Xingyue, is Xiaokai also considered Kai?

However, it would be troublesome if I lost even the ability to produce offspring. After all, magic is such a rare commodity, so I must be extremely careful about the functioning of my heart and nerves. But, even if I lose my head—the worst-case scenario—it doesn't matter; retaining reproductive function is enough.

Compared to Novia, the employer's tone at this moment was more like that of a magician; he wasn't deliberately playing the villain or being sarcastic, but rather calmly stating the facts.

After listening to his speech, Sigma's emotions did not fluctuate significantly.

Because he was originally a magician created through government experiments, he had undergone many experiments that disregarded his life since childhood. By the time he learned about concepts like human rights, it was already after the country had been destroyed.

Therefore, even when Sigma heard that the children were about to suffer such a fate, he felt neither sympathy nor anger.

However, although no emotion welled up inside him, he still pondered and, in front of everyone, spoke directly:

"You're going to die."

"I know, but it's not about good or evil, right or wrong. I simply can't remain silent. Ignorance is no crime, and knowing but doing nothing is not a sin either. But to be powerful and knowledgeable yet do nothing is an undeniable sin."

In truth, this world is a series of interconnected paths: the future lies ahead, memories lie behind, and every corner we take becomes a story. This very moment is merely the tip of the iceberg within those stories.

The silver-haired boy canceled the magic trick he used to conceal his face, intending to use more energy to stall for time.

"So maybe, in the story, today is a good day for dying."

Sigma realized that it wasn't a deliberate attempt to act nice or to spout lofty rhetoric; Novia's statement was simply a calm recounting of facts.

Some things are faster than language.

Some things are more accurate than words.

Because the real answer exists prior to the facts.

Therefore, he felt a strange sensation, not from the outside, but from within himself, an emotion that surged forth.

“You, you, listen carefully, son of my own kind.”

A voice echoed in Sigma's mind, a nostalgic voice, words that were clearly meaningless.

"What you should destroy are the people who intend to take something away from us."

A voice that evokes nostalgia, words that have become meaningless.

However, that voice shook Sigma's heart at that moment.

I understand now, so that's how it is. I... I always thought everyone lived in a different world than me, because whether you're a magician or an ordinary person, you have parents and blood relatives. Turns out, it's all unrelated... as for whether a person can survive.

It's like something incredibly heavy that one person couldn't possibly lift.

However, when everyone works together, they can lift it incredibly easily. There is a clear distinction between something that is too heavy to lift and something that can be lifted easily.

I watched from the sidelines, thinking that since I couldn't lift it anyway, I wasn't willing to lend a hand. It was a game I couldn't win, so I had no intention of participating and didn't want to gamble my chips... Yes, that was wrong.

Maybe if I went to help, that incredibly heavy thing could be lifted easily. For a long time, I've been a bystander. Whether what happens in front of me succeeds or fails, whether it's worth the gamble, I'm just a cold observer. I've always mistakenly believed that.

No... I'm not a bystander, nor should I be; I should participate myself...

The battle before us, at first glance, seems like an unwinnable duel, not worth gambling on, and there seems to be no reason to help.

However, going to gamble, participating, and believing might change the outcome... The only bet you place is what you trust.

Trust is something that is associated with something; being associated with something means it exists.

So it is at this very moment that Sigmar's emotions, which he lost because of the experiment, finally "exist."

In a daze, yet content and joyful.

"I hate this feeling right now."

So Sigma pulled out the dagger with force, and then, taking advantage of his employer's inattention, swiftly plunged it into his chest, piercing his heart with perfect accuracy, just as always.

This would likely end his career as a mercenary, but Sigma didn't care at all.

So, until late at night, apart from the magician who fled due to the excessive killing, only countless drops of blood and two people in the flesh remained.

A pale moon rose in the daytime sky, and the utterly exhausted Sigma lay on the ground, gazing at the equally weary Novia.

However, it wasn't because Sigma was interested; it was just that the clouds he was subconsciously gazing at had drifted away without him noticing, and his gaze unconsciously searched for another object.

But the moment their eyes met, they both burst out laughing unconsciously.

"By the way, I've found your mother's information. Unfortunately, she passed away more than ten years ago. But before she died, she left you an inheritance. I'll transfer it to you later."

"......Yeah."

"Of course, after all, they are children. Parents will remember them no matter what."

Sigma simply smiled slightly at this. He naturally understood that Novia was deceiving him, or rather, she was trying to comfort him.

After all, the price for this hiring wasn't money, but information about his past in the destroyed 'facility'. Because his employer was so careless, Sigma secretly looked at it.

I am merely the product of my mother being forcibly united by several men. Why would my mother care about someone like me?

Although she doesn't hate him, and won't hate him, her mother, who already has her own 'will', will unconsciously revert to her 'original environment' whenever she sees him, and naturally won't like him... but she no longer cares.

Sigma's mother was a woman who followed Kiritsugu Emiya and was named 'Miya Hisau' by him.

"By the way, Sigma, have you read the books I recommended?"

"I've seen it, but I haven't finished watching it yet."

Where are you looking?

"The part where Jean Valjean has just been moved by Bishop Myriel."

"Well, that's a good starting point."

"Actually, I haven't looked at it yet, I just browsed the table of contents casually, but judging from your reaction, I should be right."

"...Alright, I was actually quite looking forward to it. Let's talk about your thoughts after you've actually finished watching it."

A day later, the bloodshed that occurred here became news, and based on this, most people knew that there were two magicians among the mercenaries who possessed strength comparable to a magic family. As for the original employer, due to his death, his subordinates and enemies divided his inheritance, and no one came to avenge him.

Let's return to the present, to the swamp mansion.

"Although that one is very powerful, we are not incapable of dealing with him. After all, the White Whale is capable of fighting against Typhon, the Greek progenitor dragon."

"That's what the 'shadow' behind Sigma said; it was the man he called Captain."

These are his 'Servants', many shadows of the special class Watcher in the world.

"Kid, what do you think?"

"That's not necessary."

Sigma shook his head and looked up at the sky.

“This time, I will kill the culprit who destroyed my country, Francesca.”

182: Amazing maneuvers and Flatt's visit (3k)

"I never expected that besides Typhon, there would be Albion as well."

"Altruchi, who was brought back to the cabin by Novia, said meaningfully, and in front of her were three girls, two dragons, and one human.

"Didn't I already tell you?"

"It's just a bit of a wonder, with dragons, aliens, dead apostles, humans, and fairies, they have it all."

After saying this, the black-clad princess seemed quite interested in watching Novia's reaction.

Although Novia had already introduced her to the place on the way there, she was still slightly shocked when she actually met her.

After all, although both Albion and Typhon are primordial dragons, Albion was born from the planet's creation, making him a truly ancient being, much older than Typhon...

However, she is now appearing in the world in such a manner. How should I put it? I don't know why. After scanning around herself and the other three, Eltrauge felt that all four of them had a very similar characteristic.

As for Ayaka Sajou, Altruic, who possesses the bloodline of the True Ancestor, naturally sensed her extraordinary qualities but did not pay too much attention to her.

"I never expected there would be a hybrid of a Dead Apostle and a True Ancestor."

Melusin looked at the arrogant Eltrauge and thought to herself that although this dead disciple princess had infinite life force, she did not have infinite energy. In this respect, she was not as threatening as Typhon, that fool.

Perhaps feeling that even Eltrauge posed no danger, Melusin immediately adopted an extremely graceful posture and addressed her:

"Welcome, Altrouge, you're the sixth one."

"Oh?" Eltrauge didn't say much about it, but narrowed her eyes slightly. "The sixth one?"

"Because you were the sixth one to arrive, that's what Meloshen meant, right?"

Typhon said happily, she was quite pleased because someone familiar to her had arrived, and now only Attila was missing.

She couldn't understand why Meryl, who had clearly arrived, hadn't shown herself. She just taught her to do things by reading words to her, just like how Meryl had taught her to deliberately provoke Albion. Typhon didn't suspect anything, since she genuinely disliked Albion.

Compared to being with Albion, it felt better to be with Eltrucci and Attila. As for Melly, in her understanding, this fairy didn't seem to like Avia much; she just liked to put him in some kind of 'troublesome' situation, and then she would feel incredibly happy.

“That’s right, Typhon, you’re quite clever now.” Melusin crossed her arms and said with a smug look on her face, “Now I am undoubtedly number one! The title of strongest is mine!”

She spoke with immense pride, her flat chest unchanged from the past.

At that moment, faced with the silver-haired dragon girl's declaration, both Altrud and Sajō Aika couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.

But thinking that her grand plan was not yet complete, Aika Sajou just smiled as always and struck up a conversation with the silent Kyoko beside her.

But Eltrauge was different. After all, among the scents emanating from Melsin, Typhon, and Sajou Aika, she detected the scents of both dragons and Avia beside her. What this meant was self-evident.

Anyway, she was extremely annoyed, especially after seeing Meloshin's smug expression. The black-haired girl's displeasure grew even stronger, and her mood was terrible, so—

"I see, I understand completely now."

Suddenly, Eltrauge continued.

The next instant, she turned her head, stood on tiptoe slightly, and brought her face close to Novia's.

Gently, the young man's lips seemed to touch something, so soft and with a subtle warmth.

Then she slowly turned her face away, separating from Novia.

"The answer is 'yes,' and I look forward to your continued guidance in the future."

Eltrauge proudly revealed a mischievous smile, her blood-red eyes meeting the golden eyes of the strongest dragon.

Melos raised an eyebrow. Although, in her eyes, the actions of the Black Princess were nothing more than an ant trying to shake a tree, despite all that she had already done.

It was just a kiss, my tongue can even go inside my stomach! And I've done everything I was supposed to! You, a dead apostle whose gravity is weaker than Nero's, dare to be so arrogant? Well, just you wait!

Therefore, the silver-haired girl responded to Eltrucci with a 'savage' look in her eyes.

Judging from this situation, if Novia weren't around, these two might have started fighting right away.

In any case, Novia simply couldn't stand such blatant confrontation.

"Beautiful Luxin."

Hearing this deliberately rational voice, Melusin blinked repeatedly.

"W-What's wrong, Novia? Why are you so serious all of a sudden? I don't think this is a good thing."

"Now, you should understand what I'm about to say, right?"

"Yes, yes, of course, no problem at all, don't worry."

Perhaps it was because of the silver-haired youth's serious expression that Melsin, who had been looking tyrannical, calmed down, and even Altrucci seemed to feel a little guilty and shrank her shoulders.

"By the way, Typhon, how do you feel about having me destroy the Bull of Heaven?"

After dealing with Eltrucci and Melusin for a while, Novia asked Typhon.

The reason he sent Typhon's true form to destroy the Bull of the Goddess Ishtar wasn't just because of his own thoughts, but because he remembered that in the Type-Moon universe, there was a Bull-Dragon conflict among the various Ages of Gods.

Typhon is the dragon in Greek mythology, while the corresponding bull is Zeus, the king of the gods.

In ancient Babylon, the bull was the bull of heaven, and there was no corresponding dragon. If we were to make a point, Novia believed that the Babylonian dragon might refer to Tiamat, who was imprisoned in the imaginary space.

In short, the reason Novia had Typhon kill the Bull of Heaven was to see if it would have any effect.

"I don't feel anything—"

Just as the red-haired girl was about to give a serious answer, her face suddenly flushed red. Before Novia could ask what was wrong, she grabbed Novia with her right hand and accused her with tears in her eyes:

"Waaaaah, that's so mean, so incredibly mean, Avia. You used sweet words to lull me into a false sense of security, and then you did this to me. Waaaaah, what if I can't kill Zeus in the future?"

Is there any connection between these things?

"What if a dragon can only kill one bull? Then I won't be able to kill Zeus anymore."

Typhon's nonsensical remark left Novia speechless. While he was still struggling to find the right words, Typhon's actions the next second left him frozen in place.