Shirou's Return from the Fae Kingdom

Shirou exclaimed, "So, Extra also has several sub-classes?"

The mysterious woman nodded seriously. "It's a great help that Master understands so quickly.

That's right, Extra is further divided into many types, and in my case..."

She paused briefly and said with a smile, "I'm the type who excels at hiding my true name and abilities.

If Assassin is a Servant who hides their form on a physical level, then my class is the type that hides on a magical level.

Not only from enemies, but even my own Master cannot grasp my information."

"Oh, oh!"

Shirou nodded as if he suddenly understood, saying happily, "No wonder I couldn't see Big Sis's stats at all! So that's why!"

Wow! What a kind and beautiful older sister!

Shirou happily thought: It's great that I summoned such a kind Servant--

If only she told a few less lies.

The silver-haired beauty continued, "So, like Assassin and Caster, I'm not the type to fight head-on.

To be honest, my current combat power is not something you can expect, and I apologize for that, but I hope you can understand."

Shirou quickly shook his head, "No, no, no. The strong have their ways of fighting, and the weak have theirs. War doesn't have an absolute distinction between strong and weak."

As long as the tactics are appropriate, even weak humans can defeat powerful Fae, Shirou firmly believed this.

"Master said something wonderful, hehe... Alright, then let's get to the main point."

The mysterious woman nodded with satisfaction, then cleared her throat as if putting on an act.

"Although this is my Servant characteristic, if I hide everything from Master, I don't think I can gain your trust.

You certainly wouldn't want to turn your back on a suspicious stranger, would you?"

"Well..." Shirou nodded.

"So, I will reveal my true name here."

"Oh, oh!"

Shirou sat up straight.

He hadn't forgotten that the catalyst he used in the summoning was "The Round Table."

So the woman before him must be related to the Knights of the Round Table.

Who on earth could she be? It's really hard to guess!

Although my "Fae Round Table" also has its share of stunning beauties like her, Magus-type Knights of the Round Table are truly... Ah, there actually are.

The mysterious woman said, "Does Master know Merlin, the court Magus of Camelot?"

Shirou's eyes widened, and he quickly nodded.

Anyone who knows the legend of King Arthur would know Merlin, the Flower Magus.

The court Magus of Britain, King Arthur's teacher and prophet.

He had already prophesied the battle between the red dragon and the white dragon long before King Arthur was born.

After King Arthur's birth, he was a great mentor who bestowed knowledge and the king's path upon her.

However, wasn't Merlin supposed to be male?

No, since he's a legendary sage, it's not strange even if he wanted to change his gender! Let's be generous and forgive his perverted hobbies!

Shirou's eyes sparkled, and he swallowed excitedly, "Are, are you... you wouldn't be Lord Merlin, would you?"

The mysterious woman proudly puffed out her chest, "I'm his sister."

Shirou: "..."

The female Magus placed her slender fingers on her chest and said smugly, "That's right, I am the sister of that legendary great Magus, Merlin.

You can call me Lady Avalon, a Flower Magus from Paradise... Huh! Master's gaze suddenly lost its warmth! The sparkle is gone too!

Whoa, what a blatant temperature difference! How could this happen! Master! Wake up, Master!!!"

Shirou drooped his head dejectedly, "How did I summon a random Servant..."

Volume 1, Chapter 031: Excuse Me, Can I Return This? (3/6)

The silver-haired beauty who called herself Merlin's sister—Lady Avalon—grabbed the boy's arm and shook him in a panic.

"I'm Merlin's sister, okay! I'm also a genius Magus from Paradise, not inferior to my brother at all! Be more enthusiastic, show more joy, Master!"

Shirou twitched his lips, "No... Even if you say so, Merlin is certainly powerful, but his sister...

She's just an outsider with no connection to Camelot, right?"

Lady Avalon bit her lip aggrievedly, wiping away the tears welling up in her eyes, "Guhuhuhu... I can't refute that..."

"Well, since you've been summoned, there's nothing we can do about it. We can't exactly return you."

Shirou stood up and stretched. "Let's get some rest early today and discuss countermeasures tomorrow, okay? I'll go prepare a guest room for you."

However, the female Magus remained seated, not moving. "Returning you is possible."

Shirou's heart leaped with joy: Is there such a good thing!?

The silver-haired beauty, abandoning her frivolous attitude from before, said with a serious expression, "I have a few requests for Master. If you cannot accept my conditions and reach an agreement with me—I will return to the Throne of Heroes right now."

"?"

Shirou turned back to look at Lady Avalon in surprise.

However, the silver-haired beauty was enveloped in an atmosphere completely different from the previous moment, as if asserting that she was not joking with her Master.

Shirou quietly returned to his seat.

"Go ahead."

"First, in this Holy Grail War, I will neither appear nor fight head-on."

"What does that mean?"

"Spirit form... Master should have heard of it, right?"

Shirou nodded, and Lady Avalon continued.

"That is to say, I will be in spirit form throughout the ritual, will not appear before anyone other than Master, nor will I engage in combat with enemy Servants. Of course, I won't do nothing. I will assist from the sidelines and do my best as a supporter... without revealing myself."

Shirou's mouth fell open in surprise. "Are you telling me to fight the enemy Servants?"

Even a qualified Magus who could summon a Servant, Shirou Amamiya's body was still that of a child. To have an 8-year-old child face off against heroes from myths and legends, what was Merlin's sister thinking?

"Is it because of your Class Skills?" Shirou asked.

"That's right, I'm better at covert support... but that's not the main reason."

The silver-haired beauty slyly narrowed one eye, her expression alluring as she said, "Because, Master, you are clearly more suited for the front lines than rear support."

Shirou: "..."

"Please rest assured, I will do my utmost to protect Master's safety and do everything I can."

Shirou looked directly into her eyes and asked, "Can I trust you?"

Lady Avalon nodded. "Please trust me."

Shirou said, "Understood. Let's settle it then."

Lady Avalon beamed with a beautiful smile like blooming flowers. "Alright, moving on to the second point."

Shirou frowned. "There's more?"

The female Magus's expression turned serious. "Rather, this is the main point. I demand that Master guarantee me—absolutely, do not reveal any information about me to the outside world. My true name, Class, abilities, origin, and my relationship with Brother... All of this information, do not reveal it to anyone. Can you do it?"

"If you can't, you'll return to the Throne of Heroes, right?"

Lady Avalon paused for a moment, then nodded with a resolute expression.

"Understood. I promise."

Shirou readily accepted. Compared to the first condition, the second wasn't as demanding. In fact, even if she hadn't asked, Shirou wouldn't have intended to mention it. Everyone, look at me! I announce that I, Shirou Amamiya, have summoned a roadside Servant! -- I would never want a situation like that.

Lady Avalon clapped her hands gleefully. "Wonderful, I knew you'd agree~ Then, for the time being, please take care of me, my cute little Master~"

Shirou: "Are you done?"

Lady Avalon: "Mm, I'm done."

Shirou: "If you're done, it's my turn to speak."

Lady Avalon: "Eh?"

The red-haired boy said matter-of-factly, "You can't be the only one making demands."

Lady Avalon's expression turned strange. "...Please speak."

Shirou said, "While Big Sister is in spirit form, no matter what I do, you are not to interfere."

"Of course, feel free to point out or criticize if you wish, but I will also maintain my policy of completely ignoring you and doing as I please."

"...Uh."

Lady Avalon's pink lips were half-parted. She clearly hadn't expected Shirou to say something like that.

"What, you can't accept that?" Shirou pressed.

The female Magus, who had appeared composed since her arrival, lost her footing.

"No, it's not... but, my value as a Servant lies in providing advice and suggestions to my Master..."

"When I've materialized like this, you're always welcome to communicate, but while in spirit form, I must refuse any advice from you, big sister."

Lady Avalon asked in astonishment, "If I don't agree..."

Shirou said in a nonchalant tone, "Then I'll have no choice but to ask you to return to the Throne of Heroes. Now, depart immediately."

"Mmm."

Lady Avalon's stunningly beautiful face turned ashen.

A few seconds later, she bit her lip and slowly lowered her exquisite head.

"...I agree, Master."

Upon hearing this, Shirou shook her hand with satisfaction. "Please take care of me from now on, Sister Avalon."

And so, Shirou formed a verbal agreement with the silver-haired beauty who called herself Lady Avalon.

Perhaps the most twisted Master and Servant pair in history was born.

The next morning.