"Master," Siegfried said, walking toward Gordes.
The plump mage turned, eyes wide with disbelief, as if the world itself had inverted.
Siegfried ignored the hatred and the previous order to restrain Rider. He faced Gordes in silence, unwavering and resolute.
Astolfo seized the opening like lightning, rushing to the Homunculus' fallen, wounded body.
"What are you doing, Saber?" Gordes growled, his voice thick with disbelief.
Siegfried lifted his head and spoke, firm as a decree:
"I want you to heal him… and then release him."
"What are you talking about!?" Gordes' voice trembled with fury and panic.
"Don't toy with me! Why should I heal this trash!?"
"Master…" Siegfried spoke, his voice heavy as lead. "I appeal to your conscience. Heal him."
"Shut up! Shut up, shut up!" Gordes shouted, spitting, his eyes red with rage. "You're just a servant! You have no right to question my orders! Obey without thinking!"
Gordes' hostility overflowed, making clear the vast gulf between master and servant.
Siegfried merely stared at him for a moment.
"You won't save him?"
"I told you—!" Gordes raised his voice in a final scream, but didn't get the chance to finish.
A precise punch crushed his stomach. The master's body folded like paper, air escaping in a pained groan. He collapsed to the ground, powerless.
Siegfried did not look back. He turned to Astolfo, who clutched the small Homunculus desperately.
"Saber…?" Astolfo called, hesitant, his voice still trembling with fury and grief.
The dragon said nothing. He simply approached, kneeling beside the dying body.
Astolfo clenched his fist tightly, eyes brimming with rage.
"It's too late! Why didn't you decide sooner? You could have stopped that idiot before!"
His lament sounded like someone on the verge of losing something irreplaceable.
Siegfried lowered his gaze. His silence spoke louder than a thousand apologies. He knew. He had always known. Gordes would never be foolish enough to waste a Command Spell in that situation. And yet, he had failed.
He had erred again. Just as he had in life.
"Yes…" he murmured, bitter sorrow in his voice. "Once more, I have chosen the wrong path…"
Shame burned in his chest. Was this why he had been given a second chance? To repeat the same mistakes?
Regret and self-loathing consumed him.
But then, a spark of determination ignited in his eyes. He raised his hand, aiming for his own heart.
"But even so… it's not over yet."
He was ready to sacrifice himself, to correct his mistake with his own life.
Yet a firm hand gripped his arm before he could pierce himself.
"Though it is rude to interrupt the sacrifice of a hero… the Black Faction still needs your strength, Siegfried."
Arthur was there, holding his arm calmly, his gaze steady and composed.
"Do not let yourself be corrupted by your master's recklessness," he continued, casting a swift look of disdain at Gordes, still lying on the ground.
Arthur smiled. "Leave this to me. I will heal him."
Suddenly, a stone tablet appeared in his hand. Symbols glowed upon it, and healing power flowed into the young Homunculus.
The boy's body was slowly restored, flesh and bones coming together through a fusion of the divine era magic and the magic that Arthur had acquired from the grimoire.
Soon after, his breathing stabilized. Arthur put away his stone tablet and stood up.
"Very well. Let us return."
Astolfo furrowed his brow.
"Return? Where? To the Fortress of Milenia? No! Caster is searching for him!"
Siegfried remained silent, but his gaze clearly showed he shared the same concern.
Arthur arched an eyebrow.
"And what if you simply let him go? Do you really think he will survive alone out there? No. The best choice is to bring him with us."
Astolfo bit his lip, hesitant.
"But what about Caster…?"
Arthur chuckled softly.
"Don't worry. I'll handle it myself. Or do you not trust me?"
"Of course I trust you!" Astolfo replied without hesitation. After all, without Arthur, the little one would already be dead.
"Very well then. Take him, and let's return."
Astolfo cradled the Homunculus' light body in his arms. As they prepared to move, the sound of footsteps echoed through the forest.
Jeanne d'Arc appeared among the trees, her armor gleaming under the moonlight.
"You fought here?" she asked, observing the three Black Servants and their unconscious master on the ground.
"Nothing significant," Arthur replied casually. "I'm more curious why you are here, Jeanne."
"The energy of a battle led me here. Unfortunately, by the time I arrived, it was already over."
Arthur nodded.
"I see. How about spending the night at the Fortress of Milenia? You must be tired from running through the forest nonstop."
Jeanne shook her head firmly.
"The fight has ended. I must return. Farewell."
"Then farewell, Jeanne," Arthur responded respectfully.
She vanished among the trees as silently as she had appeared.
Arthur then continued walking toward the Fortress, followed closely by Siegfried and Astolfo, who carefully carried the rescued young Homunculus.
---
(End of Chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."
Siegfried -