Journey to Find Heroic Spirits

"Whatever makes you happy, Senpai!"

Mash was speechless and decided to ignore Yuxian, heading off to pack for the trip to the beach.

This time, they planned to stay at the beach for several days. They had already booked a seaside residence in advance, where they could stay for a few nights. Therefore, they needed to pack some changes of clothes.

Of course, essential items like swimsuits were a must.

Mash's swimsuit had already been packed into her suitcase long ago. It was a white one-piece with pink trim and a halter neck. Yuxian had seen it before; the overall style was relatively conservative.

Yuxian had urged her multiple times to buy some new swimsuits, but Mash really liked this one with the big bow on the front and refused to get a new one.

Martha's swimsuit was much more revealing. It was a bikini, and she also brought a large sun hat. She looked like a fashionable woman with great style, and even her suitcase was very trendy, reportedly a new model.

Yuxian had accompanied the little ones to buy their swimsuits. They had picked out their favorites from the colorful array of swimsuits in the mall.

Illya chose a pink two-piece swimsuit and bottoms, adorned with ruffles. It looked very cute and suited a girl her age.

Gretel picked a one-piece swimsuit that was brightly colored and vibrant, making it very eye-catching. The hem of the swimsuit was particularly long, so long that it could drag on the ground and act as a broom.

However, she loved it. It was a mermaid tail princess dress, which did look very cute and suited Gretel. But Yuxian was puzzled about how she would swim in it.

Jack's choice was much simpler. She bought a child-sized bikini. According to her, this type of clothing was easier to move around in.

This type of swimsuit is generally not recommended for children to wear outdoors, as large areas of skin exposed to the sun can easily lead to sunburn. However, Jack didn't have this problem, so Yuxian didn't stop her.

As for Little Jeanne's swimsuit...

Chapter 75: Chapter 15 - To Eat or Not to Eat, That is the Question

Speaking of Little Jeanne's swimsuit, Yuxian couldn't help but chuckle.

Throughout the entire mall, while everyone else quickly found their preferred swimsuits after comparing options, Little Jeanne looked troubled, unsure of which one to choose.

As Santa Claus, she was most active in winter and had no concept of summer, especially when it came to swimming at the beach, something she had never considered.

She yearned for the sea, but despite imagining swimming in it, she had no practical experience.

When she learned they were going to the beach, she was so excited that she developed decision paralysis while picking out a swimsuit.

She looked around, considering each one, finding each one good but then thinking another might be better. She wavered back and forth between the swimsuits, unable to decide, which made others anxious.

Everyone offered suggestions and advice, but she remained unsatisfied.

Yuxian hadn't expected that the usually serious and diligent Little Jeanne would have such a side.

However, what surprised Yuxian the most was that at the very end, when everyone else had given up and stopped paying attention to her, Little Jeanne made up her mind.

A sailor-style swimsuit!!!

Yes, Little Jeanne actually chose a sailor-style swimsuit!

This tight-fitting, one-piece, conservative swimsuit with a low cut looked very wholesome and modest, which was likely why Little Jeanne chose it.

But Yuxian didn't think so. To him, the sailor-style swimsuit was even more captivating than a bikini.

It had a special kind of charm.

He had wanted to persuade Mash to wear a sailor-style swimsuit earlier, but she hadn't agreed, which disappointed him. He hadn't expected Little Jeanne to choose one in the end.

This made him even more excited about the trip to the beach.

The next day, the group drove to the seaside resort and first went to the pre-booked residence to drop off their luggage.

The owner of the residence was very hospitable. Summer was the busiest season for seaside residences like this, the only time they could make money.

All the facilities in the residence were complete, and the hygiene was impeccable, spotless. It was clear that the owner had put a lot of effort into it.

Yuxian was satisfied with the booked residence; the money spent was worth it.

The residence was not far from the beach, about a five-minute walk. It was the peak season for the beach, and when Yuxian and the others arrived at the sand, they could see people everywhere from a distance.

Kobayashi quickly found a spot, set up the umbrella, and lay down on a lounge chair to rest. She wasn't someone who enjoyed physical activity.

Yuxian also wanted to do the same. In the summer by the sea, lying on a lounge chair and admiring the scenery on the beach was the most desirable thing.

The various beauties of different styles, types, and attire were truly a feast for the eyes.

However, he didn't have the opportunity, at least not now. The children were all excitedly wanting to play, and he needed to stay by their side.

There were quite a few people here. If he let them play unsupervised, it was highly likely to cause unnecessary trouble.

Four little ones plus Kanna, five little lolis; this task was a bit daunting...

Mash could help him share the burden, but her effectiveness was limited. The little ones preferred to cling to Yuxian.

Martha, like Kobayashi, was lying on a chair. She wore sunglasses, so her expression was hidden, but her relaxed and leisurely posture didn't suggest she would be offering any help.

Elma was neatly arranged by Martha. Even with Tohru nearby, she didn't dare confront her and could only resort to sharp glances.

However, Tohru didn't want to pay attention to her; she was constantly hovering around Kobayashi.

The five little lolis ran back and forth on the beach, chasing each other. Yuxian had to remind them repeatedly to be careful and not to run too fast.

Little Jack, in particular, ran the wildest. Several times she almost bumped into people, causing some commotion.

Yuxian could only shake his head inwardly. He occasionally apologized to those who were startled. This was a job only he could do, as he was their Master.

After the initial excitement of arriving wore off, they settled down and stopped being so boisterous, each going off to do things they were interested in.

Gretel, in particular, found her mermaid swimsuit inconvenient for moving around, requiring special methods to walk freely.

Mash took Gretel back to the sunshade to rest, while Little Jeanne and Illya worked together on building a sandcastle. Jack and Kanna squatted on the ground, observing small animals.

Observing small animals?

Mr. Krabs, run! It's too late if you don't!

Mr. Krabs, targeted by Kanna, likely had its fate sealed, especially with Jack present.

Kanna and Jack squatted facing each other. Mr. Krabs swaggered between them, occasionally raising its arms and displaying its two sharp pincers, its aura undeniably imposing.

Kanna and Jack's gazes followed Mr. Krabs, their movements slow and synchronized. They were both quiet, while Yuxian watched from a distance, anticipating the legendary moment.

As Mr. Krabs reached the space between them, Kanna lunged for it with lightning speed.

However, a hand was faster. Jack caught Mr. Krabs before Kanna could and brought it closer to observe.

Unaware that it had narrowly escaped death at the claws of the cute dragon, Mr. Krabs waved its large pincers at Jack, protesting her actions.

"Jack, want to eat it?" Kanna, unable to snatch Mr. Krabs from Jack, watched with wide eyes as Jack held the crab, assuming Jack wanted to eat it.

Hearing Kanna, Jack shifted her gaze from Mr. Krabs and looked at Kanna in confusion. "Eat?"

Then, she turned her head back towards Yuxian, seemingly asking if it was truly edible.

Yuxian was slightly disappointed that the legendary moment hadn't unfolded as expected. He walked over, patted Jack's head, and said, "You can only eat it after it's cooked."

Cooked? That means I can't eat it. Hearing Yuxian say it couldn't be eaten, Jack threw Mr. Krabs away.

Mr. Krabs, having escaped death, scuttled away into the distance and disappeared.

Kanna watched Mr. Krabs crawl away with a hint of regret. She looked up at Yuxian, not understanding why it couldn't be eaten, thinking it clearly was edible.

Yuxian, in turn, patted Kanna's head and explained, "Dragon digestive systems are very strong, so eating it raw is fine. But humans can't; it needs to be cooked. And you don't eat the whole thing. You can ask Kobayashi about the specifics; she'll tell you."

Kanna nodded thoughtfully, having learned something new. She decided to go find Kobayashi immediately to discuss the matter.

Section 76: Chapter Sixteen - Adults Are Too Dangerous, Children Are Better

Kanna ran off to ask Kobayashi about eating crabs, and Jack left to find Gretel.

Yuxian then walked over to Little Jeanne and Illya to watch them build their sandcastle.

Their construction skills were quite impressive. A sandcastle was already taking shape, looking quite realistic.

Little Jeanne was responsible for mixing sand and water to bind it, while Illya focused on shaping and sculpting the exterior. Their division of labor was clear.

The castle's scale was considerable, unlike the small sandcastles ordinary children build.

Illya and Little Jeanne's sandcastle covered an area at least as large as a table, with a complex structure and intricate details, various buildings arranged harmoniously.

"It's a beautiful castle," Yuxian commented with a smile. To create such an exquisite castle with just sand was truly remarkable for the two little ones.

"Master thinks it's beautiful too! I saw it in a picture, and it left a deep impression, so I could recreate it." Illya stopped her work and looked up, smiling.

Yuxian praised her generously, "To remember it so clearly after just seeing a picture, Illya, you're truly amazing!"

This wasn't an exaggeration. To perfectly recreate such a castle from memory after only seeing a photograph was indeed rare.

"Because this is where Illya was born!"

Hearing Illya say this, Yuxian immediately understood. This castle must be the one belonging to the Einzbern family.

Illya was born into the Einzbern family but was taken away by her parents at a young age, becoming a child in an ordinary family.

Perhaps her mother had shown her pictures of Einzbern Castle, and she had etched it firmly in her memory.

Yuxian didn't know how to respond. Among the four children, Illya was the most ordinary, a regular fifth-grader, very different from the other Heroic Spirits.

Yuxian asked, "Illya, do you miss home?"

Illya paused, pursed her lips, and then smiled, "I'm happy with Master, and everyone can play together."

She does miss home!

But Yuxian couldn't send her home. Chaldea wasn't her true home, and Kiritsugu Emiya and Irisviel in Chaldea weren't her real parents, just similar people.

Yuxian fell silent. He was powerless in this matter.

All he could do was try his best to make the children happy, which was his responsibility as their Master and what he had been striving for.

"Let me help too." Yuxian squatted down, wanting to help them complete the sandcastle.

"Hey! Master, you're clumsy and getting in the way!" Little Jeanne was displeased. Yuxian's addition hadn't sped up their progress; instead, he was proving to be a hindrance.

"Alright, alright." Yuxian stood up helplessly. He hadn't visited a beach as a child, so he naturally had no experience building sandcastles, making his clumsiness inevitable.

Yuxian watched for a while, feeling that such a scene was rare. He walked over to Martha and asked, "Do you have a camera?"

Martha lay on the chair, her beautiful figure fully visible to Yuxian, who couldn't help but stare.

Sensing Yuxian's gaze, Martha didn't call him out. Instead, she deliberately stretched lazily, causing Yuxian's eyes to widen.

She said languidly, "The camera is in the bag. Master, you can get it yourself."

Yuxian looked at the tote bag by the chair, walked over to Martha, and squatted down to search for the camera.

As Yuxian squatted down, the handbag's position was very close to Martha. His head became extremely close to Martha's body. When he looked up, a beautiful sight met his eyes, blinding him.

Yuxian trembled slightly. At such close proximity, he could even smell the faint fragrance emanating from Martha, which made his heart waver and his mind uneasy.

Martha leaned down and whispered into Yuxian's ear, "Master is really cute..."

The breath she exhaled as she spoke tickled Yuxian's face, making him feel overwhelmed.

His face instantly flushed red, and he became flustered. He was still very inexperienced in this regard.

He could handle children with ease and had plenty of experience, but with a mature older sister like Martha, Yuxian had absolutely no idea what to do.

He looked up, wanting to say something, but then noticed Mash staring at him with a blank expression from not too far away.

Oh no!

Yuxian immediately realized he had fallen into Martha's trap. Without a word, he grabbed his camera and ran, Martha's laughter echoing behind him.

This place is too dangerous. Children are better—so innocent and cute.

Yuxian never expected that Martha, a saint, could be so good at teasing people. Truly, one cannot judge a book by its cover.

He composed himself and went over to Illya and Little Jeanne, taking pictures of them. He wanted to capture their diligent efforts in photos, which would surely be wonderful memories.

Illya would occasionally strike a pose, giving a peace sign, to cooperate with Yuxian's photos. Little Jeanne, on the other hand, looked disgusted, thinking Yuxian was just getting in the way and hindering their sandcastle building.

Their vivid and lifelike expressions were all perfectly captured by Yuxian, eternally preserved in the photographs.

Illya and the others finally completed their sandcastle. The exquisite sandcastle was truly admirable, and everyone came over to admire their masterpiece.

Some passing tourists were also attracted by the unique sandcastle, stopping to watch. Some even took out their cameras to take photos as souvenirs.