By the time they arrived at the small town on the outskirts, night was nearly over, and dawn was approaching, with the sky beginning to brighten with the pale light of early morning.
"Is this the place?" Kaguya asked, looking down, only to find that Tohsaka Rin had fallen asleep. She was breathing softly, her delicate cheeks tinged with a faint blush, making her look so adorable that Kaguya couldn't resist the urge to pinch her.
It seemed that Rin had been tirelessly searching all night and was now exhausted, so she had unknowingly fallen asleep in Kaguya's arms.
Suddenly, Rin's long eyelashes fluttered as she opened her sleepy eyes. She yawned and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with her hand.
"Awake?" Kaguya asked with a smile.
Rin immediately snapped to attention and asked anxiously, "Are we there yet?"
"Yes," Kaguya said as she gently set Rin down. "We've arrived. Is this where she disappeared?"
Rin looked around and nodded, pointing to a convenience store in the distance. "That's the one. She often went there to buy things."
Kaguya followed Rin's direction and approached the store. It was an ordinary little convenience shop, much like a small corner store. Since it was still early morning, the store hadn't opened yet, and its doors were locked.
Just then, Kaguya's eyes narrowed. Through her 'Star Eyes', she could clearly see traces of magical energy lingering in the air. The traces hadn't completely dissipated yet, like embers after a fire, still emitting faint wisps of smoke.
It seemed it was indeed the work of a magus, likely Caster.
But where were they now? Kaguya fell into deep thought.
"How is it? Can you find her?" Rin asked nervously, her large, beautiful eyes fixed on Kaguya.
Rin's voice snapped Kaguya out of her thoughts. Smiling slightly, Kaguya replied, "Don't worry, I can find her. I've got a lead."
"That's great!" Rin cheered, throwing her arms around Kaguya. "Thank you, Onee-chan!"
Kaguya was momentarily startled by the embrace, then smiled warmly. "Don't worry, she'll be fine."
"Mm!" Rin nodded vigorously, her face beaming with joy.
Looking at the little girl smiling so sweetly, Kaguya couldn't help but think, "Ah, lolis really are the best."
"You should head back home now. Your family must be worried," Kaguya said, gently patting Rin on the head.
"What? Can't I come with you?" Rin asked, holding onto Kaguya's hand anxiously.
"No," Kaguya said firmly. "This could be dangerous."
"I'm not afraid," Rin insisted. "I'm a magus too. I can protect myself and maybe even help!"
"I'd love to take you along, but unfortunately, I can't," Kaguya said seriously. "Right now, your abilities are far from enough to face those enemies. Even your father would be in danger. If you come along, you'll only be a burden and make it harder for me to focus."
In situations like this, it was best to be honest. Softening the blow with kind words would only give Rin false hope, and she might try to sneak out later, which would be a big headache. Kaguya didn't want to rescue one person only to have to deal with another issue. The best way to handle this was to make Rin understand the gap in their abilities so she'd give up on the idea, which would also put Kaguya at ease.
"Really... I can't go?" Rin said sadly. Though Kaguya's words disappointed her, she knew they were true. This was a war between Servants, not something a child like her could simply join.
"Don't worry," Kaguya said, gently pinching Rin's soft, pink cheeks. "Just wait for me at home. I won't be long, and I'll bring Sakura back."
"Okay." Rin nodded softly. Then, lifting her head, she said with determination, "I'll keep training hard. I'll catch up to you one day and become a great magus, so I won't be a burden anymore."
Kaguya was momentarily taken aback, but then she smiled, recalling the same strong, competitive, and spirited Rin from ten years in the future.
"I'll be waiting for that day," Kaguya said, winking playfully.
"Mm!" Rin nodded vigorously.
Perhaps it was because of this promise that an unbreakable bond was formed between them, a red thread of fate entwined. Even as time passed and things changed, their connection would remain as strong as ever.
After parting with Rin, Kaguya made her way toward the city. She knew the habits of those two—small towns and villages were never enough to satisfy their lust for killing. Only a city with hundreds of thousands, even millions of people, would be their true target. After all, in such a place, there were plenty of resources for them to indulge in—those resources being children.
Kaguya's previously smiling face turned cold, and her autumn-water-like eyes gleamed with a chilling light.
Of all people to target, they had to go after someone close to her. Kaguya had initially planned to let them run wild for a few more days, but now it seemed that since they were so eager to die, she might as well grant their wish.
Even though Kaguya was worried, she hadn't shown it in front of Rin. She knew that if she had, Rin would only become more anxious and might even run away again to search for Sakura. To reassure Rin, Kaguya had intentionally acted relaxed, though deep inside, her heart had sunk to the bottom.
This city was just too big, and searching for Sakura bit by bit would be like finding a needle in a haystack. By the time they found her, it might be too late—she could already be dead.
It seemed there was only one way left.
A flash of cold light flickered in Kaguya's eyes.
Suddenly, massive amounts of energy surged from her body, almost tangible, swirling around her.
Then, from her crimson lips, she uttered a few words.
"Nativity of a World of Trees."
"Boom, boom, boom!"
Thunderous roars echoed across the entire city as countless vines burst from the ground. In an instant, they grew into towering, colossal trees, even taller than the skyscrapers, their branches and vines forming an enormous network that enveloped the entire city.
At the same time, Kaguya's eyes flashed with a trace of crimson as she softly whispered, "Infinite Tsukuyomi."
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