My youth story, a crossover anime, turns out, is FGO!

"They're having a really heated fight over there."

Makoto Aoki glanced at the various magical lights reflecting in the night sky and clicked his tongue in disapproval.

“It seems they won’t be back anytime soon,” Taiko said with a smile. “But if they’re all there, Shishi-kun will be under a lot of pressure.”

“Indeed.” Makoto Aoki nodded. “But don’t underestimate him. After all, he is a Master carefully selected by the Mage Association. He won’t die so easily. To be honest, Darnic of Yggdrasilia might not be his match.”

Even though Danic lived longer, his combat experience was far inferior to that of Lion's Claw, a mercenary who had lived a life of bloodshed.

"Besides, Fiore isn't there either. If things really can't be done, Shiki Jie Li won't fight to the death there."

Even if they couldn't win, escaping wouldn't be a problem. Plus, with the protection of the old sword, Makoto Aoki was still relatively optimistic about the battle situation there.

"somebody is coming."

Taigong Wang suddenly whispered, pulling Aoki Makoto to hide in a dark place. A red light flashed, and the magic that took effect instantly concealed the two of them.

A dozen seconds later, a group of androids carrying long weapons and dressed in identical brown-haired, red-eyed outfits walked down the corridor.

“As expected, they still have guards,” Makoto Aoki muttered as their footsteps faded into the distance. “Yogdomirenia is really making the most of its resources, but I can’t blame them for doing so.”

"After all, androids are just too useful." Makoto Aoki sighed. After all, he himself had his eye on these androids, although he didn't want to create them, he just wanted to abduct them all.

Even in the original work, these androids seem to be similar to cannon fodder, but it depends on who they are compared to. Against Heroic Spirits, they are certainly cannon fodder, but they can fight Dragon Fang Soldiers head-on with simple magic, so their combat power is actually not weak.

They're at least stronger than the weak Masters on Makoto Aoki's side.

"Where to go first?" Taigong Wang asked. After all, they were still in the enemy's stronghold, and he couldn't use too powerful magic, otherwise he would be easily detected.

The only saving grace is that the Black side's caster, Avisbro, who was building the position, is still tied up on the battlefield. If he were to return, Taikomochi and Aoki Makoto wouldn't be able to make things so easy.

Therefore, the two of them have very limited time.

"Let's go to the androids first," Makoto Aoki said decisively, not immediately choosing the location of the Greater Grail.

If nothing unexpected happens, the location of the Greater Grail will be the most heavily guarded place in Yggdrasil Castle. He wasn't originally there to take the Greater Grail, so he simply decided not to go.

If you want to take the Greater Grail, you can only do so honorably, like Amakusa Shiro Tokisada. After all, none of those places have a base like the Yggdrasil Castle or the Hanging Gardens, so there's no way to preserve it properly.

"learn."

The two quickly broke in, bypassing many patrolling androids and hidden magic along the way, and finally arrived at the place where the original protagonist Sieg awakened.

In this vast underground space, countless petri dishes stand densely packed together, and naked figures float in the pale green nutrient solution.

They all had light brown hair, fair skin, and an ethereal quality. Even without opening their eyes, Makoto Aoki knew that they had red eyes similar to those of the Einzbern homunculus, but slightly lighter.

"There are quite a few," Makoto Aoki remarked. "As expected of something made with the magic power of the Greater Grail, the quality of the magic circuits is also quite good."

While it may not be on par with Sieg, the protagonist of the original work who was targeted by Avisbro, it is definitely stronger than Waver's magic circuits, which have only been passed down for two or three generations.

Even someone with exceptional talent like Shirou Emiya would find it hard to compare to them, given that they are degraded spirits.

But for now, all they face is the fate of dying unknowingly, having their magic drained by their Servants.

"It's up to you," Aoki Makoto said to Taiko no Momo.

Taigong Wang nodded slightly and began to set up the formation.

The effect is simple: cut off the mana supply to this place at a crucial moment. Doing this when a Servant wants to use their Noble Phantasm can sometimes be fatal.

There are also some simple protective techniques, after all, Makoto Aoki already considers these androids to be his own.

"Let's go."

Once Taigong Wang completed the formation, Aoki Makoto did not intend to linger in the battle. After all, the Lion's Bane Realm was still under great pressure, and wasting too much time here would not be a wise move.

The two returned to the corridor, intending to leave some backup plans before retreating.

"There's an artificial human ahead, and he's rather unusual," Taigong Wang suddenly said.

A android that acts alone at this time... could it be...?

Makoto Aoki pondered for a moment, then did not hide himself, but waited for the person to approach with unsteady steps.

"You are?"

The android's light red pupils held a faint bewilderment and an instinctive emptiness.

Makoto Aoki recognized him, not just because of his appearance—after all, all androids look pretty much the same—but mainly because of his clothing and the non-hostile look in his eyes.

That's right, it's Zieg.

Of course, at present, the homunculus has not officially chosen Siegfried as his name in memory of Siegfried's self-sacrifice, nor has he received the "best sword in the village" given to him by Astolfo. He is still an innocent homunculus, and even the clothes he wears were found by Chiron out of friendship.

To be honest, compared to the malice many people have towards Sieg, Makoto Aoki's impression of Sieg isn't too bad. The reason is probably that although he doesn't like pairing Higashide with Sieg, Sieg, as a very useful Caster-class AoE attacker, did make a lot of contributions to Makoto Aoki when he was playing FGO.

Besides, he's already in his forties or fifties, why bother arguing with a baby who's only a few days old? Then we silently tell ourselves that it's all Higashide's fault, and that's it. Higashide, like the love-struck Sakurai, always writes some strange and bizarre plots.

Not to mention, it's absurd that Sieg is the main character of the story, but as a manipulable character... who wouldn't like someone who is naive, easily fooled, and yet powerful?

Thinking this, Makoto Aoki gave a sincere smile: "Hello."

"H-Hello? Should I say that?" The android's voice was soft, but yes, it was Hanae Natsuki's voice!

"Are you an escaped android?" Makoto Aoki went straight to the point. He knew that even if you tried to be subtle, the android wouldn't understand, and besides, this android didn't seem to have any questions about such complex thought processes.

"Are you here to capture me?" The android instinctively showed a wary expression, after all, he had escaped by relying on his survival instinct.

"No."

Makoto Aoki's words put the android at ease.

"But I can help you."

Seeing that he was all alone, Makoto Aoki probably guessed that because of the existence of the Old Sword, Astolfo probably didn't find a chance to sneak back and rescue him.

It seems there's no other way; he'll have to do it himself now.

After all, he was the magic material that Avisbro had his eye on. Even if the plot didn't go as planned and Siegfried couldn't be taken along, his escape would still attract the pursuit of the Black Faction, and Rider Astolfo would fall out with them.

This situation will be beneficial to Makoto Aoki's next plans.

Makoto Aoki wasn't just standing by and watching the androids die. In fact, Ruler Holmes was already on his way. Just like in the original story, the Black Faction still had to give Ruler face.

Not to mention that they're also going to be mobilized on their side.

The android looked bewildered: "Why are you willing to help me?"

"Even if I escape, I only have less than three years to live. So, is it really worth it?"

"Don't think too much about it. In short, you don't want to die, right?" To the android, Aoki Makoto's words sounded almost like a mentor. "Think positively. Meaning is something you can only find while you're alive. Once you're dead, you have nothing."

"Let's focus on surviving first, then we can think about other things."

Makoto Aoki pointed in a direction: "The Masters and Servants of Yggdrasilia are currently engaged in battle and should have no time to attend to you. You can escape in that direction."

Thinking of how he was practically dragged along by Astolfo in the original story, Makoto Aoki added, "Of course, you can also choose whether to become magic material who doesn't know who they were born for or what they will die for, or to bravely take a step forward, pursue your own life, and find your own meaning?"

The android trembled, his brain, devoid of memory and thought, was racing, and finally, his gaze hardened.

"I still want to live, even if it's meaningless, I still want to live."

Makoto Aoki wasn't surprised by the android's choice; after all, if it didn't want to live, it wouldn't have broken out of the culture dish and escaped on its own.

"Well then, good luck, nameless android."

Use this to protect yourself.

Makoto Aoki tossed him a pistol loaded with Origin Bullets, which could harm magicians.

The android took it without knowing what to do, looking it up and down in confusion.

Time was limited, so Makoto Aoki only taught him a few simple ways to use it, making sure he didn't hit himself.

"And this too." Makoto Aoki tossed him another item. "You can try using this to attack when you encounter an enemy Servant. Find the right opportunity." He then gave a brief explanation.

"Thank you," the homunculus said sincerely, after all, he had received help from Astolfo, Chiron, and Makoto Aoki since his birth.

"Goodbye."

Finally, Makoto Aoki escorted the person to the outside of the castle.

The android bowed gratefully to him and ran in the direction Makoto Aoki had pointed out.

Makoto Aoki looked at the location where the red and black forces were fighting, feeling the rapidly escalating magical power: "Let's go."

If we don't leave now, are we going to get shot by a laser cannon?

"Let's go pick up our teammates!" The decisive battle with Black is almost here.