While Shinji was busy in the kitchen, Bazett simply sat at the dining table, quietly watching him. An unfamiliar feeling, or perhaps already a budding emotion, continued to grow in her heart.
During dinner, Bazett mostly ate in silence, occasionally engaging in brief conversations with Shinji.
She didn't ask much about the Holy Grail War, but Shinji voluntarily shared some details with her. He mentioned that his grandfather had passed away the previous day, his only somewhat magically talented sister didn't want to become a magician, and thus, Makiri had completely withdrawn from the world of magic.
"A wise decision. Being an ordinary person is much happier," Bazett said softly, her head lowered.
"Indeed," Shinji smiled, then shifted the topic. "But, Bazett, are you sure you still want to participate in the Holy Grail War? With your Command Seals and Servant taken away, there's no longer a need for you to continue."
Bazett didn't respond, but her eyes were full of determination. It wasn't just for revenge but also because it was her mission assigned by the Mage's Association.
Being sent by the Association to participate in the Holy Grail War, only to be betrayed by someone she trusted and even admired, was something she needed to investigate. There were many issues in this Holy Grail War that Bazett, having narrowly survived, wanted to uncover. Despite losing an arm and her Servant, she still felt the need to participate—this was her mission and duty!
Her personal grudge had taken a backseat after a few days of cooling down.
Bazett didn't want Shinji to know about these matters or many other things. If such an ordinary person got involved in this cruel war because of her...
"It seems nothing I say will change your mind. Then let me help you, Bazett."
"Hmm?" Bazett was startled, frowning as she looked up at Shinji.
"What? You don't trust me?"
"There's no need for you to get involved in such a dangerous war, and I won't allow it. Besides, you're just an ordinary person."
"Bazett, you haven't contacted the Mage's Association yet, have you?"
Bazett's silence confirmed Shinji's suspicion.
"You're worried that if the Association learns about your condition—losing an arm and your strength—they might not support you. Am I right?"
"Even if I'm alone, it's fine," Bazett didn't answer directly.
"Ha~" Shinji sighed, a hint of helplessness in his expression. "Bazett, you really are cold. Saying you're alone, as if I haven't been here for the past week."
"I..." Bazett wanted to retort but couldn't find the right words. She couldn't say that she didn't want to involve him in danger.
"Are you worried that I'll be in danger because of this?"
Seeing Shinji's slightly mischievous eyes, which she didn't dislike, Bazett forced herself to stay calm. "Don't overthink it. I was prepared to sacrifice some things when I decided to participate in the Holy Grail War."
"Then why? Why reject my help? Do you think I'm too weak?"
"It's not that! It's just..."
Seeing Bazett hesitate, Shinji said nothing more. He simply smiled, got up, and refilled Bazett's bowl with rice.
For the rest of the meal, Bazett kept her head down, eating in silence, perhaps worried that Shinji might notice her flushed face.
Outside Fuyuki City.
Amidst a tangle of thorns and roses stood an old castle.
The castle seemed to have been there for ages.
Dark green vines crawled up the high walls, almost completely covering the windows, with some even penetrating inside, adding a touch of eeriness.
Under the hazy moonlight, a crow on the rooftop continued its low cawing.
This was the Einzbern castle, abandoned for ten years—until a few days ago.
What should have remained silent had revived with the arrival of its recent owner.
Luxurious candelabras, flickering candlelight, a warm fireplace, and gleaming silverware...
Seated at the long dining table, Illya elegantly wiped her mouth with a napkin after finishing her dinner.
"The magic workshop has disappeared, the magical barrier has been removed, and there's no presence of a Servant in the house. The only adopted granddaughter with magical talent lacks Command Seals. It seems, as that big brother said, Makiri has completely withdrawn from the Holy Grail War and the world of magic. The Three Families are now truly history."
"Young mistress, is it wise to assume that Makiri is no longer a threat so quickly?" Sella, the woman in Einzbern maid attire standing nearby, asked with a frown.
"Sakura, the girl modified into a small Holy Grail by Zouken, having her Holy Grail functions terminated and reversed, is the best evidence."
"But don't they have an eldest son? Young mistress, you also said that eldest son doesn't seem ordinary."
"Indeed," Illya placed the napkin down and continued softly, "If that big brother were interested in the Holy Grail War, he would be a formidable opponent, even without any magical talent. Even without mana to be a Master, he could strategize for a Servant. After all, he understood Makiri's ideals and could summarize them simply.
"But I sensed his deep-rooted disdain for the world of magic. That's genuine. It's precisely because of this that he chose to let the Makiri family completely withdraw from the magical world and become ordinary people.
"Though 'ordinary' might not be the best term. His background is quite intriguing.
"A universal genius among ordinary people, an extraordinary genius who can reach the world's pinnacle in any field he's interested in. It's hard to say if he can still be considered an ordinary person."
Meanwhile, in Fuyuki's New City, at the Fuyuki Church.
At the front of the chapel stood a man with brown long hair and brown eyes, wearing a Kevlar fiber priest's robe, a cross necklace around his neck, a dark purple long coat over his robe, and black boots—Kirei Kotomine, also known as Father Kotomine, stood quietly with his hands behind his back.
Behind him, seated among the pews, was a young man with blond hair and red eyes, a handsome face, a slender figure, dressed in black biker attire, looking at some documents with great interest.
"Indeed, an interesting mongrel. Even I must admit his mundane talents are top-notch, but unfortunately, he's just a human."
Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes, commented as he read through the documents on Shinji. They accurately recorded everything about Shinji's past seventeen years!