Simulator in Type-moon, Starting with becoming Morgan husband!

Chapter 92: The Fourth Servant Beyond the Three Simulated Servants?

"Eh?"

Mashu hadn't yet calmed down from Ian's simulated battle but was now thrown off again by his words.

"Do you mean there's another option besides these three 'Servants'?"

"Ian-senpai, is that what you're referring to?"

"…More or less."

"Let me check!" Mashu didn't immediately dismiss Ian's statement. "It's been a while since I participated in a battle simulation. Maybe the Director has added new Heroic Spirit data!"

"Thank you, Mashu."

"No problem at all! Helping Ian-senpai solve issues makes me very happy!"

After saying that, Mashu realized she might have been too enthusiastic. She quickly bowed her head and quietly began working.

Her fingers moved deftly across an invisible interface, her focus and professionalism evident.

However—

The results didn't align with expectations.

After some time, Mashu looked up again, her face showing signs of unease.

"Well… Ian-senpai."

"What is it?"

"I couldn't find anything beyond these three 'Servants.'"

After reporting the situation, Mashu looked slightly self-critical.

Ian reassured her:

"It's okay. I was just asking out of curiosity. Don't worry about it."

"R-Really?"

Mashu's expression softened a bit.

Seeing her like that, Ian's thoughts drifted elsewhere.

From the moment he touched the light pillar of Artoria Pendragon (Saber), he had sensed something unusual.

It wasn't the unexpected joy of "reuniting" with Artoria, nor the amazement at Chaldea's magical technology.

It was simply a strange sense of connection.

To describe it concretely, it felt like holding one end of a rope while the other end was tied to an unknown object.

He was certain this feeling wasn't influenced by Artoria Pendragon (Saber).

So—

Was it a glitch in the combat simulation system?

Or was it that touching these 'Servants' would always evoke that sensation?

Ian decided to resolve the issue right away, rather than letting his curiosity linger.

"Mashu."

"Yes, Senpai!"

"Can I choose again? I want to try other 'Servants.'"

"Do you want to explore how compatible you are with different 'Servants,' Senpai?"

"Umu, something like that."

"No problem! I'll assist you right now!"

Mashu began working again, her fingers moving swiftly.

Before long, Artoria Pendragon (Saber) and Cu Chulainn (Lancer) vanished from the "battlefield."

Shortly after, three familiar light pillars appeared in front of Ian.

Mashu's voice came at just the right moment:

"Senpai, please choose again!"

"Got it."

Ian didn't actually intend to use Arash (Archer) or Cu Chulainn (Lancer)—he wasn't interested in them at all.

His sole purpose was to verify whether these two "Servants" would evoke the same sensation.

The actual results showed: there was no such sensation.

Neither Arash (Archer) nor Cu Chulainn (Lancer) gave him that particular feeling.

"Senpai, how was it?"

"Did you feel more comfortable establishing a master-servant relationship with them?"

"Uh… It was fine."

Ian gave a vague answer, dodging Mashu's question.

He had more pressing concerns on his mind.

"So, Mashu, if a 'Servant' is the manifestation of a 'Heroic Spirit,' wouldn't there be any issues?"

"Issues?"

"Yes."

Ian looked toward the battlefield in front of him, where no "Servants" had been summoned yet.

"If 'Heroic Spirits' are all legendary heroes from the past, their names are recorded in history because they've made a mark on humanity."

"Then, aren't they all the leaders of their time? Could such people really be happy accepting a master-servant relationship with a stranger?"

Taking the thought a step further:

"If, after becoming a 'Servant,' they can still draw great power from humanity's history..."

"Then, for a Master lacking power, isn't this like letting a child control an adult?"

"Eh, that—?"

Mashu's beautiful purple eyes widened in surprise.

Clearly, this was beyond her understanding.

"Senpai, the problem you're talking about... I've never thought of it before."

"Anyway, the combat simulation system is always researched by the Director, and I'm not really familiar with the basic logic."

"I think I can't answer this question."

"Oh... I see."

It seemed Mashu wasn't a walking encyclopedia.

However, Ian wasn't surprised.

After all, if important secrets like this could be asked and known by anyone, Chaldea would have collapsed long ago.

"It's fine. I was just asking out of curiosity."

"Right—"

Ian grasped the light pillar of Artoria Pendragon (Saber) and summoned her onto the "battlefield."

"Actually, I've been wondering something."

"Why is Cu Chulainn (Lancer) still standing after taking Excalibur?"

"Isn't Excalibur powerful enough to kill him?"

"Oh... Senpai wants to know this?"

Mashu, like Ian, summoned Cu Chulainn (Lancer) back onto the "battlefield."

"It's because this is a manifestation of the 'Heroic Spirit' power!"

"Manifestation?"

"Yes!" Mashu nodded.

"'Heroic Spirits' have left their glorious moments in human history, and those moments reflect the power of humanity's history back onto them."

"Take the Sword of Promised Victory you just mentioned—it's actually proof of the victories that King Arthur, Artoria Pendragon, led the people of Britain to achieve in many battles."

"Similarly, other 'Heroic Spirits' also have their own glorious moments. The ability Cu Chulainn (Lancer) possesses, called Battle Continuation, is the manifestation of his legendary story becoming reality."

"By the way," Mashu gestured with her hand, "different classes are actually also a form of power expression!"

Listening to her, Ian thought for a moment and then spoke up:

"So, if that's the case—"

"Could it be that the same 'Heroic Spirit,' depending on the time period they belong to, would have different classes and abilities?"

"Yes."

Mashu nodded.

"There really are situations like that!"

"..."

Mashu's words caused Ian to sink into thought.

If the same "Servant" can exist in different classes, could the sensation he just experienced be due to the differences in class?

No matter what, it was better to try than do nothing.

Ian looked once again at Artoria Pendragon (Saber) before him.

That familiar feeling surfaced again in his mind.

The figure she led became clearer and clearer—an image that resembled Artoria but also had many distinct differences.

Wait a minute.

There seems to be a problem that Ian had overlooked!

Wasn't this a "Servant" simulated by Chaldea?

Why was he feeling this way?

Before Ian could fully understand the issue, Mashu's voice echoed again.

"Senpai… besides attacking, you also need to learn how to have your 'Servant' defend."

"Because—"

"This time, it's my turn to attack!"

"Alright."

In response to Mashu's words, Ian decided to observe a bit longer.

He could only feel the presence of that figure but couldn't determine its true identity.

Since this only appeared when he participated in the battle simulation, continuing might provide more information.

Under Mashu's guidance, Cu Chulainn (Lancer) gripped the dark red spear tightly in his hand and charged straight toward Artoria.

The two "Servants" began to clash.

But this wasn't a process that needed constant supervision.

These "Servants" had been simulated to think for themselves.

As long as a basic command was given, they could automatically carry out certain strategies.

Mashu's direction was more "offensive";

while Ian chose the "defensive" approach.

These relatively abstract concepts, when applied to the "battlefield," became more concrete—the real action was Artoria defending against Cu Chulainn's attacks.

The continuous sound of "clangs" echoed.

The dark red spear collided with the golden sword, and the battle between the simulated "Servants" became clearly visualized.

This was the practical purpose of the battle simulation—to allow those with potential to be Masters to familiarize themselves with "Servants" in a safe environment.

However, Ian's mind wasn't focused on the battle at all.

He could only sense that he was getting closer to that figure.

His previous conclusions also began to reverse.

It wasn't that he was holding one end of a rope and the other end was connected to something.

It was a completely reversed situation.

He himself was the "object," and the other end of the rope was connected to something entirely unclear.

"Mashu."

"Yes, Senpai? Are you feeling uncomfortable from being hit? If so, I can stop immediately."

"It's not that."

Ian stopped Mashu's hand.

"The battle simulation, does it have any effects on the participant's body?"

"Effects on the body?"

Mashu blinked her beautiful purple eyes.

"Yes, there definitely are."

"Senpai, did you forget? When you first entered here, I mentioned that many people feel a bit uncomfortable the first time they participate in the battle simulation!"

"So—"

Ian's expression became more serious.

"Has anyone ever explained the cause of this discomfort?"

"This…"

Once again, it was a completely unexpected question.

Mashu's gaze at Ian began to change.

She sensed that he was thinking about many things, but she herself knew nothing about it.

After hesitating for a long time, she gently asked:

"Senpai, are you feeling that something is wrong?"

"If that's the case—"

"Could you tell me what you're feeling?"

"..."

Ian turned and looked at Mashu beside him.

Clearly, Ian had previously said that he wasn't feeling uncomfortable, but Mashu still tightly held his hand, fearing something unexpected might happen.

What a truly kind person.

Mashu felt slightly embarrassed under Ian's gaze—she began to worry if her words had made him feel upset in any way.

But this worry didn't last long.

Because Ian immediately spoke up:

"Mashu, can I trust you?"

"Of course you can!"

"Then—"

"The things I'm about to tell you, you have to keep them a secret for me."

"Understood!"

Seeing Mashu's serious expression as she made her promise, Ian no longer had any doubts.

He recounted everything he had felt during the battle simulation.

"This..."

Mash's lips parted slightly.

It was clear she was once again stunned by what Ian had said.

But there was one thing she was now 100% certain of.

"Senpai, why didn't you say anything earlier?!"

"This isn't just a feeling of discomfort anymore, it's much worse than that!"

"If something happens to you, it would be a huge loss for Chaldea!"

"No! I'm stopping the battle simulation right now and taking you for a check-up!"

Just as Mashu was about to take action, Ian grabbed both of her hands.

"Senpai, what are you doing?!"

"Listen, Mashu, I'm fine, so there's no need to stop the battle simulation."

"What I want now is to understand why this is happening."

"So—"

Ian leaned in close to Mashu's ear from behind, his face expressionless as he said:

"Please don't argue with me, alright?"

"Eh?!"

For the first time, Mashu felt an overwhelming sense of authority from Ian.

It was pressuring, but at the same time, it gave off a sense of "If I just follow, it will be much safer."

Her face turned bright red, and after a moment, she finally nodded in agreement.

"Umu... I understand."

"Good, now neither of us has to feel awkward."

Ian released Mashu's hands and once again turned his gaze to the "Servants" battling in front of them.

"Now, help me restore everything to the initial state."

"Understood!"

Mashu once again used her authority to manipulate the battle simulation system.

Three columns of light appeared before Ian.

Naturally.

His target was the column where Artoria stood.

If I truly am the "object being bound," then I have to find a way to pull whatever's at the other end of the rope out!

Ian knew he wasn't exactly the kind of person to act out of kindness.

After all, if something happened, Chaldea would take responsibility for him.

So there was nothing to fear.

Ian focused all his attention.

Once again, he felt the blood in his body boiling.

The next moment.

Something came through from the "rope."

Wait a minute.

This feeling—

Why does it remind me a bit of Morgan?!