Super God: If I punch you, you will die

Lin Yan frankly expressed his troubles. Ruler tilted her head as if incredulous. She had heard "Black" Rider speak happily about the boy's future life in that walled city.

"He'll definitely go to the village, and then use that place as a base to continue his journey to the city. He'll meet all sorts of people, and as he gets healed or hurt, he'll keep moving forward, and then he'll probably fall in love with someone and grow old with them—_II Ah, how wonderful that would be!"

After hearing Ruler's words, he shook his head and denied such a future.

"Ah, indeed, if it's about 'freedom'—I should be able to do that too. But for some reason, I don't feel that desire at all."

"I'm so sorry, Rider," he said, looking dejected. Ruler replied in a comforting tone:

"After all, you've only just gained your freedom, and I doubt your mindset will be ready to adjust so easily... But perhaps you have some other wishes?"

“Other…wishes…”

The future Rier envisioned for herself was undoubtedly an alluring choice. However, she simply couldn't muster any interest. If that was the case, was there something else she wanted to do… perhaps she wanted to forge a different path in life?

"If you don't have any dreams yet, then experience freedom first, and then slowly look for your dreams. But if you already have a dream—then just try to be honest and say it out loud, that's what I think."

Dreams, his own dreams. What exactly are they? Lin Yan closed his eyes—reviewing his life. He escaped to survive, sought help, fled for survival but failed, and even fell into a state of near death, yet now he has awakened again and gained freedom.

Although his life was very short, he was blessed with good fortune many times. He was no different from other androids… yes, the other androids were now different from him. They would all inevitably die, while he would continue to live.

There's no way—it's easy to summarize with just that. That one sentence alone could easily separate you from them. But saying "there's no way" is absolutely unacceptable. In the past, even though the androids, your comrades, received orders to search, they ultimately let you go.

When I heard about this from Rider later, what was that feeling of joy? Wasn't it because I felt the bond between comrades that transcended the master's commands?

In that case——

My wish couldn't be clearer.

I have already gained my freedom. Therefore, I want everyone else to gain their freedom, just as Rider, Saber, and Archer granted them theirs.

"My wish, my wish, my dream... is to save. I must save my past self, who will die if things continue... and my comrades."

"Immersed in rotting liquid, one can only live in constant fear. Death, as a certainty of the future, is common to all things. But if even the process of reaching death is prescribed to be something one cannot do, then it is truly unreasonable and tragic."

“Just as I was saved by Rider, I want to save them too. That way, I feel I can face my conscience without guilt even if I reunite with Rider. I can proudly say that I helped everyone seeking freedom…”

"Please save me—that's what they prayed for, and I heard their voices. I can't pretend I didn't hear them or deliberately run away. I swear to this heart the hero entrusted to me, I will never do that..."

"I want to save them."

"Whom are we saving?"

"They are my companions, beings of the same kind as me. People who desperately want to beg for help but can't even utter a sound, and people who never even considered the possibility of being saved, living only to walk towards death."

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"You mean you want to save the androids in that fortress?"

In response to Ruler's question, Lin Yan nodded firmly.

"But... this isn't what Rider wants you to do, is it?"

Indeed, that Servant was simply praying for the android's happiness, hoping he could live a peaceful life without fighting.

“I understand that… but that kind of peaceful daily life, that kind of future… is not my dream.”

Rider was certainly grateful for her kindness. But even so, she still wanted to do it.

"Because I heard it, a desire to be saved from 'someone'. I simply couldn't live on ignoring that fact."

It felt like a chain to him. Having been blessed by fortune many times, the android deeply understood the joy of being rescued… He knew the feeling of someone holding his hand in help. It was a feeling that other androids probably would never experience in their entire lives.

A strange sense of guilt permeated his entire being. Though helpless, he yearned to "find a way to change the situation."

Upon hearing Lin Yan's words, Ruler couldn't help but gasp.

Although the recipients of his cries differed, he shared the same resolve. The girl responded to the Lord's sigh, while the boy sought to respond to his companions' cries for help. Though Ruler didn't hear their pleas, the boy probably did.

In that case——

"Is there no way to stop you?"

"Hmm? If it were you, I think there would be many ways to stop me."

"No, I mean myself. So, you're planning to go back to the stronghold now and persuade the androids to flee, is that right?"

"Although I have considered many approaches, this is basically the case."

What is your estimated success rate?

"If that's all there is to it, it's practically worthless. But I still can't choose to run away."

"Please do not launch any reckless attacks. That would be no different from trampling on Rider's good intentions."

Of course, that's what he thought too. However... Lin Yan couldn't come up with any feasible strategy right now.

"I have a question for you, the arbiter of the Holy Grail War. The 'Black' faction uses homunculus beings like us as a source of magical energy. Could this be considered a foul in this Holy Grail War?"

Ruler's expression darkened slightly. Yes, his goal was to rescue the androids. But the obstacles ahead were countless. And the biggest problem, perhaps, was that even when strictly adhering to the rules, it was difficult to determine whether his actions constituted a violation.

"Right now, I can only conclude that the homunculus participates in the Holy Grail War based on their own will. At least that's what one homunculus answered me when I asked her a question."

Because it is their master's command, they must go to the battlefield. Even among non-androids, this behavior can be seen in many humans. Moreover, Servants participate in battle in this manner.

"Our will is very weak; we are merely beings who obey orders."

"However, you are now acting based on your own will."

"That's right..."

"If they are participating in the Holy Grail War of their own free will, then this is not my place to interfere. Will asking the Homunculi to confirm their willingness to participate even yield an answer?"

Lin Yan was speechless for a moment. Whether questioning would yield a satisfactory answer was indeed hard to say. From the day they were born, they were burdened with the obligation to obey orders; that was their entire world. The will to resist was practically nonexistent.

"However, this is indeed a situation that cannot be ignored. In principle, the supply of magic must be conducted between the Servant and the Master, and to openly disregard this rule on such a large scale... might cause some problems. But even if I order them to correct it, they are not obligated to follow my advice."

"Since they are the adjudicators, they should have this authority, right?"

"While it is true... the number of times is limited. To be more specific, I have been given the authority to execute commands twice for each Servant."

"That is……"

Seeing Lin Yan's surprised expression, Ruler nodded. That's right, this is the greatest privilege granted to Ruler: the absolute command execution authority—also known as "Command Seals"—that each Master possesses up to three times over for their Servant.

"However, I cannot use Command Seals as an adjudicator except in special emergency situations... No, of course, this is just a self-imposed constraint."

To put it extremely, by using Command Seals, one can even precisely control who obtains the Holy Grail. This is because all it takes is giving the Servant who doesn't want the Grail a command to commit suicide.

But precisely because of this, one must define the rules for one's own actions. Otherwise, one would no longer be a Ruler, but a dictator.

Seeing Lin Yan with his head bowed in dejection, Ruler felt a tightness in his chest. Indeed, as he said, demanding "will" from an android was quite difficult.

"I have another question. If you were to ask them, do you think the androids would tell you their true feelings? Would they reveal a side of themselves that they cannot show to the rulers?"

"This one……"

The boy began to ponder. If he were facing someone of the same kind, the androids might confide in him about their predicaments. In that case, Ruler might have some room to maneuver. At least he could allow the androids seeking help and choosing to withdraw from the war to escape from the stronghold.

"If it can save my partner, I'm willing to give it a try."

"Is that so... In that case..."

Frankly, this was almost an act that crossed the line of Ruler's jurisdiction. He had gone a bit too far in favoring this android.

But... even if I said I was unwilling to help him now, he probably wouldn't give up.

With the "Black" Rider present, he will undoubtedly cause chaos within the "Black" faction. The fact that the "Red" faction is already causing some confusion, and this further disruption is something they cannot tolerate.

A soft cough—she straightened her back, consciously declaring with a resolute attitude:

"There's no other way. This is an unavoidable situation. From now on, I will manage your actions. Don't worry, I will respect your will to the greatest extent possible. However, please be sure to avoid making any ill-considered or reckless actions, understand?"

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"Oh……"

"This situation isn't something you can resolve by yourself alone, is it?"

"That's true... but..."

“More importantly! If you go back to the stronghold alone now, who knows what ‘Black’ Rider… Estorf might do. That’s what I’m most worried about…”

Ruler muttered to himself with deep concern.

"That's true."

After all, he was a heroic spirit who had thrown rationality to the winds, and might very well cause a huge disturbance in the stronghold for the sake of androids.

"So, please do follow my arrangements. Is it settled then? Let's do it this way, okay?"

Overwhelmed by Ruler's increasingly aggressive demeanor, the boy hurriedly nodded and said:

"I...I understand...Then I'll do as you say."

Ruler was about to extend his glove-off hand when he suddenly remembered that he hadn't yet asked for his name.

"Sorry, your name is One."

"Just call me 'Lin Yan'. Of course, that's not my name, it's his name."

The boy, seemingly a little proud, placed his hand on his chest and said.

"Without him, I wouldn't have survived. Considering that, this name seems more appropriate... That's what I think, what do you think?"

"I understand, so his name will be Siegfried."

"No, that's not it. Just 'Lin Yan' is enough. That hero's name is too heavy for me. I could never live like him."

I could never bring myself to give up my life without hesitation.

He said this in a voice tinged with resentment.

"Of course. You're only just starting out in a position where you can do something for others, not like him who has accomplished great feats."

Forcing a boy with limitless potential to sacrifice his life is an act of utter arrogance. Even if he appears as a mature adult capable of discerning right from wrong, he is still incredibly young.

"Is that so... Hmm, I understand."

Lin Yan nodded frankly. What a good kid—Ruler thought with a smile. Then, she extended her hand again, and Lin Yan nervously squeezed her hand back.

“Then, let’s go back to the stronghold right away… If we encounter Rider, find a suitable excuse to avoid conflict as much as possible.”

"Understood, then let's set off now."

"Well, let's go!"

After saying that, Ruler turned around and walked back towards the village at the foot of the mountain. However, after taking two or three steps, her knees began to buckle.

"What, what's wrong?"

Facing Lin Yan, who rushed to his side in a panic, Ruler spoke with a deeply apologetic expression:

"Um... I'm really sorry, let's go to the village at the foot of the mountain first."

"Why?"

To this question, a more persuasive voice rang out: the sound of a stomach rumbling, or as the saying goes, "the worms in your stomach are gurgling."

"I said, you are not... "

"Excuse me, could you please carry me on your back? I'm so hungry I can't walk another step..."

Just as he had expected, he was completely exhausted. Looking back, he realized he hadn't eaten anything since dinner until dawn, and had been running around everywhere, exploring with holy water, without a chance to rest. Not long ago, he had even nearly lost consciousness.

While this poses no problem for Servants, it requires an enormous amount of energy for humans. While it's possible to move around if one consumes a large amount of magic, one is forced to constantly endure this desperate feeling of hunger.

"The future is truly uncertain."

Ruler had absolutely no way to refute this.

What happened to Lancer?

"The King is not in spirit form; he is currently sitting on his throne, deep in thought. It seems he has some ideas that arose during his meeting with Ruler."

In a room in the fortress, Danic, the head of the Yggdrasilian tribe, was discussing future strategies with Archer face to face.

"I never expected Saber to be eliminated so quickly..."

Danic's expression was rather gloomy. This was understandable. Saber, hailed as the best class among the seven Servants, was originally meant to be a trump card held until the very end. While they possessed classes like Caster and Assassin, skilled in manipulation, or Rider, capable of overwhelming opponents with a plethora of Noble Phantasms—it wasn't that Saber had any particularly outstanding advantages—unlike them, who suffered from synergy issues, Saber possessed an all-around fighting power against any type of enemy.

Moreover, their "Black" Saber is Siegfried, the great hero of the Netherlands. Aside from the "Red" Rider, she should have the upper hand in battle against any Servant.

"There's no point in regretting the past. The 'Red' team will realize Saber's elimination sooner or later, and when that happens, there's a high probability that they'll adopt a strategy of launching a full-scale attack."