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-Fuyuki City
3rd POV*
After turning Nero into Saber, they decided to just take a tour in the town. It was the idea of Nero who was curious about the town, she said that she needed to familiarize herself in this new landscape to provide better protection to them. Lawrence and the others know that it was just a blatant excuse yet they still accepted her request.
"So? Where do you plan to go?" Shiki asked sighing at Nero. "Umu! This is the first time I will take a proper look in the modern society. Bring me to the museum! I shall judge by myself whether those artworks are really worthy being placed in a sacred place like Museum!" Nero nodded her head seemed proud of her answer.
While the group are walking down the streets, Shiki and Lawrence noticed a gaze focused on their group. Shiki was about to turn around and confront it when Lawrence stopped her. "Why?" she asked staring at him. "It's an enemy, don't let him think that we are stronger than normal" Lawrence said. Shiki although dissatisfied still complied with his words.
She really want to deal with that person right now as his gaze full of killing intent was not nice at all. "Calm down, you can ask Nero for a spar later. Just deal with her selfish whim right now" Lawrence said smiling at her. Shiki felt strangely calm after hearing his words, it made her wonder whether his voice also has some weird effect coming from his endless skills.
"…Alright" Shiki just stopped thinking about it and chose to enjoy the event. She hasn't been in the museum in this town before, it would a great experience for her. "What are you doing? Hurry up!" Nero called out to them waving her hand. She is already wearing normal outfit that won't gather strange gazes from many.
Although she complained about it first, telling him that there is no need for that however she eventually consented hearing Lawrence say that he will take her on a tour. Well, she indeed fit in the society… if not only for her beautiful features that took the attention of many. Nero seemed aware of the eyes, yet she still held her head high not bothered by it.
It didn't took long for them to reach the museum. The gaze that lingered to them didn't leave and rather became even more focused. The person is probably underestimating them right now as not being able to sense his gaze which he expected would be discovered is a big deal. The man though, still didn't take this mission easily because there would be no saying whether there will be an accident or not.
"Umu! Great piece of art!" Nero began looking around the museum inspecting various masterpiece. "This one is so-so, why did they put this thing here? I need to see the manager of this museum!" a certain piece took Nero's attention away, she gave her dissatisfaction to the art in the eyes of many people.
The people stared at Nero with weird gazes, they are currently thinking whether to call the guards or something. The reason? It's because the art that Nero's calling out is a great artwork left by a master. They simply cannot comprehend how someone who entered the museum is not aware of that fact.
Lawrence twitched his lips seeing Nero's actions. He is now regretting bringing her here, because of her they manage to gain the attention of all the people within the museum. "Nero, don't cause ruckus here! Or else I will take you out!" he warned the girl who was visibly infuriated by that. "Master how could you do that?! That is mean!" Nero said.
Her words made everyone look at Lawrence in disbelief. To think he will have such fetish, making a young girl call him master is really not what they expect from this proper young man. "Hey Nero! Don't cause trouble for Lawrence! You are bringing unnecessary trouble for him!" Anastashia said using her magecraft to erase the memories of the people around them.
The peanut gallery evacuated the site leaving only the group to explore the museum. Anastashia has no qualms using magecraft to her advantage as it is what makes her a magus. "Master, be careful!" Bea called out sensing the danger but alas it was too late as a large explosion already occurred on the spot they were standing.
Far away from the museum, a black haired man with hollowed eyes can be seen smoking cigarette. He has the calm look on his face not bothered by the fact that he just killed a group of people. "Are they dead..?" he muttered in curiosity. He is sure that no human can handle such explosion but something is telling him that it will go wrong.
Now he is just waiting for the result of his plan, if the plan succeeds then he will obtain the calmness of losing one enemy. He meticulously planned this thing, planning to even sacrifice some innocents just to kill the group. For him, having the little killed for the bigger one is better… no there is no other way than that. It is how the world works after all.
This man is Emiya Kiritsugu, the one called Magus Killer. He is infamous in the Moonlit World for many of his feats. Magus feared him not only because of his reputation but also from his unique magecraft that made them shiver in fear. Being able to cripple their magic circuits is something that horrified them, they would rather avoid facing him than to make an enemy of him.
"Fortunately the heiress of Edefelt Clan used magecraft. I avoided killing many this time" Kiritsugu murmured sighing in satisfaction. He took a telescope and squinted his eyes on it. The next scene shocked him to his core as the group were standing unscathed in the middle of the explosion, all of them are staring at a specific place. To be precise, it was the spot where he is currently standing.
Kiritsugu immediately abandoned any kind of plan right now and just left the place. He will not partake in the fight right now as he is outnumbered. His instinct is also screaming at him to run from that place less he wanted to be killed. He really trust his instinct so he chose to follow it this time as well.
Lawrence and the others just watched as the man left, they have no thoughts of chasing him because they know that Shiki still wants to fight against the Servants. It will certainly disappoint the girl if one of the masters suddenly die and the servant lose its source of prana. "Master are you sure about that? It is a chance for us to eliminate one of the participants" Nero inquired.
Although she asked that thing, in fact she also doesn't want to kill him immediately. She wants to face the enemy head on! Not the cheap trick of killing the master, she would hate herself if she can't fully show her greatness to the world. "Yeah, forget about it. He is also the master of the original Saber, so we can't just kill him" Lawrence said yawning.
The girls nodded their head in acceptance. They didn't even ask how he know that the man was Saber's master. It is pretty normal for them to see Lawrence speaking as if he know what kind of things will happen, so it never really surprise them anymore. Though Nero the newcomer being unsurprised is also a wonder.
Everyone left the rubble which is the museum and just went to the amusement park. They did not cancel their play time just because of that single event. This is also a way to tell the enemies that they are not afraid of them, they even have the guts to play around while they were just targeted by an assassin hours ago.
"Lawrence" Shiki called out to Lawrence pointing at something. Lawrence tilted his head following Shiki's finger, once his gaze reached the place, he couldn't help but raise his eyebrows in amusement. "Then let's go" Lawrence said giving excuse to the others. The others obviously noticed their hidden interaction however they didn't do anything to stop it. Giving the two time together is still acceptable for them.
Shiki and Lawrence walked slowly to the Ferris wheel, they didn't talk or anything, they just appreciated this alone time together. They bought a ticket and entered the ride, it did not take long for the ride to finally start, slowly bringing the two to the top. "It's beautiful right?" Lawrence asked staring at Shiki. Shiki thought he was talking about the breathtaking sunset so she unconsciously replied, "Yeah..."
Lawrence looked at the sunset and chuckled, "That one is beautiful too" he said making Shiki realize that he wasn't talking about the sunset, she turned her head to Lawrence only to be greeted by his warm smile. Understanding what he meant, Shiki narrowed her eyes at Lawrence. Though she can't hide the pink hue dying her face."
It was amusing for Lawrence because it is exceedingly rare for Shiki to show proper emotions like this. He sometimes wonder if he has some kind of natural effect for her as she always tend to lose calm when facing him. "Please stop with those things. It's uncomfortable" Shiki said snorting at Lawrence. "Haha, are you embarrassed?" Lawrence asked giggling.
Shiki was not liking his reaction at all, she can't help but feel that she is being teased here. "Wait… am I being teased?" Shiki asked in wonder. Lawrence widened his eyes hearing her murmurs, it was fascinating how a human could not comprehend simple things like teasing. "No, not at all. I am merely complimenting you. It is my honest opinion so it could not be count as teasing" Lawrence said.
The righteous look on his face tells that he is telling the truth which made Shiki suspicious. Lawrence never really act this way, "Lawrence… am I strange?" Shiki finally asked the question that has been holding her back till now. Lawrence also sighed in relief finally hearing it, he chose not taking initiative because it would make Shiki over reliant on him.
It will be better if Shiki took upon it herself to improve and become a better human being. Lawrence might not be able to grant her wish, but he can at least be her guide through that path. He will make sure that she won't get lost along the way and really improve as a person.
"If I am being honest then Shiki… you are indeed strange" Lawrence bluntly responded. Shiki was considerably stunned hearing his answer. She was used to him always being on her side so she never really expected him to blatantly answer like that. Shiki gave Lawrence a wry smile sensing his intentions.
Lawrence smiled as he continued his words, "However that strangeness is what makes you more human. In the world, there is no thing as equal. It is merely a lie spread by the society, so don't try to attach other human common sense on you just so that you can feel more human" Lawrence closed his eyes feeling the wind.
Shiki listened to his words carefully, she fully grasped each words afraid that she might miss some. "Does knowing what is morally right or wrong makes you a human? Do you need proper etiquette to become human? Do people need to fully implement a culture just to be called a human person? The answer is no" Lawrence continued.
"It might make us different from normal but that is no way to confirm whether you are a human or not. Being human is understanding yourself better than others. You yourself can define what human is and only you can confirm if you are a human or not. Remember this Shiki, don't think of what other says or what the world define you. Create a Shiki that is not bound by those things, a new one that will control itself from the restraints of doubts. I am certain that you will have no difficulties doing it, just trust me on this one"
Lawrence finished his words as he smiled at the glowing sunset. Shiki was captivated by that smile, she can't take her gaze away from it. She unconsciously got closer to Lawrence and enjoyed the scenery along with him. His words broke some kind of shackles on her mind making her freer than before. She doesn't want anything right now but just to enjoy being at Lawrence's side.
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(A/N: I'll start posting 2 chapters everyday now until I lose interest on it. Enjoy for now, don't worry as I won't drop this fic before reaching 80 or so chapters at least)