After a brief moment of relaxation, during which the tension of the day seemed to have dissipated, Arthur slowly turned to Chiron, his eyes studying him with that usual mix of calm and curiosity.
"You came looking for me in my room earlier… do you need something?" he asked, his voice carrying a slight trace of irony, as if anticipating the seriousness of the response.
Chiron's expression, which had remained neutral until that moment, hardened instantly. The weight of his words hung in the air like a silent shadow. There was something in his gaze that revealed the importance of the matter he was about to discuss.
"Is it true that you knew Shirou Amakusa's true identity from the very beginning?" Chiron inquired, each word measured, tinged with cautious curiosity and almost reverent tension.
Arthur tilted his head slightly, his gaze calm and unwavering. "Yes, I knew," he answered concisely, with no need to elaborate. There was a certainty in his voice that somehow dispelled any shadow of doubt.
"So… was your summoning motivated by Shirou Amakusa's wish?" Chiron pressed, as if trying to unravel the invisible threads that bound their fates.
Arthur smiled faintly, the lightness in his demeanor masking the complexity of his thoughts. "No. Although my mission is, in some way, connected to that," he replied, leaving the typical ambiguity of his intentions in the air. It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the full truth either; as always, he maintained absolute control of the narrative in his favor.
Chiron took a deep breath and, with near-reverent care, asked his final question: "Answer me one last thing… will you continue to fight on our side until the end?"
Arthur let out a low, almost musical laugh, filled with confidence. "Isn't that natural?" he countered, unwavering.
Chiron relaxed slightly, a sense of relief and satisfaction appearing on his face. For him, this simple confirmation was enough. As long as Arthur remained with the Black faction, there was no need for concern; his presence was a seal of protection, a silent shield against any threat, and the most powerful sword they possessed.
With a firm gesture, Chiron patted Arthur on the shoulder, his eyes conveying unwavering trust. "Very well… I trust you," he said seriously, each word carrying weight and intention.
After this moment of silent understanding, Chiron prepared to leave, raising his hand in a discreet yet respectful farewell.
It was then that Arthur, with a sly smile, broke the moment's calm with an unexpected observation.
"By the way, Chiron… we can use this peaceful moment to prepare that." The mention made Chiron raise an eyebrow. Arthur, in his calm voice, was referring to Fiore's transformation into a semi-servant—a delicate but essential plan.
Chiron simply nodded, understanding without the need for further words. This was the type of plan that required mutual trust.
---
Arthur closed the door behind Chiron with a soft click, ensuring that no one else would enter. Fiore remained in her wheelchair, watching every movement with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
"Before we begin," Arthur started, casually leaning on the edge of the table, "you need to understand exactly what will happen. Transforming someone into a semi-servant is not a trivial process. It's not just summoning some power or granting abilities. We're talking about literally altering a person's nature—balancing between humanity and the power of a full servant."
Fiore furrowed her brow, trying to absorb every word. She knew the concepts of Master and Servant, but this went far beyond any lesson she had ever received.
Arthur continued, his tone now more didactic:
"A semi-servant… is a hybrid creation. The person retains most of their individuality and consciousness, but gains access to extraordinary abilities, strength, endurance, and speed—like a full servant."
He walked slowly around Fiore, observing her with assessing eyes.
"The balance is delicate. Too much power, and the person loses their identity and may die; too little, and the process fails, and death is certain."
Fiore took a deep breath, swallowing her nervousness.
"So… I won't completely lose who I am?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Arthur smiled faintly, encouraging her.
"No. You will still be you—Fiore Forvedge Yggdmilenia. But stronger, more capable. You will be able to act on the battlefield as a servant, without relying solely on external orders. Think of it as… unlocking your maximum potential."
He stepped back a few paces, crossing his arms.
"Of course, there are risks. Your body and mind will be under pressure, and you must trust me completely throughout the process. There's no room for fear or hesitation."
Fiore looked at him. There was an instinctive trust in Arthur, something beyond logic—he inspired confidence. Yet the tension of the unknown kept her alert.
Arthur then approached Chiron, who remained by the door, silent.
"Chiron… can you leave us alone now? I need to explain some final details to Fiore before we start."
Chiron nodded respectfully.
"Very well. Make sure nothing goes astray. I entrust my Master's safety to you, Gilgamesh."
After saying this, Chiron stepped away. The room fell completely silent again, except for the crackling of the fireplace.
Arthur turned to Fiore, his gaze serious but gentle.
"Now that we're alone, you must follow my instructions precisely. I will guide you step by step, but there is something that must be done first… and it's uncomfortable, I know."
Fiore frowned.
"What…?"
Arthur leaned in, lowering his voice softly but firmly.
"For the energy to flow correctly and the process not to be interrupted, I need you to… remove your clothes."
Fiore froze. Her eyes widened, a light blush spreading across her cheeks.
"W-what?! You want me to… here? Now?!"
Arthur remained perfectly calm, as if it were the most natural procedure in the world.
"Yes, Fiore. It's part of the process. No ritual will work properly if there's any barrier that might prevent it."
Fiore took a deep breath, trying to organize her thoughts. Rationally, she understood why, but the shock of disrobing in front of Arthur still left her stunned. She swallowed hard, trying to accept the situation.
Arthur smiled gently, encouraging her with his eyes.
"Trust me. I'll be here the entire time, and the only thing that matters now is that we proceed safely."
---
"But…"
Fiore felt a wave of reluctance sweep through her body, even after Arthur's calm, rational explanation. It was natural. How could she simply accept undressing in front of a man, without hesitation, without shame? The weight of her strict upbringing, the fragility of her condition, and the shyness she had always carried made her tremble in that instant.
Yet, this hesitation lasted only a fleeting moment.
Because deep down, more than modesty, there was a desire that had burned inside her since childhood. A dream that had sustained her even in the darkest moments of her life: the desire to stand and walk on her own legs. The chance to heal her body and free herself from the invisible prison that had always bound her was something she could never reject.
She closed her eyes, breathed deeply, and whispered, as if making a definitive decision:
"I… I understand."
With trembling hands but firm determination, Fiore reached for the buttons of her shirt. Each movement was accompanied by the nearly imperceptible sound of fabric parting, as if the room itself were silently witnessing her commitment.
Arthur, noticing her resolution, immediately turned away, giving her privacy. His voice remained calm and direct:
"After removing your clothes, lie on the bed. Call me when you're ready."
Fiore responded with a small "Hmm!", a nasal, embarrassed sound she barely contained.
This almost childlike detail drew a brief, sincere laugh from Arthur. How cute, he thought, even knowing he shouldn't let himself be distracted.
Seconds passed. The rustle of clothing filled the silence, mixed with the soft tremor of Fiore's breathing. When she finally finished, her fragile voice, tinged with timidity, broke the air:
"I-I'm ready…"
Arthur nodded, still turned away.
"Then I'll turn around."
And he did. However, the moment his eyes fell on the scene, he stopped abruptly, bringing his hand to his forehead with a loud smack.
Damn… I forgot to tell her it was only the upper part of the clothes.
Before him, Fiore lay face down on the bed, her face buried in the pillow in pure embarrassment. Her delicate body, fully exposed, made the moment a feast for any man's eyes. But Arthur was no ordinary man. He could not, would not, and must not let the situation continue like this.
Quickly, he approached the bed, pulling the blanket to carefully cover her lower body, preserving at least a bit of dignity. His voice carried a mixture of regret and gentleness:
"Sorry, Fiore… I was so focused on the process and excited to start that I forgot to mention it was only the upper part of the clothing."
"Eh?!"
Her face lifted for a moment, cheeks burning bright red. The explanation only added to the heat in her chest, making the embarrassment even greater. She sighed, burying her face in the pillow again, as if wanting to disappear.
But little by little, she managed to calm herself. Cold reasoning began to dominate her burning heart. It was true. This was not whimsy or play. It was part of a serious ritual. He was here to heal her, to give her the chance to become a semi-servant—something that would not only change her life but bring immeasurable benefits to the Yggdmilenia family.
Slowly, Fiore lifted her gaze back to Arthur. Her eyes shone with shame, rimmed with a thin layer of tears, but her voice was firm, albeit hesitant:
"Please… don't worry about it. It's not your fault. I… I don't mind."
Arthur observed her silently. Were it not for the intense blush on her cheeks and the tears in her eyes, he might have fully believed her words. But that fragile courage, mixed with vulnerability, only made him sigh inwardly.
"Very well…" he said, returning to a serious posture.
"Let's begin."
Arthur concentrated, extending his hand and starting to manipulate his own holy graph—a feat that, in itself, would be considered impossible for any mage or servant.
And then came the inevitable question: how was he able to do such a thing?
The answer lay in an obscure trick, a loophole he had discovered purely by chance. Arthur had used one of the sacrifice cards to acquire this ability.
Theoretically, the Jewel of Space contained infinite energy, an endless sea of power. All he had to do was sacrifice a portion of this energy to gain the ability to manipulate his holy graph at will.
It had not been planned. It was, in fact, a lucky accident. While contemplating what to sacrifice, imagining possibilities and testing hypotheses, Arthur had activated a flaw—a small "error" in the sacrifice system of the card. And from this error arose the perfect opportunity. Now he possessed a power no one should have, yet it was in his hands.
With it, he could not only perform the ritual but also guide Fiore to the threshold between human and servant, without destroying her identity in the process.
Arthur took a deep breath as he immediately began the entire process.
---
(End of Chapter)
A/N: Admit it, you weren't expecting that.
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."