Shichen didn't bring Illya, Irisviel, or Frieren with him. It was just him and Saber, walking side by side as they left the hotel.
"Man... I still ended up coming out," Shichen sighed.
"You really are a good Master," Saber said with a smile.
Technically, they shouldn't be going after an evil Servant just out of some moral obligation—it was risky. Other enemies might take advantage. Saber knew this was her idealism talking… but Shichen had agreed without hesitation.
She was honestly happy. Irisviel had been right—her Master wasn't mad at her at all. In fact, he actually cared about what she thought.
Even Saber, naïve as she could be sometimes, understood that most Masters wouldn't have agreed so easily.
It wasn't about power either—sure, Shichen was strong enough to not worry about enemy traps, but that wasn't why he'd said yes.
"What's the difference between that and handing me a 'nice guy' card? Don't say stuff like that again," Shichen said.
"Why not?" Saber tilted her head, confused.
"Just trust me."
"Alright… then how should I compliment you?"
"Compliment me? Nah. I should be the one complimenting you."
"You're treating me like a kid again," Saber said with a small frown.
"You are a kid," Shichen said, ruffling her hair. That stubborn ahoge of hers was still poking up.
Saber frowned harder, a little stiff from the contact—but she didn't push his hand away. After being patted a few times already today, she was barely getting used to it.
"I'm way older than you."
"Sure you are. Except right now, you're a sixteen-year-old girl."
"You know that's not the whole story…"
In the original legends, King Arthur didn't have a fixed age—and definitely wasn't a girl.
"Oh, I know everything."
Saber went quiet. She wasn't sure if he was bluffing, but didn't really want to test it either.
Sensing the mood shift, Shichen quickly changed the topic. "It's way too quiet out here. Want to split up and look separately?"
"Alright," Saber agreed, heading off in one direction.
Wearing her white fur coat, she looked cute as ever—honestly, she'd be the perfect target at night.
Too bad no one could actually treat her as prey.
Shichen wasn't worried. He turned and went the other way.
Fuyuki City's night felt eerily quiet. Cold. Empty. Maybe it was the recent string of missing kids, or maybe the Holy Grail War was already having an effect. No one was out.
Then again, the war was supposed to be secret. Most Servants were honorable heroes from myth and history—good people.
This one, the one hurting kids, was a disgusting exception.
Shichen remembered—Caster. Even if he sucked at magecraft, hiding in the shadows made him annoying to deal with.
He really needed to learn a spell that let him just… track people like that.
Eventually, he found himself at the city tram station. Still no one around.
"…Huh?"
Just as he was about to leave, he spotted a small figure.
A young girl, clearly nervous, constantly checking her surroundings, moving like she was trying not to get caught.
She was wearing a school uniform. Twin ponytails.
Elementary schooler.
And Shichen recognized her immediately.
Didn't think he'd run into her… but this might actually work out. If he followed her, maybe she'd lead him to that bastard.
She moved cautiously, occasionally pulling out a strange watch-like device from her neck, like she was trying to detect something.
Shichen followed her silently.
Soon, other figures appeared.
A guy—young, a bit manic. On his right wrist was a bracelet glowing with strange purple light. And behind him, two zombie-like children with empty eyes.
Target spotted.
Shichen didn't make a move yet. He followed behind the girl, keeping close.
They arrived at a dark, creepy basement.
Inside—kids. All of them. Blank stares. Hollow eyes.
"Kanon!" the girl gasped. She had found her friend.
Naturally, the shady guy noticed.
"Oh? Another one?" he grinned darkly. "Perfect timing. We're about to throw a party and needed one more guest. Wanna join?"
He raised his hand, the bracelet glowing even brighter.
In an instant, the girl's eyes went blank.
Just for a second.
BANG!
The guy flew backward like a missile, crashing into the wall, then slumping to the ground, coughing blood.
"Wh…at… the hell…?"
"Eh?"
The girl snapped out of it. She tensed, then saw Shichen standing there—not the bad guy.
"You okay?" Shichen turned back and smiled at her.
She blinked up at him, a little stunned.
"What's wrong?" he crouched down, looking at her.
"Eh? N-No… It's nothing…" she turned away, face turning a bit red.
Now that he looked at her properly—she was a pretty little girl. Delicate features. Actually… she looked a lot like Sakura.
"Don't worry."
He reached out and ruffled her hair again. "You're safe now. Leave that guy to me."
"Oh… okay." She nodded absentmindedly, not resisting the head pat at all.
"You… What the hell are you?" the guy groaned, finally managing to stand, blood dripping from his mouth.
Barely able to stand straight. Shichen's kick had broken several ribs at least. If he didn't need him for info, he'd already be dead.
"Me? Just a random good guy passing by."
"What kind of answer is that…?"
"Doesn't matter. Just tell me—did you do this to those kids?"
"…Yeah. So what?"
"I see. Then you can die now."
A red spear appeared in Shichen's hand. Without hesitation, he threw it.
THWIP!
It shot through the air like lightning and pierced right through the man's wrist—nailing him and the bracelet to the wall.
The bracelet shattered. His hand was gone. Blood everywhere.
"AAAAAHHHHHHH—!!"
His screams echoed through the basement.
But the girl didn't see it—Shichen had already turned her around and covered her eyes.
"No peeking~"
"I-I'm not scared!"
"Oh? Tough girl. Well, your friend's awake now—go help her." He let go of her.
"Huh?"
Her eyes cleared—she saw the other kids coming back to their senses. Her friend too.
"Yuki!" she rushed over to help her up.
"Rin…?" Yuki blinked at her in surprise.
"I'm so glad you're okay!" Rin hugged her tight.
"Mmhmm…" Yuki smiled back and hugged her too.
That warmth—just being together—calmed them both.
The other kids looked scared and confused.
"Hey, don't be scared," Shichen said loudly. "I'm here to help. You're safe now."
"R-Really?"
"I've already called the cops. Just wait for them—they'll be here soon."
To kids, the police were the ultimate safety net.
"Thank goodness!"
"I can go home!"
"Onii-san! That guy ran away!" Rin suddenly shouted.
Shichen turned around—pretending to act surprised. The guy was gone. All that remained was a bloody hand nailed to the wall and a streak of gore.
He casually flicked out a flame and incinerated it all.
"It's fine. Let him run. What matters is you're all safe."
"But… he might hurt more people, right?" Rin asked, worried.
"Maybe. But don't worry—I'll catch him," Shichen said with a calm, confident smile.
"…Okay." Rin looked away shyly.
"Alright, let's get out of here."
Shichen clapped his hands and led everyone out of the creepy basement.
Once they were outside, the kids relaxed.
Then came the sound of police sirens in the distance.
"Well, the cops are here. I'm off to go catch that guy." Shichen turned to say goodbye to Rin.
"Huh?" she blinked in surprise.
"See ya~"
"Wait! Onii-san!"
"Yeah?"
"C-Can I know your name? I'm Rin. Tohsaka Rin."
"Rin, huh? I'm Shichen."
He gave her a wave—and vanished into thin air.