Chapter 50: Chapter 50
"Wait a minute," Bazett said, stopping Shinji.
"What now?"
"I mean, there must be some other reason you're helping me, right? Maybe some conditions or something."
"Well, if I had to say, there is one condition." Shinji nodded slightly. "Besides hoping to avoid me and my sister being dragged into the war, there is one other condition."
A flash of disappointment crossed Bazett's mind. So he did have an ulterior motive, just wanting to use her.
"The Tohsaka family will also be participating in the Holy Grail War. I hope that when you face the Tohsaka Master, you can spare her life."
Hearing this, Bazett was taken aback, showing an expression of disbelief, as if to say: Is that all?
"I don't have much choice," Shinji sighed again, showing a helpless expression. "After all, she's a cherished sister to Sakura. If she were to die in the Holy Grail War, Sakura would undoubtedly blame me."
"Sister?" Bazett was puzzled. Although she had investigated the Tohsaka family among the Three Founding Families upon arriving in Fuyuki, she was unaware of such details.
"My sister, Matou Sakura, was adopted from the Tohsaka family eleven years ago. She's the biological sister of the current head of the Tohsaka family."
"Is that the only condition? The Holy Grail—"
Shinji interrupted Bazett. "Don't worry, neither my sister nor I have any interest in the Holy Grail. As for other conditions, at most, I would add one more: try not to involve too many ordinary people in the Holy Grail War. This is a personal request."
Seeing Shinji's sincere expression, most of Bazett's doubts vanished.
"Alright, I don't want to involve ordinary people either."
"Then that's all." Shinji smiled, his eyes curved pleasantly.
"Then—"
"Hold on a second." Shinji pushed a small wooden box on the table toward Bazett. "Consider this a bonus. It might not be as good as the original, but the seller said it's not far off."
Opening the box, Bazett saw the puppet arm inside and was momentarily stunned.
"This is—"
"How is it? The arm?" Shinji asked.
Bazett clenched her fist, feeling the newly attached prosthetic. After a moment, she spoke. "The work of that genius puppeteer is flawless. All the nerves are connected, and the magical energy flows smoothly."
"That's good. Now there's just one last step." Shinji turned toward the hallway and called out, "Rider, please call Sakura and ask her to come here for a moment."
Bazett's heart skipped a beat. Had Rider been watching her this entire time?
A few minutes later, Bazett looked at the purple-haired girl holding Shinji's arm and smiling sweetly. She confirmed that this girl truly had no desire for the Holy Grail, just as Shinji had said.
Seeing Rider, Bazett felt a certain affinity, which Rider seemed to reciprocate.
If she had to pinpoint the reason, it was probably their similar heights.
"How tall are you?" they asked simultaneously.
"172 cm."*2
Clap!
"We'll definitely make a great team!"*2
They hadn't even started transferring the Command Seals yet!
Seeing the two bond over their height and shake hands, Shinji suppressed the urge to comment.
Of course, it wasn't just their height that connected them; Bazett and Rider sensed other similarities between them.
"Bazett, you two can discuss the details later. Also, Rider hasn't left the Matou residence since being summoned, so she hasn't been discovered."
"Big sister?" Sakura tilted her head, looking at Shinji in confusion.
"Bazett Fraga McRemitz," Bazett introduced herself. "I'm a participant in the Holy Grail War sent by the Mage's Association. My Servant is—"
"That's enough, Bazett." Shinji cut her off with a smile.
Understanding Shinji's intention—to keep his sister out of the Holy Grail War and the world of magecraft—Bazett fell silent.
"Sakura, you can think of her as a distant relative from my mother's side."
"Brother's mother's side?" Sakura looked surprised and scrutinized Bazett more closely.
From the moment she saw Bazett, Sakura had a feeling that this tall, well-proportioned woman with a cold demeanor was the one her brother had been spending a lot of time with recently. The scent on her was the same as the one on her brother recently.
But if she's a relative, then maybe—not! I still can't let my guard down!
"Alright, Sakura. After dinner, I'll teach you the new spell for the modified Grimoire of False Servants. We can start tonight."
"But the new spell requires a formal blood-related contract. Besides you, brother..."
"No problem. A little trick will do." Shinji looked at Bazett. "Bazett, extend your left hand."
Knowing they were about to transfer the Command Seals, Bazett complied without question. Shinji also extended his left hand, pulling out a folding knife from his pocket.
A flash of silver, and both Bazett's and Shinji's hands were cut.
Blood dripped from Shinji's wound onto Bazett's.
"It's ready, Sakura."
"I understand." Sakura raised her left hand, bearing Command Seals shaped like cherry blossom petals, and closed her eyes.
At the same time, the Command Seals on her hand emitted a bright, blood-red glow!
"Command!
By the power of the Command Seals and my mana,
I change the source of my mana!
Conceal it within the blood contract!"
As the words fell, Sakura felt the connection with Rider sever, as if she had lost an organ she had just gotten used to.
The burning and pain she had felt since receiving the Command Seals vanished, replaced by a feeling of weakness and fatigue as much of her mana disappeared.
Her vision went black, and her legs gave way.
Fortunately, Shinji was beside her and caught her with his right hand, holding her close as she leaned against his chest, breathing softly with her eyes closed.
Hmm... Brother's scent is so nice!
Blood continued to flow from Shinji's wound, turning into bright red runes that entered Bazett's wound.
The petal-shaped Command Seals flashed briefly on Shinji's hand before transferring to Bazett's.
During this process, Rider felt her connection to her Master change from Sakura to Shinji and finally to Bazett, solidifying.
As the bond formed, Rider sensed the stable and ample mana supply from Bazett, acknowledging that her new Master was indeed a skilled magus.
What impressed Rider the most was the brief moment when Shinji became her Master. Though the connection was fleeting, Rider sensed a powerful spirit or soul hidden beneath Shinji's exterior!
Seeing Shinji retract his hand, Rider felt more assured: With him protecting Sakura, she was no longer needed.
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