Chapter 340: Descending the Mountain

Chapter 340: Descending the Mountain

Shinji's request took Reika Rokudou by surprise...

"Do you want to buy this much?"

"That's right, this is the minimum. There's no upper limit." Shinji then winked at Artoria. "Don't worry, someone will eat all of it. There won't be any waste."

"Ugh." Artoria, feeling a bit embarrassed, stammered, "Well, uh, ample food is essential for battle, and it also helps conserve the Master's mana."

"Oh my, oh my." Reika glanced at Artoria's flat, tight stomach, a smile playing on her lips.

"Miss Reika." Artoria felt her face flush and quickly changed the topic. "Shin-Shinji, how did you know? Did Queen Scathach tell you?"

"Not really." Shinji chuckled.

Because Saber is always hungry (from Carnival Phantasm)—he couldn't say that out loud, or he might have to fight Artoria right there.

So, Shinji resorted to using the nameless assassin's divine skill—scapegoat.

"It was Miss Irisviel who told me."

"Irisviel!" At the mention of this familiar name, a pure white figure appeared in Artoria's emerald green eyes.

"That's a sword, not a cannon." Artoria corrected Shinji's mistake first and then showed an unusually gentle smile, brightening the mood around them. "I see. That makes me feel relieved. Thank you, Shinji, for telling me such good news."

"It's nothing. I should have told you earlier, but I got carried away talking. It's getting late. Let's head down the mountain. Artoria, you carry Reika, and I'll take Jack. We'll run."

The mountain path was deserted. Without a car, they had to rely on their legs to run. Fortunately, Shinji and Artoria's agility was high, and running at full speed was comparable to top-tier sports cars.

Reika clung to Artoria's back, gripping her shoulders tightly, afraid of accidentally falling off.

Jack, however, was much bolder than her mother. She rode on Shinji's shoulders, laughing and occasionally urging him to run faster.

In a flash, they arrived at the residential area at the foot of Mt. Enzou. Here, they could catch a taxi, and it was time for Shinji to leave.

"Daddy, aren't you coming with us?" Jack tugged at Shinji's clothes. In a child's world, it's that simple. They can hate you for a wrong answer and like you if you play with them.

"I have some things to take care of." Shinji shook his head.

"What things?" Artoria asked.

"Getting money. I hired you to help, so I need to ensure the logistics are in order and pay Miss Reika the promised reward."

As Shinji spoke, his gaze drifted to another place, a place he knew all too well.

PS: Although this story won't branch into the Magical Girl Illya timeline, Illya's opportunities are indispensable. If Kiritsugu is to be a happy man, his whole family must be happy.