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When it came to mana replenishment…
Minato was, without a doubt, a total expert.
I mean, he had to reward his familiars regularly, right?
"Master, when are you coming to my world?"
Esdeath's body trembled slightly, her cheeks turning pink as she gave Minato a sultry look. Her eyes alone could practically speak.
"After I finish this Holy Grail War. Just hang in there for a bit."
Minato answered seriously.
After all, he still had Medusa and a few others to think about. He had to prioritize.
"Is that so?"
Esdeath gave the girls a meaningful glance and said, "Well then, I'll be counting on you all from now on."
"Looking forward to working with you."
Artoria nodded calmly like it was no big deal.
Mana replenishment or whatever...
After seeing it happen twice in one night, she was kinda numb to it.
"Mhm, nice to meet you..."
Medusa stiffened slightly, her expression a little awkward.
Especially since she'd just been thinking about how to compete for Master's favor.
"Looking forward to seeing you girls next time."
Esdeath waved casually, then turned to Minato. "I won't bother you anymore, Master. I'll head back now."
"Sure."
The summoning circle lit up as Esdeath's figure slowly faded away.
"Oh, right—"
Minato turned and asked, "How's dinner coming along?"
"Dinner?"
Medusa blinked, then suddenly panicked. "Oh no! I totally forgot about the soup I was making!"
After dinner—
Minato sat under the lamp, flipping through a magical book.
The Matou family had a massive collection, and it'd take a while to get through it all.
He had just finished one volume when Medusa came in.
Her cheeks flushed a little when she saw Minato.
"Master, how was dinner? Did it suit your taste?"
"It was great,"
Minato nodded. "Especially the stew you made. It was super flavorful."
"I'm glad you liked it, Master."
Medusa knelt down properly. "Master, would you like a lap pillow?"
As she said it, she avoided eye contact, her gaze flickering away.
Even though Esdeath's appearance had lit a fire under her, it still felt a bit sudden.
Would Master think she was being too forward? Too shameless?
Ugh… maybe she had rushed things.
Maybe she should've waited a few more days...
Nice assist, Esdeath.
Minato gave her props in his heart—and he didn't hesitate.
If someone walked right up to your door, you'd be an idiot not to answer.
"Huh?"
While her mind was spiraling, Medusa suddenly felt something soft against her legs.
She looked down—and saw those ruby-red eyes staring up at her.
Her thoughts felt like they were being pulled in.
Almost like she was possessed, Medusa opened her mouth—
"Master… I smell like blood and the kitchen. Can I borrow the shower?"
Next door—
Artoria's eyes were wide open, her ahoge twitching nonstop.
She might be a little dense, but she wasn't dumb.
It was late. She really did just want to sleep.
But in the end—
She reached into a drawer and pulled out a pile of snacks.
Forget it. Might as well eat.
"Mmm... so tasty..."
She closed her eyes, smiling in bliss.
Yep.
As long as there's good food, who cares about sleep?
But soon—
The food was gone.
And those sounds... were still going.
Artoria was now full of regret.
Damn it.
I picked the wrong room.
The next morning.
At breakfast, Artoria and Sakura Matou stared silently at the disaster on the table.
This stuff... was seriously inedible.
Artoria shot a pitiful glance at Irisviel.
I was tortured all night long—do I really have to give up happiness too?
Sakura took a deep breath, forcing a smile. "Irisviel-oneechan, I'm still growing, y'know?"
Irisviel replied seriously, "Exactly! That's why I made a super nutritious breakfast just for you."
"But… weren't we gonna let Medusa-neesan do the cooking from now on?"
"Yeah, but she decided to sleep in today."
Irisviel blinked innocently. "Come on, trust me! I changed the recipe this time. It's way better!"
Artoria: "..."
Sakura: "..."
If we eat this...
We're walking straight into hell.
In the end, Artoria gave in and went to the convenience store to buy some bento.
It wasn't until noon...
That Minato strolled into the dining room, looking completely refreshed—with Medusa beside him.
Medusa really lived up to her reputation as a former Berserker, especially with her Mystic Eyes of Petrification.
But in the end, he still managed to come out on top.
"You guys are really eating this?"
Medusa walked down the stairs a little awkwardly, frowning slightly at the lunchboxes everyone had in front of them.
"Well, well~ Someone did sleep in until noon," Irisviel teased, narrowing her eyes with a smile. "And those two weren't even satisfied with my cooking."
Medusa's body tensed slightly when she heard that.
Crap. She totally forgot about that part.
Don't tell her... everyone already knows?
Ugh... that's way too embarrassing.
Her heart was in chaos, but she kept her face calm.
She snuck a glance at Minato. "This jerk... couldn't he have checked the time?"
"Medusa-sis,"
Sakura said with a pitiful look, "I'm hungry."
Artoria nodded. "I want meat."
Irisviel smirked. "But Miss Medusa already had her fill, didn't she~?"
Medusa couldn't hold it in anymore. She practically fled toward the kitchen.
"Wait a sec, I'll cook something!"
"Don't push yourself, Miss Medusa~" Irisviel added with a fox-like smile.
Inside a church.
Two figures stood one behind the other, looking out at a distant cross — though who knows if they were really looking at it at all.
"Assassin's been wiped out?"
Tokiomi Tohsaka asked without turning around. "And you didn't get any useful intel either?"
Kirei Kotomine replied calmly, "I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault. That Caster is way too powerful. And now he has Saber helping him, too. He's clearly my biggest threat."
"No, Master. That's not what I was talking about."
"There's something else? Say it, I won't blame—"
His words were cut off.
A dagger suddenly pierced through his chest.
"Y-You..."
Tokiomi turned his head, stunned.
Kirei looked back into his eyes — and in that moment, he felt overwhelming joy.
So Gilgamesh was right after all...
"....."