Aozaki Aoko Case File

"Proclamation.'

"Silver and iron, the contract of earth and stone. I am the scion of the Fifth."

 "The water is drained, the path is cut off, and the blessings of the stars have perished."

 "O final king, respond to the call of the Holy Grail. Answer my will!"

 "I am the one who achieves all the good in this world; I am the embodiment of all the evils in this world."

 "By binding you with three great words for seven days, manifest before me through the wheel of suppression, Guardian of the Scales!"

As Touko finished her chant, a sudden whirlwind materialized from nowhere. Aoko and Touko stood at its center, their garments rustling violently in the gust. Yet, neither was fazed; instead, they both focused intently on the unfolding scene.

A sharp crackling of magical energy erupted from the summoning circle, followed by the appearance of a figure bathed in radiant golden light at its core.

With a slight wave of her hand, Aokosummoned a breeze that dispersed the dust veiling the figure.

From the summoning circle emerged a female heroic spirit. She wore a suit of pale silver armor etched with mysterious faerie script, a lion-shaped helmet adorned with golden fur, and a magnificent blood-red cape. At her waist hung a massive two-handed sword.

The heroic spirit's height was similar to Aoko's—over 170 centimeters.

"Servant Saber, Artoria Pendragon, has responded to the call!" the female heroic spirit announced in a clear voice.

 "I ask you, are you my Master?"

Touko did not reply but instead glared at the heroic spirit she had summoned, puffing her cheeks in frustration. The servant's gaze wasn't fixed on Touko but on Aoko, who stood behind her.

"Ah, well," Aoko scratched her cheek awkwardly, "sorry, but I'm not the one who summoned you. My little sister is."

As she spoke, Aoko patted the smaller Touko on the shoulder, signaling to Saber that this was her Master.

"Has the world fallen so far that children must participate in brutal wars?"

Saber asked solemnly. Even through her helmet, her gaze carried an imposing pressure.

"You misunderstand," Aoko hurriedly clarified before Touko's mounting indignation could erupt.

"Due to certain circumstances, Touko has temporarily regressed in age. She's a top-tier Grand Magus!"

"I see," Saber said seriously.

"I apologize for my offense, Master."

Saber's voice was deeper and more mature than Aoko expected, with a slight huskiness that made one curious about her appearance beneath the helmet.

"So, where is our enemy?"

Artoria inquired.

"When do we strike?"

"The Holy Grail War hasn't officially started yet," Touko replied in a somewhat stiff tone.

"For now, we need to hold this territory—our workshop."

"Understood."

Saber nodded solemnly, taking her place beside Touko, ready to follow her orders.

Aoko noticed Touko growing visibly unhappier. The positioning—Saber and Aoko flanking Touko—cast shadows over her due to their towering presence.

"Alright, alright," Aoko said, ruffling Touko's hair.

"Let's not stand here like fools. Dinner's ready, so let's eat!"

"Hunger is the greatest enemy! A full belly ensures victory!"

Artoria declared earnestly.

"I'll be in your care, elder sister of my Master."

Hearing Saber's words, Touko's expression darkened further.

...

The meal was delicious, just like Aoko's previous cooking, but Touko was dumbstruck as she watched her Servant.

"Please serve me another bowl," Saber Artoria said with a stern expression, holding out her empty bowl, a grain of rice still stuck to her lips.

By now, Saber had removed her armor and helmet, donning a deep blue knightly dress that revealed her true form.

She had golden hair carefully tied into a bun, adorned with a golden crown resembling a constellation of stars.

Artoria's face was breathtakingly beautiful. She had emerald-green eyes, fair skin, and an oval face paired with a mature, voluptuous figure. Her physique was lean and well-toned without being overly muscular, embodying the epitome of a healthy warrior's grace.

Aoko raised her eyebrows and snapped her fingers. A Ploy servant swiftly took Saber's bowl and refilled it.

"A remarkable magic," Saber commented.

"Far more practical than Merlin's spells."

"I won't ask why you think her magic surpasses Merlin's," Touko sighed.

"Are you really King Arthur?"

"Knights never lie," Artoria replied righteously.

"Merlin bites his tongue when he chants spells. If you doubt my identity due to my gender, I understand."

"Why so?"

 Touko's interest in the hidden history of Britain was piqued.

"I was born a woman, but Merlin disguised me as a man through illusion to secure my ascension," Saber explained.

"Wait," Aoko interrupted, "if you drew the Sword in the Stone as a youth, your appearance should be frozen at fifteen. Why do you look like this now?"

"I used Rhongomyniad during the Battle of Camlann and emerged victorious," Artoria replied calmly.

"Afterward, I spent seven years crushing all rebellion, uniting Britain once more. This is how I appeared at the end of that campaign."

"But that contradicts legend!"

Touko exclaimed.

"Didn't King Arthur die at Camlann, slain by Mordred?"

"Perhaps this is a parallel history," Aoko speculated.

"The Throne of Heroes transcends time, so summoning different facets of the same figure isn't unusual."

"The fall of ancient Britain marked the end of the Age of Gods!"

Touko said seriously.

"If King Arthur succeeded, what happened to her kingdom?"

"There wasn't enough food," Artoria said evenly.

"My people all starved to death. In the end, I prayed to the gods to feed them, which is why I answered this summons."