[8] The Girl Swordsman

Standing before Roy with a commanding presence was a young girl with sharp, spirited eyes.

She was young, appearing to be only around fifteen years old. A black scarf was wrapped around her neck, and she wore a deep blue haori. Her golden hair shimmered like sand, and her gray-green eyes stared intently at Roy.

Judging by her upper body alone, she was undoubtedly a flawless girl swordsman.

Roy's gaze shifted downward, noticing that the hem of her inner garment was surprisingly short, ending just above her thighs.

Her legs were clad in form-fitting, boot-style stockings that reached up to her thighs, revealing a pair of smooth, fair thighs—the so-called "absolute territory." Her delicate, jade-like toes peeked out from the open-toed, geta-inspired design of her shoes.

"Huh? Huh huh huh?"

The golden-haired swordsman stepped out of the summoning circle, the ahoge on her head spinning in confusion.

"Wait a minute! Isn't it too early for the Holy Grail War to start? Why am I here? And what's going on with this world? It looks like the end of the world! I only died a little over a hundred years ago—how did the world end up like this?"

It seemed she had already received the basic knowledge about the current world from the Greater Grail.

"Calm down, Saber."

Roy interrupted her panicked muttering and showed her the Command Spells on the back of his hand.

"As you can see, I am your Master. I summoned you ahead of time."

"I see!"

The girl swordsman's eyes widened in realization as she saw the Command Spells, proof of her Master. Her beautiful face quickly turned serious.

"Then, I, Okita Souji, acknowledge you as my Master... By the way, Master, your magical energy is incredible! I feel like I'm in the best condition I've ever been in!"

The girl swordsman, Okita Souji, happily patted her own arm, her lovely face filled with satisfaction.

As a Servant, she could feel the magical energy flowing through the connection with her Master. The energy coming from her Master was not only incredibly pure but also vast in quantity.

She didn't know the exact standards of modern magi, but she could tell that her Master's magical aptitude must be exceptionally high!

Thanks to this immense magical energy, she was in the best condition she had ever been in, and she felt that her abilities had been significantly enhanced!

Roy lowered his arm, remaining silent in response to the girl's praise.

"Master, where is this place?"

After thoroughly enjoying her excellent condition, Okita Souji finally remembered to look around. The eerie and terrifying surroundings startled her.

"Why did you summon me in a place like this? Wait, Master, why are you wearing a mask? Do you have some kind of secret? Don't worry, I'll help you solve any problems!"

"Your enthusiasm is appreciated, but there's no need for battle right now."

Roy rejected the girl swordsman's proposal, getting a preliminary sense of her fervor.

"Let's leave this place quickly."

"Really? Understood!"

The girl muttered for a bit, feeling that her Master's attitude was a bit cold, wasn't it?

Although her request to fight had been denied, the swordsman showed no signs of disappointment. She remained full of energy, following behind Roy as they headed back the way they came.

Leaving the underground cavern, they once again entered the cursed fog-filled tunnel.

Facing the dense fog that obscured her vision, Okita Souji couldn't help but frown. Her cheerful smile quickly turned into one of discomfort, and she let out a frustrated groan.

"This curse seems to specifically target Servants..."

"Now that you mention it, that's true. You should go into spirit form for now."

"My apologies, Master."

Okita Souji expressed her regret with a slightly troubled expression, then voluntarily shifted into spirit form. Her magical body disappeared, and she followed him in her spiritual state.

"After saying all that, I end up making my Master traverse this dangerous fog alone... How embarrassing..."

"This little fog isn't dangerous at all."

Roy walked through the cursed fog with ease.

The whispers of the curse around him had no effect on him, and he communicated with his Servant in his mind as if nothing were amiss.

"Really? Even in my spirit form, I feel a bit shaken by this fog. Master, you're completely unaffected? That's quite impressive! Ah, it seems I've gotten a good Master this time!"

The voice in his mind was filled with delight.

The mental pollution from the cursed fog was severe. Even the slightest crack in one's resolve could easily lead to disaster.

As a Heroic Spirit recorded in history, Okita Souji had an incredibly strong will, yet even she felt shaken. She hadn't expected her Master to completely ignore the mental pollution of the fog.

His willpower must be unimaginably strong.

...No, let's be honest.

A Master like this is either a genius or a madman.

Okita Souji came to this realization in her heart.

Just as they stepped out of the cavern and were about to head down the mountain, Roy suddenly paused.

"I thought we could leave quietly, but it seems it won't be that easy..."

Outside the cavern, a figure stood in the darkness.

The person stood there, their gaze fixed directly on the entrance of the cavern. The moment they saw the black-clad figure emerge, their eyes sharpened.

It was a woman dressed in men's clothing.

Her short, rose-red hair was neatly styled, and her crimson suit accentuated her tall, straight figure. Her posture was as firm as a sturdy pine tree, and her sharp gaze resembled that of a hunting hawk.

The woman was both dignified and imposing, with a beauty mark near her eye adding a touch of charm.

"The barriers shouldn't have detected me."

"What gave you away was the unusual flow of magical energy near the Greater Grail."

The woman in men's clothing set down the metal cylinder she had been carrying on her back and pulled on a pair of black leather gloves, her expression cold and stern.

"I was surprised too. I didn't expect someone to silently bypass thirteen layers of barriers and infiltrate the underground cavern. Who are you?"

"I thought that in a place like the cavern, a little magical energy wouldn't be noticed. But, I see now, the forced summoning must have caused a bit of a commotion."

Roy nodded in understanding.

Although he had scouted Mount Enzou before, this was his first time summoning a Heroic Spirit here.

"Answer my question!"

The woman in men's clothing spread her feet, assuming a fighting stance, her tone growing more aggressive.

"The Greater Grail is tied to the survival of the world. No one is allowed to tamper with it. Answer my questions, then come with me. After your crimes are investigated, Mayor Tohsaka and the Mage's Association will give you a chance to atone. This is for your own good."

"I refuse."

Roy rejected her without hesitation.

"I know who you are—Bazett Fraga McRemitz, the Enforcer. But this era no longer needs Enforcers, so you've come to guard the Greater Grail, haven't you? You're strong, but you alone aren't enough to make me surrender."

"Is that so? Then there's no other choice."

The woman in men's clothing, Bazett, turned ice-cold.

"Then I'll make you submit with strength!"

As soon as she finished speaking, runes lit up on her limbs, and she charged at Roy like an arrow released from a bow.

"My compatibility with her is terrible."

Roy said this as he stepped back.

"Saber, I'll leave this to you!"

***

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