Although he harbored doubts in his heart, Shinji did not let them show on his face. After all, without confirming the servant's identity, making a mistaken assumption could lower his standing in their eyes.
As a seasoned Moon Chef and a participant in a previous Holy Grail War, Shinji understood better than anyone the importance of a harmonious Master-Servant relationship. Masters who disregarded their servants' feelings, treating them as mere slaves and driving them recklessly, rarely met good ends.
Thus, Shinji was eager to make a good first impression on his servant. A solid beginning would make future interactions much smoother.
Standing tall and confident, Shinji met the emerald eyes hidden behind the knight's helmet and spoke in a resonant voice, "I am indeed your Master, the one who has summoned you to this world."
"You are a servant, just like me." The poised female knight gazed at Shinji, her eyes sharp as a lance, as if seeing right through him.
"Who says a servant can't be a Master? Who says an Assassin can't be a magus? There's no such rule in the Holy Grail War."
Shinji's expression remained unchanged, displaying calm confidence. Having been taught by the Queen of the Land of Shadows and having discussed the way of kingship with Gilgamesh, Iskandar, and Artoria, Shinji had developed a considerable immunity to royal authority.
As both a servant and a Master, Shinji rolled up his left sleeve, revealing three intertwined, crimson marks on his arm. These were Command Seals, the Holy Grail's mark upon a Master, embodying the Master's authority over their servant.
"Do you still have doubts after seeing this? Or do you need more proof?"
"No need."
The female knight shook her head, the movement of her neck causing her helmet to rub against the chest armor, producing a faint creaking sound.
"No matter how you accomplished it, the fact that you are my Master does not change. I will assist you with my Holy Lance. Henceforth, our contract is complete!"
As she spoke the final words, that familiar feeling in Shinji's heart grew stronger, but he maintained his caution and did not show it.
"I am glad you acknowledge our contract. Please, guide me well, Lancer."
"Please, guide me well, Master." The sharpness in the female knight's gaze softened.
"May I make a small request?"
"Please, go ahead."
"You might not be aware, but I did not use a catalyst during the summoning ritual, so I am unaware of your identity and true name. If possible, could you introduce yourself? It would be even better if you could dispel your combat state so I can see who you are beneath the armor."
Shinji's request was quite understandable. As a Master and servant forming a fated bond, some preliminary understanding was necessary. To alleviate Lancer's wariness, Shinji added:
"Rest assured, there are no enemies around. I, as an Assassin, guarantee this, and these two ladies can be trusted."
Such a reasonable request was unlikely to be refused by most servants, and Lancer was no exception.
The radiant lance and silver heavy armor dissolved into particles of light, revealing the true appearance of the heavily protected female knight beneath.
The scene of her disarming was so striking that Shinji was left completely stunned.
Armored and wielding a lance, the female knight had a majestic and heroic presence.
But beneath the armor, well, uh—how to put this, it's hard not to have some dirty thoughts.
Beneath the armor was a dark blue undergarment—there was nothing wrong with that. Wearing armor without an undergarment would make the sensation of steel rubbing against skin unbearable after the first try.
The problem was with the style of the undergarment.
Raising the hips, tightening the waist, and binding the chest—these design choices can be excused as being for the convenience of combat.
But what's with the chest opening that reveals the upper half of the breasts?
And the shoulder openings that expose the shoulders and smooth underarms?
And instead of tight pants, using a high-slit skirt that directly reveals two straight, rounded thighs—what's up with that?
Is this really the lining of a knight's armor and not some lewd cosplay, or a special outfit designed to attract otakus?
If it weren't for that face, as beautiful as Scáthach or Justeaze, and yet so resolute, no one would think she was a knight.
However, what attracted the only male in the room wasn't the highly revealing outfit or the knight's more voluptuous figure than Reika's. It was her hair, or rather, the small tuft of hair standing up in the center of her forehead.
Golden, unyielding to gravity no matter what happens, as if gravity didn't exist—an "ahoge"!
Seeing this strand of hair, Shinji finally confirmed the knight's identity and understood where that familiar feeling in his heart came from.
At the same moment, Shinji showed a look of realization, the knight proudly stated her name, providing decisive proof for Shinji's answer:
"The King of Britain, Artoria Pendragon, has manifested in this Holy Grail War in the class of Black Lancer!"
"The King of Britain... That Knight King, King Arthur, is actually a woman?"
Reika exclaimed in surprise.
No wonder she was so shocked. To this day, the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table is one of the most famous legends in the world. The stories all describe an extraordinary man. Who would know that his true form was a woman? In the face of such a shocking revelation, the only ones who could remain calm were either children like little Jack who did not know the name of King Arthur, or informed individuals like Shinji.
"The truth of history is often stranger than legend—could you have imagined that little Jack would be Jack the Ripper?"
"That's true."
Hearing Shinji say this, Reika was relieved. Compared to the serial killer "Jack the Ripper" calling her "Mother," King Arthur being a woman didn't seem like a big deal.
Moreover, having gone through a near-death experience today and witnessed so many incredible things, learning about magus, the Holy Grail War, summoning, heroic spirits, and other secrets hidden in the darkness, even if someone told her the Earth would explode tomorrow, she wouldn't find it strange.
"But how did Miss Artoria manage to disguise herself as a man with that figure?"
"Because she wasn't like this in history."
Having confirmed his servant's identity, Shinji completely relaxed, and the image he had deliberately created to make a good impression on his servant vanished.
"And that is—?" Reika asked curiously.
Shinji smiled without answering, turning his head to look at Artoria, who was also looking at him, her eyes filled with more curiosity than Reika's.
"Master, you—seem to know me very well?"