Pendragon's Infinity Gauntlet

Page 34

As we walked across the historic Fuyuki Bridge, the three of us walked side by side in an eerie silence, with only the clatter of our leather shoes echoing in the empty space.

After crossing the bridge, Rin Tohsaka led them to the outskirts of the city, to a place they hadn't visited during their previous survey of the terrain.

A gently sloping road, and high ground facing the sea.

The number of buildings decreases as you go up the slope.

A Western-style cemetery built on the slope of a hill came into view.

"This is the church. Pendragon, you must have been there at least once, right?"

Just as they were about to reach their destination, Lady Rin finally spoke.

Before this, they hadn't said much, probably thinking about something. Artoria was probably feeling heavy-hearted, after all, the Archer she had summoned was still nowhere to be seen.

"..."

Pendragon felt a strong sense of incongruity when Rin Tohsaka said those words, as if she were calling him.

"No, no. But I do know that it used to be an orphanage."

The person Rin was actually speaking to gave a proper and respectful response.

"Oh, so this is your first time here. You'd better be on your guard. The priest there is a tough guy to deal with."

Rin Tohsaka was the first to walk up the slope, where there was something that looked like a cross on the high ground.

The church exudes an air of grandeur and luxury, as if the entire hillside belongs to the church's private property. At the top of the slope lies a vast plaza.

The church building has a Gothic style and seems to use some psychologically suggestive visual design. Although it is not very large, it gives visitors a sense of oppression, like a towering mountain.

"Saber, you can stay here."

"what?"

The fact that Miss Rin was focusing her gaze on him confirmed to Pendragon that she was indeed talking to him, and he nodded without asking any further questions about this somewhat strange request.

"Oh."

"According to the rules of the church's overseer, followers are not allowed to step into this place."

Rin explained the reason to Pendragon with some apology.

After all, Pendragon had come here to protect them, so there was no reason to leave her alone outside waiting.

However, she was no pushover either. Taking advantage of Rin's slight apology towards her, she stretched out her palm, spread her fingers, and rotated them.

In Japan, this gesture represents the number "ten." Under Pendragon's intense gaze, Rin Tohsaka intuitively understood what her Servant was trying to convey.

Tonight's late-night snack needs to be enough for ten people!

"This isn't a midnight snack! It's good enough to eat as breakfast!"

Rin's voice roared in my mind. Since we were communicating through consciousness, no matter how bold she was, it wouldn't affect her demeanor in the slightest.

"Humph."

Pendragon, seemingly influenced by his Master, turned away from Rin Tohsaka's outburst, pretending not to hear anything.

"Ah, let's go in first, Pendragon."

Rin spoke to Artoria calmly, though her tone was on the verge of exasperation.

"Thanks for your hard work."

Artoria politely thanked Pendragon before following Rin into the church.

Pendragon wasn't interested in their conversation. After all, Rin had promised a midnight snack for ten people, and she wouldn't go in to watch the legendary pleasure-seeking priest, Ma Po, just because she was curious. She still had that much self-respect.

However, Pendragon clearly didn't want to stay at the gate and be the gatekeeper's job. Wandering around was a good idea; maybe he'd even run into Gilgamesh, who was still loitering around at this hour...

Wait a minute, since the Holy Grail War has been modified into Dragon Ball, does Gilgamesh, who was corrupted by the black mud, still exist?

Most likely, he's probably gone.

"What a pity, I was hoping to see the effect after gender-bending him."

Pendragon thought maliciously as he walked around the church.

Rin and the others stayed in the church for almost an hour, and Pendragon had almost finished reading half of the novel before slowly walking out of the hall.

...The wind picked up.

Perhaps it was because we were standing on a high hill that the wind was stronger than when we were on the ground, and the cold wind that stung our cheeks seemed even sharper.

Although Pendragon wouldn't be afraid of the cold, he certainly wouldn't feel comfortable under these conditions.

"What's going on? Did your classmate give you his Dragon Balls?"

Pendragon looked at Rin Tohsaka walking towards him and asked her curiously in her mind.

As for why it was inappropriate to come out directly, it was because the person in question was right behind Rin.

"Pendragon chose to participate in the battle, believing it might allow her to break through in her swordsmanship..."

What a pure reason this is!

Even Rin Tohsaka's declaration of "fighting only for victory" is more exaggerated. Could it be that the Saber who replaced Toro in this timeline is a sword fanatic seeking the way?

Pendragon could sense the anger in Rin's emotions, but even more so, the helplessness.

As for this anger... it's anger stemming from concern.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

Pendragon was a little puzzled. It's not like I used your family heirloom and continued to mess around. Even if we look the same, what's the use of glaring at me?

"No, I'm just so angry that I don't want to go back and cook at all."

"No, please don't."

Pendragon's previously nonchalant tone instantly turned cautious.

"My game, my turf, my rules."

Rin gave a haughty snort, and didn't seem so angry anymore.

"You were always the master..."

P.S.: This is a transitional chapter...hmm...it felt a little bland, but it should be fine. Speaking of which, if Uncle B's abilities were depicted in a martial arts style, it would probably be like the Indestructible Vajra Body Protection Technique + the Heavenly Silkworm Divine Skill (0/12)? 2333, goodnight everyone, the author thanks everyone for the cat food support on behalf of the cat~

Chapter Fifty-Nine: The Master Who Returns to Simplicity

Chapter 59

Feeling she'd regained some face with her own Servant, Rin Tohsaka recalled Artoria's speech at the church. To make Artoria even more aware of the cruelty of the ritual, she turned to Artoria and said:

"Farewell, Pendragon. Next time we meet, we'll be enemies, and Saber and I won't hold back then."

"Huh? Why would you be an enemy? I have no intention of fighting you, Tohsaka."

Artoria seemed somewhat puzzled.

"Sigh. I've already told you this is a brutal war. The situation won't change because of your wishes. In short, even if you don't target others, they will still set their sights on you. Do you understand?"

Rin Tohsaka slumped her shoulders in frustration, waved her hand, and continued, "Your Archer has flown off somewhere. For the sake of this, as Saber's master, I won't take advantage of your situation to attack you, but next time I definitely will."

"The goal is to collect all seven Dragon Balls, right?"

Artoria understood the pros and cons, and then, to Rin's astonishment, placed the Dragon Ball in front of her.

"If I give the Dragon Balls to Tohsaka, then I won't have to worry about it anymore."

Artoria smiled brightly, quietly watching Rin, whose eyes were wide with surprise.

"..."

Rin Tohsaka has sighed countless times today; it seems the other person doesn't understand the crux of the problem at all.

The Dragon Balls are secondary; the key is the Servants. As long as there are Servants with combat power, it means they are not out of the game and there is still a chance to seize them.

To completely eliminate the threat, the magicians participating in the ritual usually annihilate their rivals, even if the opponent's Servant has already left the stage. To prevent the Master from renewing a contract with another Servant, they usually eliminate the Master along with the Servant.

"What's wrong? Did I overlook something?"

Artoria looked at Rin, who was sighing heavily. She didn't seem to be in high spirits at all. Wasn't it said that as long as Shenron was summoned, ruling the world would be just a matter of a word?

“I have no interest in ruling the world. I participate in this ceremony only because it allows me to hone my swordsmanship.”

Artoria looked intently at Rin, who seemed inexplicably angry, with her holy green eyes, and continued:

"But I don't want to be your enemy, Tohsaka. So, let's join forces."

"Clam???"

Rin Tohsaka was so shocked by Artoria's words that she didn't even have time to be angry.

"Victory belongs to Tohsaka, but I want to be a part of the process of winning."

"You idiot... what are you saying all of a sudden?!"

Artoria's serious expression left Rin Tohsaka somewhat bewildered, and the image of Pendragon in men's clothing involuntarily surfaced in her mind.

The two seemed to become inseparable, slowly merging together, to the point that in Rin Tohsaka's eyes, Pendragon's gaze suddenly became incredibly alluring!

Although she wasn't quite blushing with embarrassment, out of subconscious concealment, Rin's tsundere tendencies kicked in, and she chose to refuse without hesitation.

"...However, I'm the one who brought you here. Well, I'll keep an eye on you on the way back to the city."

And so, in order to avoid making eye contact with Artoria, Rin Tohsaka moved her feet.

Pendragon quickly followed. The matter was settled, which meant that the midnight snack for ten people was almost ready.

Artoria walked at the back, silently observing this Heroic Spirit who might be her "ancestor".

His steps were unsteady and scattered; he looked like an ordinary person, without any of the qualities of a master.

It is important to understand that, regardless of the style of martial arts, the body's center of gravity is always of paramount importance. Only by controlling one's center of gravity can one stand steadily, and only by standing steadily can one avoid falling or losing balance, and only then can one talk about anything else.

Therefore, observing a person's gait and walking posture can often quickly determine whether the other person is a master.

For example, Mr. Ge Mu in the school is a master. Although he doesn't usually show off, in Artoria's eyes, his regular and natural breathing rate and his steps without any unnecessary movements have already revealed that this homeroom teacher is no ordinary person.

But this heroic spirit named Saber...

No! Artoria witnessed this Heroic Spirit's battle record firsthand. How could a Heroic Spirit with such extraordinary martial prowess be an ordinary person with no foundation in stance training or footwork?

I must be overthinking it.

Or perhaps this is the legendary state of returning to simplicity and authenticity.

Artoria speculated, seemingly puzzled.

The three of them walked down the slope in silence. By the time Artoria came to her senses, the road ahead had split in two.

Should we take the main road in front of the station leading to the new capital, or should we head towards the bridge connecting Fukayama-cho?

Rin Tohsaka suddenly stopped at the intersection.

"What's wrong, Tohsaka? Why did you stop so suddenly? If we want to go back, isn't it just towards the bridge?"

"No. Sorry, you should take a taxi back from here. I was so busy with Pendragon that I forgot I'm not that free either. Since you're in Xindu, take care of some things before you go back."

Rin Tohsaka suddenly remembered that when she was strolling around Shinto, she had noticed several 24-hour buffet restaurants...

I'm not in a good mood today, so I'll just take Saber to any random place.

"—? Tohsaka, are you planning to find another Master-Servant?"

Artoria was somewhat eager to try.

It's just taking a starving ghost out for a late-night snack.

Despite thinking this way, Rin Tohsaka didn't miss any opportunity to emphasize the cruel nature of the war to her.

"Yes. I don't know what you're thinking, but I've been waiting for this moment. The night when all seven Masters are present, the night the Dragon Ball War begins with mutual slaughter. Since that's the case, there's no way to obediently go home now, is there?"

It's as if she's looking for a Servant to vent her anger on; Rin Tohsaka wants Artoria to realize her dangerous situation.

However, it seems to have the opposite effect on this sword fanatic; he became even more excited...

"If you're looking for a Servant, you don't need to go to the new capital."

Pendragon reached out and patted Rin Tohsaka on the shoulder. Under the young lady's puzzled gaze, his silver-gray ahoge (antenna-like hair) pointed towards the slope like a radar.

"Have you finished speaking?"