I Will Eventually Embark On The Path Of No Return Called A Hero

[Arc4] - 29. The Spell of Courage

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"What the hell is this?"

"Our helper~"

"Exactly!"

"That's why I'm asking, what the hell is this?!"

Lord El-Melloi II twitched as he looked at the four people before him, or more precisely, at Bazett standing in the front with her arms crossed, looking every bit like a loyal bodyguard.

Let's not even get into why she looks like a loyal dog...

"That outfit... you must be joking," Cyd said, covering Miyu's eyes.

"This is a normal maid outfit!"

Bazett's serious expression made Cyd question whether it was his own mind or Bazett's that had the problem.

Sure, it was a maid outfit, but with a skirt that barely reached the tops of her thighs... and a heart-shaped neckline...

If Bazett didn't seem so utterly nonchalant about it, Cyd would have thought she had escaped from a movie set.

"Miss Bazett, aren't you cold in that outfit?" asked Gray, her face flushed red, trying to tactfully hint at the situation.

"No problem, this body can withstand any wind or rain, and besides, this covers more than a swimsuit, so it's fine," Bazett said as she proudly patted her chest.

"You two..." Lord El-Melloi II glanced at the giggling Tohsaka Rin and Luvia nearby, while Illya had already hidden behind Cyd, covering her face.

"Do you really know who she is?"

She's one of the actual monsters!

If you keep playing with her like this, be careful she doesn't smash you to pieces!

"She's a trainee maid from the Edelfelt family," Luvia said, snapping open her fan with a dramatic gesture. "She was so useless that she can only wear the trainee maid uniform as punishment."

That's just your personal twisted sense of humor, isn't it?!

"You must be joking."

Although he knew Bazett was here to add to his troubles, seeing her being so seriously played by his students... he couldn't help feeling a bit sorry for her.

"No worries! This outfit covers more than a swimsuit! Plus, Miss Luvia pays a high salary and even saved me in a time of crisis," Bazett looked gratefully at Luvia, "She even provides three meals and accommodation!"

There's no saving this girl anymore.

"Oh hohoho! With her help, we'll have no trouble claiming the next Class Card!" Luvia laughed arrogantly, hiding behind her fan.

"Is this woman really that strong?" Cyd suspiciously sized up the girl, who had been easily tricked into going to Brazil and was now being manipulated by Rin and Luvia.

"This woman isn't just strong," Lord El-Melloi II said, rubbing his forehead helplessly, mindful that Bazett was still within earshot. He chose his words carefully. "In theory, she's the most suitable person to collect Class Cards, but... well, she's a bit... let's say, overly straightforward."

"You mean she's an idiot," Cyd concluded confidently.

"Exactly, she's an idiot."

"Now this strong idiot is under the control of two little idiots and is probably destined to be cannon fodder," Cyd scratched his face. "It won't change the result though. How's your plan coming along?"

"In theory, there shouldn't be any issues," Lord El-Melloi II replied, fanning himself with a cheap-looking, advertisement-laden fan.

"We'll act tonight," Cyd said, patting Miyu's head. "Go to school."

"Mm." Miyu nodded and grabbed Illya's hand as they walked toward the school nearby.

"Wait! Isn't the card supposed to be underground?" Tohsaka Rin suddenly noticed a flaw in the plan.

Lord El-Melloi II glanced at her, not particularly wanting to respond.

"Yes, you go ahead and dig," Cyd waved dismissively.

By the time those two, no, three dummies finished digging, they'd already be close to obtaining the eighth Class Card on this side.

"Wait! Your expressions clearly say you're planning to finish off the eighth Class Card today!" Rin shouted.

"That's it! We're following you for 24 hours today!" Luvia declared, pulling out her phone and dialing a number. "Tell the digging crew to stand down, and return the oil-drilling machines too."

Lord El-Melloi II twitched.

Rin and Luvia aside, someone like Bazett, who was both strong and stubborn, would be impossible to shake off once she decided to follow them for 24 hours.

They had no choice but to bring her along...

To the Fuyuki City Bridge, a place he would never forget for the rest of his life. For some reason, he had chosen it as the battlefield for the final Class Card. Perhaps it was a form of obsession. Ever since discovering that the Archer Class Card was nothing but a bow without arrows, he had a vague feeling that something significant was about to happen.

"Your turn to perform, strategist," Cyd patted Lord El-Melloi II on the shoulder.

"Leave it to me," Lord El-Melloi II took a deep breath and pulled out the Caster Class Card.

This wasn't impossible...

That heroic spirit had once performed a similar feat in front of him, pulling Class Cards from other ley lines into his own location.

With the power of that heroic spirit now in his hands, there was no reason he couldn't do the same!

"Miyu, Illya, prepare the spell to enter the alternate space," Cyd cracked his neck and stepped forward, standing before everyone.

"Understood." Miyu raised her sapphire staff.

"O-okay!" Illya responded nervously.

"Don't worry, we'll protect you," Cyd reassured her, patting her head as he pulled the Berserker Class Card from his pocket. "I'll teach you a spell. If you feel scared, just chant..."

Illya looked up, her ruby-like eyes reflecting the gentle smile of the young man. For a moment, she thought she saw another tall figure superimposed over him, watching her with the same tenderness.

"'Berserker is the strongest.'"

"Berserker is the strongest?" Illya tilted her head.

For some reason, it felt warm and reassuring, as if all her fears had vanished.

"Done!" Lord El-Melloi II's eyes widened as he waved the fan, while Miyu activated the spell.

Waves rippled like a kaleidoscope, and the world began to shift. What usually took just a few breaths to complete was unusually prolonged this time, giving them more time.

Luvia and Rin muttered beside Bazett, trying to trick her into taking the lead. Confident as ever, Bazett assured them it was no problem.

Illya stared blankly at the tall figure in front of her for a moment before instinctively reaching for his right hand. However, just as she was about to touch him, the world finished its shift.

Boom————!

A sinister black mist shot up like a vortex into the sky, the overwhelming magical energy making even the confident Bazett frown slightly.

But it didn't matter! She could still beat them to a pulp!

"Uuuaaaarghhh!"

The faint roar from within the vortex made Lord El-Melloi II's expression freeze. He layered multiple eye-enhancing spells over his vision, and then he saw...

That figure he would never forget, the one who had ended his king's journey.

"I must... defeat him," Lord El-Melloi II's hands trembled as he pulled out the Rider Class Card.

That day, the king lost, and he swore vengeance. As a loyal servant, it was his duty to avenge his king. But back then, he had no power. Now, he had the strength to make the king reappear.

"Master?" Gray raised her hand, worried.

"Activate!" Lord El-Melloi II took a deep breath and raised the Rider Class Card.

Yet nothing happened. The Class Card remained utterly still in his hand, like an ordinary card...

The king had not lent him any power.

"Why..." Lord El-Melloi II knelt to the ground, holding the card in his hands. "Didn't you acknowledge me? Is it because I'm still unworthy?"

That's not the reason...

Gray covered her mouth, having seen the tall figure standing behind Lord El-Melloi II. The ever-smiling figure now gazed at him with helplessness and sorrow.

It was because he acknowledged him that he didn't want to see him like this...

As if in response to something, the swirling black mist surged like a tidal wave, crashing toward Cyd, who stood at the front.

Cyd slowly raised his eyes.

That man had already surpassed myths...

And now was the time to create new ones.