"We're back, Mom!"
Jack cautiously pushed the door open, like a child returning home late, worried about being scolded by strict parents.
"Oh, Jack, you're back? I've prepared supper; it's your favorite hamburger steak!"
Wearing an apron, Reika Rikudou held a steaming plate of hamburger steak and waved gently at Jack.
"Great!" Jack shouted happily and rushed into the house.
"How did it go tonight, Jack?" Reika placed the hamburger steak on the table, took off her apron, and smiled as she watched Jack, who was swinging her head while sitting in a chair.
"Ah, we ran into some bad people," Jack said, stabbing the hamburger steak on her plate with a small knife. "That magician had a servant, and other servants ambushed us."
"Were they the same as those people from the daytime?" Reika frowned. "Jack, are you hurt anywhere?"
"It's okay, Mom. Those bad people weren't as strong as the kind brother from the daytime," Jack said, poking a piece of hamburger steak into her mouth with the knife. "But there are no more magicians in this city."
"So, we have to go to Trifas?" Reika sighed. "But aren't there many like you there?"
"Because the kind brother from the daytime doesn't allow us to attack ordinary people here, and there's very little magic to gain from them," Jack said, tilting her head in frustration. "But in Trifas, there will be plenty of acceptable targets."
"Will it be dangerous?" Reika stroked Jack's head.
"Don't worry, Mom, we're very strong," Jack said proudly, raising her head.
"Alright, then eat the last heart and go to Trifas early tomorrow," Reika nodded, opening the fridge and taking out a heart. "I will make sure your wish comes true, Jack."
"Mom, you're the best!"
If it weren't for the heart in Reika's hands, this scene would have been a heartwarming mother-daughter moment.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
"Bang—"
Kairi Shishigou skillfully smashed a car window with the butt of his shotgun, then opened the door.
"You're really good at this," Cyd said, tilting his head.
Shishigou moved with practiced ease, picking out a decent car, breaking the window, and hot-wiring it all in under three minutes. As he casually smoked a cigarette, it was clear he had done this many times before.
"This doesn't seem right," Leticia said hesitantly. Now back to her normal self, her upbringing made her want to call the police, but Shishigou was her companion, leaving her conflicted.
"Master, won't you miss the Holy Grail War if you get arrested?" Mordred, munching on a snack, teased.
"Come on, we can't walk to Trifas; we'd die!" Shishigou said, exasperated. "The knight doesn't have a steed."
"Even if I did, I wouldn't let you ride it," Mordred grinned, sliding into the driver's seat.
"What are you doing?" Shishigou raised an eyebrow. "You don't have a license."
"Huh? What's that? I have the Riding skill," Mordred said with confidence, patting her chest. "Unless it's a Phantasmal Beast, there's no ride I, Mordred, can't handle—though I've never driven a car before!"
Mordred's overconfidence made Shishigou hesitant to get in.
"How about you steal another one?" Cyd suggested, pointing to a nearby car.
"Alright... maybe not," Shishigou sighed, feeling a rare pang of guilt as he saw Leticia's conflicted expression.
"The Lord will protect you!" Leticia said with bright eyes.
"Ah, thanks," Shishigou said, feeling uneasy as he slid into the passenger seat.
"Time to go," Cyd said, giving Leticia a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
Leticia nodded and got into the car.
"Aren't you coming with us?" Cyd asked, noticing Atalanta leaning against a streetlamp.
"With my speed, I can reach Trifas by dawn," Atalanta said, slightly awkward.
"No problem; I can use a command spell to send her back," Medusa said, her small hand marked with command spells emerging from Cyd's shadow.
"Alright, fine, I'll come with you!" Atalanta sighed, pushing Cyd into the car.
"You've got quite the setup, huh?" Mordred teased, whistling.
Leticia blushed and lowered her head, muttering to herself.
Atalanta snorted, her cat ears twitching.
Cyd blinked, feeling something furry brush against his hand and make it itch. Instinctively, he grabbed at the sensation.
"Meow!" Atalanta yelped, quickly covering her mouth and glaring daggers at Cyd.
He had grabbed... her tail.
Cyd's eyes widened in disbelief. It wasn't a decoration—it was real, and it felt just like fur!
Atalanta's face flushed with embarrassment and anger, making Cyd hesitate. But as her frustration grew, he knew he had to let go.
"I'll—"
"Let's go!"
Just as Cyd was about to release her tail, Mordred slammed the gas pedal.
The car lurched forward with a jolt.
The sudden acceleration threw everyone back into their seats.
"Ease up! I haven't buckled up!" Shishigou shouted, struggling with his seatbelt. "You should buckle up too!"
"That's not necessary!" Mordred grinned, gripping the steering wheel as red lightning crackled around the car. "This brat even enchanted the car with magic!"
Leticia screamed, clutching Cyd's waist. Normally shy and reserved, she was overwhelmed by the sheer thrill and fear.
Mordred's abrupt acceleration startled Cyd, causing him to cling to Atalanta's tail out of reflex.
"Meow!" Atalanta whimpered, pressing against Cyd's shoulder. Despite her blushing cheeks and twitching cat ears, her glare was fierce.
"I will... definitely... kill you!"
Cyd, momentarily flustered, forgot to let go of her tail.