To Become a King and a Magician

Naoki is now at Fuyuki Central Park.

He found a random bench to sit on, stared at a flock of pigeons in the distance for a long time, and finally let out a heavy sigh: "Haaa... It really won't work, going to the Matou family or something..."

After leaving Fuyuki Church, Naoki went to the Matou family—no, more accurately, he planned to go to the Matou family. Like every time traveler who wants to change a tragedy, even though Naoki is acutely aware of his own helplessness, if it can be changed, he will try his best to change it.

The tragedy of the Matou family is one of them.

Tohsaka Sakura and Matou Kariya. These two can be said to be the most pitiful people in the Fourth Holy Grail War. The former was adopted by the Matou family, renamed Matou Sakura, and her body was transformed from the inside out (literally) by Matou Zouken using a disgusting insect manipulation technique. She was tortured in an insect-filled basement for an unknown amount of time.

From then on, until the start of the Fifth Holy Grail War, Sakura lived a life of darkness without a single ray of light.

The same goes for Kariya.

He once escaped Zouken's control but returned to the Matou family to save Sakura from her suffering. After being tortured and transformed by Crest Worms for a year, he became completely inhuman and his mind went mad. The only motivation that kept him alive was saving Sakura and Aoi, as well as taking revenge on Tokiomi.

But he never knew until his death that Sakura had already been trapped in the worm pit long before he returned to the Matou family, and everything he did was in vain.

Naoki really wanted to change this tragedy.

But he couldn't do it.

"If I rely on myself, I can't even break through the Matou family's barrier, let alone face Matou Zouken. I'd definitely die."

Matou Zouken is a great Magus who has lived for hundreds of years. Although his soul has decayed, his Magecraft skills are still intact, and it's still easy for him to deal with ordinary people.

Of course, it would be easy to deal with Zouken by borrowing Arthur's power. Mystery loses its meaning when faced with a higher mystery. As a Servant, Arthur's mystery far surpasses Magecraft. It would be easy for him to save Sakura and Kariya single-handedly and destroy the Matou family.

However, this raises a few issues.

First, it might reveal the fact that Naoki has summoned a Servant. At this stage, people from all sides are like hunters in a dark forest. No one will take action first, as it will directly lead to the loss of initiative in the upcoming war. The worst-case scenario is that Arthur's true name will be exposed.

Second, due to his interference, Kariya might not participate in the Holy Grail War, and Lancelot won't appear, so no one will draw Gilgamesh's hatred. Additionally, since Kariya withdraws, the number of Masters will be insufficient. To make up for the number, the Holy Grail might select a troublesome character from somewhere.

In the end, it's a problem in itself.

"Since I don't have Mana, or my Mana is very little, Arthur can only absorb Mana from food, so his combat power is unstable."

Arthur already explained this when he was summoned. It's fine for normal life, but once the war breaks out, Arthur's demand for Mana will skyrocket. Naoki clearly can't provide that much Mana and can only offer his vitality as a substitute.

In other words, if he wants Arthur to unleash his abilities, Naoki will have to spend a lot of money on him, even a lot of money! Even if Arthur uses his Noble Phantasm, there's a chance he'll die on the spot—that's what Arthur said.

So initially, Naoki thought if he could solve the problem without relying on Arthur, he wouldn't depend on Arthur, and he'd try his best to handle the Matou family's affairs with his own strength.

However, after approaching the Matou family just once, Naoki knew he truly couldn't do it.

'Just standing a bit away from that house made my legs tremble and my whole body feel cold. I always felt like something was watching me from behind... If I keep moving forward, no, if I stop, I'll definitely be noticed by that old insect now.'

Naoki has no cheat or special abilities, so he can't do anything.

"Let's go back."

Kirei said the church had requested a morning leave for him, so instead of sighing here, he might as well go home and find Arthur. As a good and honest Knight King, he definitely won't refuse a request to save others.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Go home to find Arthur and take on the Matou family's basement.

Naoki was right to think that way.

However, when he saw a handsome blond man in a uniform standing at the entrance of a family restaurant greeting customers, Naoki rubbed his eyes several times. After making sure he wasn't hallucinating and hadn't mistaken the person, he rushed forward in two steps.

"Arthur, why are you here, you idiot!"

Naoki grabbed Arthur's collar and shouted.

"I told you not to go out! But why are you even working as a waiter here?"

"Ah—"

"Wait a minute, why are you yelling at Arthur-sama?"

Before Arthur could say anything, several female customers around Arthur pushed Naoki with displeased expressions on their faces.

"You cut in line and yelled at someone. Do you have no manners?—Are you okay, Arthur-sama? Did this guy's spit splash on your face? Let me wipe it for you."

'You hussies!'

Seeing Naoki, whose face darkened after being separated from him, Arthur knew he had truly upset his Master this time and hurriedly said to the female customers, "Sorry, lovely ladies, he really is an acquaintance of mine, and I have something to discuss with him. Please go in and enjoy your meal.—Manager, four guests!"

"Alright, everyone, this way!"

After ushering the lovestruck female customers into the restaurant with some difficulty, Arthur pulled Naoki into an alley across from the restaurant.

Folding his arms across his chest and glaring at Arthur with an unhappy face, Naoki leaned against the wall and asked unhappily, "Tell me, what's going on? I told you not to run outside, but you seem to be having fun out here. Are you worthy of Princess Guinevere?"

"I'm very sorry, Master! And don't worry, Guinevere is very generous and won't be jealous over this. Otherwise, I wouldn't even be able to attend the Round Table meetings."

"Hmph!" Naoki pursed his lips. "Then why did you go out to work as a waiter? To experience life? And it seems like you've been doing this for a while?"

"I wanted to share some of the pressure with you, Master." Arthur answered seriously, "Master, you have to go to school during the day and go straight to work after school. Sometimes you have to work until late at night. A life like this is already very hard for you to live alone, and now because of me, Master can't even get enough to eat."

"So I thought if I could help you, Master, to ease some of your burden, like covering some household expenses or finding a job to increase your income... Sorry, I violated your order not to let me go out. I'll resign after today's part-time job is over."

Arthur's explanation left Naoki speechless.

It wasn't that he didn't know what to say, but he was a bit surprised by Arthur's actions and thoughts. Is there a Servant who would work to ease his living pressure? Or would a Heroic Spirit lower their dignity and work for someone else?

Look at how long Artoria freeloaded at the Emiya household.

"Arthur... you're underestimating me so much." Naoki sighed, "Although feeding two mouths is tiring, I haven't reached the point where I need your help. You make it sound like I'm living a miserable life and can't take it anymore. Don't underestimate me, you bastard."

"Eh, sorry, Master."

"But, thank you (whispering)."

"Hm? Master, what did you say?"

"Nothing to say! You don't need to quit this job! Keep working. I'm glad someone can ease my burden!"

Seeing Naoki turn his face away, Arthur couldn't help but laugh: "Yes."

"Oh, by the way, I almost forgot something. What time do you get off work?"

"8 p.m."

"Then... accompany me somewhere tonight, Arthur." After hesitating for a moment, Naoki still held Arthur's hand, "I need your strength to help me do something, Arthur."