The next morning, Shiomi woke up to find his phone had run out of battery, so he quickly plugged it in to charge.
Ever since the start of the new century, devices like this had advanced rapidly, especially in terms of miniaturization. They were now far more convenient than Magecraft communication.
However, the battery was quite durable, so if he wasn't paying attention, he could go two or three days without charging it—and often forgot. Hence, situations like this would happen.
The moment it was plugged in and rebooted, the phone buzzed several times in a row. A number of unread emails popped up.
"Ah, this..."
After reading through them, Shiomi was momentarily at a loss for words.
"Something happened at the Clock Tower?" asked Morgan, now dressed, as she walked over.
"No, it's just that Sakura's more capable than we expected," Shiomi said, setting down the phone. "She figured out, based on the battle traces at the seaside park, that I might have returned to Fuyuki."
Running her fingers through her loose hair, Morgan asked, "So she called London to confirm it?"
"Yeah." Shiomi nodded.
Originally, as part of the Grand Roll, he and Morgan were meant to follow the Magus of the Clock Tower into the Spiritual Tomb of Albion. Once inside, ordinary wireless communication would no longer be possible.
Yet Sakura had even accounted for that. She called Gray in London directly to inquire.
She hadn't chosen El-Melloi II, Reines, or even Caren—because Shiomi had already spoken with them, and they could help him cover his tracks.
Only Gray was bad at lying.
"All the emails were from Gray," Morgan remarked, glancing at the phone screen from beside him.
"Too bad the phone probably shut off yesterday evening." Shiomi sighed and closed the flip cover. Phones back then were still limited in features, with few entertainment options, so he'd gotten used to it and hadn't noticed.
"Since we've been exposed, should we go meet Sakura first?" Morgan asked with a playful smile.
Shiomi thought for a moment. "No rush. Let's find Lancer's camp first. If we can work something out with them, it'll make a nice offering when we see Sakura."
"That's fine, but you didn't plan on allying with them before. How do you plan to find them?" Morgan asked. "Just so you know, I did send a familiar to keep an eye on Lancer's movements."
Sitting back on the bed, Shiomi thought for a moment before replying, "Still, it shouldn't be too hard. I've lived in Fuyuki long enough to know a thing or two. The day before yesterday, Bazett came from Shinto, crossed the bridge, and arrived at the seaside park in Miyama Town. So her base is probably in Shinto."
"Shinto's about the same size as Miyama Town. That's like finding a needle in a haystack," Morgan pointed out.
"Sealing Designation Executors all have their quirks. Since she was assigned by the Mage's Association, they probably helped her pick a base too." Shiomi raised a finger. "Besides, Shinto's too modern. A Magus setting up a base in the city would need something like El-Melloi had last time—an entire hotel building rented out."
But Executors didn't have that kind of budget.
"If it's not in the city, then where?" Morgan asked, leaning casually against the door.
"I don't think I've ever told you this, but there's a Western-style mansion in the forest southwest of the Fuyuki Church," Shiomi said smugly. "The Edelfelt family's Master stayed there during the Third Holy Grail War. They never came back to Fuyuki afterward, so the mansion was turned over to the Mage's Association."
He shook his head. "Though technically managed by them, they didn't even maintain it. It's practically abandoned, shielded by a barrier, and it's become an urban legend around Fuyuki—a haunted mansion in the woods."
"So you think Lancer's Master is living there?" Morgan asked.
"I just think it's very likely," Shiomi replied cautiously. "If I were new to Fuyuki, I'd definitely take the Mage's Association's recommendation and stay somewhere like that. Perfect for a workshop or to stay hidden."
With their plan set, the two had breakfast, then drove from Miyama Town toward the forest near Shinto, not far from the church.
Fuyuki City, with land managed by the Tohsaka family, had Japan's second strongest leyline after Misaki City, which was overseen by the Aozaki family. That's why it could serve as the stage for the Holy Grail War.
Though Shinto had developed into a highly modern area, once outside the city and a short drive down the national highway, they reached the southern mountain forests.
As their car jolted along a rough forest road, Shiomi looked out through the windshield.
Even in broad daylight, the forest was gloomy. The thick canopy blocked the sunlight, and there was no end in sight. Shiomi wasn't sure how much farther they could drive before they'd have to continue on foot.
Unlike the city, the mana in the forest was noticeably denser—an ideal environment for setting up a Magus' workshop.
"—?!"
Shiomi slammed on the brakes.
"What an overwhelming amount of mana..." Morgan had sensed it too. She closed her eyes, focusing on the flow around them. "It's not just leaking from a Servant."
The conclusion was obvious.
"There's a battle going on." Shiomi opened the car door and stepped out.
The chill and dampness of the forest air pressed directly against his skin as he stood still, listening closely to the sounds deeper in the woods.
There was definitely a fight happening.
He glanced back at Morgan, who had also exited the car and was already fully geared up. With a wry smile, he said:
"Looks like it'll be faster if we go on foot from here."
"Then take the first step, my husband—I'll be right behind you." Morgan tested the weight of the magic spear in her hand, then tossed it to Shiomi across the car.
The moment he caught it, Shiomi dashed forward and swung the spear into seemingly empty air.
A flurry of arrows was knocked aside, their tips embedding in a nearby tree trunk.
"That's..."
Shiomi stared at the archer who emerged from the shadows of the forest.
Clad in green, with a longbow in hand and a quiver at his waist, his figure was cloaked in a mist of mana.
"A familiar?" Shiomi frowned.
But the aura it gave off was nearly on par with a Servant.
"Looks like it's confirmed—the King of Magecraft is one of the combatants." Morgan traced her hand across the car's surface, weaving a defensive spell around it. "As for the other side... if your guess is right, my husband..."
"Wait, what?" Shiomi was caught off guard. He hadn't expected the situation to escalate this quickly.
"That familiar is likely one of the 72 demons commanded by the King of Magecraft..." Morgan readied her next spell. "And for the record, this form isn't their true one."
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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