Chapter 80

Levi's precise calculation of distance offset the time required to activate his ability. The two bullets almost simultaneously flew towards the standing blonde man.

With only one weapon, even if it was a massive sword with a defensive area comparable to a tower shield, it was difficult to fend off attacks from both sides. By the time he reacted, there was no time left for him to escape the bullets that were almost upon him.

The unpredictability of life is why the concept of fate exists. If everything went smoothly, who would still believe in the intangible and ethereal deities?

Thinking that others were constrained by the inertia of thought, Levi did not realize he had made the same mistake.

Facing the two bullets that were like death warrants, the blonde man's cold expression did not change at all. In Levi's surprise, the heavy metal greatsword in his hand transformed. A weapon resembling a machete popped out from the thick blade, and the man immediately swung both hands, turning sharply to effortlessly defuse the lethal attack.

After the brief climax, the hall, where many seats had been lifted by the force of the attack, gradually returned to calm. The two combat experts, who respected each other, simultaneously abandoned their meaningless probing. They stared at each other, trying to find a decisive opportunity.

"Excuse me, are you here to see me?"

Levi sighed inwardly. His rarely failing perception ability had made mistakes today. The first time, he could console himself by thinking the blonde man was an experienced warrior skilled in stealth. But now, even a physically weak mage could approach him without his notice.

Could her magical prowess be even higher than Kaguya's? Levi was not very adept at magic. If it were Iris or Rin, they could give a more accurate assessment. But it was more likely that the entire venue had been covered with something like a barrier, interfering with his perception and concealing the owner's presence. What a convenient ability.

The girl, having shed the dazzling light of the stage, slowly entered the arena, blocking the line of sight between the two opponents.

"I'm just a little curious."

Levi stopped his fruitless speculation. The fact that she could command such an excellent 'bodyguard' and showed no surprise at the intense battle confirmed her identity as a mage. His 'curiosity' referred to the purpose behind her strange behavior.

"As you can see, I'm just looking for someone who has disappeared."

The girl, no longer the radiant idol, gently answered Levi's question. She had changed into a costume similar to that of a religious official, appearing gentle and faintly holy. Her beautiful eyes clearly revealed a resolve similar to the blonde man's.

What a well-matched pair. Levi knew they were in a master-servant relationship, yet he still had this thought.

"For those who are no longer here, even if it's just occasionally, please remember them." This is what I once said to someone else. But it was just a way to comfort myself. It might seem greedy, but I don't want just memories; I want to grasp reality, which is why I chose the profession of a singer."

As she responded to Levi's question, her gaze fell on the blonde man. Was she lamenting their similar fates?

"Wouldn't it be more convenient to hire someone from the magical world for a search? People with special abilities can do extraordinary things. Or do you think more people mean more chances?"

"Do you believe me, and him?"

The girl pointed to the nearby blonde man.

"And the person I'm looking for, we don't belong to this world. We have no friends here and don't understand the situation. Or, would you be willing to become our friend and help us?"

A bit... absurd? This was Levi's first reaction. Seeking help from an infiltrator who was just minutes away from a life-or-death struggle? He saw no trace of joking on the girl's face. Her sincerity when she spoke made it impossible to doubt her. It was a pure, unadulterated request.

How long had it been since he encountered such a person? Levi found the answer to this question somewhat surprising. Although the Holy Grail War was a brutal conflict, the people who appeared around him were all pure and simple.

Eve, Kaguya, and even the irrational Hercules, who only knew how to charge at the enemy. Perhaps only those with pure wishes could be summoned by the Holy Grail. He even thought of the pink princess with excellent acting skills, who should have no connection to the Holy Grail.

"Excuse me..."

They spoke the same words at the same time, and this unexpected coincidence eased the tense and awkward atmosphere. Levi was more familiar with the concept of time travel than the girl. Her honesty increased his goodwill. She had no reason to deceive a thief who had fallen into a trap, right?

As for the blonde male hero, who seemed to be a bodyguard, Levi understood his normal caution.

"Ladies first."

"Hehe, thank you very much."

The girl bowed slightly and lifted the long braid that had fallen to her chest.

"May I ask, do you know about 'masters' and 'servants'?"

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Walking is one of Levi's great interests, especially on quiet streets at night. The absence of daytime noise did not diminish its charm but rather gave it a unique comfort. Even though he had more convenient means of transportation, and could use teleportation to save time, he still preferred to walk if it wasn't necessary. A leisurely life was what Levi, who had lived several times the lifespan of an ordinary person, pursued. So he got a driver's license but never thought about buying a car for transportation.

Moreover, the honesty of the master-servant pair had saved him a lot of time. Walking back from the venue would not exceed Iris's curfew, allowing him to savor the exciting night.

Yuna, an 18-year-old girl from another world. She called herself a summoner—a profession that commands contracted creatures in battle. But due to reasons she couldn't disclose (in reality, Levi wasn't interested in listening to a long, complicated story), her summoning ability could no longer be used, and she had reluctantly become a white mage, which complemented Iris's traits if they could get along.

Claude Strayf, a 23-year-old man from another world, but apparently not from the same world as Yuna. What an interesting combination. The blonde man in black, a hero, wielded a massive two-handed sword named 'Fenrir,' which was nearly 150 centimeters long and weighed around 200 kilograms. He was undoubtedly a seasoned warrior, though Yuna said he worked in the courier industry, which Levi found hard to believe. He might believe it if Claude delivered concert tickets to his home.

As for other information, such as the peculiar weapon, due to Claude's reticence and wariness of strangers, Levi couldn't get much from him. In fact, he himself had kept many secrets from them.

Unlike Yuna and Levi's unintentional time travel, Claude had chosen to come to this world, just like other heroes like Eve. They did not hide the matter of classes and told Levi that Claude was the Rider in this Holy Grail War. As for the master, it was, of course, the idol girl he protected.

In every sense, Yuna and Claude were sufficiently honest, especially given their theoretical advantage in strength. The conversation went well, and both sides gained initial trust, laying a good foundation for future cooperation.