Chapter 105

It was the familiar chapel again. Lancer, who had just been transported there by a command spell, stood holding his spear, scratching the back of his head with a look of embarrassment.

In front of him was Kirei, still with his usual stoic face. However, whether it was psychological or not, Lancer felt as if his Master's face was full of disappointment, and he was sure Kirei was inwardly mocking him.

It was the third time!

It was the third time he had to escape using a command spell!

Even a dog has dignity!

After thinking it over, Lancer decided he should say something. Even if he didn't know the right thing to say, he should at least try to ease the overly awkward atmosphere.

"Well..."

But before Lancer could speak, Kirei had already turned and started up the stairs, without giving any instructions or even showing an extra expression.

This scene made Lancer feel deeply underestimated, as if he had suffered a significant slight and insult.

In simple terms:

His Master might have already lost all faith in him!

After standing in silence for nearly two minutes, Lancer finally turned around, dematerialized, and disappeared from the chapel.

From an objective standpoint or in terms of sheer stats, Lancer didn't think Rider was stronger than him. In a fair fight, using all their skills, he was sure he wouldn't lose to Rider! However...

Rider didn't follow the code of honor!

In typical Servant battles, they usually exchanged harsh words and engaged in some probing moves first.

The big moves and Noble Phantasms were saved for the end!

But Rider didn't play by the rules!

Harsh words? Probing moves?

No, she skipped all that! Right from the start, it was Mystic Eyes and Pegasus!

It was like playing cards. Just as he got his hand ready, the opponent threw down a king bomb and four twos.

How could he counter that? Just how could he? He couldn't!

He had thought Rider would start with a small move to counter his single attack. He thought he was a step ahead, but in reality, he was on the first floor, while she was in the stratosphere of a parallel world!

He couldn't even touch her!

...

Outside Ryuudou Temple, Shinji and Sasaki Kojirou were watching Saber and Archer argue. Though it had been over five minutes, their bickering continued without pause.

If Shinji were to summarize their arguments, it boiled down to just a few lines.

Saber, no matter how many taunts she threw, always conveyed the same idea: "Why don't you fight? You coward!"

As for Archer, he had more variety: "Why do you care? If you want to fight, go ahead. No one's stopping you." (hands spread, feigning indifference), followed by crossing his arms and taunting Saber about her arrogance and hypocrisy in ignoring her Master's orders.

Hearing such words, Saber inevitably grew furious!

...And then the cycle repeated endlessly, like the Yangtze River, flowing without end!

Finally, Shinji, possibly growing bored, turned his head and asked the calmly seated Sasaki Kojirou, who was polishing his laundry rod.

"Aren't you getting bored listening to the same two lines over and over?"

Kojirou smiled slightly and replied, "Even similar things can reveal new joys if you pay attention."

Shinji was impressed.

His words, his mannerisms!

This man's understanding of life was indeed profound!

As if realizing something, Kojirou sheathed his sword, crossed his arms, and stood up slowly, a serene, knowing smile on his lips.

"A son of a warrior family?"

Shinji nodded.

"So, you noticed me last time?"

Shinji nodded again. At this point, there was no need to hide anything, especially since he was genuinely interested in Kojirou's Tsubame Gaeshi technique.

"I must have misjudged. I didn't expect there to be such an excellent warrior in this era." Sasaki Kojirou sighed, then looked at Shinji, "Have you also studied swordsmanship?"

"For about half a year..." Shinji answered honestly, then propped his chin and frowned, "But then I felt I hit a bottleneck that I couldn't overcome without a miraculous encounter or something."

Hearing this, Kojirou was stunned for half a minute, then burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! Interesting! Truly interesting! Hahaha! I thought you were arrogant, but it turns out you're genuine! Hahaha! I'm glad we didn't live in the same era. This is too amusing!"

In such a short time, he determined I wasn't lying? He believed me?

Shinji was puzzled. Though he wasn't fully seen through, he felt a strange sensation.

At this moment, Shinji was sure this nameless swordsman, while not the most powerful in this Holy Grail War, was the most enlightened, the most understanding of life.

"I do have a sword technique that's nothing special. Would you like to see it? Although it might not be the miraculous encounter you're seeking."

...

In the real world, it flashes, and then completely overlaps two flashes ignoring the concepts of time and space, generating slashes from three directions.

That was Shinji's impression of Tsubame Gaeshi, a "multi-dimensional refraction phenomenon" that transcended speed, precision, and false attacks.

Shinji had tried to practice it but couldn't grasp the trick, his swordsmanship stuck at the limits of speed and technique.

(Of course, these things were unknown to Taiga, who taught Shinji swordsmanship for half a year. She also didn't know that Shinji had surpassed her level within the first week of learning.)

Shinji rubbed his chin, frowning, repeatedly thinking about Kojirou's Tsubame Gaeshi. He felt he was close to grasping something but still a bit off.

Meanwhile, Kojirou sheathed his sword, watching Shinji ponder with great interest.

"Um..." Shinji looked up, "Can you do it again without your clothes on?"

Surprisingly, Kojirou didn't show any unusual emotions. After a brief thought, he nodded, removed his outer and inner garments, leaving only a white loincloth.

"Thank you."

Shinji sincerely thanked him. This man was genuinely teaching him step-by-step, and calling him "Master" wouldn't be an exaggeration.

"Watch closely, kid!"

This time, Shinji didn't focus on the sword but on Kojirou's muscles.

After the move, Shinji pondered for three minutes before he relaxed his brows and sincerely thanked Kojirou.

"I'm very grateful!"

"No, I should be thanking you." Kojirou shook his head slightly, then crossed his arms and gazed into the distance, sighing with a worried look, "Turns out, my understanding is still far from complete..."

"Uh... How about we put our clothes back on before reflecting?"