The voice of the Master behind him actually gave Lancer a sense of reassurance!
"Looks like I've been underestimated." There was something unusual in Lancer's Master's tone.
"Sorry, I've never looked at you with any respect." Medea said it with utmost sincerity.
Medea was telling the truth. In a battle between Servants, a Master's greatest contribution was little more than providing support.
"Heh... To be underestimated in Magecraft—now that's something new."
Lancer's Master mocked himself, but what he did next left everyone astonished.
"Lancer, bring me Caster's head!"
Everyone present was stunned by Lancer's Master's declaration. Even Lancer hesitated.
"My lord?"
"I'll leave the charge to you. I'll handle the Magecraft." Looking up at the magic circle in the air, Lancer's Master wore a complicated expression. His eyes burned with the feverish excitement of a hunter who had found his prey, along with absolute confidence in himself!
The one thing missing was fear of the threat—
He would stake the name of one of the Twelve Lords of the Clock Tower on this!
"Lancer, don't betray my trust this time!"
"I, Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, stake the honor of being the Fianna's foremost warrior! I will surely bring Caster's head to you! So please, my lord, take care of yourself!"
There was no hesitation left in Lancer's eyes. His Master's confidence had inspired him! His face was once again alight with spirit as he pointed his spear at Medea.
"Caster, prepare to die!"
The tide had turned once again—
Medea had assumed Lancer's Master was the sort to fear death and avoid trouble. That was why she had taken the desperate risk of threatening him, hoping to save herself.
But she had never imagined that this nobody, whom she had thought a coward, would have such nerve! His sudden outburst had changed the course of the entire battle!
This was bad—
Medea gritted her teeth. Though her expression remained as calm as still water, panic had already begun to rise within her.
At this distance, there was no way Medea could get away with Wang Xiaoming.
Was she really going to leave Wang Xiaoming behind?
She couldn't accept it—
She really couldn't accept it—
As Lancer drew closer, Medea finally made up her mind!
Just then, she suddenly felt a light weight on her shoulder, and then—
"Caster, can I handle this?"
Chapter 23: I'm Just a Passing...
"Caster, can I handle this?"
A hand rested on Medea's shoulder and gently patted it.
Medea turned around.
It was Wang Xiaoming—
Wang Xiaoming, who should have been lying behind her, had come to her side.
Since he was shorter, Medea had to look up slightly to see him. His face was shadowed by the moonlight, but his eyes shone with startling brightness.
"Are you feeling better?"
Medea asked without thinking.
"Don't worry! I'm hale and hear—uh... hearty."
Wang Xiaoming struck a bodybuilder's pose, but apparently pulled at an injury—
Seeing him grimace comically, Medea couldn't help smiling. The gloom that had settled over her heart lifted a little. But joking around wouldn't solve their predicament, so Medea quietly asked Wang Xiaoming:
"Are you sure you can do it?"
"With things like this, whether I'm sure or not, I have to try."
Wang Xiaoming answered helplessly.
"..."
Medea didn't press him further. She stepped aside and made way.
Watching Wang Xiaoming limp off, Medea pursed her lips and thought:
If you make it back safely, I'll be a little nicer to you.
"Sorry, my Caster has caused you trouble."
Wang Xiaoming walked to the center of the battlefield and addressed Lancer, who was waiting there.
"No matter. But Caster insulted my lord, and I must see that she receives the proper punishment."
Lancer looked at Wang Xiaoming with a stern expression.
It had to be said that Lancer was quite the knight. He hadn't rashly interrupted Wang Xiaoming and Medea while they were talking earlier. With his noble character and one of the three Knight classes, he could be called a perfect Servant.
Unfortunately—
Wang Xiaoming raised his head and asked Lancer, "May I speak with your Master?"
"I'm afraid not."
Lancer refused outright. He still regretted having allowed his Master to be put in danger earlier. Even if the man before him seemed utterly harmless, Caster—the vixen—was right behind him. He couldn't let his guard down.
Wang Xiaoming shook his head at Lancer's inflexibility. Then he called toward where Lancer's Master was:
"My side would like to propose an alliance."
"An alliance? That's a very high-minded excuse for wanting to stay alive." Lancer's Master scoffed at Wang Xiaoming's proposal.
"If we're making a proposal, then we must have something to offer in return." Seeing Lancer's Master's cold response, Wang Xiaoming didn't lose heart. Instead, he smiled confidently.
"Let's hear it."
Lancer's Master suddenly found himself interested in the bargaining chip Wang Xiaoming had mentioned.
"The Masters of Assassin and Archer have already formed an alliance. What happened last night was just an act between them. An Assassin hiding in the shadows—I'm sure you understand what that means." Wang Xiaoming immediately dropped a bombshell.
"Hmm..."
Lancer's Master pondered for a few seconds, then shook his head.
"That's not enough."
He was telling the truth. That information wasn't worth trading for the lives of both of them.
"Then what about Archer's true name?" Wang Xiaoming continued with another trump card.
"You know Archer's true name?" Even Lancer was drawn in by what Wang Xiaoming said. After all, that Goldie had been overwhelmingly powerful in the battle at the warehouse district.
"Archer's true identity is the King of Heroes, Gilgamesh."
"You're telling me something this important. Aren't you afraid I'll go back on my word?" Lancer's Master asked abruptly.
"Since I dared to tell you, I must have an even more important card to play."
Wang Xiaoming smiled. "Besides, if you fight us, even if you win, you won't come out unscathed. Why let someone else easily reap the rewards? I'm sure Lord El-Melloi, one of the Twelve Lords of the Clock Tower, can make that decision for himself."
"..."
Seeing that his words had more or less had the intended effect, Wang Xiaoming continued:
"If you accept this deal, I'll visit you tomorrow on the top floor of the Hyatt Hotel. For now, could you please let us go?"
"Oh? You know my identity, and you've even found out where we are. It seems you're no ordinary person." Kayneth had grown curious about Wang Xiaoming's identity.
"I'm just a passing... uh... I'm just a half-baked Mage."
Wang Xiaoming wiped away his sweat. He'd almost slipped into another scene.
"Don't sell yourself short. I'm quite confident in my judgment. Anyone who could obtain this information must have some special talent. I don't dislike capable people, especially Magecraft users who know how to show proper respect."
The distorted voice caused by Magecraft gradually grew clearer. Soon, a figure appeared at the edge of the battlefield.
"In that case, I accept your proposal. My side will withdraw as well."
Kayneth stepped onto the battlefield. Then he turned his gaze to Wang Xiaoming.
"I look forward to seeing what you have planned next."
"I'm sure I won't disappoint you." Wang Xiaoming smiled in reply.
Kayneth nodded, then spoke to Lancer:
"Let's withdraw."
"Is this really all right, my lord?"
Although they had already left the park, Lancer was still worried, afraid this was another trick by Caster.
"Don't worry, Lancer. That man is certainly suspicious, but this is precisely when we must be cautious."
"Understood."
Meanwhile, on Wang Xiaoming's side—
"Phew..."
Watching Lancer's group disappear into the distance, Wang Xiaoming, who had been forcing himself to stay calm, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. He'd really been walking along the edge of a cliff. If he'd said even one thing wrong, he and Medea would probably have been done for today.
Right, Medea!
Wang Xiaoming hurriedly turned around, only to see Medea sitting on the ground. He quickly went over to her.
"Are you all right?"
"I've just run out of Mana. I'll be fine after I rest a little." Medea answered helplessly.
For a Servant, Mana was like the body that sustained her existence. Running out of Mana was naturally unpleasant for Medea. She'd been forcing herself to hold on while Lancer's group was there so he wouldn't notice anything amiss. Only after they left did the tension finally drain from her.
"Huh?"
Medea suddenly felt dizzy, as if she were floating. When she came back to her senses, she realized—
This was—
Wang Xiaoming was carrying her?!
And in a bridal carry?!
"What are you doing?" Medea was a little flustered.
"You didn't leave me behind when I passed out earlier. I'm just returning the favor." Wang Xiaoming said as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"..."
Wang Xiaoming's answer left Medea speechless. She found it a little funny, too. How could those two things be the same?
But she didn't say what she'd originally planned to say: "I can dematerialize."
As for whether Wang Xiaoming knew that Servants could dematerialize, let's just assume he didn't~
(Laughs)
The temperature has dropped sharply lately. Everyone, remember to keep warm!
Chapter 24: Ryunosuke's Current Situation
Wang Xiaoming's bridal carry didn't last long. Once they reached a crowded area, Medea wriggled free of his arms, dematerialized, and disappeared on the spot.
Tsk—
I had to admit, she felt great—
Before you continue