The girl named Sakura—who, for the moment, didn't even know what surname she was supposed to have—stared blankly at the blood-related "Onee-chan" smiling at her so gently.
Sakura had only been adopted into the Matou family for about a year. It wasn't long. But for Sakura, every second of that year had been agony—each day a lifetime.
The warmth of family had become a distant memory, too far away to even dare to hope for.
And yet, just as she was about to sink into the abyss, the sister she'd thought she'd never see again appeared right in front of her. Even now, she could still see that golden light cleaving through the darkness as clearly as if it had just happened—see how that powerful, unfathomable "Grandfather" didn't even have the chance to resist before vanishing into nothingness.
She was too young to think through much more than that. Right now, all she wanted was to grab hold of her sister and never let go—never let the only thing she could rely on abandon her again.
"I want… to be able to help you, Onee-sama."
If she didn't want to be thrown away again, then she had to be useful.
To that end, she had to become better—so good that even if she were nothing more than a tool with no feelings attached, her sister still wouldn't discard her.
Ishtar froze at Sakura's answer. When she saw the look in her eyes, she understood at once what her little sister was thinking, and a stab of pain flickered through her gaze.
"Sakura, you don't have to—"
"I choose the method that makes my Magic Circuits the most perfect."
Her eyes hardened from hollow to resolute. Sakura spoke her answer directly to Ophis.
From their conversation, Sakura could tell that "bloodline modification" was probably the most effective option—but it would also likely cause trouble for her sister. And someone terrified of being abandoned would never choose the path that burdened the person she was clinging to.
"Please… take my Magic Circuits apart and put them back together."
So she chose the remaining option with the greatest effect—and the greatest pain.
"Sakura…"
Ishtar parted her lips, but in the end she didn't try to persuade her further.
What mattered most right now was letting this girl—still trapped in her shadow—feel safe.
"Alright. Sakura, rest for a bit."
With a small smile, Ishtar gave Ophis a look.
"…"
Ophis answered with a puzzled stare.
"…Forget it. I'll do it myself."
A few seconds later, Ishtar watched with a pained expression as a jewel shattered, its glittering dust scattering on the wind. Under the effect of the magecraft, Sakura slowly drifted off to sleep.
"Didn't I give Ishta a lot of gems back in the Age of Gods?"
Seeing Ishtar's sour mood, Ophis tilted her head in confusion.
The instant she heard that, Ishtar's face crumpled.
"Didn't I tell you already? When I snapped out of it, I was already back in the modern era."
With that, Ophis also realized the problem.
"In that situation, how was I supposed to pack up my valuables?! I didn't even get the chance to bring them over—one tenth of all of humanity's mineral treasures, all left behind in the Age of Gods—AAAAAAAH!!!"
By the end, Ishtar squatted on the ground and screamed in total collapse.
"…"
Ophis had nothing to say.
Honestly, if it were anyone else—if they'd once had a tenth of all humanity's mineral wealth and then lost every last bit of it—they'd probably have killed themselves on the spot. The goddess reacting like this already meant she was… broad-minded? Probably?
"So don't you think you should give me another tenth—no, three tenths? Gosh, I was already falling apart and ready to self-destruct my Saint Graph. Good thing I found you, huh? Rescuing a poor, impoverished goddess isn't some achievement just any mortal gets, you know? It's fine even if I let you have that honor right now!"
"…Ishta isn't worried about Ishta's little sister anymore?"
"…Can't you let me run from reality a little longer?"
Ishtar sighed, looking over at the sleeping girl.
"Looks like she's been scarred pretty deeply."
"Yes."
Ophis nodded.
She didn't know what this girl had been through—but the hunger in her expression, and the fear buried deep beneath it, were plain to see.
"Ugh… this is going to be a pain."
Ishtar, irritated, flicked her twin-tails behind her.
Sakura's talent was exceptional—but no matter how exceptional, a human would never catch up to a goddess of the Age of Gods. Once Sakura realized that gap, no amount of effort would truly close it, and that fear of being abandoned would keep gnawing at her heart.
Trauma could be worked through, slowly—but you couldn't just assume the best-case scenario and call it a day.
"…No choice."
With a frustrated sigh, Ishtar looked to Ophis.
"Rebuild Sakura's Magic Circuits to the limit. Then mix my bloodline into them. I don't know how far it'll push her, but at least she can't be allowed to think, 'I'm useless.' I'm counting on you, Ophis."
It was rare for Ishtar to call her by name so seriously. Ophis wasn't exactly moved—but she also didn't forget to tell Ishtar the cruel truth.
"Actually, I can't separate Ishta's bloodline and fuse it into an ordinary human."
The air froze.
...
Stepping out of the Hyatt Hotel—still safely intact even now—Lord El-Melloi II let out a long breath of relief.
"Lord El-Melloi II is amazing… to think you could just trick—no, persuade—Lord Kayneth into going back to the Clock Tower."
At Mash's words, Lord El-Melloi II gave a wry smile.
Had he really tricked him? Perhaps it was more like an unspoken understanding between them. With that man's ability, he might have already noticed certain truths.
But regardless, one burden had been lifted—and they'd gained a formidable fighting force.
"I do apologize about Lord Kayneth. Still… from here on, I'll be relying on you, Lancer—Mr. Diarmuid."
"No. Since it is my lord's command, aiding you in battle is only natural. From here on, please use me as you will. I swear I will win glory and victory for you."
"I see—then I'm counting on you!"
Ritsuka answered brightly, while Lord El-Melloi II took out his pocket watch and checked the time.
"Alright. We can talk about the rest later. There are only a little over ten hours left until that moment. Before then, we must find Caster and eliminate them—otherwise it'll be trouble."
"Then the next target is decided. Let's move!"
---
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