Chapter 39: The Village of the Forsaken
The group stepped out of the forest's edge and into an unexpected sight — a quiet village tucked into the dense woodland, far from the chaos of war.
Wooden homes sat scattered among the trees, gentle lanterns glowing in the misty dusk.
The air was calm.
Rani VIII led them forward with her usual unreadable expression.
"This village is a sanctuary," she said.
"Every Master here has lost their Servant. With no means to continue in the war, they came here… hoping for peace."
They passed by soft dirt paths, seeing the quiet figures of wandering Masters, their eyes weary, their spirits worn.
Rin walked beside Riya and asked, "Why not go back to the first floor?"
Rani didn't pause as she answered, "Because here, the forest is quiet. There are no wars."
"And… rumors say that on the first floor there are two Masters who control it completely."
"They have killed all who remained."
"Out of fear, the people here chose to stay."
At that moment, Riya and Rin exchanged a brief, wordless glance.
A quiet understanding passed between them — their true identities as the conquerors of the first floor could not be revealed.
Rani continued walking, leading them toward a somber area just beyond the village.
There, in the shade of tall trees, lay a graveyard.
She stopped before the rows of tombstones.
"The Master and Servant who rule this floor… don't target Masters."
"They kill only Servants."
"That's why so many Masters remain here."
"And also… why that pair has not moved on."
Her gaze swept over the gravestones. "I don't know why they've stayed.".
"But their presence has blocked my path forward."
She turned slowly. "I could kill a Master here and ascend with my Servant."
As she said that a tall, armored man approached from behind.
His presence was overwhelming.
His name was Lu Bu Fengxian.
"But…"
She looked back at the graves. "I've come to understand these people."
"They've lost hope in the Holy Grail."
"They just want to live in peace."
"So… I've decided instead to defeat the floor's Master and his Servant directly."
"I'll ascend that way."
Riya and Rin had a quiet understanding and approached an open patch of earth, placing two small markers into the soil.
One for Fuma Kotarou.
One for Darius.
They bowed their heads in thanks.
After a pause, Rani turned. "Come. There's a spare house prepared for new arrivals."
They entered a small wooden house on the edge of the village.
"We only expected one pair… not two."
"My apologies."
Rin flushed, glancing away. "I-it's not like we wanted to stay together or anything…"
Rani then turned to leave but paused.
"You have four Servants."
"With your help… I might be able to defeat the floor's rulers."
Riya gave a small nod. "We'll think about it. We'll let you know."
With that, Rani left, disappearing into the fading evening.
Inside, the door clicked shut."
Riya and Rin stood in silence, their backs to the wood.
They exhaled — simultaneously.
So much had happened.
Two servants, gone.
They'd run for what felt like hours.
And then… that moment.
When their lips nearly touched...
But they couldn't afford to get distracted now.
Riya and rin ordered the Servants to sweep the house, checking for traps, magical traces, or unwanted listeners.
Only once it was confirmed safe did they sit across from each other at the old wooden table.
Riya leaned forward, serious. "If we each kill one Master here… we can move up to the next floor."
Rin looked down, her thoughts lingering on the rows of tombstones.
"…Yes."
Riya noticed the subtle shift in her tone — a quiet conviction.
She wanted revenge for their servants.
"If you want to move forward without me, I won't stop you." she said
Riya smiled gently. "We're allies. What you choose, I'll choose."
Her face turned red instantly. "W-why are you like this?!"
He chuckled.
A beat passed.
Then Rin crossed her arms, stammering, "D-don't think that almost kiss was on purpose or anything!"
But then, in a whisper, "…Thank you."
Riya met her eyes. "I understand."
Rin's thoughts began to spiral.
He saved me.
Twice.
Every time I see him, my heart… flutters.
His black hair… those deep red eyes…
And when he was on top of me… I…
Her cheeks darkened.
Riya leaned in. "you okay? You're bright red."
He pressed his forehead to hers.
Her breath caught.
So close…
He smells so good…
She raised her hands, gently placing them behind his head… drawing him closer.
Riya blinked as her fingers threaded behind his neck, the pressure gentle but unmistakable.
She was pulling him closer.
His breath hitched — heart pounding.
Is she really…?
He could see the flush on her cheeks, the flicker of nervous determination in her eyes.
Everything about the moment screamed yes.
He leaned in, letting her guide him, drawn not just by her touch — but by the quiet confession her actions made.
They were seconds away from a kiss—
But then.
"BUG!!!" Rin shrieked.
She leapt forward, tackling Riya with full force.
A tiny insect zipped back out the window.
When she opened her eyes, she was on the floor.
And Riya was… gone?
A sound came from under her.
She looked down.
And froze.
Her entire weight was on his face.
Directly on his face.
Her plush, thick ass had completely engulfed him.
"KYAAAAAA!" she screamed, leaping up.
But his face… was still stuck.
In a panic, she grabbed his legs, spun him, and flung him out the open window.
Outside, Riya crashed.
He then lay stunned in the grass with full silence.
"…It smelled nice," he mumbled.
Inside, Rin sat silently, red as a tomato.
She was like this for what felt like an hour.
A knock broke the silence.
Richard opened the door.
Rani and Lu Bu stepped in.
Everyone gathered around the table.
The Servants included.
Riya glanced at Rin.
She gave the smallest of nods.
Riya turned to Rani. "We'll help."
"But under conditions."
Rani tilted her head. "Go on."
Rin stepped in. "We need two Masters to kill."
"One each."
Riya added, "And we want the enemy Servant."
"He's ours."
Then both spoke together: "After that, we're enemies."
Rani was silent.
Then she nodded. "Understood."
Rin's eyes were lit with a righteous fire.
Thirty graves… thirty fallen Servants.
Fuma, Darius...
Riya's gaze was fixed on the Servant of the floor master — curiosity burning in his mind.
For now, their paths aligned.
Together, they would take down the rulers of this floor.
And ascend.