Everyone present, who had any sense, immediately guessed that the sudden appearance of this girl in Fuyuki City was related to the strange occurrences happening there.
Rin's eyebrows gradually furrowed as she asked Miyu seriously, "You, just who are you...?"
"Wait a moment, Tohsaka," interrupted Shirou, knowing Miyu wouldn't answer such a sensitive question. He then turned to Miyu, smiling kindly. "Miyu, if you insist, then I'll help you too. Don't worry."
"Wait, Emiya-kun. This child might be related to those cards..." Luvia started, but Shirou cut her off again. "That's enough, Luvia-san!"
Seeing Shirou's resolute attitude to help Miyu keep her secrets, both Luvia and Rin felt frustrated but also helpless.
Knowing Shirou's temper, Rin sighed, holding her forehead and shaking her head. "Fine. As long as Ruby can help, the rest can wait. Emiya-kun and Miyu, prepare yourselves. We'll meet at 11:30 PM under the Miyama River Bridge. Let's go, Luvia."
...
In the luxury car, Luvia crossed her legs and frowned, a bit annoyed and puzzled. "Tohsaka-san, why did you let that girl go when the origin of the unknown technology behind those Servant Cards might be related to her?"
"I know Emiya-kun's temper well. If we pushed further, it could turn ugly, or even..."
Rin trailed off, glancing at Archer, who was sitting nearby with his arms crossed and eyes closed. Though the reason was unclear, her Servant clearly had a strong aversion to Shirou.
If they had continued questioning, Archer would likely have made sarcastic remarks or even started a fight with Shirou.
Luvia crossed her arms, curling her lips. "Why is Emiya-kun protecting an unfamiliar elementary school girl so much? Is he a lolicon?"
Rin didn't know how to respond, considering Shirou's actions, which resembled but didn't fully confirm such a notion.
Seeing Rin's conflicted expression, Luvia raised an eyebrow, and several veins popped on her forehead.
"Seriously...?"
Rin shook her head lightly. "In any case, we can't be sure yet."
Luvia: ...
Rin didn't continue on this topic, shifting to the main issue. "Let's put that aside for now and focus on collecting the Servant Cards. Master Zelretch sent us the two cards the Magic Association had collected, so there are five more left. Our next task is to find the hardest one."
"The hardest?" Luvia asked, confused.
"Yes, it might be the toughest to obtain in this mission." Rin nodded, her mind conjuring an image of someone, making her grit her teeth. "And it's in the hands of that jerk you've been watching..."
...
At the Emiya residence, after dinner.
Seeing Miyu, sitting alone on the porch with Ruby in her arms, looking troubled, Shirou, the ally of justice (and little girls), walked over with a kind smile.
Although he didn't know why Miyu made such a request or why she insisted, Shirou, as an ally of justice, felt that forcing such a young child to speak was too cruel.
"Miyu."
"Shirou-san..." Hearing his gentle call, Miyu turned quickly, trying to stand up.
"No need, just sit." Shirou waved his hand and sat beside her, looking up at the sky. "Miyu, you really like the stars, don't you?"
"Yes..." Miyu nodded slightly, her voice small.
Seeing her complicated expression, Shirou's own expression softened. "Miyu, everyone has secrets they don't want to share. Feeling pressured by such secrets is unnecessary. So, don't worry about it."
"But..."
"It's okay." Shirou gently placed his hand on Miyu's head, smiling warmly. "I just need to know that after spending so much time together, you're not someone who would harm me. You're a good kid, right?"
Feeling the familiar warmth of his hand, Miyu's eyes welled up. Though from different worlds, there was a certain similarity to her own brother.
"Yes!" Miyu nodded firmly, her voice strong.
"What, does that mean if Miyu is a good kid, I'm not?" came a grumbling voice from behind. Shirou turned to see Illya, arms crossed and pouting, with Saber standing beside her.
"Illya... and Saber..." Shirou was surprised. "Were you eavesdropping? And Illya, that's not what I meant."
Saber, nodding to herself, placed her hand on her chest. "Illyasviel, I used to think you lacked self-awareness, but I apologize for my rash judgment."
Illya's eyebrow twitched, barely holding back her annoyance. Saber could be quite irritating at times.
"Whatever..." Illya sighed, then glanced at Miyu. "I've heard everything from Saber, so I'll help too."
"Eh?" Miyu and Shirou both froze.
Illya turned away, huffing. "Just to clarify, it's not because I'm worried about Shirou and Miyu. I just want to study those Servant Cards."
Understanding Illya's good intentions hidden behind her tsundere attitude, Shirou smiled gratefully.
...
That night, Gilgamesh, patrolling his (self-declared) domain, Matou mansion, was in a foul mood.
As his supposed subject, Shinji had disappeared without reporting to him!
Unforgivable!
Seeing the complete set of game cards Shinji had left behind, Gilgamesh grew more irritated. He didn't know where Shinji had gone, but it must be somewhere interesting!
"Shinji, this time, you will pay for deceiving your king!"
Meanwhile, Rider, busy with her chores, saw the uninvited guest. Gilgamesh barged in without greeting her, ignoring her status as the third most important person in the Matou household, grabbing a glass and some wine to drink as if he owned the place.
Do you really think this is your home?
Though tempted to scold him, Rider remembered Shinji's instructions before he left: "As long as he doesn't threaten Sakura, let him do as he pleases." So, she held her tongue.
Ding-dong, ding-dong.
Hearing the doorbell, Gilgamesh leaned back on the sofa, frowning towards the entrance, looking every bit the master of the house.
Despite her annoyance, Rider dutifully went to greet the visitor, fulfilling her role as the household's maid.
...
"What?! Shinji Matou went out again?!"
Rin shot up from the sofa, slamming the table after hearing Rider's explanation.
"Can't we just wait until he returns?" Luvia asked, frowning, not yet grasping the situation's gravity.
"Wait until he returns..."
Rin clenched her fist, cursing Shinji's dishonesty. She guessed that Shinji had anticipated this development and rented the Kaleidoscope Wand to acquire a Servant Card in advance!
This meant she and Luvia could never collect all the Servant Cards. Eventually, they'd have to agree to some of his nasty conditions to get the card from him!
What seemed like a good deal turned out to be a huge loss!
"Did he take the Servant Card he obtained?"
"Yes," Rider replied coldly.
"Damn it..."
Rin covered her face, blaming herself for this oversight. She never should have rented Ruby out for that rent money!
"Servant Card... Isn't this one?" Luvia pointed to the thick stack of game cards on the table.
"Huh?" Rin looked at the pile of game cards.
...
"Hahaha, I won! Luvia! Well done, nameless Archer!"
Rin laughed heartily, while Luvia gritted her teeth at her defeat.
Noticing something, Rin glanced at Archer, pointing to the 3D projection on the board. "By the way, this nameless card looks a lot like you, Archer."
Archer wanted to remain silent. What do you mean "like"? Based on the skills, it was clearly him! The nameless card had all his abilities, including Unlimited Blade Works!
Meanwhile, Gilgamesh, swirling his wine glass, watched Archer's reaction with amusement.
"Let's have another game, Tohsaka Rin! This time, let's add some stakes."
Hearing Luvia's challenge, Rin quickly agreed. "I'd love to! I just hope you can handle losing..."
"Hey, Rin, remember why we're here in the first place?"
Rin, reminded of their original goal, nodded. "Right, since he's not here, we should prepare for tonight."
"Indeed..." Though reluctant, Luvia acknowledged the importance of tonight's mission. She then looked at the ever-amused Gilgamesh. "By the way, who is this?"
"A Servant. Currently without a Master. Probably harmless."
"Eh?" Luvia's interest piqued, and she introduced herself elegantly to Gilgamesh. "Hello, I am Luviagelita Edelfelt, head of the Edelfelt family in Finland."
Realizing Luvia's intentions, Rin quickly warned, "Luvia, this guy isn't easy to deal with. Only someone like Shinji Matou can get along with him."
Rin had barely finished speaking when Gilgamesh's displeased gaze fell upon her, and Archer tensed up.
Gilgamesh himself was considering whether to find someone else to play with in Shinji's absence.
At this moment, Shinji, in another world, could never have imagined that Luvia was planning to team up with a Masterless Gilgamesh in his absence...