Midnight, 12:00 AM
After being awakened by Angelica's voice, Naoki didn't wake Gray or Caren. Instead, he left the hotel with Angelica, preparing to find a suitable location to begin the Servant summoning.
As the capital of England, London's underground ley lines were excellent, making almost any spot suitable for a Servant summoning.
"Ugh…"
In a park, just as Naoki decided on the location for the summoning, he suddenly felt a sharp sensation on the back of his hand. A red tattoo quietly appeared there.
A Command Spell—the mark of one chosen by the Holy Grail to become a Master.
Looking at the Command Spell, nearly identical to the one from five years ago, Naoki took a deep breath. "Angelica, is the concealment barrier set up?"
"The concept has been altered. Don't worry."
Despite her lack of emotions and tendency to unsettle Naoki, Angelica was an exceptionally capable follower. Whatever was asked of her, she could handle perfectly, and even tasks she couldn't yet do, she'd master in a day or two.
Drawing the summoning circle he had long memorized on the ground with chalk, Naoki checked the time and confirmed there was still some leeway. He sat on a nearby bench.
"Angelica."
"Yes?"
"Which Servant do you think I'll summon?"
The sudden question left Angelica momentarily silent.
She knew Naoki hadn't prepared a holy relic. Under normal circumstances, without a relic, the summoned Servant would depend on compatibility. Given Naoki's personality, Angelica genuinely couldn't predict which Servant would match him.
However, summoning based on compatibility wasn't entirely accurate. The Avalon embedded in Naoki's body could specifically summon King Arthur. As a Demi-Servant of King Arthur, the Knights of the Round Table would surely respond to his call, not to mention his faerie traits and True Ancestor powers.
"No matter what Natsukawa-sama summons, I won't be surprised. If I had to guess, I'd say King Arthur is the most likely."
King Arthur?
Indeed, in terms of probability, he was the most likely to respond. But Naoki didn't hope for Artoria to be summoned this time.
Because Gray was with him.
Although, under Merlin and Naoki's influence, Gray had become less resistant to her own face, Naoki still hoped she wouldn't have to take on the role of King Arthur so soon. She was only nine years old, and Naoki wanted her to live carefree for a while longer.
"You really care a lot about Miss Gray."
"She's my little sister, after all. Even though we're not related by blood, I've been with her every day for the past few years. I already consider her my real family."
Family.
To Angelica, that was an unfamiliar word. In a Mage family, there was no true concept of family. For their own goals, affection was something that could be discarded at any moment. The Ainsworth family had taken this to the extreme, with the entire family serving as tools for Darius to pursue his dreams.
Even Angelica herself, now just a puppet sustained by Substitution Magecraft, no longer had a true life.
"Angelica, this Holy Grail seems to be one that can genuinely grant wishes," Naoki said suddenly. "If, and I mean if, the Holy Grail ends up in our hands, what wish would you make?"
"I have no wishes to fulfill. My current self is merely your maid; everything depends on your desires."
"I see… Well then, I'll make a wish for you later."
With that, Naoki stood, ignoring Angelica's slightly changed expression, and walked toward the summoning circle, raising his hand.
The time had come.
"Silver and iron. The Grand Prince bound by contract to the foundation. The color offered is 'red.' Raise walls to block the coming winds. Close the four gates, starting from the crown, spinning at the crossroads toward the kingdom."
Naoki had memorized the incantation by heart, originally prepared for the possibility of the Fifth Holy Grail War, never expecting to use it now.
"Declare."
"Your body is under my command; my fate is bound to your sword. In response to the Holy Grail's call, obey this will and reason, answer me."
"I am the one who achieves all the good in the world; I am the one who gathers all the evil in the world."
"Seven heavens entwined with three spiritual words."
"Emerge, guardian of the scales, passing through the wheel of oppression."
As the proclamation ended, a fierce wind blew, and powerful Mana surged from the summoning circle, stirring the atmosphere with its sheer mass. The circle itself radiated blinding light.
Naoki could see a silhouette gradually forming within the light.
The wind subsided, and the light faded.
As the booming sound ceased, Naoki and Angelica clearly saw the Servant who appeared in the summoning circle.
It was a knight clad entirely in steel armor, appearing somewhat short. The silver armor bore faint red patterns, giving off a slightly menacing vibe. Most striking, without a doubt, was the helmet adorned with two large horns.
*CREAK!*
As if the armor were being released, the helmet split into several pieces and retracted, revealing the face beneath.
It was a face Naoki knew all too well.
"Servant, Saber, responding to the summons. Are you my Master—"
*SMACK!*
Before Saber—Mordred—could finish speaking, Naoki suddenly stepped forward, delivering a swift slap to her head.
Mordred froze.
Naoki, looking at his hand on Mordred's head, was also momentarily stunned.
"You looking for trouble?!" Mordred's eyes turned fierce the next second. Though she knew the man before her was her Master, slapping her like that was a direct challenge!
"No, it wasn't intentional at all… It's just, um, I had this feeling like, 'How can this kid say something like that? It's totally inappropriate; she needs to be disciplined.'"
"Huh? What's that supposed to mean? Did I get stuck with a crazy Master?!"
*SMACK!*
Another slap.
Naoki could feel it—Arthur's power, which usually only reacted when Manaka stirred trouble, was now surging with unprecedented intensity. Even more so than when facing Manaka!
'But she's not your kid, Arthur!'
"Hey! How long are you gonna keep your hand on my head?!" Mordred said coldly. "Don't think just because you're my Master, you can act all high and mighty. Believe me, I'll take you out—"
*SMACK!*
Another slap.
"Don't speak in that tone. Your words are so crude. Have you forgotten everything the etiquette officer taught you? A knight shouldn't treat others with such an attitude, Sir Mordred."
Unexpected words spilled from Naoki's mouth. Even he couldn't believe he'd said them! He hadn't meant to say that at all!
'Arthur, you—'
"Huh? You think you're my mother or father? How dare you lecture me like that! Just because you're my Master doesn't mean you can—"
*ZING!*
The sudden appearance of Excalibur in Naoki's hand instantly froze Mordred mid-sentence.
This…
"Well… in terms of identity, I could technically be considered a quarter of your father."
Regaining control of his body, Naoki awkwardly waved the holy sword.
Mordred: Σ(っ°Д°;)っ