After finishing the big meal, he was asked to come to Manaka's room.
"Evening, Manaka," he said as he opened the door.
He found her sitting quietly on the edge of her bed.
She was dressed differently today—not in her usual dress with an apron, but in something much more casual and relaxed.
She wore just a plain white shirt on top, with white stockings covering her legs.
"Come here," Manaka said with a smile, patting her lap gently.
The small gap of skin between her shirt and stockings seemed to speak to him: [Come over here, Ryuuto. Come to Mama.]
He followed his instinct and rested his head on her lap, closing his eyes. The soft, smooth feeling spread through the back of his head.
"Ahh... that feels nice, thanks for the treat." he said without thinking.
Manaka didn't seem to mind. She gently stroked his hair and spoke softly. "I've always tried to give Ryuuto freedom. Whether it's your flirting with girls, or picking up bad habits like gambling and spending too much money, or even joining dangerous battles where people's lives are at stake—I've accepted it all. Because I know you're just trying to live your life, to be able to stay by my side like this."
He kept his eyes closed without saying anything, simply enjoying the pleasant sensation of her fingers running through his hair.
"Ryuuto... you're the strongest," she continued. "Your opponents are just shadows of heroes. The chances of you losing in the Holy Grail War are less than one in ten thousand."
She stopped stroking his hair and spoke with a trembling voice. "But I'm still worried... so worried I can't sleep. Just thinking about you leaving me to participate in something as dangerous as the Holy Grail War—"
"Manaka."
"I can't stand it. Ryuuto, I won't allow you to go to Fuyuki." Manaka shook her head frantically, her light golden hair swaying and releasing the fresh scent of shampoo.
"Listen to me, Manaka." He reached up and took hold of her small hand that was resting on his head.
"I want to leave a mark on your body."
"...What?" For a moment, she looked completely confused, then her fair cheeks turned bright red.
"W-what are you saying? What do you think you're doing? Ryuuto, you're too young, and I'm too young as well. So no... um, at least not now... not yet!"
'What is she imagining?' he thought to himself. He sat up from the bed, placed his hands on the shoulders of the flustered girl, and looked at her seriously. "Manaka, I want to stay by your side forever. That's why I need to leave my mark on you."
His eyes were clear and direct, without any hint of uncertainty.
Looking into his eyes, the redness gradually faded from Manaka's face.
She nodded, her eyes bright with understanding.
"Ryuuto, you can leave your mark on me."
"Okay."
He carefully unbuttoned her shirt and the front clasp of her underwear.
Though barely visible from his angle, her chest still formed a slight curve, as pure and delicate as freshly fallen snow.
He placed his finger at the center of her pale skin.
"It hurts..."
As the girl winced, a black ink flowed from his fingertip and began to sink into her skin.
The sharp pain made Manaka bite her lip.
She clutched the edge of her shirt tightly as she endured it.
When he finished, seven wing-shaped marks had appeared on Manaka's chest.
It was the stigmata of the Seraph.
"This is the symbol of the bond between Ryuuto and me."
Gently touching the seven black wings now marked on her chest, the girl looked up with a thoughtful expression, her cheeks turning bright red again.
"Ryuuto, is this a part of your soul?"
The boy nodded. "From now on, my glory will always stay with you."
Now, before, and forever.
...
On a bright, clear winter afternoon, Ryuuto and Morgan landed at Fuyuki Airport.
After taking over the Matou family's wealth, Ryuuto had suddenly become extremely rich. Even though taking the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Fuyuki might have actually been quicker considering all the waiting time at airports, he chose to fly anyway.
That's what happens when you have money to burn.
Their bags had been sent ahead to their place in Fuyuki several days earlier by Morgan's team of homunculus maids, so they were traveling with just the basics today.
"So Caster, what did you think of the flight?" he asked Morgan as they walked off the plane.
He was wearing a military green M51 trench coat that made him look more grown-up than usual.
Morgan had on a classic winter outfit—a wool sweater under a duffle coat. Through the open front of her coat, you could see the perfect curves that even the sweater couldn't conceal.
Walking among the other passengers, they looked like ordinary tourists except for one thing—they were both strikingly attractive.
"I didn't find it particularly interesting. It was actually more boring than I expected," she replied, her eyes as calm and still as a lake at night.
"Really? I thought you might be a little more impressed."
Remembering how she had reacted the first time she visited a shopping mall, he added, "Maybe next time I'll take you for a spin in a helicopter."
"Mm," she murmured, looking up at the back of the short boy walking in front of her.
As she watched him, she could see Ryuuto's stats and skills that appeared after he had modified her Servant Saint Graph without permission.
[Riding EX] - Able to freely control all beasts, vehicles, phantasmal species, and dragon species beyond normal categories.
Not just that, he could even command "higher existences" that other EX-level riding skills absolutely couldn't handle. Not only was his riding skill considered the strongest in human history, but his other abilities were just as extraordinary.
She slightly narrowed her beautiful eyes and let out a quiet sigh. What kind of monster had summoned her? Whenever she looked at his stats, she felt an uncomfortable emotion rising within her. As a Servant, she wondered if she was even useful to him at all.
What was her Master thinking whenever he flattered and praised her? Was he secretly laughing at her? "Morgan le Fay? Ha! Isn't she just that failed princess who lost to her sister and ended up imprisoned?" Something like that?
"Come on, Caster. I'm starving—let's find something to eat," he said, walking toward the taxi area with his hands behind his head. "Since we came all the way to Fuyuki, we should grab some barbecue in Shinto before the war starts."
"Master, your thoughts are so random, and you're being far too casual about everything again..." she shook her head, pushing away the dark thoughts that had been troubling her, and quickly caught up to him. This really was concerning. This boy was much too reckless. Who knows what might happen to him without her watching over him. Yes, she needed to guide him properly. As these thoughts settled in her mind, Morgan's face brightened in a way it never had before.
"Once we're in Fuyuki, we could face battles at any moment, so you shouldn't eat too heavily, Master."
Ryuuto made a face, brushing off her concern. "Come on, what's the deal? The minute we leave Tokyo, you suddenly start acting like my mom. It's my money—I can spend it however I want!"
"That's not acceptable. I made a promise to your mother, Miss Manaka, that I would take responsibility for your health throughout this journey," Morgan replied.
She crossed her arms over her chest, the motion pushing up her full, prominent breasts until they looked ready to burst from her sweater as she continued firmly, "Your habit of overindulging in food and drink needs to stop during the Holy Grail War."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," he responded casually, clearly not taking her seriously.
...
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