Emiya had to spend a good deal of time explaining to old Tang the difference between shinjitsu no eirei (True Heroic Spirits) — beings whose power can rival even a Grand-class, comparable to a chief god — and kyogi no eirei (False Heroic Spirits), which felt weaker than even shadow Servants, as well as the basics of the Holy Grail War.
Old Tang, having been talked into it by Emiya, listened half-asleep, scratching the back of his head, feeling like all this magical knowledge was about to make him pass out.
"Hey, hey, we're getting off topic. Aren't we supposed to be talking about something important tonight?"
Old Tang quickly changed the subject. He'd pulled Emiya out to drink, and all this serious academic talk had killed the mood.
"We're not off topic. Actually, what I wanted to talk about is NoNo…"
Emiya paused as he saw Old Tang raising his glass again to pour another round, and quickly stopped him. "Wait, take it easy. How many bottles has it been already? Old Tang, you can drink like a fish, but I can't keep up."
"Hey, if you can't keep up, just sip slowly. Nobody's telling you to chug."
Old Tang swirled his wine glass with a smirk, proud of the drinking reputation he'd earned in Xiangyang, even though he'd never been much for serious business. Still, he'd somehow developed an impressive tolerance.
He downed another mouthful and set his glass down with a sigh. "So you're thinking about how to handle that girl NoNo, huh? I can tell she's not the type to sit still."
"…How could you tell? You've never even spoken to her." Emiya looked at him suspiciously.
Old Tang raised a brow smugly. "That's where you're wrong. I've seen a lot on the streets of Xiangyang. Call it my 'woman-sensing instinct.'"
"…The streets of Xiangyang? I think you mean the massage parlors."
"That's not the point," Old Tang said, waving it off. Then he leaned back and added more seriously, "Honestly, everything's arranged, but you still haven't decided where to go? You've got a bit of choice paralysis, huh."
Emiya was about to ask if Old Tang had any ideas, though considering Old Tang wasn't even from this country, he doubted it —
But to his surprise, Old Tang snapped his fingers and grinned. "Actually, I do. These past few days, I made plans to meet up with a buddy I know online. I was gonna head over to his city anyway, so if you're still undecided, why not tag along?"
"Your online buddy? What kind of buddy?" Emiya didn't really worry about scams or danger — after all, nothing could really threaten Old Tang anymore.
"Oh, I told you before, didn't I? The guy from the Starcraft server, 'Mingming!' We've even seen his profile pic — the one with the big bear head avatar!"
"…Seeing his avatar counts as having met him?"
"Well, it's not like we're dating. He's just a dude. Why would I care what he looks like?"
Old Tang dismissed Emiya's concern with a shrug. "I challenged him to an in-person showdown in a net café! Winner takes bragging rights!"
"…You two can't just play online like always?" Emiya asked.
"Not the same, brother! A proper net café showdown, surrounded by the atmosphere, is what makes it glorious. That's how you become a legend in the e-sports world!"
Emiya sighed as he cleaned up the table. This drinking session was done for. He muttered as he stood, "I respect your need to show off, Old Tang."
"…And?"
"And you're forgetting something: what if you lose to this 'Mingming?'"
"That's impossible!" Old Tang barked indignantly. "No way he beats me. Everyone on the server knows he's good, but he's never beaten me once."
Emiya smirked. That sounded familiar. The last time Old Tang had said "impossible" was when he'd sworn he wouldn't get lost on a mission…
——
The next morning, NoNo received word that they were leaving. The news came so suddenly she froze.
She quietly packed her black suitcase. The clothes had already been folded and prepared days ago — she'd been planning to escape the moment she'd figured out a route. Now, it turned out she didn't have to run.
On the bed lay a tattered white dress — the one she'd worn the night the Chen family fell, still bearing a dark red stain at the chest. She kept it, a reminder of the darkness she'd endured.
She glanced at her reflection in the mirror. That scar on her chest — or rather, the blackened mark left behind — looked just about the size of Odin's spear wound.
Could he still be alive?
The thought chilled her. If Odin hadn't truly died, then it all made sense…
She clenched her teeth. Then a warm hand rested on her head.
"Don't worry," Emiya said with a gentle smile. "If he shows up again, I'll just kill him again."
NoNo felt herself relax a little under his warmth, but then moved his hand aside. "No… next time, I want to do it myself. So teach me. Teach me magic."
——
The day of departure arrived.
Officially it was just an 'external mission,' and Emiya and Old Tang even retained their official positions in the Zhou family. Old Tang was overjoyed at what he called a 'paid vacation.'
Even NoNo, after Emiya explained things to her thoroughly, finally let go of her suspicions and thanked Wa-jou sincerely before they left, establishing a tentative friendly relationship.
(End of Chapter)
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