Shinji Matou At Your Service

Chapter 335: The New Employee of the Counter Force

"Master, you—seem to know me very well?"

Artoria's question stirred waves in Shinji's heart, waves named memories.

Know her well? Of course he did, how could he not?

In his previous life, she was his second most familiar character from the 2D world, even more familiar than his Shishou Scáthach.

He remembered the stunning impression she made when she first appeared and worried about her when she was injured.

When she departed, although reluctant, he still wished for her peace.

He remembered all her settings, every part of her story, her various incarnations, and class backgrounds.

He could proudly say that among the millions of King Arthur fans, few could surpass him.

Even now, having crossed over to the Type-Moon world and personally interacted with various characters, she still ranked in his top ten most familiar people.

Without her, he would never have become a true Moon Chef.

There was a time when he so dearly wished to meet her, whether as an enemy or as her master.

But now, the last person he wanted to see was her, because no matter what class she appeared in, her presence as a Servant meant she hadn't found the peace he wished for her.

Her appearance proved that his efforts in the Fourth Holy Grail War had failed.

Abandoning her human form, this girl shouldering Britain's burdens with her frail shoulders—is her time still frozen on the Hill of Swords? Is she still traveling through different worlds and eras, seeking the Holy Grail?

Or, after the Holy Grail War they both participated in, does she still roam in confusion and hesitation, unable to break free from the shackles of the Counter Force, ultimately becoming a tragic guardian?

Whatever the case, none of these are good endings.

His gaze shifted, his expression complex.

At this moment, Shinji was neither the ambitious Assassin ready to dominate nor the meticulous master plotting strategies. Right now, he was just a Moon Chef, a King Arthur fan, hoping that this woman, who had dedicated her life to her country and her people, could find a peaceful end—even though this might not be the same "her."

"Master?"

The one being stared at by Shinji was no longer a maiden, but she still couldn't understand why her master was looking at her with such a gaze—part nostalgic, part regretful, and more emotions she couldn't comprehend.

"Is something wrong?"

Artoria's slightly bewildered voice brought Shinji back to reality. He sighed and said, "It's nothing—Miss Reika, could you take Jack out to play for a bit? I have some things to discuss with Artoria."

"Jack, come with Mother, Mother will play hide and seek with you."

Reika, who had experienced the ups and downs of life, understood the importance of reading the situation. She took Jack's hand and left the room.

"Hide and seek?" Jack asked innocently, tilting her head.

"It's a very fun game, mother will teach you, okay?"

"Okay, okay, We love Mother the most."

Jack hugged Reika's arm and laughed happily.

Sometimes a child's happiness is just that simple. It's a pity that the children who make up Jack never experienced it, not even for a day.

Once Reika took Jack out and considerately closed the door, Shinji slowly began to speak.

"Artoria, I have some questions I need to ask you. Please, you must answer them."

"Are the answers to these questions very important to you?"

"Very important. Extremely important."

"I understand. I will answer truthfully."

Although Artoria was somewhat concerned about her Master's strange behavior, she nodded. Her intuition told her that he wouldn't harm her.

"Have you ever been to a place called Fuyuki and participated in a Holy Grail War?"

As a Servant, Artoria is one of the most complex existences in the Type-Moon universe. The idea that "one individual's various aspects can participate in a Holy Grail War" is not unfounded.

Counting all the main stories and game characters, there are eight individuals named Artoria. Excluding two comedic characters, there are six left, stemming from three different potential Artorias. Among these, the Artoria in silver armor in the Lancer class, commonly known as Lancer Artoria, and the Saber class Artoria, commonly known as Saber Artoria, likely represent different possibilities of the same person from different worlds.

Though they are the same individual, their experiences and choices differ greatly. Saber Artoria chose the sword as her primary weapon, with both the Avalon and Excalibur having the ability to stabilize her form, thus she remained in her youthful appearance until death. Lancer Artoria, on the other hand, primarily uses the Holy Lance, which lacks the body-stabilizing effect, hence she appears as she does now, more mature.

Though both are called Artoria, they are independent, different individuals. Theoretically, Lancer Artoria couldn't have participated in the Holy Grail War. However, Shinji held on to a sliver of hope. He had no fate or connection with Lancer Artoria, and compatibility was out of the question. The only one he had a connection with was Saber Artoria. Saber Artoria did possess a Holy Lance during her lifetime, although she used it less frequently. Appearing as a Lancer isn't impossible. As for the appearance, the summoning of Servants is full of infinite possibilities; any minor incident could cause changes in their spiritual form—especially since summoning a Servant as a Servant was already an anomaly in itself.

Artoria answered without hesitation: "I have."

"What class?"

"Saber."

Shinji's face lit up with joy. His guess was correct; this was indeed the Artoria he was familiar with, just with a different appearance.

The relationship between this world and Shinji's world is interconnected. The two worlds merge into the same timeline before the Third Holy Grail War. On that timeline, there's a special point where Artoria halts and makes a contract with the Counter Force.

Because the Artoria who halted at the Hill of Swords is still alive, she remembers every summoning experience and doesn't lose the memories of being summoned, unlike typical Heroic Spirits.

"Who was the victor of that Holy Grail War?"

"In the end, it was me, though I should have lost the final battle." For the King of Knights, victory is victory, and defeat is defeat. No matter what form she takes, her nobility remains unchanged.

"And after that? Did you... no, did your wish come true?" Shinji ultimately didn't directly ask the question he was most concerned about, opting for a different approach.

"It did not come true, because the Holy Grail was already corrupted and no longer had the wish-granting function. So, I destroyed it." As she said this, Artoria's expression was calm, without a trace of regret.

"And then—? Did you continue seeking other Holy Grails and thus respond to my summoning?" The tremor in his voice revealed that Shinji was far less calm than he appeared.

"No." Artoria shook her head. "Perhaps you won't believe this, Master, but I no longer pursue the Holy Grail. This time, I responded to the summoning for other reasons."

"Other reasons..."

Shinji's heart skipped a beat. If she had stopped pursuing the Holy Grail, she wouldn't be stationed at the Hill of Swords. If she responded to the summoning, it meant she hadn't gone to Avalon to sleep. There was only one answer—

"You... you made a contract with the Counter Force?"

"Eh? Master, you know?"

Artoria's face showed clear surprise. Whether in her youthful form or her mature form, her curious expression remained as endearing as ever.

"I know a bit."

"That's great. I was just wondering how to explain it to you, Master—"

Artoria stopped speaking because she saw Shinji's eyes, a mix of resentment and heartache.

"—Master, why are you looking at me like that?"

Shinji didn't answer, but instead asked, "It's tough, isn't it? Being the Counter Force's guardian, Alaya's enforcer, constantly killing to protect humanity's survival."

"Master, you misunderstand. I'm not Alaya's guardian."

Artoria's reflexive response made Shinji frown.

"Not Alaya? Could it be Gaia, the will of the planet? Well, that makes sense. You wield the planet-forged Holy Sword and the Spear of the End that stabilizes the surface. Working for Gaia would be logical."

According to the supplementary chapter of Fate/Stay Night, The Garden of Avalon, the contract Artoria made was indeed with Alaya, the collective unconscious of humanity. But it's hard to say for sure since Artoria has deep connections with both of the Counter Forces. Working for either wouldn't be surprising.

"No, Master, you're mistaken. The contract is indeed with Alaya, but I am not a guardian."

"Then what are you?"

"A Watcher. This is my first mission requested by Alaya."

"What?" Instantly, Shinji felt something unexpected was happening.

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