Chapter 147 What Mor-chan want
"Roar!!" The magic dragon, its face twisted from the impact, absorbed the earth's nutrients. Its wounds, quickly repaired by the writhing black mud, healed fast. Furious, it spread its black wings, kicking up a storm from the ground, and soared into the sky in pursuit.
"Shirou, strengthen yourself! Grit your teeth!"
Artoria twisted the throttle sharply. The three of them rode the black motorcycle like it was running wild across the wasteland. The ride was bumpy; the headlights flashed white at times, and at other times flickered red.
Under the amplification of magical energy, their speed kept rising past the tachometer's red line, already surpassing 300 kilometers per hour.
The wind screamed past their ears. Earlier, it seemed as if they had even broken the sound barrier. The surrounding scenery became a blur of streaks. The motorcycle's turbocharged engine roared, the exhaust thundered—this sounded less like a machine and more like a wild beast bellowing.
After summer's special training, the girl had mastered exquisite driving techniques, controlling this steel beast with precision.
At this moment, the enraged dragon realized it had caught up to the motorcycle. Gathering magical energy in its mouth, it spewed black breath at the three fleeing riders.
Artoria, driving the black motorcycle, dashed forward at top speed. She tossed her holy sword and handgun high into the air, fusing them into an anti-materiel sniper rifle that glowed red, flying in tandem with the motorcycle as if it were a remote-controlled model plane.
Artoria released the throttle and stood atop the motorcycle. The modified large black bike glowed red, continuing its rush forward even without direct control from its rider.
In an instant, the blonde girl leapt forward, catching the black sniper rifle midair, spinning to face Vortigern's face.
"Unyielding Flame of the Sword of Victory—Sequence Morgan!!!" She activated the human-use Noble Phantasm, and the muzzle erupted with a dazzling beam, concentrated into a long line of light.
The dragon, weakened, could not resist the radiant power of the star-infused Noble Phantasm. Pierced by the beam, Vortigern's head was struck in midair, and it was thrown backward.
"Hmph, fallen, vile king." The blonde girl landed, resuming her seat on the black motorcycle.
"We've exited the outer world!" Artoria shouted.
"..." Shirou kept his mouth shut, the raging wind making speech impossible.
"Yaaah! Awesome! So cool! Father!" Mor-chan, excited, raised her right hand and pumped her fist in the air repeatedly.
Artoria drove the motorcycle over a small slope, leaping high, riding up a hill, and roared through the portal to the alternate space.
The motorcycle passed through the portal, landing on a grassy hill. Its tires carved long streaks across the grass, scattering it into the air before finally coming to a stop.
"We're safe! Thank you, Artoria." Shirou stepped off the bike, expressing his gratitude.
"Shirou… you're going to say something other than that, right?" Artoria also got off, walking up to the boy, her eyes fixed on him.
It had been a long time since someone had stared at him like this. But Shirou understood her intent.
Lowering his head, he said, "Uh… sorry."
"That was way too reckless! Even with the protection of my sheath, your body is human. If you had been hit like that, you could have died before recovering!" Artoria scolded.
"Exactly! If it weren't for King Arthur, Shirou, you'd have been split in two! You could've just left me out of it! I'm a Servant, you know! Even if I got hit, it wouldn't have been a problem!" Mor-chan remembered the scene and shouted at Shirou angrily.
"No, when we made the contract, we swore to protect each other," Shirou said matter-of-factly.
Hearing this, Mor-chan was momentarily stunned, then scolded him: "Ugh… are you an idiot? Didn't you think about who would risk themselves to save you in that situation?"
"Well, I've had some experience with taking hits. And even as a Servant, she's still a girl. That kind of strike would hurt. If she had been killed, we wouldn't have met again," Shirou explained, glancing at the girl.
Understanding Mor-chan's admiration for Artoria, he wanted to help resolve their misunderstanding. Thankfully, she was fine.
Mor-chan's face flushed red as she continued scolding him: "Shirou, you idiot! Fool! …"
"Hey, why am I getting scolded like this by you, Mor-chan?" Shirou asked.
"Who cares!" she shouted, stepping forward and raising her fist at him.
"Wait, calm down, calm down." Shirou quickly held up his hand, blocking the incoming punch.
"Shirou… um… thank you…" Mor-chan finally calmed down, lowering her head and speaking softly.
"…" Artoria looked silently at the two of them.
Sensing Artoria's gaze, Mor-chan added: "Ah! Of course, I also appreciate Father."
"No, it's fine, Mordred," Artoria said coldly.
"By the way, Artoria, how did you get here?" Shirou asked.
"Even with the Holy Grail, coming to this world requires finding the right channel. So Da Vinci helped me find a suitable summoner," Artoria explained.
"Feel free to praise my genius a bit more too," Da Vinci said, puffing out her chest with a smile.
Da Vinci, one of the last three great figures of the Renaissance, was one of history's rare polymaths—painting, astronomy, physics, mathematics, anatomy, weapons design, architecture…
Later studies of Da Vinci found that her strength came from unending curiosity, superior observational skills, and the ability to analyze recorded data. She designed machine guns, parachutes, diving equipment, and even took interest in woodpecker tongues.
Chaldea's data devices gave her even greater advantage. Given enough time, she could analyze data from every world Chaldea experienced, gaining knowledge beyond ordinary comprehension, applying it in Chaldea's operations.
She bridged art and science, reality and fantasy. Observing swirling water, she would wonder about the principles, sketch it artistically, and create numerical formulas for the rotation.
By the fifteenth century, she had already drafted flying machines modeled on birds—helicopter and glider prototypes—centuries before humans actually developed flyable aircraft in the 20th century.
She analyzed the Black Mud Servant's arrival data. After experiencing Li Shuwen's small world, she finally found a method suitable for Chaldea.
In an unfamiliar world, it's nearly impossible for a Servant to descend directly through a summoning circle. But miraculously, some humans in this world have connections with these Servants. Even if ordinary people lack legendary abilities, in terms of belief and dreams, they can possess similar qualities.
Those who want to save the world, maintain peace, and make others happy; those driven by love, tragedy, hatred, or ambition; those seeking or wishing to give maternal love—all are connected by the FGO system to the Servants.
One girl in this school had such a connection. When Rita Ainsworth (Mashiro's England Roommate- Sakurasou) pressed the FGO summon, Artoria immediately responded, arriving in this world and forming a new flesh-based body via the Holy Grail as a corporeal Servant.
Listening to Artoria and Da Vinci talk, Shirou couldn't help but yawn, looking very sleepy.
"Shirou, are you okay? You look exhausted," Artoria asked with concern.
"Ah… sorry, I suddenly feel really sleepy," Shirou said, rubbing his eyes.
"The battle with Vortigern was too draining. Shirou, you should rest early today," Artoria said.
"Seems Shirou is very tired. Let me take you somewhere to rest," she added.
"Thanks," Shirou admitted, feeling every muscle sore, like during his initial summer training with Artoria.
Artoria rode the motorcycle, carrying Shirou and Mor-chan to her residence.
Passing the Bristol branch, she drove directly into the campus, heading to a Western-style mansion with multiple blue triangular roofs and chimneys.
"Wait! Artoria, why here? Isn't this the dormitory of the Bristol branch?" Shirou asked in surprise.
"This is the dorm I manage. I'm the head maid here." Artoria parked the motorcycle, changed her outfit, donning a black maid uniform with a white lace headband.
"Hmm… I don't fully understand, but this outfit suits you," Shirou complimented.
"Hmph, naturally. Come in," Artoria replied, walking ahead. From a certain angle, a slight curve appeared at the corner of her mouth.
In truth, Artoria Alter, after leaving Shinjuku, had been to other worlds and adventures. On a summer island, she awakened a new desire—not just to be cared for, but to work together with someone important to live happily.
Beyond being a king sitting at the table, she wanted to do chores and cook with the important person, receiving praise for her skills. So she remodeled her spirit origin, deciding to become a maid, re-evaluating herself from a service perspective—though not intending to serve anyone in particular.
She pledged to help her previous Master by taking care of a friend, a girl named Mashiro Shiina, who resembled Guinevere in temperament. She approached the principal to work there, caring for this girl. The principal, impressed by her royal demeanor, agreed.
Displaying kingly leadership, Artoria commanded respect, serving as head maid, security captain, and dorm supervisor. She led her team of maids, laboring daily as honorable Round Table maids.
Now, controlling all dormitory keys, Artoria opened the back door, planning to discreetly arrange a stay for one or two guests.
"This is an extra room, Shirou, you can rest here tonight." Artoria unlocked a corner room, taking bedding from the cupboard and preparing the bed.
"Oh…" Shirou, drowsy, followed without much thought. Entering the dorm and seeing the colorful underwear hanging outside, he realized the situation, but it was too late to leave.
"Father in a maid outfit, so majestic, beautiful, cute, and cool…" Mor-chan whispered, captivated by Artoria bustling about.
The three of them were silent for a while.
Mor-chan squinted at Shirou, signaling him to say something. If they were with Father and didn't speak, it would be a waste.
Understanding her hint—to resolve misunderstandings and repair relationships—Shirou asked the question on her behalf:
"Artoria, if there is a tyrant like the Vile King, does that mean Mordred can't really become a king?"
"Do you think a triceratops can work in a field? It doesn't fit performance-wise. Don't waste energy on such a trivial question! Rest well, Shirou," Artoria said coldly.
Mordred, sitting cross-legged, stole a glance at Artoria. She thought, "Ugh… she didn't need to be so resolute, but… Father in a maid outfit really is beautiful and cool! I want one too…"
She squeezed her eyes at Shirou, gesturing toward Artoria.
"Eh… Artoria? …Want it?" Shirou guessed her meaning from her expression and asked silently with lip movements.
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