Shinji Matou at Your Service

In the deep night, a streak of red appeared.

Bewitching, brilliant, like dazzling sparks, or perhaps like autumn leaves.

The source of the red was a head of long, flowing hair. The owner of this hair was a young girl, with an elegant demeanor and the slender physique typical of East Asian women. Though her eyes were sky blue, at this moment, they seemed to be ablaze.

Her appearance was identical to the demoness Momiji from Japanese folklore. This girl, whether human or ghost, stood beside Arcueid, her indifferent words carrying an undisguised threat.

Unfortunately, Shinji didn't take this threat seriously. He looked the girl up and down with curiosity, muttering, "I didn't expect to be noticed from such a distance."

"No one can underestimate the Tohno family."

Though the girl was young, she exuded an air of dignity.

"Release Miss Katou from her petrification immediately, or else—"

"Or else what?"

Shinji crossed his arms, looking at the girl with interest.

Upon seeing her eerie red hair, Shinji recognized her identity.

Tohno Akiha, the eldest daughter of the Tohno family, daughter of Tohno Makihisa, sister of Tohno Shiki, and the member with the highest concentration of Tohno blood. She was a candidate for the strongest among the younger generation in Japan's mystical world.

"—Face the consequences."

The flames in the girl's eyes grew fiercer, yet the air temperature dropped increasingly lower.

"Is that so? No problem, I'll bear it. Come on, show me the consequences."

Then, Shinji saw the consequences.

To be precise, he didn't see them, because the consequences didn't manifest visually. He could see them thanks to the mental power scanning he comprehended in the fictional world.

Since this comprehension was in the fictional world and for a short time, he couldn't use it well in the real world. It wasn't until the dark battle with the doll named Katou, where his senses were interfered with, that this ability was truly activated.

Shinji lost the dark battle, but Katou also lost her greatest reliance, captured by the mental power scan. Thus, Shinji could skillfully deflect the blade and then use the assimilation magic of the Black Hand to disrupt Katou's internal magic, finally petrifying her calf with the Aegis of Athena.

Now, another strange scene appeared in Shinji's consciousness.

The scenery remained the same, but this time, numerous lines filled the view—red lines, spreading outward from the girl's hair, dividing the sky, earth, and everything between into countless fragments, including Shinji and the observing Arcueid.

"Interesting, so this is how Caging Hair manifests. Quite fitting—hair like a fence, trapping its prey with no escape. Next—"

The Caging Hair entwining Shinji began to burn. Despite the flames, there was no heat; instead, it grew colder. Within just a second, Shinji felt his body numb, and even his thoughts slowed.

This was the effect of Caging Hair—using hair as a medium to rapidly drain the enemy's heat, rendering them immobile or even causing death. Invisible and intangible, it was a nearly indefensible technique, Tohno Akiha's most common combat method.

However, since it was captured by the mental power scan, it could naturally be countered. Shinji clasped his hands together and chanted a Buddhist mantra.

"Homage to the Incarnate Light of Infinite Radiance, Master of the Universe."

In an instant, the relic emitted a brilliant light. The golden Buddha light enveloped Shinji, dispelling the Caging Hair around him.

The Tohno family's special abilities stemmed from the demon mixed into their bloodline, which was precisely countered by the Buddha light. Without Caging Hair, Akiha's heat-draining ability was severely affected and quickly receded.

"Buddhism, Tendai Sect!"

Akiha, worthy of her status as the Tohno family's eldest daughter, immediately recognized the source of the Buddha light and questioned sharply.

"Is the Tendai Sect declaring war on the Tohno family?"

Buddhism flourished after Jianzhen's eastward journey, Christianity arrived in the 15th century, native Shinto, and various demons and their descendants tied to the Yaoyorozu no Kami, along with exorcist families specializing in combating these creatures.

These forces have historically fought and cooperated, ultimately forming a current state of interwoven influence, maintaining an overall balance.

But this balance is fragile. If the Tendai Sect, which holds a significant position in Japanese Buddhism, were to clash with the leading human-demon hybrid family, the Tohno family, this balance would be shattered. Thus, Akiha's tension was palpable.

Upon being asked this, Shinji recalled the complex situation in Japan's mystical world. He quickly waved his hand and gave the timeless response: "I'm not with the Tendai Sect, and I don't intend to wage war against the Tohno family."

"Then who are you? Why are you here?"

"I—"

Before he could answer, Arcueid couldn't hold back any longer.

"So noisy! Hey, Shinji, isn't it done yet?"

Her patience was already thin, and she had only been waiting quietly because of her agreement with Shinji. Now, her patience was finally exhausted.

"Just wait a bit longer, it'll be done soon."

Shinji quickly reassured her.

"Ah, I'm not waiting anymore!"

Arcueid pouted, shaking her hand childishly and heading towards the small house.

"Anyway, we just need to get inside."

"Stop, don't move!"

Akiha's red hair moved as if blown by an invisible wind. Arcueid was a hostage meant to balance against the enemy and exchange for the doll. There was no way Akiha would let her leave.

Arcueid kept walking, completely ignoring Akiha. The princess's personality was straightforward: if she was interested, she would cling to you; if not, she wouldn't bother at all.

Akiha was furious. She fully activates her Caging Hair.

"Not good!"

Shinji's expression changed. He rushed towards Tohno Akiha at the fastest speed—not to attack, but to save her!

She was very strong, fully utilizing the power of the Tohno blood to rival a Servant. But no matter how strong she was, she couldn't be stronger than Arcueid. The consequences of provoking her recklessly were obvious.

As Caging Hair began to burn, pure white spread out, altering reality itself. Not only did it annihilate the red hair, but it also reversed the flow, attacking Akiha's body.

Along with the pure white was Arcueid's hand, beautiful yet dangerous, posing a lethal threat to Akiha. She had never seen anyone dissolve her CCaging Hai" in such a manner—this woman was even more terrifying than that boy.

Just before the pure white and the hand could touch Akiha, Shinji intervened, grabbing Arcueid's wrist with one hand and knocking her on the forehead with the other.

"Stop, you stop right now. Didn't we agree you'd focus on Roa and leave the rest to me?"

"But, but it's boring."

Arcueid said, holding her forehead.

"How much longer are you going to make me wait?"

"Soon, soon, just be patient a little longer."

"Then hurry up."

"I'll be quick. Just don't make a move, and if you do, don't hurt anyone."

"Got it."

Shinji took a final glance at the pouting Arcueid and the still-frightened Tohno Akiha before rushing towards the small house at top speed, bursting through the door.

"Sister Touko, wake up!"