The trees stretched endlessly, darkness layering upon darkness. The powerful, ruthless, strategically brilliant assassin was being dragged by an unplanned woman, fleeing desperately in one direction.
Shouts rose behind them as hippogriffs occasionally took flight, flames and crimson lightning painting the same violent hue. Just as various energy surges were about to engulf them, murky mist would always rise at precisely the right moment—like a bottomless beast devouring all attacks, leaving only the frustrated cries of pursuers.
"They're chasing so closely... this is troublesome..." Reika Rikudou's long hair fluttered as she glanced back repeatedly, her delicate brows furrowing. "Vigorous exercise at night isn't very good for a child's health."
This was Reika Rikudou. Call her thick-skinned or naturally airheaded—even in such a critical moment, this mother's greatest concern remained her beloved child, Jack.
Yet it was this ordinary subordinate who had stepped forward to rescue Sakatsuki in his "moment of peril," disregarding her own safety.
When one truly cares for another, their intellect, martial prowess, or influence cease to matter. Simply recognizing the fact that "they're in danger" is enough to make concerned parties overcome all obstacles, lending their strength to those they cherish.
Throughout it all, Sakatsuki followed Reika's lead in silence, observing her transformation from calm composure to suppressed panting—still smiling as she spoke to him, ensuring her inner tension wouldn't affect him.
There was no romantic element here. Reviewing Reika's past, Sakatsuki finally identified her reason for this rescue mission:
Gratitude.
Saving her from becoming a sacrificial offering, helping little Jack break free from resentment... Beyond these, Sakatsuki could conceive no other motives. Watching the woman grit her teeth yet refuse to let go, a faint sense of guilt finally surfaced within him.
Before recognizing this emotion, how many times had he unconsciously exploited Reika Rikudou?
Forcing this ordinary woman to pose as a magi; compelling her to absorb countless meaningless knowledge just to survive this Holy Grail War; knowingly sending her into the Black faction's den to single-handedly face Wallachia's tyrant and ancient monsters despite the participants' dangers; still unsatisfied after her flawless performance, making her join the Red faction as a traitor to endure Amakusa and the Empress's distrust...
Without Reika Rikudou, Sakatsuki's Holy Grail War couldn't have proceeded so smoothly. His ease stemmed from shouldering half the burden onto this delicate woman.
And all Reika desired in return was to live peacefully with little Jack—nothing more.
This couldn't continue. Future matters shouldn't trouble this excessively competent subordinate.
The moment this decision crystallized, the assassin seemed to hear faint laughter from his soul's depths. Yet he paid it no mind, simply stopping in his tracks.
"Eh, Mr. Sakatsuki...?" Reika Rikudou was taken aback. Before she could react, Sakatsuki gently embraced her, then let go.
"You've done well, Reika," the Assassin whispered. "One thing I'm most proud of in this Holy Grail War is saving you back then."
The next moment, Reika's vision darkened as she fell into unconsciousness. Sakatsuki withdrew his hand and gently laid her on the ground.
"So I absolutely cannot let you and little Jack fight heroes to the death on the battlefield."
"Daddy?" The mist shimmered as little Jack appeared beside Sakatsuki, her small eyes filled with big confusion. The young man didn't explain much, simply crouching down to pat the girl's head before forcing a smile.
"Little Jack will definitely take good care of Mommy, right?"
"Mm, of course!" Jack narrowed her eyes contentedly like a cat, giving an affirmative answer.
"That puts my mind at ease." Sakatsuki stood up, the golden bead on his chest glowing as his magical energy replenished. An intangible pressure radiated from him. "Also, if we meet again in the future, calling me 'big brother' would probably be more appropriate, little Jack."
"Daddy is Daddy! Jack's Daddy!" The silver-haired girl giggled, sticking her tongue out at the Assassin. Sakatsuki could only smile helplessly in return before turning away, leaving her with his tall, straight-backed figure.
"Then watch carefully. Your Daddy is really amazing."
"Mmhmm!"
As the mist completely dissipated, Astolfo charged ahead on his hippogriff. But when he saw Sakatsuki finally stop fleeing silently and instead turn to face him, the pink-haired paladin's mouth twitched. Forcing an awkward smile, he tugged the reins, trying to make a quick escape.
"Uh... I just remembered Sieg left the laundry out this morning. Gotta go—"
Before he could finish, electric sparks flashed in Sakatsuki's pupils. The forest depths trembled as fine iron sand, like the night itself, surged skyward like a tide. Guided by electromagnetic force, it formed a terrifying tornado storm, surrounding Astolfo from three sides.
"Uh-oh, I'm screwed." Astolfo stared at the iron sand storm—no less destructive than a chainsaw—his expression frozen. The next moment, he was caught in the wind pressure and thrown into the "washing machine."
"Waaahhhh, heeeelp—meee!!!"
The pitiful screams faded into the distance. Having dealt with the most troublesome opponent, the electricity in Sakatsuki's eyes dimmed. Suddenly, he tilted his head slightly as a beam of fiery laser grazed past his cheek. Amid the blazing flames, the Son of the Sun God landed gracefully.
"You've been using your eye beams quite frequently lately, Karna."
"Because this Noble Phantasm consumes the least magical energy," the tall, slender demigod replied, raising his unbreakable spear with sharp eyes. "Though killing you with this lance would naturally be ideal."
"Damn you, Sakatsuki! Don't you dare run—Wah!" Mordred came charging recklessly, only to step into a prismatic space and disappear with a startled yelp.
"More magecraft..." Karna frowned, observing Sakatsuki's calm demeanor. 'Descernment of the Poor' granted him additional understanding. "You've exhausted all the magical energy you've stored until now. Even if you've removed the other two Servants, your martial skills alone won't be enough to defeat me."
"That's hard to say. While I'm still somewhat lacking in weapon mastery, you're not at your peak condition either." Sakatsuki didn't materialize any weapons, instead sinking into a solid stance and raising his palms in the classic Baji Quan posture, beckoning Karna forward.
"Also, would you like to try the deadly fist that killed Achilles?"
As he murmured these words, the young man's eyes had already completely transformed into an iridescent blue hue.
————
When Reika Rikudou awoke, she found herself lying on a familiar bed.
This was... her room in the Fortress of Millennia?!
After a brief moment of confusion, she immediately sat up, warily scanning her surroundings. Though she spotted Sieg, Fiore, Astolfo, and other Black Faction Masters and Servants nearby, the atmosphere wasn't as oppressive as she'd expected. In fact, after she woke up, many of them sighed in relief, their expressions softening before they quietly left the room.
"What... happened?"
"Ah, Mama's awake!" Little Jack, who had been playfully wrestling with Astolfo, immediately ran back upon hearing Reika's voice and threw herself into her arms, nuzzling against her. "Papa told me to give you a message—he said Mama should take a vacation until after the Holy Grail War ends!"
Children weren't the best at relaying messages, so Reika simply turned her gaze to Sieg. The homunculus girl shrugged and explained,
"Teacher's meaning was probably that you and Jack should rest properly and not worry about the Holy Grail War anymore... To make sure you'd stay here without worry, he even beat us all up."
"Sieg, you didn't have to say that last part," Caules muttered. "Even if Astolfo's hippogriff nearly got plucked bald, Mordred got buried 200 meters underwater and took forever to dig out, and Karna was so badly injured he had to go into spirit form to recover... at least we drove Sakatsuki back, right?"
"Caules, shut up." Fiore's face flushed with embarrassment. "Sakatsuki just ran fast, that's all. If Jeanne d'Arc and Atalanta had arrived in time, he definitely wouldn't have escaped!"
"Uh... that's hard to say." Under his sister's reproachful glare, Caules shrank back, ultimately keeping his thoughts to himself.
A saint who had been running away the entire Holy Grail War, and a huntress famed for her pursuit—would they really fail to catch Sakatsuki, who was only moving at normal human speed?
Not to mention, Sakatsuki, who had always held back his true strength, was on an entirely different level from an Assassin going all out.
Even with his chest pierced, he had shattered Karna's arm and broken both his legs—such ferocity. Even if Karna had weakened due to losing his Master, it was enough to show just how troublesome Sakatsuki was.
But what puzzled Caules the most was that Sakatsuki had chosen to reveal his strength now, all just to ensure Reika Rikudou could stay safely with the Black Faction without being mistreated... Such a self-sabotaging move on the eve of the final battle was truly hard to comprehend.
"Besides... since when has Sakatsuki been so sentimental?"
As Caules muttered in confusion, the very same "sentimental" Sakatsuki stood expressionlessly in the entrance hall, locked in a standoff with Siegfried at the other end.
"Have you made your decision, Siegfried?"
"Indeed, I have come to understand my own heart." The Dragon Slayer of the Netherlands solemnly nodded as he drew his sword, the demonic blade Balmung pointing directly at his Master.
"Though I must apologize, I shall break our Master-Servant contract and challenge you, Sakatsuki."
"Is that so?" Sakatsuki gazed at the resolute face of Siegfried, his previously gloomy mood vanishing completely, replaced by long-anticipated battle fervor.
"I've been waiting for you to say those words for a long time, Siegfried."
Meeting Siegfried's puzzled gaze, the young man smiled again—this time with undisguised madness brimming in his expression.
"However, I don't engage in meaningless slaughter. For this battle, what price can you pay—"
"O Siegfried, the dragon-blooded warrior who possesses the heart of a dragon."