I'm Shenji, what are you doing?

Preface: This chapter is actually based on the animation route. The original work did not happen overnight, but it must not only explain Sieg’s first appearance, but also give out benefits, and explain what Serenekai’s relationship with Afu is. What kind of mentality, so I changed it. The old rule is, if you’ve read the novel, just jump right in.

The cold tongue of Serenike Eskel Thousand Realms Tree was slowly roaming back and forth on the Black Rider's neck.

"I said so."

◇◇◇

Feel the strong swaying. The magic is drained from the stripped nerves. The soul is melting, melting, dissolving. Although his consciousness is clear, he cannot think. The weak instinct was telling something sadly, but to "him", it was just a subtle beast's cry.

Unable to recognize, unable to think. Completely unable to construct logic. Unable to assert oneself, unable to even determine whether one is alive.

Even so, since it exists on the earth (there), there are still things that can be obtained. Such as information and time. As long as there is time to receive information and organize it, knowledge can be generated there. Knowledge turns the feelings that were so elusive like clouds into words.

——I am living.

Simple facts. It was a fact that even a crying baby could subconsciously understand, but until now, he still didn't know what it meant to be alive.

time flies.

Get information.

Get knowledge.

Since becoming self-conscious, the cycle has been revolving at an extraordinary speed. Originally, he was a creature created based on magic circuits. The understanding of knowledge is quite amazing.

There are humans coming and going, companions traveling through, and monsters passing by.

Humans looked at themselves indifferently. The companions looked at them with slightly emotional eyes. The reactions of the monsters are varied, including those who are not interested, those who stare sadly, and those who are full of interest and want to find out.

Even so, nothing has changed. The cycle of intelligence and knowledge simply continues.

The knowledge that is as messy as tatters is now being sorted, classified, and neatly stacked like books in a library. But the more information from the outside world was stored, the more heartbreaking a feeling there was in his chest.

He subconsciously chose to ignore it and continued to collect more intelligence. But the more he collected and understood, the less he could ignore that feeling.

If you convert your inner feelings into numerical values, "that" accounts for 60%. Even if something that can no longer be ignored is placed in front of you, you still choose to keep it.

This must not be dismissed as a lack of courage. After all, the so-called lack of courage is based on an understanding of courageous behavior. He has not yet understood that it is cowardice. It’s just that you will choose to ignore it unintentionally.

——The fate is changing. Transform, twist, and go crazy.

In front of him stood a human and a monster. Regardless of which party they are, they are all characters who have passed by him countless times.

The name (code) of one party, remember, is Luo Xie, or master.

The other party is called caster, or teacher.

"Try to program a magic circuit."

After listening to Caster's words, Luo Xie nodded and replied:

"Then, use the android here."

He scrutinized the conversation carefully. Magic Circuit——The mimetic nerve is indispensable for the use of magic. It is on this axis that we form our bodies. So, what does programming mean?

There was a chill in my spinal cord, like an insect crawling back and forth. This is the infallible and certain destiny of death.

Using the artificial human here - using, in other words, consuming. If used, when something is gained, something will also disappear.

Since it was cast, it has always kept a certain number of heartbeats no matter what situation it encounters. Just because of the conversation that lasted less than a minute, it was intensely unsettled.

Retrieve previous conversations. Caster and Luo Xie had many conversations about the golem. It is not so much an artificial life as it is a mechanical doll constructed from magic and earth and stone. The reason for weaving magic circuits into them is to create a golem that can weave magic.

With creation comes consumption. If what is created is a "golem that uses magic," then what is consumed must be an "artificial human with magic circuits."

He finally understood the truth about aversion to cold.

Consumption is destruction, destruction is "death". Even if you know this sentence, you can't understand it.

"First of all, let's use about three. Hmm, this, this, and this."

He was pointed out. The brightly colored death squeezed him tightly as if it was suffocating his heart. The 60% that he had ignored was declared harshly.

You are going to "die". He has been sealed into this magic supply tank since he was born, and now, everything will be consumed pointlessly for the trivial reason of "being targeted by extreme chance."

The two gradually left. He was sure that he would still have some time to hesitate before he died.

Despair sets in. This is what I have always chosen to ignore, this is it. There is absolutely no meaning of creation, and even the meaning of existence has not yet been activated.

Even though this was the case, he couldn't cry or regret. He could only stare blankly with empty pupils.

No, is that really the case?

He thought, thinking hard. Are you really unable to do anything? I just blindly believe that "I can't do anything." Isn't that the case? In fact, he is doing things that other artificial beings cannot do.

At least, I obtained the information, thought about it, came to a conclusion, and was afraid of it. I have already accomplished so many things.

Then, move forward a little, a little further.

It was just a pure coincidence that "he" who was sealed in the water tank that provided magical power to the Servants sprouted the seeds of himself, and that he was designated was also a pure accident.

However, when the two overlap, they have the same weight as fate.

- Get moving.

For the first time in my life, I moved a finger. He worked hard, making fists and raising his arms.

- Get moving.

Check the situation again. He understood that he was being sealed in an emerald green preservation solution so that magic power could be supplied efficiently. For the time being, put aside the meaning of existence that has not yet been activated, and clarify the current purpose. We must escape from here, now.

——Move!

He waved his arms and knocked frantically on the tempered glass. But he immediately realized that this was a meaningless act and gave up. It is impossible to break this piece of glass with the physical impact it generates.

He thought for a moment and scanned his own magic circuits. He has absorbed the magic power (Mana) in the atmosphere and is providing the magic power to the Servant to appear in the world, and is ready to activate the circuit.

"——Strasse/Gain."

Cut off supply. Use the language you know and let your own mystery drive you. The desired result is destruction, bringing hands into contact with tempered glass. The magic power that had already flowed into the body was captured and released to its destination, and immediately rushed towards the palm.

Find out what kind of mineral the glass you touch is. The magic power has deteriorated and can be destroyed with the most appropriate and minimal force. His hands were filled with light, and he shattered the tempered glass with only a weak force like a balsa wood block.

Immediately, the body fell outward. Try to connect with the world that should be isolated. Ignoring the shattered glass behind him, he fell towards the passage - the present world.

I feel so uncomfortable, something is wrong. I have a tightness in my chest and I want to open my mouth but find that I can't.

His mouth was pressed down by something like a respirator. Peel it off and take another deep breath.

"G-Ah!!"

Choked violently. Burning pain in throat. Inhaling gas with a strong odor caused spasmodic pain in the lungs.

Must escape. Quick, as fast as possible!

The goal has been decided and I am about to stand up - but I find that the act of "standing up" has not yet penetrated my whole body. Weakly tried to stand up, but fell down embarrassingly. Couldn't walk at all. Crawling on the ground with both hands, let the body move.

Moved a small distance. Be calm, he said to himself, raising his elbows to stand up his upper body. Feet on the ground. The fragile ankle screamed - he ignored it and slowly straightened his knee.

Then, that step was taken.

Every time you step on the ground, gravity invades. There is always the pain of being pressed down by someone, and the sticky liquid is very unpleasant.

My breathing finally started to calm down, but I didn't know which way to go. What is clear is that he will die here.

Groaned. Tears flowed from the corners of his eyes. After such suffering, all that was gained was a few steps away.

Walking, escaping from this place - a sense of futility came to my mind, as if I had dedicated my entire life just for this trivial act. He scolded his decadent self and devoted himself wholeheartedly to his "walking" homework.

There was a faint moan from behind, and he tried his best to suppress the urge to turn back. He knew what that moan meant. Ignore it, that's all you can do. In contrast, now only moving forward is everything.

He held on to the wall, silently reciting step by step in his mind as he walked. Unknowingly, he had arrived at the stone-paved corridor from the room he had been staying in all this time. Blood kept flowing from my feet. The soft feet like a baby finally stepped on the earth for the first time just now. A small stone can easily tear the skin.

The blood is flowing. Pain hits. The amount of information, which was vastly different from when he was immersed in the solution, rubbed fiercely in his brain. Due to the thick atmosphere, the lungs are always in pain like oppression.

How far can a body that was not designed to walk actually be able to go? The corridor feels endless, stretching on and on without any change. He realized that he could no longer walk, so he knelt down weakly.

The weak breathing, the violently beating heart, and the body are completely unsuitable for survival. Not only walking, but even standing are rejected by them. Lacking overwhelming heat, the front ends of his hands and feet became cold. With blurred vision and distant sounds, he was unable to think logically and could only despair at the approaching death.

——What a meaningless life. What a meaningless existence.

Meaningless birth, meaningless death. What he should do is just tremble at the cruel reality.

Boredom, I don’t know exactly what I am bored with, but I am extremely irritable. Very afraid to close my eyes. I always feel like once I do that, I will never wake up again. Afraid of sleep, afraid of being imprisoned in the dark, afraid of the world. The only person who is not scary is yourself. Because I (I) have nothing. Nothing is owned, nothing is engraved. Colorless and transparent, that’s all I am——.

"...?"

Inadvertently, my heart was shocked.

He discovered that there were beings other than himself around him. When did he come to me? His brain was in extreme confusion, and he was so frightened that he even refused to know who was next to him.

The sight caught him. He knew by feel that he was being seen. Although he thought he must escape, he couldn't do it no matter what. The body huddled in fear. The silence that seemed to crush him made his heart beat so hard it was even unbearable. At this time——

"What's wrong with you? Are you catching a cold like this?"

The words that came were not contempt that was tearing apart the body. Just warm words of concern for his health.

He raised his head reflexively, and their eyes met.

Breathed slightly. I had seen that face once before. He was one of the monsters who glanced at himself with a pained expression. If I remember correctly, his name is Rider.

"Will you catch a cold?"

Rider smiled and repeated that sentence. But I didn't know what words to respond to him. However, he was waiting for his answer, and even he knew this.

Subconsciously, he muttered something in a hoarse voice. As if he couldn't hear clearly, Rider moved his face closer and tilted his ears.

do not know anything. What to believe? What action should be taken? Don’t know, don’t know, don’t know anything——.

Consciousness disconnected. It seemed that he had fainted, and he became frightened when he understood this. Just walking is so painful. Despite this, I still want to continue living... He prayed from the bottom of his heart.

◇◇◇

Astolfo found a squatting boy in the passage of the castle.

what to do? He considered this.

"In any case, he must be saved." This matter has long been determined in his mind. What he was thinking about was actually how to save this young man.

"Let's move him away for now."

Once he decides what to do, he moves extremely quickly.

Astolfo took off his cloak, wrapped the boy up, and carried him on his shoulders. He was a slender heroic spirit. But it is no problem to carry a human being.

However, he immediately worried about where to move the boy.

There was no need to talk about the room he was assigned, because Master Serenekai would call him out every few hours. Even if it is a servant he summoned, is it a bit too much to be so stubborn? Astolfo thought.

"Lord Rider."

Astolfo turned around when he heard himself being called. The two androids were staring at themselves and the boy they were carrying with emotionless eyes.

"Master Caster is looking for the escaped androids. Do you have any clues?"

"No."

In a matter of a few tenths of a second, he answered without even a hint of thinking.

Although the android glanced at the boy being carried, he still said "Yeah" and turned around to leave.

"You guys have to work hard too~"

Astolfo waved goodbye to the departing artificial people with gratitude.

Although I don’t know what’s going on, if Caster is chasing this android, it will be even more difficult to save him. He wanted to discuss it with someone, but Saber never talked to him, so he didn't know what his personality was like; Berserker never cared about artificial beings - in other words, he probably would neither chase nor reach out. Please give me a helping hand; Assassin has a good relationship with me and is a nice person, but he hasn’t come back since he went out.

As a result, there is only one servant left that can be relied on.

Astolfo came to Chiron's room and knocked on the door to announce his visit.

"Archer, this is Rider, is there anyone in the room?"

"Rider? No, no one."??

That's good, Astolfo said and opened the door. Seeing the young man on his shoulders, Chiron immediately noticed something and led the two of them to the bedside.

"Is this the android that Caster is chasing?"

"I think it is."

Astolfo placed the android on the bed and temporarily peeled off his cloak. After wiping his dirty body with the towel handed over by the considerate Chiron, he put a borrowed robe on him. The young man's expression was full of pain and his breathing was slightly rapid.

"Archer, you know a lot about medical skills, right? Examine him."

"Understood."

Chiron took the unconscious man's hand, felt his pulse, and then placed his hand on his heart. He used his eyes, which were honed as an archer, to observe the body of the artificial man in detail.

"It seems that the magic circuit almost went berserk. Since magic was used to destroy the glass, I thought that the remaining magic power may have rioted in the blood vessels. In addition, there is another simple reason, and that is overwork. "

"Overworked?"

"I'm afraid, he has never walked even once in his life. Even standing up on his own strength, today is the first time."

"Is that so? Is he a newly born baby?"

Originally, artificial humans were living beings that could move from the moment they were cast. If it is a perfectly manufactured artificial human, it will not die due to its life span. However, perhaps due to distortions in birth itself, artificial humans often have many physical defects.

Perhaps this android was born with a weak body. Probably because it was produced for supply purposes, not for combat. Although he possesses a first-class magic circuit, he does not have the body to use it effectively.

If magic is used, even if the circuit can withstand it, the body cannot.

"As long as you don't use it, it'll be fine, right?"

"It should be. But even so, it is very difficult to live seriously. I'm afraid I can only save three years of life."

The room was surrounded by silence. After three years, facing this cruel voice, even Astolfo dropped his shoulders.

After a while, Astolfo broke the formality by speaking.

"I'm so sorry for soiling your bed."

"It doesn't matter. But let me ask a question. Why do you want to save him?"

After hearing Chiron's question, Astolfo answered without hesitation.

"Because I want to save him."

There was no momentum in his words. Just save because you want to save. Simple and natural. Because of this, it is an act that would be difficult for anyone other than Astolfo to do.

"Caster seems to be chasing him?"

"Ah haha, who cares?" Astolfo smiled and raised his hands in the air.

Although Chiron sighed, he also believed that his judgment must be correct.

It is true that winning on the battlefield is important, but the current situation does not lead to a situation where the duty of a heroic spirit is forgotten. Saving him and letting him go should be allowed and should be done. ??

"I'll leave this room for a moment. No one will come. Even if someone knocks on the door, don't answer."

"Thank you. Then, let me stay for a while."

Just before leaving the room, Chiron suddenly asked Astolfo:

"Do you want to bear the responsibility until the end?"

Astolfo, who was asked this question, glanced at the android sleeping on the bed. He recalled how the weight of his body on his shoulders had been hopelessly light. The trembling arms protecting his head were as thin as dead wood. The innate fragility of not being able to even walk.

Even if they successfully escape from this fortress, it's hard to say whether they can survive. Taking responsibility means taking responsibility for his life. But unfortunately, I couldn't stay with him for three years. Even if he wanted to accompany him, the Holy Grail War wouldn't last that long. So, how far should I go to save him - in order to respond to my own desire to "rescue"?

Astolfo didn't know. When you don't know, you should just do whatever you want, I have already decided on this. Protect him and help him fulfill his will.

"I will help him until I admit it. I will not abandon him."

As soon as Chiron left the room, Astolfo put his hand on the android's forehead and whispered:

"Get up. Are you awake already?"

After hearing this, the android opened his eyes, stood up precariously, and stared at Astolfo with swaying uneasy eyes. What a little animal with nowhere to escape, Astolfo thought.

"ah."

Astolfo first tried to say hello, but received only silence.

"that."

"..."

"Forget it, what should I say, um..."

"..."

Astolfo tilted his head. At this time, what should I say to let him know that he is a partner? After hesitating for a moment, Astolfo put his hands around the android's head and held it to his chest. Astolfo maintained this state and said:

"Do you understand? There is no one here who will hurt you. In order to fulfill your wish, I am here now."

"...?"

not understand. What Astolfo was saying was beyond the comprehension of the android. It wasn't that he couldn't understand words, but that he couldn't understand Astolfo's will.

"Tell me your wish"

Astolfo whispered in his ear.

The android began to think. Wishes, wishes, wishes - after all, do you have the right to turn your wishes into words?

He has no strength, no possessions, and no accumulated history. It's just a device that supplies magic power, but he even gave up on this task.

However, he still has a desire that is not commensurate with his status. That was the wish and dream hidden in his body. He never thought it would happen. However, it should be fine just to talk, he judged.

open mouth. Using vocal organs that have hitherto been almost unused. Even though it was a painful task, he still managed to say his "wishes".

"Please save, save me."

Astolfo, who heard this wish, replied in a light tone:

"Got it. I'll save you."

It was so fast that one even doubted whether he had thought about it. Incredibly, the android looked at Astolfo's face with this thought. Astolfo smiled without any scruples.

"You said 'please save me', right? I heard you. Don't look at me like this, I am also a heroic spirit. I think I will save you no matter what."

Will he save himself? Will he realize his wish? Can you trust him?

No, that's not the case. He wanted to believe him, the android prayed.

How lucky is this android that the first person he encountered was the Black Rider, the flawless warrior, Astolfo.

Astolfo puffed out his chest and said:

"Okay, okay, let's think about what we should do to save you first. Ah, don't think it's better to leave it all to me alone. After all, no one can compare to me in terms of lack of thinking and judgment. It’s time for me, Astolfo!”

The android opened his eyes wide and accepted Astolfo's words. His innocence, which seemed foolish even to doubt whether he was reliable, made the android feel deeply moved.

On this day, destiny began to move forward.

PS: On this day, boy meets girl, eeee... boy?