On the outskirts of Trifas, within Romanian territory.
As one of Romania's great aristocratic lineages, Yggdmillennia held the city firmly in its grasp.
Trifas itself was underdeveloped, lacking any famous tourist attractions. Yet beneath it lay the most extensive ley line system in all of Romania—vastly surpassing even Mount Enzō in Fuyuki City.
That alone was reason enough for Mr. Darnic to establish the family's base here, quietly preparing to raise the banner of rebellion against the Mage's Association.
Whether it was foolishness, naïveté, or simply an inability to endure that condescension any longer.
Even with a clear understanding of the Clock Tower's depth, Yggdmillennia still chose to rebel.
The Clock Tower might be a collective led by the Three Great Aristocratic Families, comprising more than twenty noble lineages. Any single one of them possessed the power to annihilate Yggdmillennia with ease.
And yet, after seizing hold of the Holy Grail's miracle, the family had no intention of abandoning its plans for revenge—to trample the honor of those aristocrats beneath its heel.
Thus, the Holy Grail War began.
The largest Holy Grail War in history. Fourteen Heroic Spirits would clash in pairs, their shockwaves alone enough to flatten Trifas entirely.
Now, on a winding highway outside the city.
A snow-white Infiniti sedan trimmed with gold sped forward. Sitting in the back—more accurately, lying across RyuZU's thighs—was the Clock Tower's wanted man, Rhodes.
When designing RyuZU, Rhodes had focused excessively on pushing her agility and physical performance to their limits. The result was a pair of long legs with a generous, resilient softness. Even Rhodes had to admit there was not a single flaw when used as a pillow.
Of course, this was merely the maid's "atonement."
After deceiving Rhodes, RyuZU had been uneasy ever since. He had seized the opportunity to issue several "excessive" orders. The lap pillow was among them.
Rhodes had already lived eighteen years in this world. Everyone involved was an adult. A little impropriety in words and actions was only natural.
Just then, a passenger bus drifted past the Infiniti in a reckless overtake. Feeling that distinctly reckless, road-killer style of driving, Rhodes' expression hardened.
"Catch up to that bus."
Still reclining on RyuZU's legs, Rhodes narrowed his eyes and gave the order to the maid in the driver's seat.
"Force it to stop. Everyone, prepare for combat."
It wasn't simply because the other party was a menace on the road. There was a far more important reason.
"Yes, Master."
The maid replied softly, tension surfacing on her delicate features. Beside her, another maid reached through the gap in the door and pulled out something black and bulky.
An RPG-7.
A familiar sight on the black market. A relic of the Soviet era—cumbersome in appearance, yet beloved for its crude, brutal power, whether by zealots or African militias.
More importantly, this was no ordinary RPG-7.
Rhodes had personally modified it with Arcane Magic.
The warhead was packed with specially enchanted explosives, mixed with crushed artificial gemstones infused with Mystery. Enough to shatter a magus' defensive spells outright. The launcher itself was carved with dense arrays of spell formulas. Once fired, no amount of fancy driving would prevent the target from becoming a burning fireball.
"Aim confirmed. First-Circle Divination · Foresee the Foe activated."
The maid spoke calmly, pity flickering in her dark eyes.
The trigger was pulled.
With a sharp hiss, the rocket trailed white smoke as it streaked toward the bus packed full of "passengers."
"Boom!"
As expected, the bus was struck head-on. The enchanted explosives ignited instantly, and the entire vehicle transformed into a miniature rising sun.
"Screech—"
The Infiniti braked hard. The Maid Automaton's unique driving posture was so stable that even Rhodes, enjoying his lap pillow, didn't feel a jolt.
"Damn it! Who did this?!"
A furious roar echoed from ahead. From the burning wreckage of the bus, more than a dozen charred figures staggered out.
They were the Clock Tower's hounds.
The executioners dispatched to take Darnic's head and purge Yggdmillennia.
Originally a force of fifty, they had been reduced to this handful by a single Arcane-modified RPG-7.
"Excellent. Since you've asked so sincerely."
The maid in a white dress opened the car door and stepped out. Gone was the bold swagger of a reckless driver. Her expression was awkward instead—clearly being forced by Rhodes to recite something embarrassing.
"To prevent the world from being destroyed."
The maid holding the RPG-7 exited from the other side, casually loading another rocket into the launcher.
"And to safeguard the world's nuclear peace."
"Upholding love and justice…"
This time it was RyuZU. She stepped out gracefully, equally stiff as she delivered the lines Rhodes had dictated, then turned to open the door for him.
"Ahem… let's stop there."
Rhodes laughed awkwardly. He ignored the murderous glares from the maids and waved casually at the stunned Clock Tower hounds.
"How about you leave Romania? That way I won't have to replenish RyuZU's mana tonight. Sounds fair, right?"
"You killed so many of our comrades and think you can talk your way out of—"
The leader, dressed in a once-white suit now blackened with soot, began to rant.
Rhodes cut him off with a nod toward RyuZU.
"Deal with all of them. Don't forget the line."
"Yes, Master."
A blush surfaced on RyuZU's face. Still, to atone for her earlier deception, she lifted her skirt in a refined curtsy. From beneath the gauze fabric, two pitch-black scythes slid free.
"The World!!"
RyuZU roared like some over-the-top villain.
Nothing happened.
"Hey! Are you idiots putting on a circus act?"
The magus sneered.
Rhodes smiled and nodded.
"Yes. We make sure every monkey enjoys the show."
"Right before it dies."
"Thud…"
A sound of something falling echoed once.
Then again.
And again.
Corpses. Blood. Chunks of flesh.
Along with the loudmouthed leader, the remaining Clock Tower hounds—barely more than a dozen—had been reduced to neatly scattered pieces of meat.
They had been cut apart.
Shredded into cold remains—
In the instant time itself came to a halt.