mystic Eyes Collection Train? Aren't people from the Astronomy Department only interested in the stars in the sky?" Higashino Kanade asked curiously. He had also been surprised to run into Olga Marie here.

Olga Marie did not answer immediately. Instead, she looked to Theresa for help.

Theresa's expression turned unpleasant as she rebuked her, "Marie, make this decision yourself!"

Olga Marie shrank her neck in fright, clutching her small hands together anxiously. After hesitating for a long time, she seemed to make an enormous decision. With the expression of someone going all out, she said to Higashino Kanade, "It's fine if I tell you. I heard that a precious Rainbow-level Mystic Eye will be auctioned on this train, and I plan to buy it to prepare for the Holy Grail War!"

"The Holy Grail War???"

Higashino Kanade nearly laughed out loud. With Olga Marie's ability, wouldn't she just get utterly crushed in the Holy Grail War? Even Director Keneith, a Lord, had suffered such a miserable defeat. Why was she going there to throw her life away?

Unless Olga Marie stole Solomon's Holy Relic from her father, she basically had no chance of winning.

"Young Lady, why do you want to participate in the Holy Grail War? As far as I know, the Holy Grail War is merely a medium-scale magecraft ritual held in some remote, impoverished corner of the Far East. As the Daughter of the Lord, why are you going there?" Higashino Kanade asked, struggling to suppress his laughter.

"Hmph! That has nothing to do with you, does it?" Olga Marie caught the mockery in Higashino Kanade's words. She pouted unhappily, like a little kitten with its fur standing on end.

"Although I don't know your reasons, I advise you not to go. The Holy Grail in Fuyuki City is already broken. It can't grant wishes." Higashino Kanade gave her a well-meaning warning, then leisurely walked away before she could respond.

"I already know that! Don't underestimate me!" Olga Marie stomped hard on the floor to vent her dissatisfaction.

"Marie, let's go. Don't let him affect you." Theresa gently stroked Olga Marie's long hair and comforted her. "Maybe he was just trying to scare you. He's Lord El-Melloi II's disciple, and everyone in the Clock Tower knows Lord El-Melloi II intends to participate in this Holy Grail War. He probably said that because he wanted one less competitor."

"But Theresa, Father did say that the Greater Grail in Fuyuki City was already broken."

A trace of sorrow appeared on Olga Marie's beautiful face. However, she soon shook her head and encouraged herself. "But it's fine. As long as I win the Holy Grail War, I can prove my worth to Father. Having my wish granted isn't important to me."

"Marie, you will win."

Theresa looked at Olga Marie with some heartache, mixed with a faint guilt that was difficult to detect.

Ever since Olga Marie lost to Higashino Kanade last time, the entire Clock Tower had been spreading jokes about her. In addition, no one knew what Olga Marie had seen in the illusion magecraft, but she had become increasingly eager for quick success, as though someone were whipping her from behind. She could not wait to prove herself.

After news of Olga Marie's defeat by Higashino Kanade reached Lord Animusphere, Lord Animusphere merely replied indifferently, "I know." There was neither punishment nor comfort, further confirming the fact that the Lord had abandoned his daughter.

To investigate why Lord Animusphere had abandoned Olga Marie, Theresa conducted a private investigation. Through her Future Sight Mystic Eyes, she saw that she would obtain a clue aboard this train.

Thus, Theresa used Olga Marie's desire to win and came aboard this train under the pretext of auctioning Mystic Eyes, intending to investigate in secret.

"Right! I forgot to ask that Uchiha Kanade why he came back to the train! I gave away my information for nothing!" Olga Marie regretfully rubbed her smooth silver hair, angry at herself for being so immature.

"Ask him next time you see him. It's obvious that he cares about you. He should tell you something so minor." Theresa revealed a meaningful smile.

Olga Marie's little face flushed red. She raised her eyebrows and stammered in panic, "H-He doesn't care about me at all! He's just a pervert! He only likes how I look in red stockings!"

"If that were really the case, he wouldn't have deliberately spared your dignity." Theresa tapped Olga Marie on the head, then urged, "Stop overthinking it. Hurry back to your room and set up a defensive barrier. Although the Mystic Eyes Collection Train has rules forbidding Magi from fighting inside the carriages, you can never be too cautious. Have you forgotten all the assassination attempts you experienced growing up?"

"...Yes." Olga Marie lowered her head in grievance, then returned to her room with Theresa.

Higashino Kanade's room was next to Waver's. It was a single suite.

Since Higashino Kanade knew very little about magecraft, he had no way to set up a barrier in his room. He simply grabbed his bedding and planned to sleep on the floor in Waver's room, which would also let him protect Waver.

Waver's room was a double room with two large beds. When Higashino Kanade arrived, Waver was directing Caules in setting up a magecraft barrier around the room, while Grea helped out.

When he saw Higashino Kanade arrive with bedding in his arms, Waver froze in surprise before asking, "Are you planning to sleep with us?"

"Yeah. It'll be easier to protect you." Higashino Kanade tossed the bedding onto the clean floor and looked at Grea. "Are you staying in the same room as Waver?"

"Ah! No, I'm staying by myself next door." Grea pulled her hood lower, not wanting anyone to see her flushed face.

"Caules and I are staying together. It's great news that you can come stay with us." Waver let out a long breath. He had originally been worried about his own safety, but with Higashino Kanade here, everything was secure.

"Caules, please take care of me over the next few days. Let's protect Master Waver together."

Higashino Kanade smiled and extended his hand toward Caules. The Sharingan flashed briefly in his eyes.

"Please don't think too highly of me. When it comes to combat strength, we'll still have to rely on Uchiha. It would already be good enough if I don't hold you back." Caules modestly lowered his head and shook Higashino Kanade's hand in friendship.

At that moment, the train's broadcast suddenly sounded.

"Attention, passengers. There is still some time before the Mystic Eyes Collection Train departs. Please proceed to the reception carriage and take your seats. The conductor has an announcement to make."

99. Grea Was Not in Good Condition

After listening to the announcement, Waver was the first to suggest, "Let's go take a look. The thief who stole my Holy Relic should be a passenger on this train. We might obtain some useful information."

No one objected, so they headed to the reception carriage together.

By the time Higashino Kanade's group arrived at the reception carriage, the spacious train car was already filled with many nobles and dignitaries, along with quite a few familiar faces.

As Higashino Kanade's group passed them, many people who saw Higashino Kanade began whispering among themselves after he had gone by.

"I heard this auction is selling a Jewel-level, perhaps even Rainbow-level, Mystic Eye. Do you think it could be the one being sold by that mercenary named Uchiha?"

"I think it's very possible. Otherwise, why would he be on this train?"

"According to the report written by Lord El-Melloi II, those Mystic Eyes called Sharingan are multifunctional composite eyes, at least Jewel-level in quality."

"If they're really being auctioned, I wonder if three hundred million will be enough to get them."

"You think three hundred million is enough to buy Rainbow-level Mystic Eyes? Give me five hundred million, and I'll sell them to you."

After hearing the gossip, Grea walked over to Higashino Kanade and carefully tugged on his sleeve. "Junior disciple, protect yourself. The way those people are looking at you is terrifying."

Although Grea looked somewhat slow-witted, she had a sensitive heart. She had already noticed many ill-intentioned gazes directed at Higashino Kanade. Some even carried blatant killing intent.

"It's fine. I'm strong. They only dare talk about it." Higashino Kanade casually reassured Grea, though his vigilance had already been raised to the maximum.

This time, he had not sent a Shadow Clone out to act in his place. Including Love's Sapphire, he only had two lives. Although Magi were not especially strong in battle, their methods were vicious. He had to remain on guard.

As he spoke, Higashino Kanade glanced at the bracelet Luvia had given him. The pure white bracelet emitted a faint glow, blocking one curse after another aimed at him.

Higashino Kanade had always used a false name since arriving in this world, and he cleaned up anything that fell off his body. That had eliminated the vast majority of curses at their source. The few curses that slipped through were blocked by the magecraft item Luvia had given him.

Waver found a table surrounded by four stools and sat down. Before anyone else could take a seat, a beautiful figure swiftly sat opposite Waver. It was Adashino Riri from the Department of Law and Politics.

Waver's expression immediately turned ugly. He truly did not want to deal with a woman as venomous as a snake and scorpion.

At the same time, the door to the hall opened, and a beautiful young girl wearing a white Gothic dress and sporting pink twin-tails walked in.

Upon seeing Waver, the girl excitedly jogged over and happily greeted him, "What a coincidence, Professor Waver. To think I'd meet you here. Is this a fated encounter?"

This girl was none other than the Yvette who gave Waver endless headaches.

Waver's expression became even uglier. Covering his faintly aching stomach with one hand, he asked, "Why are you here?"

"My family specializes in Mystic Eyes and has worked with the Mystic Eyes Collection Train for years. I come to places like this every year. Ta-da!" Yvette struck a cute pose, then looked at the standing Caules. "Why are you back here? Are you trying to be the professor's lackey? I don't mind BL, but can the professor handle group play?"

"Wow, what a cute girl." Adashino Riri smiled and praised her, then asked curiously, "Are you that beautiful young lady who aspires to become Lord El-Melloi II's mistress?"

"That's right, it's me! I'm already prepared to fall in love with Professor!" Yvette spoke those heart-pounding words with boundless energy, as though she had no idea what shame was.

"I'm not the professor's lackey, although I was the one who asked him to bring me." Caules seemed unaccustomed to dealing with a girl like Yvette, and there was some reluctance in his voice.

He really can act! Higashino Kanade was speechless.

Having learned of Hartless's plan, Higashino Kanade had long known that this Caules before him was actually Hartless in disguise.

The two conspirators were chatting so calmly in front of the victim. Higashino Kanade truly felt sorry for Waver, who was still completely in the dark.

Just then, the hall doors opened again, and an elderly man entered. He wore a Black Cassock, had dark, resolute skin, and a cross hanging below his neck.

In the next instant, countless hostile gazes fell upon him. He was like a lamb that had wandered into a pack of wolves.

The reason was simple. This old man was from the Holy Church.

Although the old man was around seventy, he was physically strong and stood ramrod straight. At a glance, it was obvious that he was a battle-hardened warrior.

The old man noticed the hostile looks around him. He opened his mouth awkwardly, then finally took out an invitation and said, "I was invited as well. I bear no hostility toward any of you. I only wish to attend the auction."

The old man's tone was full of helplessness. After hearing his explanation, the Magi present more or less restrained their murderous gazes, though they remained hostile toward him.

The old man sighed softly and found an isolated, empty corner to sit in.

Finally, after Olga Marie took her seat with her secretary, the people in charge of the Mystic Eyes Collection Train entered the hall as well.

The train's managers were a man and a woman. The man wore a conductor's uniform and stood silently behind the woman. The woman had fashionable medium-length hair, while most of her beautiful face was covered by a metal eyepatch.

Although her eyes were covered, the woman still seemed able to see everything around her.

After counting the passengers, the woman clapped her hands and said, "The auction will be held three days from now. This auction will feature a Jewel-level, perhaps even Rainbow-level, Mystic Eye as its final item. Please make your preparations. Now, the train departs!"

With a faint tremor, the Mystic Eyes Collection Train officially started. After rapidly accelerating, it left the station and traveled through the outskirts of London along the path of the Ley Line.

"Ugh—"

Grea suddenly covered her mouth, and her face turned pale.

Hearing the sound, Higashino Kanade supported her shoulder and asked, "What's wrong? Are you sick?"

"N-No... I'm just... motion sick..."

Grea looked completely dizzy, and her eyes gradually lost their strength.

Higashino Kanade's heart sank. He had never expected Grea to have a problem at such a time, much less for a reason as unexpected as motion sickness.

"Drink more hot water, get plenty of rest, and recover properly. We might not manage the coming battle without you." Higashino Kanade comforted her with a grave expression.

Ever since obtaining the Curse Mark of Heaven, Higashino Kanade had rarely lacked confidence in his own strength. With the boost from senjutsu, he had already surpassed his peak in his previous life.

Yet the upcoming battle against Servants left him uncertain.

Higashino Kanade had never fought a Servant before, but he knew how powerful they were. Even the weakest Servant was not something an ordinary Magus could defeat.

There were only a few cheats in the Nasuverse who had defeated Servants as humans. Higashino Kanade did not know whether he counted as a cheat, but he felt that even if he went all out, he would at best be evenly matched against a weak Servant. When the time came, Grea's power would be indispensable.

But Grea was actually in poor condition now. It was truly a headache.

100. The True Ancestor Who Took the Blame

The night passed without incident.

Early the next morning, Waver yawned beneath the covers.

It was already time for breakfast, but due to his long-term overtime lifestyle, Waver still could not resist the urge to sleep in, even though Grea had already called him three times.

Suddenly, an enticing aroma drifted beneath the covers, and Waver's stomach began to growl.

The exhausted Waver poked his head out from beneath the covers. His drowsiness had faded considerably by now. He really was hungry.

The person standing beside his bed with food in hand was not his disciple Grea, but the energetic Higashino Kanade.

"Am I dreaming?" Waver rubbed his sleepy eyes.

In Waver's impression, Higashino Kanade was very similar to him in certain ways. At times, he showed the same exhausted eyes, as though he had experienced a life of grueling overtime work. Sleeping in was practically basic behavior for Higashino Kanade.

But why did Higashino Kanade, who should have been sleeping in just like him, look as though he had gotten up early today? And judging by the situation, he had already eaten breakfast and even brought Waver a meal.

"What kind of look is that? Don't underestimate me, old man." Higashino Kanade rolled his eyes and placed the breakfast on the table beside Waver's bed.

Seeing that his thoughts had been exposed, Waver coughed awkwardly and clasped his hands in apology. "Sorry. I thought you would be as lazy about getting up as I am."

"I'm a ninja... mercenary. I have professional integrity too. It's fine to indulge myself a little normally, but when carrying out a mission, I stay fully alert." Higashino Kanade answered calmly.