Suddenly, Astolfo thought of a place.
"That place feels like it would be pretty good~!"
A moment later, Astolfo had carried Haruka Kasugano to Chiron's quarters.
"Hmm... this person looks a bit familiar..." Chiron mused, sounding uncertain.
He couldn't be sure, however, because he had only seen Haruka Kasugano from a distance walking with Mordred and hadn't paid close attention to his specific features. Furthermore, since he and Fiore had returned separately, he hadn't seen Haruka Kasugano and Fiore together.
Looking at the person before him, the situation was clearly that of a homunculus, so Chiron didn't harbor any further suspicion.
"His magic circuits almost went into overdrive, and then... it looks like overwork," Chiron analyzed, based on Haruka Kasugano's physical condition.
Haruka Kasugano didn't actually have magic circuits; everything Chiron was seeing was forged by Haruka Kasugano using [Camouflage] to mimic Sieg's physiological parameters. This skill was miraculous—it wasn't magecraft, so it could bypass all Magic Resistance. Therefore, it was impossible for Chiron to recognize him.
"Overwork?" Astolfo asked.
"Yes. I'm afraid that since the moment he was born, he hasn't walked even once," Chiron said, looking at the data.
However... although Haruka Kasugano had made himself look thin through disguise, he was still much more robust than Sieg. Chiron scratched his head, doubting his own eyes, but he had no proof to the contrary.
"Oh~! So that means he's just a baby~!" Astolfo laughed foolishly.
"Rider, why are you helping him? You know Caster is looking for him. Someone like this who escaped the culture tank on his own would be perfect as a core for Caster's Noble Phantasm," Chiron inquired.
"Ahahaha, who cares~!" Astolfo laughed like an idiot. Chiron was left speechless.
"Forget it. You two stay here," Chiron said, leaving his own room.
-------
Berserker Spartacus, after a full day of trekking, finally ran from the Church to the front of the Yggdmillennia castle. Naturally, he was captured. Rider Achilles and Archer Atalanta, who had followed him, decided to test the waters by clashing head-on with some Black Faction Servants.
A massive battle broke out. Seizing this chance, Astolfo ran back to Chiron's room and shouted to Haruka Kasugano, "Yaha!!!"
"The chance is here! Let's run!"
Just like that, Astolfo pulled Haruka Kasugano out of the room. Being dragged along, Haruka Kasugano flashed a treacherous smile.
Here it comes, here it comes~! Tonight, he would meet Jeanne d'Arc. He was a bit nervous about whether he could pull off playing the role of Sieg...
------
Astolfo pulled Haruka Kasugano down the stone stairs. Along the way, they passed a group of wounded homunculi—likely those hurt in the fight against the Red Faction's Berserker, Rider, and Archer. A cold-looking female homunculus was busy treating them.
Haruka Kasugano's eyes met hers. If he remembered correctly, this was Toole, the homunculus who would eventually manage the Yggdmillennia family for a brief time. What a cold and elegant beauty~! He'd have to collect her later; having a few reliable maids around was always a plus. Toole saw Astolfo taking Haruka Kasugano away but ignored them, bowing her head to continue treating the others.
-------
Arriving at the castle gates, Astolfo drew his sword and handed it to Haruka Kasugano. Haruka Kasugano was overjoyed. This is great! I just picked up a Noble Phantasm for free! Although he couldn't unleash its True Name, because it was a Heroic Spirit's weapon, it could deal damage to Servants. Moreover, the sword could be dematerialized and summoned with mana only when needed—truly fantastic!
"Take this for self-defense. Let's keep moving!" Astolfo smiled.
--------
[Announcement to all Masters of the Yggdmillennia...]
[Rider has escaped with a homunculus!]
The castle was instantly thrown into chaos. All homunculi were mobilized to capture Astolfo and Haruka Kasugano. "That is an important specimen for Caster-sama!" "We must bring him back alive!"
Meanwhile, Celeike moved through the crowd expressionlessly. Because Astolfo had run off with Haruka Kasugano, she saw it as a betrayal. Consumed by jealousy, she was in no mood for games.
-------
Astolfo fled wildly with Haruka Kasugano, clearing the golems lying in ambush with ease. Meanwhile, on the other side of the forest, Jeanne d'Arc—wearing her thigh-high stockings and sexy backless shirt—was investigating.
"Strange... why is the trace of this battle so odd?" As the Ruler, it was her duty to investigate Servant battles. She noticed that the three Red Faction Servants showed no signs of being commanded by a Master, as if they were acting freely.
Suddenly, her [Revelation] skill activated. She saw a vision of Siegfried lecturing Astolfo. "What's going on? Why are Servants of the same faction fighting?" Jeanne rushed toward Astolfo's location.
------------
Astolfo's pace was slowed by golems, allowing Siegfried to catch up. The portly Gordes followed close behind.
"Run!" Astolfo shouted to Haruka Kasugano.
"Okay... ah... I'm so scared~!" Haruka Kasugano faked terror and ran backward.
"Saber, pin down Rider! Leave that homunculus to me!" Gordes roared, chasing after Haruka Kasugano.
Clang! Clang! Siegfried and Astolfo began to duel. But Astolfo was no match for Siegfried and was quickly beaten down.
"Rider, why are you saving him?" Siegfried asked.
"Because I want to! I am one of the Twelve Paladins of Charlemagne. Do you want me to forget the compassion, honor, and justice of my past life? Even as a Servant, I am Astolfo!" Astolfo roared through tears. Siegfried was actually moved by the brainless Rider's words and began to hesitate.
---------
Gordes quickly caught up to Haruka Kasugano, who had purposely slowed down. "Stand still! A piece of trash homunculus awakening self-awareness? Ridiculous!" Gordes mocked. Having created the homunculi himself, he utterly despised them.
Thump—
Haruka Kasugano took a punch on purpose, using [Camouflage] to make the injury look severe. He collapsed and stayed still.
"Hey, what's wrong? Wake up!" Astolfo broke away from Siegfried and rushed over to cradle Haruka Kasugano.
Gordes, out of breath, turned to see Siegfried's reproachful face. He immediately felt guilty but defensive. "I—I—it was self-defense! He moved first—"
Just like the Fourth Holy Grail War, Saber and Master were out of sync. Gordes saw Siegfried as a haughty, arrogant warrior, which piqued his aristocratic pride.
"Master, can you heal this homunculus? This is my wish!" Siegfried said abruptly.
"What? Are you kidding... a mere low-life familiar dares to lecture me!" Gordes screamed hysterically.
"Master, do you not intend to save him?" Siegfried asked again. He was introverted and could only express himself this way. Gordes took his expressionless tone as a provocation and began to curse him out.
Smack—
Siegfried knocked Gordes unconscious with a single blow. He stared at the "fainted" Haruka Kasugano, thinking. Haruka Kasugano's [Camouflage] had fooled everyone present.
Suddenly, Jeanne arrived. "What are you doing?"
Siegfried looked at her and made a decision. "Ruler, be my witness!" Before anyone could react, Siegfried reached into his own chest, ripped out his heart, and shoved it into Haruka Kasugano's chest.
Saber couldn't heal, and Gordes wouldn't help, so this was his only choice. Rider couldn't heal either, and he didn't want to trouble the neutral Ruler.
Haruka Kasugano was thus forcibly stuffed with Siegfried's heart. Great, now this perfectly fine person actually has a problem.
"AAAAAAAAHHHH—" Haruka Kasugano screamed in genuine pain.