Chapter 602: Senior Brother, Master Got Captured by Monsters Again!
It was known that Rin Tohsaka was the leader of the resistance, an absolute top-ten on the Leo Financial Group's most-wanted list.
Meanwhile, Julius was the captain of the anti-terrorist unit, a cold-blooded executioner who had signed countless extermination orders.
Just from these diametrically opposed titles, one could understand the hostile relationship between them. Their sudden confrontation now certainly wasn't because of the delicate, pitiable Hakuno.
Well... at least that's what the tsundere Rin claimed after driving Julius away.
"It seems they've infiltrated the system-side character files and can do whatever they please."
In the increasingly empty cafeteria, Rin crossed her arms as she explained magnanimously to Kishinami Hakuno, who was offering her a 'tribute': "Apparently Julius used this underhanded method to forcibly drag Masters into this area for elimination."
"With such a rule-breaker running around, we can't let our guard down even within school grounds."
Hakuno nodded in agreement, only to meet Rin's knowing smirk when she looked up: "Of course, if someone had a Servant constantly guarding them, with Sakatsuki's strength, such sneaky tactics wouldn't be a threat."
Kishinami Hakuno: "..."
You really know how to hit where it hurts, Rin!
Only a handful knew Sakatsuki would leave the team after the second round. Unfortunately, aside from a certain golden-haired "umu" enthusiast, Miss Rin happened to be among them.
And her bringing this up now... her ulterior motives were glaringly obvious.
What other wicked intentions could the young Rin have besides coveting her Servant Sakatsuki?
Hakuno gave her awkwardly grinning friend a resigned look before averting her gaze. Though the cafeteria grew emptier, more pairs began appearing as Servants materialized from spirit form to chat intimately with their Masters, passing by the solitary girl.
The liveliness belonged to others—she had none of it.
As if burned, Hakuno lowered her eyelids, hands cradling warm tea while her heart grew cold.
Thanks to Sakatsuki's legendary rage-for-his-lady incident, his power had become known among the Masters. That determination to draw his sword and fight to the death for his Master became another weight tipping the scales.
Who wouldn't want to recruit an exceptionally powerful, utterly loyal top-tier Servant?
No wonder even the proud Rin kept bringing it up repeatedly!
But... Hakuno sipped her tea, eyes dimming.
No one ever asked if she agreed.
Not that it mattered. To those Masters, she was just some no-name Master—a fledgling bird shackling an eagle's flight, a weak magi incapable of drawing out her Servant's full potential... What voice could such an insignificant existence possibly have?
"Hakuno..." Rin noticed the girl's distraction and wanted to comfort her, when suddenly a water-blue dress entered her vision. A cute little girl with pale hair and pink eyes tugged gently at Hakuno's sleeve.
"Hey hey, big sister big sister."
When did she get here?!
Rin Tohsaka jolted in alarm, abruptly standing up. Yet the mysterious white-haired little girl remained oblivious to her hostility, simply locking eyes with Hakuno and saying, "So you're the one playing with me this time, big sister."
Playing with me... Is she my opponent for the third round?
Having been attacked by Julius before she could check the bulletin board, Hakuno still understood that the girl addressing her must be her next opponent. She turned around warily, only to freeze momentarily.
The girl's age was the polar opposite of the old knight from the second round—she looked no older than ten.
...Could there really be a magi this young?
"Big sister seems troubled. I saw the bulletin board—you're my next playmate, right?" The girl sighed like a miniature adult. "Oh well, I'll play with you. You'd better cheer up, okay?"
Her words sounded warm, but their tone shifted with her next statement.
"Please... don't disappear right away. Alice would be sad, and I (Alice) would be so bored."
She was a doll-like girl who gave off an ephemeral impression. Though she lacked the old knight Dan's sharpness—
"This is bad. In a way, she's a worse opponent than Dan Blackmore, Hakuno," Rin said grimly, watching the girl skip away.
"Don't forget, this girl calling herself Alice has defeated and killed two Masters to get here. She's a victor."
Hakuno swallowed hard, forcing herself to shake off the unease, and nodded.
Right. Anyone still standing couldn't be taken lightly. This might be an enemy even stronger and more bizarre than the old knight.
She had to give it her all—fight with her life on the line.
But before that, there was another problem—
Kishinami Hakuno still hadn't found a replacement Servant for Sakatsuki.
"Does that mean... I have no choice but to try contacting that red-dressed Servant?" Hakuno stirred her tea, her face clouded with worry.
"But for some reason, I feel like I shouldn't. It'd be like... admitting defeat in some subtle way..."
————
"Ah, found thee—no, 'caught thee' is more fitting!"
Meanwhile, the two people Hakuno had been thinking about had just crossed paths—a handsome white-haired young man crouched by the door of a private room, carefully holding a bag of food, while a red-clad girl suddenly pointed at him with righteous indignation.
To an outsider, it might have looked like the man had been caught red-handed in some petty theft. Sakatsuki did indeed fluster slightly, opening his mouth to defend himself, only for Nero to declare triumphantly:
"As I thought! 'Twas thee who's been delivering my breakfast daily, Sakatsuki!"
"Shh... Keep it down." Despite it being a perfectly good deed, Sakatsuki raised a finger to his lips, his eyes flickering almost imperceptibly toward the closed door of the private room. Then, gripping Nero's hand, he pulled her around the hallway corner before properly facing the Roman Emperor.
Her hair was disheveled, her clothes rumpled, and her chest slightly damp—clearly, she'd fallen asleep while waiting up all night, only waking when Sakatsuki approached.
Yet even in her slightly disheveled state, nothing could diminish the peerless grace of Rome's fifth emperor. The tousled golden locks and dreamy eyes tinged with laughter only added a languid beauty to the maiden—like a waking beauty stretching lazily, displaying to the world the charm that captivated millions.
The shimmering joy in her eyes was like a fine mist drifting through mountain valleys, haloed with rainbows and reflecting the glow of dawn.
Utterly mesmerizing.
Who could refuse such a Nero?
Sakatsuki stood dazed for a long moment before mustering immense willpower to close his eyes. When he reopened them, calm had returned—though his tone remained unavoidably gentle. "You waited all night just to catch me? That's some dedication, Your Majesty."
"Umu, of course! I wanted to thank you," Nero declared, hands on her hips as she tilted her delicate chin upward. "After all, it's thanks to you that I got to fill my belly."
Here's hoping something else fills you next time... Suppressing the thought, Sakatsuki chuckled. "Oh? Does the emperor have some reward for me then?"
"Of course—this!"
Her ahoge perked up as if she'd been waiting for this very question. Beaming, Nero spread her arms wide, gazing at Sakatsuki with expectant delight.
The young man fell silent. After a long pause, his voice emerged slightly strained:
"You mean... to give yourself to me?"
"Eh?!"
Nero's eyes widened in shock, her face blooming like sunset clouds. Though such forward words should have offended any maiden, her gaze held only bashful fluster—not a trace of anger.
"W-what nonsense! It's just... just an embrace from Rome's emperor!"
Suddenly shy, Nero lowered her slender arms and turned away with puffed cheeks. "If you don't want it, I'll leave right now, uuu!"
Before the last syllable faded, warmth enveloped her from behind. The young man's embrace was so vast that Nero felt like a bird gently cradled by endless sky.
"How could I refuse your invitation, dear emperor?"
Sakatsuki's laughter-tinged whisper at her ear drew an involuntary "Eep!" from Nero, goosebumps rising along her smooth neck.
Too close—far too close!
Yet strangely, she felt no urge to resist. By all rights, she should be struggling against such vulnerability.
But her body relaxed instinctively, making no move to reject his proximity.
Why...?
For the first time, Nero felt bewildered and flustered.
Divine Ancestor Romulus... what should I do...
Meanwhile, Sakatsuki closed his eyes, savoring this rare moment of peace the maiden brought him. His arms seemed to hold liquid warmth, molding softly against him like water taking shape.
A whirlpool drawing all his attention.
Then came two racing heartbeats, gradually... gradually synchronizing...
"Ah, am I interrupting something?"
Just then, a playful, languid voice reached Sakatsuki's ears.
Like a massive boulder crashing into a tranquil lake, stirring violent waves, Sakatsuki and Nero sprang apart as if electrocuted—one taking deep breaths, the other lowering her head in bashful shyness. After a moment, Sakatsuki was the first to recover. He turned to face the blue-haired man in skintight clothing standing before them, forcing a smile while leaking traces of killing intent through gritted teeth.
"So it's you... Cú Chulainn, Rin Tohsaka's Servant. What business brings you to me so suddenly?"
"Ah, you know my True Name. So we have met before? No wonder there's this annoyingly familiar vibe about you, inside and out..."
The man known as the 'Hound of Chulainn,' who had experienced a thousand deaths, raised an eyebrow and muttered to himself before speaking up again. "Enough small talk. There's trouble, Sakatsuki."
"Your Master, Miss Hakuno, has been trapped inside an enemy's Reality Marble."
?!!
Sakatsuki whirled around. "Where? Who did it? What's the situation?! Wait a minute..."
His steps faltered slightly as his eyes narrowed and his lips twitched.
"Why does this situation feel eerily familiar..."
"Big brother, the master has been captured by demons again!"