Instinct: A
This is the ability to determine "the most optimal action in a split second during battle." In Artoria Pendragon's case, it's honed to such an extreme that it borders on precognition.
In the face of this level of instinct, even logic itself becomes weak and powerless.
Words can deceive. Expressions can lie. Actions can mislead. But A-Rank Instinct? It cuts through all the fog and hits the truth like an arrow.
Sure, the Servants here were rookies at Werewolf, but they were also legendary heroes. Rules might bind ordinary people—but they could never shackle the epics that history still sings of.
Just like Jeanne's Revelation, Diarmuid's Mind's Eye (True), and Artoria's Instinct, these skills were forged in real battle—but that didn't mean they were useless in social deduction games.
"Also, I must thank Lord Sakatsuki for the reminder," Artoria smiled gently, "It seems from now on, I may allow my instincts to operate freely."
Damn it! She's this confident?! Could you please try using that underdeveloped brain of yours, just once!?
Kuro remained expressionless, but inwardly she was already cursing.
This was so unfair. No matter how beautifully the werewolves spun their lies, no matter how silver-tongued their tricks, the dumb ahoge could just ignore it all—because her instincts would give her the real answer.
The one thing the wolves could be thankful for: Artoria wasn't the Seer. And the real Seer—Draco—was... phoning it in, letting things slide. If the good guys had even a shred of cohesion, the werewolves would've been purged clean in no time.
Kuro exchanged a subtle glance with her fellow werewolves.
Tonight's target was obvious: Draco. But starting tomorrow, they'd have to deal with Artoria.
No matter what, with Artoria vouching for Miyu, her elimination was guaranteed today. In just 24 hours, two werewolves down, no civilian casualties.
The tide had turned, and badly.
One by one, the other players took their turns. None doubted Artoria. Public opinion was sliding hard in one direction again.
And then, as usual, the Sheriff, Sakatsuki, stood for the final summary.
"Seems like things are clearing up. I'll go ahead and reconstruct last night's events."
Sakatsuki's ability to deduce via logic was well known. Everyone perked up to listen.
"I imagine most of you thought the same—wolves attacked last night, and either the civilians did nothing, or their attempt to save someone failed. That'd be the likeliest scenario."
Sakatsuki leaned back in his chair, looking completely at ease. He almost resembled a detective from an old-fashioned mystery novel.
"But now that things are more clear—His Majesty's Instinct speaks for itself—and Ritsuka's identity as a werewolf is confirmed… that means our first assumption was wrong. So let's shift perspective, and think like the Dreamcatcher."
"As I said before—forget in-game roles. Think real context. Ritsuka was the Master. From the start, they were the center of attention. So, wouldn't the Dreamcatcher try to protect the Master on Night One?"
"Of course," Mash nodded immediately, and others followed after thinking it over. Seeing that, Sakatsuki continued:
"Then, if the Dreamcatcher started suspecting Ritsuka during the day... they might decide to trust Draco's Seer claim, and use sleepwalk twice—eliminating Ritsuka?"
No objections. It was highly plausible.
"The wolves would never skip a night kill. So if no one died, someone must have been saved—likely by the Witch. Perhaps Ritsuka tried a self-kill, but got blocked by the Dreamcatcher instead."
As the Dreamcatcher, Sakatsuki had no trouble reverse-engineering the true story. Others saw it as just another theory—but it was far too convincing to ignore.
"So Draco is the real Seer. Ritsuka, a wolf, is now dead. With Artoria's instinct as backup, this sequence is our most logical conclusion."
And with that, Sakatsuki wrapped up.
The voting result? Obvious. Miyu was eliminated in a landslide.
[Player 3 has been voted out. Please leave your final words.]
"...Illya, I'm sorry." Miyu's last words were a heartfelt apology.
"Mmhm~ It's fine. It's just a game, don't worry too much." Illya gently held Miyu's hand, smiling sweetly.
Then she shot a sideways glance at Kuro:
"But that one? Can't say the same for her."
"Why are you looking at me?"
Kuro's heart skipped a beat. But she still managed to put on a face full of disdain and locked eyes with Illya.
The two girls stared each other down for a long moment before Illya finally broke eye contact with a huff.
"Whatever. No way everyone around me is a werewolf, right?"
Miyu looked like she wanted to speak but hesitated. Kuro, catching that, silenced her with a glance before leaning in close to Illya, giving her a sly little smile:
"Of course not. Our friendship is unbreakable."
"Well, if you say so…" Illya narrowed her eyes but ultimately chose to trust Kuro. "Mhm! Our friendship is unbreakable!"
Illya said it with such unwavering confidence...
Yet, across the room, both Sakatsuki and Draco cast pitying glances in her direction.
"When everyone around you is the traitor… maybe it's time to consider: what if you were the traitor all along?"
Illya thought only Miyu was the insider. In reality?
Every single one of them was.
A game of Three Kingdoms, surrounded by nothing but scheming ministers and rebels. A bottle of sports drink—entirely laced with stimulants. And in this game of Werewolf?
She was surrounded. By. Wolves.
"Who's the traitor?"
"You are, Illya!"
With the discussion phase wrapped up, everyone was already mentally prepped for the approaching Night Phase. Laughter and idle chatter filled the air as they moved on to dinner.
Tamamo-no-Mae's lovingly prepared meal was, once again, effortlessly KO'd by Sakatsuki with his overwhelming appetite.
After the feast, the group dispersed to their rooms. Full and satisfied, they laid in bed and slowly drifted into a peaceful sleep.
[Night falls. Please close your eyes.]
An unseen hand reached out, gently veiling the world in darkness.
[Werewolves, open your eyes. Choose your target.]
[Werewolves, close your eyes.]
[Dreamcatcher, open your eyes. Choose one player to become a sleepwalker.]
Sakatsuki opened his eyes. But this time, he didn't act immediately. He paused, deep in thought.
Who would the werewolves target tonight?
Draco was the obvious choice—she was the confirmed Seer. But her tendency to slack off and barely speak made her low-risk.
Artoria had terrifying Instinct. But even that needed a baseline of information to work. And besides, Mordred wasn't even around today. Without her son to argue with, the ahoge had less fuel for her deductions.
"…Could it be me?"
Sakatsuki wasn't being arrogant—just realistic.
It was he who deduced Ritsuka's true identity as a werewolf. It was he who reminded Artoria to trust her instincts. And as the Sheriff, his every speech had brought the group one step closer to the truth.
In terms of contribution, he had clearly outperformed the absentee Seer and the distracted King.
But if the werewolves killed Sakatsuki, then his sleepwalker target would die with him.
If he picked Draco or Artoria as his sleepwalker and got killed himself…The good guys would lose two of their best cards in one night.
A devastating blow.
So, what should he do? Take the risk and defend one of the key players? Or abandon all pretense of defense—hunt a werewolf instead, even if it meant dying with them?
He mulled it over.
And finally—he made his decision.
[Player 13 has been chosen.]
[Dreamcatcher, close your eyes.]
[Witch, open your eyes. The player who died last night is ▉▉▉. Will you use your antidote or poison?]
[Witch, close your eyes.]
[Morning has come.]
***
Hey readers!
Want to read ahead? 📖 Join my Patreon for early access to 30+ advance chapters! Your support helps me write more and bring the story to you faster.
🔹patreon.com/aarvan🔹