testrun_box | A strong possibility at last_free

➥ Ｉ．

What a strange device. It's too modern for my tastes, but subtle enough to draw out those who prefer things a little old-fashioned.

[ The image on the screen hardly matches with the well-spoken tone; the girl addressing the strange PDA can't be no older than a teen. In actuality, she knows just how important a first impression is, so she'll give quite the flattering one of herself. ]

War is my expertise, but I suppose if it wasn't, I would not be amongst the rest of you. So tell me of your tales, great heroes, so that I know just how to properly use it. After all, are we not all tools to be used in same form in this world of clashed opinions?

➥ ＩＩ．

[ It's one of those rare days where there's no struggle to be found, so instead of preparing for some battle that's on the horizon, this young woman is off to find some enjoyment. While there's a distinct lack of social activities in the area, Misaya's taken the initiative to start a party amongst the poorer residents of this world. For the rest of the night, she can be found doing a number of things in this part of town. Anything from doing a fast-paced dance that might resemble a tango or relaxing with a bowl of something that resembles food in her hands. Even if she was brought here as a hero, she understands one thing: people need morale and so she'll give it. ]

➥ ＩＩＩ．

Ugh... [ That pained groan comes from a bed in the hospital that's been occupied for the past couple days. It seems louder than usual, as the inhabitant of the covers makes her presence known by sitting up abruptly. ] What the hell?

[ Her gaze darts around the hospital before the realization sinks in. She was brought here due to her sickness, right? Which means... ]

Where is that worthless mutt of mine!?

➥ ＩＶ．

[ As expected of a user of magic, Misaya's already set up her own public workshop to "assist" with the battle. Surprisingly, she doesn't question as to which side her customers take, so it's a fairly popular shop to buy items of magical power. Plus, her hound is really good at digging up artifacts that she can sell for a profit, making this small shop the number one place to go to.

~~Besides, we all know she has Lancer wreck any competitors before they can start.~~

If one's come to do business, they can find the owner of this establishment sitting on her desk with her Servant beside her, the girl tugging on his tie as though it were a leash. Seems the two might have been in a debate and failed to notice any potential customers come in. Or perhaps she intentionally wished for them to see the scene. ]

You can start wagging your tail in excitement again. [ A cool remark to the man beside her as she releases him. ] Go dig up another bone or two outside, boy.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

N-No!

[Crap. Crap. He didn't think it would have this sort of reaction on her.]

You never failed me. Up to the last second you...were a good Master. And a good magus.

...I was the one who failed.

[He had been summoned into the world to serve as her loyal hound...and yet he could not even save her from her curse.]

You make the claim that you were the one to fail, but I was the one who died? It seems as though my death wasn't the conclusion to your tale? [ An accusation, naturally, but she can't help the bitterness that forms at the thought of Lancer choosing another Master. ] You must have planned for my death from the start to have picked a new Master so quickly...

I really did summon the best Servant of all time.

Yeah...I failed. I couldn't get the Grail for you in time, so...

[Had anyone else accussed him of that, he would have lashed out at them. But it's different when it comes from the very Master he "betrayed". Instead, he only gives a quiet, half-hearted protest.]

I did it because there was something that I still needed to do.

Mm... of course. It was a selfish move of me to call for a Servant when I was on a time constraint. [ She'll move to climb down from the desk, feeling awkward and no longer truly in her position of "power". ] It wasn't too much trouble for you, was it?

[ There's something about the news of your death when you leave this place that makes you appreciate what's been given to you. Misaya is no different; here she has a purpose and life. What happens after they save the day and go home though? There is no second chance. There is no Valkyrie that will come to give someone the chance to make it so she doesn't perish. Life has ended for Misaya and once again she's running on borrowed time.

Except this time she knows just how the end will play out. ]

No. It wasn't selfish. Just...stupid. If you had told me sooner, I wouldn't have dawdled with all those other Servants. Sure, I enjoy fun fights, and once you get past the uptightness, Saber and Rider are pretty likeable guys, but if you just told me, I would've killed them as fast as possible.

[He leaves out the part about the Gae Bolg. After all, he knows more than one way to kill.]

And it wasn't...too much trouble. I saw something similar before, and what happened when I hesitated.

[His voice shakes a little as he speaks and he averts his eyes. In truth, it had been difficult. He had to stare into the eyes of a girl he had grown to care for, and who reminded him of his teacher to boot, and stab her in the heart. He knew at the time that it was no longer her per se, but it had looked so much like her...]

[However, even though he sucks at lying, he has to do so anyway. She's already upset enough.]

Hmph... What would have been the point of summoning you if you couldn't enjoy the once in a lifetime opportunity? Not many others would have wasted time with a hero that can hardly be tamed.

[ She's not going to scold or pry, choosing instead to be a bit more honest with him. ]

You enjoyed it, didn't you?

Every last second of it...with the exception of the times your curse acted up. Because putting spears through people is my specialty--not tending to sick teenage girls.

[He decides to try a half-hearted joke at that last minute.]

But...otherwise, it was a pretty fun experience. Wouldn't mind giving it another go.

Well, even if it's a problem here... I'll manage on my own. You shouldn't worry about it.

[ He had to find out she was still cursed one way or the other, right? ]

[He frowns and crosses his arms.]

It is gone now, isn't it? The Valkyries fixed you, right?

Why would they fix something that isn't broken, mutt?

[He looks absolutely serious now.]

Tell me, Master. Do you still have your curse? Or did the Valkyries find a way to undo it?

A strong possibility at last_free_city...

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