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The purple-haired girl hurried over the moment she spotted him.
She spoke with urgency, "Archer, what did you do to Saber? Why won't her wounds heal?"
Sakura Edelfelt had every reason to worry. After bringing Medusa home the day before, her Servant had remained gravely injured. The gashes torn by Archer's Noble Phantasm refused to close, instead, they grew worse as time ticked by. If this kept up, even Saber's strong body wouldn't hold out. The festering wounds would soon reach her Spirit Core, the vital essence keeping her in this world. Once that happened, Medusa would be sent back to the Throne of Heroes. And what use was fighting the Holy Grail War without a Servant?
While Sakura fretted, Yuto stayed calm.
"Miss Sakura, step back a little. You're too close."
"Archer, don't mess with me!" Sakura snapped, her face tight and her teeth clenched. "What do you want to save Saber?"
"Archer?" A curious voice cut in. Artoria, watching the tension, tilted her head.
"Master, head back," Yuto said evenly. "This is between me, Saber, and her Master."
He didn't bother explaining to the blonde girl, just waved her off to rest.
"I get it, Archer. Whatever you decide, I've got your back," Artoria replied, her clear eyes shining with trust. Without another word, she turned and slipped quietly.
In this Holy Grail War, only the winner could claim victory. Everyone else? Just noise from the losers. Yuto brushed off Sakura's sharp tone. He wasn't the one sweating here.
"You… what do you want in order for you to save Saber?" Sakura's voice cracked, helpless.
Only now did she see the dark edge lurking beneath his good looks.
"There's no free help in this world, Miss Sakura," Yuto said smoothly.
"What do you want?" she asked, steadying herself, her gaze cold on the young Servant.
"Simple. You." His eyes traced her figure, bold and unapologetic.
"You–don't even think about it!" Sakura froze, then flushed with shame and anger.
This guy had the nerve to threaten her? She, the prized daughter of the Edelfelt family, raised in comfort and adored by her clan, shot down his demand without a second thought.
"Fine. Then watch your Servant die," Yuto said, turning to walk toward the dojo.
'Almost time… 3… 2… 1.'
"Wait—hold on!" Sure enough, Sakura's reluctant voice chased after him.
"I… I'll do it."
"Good." Yuto spun back, a faint smile playing on his lips as he took in her red, embarrassed face.
"Lead the way."
............…
Soon, Yuto and Sakura reached her family's mansion. It gleamed, spotless and grand, showing no hint of its ten years empty. The European-style garden and building matched perfectly, with fresh paint on the walls and roof giving off a quiet, elegant vibe. It was mysterious yet inviting.
Unlike Rin Tohsaka, who scraped by preparing for the Holy Grail War, Sakura, her sister, lived well. She was set to inherit the Edelfelt family, a renowned mage lineage from Finland, dubbed "the world's most graceful hyenas" by the magic community. Their rule? "Nobles act like mercenaries." If a real treasure popped up, they'd fight for it.
Sakura, adopted into the family, carried the rare "Imaginary" attribute and its even rarer Imaginary Element. To the Edelfelts, she was a gem beyond price, rarer than Rin with her Five Great Elements. At first, they took her in for show, but once her talent shone through, they groomed her as the next head. Money was never an issue for Sakura. She'd always had the best: food, clothes, homes. So, when she signed up for the Holy Grail War, she sent servants ahead to spruce up the family's old mansion. Two weeks of work left it polished and stately, steeped in classic Western charm.
In her room, Yuto found Saber slumped, barely holding on.
"Ar…cher, you dare show up!?" Medusa hissed, teeth gritted, struggling to rise from the bed. A weak thud echoed as she tried, only for Yuto to flick her forehead, sending her back down.
Medusa glared at Yuto. This man had wrecked her. The Immortal Slaying Blade, paired with her own divine nature, had hit her hard.
"Saber, I brought Archer here. Don't fight him," Sakura said with a sigh, trailing behind.
"Master! Are you out of your mind?" Medusa's voice spiked with shock and fury. "He's our enemy! You let him into our base, what if he turns on us?"
"Relax. If I wanted you gone, you'd both be dead by now," Yuto said, unbothered by her suspicion. Ignoring her defiant glare, he pulled back the covers.
Her mature frame came into view, wrapped in white bandages glowing with healing runes. Still, blood seeped through, steady and stubborn.
'Impressive. Most people would've bled out by now. Only a Heroic Spirit like Medusa could last this long.'
Against anything undead, that weapon was a perfect counter, especially for someone like Medusa, who it hit hardest.
"Archer, quit stalling! Heal Saber's wounds already!" Sakura pressed, her patience thinning.
"Alright, Alright" Yuto said.
...
Time slipped by fast.
"Done," Yuto said, pulling out the staff-like Immortal Slaying Blade. He aimed its edge at Medusa's flat, pale stomach.
"Mm…!" She groaned, pain slipping out in short bursts.
As she winced, purple wounds; jagged and raw started shrinking, sliding off her collarbone, chest, and long legs, flowing back into the blade like water.
Humming a light tune, he vanished from the room with Sakura, leaving a drained Medusa.
........
Night fell.
After dropping Sakura back, Yuto walked to meet Scathach.
At Rin Tohsaka's mansion, Yuto found the purple-haired woman lounging with a glass of red wine.
"You're here?" she said, barely glancing up, her hand propping her cheek. She stayed leaned on the railing, soaking in the cool moonlight.
From where Yuto stood, her figure stood out. Half her body tilted forward, her legs pressed together under a tight uniform, straight and firm. High heels sharpened the line of her calves. From behind, they looked like a single, perfect stroke. Her lean stretched her hips taut, a ripe shape catching his eye.
"Archer, your eyes are wandering," Scathach noted, her tone dry.
His stare didn't slip past her, she'd seen too much over the years. She turned smoothly, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "I've been wondering. What hero are you, exactly?"
"You wield Runes, project Greek Noble Phantasms… I've searched through history and found no match for you."
"How do you size up my skills, then?" Yuto asked, curiosity sparking.
He wanted to hear what the Queen of the Land of Shadows, mentor to countless warriors, thought of his skills.
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