Super God: If I punch you, you will die

0121 Eliminated [Please Subscribe]

"I heard that 'Black' Saber is out of the game."

"Ah, that's right."

However, this is impossible. Whether it's Saber or the others, all fourteen Servants are alive and well, and it's intuitive to know that "they are all still alive." Ruler knows very well that he is still in the mortal realm.

"I'm very sorry, could you please explain in more detail?"

"Yeah, I'm really bored right now."

Rider laughed as he recounted stories about Saber. It sounded far removed from a heroic tale; it was more like a saintly tale. Then, the nameless boy rescued by that hero seemed to have embarked on his own journey in search of freedom.

"Anyway, that's why I'm all alone in this cell. No, even though there's 'Red' Berserker next to me, that guy's impossible to communicate with... Are you alright??"

Upon hearing "Black" Rider's call, a response came from the next cell.

"I have absolutely no intention of bowing to the lackeys of power. Nevertheless, I will still answer your question. I am of course very kind, but it would be best if you could help me remove these restraints..."

"Then let's wait until next time."

Despite the shocking turn of events, Ruler quickly came to understand it.

“Saber did indeed disappear. But did he give his ‘heart’ to that android?”

It wasn't a sword or armor woven with magic, or something like hair; it was a heart, as vital to humans as the brain. Even for Servants, the heart and brain contain a spiritual core. To personally carve it out and give it to someone else is completely unprecedented.

Moreover, the one who gave his heart to another was "Black" Saber... that is, Siegfried, the immortal hero who obtained a body close to that of a dragon by bathing in dragon blood. It wouldn't be surprising if it had some effect on the android's body.

"Yeah, that's where we parted ways, and then he headed straight towards the mountain path. I saw a village there when we were trying out horseback riding, so he's probably there now?"

"I see, I understand now. Thank you."

After hearing Ruler's thanks, "Black" Rider asked with a complicated expression:

Are you going to see him?

"Yes, if things are as you say, then the only one exuding the aura of a Servant could be him."

"Regarding this, I still hope you won't drag him into this war."

Rider, who had previously displayed an optimistic smile, now suddenly stared at Ruler with a look that held a hint of hostility and unwavering determination. This subtly revealed the strong resolve he harbored regarding this matter.

“I understand how you feel. If you’re right, then he’s purely a victim. As long as he doesn’t want it, I won’t interfere too much with his actions.”

Rider breathed a sigh of relief, and his hostility vanished instantly.

"I'm relieved to hear you say that. Yes, as long as he can live well, all the suffering I've endured is worth it."

After hearing Rider's words, Ruler raised a question he couldn't understand:

"Rider, why did Saber save that homunculus? If you were in Saber's shoes, I could understand, after all, you are Estolfo, one of Charlemagne's twelve warriors..."

If it were Esther, a staunch knight-errant and a thoroughly kind-hearted person, such actions would be understandable. However, "Black" Saber is Siegfried. He is a member of the royal family, a prince of the Netherlands. While such acts of helping the weak and oppressed are certainly in line with the conduct of a Heroic Spirit, there should be limits. As a Servant summoned to the Holy Grail War, he should also harbor his own desires regarding the Grail. At the very least, he shouldn't sacrifice his life simply to save someone who isn't even his Master.

For a Servant, participating in the Holy Grail War means starting a second life; it's practically a one-in-a-million miracle. Yet, he so easily—for a homunculus—gave up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, which is truly extraordinary.

"Even if you're a Servant, you don't necessarily have to repeat the same things you did in your previous life. On the contrary, many people try to do different things to erase the regrets of their previous life... Of course, most people who do this end up failing."

Heroes are heroes because of what they did in their lifetime; no one expects them to do what they couldn't do in their lifetime.

"Anyway, thank you in advance. I wish you victory in this war."

"Huh? Will you help me?"

Upon hearing this, Ruler chuckled and shook his head.

"I won't, because I will only wish all participants to be winners."

"Hey, hey, this won't do, Ruler. There can only be one winner—shouldn't that be the principle of the Holy Grail War?"

"That's true—but I still wish everyone can be a winner."

After saying this, Ruler quietly walked out of the underground dungeon. Left behind in the cell, "Black" Rider suddenly recalled the scene of Saber's death.

Can the man who unhesitatingly sacrificed his own life to save the androids, with a satisfied smile on his face, truly be considered a "victor"?

Hopefully—no, it has to be this way no matter what. That's what Rider really thought.

On the way back, the guide wasn't Danic, but a servant of an android. The android, walking silently with the correct stride, still gave off the impression of a puppet.

"I have something I'd like to ask you, is that alright?"

Upon hearing Ruler's question, the android neither stopped nor nodded, but directly replied:

"No problem, please go ahead."

"Did you androids participate in this Holy Grail War voluntarily?"

"Of course, because that's my own intention."

That was a flat and unambiguous answer. "Is that so?" Ruler replied. "At least it doesn't violate the rules of the Holy Grail War. They and the puppets all possess the will to obey their masters. Even created beings—still have wills."

Since that's the case, we must respect their will.

"That's enough, thank you."

Upon reaching the city gate, Ruler politely thanked the other person. The homunculus, who had been gazing at her with clear eyes, also bowed deeply. Then, just as Ruler was about to turn and leave, accompanied by a slightly hesitant cough, the homunculus spoke:

"Will he be punished in some way?"

Ruler, turning back, couldn't help but feel puzzled by this unexpected question.

0122 I want to survive [Please subscribe]

"Who are you referring to as 'him'?"

"He—it is 'him'. The homunculus who caused my master's Servant—Saber's death."

There was no wavering or emotion in his eyes... That was what I initially thought, but when Ruler observed him more closely, he noticed a hint of worry for "him" in his eyes.

"No, as far as I know, it was actually just that Saber fulfilled his wish to live. Having the wish to live is by no means a sin."

She wasn't making this judgment from Ruler's perspective, but from the perspective of an individual. No matter how wicked a person is, the desire to live is not inherently a sin. Of course, this is completely different from the sin of continuing to commit evil deeds.

"Thank you."

Her expression relaxed slightly. Ah, so they really are "alive" after all—Ruler remarked. Their fate was essentially sealed. As lives created temporarily, their lifespan was far too short.

However, being a Ruler, she is powerless to change anything. She has no right to extend a helping hand to those in need.

After regaining his composure, Ruler headed toward the mountain that Rider had mentioned.

Despite what I just said to "Black" Lancer, the ominous premonition I had earlier still lingered. In the Holy Grail War, Servant suicide is not uncommon. While the circumstances vary, for the Berserker class, many times it's due to a lack of magical energy. There are also Servants who, by using powerful Noble Phantasms, destroy their Masters along with them.

Although these are relatively rare examples, there are Servants who commit suicide for their Masters, as well as kind-hearted Servants who use their Noble Phantasms to protect innocent civilians.

But the situation is a little different now. Because he dug out his own heart, and because there was no such legend surrounding him in his lifetime—it's not just these factors that make the difference, but there's some fundamental difference. If that's the case, then the number of Servants should be thirteen, right?

But why are there still fourteen riders? Why do I still believe that "Black" Saber is "alive"? Something's definitely off about this Holy Grail War; it feels like something's gone wrong. Could part of the reason be that homunculus?

No, this is just speculation; the actual situation is still unknown. Precisely because we don't know, we must catch up with him first and then find out more details.

"I heard they were heading in the direction of this mountain..."

Under the cover of night, the forest, protected by a barrier, was eerily silent. The android didn't exude the aura of a Servant. This meant he had to find "someone" who was currently traversing this forest.

But... isn't this quite a difficult thing? Ruler began to think this way. After all, that homunculus was fleeing from the Yggdrasilian race's pursuit, and it was probably particularly sensitive to the aura of mages and Servants.

Even if you try to shout for him to come out, he won't appear. Instead, he'll likely run further and further away out of fear.

"Forget it," the thought flashed through my mind. That android had fled precisely because he didn't want to get involved in this war. In his eyes, I was probably just a demon who would drag him back into the nightmare of war.

but--

She suppressed her magic power, keeping it at a level just enough to resist the barrier's effects. This way, her presence as a Servant should not be detected, allowing her to approach the other party within eye level.

However, in this state, one's physical functions are no different from those of an ordinary person. Despite the moonlight, relying on this dim light to walk along mountain paths is naturally an extremely physically demanding activity.

As the girl tried to catch up with him, she climbed the mountain path, trying to calm her rapid breathing.

Although she felt a little dizzy, she no longer had the energy to care.

Even taking just one step forward requires a great deal of physical exertion. She just needs to endure a little longer—that's how she convinces herself.

Why must I suffer like this? It's because I really want to see him, to see the homunculus who received help from "Black" Rider, and for whom even "Black" Saber would not hesitate to give up her life.

Is that all? Yes, that's supposed to be all. So, what exactly is this urgent sense of mission?

No, it's best not to think about that. Let's just consider the desire to meet him as my own will for now.

Despite this, my body began to gradually slip out of my mental control.

Perhaps because she was in a human body, she had long since exceeded her limits. She was now almost entirely relying on Ruler's strength to walk. Faced with this urgent situation, she barely managed to suppress her anxiety. After all, they were walking on a mountain path at night; she absolutely could not let her guard down.

She resisted the temptation to rest and kept walking—as she emerged from the other side of the forest and was nearing the summit, she finally spotted a figure standing there blankly.

"what……"

She felt a sudden sense of relief… however, this reaction seemed to be a fatal mistake. Her vision went completely dark, and the whole world began to shake.

No, I must—I must continue to endure.

"Wait a moment!"

Ruler instinctively yelled at him. "Oh no!" the thought flashed through his mind. He had endured so much suffering so as not to startle him, and yet he had yelled at the last minute.

She was completely exhausted. Before she could do anything, her consciousness was about to fade. She instinctively leaned against a nearby tree and squatted down.

He was completely immobilized. While he wasn't going to die, he was utterly unable to move in his current state. He needed to put his body to sleep and rest. But—the sound he'd just made would probably lead the android to believe he was being followed. If he didn't continue the pursuit, he probably wouldn't have a second chance to see him.

This might be a fatal failure. As Ruler regretted his actions, he heard the faint sound of footsteps on the grass.

With a glimmer of hope, she looked up—her mind clearing slightly. There she saw a slender, handsome young man tentatively reaching out his hand to her.

0123 Finally met you! [Please subscribe]

She reflexively grabbed the other person's hand, and said as if feeling incredibly reassured:

"Great... I'm so glad to finally see you!"

And so, the two met.

A girl who is a Servant but does not possess a Master, and who silently dedicates herself to this Holy Grail War; a boy who is neither human nor Servant, and perhaps not even a homunculus—both are outcasts in the ritual of the Holy Grail War.

"Ah, well, umm, I'm not an enemy."

Hearing the girl's apologetic words, the boy responded with an innocent nod.

"Although it was just a gut feeling, I still knew it."

The girl stood up unsteadily, straightened her posture, and told the boy her name.

“I am Jeanne d'Arc, summoned in this Holy Grail War as the Ruler. I have some questions I would like to ask you, a former homunculus from the city of Melenia. Do you mind?”

"Ah, no problem."

"As a Ruler, I possess the ability to sense whether any of the Servants participating in this Holy Grail War have been eliminated. My current understanding is that all Servants are still alive. However..."

"No, that's not right. 'Black' Saber was already eliminated."

“Rider said the same thing, that Saber is out. But that’s impossible. From what I feel, all fourteen Servants are still alive and well, without any changes. At the same time, I also sensed the presence of a Servant from you. But now that I’m face to face with you, I understand that you are definitely not a Servant.”

Ruler removed his gloves and gently placed his hand on his chest. Ignoring the confused look on his face, Ruler was checking his heartbeat.

"I can feel a strong heartbeat. It seems to be functioning just like a normal heart. That's great, it means he didn't choose death meaninglessly."

She finally let out a sigh of relief. Then, as if only then realizing the situation, she hurriedly withdrew her hand and apologized profusely:

"I'm so sorry, I just accidentally..."

"No, I don't mind... Am I—is there a problem?"

Faced with the slightly uneasy question from the boy, Ruler immediately shook his head and said, "No problem." Frankly, his function as the "heart" was almost unbelievably normal. Aside from possessing magic circuits and being able to use magic, he was no different from an ordinary human.

"As 'Black' Rider said, you are free."

Upon hearing this, the android's expression darkened. Seeing his reaction, Ruler, deeply surprised, immediately asked:

"What's wrong with you?"

"No, of course I understand what the word 'freedom' means. But... I really don't know what to do."