In Europe, in a forest in Germany, inside the Einzbern family's chapel, the cigarette in Kiritsugu's hand fell to the ground. He looked at the person in the center of the summoning, the expression on his face changing slightly. He fixed his gaze on the male of the two figures in the magic circle. "Are you King Arthur?"
The Heroic Spirit with light-golden hair quickly raised his hand and waved it, simultaneously rubbing his temples with a bit of a headache. His other hand pointed at the petite girl next to him, who was dressed in a silver armored battle dress with her golden hair in a bun. "No... this is the legendary King Arthur. As for why I was summoned, and in an incomplete state at that... it's probably because a part of my story was integrated into King Arthur's world, or because some legends and most people got the two of us mixed up. Why did something like this happen... By the way, if this little lady makes her exit, I will follow."
Kiritsugu clenched his fists. As a participating Master, he could, of course, see the data and name of his own Servant. He had originally hoped it was some kind of bug, or that his eyes were playing tricks on him. But he never expected that King Arthur really was that girl. He then turned his head to look at this Heroic Spirit who claimed to have been summoned by association. This one's stats were on par with King Arthur's, and it even seemed that due to the associated summoning, his stats and condition were not at their peak.
[Aslan Pendragon (Male)]
[Class: ???]
[Strength: B][Endurance: B][Agility: B][Mana: C][Luck: B][NP: A++]
[Traits: Riding, Dragon, Heaven and Earth Servant, Beloved, Hominidae]
[Noble Phantasm: Sword of Glorious Victory (A++ Anti-Fortress)]
[Class Skills: Magic Resistance (C), Riding (D)]
[Personal Skills: White Dragon's Blood (A++)]
[Instinct (A)]
[Mixed Legends (C) (Because various legends have been mixed, he can be seen as King Arthur, sharing in the buffs and debuffs related to Arthur.)]
Aslan, who was summoned by association, could of course also see his own data. After seeing it, he just pursed his lips. Compared to his complete self, whether in terms of stats or Noble Phantasms, he had really been weakened quite a bit. But looking at his current stats, he was indeed still a first-rate Servant.
Kiritsugu glanced at the two Servants before him. In the end, he said nothing and turned to leave the chapel. This situation made Artoria feel a bit confused. Could it be that her Master was unhappy because she was a woman?
Irisviel, at the side, of course also saw her husband's actions. A slightly apologetic smile appeared on her face. "I'm sorry, Saber. Kiritsugu is not angry because of your gender. It's just that summoning two Servants this time has completely overturned all our previous plans. We need to rearrange everything now."
Irisviel winked at the two of them. "I know him. His mind should be full of changes to the plan right now. He's not angry at you. In any case, for the time being, we are comrades. Would you like to have a cup of afternoon tea together? Illya will be very happy to have two new friends to play with."
The Servant Aslan shrugged his shoulders. Kiritsugu's departure was, of course, mainly because he was eager to revise his plans. But to say it had nothing to do with the legendary King Arthur being a girl would be a lie. But since she had already been summoned, he couldn't just stuff her back, could he? However, Kiritsugu was indeed not bad to his Servants. In the original story, after Saber's arm was injured, he also did everything he could to help Artoria recover. Of course, the fundamental reason was still to win the Holy Grail War in order to achieve world peace.
In this man's eyes, whether it was himself, the legendary King Arthur, or any other Heroic Spirit besides them, they were all just tools to reach final victory. And whether the tools were in good condition was, of course, the key to obtaining that victory.
To be honest, such a Master was truly unsettling. Most importantly, while such a Master might share hardships, it was hard to say if they would share the glory. After all, weren't most tools thrown away after use? Of course, before a definite victory was achieved, the matter of "casting aside the bow once the birds are gone" would not happen. This man would even continuously maintain his tools.
To think that he too would have a day where he became a tool. Most importantly, he had appeared as a Heroic Spirit in such a familiar world. It seemed the traditions of Type-Moon were about to play out again.
Irisviel walked at the forefront, preparing to take the two summoned Servants for a warm cup of afternoon tea. Their family's castle was itself covered in ice and snow year-round, not to mention it was now winter. At a time like this, having a warm cup of afternoon tea was indeed a very thoughtful suggestion.
Walking down the corridor, Artoria looked at the white snow outside the window, then turned her gaze back to Aslan. For Artoria, from leaving that final battlefield until now, it had only been the blink of an eye. At least, relative to Aslan, it was so. Not too long a time had passed between them. But for the Servant Aslan, this reunion had indeed been a long time coming.
"I never thought I would see you here. This is truly like a miracle, Aslan. I imagine after that final battle, you went on a long journey. Can you tell me the stories of your travels?"
The Servant Aslan put his hands behind his head. He had already become a Servant and been summoned. The distant past was just history. Now, there was no need for him to deliberately distance himself from this little sister. So, Aslan's lips curled into a smile. "On my long journey, in a certain world's Great Grail War, I met Mordred. Want to hear how she's changed?"
Artoria was stunned for a moment. Thinking of that unfilial child, she couldn't help but feel a bit of anger in her heart. But thinking back, she was not without fault herself. Had that child changed?
She nodded gently. At this point, she would no longer be too emotionally stirred by past events. Listening to the story from Aslan's mouth, the golden-haired girl suddenly stopped in her tracks. Her emerald-green eyes stared intently at the golden-haired young man before her.
"Say, Aslan, the Sword in the Stone back then... it chose you too, didn't it?"