Morning broke in Fuyuki.
Today is another important day. Because today, I'm going to Einzbern Castle of all places.
Of course, I plan to go in the afternoon after lunch. It's not raining today, but the weather is gloomy... It's a bit of a downer weather. It means the time to return to Chaldea is gradually approaching.
I woke up early in the morning. Today I didn't stay up all night. Of course, everyone still came to my room though. Whether they felt jealous of Sakura or not, the fact that I reacted to such a small element means I'm hopeless, but my back is sore from spending about 3 hours with the three goddesses.
In the morning, I head to Sakura and Illya's room. The two of similar age are sleeping in the same room, and I enter their room, shaking the two who are sleeping soundly to wake them up.
"It's morning, so wake up~"
"Ha~am... Yes..."
Sakura wakes up first, and Illya tosses in the blanket and rubs her eyes. Since they're awake, I leave the room. I go down to the first floor where the dining room is, and upon arriving at the dining room, there was Muramasa preparing the meal and Saber placing bowls on the table.
"What's this from the morning? At first you were so wary."
"... It's nothing. I've accepted my situation."
What is she saying after eating rice so vigorously and happily the previous day? Saber speaks as if she's coolly assessed the situation.
"If you're hoping for Holy Grail crumbs, give up. I have no intention of granting your wish."
"....."
Saber with a blank expression as if thinking "As I expected..." Can't be helped. I immediately open my status window and take out an item.
Whoosh~!
"...............?"
"Ah, I took them all out."
The Holy Grails that fell all over the dining room. I put them all back in, leaving one behind.
"Th, that's... th, the Holy Grail...?"
"You normally receive Holy Grails as New Year's money, and you can also make them into coins. You get a Holy Grail about once a month? To begin with, what's so great about this that you wage war over it, it's pathetic, I tell you."
"........"
During her lifetime, she sent expeditions to obtain the Holy Grail, and in the Fourth War, she fought fiercely, but to me, the Holy Grail is just a somewhat rare item that's occasionally given.
"Muramasa, put Seibah's rice in here."
"Seriously... Well, alright. It's a bit luxurious for a rice bowl."
"No no, are you in your right mind!? Us, using the Holy Grail as a rice bowl...!?"
"You don't know, do you? Originally, the Holy Grail is exactly that."
Actually, in the original King Arthur legend too, the Holy Grail was a cup that produced infinite food. It changed in later generations to grant wishes and such. To begin with, the original text's Dagda's Cauldron was also such a treasure.
"To begin with, who uses the Holy Grail like that!?"
"Japan's greatest swordsman did it. He cooked rice in the Holy Grail and even boiled udon in it."
Recommended by Miyamoto Musashi, Holy Grail rice and Holy Grail udon are exquisite delicacies!
A delicacy that even makes Servants go crazy! You should try it too!
"The ultimate ingredient that even that Musashi went crazy for and was captivated by, that is the Holy Grail! Any rice, if put in the Holy Grail, if made with the Holy Grail, becomes the ultimate exquisite delicacy!"
"... Is that really okay?"
"According to the reference footage, it appears to be very wholesome with the body trembling from incredible taste."
"Where is this reference footage?"
"If you can't see it, it means your ability is still insufficient, Seibah."
"It's Saber! To begin with, you know my true name!"
"Mm~ Seibah."
"Tsk..."
A little later, everyone gathers in the dining room one by one.
"What, only Saber gets a Holy Grail? I want one too!"
"That's right! That's unfair!"
"I'm giving it to her because she's a regretful woman full of delusions who craved the Holy Grail so much. I'm going to take it back anyway, so what does it matter~"
Ishtar and Kama particularly protest, but since it's just for eating rice, they let it go for now.
The old man says he won't eat breakfast, so the rest of us decide to have our meal.
So Saber looks at the Holy Grail rice as if uncomfortable, and starts eating, when...
A little time passes.
"Holy Grail rice is delicious~"
There was Saber who ultimately succumbed to the charm of Holy Grail rice.
Saber, who has fallen in terms of taste, has crossed a river of no return. What can I do, it's the fate given to those who love to eat. Accept it, Saber...!
"The Holy Grail I so longed for in the past is in my hands... and not for a wish but just as a rice bowl. It feels quite strange..."
"Isn't life originally like that? And... even if your wish were granted, ultimately no one would be happy. Just as Morgan becoming king of Britain was denied by the world, you subjugating Britain would also be denied. The reason the Counter Force reached out to you wasn't to grant your wish but to make you a Guardian. So, it's easier to just give up."
"... Must it really be that way?"
"Your loss or my loss? You decide for yourself. By the way... I also have you among my Servants. To begin with, what will you do if you don't give up? You probably can't obtain the Grail, and there's no path other than becoming the Counter Force's dog, right? If you give up, there might be another path for you."
"Is that so..."
I give my piece of advice, and we finish the meal.
"Thank you for the meal."
Saber gives the Japanese-style post-meal greeting. Did she learn it from Shirou? There was a grain of rice stuck to the corner of her mouth, and I call her and point to the corner of my mouth with my finger. Saber then notices the rice grain and eats it, blushing.
Since her appearance is that of a 15-year-old girl, she's cute. Well, even the grown-up version would be like that too.
"Ah, Sakura has one too."
"Huh?"
Sakura also had a grain of rice stuck to the corner of her mouth, and I remove it directly and eat the rice grain.
"".....""
Then Ishtar and Kama stick rice grains all over the corners of their mouths...
Whack!
Muramasa's wooden sword strikes both their heads, and the two who played with food raise their hands and stand in punishment while listening to Muramasa's scolding. The scene is quite something. Saber watching also seemed to feel cognitive dissonance.
"Saber, being a dragon... you're the type to wag your tail even when you don't have one nya~"
"What are you talking about, Taiga. No, you said Jaguar Warrior. To begin with, you're a woman, so why is it 'Warrior'..."
"If you care about things like that, you lose, Seibah. As a newcomer, you don't know a~nything... Illya, since you're basically the Master, educate her."
"Eeh... That's the hardest part. First, Saber-san, you know there are several derivatives based on you, right?"
"What kind of Merlin-like nonsense is that again..."
Well, since it's the truth, accept it, Saber.
Come to think of it, before going to Einzbern, should I deal with one remaining source of instability.
A small forest near the church. Heading there, he reveals himself.
"What is this... Why has a vessel of disaster worse than that woman come?"
"Calling me a disaster is too harsh... Still, you know?"
"How dare you babble. You are more dangerous than that woman. No, more dangerous than the Grail's curse itself. I cannot let a mongrel like you roam my world."
"Impressive confidence, King of Heroes. That arrogance, I don't dislike it."
"Hmph... Even if death is on your side, a being like you should not exist."
"Oh my~ That's really scary. Well, I'm not sorry though? AUO. I'll have to make you exit here now. Because, to begin with, you're unnecessary for this game, right?"
"What did you say?"
"Of course... if you win and survive, I'll just leave you alone. If that's possible, that is. Can you do it? I'm in a good mood today, so I'm serious."
It's nothing special... I just want to give the arrogant king a taste of bitter medicine.
"Then, I'll leave the opponent to you."
"... You, what did you summon..."
"What else? I summoned my Servant. So, I'll leave it to you?"
"Aah~ Leave it to me! It'll be over quickly."
Archetype: O.R.T.
I wonder how many seconds you can last? AUO.