Chapter 487: Fear

Last night, the moonlight was like water.

Tengcun Lixiang and Ilya were discussing the matter of an alliance inside the house, their chattering voices faintly drifting out.

In the courtyard, the two Heroic Spirits stood opposite each other.

Robin stood beneath an old tree, moonlight filtering through the leaves' gaps, casting dappled light onto Robin's skirt.

Robin's lake‑green eyes calmly gazed at the opposite Saber, a gentle smile on the face.

Saber stood in the center of the courtyard, posture upright, both hands crossed on the sword hilt, eyes looking into the distance, thoughts unknown.

Silence lingered for a long time.

Finally, Robin spoke first.

"Miss Saber," Robin's voice was gentle, like a stream under moonlight, "hello."

Saber turned the head slightly, casting a glance at Robin.

"... Hmm."

Just a single word.

Robin was unfazed, still keeping a smile.

"Miss Saber, did we... perhaps meet before?" Robin asked tentatively, "In Pinokanni?"

Saber was silent for a moment.

Robin recalled the time in Pinokanni, the huge screen repeatedly showing the "Robin" footage, the superstar adored by countless people.

But the Robin before her felt... different from that image.

"I was summoned here by accident,"

Saber finally spoke, voice calm, "I was originally in Pinokanni."

Robin's eyes flickered, "Pinokanni? How are things there...?"

Saber slightly frowned.

Saber was not adept at discussing such matters, but the sincerity in Robin's gaze made Saber reluctant to refuse.

"After you disappeared, the Holy Grail War paused."

Saber said briefly, "Those people are investigating with all their might, but there is little progress."

Robin fell silent.

Moonlight fell on Robin's face, casting a shadow in the lake‑green eyes.

"... I see," Robin said softly.

Saber looked at Robin, then suddenly asked, "Aren't you afraid?"

Robin lifted the head, looking toward Saber.

"Afraid?" Robin tilted the head slightly, "Afraid of what?"

"I recall you are just an ordinary person."

Saber's tone was calm, yet with a hint of puzzlement, "Being drawn into this world, becoming a Heroic Spirit, taking part in this war. Yet you remain so tranquil."

Robin was momentarily stunned, then smiled.

The smile was beautiful, like flowers blooming under moonlight.

Saber was slightly dazed.

"Miss Saber."

Robin whispered, "Do you know, when I was in Pinokanni, I faced tens of thousands of spectators each day. They liked me, worshipped me, treated me as the perfect idol. Yet no one knew I was also afraid."

Robin paused, the lake‑green eyes turning toward the night sky:

"Afraid of singing a wrong note, afraid of a performance slip, afraid of disappointing those who love me. Every time before stepping on stage, my palms would sweat with nerves."

Saber listened quietly.

"But I still go on stage."

Robin turned, looking at Saber, the smile still gentle, "Because I know that if fear makes one retreat, that is the true failure. Fear is normal, but being defeated by fear is not."

Robin gently lifted a hand, fingertips brushing the ornate necklace at the neck—underneath lay a scar left by the war.

"So, I am not afraid."

Robin said, "I have been lost, been at a loss, but I will not be afraid. Because there are still people waiting for me, people who need me."

Robin looked toward the interior, through the paper‑covered sliding door, faintly seeing Ilya and Lixiang's silhouettes.

"Ilya, that child, is very cute and also very brave."

Robin's voice grew softer, "She wants to protect me, protect her friends. In return, I also must protect her. That's all."

Saber remained silent for a long while.

Saber looked at the girl before, suddenly feeling that the previous judgment of her had been too narrow.

She is not an ordinary singer.

She is a true warrior—not with a sword, but with the heart.

"I understand."

Saber nodded slightly, tone bearing a hint of respect, "I was at fault."

Robin was briefly startled, then displayed an even brighter smile.

"Miss Saber is the truly brave one."

She said, "I heard Ilya say you are the legendary Arthur Wang. You bear a nation's destiny, leading the people toward the light. That is true bravery."

Saber said nothing.

"Is that so?"

Her thoughts drifted far away.

Just as the two were silent for a moment.

Robin suddenly spoke, "Miss Saber, your Master… doesn't seem very willing to join the Holy Grail War?"

Saber's body tensed slightly.

"... You can tell?" she asked.

Robin nodded, "Hmm. The way she looks at you sometimes carries a hint… of fear, or rather of avoidance."

Saber let out a sigh.

"... Indeed so."

Her tone carried a trace of helplessness, "I can feel that she is very resistant to the Holy Grail War, even unwilling to take part; that's normal—she's just an ordinary person, swept in by accident, with no preparation. But as a Servant, my wish is to obtain the Holy Grail. That… troubles me."

"Then what do you plan to do?"

Robin looked at her.

Saber was silent.

What can she do? Force the Master to fight? That would violate the Knight's Path.

Give up the Holy Grail? That would betray her original purpose for joining the Holy Grail War.

This is her third time participating in the Holy Grail War.

The first time, in Winterwood, ended in failure.

The second time, in Pinokanni, was aborted.

The third time, here, the Master does not wish to fight.

(Could it be that I truly have no fate with the Holy Grail?)

Saber lowered her gaze, her eyelashes trembling faintly in the moonlight.

Robin watched her, a flash of pity passing through his eyes.

"Miss Saber."

She said softly, "Perhaps… we could try a different approach?"

Saber looked at her, "A different approach?"

"Hmm."

Robin nodded, "Your current image is too… hmm, too imposing. To an ordinary high‑school girl, having the legendary Arthur Wang standing before her and having to join a life‑or‑death battle together, she would naturally be frightened."

She thought for a moment and continued, "If you could adopt a more approachable, more accessible image, making her feel you're a dependable friend rather than a lofty king, perhaps it would be better?"

Saber, pondering, rubbed her chin.

"A more approachable image…"

"For example,"

Robin's eyes lit up, "Wear casual clothes? Your current armor is indeed handsome, but too formal. Switching to everyday attire might make her see you as more down‑to‑earth."

Saber thought for a while.

"Casual clothes… I understand."

Alice had said the same before.

She nodded and solemnly thanked Robin.