"Wow~ So you've figured out your situation this quickly? Your brain does work well."
C-Mom's upturned lips always carried a faint mocking smile. Whether intentional or not, the slight teasing tone was filled with the same flavor.
Shinji inwardly sneered at C-Mom's habit. He thought it was unqualified for a villain to wear their emotions on their face without any disguise.
"You are... a Servant?"
"That's right."
"The Matou family has already withdrawn..."
"I know."
C-Mom interrupted Shinji, her lips curving upwards again. She continued, "But I'm very interested in you. That night, you managed to make Berserker's Master give up the fight without using force. Then, you demonstrated excellent warrior qualities in front of Lancer. You have close relationships with both Saber and Archer's Masters, and even Lancer, who was initially an enemy, is now close to you. Finally, even when facing me, who could easily take your life, you remain calm and courageous."
The more Shinji listened, the more uneasy he felt. A peculiar thought popped into his mind: Has C-Mom been spying on me all along?
Actually, Shinji's suspicion wasn't far off. After stopping the fight between Illya and Shirou on the first night, C-Mom had her eyes on him.
Especially after his warrior skills were displayed in front of Lancer, C-Mom became exceptionally pleased. Simply put, even though his handsome looks were somewhat annoying, a clever and skilled pawn was irresistible.
If no one else wanted to use him, she would happily take the chance.
After all, he was just an ordinary person. A simple hint would suffice.
She also considered approaching Saber, but for some reason, Saber was extraordinarily cautious.
Saber would always... no, through a paper door, watch her Master sleep. Any move C-Mom made would be noticed.
So, all things considered, starting with Shinji was more suitable. Not only was he an excellent warrior, but he also had a good brain and could even help entangle at least two Masters.
Whichever way you looked at it, winning over Shinji was a guaranteed profit!
"Are you spying on me?" Shinji frowned. "And what's your goal? Why specifically call me, someone who's not even a mage?"
Despite his words, Shinji felt both amused and exasperated inside. Like a clear mirror, he instantly understood what Caster intended to do.
If he weren't genuinely uninterested, he might have pretended to be hypnotized and played along.
After all, seeing C-Mom's reaction when she thought she had controlled him and he stabbed her in the back might be quite satisfying.
"Hehe..."
C-Mom chuckled again, a sense of superiority in her small laughter that Shinji disliked. "Of course, I want to borrow your warrior skills and brain. And don't worry, after it's over, you won't remember anything bad... Hehehe..."
As C-Mom laughed heartily, Shinji suddenly spoke up, "Borrow my warrior skills, sure. But my brain? Don't you have one?"
C-Mom's laughter abruptly halted. She was about to reprimand Shinji but calmed down upon seeing his straightforward, questioning eyes, devoid of any mockery.
After some thought, she realized Shinji's question wasn't entirely wrong. Borrowing usually meant one lacked something or theirs was broken.
"I don't lack a brain; I just don't have yours..."
As soon as she spoke, C-Mom felt something was off. She almost admitted her brain was faulty!
Seeing the nonverbal, slightly displeased C-Mom clicking her tongue, Shinji's face was full of innocent questions.
"Could it be... is there something wrong with your brain? Is that why you need my help? If so..."
"Uh... eee—!"
The more C-Mom thought about it, the angrier she got, her expression growing more irritated. If not for Shinji's genuine concern and lack of mockery, she might have killed him on the spot!
It was infuriating!
"Are you really okay?" Shinji asked kindly. "I mean, regarding your brain..."
"Enough! My brain is fine!" C-Mom shouted loudly, then raised her gloved right hand. "Enough talk! If you cooperate, I'll spare your life after the war as a sign of my be—"
Before she could finish, she noticed the tall, handsome young man in front of her suddenly becoming bashful, averting his eyes and blushing.
Could it be...
As an experienced person, C-Mom instantly understood. Her lips curved upwards again.
Though infuriating, this young man had a good eye.
Look at those eyes trying to sneak a peek but not daring to look directly, that shy demeanor, just like a bashful young girl.
Such a boy would be easily controlled.
"I... um... I..."
Watching the shy, hesitant Shinji, C-Mom felt like she was back in her youth.
Back then, many people stood before her, blushing, hesitating, and averting their eyes, trying to show affection but too shy to speak.
While reminiscing about her youth and regretting choosing a scumbag in the end, C-Mom heard Shinji say, "Can I... go to the bathroom first? I really need to go."
C-Mom's expression froze again. Before she could respond, she sensed danger!
Without thinking, C-Mom quickly retreated several meters, her black cloak billowing.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh!!!
Clang clang clang clang clang!!!
An indeterminate number of red arrows pierced the ground where Shinji had stood.
"What..."
Looking at the arrows at her feet, Caster was in disbelief. She opened her mouth but was interrupted by a man's voice from above.
"Ha! Your luck is pretty bad, kid."
As the voice ended, the one responsible for the arrows, a red-clad man—Archer, jumped down from the roof, landing in front of Shinji barehanded.
Seeing Archer, Shinji wondered: Why him? Where's my big brother? Did the protective runes my brother inscribed on me the other afternoon fail?
Shinji didn't know that his brother—Lancer—was currently... running for his life!