Fate/Magus Path

151 Abnormal Magical Fluctuations

"Roy, wake up, please wake up..."

"Don't keep sleeping!"

In the outside world, Arcueid, who had rushed back at breakneck speed, arrived at the scene to find Roy lying amidst the ruins. Ciel, who had also just arrived, was there as well.

"Arcueid Brunestud?"

Ciel, who had also sensed the commotion and arrived, saw Arcueid holding Roy in the rubble. She looked at the still-unconscious Roy and asked, "What happened to him...?"

Hearing the voice, Arcueid turned her head to face the suddenly appearing Ciel, her eyes filled with wariness. Her arms around Roy tightened even more.

"Roy defeated Vlov alone, but that despicable Roa took advantage of the situation. Now he's unconscious."

"He's been reincarnated by Roa?!"

At Arcueid's words, Ciel's eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze fixed on the still-sleeping Roy. The Black Keys hidden in her sleeves were already instinctively drawn into her palms.

Roa!!

Just hearing that vile name was enough to ignite an uncontrollable rage in Ciel. She wished she could tear that demon, who had ruined her life, into pieces right then and there.

"What are you planning to do?!"

Sensing the obvious killing intent, Arcueid shielded Roy behind her, her eyes equally filled with anger as she glared at Ciel.

"I don't care what grudge you have against Roa, but as long as I'm here, you won't lay a finger on Roy! If you dare make a move, I will kill you!!"

"..."

Ciel didn't respond directly to Arcueid. Instead, she sighed, but the Black Keys in her hands remained unsheathed, still radiating a cold, murderous intent.

"Step aside, White Princess of the True Ancestors. He may no longer be the person you know. Killing him now, before Roa's reincarnation is complete, is the best solution."

"I know this is unfair to him, but do you really want to see Roa take over his body and wreak havoc? If Roa succeeds, I won't be able to stop him. Will you be able to fight him seriously then?"

Understanding Arcueid's intentions and aware that her own actions were biased, Ciel still made this choice. If Roa were to possess this body, no one present would be able to stop him, and the entire city would soon be plunged into an even more terrifying crisis.

She was certain that this was not the outcome Roy would have wanted.

Given the circumstances, she had no choice but to act.

However, afterward, she would take full responsibility for this sin, offering herself to Arcueid and his friends for whatever punishment they deemed fit.

No matter the consequences, she would accept them.

"Impossible! Roy would never lose to that disgusting Roa! He'll be fine. He's just asleep!"

Arcueid continued to shield Roy fiercely, refusing to let Ciel approach. Her crimson eyes and the bloodied claws that had emerged from her hands made her stance clear.

If Ciel took one more step forward, she would attack without hesitation.

"Princess..."

Merem, who had arrived last, witnessed the scene.

Seeing Roy lying unconscious in Arcueid's arms and the tense standoff between the princess and Ciel, he immediately understood what was happening.

He, too, felt a sense of helplessness. While he was absolutely loyal to the princess, in this situation, he found himself siding more with Ciel.