Chapter 70: Run!
Charging straight like a wild boar!
Artoria rushed straight toward Koyanskaya, powerfully ramming into her leg.
This scene could only be described as—Caster solo Beast!
"Yaa~!"
Even though that headbutt didn't actually hurt, Koyanskaya still let out a surprised yelp.
It wasn't that she didn't notice — she simply never expected that such a tiny creature would actually dare to ram into her.
"Now's our chance, run!"
Taking advantage of the moment Koyanskaya let go of Eikou and turned her head to see what happened,
Artoria shouted without hesitation.
"Run!"
Eikou quickly echoed her.
Before Koyanskaya could grab them again, the three pigs dashed away at full speed.
Koyanskaya hurriedly gave chase too, shouting after Eikou with that sweet, syrupy voice of hers:
"Wait~ little piggy~ What part of me don't you like~?"
Sorry, even though my heart did skip a beat a little, we'll have to leave it at that—what I need to do now is turn back into a human as soon as possible! Thanks for the fan-service!
Eikou didn't look back, running farther and farther away with the other two pigs.
[The three of you are being chased by Koyanskaya — to be precise, you are the one being chased.]
[Please make an Agility check.]
[Due to being transformed into a pig, your stats are reduced by two levels.]
A die rolled.
[D, check successful.]
[Even under the effects of the Greek witch's pig transformation spell, your superior physique allows you to run extremely fast, slip into the bushes, and quickly vanish without a trace.]
[For now, you've escaped Koyanskaya's pursuit.]
[Because of his large body, Kotomine Kirei got separated after losing his way.]
"...Haa."
Eikou and Artoria hid inside a safe bush, panting heavily.
Outrunning a Beast — it was a miracle they'd even managed that.
"Thanks a lot just now, Artoria."
Just thinking about it made Eikou's heart pound again — he almost became a permanent resident of Koyanskaya's private paradise.
"No need to thank me."
Artoria shook her head,
"Next time something like this happens, let me go first. Your current appearance is just too dangerous around women."
"Uh… what kind of logic is that…" Eikou was at a loss for words.
He glanced around.
After being chased by Koyanskaya for half a day, they had somehow ended up near the lecture building of Chaldea Academy.
Next, all they had to do was head to the Japan Class to find Sakata Gintoki or Ushiwakamaru. As long as they could find Servants with the ability to communicate with animals, they'd basically be safe.
"Speaking of which, that priest seems to have gotten lost…" Artoria said.
Eikou looked around, but there was no sign of Kotomine Kirei.
Then again, with that massive body of his, trying to squeeze into a bush like they did would've gotten them caught instantly.
"It's fine. If that priest dies because of this, it'll actually help humanity get rid of a huge disaster."
Eikou was about to sneak into the lecture building,
"Once the two of us make contact with Sakata Kintoki and the others, we'll figure out how to save him later. Let's go."
"Wait…"
Artoria suddenly stopped him, and then her stomach let out a loud, protesting growl,
"I'm hungry…"
"..."
"Can we maybe find something to eat first? I can barely move anymore…" Artoria muttered.
Eikou thought to himself that their destination was just ahead — she should just hold out a little longer.
"Grrr~ grrrr~"
But then, his own stomach rumbled just as loudly, practically shaking the ground.
All right, fine. This body had way too fast a metabolism — just a bit of running and they already needed to recharge.
"Then let's look around for some food while we move,"
Eikou said, peering out of the bush — then suddenly widened his eyes.
"Wait, that looks like…"
What came into view was a graceful, elegant figure walking across the Chaldea Academy garden.
Her hair was long and silky white like snow, with a black ribbon tied at the ends — the very one Eikou had given her.
That noble woman wore a blue and white dress, carried a bag, and held a box in her hand, walking straight toward Chaldea Academy.
It was the Queen of Fairy Kingdom — Morgan!
The moment he saw her, Eikou felt an immense wave of relief wash over him.
"It's Morgan! We're finally saved!"
"What, that's Morgan?"
Artoria instantly regained her energy. She stomped her boar hooves on the ground, radiating fighting spirit, ready to charge.
"Out of the way, I'm going to ram her to death!"
"What the hell, what kind of grudge do you two have that you just have to fight at a time like this?" Eikou said in disbelief.
"Don't say anything more! That witch is the greatest enemy of the Artoria faction! No matter the time, I can never compromise with such a great evil! Move, I'm going to use Noble Phantasm!"
Artoria shouted furiously, her killing intent piercing the air.
Use Noble Phantasm my ass— in this state, they couldn't even use skills, let alone a Noble Phantasm. And hers was support-type, with zero offensive power!
"Wait…"
Eikou focused on Morgan, who was getting closer.
The thing she was holding looked like a delicately wrapped box of sweets — maybe candy or some high-class pastry?
"Morgan's holding a box of candy!" he shouted.
"Candy…!"
Artoria's whole body trembled slightly, and her green eyes suddenly sparkled brightly.
There was no doubt about it — it looked like high-class candy not sold on the market. She probably bought it to visit Eikou or the kids studying for exams.
Obviously, this was something she could've handed off to her subordinates, but she'd come personally. Eikou was deeply moved by that gesture.
"And she showed up at the perfect time when we need sugar the most— Morgan, I love you so much!"
"No…"
Artoria's expression suddenly turned serious,
"That's the Morgan I love most!"
"???"
What the hell, she got bribed by a box of candy that easily? She was way too spineless — how embarrassing for an Artoria!
"I've unilaterally made peace with Morgan already. Grudges between Servants no longer matter to me. Right now I'm just a cute little boar in need of food!"
Artoria declared with a look of righteousness.
"…Impressive. To so decisively deny your own identity just for candy… or maybe… this is precisely the correct action of an Artoria when faced with food? A philosophical question worth pondering…"
Eikou was speechless.
While Morgan was still nearby, he immediately rushed out of the bush, planning to beg for some food.
Artoria hurriedly followed behind him.
"Wait, don't leave me behind, Pink Pig-senpai! Please teach me how to roll over and show my belly in a cute way, I want to act spoiled with her too!"
"Are you really Artoria or have you been possessed by a wild boar!?"