Emiya residence.
Two days later.
All the residents of the Emiya Residence gathered around the table to have dinner and spend time peacefully. This included Elaine and Katerea, who didn't have to be persuaded for long. In a relatively short period of time, they had become a full-fledged part of our small group. However, some of the main reasons were Emiya's cooking and the way everyone perceived each other. Free, to be as accurate as possible. A hearty atmosphere was being created, so to speak, where everyone could find a place to belong.
I took the cup of coffee in my hand and took a small sip while stroking the head of Tia sitting next to me.
Vali and his group left as soon as they had the chance. Of course, he threw a couple minor insults in Morgan's direction, to which she only laughed out loud and 'let them go'. Why the quotation marks? She shouldn't cost her anything to find them now, since she left a kind of "beacon" on him. And when she wants to play with their nerves, they won't be able to hide on principle.
Ah, yes, in addition to the Servants, Katerea, Elaine, the Pendragon duo, and Alaia, there was Archer and Runeas sitting at the table, munching contentedly on Archer's cooking and occasionally distracted by a conversation with Katerea.
It had been two days since the founder of the Gremory clan had settled in, and I must say her personality had allowed her to find common ground with just about everyone, if you didn't count Gil with his typical attitude.
Runeas was especially quick to befriend Enkidu, Artoria, Medusa and, oddly enough, Merlin.
With Lancer, she often discussed clothing and dressed him up in a wide variety of outfits. Of course, most of them were feminine. Enkidu himself didn't mind such things and had fun at the expense of Gil, who was tasked with evaluating this or that set of clothes.
With Saber and Rider Runeas talked about everything. I'd even say they became very close friends. Occasionally, she would encourage the two of them to do different things with Emiya, or just tease them. Mordred picked up on it, calling Archer "mother" with a perfectly calm face, and Morgana found it good fun to watch from the sidelines. Lancelot, on the other hand, nodded approvingly, seeing Artoria's attitude, and Merlin chuckled.
Medusa only smiled at Runeas' teasing, but Artoria was blushing like a beet. Even so, she still preferred to stay close to Archer and hold his hand, which only made Runeas' comments more hilarious.
Speaking of Merlin. Both he and Runeas found each other interesting. Not romantically, of course, but in terms of history and personality. They could spend hours telling each other events from their past and laughing about them. Of course, they mentioned embarrassing or amusing incidents, to which either Katerea or Artoria, or both at once, would blush in embarrassment.
Of course, sometimes the funny stories would devolve into serious brainstorms, where everyone would express some philosophical views. In that case, all five of them would gather in one room, bringing with them something prepared by Emiya.
I think the fact that they became friends very quickly is due to the fact that each of them are similar to each other in some way. Medusa was used to being considered a monster, Artoria was an aristocrat, Enkidu was created for a specific purpose, and Merlin... just "Merlin". And Runeas resembled each of them.
To summarize, she had acclimated very quickly and without any problems in principle.
I set the cup down and directed my gaze to Alaya, dressed in her dragon sleeping suit.
- So, you've been gone a long time, Aika-san," I began, getting her attention, "Where have you been all this time?
- Oh? Interested in the private life of an underage schoolgirl, sensei? - She smiled cheekily - You have a crush on me, don't you? Unfortunately, you're not my type.
- Answer the question, please. - With a twitching eyebrow I said, and the food in front of her disappeared.
- Hey! Why?! I was just kidding!
- Still can't hear the answer.
- Okay, okay, okay! - she threw up her hands and pouted - I was covering the holes.
- Hmm?
- Why do you think shadow Servants haven't been showing up lately? Or did you think I was completely useless?
Oh? Come to think of it, they really haven't shown up since the incident with Morgana and Mordred. Perhaps I was wrong about her? Although, I still find a resemblance to a certain blue-haired water goddess.
- You're insulting me, aren't you! - slamming the table, Aika shrieked.
- Anything is possible," I shrugged, "Then one more question. Do you happen to know where Lilith is now?
- Why are you interested in that?
- I need a reliable source of information, which you are not.
- Well... - she hesitated - She's not available.
I raised an eyebrow.
That's a strange way of putting it. Not dead, but "not available"? Most likely, Aika realizes she can't lie to me, and said exactly that. But if Lilith is "unavailable," that means she's either sealed, half-dead, or something else.
- Is it temporary or not? I don't think it would bring too huge a change to the plot, given our current situation. As-is, Goetia has already been revealed.
- It's not up to me.
- That answer didn't give me anything.
- But I won't say more than that.
It wasn't just me who raised an eyebrow at that wording, but the others as well. It's very strange that Alaia put it that way. Is it directly related to the plot? I think so. But how or how much, I have no idea. I'll have to put that question on hold for now.
- You- - I was about to ask about the upcoming events and what to prepare for, as I was abruptly interrupted. And it was done by someone I did not expect to hear here.
- Your cooking is as good as ever, Archer. Something does not change from world to world, eh?
In surprise, the Servants changed into battle dress and raised their weapons, pointing them at the guest. And when they saw who it was, they were surprised, but did not put their weapons back. Apprehension and tension instantly hung in the air. And it wasn't because of the threat to life, but...
- What are you doing here, Zelretch? - Emiya asked cautiously, holding his paired swords in his hands - Have you come for another victim?
- Oh? Why so rude, Shirou-kun? Don't all the adventures we've been through warm your heart? - The interdimensional vampire grinned toothily, at which Archer twitched in annoyance.
- You mean the time you sent me to the world of women? Or how you turned me into a sword? Or-
- Yeah, yeah, those two! Weren't you having fun? At least you could act on your own free will instead of someone else's.
- Tsk. - Archer clucked loudly and put his gun away.
Yeah. Poor Emiya. I doubt that's all he went through at Zelretch's behest. The pluses he mentioned still outweighed the minuses, though. Partially, of course.
- "Woman's World?" - Artoria raised an eyebrow and glared at Archer - Care to tell me about it, Shirou?
- Uh... no?
Bad answer.
- I apologize, but I need to talk to Archer alone. - With the sweetest smile possible on her face, Artoria said and took Emiya by the scruff of the neck and headed upstairs.
- Look Saber, it's not my fault! It was all his! - Archer shouted as he was dragged like a rag - Believe me, I didn't do anything! Saber!
He tried to break free from Artoria's clutches, really tried, but to no avail. After all, Saber's power rank is higher.
- I'll keep an eye on them. - Medusa said calmly and followed them, but I saw her brow furrow.
- I'll help Ma-" Mordred got up from the table, but Morgana left her.
- Don't. This is a parent's business, and theirs alone. - She said with a smirk on her face.
- But-
- I think you should listen to Her Majesty this time, Sir Mordred," Lancelot interjected, and Merlin did not hide his chuckle in the background, "You don't want to see something like that.
The next moment Archer tried to dematerialize to escape from Artoria somehow. He was stopped, however, by the flashing light of Excalibur against his neck.
- You will answer my questions, won't you, Shirou? - With a smile that threatened to split his face, Artoria asked - You will, won't you?
- But...?! But...?! - Archer tried to say something, but to no avail.
- That's good. - Saber nodded, and together with Archer and Rider they disappeared into the passage to the second floor.
There was silence in the hall for about two minutes. Some found the situation amusing, some not so much, but everyone agreed that it was worth keeping the silence to honor Archer if he survived.
I sighed tiredly and rubbed my temples, then looked at Zelretch.
- So, why are you here? I doubt it's for nothing.
- Really," he nodded, then adjusted his clothes and looked back at me, "I need your help.
- What?
-0-
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