In the center of the snowfield city, beneath the building, a breeze was blowing.
It was the wind blowing from the thunder clouds above, carrying a faint natural scent.
"My Lord, are we going to wait here forever? It's almost evening..."
Through the gap in the cloth covering her face, Kyonno looked at Kurohime, who was drinking tomato juice nonchalantly, with a confused expression.
Altluqi turned around, looked at her with sharp eyes, and said:
"It's hard for me to go up there. The thunder and lightning have a restraining effect on the Dead Apostle bloodline in my body. So I'll just have to wait here. There's no need to rush anyway."
After saying that, Artluqi glanced at the thunderclouds above her head, and then looked at the leisurely crowd around her who seemed to have no idea what was going on.
This does not mean that the people here are too optimistic, but that there are subtle hints everywhere in this city, which also shows that this city itself was specially built for the Holy Grail War.
For example, the configuration of public facilities and roads, the advertising signs and roadside trees on the streets, etc., each of them has been cast with magic that ordinary magicians would only think is a simple mark at first glance.
Or the scientific color matching that will induce specific psychological effects, which will only be activated when many factors overlap, and will deeply suggest to the residents' bodies and minds.
In order to accurately measure the hints created by combining both magic and non-magical things, it is necessary to gather magicians with excellent observation skills and people like El-Melloi II.
This is enough to deceive the many magicians who travel by, the many sociologists who are skeptical about the city's rapid development, and even more so the residents who actually live here and manage their lives.
In essence, the city of Snowfield itself and everything in it is a sacrifice to the Holy Grail of Hypocrisy.
But now, there are no hints at all.
In Altluchi's opinion, the reason why she could not see the terrifying thunder and was not affected by the servants was Avia's work.
"Yes, is that so?"
"Of course, Dead Apostles are always targeted by the majority no matter what era it is. Although there are Dead Apostles who have been passed down from the Age of Gods, if the gods knew about it, they would still be targeted. After all, humans and Dead Apostles are natural enemies at all times."
In fact, Kuang Xinzi was quite familiar with what Altluchi said. If she hadn't sensed the aura of the Holy Temple from Hei Ji, she would have assassinated her long ago with her character. After all, as a fanatic, she couldn't tolerate such defilement.
Fanatic vaguely remembered that during the Crusades, that is, the time of King Lionheart, there was a ancestor of the Dead Apostles in the Middle East who led countless monsters to fight on the battlefield. His name was Nero Chaos. Therefore, she had long hated the Dead Apostles.
"I neglected this, I'm so sorry..."
The young assassin apologizes to those who have reached the temple where she herself could not.
"No need to apologize, just eat something first."
While drinking tomato juice, Artluchi looked at the menu on the table. The prices on the menu were very expensive for the human world.
But when you see what is served, you will understand that it is worth the money. The surprise and touch brought by the food are difficult to measure with money.
After hesitating for a long time while looking at the food served, Artluqi chose chocolate cake first. She happily moved the plate of cake in front of her, put down her fork, and when she took the first bite, she showed an expression of joy that she had not shown for many years.
You eat it too - Artluqi said to Kuang Xinzi. She finally put the cake in her mouth, without saying anything about her feelings. She just chewed it with her mouth full, waiting for Kuang Xinzi's next move.
"..."
There was a strawberry cake in front of Kuang Xinzi who was sitting at the same table. The cake looked so delicious that people wanted to try it, but she didn't touch the spoon.
Looking at her new master, Kyon Shinko discovered that since the arrival of the adult who exuded a great aura, the originally taciturn and cold Altuluchi seemed to have become a different person and became quite lively.
No, the accurate way to put it is, it's like after many years I finally got to meet the person I wanted to meet.
That being said, it is true.
When Artelucci felt it, although she didn't change in front of Kuang Xinzi, she actually cried a little secretly.
While putting sugar grains processed into the shape of stars into the cake and stirring it with a small stick, Artluqi looked at Fanatic who still hadn't taken off the cloth, and thought to herself that she and Fanatic had actually had the same experience.
As the new Master of Zexinzi, Altuluqi naturally also knew the past of her servant.
In the past, in the new empire that Avia and I were heading to, there was an organization founded by the old man from the Holy Temple.
"You are not qualified. Although you are talented, you lack creativity."
"And the most important point is that you are not pious enough."
There were whispers like that all around the cult, and at the ceremony to select the next Hassan Sabbah, Zealot and Hundred Faces stood side by side.
The floor was covered with light green mats, and the air smelled of dried flowers, a smell that was present every time the organization held an event.
“So the next one, Hassan Sabah, is Baimao.”
At that moment, Bai Mao was like a beautiful stone sculpture, stunned on the spot.
Faced with the elders' choice, Kuang Xinzi did not refute. It was not that she did not feel it was a pity, but she thought that she was indeed not pious enough as the elders said.
After all, she has always given people the impression that she is difficult to approach, but it is not intentional, but she has always been like this.
Although she understood this, she did not change her mind. This was her path of faith.
As a member of the organization, Kyouko is a girl with firm beliefs, but it is precisely because of her unconventional beliefs that people scornfully call her a "fanatic."
Even people who worship the same God uttered the same contemptuous words, but the girl did not hate others. She just thought that the reason they were despised was because they were immature and their faith was not strong enough, that's all.
However, it was this faith that was more devout than anyone else in the sect and his outstanding talent that caused him to be eliminated by the elders of the sect on the grounds of lack of originality and insufficient faith, and thus he failed to succeed in becoming the 19th Hassan Sabbah.
But the girl believed that she was not selected because she did not have enough faith, so she practiced her faith even more diligently than before. As a result, she achieved nothing in her life and lived as a mere fanatic. When even martyrdom was not allowed, she wasted her life without any achievement and then disappeared without a trace.
Even so, the fanatic still does not hate the world and has no hatred. After all, Fanatic is a fanatic who is difficult for ordinary people to save.
As the Master of Crazy Nobunaga, Artelucci naturally saw and experienced all of this from her perspective.
Heiji naturally scoffed at what the elders of the cult said. She could see that these elders were not as good as the True Ancestor in the Millennium City treated her stupid sister. After all, although those guys wanted to use that guy, they would not use such unreasonable words to deceive her.
She even felt that if the old man really wanted to take care of these things, he might first eliminate these elders who were just sitting there doing nothing... But by then, these elders might even turn against the old man.
"Please be careful with it!"
Just as Kuang Xinzi was silently looking at the cake plate in front of him, he suddenly felt a breath that seemed to be a heroic spirit coming towards him from the intersection not far away, so he immediately prepared for battle.
"Please don't do this. I am not the enemy of the Son of the Planet. My name is Enkidu, and this is my Master."
A servant with long green hair, whose gender could not be distinguished and whose beauty was enough to make ordinary people hold their breath, slowly walked over holding a silver wolf.
The false spearman, Enkidu the Heavenly Chain, and his master, the artificial silver wolf.
"I think it's nice to meet you. I'm Altuluchi, and this is my Servant. What can I do for you?"
In response to Enkidu's self-introduction, Altruci nodded.
For the black-haired girl who was a hybrid of a True Ancestor and a Dead Apostle, she naturally knew at this moment that the aura of Enkidu in front of her was integrated with this vast world.
In other words, it is like nature in human form, a person who is close to gods or spirits to some extent. As the True Ancestor, Hei Ji can be regarded as the daughter of "Gaia".
Then, the beautiful lady with green hair flowing in the wind smiled peacefully and answered:
"After the Holy Grail War is over, could you please take care of my Master?"
Hearing this, Altluci sat in her chair, tilting her head in confusion, looking at the artificial creature that Enkidu had put down.
By the way, she hadn't seen her pet Cathy Palug for a long time. According to the White Knight, that guy always seemed to run out to play while she was sleeping, and he would be gone for hundreds of years. Even now that she was awake, he still hadn't come back...
Thinking of this, Black Princess couldn't help but murmur:
"You've really become braver, Cathy..."
After that, Altluchi nodded:
"Okay, I'll find someone to take care of it."
"Thank you." Enkidu chuckled and nodded, then the next second he looked towards the direction of the Grand Canyon, frowning, "Gil has... As expected, if it can make such a roar, it also means that guy is here."
Originally, Enkidu had no idea about the Holy Grail War. Apart from protecting his Master and fighting again against his friend the King of Heroes whom he had not seen for a long time, he felt it was very boring and did not care even about Novia's declaration of war.
Until recently, Enkidu sensed the presence of Humbaba, the 'girls' that the Heaven's Chain failed to save.
A 'system' that is completely different from the clay doll that never changes, Humbaba is cursed and forced to change.
That was also Enkidu's first friend. Every time they met, Humbaba would ask Enkidu if he still remembered him.
But at the request of the gods, the two finally parted ways, and at the time of parting, when meeting Humbaba face to face, the last words Enkidu heard were: Who are you...?
Later, Enkidu met many humans including Shanhant, changed his appearance, and went on adventures to escape the control of the gods.
However, the Heaven's Chain never forgot every word spoken by the first 'human' girl he met, and the record of the existence of the Humbabas.
Until the end, even when Enkidu used his own hands to tear the already crazy Humbaba apart beyond recognition, the apology made Enkidu's system keep making strange noises.
That was why Enkidu came to see Humbaba, who was still in great pain, and then he met Altruci and Fanatic downstairs.
Then, within a few seconds, Tian Zhi Suo looked at the Bull of Heaven that appeared on the roof and disappeared in a short time, along with the breath of the goddess. He sighed helplessly: "That guy is actually dead...Fun Baba you..."
Enkidu felt a little disappointed that he didn't see Humbaba again and that his friend died so quickly, but he thought that since Ishtar died so quickly, it was a good thing.
Seeing this, Artelucci sighed softly, and then spoke in a troubled tone:
"Okay, okay, I don't like seeing such a listless expression. Here are some food, although they are all fruits. Do you want to eat them?"
"Well, you're welcome. Thank you."
After handing the fruit in the restaurant to Silver Wolf and throwing it to Enkidu, Altruci was about to continue eating.
Enkidu, holding the fruit, looked up at the rooftop, picked up the silver wolf, and turned away: "I see, then I won't disturb your meeting."
Perhaps it was because she consumed too much sugar at once, causing her brain to be unable to react. In any case, Heiji didn't react immediately.
"Enkidu means that the great man has come down from above."
Fanatic whispered this to Altluchi who was still eating cake.
“…Huh!?”
The black-haired girl raised her head suddenly, and before she could clean the residue from her mouth, her bloodshot eyes were immediately attracted.
Kuang Xinzi followed Altluchi's gaze and saw the man walking slowly towards her. To her, this man seemed to be shining with dazzling light.
And Artluqi held her breath.
I miss you so much.
Even though time passes and the sea turns into mulberry fields, no matter when and where, my heart will return to that period of time, and the memories of the past will release a dreamy and short-lived flame.
The black-haired girl's left hand twitched slightly involuntarily, as if she was looking for the angle at which it was held.
"Avia."
It has been a long time since I said this name in person. Just being able to call him made Arteluchi so happy that she was overwhelmed with emotion and excitement. Although I have never forgotten it and have called it in my heart every day over the years, I was still very moved when I actually said it out loud.
The silver-haired young man walked and slowly approached.
"Alterucci."
The voice calling the black-haired girl's name, the feeling of nostalgia made Altuluchi's heart tremble.
Ah, yes, I think, the lover I have been looking for, finally found.
When countless meteors fell on Rome under the starry sky, one of the stars was a girl.
I kept waiting and waiting, and finally found you, the one I love.
This emotion comes faster than tears.
Artluci couldn't help but whisper, that's great.
“It’s so nice to see you again…”
Tick-tock, drops of water fell on the girl's face. As the drops fell one after another, she realized that she was crying again.
Novia stared straight at Altluchi with his eyes that were engraved in the girl's mind, like the night sky shining with silver stars in the darkness.
"Sorry, I am late."
Altluchi took a deep breath and held the hand extended by the silver-haired young man.
She thought that whether the times were calm or stormy, she would spend it all with these hands.
Therefore, facing the pair of hands that were tightly holding her, the black-haired girl slowly responded with force.
"Well, that's how it is..."
If it was the usual Altluchi, she, who is always so proud, would probably just gloss over it and say it didn't matter, but she wouldn't do that today.
"But since I've been looking for you for so long, you have to take me with you wherever you go in the future."
Whether it is the end of the world, the abyss of hell, or the other side of nothingness, it doesn’t matter at all.
