Chapter 27: Too Many People Coming for a Free Meal!

That young girl had golden hair that reached nearly to her legs, styled into a long braid down her back. She wore a strange hair ornament on her forehead and was clad in medieval combat armor. From her appearance, she was undoubtedly a young girl, though the actual age of a Heroic Spirit was not important to Caren, a person of a later generation.

All she needed to care about was the strength of this Heroic Spirit. Immediately after summoning her, and after a brief moment of being startled by the other's beauty, Caren checked her status parameters.

Class: Ruler

Master: Caren Hortensia

True Name: Jeanne d'Arc Height: 159cm Weight: 44kg

Class Skills:

Magic Resistance: EX True Name Discernment: B God's Resolution: A

Innate Skills:

Revelation: A Charisma: C Saint: B

Noble Phantasms:

Luminosité Eternelle: A La Pucelle: C → EX

"Ruler..."

This class seemed a bit off; at the very least, Caren hadn't found any record of a Ruler class in past Holy Grail Wars. It appeared to be a class that had never appeared before. However, looking at the Noble Phantasms she possessed, they were extremely powerful. Aside from her Mana being lowered by one rank due to Caren being the Master, her other parameters were quite good.

"Is something the matter, Master?" Hearing Caren's murmur, Jeanne thought she was being called and immediately turned her gaze toward her.

"Um, Ruler, do you know why you were summoned in this class?" Caren asked her curiously.

"Since you wish to know, Master, then I shall tell you." Hearing Caren's question, Jeanne gave a smile—the unique smile of a saint, like the warm sun in winter, possessing a power that encouraged the heart.

"Under normal circumstances, it is unlikely for you, Master, to have the right to participate in the Holy Grail War. It is just that this situation is somewhat special. Because a terrifying existence that breaks the rules has appeared in this Holy Grail War, I bear the responsibility of maintaining the order of the war. Therefore, I was summoned as the eighth class, Ruler, by selecting someone relatively close to me."

The circumstances under which a Ruler is summoned are generally divided into two types: first, when the form of the Holy Grail War is highly unusual and the outcome is an unknown variable—that is, the Holy Grail determines a Ruler is needed. Second, when the influence of the Holy Grail War could potentially cause a distortion in the world. Only heroes with no wish at the time of their death are qualified to become a Ruler.

This Holy Grail War undoubtedly fell into the second category.

As a side note, the Ruler class possesses several privileges: a search ability that can nullify an Assassin's "Presence Concealment" with a limit radius of ten kilometers; the "True Name Discernment" skill to grasp a Servant's true identity; and "God's Resolution," which allows her to exercise two Command Spells on each individual Servant.

To put it simply, she came with her own "cheats."

"I see..." Caren nodded, roughly understanding the circumstances from Jeanne's explanation.

"Then, since you also understand my duty, Master, let us cooperate well in this Holy Grail War." Jeanne smiled, then showed a somewhat apologetic expression. "However, as a Ruler, I can only serve as the supervisor of the Holy Grail War and cannot bring the Holy Grail to you, Master. I hope you can understand this."

"It's fine, it doesn't matter. Although it's a bit of a pity, I don't have a reason why I must obtain the Holy Grail anyway." To this, Caren nodded with a smile.

"I am glad you can understand," Jeanne said appreciatively. "Then, before the Holy Grail War officially begins, please rest well."

"Mm," Caren responded.

Subsequently, after Jeanne spiritualized, Caren returned to the bedroom and lay down on the bed. Finally raising her left hand to look at the tattoo-like Command Spells on the back of her hand, Caren felt inexplicably at ease and soon fell into a dreamland.

Night deepened. A black veil covered the entire city. Today's Fuyuki City was not as brightly lit as usual; instead, it was incredibly quiet. A curfew had recently been implemented, and the shadows of pedestrians could no longer be seen on the streets. Even if a few rebellious youths went out wandering with their friends, they would eventually return home under the influence of "Suggestion" magecraft.

The stage for the participants of the Holy Grail War was set.

Rin, returning home alone as usual after school, recalled seeing Shirou, Sakura, and the others together when leaving school and felt an inexplicable sense of annoyance.

"Honestly... that guy actually broke his promise last night, after I waited for him for so long!"

Actually, Shirou had explained the reason to Rin afterward, but even so, Rin still felt frustrated. While grumbling to herself, Rin opened the refrigerator, took out ingredients, and began preparing a meal. Rin's cooking level was very high, and she was especially skilled in Chinese cuisine, but she had little experience in making Japanese food.

"You always give off a lonely vibe today; it's a bit pitiable," Scáthach said mockingly as she manifested, leaning against the kitchen cabinet as Rin began preparing the ingredients.

"Hmph, I'm not lonely!" Rin curled her lip, her movements with the ingredients becoming a bit rough.

As if her mood had affected her, the meal Rin produced today was an unexpected failure. Seeing this, Scáthach smiled slightly.

"It can't be helped, I suppose I have to step in after all." The Queen of the Land of Shadows took the kitchen utensils from Rin. "If one reaches the pinnacle of the culinary path, stir-frying is but a flick of the wrist!"

Standing beside her, Rin watched the Queen's practiced movements and suddenly showed a surprised expression. "Could it be—!?"

Five minutes later. The two of them stared in silence at the black, unidentifiable viscous object on the plate.

"Um... how about we just go over there for a free meal?"

"Mm, you're right. Anyway, this is all Shirou's fault."

At dusk, orange light projected through the living room window, casting a golden-sand hue over the room.

"Shirou, Shirou~ what are we eating today?" Illya walked up behind Shirou with a cheerful step and hugged his waist like a mischievous little elf.

At this moment, Shirou was wearing an apron and preparing a meal. Being suddenly hugged by Illya like this, he said with some helplessness, "Cream-grilled bamboo shoots."

"Wow, it's my first time eating that!" Illya poked her small face out from the side, her eyes wide with curiosity as she watched Shirou's orderly movements.

Shirou was skilled in all styles of cuisine; preparing any dish was second nature to him.

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Chapter 205 - Chapter 27: Too Many People Coming for a Free Meal!