Fate: Question And Answer System of Traversing Heroic Spirits

[After several exchanges with the automaton, it suddenly lowered its body. Two sharp blades extended from its limbs, and its once-intact face split open, revealing multiple eyes.]

[Did this mean that Gray was proving difficult to handle, prompting the automaton to enhance its combat capabilities?]

Caules: "This thing can adapt its form based on its opponent's strength?"

Fiore: "Compared to this automaton, my prosthetics feel like primitive tools."

Darnic: "That's the work of a Grand Magus for you."

Astolfo: "But I really can't compliment its appearance, it's too creepy."

[Its strange, spider-like six-armed form made it even more grotesque.]

[Faced with its six bladed arms, Gray quickly fell into a disadvantage and was forced to defend. Before long, her right arm was cut.]

[As the automaton prepared to deliver a killing blow, a beam of light interrupted its attack, giving Gray the chance to knock it away.]

[The light had come from Reines, who had used a simple curse bullet.]

[Reines: "At the very least, I can manage this."]

[The automaton crawled out of the bushes, its unsettling form turning to face the two women once more.]

[Gray: "Add!"]

[The girl and her scythe began to draw in the surrounding magic energy, strengthening themselves.]

[The automaton's three faces twisted into grotesque smiles, and one of its forms lunged at Gray again.]

["Crack!"]

[This time, Gray shattered the automaton's blade with her scythe.]

[Add: "Hehehe, we've never lost a contest of strength with this move!"]

Mordred: "Exactly. If we lost to a mere toy like this, it would disgrace the reputation of the Holy Lance."

Sisigou: "Oh? You actually care about that?"

Mordred: "Of course! If the Holy Lance's reputation is tarnished, wouldn't mine be as well if I were defeated by it?"

Sisigou: "...I don't think anyone would make that connection. You're overthinking it."

["Let's do it again!"]

[Following Add's shout, Gray swung her scythe once more.]

[But in the next moment, the automaton's mouth split open, and a bizarre organ resembling an internal spear shot out from within.]

Tohsaka Rin: "Oh my god, there's a weapon hidden in its mouth?!"

Tohsaka Tokiomi: "Completely unexpected, perfect for catching an opponent off guard."

Emiya Kiritsugu: "That woman's work is always cunning and difficult to counter."

[At such close range, it would normally be impossible to dodge. However, Gray displayed extraordinary reflexes, evading the attack with a quick backflip.]

[The automaton didn't pursue her further. Instead, it leapt onto a nearby tree and vanished into the thick white mist.]

[Gray: "Did it retreat?"]

[Add: "Seems like it, hehe."]

[Reines: "What about Trimmau?"]

Illya: "Incredible, Gray!"

Achilles: "Haha, her skills and reflexes are impressive."

Atalanta: "But why did the automaton retreat on its own? It was fighting to the death just moments ago."

Kotomine Shirou: "The answer is simple. The enemy's goal has already been achieved."

Semiramis: "She's just a young girl, after all—falling right into the murderer's trap again."

[Reines pondered for a moment before pulling a chain with an amethyst pendant from her pocket.]

[This tool was used for the magical practice of dowsing, typically employed to locate underground water sources or mineral veins.]

[Because Gray had absorbed the surrounding magic energy, the barrier had weakened. It was the perfect opportunity to break through.]

["Adjusting..."]

[Reines wrapped the chain around her wrist, letting the amethyst dangle. She focused her strength in the direction her Mystic Eyes sensed warmth and swung the chain with all her might.]

["Reveal your sign!"]

[The surrounding fog shimmered briefly. Although it didn't completely dissipate, their visibility improved significantly, revealing more of the forest ahead.]

["Quickly!"]

[Reines grabbed Gray, and the two of them rushed forward, successfully escaping the barrier.]

[Outside the barrier lay an open field and a clear spring.]

[However, the spring was no longer clear.]

[A quiet figure lay still on the water's surface.]

[It was Carina—or perhaps Regina. It was hard to tell for certain at the moment.]

[Regina was the name of another maid who served the Silver Princess.]

[Beside the spring, Trimmau stood silently. The bright red stains on her hands were glaringly conspicuous.]

Waver: "!!!"

Kotomine Shirou: "As expected."

Illya: "No way! Did the Mercury Maid kill someone?!"

Tohsaka Rin: "Idiot, this is obviously a setup!"

Kayneth: "Sigh... This poor girl, Reines, is being led by her opponent every step of the way."

Emiya Kiritsugu: "The murderer anticipated that she would investigate the footprints. It's a trap."

Darnic: "It's not over yet. Framing someone requires witnesses, after all."

["Miss Reines..."]

[Trimmau turned stiffly toward her. The magical connection between her and Reines had yet to be restored.]

[Reines: "Trimmau, you..."]

["Wait. Should we secure the crime scene or apprehend the suspect?"]

[A figure emerged from the forest, it was Inorai.]

[Gray: "Mrs Valualeta, why are you here?"]

[Inorai: "Same as you. I sensed an unusual magical presence and came to investigate."]

[With that, Inorai reached into a small pouch at his waist, grabbed a handful of sand, and threw it while chanting a short spell.]

[The sand came to life, binding Trimmau tightly.]

["Carina..."]

[At that moment, another maid emerged from behind Inorai, murmuring as she gazed at the corpse floating in the spring.]

[Her words revealed the identity of the deceased.]

["Could you please explain this situation, Miss El-Melloi?"]

[A third figure appeared—it was Byron.]

["It looks like your Mercury Maid killed Carina and is now trying to throw her body into the spring to destroy the evidence. Was she about to tie something heavy to it?"]

[Byron was aggressive from the outset, going so far as to define the situation unilaterally.]

Darnic: "Of course, there's no better witness than a Lord."

Illya: "This vile old man! He has to be the murderer!"

Waver: "We assumed the automaton was made by Aozaki Touko, but we overlooked the fact that the Iselma family is also highly skilled in puppet-making."

Tohsaka Tokiomi: "Because I was focused on being a victim, I ignored that possibility myself."

Tohsaka Rin: "But why? The Golden Princess was their family's masterpiece. Could they have killed her simply because they knew she was planning to escape, and then framed another Lord's family?"

Waver: "It does seem like this was premeditated rather than an impulsive act."

Kayneth: "And don't forget what that spy Mick said before he left. If you connect it to the current situation, doesn't it seem rather suspicious?"

Sisigou: "This is a real mess. Now we have three suspects."

[Hearing Byron's words, Reines was so furious she nearly lost her composure. But instead of engaging with him, she turned to Inorai and said, "I have my own explanation. To clarify everything, can you release Trimmau?"]

[Byron interjected loudly, "Would anyone be foolish enough to hand a bomb over to a murderer?"]

[Inorai remained still, his stance clear.]

[Reines was at her wit's end. Even if she explained everything that had just happened, Byron would dismiss it as nonsense, claiming she was fabricating a story to escape suspicion.]

[Byron pressed further: "What's wrong, Miss El-Melloi? Have you resigned yourself to your fate?"]

["Haha, you must be joking."]

[Reines's pride was thoroughly battered, leaving her with no choice but to laugh bitterly.]

[Plotted against time and time again, framed repeatedly, and with no clear leads on the case, it felt as though she was sinking into quicksand.]

[Everything that had transpired today had dealt a significant blow to her confidence.]

Kayneth: "Hmph"

Caules: "That old man is remarkably skilled at manipulating situations to his advantage."

Tohsaka Rin: "Father, I'm becoming more and more convinced that he's the murderer."

Tohsaka Tokiomi: "I agree. His reaction is far too eager. It's as if he's rushing to dictate the narrative of the case."

["Oh? What exactly is going on here?"]

[At that moment, a familiar figure appeared, approaching from a direction opposite to where Inorai and the others had come.]

[Yes, El-Melloi II had finally arrived—just in time.]

Illyasviel: "Finally, the protagonist makes his entrance!"

Tohsaka Rin: "You've arrived just in time, but why so late?"

Chihiro: "It's not late at all. Don't forget, it took Reines and the others four to five hours to reach the Twin Tower."

Tohsaka Tokiomi: "Indeed. He must have rushed here without stopping."

["...Brother..."]

[Seeing the one person she could rely on finally arrive, Reines's pent-up grievances were on the verge of bursting forth.]

[However, the sight of El-Melloi II's perpetually grim face and his lack of comforting words immediately dispelled her sadness.]