Shinji Matou at Your Service-Chapter 959: Shinji’s Role Model?

The Matou siblings were very kind to Medusa, and Medusa also enjoyed living with the Matou family. Moreover, with Medea as a rival secretly competing with her, Medusa often suppressed her monstrous traits and tried to show her more goddess-like side. As a result, she appeared as a mature, slightly aloof older sister.

However, the monstrous side of her nature was always present and had a significant influence on her. Otherwise, Medusa wouldn't have such a pitifully low Divine Rank of E. In certain special circumstances, such as during battle or when she encountered something that piqued her interest, her suppressed monstrous traits would surface.

Being a fellow bloodsucker, the newborn Dead Apostles, who were even more dependent on blood than she was, naturally caught her interest.

How different were their bodies from her own?

Could they consume anything other than blood?

What would happen to them if they didn't drink blood?

And... what would their blood taste like?

Suddenly, the room filled with the faint scent of blood.

For ordinary humans, this smell would only cause mild discomfort.

But for the two newborn Dead Apostles, it had a terrifying effect. Their blood began to stir, both yearning for and fearing what was to come. This was a higher existence, one whose very life force far surpassed theirs. The involuntary shudder they felt was even more intense than when Shinji had earlier lost his temper—more frightening than even when they had faced "that Lord."

As Medusa adjusted her glasses and began walking toward the two vampires, a figure darted in from the side, holding a magic staff and stepping in front of Medusa.

"No, you can't touch Grandma and Auntie."

Medusa turned her head to look at Shinji, who frowned.

"Illya..."

"You big liar, can't you just not seal them? I... I won't call you a liar anymore, okay?"

Illya looked at Shinji, her lips pouting pitifully.

"Ha~ It's not that simple."

Shinji massaged his temples, trying to explain in a way Illya could understand.

"It's like you and your mom are peacefully staying at home when suddenly a giant barges in and smashes your house, threatening to hurt you."

"Is it really like that?"

Illya began to panic.

"Then, Grandma, Auntie, why don't you just tell him?"

"We really can't say anything," Natalia replied with a bitter smile.

"Not even a little? Just a tiny bit?"

Illya pleaded, trying her best.

"Natalia! Shinji has helped me as well," Kiritsugu urged.

Natalia glanced at Shirley beside her, then at Kiritsugu and his daughter in front of her, and finally gritted her teeth and nodded.

"He is a very ancient Dead Apostle, one of the Twenty-Seven Dead Apostle Ancestors. His power is unfathomable. Even you, Azure Knight, might not be his match."

Shinji narrowed his eyes. That last part was unnecessary—every one of the remaining Twenty-Seven Ancestors was a monstrous existence. Natalia's limited power made her judgment unreliable.

However, the first part revealed some valuable information: an ancient Dead Apostle. There weren't many who fit that description.

Among them, there were even fewer noteworthy candidates. Given that—

"I'll ask only two questions. You just have to answer yes or no."

Natalia shook her head.

"One. If I answer two, you might be able to figure everything out."

"Fine, just one."

Shinji agreed. It would just mean a bit more effort on his part. He'd also need Kiritsugu's help, so it wouldn't be wise to push too hard.

"My question is, is this person the White Wing Lord?"

"No."

Natalia replied. Her decisive tone and the feedback from Shinji's mental detection both indicated she wasn't lying, which surprised him.

"It's not?"

Shinji had thought that Ortenrosse was the most likely answer.

Of the Twenty-Seven Ancestors, only Ortenrosse had a grudge against him.

He wanted to eliminate the last True Ancestor. He was the sworn enemy of Barthomeloi and had hunted Shinji in the past, giving him more than enough motive to target him. The reason Shinji hadn't sought vengeance yet was due to Ortenrose's vast influence, the uncertainty of success, and the fact that Ortenrosse was tied to the secret of the Second Ancestor, the Dark Six. Until that secret was unraveled, the nominal king of the Dead Apostles still had his uses.

But if that old man had come to Fuyuki to stir up trouble, it would be a different story. Shinji had already prepared for the worst before asking the question, ready to abandon the Holy Grail War and shift all his focus to eliminating the vampire threat.

But now, it seemed he had been overthinking it. Could it be, as Natalia had analyzed, that the target wasn't him after all? Were their objectives different, just coincidentally overlapping in location?

In any case, contacting the Clock Tower to investigate the movements of the ancient Dead Apostles should provide some answers.

Having made up his mind, Shinji no longer kept a stern face, and his tone softened considerably.

"For Illya's sake, I'll refrain from sealing you for now."

Upon hearing this, Medusa pouted in disappointment but didn't say anything more. She returned to her usual icy, goddess-like demeanor and stepped aside.

Sakura, on behalf of Shinji, apologized to Medusa, who waved it off, signaling she didn't mind.

Shinji continued, "However, this doesn't mean you're free to move around Fuyuki City. For the time being, you'll stay with Illya in the Matou family's villa. Kiritsugu, you must keep an eye on them. This is for their good. Several Servants have already been summoned, and if they encounter them, things might not go well for them. Dead Apostles are deniers of human order, while Heroic Spirits are its protectors. I don't need to explain what a more righteous Servant might do, do I?"

"I understand. I'll keep them in check and make sure they don't leave." Kiritsugu, fully aware of the seriousness of the situation, solemnly agreed.

Shinji nodded and then used his magical link to speak to Medea, who was back at the Matou residence.

"I'm counting on you to keep an eye on them."

"Leave it to me. If they try to run, I'll capture them for experimentation. I'm not the only one interested in them; I'm sure that woman is too. After all, they're a new species not seen in the Age of Gods."

Great, another one interested in studying Dead Apostles. And to think she says she doesn't get along with Medusa—they're clearly on the same wavelength.

"Uh, please go easy on them. I'd like to see the Emiya family reunited, happy and whole. They've suffered enough."

"I know, I'll be careful. I won't ruin your 'role model.'"

"What role model?"

Shinji didn't immediately catch on.

Medea's tone turned strange.

"You know exactly what I mean."

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"What do I know?"

"Hehe."

"Stop laughing and just explain it."

"I won't say. Figure it out yourself. Oh, and—Saber's back."

As soon as she said that, Scathach silently raised her head, her gaze piercing the door.

There, under the gentle moonlight, a figure clad in radiant silver armor stood, emanating a unique beauty.

PS: Kiritsugu is teaching Shinji how to use Harem: EX attributes.