Chapter 25

Watching Bazett accept spoonful after spoonful of food, her wariness completely gone, Shinji really wanted to voice his incredulity out loud.

You believed me again?

Could you be a bit more cautious? Suspicious, even?

You believe such a ridiculous story?

No wonder Kirei managed to deceive you.

"My name is Bazett Fraga McRemitz, an enforcer for the Sealing Designation Enforcers of the Mage's Association."

After finishing the porridge, Bazett voluntarily revealed her name.

"Then I'll call you Bazett-sis, how about that?"

"Bazett-sis..." Bazett softly repeated the playful nickname Shinji had just given her. It was the first time anyone had called her that, and she found it surprisingly refreshing.

"Alright then, Bazett-sis," Shinji said as he cleaned up the tray and stood up. "I have to go to school now, but I'll be back in the evening. It's complicated to explain, but as long as you don't leave this house, you won't be discovered. I've set up another barrier outside, so rest easy."

"But you don't have any magic power..."

"It's just a minor trick, probably something to do with genetics." Shinji shrugged, then glanced at Bazett's left arm. "Though the injuries on your body will heal with time, I can't do anything about your left arm. Even if I wanted to reattach it, I couldn't find the severed limb anywhere in the house."

"Ah, it was taken," Bazett said, looking at her half-missing left arm. Her eyes flashed with a mix of anger, helplessness, and self-reproach. "Along with my Command Seals and Lancer."

"I see, so Bazett-sis was a Master in the Holy Grail War."

"That's why it's dangerous to be around me. Even though the Matou family is one of the Three Founding Families, you, having become an ordinary person, could be dragged into this because of me..."

"But hasn't your Holy Grail War already ended?" Shinji asked matter-of-factly. "Having lost your Command Seals, you should no longer be involved in the Holy Grail War, right?"

"No," Bazett shook her head, her eyes full of complex emotions. "...It's not over. I still need to get my revenge and reclaim my Servant..."

"With that body? Even if you know who your enemy is, you can't do anything with your current condition. You can't leave here for better treatment, and if your enemy finds out you're still alive, they might come after you again."

Bazett remained silent, but the determination in her eyes spoke volumes.

"Well, I guess I have no choice but to help you as much as I can."

"This has nothing to do with you. Besides, you're just an ordinary person..."

"I can't accept saving someone's life only to let them die again," Shinji said, shrugging his shoulders and giving a friendly smile. "Don't expect too much from me. The help I can offer is minimal, like bringing you another bowl of porridge."

"You..." Bazett looked incredulous.

"Still hungry? There's a bit left. Wait a moment."

"Wait, hold on," Bazett stopped Shinji just as he turned around. "Before that, I want to—"

Bazett's face turned red as she was carried out of the bathroom in a princess carry and taken back to the bedroom.

"Alright, continue resting," Shinji said with a smile after gently placing Bazett on the bed. "I can handle simple wound care, but I can't help with anything like magical healing."

"No, it's alright. I can manage if I recover a bit more."

Seeing Bazett's averted gaze and slightly flushed face, Shinji wondered, Isn't Bazett supposed to be disinterested in men? So why is she blushing?

What Shinji didn't realize was that even a woman disinterested in men would feel embarrassed if a man cleaned her wounds, saw almost everything, and carried her to the bathroom.

"I'll get the rest of the porridge."

With that, Shinji left the bedroom.

"Food just needs to meet nutritional and energy needs," Bazett remarked after finishing the porridge with a flushed face.

"I see, so that's the kind of person you are, Bazett-sis," Shinji said as he placed the empty bowl on the tray. "But I'm the opposite. For me, good food is an essential part of life. They say people who don't appreciate good food don't understand life."

"My life only requires battle."

Bazett's rebuttal was cut off by Shinji.

"But you don't need to fight right now, do you?"

Seeing Shinji smile again, Bazett remained silent.

Shinji stood up. "I'll come back this afternoon. Until then, try not to move too much, even if you feel up to it. The wounds might reopen. I'll leave some water and food within your reach."

The day passed quickly.

Walking along the road, Shinji appeared relaxed, but he was deep in thought.

The Fifth Holy Grail War was about to begin, and his mission to completely destroy the Grail system had him constantly preparing in secret.

Originally planning to work alone after the war began, Shinji's sudden encounter with Bazett at this crucial moment changed things.

Yesterday, before entering the house, Shinji had confirmed that the person inside was Bazett. After carefully weighing the pros and cons, he had decided to save her.

And no, it had nothing to do with his attraction to the Lady in a Suit.

He was very principled!

Returning to the Twin House in Shinto, Shinji opened the second-floor bedroom door to find Bazett lying stiffly, her right hand clenched, and her face red.

Realizing what was happening, Shinji quickly moved to the bedside and picked her up in a princess carry.

She must have held it in all day.

Bazett-sis is amazing!

"How are you feeling?" Shinji asked Bazett, who was back in bed, her flush mostly faded.

Before she could answer, her stomach growled loudly.

"Almost forgot. Wait a moment."

With a smile, Shinji left the bedroom.