Hunter of the Forest

Oh? Robin's buying things from that shop. Did you tell him to do that?

As expected, Senpai knows exactly what to do with Servants. If there's nothing to do, have them patrol.

Then he's just walking around on his own?

Well, until they're needed they're free to do what they want, but...

？！

Those beat up old blades? If you're just gonna give them to the blacksmith I'll take all you've got.

Oh, and a dozen lengths of rope. Throw in some rags, too.

Yeah, sure thing. I'm glad you're taking this junk off my hands, but what will you use them for?

Who knows? But junk's got its uses. You can put it together into something good.

Hey, this is a nice blanket. Didn't think I'd see something like this. I'll take it.

That's an expensive blanket. You sleep in your cape, what will you do with it?

My new boss is a wimp who's not used to camping.

...Looks like he's buying a lot. Should we talk to him, Master?

Hello Robin, are you buying something?

Oh, Master and Lady Mash. Fancy seeing you here.

I'm kind of surprised to see you here Robin... It's rare for a Servant to go shopping.

Maybe so. Compared to the other guys, I'm a little plain, right? I feel more at home in places like this.

But again, this is perfect timing. I'm going hunting, want to tag along?

Hunting? Is that code for you're going gambling?

What kind of guy do you think I am? Not gambling, plain old hunting.

...Quietly. Quietly. I saw some weird animal tracks around here.

I set some traps over the past few days... Got it! Bingo! They fell for it.

This area up ahead is a blind alley. It'll be easy to trap them.

Of course I did. What did you think I was doing?

They didn't make me a Servant just because I'm good looking. I'm a master hunter.

Haha, you'll have to find out. Something perfect for a growing Master.

？！

Robin, it's pulling! The line is pulling!

All right, let's do this! This is some rare prey. Don't let it escape, Master!

That was amazing! Master, Robin is a master hunter!

？！

Hahaha, you're a greedy one, huh Master? Let's move on to the next trap then.

Roger!

Quietly, quietly...Oh, this one too. Although this is one I hoped they wouldn't trigger.

You hoped they wouldn't trigger?

Yeah, unlike the other place, there are signs of people staying here.

They're pros too, so they've hidden themselves well, but... See? 3, 2, 1, 0.

GYAAAAHHH! A trap! A hidden pit!

Scouts, what were you doing? There's spear tips smeared with cow dung on the bottom!

I hear terrible screaming! Robin, what was that?

？！

These guys were getting ready to attack the town. See? This is important, too.

If we can get rid of them here, they can't hurt the town and the enemy won't know our location.

Just like they said, scouts are the most basic and critical part of war.

A bonus is important, but you need basic recon work too. Don't forget that, Master.

Y-Yeah. Robin is right! This is important too! No, it's more important!

？！

RogerI'll change my feeling of misplaced hope into rage, Master!

Oh, how brave! Let's do this nice and easy. Nice and easy.

Whew! We ended up going around the whole forest.

But it paid off, bigtime. Not just from the battles, but what Robin did.

He's been protecting the town without them ever knowing, right?

Aww, don't say that. I'm not a hero even after death.

I'll admit I can be a bit of an oddball. But you've got me all wrong, Fujimaru.

？！

I don't even remember the people in town. I just protect it because it's a nice place.

I'm not any different from the soldiers who attack the town. Just different tastes.

...Um, what does that mean?

You know, I didn't want to go around crushing kids' dreams. But I may as well say it.

You guys talk about saving humanity, but that stuff's too big for me to really understand.

I'm a Servant? It got to be some kind of mistake.

I was just a murderer with a rebel streak. I didn't save anything.

？！

That's just how things ended up. I fought alone, and the village was safe for a year or two.

Sure, I fought the lord's army, but that doesn't mean I wanted to save anyone.

You get it? I'm just a thug and a coward. So be careful, Master.

It's dangerous to let your guard down because of my good looks. I'm a coward who'll run if he has to.

Anyway, we're done hunting, so I'll be going. Might take a nap in the woods.

Call me if there's a fight. It's my job, so I'll do whatever crazy things I have to.

...He's gone. But Robin contradicted himself.

He said he protected the town because it was a nice place to be, but he sleeps in the forest.

I think he...I think he's keeping his distance from what's truly important to him.

？！

What does that mean... Hey, why are you smiling like that?

If you know the answer, please tell me! Senpai, Senpaaaai!