Chapter 90. It's Okay to Be a Little Weak
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The negotiation was quite successful. In fact, Olga Marie's attitude had improved significantly, likely to cover up her previous baffling behavior. In essence, she wanted Lord El-Melloi II to cause some trouble for the other buyers so that they couldn't compete for the Rainbow Mystic Eyes.
However, during the conversation, a topic that Lord El-Melloi II wasn't particularly happy about came up—the fact that Servants summoned in the Holy Grail War do not retain memories of their previous summoning.
"Honestly, this kind of thing…" Lord El-Melloi II muttered as he swirled his drink, watching the ice clink against the glass. "I'm more aware of it than anyone."
"Even so, you won't give up, will you?" Cyd asked, sitting down beside Lord El-Melloi II, a glass identical to his own appearing in front of him.
"Isn't that obvious?" Lord El-Melloi II chuckled softly. "No memories? That doesn't matter at all. As long as I remember him, that's enough. He is still him, the king who strides across the world, always looking forward. As his vassal, I will do everything in my power to follow him. He doesn't need to stop for me. I'll stand by his side, even if that day…"
"There's no end in sight… is there?" Cyd swirled his glass gently, placing a letter in front of Lord El-Melloi II. "This isn't exactly a straight path."
Lord El-Melloi II frowned as he opened the letter, his expression turning rigid as he read.
"A provocation, isn't it?" Cyd chuckled.
"You've seen this?" Lord El-Melloi II raised an eyebrow.
"No, but what else could it be at a time like this?" Cyd tapped his glass, watching his reflection in the swaying liquid, a slight smile playing on his lips. "You're going, aren't you?"
"Isn't that obvious?" Lord El-Melloi II said coldly, tucking the letter into his pocket.
The king he revered had never flinched even in the face of Gilgamesh. If he were to cower before a mere thief, he would never be able to stand alongside that king, who is always charging forward.
"Master?" Gray hesitated in the doorway.
"It's alright, Gray," Lord El-Melloi II lifted his glass.
"Is it?" Gray clutched her chest, relieved. She had been deeply worried when she heard that the person her master longed for would not remember him—it was such a tragic thought.
Seeing Lord El-Melloi II's usual expression, she felt somewhat reassured.
Lord El-Melloi II sighed, gazing into the translucent liquid. The wavering surface reflected an image of himself from ten years ago. No, it wasn't just a reflection—he hadn't changed at all. He was still clinging tightly to memories of the past.
Even knowing that what he was trying to do was like trying to catch water with his hands—the harder he tried, the faster it slipped away—it was still better than watching it quietly disappear.
Perhaps it was too soon for Gray to feel relieved.
Cyd downed his drink, the lone ice cube clinking as he smiled slightly. "It's okay because I'm here."
Then, something happened.
Cyd's lips twitched as he looked at the headless corpse on the ground. Judging by the amount of blood and the lack of struggle at the scene, it seemed the victim was taken out in a single strike.
To take down the owner of Mystic Eyes of Precognition without being detected—that narrowed down the list of possible culprits significantly.
"You're the murderer, aren't you?" A weeping girl raised her hand, pointing at Cyd.
Cyd silently stepped aside, revealing a man standing behind him—a priest named Karabo. According to Lord El-Melloi II, this guy was entirely capable of killing all the magi here in one night. Whether or not he would actually do it was another matter, but if he could, he wouldn't hesitate.
Anyway, it must have been him that was pointed at by chance.
Then Olga Marie's finger shifted and pointed at Cyd.
Really!?
"Trisha said she couldn't see your future actions. You killed her!" Olga Marie raised her hand, aiming at Cyd, dark energy gathering in her palm.
A magic bullet?
Just because it's possible doesn't mean it was him—what a chaotic judgment only a confused child could make.
Cyd sighed and flicked his right finger. The menacing magic bullet shattered the moment it touched his fingertip.
Karabo narrowed his eyes.
"Get some rest."
Olga Marie's mental state was clearly unstable. She wasn't in a condition to be reasoned with. Though it was a bit unfortunate, Cyd had no choice but to knock Olga Marie out with a swift chop.
"Do any of you know how to perform an autopsy?" Cyd asked the onlookers as he cradled the unconscious Olga Marie.
"I'll do it," Karabo, the prime suspect, stepped forward.
"Then I'll leave it to you," said the true prime suspect, Cyd, as he shrugged and left the crime scene with Olga Marie in his arms.
"This is becoming a real headache," Cyd murmured as he passed by Lord El-Melloi II.
Lord El-Melloi II narrowed his eyes. If this had happened elsewhere, it might be one thing. Magi killing each other was common enough. But this was the Mystic Eyes Train, the victim was a Mystic Eyes of Precognition wielder, and her head had been taken.
The vortex was growing.
"You truly are a kind person."
Cyd paused, realizing he wasn't the only one who had left the room.
"Even when falsely accused and attacked, you don't harm a grieving child. Perhaps I should say, as expected of the Hero of Pure White?"
Hishiri Adashino approached Cyd with a gentle smile.
"I just knocked out a grieving child without hesitation," Cyd rolled his eyes. "So I wouldn't hesitate to knock out a woman who isn't grieving."
Hishiri Adashino's smile froze.
"And… a Hero of Pure White? Who's that?" Cyd bypassed Hishiri Adashino, leaving her in a daze.
Returning to Lord El-Melloi II's room, Cyd gently placed Olga Marie on the sofa.
"She's quite a troublesome child," Cyd said, sitting down across from Olga Marie. "Arrogant, stubborn, yet fragile—a bad combination that causes a lot of trouble for those around her, don't you think?"
"You mean that wildcat?" A pair of hands reached around Cyd's neck from behind, and smooth purple hair slowly fell over his shoulders. "She's caused us quite a bit of trouble, but you've never been annoyed with her. So this time…"
"Mmm…" Olga Marie groaned softly as she opened her eyes, the stiffness in her neck making her feel like she had a crick.
"You'll save her too, right?"
"I'm no hero," Cyd sighed helplessly.
"Just a gentle ordinary person… right?"
"Maybe."
"Where am I?" Olga Marie asked, rubbing her neck as she sat up.
"Lord El-Melloi II's room," Cyd leaned back on the sofa. "I think we need to talk. And put down that magic bullet in your hand, or you'll really get a stiff neck this time."
Olga Marie bit her lip and lowered her right hand. "I know you're not the culprit, but…"
"You're frustrated by your own powerlessness, right?" Cyd shrugged. "Your family is in danger, and all you can do is watch."
"Trisha isn't…" Olga Marie began to protest, but she caught a glimpse of her own cowardly reflection in Cyd's eyes, and she lowered her head, clutching her left arm. "She's my family."
"It's okay to be a little weak sometimes," Cyd said, standing up and gently placing his hand on Olga Marie's head. "You don't have to carry everything on your own."
"What do you know!" Olga Marie snapped, slapping Cyd's hand away. "Trisha… No, let go of your hand!"
Olga Marie's face turned red as she pushed at Cyd's hand, but it didn't budge. The warmth and comfort made her relax involuntarily.
But this wasn't right. If she relaxed, she would definitely want to throw herself into someone's arms and cry her heart out.
She was the daughter of a Lord. Trisha always told her to be strong, so… she couldn't cry, she couldn't let her weak self show…
Her eyes were just sore!
She was just rubbing her eyes because they were sore!
Olga Marie lowered her head, covering her eyes with her hand.
Trisha wasn't here anymore, so maybe, just maybe…
"It's okay to be a little weak sometimes," Cyd said softly.
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