Entrusting

"Sakura's so cute."

"..."

Where had this brat learned to compliment people like that?

Kariya suddenly worried about Sakura. If the two children grew up together, she probably wouldn't be able to escape this boy's clutches.

But...

Forget it—

Kariya let out a soft sigh. All in all, after spending the past two days together, he'd come to understand Shirou a little.

His innocent honesty and helpful nature—none of those terrible experiences had managed to erase the precious goodness in the boy's heart.

During his many years away from home, Kariya had met a few people with that kind of personality on his travels. He knew how precious it was—and how easily it could be exploited.

Just imagining someone deliberately giving this boy the wrong guidance sent a chill down Kariya's spine. But judging by how things stood, Wang Xiaoming would at least be there to support Shirou as he grew up. There shouldn't be any problems.

"Cough, cough—"

The sudden coughing made Kariya frown. He first glanced at Sakura, who was still sleeping peacefully beside him, then turned to Shirou with a reassuring smile to show that he was all right.

But was he really all right?

Kariya knew his own body well. The Old Worm's insect magecraft had given him Magic Circuits, but it was also steadily corroding his body. Wang Xiaoming had once asked if Kariya wanted the worms inside him removed, but Kariya had refused.

Because Kariya knew that even if he agreed to have the worms dealt with, how long would he live afterward?

After Sakura had been rescued, Matou Kariya could have simply let himself die. His lingering existence now was only to settle things with that irresponsible man.

"But Sakura..."

Looking at the sleeping girl beside him, Kariya fell into hesitation again—

Was it too rash to entrust Sakura to Wang Xiaoming's family just like that?

After all, he and Wang Xiaoming had only known each other for two days.

But his body...

The man named Matou Kariya sank into deep turmoil.

"Where are we going next?"

After saying goodbye to Mr. Ba, Wang Xiaoming came out of the shop and asked Medea.

"Let's just wander around."

Medea considered it for a moment before answering. But as soon as she finished speaking, a booming voice suddenly rang out from nearby.

"Hey, can't you make it any cheaper?"

The enormous voice was so loud that the shop windows on the street seemed to rattle. Customers and shopkeepers alike poked their heads out to see what was going on.

"..."

Once Wang Xiaoming recognized the voice, he instinctively wanted to grab Medea and get out of there.

But it was already too late—

The person in the shop had clearly sensed the Servant aura coming from Medea.

"Well, if it isn't Caster's Master!"

The tall figure emerged from the shop. When he saw Wang Xiaoming, his eyes lit up.

Rider had spotted him, so Wang Xiaoming couldn't just slip away. He reluctantly turned around, forcing a stiff smile.

"Huh? Where's the boy?"

When Rider came up to Wang Xiaoming, he didn't see the person he'd hoped to meet, and couldn't help feeling disappointed.

"Shirou didn't come out today..."

"Oh? That boy's name is Shirou?"

Wang Xiaoming's answer made Rider's eyes light up.

"...Um, what was that about just now?"

Faced with Rider, who was still clearly interested in Shirou, Wang Xiaoming could only change the subject.

"Oh."

Rider glanced back at the shop he'd just left and at the shopkeeper, who was still trembling by the entrance. Then he casually explained, "I want to hold a banquet tonight and invite Saber and Archer, so I came to look for wine for the banquet on this street."

"..."

Rider continued, oblivious to Wang Xiaoming's subtle expression. There was a hint of frustration in his voice.

"But the wine they sell in this shop costs more than my little Master can afford."

Rider casually aired all of Waver's financial troubles.

"Rider!" Waver protested in his characteristically meek voice.

"Heh... That's pretty unfortunate."

Wang Xiaoming could practically recite every detail of the banquet Rider was talking about, so he had no interest in it at all. But Rider was still standing right in front of him, so he could only force a smile and play along.

"Does that mean I have to settle for inferior wine?"

Rider stroked his short beard and looked back at the shopkeeper. The near-tears shopkeeper turned to Wang Xiaoming, standing beside Rider, and silently pleaded for help.

"I've got it!"

Rider followed the shopkeeper's gaze back to Wang Xiaoming. His eyes suddenly lit up.

"Caster's Master—"

"What?"

Wang Xiaoming's heart gave a sudden thump. A bad feeling began to grow inside him.

"How about lending me some money to buy wine?" Rider asked with a hearty grin.

Honestly, if he could beat Rider, Wang Xiaoming would have loved to punch him in the face and show him what was what. But faced with the cold reality of the difference in their strength, all he could do was resort to cunning.

"I..."

Before Wang Xiaoming could get the words "I'm broke" out, he saw Rider turn to Medea, who had been silent behind him.

"It wouldn't do for a man to go out without money when he has the honor of accompanying a beautiful lady like Caster!"

"..."

Seeing Medea look a little pleased by Rider's praise, Wang Xiaoming hadn't expected Rider to pull a move like that.

Wang Xiaoming smiled bitterly.

But then again—

Now that the Banquet of Kings [event] had begun, that meant the Holy Grail War's free-for-all couldn't be far off...

Watching Rider's "cunning" smile, Wang Xiaoming felt a plan taking shape in his mind. He looked up at Rider's rugged face and suddenly gave him a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Hey, Rider. Are you still short on spectators for your banquet?"

PS:

Dear readers, I...

I perfectly missed Christmas, and I'm feeling much better now. Here's a 3K chapter for you~~~

Next up is that universally despised Banquet of Kings arc!

But—

This arc will be quite different from the original, so stay tuned!

Entrusting

"Oh? So you want to admire a king's bearing up close, huh?"

Rider looked surprised by Wang Xiaoming's request.

"Uh... Sure, let's say that."

Wang Xiaoming's expression was a little odd.

"But by rights, a king's banquet..."

Rider stroked his short beard, seeming a little troubled.

"Excuse me, how much did he ask for the wine?"

Wang Xiaoming turned straight to the shopkeeper.

"A king's banquet absolutely must have an audience!"

Seeing Wang Xiaoming reach into his pocket, Rider immediately changed his tune, his voice firm and decisive!

"We're back~"

Wang Xiaoming's voice rang out in the entrance hall. Seeing his tightly furrowed brows, Shirou came over and asked curiously:

"What's wrong, Uncle?"

"Nothing..."

Wang Xiaoming looked up and saw Shirou standing in the entrance hall. His brow relaxed a little.

On the way back, the plan he'd been considering had gradually taken shape, which eased his mood somewhat.

Seeing how troubled Wang Xiaoming looked, Shirou suddenly thought of some similar scenes he'd seen on TV. His gaze turned disdainful.

"How can a man worry about money at a time like this? Especially when he's out with a gorgeous woman like Teacher Medea!"

"Pfft—"

Watching Shirou imitate the actors' lines and expressions from TV, Medea couldn't hold back. Her laughter rang through the entrance hall like silver bells.

Medea's laughter eased Wang Xiaoming's gloomy mood a little. But when he saw the brat Shirou snickering beside him, he suddenly realized he couldn't keep indulging the boy.

Smack—

Wang Xiaoming rolled up the document he'd taken from his pocket and tapped Shirou on the head with it.

"Ow!"

Shirou clutched his head and cried out.

"All right, I barely even hit you."

Looking at Shirou still clowning around, an idea suddenly popped into Wang Xiaoming's head: ten years from now, would this kid still become the "champion of justice" from his memories?

Whatever—

Wang Xiaoming smiled wryly to himself. As long as this kid had a happier life than the one in his memories, that was enough.

He shoved the document into Shirou's arms, pinched both of his cheeks, and said, "From now on, you're taking my surname! Come on, call me Dad."

"Not... gonna... do... it..."

Shirou's garbled reply was splattered across Wang Xiaoming's face along with his spit.

"Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey."

After taking the handkerchief Medea offered and wiping the spit off his face, Wang Xiaoming saw Shirou pattering over to the corner of the hallway and sticking his tongue out at him.

"Hey, you little rascal, don't run!"

Wang Xiaoming took off after Shirou.

Medea watched the two father and son goofing around with a smile. A gentle warmth spread through her heart. But—

Medea suddenly remembered something.