A few minutes later, the meeting finally ended… Everyone, exhausted from the day's labors, returned to their rooms at last, gaining a little time for proper rest.
It was around eleven at night… Inside Fiore's room…
The girl in the wheelchair was not resting, but still seated across from the desk. Whether she was lost in thought or simply staring blankly was unclear, but one thing was certain—she had no intention of doing anything. The desk was empty save for a lamp and a few unrelated books.
"…"
The Shogun, standing by the window, glanced at the dazed girl, narrowing her eyes slightly… She had been like this ever since they returned.
"It is late."
At last, she spoke, drawing the girl's attention.
"?"
Pulled back by her voice, Fiore's body trembled slightly. She blinked in confusion, regaining her senses, and looked at her.
"Sleep washes away the day's fatigue. Today you overexerted yourself. Rest early, lest your body fail you tomorrow."
Hearing her words, Fiore did not move right away. Instead, she lowered her gaze, worry clouding her face… The hand on the desk trembled faintly, without her noticing.
Such detail could not escape the Shogun's eye. Her gaze dropped to Fiore's trembling hand, then returned to meet the girl's eyes.
"You… are very afraid?"
"Eh? Ah…"
Startled, Fiore looked at her own trembling hand, quickly covering it with the other and drawing it back onto her lap. Her face flushed with embarrassment.
"Y-yes… a little…"
She answered timidly, her voice shy.
The Shogun's gaze lingered on the downcast girl. It made her recall the battle against Kairi Sisigou… If she had arrived a moment later back then…
At that thought, a question arose in her heart.
"Magus? Is that how it is pronounced?"
"?"
Fiore raised her eyes to her, then understood the meaning of the question and nodded lightly.
"Yes…"
"Why did you choose this… profession?"
She had always judged people accurately. To her eyes, this girl named Fiore was kind by nature, still carrying a trace of unspoiled innocence. Such a disposition seemed ill-suited to such a bloodstained profession.
Fiore's blue eyes widened slightly, then grew distant with memory.
"…Because of my family… I must."
It was the most natural answer—the reason she told herself every day.
Whenever she could no longer endure, she repeated it inwardly: "I must, because I am the heir of a magus family."
"…May I ask you something? If you feel resistant or uncomfortable, you need not answer."
The Shogun leaned closer, folding her arms, then casually rested against the desk in front of the girl, facing her directly. Her tone was gentle.
"Mm… Shogun, please ask."
Fiore did not refuse. She nodded obediently, though her voice was weak and uneasy. She already sensed the Shogun had seen through her heart.
"Have you truly prepared yourself?"
Though spoken gently and indirectly, the meaning was blunt. Fiore's body shivered faintly.
"…I…"
Her hands clenched together, lips opening and closing without sound.
"Preparedness"—at this moment, the word encompassed not just the Holy Grail War, but everything that came with being a magus: the mindset, the habits, the duties.
"During that previous battle… you hesitated, didn't you?"
She was referring to their first clash with Kairi Sisigou and Mordred. She had seen it clearly. At the crucial moment, Fiore faltered and nearly lost her life. Though she had managed to turn the tide, it was something that could not be overlooked.
She was not reproaching her, but worrying for her. Could things really continue this way? Forcing herself into the mire when she was still as fragile as loose sand?
If it had been Caules or another family member asking, Fiore would surely have denied it or forced herself to be strong. But the one before her now was the Shogun—the one she admired. Her gaze seemed to pierce through everything, even her thoughts.
At the Shogun's question, Fiore suddenly felt a surge of emotion welling up within her—a desire to confide everything she had been holding inside. Perhaps by speaking it aloud to her, she could feel a little lighter, a little more at ease.
"…It's hard."
She whispered unexpectedly.
The Shogun lifted her gaze to her.
"To truly prepare oneself… it's very difficult…"
"That time… I had already resolved myself. But when I actually raised the gun at my opponent… my heart resisted uncontrollably."
Her voice trembled faintly with vulnerability.
"…Yes… Shogun, you were right. I hesitated then. I prayed he would compromise, that he would surrender… that he wouldn't force me to pull the trigger. Because… because… I couldn't do it."
Her lips quivered.
"It was only when he seized the chance that I realized what a grave mistake I had made. Clearly, I had promised you I wouldn't get hurt. Clearly, I didn't want to drag you down. Clearly, I had resolved to face this Holy Grail War as a proper magus… But…"
In the end, she shook her head.
"A magus must be cold and ruthless, decisive in killing. I can do none of that. Haa… In the end, I'm just a half-baked magus. No… maybe not even half-baked."
Lifting her eyes, she brushed away the tears that had formed, and with a fragile smile, she looked at the Shogun watching her.
"Everyone has weaknesses."
"Shogun?"
"You don't need to force yourself to change. A person's heart is part of their soul. It's fine to remain as you are."
"..."
Hearing this, Fiore fell silent.
"Besides… I believe you're not suited to coldness or cruelty. In fact, you must never become that way. Pure, genuine kindness in this world is rare enough—that is your charm, your individuality. There is no need to change it."
"And… as things stand now… this vessel is very satisfied with you."
The Shogun smiled faintly as she spoke. Normally so unsmiling toward others, that small curve of her lips now radiated a beauty capable of toppling nations.
"!"
Fiore's face instantly flushed red… She turned her gaze aside in shame. Shogun… so sly! To smile at her so suddenly like that///
"Leave cruelty and decisiveness to me. I ask only that you continue to keep the heart you have now."
For she knew Fiore was forcing herself. She was trying to change in ways she was not suited for, pushing herself recklessly. That path was wrong.
Of course… these were words she would give only to one she acknowledged. Toward others, she wouldn't even bother.
"Mm… Since Shogun says so, I'll try… to no longer live bound by family restraints. I'll live as myself."
At last, Fiore smiled again, the tears at her eyes brushed away as she returned to her usual self.
"That is best."
The Shogun nodded silently in reply.
...
Thus the next morning arrived. The fatigue left by the previous night's battle had mostly faded, leaving only the many injured homunculi who still required care.
Bright sunlight shone through the windows of the castle's hall, where the wounded homunculi lay in rows. The rays reflected off the beads of sweat on the faces of the maids who had been tending to them tirelessly, day and night.
Returning from her walk outside, the Shogun was on her way back to Fiore's room. Passing through the hall, she paused at the sight before her: the busy scene of maids rushing about, and the rows of homunculi lying wounded.
She stood silent for a while, then stepped forward and crouched beside one of the homunculus women… The girl was breathing heavily, her condition poor. When she opened her eyes and saw the Shogun, even her vision seemed blurry.
"Please… save me…"
Her weak voice revealed how dire her state was.
The Shogun glanced at the maid tending to another patient on the far side. With two or three patients between them, she clearly could not make it here in time.
There was no helping it…
Lowering her gaze to the girl barely clinging to life, the Shogun sighed softly, then placed her palm upon her forehead. Her violet eyes glimmered faintly.
The next moment, tiny particles of lightning flowed through her skin into the girl's body. The particles wandered through her, leaving glowing violet trails visible even through her clothing.
The homunculus' breathing grew even more rapid—her body clearly shocked by the elemental energy.
Bzzzt~
The sigil of Electro appeared upon the Shogun's palm as she pressed it gently against her.
A faint light flashed. Like branching veins, lightning patterns spread across her entire body.
This continued for about two minutes…
At last, the homunculus' breathing steadied, her vision cleared, and she could see the Shogun's face clearly.
"Thank you… Saber-sama."
Her voice was weak, still lacking strength, but full of gratitude.
The Shogun nodded silently.
"My, did Saber-sama save her? You've been a great help."
The attending maid, now free from the other patient, hurried over and crouched opposite the Shogun. Seeing the wounded girl recovering, she expressed her deep thanks.
"If not for Saber-sama, she might not have survived. But I had other patients… Truly, I cannot thank you enough."
She smiled gratefully, then lowered her head to tend to the girl's wounds.
"It was nothing… merely a small effort."
The Shogun replied simply, then rose to leave. She would leave the rest in their care. Yet after only a few steps, she found her way blocked by two figures. Or rather, they stood in her path unknowingly—because the two of them were busy flirting.
"Master! I brought these towels for you~!"
Astolfo held out a bucket of towels to Sieg.
"Ah… Thank you, Rider."
Sieg smiled gently as he accepted them.
"Honestly~ Just call me by my name~ Astolfo! Astolfo!"
Astolfo whined, swaying coquettishly. The scene nearly made a certain divine lady watching from behind sick to her stomach. The Shogun shook her head wordlessly, then strode forward.
All the while, their conversation continued…
"Um… this is a little…"
Sieg's cheeks reddened.
"Come on~! Hurry up~!"
Astolfo clung to his arm, shaking it insistently until Sieg was utterly flustered.
"Then… A-Astolfo…"
Forcing down his shyness, Sieg called his name.
"Yes yes~ That's it, then I'll—"
Before he could finish, the Shogun's voice cut in from behind.
"You're in the way."
Thud!
With a cold word, she shoved Astolfo aside with her shoulder, sending both him and Sieg tumbling.
Thump…
"Wah~!!"
Astolfo was knocked onto the floor, while Sieg fell on his rear. The towels he carried landed right over their faces, making for an utterly ridiculous scene.
The two were still showing off in the middle of the hall, flirting and clinging to each other. The Shogun could only think in exasperation: If you want to show off, do it in your room. Go to bed for all I care. But to pick such a time of urgency—honestly, enough is enough.
Thanks to her knocking them aside, the narrow central path crowded with wounded homunculi was cleared. Without so much as a glance at the pair, she strode forward.
"You two!"
A maid tending to patients nearby called out irritably.
"Eh?"
Both looked over.
"If you're here to help, then lend me a hand. If not, don't block the way! You're in the way!"
Her tone toward the pair was worlds apart from how she had spoken to the Shogun. The Shogun's contributions were undeniable—these two, on the other hand, had nothing to show for themselves. Even their titles differed: one was "Saber-sama," the other merely "you two."
Clack…
Entering the room, the Shogun found Fiore seated at her desk, reading a newspaper in thought. Hearing the door, she raised her eyes with a smile.
"Welcome back, Shogun… How was your walk outside?"
"Too many unfamiliar sights… a little disorienting."
She approached the low tea table set beside the desk, knelt gracefully on the carpet, and poured herself a cup of tea. She took a sip—pleasant enough.
The fine tea set, the tea leaves, the cushions, and carpet had all been prepared specially by Fiore for her. It was like a small tea corner within the room, meant to make her feel more at ease. And indeed, she liked it.
"Is that so… Is it very different from Teyvat here?"
Fiore set down the newspaper, asking with interest.
"Very different. Some technological creations no longer exist in Teyvat."
Advanced technology belonged to the peak of Khaenri'ah. After its destruction, such things were rare.
"…I would love to visit Teyvat and Inazuma one day… but I suppose I will never have the chance."
Fiore's gaze, filled with longing, fell on the beautiful woman kneeling beside the tea table.
"You truly wish to go?"
The Shogun set down her cup and turned to ask.
"Yes…"
"If you wish, this vessel will take you there… though not yet."
For now, Inazuma was still unsettled. She did not wish for this girl to see it in such a state. Perhaps one day, when the time was right.
"Then… it's a promise?"
Fiore tilted her head with a soft, spoiled smile.
"One word is enough."
The Shogun nodded.
"Hehe… Mm."
Fiore chuckled happily, then returned her gaze to the paper. Turning a page, her eyes fell upon a report—
A gray, blurred photo, a mutilated corpse hidden under mosaics. That much was nothing unusual. But what caught her eye was the uniform—the attire of her own clan.
Someone was targeting her family's members… and the method looked familiar.
"Assassin… Jack the Ripper?"
Fiore frowned.
"What is it?"
Sensing her change in expression, the Shogun asked in concern.
"Mm… About Assassin, I—///!"
Before she could explain, the Shogun sat down right beside her, leaning close until their shoulders touched, peering at the newspaper with her.
So close their cheeks nearly brushed. Strands of her hair tickled Fiore's ear, making her shiver. And that faint, sweet fragrance drifted straight into her nose, making her dizzy.
Her gaze slipped downward… to the Shogun's chest, where her parted kimono collar had loosened further with her posture, revealing the soft curves and the faint outline of pink tips. The sight made Fiore's heart pound wildly.
"Haa… haa///"
Her breath quickened, shame threatening to overwhelm her.
"?"
The Shogun noticed her faint panting and trembling hand clutching the paper. She turned with puzzlement to the red-faced girl in the wheelchair.
"Are you… unwell?"
Her gentle, concerned tone only stoked the fire, making Fiore tremble further. So sly, Shogun…! she cursed inwardly.
"?"
Still not understanding, the Shogun leaned in even closer, her beautiful face drawing near.
"Are you truly alright?"
She asked softly.
"Too…"
"Mm?"
"Too… too close///…"
Fiore, face crimson, shrank back like a steaming kettle. She raised a feeble hand against her chest, pushing lightly while whispering weakly.
—Cough!
"!"
At that small cough, realization struck her. Flustered, the Shogun quickly drew back, sitting primly in her seat like a chastened child.
"Forgive me… this vessel was discourteous."
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, cheeks tinged faintly red, and apologized softly to the girl who nearly melted in her chair.
"I-it's fine… it was my fault…"
Fiore straightened again, her face just as red, replying shyly.
"..." ×2
For a time, silence hung between them.
At last—
"Assassin—"
The Shogun spoke first.
"Ah, right… About Assassin, I… I want to call a meeting later."
Fiore quickly followed up, easing the tension.
"Mm… Do it."
The Shogun nodded quickly as well, letting out a quiet sigh.
Within the Plane of Euthymia, Ei narrowed her eyes with exasperation. She really had to watch them every moment, it seemed. Yet…
As she thought this, her gaze softened.
Perhaps it was a good thing. It showed her puppet was not just a cold doll. That "heart" was working after all. And that brought her joy.