"A Holy Grail War? Like the one Teacher participated in..."
"Exactly."
The Holy Grail War - a brutal contest where seven masters each summon seven Heroic Spirits, battling until only one remains. The sole survivor would obtain the ultimate wish-granting device: the Holy Grail.
"So that means... Miss Aesc is a... Heroic Spirit?"
"Mhm, that's right." As if to reward her, Aesc began pinching Gray's cheeks.
"Ah... Miss Aesc..."
Ignoring Gray's flustered reaction, Aesc continued squeezing her cheeks while carefully examining her body.
So this was the replicated flesh of King Arthur, created by those trying to resurrect the Once and Future King?
Body, mind, and soul - the three essential components that form a human being.
Gray represented the duplicated body. Deep beneath a rural Welsh village lay an imitation of King Arthur's consciousness.
The final piece - the soul - would be secured during the Fifth Holy Grail War several years from now, provided King Arthur was successfully summoned. Then all three elements would be assembled.
If not for having seen the script, who would believe King Arthur would truly be summoned in the Fifth Holy Grail War?
It was almost certain that Morgan le Fay from this timeline had her hands in this.
"Miss Aesc, please let me go!"
Snapping back to reality, Aesc realized she was still pinching Gray's cheeks. The pale, delicate skin had turned slightly pink.
"My apologies. Although I'm a Heroic Spirit, I don't have a Master. I remain in this world for... other reasons." Aesc rubbed Gray's cheeks soothingly, then adjusted the hood she had disturbed, placing it neatly back over Gray's head.
"Please convey this to Lord El-Melloi II. While joining his classroom partly stems from wanting to attend his lectures, my main purpose is to commission him. I need information about the Reverse Side of the World." Aesc stood up, brushing her skirt before heading toward the door.
"In return, I can help you resolve certain troubles. As for my identity... guess."
The golden-haired witch offered Gray a gentle smile before exiting the café.
"A Heroic Spirit residing in the present world..."
After hearing Gray's report, Lord El-Melloi II's expression gradually darkened.
So it wasn't some old fool from the Clock Tower sending a spy to hassle him? How wonderful... not!
This was even more troublesome!
Could a Heroic Spirit remain in the world after a Holy Grail War ended? Or was she a newly summoned Spirit?
Without the Holy Grail, summoning Heroic Spirits should theoretically be impossible.
Staring at the marks left on the back of his hand from that war, El-Melloi II ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.
Suddenly, he turned back to Gray. "Wait... Gray, she wants me to investigate the Reverse Side of the World?"
"Y... yes."
"I see."
Needing information about the Reverse Side, that familiar aura reminiscent of the King of Knights, being a magus...
"Ah... I think I understand." El-Melloi II casually clipped a cigar, placing it in his mouth and lighting it.
"Does Uncle know Miss Aesc's identity now?"
"No, it's merely speculation at this stage."
Recalling the golden-haired witch's attitude during their meeting, the legendary figure was described as lewd, cruel, and capricious - the one who brought about Britain's destruction.
Would becoming a Heroic Spirit really change one's personality so drastically?
Ultimately, this was all information she had unilaterally disclosed. Everything remained conjecture.
"She didn't even give me an option to refuse..." Thinking about how she lived directly above him, El-Melloi II felt his peaceful teaching days were gone forever, not that he'd had many to begin with.
Well, he had to accept the situation. At least she offered help - that was some good news.
While El-Melloi II was lost in thought, ash from his cigar accidentally dropped onto his leather shoe.
"Damn it!"
"Ah! Let me clean that for you, Teacher!"
"Ah... thank you, Gray."
Flustered, he took off the shoe - the very pair he'd bought with his first paycheck from the Clock Tower - and handed it to Gray. Reflecting on the day's events, he couldn't help but wonder.
Have I been cursed again? Just like before?
Remembering past incidents, El-Melloi II sighed deeply.
But now, with another Heroic Spirit's assistance, this Holy Grail War should definitely...
As if reaching some resolution, El-Melloi II walked to the window and picked up the phone.
"Reines? I'll personally appeal to Lord Sophia-Ri."
Looking at his reflection in the window glass, his eyes gradually sharpened.
"All I need to do is handle the Department of Spiritual Evocation's troublesome matter, right?"
"Pfft... hahaha!"
In the room above, watching the duo's reactions through her water mirror magecraft, Aesc covered her mouth to stifle her laughter.
"Now I understand why Merlin enjoys peeping with his clairvoyance."
Wiping tears of amusement from her eyes, Aesc lay on her bed, recalling the clear voice she'd heard earlier.
That mystic code - the Holy Lance of King Arthur? Though just a projection, it seemed quite interesting. She'd love to study it thoroughly.
While Morgan could wield Rhongomyniad through magecraft, she herself as the Rain Witch Aesc couldn't use it.
That troublesome matter of the Department of Spiritual Evocation El-Melloi II mentioned on the phone... it must refer to the Marburry Workshop's rampage.
Later, she'd get to see Gray draw her lance!
The thought made Aesc sit up excitedly.
But how to join their journey?
Just then, two figures approached her door.
This is...
Recognizing the visitors, Aesc's lips curled into a delighted smile.
The ticket delivery has arrived!
In the next instant, she appeared outside her door, facing the mercury maid about to knock and Reines standing beside her.
"Good evening, ladies. What brings you here at this hour?"
"...Good evening, Miss Aesc." Though startled by the sudden appearance behind them, Reines turned around with practiced composure.
The moment Reines saw Aesc, her eyeballs immediately began burning.
Reines possessed mystic eyes that heated up when exposed to magical energy, sometimes even bursting into flames in severe cases.
"A pleasure to meet you. I'm Reines El-Melloi Archisorte, Lord El-Melloi II's adopted sister."
Enduring the burning sensation in her eyes, Reines addressed Aesc with impeccable etiquette. "I heard a new student of the El-Melloi classroom had a pleasant chat with my brother's apprentice tonight, so I thought I'd pay a visit as well."
"Wonderful, please come in." Watching Reines and the Volumen Hydrargyrum pass by, Aesc showed keen interest. "We can have a thorough, proper conversation."
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.