Chapter 45: An Invitation to the Banquet

"Thank you very much, Your Highness." At this moment, Lancer had completely forgotten what dignity meant, and all those present were visibly conflicted in their expressions.

"Lancer, what happened to you? Could this be a side effect from your berserk state?" Saber, unwilling to face reality, started searching for excuses.

"Ah, it looks like tonight's fight won't happen. Saber, let's leave our battle for the next time we meet." Seeing that the confrontation was off, Lancer simply withdrew, though it was possible his Master hadn't yet lost reason and turned into a lunatic.

"Hmph, I shall leave as well." The golden little princess, seeing there was nothing amusing left and no one to mock her, decided it was time for bed, as every good little girl should.

"May you have sweet dreams, Your Highness." As someone enamored with little princesses, he wouldn't miss any opportunity to win favor.

"Hmph, naturally." She snorted, but clearly, her mood was delighted.

Watching the golden light dissolve into the air, Lancer finally regained his usual composure, retrieving his lost dignity.

"Alright, Iris, let’s go as well." Saber felt that staying any longer would completely shatter a certain someone's image in her heart; retreat was the only option.

"Ha, Berserker, I didn't expect that." The Emperor, understanding well, smiled at Lancer, patted his shoulder, and left with his "queen."

"By the way, Emperor, if you need anything, just tell the eagle in the sky; he'll pass your words to me." Lancer called out to the Emperor, already stepping onto his ox cart.

"Ha, understood! Meeting so many people today has truly stirred my blood!" The Emperor disappeared from Lancer's sight amid his mighty laughter.

Back home, Lancer found Yan Ye in the living room, drinking, and recounted the night's events. When he heard of Caster's actions, Yan Ye's heart raced, but upon learning that Caster was forced to remain at sea by Lancer, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Master..."

"What's the matter, Berserker?"

"Nothing, it's just that perhaps my journey will end soon." Because of Lancer's intervention, Saber wasn't wounded by the infamous brush, meaning she wouldn't be at a disadvantage against other Heroic Spirits. Lancer knew Saber would face him again, and a fully empowered Lancer against a Saber who refused to use her "curry stick" for fairness would be unfavorable for Saber. Even if she won, victory would come at a cost.

Lancer’s plan was to find time to duel Lancer himself—not to kill, but to injure, ensuring Saber wouldn’t suffer much in the final confrontation. And during the battle with Caster, Saber would avoid using her "curry stick" unless absolutely necessary, since her Master was Kiritsugu and conserving Saber’s abilities was wise.

As for his own mission? Lancer wasn’t worried; sometimes Lotus’s tasks changed according to Lancer’s actions, quite flexible. So he had no fear regarding his objectives.

"Alright, I need to plan tomorrow carefully, and I need to raise Sakura's affection too... Ah, life is such a hassle." Lancer collapsed onto the sofa, uttering words that would make countless little princesses instantly explode with energy, intending to spend his Holy Grail night, which had already begun its countdown.

"Is it really okay to ignore life and death like this?" With such thoughts, Lancer drifted into sleep.

"Time to get up and eat." Hearing the same line as yesterday, Lancer woke instantly from sleep, though his excitement made him forget something...

"Good grief!" Seeing Yan Ye standing before him in an apron, Lancer, just awake, flipped over the sofa completely.

"Yan Ye, are you here to scare me?" Lancer touched his hair helplessly.

"Chirp, chirp!" Suddenly, Lancer heard Byakuya’s voice.

"Alright, the Emperor’s inviting us for drinks tonight? Hey, Yan Ye, are you coming?" Lancer casually picked up something from the table and began eating, but his words nearly made Yan Ye spit his drink.

"Hey, Berserker, you really don’t feel the tension, do you? Though neither of us care much about the Holy Grail War, aren’t these missions deep in enemy territory a bit risky?" Watching the utterly relaxed person lying on the table and acting cute, Yan Ye was speechless.

"Relax, relax, it’s fine. Other than Assassin, I doubt any Heroic Spirit will attack a Master in this Holy Grail War. As for the Masters—Saber’s Master is an ally, and Lancer’s Master? That one’s full of schemes but unfortunately not very bright, so nothing to worry about." Lancer explained to Yan Ye.

"I see, alright, I’ll go check it out too. By the way, what about Sakura?" Yan Ye asked, since Sakura was now his most important person.

"No problem, I’ll bring her along to introduce her to everyone, so they can help look after her in the future." Lancer knew Weber, with the Emperor’s help, would eventually become a true man, and the scroll he "gifted" would raise his status in the Clock Tower, so he could look after Sakura and Yan Ye in the future.

"Alright, I trust you. I’ll let Sakura sleep in a bit longer at noon." Yan Ye trusted him, since Lancer had saved him and Sakura’s future, and knowing Lancer’s true identity, he had faith in Lancer’s ability to gather information.

"Fine, I won’t take Sakura out today—she needs to rest." Lancer removed his armor, put on a pullover recommended by Yan Ye, donned his mask, and went out for a stroll.

The day passed without any battles. Ordinary people, unaware that the night’s fighting would decide their fate, went on with their lives as usual. Lancer, uninterested in this era from decades past, recalled a certain task he received when he first obtained his sword.

"Thankfully, I didn’t forget." Lancer remembered the seemingly innocent little princess. According to his missions, some were normal, but others left him drenched in cold sweat.

So Lancer’s daytime mission was set—Operation Mapo Tofu!