The clear stream babbled along, its murmurs harmonizing with the melodious piano music.
The lush green forest was thick with foliage, sunlight filtering through the gaps in the leaves to cast dappled shadows. The grass was dotted with flowers of every color, while butterflies flitted among them, weaving a vibrant and picturesque scene.
By the stream, a handsome young man played the piano, his fingers dancing over the black and white keys, producing a soft and beautiful melody. A stunning emerald-haired girl lay lightly across his lap, like an oversized cat, her back as smooth as jade. Her long, damp hair cascaded down like a waterfall, shimmering under the sunlight, as dazzling as jadeite.
Amid the ancient courtship melody, Sakatsuki's eyes narrowed slightly. But when he felt Atalanta's cheek nuzzling against his abdomen, his thoughtful expression turned into a helpless smile.
Though they had stolen a rare moment of leisure, things had gone on far longer than expected—from noon till dusk was a bit too intense.
But who could blame him when Atalanta had forced the issue?
Sakatsuki wasn't the type to stay passive for long. Once he regained some strength, he flipped Atalanta over and took charge. The flexibility she had honed through her life as a huntress was simply too exceptional, and before he knew it, he was lost in her. Even her tearful pleas for mercy only spurred him on, making his movements even faster.
If not for his concern for Atalanta, Sakatsuki wouldn't have stopped even after nightfall. After all, the Third Magic's incredible endurance wasn't just for recovery—it had other practical applications too.
In this regard, the Third Magic was truly too useful!
As thoughts that would have driven past Magicians to madness swirled in his mind, Atalanta slowly stirred awake. The first thing she saw was Sakatsuki, looking refreshed and utterly unexhausted. Memories of their hours of passion flashed through her mind, painting her cheeks a charming shade of red. Then, noticing the time, she bristled in alarm and scrambled to her feet—only to wobble unsteadily the moment she stood.
It hurt.
"Careful now." The music stopped as Sakatsuki wrapped an arm around Atalanta's slender waist and effortlessly pulled her back onto his lap. Under his teasing gaze, Atalanta blushed furiously and lightly pounded his chest.
"This is all your fault!"
"Can't be helped. I couldn't resist—after all, who wouldn't want to get close to Greece's most beautiful huntress?"
"Lady Artemis is the most—"
"She's a goddess. Too much divinity robs her of vitality—she can't be described as merely 'beautiful.'" Sakatsuki cut her off, then gently stroked her hair when he noticed the shadow of worry in her expression. "Every encounter, every trial, every step of growth has shaped who you are now. It all happened naturally—there's no need to fret. I'm sure the Moon Goddess would be delighted to see her follower find true love."
This was the truth—at least within the logic of this world. The love-struck Artemis, who only had Orion on her mind, wouldn't care about Atalanta breaking some so-called vow. If anything, she'd probably find Atalanta's romance fascinating.
Atalanta was secretly pleased by Sakatsuki's understanding words. Satisfied, she narrowed her eyes, her cat ears twitching, before pressing a loving kiss to his cheek.
"Yes… I'm sure that's how it is."
This was what she loved most about Sakatsuki—the young man always seemed to grasp her true thoughts and offered the exact support she needed.
However, clinging like a delicate bird or whispering sweet nothings was never Atalanta's style. After a brief moment of tenderness, she slipped out of Sakatsuki's embrace, stretched lazily under the setting sun, and let out a soft, contented sigh.
"Mmm… It's getting late. We should head back soon. I don't want others misunderstanding."
"What's there to misunderstand? Love between a man and a woman is perfectly natural." Sakatsuki stood up, standing beside her, then suddenly said, "You know, Atalanta… we're destined to stand on opposing sides in the future."
Atalanta's goal was to protect children. If Sakatsuki spoke of opposition, it could only mean destruction.
Apart from Shakespeare, this was the second time Sakatsuki openly admitted his dangerous intentions. To his surprise, Atalanta didn't even turn her head—instead, her tail swayed lightly, as if she were in a good mood.
"I know."
???
Seeming to sense his bewilderment, Atalanta finally glanced back at him, flashing a radiant smile. "I'm no fool. Just think about the team we encountered in Sighișoara."
At first, she and Jeanne d'Arc had assumed Sakatsuki's pained expression meant he had been captured by Reika and King Arthur. But the truth proved they were allies. In that case, Sakatsuki joining the Black Faction and Reika siding with the Red Faction had to be a ruse.
Atalanta understood Sakatsuki's nature well—if he had a reason for cooperating with enemies, he would say so outright, leaving no room for misunderstanding. Just like now, even at the risk of angering her again, he wanted her to know his true wish.
Since he hadn't explained himself yet, there was only one possibility—they were on the same side.
Did anyone truly believe there was some secret or accident involved?
"Don't hold back on my account. Do what you must, my love." Standing before him with her hands behind her back, the setting sun outlined her silhouette in a hazy, dreamlike glow. The huntress smiled like a blooming flower. "I believe in your soul—it must be painted with kindness and gentleness. Someone like you could never walk the wrong path."
Sakatsuki remained silent, but Atalanta, as if unsatisfied, leaned in closer, resting her chin on his shoulder. With a teasing nip at his earlobe, she exhaled a sweet, intoxicating whisper:
"Besides… wasn't it just proven that you are my greatest enemy?"
A flicker of springtime mischief danced in Atalanta's eyes. Even flushed with embarrassment, she murmured, barely audible, "I am the princess of Arcadia, the huntress famed for her speed, the hero who slew the Calydonian Boar. No matter how wounded or exhausted, I've never begged for mercy. Yet you… you're the only one who could leave me without even the strength to lift a finger, sobbing and pleading…"
Sakatsuki: "…"
Desire is emptiness, emptiness is desire… An assassin must maintain composure. Stay calm. Absolutely stay calm. It's already late—I must not become a lustful fool…
Feeling the sudden rise in the young man's body temperature, Atalanta giggled mischievously, then vanished like a passing breeze. By the time Sakatsuki turned around, she was already gone.
"I'll be waiting for you in the final battle, Sakatsuki. And… don't forget me…"
Only at the very end did Atalanta reveal a hint of loneliness in her heart, and by the time Sakatsuki wanted to speak, she had already vanished.
"Beep beep beep—" The communication spell rang urgently. Suppressing the restlessness in his heart, Sakatsuki took a deep breath and connected the call.
"Sakatsuki, is that you?" Fiore's voice came through, getting straight to the point. "Something's happened. Kairi Sisigou's Servant, the Red Saber, has gone missing in Sighișoara. You're nearby right now, aren't you? If possible, could I ask for your help?"
Red Saber—Mordred?
Sakatsuki narrowed his eyes pensively.
This wasn't a trap. Given their special relationship, Atalanta would only make preparations silently and would never inform anyone. Jeanne d'Arc probably hadn't reacted yet either. So, Mordred had likely truly disappeared.
As for the reason behind the disappearance, Sakatsuki already had a vague answer.
If Reika Rikudou, after dealing with little Jack's matter, was still lingering in Sighișoara...
I see. So Artoria has finally taken that step, hasn't she?
The Assassin's lips curled into a smile, but he quickly realized something and forcibly smoothed his expression, furrowing his brows instead.
The platinum glow in his soul had already dimmed this afternoon—likely because the little red dragon didn't want his main self to witness the live show and had forcibly dragged him away.
But if the main self's influence had faded, why was he still behaving so... weakly?
In a sense, Sakatsuki, who had manifested as an Assassin, was just like Sieg—an artificial human who had spontaneously developed consciousness. Both were 'infants' less than a month old. Even with the main self's memories, they were merely fleeting glimpses, like scenes from a movie.
Who could say that innate traits wouldn't gradually change through lived experiences?
"...No, I am Assassin. I am Sakatsuki, yet not Sakatsuki—the Assassin."
Muttering to himself, the young man's eyes turned iridescent blue as he gazed up at the sky.
The Holy Grail War was approaching its final night. He could already foresee his possible future and the scenario he least wanted to face. Yet even so, for the sake of salvation in another world, he wouldn't change his decision.
Some paths, once taken, could never be retraced.
"After all, there's no such thing as a regret pill in this world..." The Blue Assassin, Sakatsuki, sighed softly and likewise set off, leaving behind fleeting joy as he hurried toward Sighișoara. Unbeknownst to him, deep within his soul, the young man from a distant time and space was soothing a bristling Draco while wearing a peculiar expression.
"No, in your world, a regret pill might actually exist—and you're already unconsciously preparing for it.