"N-Naked! And wait, a maid outfit too?!"
"Sorry for interrupting!"
"Y-You've got it all wrong!"
"What kind of play is this? Some kind of advanced roleplay?!"
"Let me take a picture~"
"N-No, stop—!"
Amid the chaos, a heavy cough suddenly cut through the noise.
With the full force of his Rosy-cheeked Youth skill activated, the young priest stepped into the center of the crowd.
"Everyone, please calm down first. Miyu and Illya are not in a state to receive guests right now. Please wait outside for a moment."
Skill Rosy-cheeked Youth activated.
Critical success!
Faced with Sakatsuki's flowing white-white hair and radiant golden eyes, the elementary school girls—mere ordinary humans—instantly fell under his spell, letting out dreamy sighs as they obediently filed out of the room.
"What are you standing around for?" Sakatsuki teased, his back turned to the two stunned girls. "Or were you expecting me to help you get dressed, Illya?"
"Ah? Huh?" Only then did Illya remember Sakatsuki was still in the room, instinctively covering her chest. "Eek—!"
"Eek what? Should I turn around and help?"
"N-No, it's fine! I can do it myself!"
After the flurry of activity, the door to Illya's room reopened.
Her friends filed back in—only to freeze in shock once more at the sight before them.
A black, high-collared long-sleeved shirt, tailored trousers, and colorful vertical stripes extending from the shoulders to the front and back, with the rear hem split into a swallowtail design—graceful, elegant, and utterly refined.
The man in white gloves placed a hand over his chest, standing side by side with Miyu in her maid outfit, the two complementing each other perfectly.
"A b-butler outfit—!"
After the collective gasp, the group's eyes locked onto Illya, their expressions screaming This girl is too dangerous to be left alive!
Not only did Illya have the impossibly perfect Miyu as her maid, but she also had a butler this handsome and elegant?!
Damn it, there's already an insurmountable wall between us and her!
"I feel like I've been handed the wrong life script…" Illya muttered, sweatdropping at her friends' awestruck expressions.
After a delightful afternoon tea, the guests departed in high spirits, with the handsome butler standing at the entrance, politely seeing them off.
"Thank you all for taking the time to visit today. Please be careful on your way home."
Only after everyone had left did Illya finally point at Sakatsuki with a baffled look.
"Uh… what's with that outfit?"
"Ah, this?" Sakatsuki snapped his fingers, and in an instant, his drab priest robes reappeared. "Just a bit of magic, like Cinderella's glass slipper. I can teach you if you want."
"Eh, really?!" Illya's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Of course. We've got plenty of time to relax, after all…" Sakatsuki smiled faintly, his gaze deepening as he looked at the silver-haired girl.
Play to your heart's content. Enjoy this rare moment of peace, Illya.
Before the fate chasing after you arrives.
And so, Sakatsuki spent some more time practicing magecraft with Illya before finally excusing himself once Sella returned home, claiming he needed to report to the church.
But after sending a message to a certain someone, he immediately found a secluded spot and called upon the Fate Compendium.
He had only returned for a brief respite to escape the Beast. With the war so urgent, how could he linger in comfort for long?
"Little Ming."
[Understood. Initiating transfer.]
A sensation of weightlessness enveloped him as his soul was once again lifted into the infinite cosmos, converging upon a single point among the myriad universes.
[Entry into the Second Singularity confirmed. Please proceed with exploration!]
***
Holy Church.
In a dimly lit room, the doll-like girl sitting quietly by the window suddenly shuddered before quickly regaining her composure.
Though no sound was made, the silver-haired nun lying on the bed opened her eyes.
"He's gone, isn't he?"
"Yes, Miss Caren. Master has left." Though her tone was calm, the faint morning light revealed a trace of loneliness in Danzou's expression.
"Do you resent me, Miss Danzou? It's because I refused to listen that your master… Father Sakatsuki… ended up reprimanding you."
Danzou looked up in surprise, as if taken aback by the usually aloof nun's words.
"No, not at all, Miss Caren. This was entirely my own failing. If only…"
"If only what?"
The black-haired kunoichi, her hair no longer tied up, fell silent for a long moment before lifting her determined golden eyes.
"If only I had been more resolute… If only I had valued certain things more… I wouldn't have made such a mistake."
"A mistake, huh… That's an ugly way to put it." The nun on the bed blinked before chuckling softly—only to wince as fresh blood seeped through her white bandages.
The wounds from exorcising demons were not so easily healed, especially since she had refused magical treatment.
Danzou reached out worriedly, unwrapping the bandages and carefully tending to Caren's injuries without a word of complaint.
"Remember—the moment you were given life, you were also given the right and duty to think, Miss Danzou."
Those were the last words her master had left her with. Even now, Danzou continued to ponder them, and at this moment, she felt she understood them a little better.
"Forgive me, Miss Caren. I won't allow you to neglect yourself any longer."
Faced with the doll's resolve, Caren's eyes widened slightly before she averted her gaze to the sliver of light peeking through the curtains.
Softly, as if murmuring in a dream—
"…I suppose I'll rest a little, then."
She didn't refuse.
"The weather is lovely today. Would you like to go for a walk, Miss Caren?"
"N-No, that's…" The silver-haired nun paused before offering a faint, beautiful smile.
"But… could you open the curtains for me? Thank you."
And so, Danzou stepped forward and drew back the heavy drapes. The sudden flood of light made Caren flinch slightly, but soon her eyes fell upon the budding greenery outside and the golden dust drifting lazily through the air.
The sky was so clear it seemed frozen in time—like a flawless gem.
Caren leaned against the bed, quietly admiring the view outside, while Danzou stood in the shadows, her eyes reflecting the brilliance of the world.
Peaceful. Serene. Languid.
A scene as beautiful as a painting.
***
Second Singularity – Gaul, Imperial Army Camp.
"I'm back!" A cheerful shout rang out as a black-haired young man arrived at the entrance of the command tent, followed by several women, each more striking than the last.
One was a pink-haired girl with dragon horns and a tail, dressed like an idol.
Another was a cat-eared maid with a bell collar and gloves shaped like paws.
The third wore a pristine white dress, embodying the idealized dreams of modern men—a goddess in the flesh.
And the last was a swordsman clad in black and red armor, her golden hair obscuring her face, yet her aura radiated unmistakable danger.
He had set out for the Mediterranean island alone, yet after overcoming trials, he had earned the recognition of four Servants. Perhaps this was the strength of Chaldea's one and only Master.
Brimming with joy at finally being able to contribute, Fujimaru pushed open the tent flap with a smile, eager to share the good news.
But the sight of the general and the emperor, their faces dark with gloom, froze him in place.
"Um… What happened?"
***
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