To become a king and a magician

45.Xiachuan House in Uruk

The north face of Uruk.

When Tomoe returned here with Merry, what she saw was a monster battle line that had been completely repaired and restored to its original state.

"Is it all fixed...? Lady Meryl, how long was I unconscious?"

"It should take about three days."

Was the entire north wall repaired in just three days?

Tomoe Gozen remembered that the north wall had several gaps due to the impact of the monsters, and the surface was also damaged in many places. Repairing it would not only require a lot of manpower and resources, but would also take a long time.

And it was fixed in just three days?

"Could it be that King Gilgamesh has transferred all the men from Uruk to the North Wall?"

“No, no, actually only a few of us on our side repaired the north wall,” Meryl explained. “But in reality, it was Tiger who truly completed the repairs; the ability to materialize imaginations is just too useful.”

As Meryl said, with Natsukawa Tora's imagination materialized, even if the entire North Wall disappeared, he could conjure up a completely new North Wall on the spot, and repairing the North Wall would be a piece of cake.

"However, there are actually no human soldiers in the North Wall right now. Because of the previous battle, Uruk's army was almost completely destroyed. Less than 40% of the soldiers can perform normal combat. Some of them refused to fight again due to psychological factors. In reality, there are probably less than 30% of the troops."

"Tiger found the soldiers too numerous and difficult to manage, so he simply sent them all back to Uruk to care for the wounded. After all, Uruk has been short-handed all the time, and there are too many wounded to take care of."

"Therefore, the only ones left to guard this north wall are us Servants."

As Meili led Ba Yu toward the camp, she explained.

(Were all the soldiers sent back to Uruk to recuperate?)

No wonder Tomoe Gozen couldn't see a single person. Compared to its usual bustling state, the north wall was now extremely deserted, with a large amount of equipment abandoned in place, such as the forging table that used to maintain weapons and the temporary shaded areas used for resting...

Looking at the wounds etched on the body of this monster battle line, Tomoe Gozen couldn't help but recall the great battle three days ago.

The sheer number of the monsters' all-out attack was so overwhelming that even multiple Servants could not withstand it.

"We've arrived."

Merry, who was walking ahead, stopped at this moment, and ahead of them, Tomoe Gozen quickly saw someone...

"Is that a Japanese-style house?"

Yes.

Located in the only clean spot behind the north wall is a house full of traditional Japanese style!

Merry smiled and said, "Because most of the Servants who stayed here are Japanese, Tiger simply made the camp in a Japanese style to take your feelings into consideration. However, since he didn't know what ancient Japanese architecture looked like, it is essentially a modern style."

In fact, Natsukawa Torakawa was just built based on the Emiya residence in Fuyuki City.

As she said this, Merry opened the front door, and what came into Tomoe Gozen's view was an ancient-style corridor that evoked a sense of homesickness. As she went further in, it felt as if she had returned to the mansion where she had lived in her previous life.

"To think that such a thoughtful building was created for us... Lord Tiger has really gone to great lengths."

"It's nothing, it's just a matter of a thought for him, but he needs to think about the details carefully—hmm? This taste is...it seems we came back just in time."

Suddenly, Merry caught a whiff of a fragrance, then grabbed Tomoe Gozen's hand and started running down the corridor. After turning a corner, they opened a tightly closed sliding door—

"Master, I've finished chopping the vegetables and meat."

"Oh, take a look at the soup simmering here. I'll prepare the stir-fried vegetables."

Tomoe Gozen immediately spotted Natsukawa Toramaru and Sajou Rei busy in the modern kitchen. In the center of the room, on the tatami mat, the Servants Tomoe Gozen was familiar with were sitting around a table, waiting for the two in the kitchen to finish cooking.

It's a little past 11:40 a.m., which is lunchtime.

Upon hearing the door open, Ushiwakamaru immediately looked up at the doorway, then stood up with a smile: "Lord Tomoe Gozen!? You've finally woken up? Are you alright now?"

"Master Yoshitsune..."

Hearing her former rival address her so affectionately, Tomoe Gozen felt a little awkward. She pursed her lips and forced a smile before nodding, "Yes, I just woke up recently. Thanks to Lady Merry's care, I'm in good health now. I'm sorry to have worried everyone these past few days."

"There's nothing to worry about. It's good that you've woken up! If you hadn't woken up, I wouldn't have even been able to get my shifts!" Oda Nobunaga stood up and patted Tomoe Gozen hard. "Starting today, you'll have to make up for all the shifts you missed!"

"Okay, okay!"

Although she didn't understand what shift work meant, Tomoe Gozen instinctively felt that it must be a very important matter, and immediately agreed with a serious expression.

Meanwhile, Natsukawa Tora, who was cooking in the kitchen, turned around while serving the dishes, wiped his sweat, and said to Tomoe Gozen, "Welcome back, Tomoe Gozen. It seems you've fully recovered. I'm glad you're alright. Please sit down. Lunch will be ready soon. Since you're back, let's make a few more dishes as a celebration."

"No, this is really a bit... Lord Tiger, you don't need to worry about me like this. Just do what you always do."

"Eh? Lord Tiger...?"

The way Tomoe addressed him, using a different form of address than usual, startled Natsukawa Torato, and the others in the room were also taken aback.

Why are you suddenly calling me "sir"?

"This...is actually..."

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Just as Tomoe Gozen was about to explain, Meryl suddenly coughed twice and then pounced on Natsukawa Torata: "More importantly, Your Majesty~~~~ I'm starving! I haven't had your cooking for three days, and I desperately need to replenish my tiger energy!"

"Hey you... fine, fine, get off me first."

With a somewhat helpless pat on the head, Natsukawa Torama pulled her off him and tossed her toward Morgan, who was standing not far away. Then he said to Tomoe Gozen, "Sorry, Tomoe Gozen, I'll listen to your explanation later. We need to prepare lunch now."

"Ah... okay, you go ahead and do your work."

After noticing the coded message from Merry, Tomoe Gozen temporarily suppressed what she wanted to say and turned back to her seat, which had been vacated.

46. ​​Please guide me through the rest of my life.

Because of Tomoe Gozen and Merry's return, the lunch eventually turned into a banquet to celebrate Tomoe Gozen's recovery, which lasted for more than two hours.

Although it is still wartime, whether it is fortunate or unfortunate, the monsters have not launched an attack on the North Wall during this period, and the rare leisure time has allowed everyone to relax.

During this banquet, Tomoe Gozen also learned what Oda Nobunaga meant by "scheduling".

The defense of the North Wall is now divided into two parts. The first part is the [external] defense, which is handled by Natsukawa Tiger alone. When the monsters attack the North Wall, Natsukawa Tiger will use his Imaginary Manifestation to wipe out most of them in one go. If he is lucky, it is possible to wipe them all out.

However, if they are not completely eliminated and some of the monsters manage to survive and rush into the north wall, then the second part of the defense will take effect.

The people in charge of this part were a number of Servants led by Oda Nobunaga, as well as Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mashu. They were basically in pairs, stationed at several entrances to the north wall, and any spies that slipped through the net would be handed over to them to finish off.

Basically, each person is responsible for one entrance. Mashu and Fujimaru Ritsuka are responsible for one entrance together. Originally, the number of people could be divided into two groups to take turns on duty, but because there is now an additional Tomoe Gozen, the shifts have to be rearranged.

After a series of discussions, the new shift schedule was finally decided.

"I'm sorry, Tomoe Gozen, you've only just recovered and I'm already putting you on guard duty."

At the entrance in the very center of the north wall, looking at Tomoe Gozen who was stationed there, Natsukawa Torara said somewhat apologetically.

Tomoe Gozen smiled and shook her head: "No, it's alright. I was injured before and could only rest in bed, but now that I've recovered, I naturally have to take on the responsibility of fighting against the monsters. The order of events is not important."

"Is that so? That's good." Natsukawa Torama breathed a slight sigh of relief. "By the way, I was interrupted by Meryl earlier. What's with that way you addressed me earlier... 'Tiger-sama'?"

Previously, Tomoe Gozen addressed Natsukawa Torara as "Lord Natsukawa," which was no different from how Ushiwakamaru and Benkei addressed her. The only difference was that Benkei would change "Lord" to "Master." But honestly, Natsukawa Torara could sense a change in distance from Tomoe Gozen's address.

It seems that Tomoe Gozen's attitude towards him is somewhat closer than before.

It wasn't just the way he was addressed; earlier at the dinner table, Natsukawa Torara had also vaguely sensed a change in Tomoe Gozen's gaze towards him.

"Regarding this... actually, Lady Meryl explained it to me. The reason I was saved was because you asked Lady Meryl to treat me, and also because you killed the monsters and saved my life when I was trapped in the monster horde..."

At this point, Tomoe knelt on one knee before Natsukawa Torato: "Such a great life-saving grace cannot be repaid with just a few words of thanks. Therefore, at Lady Meryl's suggestion, although I cannot pledge allegiance to you, for this one time in this world, I am willing to entrust the life you saved to you."

"I will live for you until this singularity ends, Lord Tiger."

After listening to Tomoe Gozen's explanation, Natsukawa Torara remained silent for a while, pinching the bridge of his nose and thinking for a long time before he understood the cause and effect of the current situation. Then he smiled wryly and helped Tomoe Gozen up: "You don't need to be so serious. My original goal was to eliminate the monsters. Saving your life was just a side effect. As for asking Meryl to treat you afterwards, that's only natural. I can't just watch you die, can I?"

"So, Tomoe-gozen, I haven't actually done anything that deserves your gratitude. Of course, I appreciate your kindness, but you really don't need to act like you want to become my subject."

(And this was probably also the result of Meryl stirring things up...)

As someone who had shared a bed with Tomoe Gozen for ten years, Natsukawa Torato immediately understood the reason for Tomoe Gozen's change. Using the narration of facts to promote the development of certain things was one of Merry's specialties, and the person involved was often unaware of it, completely ensnared by her.

"It really is just as Lady Meryl said."

Tomoe Gozen suddenly revealed an expression that said, "I knew it."

"On the way here, Lady Meryl said that you might not accept my request, [after all, in his opinion, there was nothing that you, Aba, would be grateful for] - Lady Meryl is indeed a prophet, she even guessed what you would say."

Just as Natsukawa Torama knew that it was Melie who was helping him from behind the scenes, Melie also wanted to know how Natsukawa Torama would react to Tomoe Gozen's behavior. Therefore, it was only natural that she also told Tomoe Gozen what to do in this situation.

“However, even if you refuse, Tomoe will not change his mind. This is the dignity of Tomoe as a warrior.” Tomoe Gozen said seriously, “If one does not repay the kindness after receiving someone’s life-saving grace, that is a disgrace to a warrior. I am not such a cold-blooded person.”

"..."

(Ah, it seems like that's how it is. The Japanese martial spirit is about repaying those who have done you a favor no matter what... Actually, isn't that true all over the world?)

Even though Natsukawa Torama didn't think he had done Tomoe Gozen a favor, in Tomoe Gozen's eyes, she truly owed Natsukawa Torama an immense debt of gratitude.

There's no way to repay a life-saving grace except to offer oneself in gratitude—that's probably the idea.

Letting out a slight breath, Natsukawa Torara smiled helplessly: "Well... since you insist, I'll accept it. Tomoe Gozen... no, would it be better to just call you 'Tomoe'?"

"This, this..."

The intimate address made Tomoe Gozen blush slightly: "If you like it..."

“Well, then I’ll have to trouble you from now on, Ba.” Natsukawa Tora smiled and extended his hand. “Just like you said, your life is in my hands until this singularity ends.”

“Yes, sir. From this moment on, Tomoe will live for you, Lord Torakawa. I look forward to guiding you through the rest of my life.” Tomoe Gozen smiled and grasped Natsukawa Torakawa’s hand. “Thank you very much for accepting Tomoe, Lord Torakawa.”

"It's nothing, I just hope you won't find me a bit reckless later—"

“GGGAAAAAAA——————————!!”

Suddenly, before Natsukawa Torama could finish speaking, a loud roar suddenly came from outside the north wall. Then, outside the lowered gate, both Natsukawa Torama and Tomoe Gozen saw one magical beast after another appearing from the cedar forest and the plain.

Ugal, Ulidim, Mushuhuxiu... Although not as numerous as three days ago, the sheer number of magical beasts still gathered in large groups and rapidly charged towards the North Wall!

"Here we go again..."

Natsukawa Tora sighed.

"Then I'll leave this to you, Ba. I'll launch the attack from the sky, and if any escapees get through, you'll have to take care of them."

"Yes, leave it to me, Lord Tiger. I will certainly not let you down."