Light particles gathered.
The fresh scent reminiscent of forests, grasslands, and open fields swept through the dark and cramped underground cell. This refreshing atmosphere dispelled the blood, death, and seductive aura brought by Celenike.
By the time the light particles had completely coalesced into a human form, Shinji and Astolfo had already calmed down, both turning their attention to the night's third visitor—Black Archer Chiron.
"My apologies. If Assassin and I had tried harder, you wouldn't have been subjected to such excessive treatment."
When Vlad III and Avicebron had confined Astolfo, Chiron had wanted to plead for him, but Astolfo stopped him with a glance.
"No, no, it's pointless to split our faction over something so trivial. If this matter can be resolved by accepting criticism and punishment, then that's the best outcome. Besides—"
As one of Charlemagne's Twelve Paladins, Astolfo understood the role he had to play as a knight and a lord in this situation. Whether the actions were right or wrong, it didn't change the fact that he had disobeyed orders. Thus, Vlad III, as the grand duke, had to administer punishment.
Astolfo had already come to terms with this on the way back to the city. Though he hadn't anticipated that Vlad would sentence him to death, it was not incomprehensible, given Vlad's tyrannical nature. Archer and Assassin had already defied the tyrant once to save him, and continuing to do so might cause discord or even a split within the Black faction, something Astolfo feared most.
Vlad III was the commander, and Chiron was the strategist, each with their supporters. With a great battle looming, disagreements between the commander and the strategist had to be avoided. Hence, it was better this way; a reckless knight being punished could solve all the problems.
Astolfo was that kind of good-natured person who, even without rationality, would instinctively think of his friends, not caring about what might happen to himself.
"—I've been imprisoned before, caught by the emperor, locked up by Roland, turned into a tree by a witch. I have a lot of experience in being jailed."
"What's there to be proud of in that?" Shinji scratched his head helplessly. "Well, seeing you so spirited and optimistic, I feel relieved."
"That's my greatest strength," Astolfo chuckled. "Now it's up to you guys to take down the Red faction."
"Of course," Chiron said firmly. After a moment of hesitation, he asked, "Is he still safe?"
"Uh, probably, as long as he reaches the village safely."
"He'll be fine. You might even get to see him again," Shinji had a premonition. After all, Sieg was the protagonist of Fate/Apocrypha, the favored child of this world's destiny; he wouldn't die so easily.
"I hope not. It would be tragic if he escaped only to be dragged back in."
Astolfo's face fell, and Shinji couldn't resist knocking him on the head.
"Fate is unpredictable. What if you meet him again after the war's over, and you both survive? Wouldn't you want that?"
"Oh, in that case, yes, very much!" Astolfo's expression brightened instantly. "Alright, I've decided. I will survive and go see him!"
"That's between you two," Shinji squinted.
To be honest, he hadn't liked Astolfo's erratic behavior much before meeting him in person, but after spending time together, he realized Astolfo was genuinely a good person, making it hard to ignore him.
Fine, if everything goes well, I'll help you get a body, strengthen Sieg, and then send you two to the Netherlands to get married.
Yeah, that sounds pretty cool, doesn't it?
Astolfo's question interrupted Shinji's daydreaming: "By the way, Assassin, why did you help him?"
"Who knows? Maybe my rationality evaporated like yours," Shinji replied, not dismissively, because it was his emotions that had tipped the scales in his decision.
"And Archer?"
"We are, after all, just fleeting spirits without physical bodies. For us—if we can leave such a mark on the world, that would be wonderful." Chiron's voice was gentle, yet it carried a deep longing and unwavering conviction.
Shinji smiled slightly and thought silently to himself, You will leave a mark. Your knowledge, your teachings, and your influence will all be imprinted, not just in this world, but in another as well.
"I think the one who should become the leader is you," Rider said, making a statement that would certainly cause a huge commotion if Vlad III heard it.
Chiron, however, only shook his head with a wry smile and said, "I'm not good at standing in the spotlight."
Hearing this, Rider sighed and muttered softly, "Indeed, things in the world never go as one wishes."
"Then work hard to make things go as you wish. I'm heading back to help Fiore with her medicine. I'll see you tomorrow."
Shinji waved to the two of them and turned to leave the dungeon.
"Weren't you going to ask about the Black Lancer?"
"That was just an excuse to deal with your Master. Everything that needed to be said has already been covered."
"Wait." Chiron realized belatedly.
Unfortunately, Shinji had already transformed into spirit particles and left the dungeon.
Astolfo asked, "Is something wrong?"
"Nothing, just wanted to remind him not to go looking for Miss Fiore now, to avoid any awkwardness."
Chiron said this and was about to use a sensing method to contact Shinji. However, after a moment's thought, he decided against it.
"Never mind, it's also an opportunity to deepen the bond between Master and Servant."
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Astolfo said, utterly confused.
"It's okay if you don't understand. It's not important. Tell me about the Black Lancer. I'd like to hear your evaluation."
"Oh, she's a very powerful and handsome female knight..."
◇◇◇
On the other side, having left the dungeon, Shinji made his way to the herb storage with ease, retrieving the necessary ingredients according to the familiar process, and then headed to the kitchen to prepare the medicine.
Since it was just a pain-relief medicine, the preparation process was simple and didn't require any special techniques. With Shinji's current skills, as long as he had the ingredients and remembered the process, he could easily complete it.
Half an hour later, Shinji knocked on Fiore's door, carrying a cup filled with green liquid.
"Fiore, it's me."
"A-Assassin? No, you can't come in right now!"
"???"
Wait, this reaction isn't right.
P.S. In Fate/Apocrypha, only Chiron used "mind communication" to contact other Servants. It's speculated to be his exclusive skill; otherwise, the Black faction wouldn't have fought so poorly in some battles.