"My King, what matter requires our presence?"
After entering Gilgamesh's palace, Castorice offered a slight bow as she spoke.
She held considerable respect for this Sage King version of Gilgamesh. After all, had he not distributed his power among the people, Uruk would have fallen long ago.
This Wise King Gil was far more agreeable than the Tyrant King from back in the day.
"Hmph. Thanks are due to you for yesterday's affair. Were it not for your actions, Leonidas and Ushiwakamaru would likely not have returned. You have my gratitude, Castorice."
Gilgamesh looked at Castorice and gave her a slight nod.
"I only did what was right. They are my friends, after all."
Castorice replied softly. Since they were her friends, she couldn't just stand by and watch them die.
Now that she thought about it, they were fortunate that Gorgon hadn't been fighting seriously yesterday.
The Mystic Eyes she used were instantaneous, not charged—if they had been, the situation would have become far more troublesome.
Still, much of the credit went to Ushiwakamaru. Had she not kept the enemy occupied, Gorgon's combat effectiveness would have been significantly greater.
"Be that as it may, your contributions to Uruk shall not be overlooked by this king. A reward is what you rightly deserve. Accept it with gladness."
Gilgamesh waved his hand grandly, then settled into his chair as if waiting for something.
Castorice was curious.
What exactly was this reward he spoke of? Why was nothing happening?
Then, the sound of geta footsteps echoed from behind her.
"My King, for what purpose have you summoned me?"
Ushiwakamaru approached from behind. After exchanging a nod and a glance with Castorice, she knelt on one knee, performing the salute of a vassal.
"Ushiwakamaru, from this day forward, our contract is concluded. From now on, you must seek your own source of magical energy. This king will no longer supply your needs. Furthermore, you are relieved of your duty to guard the Northern Wall. Go and do as you wish."
With another grand wave, Gilgamesh unilaterally severed his contract with Ushiwakamaru.
He left Ushiwakamaru looking utterly lost.
"...My King, have I offended you in some way, that you would cast me aside like this?"
Hearing that she was now free to pursue her own desires brought Ushiwakamaru not joy, but profound distress.
For a warrior, to be abandoned by one's lord was a deep disgrace.
It meant she had failed in her duties.
"No, it is quite the opposite. You have performed too well, exceeding my expectations. Long ago, through my Clairvoyance, I foresaw your end."
"The reason I forbade you from entering the city was that very vision. In my eyes, you were to be defeated by Gorgon's Mystic Eyes and ultimately fall. Yet, with Castorice's aid, you survived."
Gilgamesh shook his head and explained the matter plainly.
The order forbidding Ushiwakamaru from entering Nippur was issued because he had seen her fate with his own eyes.
"This king's Clairvoyance is rarely mistaken."
"However, since you have defied that predetermined end, I shall no longer bind you. You are free. Of course, should you fail to find a Master within a day, you will dissipate from lack of magical energy. So go, find yourself a Master!"
As he spoke, Gilgamesh suddenly burst into laughter.
But in this era, aside from Gilgamesh himself, who else could serve as a Master? The Master from Chaldea had yet to arrive, after all.
Had they gotten lost? The battle was nearly over, and still no sign of Chaldea's Master.
"Well now, isn't this fortunate? There happens to be someone present who possesses the qualifications of a Master."
Merlin, who had been standing to the side, spoke with a smile, pointing towards Castorice.
Castorice possessed Magic Circuits. Whether it was due to some systemic alteration after arriving in this world or another reason, she indeed held the magical energy of this world.
However, she seldom used it, having no means to employ it, leaving her abundant magical energy with no outlet.
"...Lady Castorice, would you be willing to become my Master? Now, my continued existence depends solely on you."
Before everyone's eyes, Ushiwakamaru knelt on one knee and bowed to Castorice.
"From this day forward, I shall be your sword! Should anyone seek to harm you, they must first cross over my dead body."
From the very start, this had been Gilgamesh's intention.
However, in Uruk, a land brimming with tsunderes, he hadn't stated it outright—though his earlier hints were hardly subtle.
Ushiwakamaru and Leonidas, who should have perished, had now miraculously survived.
As a sage king who saw through life and death, he had naturally perceived Ushiwakamaru's considerable fondness for Castorice.
Since that was the case, why not play the matchmaker?
Moreover, releasing Ushiwakamaru from her contract actually benefited him.
Castorice was aligned with Uruk; even if Ushiwakamaru formed a contract with her, she would remain a warrior for Uruk and he had less strain on his mana.
"Let us advance together, Ushiwakamaru."
Castorice gently placed a hand over her chest, a soft smile gracing her lips.
It had all happened so quickly. It wasn't until the contract was complete that Ana, who had been standing nearby, finally processed what had just occurred.
Castorice and... Ushiwakamaru had formed a contract?
How had it come to this?
As Ana watched the scene, she felt an odd, tingling sensation in her nose.
It was the first time she had found comrades she could rely on, and also true friends with whom she could share her heart.
And both of these conditions were fulfilled by the same person. Two joyous things, overlapping, should have brought even more happiness...
Whether it was meeting first, fighting side-by-side, or the mutual affection... surely, she was the one who came first!
Why... why had it suddenly turned out like this?
By the time Ana gathered her wits, Castorice and Ushiwakamaru had already completed the contract at lightning speed.
With Merlin's assistance, forming such a contract was the work of a moment.
Ana stood to the side, feeling like an outsider.
Perhaps this was what they called... 'tsundere and the losing side'?
And the very moment Castorice and Ushiwakamaru's contract was sealed, a system that had lain dormant in her mind for so long suddenly chimed once more.
[Congratulations, Master, on completing the hidden achievement: Master!]
[Ability acquired: One Master, Forever Master!]
[After forming a contract with a Servant, the Master gains command over them. Upon the Servant's death, they will not return to the Throne of Heroes, but instead return to their Master's embrace. The Master can then assist them in reforming a physical body.]
Alaya: I have no objections.
What in the world is this?
Reading the system's description, Castorice couldn't help but stare blankly.
Wasn't this just another form of... ahem? Imagine Alaya waking up one day to find the Servants in her charge had been whisked away—who could she even complain to?
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T/N: when i lived in asia for a while, i didn't understand it, but being in the us for daylight savings time makes me feel so disoriented
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T/N: Classroom of the Elite Fanfic Up!
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.