No wonder they say human potential is limitless.
Auram never expected that he would actually manage to polish off nearly the entire mountain of food.
Of course, the dishes themselves were delicious, but it was also because Ayaka was sitting right beside him, shining brightly with that strong radiance like the morning sun. Just being near her made it feel like he could eat three extra bowls.
"Now I'm satisfied."
Patting his rounded stomach, Auram let out a burp.
Seeing his contented expression, Ayaka laughed softly.
"Saber, this morning I tried making an English breakfast. Is there anything else you'd like to eat?"
"Something I'd like to eat…" Auram paused, then suddenly clapped his hands. "Now that you mention it, I'm craving some Chinese food."
Unlike many isekai travelers who always seemed to be natural-born chefs, Auram wasn't one of them. He hadn't been able to bring the richness of modern cuisine to other worlds. And compared to the culinary paradise he'd once lived in, the food of those worlds was… edible at best.
Now that fate had brought him back to Earth, of course, he longed for his homeland's dishes.
"Chinese food, huh… No problem! I'll do my best!"
With that, Ayaka pulled a cute pink notebook out of her apron pocket and began scribbling in it while muttering to herself.
"There are so many options for Chinese dishes… Let's see… For dinner tonight, maybe steamed abalone, mapo tofu, yam and goji chicken soup…"
She was already planning the evening menu? That was far too virtuous~
Watching her earnestly mumbling to herself, Auram couldn't help but smile gently.
…
Wait, something wasn't right!
Sure, dinner was important—but wasn't there something even more pressing they needed to discuss?
"Hey, Ayaka… shouldn't we talk about the Holy Grail War?"
"Oh, right, there's that too."
"Hey, hey!"
'What do you mean by "that too"?! Don't bring up the Holy Grail War like you just remembered you forgot a delivery last night!'
'The Grail War should be our top priority, the core of everything right now. You didn't summon me here just to play house, did you?'
"Don't worry, Saber."
After a brief silence, her slender hands gently rested on his. She looked up at him with a sincere gaze.
"No matter what happens, I'll help you achieve your wish."
"Ah… thank you?"
Her warm smile sent a wave of comfort through him, but somewhere inside, he felt something was off.
Wasn't that supposed to be the Servant's line to the Master? Yet she had said it to him instead. Wasn't that a reversal?
"Well… actually, I wanted to ask—what wish do you want to make on the Grail, Ayaka?"
"My wish is Saber's wish~"
"...…"
Her voice was gentle as ever, but Auram's eyes widened.
Though many Grail Wars had unlucky participants dragged in unwittingly, Auram could tell Ayaka wasn't one of them. She knew the Grail, understood it, and clearly grasped what his question meant.
For magi, the Grail War was a life-and-death gamble. Their goals and ambitions were often extraordinary. Servants were just their means of achieving them.
Yet Ayaka said her wish was his wish. That made no sense.
'Hmm… could this be a test?'
"As long as it's Saber's wish—whatever it is—I'll help you achieve it!"
When Auram stayed silent too long, she repeated her words. Her sapphire-blue eyes were clear and earnest, without a hint of deception, leaving him truly puzzled.
"Whatever my wish is… you'll help me?"
"That's right~"
Since she'd gone so far, Auram couldn't just let it drop. However, as he looked at her pure expression, a mischievous thought arose.
What if he threw out some outrageous wishes? How would she react?
"Alright, then I'll be honest. My wish is… to conquer the world!"
"As expected of Saber. What a grand wish! I'll definitely help you achieve it~"
'…She agreed? Without even hesitating?!'
Auram broke into a cold sweat. He couldn't even tell if she was serious or teasing. Flustered, he hastily changed tack.
"Ahem, forget that. Conquering the world is just a means. My real wish is to build a massive harem, filled with beauties, wine, and endless pleasure! Don't look at me like that… what's so strange? I've worked hard as a hero my whole life, can't I relax a little at the end?"
"Ah…"
For once, her steady smile faltered. She bit her lip, fingers twisting her clothes. After a long, silent inner struggle, she finally nodded.
"If that's what Saber wants… then I-I guess I can accept it… probably."
"And you'd just watch from the side."
"…You're a devil!"
She exploded at last, waving her tiny fists with indignant squeaks, making Auram burst into laughter.
"Just kidding, just kidding. Don't take it so seriously, Ayaka~"
"Honestly, Saber! That wasn't funny at all!"
"Sorry, sorry. But hey, you were the one who said any wish would do, remember~?"
"Ugh, I did say that, didn't I…" Pouting with puffed cheeks, she sighed, half annoyed, half sulky.
"I never thought Saber would be such a mean person…"
"Well, you're just so cute, I couldn't resist teasing you~" He flicked her forehead with a playful smile.
"Umyah…"
Clutching her head, Ayaka let out an adorable sound. Honestly, it was the first time in her life she'd felt what it was like to be teased.
After all, she was Ayaka Sajo—the girl born linked to the Root, omniscient and omnipotent. Who could ever tease her?
Yet, this man was different. Beyond his prince-like aura straight out of a fairy tale, he was shrouded in a mystery even she could not pierce. She couldn't see his future—not because she refused to, but because she couldn't.
And that difference meant everything.
The deeper one stood in the realm of mysteries, the more one was drawn to other mysteries.
Not to mention… this particular mystery was handsome.
So though he had teased her, Ayaka felt a strange new sensation well up inside. She should be angry. She should scold him… Despite that, why were her lips curling upward, and her ears turning warm?
"Hmph. Even if Saber tricked me, I'm still his Master. A promise once made won't be taken back."
Turning her face away to hide her blush, she gave two soft huffs through her nose.
"So no matter what happens, I'll help Saber realize his wish."
For the third time, Ayaka spoke the same words.
...
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