"To think... he heavily injured Kayneth with a single strike."
Watching the footage transmitted by Assassin, Tokiomi tapped his fingers against his wine glass.
"Although that man is arrogant, his understanding of alchemy and spiritual evocation is truly at the apex of the magus world."
Even if Kayneth had been distracted by Sola-Ui's injuries during the battle and failed to utilize his full magical capabilities...
He was still one of the Twelve Lords of the Clock Tower.
For the top-tier Mystic Code, Volumen Hydrargyrum, to crumble so easily before Avenger's slash far exceeded Tokiomi's expectations.
Tokiomi closed his eyes, recalling the black markings on Asuka's body and that sudden, explosive surge of magical energy.
As a magus, he instinctively felt uneasy.
If that strike had been aimed at him... he had no confidence he could block it.
"Is this also an ability of the Avenger class?" Tokiomi analyzed in a low murmur.
Not only could it cause cognitive contamination in other Servants, but it could even convert that malice and resentment into his own fuel...
If a countermeasure wasn't found, this Servant named Asuka would likely become the greatest threat to him and the King of Heroes...
He couldn't delay any longer.
"Kirei, contact your father for me," Tokiomi said to the communication magic circle. "I need to see him right now."
He stood up, draped his crimson suit jacket over his shoulders, and decided to meet Risei Kotomine overnight.
Although the Tohsaka family possessed a rich collection of magical grimoires, detailed intelligence regarding the Avenger class was likely only recorded by the Holy Church, who acted as the overseers.
As his ally, perhaps he could dig up some hidden records through the priest, Risei Kotomine.
Residential district.
The aftermath of the battlefield still lingered.
Although Asuka's strike had accurately hit Kayneth, the shockwave of the battle still affected the surrounding residential houses.
On the street, the walls of several houses had collapsed, the road was split with fissures, streetlight poles were bent and deformed, and glass shards were scattered all over the ground.
Several cars parked by the roadside had even been flipped over, their alarms echoing harshly in the night sky.
The faint screams and footsteps of residents could be heard from all directions. People poked their heads out of windows, frantically making phone calls to figure out what had happened.
"Cough... cough, cough..." Sumire Kamado leaned against a streetlight pole, coughing uncontrollably.
Having overdrawn too much magical energy to supply Asuka, coupled with the influence of Avenger's malice, her face was currently as pale as a sheet of paper.
The red birthmark on her forehead was burning faintly, like a red-hot piece of charcoal.
"Sumire, hang in there!"
Haruri could only support her daughter's shoulders, taking an ice pack from their home's first-aid kit to cool Sumire's forehead.
"Are you two hurt?"
"...I'm fine, but Sumire is running a bit of a fever." Haruri's voice trembled, her eyes full of worry.
Asuka silently looked at the somewhat delirious young girl, a wave of concern washing over him.
Compared to physical injuries, this kind of damage to the root was the hardest to treat.
"We can't stay here," he judged aloud. "I don't know if other Servants will find their way here. We need to find a safe place to hide for a while."
The sirens of fire engines could faintly be heard approaching from the distance.
The commotion tonight was too massive. Half a street of asphalt had been torn up; that kind of terrifying destructive power couldn't possibly fail to attract the attention of the authorities.
Only when the black markings on the blade gradually faded did Asuka retract Nugata back into his body.
"Let's go to my duty room," Haruri said, her voice carrying a mother's firm resolve. "There's an empty room at the company. We can make do for the night without anyone bothering us."
She turned to look at Asuka. "Mr. Asuka, can you... turn invisible? That way you won't be easily discovered, and we can leave together."
Asuka gave a hum of agreement, transforming into a wisp of black mist that floated beside Sumire.
"Let's go. I will protect you."
The group wasted no more time. It was best to leave early before the neighbors directed their suspicions toward them.
Driving that somewhat battered light truck, Haruri carried her daughter and the invisible Asuka, swiftly leaving the residential area.
The vehicle drove along the night roads of Fuyuki City, the windows reflecting flashing neon lights and sparse pedestrians.
As she drove, Haruri comforted Sumire through the rearview mirror. "Don't worry, Sumire. The company is very safe. I usually sleep there when I work the night shift."
"When dawn breaks, we'll figure out a way to find another place to stay. Mom will protect you, just like... when your dad was still alive."
Recalling the days when her late husband was still around brought a flash of sorrow to her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a mother's fortitude.
The bond between family members was the Kamado family's greatest strength.
Sumire leaned against the seat, nodding groggily.
The Command Spells on the back of her hand were still faintly warm, reminding her of the cruelty of this war.
"Mom... thank you, and thank you too, Mr. Asuka..."
"It's my duty, there's no need to be polite." Feeling the magical energy within Sumire gradually stabilizing, Asuka's worries eased slightly. "Remember to maintain Total Concentration・Constant, it will help your body recover."
"Ah..."
The inside of the car fell quiet for a moment, leaving only the low hum of the engine and the howling of the night wind.
A few minutes later, as the car drove onto a relatively secluded fork in the road, Haruri suddenly slowed down.
By the side of the road, a figure was swaying unsteadily, seemingly waiting for them.
It was a middle-aged man wearing a baggy trench coat. His face was pale, and his forehead was covered in cold sweat.
He looked as if he hadn't slept well for days, utterly exhausted. Half of his face looked like it had been corroded by some strong acid, displaying a dark purple sunken appearance.
Asuka instantly went on high alert.
He could feel the magical energy fluctuations within the man's body, carrying an uncomfortable, twisted sensation.
"Careful, a magus is approaching."
At those words, Haruri instantly sat up straight, gripping the steering wheel tightly. "Hold on tight. If things look bad, I'll just ram right through!"
Her right eye glowed faintly, ready to use the power of her Mystic Eyes at any moment.
The man raised his head, forcing a pale smile at Haruri.
"Please wait... I am Kariya Matou, I mean no harm." He slowly approached, raising his hands.
Kariya Matou? What was the meaning of introducing himself like that?
Asuka didn't know this person. Could he be an acquaintance of Haruri's?
He looked at Haruri and found that she was equally confused.
"Who are you? Blocking the road this late at night, what do you want?" Haruri rolled down the window, maintaining her distance as she asked.
Kariya panted heavily, seemingly unable to even stand steady. "I... I'm not here to cause trouble..."
His body trembled slightly, and faint squirming sounds could be heard from beneath his trench coat.
The torment of the Crest Worms inside his body made every breath agonizing. "The battle in the residential area just now... that was you guys, right..."
"I had to... I had to make Berserker carry me all the way... It was a hard chase just to get ahead of you..."
As he spoke, a figure familiar to Asuka appeared behind Kariya Matou.
That Soul Reaper wearing a bone mask.