Sibiu International Airport, located in southern Transylvania, serves the historic city of Sibiu. About 260 kilometers from Romania's capital, Bucharest, it was the Black Faction's intended destination.
It was around 8 p.m. The sky was already dark, a desolate moonlight piercing through the clouds to illuminate the deserted airport grounds. Street lamps flickered faintly, casting fleeting warmth upon the silver-toned landscape.
Chirp~
Occasionally, crickets called from the shrubs.
Just then, a van rolled to a stop in the open lot. After Fiore was helped down, she smiled with satisfaction upon seeing the airport already secured by their humanoid familiars. Waving, she signaled to the others.
The Shogun stepped out next, followed by Caules and the rest.
"Finally… my back's killing me."
Astolfo groaned, clutching his waist.
"My apologies. The distance from the fortress was too far. We had to leave early."
They had departed around dusk, roughly five o'clock, and after nearly three hours' drive they arrived here. The plane would still take another hour.
"So long as it's worth the trouble."
The Shogun offered a quiet reassurance.
"Hehe… well then, let's head to the terminal."
Fiore, pushed forward by the Shogun, led the group along the passageway into the sleek international airport.
Upon entering the departure hall, even the Shogun was momentarily taken aback. Metallic walls in a silver-white theme, spotless marble floors that rang crisply under every step, and dazzling overhead lights that illuminated every corner.
Digital characters scrolled across black panels suspended from walls and ceilings, while luminous advertisements flickered intermittently at the sides.
Everywhere radiated an unmistakable modernity. The Shogun's eyes lingered, unable to look away.
"..."
Like a curious child, she reached out instinctively to touch anything that caught her attention. So this was an "airport"? She felt oddly dazed. The word "plane" aside, the word "port" certainly lived up to its meaning. This journey had opened her eyes. Would she return to Teyvat someday as the only "villager" who had set foot in such a city?
Bah, nonsense. Two worlds' technologies could hardly be compared. Her own homeland had its own wonders, each with its own strengths.
"Pfft…"
Fiore, watching her subtle movements, smiled fondly. Sometimes the Shogun's cuteness slipped through when least expected.
Of course, she was not the only curious one. Jeanne's astonishment was like that of a country maiden stepping into a grand estate. While the Shogun restrained herself for dignity's sake, Jeanne was another matter—her expression was utterly frozen in awe. Teyvat might have had its share of technology, but Jeanne had never seen such marvels.
Tap tap— ×N
Their echoing footsteps in the empty hall stood out starkly. Which raised the question—where was everyone else? Why were there no other passengers?
"There's no one else here?"
Sure enough, Sieg was the first to ask.
"Yes… we've rented out the entire airport."
Fiore nodded as if it were nothing.
"…R-rented it out? The whole thing?!"
Jeanne's eyes widened again, frozen in shock.
"Mhm~ being seen would be troublesome."
Astolfo rested his hands behind his head, nodding as though he were the one paying.
"Ohh~"
Jeanne's mouth fell open in sudden realization. She understood now! Wealth truly was power!
They entered the waiting lounge, gathering around a silver-toned metal table as though for a meeting. The Shogun quietly took a seat, and the others followed.
"Well then… let's confirm our battle plan one last time."
Caules spoke as he spread a hand-drawn map across the table. Though rough in appearance, it was clear and easy to grasp.
"First… Rider, do you remember the name of your grimoire?"
Caules asked.
"Uh… sorry~ I still can't recall."
Astolfo scratched his head with a sheepish smile.
"I see… then, Sister—"
"Mm."
Seeing his gaze, Fiore nodded slightly before addressing the group.
"On that point, there's no need to worry. Saber already has a method to break through the Aerial Garden."
The Shogun had already told Fiore about summoning the Thunderbird for aid. This was their fallback should Rider fail to recall his Noble Phantasm's name. In truth, Fiore had already treated it as their main plan—Rider was far too unreliable.
"Eh? Is that really dependable? Saber… your method—alone?"
"This vessel speaks no falsehood. This method will succeed."
The Shogun's firm reply carried unwavering conviction.
Exchanging glances, Caules and Fiore both smiled. It was a smile of relief. The Black Faction—no, her sister—had been truly fortunate to summon this woman.
"Then… as Saber says, breaking into the Aerial Garden will pose no obstacle."
Chiron also smiled as he spoke.
"Mm… then we'll divide into teams."
Caules uncapped a red pen and marked the map.
"Archer and Ruler will form the vanguard, holding off the enemy Servants."
He glanced at them, and when they nodded, he continued:
"Rider, you'll provide support. Your mount gives you mobility for skirmishing."
"Leave it to me~!"
Astolfo gave a cheerful thumbs-up.
"As for my sister, Sieg, and me… Masters should avoid direct combat with Servants. We'll board a small private plane, flying directly above the battlefield at high altitude. That way, we'll have a full view of the field."
If possible, they might even fly within the cloud cover.
"Saber, do you require any preparations?"
"Simply drop me from high altitude."
The Shogun answered plainly.
"Perfect. Saber will board with us. During the battle, we'll deploy you from the sky. The Aerial Garden's defenses will be yours to handle. No problem?"
She nodded.
"Anyone else? Any objections?"
Fiore looked around.
Seeing everyone shake their heads, she spoke once more.
"Then… may each of you fight to the end. Let us reunite in the Aerial Garden! Above all else, keep yourselves safe. Return alive."
Her steady words earned nods all around. Only the Shogun remained unmoved. She knew those words were not meant for her.
"Then let's depart…"
"Mm!" ×N
And so, they boarded their respective planes. Chiron and Jeanne each stood upon the bows of their designated aircraft. As for Ruler, her steed could be summoned instantly, so she entered the private plane alongside Fiore and the others. With a roar of engines, around ten planes lifted off one after another from the airport, all headed for their destination—the Aerial Garden.
...
[So this is what they call a "plane"… what a curious creature. Is it their familiar?]
'It isn't alive. It's merely a kind of transport tool.'
[Oh…]
For both the Shogun and Ei, this was their first time boarding such a machine—one capable of carrying so many people through the sky, with even rooms for rest. A marvel of convenience, able to both fly and host its passengers.
The interior was warmly lit in shades of gold, luxurious yet comforting. The Shogun lowered her gaze, staring at the floor and out the window at the clouds, pondering its workings. It seemed powered at least in part by Electro energy. Computers, planes, cars, televisions—was this world's reliance on Electro too extensive? In that case, perhaps she fit in well here.
At present, the private jet cruised steadily toward its destination. The journey would take a little over an hour. During the lull, everyone seemed restless, their tension leaving them oddly at a loss for what to do.
Caules sat at a desk, searching data on a computer. Astolfo sprawled on a beanbag chair, watching television with careless ease. Sieg brooded anxiously at the window.
And Fiore… was eating. Indeed, after a day of duties, she had scarcely had time for a proper meal. Now, with rare quiet, she took the chance.
But what she ate intrigued the Shogun. Round bread cut into triangular slices, crisp on the outside, topped with some kind of sauce, vegetables, and meat.
Curious, the Shogun stepped forward and sat across from her, watching the girl clumsily wield a knife and fork, struggling with the meal.
"Sh-Shogun… what is it?"
Flustered, Fiore pulled her hands back. Eating pizza was already awkward for her—having the Shogun staring only made it worse.
"What… sort of dish is this?"
The Shogun gestured at the meal, puzzled. It clearly wasn't Inazuman cuisine. As someone who often cooked for Ei, her curiosity stirred. Perhaps she could… learn it?
"Eh? This? It's called 'Pizza.'"
Fiore blinked, then realized the Shogun was only asking its name. Relieved, she answered.
"P… i… zza?"
Foreign cuisine, clearly. The name alone marked it as unlike anything in Inazuma. Perhaps from Mond? she thought.
"Mm, it's an Italian dish."
"Italy… what is that? A seasoning?"
"Uh… hehe… Italy is a country. It's their national cuisine."
Fiore chuckled warmly, answering patiently.
"I see…"
[Pfft—]
'…You know what it is?'
[I've no idea either…]
'Then don't laugh at me.'
The Shogun scolded Ei for mocking her. Were their roles reversed, Ei would have fared even worse.
[This… pizza? It looks quite delicious.]
Ei commented.
'Would you like to try?'
[If you don't mind.]
The Shogun lifted her gaze to Fiore.
"May I taste it?"
She asked.
"Of course… here! I couldn't finish it all alone anyway. If you don't mind, please share mine."
Fiore blushed, realizing how strange her words sounded.
"Thank you."
The Shogun closed her eyes briefly, letting her consciousness shift. Control of the body passed to Ei.
When her eyes opened again, the violet gaze was softer, tinged with gentleness. Her first act wasn't to eat, but to look at the girl before her, who kept stealing glances at her.
"Nice to meet you, Fiore… was it?"
"Eh?"
Fiore froze. What was that supposed to mean? Nice to meet you? Did the Shogun mean to tease her? But no—the tone was different. Though the Shogun was gentle, this voice carried a different tenderness, even a homely warmth.
"You've really gone through much, looking after the Shogun…"
"Um… Shogun, what's wrong with you?"
Flustered, Fiore asked anxiously.
"My name is Ei…"
"Ei… Ah! Y-you… could it be… you are… Shogun's… um… master?"
Fiore's mind worked quickly. She had glimpsed Shogun's past in dreams: that she was a puppet created by the god Ei. Back then, Fiore had even thought it somewhat cute. But if this Lady Ei stood before her now, then she must be Shogun's true master! This was no small matter—she must not act rudely.
"I was terribly impolite just now. Shogun has never once troubled me—in fact, she has helped me countless times. I must also thank you, Lady Ei, for bringing her into the world."
Fiore instinctively tried to rise, but hindered by her legs, she bent forward deeply instead, bowing respectfully.
[…]
The Shogun, watching from within, felt odd about this. Why did it feel like Fiore was meeting her parents?
"Hm? How do you know of Shogun and me?"
Ei froze at her words, then rested her chin on her hand, curious. In principle, only a handful in Inazuma knew of such matters. How did this girl know?
"I-I'm sorry. Masters can glimpse their Servants' past in dreams. So… that's how I…"
Fiore admitted nervously, worried she might have offended. But her fears were needless.
"I see… then it cannot be helped. Hm?"
Ei tilted her head. She noticed the girl trembling faintly, perhaps from nerves, her hands pressed properly against her skirt, blue eyes lowered, avoiding her gaze.
"There's no need to be so tense. Since Shogun is satisfied with you, I have no reason to object. I will not harm you."
Strange. Did she seem even more imposing than Shogun herself? Ei had always thought she was easier to approach.
"…All right."
[Ei… don't tease her.]
The Shogun's voice echoed in her mind, tinged with complaint.
'I haven't done a thing… If you favor her so much, I might just grow jealous.'
[…]
At that, the Shogun fell silent.
"I-I understand, Lady Ei…"
Fiore smiled nervously, nodding.
"And another thing—earlier, you called me Shogun's master. That isn't quite right. 'Master and servant' is too cold, too distant. It would be better to say 'mother and daughter.' Do you understand?"
Ei corrected her gently.
"Yes… I understand!"
Fiore nodded quickly.
"Good… As for today, I only wished to taste this dish. Once I finish, I'll return. Is this… a sweet food?"
Ei picked up a slice of pizza, inhaling its aroma, her violet eyes shining as she asked.
"Eh? I-it's slightly sweet, but mostly savory."
"Oh… sweet and salty, is it? Interesting. Mm—"
She took a dainty bite. The flavors spread richly across her tongue.
Chewing with her eyes closed in silence, she then opened them with clear satisfaction.
"The taste is acceptable. Truly a splendid mortal delicacy."
Her gentle tone praised the food.
"I-I'm glad you like it."
Fiore answered softly. She found that in Ei's hands, Shogun's every gesture carried an added grace, a unique allure. Yet it came with a faint pressure too—perhaps only because they were still unfamiliar with each other.