Fate/Magus Path

133 Dead Apostle Ancestor

It was late into the night when the door creaked open.

"I'm back..."

Aoko Aozaki's voice was drained of energy as she trudged inside, her exhaustion evident after a long day.

"Welcome back, Aoko." Roy greeted her, rising from his seat. "How did it go? Any progress with today's mission?"

"Ask Shiki about it. I'm taking a bath and heading straight to bed."

After spending an entire day bickering... and occasionally sparring... with her sister, Aoko's body was nearing its limits. Rest was no longer a luxury but a necessity.

"Shiki, what are you up to?"

"Ah, enjoyed your day strolling around outside, didn't you, idiot?"

Shiki Ryougi's voice came from behind Roy. Before he could respond, he felt a slender arm snake around his neck in a playful chokehold.

"Cut it out, Shiki."

"Shut up. This is your punishment." Shiki grumbled as she ruffled his hair in mock annoyance. "I've been out all day fighting Dead Apostles, risking my life, and here you are, leisurely enjoying dinner."

Her gaze fell on the stack of empty sushi trays on the table, clearly devoured by Arcueid.

"You've got the nerve to relax like this while I'm out there fighting." Shiki continued, her irritation barely masked.

"But I did ask if... "

"Hmm?"

Before Roy could defend himself, Shiki's sharp glare silenced him. He raised his hands in surrender.

"Alright, alright. My bad."

"Still, it's not like Arcueid and I didn't accomplish anything. We managed to gain a valuable ally this time."

Shiki raised an eyebrow. "Another lost girl you've lured in?"

"What do you mean 'lured'? Is that really the image you have of me?" Roy retorted, exasperated.

Shiki smirked. "No self-awareness at all, huh? First, you picked up Fujino back in Misaki Town. Now, barely a few days in this new place, you've already dragged Arcueid along."

She glanced at Arcueid, who was still nibbling on the remnants of her sushi.

"What? Want some, Shiki?" Arcueid asked innocently, holding out her last sushi tray.

Shiki shook her head. This golden vampire didn't count.

Roy sighed. He couldn't refute her words.

"Forget it." Shiki muttered. "I don't care anymore. Anyway, I'm starving. Make me something to eat. I've been chasing monsters all day and haven't eaten since breakfast."

"Of course. Let me... "

As Roy stood to prepare food, he paused, catching sight of Shiki's disheveled appearance. Her once-tidy kimono was now torn and tattered from the day's battles. Dust smudged her face, and while her wounds had mostly healed, the marks hinted at the intensity of her fights.

Looking at her bedraggled state, Roy felt a surge of gratitude for entrusting her with Avalon.

"Did you run into trouble?"

"No, just a trap. I got ambushed in a confined area by a group of Dead Apostles. Don't worry, I'm fine."

"I see. Be more careful next time."

Still, only an ambush?

"What about Aoko? With her around, you shouldn't have ended up this injured."