"…If I don't sign a new contract, I'll definitely disappear. So… I chose Sieg as my Master. From now on, I'm his companion~!"
Rider clapped Sieg on the shoulder excitedly.
No doubt she had been waiting for this. With her previous Master's death, she was inwardly overjoyed. Such a careless person could never be relied on—so the Shogun judged.
"So… you came here just to flaunt that you've become a Master?"
The Shogun asked coldly.
"No… Now that I am a Master, I have the freedom to choose. My will is my own… I am no longer beneath you, but equal in standing."
Sieg declared firmly.
"Hmph! So that's it… Fine! Celenike's death was well deserved anyway. Since that's the case… then join us. Become a Master of the Black Faction."
Gordes mocked the deceased Celenike with disdain, then pointed at Sieg, suggesting he join them.
"No. I am not your ally."
Sieg refused decisively.
"Eh?" ×N
Everyone was shocked—except the Shogun, who only stared at him coldly.
"Please wait… Rider is a Servant of Black. Even if you've become a Master, you can't make such arbitrary—"
Fiore asked wearily. The situation was only growing worse. Why did so many new problems keep appearing?
"I won't join Black."
Sieg looked at Fiore and refused again.
"Sieg is right! I agree. I'm no longer a Servant of Black either~!"
Astolfo added fuel to the fire, siding with Sieg in his usual infuriating tone, utterly without hesitation.
"Hah… Then are you joining Red?"
Fiore asked again.
"No… I won't join either side. I'll stand alone. More than that, I'll be taking them with me."
Sieg gestured to the defeated homunculi behind him.
"That will not do."
The Shogun spoke once more.
"!"
Sieg and the others turned their eyes toward her again.
"What do you mean?" Sieg asked. Astolfo, gripped by lingering PTSD, quickly stepped in front of him.
"Today, they will not leave. Nor will you."
The Shogun's lips curved into a faint, dangerous smile. The air around them grew sharp and frigid again.
"You have two choices. Join us—or die beneath this vessel's blade. Which will it be~?"
From the beginning, Musou Isshin's lightning had never dimmed…
"What the hell! That's not fair at all!"
Astolfo shouted angrily in protest.
"You claim independence. But who can guarantee you won't side with Red? And to prevent interference should the factions clash, it is only prudent to eliminate you first."
"Unstable factors must be dealt with. Besides, I already warned you—"
Bzzzt!
She raised her hand, lightning wrapping Sieg's body and dragging him forward!
Thud!
Her knee drove into his stomach—
"Urragh!!"
Sieg spat, collapsing at her feet, his insides nearly torn apart.
Bzzzt!
Both hands lifted Musou Isshin high, the blade glowing with even denser lightning.
"I warned you before. Your life—I can save it, or take it. Ingrate."
Her cold words blew like a storm of death. Beneath her gaze, Sieg's face twisted in terror. In those thunder-lit eyes, he saw a corpse—his own! The divine dread of impending judgment soaked his trousers in fear.
"Shogun!!"
Fiore called out anxiously, begging her to calm down. But the Shogun was utterly calm—merely executing her will.
"H-hey! You're really gonna cut him down?!"
Even Gordes was shaken by her terrifying aura. Beside him, Caules didn't dare speak a word. The sudden turn of events left them all frozen.
"Sieg! You bastard!!"
Rider seized his weapon. But then his eyes darted to Fiore—the Shogun's Master. If he took her hostage, surely the Shogun would stop! In the next instant, he lunged straight at the fragile girl in the wheelchair!!
"!"
Fiore's heart jolted in terror. A Servant's speed was on another level from a Master's—there was no way she could avoid it. Worse still, she was bound to a wheelchair.
[Shogun… behind you!]
Rider had no idea that "Raiden Shogun" was in fact two beings. Ei, who had been observing all along, saw Rider charge at Fiore and immediately warned the Shogun.
Ei's words were instantly understood. A streak of lightning burst from the Shogun's body, appearing in front of Fiore. A violet shield enveloped the girl from all sides, without a single blind spot!
The moment Rider closed in, thick currents of electricity surged outward from the shield!
Bzzzzt!!
"Ahhhh!!"
Rider's body convulsed as the electricity wrapped him whole, scorching him black. His body smoked as he collapsed to his knees, battered beyond recognition.
Such was the advantage of "two against one."
The battle ended in an instant—without suspense.
"Hah…"
Fiore finally exhaled in relief… If not for the Shogun, she would have been nothing but a burden again—or perhaps she already was.
The entire exchange had lasted less than two seconds. The Shogun never even glanced back, her gaze fixed coldly on Sieg, who had already wet himself in terror. Then—
Whoosh!
Musou Isshin, raised high, slashed down!
"Wait! Wait!!! Everyone be quiet!!"
Suddenly, Gordes shouted desperately.
Hum~!
The Shogun's blade stopped just as it touched Sieg's neck.
Slice…
Though it did not sever, the wind from the blade cut his skin, and blood sprayed from his throat.
"?" ×N
Everyone turned to Gordes. The Shogun did not look back, but paused, listening.
"Alright… Archer, speak."
Once all had stilled, Gordes addressed Chiron.
"…." ×N
Silence…
[Master… Caster has betrayed us!]
"What?! You said Caster betrayed—"
[Is Roche with you?! If he is, secure him immediately! Don't let him near Caster!!]
Chiron's voice was urgent, ragged with breath, as though fleeing. Footsteps of others could be heard around him.
"Roche… Where is he now?!"
Though Fiore could not hear Chiron, Gordes' face and words made it clear. Anxious, she asked the others, her gaze finally landing on Caules.
"Roche is at Caster's workshop. He said Caster had returned and rushed to find him."
"Call him back immediately!! Caster is dangerous now!"
Gordes barked.
"Ah! I got it!"
Caules, dumbfounded, bolted from the room.
"Archer, has anyone else returned? Is anyone with you?"
Gordes pressed.
[We'll explain once we're back—]
[Is Sieg with you?! Is he safe?!]
Now it was Jeanne's voice.
"Ruler is there too?!"
[Is he safe?!]
Her tone was full of worry.
"Ah… well…"
Gordes glanced awkwardly at Sieg, collapsed beneath the Shogun's blade, drenched in urine and blood. The Shogun also looked at him.
"(Is he dead?)"
Gordes whispered to her.
The Shogun lowered her eyes at the pathetic sight, blood still leaking from Sieg's neck.
"Not yet."
"Succinct…"
That "yet" was far too apt. Gordes gave her a thumbs up before answering Jeanne.
"Ahem… He… still…"
His eyes flicked back to Sieg's broken state.
"…lives."
So he replied.
"What happened?"
After Gordes cut the communication, the Shogun asked.
"Caster has betrayed us."
The reply was brief.
"…."
The Shogun pondered, then looked at Sieg, pathetic beneath her blade. With a sigh, she withdrew Musou Isshin, grabbed him like a sack of grain, and hurled him onto the charred Rider. The two crashed together, smashing into a nearby incubation pod with a loud crack.
Her eyes turned toward the cowering homunculi pressed against the walls. Under her sharp gaze, their bodies trembled, as though she might cut them down at any moment.
"Hmph… The duel is decided. Cause no further trouble, and remain obediently here. Should this vessel hear of further rebellion, this blade will show no mercy."
Step, step…
She turned, ready to leave, but remembered Fiore still at her side. Awkwardly, she went back, took hold of the wheelchair handles, and pushed her out. The chair bumped against the doorframe, jolting.
"Uuyaa~"
Fiore let out a soft, startled cry. All eyes turned toward her.
"…! ///"
Her cheeks flamed red as she clapped her hands over her mouth.
The Shogun glanced at her, suppressing laughter as she pushed her away, vanishing from sight.
"D-don't laugh~ ///"
In the hallway, Fiore, blushing furiously, pinched the Shogun's hand gently in protest.
"This vessel is professionally trained. I will not laugh."
She replied, still holding back amusement.
"Uuuh~ ///"
Fiore puffed her cheeks, slapped her hand again, and turned away.
—
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