Chapter 374

Chapter 374: Chapter 374

Clang—!

Kiriya caught the short sword by the hilt with one hand. Feeling the icy chill radiating from the blade, he looked at Rider in confusion.

"Rider, what are you doing?"

"Eliminating an intruder, obviously."

Rider’s voice was cold.

"Master, she’s terrifying!"

Caster immediately ducked behind Kiriya, putting on an exaggeratedly frightened expression as her voice turned syrupy sweet.

"You have to protect me."

"Master?"

Rider’s gaze sharpened.

The way she looked at Kiriya made him resemble nothing so much as a scumbag who had abandoned one woman the moment a new one appeared.

"What exactly is going on here?"

Kiriya cleared his throat and pulled Caster out from behind him.

"Introductions first. This is my newest Servant, Medea, summoned as Caster."

Then he gestured toward Rider.

"Medea, this is Medusa, summoned as Rider."

Rider’s mood worsened immediately.

Her judgment had been completely correct.

This man really was a womanizer.

He had barely gotten his hands on her before extending his claws toward another Servant—and an exceptionally beautiful one at that.

For all Rider knew, he might have been planning this from the beginning.

"So you’re Rider."

Caster smiled with such exaggerated sincerity that it was almost offensive.

"A pleasure to meet you. I always imagined Rider would be some hideous woman with snakes for hair, but apparently you’re actually quite beautiful."

"..."

Rider completely ignored the honey-coated provocation and turned toward Kiriya instead.

"Master, I know your magical reserves are enormous, but that doesn’t mean you should waste them. Of all the Servants you could choose, why did you have to pick the legendary Witch of Betrayal? Aren’t you afraid she’ll stab you in the back?"

Caster’s expression stiffened.

When she looked at Rider again, the murderous intent in her eyes was unmistakable.

There were certain lines one simply did not cross.

Insults were one thing, but deliberately tearing open old wounds was another.

This woman clearly had a death wish.

Rider glared right back.

’As if you’re any better.’

"Well, this looks lively."

Esdeath heard the commotion from the living room and came out to investigate.

The moment she saw two beautiful women glaring daggers at each other, her eyes lit up.

She promptly produced a bag of potato chips, sat down, and began crunching away while watching the show.

Jeanne had originally intended to intervene, but Esdeath forcibly dragged her onto the sofa and made her join the audience instead.

"Rider..."

Sakura wanted to mediate, but she also didn’t want the older sister who had cared for her to be bullied.

Caught awkwardly between both sides, she could only look toward Kiriya for help.

Kiriya cleared his throat.

"Medea is still a Magus from the Age of Gods. Her knowledge and skill in Magecraft are extremely valuable, and I need them for one of my plans, so I recruited her."

He looked between the two Servants.

"Anyway, from now on we’re all on the same side. Try to get along."

"Don’t worry, Master."

Rider gave a smile that never reached her eyes.

"As the senior here, I’ll make sure to take very good care of our junior."

"Ohohohoho. There’s really no need to trouble yourself."

Caster’s own smile became equally fake.

"I’m sure Master will ’take care’ of me perfectly well."

As she spoke, she tried to wrap both arms around Kiriya’s arm.

Ryuu calmly reached out and blocked her before she could.

Caster’s expression froze.

"..."

Rider said nothing.

Her blindfold completely covered her eyes.

And yet somehow, Caster could still clearly feel the ridicule radiating from her.

’Trying to cling to him already? You think you qualify?’

Caster ground her teeth.

’Bitch. What are you acting so proud for? You only arrived one day before I did. Just wait. Sooner or later I’ll push you right out of the way.’

"All right, all right. Dinner’s basically ready, so let’s eat before everything gets cold."

Sakura hurriedly stepped in before things escalated further.

Everyone finally took their seats.

Looking over the table full of beautifully prepared dishes, Kiriya immediately gave Sakura a thumbs-up.

"This is seriously impressive. At this level, you could work as the head chef in a luxury hotel."

"It’s nowhere near that amazing."

A faint blush appeared on Sakura’s face as she hurriedly placed a piece of food into Kiriya’s bowl.

"Kiriya, try this. Tempura is one of the dishes I’m most confident in."

Kiriya took one bite and immediately began praising it.

Ryuu, Jeanne, Esdeath, and Rider quickly joined in, complimenting Sakura from every direction until the girl’s face became as red as a ripe apple.

The entire table was filled with such warm, harmonious energy that they almost looked like a real family.

Caster watched them quietly.

A trace of envy passed through her eyes.

She had once possessed bonds like these too.

Before a certain man had...

’Forget it. Why am I thinking about that now?’

She concealed the emotion quickly, but Rider had already noticed.

After watching her for a moment, Rider silently picked up a piece of fish and placed it into Caster’s bowl.

"Here. This is especially fresh."

Her voice carried a faint edge.

"It suits you perfectly."

"No thanks. I don’t like fish."

Caster refused immediately.

"Just eat it."

Rider smiled.

"Otherwise, some stray little cat might come along and steal it before you notice."

Caster rolled her eyes.

The meaning behind that remark was painfully obvious.

Unfortunately for Rider, Caster had never been the kind of person who quietly accepted a loss.

She immediately turned toward Kiriya and softened her voice until it became almost unbearably sweet.

"Master, about the plan we discussed earlier... I’ve thought of a few new ideas. Why don’t we find somewhere private later and talk them over?"

"Sure."

Kiriya agreed without hesitation.

Caster smiled.

"Don’t worry. I guarantee you’ll find them... eye-opening."

"What plan?"

Jeanne looked over curiously.

Kiriya had never mentioned anything about it to her.

"Oh?"

Esdeath raised an eyebrow.

"I’d also like to know exactly how ’eye-opening’ this plan is supposed to be."

"I’m curious as well."

Ryuu calmly wiped her mouth with a napkin.

Three pairs of eyes settled on Caster—one gentle, one cool, one sharp.

Caster kept smiling.

A thin layer of sweat had already appeared on her forehead.

’Damn it. I got so focused on provoking that ugly snake that I forgot these women were sitting right here.’

Her mouth twitched.

"It’s still just an immature idea. Let me organize my thoughts first and prepare a proper plan."

Not another word was said about giving Kiriya a private report.

Seeing Caster immediately deflate, Rider laughed inwardly.

’And here I thought you were some high-level schemer. That’s all you’ve got?’

The satisfaction lasted only a moment before a new sense of urgency appeared.

There were more and more beautiful women around Kiriya lately.

At this rate, would there eventually be a waiting list just for mana replenishment?

’No. Absolutely not!’

’That magical energy is mine. I’m not giving that bitch a single drop!’

Rider immediately made a decision.

’Tonight... no, tomorrow night. I’ll drain him completely. Then let’s see how he plans to replenish her mana afterward.’

Across the table, Esdeath was also examining Rider and Caster with increasing thoughtfulness.

’Has Kiriya been collecting a few too many women lately?’

A dangerous idea slowly surfaced.

’Looks like he still has far too much energy. I should probably take out some insurance.’

Her gaze briefly passed over Jeanne and Ryuu.

’Those two probably won’t object. Their skin is too thin. In a situation like this, neither of them would compete with me anyway.’

A quiet laugh escaped her.

"Esdeath?"

Kiriya looked at her curiously, drawing everyone else’s attention as well.

"What’s so funny?"

Esdeath calmly shook her head and ran her tongue lightly across the corner of her lips.

"Nothing."

Her smile deepened.

"I just thought of something pleasant."

Seeing that look—and the unmistakably suggestive glint in her eyes—Kiriya suddenly felt a phantom ache in his lower back.