Does a Doll Deserve to Live a Happy Life? (Patreon)

Chapter 7: The First Move

Two Weeks Later—Demiplane

The sharp sounds of training echoed across the shoreline, where a long stretch of beach shimmered beneath a softly glowing sky. Explosions cracked through the air, flashes of light scattering across the sand with every impact.

At the center of it all stood a man with white hair and tan skin, clad in gleaming silver and black armor. He moved like flowing water—dodging, deflecting, absorbing each spell and curse hurled his way with practiced precision.

Across the beach, Tamamo stood with one hand extended, releasing a stream of binding and elemental curses. Beside her, Kiara focused with a calm intensity, her Shun Shun Rikka dancing around her like radiant orange fairies—gentle in appearance, yet potent in their protective magic.

“Good job, Sieg-kun~!” Tamamo cheered, lowering her hand with a playful twirl. “You're holding that form longer and longer! That’s a whole thirty minutes now.”

“Indeed,” Kiara added, stepping forward, her expression softening with concern. “Excellent progress, Sieg-kun. But... are you hurt anywhere?”

I exhaled slowly and relaxed my stance. The glow of transformation faded as I felt myself return to my base form, tension bleeding from my limbs.

“Thanks, both of you,” I said, giving them a tired smile. “And no, Kiara, I’m alright. I promise.”

She narrowed her eyes slightly. “Are you sure? Because that’s exactly what a boy says when he’s hiding an injury.”

Before I could respond, she was already at my side, her hands gently inspecting my arms, chest, and sides with practiced care. I blinked in surprise.

That line… those words…

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

The sound caught Kiara off guard, and she looked up at me with a puzzled expression.

“Sorry,” I said, shaking my head with a fond smile. “You just reminded me of someone I used to know. She said the exact same thing to me once.”

Kiara’s brows rose in curiosity, but then her eyes softened, and a small blush dusted her cheeks.

“I assure you,” I continued, voice light but sincere, “I’m really fine.”

I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the sound of the waves and the warmth of their presence settle over me like a blanket.

Well, that—and I was doing my damned best not to look anywhere near Kiara.

Her bottoms were… manageable, thanks to the pink wrap tied around her hips that offered some modesty over her barely-there bikini. But her top? That was another story entirely.

A single white strip of cloth—that was the only thing standing between me and a full view of her breasts. And even that was struggling. It clung to her skin, doing a poor job of hiding the obvious, and her already hard nipples pressed visibly against the fabric, making it near impossible not to notice.

I had tried my best to keep my eyes anywhere but on her. The horizon. My hands. A rock on the beach. Anything.

Unfortunately, my silence must have tipped her off.

“Eep!” Kiara yelped suddenly, leaping back like a startled kitten. “S-sorry, Sieg-kun! I didn’t mean to stand so close.”

Before I could respond, another presence closed in—and without warning, I was pulled into a soft, warm wall of skin.

My head found itself buried between Tamamo’s ample assets, wrapped in the tight blue and red bikini she was flaunting like it was designed specifically to break my composure.

“Stop seducing my Sieg-kun with your perverted body, you shameless seductress!” Tamamo declared with theatrical outrage, tightening her grip on me like a prize she’d just reclaimed.

Kiara blinked, flustered. “I-I wasn’t trying to seduce anyone! It’s just a swimsuit!”

“Well, your swimsuit looks like a wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen!” Tamamo huffed, puffing her cheeks like an angry chipmunk. “Mine is cute and traditional! Yours is scandalous!”

“…They're both basically strings,” I muttered, voice muffled by cleavage.

Neither of them heard me—or if they did, they pretended not to.

Before either Kiara or Tamamo could escalate their argument any further, a quiet voice cut through the ocean breeze.

“Um… lunch is ready.”

We all turned.

Sakura stood a few steps away from the small road leading home, barefoot in the warm sand. She wore a pale sundress that fluttered lightly in the breeze, and a wide-brimmed hat that shaded her eyes. Her posture was still a little hesitant—shoulders slightly hunched, fingers fidgeting with the hem of her dress—but her voice had been clearer than before.

She looked better now.

Brighter.

There were still shadows beneath her eyes, and she rarely spoke unless prompted—but compared to the broken girl we’d rescued just two weeks ago, this was progress. Slow, fragile progress.

Her gaze swept the group, only lingering briefly on Kiara and Tamamo before settling on me—and softening.

“I… made miso soup and rice balls,” she said, her voice shy but proud. “With mother’s help.”

Tamamo loosened her grip on me and gave Sakura a warm smile. “Thank you, Sakura-chan! I’m starving!”

Kiara offered a graceful nod. “We’ll be right there.”

But Sakura didn’t really wait for their replies. Her violet eyes locked onto mine.

“Will you… come eat with me, Sieg-san?” she asked quietly.

I blinked, caught slightly off guard by the directness in her tone.

“I will,” I said with a smile, stepping toward her. “Thank you for taking care of lunch, Sakura.”

Her lips twitched—just a hint of a smile—as she turned and began walking back toward the house. I followed, noticing how her steps seemed lighter with me nearby, her hand brushing briefly against mine before pulling away again.

It wasn’t hard to see that something had shifted. That I’d become… something to her.

A source of comfort. Of stability.

Maybe even someone she looked up to.

Tamamo and Kiara followed behind us, talking quietly—but I noticed Sakura’s glance back at them, eyes narrowing ever so slightly before she quickly looked away.

Possessive?

Maybe.

She’d been through hell. It wasn’t strange that she’d cling to the first person who made her feel safe.

Even if that person was me.

=====

The scent of warm miso soup and freshly steamed rice filled the air as we gathered around the low table on the wooden deck overlooking the beach. The waves rolled gently in the distance, the sky overhead painted in hues of late afternoon gold.

Lunch was simple but comforting. Hand-shaped rice balls, grilled vegetables, a few slices of fish, and miso soup that still steamed in its bowls.

Sakura sat closest to me, knees tucked neatly under her as she poured tea with careful, practiced motions. Her eyes stayed downcast most of the time, but every so often, I’d catch her sneaking glances at me—quick and quiet, as if to reassure herself I was still there.

Tamamo hummed softly as she picked at her food, her usual energy dialed down. Kiara ate slowly, gracefully, her posture as perfect as ever. Aoi smiled now and then, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

The mood was… muted.

No teasing from Tamamo. No philosophical musing from Kiara. No chatter.

Just the soft clink of chopsticks. The sound of waves. And the unspoken weight that hung over the table.

Only the adults knew.

Tonight—or tomorrow, at the latest—the war would begin in earnest. Blood would be spilled. The delicate peace of our Demiplane would be traded for the uncertainty of the next battle.

And this—this quiet lunch by the sea—was likely our last moment of peace for a while.

Sakura’s hand paused mid-reach for a rice ball. Her fingers trembled slightly, and she lowered it back down. I saw her glance from Tamamo, to Aoi, then to me.

“Sieg-san,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Is something… wrong?”

I looked up.

Her eyes—soft, uncertain, worried—searched mine for answers.

I offered her the gentlest smile I could muster.

“Everything’s okay, Sakura,” I said.

It wasn’t a lie. Not entirely.

But she didn’t look convinced.

She lowered her gaze and said nothing more, but I could feel the tension in her small shoulders, the way she sat just a little closer to me than before, as if that alone would keep the world from changing.

And maybe, for her sake, I wished it could.

=====

Before too long, our peaceful lunch came to an end. Aoi gently guided Sakura back inside, managing to convince her with a quiet promise—something about teaching her something that might help me in the future.

Sakura hesitated, glancing at me one last time before nodding. She clung to Aoi’s sleeve as they disappeared into the house, leaving me alone with Kiara and Tamamo.

As soon as the sliding door shut behind them, the atmosphere shifted.

The warmth drained from Tamamo’s playful smile, and Kiara’s gentle expression grew pensive. Both looked at me—no longer with affection, but with resolve.

“So it finally begins…” Kiara murmured, her golden eyes laced with worry.

I met her gaze and gave a small, reassuring smile. “It’s alright, Kiara. Technically, we’re in a strong position. I could qualify as a Saber-class Servant myself, and with Tamamo being incarnated, she’s already far beyond the average Caster.”

“Fufufu~ That’s right!” Tamamo said, trying to summon her usual cheer as she leaned into me, tails swishing behind her. “Me and Sieg-kun are an unbeatable combo~!”

But even with her arms wrapped around mine, her voice held a faint tremble—small, but there.

I pulled her gently into a proper hug. She relaxed into it immediately, burying her face into my shoulder like she always belonged there.

“We might not be alone in this,” I added. “If we’re lucky, we might even gain allies during the war.”

Kiara’s brows lifted slightly. “You mean… other Servants? Or a Master?”

“Exactly,” I said with a nod, my mind already turning over the possibilities. “There’s at least one Servant I’d like to approach. If I handle things carefully, I may be able to fulfill his wish right away.”

Tamamo perked up slightly. “Oho~ Someone’s planning something behind the scenes~ Can you tell us who?”

I smiled faintly. “Rider.”

Both women looked at me with interest, and I elaborated.

“His wish is simple—and it’s something I’ve already granted once before.”

Now, as to why I was so certain the war would officially begin today or tomorrow?

Simple.

Irisviel and Saber had arrived in Fuyuki this morning.

Their presence marked the real starting line. With the Lesser Grail now in play, things were guaranteed to escalate quickly.

‘The question is what to do about Irisviel…’ I thought grimly. ‘I can’t just overlook her. Not when she’s the host of the Lesser Grail.’

Her very existence was the lynchpin for the ritual. Without her, the Grail couldn’t manifest. But interfering too early could risk destabilizing the entire structure of the war—and Saber’s trust.

=====

Later That Evening

Using Bounty Tracker to monitor the movements of every Master and Servant across Fuyuki, it wasn’t long before I noticed a flurry of activity near the harbor.

That was my sign.

After a brief farewell to Kiara—who offered us a gentle smile and wished us luck—Tamamo and I stepped out from the safety of the Demiplane and into the quiet streets of Fuyuki City.

Our destination: Fuyuki Harbor.

If memory served, tonight marked the unofficial start of the Fourth Holy Grail War. Nearly every Master and Servant would converge there—whether by destiny, design, or sheer coincidence.

Tamamo followed silently behind me, completely invisible in her spirit form, her presence masked as she kept a vigilant watch on our surroundings. We moved like shadows beneath the moonlight, gliding across rooftops and empty streets under the layered protection of Information and Trace Defense.

By the time the harbor came into view, the clash had already begun.

Sparks lit up the darkness—Saber and Lancer, steel against steel, locked in elegant, merciless combat.

Excalibur’s unseen edge clashed against Lancer’s twin spears with a rhythm that echoed across the docks. Watching them, I felt a stirring deep in my chest—not fear or awe, but anticipation.

It seems my Campione blood was still having an effect on me despite the template being at tier4.

A short distance away, standing near the harbor’s edge, were two familiar figures: one tall and imposing in crimson, the other smaller and visibly nervous beside him.

Rider and Waver.

Tamamo remained quiet beside me, still cloaked and invisible. Her presence was calm, but ready.

Perfect, I thought, and silently made my way toward them.

My steps weren’t silent, and Rider—sensitive to the battlefield by nature—immediately noticed me. He didn’t react aggressively, simply waiting as I approached, the night breeze tugging faintly at my clothes.

I walked with purpose, letting the tension settle naturally.

“Evening,” I said casually, as if I had every right to be there.

Rider turned toward me with a wide grin, as though greeting an old friend. Waver, on the other hand, practically jumped out of his skin.

“W-What the hell?! Where did you come from?!”

Rider raised a hand, calming his Master with a chuckle. “Easy, boy. If he meant harm, he wouldn’t have bothered greeting us.”

His sharp eyes shifted back to me, analyzing my stance, my aura, my presence.

“And whose Master might you be?” he asked, voice curious but firm.

“Caster,” I answered simply, keeping a respectful distance as I met Rider’s gaze without fear. “I came here to have a word with you.”

“Hoh?” Rider’s grin widened as his sharp eyes scanned the air around me. “Pretty bold of you to show yourself without your Servant present. Then again, considering you’re a Caster’s Master… they must be lurking nearby.”

I shook my head slightly, then gave Tamamo the mental signal.

A moment later, she materialized at my side in a shimmer of light and charm, her signature grin firmly in place. Rider and Waver both visibly stiffened—surprised. Neither had sensed her presence at all.

“She’s right here.”

“Good evening, you two~,” Tamamo sang sweetly, daintily lifting a hand to cover her smile. “Be sure to listen carefully to my dear Master, okay~?”

Rider let out a low whistle. “That’s quite the skill you’ve got there, young lady,” he said with a chuckle. “If I didn’t already know there was an Assassin in this war, I might’ve mistaken you for one myself.”

Tamamo’s tail flicked behind her with amusement. Her other tails hidden for now.

Rider’s grin remained, but his tone shifted—just slightly.

“Now then, boy,” he said, folding his arms across his chest. “I doubt you came all this way just to enjoy the show. So what is it you want?”

“I came to make you an offer,” I said plainly.

Rider arched a brow, clearly intrigued. “An offer, is it? Well, you’ve got my attention. Let’s hear it.”

I glanced at Waver briefly—still half-hiding behind Rider—and then back at the King of Conquerors himself.

“You fight for conquest, do you not? For the glory of your name, and the dream of standing once more upon the world as a true king.”

Rider’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Careful with your words, boy. You speak like someone who knows too much.”

“I know enough,” I replied. “And I’m not here to threaten that dream. I’m here to present an alternative—a path not bound by the Grail, or its corruption.”

Waver looked confused. “What do you mean corruption?”

Rider didn’t answer him. His focus was locked entirely on me now. Serious. Measured.

“I’ve seen what becomes of the Grail in this war. What it does. The kind of wish it grants… twisted by something that shouldn’t be there.”

Rider’s eyes narrowed further. “And yet you stand here offering me something else. A solution?”

I nodded. “A means to grant your wish directly. No deception. No gamble. A real incarnation—here, in this world. Flesh and blood. Free to walk the earth as you once did.”

Waver’s mouth dropped open. “That’s—! You can’t be serious!”

“I am,” I said. “I’ve already done it once. Caster is proof.”

Tamamo stepped forward, smile a bit gentler now. “It’s true~ I was once only a spirit, bound by a time limit like the rest. But thanks to my darling Master, I now live fully in this world.”

Rider’s expression shifted—not into disbelief, but into thought. Deep thought.

“And what do you want in return?” he asked at last.

“Only that you remain neutral toward us in this war,” I said. “Help us if you choose—but at the very least, don’t stand against us. In exchange, I’ll grant you a place in this world when the war ends.”

A long silence stretched between us.

Then Rider’s grin returned, slower and heavier than before.

“You speak with boldness, and I can tell you mean every word. Hah! What a strange Master you are.”

He held out his hand.

“I like you. I don’t make promises lightly, but for now, you have my word. I’ll stay my blade from you and yours… and if your claim proves true, then I’ll consider your path.”

I stepped forward and shook his hand.

“Deal.”

Rider gave my hand one final squeeze before releasing it, his grin broadening.

“Well then, Master of Caster,” he said, voice booming with good humor. “Consider me intrigued. We’ll see where your road leads.”

With that, he turned on his heel, his crimson cloak billowing dramatically in the harbor wind.

“Come, boy!” he barked to Waver, who nearly tripped over himself trying to catch up.

“Wait—Rider! Are we really just walking away?!”

“Not quite,” Rider replied, already striding toward the two combatants locked in graceful conflict by the water’s edge. “I’ve got something more pressing to deal with.”

Tamamo and I watched as the towering Servant marched directly into the dueling ground, golden sparks flashing from Lancer’s spears as they collided once again with Saber’s invisible blade.

Neither of them noticed Rider until he was almost upon them.

“I say!” he called out, voice loud and regal. “Your swordplay is truly admirable—but why don’t we make this gathering more festive?”

Saber tensed immediately, falling back with her blade raised. Lancer shifted in front of her defensively, his expression grim.

Tamamo snorted beside me. “He really doesn’t do subtle, does he?”

“It’s effective,” I murmured, eyes not leaving the battlefield. “He’s turning this into a spectacle—which gives us cover.”

I felt her glance at me, her tone shifting.

{Be ready, Tamamo.} I called out through our bond, and she immediately straightened. {Once the fighting intensifies, we’ll make our move.}

{Of course, Master.} Her response was sharp and serious, fitting the moment.

I looked down at the skirmish below, already sensing the arrival of more Servants on the horizon. The battlefield was about to get crowded.

And still, one thought pressed at the back of my mind. And my eyes remained focused on the white-haired woman standing behind Saber.

Should I use this chaos to kidnap Irisviel… and take her out of the war entirely?