Head-Patting

"If it really is him, then this [Chain of Heaven] must truly have no intention of competing for the Holy Grail this time."

After all, unless the "King of Heroes" is summoned, there shouldn't be any opponents in this Holy Grail War that would interest Enkidu.

However, Touko Aozaki seems to have a different opinion regarding the "Enkidu" that Wang Xiaoming just mentioned.

"Enkidu... a puppet made by the gods..."

"Hey, don't go around flirting with him."

Looking at Touko Aozaki's Gilgamesh eyes, Wang Xiaoming was both amused and exasperated, but he understood her thoughts.

Indeed, Enkidu's title of "[a puppet created by the hands of the gods]" was far too tempting for Touko Aozaki, Grand Puppeteer... If, of course, just if, Touko Aozaki could glean even a sliver of skill from Enkidu...

"He seems quite easy to talk to."

Seeing that Touko Aozaki was determined to go again, Wang Xiaoming could only shake his head helplessly.

"Okay, if you're going, remember to let me know beforehand."

After all, in a sense, he is now capable of both fighting and enduring hardship. If things really don't go well, he won't be completely powerless to retaliate. [Note 1]

"Okay, I understand."

After listening to Wang Xiaoming's words, Touko Aozaki nodded, her voice revealing a barely perceptible softness.

"Then you should get some rest first. We can talk about it tomorrow."

After hearing Touko Aozaki's agreement, Wang Xiaoming nodded and prepared to leave. Based on his experience with Touko Aozaki over the years, Touko Aozaki knew she wouldn't go back on her word once she made a promise.

"Okay, goodnight."

Watching Wang Xiaoming's departing figure, Touko Aozaki seemed to have lost her own thoughts, staring blankly at the somewhat empty room in front of her.

After a long pause, she spoke softly:

"You're here, aren't you? Or rather, you've been watching this place all along?"

Before Touko Aozaki's voice could completely dissipate in the room, a purple light appeared and flickered.

As the light faded and a slender figure appeared before her, a complex expression flashed in Touko Aozaki's eyes.

"Hmm, or should I say I've long admired your name? The Magecraft from the Age of Gods, Miss Medea."

"If it weren't for the emergency, I wouldn't have thought of meeting you at this time."

Medea's voice sounded melancholic to Touko Aozaki.

"Then let me hear your advice. What kind of troublesome matter requires you, Magecraft from the Age of Gods, to condescend to entrust this puppeteer with your request?"

Touko Aozaki, having removed her glasses again, revealed a sharp expression and asked in a serious tone.

"Although I'm reluctant to admit it, this matter concerns that man's safety."

"?!"

Upon hearing this, Touko Aozaki glanced up at Medea's solemn face and her heart clenched.

Meanwhile, at the other end of Fuyuki City—

"Rider, [the messenger of the gods] has arrived."

"I see."

Looking at the seemingly timid Magecraft in front of him, Agamemnon felt a sudden surge of irritation for no apparent reason.

Generally speaking, a Servant should not interfere with their Master's orders, but in Agamemnon's eyes, this Master was practically no different from a good-for-nothing.

Her magic power is insufficient, and she has an indecisive personality. The only thing that's acceptable about her is that she's "obedient."

Hopefully, the divine message brought by the divine messenger will help me get out of this predicament.

With this in mind, Agamemnon turned and walked into the altar behind his stronghold.

"You are Agamemnon?"

As Agamemnon stepped onto the altar, he suddenly heard a woman's voice.

Upon hearing the question, Agamemnon didn't even raise his head; he immediately knelt before the altar.

"Goddess of beauty on Aeaea Island, benevolent goddess bestowed with the wisdom and protection of the moon goddess, please grant your divine mandate to the believers on behalf of the gods."

"Ah, it's been so long since I've received such a formal ceremony of worshipping a goddess. I really miss it~"

Circe smiled sweetly as she looked at Agamemnon, who was kneeling on the throne.

PS2: Doesn't the aunt in this picture give off a feeling of being involved in something shady?

Chapter 398. Head Pat

The next morning --

"Something terrible has happened, Shirou!"

Shirou, still asleep, was suddenly awakened by a noisy commotion. When he opened his eyes, Shirou found that his bedroom door had been pushed open, and Mordred, the culprit who had woken him up, was staring at him with a panicked expression.

Seeing Mordred's expression, as if she had encountered something terrible, Shirou asked her what was wrong.

What happened?

"What I'm about to say... Master, please don't be afraid."

Still shaken, Mordred instinctively swallowed.

So, what exactly happened?

Shirou, now fully awake, wore a curious expression.

In Shirou's view, Mordred, apart from a panicked expression, was completely unharmed. Even her clothes were only slightly disheveled from running, making her look nothing like someone who had been in a battle.

In other words, Mordred didn't encounter anything dangerous. So the question arises: what could possibly have frightened this fearless "Rebellious Knight" like this?

"I just..."

Mordred slapped her cheeks hard, seemingly trying to calm herself down. After a moment, having barely managed to suppress her inner turmoil, Mordred looked at her Master with a serious expression.

"I just heard my father say 'Good morning' to me."

"..."

With an inquisitive expression frozen on his face Shirou stiffly turned his gaze to the still-warm bed and began to consider the possibility of taking a nap.

"Hey, listen to me properly!"

Let's rewind a little bit...

Mordred had gotten up very early, was about to wake Shirou up and ask him to accompany her to the dojo for morning prayers.

You see, the moment [King Arthur] appeared before him, Mordred felt a fire of "fighting spirit" ignite within him.

She vowed that she would defeat King Arthur honorably in this Holy Grail War, and then make her... well, although she hadn't decided what to ask her father to do yet, she'd better defeat him first!

Just then, the doorbell rang and reached Mordred's ears.

Who is it?!

Because her thoughts were interrupted, Mordred, who was already in a bad mood, became even more annoyed when she opened the door and saw who it was.

"Come in, and remember to close the door."

After saying this, Mordred ignored the person outside the door and turned to leave.

"Please wait a moment, Mordred."

"What?"

Mordred stopped and turned to look at King Arthur, who was still standing outside the door. She already had a guess as to why he had called her back.

Am I going to have to use that so-called "chivalric code" to admonish myself again?

Damn it, if I wasn't worried about ruining my breakfast, I would definitely grab a weapon and fight her first.

"That..."

To Mordred's surprise, the scolding she expected didn't come, and instead, King Arthur wore a conflicted expression.

Could the King Arthur before me be an imposter?

Just as Mordred began to suspect that Saber had been impersonated, she suddenly heard a hesitant greeting from the other person—

Good morning, Mordred.

"?!"

"So that's how it is..."

Upon arriving in the living room and hearing the explanation, Shirou couldn't help but look both amused and exasperated.

It was just a simple greeting, why such a big reaction?

"I'm sorry, Shirou. I just wanted to come and talk to Mordred, but I didn't mean to cause you any trouble."

Saber, sitting opposite Shirou, gave him an apologetic look.

"No, no, Saber, you're too kind. Please don't hesitate to ask if there's anything I can do to help."

Upon hearing Saber's words, Shirou quickly waved his hand.

Meanwhile, Shirou, was communicating telepathically with Mordred, who was hiding in another room.

[Hey, Saber, your father means no harm, so come out quickly.]

[What a joke! How could my father be so gentle with me?!]

"..."

Mordred's subconscious retort made Shirou feel a lump in his throat.

[Hey, Master, don't think I don't know what you're thinking just because you're not talking. It's nothing...]

[Wait a mininute]

Shirou had unilaterally cut off the telepathic communication, turned his attention to Saber, a serious expression on his face.

"Though it may be presumptuous, Saber, Your Majesty King Arthur, as Mordred's Master and friend, I wish to have the right to listen in on your conversation."

"Of course, no problem."

Saber agreed to Shirou's request without any hesitation.

In fact, Saber still held considerable goodwill and trust towards Shirou, a child she had met once ten years ago.

On the other hand, the purpose of his visit was simply to have a chat with Mordred, nothing more.

[You heard it all, didn't you? It was just a simple conversation. Saber, show your "Rebellious Knight" spirit.]

[Tsk, you're such a busybody.]

Since the door was only barely concealed and did not provide any sound insulation, Mordred overheard Shirou and Saber's conversation.

[There's nothing I can do, it's just my personality.]

[I have no choice, I'll do this for your sake...]

Ultimately, at Shirou's urging, Mordred appeared before Saber once again.

"Hurry up and tell me, what exactly do you want to see me about this time?"

Mordred, arms crossed, forced a dismissive expression in front of Saber.

Although his expression was still somewhat stiff, Saber saw it as an expression of anger without a doubt.

No child truly hates their parents, so go and have a good talk with that child.

Just as the atmosphere in the living room was gradually becoming awkward, a sentence suddenly flashed through Saber's mind.

This is what Irisviel said to me yesterday after I returned to the Emiya residence and told the Emiya couple about my conversation with Wang Xiaoming.