Chapter 580: Mooncell's Angels, A New Contract
After Draco parted ways with him, Sakatsuki had already steeled his resolve.
Even if the Servants summoned by the Masters were of varying quality, there would always be wise ones who would uncover the true nature of the Little Red Dragon. Driven by a hero's sense of duty to eradicate potential evils of humanity, they would relentlessly pursue her.
To such noble heroes, Sakatsuki held deep respect... and an equally deep intent to destroy them.
Call him foolish, call him biased—what did it matter?
His name was Sakatsuki, the Beast's Blessed, the one who had forged a contract with the Beast of Sodom!
Would he deny the truth just to preserve his reputation? Would he feign righteousness and sever ties with the Little Red Dragon simply because the heroes opposed her?
Never.
He would never compromise for anything!
Sakatsuki would not attempt to negotiate with heroes who raised their weapons. If they harmed Draco, it would be an outright declaration of war. If the conflict was beyond reconciliation, he would use every means necessary to eliminate every potential threat.
This was the promise Sakatsuki had made to Draco—his unshakable bottom line, one he would never yield on.
But—
"You alone, Nero," Sakatsuki murmured, gazing at the girl's retreating figure. "I've always believed that even if your Master gave the order, you would make the right choice."
The young man lowered his eyes and vanished like a shadow as the magi's familiars closed in.
He didn't even need to show himself. With just one person and one bow, he effortlessly dictated the outcome of this pursuit.
When he came to his senses, the young man would realize just how powerful he had become...
———
When the sword of Damocles finally fell, Draco felt not only resentment but also a faint sense of relief.
Fionn mac Cumhaill was no second-rate Servant. As the leader of the Fianna, Draco had to fight him with everything she had—and the more she wielded the Beast's authority, the more dangerous Mooncell's gaze became.
Like a struggling insect only entangling itself further in a spider's web...
Now, the time of reckoning had come.
The sound of explosions rang out one after another, cratering the ground with each impact. As the dust settled, faceless humanoid figures knelt on one knee, their jet-black limbs entwined with ominous golden patterns. Behind them, tiny thorn-like wings unfurled, marking them as 'angels.'
These were hostile programs dispatched by Mooncell itself. No words were needed—the overwhelming pressure they exuded, far surpassing even the First Lunar Sea, said it all.
Just two of these 'angels' could match Fionn mac Cumhaill. Three could defeat and kill a first-rate Servant. Five or more could challenge a top-tier Servant... And surrounding Draco was not just a handful, but a swarm, numbering in the dozens.
A legion of 'angels,' vast enough to blot out the sky!
In the unbearable silence, Draco's face lost all superfluous emotion, leaving only a cold mask frozen in place. Silently, she lifted the Holy Grail as the illusory golden light let out a mournful wail. Cracks spread, and once more, the tide of calamity descended.
Rose Blood Tide!
The flood that once drowned the great city of Babylon poured forth, and the faceless angels emitted shattered sounds. Yet even so, they advanced, their steps steady at a terrifying pace. The one at the lead, though its arms had already shattered into streams of light, still raised its leg and delivered a brutal kick to Draco's abdomen.
"Ugh—!"
The petite girl was sent flying from the impact, only to collide with another angel. An elbow rose and slammed down, plunging Draco's consciousness back into chaos. By the time she awoke, she was already pinned face-down on the ground, surrounded by several emotionless angels, their chests gathering an immeasurable blaze of light.
In the next moment, she would be reduced to ashes. The ruined shadow of the Imaginary Number would return to Sakatsuki, while Draco's consciousness would vanish entirely—the Sixth Beast sinking once more into eternal slumber.
She should have faced death with a cold laugh, filled with curses for this world, embracing it in rage. Yet, at the final moment, Draco realized she was not as composed as she had imagined.
Recalling the time spent with her Contractor, her heart was wracked with an agonizing pang, and an unwillingness so fierce it threatened to tear her apart.
The arrow that had pierced through fate in the second Singularity, the one that had shot her down—she still treasured it dearly in her heart. Though the wound it left had never healed, she had never once removed it.
And so, upon realizing that the two of them were about to part forever, the arrow of fate trembled, nearly slipping from her heart. Her soul quivered in fear, as if on the verge of spilling blood.
Unable to stop herself, Draco cried out:
"I don't want to... I don't want to!"
Though forced to bow under the weight of the 'angels,' the small Beast in her red dress stubbornly raised her head, her hair disheveled, tears of defiance welling in the corners of her eyes.
"I don't want to be separated from my Contractor yet—!"
As if sensing the girl's burning emotions, the 'angels' hesitated for a brief moment. Through her tear-blurred vision, Draco caught sight of a golden-red figure ahead.
Golden hair as radiant as sunlight, emerald eyes shimmering with brilliance—yet when the young emperor turned her gaze this way, after a fleeting moment of surprise, unmistakable fury surfaced on her peerlessly beautiful face.
So, even you know my true form, my hideous self...
Draco's eyes dimmed. In her mind, the Beast of Sodom—who refused to welcome the sunset, struggling desperately against death, even dragging the innocent world into its ruin—was something even her original self, Nero, would scorn.
Didn't Nero's undisguised loathing prove as much?
So even you... despise me...
The blazing light surged, engulfing the girl's sorrowful face. But just as the malicious radiance was about to consume her, a crimson figure—like a rose, like a flame—burst between them.
Not to exact vengeance, not to strike first—but to stand before Draco in her stunned gaze, raising her Noble Phantasm, using her sword as a shield, shielding her without hesitation!
"Umu! This time, I can finally say it with all my heart!"
The light was dazzling, and as Draco watched Nero's retreating figure, she felt utterly spellbound.
Apart from Sakatsuki, there was actually someone else willing to save her... willing to protect a beast that coveted human order?!
"Well said, beautiful maiden! Death is nothing to fear, but the sorrow of parting from those dear to us is unbearable!"
"This emotion, even if the world turns a blind eye to it, has truly moved me!"
"My choice cannot be wrong. Lift your head and take my hand once more!"
The Primordial Fire blazed fiercely. A streak of light shot from afar pierced through the angels' beams, and with a spirited cry, Nero mustered her strength and finally cleaved the lethal attack in two.
BOOM!
The split beams fell to either side, erupting into a storm of flickering energy. The howling gale whipped up Nero's long hair as she swung her sword sideways, cleanly slicing through the angel behind Draco. Turning to face her, Nero's exquisite features were illuminated by the flames, radiating joy.
"If you ask why, it's because your fate is now unfolding!"
Draco slumped to the ground, looking up at Nero's triumphant figure. For a fleeting moment, she saw the reflection of a certain young man. Overwhelmed by indescribable astonishment and emotion, she finally shook her head and smiled.
"I truly... have been saved by the most unexpected person."
————
"Well done, Nero."
The Crowned Archer fell, dissolving into scattered light. Sakatsuki casually wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, a fleeting ferocity flashing in his eyes. The 'angel' that had pierced his side with its palm stiffened, impaled by countless weapons emerging from within, before dispersing into data.
Around its remains, countless streaks of light ascended from below, like fallen morning stars gradually returning to the heavens.
Unconcerned with how many hostile programs dispatched by the Moon Cell he had slain, Sakatsuki merely glanced down at his battered body, frowning slightly in dissatisfaction.
"It seems I still need more training."
After doubling—and then redoubling—his planned training regimen, the young man raised his eyes. The gleam of his Clairvoyance flickered, revealing the two figures in red dresses hundreds of meters away. Despite the relentless pursuit of hostile programs behind them, they had broken through the blockade and successfully reached the arena's exit, vanishing into the Sea of Moonlit Memory.
The protection mission was complete.
Sakatsuki paid no heed to his formidable feat of annihilating nearly a hundred hostile programs. Instead, the mere thought of the tea-haired girl's worried, slightly reproachful gaze made his head ache far more than any battle.
"Now I have to return covered in wounds... How am I supposed to explain this to Hakuno?"
————
Private Room
"Pant, pant, pant... I've definitely exceeded my exercise quota for today! Aside from going to the cafeteria, I'm not moving an inch!"
The moment they returned to the private room, Nero unceremoniously flopped onto the bed, groaning and moaning, a far cry from her earlier heroic demeanor.
This time, Draco didn't show any displeasure. She simply sat on a chair, her palm outstretched as a deep blue key rotated mid-air, emitting a mysterious glow.
"Oho, is this... the First Code Key?" Nero blinked and leaned in, understanding Draco's purpose for venturing into the Sea of Moonlit Memory. "This is what you risked entering the arena for, isn't it?"
His hand closed, the cipher key dissipating as Nero raised his eyes, meeting Draco's displeased gaze.
"Thou, why dost thou aid me? Did I not say long ago that I have no connection with thee?"
"Umu, even if thou sayest so..." Nero paused, speaking earnestly, "How to put it... I feel deep down that I should not abandon thee."
Crimson pupils met emerald eyes—though their colors differed, the same emotions surged within.
Before Draco could react, Nero spread his arms and pulled her into an embrace, his voice brimming with irrepressible joy.
"My intuition cannot be wrong! I must witness everything about thee, no matter what! Umu, that's right!"
Witness me...
Draco froze. Struggling free from the softness, she lifted her small face to be met with Nero's passionate, utterly genuine smile.
Like the dazzling sunlight of midsummer, like the beautiful roses blooming in a garden, the young emperor's smile held such charm that anyone who gazed upon it would fall helplessly under its spell.
After a long while, Draco lowered her eyes. Though she tried to feign disdain, an inexplicable curve tugged at the corners of her lips.
"Truly... thou hast bested me."
"Umu, leave it to me!" Nero seized Draco's hand and pressed it against his chest, declaring proudly, "I am the strongest trump card in this Holy Grail War! I shall surely guide thee to victory!"
"Tis merely that I dislike repaying kindness with enmity..." Draco muttered under her breath, too proud to relent. "Better thee than some stranger I know not, and besides..."
The little red dragon's tail swayed as she left half her words unspoken.
After all, without help, being this wary of Mooncell meant she couldn't even enter the arena anymore.
If she lost even the right to fight, how could she ever hope to find Sakatsuki?
Unbeknownst to Draco, who had just formed a new contract with Nero, a figure outside the room nodded and quietly departed.
His steps were unhurried, no longer burdened by worry.
Even if the little beast lurked in the shadows, unwilling to step into the world's light, there would always be eyes upon her—gentle and warm, silently telling her:
Thou art not alone.