"Arthur had switched roles with Karna. He was now the one carrying Haruka bride-style as he and the Indian lancer flew through the air, heading towards Yggdmillenia Castle. In his arms, Haruka stared ahead almost blankly, and Arthur sent a mental question towards Karna. What happened?
She threatened and almost killed Darnic Prestone Yggdmillenia.
Arthur winced. Back at Chaldea, almost all the Servants shared the idea that their Master shouldn't be the one to shed any blood. Sure, Haruka often threatened Shakespeare or Blackbeard with her Black Keys, but she had never once injured them. When interacting with humans in singularities, she hadn't lifted a single finger to harm any of them and just told the less scrupulous Servants to dispose of them quietly if they were a genuine threat to her life.
Will she be alright?
I don't know. How were things on your end?
Astolfo was ordered by his Master to kill Sieg, but I intervened and Siegfried kept him safe. I held off Astolfo but was then called here, so I'm hoping Siegfried and Frankenstein are able to hold Astolfo off. They had the idea of killing Celenike and getting Astolfo to contract to Haruka, but obviously, she was in the Hanging Gardens and could not do so.
Let us head towards them then. We can talk with the rest of the Black Faction later.
Arthur nodded and with a very small Mana Burst, he changed course to where he had originally been on the battlefield. From his height, he could see Astolfo and Siegfried clashing, with Sieg not far behind at Frankenstein's side. Celenike hadn't approached Sieg.
Haruka spoke up then, her voice sounding normal. "Arthur, is Celenike still alive?"
"She was just before you called me," Arthur said cautiously.
"Sieg's obviously going to want to rescue Astolfo from the creepy woman. I'll contract with him and redirect the mana consumption to Sieg."
"Alright."
They landed right beside Sieg and Frankenstein. Haruka held her hand out to Sieg. "Glad to see you're still alive. I'm guessing you want to rescue Astolfo. Give me the Book of the False Attendant; I'll handle the rest."
Sieg handed the book over, surprise written in his features.
"Now then… I believe there's an extra guest here. Jackie, there's someone for you to kill," Haruka called.
A young girl's laughter was heard in the wind, and Jack materialized in her battle attire. "Onee-chan! How did you notice we were here?"
Haruka smiled and rubbed the young girl's head, causing Jack to giggle. "I had a feeling. See that creepy lady over there?"
Celenike didn't even seem to be paying attention to them anymore, instead relishing the desperate fight Astolfo was putting up. For his credit, Siegfried was holding back, trying to draw Astolfo away from Sieg and Frankenstein.
"She looks scary," Jack whispered.
"She is," Haruka said. "If you take her out, that's one less creepy Master we'll have to deal with."
"Okay, we'll kill her!"
Jack disappeared, Presence Concealment activated.
Celenike was laughing maniacally as the tired Astolfo begged her to stop, but then he and Siegfried stopped clashing as a pair of knives swiftly dismembered the woman. Jack reappeared, her knives dripping blood. "The creepy lady's gone!" She cheered.
Astolfo dropped to his knees, and Sieg rushed over to him. "Are you alright?" He asked.
"Y-yeah… but… it looks like this is where my part ends… in the very least, I'm glad I got to rescue you." Astolfo smiled, but his eyes were bright with tears as he began fading into motes of prana.
"Then would you take a second chance if you had it?" Haruka asked, walking up to him. Siegfried gave Haruka a wary glance but didn't move.
"Yes! Wait, who are you?"
"I rescued Sieg over here; you can trust me."
Astolfo looked to Sieg for confirmation and was met with a nod. "What do I need to do?"
"Hold my hand; I'll handle the rest. Sieg, you're fine with maintaining his prana supply, right? I'll give you some apples later." Haruka grasped Astolfo's outstretched hand and dropped 3 quartz she had taken out earlier onto the pages of the Book of the False Attendant, her Command Seals glowing brightly to complete the contract. After a few seconds, the glow subsided and Astolfo's body stopped dematerializing, the Rider now back in the world.
"Thank you so much!" Astolfo cried, shaking Haruka's hand enthusiastically.
"No problem," she replied as she tossed the book back at Sieg. "We should get to Yggdmillenia Castle; there's some stuff we have to settle." Haruka turned to Jack and ruffled her hair. "Good work, Jackie. Why don't you go back to your mommy? I'll visit you soon."
"Okay! Thanks, onee-chan!" Jack dematerialized.
Haruka sighed as Jack disappeared, reaching out to latch onto Karna's arm for support. "I'm tired."
"I understand, Master, but we still have to talk with Vlad."
"I just want to sleep," Haruka whined. Remembering that Siegfried and Frankenstein hadn't said a single word upon her arrival, she waved to them. "Thanks for taking care of Sieg. Long story short; the Red Faction's broken apart so I'm allying myself with you guys. Vlad and Chiron should be back at the castle with Jeanne, so we should go there and discuss what's going to happen."
"You were the supposed rogue Master after all?" Siegfried asked.
"Yeah. I wanted to trip you guys up a bit, but I guess the cat's out of the bag. I probably shouldn't have saved Vlad if I wanted to maintain my secrecy a bit longer, but I couldn't resist. Oh well. I'll tell you guys everything at the castle. Deal?"
Siegfried nodded. "Thank you for rescuing Sieg."
Frankenstein nodded in agreement. "Uuu!"
"I do what I want; but if you guys are happy, it's fine. Now come on. Karna, carry me?"
"Alright."
Karna lifted Haruka into his arms, and disappeared into the distance, making use of his agility to quickly head to Yggdmillenia Castle. After a moment's hesitation, Siegfried, Frankenstein, and Arthur dematerialized, leaving Sieg and Astolfo alone.
"Well, shall we get going as well?" The androgynous Rider asked with a grin.
"Yes."