Matou Sakura had already fled, and there was no reason for Jean and Tohsaka Rin to linger here any longer.
The scale of the battle just now was not small; after Jean's two high-energy shots, the entire area had become pitted and scarred.
The Holy Grail War is not a series of one-on-one duels between seven groups, but a chaotic free-for-all. To prevent things from becoming troublesome, the two of them quickly departed from the scene.
As for the suspicions that the familiars who arrived later might have reported back to their masters, that was not something Jean cared about.
After jogging for quite a distance, Tohsaka Rin said to Jean, looking worried:
"Are you alright? Let's head home and rest for a bit."
"No, not yet." Jean fiddled with her now-tattered casual clothes and said, "Let's go buy a change of clothes first."
Although Jean's casual clothes lacked any special attributes, they were cut-proof and bulletproof. In terms of price alone, they could be considered luxury goods, and since it was a style Jean quite liked, it was quite painful to see them ruined.
In fact, while being pierced by Cú Chulainn's causality-reversing magic spear was within expectations, being cut by Matou Sakura's dagger was far beyond them.
In this world, which differed vastly from the Fifth War, there was nothing the same, except for the fact that Tohsaka Rin was still just as silly.
If Jean were still weak, she would probably be very troubled. But after the recent battle, by comparing herself to Cú Chulainn—who is already very powerful among Servants—and gaining a clear understanding of her own strength, she actually found herself enjoying this state of uncertainty.
Jean then placed her hand over her heart; the pain of being pierced was not that unbearable. Her immense vitality meant that Jean's survival did not depend on her internal circulatory system.
However, the issue lay in the characteristics of the attack itself: causality reversal. Just from the name, it sounded grand and sophisticated, and its effect was truly unparalleled.
This was a move that reversed the 'causality' of the order of events. The moment it was unleashed, Jean had already felt her heart being pierced; the result had already been generated. The 'cause' was merely added after the fact, even if that cause lacked any rationality.
Time manipulation? Space manipulation? Causality modification? Fate bestowal? No matter what it was, Jean was very interested. 'I really hope Lancer doesn't die on the side of the road,' Jean prayed to herself.
"Um... we're here," Tohsaka Rin said timidly from the side.
Her Servant had first stared blankly at her tattered clothes, then smiled while touching the pierced area, which was still stained with blood. Rin was even worried that her brain might have been damaged during the fight.
"Ah, ouch! What was that for?" Rin complained after Jean delivered a chop to her head.
"You were slandering me in your mind just now, weren't you?"
"N-no, what are you talking about? Hurry up and go inside to change your clothes."
In the early 21st century, Japan didn't have much in the way of fashionable clothing. She casually chose a red and white windbreaker, along with a white turtleneck sweater to wear underneath. It could be considered a matching outfit with Tohsaka Rin.
Although Tohsaka Rin's hands trembled when she paid, she still smiled upon seeing how dashing and heroic Jean looked.
"What's next? You were just seriously injured; do you really not need to rest?" Tohsaka Rin asked with concern.
"Now is a good opportunity. The battle just now likely stirred up the other groups. It's easier to catch fish in troubled waters, so let's try to find some clues."
Tohsaka Rin understood the point Jean was making, but she was more concerned about Jean's physical condition. After all, that was a severe injury involving a destroyed heart—even calling it a'severe injury' felt inadequate.
"Alright, don't worry. Look, haven't I already healed? If you're really worried, master, just do your best to provide a bit more magical energy."
"I understand. I'll do my best."
---
With the course of action set, the two began to wander through Fuyuki City at night. Since they didn't have any specific targets, they could only try their luck.
While walking toward the shopping district, after much hesitation and deep thought, Tohsaka Rin spoke to Jean:
"Jean, even though I know you were just stabbed by that Lancer, I still want to ask a favor of you."
"A favor?"
"I want to form an alliance with Sakura. At the very least, I want to make sure she's protected."
"Sure."
"Huh? Just like that?"
"It's no big deal. Besides, taking that Noble Phantasm from Lancer was my own choice. Plus..."
Jean glanced at Tohsaka Rin.
"Plus, having you worry about the safety of an enemy all day is quite a hassle."
"Ah... thank you."
Rubbing Tohsaka Rin's head, Jean said nothing more.
---
Soon, the two entered the shopping district, the busiest area in all of Fuyuki City.
Valentine's Day was only half a month away, and many merchants had already begun selling all sorts of Valentine's chocolates.
In Japan, chocolate is divided into 'honmei' (true feeling) and 'giri' (obligation) chocolates. It's specifically for girls to give to boys, and the boys return the favor with candy on March 14th.
It's a win-win situation, meaning the manufacturers of candy and chocolate win twice.
At one of the stalls, a small girl was selling chocolate.
It wasn't that Jean was just staring at the girl; it was that she was far too conspicuous.
She had the aura of a literary girl, golden hair, a gray coat, a red plaid scarf, and black-rimmed glasses. Most importantly, it was that face—the same Type-Moon heroine face that had dined with Jean the day before yesterday.
Her name was naturally obvious: Mysterious Heroine X [Alter].
Also known as BX, a character beyond common sense modeled after a Sith warrior.
Fortunately, she was usually a lazy girl who loved sweets and hated trouble, so she wasn't all that aggressive.
Jean asked Tohsaka Rin to wait there, then plucked up the courage to walk forward.
Her lazy and lethargic demeanor, the natural tendency to almost grab the wrong item, and her lack of reaction to the magical energy Jean was slightly emitting—
coupled with the fact that she seemed no different from an ordinary person in terms of magical energy and other senses, the girl before her looked like an ordinary human, but:
[Target Evaluation] Name: Mysterious Heroine X (Alter) Race: Anti-'Saber' Decisive Weapon Rating: Berserker · Mid-Tier Description: "Fight! Fight until the day you defeat Heroine X and dye the universe in the dark colors of a villain."
The last shred of hope in her heart was shattered; it wasn't just a resemblance, it was truly her. However, in such a crowded area, Jean couldn't test her, so she prepared to leave and consider her next move.
Just then, the girl said something that shocked Jean: "Your name is Jean, right? I remember you."
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