Type-Moon's Problem Child from Collapse

Floating Cloud Temple · Night · Thunder and Rain

Su Mei was about to retire for the night when she heard a knock at the door. Though puzzled as to who would come knocking at this hour, she hurried over to open it—she hadn't undressed anyway.

"Senior Sister, can I sleep here?" The voice, thick with tears, came from the junior disciple brother who had joined the sect less than three years ago.

Looking at the boy drenched head to toe in rain, like a stray puppy someone had tossed by the roadside, Su Mei felt there were too many things to complain about to even know where to start.

"I can sleep on the floor, is that okay? Senior Sister." Fu Yuan, seeing Su Mei's reluctance, looked even more frightened and quickly spoke up in a weak, pleading tone.

"...Come in." Su Mei finally let him in. This was no small matter—naturally precocious, she understood the affairs of men and women better than most her age. But looking at the pitiful little junior brother before her, she relented. 'After all, he's only seven! It's fine!'

A thunderclap roared. Su Mei watched as the junior brother, who had already laid out his bedding on the floor, suddenly curled up, tears streaming down his face.

Su Mei didn't know what came over her. In a moment, she went down and scooped up the trembling little fellow, only to find him so frozen with fear that he didn't dare move a muscle.

In the end, Su Mei did something she herself could hardly believe—she held the junior brother in her arms and lay down on the bed, coaxing him like a child.

After who knows how long, seeing that Fu Yuan had fallen asleep but still shuddered with every rumble of thunder outside, Su Mei let out a quiet sigh and didn't move him back down.

"Want to go buy clothes?" Irisviel suddenly said, her tone excited for some reason.

Fu Yuan looked at the women's clothing store Irisviel was pointing at with a complicated expression. He wanted to say something but couldn't figure out who she meant to buy for.

Fortunately, Little Illya, ever understanding, asked the question Fu Yuan had in mind.

"Is it for Big Brother?"

Irisviel selectively ignored the question and tugged Fu Yuan forward excitedly. As for whether Little Illya would be upset, she'd explain later.

Fu Yuan's expression grew even more complicated, but oddly, there was no anger on his face. Instead, he suddenly recalled that miserable period when he'd lost his memory.

'Heh! It's not like I'm nostalgic!'

"Kiritsugu, the lady is out shopping. Should I call them back?" Maiya Hisau, observing the surroundings, happened to catch sight of this scene. After a moment's thought, she pressed the communicator.

"No need. Let Irisviel and the others enjoy themselves for a while." At this point, Kiritsugu didn't yet know that Irisviel's problem could be solved, so his voice was gentle upon hearing the news.

"But... they went into a women's clothing store!!"

"...!!! For whom?!!!"

"...From what I observed, it seems to be for Saber?" Maiya Hisau's tone was uncertain, but she reported what she'd seen.

"...? Oh, that's fine then." Upon hearing this, Emiya Kiritsugu fell silent for some reason. Then, remembering that Maiya was still waiting for his response, he answered with a twitching corner of his mouth.

The top was patterned with Silver Patterned Hundred Butterflies Piercing Flowers, its sleeves wider than usual, fluttering in the wind. The waist was cinched tight, and below was a long skirt (?) of pale yellow embroidered with white magnolias. Hair that usually fell to the shoulders was tied up tightly, accented by a slightly crimson hairpin.

Fu Yuan looked at the outfit on himself, silent. He wanted to complain but didn't know how.

As for whether it would affect combat—no, it wouldn't. As a Heroic Spirit, he could simply channel magical energy to change into whatever attire he wanted. Wait, something felt off.

Fu Yuan: ? 'If that's the case, why buy clothes? I can just change them myself—wouldn't that save money?'

Su Mei: 'Heh!'

Fu Yuan suddenly didn't want to talk to his senior sister anymore and hung up the phone. 'Sarcastic.'

"It looks great, A Yuan!"

"Yeah, Big Brother is very pretty!"

Irisviel was thoroughly satisfied with the masterpiece she'd spent half the day picking out, growing more pleased the more she looked. Little Illya chimed in with her own opinion.

Fu Yuan looked at Illya with a very complicated expression. They were still in the store! Whose genes made you talk so loudly?!

Enduring the stares of others looking at him like he was some kind of pervert, Fu Yuan walked out with a helpless face—though he noticed quite a few gazes gradually turning... heated.

The sky was growing dim. After the clothing incident, nothing particularly strange had happened to Fu Yuan and the others—if one ignored the Lancer standing before them, brimming with fighting spirit.

Fu Yuan felt his little face growing more complicated by the day. He'd been careful to avoid this guy, so why did they have to run into him on the way home?

A high-bridged nose, sharp brows, and a chiseled facial profile. Refined lips gave an impression of strict austerity, but the gentle, melancholic look in his eyes strongly conveyed his masculine charm. The teardrop mole beneath his left eye only made his gaze more alluring.

If one ignored the two spears in his hands, he might have been mistaken for a celebrity.

"So handsome!"

"...? This is Charm Magic. That's too much, Lancer!" Irisviel said angrily. Such magic was far too unfriendly to married women, especially with children present.

She quickly cast a few calming spells on Little Illya, who was acting a bit off. If not for being the vessel of the Lesser Grail and her innate sensitivity to magical energy, even she might have fallen for it.

"My sincerest apologies, madam. I don't wish for it either." Diarmuid admitted his fault openly, as he too disliked this curse.

"Indeed, quite rude, Radiant Visage Diarmuid." Fu Yuan, unaffected—or rather, it would be strange if he were—casually revealed the other's True Name. It cost him nothing and only added to his reputation as learned.

As for dampening the man's confidence—if this was all it took, he didn't deserve the title of Radiant Visage.

"Really, to betray the Monarch's trust the moment I appear." Diarmuid once again grew to loathe this skill of his, as it had caused a rift between him and his Monarch before.

'? Shouldn't you be praising my vast knowledge? I'm amazing—I saw through your True Name at a glance!'

"Then, Saber, Your Excellency, make your move!" Diarmuid gave Fu Yuan no time to think, instead swinging his long spear forward, its tip aimed directly at Fu Yuan.

Fu Yuan: ? Why is there no foreplay at all! This... is just so sudden.

"Truly brimming with fighting spirit." Seeing this, Fu Yuan knew the battle was unavoidable. Ah, life is hard, Fu Yuan sighed!

But Fu Yuan wasn't afraid of him, after all, his physical stats crushed him!

"Then let's fight!" With a surge of magical energy, the skirt Fu Yuan wore transformed into a pair of tight pants, and at the same time, a sword appeared in each of his hands—or rather, they were more like two long blades.

The swords were absurdly long, standing upright they seemed nearly as tall as Fu Yuan. But as Fu Yuan casually swung them a couple of times, the sharp sword aura made Diarmuid retract the hint of disdain in his eyes. Clearly, the length of the swords wouldn't affect this loli's combat ability.

Then, under Diarmuid's incredulous gaze, the Saber before him sized up the two swords in his hands and threw one of them over...

Diarmuid suddenly grew angry. What, was this contempt for him? He swung his right hand, ready to use Red Rose to knock the thrown long sword away.

But under Fu Yuan's gaze as if looking at an idiot, the impact of the Peerless Sword easily knocked Red Rose back onto Diarmuid himself.

Both had B-rank strength, but one was serious yet not going all out, while the other was putting in full effort. That such a result occurred was hardly surprising!

Diarmuid: ...

"I underestimated you, Saber. But now that you've lost one sword, how will you fight me?"

Fu Yuan seriously assumed a two-handed sword grip and replied with a slightly playful tone, "I was never a dual-wielder from the start!" (Su Mei's pair of Peerless Swords are clearly blades, just like how Fu Hua's Xuanyuan Sword turns into a pair of gauntlets when awakened. Anyway, I see them as blades.)

Diarmuid: ... 'If you're not a dual-wielder, why did you take two swords? Just to throw that one hit?! Bastard!'

Irisviel watched the scene before her with some bewilderment. How to put it... it wasn't quite what she had imagined, a bit like kids fighting.

"Hey, Irisviel, take Illya and back off a bit." Fu Yuan looked at Diarmuid, who was now completely serious, and felt a bit troubled. After all, aside from endurance and mana, his advantages weren't very obvious.

Then the battle erupted. This fight was no longer something ordinary people could participate in. The field was left with only two rapidly intersecting figures and the constantly overflowing magical energy.

Irisviel watched the street, already beginning to be ravaged, her expression grim. This was utterly beyond her ability to interfere, not even a little.

"A long-awaited battle! Saber, you are strong." Diarmuid suddenly remarked when he realized his speed was completely at a disadvantage.

Fu Yuan just looked at him with a smile, his expression somewhat strange.

Tai Xu · Crescent Moon, Tai Xu · Sky Rend

Then the long sword in his hand suddenly slashed down from an oblique angle above, followed by a clean upward flick. Two exquisite sword techniques, but in this kind of fight, they couldn't end it.

Diarmuid looked at Fu Yuan's eerie expression and, for some reason, felt a chill in his heart, so he seized the chance to retreat quickly.

'... Sword Come!' Su Mei watched this surprisingly cooperative spearman with some confusion. Was this on purpose?!

The other Peerless Sword, which had fallen not far away, seemed to be grasped by an invisible hand, rapidly thrusting toward this spot, striking Lancer right in the chest. Unfortunately, a Heroic Spirit's weak point wasn't the heart.

At least hitting the heart wouldn't be nearly as fatal as it would be for an ordinary person!

Tai Xu · Fleeting Dust, Fu Yuan advanced swiftly in perfect sync, while also feeling a bit puzzled. Could he really have seen through it? He truly hadn't noticed at all?

But looking at Diarmuid's expression of disbelief, it didn't seem fake. Was this the legendary Luck E?

Just as the Peerless Sword was about to slice across his neck, Diarmuid vanished with a whoosh. Fu Yuan wasn't surprised, after all, the chance of eliminating a Heroic Spirit on the first day was far too low.

A thunderclap exploded from the sky, and accompanied by the roar of thunder, a chariot drove in from afar. What drew attention was the burly giant standing atop it.

"My name is King of Conquerors Iskandar. I have participated in this Holy Grail War and obtained the Rider class."

Then, under Fu Yuan's own disbelieving gaze, his whole body trembled, and he transformed again.

Chapter 10: Illya: You guys are so lame!

Floating Cloud Temple · Clear Sky · (Ridiculous)

After last night's heavy rain, today was clear and cloudless. Su Mei looked at her Junior Disciple Brother, who had woken up but didn't know what to do, so he continued pretending to sleep. She inexplicably felt a bit amused.

"Junior Disciple Brother, you're so afraid of thunder. How did you get through the past few years?" Su Mei directly straightened Fu Yuan's little head. I'm not even embarrassed yet, why are you?

Fu Yuan's little face was bright red. Though he was only seven now, his past life had reached sixteen, so he understood what he needed to. (The Child of Purity understood even more deeply.)

"Junior Disciple Brother~ Still planning to pretend to sleep?" Su Mei was actually in a decent mood. After three years, the first person her Junior Disciple Brother, who finally couldn't stand the thunder, came to was her.

"Mm~ Before, Master always held me to sleep!" Fu Yuan said a bit sheepishly, since he considered himself a big kid now.

Su Mei's face stiffened. 'It's fine, it's fine. Don't get angry, don't get angry!'

"Then why didn't Junior Disciple Brother go to Master yesterday?" Su Mei felt she still had a bit of an advantage. It wasn't about like or dislike, just some inexplicable sense of competition.

"Master said I've grown up and need to learn to overcome difficulties, so he kicked me out." When Fu Yuan said this, there was some disappointment in his eyes, but he still answered in a soft tone.

Su Mei felt her expression completely freeze. She had a feeling like she'd picked up something someone else didn't want.

"Then why didn't Junior Disciple Brother go to Eldest Senior Sister?" Su Mei kept comforting herself, 'At least I'm better than Eldest Senior Sister, right?'

"I went, but Eldest Senior Sister wouldn't let me in." At this, Fu Yuan's mood grew even more dejected, his whole demeanor sinking.

"So Junior Disciple Brother came to Senior Sister, right?" Su Mei suddenly wanted to kill her past self for letting this idiot in.

"Mm."

Su Mei's expression suddenly became very calm, as she silently stared at Little Fu Yuan.

"Senior Sister, can I come again when it thunders?" Fu Yuan completely failed to notice anything wrong with his Senior Sister, instead looking at Su Mei with a face full of anticipation.

Su Mei simply stared coldly at him for a long time, until the anticipation in Junior Disciple Brother's eyes slowly faded away.

"I... I understand, Senior Sister."

"Hmph!... Fine."

"I know... What did you say, Senior Sister?!"

"Didn't hear me? Then forget it."

"Mmm~ Senior Sister is bullying me."

Watching Junior Disciple Brother leave in high spirits, Su Mei's gaze suddenly turned deep. She stood frozen for a long time, then turned and went back to her room.

"A Junior Disciple Brother who's about to break through the Tai Xu Three Essences at just seven years old!"

King of Conquerors stared at Fu Yuan, whose appearance had suddenly changed drastically. Even with his vast experience, he couldn't help but pause for a moment.

"Haha, Saber, have you decided to join my ranks?" Though it was a question, he delivered it with the certainty of a statement.

"Being too confident isn't always a good thing, Uncle King of Conquerors." Though his own age was considerable, if measured by history, calling him "Uncle" was hardly off the mark.

"More and more ignorant mongrels are crawling out! And one dares to call himself a king before me." On a roadside lamppost untouched by the battle, a flash of golden light appeared, followed by that arrogant voice.

The Golden Heroic Spirit curled his lips in extreme displeasure, casting a look of contempt at Rider.

Beside him, King of Conquerors Iskandar didn't take the taunt to heart. He just laughed heartily twice, then said to the Heroic Spirit standing on the lamppost: "Say what you will, I am still the world-renowned King of Conquerors."

Fu Yuan stood quietly in front of Irisviel and the others, watching the farce unfold among them, finding it mildly amusing.

"The only hero truly worthy of being called a king in heaven and earth is me. The rest are just mongrels." Archer declared outright, with words more insulting than any slur.

"In that case, why not state your name first? A true king shouldn't be afraid of that much, should he?"

Watching the King of Conquerors try to probe Archer's True Name, Fu Yuan couldn't help but feel a bit amused. This tactic would work perfectly against anyone else, but Archer was a madman!

And just as Fu Yuan expected.