Fate/Magus Path

139 Dead Apostle

"Please, I beg you! Help me!"

In the living room, Shiki Tohno knelt heavily on the floor, pleading desperately with Roy.

Roy had only just returned to their base and hadn't yet had the chance to share the day's findings with Shiki Ryougi, Aoko Aozaki, or the others.

Out of nowhere, Shiki Tohno rushed out of a room, and with a loud thud, fell to his knees before him.

This sudden display left Roy momentarily stunned.

Groveling right at the start?

"What happened? Where are Shiki and Aoko?"

Roy quickly helped the kneeling Shiki Tohno to his feet, his tone calm yet concerned.

"Don't panic. Tell me everything in detail first, and I'll see how I can help you."

"Roy, there's a Dead Apostle's scent in the air..."

Standing nearby, Arcueid sniffed the air lightly, her sharp senses picking up an unusual trace.

It was faint but unmistakable... a mixture of human and Dead Apostle auras, both so weak that only someone deeply attuned to such energies would notice.

And there was no one more sensitive to the scent of Dead Apostles than Arcueid.

Sensory Reinforcement Magecraft.

Hearing this, Roy sharpened his own senses, spreading them outward. Sure enough, he too detected the faint, lingering presence of a Dead Apostle.

It was coming from deep within the room.

Without hesitation, he drew his Black Key and infused it with magical energy, preparing to teach the intruding Dead Apostle a lesson it wouldn't forget.

"Wait! Please don't hurt her! She's my classmate... she's not a bad person!"

Seeing Roy ready his weapon, Shiki Tohno panicked, shouting desperately to stop him.

"You're aware you brought a Dead Apostle into the base?"

Roy turned to him with a raised brow.

"I... I had no other choice. You're the only person I could think of who might be able to save her."

Understanding his sister's temperament, Shiki Tohno knew that bringing his classmate home would only infuriate Akiha. Moreover, he doubted she would show any mercy to someone who had been turned into a Dead Apostle.

And truthfully, he didn't know how he could even face his family right now.

Left with no options, he had placed all his hopes on Roy... the mysterious and seemingly capable man before him.

Surely Roy would be able to save Yumizuka Satsuki!

This belief burned in Shiki Tohno's heart.

"You're saying the Dead Apostle in that room is your classmate?"

"Y-Yes."

Shiki Tohno's voice trembled as he answered.

"What's her name? Is she important to you?"

"Her name is Yumizuka Satsuki, and she's a very dear friend of mine!"

His voice was firm, unwavering. Then, bowing deeply, he pleaded again, "Please... please save her!"

"...I understand."

Roy glanced at the young man, who was on the verge of tears, and let out a long sigh. He decided to lend him a hand.