However, she still didn't want to sign a contract with Haruka Kasugano.
Once she signed, she would be suppressed by his Command Spells. If that happened, how could she pay him back tenfold for the humiliations she had endured?
At that moment, the petite Melusine walked over with a sweet smile. "Master, let me go to London with you~!"
"I am your Servant, after all. I can take care of you anytime, anywhere~!"
"Go away, you fake Lancelot! Get lost!" Artoria alter raised a slender leg, trying to shoo Melusine away.
"You're the one who should get lost, you fallen Pan-Human History Arthur!" Melusine retorted crossly.
The atmosphere between them tightened instantly, like two swords about to clash. Haruka Kasugano pondered for a moment. A thought flashed through his mind—he decided to take Melusine along. This was an excellent opportunity to grow closer to her.
He reached out and gently took Melusine's small, soft hand. With a warm glint in his eyes, he smiled. "Melusine, let's go catch a plane together!"
Her hand was slender and smooth, as if carved from the finest porcelain. Her fingertips were slightly rounded with a faint pink hue, like budding flowers; a light touch revealed skin that was soft and elastic.
"Mm-hmm!" Melusine's eyes sparkled with anticipation as she nodded happily.
"Mmph!!!" Nearby, Artoria alter puffed out her cheeks, letting out a string of dissatisfied grumbles.
"Hehehe... You're actually not taking me... fine, I'll show you what I'm made of!" A cold smirk played on Artoria alter's lips as she raised her Excalibur Morgan, staring coldly at Haruka Kasugano.
Seeing this, Haruka Kasugano's heart tightened. He quickly scooped up the petite Melusine and sprinted toward the airport.
"Halt, King's orders!" Artoria alter roared, chasing after them while brandishing her sword.
As night fell, Haruka Kasugano and Melusine finally boarded the flight to London. To their frustration, Artoria alter followed like a stubborn shadow, sitting silently right next to them. No matter how much Haruka Kasugano tried to drive her away, she remained glued to her seat.
Helpless, Haruka Kasugano had no choice but to bring her along on the journey.
-----
The next morning.
The plane finally landed in London. Haruka Kasugano stepped off with Melusine and Artoria alter.
"Achoo!" Haruka Kasugano suddenly sneezed. Frowning, he couldn't help but complain, "I thought people said the air abroad was sweet? Why does it smell so bad?"
Hearing this, Artoria alter was so annoyed she kicked him. "Your house is the one that smells!"
Haruka Kasugano, unwilling to take it lying down, slapped Artoria alter's rear.
"Ah~! ...Strange, why does it hurt so much when you hit me?" Artoria alter rubbed her backside, looking surprised.
Haruka Kasugano was baffled. He hadn't used any strength at all. Wait? Could this be the effect of my 'Arthur' trait special attack?
Just then, a luxury car rolled up and stopped in front of them. The door opened, and an old butler in a crisp tailcoat stepped out. His eyes scanned the three of them before settling on Haruka Kasugano.
"Are you Mr. Haruka?" the butler asked politely.
"I am!" Haruka Kasugano responded quickly.
The butler nodded slightly with a polite smile. "Miss Sola sent me to pick you up. Please, get in." He walked slowly to the door and pulled it open, habitually moving to let Melusine and Artoria alter enter first.
However, he suddenly reached out an arm to block them.
"Only Mr. Haruka may enter the vehicle. Other... questionable women... cannot follow," the butler said coldly.
"Questionable?" Melusine was stunned. Being described that way for the first time, her face immediately filled with grievance.
The butler gave a cold sneer. This man might not even make it through the gates of our Department of Evocation, let alone you lot—
CRACK!
Before his smugness could last two seconds, the luxury car behind him was instantly sliced in half. Artoria alter didn't have as many moral qualms as the blue Artoria; in this situation, she only knew how to strike hard.
"What did you just call me?" Artoria alter's face was full of killing intent, her body radiating a massive amount of magical energy.
"I..." The butler's pants were instantly soaked in terror.
The butler trembled violently, unable to speak. After wrecking the car, Artoria alter glanced at Haruka Kasugano, gauging his reaction. Now that she had cooled down, she realized she might have caused trouble and worried Haruka Kasugano might dislike her taking initiative.
But Haruka Kasugano just kept his hands in his pockets and asked, "By the way, he's the one who insulted you. Why didn't you cut him instead of the car? What did the car do? It looked pretty expensive."
These words terrified the butler so much he couldn't even stand; he slumped directly to his knees. A faint, almost imperceptible trace of joy appeared on Artoria alter's cold face before she turned away haughtily. "Hmph! I didn't want his filthy blood splashing all over me!"
Haruka Kasugano squatted down and smiled at the man. "You were trying to give me a 'show of authority' just now, weren't you?"
The butler's face turned white.
"Leaving aside whether I'd dare challenge the authority of the Department of Evocation, did you think I wouldn't dare kill a servant who insults me?" Haruka Kasugano continued to smile.
As soon as he finished speaking, Melusine summoned a short sword and pierced the butler's calf. The man let out a squeal like a stuck pig.
"AAAHHH—"
"You've lived a long time and still don't understand," Haruka Kasugano said, standing up. "The masters haven't even spoken, yet a mere lapdog dares to steal the scene. This is a lesson for you. As they say, you're never too old to learn. Digest that well."
Haruka Kasugano looked at the ruined car and sighed. "Now how are we supposed to get to the Clock Tower?" He smiled at the butler again. "Right. I'll give you ten minutes to call another car."
The butler frantically scrambled for his phone. Ten minutes passed, but no car arrived.
"As one of the Twelve Lords, the Department of Evocation's efficiency is quite poor. Ten minutes and not one car? How do you run things?" Haruka Kasugano's smile turned sinister.
CRACK!
Melusine pierced the butler's other leg.
"AAAHHH— Spare me! They're coming slowly, it has nothing to do with me..." the butler wailed.
"Aren't you the butler? You failed to manage your subordinates. How is that not your responsibility?" Haruka Kasugano laughed.
The butler dared not speak again. Haruka Kasugano stepped on his head provocatively. "Feeling humiliated? Go ahead and tattle to your Lord when you get back."
The butler's face turned ashen. He wouldn't dare. His actions were just a case of a servant bullying others using his master's prestige. Lord Rufleus Naizer Eurifis was a pure Aristocrat; if he found out a servant had acted so presumptuously, the butler would be the first to be punished.
Five minutes later, a new luxury car arrived. A head maid stepped out and said politely, "I apologize for the unpleasantness of this journey, Mr. Haruka. Please, you and the two ladies may enter."
"Mmm. Now that's the grace a great family should have," Haruka Kasugano quipped.
The three of them got in. The head maid didn't even spare the old butler a glance; he wasn't within her jurisdiction.
An hour later, they arrived at the campus of the Department of Evocation. The head maid led them into Rufleus's office. It was incredibly spacious and ancient, clearly steeped in history. Rufleus stood by the window looking at the scenery, while Sola stood respectfully behind him. Upon seeing Haruka Kasugano, Sola's face broke into a wide smile.
Rufleus turned slowly and said politely, "So you are Haruka Kasugano. You are quite the handsome young man. Please, sit."
"Thank you," Haruka Kasugano replied. They sat opposite each other on the sofas. Sola stood behind her father, Melusine stood behind Haruka Kasugano's left, and Artoria alter stood behind his right with her arms crossed.
"I know you encountered some unpleasantness at the airport. I apologize on behalf of my servant. However... I must advise you: though you were in the right, you are currently weak. Do not be too arrogant. Not every family is as reasonable as the Eurifis," Rufleus said.
"Thanks for the advice," Haruka Kasugano smiled politely. "I understand the concept of 'looking at the master before hitting the dog.' However, whether that master is worth looking at is another matter entirely."
Rufleus's expression remained flat. After a moment, he spoke again. "Enough. Let's talk business. I've heard about you from Sola. I want to hear your thoughts. Do you intend to marry her?"
"Of course," Haruka Kasugano said simply.
"Do you know what kind of man Sola's previous fiancé, Kayneth, was?"
"I do."
"I may not have confidence in finding a son-in-law as outstanding as Kayneth again, but any heir or branch member of a Lord's family I find would be stronger than a man like you with no Magic Circuits," Rufleus said bluntly. "Setting aside magical aptitude, let's talk about status. I know you've acquired the inheritance of two small families in Fuyuki, but compared to the vast wealth of a Lord's house, that is a drop in the ocean."
"Why should I marry Sola to you?"
"You have no magical talent; I can't even have you marry into the family!"
"Furthermore, if you marry her, you must be faithful. What is the situation with the two women behind you? Do you think the Eurifis will allow someone with such a stain to enter and insult my house?"
His words made Melusine very angry; had Haruka Kasugano not given an order, she would have acted already. Artoria alter just sneered. Sola looked troubled.
"Heh," Haruka Kasugano chuckled coldly. "You're wrong there."
"Comparing me to a dead man? Isn't that just insulting me?"
Rufleus's pupils dilated slightly. He hadn't expected that response.
"Since you've heard so much from Sola, you surely know I was a participant in the Holy Grail War," Haruka Kasugano continued. "One died, one lived. That explains everything."
"And as for me having many women being an insult to your house?"
"Apologies, I forgot to introduce them. The ones behind me aren't just my women—they are Heroic Spirits famous throughout history."
As soon as he finished, Melusine and Artoria alter both released a massive burst of magical energy.