Fate: Question And Answer System of Traversing Heroic Spirits

["Hah... It's over. We need to get to the Hanging Garden quickly…"]

[The plane beneath her feet was already unstable from the battle, and with the Hanging Gardens right in front of her, she only needed a single leap to reach them.]

[Jeanne intended to regroup with the others, but suddenly, she felt a foreboding sensation and immediately rushed toward the central palace.]

[It was an ominous feeling, if she didn't act now, it would be too late.]

[But Atalanta, who had fallen, underwent an unexpected transformation.]

[Atalanta couldn't fly, but in her current monstrous state, that no longer mattered. If she couldn't fly in her current form, then she would simply reshape her body to do so.]

[With a pained groan, her arms twisted and deformed, flesh and skin tearing apart. In their place, grotesque, alien-like wings sprouted, allowing Atalanta to take flight.]

[It wouldn't last long, but it was enough to bring her back to the Hanging Garden.]

---

Tohsaka Rin: "Oh my god! That looks insane!"

Waver: "I thought Atalanta had just lost her mind, but she's completely transformed into a monster."

Achilles: "Damn, big sis, you really went that far…?"

Atalanta: "..."

The others in the group were speechless, but even Atalanta herself seemed bewildered. She had no idea she was even capable of this.

Her demonic transformation had gone far beyond her expectations, proof of just how deep her murderous intent toward Jeanne ran.

---

[After landing, Atalanta's arms quickly regenerated, but they hung limply like tattered rags, blood dripping uncontrollably.]

[Yet, she paid no attention to it, instead sniffing the air like a wild beast, searching for Jeanne's scent.]

["Hey, big sis?"]

[A familiar voice called out to her, but she didn't respond. She had already found Jeanne's trail and immediately set off toward the palace.]

---

Achilles: "You won't even acknowledge my voice? Your sanity's completely gone."

Karna: "It's not about allies or enemies anymore. She simply has no interest in anyone but Jeanne now."

Achilles: "..."

---

[On Sieg's side, three minutes had passed, and he had reverted back to his original form.]

[Defeating a formidable enemy like Karna in just three minutes was simply impossible.]

["Cough…"]

[Sieg coughed up blood. It was the backlash from his transformation, but compared to the first time, it was barely noticeable.]

[Which meant… he could still transform and fight again.]

[Even if he couldn't take down his opponent in three minutes, he could push himself for another six.]

---

Waver: "This is only Sieg's second transformation, and he's already adapted this well?"

Kayneth: "Rather than just talent, it's because he's an awakened Homunculus with his own will."

Astolfo: "Sieg, you're amazing!"

Sieg: "It's not me who's amazing, it's Sir Siegfried."

Siegfried: "No, this is all you. You're the one who's adapting to the transformation's backlash."

---

["Wait—sorry, but could you hold off on transforming for a moment?"]

[Karna suddenly spoke, his expression unusually apologetic, leaving Sieg bewildered.]

["I have a request for Yggdmillennia's mage. I'd like to continue our battle after I settle this matter. It's rare to have two people present, after all."]

[Karna turned his gaze toward a nearby wall.]

[Realizing they had been discovered, Fiore and her younger brother stopped hiding and stepped forward.]

[Sieg noticed that Fiore was standing behind Caules, quietly crying.]

[It was clear, Chiron had already fallen. Though it was unclear whether he had lost outright or if both combatants had taken each other down.]

---

Tohsaka Rin: "Wait, why did they suddenly stop fighting?"

Semiramis: "Karna, are you betraying the Red Faction?"

Karna: "It was merely a temporary alliance, calling it 'betrayal' is inaccurate."

Karna: "Besides, I'm simply fulfilling my duty as a Servant."

He already knew what he intended to do in the video.

---

[Karna: "So... will you allow it?"]

[Sieg: "I understand. Please hurry."]

[Karna: "Of course. Magus of Yggdmillennia, follow me."]

[Karna led them to a house on the outskirts and into its basement.]

[Upon entering, Fiore and the others were stunned to see five men and women seated around a round table, murmuring incoherently.]

[Fiore and the others felt a chill run down their spines. Was this some kind of cult ritual or a sacrificial ceremony?]

---

Waver: "This is—! The Red Masters!"

Sisigou: "Good thing I was careful, or I'd be sitting in there right now."

Sisigou: "But, Father, you actually brought them to the Hanging Garden. Are they hostages?"

Amakusa Shirou: "I am merely protecting them. After all, what place is safer than the Hanging Garden?"

Sisigou: "Hah, do you even believe that yourself?"

Kayneth: "Saving one's Master, that is what a Servant should do. And I'm talking about you, @Shakespeare, you've been hanging around Amakusa Shirou since the beginning.

Sisigou: "Father, where are they now? Don't tell me you actually brought them to the Hanging Garden as well."

If that were the case, their ashes would have been scattered to the wind by now.

Amakusa Shirou: "Do not worry. Since we chose the Hanging Garden as the battlefield, it is no longer a safe place. I would not put them in harm's way."

Amakusa Shirou: "They are still in the church basement. You are free to go rescue them, it would be a noble deed."

Sisigou: "Hmph."

---

[Caules: "Hey, hey… these people aren't…!"]

[Karna: "Yes, they are the original Masters of the Red Faction."]

[Fiore: "Are they still alive?"]

[Karna: "Yes. Assassin poisoned them to dull their cognitive abilities, ensuring a smooth transfer of their Command Seals. I believe they can still be cured."]

[Caules: "So, Red Lancer, what exactly do you want us to do?"]

[Karna: "If possible, I hope you can rescue these five."]

[Karna spoke solemnly.]

["They were involved in the Holy Grail War, but they have already withdrawn from the conflict. We cannot leave them in this state indefinitely."]

---

[Caules: "And what do we gain from this?"]

[That's what he said, but in reality, the benefits were obvious.]

[Most importantly, these were elites of the Mage's Association. Saving them would provide Yggdmillennia with leverage in future peace negotiations.]

Caules: "If we could really save them, the pressure on Yggdmillennia would decrease significantly."

---

[Karna: "That may be the case, but I can only ask for your consideration in this matter."]

[Fiore: "Red Lancer, if we rescue them, what will you offer in return? As a hero known for his generosity, surely you won't expect us to work for free?"]

[Karna: "That is a fair point. However, I have nothing to offer you."]

[Fiore: "Then… how about your spear?"]

---

Waver: "Hey, that's just outright robbery. You're basically demanding his surrender."

Fiore: "This is how negotiations work. I have to maximize our gains."

Kayneth: "Indeed. If we could simply remove the Red Faction's strongest fighter, that would be ideal. Unfortunately, Karna has no intention of backing down."

[Karna shook his head.]

[Karna: "I'm sorry, but surrendering my spear would be akin to forfeiting the battle entirely. I cannot do that."]

["I swore to fight Black Saber, Siegfried, with my full strength."]

[It was a reasonable stance, leaving Fiore with no counterargument.]

[Suddenly, Caules had an idea and pointed at Siegfried.]

[Caules: "Red Lancer, since you swore to fight Siegfried at full strength… If you cannot defeat him within three minutes, will you consider it your defeat?"]

[Karna: "Hmm…"]

[Caules: "This is the situation now, Siegfried can only exist in this world for three minutes, and he has given those three minutes to fight you. If you fail to defeat him within that time, isn't that the same as losing?"

[Karna remained silent for a moment before nodding.]

[Karna: "Indeed… there is no honor in taking longer than three minutes to defeat a warrior who has given his all in that time. I understand."]

[Sieg: "Wait a moment, Red Lancer. Don't you think I can find a way to prolong the battle past three minutes?"]

[Karna: "That is fine."]

[Karna spoke calmly.]

["I swore to fight with my full strength. That is different from using tactics to stall for time and drag the battle to a draw."]

["In this scenario, the one at fault is me for failing to defeat you within three minutes."]

---

Tohsaka Rin: "Wait, doesn't this mean you just got tricked?"

Karna: "No. It is a fair conclusion. If I cannot defeat my opponent at his peak, then winning later has no meaning."

***

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