MMMS 60

Nightfall settled over the city. In the top-floor suite where the Saber team had set up base, Kayneth rubbed his temple, trying to ease the dull throb of frustration building behind his eyes.

"Saber," he called out with a sigh. "Present yourself."

"Yes, Lord El-Melloi."

The words had barely left his lips when the magnificent knight materialized before him.

"You've performed admirably these past few days," Kayneth said, studying the servant carefully. "Your battles against both Lancer and Rider have certainly showcased the legendary Sun Knight's power."

Just three days ago, Kayneth had issued a challenge to Waver, that undeserving student who'd dared to steal from him. The location had been perfectly chosen—the undeveloped wasteland east of Shinto, under the afternoon sun.

Anyone with basic tactical sense would avoid facing Gawain during daylight hours, but Iskandar clearly lacked such wisdom. Rider had actually seemed excited by the challenge, eagerly accepting and dragging poor Waver along for the confrontation.

During that encounter, Gawain had demonstrated exactly why he was known as "Invincible at Noon," completely overwhelming Iskandar with his sunlight-enhanced abilities. When their Noble Phantasms clashed, a single strike from Galatine—burning with the power of the midday sun—had shattered Iskandar's Gordius Wheel into fragments. Though Rider had managed to escape, Kayneth felt thoroughly satisfied having taught his impudent former student a much-needed lesson.

"You honor me with such praise, my lord," Saber responded evenly.

His tone revealed neither pride nor pleasure at the compliments. That rigorous humility and composure perfectly embodied knightly virtue—at least on the surface. But Kayneth wasn't fooled. Something lurked beneath that perfect façade; Saber was definitely hiding something!

"Yes, well done indeed," Kayneth nodded, his expression shifting from contemplative to tense.

He drummed his fingers against the armrest before abruptly changing the subject. "I need complete honesty for my next question, Saber... Where exactly did you disappear to this afternoon?"

Gawain's composed expression faltered slightly. "I'm sorry... what exactly do you mean?" he asked, genuine confusion crossing his face as he faced Kayneth's unexpected interrogation.

"Saber, this afternoon while I was working on my Mystic Codes in the workshop—you weren't anywhere near the hotel, were you?" Kayneth's question came with an edge.

"That's correct, my lord."

"So tell me," he pressed, "where exactly did you and Sola-Ui go?"

"My lord, Lady Sola-Ui requested I accompany her as an escort through Fuyuki City this afternoon."

Something dangerous flashed in Kayneth's eyes, but he quickly composed himself, slipping back into the polished demeanor of an elegant English gentleman. "And why wasn't I informed about this little outing?"

Gawain hesitated, confusion briefly crossing his features. "Lady Sola-Ui mentioned she had already told you about it in advance. She explained you were engrossed in important work in your workshop and had left instructions not to be disturbed..."

"I received no such instructions," Kayneth cut in coldly.

"Then perhaps there was some misunderstanding?" Gawain offered carefully. "Lady Sola-Ui clearly said that—"

"Are you suggesting my fiancée lied to me?" Kayneth's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.

"Not at all, my lord," Gawain replied quickly. "I merely wondered if there might have been some miscommunication between you two."

Even under Kayneth's intense interrogation, Saber showed neither anger nor embarrassment—just a serious demeanor as he respectfully lowered his head.

"A miscommunication... is that what it was." Kayneth's lips curled into a sneer, neither accepting nor rejecting Gawain's explanation.

Based on Gawain's behavior, it was difficult to imagine he was being dishonest. Yet the relationship developing between the Sun Knight and Sola-Ui still made Kayneth deeply uneasy. After all, legends told how Gawain had once been seduced by a married woman. There was no denying Gawain's appeal—handsome and radiant as the sun itself, he was essentially the original model for what people now called "Prince Charming."

In some famous Arthurian tales, a fellow knight's wife had repeatedly shown interest in Gawain, all of which he politely turned down. Yet even someone as honorable as Gawain had once kept secret that he'd accepted gifts from a married woman. Kayneth had previously asked him if, now that he'd been given a second chance at life, he would respond differently to women's advances.

Gawain's answer had been frustratingly vague: "Though I was married in my previous life, that's all in the past now that I'm a Servant." This evasive response had only deepened Kayneth's distrust and unease toward his Saber.

"I sincerely apologize, my lord." Seeing that Kayneth's anger wasn't subsiding, Gawain bowed his head deeply, his voice grave with remorse. "I swear on my honor as a knight that I will never again leave my post without proper authorization."

"Don't bother with empty promises!" Kayneth snapped. "That should be obvious! You swore you would bring me the Holy Grail—me, Kayneth El-Melloi! Yet you can't even handle the most basic responsibilities without hiding things from me. Do you have any concept of what you're doing?"

"I believe you're the one who's mistaken, Lord El-Melloi."

The voice of Kayneth's fiancée suddenly shattered the tension in the room.

"Enough with the shouting—this whole thing is just a misunderstanding," Sola-Ui interrupted, giving Kayneth a look one'd give an incompetent employee. "I definitely sent you a message through a familiar saying I was heading to Miyama. The familiar must have made a mistake in the delivery. Or what, are you saying this is somehow my fault?"

Kayneth's face went pale. "Sola, that's not what I was suggesting..."

With his legendary temper, anyone else would have faced his explosive rage by now. But Sola-Ui was different—not just because she was his master's daughter, but because from their very first meeting, he had been completely taken with her.

Still, Sola-Ui showed zero mercy as she continued tearing into him. "Kayneth, why are you making such a big deal out of nothing?"

"I was just worried," he replied, his voice suddenly uncertain.

"Saber has been fighting his heart out for your glory, and yet you completely distrust him, convinced he's hiding something from you." She shook her head in disgust. "El-Melloi, you really are pathetically small-minded as a man."

At her mocking comment about his inadequacy, his expression darkened even further.

"Lady Sola-Ui, please stop there." Gawain's voice interrupted her complaints. "I cannot stand by while you continue to insult my lord. As his knight, I won't allow it."

"No, that wasn't my intention at all... I apologize. I went too far." Sola-Ui's transformation was instant. The woman who had just been acting like she owned the place suddenly lowered her eyes in embarrassment after Gawain spoke, her voice softening as she apologized.

Kayneth watched this exchange in silence, the knot in his stomach tightening. The way she immediately backed down for Saber when she'd shown him nothing but contempt...

Before he could dwell on it further, Sola-Ui cleared her throat. "Actually, El-Melloi, I should mention something. We received a message through a familiar just now. Someone wishes to visit—apparently they're guests of Saber."

"My… guests?" Gawain's expression shifted to one of genuine surprise, mirroring the confusion on Kayneth's face.

Seeing their reactions, Sola-Ui's own expression turned strange.

"Well..." she hesitated, watching them both carefully. "They're claiming to be Gawain's parents."