Perhaps Courage

Early the next morning, in the hotel's downstairs restaurant.

"Little Mo, I've got a question."

Naoki propped both hands on the table, looking deadly serious, his tone unusually straightforward.

Mordred about to devour the burger in front of her, instantly felt like she was at a Round Table meeting and reflexively responded with equal gravity. "What is it?"

"If, I mean if… no, let's say suppose." Naoki struggled to choose his words. "Suppose one day, Father King and Merlin got married. What would you think?"

"Father King and Merlin?"

Mordred briefly pictured the scene in her mind, then whipped her head around and slammed it hard against the wall!

*THUD!*

Thankfully, the restaurant was nearly empty, or it would've drawn attention.

Clutching her head, Mordred groaned. "Ow, that hurt… Master, do you have a grudge against me? Making me think about something like that. I haven't done anything to upset you these past two days, have I? Father King aside, how could Merlin—that old pervert who spends every day lounging in women's laps—ever get married?"

"You're right… Sorry, I spoke without thinking."

"I'm more curious how you even came up with that. Nightmare last night?"

Naoki scratched his head. "Uh, not a nightmare—more like a sweet dream. I told you before about the other Merlin I know, right? The female Merlin."

"Think you mentioned it. So what?"

"Last night in my dream, I proposed to her, and five years from now, when I return, I'll drag her to get married."

*THUD!*

An even louder head-to-wall crash echoed through the restaurant, startling Gray and Caren, who were descending the nearby stairs.

Mordred gaped at her Master. "You… you… you… you you you you…"

"Alright, I'm already regretting saying it… I feel like an idiot who got carried away. What was I even thinking when I proposed? I should've at least prepared a ring, a bouquet of roses, worn a white suit, and knelt down."

*PLUNK!*

The sound of something hitting the floor rang out.

Hurriedly picking up the fallen Add, Gray scurried to Naoki's side. "Big Brother! Did you just say proposed?"

"Oh, Gray… yeah… uh…"

"With who?"

"With Merlin."

Gray fell silent.

'Proposed…?'

''Big Brother's going to marry Sister Merlin?!''

[Hey, hey, hey! What's wrong with you, kid? How dare you propose to that human garbage. Did Lancelot kick your head, or did Gawain smash it? To even think about that—and you actually like that trash!? You're even got the hots for her!?]

Add's shock was on par with Gray suddenly revealing she was secretly a dashing, tragic hero.

It was Merlin. Was Naoki that brave?

"Enough, no more talk. I'm half-dead with regret already. I don't even know why I blurted out something so stupid." Naoki said, covering his face with a hand, nearly in tears.

"S-so, Big Brother's really marrying Sister Merlin?" Gray asked nervously.

"Well, I told her that in five years, when I return, I'll drag her to get married and register it."

Hearing that, Gray unconsciously sighed in relief. Thank goodness, five years left—plenty of leeway…

Caren, who'd been outside the conversation, chimed in. "Marriage, huh? By the way, didn't you say you wouldn't look for a partner until this kid could stand on her own? Why jump straight to the end goal now?"

"That's why I regret my reckless proposal! Not just because I didn't prepare, but because of Gray's situation too!"

"I-I don't mind, actually. Even if Even if you get married, you can still take care of me. I… I can live with you and Sister Merlin." Gray stammered.

[Gray, sometimes you say some pretty bold things.]

"Hiii—!"

Realizing what she'd just said, Gray blushed and bolted to the second floor. Angelica saw and chased after her. She was the only one unfazed by the current drama.

As if exhausted, Naoki let out a long sigh and slumped onto the table, listlessly poking at a sausage. "Forget it… Tonight, I'll try contacting Merlin again and explain…"

"Scummy guy."

"Master, keep this up, and you'll end up like Merlin." she said.

Caren and Mordred landed critical hits on Naoki, one after the other, making his already-sour mood even gloomier.

At that moment—

[Naoki Naoki, over here.]

A pigeon suddenly perched on the window beside Naoki, Amakusa's voice coming from its beak.

[My apologies for contacting you like this. Since we never exchanged contacts, I had to reach out unilaterally this way.]

[I'll get to the point. Regarding the Black Assassin, Jack the Ripper, I've just received new information. Last night in Trifas, several Magi and innocent civilians were victims. I'm still in Sighișoara and can't leave immediately. If possible, please help us deal with it there.]

[Of course, Atalanta has already arrived in Trifas. I hope you can cooperate well.]

With that, the pigeon flew off.

"Semiramis's familiar? Dumping the Assassin issue on me right after I gave them the info last night. He's good at using people."

What surprised Naoki more was that Amakusa sent Atalanta. Did he think Jack the Ripper didn't warrant Achilles or Karna's involvement?

If it's Atalanta… Well, that's fine. Since Jeanne can't fight this time, I'm curious what she'll do.

"So, we just do what he says, Master?" Mordred asked.

"The enemy's an Assassin killing civilians, constantly hunting hearts. Instead of asking if I'll comply, why not ask yourself? After all, Command Spells don't work on you anymore. I can't order you."

Command Spells granted absolute control over Servants, but Mordred was no longer a Servant—she was human. The spells now only boosted strength.

Finishing her breakfast, Mordred licked sauce from the corner of her mouth.

"Of course we've got to do it! Magi are one thing, but I can't sit by while ordinary people get slaughtered!"