Trade

"Cola has excessive calories. Drinking too much might make you gain weight," Li Zihan explained. "But if your physique is good enough, it won't be much of a problem."

"Interesting. Do you have anything else? If this is all, you cannot escape the crime of neglecting me." Archer remained arrogantly condescending.

"Of course it isn't just this." Li Zihan clapped his hands, and swarms of pale blue butterflies flew out. They moved in groups of ten, each group carrying a gift box and delivering them to everyone present. Even Waver received one.

"Just some small gifts, nothing worthy of mention. You may open them now or wait until you return." After everyone had received their gifts, Li Zihan recalled his familiars. "Of course, there will be a few little surprises afterward as well."

Chapter 27: Trade

"Though you are a mongrel, you are a mongrel with decent taste." After opening his gift box, Archer offered his praise. "Not bad. It suits my tastes well. You deserve a reward."

Inside were three sets of clothing in different styles: a black biker outfit decorated with white stripes, a pure white hooded sweatshirt, and a coat with a fur collar. They were the outfits from his chuuni Gil, kid Gil, and stalker Gil periods.

"This was Your Majesty's own choice. I merely happened to glimpse your glory from a corner of the future," Li Zihan said humbly. His expression was natural and his gaze sincere, without the slightest trace of falsehood.

"Clairvoyance!" Waver cried out. The ability to see a corner of the future was undoubtedly Future Sight, a form of clairvoyance.

"Clairvoyance? No wonder these things suit my tastes so well." Rider looked at the strategy games and game merchandise in his box, somewhat surprised.

Kaineth stared blankly at the wax-sealed envelope in his hand. Written on it were the words: To Lady Sola. After examining it more closely, he found a small note that read: This is the most beautiful love letter of the twentieth century. Please do not open it; deliver it directly to Lady Sola.

Kaineth quickly tucked the letter into his chest. This letter would be very useful to him. He had once asked Li Zihan to ghostwrite a love letter for him, but Li Zihan had stubbornly refused. Now, Li Zihan had voluntarily given him a love letter, one even praised as the most beautiful love letter of the twentieth century. He could already picture Sola's bashful face, flushed with shyness.

Inside was a breakup letter addressed to Lady Sola, signed by Kaineth. Having once served as Kaineth's assistant, Li Zihan's English handwriting looked extremely similar to Kaineth's, and Sola would not be able to tell the difference.

It should be a good thing for Kaineth.

Lancer's gift was a cross, a protective charm, several talismans bearing the words Taishang Ruyuling, and a few lucky four-leaf clovers. It left him thoroughly puzzled.

Waver's gift was a check and a plane ticket back to England. He was deeply moved, because Rider had already eaten the money for his ticket home.

Kiritsugu Emiya received a medicinal plaster specifically for bruises and sprains. His expression turned especially ugly.

Only Saber did not move, still holding her gift box. The struggle on her face was obvious.

"Saber, what did you get?" Rider, whose curiosity rivaled a cat's, was the first to ask.

The others then turned their gazes toward Saber's gift box. Her conflicted expression was simply too effective at provoking curiosity. Even the proud Archer was no exception. Kings also had a gossiping heart; it was simply that there were fewer matters worthy of their attention, making them seem aloof.

Inside was a lion plushie. It was fluffy and looked exceptionally girlish.

Everyone wore strange expressions, and Archer and Rider even laughed aloud.

"My apologies, I bought the wrong gift." Li Zihan stepped in to ease the situation. "The original gift should have been books and discs related to the legends of King Arthur. I thought Saber might be interested in those."

Saber hugged the lion plushie to her chest and nodded with a serious expression. "Lord Li, if possible, I would indeed like to see how later generations have judged me."

How should one put it? The girl holding a sword in one hand and a plushie in the other looked especially amusing.

"All right, Berserker's Master. Why did you summon me and the other Masters here?" Archer asked teasingly. "Making kings run about for your own selfish interests, you have as much nerve as Rider. But in consideration of your tribute, I pardon your offense."

"Then I truly thank Your Majesty for your mercy." Li Zihan sat beside the picnic cloth and stated his purpose to the humans and non-humans around him. "I came to exchange a few things."

"Because of my constitution, I know quite a bit of information that seems impressive but is utterly useless to me. However, the people of the Clock Tower either cannot offer intelligence or materials of equal value, or they are simply miserly." Li Zihan sighed. "Historical heroes should be able to afford the price, so I came here."

The magi present were all dumbfounded. What was going on, brother? Your thought process was a little peculiar! Weren't you here to pursue the omnipotent wish-granting cup?

Kiritsugu Emiya looked at Li Zihan. This guy gave a different reason every time he spoke. What exactly was his purpose?