Chapter 54: Don't Raise a Death Flag!
"Haa... Confirmed that all familiars have been eliminated."
Mash lowered her shield, breathing a sigh of relief.
"Controlling such evil creatures... That Caster is truly terrifying."
Martha frowned as she surveyed the remnants scattered throughout the hallway.
Previously, when she had been under the command of the Dragon Witch, she had been sent to pursue enemies, so she knew little about this Caster—not even his true identity.
All she knew was that the Dragon Witch trusted him greatly.
"Kiyohime, are you alright?"
Elizabeth looked worriedly at Kiyohime, who was leaning against the wall. The recent battle had drained a considerable amount of her mana.
"Apologies."
Kiyohime struggled to stand before bowing formally to Ethan and the others.
"Thank you for coming to rescue me. I am truly grateful."
"Save the other matters for later; for now, we need to leave here quickly."
Ethan immediately made a decision.
These sea monsters could be summoned infinitely, and on top of that, no one knew where Simp Tentacle was at the moment. Leaving this basement as soon as possible was the best course of action.
Moreover, ever since entering this prison area, he had felt an inexplicable sense of unease.
"That's right. Being locked up in this place is getting really boring. Let's get out of here."
Elizabeth sighed.
"…You're right. I've troubled you all."
Kiyohime gave a small nod and began following the group.
They retraced their steps, staying vigilant against the sea demons lurking in the shadows.
"Kiyohime, later, let's find that stalker and settle the score. You want in, don't you?"
Elizabeth turned her head to look at Kiyohime walking behind her.
"Are you planning to declare war on the Dragon Witch?"
"Aren't they already at odds with that group? I only reluctantly agreed to the invitation."
Elizabeth crossed her arms and spoke indifferently.
"Then, is that boy your Master?"
"Of course not!"
Elizabeth immediately denied it, but then quickly added:
"It's just that he needs me so much that I temporarily let him be my manager! That's all! Whether or not he becomes my Master is still up for consideration!"
"Fufu~…"
Kiyohime suddenly chuckled.
"Wh-What are you laughing at? I'm telling the truth! If you don't believe me, go ask him! He was the one who said he needed me first!"
Elizabeth hastily waved her hands in explanation.
"…"
Up ahead, Ethan had no intention of getting involved in the conversation between the two dragon girls. He simply pretended not to hear anything.
"Alright, I will help you as well."
Kiyohime nodded, accepting Elizabeth's invitation.
"I was summoned specifically to deal with that witch. If I have allies, all the better."
Hearing Kiyohime's response, Elizabeth smiled happily.
"Great! That stalker must be beaten to a pulp! Adding on the grudge for imprisoning me and making you suffer—vengeance will be mine!!!"
"Umu, he must experience the agony of imprisonment. We'll lock him up and burn him for three days and three nights."
"Exactly! And then we'll throw him into Csejte! Let him enjoy the suffering of eternal captivity! There's still plenty of empty space there anyway!"
The two girls exchanged glances, smiling meaningfully.
Sharing the same plight and goal, the two—who had previously had little connection—now became allies as if they were best friends.
...
Before long, the group arrived at the foot of the staircase they had taken earlier. As long as they went up this way, they would be able to leave this place.
"Senpai, let me go up first to check the situation."
"Umu, I'll leave it to you."
Mash led the way up. After confirming that it was safe, Martha and Ethan followed one after another.
Since Kiyohime was too weak, she stayed behind to rest a little longer before finally climbing up with Elizabeth.
Seeing Kiyohime struggling up the stairs, Elizabeth reached out her hand toward her.
"Here, take my hand."
"…Mm."
The very moment Kiyohime reached for Elizabeth's hand—
Blood splattered everywhere.
Before Elizabeth's horrified eyes, a sharp tentacle pierced straight through Kiyohime's chest.
"——————?!"
Mash immediately sensed something was wrong.
"Senpai, there's a magical energy reaction!!!"
"This is bad!"
Ethan quickly turned back to look down the stairs.
From the darkness, the eerie howls of the sea demons rang out once again.
"Everyone, hold on tight!!!"
Martha reacted the fastest. She turned back and grabbed Elizabeth, using all her strength to pull both Elizabeth and Kiyohime up the stairs!
"Kiikiiiii——————!!!"
From the darkness below, countless tentacles and sea demons lashed out, attacking.
"Haa!!!"
Mash immediately lunged forward, swinging her shield to knock back the sea demons that were charging up.
To prevent them from continuing their pursuit, she used her shield to block the staircase entrance, completely sealing the passage of tentacles.
"Kiyohime, are you alright?!"
Elizabeth, without thinking, hurriedly ran over to check on Kiyohime's condition.
At this moment, fresh red blood was gushing uncontrollably from her chest, quickly staining her kimono.
"Cough… cough…"
Kiyohime's already weakened body had now suffered a critical wound, leaving her barely able to speak.
"Martha, can you use 'Miracle' to heal her?"
Ethan immediately turned to Martha for help.
After closely examining Kiyohime's wound, Martha shook her head slightly.
"I'm sorry… Her Saint Graph has been damaged. This body… is about to collapse."
"How can this be…?"
Elizabeth couldn't believe it. She clutched Kiyohime's hand tightly.
"We clearly agreed to team up and beat that stalker to a pulp, didn't we?"
But no matter how much Elizabeth called out, Kiyohime's body had already started turning transparent.
Mustering the last of her strength, she gently grasped Elizabeth's fingertip. Her lips barely moved, forming two words:
"…Thank… you…"
Before everyone's eyes, Kiyohime disappeared just like that.
Just minutes ago, she had agreed to join the team, and now, she had returned to the Throne of Heroes ahead of them.
Witnessing a Servant from his own side vanish right in front of him—especially since Kiyohime was not one he had summoned—Ethan couldn't even use a Command Spell to repair her Saint Graph.
'System, can I perform a Special Summon for Kiyohime now?'
Just like when Martha had disappeared, if he activated Special Summon now, there might still be time.
After all, the decisive battle was approaching, and having one more fighter was always an advantage.
Besides, using Special Summon cost fewer points than rolling gacha.
[Beep beep... Detected that this Servant, when alive, had no intent to protect humanity, nor does she have any 'bond' with the Host.]
[Unable to establish a connection. Special Summon cannot be performed.]
"——————?!"
So Special Summon had such strict conditions?!
Kiyohime was never a Heroic Spirit who protected humanity, and she had only exchanged a few words with him, so of course, there was no so-called "bond."
Damn it… At this point, he had no choice but to accept her passing.
Ethan sighed, preparing to comfort Elizabeth—
But from deep within the hallway ahead, a figure slowly stepped out.
"So? How do you all feel about the performance I painstakingly prepared?"