The daytime proceeded with the usual construction activities.
Those who had been scheming in the werewolf game earlier now set aside their thoughts and threw themselves into the new round of building with enthusiasm. Among them, Sakatsuki bore the brunt of the workload, paying the price for slacking off with Draco and the others the day before.
Fuelled by lingering resentment, Ritsuka transformed into a strict overseer, hands on her hips—almost as if she were brandishing a little whip. Under her supervision, vegetable fields, grain fields, and pastures took shape one after another. Centered around the campsite, the man-made scenery spread outward, gradually blending with the surroundings to form a miracle known as "civilization."
"I think we should start working on what's called infrastructure," Artoria, who had been quietly helping all along, spoke up after the bird pasture was completed. "We've grown familiar with procuring materials, so if we can build roads to transport them, efficiency will improve even further."
As if recalling the days when Camelot was built from nothing, her expression softened, yet every movement carried the dignified bearing of a monarch.
The Knight King watched as a new white fortress rose from the ground, while Mordred gazed intently at the ruler she had once sworn allegiance to.
A gentle breeze swept past, and the same emotions flowed across their identical faces. Their swaying golden hair resembled waves of wheat at harvest, like sunlight falling upon the castle's corners.
Mordred remembered—whenever affairs of state eased, King Arthur would climb the castle walls to gaze upon her subjects, while the Round Table stood silently behind her, each knight standing tall like swords upholding the heavens and saving the world.
But now, those old comrades had scattered like leaves in the wind.
Only the rebellious knight remained. Only the king who had lost her kingdom remained.
Now, as she watched this fortress flourish from nothing, what was her father thinking? And what was she herself looking at?
Shaking her head, Mordred abandoned her wandering thoughts, and Ritsuka broke the silence with a laugh. "That sounded just like a king."
The teasing remark made Artoria blush, her regal demeanor crumbling instantly. "I—I am a king at all times!"
Her eyes instinctively darted toward Mash's chest, then shifted to Tamamo-no-Mae, before finally landing resignedly on Kiyohime... Her voice grew so pitiful it was almost tearful:
"B-But since I'm wearing a swimsuit this time, maybe I don't look the part..."
Leaving aside the wounded pride of the ahoge, the other Servants agreed with her suggestion.
"So what should we do? Build with regular wood? Like those rustic pasture paths?"
"That wouldn't make much difference, would it? Though it would take some effort, I recommend paving with stone."
"If we're going to put in the effort anyway, why not go a little further?"
"...What do you mean by that, Sir Mordred?"
"Hehe... Roads are for convenience, right? So why not build even more convenient roads? Like minecarts! Oooh, I'm fired up~"
"Alright, Master, we'll leave the decision to you. Please take care of it."
"Huh? W-Wait! Damn it, what's with that reaction? It's obviously better than regular roads! Faster... and way more fun..."
I hate Father the most!
Grumbling, Mordred crouched in a corner, drawing circles in frustration. Yet the others only grew more enthusiastic about road construction.
After all, they were utterly fed up with the muddy dirt roads that became a nightmare whenever it rained!
"People's lives become easier with the construction of roads. So what do you think humans will contemplate next?" Sakatsuki smiled.
"Of course, they'll want to make things even more convenient!" Ritsuka raised her hand and shouted enthusiastically.
"Exactly right. Though one might call it pitiful, humans will continue striving for greater convenience—it's hard to judge." The young man stretched lazily after completing the stone road construction.
Mash was more pragmatic: "Following that logic, the next step should be irrigation channels. By building water channels for storage devices, we can transport clean water more efficiently."
"I have no objections. I quite like the elegant aesthetic of wooden constructions."
"Wouldn't stone channels be sturdier? I think stone has a more fashionable appearance too!"
"Wait a minute, aren't there better options? Hey, you can do it, right? Use your almighty projection magecraft to figure something out. Honestly, your choices always lack romantic flair!"
"Ah, of course I'm not referring to that weak man!"
"I can't pretend I didn't hear that," Sakatsuki smiled as he spread his hands. A diamond-shaped space unfolded, and Mordred only had time to shout "Why me?!" in indignant protest before being swallowed by the space—receiving the full treatment of bondage play followed by being hung at the camp entrance for public display.
"Hmm, does Sakatsuki-san know about the Doctor too?" Mash noticed Sakatsuki's protective tone and asked curiously.
"I've heard some things." Having witnessed Fujimaru's loss of Mash as a cautionary tale, Sakatsuki dared not assume Ritsuka's Chaldea matched his expectations, so he gave an ambiguous reply before changing the subject.
"Next comes 'The Quest for Convenience Part Three~' After completing land and water routes, it's time to help our Master traverse mountains and rivers—yes, I'm talking about building bridges!"
"Oh, nice one Sakatsuki! I didn't expect you to use such a bright, American-style way of speaking that matches this sunshine."
Tamamo-no-Mae, bearing the divinity of Amaterasu, praised effusively. But as she continued speaking, the Holy Grail system suddenly announced:
[Punishment phase commencing]
"Eh?" Ritsuka jerked her head up to look at the sky. "But it's still morning!"
[Due to punishment quota and conditions, starting early]
As if responding to Ritsuka's protest, the Holy Grail system coldly explained before continuing:
[Now transporting Punishment Subject No.12]
Though Ritsuka, who had died the previous night, was present at camp, Miyu—who was supposed to receive punishment with her—had been taken to the beach by their friends.
After all, who could have predicted the afternoon punishment would come early?
"Whaaa—!"
With a small cry, Miyu suddenly appeared midair and began falling. Sakatsuki instantly flashed forward, spreading his arms to catch his little sister securely.
Only to get his Hawaiian shirt completely soaked.
"B-Brother...?"
Sakatsuki looked down at Miyu curled in his arms, her red-and-white swimsuit damp, black hair clinging to her chest. In a whisper, Miyu lifted her head, deer-like moist eyes staring dazedly at her brother—her appearance resembling a magnolia bud about to bloom.
Upon closer inspection, her ears were growing increasingly flushed, as if about to drip with moisture.
"Oops." Pretending not to notice Miyu's unusual state, Sakatsuki chuckled as he set the girl down, projecting a blanket to wrap around her petite frame and giving her a quick pat-dry. "Get ready, Miyu—your punishment begins now."
"Eh? Oh... W-Wait, what?!" Only then did Miyu process Sakatsuki's words, but the Holy Grail system had already activated on its own.
[Randomly selecting a dare punishment... Selection complete.]
Suddenly, a milky white light enveloped Miyu. When it faded, Ritsuka and Mash stood frozen in place, while Artoria and Mordred stared wide-eyed in disbelief. Tamamo-no-Mae and Kiyohime blinked before immediately tensing up.
As for Sakatsuki, he wore a smirk that seemed to say "classic you," arms crossed as he admired the scene before him.
The once-drenched girl had now undergone a complete transformation.
A frilly little apron, a ribbon-tied bow at the collar, her black hair tied up and topped with a classic "Katyusha" headdress.
Yes—Maid Miyu, in her iconic black-and-white ensemble, had made a grand return!
"Mmm..." Though Sakatsuki had seen this look before, Miyu still seemed unbearably embarrassed, quickly turning her face away. The usually composed girl blushed furiously, nervously fiddling with her hem, appearing both adorably vulnerable and inexplicably alluring.
[Punishment content: Contestant No. 12 shall provide maid services until the game concludes.]
The Holy Grail's announcement echoed across the entire island. On a distant beach, a silver-haired girl with crimson eyes suddenly shot to her feet, an internal switch flipping inside her.
"What's wrong, Illya?"
"Miyu..."
"Miyu?"
"I need to see Miyu right now—I need to see her super, super badly!"
"Wait, Illya, calm down first—"
"I can't calm down! Miyu's at the campsite, right? Ruby, transform! We're going there now! Immediately! Right this second!"
Meanwhile, back at the campsite, the flustered little maid had retreated into Sakatsuki's embrace, hiding from the Servants' curious gazes. After a moment, a small head peeked out from the crook of Sakatsuki's arm, watching as Ritsuka waved cheerfully at the sky with carefree abandon.
"Hey, what's my punishment? Bring on the dare!"
The Holy Grail system seemed taken aback by Ritsuka's boldness, remaining silent for a long moment before finally responding.
[Randomly selecting a dare punishment... Selection complete.]
And in the next instant, the smile vanished from Ritsuka's face.
***
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