Nobu stepped into the crater area, the place where her Lord and Medusa had fallen earlier.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The sound of her military boots echoed sharply among the silent concrete ruins. Her steps stopped when she spotted Ritsuka.
The young man was sitting atop a large chunk of rock, his chin resting on his hand, his eyes staring blankly at the Dharma Wheel still hovering above his head. He looked as though he was deep in thought.
"My Lord?" Nobu called out, breaking the silence.
Ritsuka flinched slightly, as if being pulled back from his thoughts. He turned his head, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
"Ah, Nobu. You finally made it," Ritsuka said as he stood up, brushing the dust off his pants.
Nobu walked over, studying her Master's face with curiosity. "You look very serious. What are you thinking about, my Lord?"
Ritsuka touched his left arm—the one that had been severed earlier and was now fully healed.
"I was thinking about how to squeeze every last drop of potential out of this thing," Ritsuka replied, his eyes glinting sharply. "And it seems… I've found a way."
Nobu raised an eyebrow. "Hoo? What kind of devious plan are you cooking up in that head of yours?"
"I'll explain later. But before that…" Ritsuka turned toward the mass of water-like apparatus that connected him to the gathering. "I need to consult Sensei first."
"Sensei? You mean that Old Vampire?" Nobu frowned slightly, disappointed that she wasn't being told right away. "Tch, now you've just made me even more curious."
Ritsuka chuckled softly. He walked past Nobu and patted her shoulder.
"Just wait. I guarantee you'll like it later."
Nobu grinned widely, her fighting spirit reignited.
"Alright! Then I'll wait patiently!"
"Now, let's move. We need to catch up with my sister's group. Their business should be finished by now," Ritsuka ordered.
Nobu nodded in understanding. She jumped into the air, and instantly a matchlock rifle appeared beneath her feet, acting as a flying platform.
At the same time, the Magic Circuits in Ritsuka's legs flared brightly, pumping mana to reinforce his muscles.
WUSH!
The two of them shot through the burning streets of Fuyuki. Ritsuka ran at a speed far beyond human limits, leaping over collapsed buildings, while Nobu flew low above him, keeping watch.
Not long after, Nobu suddenly halted midair.
"My Lord! Target spotted at two o'clock!" Nobu shouted, pointing downward.
Ritsuka immediately jumped onto the rooftop of a nearby building to join her. From above, he saw Rikka's group—Rikka, Mash, and Olga Marie—exhausted but safe, with Assassin standing alert beside them.
However, Ritsuka's eyes were immediately drawn to a new figure among them.
The man had long hair tied into a ponytail, wore a Celtic-style druid robe, and held a wooden staff covered in carved runes.
Nobu narrowed her eyes, her combat instincts flaring. "My Lord, be careful. That man with the staff… he's a Servant."
Ritsuka, however, smiled broadly. A warm feeling spread through his chest. It was a face he knew very well—the face of his first ally in his long journey to save the world.
"Yes, I know," Ritsuka replied calmly, his gaze softening as if looking at an old brother. "Relax, Nobu. He's not dangerous. He's a friend."
Without hesitation, Ritsuka jumped down from the three-story rooftop, landing smoothly on the asphalt, followed by Nobu floating down behind him.
Ritsuka casually walked toward them, raising his hand in greeting.
"Yo! Rikka, are you all okay?"
Hearing the familiar voice, the group turned around all at once.
Ritsuka looked at his younger sister, Rikka, standing in the center. She looked a mess—her face and clothes were covered in dust and small scratches, clear evidence of the fierce battle she had just endured.
"Wow…" Ritsuka whistled softly. "Look at you. Your face is all dirty. Looks like you went through quite a tough situation, huh?"
Rikka, exhausted, bent slightly and grabbed something. Instead of smiling, her cheeks puffed up angrily. Her eyes glistened as she struggled to hold back tears.
"You idiot brother!" she shouted. "What were you thinking, leaving me alone?!"
Her small hand grabbed a pebble and hurled it at Ritsuka with all her strength.
Wush.
Ritsuka merely tilted his head slightly, letting the stone pass by without any effort. He kept walking forward with a relaxed smile.
"Sorry, sorry. But you weren't really alone, were you?" Ritsuka coaxed. "You had Mash, Assassin, and an amazing Director with you."
"You don't understand!" Rikka protested, her voice trembling. "What I faced was really hard! I thought I was going to die!"
She slowly sat down on a nearby rock.
Ritsuka stopped right in front of her. Slowly, he lowered himself, kneeling on one knee to bring his eyes level with hers.
He looked at her sulky face with a gentle gaze. His right hand reached out and rested warmly on the top of Rikka's head.
"But you're fine now, aren't you?" Ritsuka asked softly, gently ruffling her messy hair.
"Look around you. You have friends who helped you. And most importantly… you defeated your enemy and survived."
Ritsuka smiled proudly.
"That's proof you're getting stronger, Rikka. You've grown so much. Big brother is proud of you."
Hearing her brother's sincere praise, Rikka's defenses collapsed instantly.
Her lips trembled, and tears flooded her dirt-stained cheeks. The fear she had been holding back finally burst out.
"Huwaaa… Big brother!"
Without warning, Rikka lunged forward, crashing into Ritsuka and wrapping her arms tightly around his neck.
"That was so scary! That monster's hand… and those monsters…" Rikka sobbed, burying her face in her brother's chest.
Ritsuka caught her effortlessly and stroked her back in a soothing rhythm.
"Ssh… it's okay now. You're safe. Big brother is here," Ritsuka whispered gently.
Olga Marie, watching the hug, snorted softly with her arms crossed. Her brows furrowed in displeasure.
"Hmph. You're spoiling her too much, Ritsuka. A Master should stand tall, not cry like that," Olga commented sharply.
Ritsuka turned toward her voice. His gaze examined the Director's condition. He noticed Olga's dirty clothes and several scratch wounds on her arms.
"Looks like you had quite a hard time as well, Director," Ritsuka said kindly.
That question opened the floodgates of Olga's complaints.
"Of course I did! You have no idea what I went through with them!" Olga snapped angrily. "We weren't just dealing with that Servant—those damn skeleton monsters kept swarming us nonstop!"
She flipped her hair arrogantly, but her eyes glanced at Ritsuka, waiting for his reaction.
"If it weren't for me desperately protecting this child with my magic, I don't even know what would have happened to her!"
Ritsuka listened patiently, then smiled softly.
"That sounds really tough. I'm sorry I wasn't there to help," Ritsuka said, then continued.
"And great work, Director. You were amazing to protect them in such a terrible situation."
He looked at the small wounds on Olga's body with genuine appreciation.
"Facing a skeleton monster siege while protecting my sister without direct support… that's not easy. But you endured and kept everyone safe."
Ritsuka nodded slowly, giving the validation Olga had been craving.
"As expected of an elite Animusphere. You're truly strong and reliable, Director. I'm proud to have you as our field commander."
Olga's face instantly turned bright red at the barrage of praise.
"W-wha?! W-what are you saying, idiot?! Th-that was just my job!" Olga protested in a panic, though she couldn't stop the pleased smile creeping onto her lips.
That heartfelt moment was interrupted by an intentionally loud cough.
"Ahem."
Ritsuka turned toward the sound. He saw the blue-robed young man walking casually toward them, tapping his wooden staff against the ground.
Ritsuka narrowed his eyes, then a mischievous grin appeared on his face. He looked back at his sister with a mock-threatening expression.
"Hoo…" Ritsuka muttered playfully. "Looks like my naughty little sister illegally summoned another Servant again, huh?"
Rikka, still comfortably clinging to her brother, jolted in shock like a cat splashed with water. She quickly released him.
"Eh?! Wait, Big brother! It's not like that!" Rikka protested frantically, waving her hands. "I swear! I didn't summon a new Servant this time! He appeared on his own!"
Mash stepped forward as well, her face pale with fear that her Senpai might be angry.
"I-it's true, Senpai!" Mash cried nervously. "We didn't summon any Servant! The Director can prove it! We didn't violate the procedures you explained earlier, really!"
Olga Marie, unwilling to be blamed, quickly cut in, her Director's dignity completely gone under Ritsuka's gaze.
"Y-yes, Ritsuka! Don't accuse us so carelessly!" Olga defended hurriedly. "We didn't do any strange rituals this time! It was purely coincidence!"
The three of them spoke over one another, breathing hard, terrified of what "punishment" Ritsuka might impose if they were found guilty.
Ritsuka narrowed his eyes, looking at them one by one. The air grew tense.
But before the three girls could faint from panic, the blue-robed Servant spoke up casually.
"Oi, oi. Don't misunderstand, kid," the Servant interrupted, scratching his head.
He pointed his staff at Rikka.
"I wasn't summoned by that ojou-chan over there. I'm a Caster summoned by the Holy Grail in this city—but I'm the only one who hasn't been 'corrupted.' Well, roughly speaking… you could call me a Rogue Servant."
The explanation hung in the air.
Ritsuka glanced briefly at the Servant, then looked back at the pale faces of Olga, Mash, and Rikka, who were still holding their breath, waiting for their verdict.
Silence.
"Pfft…"
Ritsuka's shoulders trembled. His serious expression collapsed.
"Bwahahahaha!"
Ritsuka burst out laughing, clutching his stomach. His laughter echoed loudly, shattering the tension completely.
"B-big brother?" Rikka stared at him in confusion, her brows furrowed. Why was her brother laughing?
"Ah, sorry, sorry…" Ritsuka said, wiping tears from the corners of his eyes. "Actually, I knew from the beginning that he wasn't your summoned Servant, Rikka."
Olga Marie's eyes widened, her fear instantly turning into pure irritation.
"Huh?! If you already knew, then why did you accuse Rikka of summoning him?!"
Ritsuka flashed an innocent, mischievous grin.
"Well… because the three of you looked absolutely adorable when you panicked. I couldn't resist messing with you."
Hearing that confession, Rikka, Mash, and Olga's faces flushed with anger. Veins throbbed at their temples. They exchanged looks, synchronized their rage, then glared at Ritsuka with murderous intent.
"RITSUKA!"
"SENPAI!"
"BIG BROTHER!"
Their voices echoed in unison, shattering the silence of the night in Fuyuki City.