Kotori Itsuka looked at the silver-haired Servant who had called out to her.
The first thought that popped into my mind was...
Are you just nitpicking?
After all, given what he said in the temple earlier, it would be lucky if they didn't start a fight, let alone develop any goodwill towards him.
Could this guy be Gilgamesh sent to teach me a lesson?
Kotori's hand clenched slightly.
"Hello, I am Tomoe Gozen."
The silver-haired Servant spoke first.
The voice was very gentle.
You seem a little confused. Have you encountered some difficulties?
Kotori paused for a moment.
Are you not here to cause trouble?
Kotori carefully observed Tomoe Gozen's expression.
There was no hostility in those crimson eyes.
"... no."
Kotori looked away.
I'm a little embarrassed.
After all, I was the one who misunderstood the other person first.
And being shown such direct concern by a stranger is still a bit unusual.
"We didn't encounter any difficulties."
"Just looking for a place to spend the night."
Kotori's tone was much softer than it had been in the temple.
In her white ribbon state, she wasn't the type to have a highly aggressive personality to begin with.
Tomoe Gozen looked at Kotori.
The child's eyes darted around, and he seemed too embarrassed to look her in the eye.
Tomoe Gozen's first judgment was that the other person was shy.
I'm too shy to speak.
Then the second judgment immediately surfaced.
The red-haired girl in front of me.
He has a completely different personality from the person in the main hall just now.
The one in the main hall radiated hostility, and his words were like knives stabbing into people's hearts.
The thing in front of me...
She's like the shy little girl next door.
"Could this also be due to the Berserker class's Mad Enhancement skill?"
Tomoe Gozen thought about it for a moment.
She had heard of the Berserker class.
Mad Enhancement skills can affect Servant's rationality.
Perhaps the child was affected by the Mad Enhancement while in the temple?
But that's not right.
Her speech was clear and logical when she was in the temple.
It doesn't look like it's in Mad Enhancement state.
Tomoe Gozen then considered another possibility.
Normal Servant are usually summoned at their peak during their lifetime.
But look at the girl in front of me.
They're at most fourteen or fifteen years old.
The most likely explanation is that this Heroic Spirit died young.
It died before it could grow to its full power.
That's why he was summoned in such a young form.
"What a pitiful child..."
Tomoe Gozen herself was also the type to die young.
Therefore, they are particularly sensitive to such matters.
Tomoe Gozen walked up to Kotori.
Then.
She reached out and took Kotori's hand.
Let's go.
"Come with me."
"Huh?"
Kotori hadn't reacted yet.
He was then led by the hand by Tomoe Gozen and pulled in one direction.
"Wait, wait a minute--"
Tomoe Gozen turned around.
He stared at Kotori with those clear, innocent eyes.
His face wore a serious and somewhat solemn expression.
Do you have a place to stay?
"... No."
That's right.
Tomoe Gozen gripped Kotori's hand tightly.
"Come back with me first."
Kotori was initially reluctant.
After all, she and this person had only just met.
Moreover, she can find a place to live on her own.
but.
Looking at the look in Tomoe Gozen's eyes when she turned around.
Clear.
sincere.
There was not a trace of malice in it.
And that serious, almost solemn expression on his face.
It's like saying--
Even if you reject me, I won't let go.
"..."
Kotori stopped resisting.
She was silently led back by the other person's hand.
As Kotori was led along the streets of Uruk, Kotori feelings were somewhat complicated.
She was led away by someone she had only known for less than five minutes.
What's this?
Moreover, the other person clearly looks to be only sixteen or seventeen years old.
Why are you acting like you're "taking care of a child"?
"..."
never mind.
Anyway, it's not a bad thing.
Tomoe Gozen looked at Kotori, whom she had so easily pulled away.
This further confirmed my previous suspicions.
This red-haired girl is indeed just a child.
That might be a special case in a temple.
But essentially, she's just a little girl who needs to be taken care of.
Then I can no longer turn a blind eye.
The houses Gilgamesh assigned to these Servant were a row of mud-brick houses located near the temple.
Not too big.
But all the necessities for daily life are readily available.
Stone table, stone benches, earthen bed, kitchen utensils, storage cabinets.
There was even a set of bronze tableware.
Tomoe Gozen pushed open the wooden door to her room.
She walked in, holding her Kotori.
The room wasn't very brightly lit.
Kotori was pushed by Tomoe Gozen to sit on a stone bench.
"Please have a seat."
"I'll go cook."
"Huh? No need,"
You're hungry, aren't you?
"..."
On the way back.
The "gurgling" sound coming from her stomach.
It seems that Tomoe Gozen overheard them.
"... How embarrassing."
Kotori let out a silent wail.
Tomoe Gozen has already entered the kitchen.
The kitchen and living room are separated only by a low wall.
Kotori could hear the sounds of chopping vegetables, clattering earthenware pots, and burning flames coming from the other side.
Not long after.
Several simple and unpretentious Japanese home-style dishes were served on the stone table.
A bowl of white rice.
A plate of grilled fish.
A bowl of miso soup.
A small dish of pickled vegetables.
The ingredients were arranged by Gilgamesh in advance.
Although the variety isn't extensive, its freshness is a major advantage.
Tomoe Gozen arranged the bowls and chopsticks neatly.
Then she sat down opposite Kotori.
"Okay, you can eat now."
"Eat it while it's hot."
Kotori looked at the food on the stone table.
Then I looked at Tomoe Gozen.
The other person not only kindly prepared food for me.
They were looking at me with anticipation.
It seemed like they were waiting for her to pick up her chopsticks.
That look in his eyes was like...
Kotori remained silent for a few seconds.
But she still couldn't resist.
He spoke.
My name is Kotori Itsuka.
Why did you bring me here, and even prepare food for me?
She wanted to know why.
It's not that I'm ungrateful.
I just don't understand.
Why is the other person being so good to me?
This was the first time I had met the other person.
Moreover, he created such a grand spectacle within the temple.
Normally, they should be avoiding me, right?
Tomoe Gozen looked at Kotori.
He tilted his head slightly.
It seems like she's thinking about how to answer.
Then she spoke.
"Judging from your appearance, you must still be a child."
"..."
Kotori's lips twitched.
Tomoe Gozen said this with an air of complete self-assurance.
But the statement itself is a bit strange.
Because if we only look at appearance...
Tomoe Gozen looks like a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl.
"Are you only helping me because of my appearance?"
Kotori's tone carried a hint of resentment.
You don't look that much older than me, do you?
Tomoe Gozen's expression changed slightly.
Then she smiled.
It seemed like they had been asked an interesting question.
"My situation is rather unique."
She put down her chopsticks.
"The blood of a demon flows within me."
"That's why my development is much slower than normal."
That's why I look so young.
"But I'm actually a mature adult now."
Kotori glanced at Tomoe Gozen and silently made a comment in her mind.
This sounds familiar.
I feel like I've heard a similar concept somewhere before.
"And."
Tomoe Gozen continued.
"Is your name Kotori Itsuka?"
"Judging from the style of the name, and the clothes he wore when he descended."
" Kotori, you must be from the Far East like me, right?"
Far East.
Kotori thought for a moment.
I guess so.
"It's complicated to explain in detail."
Just think of me as someone from the Far East.
Tomoe Gozen nodded.
No further questions were asked.
She could sense that Kotori didn't really want to talk about this.
Then don't pressure the other person.
"That's good."
"It's quite a coincidence to meet someone from your hometown in a foreign land."
Kotori looked at the food on the stone table.
My stomach rumbled again.
final.
Hunger overcame Kotori's reason.
She picked up her chopsticks.
"I ate it."
"Okay, please use it."
Kotori picked up a piece of grilled fish.
Put it in your mouth.