I continued practicing [Projection Magic] and [Reinforcement Magic] while moving to the church. Now, I could perfectly copy gemstones to the point where no one could tell the difference. However, observing with [Mystic Eyes], I saw that the atoms were gradually decaying.
'So, a fake is still a fake?'
Shirou, who had been watching me practice, looked at me with respectful eyes.
"Wow~ That's amazing. I didn't know you'd practice so passionately. It seems like you're already better at [Projection Magic] than me?"
"No, not yet. And about [Projection Magic], while practicing, I found out that it can even copy Noble Phantasms. The funny thing is that by reading the memories of the Noble Phantasm, you can also replicate the fighting style of its previous owner."
"Is, is that true?"
"Yes. So keep practicing steadily. [Projection Magic] is definitely not trash. Plus, it synergizes well with [Reinforcement Magic]."
"I see..."
That seemed like enough of a hint. Actually, this role was originally supposed to be taught by 'future Shirou' who would come as Archer, but since I came instead, I had to do it.
"Ah, and to prepare for emergencies, learn some swordsmanship too. With a good teacher nearby, it'll be easier to learn."
At my words, Saber nodded in agreement.
"That's right. If the Master is strong, the chances of winning increase."
Shirou looked at Saber and said.
"But Saber, instead of calling me Master, can't you just call me Shirou?"
"Very well, Shirou."
Saber looked at me and asked.
"But what is Cassian's class? I haven't seen your weapon, so I can't tell."
"I'm a Caster."
I immediately took out 'Hecate's Stone Staff' from my inventory.
"Oh~ So that's why you learned magic so quickly!"
Shirou innocently believed that. Seeing that, Rin said.
"Seriously, stop joking. Cassian seems like an Archer."
"No, I'm a Lancer."
I put away the staff and this time took out Gae Bolg and swung it around.
"What is this..."
"Just kidding, I'll go with Saber too."
This time, I took out the Overlord sword 'Sword of Damocles' and swung it around. Then Saber looked at me seriously. Experts recognize experts.
"Your swordsmanship is extraordinary. What exactly is your identity?"
"Me? I'm a multi-class, an ATM machine, and Tohsaka Rin's boyfriend! Hahaha!"
At that, Rin came over and hit me on the back of the head.
Thump!
"Ouch!"
"Ugh... I told you, I can't control him! He must be an Archer."
"I, see..."
Saber pondered and said.
"An Extra Servant? It's fortunate that we're allies, but... winning this Holy Grail War will be difficult."
Hearing that, Rin asked Saber.
"What's an Extra Servant?"
"Basically, the Servants we know are Saber, Archer, Rider, Lancer, Caster, Berserker, and Assassin, but I've heard there are other classes too. I don't know the details, but I understand they have special abilities that can turn the tables in an instant."
I don't know what misconception Saber has, but let's just agree.
"Ah~ Oh my, have you finally figured out my identity? My right hand harbors a black flame dragon. Huhuhut~"
Then Rin came over and this time hit my back.
Slap!
"Ouch!"
"Hey! Really, just shut up and follow me!"
"Yes... Rin's palm has a black flame dragon..."
We arrived at the church like that. Saber and I just stayed outside, and it was obvious that Shirou and Rin would go inside and hear various things about the Holy Grail War from the priest 'Kirei Kotomine', so I skipped it.
Bored, I struck up a conversation with Saber.
"Saber, why did you participate in the Holy Grail War?"
"I want to undo my mistakes."
"So you need the Holy Grail, I see."
"Yes."
Saber's wish couldn't come true. The Holy Grail was already corrupted.
"Your true name is King Arthur, right?"
"I don't know how you found out, but that's correct."
"Can I read your memories for a moment? I might be able to help."
Saber thought for a moment and allowed it.
"Very well. I'll trust you."
I placed my hand on Saber's head and read her memories. While doing so, I fiddled with the spiky hair that stuck out like antennae.
"Isn't that enough? Why are you touching that?"
"Ah~ Sorry. I just wanted to touch it once."
Britain is the ancient name for England. With the 'End of the Age of Gods' event, where ancient gods and phantasmal beings left reality, ether disappeared from Earth, and Britain's land began to deteriorate. This led to reduced farmland, people starving, and various problems arising. Eventually, it escalated into civil war, and King Arthur's kingdom collapsed.
"Hmm... You regret becoming king. You want to undo pulling the sword from the stone."
"You read the memories properly. Yes. I thought I ruled properly, but in the end, all that remained were the corpses of the people. If a better king had ruled, many could have survived."
"No, I don't think so. You are a good king. Because you protected Britain, foreign tribes and Rome couldn't touch Britain. Without you, Britain's people would have lived as slaves long ago."
"Not necessarily. It's a result achieved by sacrificing a minority of the people. Because of that, my subordinates left too."
"But in the end, you protected Britain, right? It must have been painful, but as a king, you made the right judgment for the kingdom. Even I can't think of a way to reduce the sacrifices further."
"Thank you for saying that."
That was the truth. Morally, there were issues, but in a situation with numerical disadvantage and no room for error, it was saving the kingdom with minimal sacrifice. From the king's perspective, who had to consider the entire kingdom, it seemed like an unavoidable choice.
"I don't know how much you know about history, but after that rebellion, the remaining people rebuilt the kingdom and lived on. And they build a splendid empire. That was possible because you weakened the foreign tribes by blocking them and made a peace treaty with Rome, which became the foundation. You were not wrong."
I showed the vibrant present-day Britain on my phone and talked about it.
"That's why King Arthur is still remembered as a hero by people."
At those words, Saber couldn't take her eyes off the video I showed.
"This is present-day Britain... So what I did wasn't in vain?"
"Yes."
Saber looked up at the sky and took a deep breath.
"Haa... Then, I was being unnecessarily stubborn..."
"Yes, if you had given up being king, present-day Britain wouldn't exist."
We were quiet for a while. Then Saber asked.
"Cassian, why did you participate in the Holy Grail War?"
"Me? I participated because there were things to gain, but now there aren't. I've gained everything."
There was no lie in this. In the Fate world, I had gained everything, so I was just here to earn points and enjoy myself. Lastly, there was the Jeweled Sword, but it seemed like an item bound to the Fate world. Since I read the description about gaining power in parallel worlds, it must be certain.
"I see. I've lost my goal. Now I don't know what to do."
"How about protecting your Master until the Holy Grail War ends and enjoying yourself since you're here? Eat delicious food and go out to play. You've been strict with yourself until now."
"Yes, that sounds like a good idea."
Saber said with a smile. Then, I saw Shirou and Rin coming out of the church.
"It seems the talk is over now."
When Shirou and Rin approached, Saber asked.
"Shirou, is the talk finished?"
"Uh... I decided to fight as a Master. Will you accept me as your Master, Saber?"
"Since being summoned here, you have been my Master."
'Huh, the dialogue is shorter than in the original?'
Saber didn't say things like becoming the sword of her Master. It seemed her mindset had changed. Anyway, Saber and Shirou shook hands, greeting each other for the future.
We were about to head back home. But I felt a gaze from afar and looked back to see 'Kirei Kotomine' from the church staring directly at me. Even when I looked, he didn't avert his eyes.
'Does he know I eliminated Lancer?'
"What are you doing, let's go."
"Right."
We walked home. As we passed the communal cemetery set up by the church, I felt something ahead.
"Rin, we have guests."
"Huh?"
Ahead on the path, a person with a massive build and a small child were visible. It seemed to be Berserker and Illya.
"Ber, Berserker?"
Rin seemed quite surprised to see Berserker.
"Hello, big brother. This is the second time we've met like this? And nice to meet you, Rin. I'm Illya. Illyasviel von Einzbern."
I approached Illya and said with a smile.
"Oh~ What a cute girl? Should big brother give you some candy?"
Then Rin urgently called me.
"Cassian!"
Illya made a displeased face and said.
"Candy? Handsome big brother, you don't seem to understand the situation? Berserker!"
"Grrr!"
Whoosh~!
Thud!
Berserker tried to slash down at me with his sword, but I caught it lightly with one hand.
"Is this friend your bodyguard? Well, the world is dangerous these days."
Berserker was sweating and using all his strength, but I just stood there holding the sword with one hand as if nothing happened.
"Ber, Berserker??"
With my other hand, I took out a Chupa Chups from my inventory, used [Telekinesis] to unwrap it, and put it into Illya's mouth, who was panicking.
"It's late, so go home quickly, okay?"
"Mmph@#%$^$@# $!!"
Illya took the candy out of her mouth and threw it away, then shouted with an angry face.
"Hey! We'll see about this next time!!! Berserker, let's go back."
Somehow, it felt like seeing Team Rocket's parting line.
"Grrr."
I let go of Berserker's sword. Then Berserker picked up his sword and followed Illya back.
"What... what was that just now?"
Shirou seemed unable to understand what had just happened.
"I just sent a little girl wandering at night back home."
"Is... is that so?"
"Yes."
"..."
We returned to Shirou's house. The whole way back, Rin and Saber stared at me with strange eyes.
"Cassian, tell me, what's your identity? Stop joking and tell me."
"I want to know too. Even for an Extra Servant, you're too strong."
Thinking about how to explain, I decided to mix in reality.
"Hmm... Alright, I'll tell you. Who is the first human in this world?"
"Well? Adam?"
"I'm the opposite."
"Don't tell me you're the last person to survive the end of humanity?"
"Yes. That's why I can use all scientific power and a few powerful magics."
Then Shirou, surprised, asked.
"What? All humanity goes extinct?"
"Yes, it's in the distant future, so don't worry."
"Why does such a thing happen?"
I repeated the story I had told Rin.
"That... this is bigger than the Holy Grail War!"
Shirou said the same thing as Rin.
"Then can't it be stopped with the Holy Grail?"
"Impossible. That extinction is beyond the power of the Holy Grail. Global warming was accelerated by humanity, but in a way, it's part of Earth's cycle."
"How can that be..."
"I told you not to worry too much. Eventually, everyone knows Earth will be swallowed by the sun. But we don't worry about that, right? Think of it as the same thing."
"..."
Rin asked me.
"Then why did you participate in the Holy Grail War?"
"DNA collection."
"So you're planning to reproduce humanity?"
"Yes, since everyone is dead, reproduction is impossible."
Kya~ Even I think this is an awesome excuse.
Ding~!
[(E) Swindler] has been promoted to [(D) Swindler].
'Kheum...'
Perhaps I lied a bit too strongly, as everyone had a thoughtful expression.
"It's late, so let's sleep."
"Right..."
We washed up and went to our respective rooms to sleep.
The next day, I woke up early and prepared breakfast. Everyone got up one by one and gathered at the dining table, so I served the dishes.
"Oh~ There are lots of dishes I've never seen before today too."
Saber, as expected, happily ate three bowls of rice from the morning. After the meal, before everyone prepared for school, I placed gold bars on the table. Seeing that, Shirou asked in surprise.
"Wh, what is this?"
"Use it since there are more people living together. In the future, it's useless since it's just me."
Seeing that, Rin quickly picked up the gold bars and put them in her bag.
"Rin, I'm not giving it to you."
"I'll exchange this for money and contribute to the household. Anyway, I'm the only one who knows about precious metals and gems well."
'Her eyes seem to have turned into money signs... and she's even drooling.'
Everyone looked at Rin with absurd expressions, but it was true that Rin was the only one who could easily exchange gold bars for money, so no one said much. The Tohsaka family mainly uses gems for magic, so if mishandled, it could ruin the household, so from a young age, they are thoroughly educated in economic concepts. But it might have been too excessive.
After school ended, Rin and I exchanged the gold bars for cash and came to Shirou's house, where 'Fujimura Taiga' had come and was lecturing Shirou. Taiga was the English teacher and homeroom teacher at Homurahara Academy where Shirou attended, and since she occasionally visited Shirou's house to look after him, she was quite close to Shirou.
Listening to the conversation, roughly, Shirou had decided to take a break from school until the Holy Grail War ended, and the issue was that women around his age were living with him, so she was lecturing him.
"That's why there's a man too! Fuji-nee."
"Nice to meet you."
When I greeted Taiga, she paused for a moment upon seeing me, then returned the greeting.
"Whoa! Such a handsome man! Nice to meet you. Do you have a girlfriend by any chance?"
Taiga was direct in her question. I pulled Rin closer and said.
"Yes, I do. Hahaha."
Rin was flustered but only blushed and didn't say anything.
"Hey! It's a dirty world where all handsome men and beautiful women are taken!!!"
Anyway, Shirou managed to get through by making excuses about Sakura's house burning down and his father.
"Good! Then, you'll definitely come to school starting two weeks from now, right?"
"Got it."
From that day on, Shirou proceeded with magic training and swordsmanship practice in parallel. Rin also continued training in [Projection Magic] and [Reinforcement Magic]. I also practiced [Projection Magic] with Gae Bolg by my side.
"Wow~ Cassian, look at this. I did it too."
Rin happily showed something resembling a gem. Looking with [Mystic Eyes], it was just a plausible shell with a mess inside. But since she made something, I praised her.
"Good, with more practice, you'll be able to contain mana too. Well done."
"Great!"
That day passed without incident.
From the next day, to give them实战 experience, I used the [Dragon Tooth Warrior] ability to make them fight, and I continued training in [Projection Magic] and [Reinforcement Magic]. I kept practicing with Noble Phantasms until satisfied, checking with [Mystic Eyes]. Meal preparations were handled by Sakura and Rider.
"Shirou! Right side!"
Thump!
"Kuh!"
I thought it was dangerous, so I ordered the Dragon Tooth Warriors to standby.
"Still, it seems difficult to handle more than three at once."
"That's right. Plus, the basics are still lacking. Shirou, basic training!"
Saber urged Shirou, but he seemed completely exhausted.
"No, let's stop swordsmanship training here for today. I'm totally tired. Now I need to eat and practice magic."
I approached Shirou, used healing on him, and gradually adjusted his Magic Circuits. There were a few dormant Magic Circuits that hadn't activated, so I was fixing them.
"Hmm... Done."
"Wow~ My body feels much better. Thank you."
That day passed like that. About three days seemed to have passed like that. During that time, I trained hard and raised both [Projection Magic] and [Reinforcement Magic] to rank A. Now I could comfortably copy Gae Bolg.
Shirou could handle up to five Dragon Tooth Warriors at once, and Rin also worked hard and started making plausible gems, though still unable to contain magic.
Then, suddenly, there was a knocking sound at the front door.
"Who is it?"
Shirou stopped magic training and went to the front door to open it. Then, a woman with bloody red eyes and a white maid outfit was seen collapsed on the spot. Seeing the maid outfit, it was probably 'Sella'. Shirou quickly approached Sella and checked her condition.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, more importantly, I have a message..."
Shirou hurriedly picked up the maid and brought her inside, laying her down in the living room. With the commotion, everyone in the house gathered in the living room.
"The young lady is in danger."
"Which young lady are you talking about?"
"Young lady Illyasviel von Einzbern."
Hearing that, Rin frowned and said.
"That young lady attacked us at night, and now you're asking for help knowing that?"
"I know. But this isn't just an Einzbern problem. The supervisor from the Holy Church has broken the rules and, along with an unknown Servant, is currently attacking the Einzbern castle. With overwhelming strength, Berserker can only buy time, so I alone escaped to request help. They seem to be after the lesser grail inside the young lady's body."
At those words, Tohsaka Rin had a very surprised face and asked again.
"What!!?? Father Kotomine participated in the Holy Grail War!!!???"
"Yes, that's correct."