I can sense the same trait in you as well… Is it really right to treat your own kind so harshly, Saber?
No personality. No past. No family. Born only for the sake of battle.
For battle… for…
For… "Eternity," a puppet created solely for that purpose.
Eternity…
[Shogun…]
Eternity…
[Shogun?]
Eternity…
The word echoed endlessly in her mind like a curse, flooding her thoughts as though to drown her.
[Shogun!]
"!"
That familiar voice successfully pulled her back from her drifting thoughts, as if a gentle hand had seized her when falling into the abyss, restoring her once more to the light.
'…Ei?'
She lifted her gaze toward the window, where her reflection shone faintly in the night. On the other side of the glass, the woman who looked exactly like her wore an expression of concern.
[Your thoughts just now… were unstable.]
Ei's voice reached her softly, resonating not from beyond the glass, but within her heart itself.
'I…'
She faltered, unable to answer.
[Haa…]
Ei sighed in quiet sorrow, her identical figure in the reflection showing a tender smile.
'Ei…'
[Shogun, you don't need to care about what they said. You are different from that homunculus. You are not the same kind. He has no right to be compared to you.]
Ei's voice carried no hesitation—only conviction, as if to calm the Shogun's uncertain heart.
'…How do you know my thoughts?'
[You are my creation. I entrusted my consciousness into Musou Isshin, and that blade resides within your heart. Isn't it natural that I know you through and through? Why even ask "why"?]
'But… I really am—'
[Yes, you are indeed a puppet of my creation. But that does not make you the same as him.]
[The difference between you and him is not simply in how you were born. You possess what he does not.]
[You have your own personality… otherwise, who is speaking with me now? A prewritten program?]
[You have a past… Do you remember who it was you saw when you first opened your eyes?]
'It was you…'
She answered softly, obediently.
[That is your past… your memory of birth. And now, both you and I are Raiden Shogun. I don't understand why you even question such things. I don't recall your thoughts being so easily swayed before.]
'...'
She remained silent.
[Family, he said? Hah… I feel like I shouldn't even need to say this. Don't you already know? The people by your side, including me, and Makoto—are they not family to you?]
Makoto… It had been her elder sister's wish, upon leaving her, that gave birth to the idea of creating the Shogun. She didn't want her younger sister to be alone, so she entrusted the Shogun to accompany her. The energy that activated this vessel came from Makoto herself, who sacrificed a portion of her own to sustain her.
Of course, now her role went beyond companionship. She was the Raiden Shogun of Inazuma, entrusted to govern in Ei's place and help realize their shared ideal of eternity. Remembering this made Ei feel a little guilty toward Makoto.
But her feelings for the Shogun were real—genuine, with no trace of exploitation or disposal. On the contrary, her care for the Shogun was like that for her own child… or her dearest younger sister.
[Haa… That is why you are not the same as him. You are worlds apart. Do you not realize how important you are to us?]
'...'
The Shogun grew flustered at those words.
[Are you… embarrassed?]
Ei wasn't certain, but she could sense it in her heart.
'You're the one saying such embarrassing things. How could I not feel shy?'
She lowered her head slightly, hiding the faint blush coloring her flawless face.
[Fair enough. Haa… But because of the Vision Hunt Decree, they may hold some resentment toward me. Yet that's only toward me.]
And indeed, ever since the decree had been issued, her retainers and friends had distanced themselves from her.
[So… do you feel better now?]
'Yes… much better. Thank you, Ei.'
She allowed a faint, long-missed smile to surface at the reflection in the glass. The other side smiled back and nodded gently, before her figure faded from the mirror.
Time returned to its normal flow… At her ear was the faint sound of Fiore arranging teacups on the table. In the stillness of the room, it was not jarring, but instead somewhat pleasant.
"Shogun…"
The girl finally spoke, her voice soft and delicate.
"What is it?"
"Shogun… do you have something on your mind?"
Her guess carried caution, almost timid. After placing the teacups neatly, she turned, her blue eyes brimming with worry.
"..."
The Shogun froze slightly. Was her state really so obvious?
"Um… if it's inconvenient, then…"
"There's nothing inconvenient about it…"
The Shogun knew what she wanted to say, so she replied bluntly, then walked over to her side and sat down on the chair.
"Eh?"
Fiore was slightly surprised to hear her answer so directly.
"I do have some things weighing on me…"
As she spoke, the Shogun lightly brushed her fingertips against her side locks. The alluring beauty mark at her eye glimmered faintly beneath the strands of hair.
"Mhm."
Fiore straightened her posture slightly in her wheelchair, meeting her gaze intently, as though to say I'm listening seriously.
"…Rather than calling it a burden, it's more like some complicated personal matters. Better if I don't say for now."
After some thought, she chose not to reveal them to the girl before her.
"Ah… I see… In that case, I won't ask anymore…"
Hearing this, Fiore's expression visibly dimmed. Her delicate face lowered, her voice quiet with disappointment.
"Don't misunderstand. It's not as you think. I just don't know where to begin. When the time comes, I'll tell you."
Seeing her expression, the Shogun understood she must be disheartened. So she explained again, making clear there was no rejection in her words.
"Eh? Is that so… Mhm… Shogun, whenever you choose to tell me is fine. I can wait for you."
Fiore's face brightened at once. A faint rosy blush returned to her cheeks, and her voice grew sweet.
Seeing her smile, the Shogun relaxed slightly. Truly incredible… Though they came from different worlds, they could still share such calm, peaceful exchanges.
Knock, knock… The next moment, the door was rapped upon.
A maid entered the room, bowing respectfully to the seated Shogun and Fiore.
"Lady Fiore… and Lady Saber."
"What is it?"
Fiore asked softly.
"Yes… Lord Darnic requests the two of you come to the hall. He says there is an important matter to discuss."
"Mhm… I understand."
Fiore nodded without suspicion, dismissing the maid.
...
Creak…
The door was gently pushed open by Fiore. Following the Shogun's steps, they entered the hall where Darnic and the Grand Prince awaited.
At their arrival, the two ceased their conversation, turning to face them.
"Uncle… you wished to speak with me?"
Fiore asked politely.
"Mhm… Take a look at this."
Darnic approached and handed her a newspaper.
Fiore unfolded it and, upon seeing its contents and photos, her brows furrowed in severity.
"This is…"
The Shogun's eyes fell to the images as well—bloodstained and blurred by censorship, but clearly of a man disemboweled, his body split open, viscera strewn across the ground. The scene was grotesque.
"This… was Assassin's doing."
The Grand Prince interjected.
"…Assassin?"
"Mhm… This was Assassin's Master, Hyouma Sagara. His corpse was discovered around midnight yesterday. But according to the traces left behind, this was not the work of the Mage's Association. Which means—"
"It's highly likely the deed was committed by Assassin themselves?"
Fiore finished the thought, already anticipating Darnic's conclusion.
"Exactly. The culprit is 'Jack the Ripper.' Your next mission is to take Saber with you to Sighișoara and eliminate Assassin. If necessary, dispose of their Master as well."
Darnic turned his back to them.
"I understand. We accept this task."
"There is more… Reports indicate that Red's Saber and his Master, Kairi Sisigou, are also nearby in search of Assassin. You are permitted to clash with them if need be."
That was precisely why this assignment had fallen to Fiore and the Shogun. Saber against Saber—it was the most fitting match.
"Do we need to eliminate them as well?"
Fiore asked.
"No… merely drive them off. It is not yet the decisive stage."
Darnic answered sideways.
"Mhm… Understood. Let's go, Shogun."
Fiore turned to her Servant with a small signal.
Seeing this, the Shogun pushed her wheelchair, accompanying her as they left the hall together. She found herself growing ever more practiced at wheeling her Master along these past few days.