Chapter 333: I Ask You, Are You My Master?

What happened between Shinji and Rokudou Reika?

Actually, not much. None of the things one might eagerly imagine happened—how about that? A bit disappointing, isn't it?

To be honest, Shinji was a bit disappointed too. In a different time and place, he might have made a move on Rokudou Reika. After all, she was quite a looker, very pretty, and had a great figure. In his previous life, she would be a top-notch beauty that would cost a five-figure sum, perhaps even six, to win over. Plus, she had plenty of experience. Most guys wouldn't refuse to have something happen with such a beauty, especially if it came with no strings attached.

But, two main factors prevented anything from happening:

First, his daughter Jack was there, sitting right in Reika's lap. No matter how desperate or burning with desire Shinji might be, he wouldn't do something improper in front of a child. He had that much of a bottom line.

Second, Shinji had more important things to do. Summoning Jack was just to complete the Assassin class, a self-repair mechanism of the Holy Grail system for a bug. Shinji's goal of coming to Japan had not been achieved. In such a time-sensitive situation, personal desires had to take a back seat.

After spending half an hour briefly explaining the situation to Reika and helping Jack understand what was happening—since Jack received very little knowledge from the Holy Grail due to Shinji taking the spiritual core and vessel, leaving her quite confused and unaware of the situation—Shinji's explanation was particularly crucial.

Of course, Shinji only selectively told Jack part of the situation. Without a class, Jack had low combat abilities and no need or qualification to participate in the war. She only needed to stay by "Mother's" side, enjoy the happiness she never experienced in life, and protect "Mother" within her capabilities. That was enough.

As for the rest, the battle-related matters, Shinji would handle them all. Women and children who couldn't fight had no place on the battlefield, another of his bottom lines.

It's worth mentioning that Reika saw through Shinji's sweet talk to Jack. But this clever woman didn't expose him on the spot. Instead, under the pretense of asking Jack to help find some clothes, she sent her daughter away and then quietly inquired.

Shinji didn't hide anything from this seemingly ordinary but mentally extraordinary woman. He told her everything he could, without using any suggestive magecraft. This was his sincerity, hoping for Reika to genuinely act as his assistant.

And Reika didn't disappoint Shinji. She agreed to his invitation almost without hesitation, becoming the vessel for Lancer and accompanying Lancer and Jack to Romania. This was not just because of the life-saving grace and the promise of a lifetime of security and comfort for her and Jack, but also because her ethics and values were different from others.

Once Jack returned with the clothes as Reika requested, Shinji could finally begin summoning the last servant of the Black faction, the one truly belonging to him. This time, Justeaze guaranteed no issues.

"—Proclaim! Your body is under me, my fate rests upon your sword."

With the chanting of the incantation, and the surge of magical energy, the magic circle lit up brilliantly, everything was the same as when summoning Scathach.

The magical energy gushing from the ley lines shook the atmosphere, causing violent wind pressure, dazzling flashes of electricity, and thunderous roars.

All of this was a call, summoning a being that transcended time and space, a crystallization of humanity's wishes elevated to eternity.

In this reenactment of myth, this reenactment of legend, this crystallization of fantasy, a hero inscribed in the long river of time emerged in reality.

As the chanting finished, the magical energy within Shinji boiled to its limit.

The thunder, lightning, and fierce wind created a grand scene that made Reika and Jack unable to open their eyes.

At the center of the phenomenon, the summoning pattern shone brilliantly, the passage within the magic circle finally connecting to another realm.

In the depths of the vast sea of light, a silver figure emerged.

Jack's mouth opened wide in astonishment, and Reika was awed by its majesty, murmuring in a trance.

"This, this is a servant—?"

And then, the Heroic Spirit descended.

There was light—not the light of technology, not the sunlight blocked by the curtains, nor the brilliance of the dissipating magical energy, but the radiance emitted by the presence descending in the center of the room.

What kind of light was this? It was unlike any light in the world.

This light had a dazzling quality that stars could not reach.

This light had a splendor that the moon could never possess.

This light had a brilliance that the sun could not compare to.

This light, though it shone on the body, illuminated the heart as if it condensed countless prayers.

This light, though confined to a single room, exuded infinite majesty.

As long as one saw this radiance, no matter the environment, their heart would be at peace.

As long as this radiance existed, no matter how dark the era, hope would not be lost.

This light emanated from a lance, held by a knight clad in silver armor.

The knight, holding the radiant lance, was encased in silvery-white armor. Beige tassels could be seen faintly between the gaps in the armor, and the skirt armor was lined with blue. It was clear at a glance that this servant was a knight and a heavily armored one at that.

The knight's head, like the rest of the body, was protected by a full helm, revealing nothing but a pair of emerald eyes. Such a tight outfit, coupled with the knight's ambiguous height—around 170 cm, tall for a woman and short for a man— made even guessing the gender a luxury.

Fortunately, the sharp voice that emerged from beneath the faceplate solved the mystery.

"Servant Lancer, summoned as per the call. I ask you, are you my Master?"

The voice was sharp, and clear, yet carried an undeniable authority.

This authority was very familiar to Shinji. Scathach, Gilgamesh, Vlad III—all had this kind of authority, looking down on others from above.

This was the authority of a king. In that instant, Shinji was certain that the servant he summoned was a monarch.

But which monarch? Shinji's heart was filled with uncontrollable curiosity.

Since he hadn't prepared a catalyst beforehand, he had no idea which Heroic Spirit would respond to his call.

To think that a monarch would be compatible with me, and that lance—it isn't an ordinary Noble Phantasm. This time, I've hit the jackpot. Looks like the Matou family's European bloodline is paying off.

As Shinji was immersed in joy, the summoned servant spoke once more:

"I ask you, are you my Master?"

Wait a minute, this voice, this way of speaking, and that clear aura—why does it feel so familiar?

PS: Mommy Lancer