It was a tale of a dreamlike daily life.
It began as an ordinary day, like any other. I left the mansion where I lived alone and went to school.
But...
On the way, I encountered a strange child. The child looked flustered upon seeing me and immediately ran away. Why... I felt a peculiar emotion.
It was as if a crack had formed in my boring, peaceful daily life. Somewhere, a new sensation...
And, somewhere, a nostalgic sensation.
The rest of the day was ordinary. Or so it should have been...
In the evening, I witnessed a battle between some people. A fight between a man who looked Middle Eastern and a pale-skinned woman wielding a peculiar spear. I saw it and tried to avoid the area, but...
The woman with the spear came after me. The man she was fighting helped me, but shortly after I arrived home, she pursued me again.
I hurriedly took out the real sword stored in the warehouse, but... I was no match for her. I had never lost in kendo in Tokyo, but was I going to die like this...
"... Why are you here?"
Why was it? The image of that child, whom I clearly didn't know, came to mind. Why... did I want to meet that child again?
I don't want to end here...!
Clang!!!
"... The last Servant, is it?"
Servant...? Before me stood a blond man clad in armor.
"Let me ask. Are you my Master?"
"Master...?"
Somehow, even though I knew the word, I suddenly felt a strange mood.
"I confirmed the Command Spell on your hand... My sword will protect you."
Clang!!!
He said that and immediately engaged in battle with her. She called him Saber and continued the fight.
I didn't understand what was happening, but... for now, he had to win.
After several minutes of fighting, with no conclusion, she quickly left the area. What on earth was going on...
The man who claimed to have been summoned to me. Artoria Pendragon. The legendary King Arthur. For some reason, I felt a sense of dissonance. He said he was the Saber class and explained the Holy Grail War, but... somehow, it felt familiar.
Wanting to know more detailed information, we decided to go to the church late at night.
We walked through dark, deserted streets. But then...
Clank...!
"That's a knight...?"
"Could they be Servants too?"
"Similar, but they seem more like familiars. Besides, the design of that armor..."
Armored familiars suddenly appeared in the dark street. As Artoria fought them off, one charged at me. I quickly drew my real sword to respond, but...
Clang!
Something appeared.
For some reason, something familiar...
Thwack!
"Are you all right, Master!"
"... Yes, I'm fine."
Artoria quickly dealt with the knights and also defeated the one that attacked me. What was that just now...
Sorting out my thoughts, we arrived at the church.
"Would the Servant please leave?"
The priest and supervisor of the church asked Artoria to exit, and Artoria reluctantly went outside. As I was about to talk...
Thud!
"!?"
Then, suddenly, the priest collapsed. Behind him... was the boy from earlier, holding a club.
"As expected, historically, violence was the solution."
"You, from earlier..."
"We meet again. Coming here like this... well, what is it? Do you have something to talk about?"
Something to talk about... Who are you, anyway? Do you know me?
"Hmm, hmm... hmm~"
He approached me and observed me intently. Then, the boy tilted his head. He was a cute boy.
"Still don't get it... What could it be? Just a resemblance after all?"
"Why... are you doing this?"
"No... maybe it was just a misunderstanding. Sorry, I wasted your time for nothing. Well, if you have questions about the Holy Grail War, ask. I'll answer."
For some reason... I felt I could trust him. I asked him about the Holy Grail War, and he answered sincerely.
"Well, let's leave the answers at that. We'll be going now."
"You're leaving..."
Somehow, I felt very reluctant. The thought that I had to stop him...
"Wait, Beast. I want to meet Saber~!"
Then, a platinum-blonde girl revealed herself from inside the church. A Command Spell peeked from her chest. Could it be that he is a Servant and she is his Master?
"Manaka... let's go home now. You shouldn't meet him. If you do, I'll have no choice but to stop you by force."
"What's that supposed to mean? That I'm weak? How easily you say that. What's wrong with just seeing his face?"
"That itself is wrong."
He sighed and patted her shoulder. Somehow... it was a peculiar feeling.
"Ahem. Anyway, let's leave it at that and see you again if we get the chance."
"Hey...!"
"? What is it?"
"... Could you tell me your name?"
"Name? ... Humpty Dumpty. Not an egg, and no baldness either."
"....."
"Well, see you~"
He grabbed her hand, and together they emitted light and disappeared.
"Humpty... Dumpty...?"
Somehow, more than the one from Alice in Wonderland, I felt a strange ache in my chest.
Feeling a peculiar mood, I left the church, and at the entrance, Artoria was waiting.
"Did it go well? But... you don't look good? Master."
"... Is that so."
Why was it? Seeing him leave me behind... I felt very strange.