"You… who are you…?"
Seeing the two pitch-black figures suddenly appear before him, Akatsuki Kojou instinctively tried to create some distance.
The reason was simple—because the magic exuding from those two figures was far too dark, far too ominous.
It was as if they were the embodiment of evil itself, causing Kojou to instinctively retreat.
And it turned out that Kojou's instincts were correct.
The magical fluctuations released from the two figures locked in a quarrel had already shaken the atmosphere, stirring the air around them into chaotic currents that nearly blew Kojou away.
Had he not backed off, Kojou might have been sent flying.
And yet, the two figures, who had supposedly come to rescue him, showed no concern for Kojou's safety, recklessly releasing mana.
After all…
"We're just following our Master's orders."
A girl dressed in pitch-black attire like a dark knight, tightly gripping a jet-black Holy Sword, glanced coldly at Kojou and spoke with an indifferent tone.
"You just sit there quietly. If you know what's good for you, don't make trouble. If you get burned by accident, don't blame me."
Another girl, clad in the garb of a cleric but shrouded in darkness, held a flag engraved with the evil dragon's crest. Like a Witch who had lost her faith and been taken by a demon, she sneered at Kojou, as if his life held no value in her eyes.
These were the two girls who had come to rescue Kojou.
And Kojou's intuition had not been wrong.
One of them was a knight who had fallen into darkness.
The other was a Witch who had lost her faith.
They were [Altered] heroes—Servants who had pledged themselves to the forces of evil.
Artoria [Alter].
Jeanne d'Arc [Alter].
The two girls who appeared were none other than Rozen's Servants.
"Kojou!"
Tokoyogi Yuuma finally came to her senses and rushed to Kojou's side, supporting him.
"I'm fine."
Kojou held her as well.
Compared to him, it was Yuuma—who had exhausted all her mana—who was more worn out and battered.
Meanwhile, Rogi stared deathly at the newly arrived Artoria [Alter] and Jeanne d'Arc [Alter], speaking in a particularly low tone.
"Who are you?"
Rogi questioned them.
Unfortunately, he had chosen the wrong people to interrogate.
Because these two Servant girls were not the type to entertain questions.
"Boom!"
With a blast-like sound, violent flames surged forth once again, roaring toward Rogi.
"...!"
Rogi hadn't expected them to attack without warning. Before he could react, he frantically released flames of his own to counter the attack.
However, the strength of his flames couldn't match his opponent's. The moment they clashed, his attack was instantly overpowered. The shockwave from the blast sent Rogi flying, screaming, into a wall.
The Witch wielding the evil dragon's banner stood wreathed in flames, looking at Rogi with a malicious smile.
"Did you think people have to announce themselves before a fight? Seriously, you call yourself a terrorist and still want that? You'd be better off becoming a knight—they love that crap. They always announce their names before a duel. Should suit your taste, wouldn't it? What do you think, king of whatever?"
Jeanne d'Arc [Alter] mocked Artoria [Alter] with a chuckle.
Artoria [Alter], however, remained expressionless.
The reason was simple.
Bang!
A distant, barely audible sniper shot cut through the air—an anti-materiel bullet flying straight toward Artoria [Alter]'s head.
Clang!
Artoria [Alter] didn't move. With a simple flick of her Holy Sword, she deflected the bullet.
Even after this, Artoria [Alter] remained unfazed.
"So this is what a nameless brawl looks like? I see. Pretty pathetic. But I guess it suits a rat that can only hide and snipe from afar. Wouldn't you say so… Rat woman?"
Artoria [Alter]'s words sparked Jeanne d'Arc [Alter]'s fury.
"Who are you calling Rat!?"
"Isn't that what you are? You're wearing rat fur, aren't you?"
"This is not rat fur!"
"Oh, so you lost all your fur?"
"…You little—do you want to die again!?"
"If you can, come and try."
The two girls glared at each other, their mana growing increasingly terrifying, as though they really might strike each other down at any moment.
Watching this unfold, Kojou and Yuuma couldn't help but tremble.
"Who… who are they, Kojou?"
Yuuma asked, clearly terrified.
"How should I know…?"
Kojou swallowed hard, not daring to say anything more.
Compared to Rogi, these two delinquent-like girls seemed even more like terrorists. Kojou wouldn't dare say that out loud.
Otherwise, he couldn't guarantee he wouldn't get killed.
Fortunately, the girls hadn't forgotten their current mission.
"We'll deal with you later. First, let's finish what our Master ordered."
Artoria [Alter] turned her head toward a distant building.
"Hmph."
Jeanne d'Arc [Alter] looked displeased but said nothing more, instead glaring at Rogi, who was struggling to get back to his feet.
Seeing this, Rogi began to tremble.
He had a feeling—
Today, he and Carly might really be finished here.
…
"That mana…!?"
Meanwhile, back at the gas station, Senga Takehito's expression changed drastically as he sensed the rising, ferocious mana.
"Rogi… Carly…"
Not only him—even December's expression turned grim.
Rozen, on the other hand, chuckled, his laughter laced with sarcasm.
"Did you really think I'd just stand around here chatting with you?"
Rozen had obviously anticipated that December and Senga Takehito were trying to stall him.
That's why, the moment they showed up, Rozen had already dispatched Artoria [Alter] and Jeanne d'Arc [Alter] to rescue Kojou.
Otherwise, with Kojou in danger, how could Rozen have possibly stayed and chatted?
In short—
"You guys aren't going to kill Kojou."
Rozen declared bluntly.
"So you might as well give up."
Upon hearing this, both December and Senga Takehito's faces grew heavy.
However…
"Takehito."
December spoke.
"I know."
Senga Takehito nodded firmly.
Things had reached a point where they had no choice but to proceed with their plan ahead of schedule.
"Rahn, initiate Rose."
Senga spoke into his earpiece.
"Understood."
Rahn's voice immediately responded.