Rin Tohsaka: "Huh?! A new Master and Servant? Rei Ao-nii, what is going on?"
Sakura Tohsaka: "Welcome… Irisviel-nee, and Saber-nee…"
Ishtar: "Oh? Saber? If you're a Master and a Servant, shouldn't you be enemies?"
Ishtar: "And who exactly are you, Rei Ao? This cross-world communication, and the power you showed before… it's not of this world's system, is it?"
Ereshkigal: "Seconded. Though we are Servants, we can sense that you are not ordinary."
Ereshkigal: "To interfere with this world's Holy Grail War like this—what is your true purpose?"
Medusa: "... (observing in silence)"
Watching the messages stream by on the screen, Saber was stunned beyond measure.
Ishtar? Ereshkigal? Those names… they're beings from myth and legend!
They're in this so-called chat group too? And from their tone, they already knew Rei Ao wasn't of this world!
So this chat group is some mysterious construct linking different worlds and different existences?!
Faced with the two goddesses' questions, Rei Ao replied simply and bluntly with two words:
Rei Ao: "For fun."
Ishtar: "…Huh? That's it? (stares, jpg)"
Ereshkigal: "Incredible. To roil the winds of this world for such a trifling reason? (facepalm, jpg)"
Rei Ao: "smiles.jpg"
Then, no matter how the group continued to discuss or press him, Rei Ao's avatar dimmed to "offline," ignoring everything else.
Saber read the chat in silence, waves surging in her heart that wouldn't settle.
Rei Ao… is he a powerful being from another world?
He stepped into the Holy Grail War and stirred up such a storm, and his reason is merely… "for fun"?
The answer was so absurd it left her briefly helpless—yet it also deepened her understanding of his unfathomable power and willful way of acting.
In her mind, Rei Ao's words from last night echoed again: the truth that the Grail had been tainted by the Evil of This World. If he hadn't lied, then the wish she had always pursued—the one to change Britain's fate—had been empty from the start, and might even bring a worse disaster.
Her grip on the holy sword slowly loosened, and Saber's expression turned complicated and weary. Her long-held pillar of belief had taken a heavy blow, and after the awkward shame of last night, even someone as steely-willed as she felt a moment of confusion.
But there was one thing Rei Ao said that was right—the knight's duty must not be forgotten.
"Phew…" She drew a deep breath and forced down the tumult in her chest. The girl's eyes grew firm once more.
No matter who Rei Ao was, no matter the Grail's truth, no matter how unpredictable the future—one thing was certain now: she was Irisviel's Servant, a knight bound by contract. Protecting her Master's safety was her most important duty at this moment.
She sheathed her sword, straightened her slightly disordered armor and emotions, and turned toward Irisviel's room. She needed to check her Master's condition—and… have a proper talk with this new Master who seemed quite close to Rei Ao.
At the very least, until she clarified the truth and found a new path, she would guard the person right before her. That was a responsibility no knight could shirk.
Dawn light poured through the corridor windows, falling across Saber's resolute—if slightly lonely—back.
The tide of the age had been diverted by the intervention of a visitor from another world, and the King of Knights' fate would head toward an unknown shore amidst this chaos.
Just as Saber pressed down the waves in her heart and decided to focus on guarding Irisviel, the chat-group interface in her consciousness did not fall silent. It grew even more lively.
From the main group, friends from other worlds chimed in:
Mio Akiyama: "@Rin Tohsaka, seeing you online is a relief. Rei Ao mentioned big upheavals on your end—your family and your sister were in trouble. Is everything okay now? (worried-but-gentle.jpg)"
Mikoto Misaka: "Yeah, yeah!"
Mikoto Misaka: "That guy's always all mysterious—and kind of a perv—but if he says he can fix it, it's probably fine, right?"
Mikoto Misaka: "But if you need help, say the word! I'm super strong! (fist up, lightning-effects.jpg)"
Rin Tohsaka: "Thanks for the concern, everyone. Rei Ao-nii has already helped us a lot. We're fine now."
Touka Kirishima: "…As long as you're safe."
Mitsuha Miyamizu: "Ehehe, I don't really get the fighting stuff, but if you need cheering on, I'm always here! Rin-chan, Sakura-chan, be strong! (genki-full-power.jpg)"
Reading the heartfelt concern from big sisters of different worlds whom she'd never met, warmth welled up in Rin's chest. She was stubborn and proud by nature, but after her father's tragic death and all the family upheaval, her heart had been taut the whole time. Feeling this cross-world warmth now, her nose stung slightly.
Rin Tohsaka: "Thank you, everyone!"
Rin Tohsaka: "Rei Ao-nii arrived in time to save us and helped resolve the biggest threat."
Rin Tohsaka: "Now Sakura and I are both Masters, and we've got reliable Servant partners! We'll work hard to grow stronger and protect ourselves and our family! (determined.jpg)"
Just then, Rei Ao's avatar lit up again.
Rei Ao: "Don't worry. I've already made arrangements for Rin and Sakura."
Rei Ao: "The Tohsaka family's—matters—are lifted as well. They're safe now and have the strength to protect themselves—and even prevail—in the coming storm."
His words were as concise and steady as ever, carrying a strangely reassuring weight. Seeing that, the women in the group relaxed, and the topic drifted toward curiosity about Masters, Servants, and the Holy Grail War.