Shinji Matou At Your Service

Chapter 43 – Tracking

"——Chase!" Shinji said just one word.

"Understood!"

Upon hearing Shinji's response, Scáthach immediately began to track the traces left by Caster. Judging by their decisive actions, this master-servant pair seemed to be in sync.

"What about Saber? Aren't we going to search for the Einzbern family's stronghold?"

Regarding this question, Shinji was prepared: "Once we have a general direction, things will become easier. The reason why the Einzbern castle remains undiscovered by the outside world is that it is surrounded by a large-scale boundary. This boundary might deceive magi from all over the world, but it won't fool someone like Lady Justeaze. Let's discuss it tomorrow. The urgent matter at hand is to find Caster's base—I just saw the news, a serial killer struck in the neighboring town. There's no doubt it was the doing of these two lunatics! If we find their base sooner, we might be able to save more lives."

"I understand. I will find their base."

Sensing the coldness hidden in Shinji's voice, Scáthach raised an eyebrow with a touch of admiration.

"How are things on your end?"

"Everything is going smoothly. I have already reached the destination."

Shinji, who was hiding among the crowd, calmly lifted his head and squinted his eyes, gazing at the most famous hotel in the entire Fuyuki City—the Kay Hotel.

This is currently the tallest building in Fuyuki City, offering the best view of the city.

Not only does the Kay Hotel have the highest elevation, but its hardware facilities and software services also rank first in Fuyuki City. It can be considered the shining star of the hotel industry and was naturally chosen as the residence and temporary base by the noble "Lord of the Clock Tower," Kenneth. A month before his arrival, the vassals of the Acibulud family had already reserved the top-floor presidential suite, reflecting their wealth and power.

"The so-called nobles are mostly like this."

Unbeknownst to Shinji, who was complaining, Kenneth was not pleased with the presidential suite in the best hotel. True nobles couldn't stand it when something originally mundane was adorned with luxury to feign high status. That's exactly what the Kay Hotel was like—without any historical background or cultural heritage. At best, it was nothing more than a "luxurious pigsty" dressed up with lavish decorations.

In Kenneth's view, even the seemingly modest local folk customs would be much better than these unremarkable displays of extravagance.

Not far from the Kay Hotel, which Kenneth scorned, was a construction site. Soon, it would surpass the Kay Hotel and become the new highest point in Fuyuki City. It was called the Fuyuki Central Tower, the name of the soon-to-be-completed skyscraper. Only from there could one effectively monitor every move on the thirty-second floor of the Kay Hotel.

Shinji didn't choose to take the stairs but flew directly to the top floor through a corridor specially reserved for elevators.

Flying belongs to a high-level secret technique in magecraft, and at Shinji's current level, he couldn't even achieve levitation, let alone flight. His ability to fly freely still relied on the Noble Phantasm inherited from Perseus.

In Greek mythology, the god of fire, Hephaestus, lent Perseus a pair of winged sandals that allowed him to freely soar through the air. It was with these sandals that Perseus entered and left the island where Medusa resided.

Now, these sandals were on Shinji's feet. Rather than calling them shoes, they were more like ornaments tied around his ankles, with a white feather wing attached to the inner and outer sides of each foot.

Driven by mana, the constant flapping of the two pairs of wings lifted Shinji's body rapidly, bringing him directly to the 40th floor, which had not yet been topped off.

Lit by the moonlight above and the lights below, Shinji found a position diagonally across from the terrace of the presidential suite and used a telescope he had prepared in advance to monitor every move on the opposite side.

Whether it was due to post-war relaxation, intentional provocation of the enemy, or absolute confidence in his defensive systems, Kenneth hadn't even drawn the curtains. He was leaning on a single-person sofa, holding a glass of red wine in his hand. The Heroic Spirit, whose true name was Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, knelt beside his feet, while a young woman with short red hair stood by the side of the sofa, crossing her arms.

The two men and one woman seemed to be arguing about something.

Shinji carefully recalled the plot of "Fate/Zero." If he remembered correctly, Kenneth should be reprimanding Lancer, and the woman, Kenneth's fiancée, Sola-Ui Nuada-Re Sophia-Ri, was speaking up for Lancer and mocking Kenneth.

Kenneth believed that Saber, who possessed the highest overall capabilities among the seven Servant classes, should be prioritized as the primary target and eliminated as soon as possible, regardless of the means used.

Lancer, who adheres to the principles of chivalry, sees things differently. Since he made a knight's oath with Saber, he believes that they should settle matters using knightly methods.

The clash of their values arose because Kenneth is Lancer's Master, to whom he has sworn loyalty. Therefore, Lancer can only silently endure his lord's reprimands without arguing back.

Sola-Ui couldn't stand by and spoke up for Lancer. However, her words wounded Kenneth's dignity, prompting Lancer, who is fiercely loyal to his master, to stop her.

Although Sola-Ui ceased her sarcastic remarks, her unusual attitude aroused Kenneth's discontent and suspicion. His fiancée, who usually mocks him, showed great tenderness towards Lancer, even blushing when looking at him.

If Sola-Ui were an ordinary person, one could explain it as being charmed by Lancer's charisma. However, Sola-Ui, like Kenneth, comes from an ancient lineage of magicians. Even without inheriting magic circuits, she would have the ability to resist the charm of charisma. Unless... she intentionally chose not to resist!

Reminded of the tragic love story of Diarmuid and his superior's wife eloping, Kenneth felt as if a thorn had been pierced into his heart.

Just as Kenneth was lost in his thoughts, a jarring fire alarm suddenly sounded without warning, interrupting his thoughts and catching Shinji's attention as well.

The fire alarm indicated the occurrence of a fire, and the entire building went into a state of tension. The staff swiftly evacuated the hotel's occupants, and people orderly left their rooms, gathering in the square in front of the hotel for refuge.

Interestingly, as more and more people left the hotel, there was no sign of sparks or black smoke visible on the exterior of the building.

Shinji pondered for a moment and dialed the hotel's emergency assistance number on his mobile phone. The hotel staff informed him that the fire was small, but the locations of the fires were scattered, indicating possible arson.

"Just as I expected, the third act of tonight's performance."

Shinji glanced at Kenneth, then looked down below. Finally, he flicked his finger, causing the latest model of a Motorola phone to spin in his palm.

"Mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind... hehe, who will be the ultimate winner in the end?"