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He definitely gave off the impression of being a person from a distant time.

Well, that was appropriate for a Heroic Spirit, but even among them, there were many who came from eras that could be better understood by living humans, or who melded better with the modern world when they arrived. In comparison, standing next to this Rider was more like--

--It was like gazing towards a vast sea, blanketed with fog. There was a serenity, but also a weight to his presence. For the magus who had summoned him, it must have seemed impossible to guess what he was thinking.

Was he sad?

The place where they were, as Rider understood it, was a sort of shop for food and drink where a person could sit down and enjoy anything they bought straightaway. There were various unfamiliar drinks and pastries on the menu, all advertised in an unfamiliar script, but thanks to the Grail he knew what it said, and he knew what they were, approximately. This wasn't the sort of place he had expected to be summoned to, and indeed, the nature of the young man who had called him here didn't reflect Rider's own expectation of what a Master would be. As a mage, he had enough power, but his life and the way he presented himself were different. He had not ordered Rider to venture out and destroy an enemy base, nor to sit on his hands and wait for a development. But that suited the hero just as well.

[color=a36209]"Battles between Servants are confined to the night,"[/color] There was a deep strength in Rider's voice, but he sounded too peaceful. Restrained? [color=a36209]"But with the state this land is in, that concept loses its meaning. Darkness is nearly everywhere. The limit... Where we can and can't fight begins to break down."[/color]

There was no joy in speaking about the way things were in Japan, but it was ever-present. The grace of sunlight was all but absent, and that fact was reflected in the hearts of the people. For Rider, whose memories were filled with vibrant blue skies, open seas, and lush islands, it was heart-wrenching. He didn't speak about the lack of distinguishable day and night as an advantage in war, but only as a sorrowful observation.

[color=a36209]"...Come, Master. By now, I'm sure every one of the Servants has been summoned. So, I'm going."[/color] The Heroic Spirit stood tall, glancing out at the dismal city through the broad windows of the coffee shop.

In a free-for-all war, there was no advantage to being the first one to enter into combat. Energy would be spent, and his strength would be revealed. Hiding in a secure base and observing the movements of foolish competitors would be the superior strategy in most scenarios. But with a mindset like that, Theseus never would have undertaken any of the deeds that made him a hero in the first place. In his understanding of his Master's motivations, Rider was sure that Shane would have no problem accompanying him. The little bell above the shop's door chimed when Rider pulled it open. He threw a cloak on, took up his staff, and stepped into the volcanic twilight.