Fate: How About a New Savior?

After bidding farewell to Bersac, the group left the foothills of Blackmore Village and boarded a bus back to Cardiff.

By the time they arrived, it was already midnight. After a day of fighting, Shiomi was utterly drained and had no intention of traveling any further. The group decided to stay in Cardiff for the night and catch a train back to London the next day.

"But once Gray gets to London, what's the plan?" El-Melloi II asked over dinner at a restaurant near the hotel.

He was referring to her living situation.

As someone trained to be the next gravekeeper, Gray clearly had the aptitude to become a Magus. Entering the Clock Tower wouldn't be difficult for her.

That said, joining the Clock Tower involved a mountain of paperwork and procedures. Leaving her at a hotel in London until everything was sorted out didn't sit right—it felt irresponsible.

More than that, she had never left the village before and was extremely shy. It was hard to imagine her surviving alone in the Clock Tower.

Especially surrounded by Magus who, compared to the villagers who revered her for her appearance, would be even more unnerving in their own way.

"She can stay at my place for now," Aesc offered.

Those words instantly brightened Gray's expression. Her eyes lit up beneath the hood, her unease fading.

She couldn't deny that she'd been hoping to spend more time with Aesc once they reached London.

Even knowing Aesc was the Black Madonna didn't scare her.

Maybe it was because they looked alike—whatever the reason, she felt at ease.

"Works for me," Shiomi said. He didn't really have an opinion either way. The house in London was big enough that one more girl staying there was just one more set of tableware.

Besides, Sakura and Caren were already living there, and they were all around the same age. They'd probably get along well.

"Then... thank you for having me," Gray said, nodding politely.

Shiomi smiled and shook his head. "Once you've settled in, be sure to send a message to your mother."

After all, the final decision about what to do had been made by Aesc, after hearing Magdalena's plea.

Initially, Aesc only planned to tamper with the village's ritual—just enough to ensure the resurrection would ultimately fail. It was meant as a subtle message to this side's Morgan.

"My mother... she knows everything, doesn't she?" Gray asked quietly.

Aesc nodded. "She does. That's why she remained so calm when I took you away in front of everyone. It was something I'd promised her."

"But even with the spell lifted, Gray's appearance won't go back to how it was, will it?" El-Melloi II said, glancing at her.

"There's nothing we can do about that," Shiomi said, pushing the side dishes on his plate with a fork. "The dead can't be brought back, and what's lost can't be reclaimed. Human power only affects the present. If you really can't accept the way you look now..."

He trailed off, then added with a faint smile, "Maybe the Holy Grail could grant your wish."

"The... Holy Grail?" Gray's voice trembled with surprise.

Earlier that afternoon, she had learned a little about the Holy Grail War from Aesc—her altered appearance had been caused by the Fourth Holy Grail War, after all.

But until now, it had never crossed her mind that she might become a participant herself.

"You're encouraging something reckless again," El-Melloi II said, looking at Shiomi with exasperation.

"I'm not encouraging anything. I'm just telling her it's a possibility," Shiomi replied. "Even though Mr. Bersac ultimately couldn't leave the village with you to help prepare for the Holy Grail War, Gray, as the next gravekeeper and bearer of the Holy Lance's shadow, should be able to make up for your shortcomings as a Master."

"Don't say irresponsible things like that!" El-Melloi II snapped, then quickly caught himself. "Sorry…"

"I only mentioned it as a possibility," Shiomi said with a shake of his head. "And it's the most dangerous one. Think of it as a warning not to jump into something like that recklessly."

He wasn't even sure why he said it. Was he trying to nudge Gray toward the Holy Grail War just to take the spot that Sakura hadn't secured yet?

Maybe he was. Shiomi admitted it to himself.

Considering how the Fourth Holy Grail War ended in chaos with no clear resolution, it was hard to imagine how a sixteen-year-old like Sakura would handle such a conflict.

Raw power with no combat experience—never a good combination.

"I thought so... something like the Holy Grail..." Gray softly declined the idea.

She'd never been in a real fight and couldn't imagine what the Holy Grail War would even be like.

If everyone there was on Aesc's level, she wouldn't stand a chance.

Besides, chasing after something you were never guaranteed to obtain—it was dangerous and naive. Mr. Bersac had taught her that too.

"Don't worry, I was just talking," Shiomi said with a smile. "It may have happened by chance, but since Mr. Bersac entrusted you to us, we'll at least do our best to help you settle down in London—whether as a Magus or just a girl starting life in a new place."

Aesc looked at Gray with gentle eyes. "You haven't met them yet, but we actually have two girls around your age at home. They're our daughters."

"Okay…" Gray nodded shyly. She felt a bit nervous, but also excited about the thought of meeting new friends in London. She wondered what kind of people they'd be.

"As for your studies," Shiomi turned to El-Melloi II. "I'm not sure what kind of Magus Gray will become, but let's start by having her attend your classes."

El-Melloi II's hand twitched. "Are you serious?"

"Is that a problem?"

"Putting Gray in a room with those troublemakers? That's a huge problem," El-Melloi II muttered.

Shiomi looked confused. "Isn't Caren in that class too?"

The moment those words left his mouth, El-Melloi II wanted to say the biggest problem was exactly that—Shiomi's own daughter.

She'd never technically done anything wrong, but every time one of the students started having unstable thoughts, she'd subtly stir things up and then sit back with a satisfied smile as El-Melloi II got dragged into another mess, his stomach in knots.

"Whatever... If it doesn't work out, I'll recommend her to another class." El-Melloi II shrugged. His classroom was half-empty anyway; one more student wouldn't make a difference.

Most of his students came from unusual backgrounds, each with eccentric personalities and exceptional talent.

"Alright, we'll go with that for now. I'll call home in London first thing in the morning," Shiomi said, setting down his utensils, having finished his meal. "Since we'll have a guest staying over, I'll ask Sakura and Caren to help prepare a room tonight—save us the rush tomorrow."

...

(90 Chapters Ahead)

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