Fate/Magus Path

132 The Sealed Memory

"What are you worried about?"

While Roy was still investigating at the Tohno residence, the base's living room was filled with tension.

Arcueid glanced at Shiki Tohno, who was visibly restless, raised her hands with a mischievous grin, and teased, "Are you worried that I'll take this chance to finish you off?"

After bringing Shiki Tohno back to the base, Roy had arranged a room for him.

At the time, Shiki Ryougi was still out scouring the city with the Aozaki sisters, hunting down hidden vampires and searching for any trace of Roa or the other Dead Apostle Ancestors. She had yet to return.

Though Roy had brought Shiki Tohno back, he had never witnessed Tohno's true abilities firsthand.

Even if Tohno had relied on an ambush and Arcueid's momentary carelessness, the fact that he had managed to kill her was enough for Roy to take him seriously.

If Shiki Ryougi were to learn about someone with eyes and a name like hers, she'd likely be intrigued and might even challenge Shiki Tohno to a duel.

"I deeply apologize for what I did to Miss Arcueid earlier. It was unforgivable." Shiki Tohno admitted, bowing his head without hesitation.

"Huh? You're apologizing so easily? That makes it hard for me to handle this."

"I had planned to make you pay for what you did, you know."

"Please, have mercy!" Shiki Tohno immediately surrendered.

"Relax, I'm not going to do anything to you."

"Roy explained your situation to me. The reason you killed me was because of the instincts buried in your bloodline. My death wasn't entirely your fault... it was also due to my carelessness. Otherwise, no matter how many tricks you tried, you wouldn't have succeeded."

Arcueid snorted but refrained from pushing him further.

"In fact, I might even owe you a thank-you."

"What?" Shiki Tohno looked at her in disbelief.

She continued, "If you hadn't killed me, I wouldn't have met Roy, Shiki, Beo, and Aoko. Thanks to you, my trip this time has been far less boring than usual."

She gently touched the wound on her body and murmured, "Although being killed was incredibly painful, meeting new friends has been a truly delightful experience."

"Wait a minute... are you happy to see me?"

"Don't exalt yourself, I'm not talking about you, you're just lucky to have the same name as her."

"Ohh... By the way, you've forgiven me, Miss Arcueid?"

"Of course not. Just because I'm not holding it against you doesn't mean I've forgiven you. The piercing pain is still fresh in my memory. Per Roy's suggestion, you'll work here until I'm satisfied."

Arcueid gave him a playful smile, patting his shoulder with a mock-serious tone. "I don't know why Roy recruited someone like you, but he must have his reasons. Just follow orders and don't overthink it. Got it?"

"Understood. I'll do my best."

"What can I do to help, though? I've learned a bit of self-defense, but hunting Dead Apostles isn't exactly my forte..."

"Don't worry about that." A voice interrupted from the door. Roy had just returned from the Tohno residence.

"There will be arrangements in place for you."

"Roy, you're back! Did you bring me a midnight snack?"

"Of course. Here."

Smiling, Roy handed her a pack of sushi he had picked up on the way back.