Chapter 95. See, I've Caught Up Now
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She was never expected.
She was always held to high expectations.
What a contradictory reality.
Yet she has always faced this reality.
How sorrowful.
As Gray, she was never expected, because they didn't need Gray.
As the replica of the King, she was always respected, because what they sought was the return of the King.
How much time is left for her to live as Gray? How much time is left before she becomes that King?
How much longer can she assist her master?
Just the thought of gradually becoming someone else made Gray feel like she was sinking into a swamp—the more she struggled, the more powerless she felt.
"Snap—"
Warm hands pressed against her slightly cold neck.
"Ah—"
Gray, who had been staring at her reflection in the car window, let out a cry, and the figure in the window turned back into that of the delicate girl, except now her face was slightly flushed.
"What… what are you doing?!"
"Don't make that face," Cyd said with a soft laugh as she began braiding Gray's hair.
"Because…" Gray opened her mouth, then lowered her head, her voice incredibly soft.
"Is it fear?" Cyd sighed softly while working on the braid. "Fear that you'll no longer be yourself."
"Mm."
Gray's hands trembled, and the light in her eyes dimmed. This was probably the first time she'd confessed her fear to anyone. If possible, she wished she could bury this fear deep in her heart forever, so no one would have to worry about her... or rather, in this world, perhaps only her master would worry about her.
That's why she couldn't let him know about her fear, she couldn't distract him. Compared to the little things in her life, her master had much more important things to do...
But facing Cyd, she unconsciously relaxed, allowing the fear she had kept buried to seep out.
"You're such a silly girl. You're only making that gloomy guy worry even more," Cyd said, placing her hand on Gray's head. "Rest assured, you'll always be yourself."
"Huh?" Gray looked up.
"Your emotions, your soul, your body—everything belongs only to you, Gray. You have a reason to never give up, no matter who your opponent is," Cyd smiled gently. "Don't underestimate everything you have. You have a mission to fulfill."
"A mission…" Gray whispered.
"That guy is really dangerous on his own. Even though he's just a novice, he always chooses the most perilous path, so…" Cyd put down her hand.
"I will…" Gray clenched her fists. "Protect my master!"
"That's... an obsession that belongs solely to Gray, an unwavering will that even heroes cannot bend," Cyd said as she opened the door. "Now it's time for you to go."
"Thank you," Gray stood up and bowed deeply to Cyd with the utmost respect.
"All I did was help a little girl dry her hair," Cyd crossed her arms and leaned against the wall. "Also, let me correct you—it's not protection, it's accompaniment."
"Mm," Gray nodded and grabbed Add before rushing out of the room.
"Honestly," Cyd sighed, "One is stubborn, and the other is satisfied with just that. Just watching them makes me want to knock their heads together."
"Smack—"
Medusa emerged from Cyd's shadow and reached up to knock on Cyd's head.
"Huh? Why?"
…
When the truth is revealed, there are usually two outcomes.
"Have I really been found out?!"
The culprit wails, kneeling on the ground, giving up resistance.
In such a case, even a weakling like him could return to that office with flair, handling what seemed like an endless pile of paperwork and worrying about his enormous debt.
If only things were that simple.
Lord El-Melloi II covered his forehead with a headache.
No matter how brilliant his reasoning was, it couldn't cover up the fact that his combat abilities were pitifully weak.
"Found out? Then I guess I'll just have to kill you."
This was the type of person he hated the most, yet he always seemed to encounter them.
"Oh~ That guy isn't here this time," Hephaestion tossed her sword in the air, "Finally, I can erase the King's disgrace."
"Please don't do that. The Lord mustn't die just yet," said a young man with fiery red hair, smiling gently. A bruise-like mark could be seen on the back of his hand.
"I didn't expect to meet you like this, the former dean of the Modern Magecraft Theory, Dr. Heartless, the man whose heart was stolen by a fairy," Lord El-Melloi II adjusted his glasses, "But I didn't expect you to disguise yourself as Yvette. So, she's involved as well, I see."
"If it worked, I would have replicated the Mystic Eyes I obtained for her," Heartless spread his hands. "Even though it cost me quite a bit of assets, I succeeded. So how did you figure it out? I pride myself on leaving no flaws."
"That's right, there wasn't a single flaw. That stomach-turning feeling didn't change even when I was revealing you. But…" Lord El-Melloi II rubbed his stomach, then pointed to his eyes. "You shouldn't have imitated her. No matter how well you mimicked her tone, you couldn't replicate her Mystic Eyes. She can gauge emotions and play around with me right up to my breaking point. She knows exactly when I'll get angry, but you don't. All it took was a little bluffing to find out."
"I see. I chose her to observe you up close, but I didn't anticipate so many unexpected events," Heartless sighed. "So? Do you plan to capture me?"
"If possible," said Hishiri Adashino, looking somewhat grim.
It seemed this situation was beyond her control.
Servants were not something ordinary humans could contend with.
Not even this Mystic Eye Train was enough to withstand a Servant.
"Nevertheless, I'm very satisfied. You've shown me far more than I imagined—your posture, the power etched into legend… it's already exceeded my expectations," Heartless took a box out of his pocket and tossed it to Lord El-Melloi II. "I don't need this anymore, so I'm returning it to you."
Hephaestion twitched her hand but did not stop Lord El-Melloi II from catching the box.
He stepped back a few paces and opened the box. Inside, there wasn't any glittering treasure, just a piece of tattered cloth. But just looking at it made Lord El-Melloi II feel a sense of relief.
Hephaestion pursed her lips. Though she didn't want to admit it, that expression really was nostalgic. In the past, everyone watched the King with that same expression.
It was precisely because of this that she couldn't forgive it!
"May I leave now?" Heartless glanced up at the night sky. To prevent the train from being destroyed, the Mystic Eye Train had to open its carriages.
"Your goal was to summon a Servant, wasn't it?" Lord El-Melloi II tucked the box into his pocket. "Modifying the ley lines to divert the Mystic Eye Train, constructing a fake Holy Grail, and then luring me, a former Master, onto the train to complete the ritual… your plan has already succeeded."
"That's right. I'm still here just to chat with you, although I've also seen some remarkable things," Heartless glanced past Lord El-Melloi II at the tightly shut door behind him, his bright eyes seemingly expecting someone to burst through it.
"One more thing," Lord El-Melloi II adjusted his glasses and looked at Hephaestion. "You… you're not actually Hephaestion, are you?"
Hephaestion narrowed her eyes, gripping her sword tightly.
"If my guess is correct, you're actually—"
"Shut up!"
As if predicting what Lord El-Melloi II was about to say, Hephaestion roared and charged at him, her sword aiming straight for his forehead.
The wind blew his long hair, and death seemed only a moment away. Even with reinforcement magic, he couldn't possibly escape. Lord El-Melloi II adjusted his glasses.
But it was fine because he was a man who moved slowly.
"Clang—"
"Hahaha, here we go, here we go! Acting calm when your legs are trembling!"
Add's sharp laughter didn't affect Lord El-Melloi II's mood. In fact, he was even a little pleased.
"Master, I've caught up!"
Gray stood in front of Lord El-Melloi II, holding up her shield.
See? You caught up just like that.