Walking in the Question and Answer System of Heroic Spirits

"Miss Reines!"

[A familiar voice rang out; it was Grey.]

[Grey, wielding a scythe, charged out from behind Reines and plunged into the mist, engaging in combat with a figure.]

[She was almost attacked just now, but Gray saved her in time.]

After the initial shock, Reines curiously examined Gray's scythe.

This was the first time she had seen Yad transform, and she was somewhat curious.

The enemy gradually revealed itself from the thick fog; it was a puppet with unusually long arms.

[His five fingers had been replaced with sharp blades, his legs were twisted so that the joints were reversed, and his upper body was tilted forward to the point where it almost touched the ground.]

[It just looks bizarre no matter how you look at it.]

Reines: "It's an automaton?!"

[Yad: "Hahaha, this opponent is great, I never get tired of playing with you guys."]

Weber: "It's an automaton. It seems the person who set up the barrier already knows."

Kenneth: "Touko Aozaki, there's no one else but that woman. Only she can create these strange-looking yet incredibly flexible dolls."

Kiritsugu Emiya: "This thing is very dangerous. Not only is it fast, but it also moves very quietly. If it weren't for that girl named Gray intervening, she would probably be dead by now."

Tokiomi Tohsaka: "This is the work of the Grand Puppeteer. A single puppet can possess such power."

Rebellious Knight: "Tch, I could chop that up in a heartbeat."

Shishi Jie Li: "This thing is already very dangerous for magicians."

Ilya: "This thing is actually that older sister's work? It looks quite interesting."

Rin Tohsaka: "Interesting? What makes you think this thing is interesting?!"

Chapter 180 - Schemed Against Again

After several rounds of combat with the automaton, Gray suddenly lowered its body, two sharp blades splitting from its limbs, and its only normal face suddenly cracked open, sprouting many eyes.

Is this because they sense Grey is too difficult to deal with, and are therefore further increasing their fighting strength?

Koles: "This thing can even change shape depending on the enemy's strength?"

Fiore: "Compared to this automaton, I feel like my prosthetic limbs are so low-tech."

Danic: "After all, it's the work of the Grand Magician."

Afu: "This look is really not flattering."

The bizarre three-headed, six-armed form is even more intriguing.

Faced with the opponent's six spider-like blades, Gray was immediately at a disadvantage and could only resort to passive defense, but she was quickly slashed in the right arm.

Just as the automaton was about to deliver the fatal blow, a beam of light interrupted its attack, allowing Gray to seize the opportunity and send it flying.

[It was Reines who made the move, using the most basic cursed bullet.]

Reines: "I can at least manage this level."

The automaton rose from the bushes, its gaze returning to the two women.

[Grey: "Yard!"]

The girl and her scythe begin absorbing the surrounding magic to strengthen themselves.

The automaton's three faces revealed eerie smiles, and it charged back, once again engaging Gray in battle.

【"Snapped!"】

This time, Gray shattered the doll's blade into pieces.

[Yad: "Hehehe, we've never lost a strength contest using this trick!"]

Rebellious Knight: "That's more like it. Losing to a toy like this would truly tarnish the reputation of the Holy Lance."

Lion's Tribulation: "Hmm, you're still concerned about this?"

Rebellious Knight: "Nonsense. If the reputation of the Holy Lance is damaged, my reputation will also be damaged if I am killed by it."

Lion's Tribulation: "...I don't think so, you're overthinking it."

"One more time!"

[With Ad's shout, Grey swung her scythe.]

But the next moment, the automaton's mouth suddenly split open, and a strange organ resembling a spear of internal organs burst forth.

Rin Tohsaka: "Holy crap, does she have a weapon in her mouth?!"

Tokiomi Tohsaka: "It's really unexpected; we caught our opponent completely off guard."

Kiritsugu Emiya: "That woman is really cunning, and it's impossible to guard against her."

Logically, such a close-range attack should have been impossible to dodge, but Gray displayed exceptional reflexes, performing a backflip to avoid the attack.

However, the automaton did not pursue further. Instead, it seized the opportunity to jump onto a tree and quickly disappeared into the white mist.

[Grey: "Did they escape?"]

[Yad: "Seems so, hehehe."]

Reines: "Then, what about Trimmau?"

Ilya: "Did you do it too many times? That's amazing!"

Heel: "Haha, your skills and reaction time are pretty good."

Ta-Miao: "But why did that automaton retreat by itself? Wasn't it acting like it was going to fight to the death just now?"

Kotomine Shiro: "It's very simple, the enemy's objective has been achieved."

Empress: "As expected, she's just a little girl; she's been tricked by the murderer again."

Reines pondered for a moment, then took out a chain from her bosom, the front of which was inlaid with an amethyst.

This is a tool used in the magical exploration technique "Dowsing" to find underground water sources and mineral veins.

[Because Gray just absorbed the surrounding magic, the barrier has become weaker, making it a good opportunity to break through.]

"Let's adjust..."

Reines wrapped the chains around her wrists, the amethyst hanging straight down. Gathering power in the direction of the heat she sensed with her Mystic Eyes, she swung the chains with all her might.

"Come, reveal your sign!"

The surrounding white mist suddenly swirled, and although it didn't completely disappear, visibility improved considerably, revealing the forest ahead.

"Quickly!"

Reines grabbed Gray and rushed out, successfully breaking through the barrier.

Beyond the barrier lay a vast expanse of land and a clear spring.

However, it is no longer clear.

A quiet figure lies silently on the spring water.

It's impossible to tell at this time whether it's Karina or Regina.

Regina is the name of another maid who serves Princess Silver.

[Beside the spring, Trimmau stood silently, the bright red blood on his hands so glaring.]

Weber: "!!!"

Kotomine Shiro: "As expected."

Ilya: "No way, the Mercury Maid killed someone!"

Rin Tohsaka: "Idiot, this is obviously a frame-up!"

Kenneth: "Sigh, that girl Reines, she's being led by the nose by her rivals again."

Kiritsugu Emiya: "The murderer anticipated that she would investigate the footprints; it was a trap."

Danic: "It's not over yet. How can you frame someone without eyewitnesses?"

"Laines... my lady."

Trimmau turned around stiffly; her magical connection with Reines had not yet been restored.

Reines: "Trimmau, you..."

"Wait a minute, in this situation, shouldn't we protect the crime scene, or should we say we're arresting the perpetrator in the act?"

A figure emerged from the forest; it was Inole.

[Grey: "Lord Balyereta, what are you doing here?"]

[Inolai: "Same here. I just sensed a strange magical aura, so I came to check it out."]

[Then, Enolai pulled something from a small pouch at her waist and threw it out while chanting a short incantation.]

It was sand; the thrown sand seemed to come alive, binding Trimmau.

【"Kalina..."】