Leaving the Void
After leaving the large void monitored by the Church, Shinji didn't head home immediately. Instead, he wandered into Shinto.
The large-scale magical analysis device still needed a few days to fully analyze the Holy Grail system. For now, he could only wait.
At 11 PM, after wandering the streets of Shinto for half an hour without detecting any Masters or Servants, Shinji was about to call it a night when he sensed a familiar presence nearby.
Following the presence to an abandoned building, Shinji frowned as he sensed the air before him.
It was a magical barrier.
Though he couldn't use magic, Shinji's heightened spiritual sense allowed him to detect magical barriers.
Despite encountering this type of barrier for the first time, Shinji instinctively felt a familiar presence.
As Shinji walked deeper into a narrow, dark alley, he found Mitsuzuri suspended in the air, her eyes vacant and expression dazed, with a purple shadow beside her.
Recognizing the figure, Rider didn't let go. She revealed herself, ready to enjoy her "midnight snack."
Seeing this, Shinji sighed and raised his hand. "Wait a moment. Give me a break and let her go. She's my classmate."
Rider paused briefly but quickly resumed moving towards the girl's pale neck.
You're not my Master. Why should I listen to you?
"Hold on!" Shinji raised his hand again, sighing heavily. "Take me instead. Let her go."
Carefully laying Mitsuzuri at the alley entrance where the air circulated better, Shinji even draped his jacket over her.
Getting up, he turned back and walked to where Rider, with her usual indifferent expression, awaited him.
"Go ahead," he said, spreading his arms.
Rider didn't hesitate, pushing Shinji against the wall and bending her knee.
Wait, isn't she supposed to bite my neck? Shinji was confused.
Why does she seem so practiced at this?
"Wait! My classmate is still here! Even though she's asleep…"
Shinji reconsidered and stopped Rider. Maintaining his dignity was important, especially in public.
Rider pushed her blindfold up, exposing her eyes, and glanced at Shinji.
In Rider's eyes, Shinji saw a clear message: "Shut up!" (You're just pretending/Stop being a hypocrite!)
Seeing the threatening look in Rider's pink vertical pupils and acknowledging that he couldn't physically match a Servant, Shinji decided to give in.
Ordinary humans can't fight Servants. Fine, you win.
Shinji did, however, insist that Rider put her blindfold back on.
Petrifying Mystic Eyes are no joke. Even with his strong spirit, Shinji knew he could still fall victim if he let his guard down.
It definitely wasn't because of any impure thoughts that Shinji wanted Rider to wear the blindfold.
After what felt like a long time, Rider stood up with a dissatisfied expression.
"No spirit energy?"
"You think I have excess spirit energy every day? It's only occasionally that I have a surplus, and it becomes a burden. Losing too much would affect me."
Shinji sighed, pulling Rider's hand to switch their positions, pressing her against the wall.
"Wait! Without spirit energy, there's no need for this."
"Shut up!"
"Your classmate is right outside."
"As if I didn't just say the same thing!"
In Shinto
On a rooftop, Rin, having just dealt with the aftermath of Caster's spell that left over fifty people unconscious, watched as ambulances and medical personnel busied themselves below.
The clues were now connected: the witch at Ryudou Temple, involving ordinary people and draining their energy—these recent coma incidents made sense now!
Even though no one had died yet, Caster had become Rin's top priority.
As the manager of Fuyuki's spiritual land, it was Rin's duty to deal with any mage who violated the rules and endangered ordinary people.
She had only one thought.
Eliminate!
Just like she had with the skeleton familiars earlier—no mercy, leaving no trace!
"Unexpected, though. No battles yesterday, no information gained, yet Caster still acted. She must be quite arrogant, probably believing she has a trump card to win it all," Archer remarked.
"What do you mean?" Rin turned to face Archer, who had his arms crossed.
"It seems avoiding battle yesterday was the right choice."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Rin frowned.
"Caster set such a large trap. If we had fought Berserker yesterday, there's a good chance she would have spied on us, exposing our hand."
"True," Rin nodded. "A fortunate accident, then."
"No, it wasn't an accident." Archer shook his head. "I hate to admit it, but yesterday, Illyasviel likely fell into Shinji Matou's trap from the start. Everything that followed was probably part of his plan. You noticed that, right?"
"Hmph!" Rin crossed her arms and looked away, clearly acknowledging it too.
Since encountering Illyasviel yesterday, everything had been subtly influenced by Shinji, who seemed to be dancing on the edge of a knife!
Illyasviel's reactions had all been anticipated by Shinji, who even predicted she would eventually let Rin go under those ridiculous conditions.
Even in that tense situation, Shinji's insight, analysis, and execution remained sharp. Rin had to admit she was impressed.
In such a short time, Illyasviel was completely manipulated, led by the nose! In terms of strategy and intellect, he was on par with Rin!
Alright! Rin wouldn't admit he was smarter, but maybe on the same level, just more versatile!
"Alright, Rin. What's the plan for dealing with Caster?"
"Oh! I almost forgot because of that guy!" Rin turned sharply, "Let's go, Archer. We need to catch her before she escapes back to Ryudou Temple!"
"Rin, remember he said he knew where two Servants were hiding?"
"Yeah, so what?"
"I'm thinking those two Servants might be allies, both hiding in Ryudou Temple. If that's true, it explains why Caster is so brazen—she's not alone."
"That's very possible! I remember Shinji used to train at Ryudou Temple and had a good relationship with the monks there. It makes sense he could have discovered a Servant there during a visit!"