Chapter 36

After saying goodbye to Illya, Shinji and Sakura left the cemetery.

Sakura was much more sensible than Shinji had imagined. She followed quietly by his side without saying an unnecessary word.

"Tell Rider there's a hat on my desk. Have her put it on and make no noise."

"We are being followed."

Hearing Shinji's transmission, Sakura, who was following behind him as he prepared to open the door, relayed her brother's message to Rider through their connection.

Rider, who had been staying at the house, immediately went to Shinji's room and put on the hat Shinji had prepared in advance—the Helm of Hades.

Click.

After Sakura entered the entrance hall, Shinji, who was trailing behind, closed the door.

Although he didn't look, Shinji sensed three gazes behind him. One was confirmed to be Illya's Servant, Berserker. As for the other two, one was watching from a distance—Shinji guessed it was Rin.

The last one, not too far nor too close, Shinji had a few guesses about, but he didn't care much. Most likely, it was a certain idle gold-named citizen.

After changing shoes and entering the living room, about ten minutes later, Shinji felt the observing gaze disappear, and he finally relaxed.

"Rider, it's okay now."

Upon hearing this, Rider, who was in the living room, removed the hat and revealed herself.

"Brother, what is this hat?" Sakura asked in surprise.

"Sakura, do you think it's a bit ugly too?" Shinji took the hat from Rider's hand casually. "I also think it's a bit ugly. Maybe if it were a baseball cap, it would be better. This hat can't be worn outside at all. Perhaps the hat felt it was too ugly to be seen, so it gave itself an invisibility function."

Sakura laughed again. "Brother, you're teasing me again. Isn't this a powerful magical tool?"

"This is the Helm of Hades," Rider explained.

Rider found the man before her increasingly mysterious. If such a man participated in the Holy Grail War, no matter what class he summoned, he would probably win in the end.

Just this hat in his hand could increase her chances of winning in the Holy Grail War many times over!

Invisibility and the spiritual form of a Servant are completely different concepts. The spiritual form is detectable by other Servants and some magicians, but true invisibility is a divine skill!

Now, Rider believed Shinji's earlier claim of being uninterested in the Holy Grail War. She was even more convinced that, for this man, the Holy Grail was easily within reach!

After ensuring the barrier around the house was intact, Shinji finally relaxed.

The array provided complete spiritual concealment.

The Concealing Spirit Array, the most advanced formation Shinji had learned, was the hallmark of evil or ghost cultivators hiding from righteous cultivators in other novels.

Although the formation was set yesterday, Shinji was still worried about any mishap.

"It should be safe now. Although the Matou residence's magical barrier has been removed, nothing outside the house will sense the presence of a Servant inside. Even another Servant in spiritual form won't be able to detect it."

Rider, unable to sense any trace of the barrier, asked curiously, "What did you do?"

"It's a secret." Shinji made a shushing gesture, winking. "Didn't I remind you about something earlier?"

Rider didn't ask further, but she couldn't deny that she was becoming more curious about Shinji.

Rider clearly remembered that early in the morning, when she tried to test if Shinji would dream, she didn't do anything but was instantly countered and deprived of all her power by a mental force stronger than her own. A special barrier had enveloped the room at that moment.

Because of that barrier, her connection with Sakura was cut off, and she truly realized the man's strength.

(Note: It was just the system's emergency defense mechanism, nothing to do with Shinji.)

"I want to participate in the Holy Grail War."

Rider's statement sounded both spontaneous and well-considered.

Hearing this, Shinji smiled lightly without speaking and elegantly sat on the sofa.

Although it seemed premature, Rider had given it much thought before saying it. As long as this man was around, Sakura would be safe, so she could perhaps fight for the Holy Grail for herself.

The main reason was that her Master seemed to have a psychological rejection towards her...

It felt like she was an extra in this family.

Of course, Rider also harbored some unrealistic hopes—that this man might help her, and if so...

"Brother, please help Rider."

Sakura sat beside Shinji, naturally holding his arm as she spoke.

Because of her connection with Rider, Sakura had learned of Medusa's tragic past through a dream last night and deeply sympathized with her.

Besides, it seemed like this family didn't need any extra women...

"Sure, but we'll have to wait a bit. The preparations aren't complete."

"Preparations?" Sakura was puzzled.

"Yes." Shinji nodded slightly.

Something he had been searching for finally showed some progress.

The second phase of his plan, which involved completely separating the Matou family from the upcoming Holy Grail War to give himself enough room to maneuver, was also progressing smoothly...

At night.

In the deep mountains, in one of the twin mansions hidden in the forest, the Ghost Mansion.

Bazett, whose body had recovered quite well, sat in the living room, quickly eating the convenience food Shinji had brought earlier.

For some reason, Bazett, who had never cared about food flavor and only pursued efficiency, suddenly felt that these convenient foods, which perfectly matched her habits, were somehow different.

The food was fine, but it seemed that something was wrong with her.

While eating, she couldn't help but think of that big boy.

Very gentle, with a warm smile, occasionally showing a bit of playfulness.

By the way...

He hadn't come for two days.

Click—

At the sound of the door opening, Bazett didn't even notice the joy sprouting from her heart, a joy she had never felt in her past life, a joy entirely different from anything she had ever experienced.

Shinji entered, smiling gently at Bazett sitting at the table.

"Good evening, Sister Bazett."

"I'm fine now. Just a few more days of rest, and I'll be completely recovered. You don't need to come anymore."

Bazett's tone was flat, with little emotion. However, after saying this, she felt a twinge of regret.

Was I wrong to say that?

"I see." Shinji placed some medicine on the table, then walked to the kitchen. While putting food in the fridge, he casually said, "It seems I've been disturbing your rest, Sister Bazett. I understand, I'll come less often."

"That's not what I meant."

Bazett subconsciously interrupted Shinji, saying something without knowing why.

"Hmm?" Hearing Bazett's slightly urgent tone, Shinji was taken aback.

"No, it's nothing." Bazett turned her slightly flushed face away.

"I see. By the way, Sister Bazett, you already had dinner, right? I brought some ingredients that need immediate preparation. If that's the case, I'll just have to throw them away..."

"The food... isn't quite enough." Bazett's voice was soft, but Shinji understood her meaning—she wasn't full.