-By Waver-
I've been going through a lot of difficulties these past few months. And it all started from the moment the plane landed. We arrived in London, an unfamiliar place for the little girl accompanying me.
She looked all around with fear and confusion on her little face, but I took it upon myself to make her feel safe. That is my pact. I must protect her until, fate willing, Asahi Toru returns to take her back home.
My home is not a place where I can take care of a little girl, but I am making sure to do my best. Until before the war, I lived in a small rented apartment near the Clock Tower. It wasn't much, but it was enough to keep Sakura-chan from going cold or hungry.
I don't have much to offer her either, since I invested all my family's money to be able to study at the Clock Tower.
"Waver-san, what are you doing?"
Sakura-chan always asks a lot of questions. I guess it's the curious nature of children.
"Studying about a person who changed my life."
I replied. She looked at me. She has that curiosity in her eyes, which somehow makes me feel like I'm an older brother.
Right now I'm doing more research on Iskandar. I'm planning to visit Babylon, but with Sakura-chan here, that's going to be very difficult for me. Taking a little girl to Iraq is a definite no. I can't let her be in danger on my trip, but I have nowhere to leave her.
If I want to keep my promise, I must be with her, protecting her with all my being.
"That person, what is his name?"
"In history he is known as Alexander the Great or Iskandar the King of Conquerors."
Sakura-chan thought carefully about what she was going to say.
"Isn't that lord dead already?"
Yep. I knew she would ask that. My answer is something she can easily understand.
"Iskandar is like Toru. They are both Heroic Spirits. He was with me in the war."
"You were one of the Masters of the war, huh. I can see why onii-san left me with you. Are you a strong Magus?"
That question hurt.
"No, I don't think so. But I'm very good at magic theory. If you want I can teach you some things. I want to teach everyone what modern magic is, away from the inheritance of magical crests in families. That way, those who are not talented in magic, can be great Magus."
"That's amazing."
"Yes. Though first we must start with the element on which your magic is based. Being of the Tōsaka family, you must have a close affinity with fire or earth. Or at least that's what little I know of Tokiomi-san. But you can learn by training and studying."
Sakura looks quite excited. This fills my heart with happiness - finally there's someone who sees modern magic as interesting!
Now I'm excited. I'm going to mentor this little girl and show everyone that modern magic is not obsolete. By the way, I also teach Sakura-chan how to survive in this world. With that I can kill two birds with one stone.
***
It was like this that the months passed in that small apartment. Sakura-chan is not someone who eats a lot, but I try to make her eat enough, because she is still a child and her body is still growing. It is important for her to stay healthy.
One thing that surprised me, and somehow scared me a lot, is the monstrous talent that this girl has. On top of that, she is also smart and educated. She is still quite shy with people other than me, but no doubt she will be a great Magus under my teachings.
I already feel like a master at this.
***
It has been six months since the war for the Holy Grail ended. I have decided to begin my journey in search of Iskandar's tomb.
By my side is Sakura-chan. I saw no other way to fulfill my dream, so I have to bring her with me.
'Don't worry, Toru. I won't let Sakura get hurt.'
I noticed something about Sakura-chan. She should have brown hair like her mother and father, but instead her hair is completely violet, like the hair those in the Matō family have. When we got on the plane six months ago, she still had the ends of her hair brown, but now they have already turned completely violet. This is something I don't like. It makes me feel bad for this girl. I don't know what kind of things she's been through, but I'm sure she's better off now than she was back there. At least I'm not going to cause her harm.
"Let's go, Sakura-chan."
"Yes!"
At the airport, I took Sakura-chan's hand and we went into our next adventure. We will be heading to the ruins of Babylon, where the King of Conquerors lies resting for eternity.
Sakura-chan is nervous. You don't have to worry. I will protect you. I will do it even if it costs me my life, but I hope I don't have to go to that extent. So, for now, let's keep it as it is.
Although I know it's irresponsible of me, Sakura-chan isn't someone weak either. She has learned a few tricks under my tutelage.
That's how this journey began.
***
Iraq, the home of the great Babylon. This place is poorer than I imagined. People live difficult lives. I can't imagine myself living like this.
"Waver-san, over there."
Sakura-chan pointed at the village stretching along. Both of us are traversing the strange desert mountains near the ruins of ancient Babylon, which wasn't as difficult a task as it seemed.
"Come on. We need to find shelter for tonight."
"I'm fine with sleeping out in the open."
"Even if you're fine with it, Sakura-chan, I'm not. You're still a child and your body doesn't have the same stamina as mine. We slept outdoors once because night had already fallen and it was dangerous to return to the inn. I can't allow that."
"Well, if you say so."
It may seem like I'm too strict with this little girl, but if I'm not, she will adopt unhealthy habits. My mission is to find Iskandar's grave and protect this little girl. Nothing will stand in my way.
Only in this way did we manage to reach a dilapidated inn in one of the small villages. Since I don't have much money, I could only rent a room with only one bed. I'll let Sakura-chan sleep there. I'll stay awake tonight to study a bit and stand guard.
As expected, Sakura-chan agreed to sleep in the bed. That's fine. Now she is following the authority of her mentor. Hehehehe, I sound very haughty right now. I better stop my thoughts and decide what to do for tomorrow.
Today we'll have some canned food for dinner before bed. Although I would like to take a bath before that, this inn has no showers. That's to be expected. Sakura-chan also seems to want to take a bath. I'll find a way to solve this.
***
At this point, I have no other choice. We will have to move forward while we are here, as a very strong sandstorm is brewing around us. We will have to turn back before we enter Babylon, but now we will look for shelter.
"Everything okay over there, Sakura-chan!"
Sakura didn't answer me. Instead, with those big glasses protecting her eyes, she gave me a thumbs up as a sign that everything was fine.
She's adorable, but I feel bad having her here going through this sandstorm.
I'm regretting exposing Sakura-chan to so much danger. And what bothers me the most is that she doesn't complain at all. I know in her heart she keeps a lot of emotions. I will talk about it with her later. I can't neglect this girl's mental sanity.
"This way!"
I grabbed her arm tightly so as not to lose her in the sand and walked into some strange ruins that could cover us from the storm.
Since we both had cloaks with very large hoods protecting our bodies, I took off my cloak and shook out my hair, which had become full of sand.
Sakura-chan, on her side, took off her glasses and cloak, folding the latter and putting it aside.
"Your hair is too long."
She said and it's true. I've neglected my appearance a little bit, but....
"I think long hair looks really good on me."
Sakura-chan doesn't think so, I can see it in her expressionless face eyes.
Well, it doesn't matter. We'll rest here until the storm passes.
***
"Waver-san, how old are you?"
Interesting question.
"I'm nearing my twentieth birthday. How about you, Sakura-chan?"
"I'll be seven soon."
"Oh. Then I'm going to have to get a cake and seven candles."
When I said that, Sakura stared at me carefully, as if she was analyzing me. I don't understand that, but I guess I shouldn't make a big deal out of it.
The next ninety minutes passed in silence, with the two of us watching the sand pour in through the window like an hourglass.
When the storm subsided, we went out again to explore. There was no sign of a new storm appearing, so we should be fine. I took Sakura-chan's hand and together we walked to our next destination.
***
We came across a village similar to the previous one. The people here also seem to live with difficulties.
This face of the world is... depressing.....
"Turn on, you damn junk. I have to go to the doctor... please..."
A young boy's voice caught little Sakura's attention.
She looked at me, as if waiting for me to do something about it. In front of us stands a young boy with a disheveled appearance and tousled black hair. He seems to be in an eternal struggle to start his motorcycle.
Approaching, I notice that next to him, in a house, is a sick girl who is breathing heavily.
My sense of responsibility is activated. These people are Iskandar's people, I can't let them suffer. It seems Sakura-chan realized that and that's why she looked at me like that.
What a perceptive little girl.
"What's wrong?"
I asked.
"Well can't you see that this thing won't turn on?"
"Hm...let me examine."
I crouched down pushing the boy and checked if there was anything strange with the vehicle's machinery. Sakura also crouched down beside me to look at me.
"It's the spark plug, it's broken."
"Now what am I supposed to do?"
I have a solution, but it could damage the engine.
"It's enough that I get to the doctor, isn't it?"
"Uh, yeah..."
"Fine."
Then I'll use magic. Sakura-chan watches carefully, noticing what I'm doing. Even at this moment she's trying to learn from me.
Thus, the motorcycle's engine began to roar, starting up at last.
"I recommend you not to turn off the engine. I will not be responsible for repairing it. This is only a temporary solution."
"Yes!"
After thanking me, the boy got on the motorcycle and sped off.
"I think going too fast is dangerous"
I said. Sakura-chan then took my hand and looked at me with a soft smile.
I still can't fully understand her, but I guess that's not so important now.
"Hi. You're a Magus, aren't you?"
The sudden voice of a man brought me to alertness. I pulled Sakura-chan by the arm and stood in front of her to protect her. The moment I did that, my whole body froze and I couldn't move. I looked at Sakura, but she seemed to be affected by this too.
"You bastard..."
I tried to resist, but it was in vain. In front of me, a man with a dark complexion and somewhat taller than me was looking at me with strange eyes. That's when it hit me.
'Mystic Eyes of Paralyzation'.
Before I could even try to do anything, a loud bang on my head knocked me to my knees. When that happened, I could only hear Sakura-chan calling out to me as everything became a blur.
I didn't pass out, I was conscious the whole time, but I was dazed and couldn't move.
***
In just a few minutes, while my vision was still distorted, I was thrown into a narrow place. It was then that I regained mobility in my body and could see where I was, but I didn't see Sakura anywhere.
Something inside me exploded and I felt an anger like no other.
In front of me was a metal barred door and on the other side was the man who brought me here.
"You... You bastard, where's Sakura!"
I threw myself against the door screaming, but the moment my hands touched the bars I was electrocuted.
"The body of a Magus is very valuable. So I'll take advantage of every part of you. And if you ask about the girl. I'll find a use for her later."
This bastard's words fanned the flames of my anger even more. More than ever at this moment I want to punch someone, but that man left the scene laughing loudly, leaving me locked up to my fate.
"Hey, could you keep your voice down?"
Uh... a voice I know. Still, all he can do was respond with a:
"Shut up! Uh...?"
The guy lying on the floor. I know him.
"Waver?"
Yeah...that's him.
"Waver Velvet!"
"Melvin...?"
"That's right, it's your friend Melvin Waynez!!!"
Melvin lunged towards me hugging me. His strength is very little. It's probably due to a certain condition he has. And as always, his eyes and hair are just as silver.
"I'm so glad to see you!"
A drop of blood trickled down his lip. Followed by that, Melvin literally vomited half a liter of blood on the ground.
"Don't throw up like that all of a sudden!"
I said to him, but at that moment I remembered that Sakura-chan is in danger. So I frowned and approached the bars.
"We'd better talk on the way. I have something very important to do."
"Okay. I got your back, buddy!"
With that in mind, I approached the edges of the door and helped myself with my magic to deteriorate the door's supports. After doing that, the door fell and Melvin congratulated me on my accomplishment.
As for Melvin himself, it was thanks to him that I was able to go to Fuyuki and experience all those crazy things. At night I often have nightmares about what happened. It's like I'm living it all over again. I wonder if I can even look Toru in the face without remembering everything?
I mentioned to Melvin about the war for the Holy Grail. It seems he already knew a bit about it.
"I heard rumors that Master Kayneth died a horrible death..."
That couldn't be possible. No, it was. I also heard that the war culminated without a winner. Most likely, the Holy Grail will regenerate again when the ley lines are strong enough.
In the end, what happened to the master is my fault... I couldn't do anything in that war. And when I think about it that way, I realize that I'm only taking care of Sakura-chan because I feel like I'm doing something that I couldn't do in the war.
I really am the worst.
Risking a girl's life is stupid. I know and yet I dared to bring her on this trip.
-By Sakura-
'This already happened to me once, but in a slightly different way. What will it be this time? Will they use worms on me too? How will they hurt me this time...'
I'm surrounded by these four strange, old walls. That person left me here, but didn't say anything about it. All I know is that now Waver-san won't be able to come and save me. I won't be able to hide behind him.
'I always depend on others'
I said to myself. There's nothing I can do, I'm weak and afraid. Is it worth it to even try to escape? I don't know. But thinking carefully about everything that has happened these past six months, I can tell that Waver-san is someone strange.
I did everything he was telling me in the hope that I could see onii-san again, but even to me the answer to that is very obvious. Waver-san never said anything to me because he's afraid of something. Still, I understand the situation.
'Onii-san lost, he's not coming back. It's the same with ōto-sama, okā-sama and onee-san. He abandoned me like they did.'
It's always that way. I don't know why I'm surprised. I can only hug myself, cowering in a corner waiting for no one to notice my existence.
I'm going to disappear into this corner. No one will ever see me again...
I will close my eyes and sleep. When I wake up, I'll realize this was all just a nightmare. Onii-san will continue to see the flowers. Onee-san will keep studying as usual and okā-sama will take me to the park as usual.
This is just a nightmare from which I will soon wake up.
I don't have to stay and suffer anymore.
I'll just... wake up and it'll all be over....
"Sakura-chan!"
The sound of something metallic falling to the ground made me open my eyes. The light at the entrance for a moment showed me a terrifying shadow, but when I got a good look at it, I realized it was Waver-san and someone else.
I couldn't even say anything. I didn't know what to say, but Waver-san knew that I didn't need to say anything. He came up to me and hugged me tightly.
That's right, I hadn't realized it until now. Waver-san has always done everything to protect me. At home, he always usually sleeps on the floor so that I can sleep on the bed. He always tries to get delicious food for me and, although he is sometimes strict, he never intended to abandon me. He teaches me magic from time to time and sometimes we go for a walk in London. He holds my hand because he doesn't want to let me out of his sight. And he even plans to celebrate my birthday....
Waver-san is someone clumsy, but he is still kind and reliable.
It was as I was sinking deeper into my own misery that it dawned on me.
Yes... it's true...
Onii-san said so too.
I mustn't let that part of me die.
I felt helpless, afraid. I was afraid, too afraid, and as I felt Waver-san's warmth close to me, all I could do was cry. I cried like I had never cried before.
I'm terrified of being alone. I don't want that. And even though Waver-san at some point will also leave me, I will try to always be the same Sakura who is happy. Until the time we meet again, onii-san, I will take care of Waver-san, whom you chose to take care of me.
***
This is the story of this girl. One of the Heroes of this World. Although her tragic fate changed, the World is satisfied with this new story.
The protagonist of this volume...
To be continued...