[] "That's true. But copy or no, I still want to say sorry. That's what I'm fighting for. It's my selfish wish and if I get killed achieving it then so be it."
You squeezed your cane hard before you deigned to face Ophelia with a cold look. You met her gaze and looked her in the eye as you spoke to her, every word ringing and making her wince.
"That's true. But copy of no, I still want to say sorry. That's what I'm fighting for," you declared as you watched her step back, "It's my selfish wish and if I get killed achieving it then so be it. What of you, Lady Phamrsolone? Are you the type of Magus willing to die for your wish?"
"I..." Ophelia hesitated as she clenched her hands.
"If not, then you have no place in this war. For your sake, you would do well to reconsider your position. I'm not saying this as a friend but as a Magus. You don't belong here," you told her as you turned your back on her and walked away.
Someone from Spiritual Evocation would know better that your dream was futile. There was no one more qualified than Ophelia to dissuade you of your wish. But you've already done so much, you needed to see this through. Not just for your sister but for the people you've wronged and slain.
You have fought seven Wars with each one chipping away at your body and soul. Seven wars of burden on your shoulders. The least you could do was reach the end of this journey of yours. You weren't stopping for anything, it wasn't the first time someone sought to bring you down.
You just kept walking, your footsteps growing heavy as you moved.
.....
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...
Once you were sure you weren't being followed you returned back to your hideout. You sat in the living room of your suite as you tried gathering your thoughts and thinking up of ways to defend against the inevitable attack on this place.
You were in deep enough thought that you didn't notice someone walk by.
"You look rather rough, Hans," a voice spoke up, making you turn to see Manaka sit down on the nearby armchair.
You raised an eyebrow at her appearance, "What the heck."
Manaka smiled and gestured to her hair. It was pale blonde now instead of hazel colored and her eyes were bright blue as well.
"What do you think?" She asked you with a raised eyebrow.
"That wasn't like that last night," you admitted with a surprised look.
"I know! I just woke up this morning to find that my body is changing," Manaka said as she held her cheeks.
"That's certainly not normal. Not by any stretch at all," you admitted as you stared at her, "Is it because if your continued influence over that body that it's changing."
"Quite possibly. It's either that the longer I stay in this form, the more it will change itself to suit me better until I get stuck in it. Or if I get pulled back to my world, I'll end up leaving a copy of my ego imprinted on this form," Manaka said as she played with her blonde hair, "Still, this body will never truly be me. It doesn't have my circuits after all."
"Then what will happen to the girl sleeping inside of you?" You asked her with a raised eyebrow.
"I don't know. One day she'll probably wake up with traces of my personality," Manaka said as she hummed and leaned her chin on her fist, "Well, isn't that interesting?"
"Right. Probably," you admitted with a shake of your head.
"Seems like you have a lot on your mind. Why don't you talk to me? Perhaps I could be of some help?" Manaka offered with that serene smile of hers.
You gave her a look before you asked, "Where's Berserker?"
"Oh? He's taken a liking to smoking at the roof. I dislike smelling his tobacco breath so I told him to do it where I can't see him. On that note, it would seem like Assassin isn't here either, hm?" Manaka pointed out as you felt an eerie chill fall down the room, "That means it's just the two of us alone."
"That's not creepy at all," you dryly stated as you moved in your seat to stay away from her.
"Is it?" Manaka blinked as she gave you a strange look, "Well, not as creepy as all the people clinging on to your back."
You felt your blood chill as you instinctively rubbed the back of your neck.
"Are you serious?" You blinked.
"Nope. I'm just kidding," Manaka said with a giggle, "Your expressions are rather refreshing. You're truly a strange Magus."
Feeling yourself relax a bit, you allowed yourself a sigh, "Right."
"Still, are you fine with this course of events? You have the Grail, all you need is to defend it. But are you truly just going to wait for the enemy to come to you?" Manaka asked as she sat in her seat, "Don't you find that a bit boring?"
"I'm being cautious. I don't have an unstoppable Servant to call upon," you told her with a shake of your head, "Assassin could only do so much."
"Well that is true. A shame, really," Manaka said as she leaned back on her seat.
You stared at her and asked, "What about you? How have you been entertaining yourself these days? I doubt that teasing me alone is getting you your fill of thrill."
Manaka blinked before holding her fingers into X's, "That's a secret."
"Oh come off it now," you sighed as you shook your head.
"Well since you've been a good friend so far, I was thinking of giving you a bit of support. It's a surprise so I can't share it now but it'll definitely spice up this little War of yours," Manaka said with a bright smile.
"Spice up, you say? Well, as long as it isn't anything dangerous," you told her as you scratched the back of your head.
"Nope, nope! You'll probably be able to fight the other Masters like WHA POW!" Manaka said with an exaggerated punch and kick.
You heard footsteps behind you and you turned to see Miyu walking into view in her pajamas. She gave the living room a look before finding you and Manaka nearby.
"Oh! It's the Holy Grail," Manaka said with a bright tone.
You spoke in turn and said, "Rare to see you out of your room."
Miyu blinked before a low rumbling came from her stomach. She held it and blushed deep red as her stoic face showed embarrassment.
"Ah. I guess it's about lunch time, huh?" Manaka said as she tapped her cheek, "Hm, why don't I make something for the two of you?"
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...
You were having coffee while you and Miyu sat on the counter while Manaka cooked. The smell of food drifted in the air and just made you feel your own hunger.
"You could have said something, you know?" You told Miyu as she waited patiently for her meal.
"I apologize. I was used to having food given to me," Miyu said as she hung her head.
What is she, some sort princess? You decided not to say that out loud and reply, "Well, from now on, why don't you speak up if you want something? No one's going to come and help you if you don't ask."
"I find that hypocritical of you to say, Hans," Manaka said as she finished making the omelette she was cooking, "Now, eat up! It should be similar to a five star restaurant's quality."
It certainly smelled good. You only hesitated because Manaka made it. You decided to ignore that voice behind your head as you and Miyu took a bite.
Now that you thought about it, Assassin did mention that Manaka helped her make your breakfast a couple days back. Having taken a bite, you were pretty impressed.
Miyu's eyes on the other hand lit up and she was already in her third bite.
"Well? How is it?" Manaka asked as she crossed her arms.
Lunch
[] "You have experience? It's pretty good all things considered."
[] "It's delicious but it feels like it lacks something. It's certainly not bad."
[] Just keep quiet. You don't want to inflate her ego. She's smug enough as it is.
[] Write in...
