"Brother."
Sakura, who was lying on the sofa resting due to almost exhausting her mana, saw Shinji returning after sending off their guests. She struggled to sit up and called out softly.
"Sakura," Shinji approached, sat next to her, and gently comforted her, "You worked hard."
"No." Sakura shook her head and leaned lightly against Shinji's arm. "I know you're doing all this for my sake."
"Anyway, it's all over now. The Holy Grail War, the fate of mages, everything has ended."
As he spoke, Shinji magically produced a lollipop and handed it to Sakura with a smile.
Seeing the doting smile on Shinji's face, Sakura was momentarily dazed, staring at him with a blank expression as if in a trance.
"What's wrong?" Shinji asked.
Taking a deep breath of the sunlight-like scent from her brother, which fascinated her deeply, Sakura leaned back against Shinji's shoulder.
"Nothing, I just think your scent is very reassuring."
Seeing Sakura's face gradually flush and her breathing become more rapid, Shinji suddenly remembered his old problem of being like a human aphrodisiac around weak women.
Even my sister can fall for it?!
Shinji was mentally breaking down, and he quickly unwrapped the mana-replenishing lollipop and held it out to Sakura.
"Here, Sakura, keep it in your mouth and don't let go."
Meanwhile, a certain twin-tailed girl had just kicked open her broken door. She wore a strange expression as she looked at the man sitting cross-legged on the ruins of her living room furniture, with an air of self-importance, wearing a red jacket and having tanned skin and white hair.
Rin suddenly noticed the clock in the living room, which had just passed two o'clock, and instantly realized something.
"I remember the clock at home is an hour fast today, which means it's not 2 AM but 1 AM..."
Rin hugged her head, showing signs of frustration. "Ah! I messed up! That guy actually called it! I messed up at the crucial moment! Ah! If he finds out, he'll definitely mock me! Ah! Damn it!"
Watching Rin squat on the ground and go crazy, Archer, Rin's summoned Servant, remained expressionless, with a hint of a playful smirk.
"So, who are you?" Rin asked, forcing herself to accept the situation.
The Phantom Mansion, also known as the Twin Pavilion.
As the name suggests, twin pavilions mean two identical Western-style houses. Due to long-term uninhabitation, they appeared desolate and dilapidated, both deep in the mountains and forests, thus called the Phantom Mansion.
One of the twin pavilions was located in the suburban mountains of Shinto in Fuyuki City, while the other was in the mountain forests of Miyama Town in Fuyuki City.
Bazett's residence was one of the twin pavilions hidden deep in the mountains of Miyama Town, even more secluded than the Tohsaka residence.
Returning to the Twin Pavilion, after a brief introduction, Bazett and Rider had largely acknowledged each other as their new Servant (Master).
Both were the quiet type and had many similarities, such as considering themselves completely unattractive women who didn't even like looking in mirrors.
More importantly, they were of the same height.
This was especially significant!
It laid a solid foundation for their future friendship!
"I feel like we will make a great team. Just call me Bazett, Rider."
Bazett initiated the goodwill, sensing the genuine contract within her body.
"Hmm," Rider responded softly and then couldn't help but ask, "Bazett, did that man's words shake your heart?"
"No, no!" Bazett suddenly became a bit agitated.
...She confessed without a fight.
Seeing the silent Rider, Bazett hurriedly changed the subject, "Alright, we need to discuss our strategy, Rider. We've fallen behind due to some issues, so we might need to adapt our battle plans as situations change. Let's start with the basic strategy, okay?"
"Okay." Rider nodded slightly.
"First, my strategy is to act secretly and avoid unnecessary battles. Investigating enemy Masters is the top priority. Once we understand the situation of this Holy Grail War, we can decide on the order to eliminate them and strike each one."
"Time..." Rider hesitated, implying there wasn't enough time left to investigate and grasp the situation fully.
"Yes, time is indeed short," Bazett nodded. "But as a general strategy, this is the most reasonable."
Rider nodded in agreement.
"The Association's instructions are to investigate the Masters of the Three Founding Families first, then the remaining three Masters. Now that the Matou family has confirmed their withdrawal from the Holy Grail War, only two remain. Among the remaining three Masters besides me, one is entirely clear, including their Servant's abilities."
Seeing Bazett's expression become a bit unnatural, Rider asked, "That Servant is..."
"Ah, it's the Servant I lost, Lancer. He was taken by someone I considered a trustworthy acquaintance, the overseer of this Holy Grail War—Kotomine Kirei of the Holy Church."
"The overseer?" Rider frowned. "Doesn't that mean..."
Bazett, knowing what Rider was going to say, continued, "Yes, that person is the biggest cheater in this Holy Grail War. After he ambushed me, my left arm and Servant were taken. At the brink of death..."
"I was saved by that man (Shinji)," Rider finished.
"Yes."
Thinking of Shinji, Bazett felt a strange sensation. Not only did he save her, but he also gave her a new arm and a new Servant without asking for anything in return.
What a genuinely good person!
He's practically the epitome of truth, goodness, and beauty in this world!
Compared to that formerly trusted scumbag...
Tsk! The difference is night and day!
Handsome, mature, gentle, considerate, good cook, great kisser...
No, no, no! Realizing where her thoughts were going, Bazett quickly shook her head and refocused.
Her current goals were to complete the mission from the Mage's Association, get revenge on that traitorous pig, and reunite with her original Servant by taking him back. But thinking of Shinji's face made these goals seem less urgent.
Forcefully shaking Shinji's face out of her mind, Bazett continued, "Anyway, this Holy Grail War is probably different from the previous ones. The cheating overseer is our main focus. Investigating his motives is one of our primary tasks. And if possible, avoid fighting his Servant, Lancer."
After speaking, Bazett seemed to realize something or worried Rider might misunderstand and added, "Of course, it's not because Lancer was my original Servant that I refuse to fight. It's because of his Noble Phantasm. If we have to fight, I won't hold back. But even with my counter-attack sword, facing his Noble Phantasm would only lead to mutual destruction."
"As a Master, you still have a... Noble Phantasm?" Rider was surprised. This new Master was indeed a very powerful mage!
"Yes, time is tight, so there's no need to hide anything. We're different from other pairs; we don't have time to gradually get to know each other."
"So, you're telling me everything to quickly build rapport and mutual understanding?" Rider analyzed softly. "Okay, I'll also try to entrust everything to you, Bazett. My true name is..."
Thus, the two began to reveal their true selves to each other...