Chapter 4: Target – Kenneth 

Chapter 4: Target – Kenneth 

After bidding farewell to tsukiyama seiko, Luo Pei followed the road along the mountainside, eventually reaching the urban area of Fuyuki City. The system was quite reliable in this regard, ensuring that he wasn't dropped too far from the location of the upcoming events.

Walking through a foreign country and an unfamiliar city, Luo Pei tried to view the place like a tourist, despite knowing it would soon become the battleground of a brutal war.

Though 40% of the buildings in the commercial district were still under construction, the park and shopping mall near the station were about to open. The new city would present a clean, pale, and luxurious—yet utterly characterless—appearance. The city government was gradually relocating to the new district, with steel, glass, and paint forming a variety of modern buildings. The urban functions of this mountainous city were being forcibly transformed.

"The Japan of the 1980s… it's quite an experience," Luo Pei muttered to himself.

His clothes were still a bit thin, but with his increased vitality, it was hardly something to worry about.

—He wouldn't get sick, anyway.

It was a Sunday afternoon, and the streets were particularly crowded. Luo Pei blended in with the people, unnoticed in his out-of-season attire. Thanks to Japan's indifferent social atmosphere, no one would waste time paying attention to a stranger acting oddly.

"First, I should get a map," he thought.

Glancing around, he spotted a slightly rundown bookstore on the corner. In 1980s Japan, such stores usually sold maps.

"I'll take the most detailed map of Fuyuki City you have," he said, handing over a bill to the shop clerk. It was far easier to have the clerk handle things than to search for it himself.

The system had certainly been helpful. Luo Pei was relieved that he understood Japanese; otherwise, he would have been in trouble.

"Thank you for your patronage."

With a smile from the clerk, Luo Pei took the map and left the bookstore. After a quick glance, he confirmed that it was detailed enough for his needs.

"Next, I need to find a place to stay," he muttered while scanning his surroundings.

This part of Fuyuki was quite remote, but that had its advantages. At least Luo Pei was sure that the money he had taken from tsukiyama seiko would last him for a month, as long as he was frugal.

"This place will do."

He chose a somewhat suspicious-looking lodge, noticing that young couples frequently entered, hand in hand.

"Is this the precursor to the 'love hotels' of the future?" Luo Pei mused as he stepped inside.

The lobby and reception area were fairly presentable, resembling a cheap business hotel. The clientele ranged from families to couples looking for a one-night stand.

"A single room, with a bathroom, please," Luo Pei requested at the front desk.

"How long will you be staying?"

"One month."

"A monthly stay? Certainly. Please sign here and provide your residence card," the receptionist said with a smile, handing over a form.

"???"

—He had completely forgotten about that.

Luo Pei grimaced as he stared at the blank paper in front of him, but there was no turning back now.

"Miss, I'm a tourist from a remote mountain town. Unfortunately, I lost my residence card when I got off the bus, and it's being reissued. I'm just looking for a temporary place to stay," Luo Pei said with a perfect smile.

"Oh, how unfortunate. But don't worry, it's just a formality. Just sign your name, and that'll be enough."

The receptionist clearly wasn't fooled. Losing a residence card was highly unlikely—she had seen many such excuses from people trying to hide their real identities, particularly those sneaking around for affairs.

—As long as the money is there, it's all good.

"Thank you."

Relieved, Luo Pei signed his name, took the key and the map, and headed upstairs.

As he walked up the stone stairs, Luo Pei arrived at his third-floor room. The sight of the old, brown wooden door gave him a sudden sense of reality.

—He was really in this life-or-death game now.

Half a year ago, in his darkest moment, he had encountered something calling itself the "Supreme God Candidate System." It not only healed his body, paralyzed by a car accident, but also gave him the courage to continue living. It had become his only true friend.

"Are you sure you want to be my friend? You might end up dying at my hands someday."

"For someone like me, whose life is meaningless, isn't it the best ending to witness something mysterious before I die?"

"Hmph, ignorance is bliss. Cling tightly to your fantasies. When fear descends, that's all that will keep you from wetting yourself."

"It's been six months now," Luo Pei murmured, his hand on the brass doorknob, though his mind was elsewhere.

"This is my first mission. If I fail despite all the help the system has given me, it just proves that my life isn't worth much… But!"

"For the sake of my only friend, I won't let it down." Luo Pei's gaze sharpened as he twisted the doorknob.

Click.

After closing the door, Luo Pei wasted no time. He spread the map across the bed, took out a pen and notebook, and started planning.

"According to the system's information, I have ten days until the summoning of the Heroic Spirits—at least for Archer, Saber, Rider, and Berserker. The summoning dates for the other three—Lancer, Caster, and Assassin—weren't specified in the story, so their timing is still unknown."

He noted "Ten Days" in his notebook, adding a reminder that the other three servants' dates remained unclear.

"To participate in the Holy Grail War, I need a Servant. Relying solely on my 'Stand' ability would be foolish. Fortunately, the system will handle the summoning, so I don't need to worry about magical energy. Now, the only question is which Servant to summon…"

Luo Pei turned the page and listed the names of the seven Heroic Spirits.

"Artoria, Gilgamesh, Iskandar, Diarmuid, Hassan, Lancelot, Gilles de Rais…"

One by one, he began to cross names off the list. "The summoning site and relic for Artoria are in the Einzbern Castle in Germany, so she's out. Gilgamesh is connected to the local powerhouse, Tohsaka, and I don't want to provoke them. Lancelot is the same. As for Hassan, I'd rather avoid dealing with Kirei Kotomine, so those three are eliminated."

"That leaves Rider, Caster, and Lancer…"

As he considered the possibilities, Luo Pei meticulously connected all the dots from Fate/Zero in his mind.

"In theory, with my 'Mad Hell' ability, I have an overwhelming advantage over both Waver and Ryuunosuke. Rider's 'Ionian Hetairoi' is powerful for direct combat, and Caster's 'Prelati's Spellbook' is a useful secret weapon. Both would be helpful in my quest for the Holy Grail. But…"

After a long moment of reflection, Luo Pei crossed out both names.

"…Their personalities clash too much with mine."

The compatibility between a Master and Servant was more important than the Servant's combat ability.

"So, it's down to you after all, isn't it?" Luo Pei muttered as he stood up, looking down at the last name left in his notebook.

"Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, the embodiment of loyalty. And his Master, Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald ."