Chapter 605

Chapter 605: You Want to Become My Servant?!

It felt as if someone had opened a door that should never have been opened.

Releasing the darkness and nightmares that surged forth like a geyser from behind it.

The moment Sakatsuki raised his eyes, countless agonized screams and roars seemed to explode in the girls’ ears, tearing at their souls and consciousness, shattering all defenses before ruthlessly pouring molten iron and icy flames into them.

Needle-like pain emerged from nowhere, followed by the terrifying suffocation of being frozen in the deep sea.

When the calm smile vanished from that face, the entire fairy tale plunged into its deepest nightmare. Having discarded the gentleness and consideration used when accompanying children on spring outings, what remained was the malice reserved only for enemies.

Just as Alice had anticipated, Sakatsuki was finally taking things seriously.

But at what cost?

What was the price?

In that instant, an invisible demon whispered mockingly in their ears: The price is falling into hell...

The radiant glow of the Vorpal Sword (the sword effective against the Jabberwock in fairy tales) reflected the elongated shadow trailing behind the young man. As the monstrous creature collapsed with a thunderous crash, those platinum eyes swept across before finally locking onto the trembling Alice.

The corners of his lips curled into a cruel smile.

"The Nameless Forest, the Jabberwock... how many trump cards do you have left?"

The young man stepped forward, treading upon the earth that groaned dully beneath him. Metallic cold light condensed and forged itself into cruel edges that fell like rain, while shifting diamond-shaped spaces led to the abyss. Within the shadows, malicious spirits condensed from ill will prowled...

Slowly, inexorably, surrounding Alice and Alice.

Under the platinum glow, the girls realized in horror that they had lost control over the Nameless Forest. Even their own existence grew faint, like the Little Mermaid after her magic had ended, about to dissolve into sea foam.

The Third Magic - Materialization of the Soul. For Alice who had become a wraith, this was an authority she could never resist.

"Now, it’s my turn to deliver punishment..."

The demon’s whisper reached their ears. Finally, Alice, with two large teardrops welling in her eyes, could bear it no longer and let out a wailing cry:

"Stay away from me—!"

————

Outside the gates of the Sea of Three Moons, a large group of Masters had gathered once more. Their eyes burned with grief and indignation, yet their expressions were numb.

Yes, they had been locked out again.

But unlike last time, while the arena gates weren’t locked this time, entering didn’t lead to the Sea of Three Moons but to an unknown Reality Marble.

—The last fool who charged in headfirst was still in the infirmary going ’blah blah’ right now.

"What should we do?" Rin Tohsaka massaged her forehead. She had originally intended to stop the Masters from rushing in to find Sakatsuki, never expecting to get locked out herself. "We can’t just wait here, can we?"

"We’ve already tried Noble Phantasms, but they had no effect at all," the Masters chattered:

"Our familiars have lost contact too. What should we do? Should we summon... no, should we go get Leo?"

But this time, the Masters didn’t have to wait long. The gates of the Sea of Three Moons opened, and a figure emerged from within.

The mere sight of it made everyone hold their breath involuntarily—

There stood the young man, his left arm happily embraced by the golden-haired emperor, his right arm wrapped around the soft waist of his young Master, while two little girls clung tearfully to the hem of his clothes behind him, looking utterly pitiful.

Surrounded by beauties, carefree and unrestrained—what a blissful scene.

"Oh, everyone’s here." Sakatsuki also noticed the dumbfounded Masters and gave them a slight nod. "Sorry for the interruption. The Reality Marble blocking the entrance has been dealt with. You can resume your training now."

No one moved. The Masters exchanged subtle glances until finally, someone stepped forward and mustered the courage to ask:

"Um... what exactly happened?"

"Nothing major. My Master was under mental interference and needed treatment," Sakatsuki replied calmly. "Along the way, I also apprehended the culprit."

"The culprit?"

"Oh, just our opponent for the third round."

As he spoke nonchalantly, the young man suddenly seemed to remember something and waved his hand. "Ah, right. Rin, come with me."

"Huh? Oh..." Rin Tohsaka was still trying to process the sheer volume of information in Sakatsuki’s words and instinctively responded, following him to become yet another beauty by his side.

Only after Sakatsuki’s figure disappeared did the crowd erupt in delayed realization.

The opponent for the third round was the culprit? That meant the enemy Sakatsuki had encountered possessed the ability to manipulate minds?

Undoubtedly, that was the most insidious and dangerous ability of all!

But—what the hell did he mean by "apprehended"?

The second round had just ended yesterday! The third round was only supposed to start today! The final battle wasn’t due for another seven days!

How... how did you already capture the opponent for the third round?

Are you going to release them in seven days?

The sheer absurdity of the situation left the Masters’ minds blank. When they finally regained their senses, they could only suppress their tumultuous emotions and let out a long sigh.

To resolve the opponent on the very day the third round began—

Sakatsuki’s prowess had ascended to unimaginable heights.

So much so that... even the lofty King of Saints might be moved!

————

"Let thy body heed my call, thy fate bound to my blade..."

The infirmary was bathed in radiant light. Sensing the contract’s establishment, Sakatsuki released the hands of the two girls, his gaze profound.

"Hey, Sakatsuki," Rin mused, eyeing the still-unconscious Kishinami Hakuno and Nero, who clung stubbornly to Sakatsuki. "Just a guess... but you didn’t do this on purpose, did you?"

"Hm?"

"Purposely keeping me from following, letting Hakuno get captured, and deliberately allowing Hakuno’s original Servant to enter the Reality Marble and lose her memories."

Thanks to Sakatsuki’s explanation, Rin now understood the effects of the Nameless Forest and the relationship between Nero and Hakuno.

"Because only under these circumstances would Hakuno give up her contract with you, allowing this Servant to return to her side smoothly." She paused, then couldn’t help but sigh. "Though I never expected that after over ten days, Hakuno’s Servant still hadn’t disappeared."

"Because Ne—because this emperor here formed a contract with someone else. The two of them barely managed to defeat their opponents."

For some reason, Sakatsuki never hid much from Rin: "But this can’t go on any longer. They have no magical energy supply, yet their opponents grow stronger by the day. With bad luck, they’ll be eliminated in the third round."

And elimination meant death by the Moon Spirit Crystal.

How could Sakatsuki allow such a thing to happen?

"Although I didn’t sever her contract with that other guy, I restored Hakuno’s magical energy supply on top of it. This way we can ensure this emperor’s combat capability."

Unable to resist, he pinched Nero’s cheek again. Sakatsuki gazed at the radiantly smiling girl with gentle eyes, making Rin watching from the side feel somewhat jealous. She lifted her chin and gestured toward the two little girls huddled together trembling: "So these are your third-round opponents? These two little things?"

Turning to Sakatsuki, Rin Tohsaka’s smile took on a teasing edge: "Why are they so afraid of you?"

Sakatsuki thought for a moment: "Maybe I was a bit too rough? I do have quite a dislike for brats."

Hitting their bottoms hard with a small board... surely that wouldn’t hurt too much?

"Um... Senpai."

Sakura approached timidly and said softly: "I’ve checked. Hakuno-san is just temporarily affected. Her memories should gradually recover over the next few days. As for this Saber-san, with a Servant’s constitution, she should remember everything quite quickly."

"I see. Thank you, Sakura."

"You’re welcome, Senpai."

Sakura retreated with her limited screen time, allowing Rin to steer the conversation back on track:

"So, why did you call me here?"

Hearing this, Sakatsuki wiped the smile from his face and looked seriously at this noble-hearted girl:

"If I leave, I hope you can take care of Hakuno for me."

"Sure, since we’re friends..." Rin answered instinctively before stopping short. Frowning, she met Sakatsuki’s gaze, then after a moment snorted and crossed her arms, turning her face away. "Why should I help you!"

So it was unrequited affection all along! The implications in Sakatsuki’s words made it clear he never intended to become her Servant!

In that case, why was she still being so attentive here!

"I’m leaving!" Rin stood up angrily, her twin tails swaying as she stormed toward the door.

"Hey, wait." Sakatsuki quickly rose to stop the tsundere girl. "Why are you leaving?"

"You’re not my Servant, what’s it to you?"

"Oh." Sakatsuki blinked, his tone suddenly taking on a meaningful edge. "Oh—"

"What’s with the ’oh’?!"

"Nothing." The young man’s eyes curved like a cunning fox’s. "I’m just a bit disappointed that Miss Rin rejected me as her Servant, that’s all."

"What does that have to do with..." Rin trailed off as realization struck. "Wait, what did you say?"With a start, Rin took an urgent step forward, gripping Sakatsuki’s shoulders tightly, her wide blue eyes shining: "Say that again?"!"

What had she just heard?

Sakatsuki was actually volunteering... to become her Servant?!

This was incredible news!