Chapter 25: Saber is the Best!
Meanwhile, Shirou had already turned on the kitchen lights and begun preparing a late-night snack.
Watching the man's busy silhouette, Medea couldn't help but feel a sense of trance, as if all of this were merely a dream. Her heart suddenly tightened; she hurriedly took a few steps into the kitchen and leaned against the counter, observing the scene of Shirou cooking.
"What's wrong?" Sensing she seemed to have something to say, Shirou did not stop his hands.
Since her face had already been seen, Medea did not put her hood back on. The stunning woman in purple robes exhaled softly, her eyes downcast.
"With your power, you shouldn't need someone like me as a Caster, right? And..."
As she spoke, the woman's gorgeous thin lips, painted purple, trembled slightly.
"And... not long ago, I betrayed my original Master and even killed him... I... I also have a scandalous reputation from when I was alive, branded forever with the word 'betrayal.' People call me a 'witch,' the 'Witch of Betrayal'!"
Past events resurfaced in her mind, and Medea's emotions became somewhat agitated. Her brows furrowed deeply, and her tear-stained face looked like a pear blossom in the rain—it was as if she were acting hysterical just to let him know exactly how loathsome a person she was.
"After knowing all this... do you still intend to accept me?"
Medea's voice carried a tremor, her blue eyes fixed intently on Shirou. She could already imagine the look of disgust this man would show after learning of her sordid past. He would surely be like the others, treating her as the most evil "witch" and driving her away.
However, what came was not a scolding, but a soft chuckle. As if he had heard a joke, he suddenly laughed pleasantly.
"Your name is Medea, and your true identity is the unfortunate Princess of Colchis from Greek mythology."
At the same time, Medea saw a pale gold light in Shirou's eyes. Those eyes were filled with divinity; anyone who met that gaze would be involuntarily drawn in, finding it difficult to look away. The moment she was touched by his gaze, Medea suddenly felt as though she were being seen through completely.
"I know everything about you very well. Your past, your measurements, your knowledge—I know every bit of you clearly."
Hearing Shirou's answer, Medea's mouth opened slightly, unable to hide her surprise.
'Eh? Wait, something sounded a bit off about what he just said...'
Medea's expression blanked for a second, and then her cheeks suddenly flushed with shame. In the kitchen, besides the aroma of cooking, a peculiar atmosphere seemed to permeate the air.
Just then, with a "creak," the door to Shirou's bedroom opened.
"It smells so good~ Shirou, is it morning already?"
Saber's five senses were far sharper than an average person's, so it was easy for her to hear subtle noises; it seemed she had been woken up by the sounds from the kitchen. The girl's golden-sand hair was draped loosely, and she was wearing Sakura's pajamas, which were slightly loose on her, emphasizing her petite frame and making her look even cuter.
Although she had been somewhat resistant and shy about sleeping in Shirou's room for the first few days, Shirou had indeed made no untoward moves, so Saber had gradually adapted. Her clothes were a bit disheveled from sleeping, and a bleary-eyed Saber cast her gaze toward the kitchen.
"..." She saw the woman in purple robes immediately.
"You... who are you!?" Seeing a stranger, Saber's alertness spiked to the maximum. Her sleepiness vanished instantly, and she did not hesitate to materialize Excalibur, wrapped in the Invisible Air.
The pajamas on her body also transformed into blue and white armor under the surge of magical energy. Seeing the atmosphere turn hostile, Shirou hurriedly spoke to intervene.
"Wait a second, Saber! She is a guest I brought back!"
After hearing Shirou's voice, Saber finally withdrew her hostility slightly.
"Shirou, the aura on her is extraordinary; she is a very dangerous person!" Even if the atmosphere was no longer as tense as before, Saber still did not let down her guard.
"Hold on a moment. Let me explain it to you after the snack is ready."
Shirou first had Saber and Medea sit down at the dining table in the living room. Hearing that there was actually a late-night snack, it was as if a new world had opened for Saber, and she became quite excited internally. Mentioning food made her realize she really was a bit hungry.
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While eating, Shirou explained Medea's situation to Saber.
"Hmm... so you're saying, Shirou, you've added another Servant now?"
Murmuring this, Saber looked at Shirou with a somewhat confused expression.
"Why go looking for other Servants? Shirou, do you no longer trust my strength?"
Hearing this, Shirou shook his head quickly.
"Of course that's not it. My Saber is undoubtedly the best!"
"Even if you suddenly say that, Shirou, I won't be happy," Saber said, turning her face away and speaking in a somewhat reluctant tone.
"Ah, is that so? I was just wondering if I should make another portion of late-night snacks."
Upon hearing this, Saber's body froze instantly. After struggling for a few seconds, she couldn't hold back and spoke up.
"Is... is that true?"
"Of course."
Having received the answer she wanted, Saber's mood immediately brightened again.
'Foodies are so easy to take care of' Shirou couldn't help but sigh.
"Though I have that intention, we haven't signed a contract yet."
Saying this, Shirou looked at Medea. Once she felt his gaze, she couldn't help but lower her head, the pointed elven tips of her ears flushing red. What happened after being carried like a princess in the dense forest uncontrollably resurfaced in her mind, causing her head to sink even lower. If one could see her face, it would surely be the cute expression of a girl in her first love.
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Time passed quickly, and soon the scheduled day for the Holy Grail War was approaching. There were probably less than two days left.
Caren Hortensia did not know how many magi had been drawn to this city by the omnipotent wish-granting cup. However, judging by her grandfather's increasingly busy silhouette, she understood there must be many. Although only about seven people would ultimately obtain Command Spells, anyone would want to come and try their luck before the day of the official opening.
Under the night sky, Caren stood at the church entrance, gazing at the bright, clear moon. Although she was not involved in the matters of the Holy Grail War and was in a state of complete leisure, her heart still felt a sense of panic and a strange, inexplicable anticipation for the arrival of that day.
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