Chapter 725: The Loyal and Heroic Emiya Family
After arriving in the southern dense forest, the long journey had worn down the team's morale. The scorching heat and the non-threatening magical beasts lulled them into a false sense of security, making them forget—unconsciously—whose domain this forest truly belonged to.
—This was the dwelling place of a god.
Stepping into the lush rainforest was akin to crossing the sacred shimenawa rope of a torii gate. The oppressive heat, the magical energy akin to a Reality Marble, and the occasional appearance of ancient divine beasts all served as warnings to the intruders who had ventured here recklessly.
This land was under the gaze of the gods.
Be cautious in all actions, be cautious in all actions.
Otherwise, divine wrath would descend upon this place. The first sun would become a falling solar disk, mercilessly burning away all sacrilege and irreverence.
"Nyahahaha! Hahahahaha!"
The cheerful laughter was but an illusion. If one paid closer attention, they would be shocked to sense the overwhelming divinity rising from within, along with a wild, primal sense of danger.
"Fujimaru, stay alert!" The doctor's warning came through the wristband. "Something dangerous is coming!"
Sakatsuki felt a sudden lightness—Fujimaru and Anna had simultaneously leaped down, gripping their respective Round Table shields and war scythes, instantly shifting into combat readiness. "Who's there?!"
"I am... hmm~, what was it again? A mysterious beauty?"
"Alright, I get it." Merlin raised a finger, declaring with absolute certainty, "This is an idiot!"
"I'm not a hippo!"
As if provoked, an orange-yellow figure crashed onto the ground. Soil and dust fled in terror from her presence, obscuring her striped mascot-like outfit but failing to hide her indignant complaint:
"I just don't get it! Why does everyone compare me to a hippo?!"
A scorching wind swept through, dispersing the curtain of dust. When the figure came into view—resembling a cheetah at first glance, yet standing on two legs with humanoid limbs and a swaying leopard tail—even a sage as knowledgeable as Merlin couldn't help but widen his eyes:
"What the hell is this weird creature?" Cold sweat trickled down his face. "A UMA (Unidentified Mysterious Animal)? Is this a UMA?!"
"No! I'm no one! If I had to say, I'm the embodiment of the jungle, the manifestation of great warriors!" The mysterious creature leaped into the air, performing ten backflips mid-spin before brandishing her claws in a roaring pose. "Jaguar—Warrior! Servant Jaguar Warrior makes her grand return! If you're not afraid of being torn apart by my fangs, then bring it on!"
The self-proclaimed Jaguar Warrior burst into laughter, her well-maintained white teeth gleaming on a face that oddly resembled that of a certain high school English teacher.
"Jaguar... Warrior?" Fujimaru repeated the name in confusion. Not only was it an unheard-of True Name, but this Servant's behavior was also utterly erratic—like a comedic character abruptly inserted into a serious, bloody war, making it impossible to follow her rhythm.
As for Anna, if she couldn't keep up, she simply decided to throw caution to the wind.
"No matter how you look at it, she's suspicious. Eliminate her immediately!"
The small figure transformed into a streak of dark light, swinging a scythe that slaughtered the undead, slashing toward the suspicious creature who called herself Jaguar Warrior. Yet when the cold gleam of the blade flashed, Jaguar Warrior had already vanished from sight.
Looking up, they found her standing atop the towering canopy tree.
"Alright, I think I get it now. See you around, young Master, the dashing yet washed-up magus, the scary cat-eared loli, and that infuriating second disciple who just stood there watching the whole time!"
"Oh, and pay attention! I'm not a tiger but a jaguar! This will be on the test, so remember it!"
Her spirited voice gradually faded into the distance. Just as the remnants of her words were about to reach Fujimaru's ears, he waved them away with a deadpan expression of disgust. "What the hell was that…"
"What incredible speed—jumping onto the treetops to retreat in an instant," Merlin remarked cheerfully. "And what amazing wild instincts, seeing right through my disguise meant to avoid being too dazzling!"
No sooner had he spoken than Merlin was subjected to the trio's withering gazes, as if he were the scum of the earth. Muttering, "I didn't say anything wrong," he crouched in a corner, sulkily drawing circles on the ground. Only then did Fujimaru and the others resume their discussion.
"...Catching up to her would be difficult, both in terms of ability and mentality."
"Agreed," the doctor spoke up in Merlin's stead. "Though her entrance was comical, that woman calling herself Jaguar Warrior is a genuine Divine Spirit-class Servant. If we're attacked again, Sakatsuki could handle it, but it would likely drain a considerable amount of energy."
"Moreover," Da Vinci interjected with a teasing lilt, "whether certain people would even lift a finger is another matter entirely, wouldn't you say—Second Disciple?"
Second Disciple.
That was what Jaguar Warrior had called Sakatsuki before leaving, seemingly quite displeased with the young man's lack of reaction.
Surely it couldn't be because Sakatsuki hadn't stepped in to beat her up?
"You really do have connections everywhere, huh, Sakatsuki," Fujimaru quipped. "Who knew you'd even know someone in the southern jungles of Uruk?"
"Huh? Oh, I guess so." Faced with their teasing, Sakatsuki visibly spaced out for a moment before snapping back with a perfectly practiced wry smile.
"That country bumpkin of a jaguar... Fujimaru, you really missed out by not bringing Emiya along this time. I'd love to see his expression running into so many familiar faces in this Singularity."
"Emiya?" Fujimaru blinked. "But isn't he a modern Heroic Spirit? How could he have ties to Servants from the Age of Gods... and Divine Spirit-class ones at that?"
"Ha, make sure to say 'Tiger Dojo' in front of him when we get back. That guy will definitely pull the same stomachache face as Lord El-Melloi II." Sakatsuki shrugged. "But enough small talk. Before we get cooked any further, I'd like to drink some cold water in Ur."
And so, after that brief interlude, the scouting party from Uruk resumed their journey. Pushing through the increasingly dense rainforest, the outlines of buildings finally came into view.
"Is this Ur?" Without guards or city gates, the city lay completely open, welcoming Fujimaru and the others as they arrived. Strolling along streets overtaken by trees, the surrounding citizens cast curious glances their way. Taking in this peaceful scene, the young Master's eyes brimmed with deep curiosity.
"Could it be that this city is safe?"
"Indeed. Though they don't seem particularly lively, the citizens of Ur are all alive and well." Merlin stroked his chin, exchanging a thoughtful glance with Sakatsuki.
Meanwhile, Fujimaru eagerly stepped forward to speak with a woman drawing water by a well. "Hello, we've come from Uruk under the king's orders to investigate the situation in Ur."
"Oh, you're from Uruk?" The woman stood up in surprise. "It must have been quite the journey through the dense forest."
"But thankfully everyone's safe," Fujimaru smiled. "We'll report back to the king right away so he can organize a rescue team."
"No, that won't be necessary!"
"Huh?" Fujimaru froze. Not just the woman before him—he saw all the surrounding citizens looking up, their eyes reflecting not gratitude, but—
Fear.
"Why not?"
"We don't need a rescue team." The woman bowed deeply, her face twisting into something between a smile and a sob as she straightened. "Ur is an extremely safe city. As long as we follow the laws of the Jungle Goddess, we won't be killed by demonic beasts."
"Now that you mention it, I haven't sensed any trace of demonic beasts since entering Ur's territory," Anna murmured, glancing around uncertainly. "Even though we encountered the demonic beast Mušḫuššu when we entered the rainforest..."
"So there have been no casualties?" Merlin stepped forward, asking softly.
"Are you saying this place is safer than Mesopotamia? That you didn't contact Uruk because you thought hiding in Ur would solve everything?"
"How could that be!" The woman suddenly grew agitated. "We wanted to send reinforcements to Uruk too! But... this..."
"It violates this so-called Jungle Goddess's laws. I see, I see." The sage holding a staff nodded in understanding. "I grasp the situation now. In gaining safety, you've also become unable to leave Ur. Anyone coming to rescue you or going out to provide aid would be equally killed by the forest."
—This was why Uruk's scouting teams kept disappearing one after another.
"Maintain the status quo, do nothing." The emerald light in his eyes fading, Sakatsuki crossed his arms. Though he smiled, it carried no warmth. "This is Ur's method of self-preservation."
For a moment, the woman seemed about to argue, but ultimately hung her head in defeat. "...Yes. Thank you for understanding."
"Hey, Merlin, Sakatsuki." Fujimaru looked between the two, sensing their thinly veiled hostility. "What's going on?"
Suddenly, he felt someone tugging his arm. Looking down, he saw Anna staring intently at the gradually encircling citizens, her eyes gleaming with the same cold light as Sakatsuki and Merlin.
"Look around carefully, Fujimaru—can't you see what's wrong here?"
At that moment, the young man's calm yet pitying voice slowly rang out:
"Right, of course I understand. As long as you don't resist, you can survive."
"Because that's the usual excuse of those who've given up on themselves. So then, how many people have been chosen for sacrifice?" Sakatsuki narrowed his eyes, speaking in a mocking tone. "About one per day?"
"!!!" Fujimaru's pupils constricted sharply. As the citizens of Ur gathered due to the arrival of Uruk's envoy, he finally noticed the city's greatest anomaly through his observations.
"The number of adult males here... is far too few."
"Finally realized it, have you?" Sakatsuki glanced at the speechless, shocked Fujimaru before turning back to continue questioning the woman before them and all the citizens of Ur:
"For a city that claims no battles have occurred, the gender imbalance in Ur is far too unnatural. Given this, their disappearance must be due to other reasons. Am I wrong?"
"In other words..." The young Master's smile vanished. He began trembling as an indescribable mix of anger and sorrow welled up from his heart, causing him to unconsciously clench his fists. The Third Magic mystic code on his body emitted a piercing, mournful wail.
"Ur... is trading living sacrifices for survival."