Shirou, who returned from the Fairy Kingdom

Natalia turned to Shirou: "Hehe, it's kind of funny when you think about it..."

After seeing Shirou-kun, I suddenly remembered that brat for some reason.

So many years have passed, I've almost forgotten what he looks like.

Is it because you were also raised by a nightmare?

Shirou didn't know the reason either.

But after listening to the woman's recollections, he suddenly had a strange feeling.

Natalia's situation isn't just her own problem; I can't just leave her to fend for herself.

"...For a long time, I lived a bloody life alone, so long that I forgot I was all alone."

So, that feeling of living and fighting alongside someone who's like family... I kind of miss it.

Natalia suddenly said without warning, "Shirou-kun, after this incident is over, do you want to come with me?"

Shirou: "..."

Natalia knew the outcome immediately from just one glance at his reaction.

"Oh, I see. Just pretend I didn't say anything earlier."

I'm so sorry to have made you listen to me being so lewd so early in the morning..."

Natalia stretched out a big yawn with a soft "Mmm~~~".

The loose white vest stretched out, further highlighting her young and sexy figure.

"People tend to become more sentimental as they get older... Don't let this fool you, I'm actually quite old, you know?"

She could be Shirou's grandmother by now, but she's maintained her current appearance because of her mixed-race heritage.

Natalia leaned back on the pillow and said in a languid tone.

"If Shirou hadn't happened to show up, I would definitely be dead here."

I guess I'm getting old. If that's the case, it's about time I retired.

"It's decided—I'll retire after this job!"

Shirou, embarrassed, said, "Hey, that's a death flag."

"Haha! It's okay, because Shirou-kun's face says he's determined to protect me to the end."

Natalia smiled as she gazed at the red-haired boy's face, her expression gentle as she murmured:

"That's the only thing you're not quite like him... You're really manly."

"...If you were to retire from the role of an executor, what do you plan to do in the future?"

After Shirou asked that question, Natalia tilted her head and thought:

"If I lose my job... well, then I'll really have to play the role of a mother."

But at my current age, being a mother doesn't seem quite right. Oh right... I'll be a grandmother!

They don't have to worry about their children's education or the family's livelihood...

A carefree life where all I have to do is watch my grandson grow up every day—that's perfect for me!

"They don't even have a son yet," Shirou retorted.

“That’s right.” Natalia smiled and squinted her eyes.

……

……

"What's going on? Both of them look so refreshed."

Kallen coldly observed Shirou and Natalia in front of her.

Unlike their reserved demeanor last night, the two seemed to have opened up to each other, radiating a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.

Last night, they wouldn't have...

"Let me make this clear beforehand, it's not what you're imagining," Shirou said, stopping the girl's wild thoughts.

"..."

Karen snorted and decided not to pursue the matter further.

She eavesdropped on the wall until midnight last night and didn't hear any unusual noises.

"So what should we do next? Do we have a strategy? How can we find the enemy's location without alerting them?"

"Hmm, I've got an idea."

Natalia looked at Shirou and smiled knowingly, saying, "You're the one who inspired me, kid."

A few minutes later.

Residents wandering the streets spotted a woman running unsteadily.

She ran while shouting the name "Heinrich Zeppelin".

Soon, people carrying weapons appeared on the street.

Someone drew a bow and shot an arrow at her.

Someone pulled the trigger of an old-fashioned rifle.

This is the end.

The woman was shot in the shoulder and abdomen with an arrow, and slowly fell to the ground.

The villagers rushed forward and gathered around the woman's body.

"Just die."

"Yes."

"It needs to be transported to the doctor."

"The doctor isn't here."

"Yes, is Arak here?"

"There are no facilities here. We'll leave it to Arak."

"Agreed."

"Let's move her away."

Her consciousness sank into the abyss, her breathing stopped, her heart ceased, and Natalia was truly "dead."

This is a state of suspended animation achieved through magic, but only hearing continues to gather information.

To react, think, and draw conclusions deep within one's consciousness to the word "doctor"—

The doctor, that is, "the one who treats them," could not be anyone other than Heinrich Zeppelin.

—Well then, let's just move it like that.

Take me to Heinrich Zeppelin.

"……call."

Shirou, who was looking out of the hotel window, breathed a sigh of relief and put down the black bow that he had been holding in a sniping stance.

It seems she passed the test. Natalia was lucky that she wasn't dismembered on the spot.

"That's really outrageous... although I'm not really in a position to criticize her."

When Shirou first met Natalia, he deliberately fell into her trap to make her reveal her true colors.

Inspired by this, Natalia used the same method to get close to the enemy leader.

Next up is Shirou's job.

First, we must figure out where Natalia's magic went.

After all, she was a woman he had slept with for one night, and his magic was clearly perceptible to him.

"Then I'll leave the housekeeping to you."

After giving Kallen his instructions, Shirou activated "Scent Concealment" and walked out of the hotel through the back door.

Meanwhile, Natalia, who was in a state of apparent death, was transported to the "doctor's" residence.

Prediction – Although the villagers did not conduct a thorough confirmation of the death, they did not believe that Zeppelt would be so careless.

Prediction: Zeppelin will attack the moment he sees him.

Prediction—therefore, to act before Zept sees him, he must be subdued swiftly.

Prediction—The villagers said the "doctor" wasn't there; was he out? This is a huge help, giving me time to set a trap.

Question—Who is "Arak"? The doctor's proxy? Then he's either a disciple or an assistant. Whichever he is, anyone who inherits his magic must be eliminated.

I hope—I really hope the villagers will rush back as soon as they get me to the doctor's place.

Click, that's the sound of a door opening somewhere.

Chirp, who's making that sound of footsteps on the wooden planks?

"Arak... the materials have been brought."

"Just leave it there."

The one named Alark appeared to be a man, with a heavy accent.

Along with the footsteps, you could also hear a sound like metal being rubbed together.

Natalia believes it's not safe to open her eyes yet.

The villagers left immediately.

The footsteps faded into the distance; it was probably the last person. The door slammed shut with a creaking sound.

A few seconds after confirming this—first, activate vision.

Without turning its head, it observes its surroundings using only its eyes.

As predicted, none of the props that would be used by the doctor could be seen. Instead, the walls were covered with various magic props and tools for dismembering bodies, such as axes, daggers, and machetes.

Inside the glass bottle on the cupboard, a fetus with five arms and fangs stares at me with round eyes.

On the floor, countless expensive magic books were piled up haphazardly—this was a typical magician's workshop.

Natalia was certain.

This place was the residence of Heinrich Zeppelin.

"...What happened? Isn't he still alive?"

As Alarc spoke, Natalia jumped out of bed—activating her magic circuit and snapping the neck of the still-dazed man in one fell swoop.

"Well--"

After breaking his neck, Natalia realized that the guy's face was as bizarre as a French abstract painting.

And even though Arak's neck was broken, he was still alive.

"What...are you doing!"

Arak hung his broken head and raised his blood-stained, rusty machete.

Natalia nimbly dodged, concentrated her magic in her arm, and chopped down at the man's neck with a single strike—

As a descendant of nightmares, she is not simply a hunter who relies on firearms; her other ability is to rapidly consume her stored magic power all at once.

Body Berserk - Natalia's body can gain superhuman explosive power in a short period of time, and all kinds of physical abilities can be greatly enhanced.

The energy she absorbed from Shirou was reserved for this kind of battle.

The man was cleaved in two by Natalia with a single, vertical chop.

Natalia jumped back to avoid the spurting blood, certain that this move had finished him off.

Whether the man before her was a magician, a ghoul, or some other monster, his heart was torn apart, and with it, all the functions of his body were lost.

however--

"How can it be……"