Manaka: “Ah, you’re right. This isn’t my face.”
Inside a stone room――――
Manaka who was looking into a small mirror mumbled.
I, couldn’t give enough to think of a consenting feeling with a fragment of my consciousness, because I couldn’t let out any words as my voice now, and I couldn’t convey a clear message to her.
My body was there completely under Manaka’s control.
Surely, that was probably the reason.
To me, the one reflected in the mirror that could be seen through my eyes which were now a part of Manaka’s temporary body, was the figure of Manaka herself being shown.
As for…..
You, the one displayed in the mirror was surely my face.
Manaka: “It isn’t like that, the current me, is not me.”
I looked at the mirror, and reconfirmed the situation.
Although I could see it as not a bit surprising, in reality, was I a bit surprised?
Like she is confirming the features of her face, Manaka put her hand on her cheeks.
Saber; “We should start talking soon. Master.”
“She” said from a place that was a bit far away from her.
“She” who was in an armed state, symmetrical to Manaka who was thinking about things and looking into the mirror, didn’t shirk off her caution to their non-vigilant surroundings.
Of course.
This gloomy room was also a part of this <labyrinth>.
It was different from the passageway from just a while ago, even if we were in an area that seemed like these kinds of monsters didn’t occur naturally, we certainly didn’t know what kind of traps it had.
If they had been human, a quick death would’ve been preferable, but it’s not really strange to a Magus if it had those kind of items which could give out large damage and Heroic Spirits needless to say.
Was it maybe, a magus’s private room?
It was somehow unclear whether its existence made up this <labyrinth>.
It’s just, that the olden style wooden study desk was a peculiar thing to a Magus from the open Middle Ages period, and the multiple shelves which filled one of the walls was becoming crowded with magical catalysts and glass jars used for cultures.
It was a bit similar to Paracelsus’s room――――
It was now, one of Manaka’s thoughts.
Since I couldn’t strongly interfere with Manaka’s memories.
Manaka: “That’s true, I also wanted to talk with you.”
Saber: “Yes.”
“She” who was a Heroic Spirit with blue silver armour enveloped over her body, how was she seeing this body which had substantially changed to Manaka, I mean to my current self?
Was the one who had just come with the summoning and contract with a temporary condition of only being in this <labyrinth>, just now, seeing my own figure, or……?
Saber: “……It seems like it’s an unusual situation to you somehow, Master. But I felt like you changed your form before my eyes, the moment when I achieved realisation into the current world.”
Manaka: “Umm, let’s see. Let’s see, first is, may I confirm something?”
Manaka turned around.
Saber: “Sure.”
Manaka: “How does my current form, look to you?”
Saber: “Like a girl with a dress covering her body.”
Manaka: “I see. ――――So that’s how it is.”
Now I see.
I understood.
I must’ve surely thought of the same thing as Manaka too.
This body, must completely belong to Manaka, by now.
Concerning my current existence as the original owner of it, I could only sense Manaka herself.
That’s why neither Saber nor I, even if we were to see this body, weren’t suited to see only Manaka’s figure, now.
Manaka: “Well I knew that from the start. I, want to try to stick with this kid.”
Saber: “Yes?”
Of course, there was doubt floating in “Her” eyes.
Although Manaka’s straightforward words weren’t ever wrong, they were a little difficult to follow.
Manaka: “I wonder if that’s the cause. Everything is always different here and there. I also can’t use much magic and――――
She placed the mirror as she was talking.
With her right hand, her gesture was like she was grabbing air.
I could also see the light of prana which shone beyond her white fingers.
Without one second passing, Manaka had brought forth a huge palm-sized crystal in her palm.
Existence from nothingness.
If they were a person who hadn’t trained in magic, they’d probably have no choice but to be a renowned scientist and treat it as such.
But, this was different.
She had fused the mana within the atmosphere, a high density magical crystallization!
A thing which would’ve taken several days with one adult magus, was done this, quickly.
Saber: “This……your body is unfamiliar with magic, but I also understand that this technique must be wonderful.”
Manaka: “If it was like always, it could’ve become a much bigger stone, however…...”
Manaka’s voice seemed disappointed.
But.
Something.
Was there a bright echo mixing in from somewhere?
Manaka: “Eh?”
It was a cute shout.
Even though it was only just a girl’s shout, it wasn’t even a worded magic chant.
Her use of magic consumed the crystal which had just been formed.
Right above Manaka, a figure of a monster large enough to reach the ceiling was floating.
Ah, watch out.
This is dangerous.
If I saw this with my as usual self, I think I’d be too petrified by fear.
It was an impossible heteromorphic monster.
Its appearance was like a mix of reptiles and insects.
Was it an endoskeleton creature, or was it an exoskeleton creature, its being drifted a different presence than a life which properly lived on the surface of the earth.
Such a thing, would obtain a bit of substance in the air――――and immediately disappear.
Necromancy, or was it summoning magic?
Or had she tried to refine that sort of demon beast momentarily herself?
Saber: “Master. What was that now?”
As one would expect, “She” didn’t tremble.
Manaka: “Umm, I was going to make a little familiar but……”
Saber: “That huge forelimb was filled with powerful prana certainly. It was quite the beast, huh?”
Manaka: “But, I could only maintain it for several seconds. I didn’t have enough power with this, to keep it under one brand type at least……I’m sorry, I showed you something disgraceful.”
Truly.
It wasn’t a lie.
As her cheeks reddened like she was entering embarrassment, Manaka said this.
The lady who knew her manners had lost her decorum, and it was like she could vanish to an extent, even now, she seemed apologetic.
If I spoke of the brand, however the rank could only be given to a Magus who was recognised by the Mages Association and was even more top class even among the high rankers.
I point it out to her, and she looks down blushing seemingly embarrassed like this.
Manaka.
You――――
Ordinarily, I would say what kind of power she was using?
I will stop imagining it.
Certainly, it wasn’t something that I could grasp to my degree.
Saber: “Master, I can grasp that you are a powerful Magus. If that’s so, I won’t hesitate to reveal my true name. My class is Saber, and――――”
Manaka: “King Arthur.”
Saber: “Hihh!”
Manaka: “A king who wields a holy blade which is the radiance of the stars itself. True name, Arthur Pendragon. Am I wrong?”
Smoothly.
Easily.
She had correctly guessed her true name which to a Servant must be concealed.
Despite not summoning her as I had the catalyst, Manaka had done so.
Like always, because she could see through everything in this world―――――no, it’s not that.
You, even in this place that was nothing but a dream to you, many explorers, even magi had lost their lives inside this <labyrinth>, you’re Manaka Sajyou, right?
That’s why, I knew.
Her name.
Even if her gender had changed.
Even if the world had changed.
I shouldn’t speak badly, of her beloved’s existence.
Saber: “Certainly it is also, my name. But, my true name is Arturia Pendragon.”
Manaka: “It’s a pretty name. Yes, very much so.”
Saber: “T, Thank you very much.”
“Saber” who was taken by surprised shivered.
Although she returned that gaze with seriousness, immediately after.
Saber: “…….Officially, I was certainly called Arthur. It must’ve been left like that in the history and legends. Therefore, I didn’t think that you’d try to………guess my true name correctly, without seeing my Noble Phantasm, and seeing only my figure”
Manaka: “Your Noble Phantasm, is Excalibur?”
Saber: “That’s correct.”
Straightforwardly “she” nodded.
Manaka, gently smiled while gazing at that look.
She seemed a bit, disappointed.
She seemed a bit, lonely.
Manaka: “……..Like I thought, that’s how it is.”
Saber: “Like you thought?”
Manaka: “You, Saber. You who carry the holy blade which was tempered in the inland sea of stars, you’re somehow a girl here――――but although you’re cute, although you’re pretty, although I can’t ever hate you for it, you are not my Saber.”
Saber: “Huh?”
Manaka: “You know…”
Manaka spoke, to the Servant whose lips were shut with questions.
Some words.
This was no more than a temporary dream to Manaka.
Surely this must seem like some sort of a mistake.
I mean this body, originally belonged to the other person――――in other words me.
Hurry, wake up from this dream, it’s nothing but returning to her original Saber for Manaka.
I didn’t know if Saber could understand all of her words.
Perhaps if I was in the same situation as her, the magus girl who was overflowing with this ability, probably would’ve decided that she had lost her sanity without bearing the fear of this <labyrinth> already.
That’s why, I was shocked.
From receiving Manaka’s explanation, to the subject which she mentioned as she nodded to Saber.
Saber: “I can’t declare, that I can grasp it perfectly. But such a situation will be sometimes possible, if it is in this <labyrinth>.”
Manaka: “Is that so?”
Saber: “Yes.”
She didn’t hesitate to answer.
In there was a firm will and conviction which couldn’t be shaken.
Saber: “Therefore Master. You――――must end the Subspecies Holy Grail War in this <labyrinth>!”
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Thedoctor
