Shinji knew a bit about Kairi Sisigou's experiences and mindset. Since Kairi had made his stance clear, Shinji decided not to press further. Only two things remained to be addressed—or rather, one.
However, the final matter at hand wasn't as harmonious. It would likely change the impression people had of Shinji, but for Justeaze and the imminent battle, he had no choice.
"Miss Celenike, where is Astolfo?"
The moment he stepped into the altar, Shinji noticed that almost everyone from the Black Faction was present, except for one particularly restless individual. Restless people typically enjoy crowds and wouldn't miss such a gathering—his absence suggested trouble, which Celenike's unusual expression confirmed.
"He committed an unforgivable crime. I locked him up."
"What did he do?"
Celenike's answer was as Shinji expected. He could vaguely guess the nature of this "unforgivable crime," probably related to a certain homunculus.
After hearing Celenike's gritted-teeth "accusation," Shinji knew he had guessed correctly.
Astolfo was a doer, someone who would act on his promises. Having agreed to help Sieg save the homunculus, he would unhesitatingly follow through.
Of course, his rationality had evaporated. Although he intended to act, he probably didn't know how and decided to figure it out as he went along.
Unluckily, just as he crossed the chasm created by Karna's Noble Phantasm and approached the city gates, Celenike intercepted him. By then, the Hanging Gardens had already seized the Greater Grail and were slowly departing from the Trifas region.
Seeing her Servant being affectionate with a homunculus—a disposable, trashy thing—infuriated Celenike. Astolfo was someone she admired and desired, yet here he was, smiling in a way he never had in her presence. Her jealousy spiraled out of control, amplifying the twisted darkness in her heart.
She resolved to use her remaining two Command Spells to force Astolfo to kill the wretched homunculus. The thought of seeing Astolfo's anger, humiliation, reluctance, and regret would provide her unparalleled satisfaction. The vision of the noble knight breaking down in despair, shedding bloody tears, while she licked his tears and tormented his fading body making her shiver with uncontrollable pleasure.
Yes, this was what she craved. She had no interest in the war or the Grail. This was her true desire.
Astolfo, I will utterly defile you!!!
However, Darnic's orders were absolute. The man had ruled the Yggdmillennia for 60 years with unchallenged authority, and those who defied him met tragic ends.
Compared to the irreplaceable ecstasy of her dreams, her life was more precious. Only by living could she savor it all; death meant losing everything. As a black magus who thrived on torment and curses, she understood this better than anyone.
Thus, she had to abandon her near-reachable desire, her best chance to debase Astolfo, and take both him and Sieg back to the castle.
Astolfo, of course, refused to comply. Despite his pleas, Celenike remained unmoved. Even his final attempt at resistance was suppressed by a preemptive Command Spell.
Given Celenike's atrocious personality, her Command Spell orders couldn't be as simple as "stop," "cease," or "don't attack me." For her, if she was going to use a precious Command Spell, it had to cause Astolfo pain.
Her order was for Astolfo to personally deliver Sieg to Avicebron. This was the outcome Astolfo had desperately tried to avoid and least wanted to see.
Although Astolfo, with his Noble Phantasm "The Magic Universal Book," had A-rank Magic Resistance and could barely resist the Command Spell, it was still a struggle. To resist the command, Astolfo had to focus all his attention, without any distraction, or else his body would move involuntarily.
The coercive power of the Command Spell only dissipates once the order is executed. In other words, if the command is not carried out, the coercive force remains, leaving Astolfo without free will even for a moment.
Ultimately, Celenike used curse magic to strip Sieg of his ability to move, took both him and the immobilized Astolfo back to her workshop, and bound them both to instruments of torture. They could see each other constantly but were powerless to act.
Soon, the Servants who had attacked the Hanging Gardens returned, bringing news of the deaths of Darnic and Vlad III. With the clan leader's death, the orders binding Celenike vanished. Unfortunately, Celenike still couldn't act on her desire to torment Astolfo and Sieg, as Roche had already informed Avicebron of her capture of Sieg.
Now that she had fallen out with Astolfo, she no longer had the means to oppose Roche and Avicebron. All she could do was pray that the damned homunculus wasn't suitable to become the Adam's core.
Regrettably, things did not go her way. Sieg was confirmed as a viable core. Celenike's painstaking efforts resulted in a bargain where she could keep Sieg in her workshop for a few more days, not to harm his body but to use him to torment Astolfo.
Celenike couldn't possibly reveal all these details, but from what she did share, Shinji could piece together most of the events. The subsequent developments were also predictable: not harming Sieg's body didn't mean not breaking his spirit. Over those three days, Astolfo and Sieg must have endured immense humiliation and suffering.
When Avicebron decided to activate his Noble Phantasm, Celenike would use her final Command Spell to force Astolfo to place Sieg into the Golem, witnessing him being consumed, and despairing until he ceased to exist—unless an external force intervened.
"So, that homunculus and Astolfo are still with you?"
Hearing Shinji's question, Celenike's face flushed with excitement.
"Yes, it's quite impressive. I didn't expect that frivolous guy to resist for so long, and that homunculus is stubborn. But they won't be able to hold out much longer."
"I think so too because there's no need for them to struggle anymore."
Shinji turned away, hiding the cold glint in his eyes, and spoke.
"—Artoria, go to Celenike's workshop and bring Sieg and Astolfo here."