Gordes and the Homunculus

After hearing Saber's words, Gordes frowned and stopped doing his homework.

I've never heard anyone say that they're the ones supporting the [Black] faction.

Although the idea of [interfering with the channels of magic supply] was indeed a technology proposed and implemented by Gordes.

But it's merely a convenient means to achieve victory. It's neither something to be praised nor something to be recognized for.

And the great hero before him, because of this, assessed himself as someone who "would be proud of himself"?

Are you mocking me?

At this thought, Gordes' face darkened again. Just as he was about to tell Saber to leave, he was interrupted for the first time—

"Since it's already been delivered, then don't..."

"Master!"

"Wha... what happened?"

Upon hearing Saber's imposing call, Gordes instinctively took a step back, and the aura he had built up vanished instantly.

"Since you possess such abilities, why are you unwilling to offer even a little help to those androids?"

"What did you say--?"

A furious voice burst from Gordes's clenched teeth, while Saber maintained her previous imposing demeanor, staring directly at him.

"I hope Master can help those androids."

Looking at Saber before him, Gordes suddenly understood. All that talk about bringing him food and being "proud of him" was just the prelude to this!

"You bastard!!!"

A surge of rage ignited Gordes's reason. He no longer cared about being a hero or a coward, and charged at Saber, punching and kicking her.

"Traitor, scum, bastard..."

Gordes racked his brains for every curse word he could think of, then hurled them all at the Servant in front of him.

Saber silently endured all of this.

After an unknown amount of time, Gordes finally stopped his violence against "Saber." Rubbing his aching hand, he asked his Servant:

"Why? Why these useless trash and idiots?"

Gordes couldn't understand his Servant's thoughts at all. Those short-lived, insignificant, foolish idiots who couldn't even do the simplest job were completely incompatible with a renowned hero.

Faced with his volatile Master, Siegfried simply replied calmly:

"Because they are weak, Master."

"Varied--"

Seemingly having heard some unbelievable answer, Gordes, his mouth agape in surprise, looked like a toad waiting to be eaten. At this moment, the most vicious and biting sarcasm Gordes could think of was already on the tip of his tongue.

But when Gordes met Saber's eyes again, he actually saw a glimmer of hope in them?

How is that possible?!

Since the incident of the "homunculus's unauthorized escape," Gordes' order forbidding Saber from speaking has been repealed.

Although Saber is not good with words and rarely says anything unnecessary, they still occasionally have conversations.

This is just right for Gordes.

If someone is as noisy as Rider, or as sarcastic as Archer, Gordes would find either of them a headache. Therefore, it's much easier to get along with someone like Saber, who engages in minimal communication.

However, Gordes has not been idle during the time between then and now.

His desk was already piled high with books on the Nibelungen and related research. Although he claimed it was just a way to pass the time, it was undeniable—

Gordes, as Saber's Master, is gradually gaining a deeper understanding of his Servant, Siegfried Saber, who has lived a life as a "hero," and is also beginning to recognize what kind of person his Servant truly is.

He was a prince of the Netherlands, brave and noble, whose majesty was praised and whose glory was celebrated by all.

Men rushed to join his cause, and women placed their unwavering love in him.

And the heroes lived up to their expectations.

He had almost no time to rest, constantly seeking battle. No, it wasn't that he sought battle, but rather that battle relentlessly pursued him and his immense power.

He possesses the famous sword Balmung, obtained from the Nibelungen; and a body of steel, forged from the blood of the evil dragon Fafnir.

The hero possessed an invincible sword and an invincible body. Therefore, it was only natural that he was pursued by numerous struggles. He lived a life without blemish, his life was glorious and splendid.

However, he was too perfect as a hero—to the point of being excessive. He was always there to grant requests. If you knelt before him and begged, he would surely grasp your hand tightly in pleading.

If someone asks him to eliminate an enemy, he will go through fire and water. If someone wishes for a peerless beauty to fall into his arms, he will rack his brains to make it happen. He never considers good or evil...

His way of life was like a wish-granting machine. He always believed that this was all he needed to do. Good and evil were ultimately just a matter of perspective.

So he kept doing it—and eventually even accomplished the great feat of slaying a dragon.

But somewhere within his heart lay an emptiness. In that emptiness lay nothing but boundless, void darkness.

She clearly loves people.

She clearly loves the world.

This emptiness is something that can never be filled, no matter what.

Until death, they become Heroic Spirit, and are summoned back to the mortal world to participate in the Holy Grail War.

He still clings to this emptiness, persisting in his life as a "wish machine" and a "hero."

How tragic, how incomprehensible, yet how dazzling! Compared to him Gordes felt utterly insignificant and couldn't agree with it—what was the point of such a machine-like way of life?

Can this person really be considered a person?

Gordes kept these thoughts to himself and never spoke them aloud.

However, he could no longer treat Saber with the same attitude he had at the beginning of the Great Holy Grail War, because she deserved to earn his respect.

And yet, such a great hero would ask for help from a "mortal" like myself?

"... Saber, is this your request?"

After a brief silence, Gordes asked his Servant in a completely emotionless tone.

"That's right."

"So..."

Guh----

At this moment, a loud "rumble" coming from Gordes's stomach interrupted his next words.

"..."

"..."

After an awkward silence, Gordes, having given up on himself, disregarded Saber's presence and threw aside his so-called "Magecraft's restraint," lunging at the food Saber had brought him.

Then, while eating, he kept muttering to himself:

"Saber, come with me to check on those idiots later..."

Before he could finish speaking, Gordes, who was eating, suddenly grabbed his own neck with both hands. Seeing that something was wrong, Saber quickly came over to ask what was wrong.

"Master?"

"I'm choking on food..."

"It's alright, I'll help you."

"..."

Seeing his Servant's eager expression, Gordes, his face flushed, suddenly felt a sense of despair.

Chapter 270. Gordes and the Homunculus

In the castle corridor, an impatient Gordes strode past, with Saber, acting as his guard, following silently behind him.

The corridor was filled with androids, and when they saw Gordes, their eyes held a hint of hostility toward the "father" who had created them.

"These guys..."

Although Gordes hadn't expected these androids to be kind to him from the start, the scene he witnessed only added to his irritation. After cursing under his breath, Gordes quickened his pace and pushed open a large door at the corner of the corridor—

The room, originally intended for living quarters, has been converted into a hospital ward. It's filled with androids injured in the previous battle against Avicebron, and a certain figure bustling about in the room...

"I'm fine here, you go and help the others."

A homunculus lying on the ground spoke to Rider's Master, who was kneeling beside him and casting a healing Magecraft on him:

"But, but--"

"I just want to rest for a bit. If possible, please wake me up in five hours."

"... Sleep a little longer."

As the android slowly closed its eyes before him, Rider's Master's voice gradually faded, as if trying to lull him to sleep.

"For an android, five hours of sleep is enough. However, it seems my body has become quite fatigued; this feeling of drowsiness is... a first for me."

"Feel sorry..."

"You've done very well, Master..."

Seeing his Master hang his head in dejection, Rider, who was standing to the side, walked over and patted him on the shoulder to comfort him.

"Rider..."

Raising his head to gaze at his Servant, the homunculus seemed about to say something, but before he could utter a word, he was interrupted by a furious curse coming from behind him—

"You idiot!"

"?!"

The android and Rider looked back together and saw a fat figure gritting its teeth as it walked towards them.

"Hey, what do you think you're doing?!"

Rider materialized his spear and swung it menacingly at Gordes, but it was blocked by a tall figure the next second.

"Saber?!"

As Gordes walked past and the tall man before him stood, Rider, whose weapon was held at bay, felt incredulous. He couldn't understand why this upright hero would "collude" with his Master.

"... I'm sorry, but please trust my Master."

This was Saber's only answer.

"Varied--"

"Get out of my way, you idiot!"

Gordes roughly shoved Rider's Master, who was kneeling on the ground, away. Looking down at the homunculus before him, who resembled a dying patient, Gordes's inexplicable anxiety intensified.

He recognized him.

The android lying on the ground is a "defective product" with congenital defects. That's why she's sealed in the magic supply tank.

Without any life support in the outside world, one would likely only be able to die silently here.

"Idiots, idiots! They're all idiots! This won't do!"

With his teeth grinding, Gordes crouched down and checked the pulse of the android lying on the ground. He then patted the android's arm, shoulder, and collarbone in turn.

"Not here..."

After a brief moment of thought, Gordes reached out and pinched the android's chin. He peered through its open mouth, then nodded as if he understood something.

Turning her head to Rider's Master, who hadn't even had time to stand up, she gave him a mocking look. "You're so stupid. Although it's not obvious on the surface, you actually have underdeveloped breathing organs. The breathing aid is located inside the mana supply gauge. Go get it."

"Huh...?"

Seeing the puzzled look on the other person's face, Gordes glared at him and roared, "Don't make me say it a second time." The android, instinctively obeying the order, hurriedly said, "I'll go get it right away," and turned to run out of the corridor.

"Master!"

Seeing her Master run out of the room, Rider turned around and glared at Gordes before turning back and chasing after him.