Fate: How About a New Savior?

Shiomi's eyes widened. For a moment, he thought he was seeing things and instinctively leaned forward to confirm. Caren, standing nearby, he

Shiomi's eyes widened. For a moment, he thought he was seeing things and instinctively leaned forward to confirm.

Caren, standing nearby, heard Scáthach's words and froze in surprise.

"This woman... is Dad's...?" she muttered, blinking in disbelief, turning toward Shiomi for clarification.

But before anything else could be said, Scáthach dropped from the branch with the grace of a falling petal, landing silently before Shiomi. She bent down, removed her mask, and studied his face with a soft smile.

So fast—!

Caren's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't been able to follow Scáthach's movement at all.

"Oh... still the same as when we parted. Though your eyes and expression—they've grown much more resolute." Scáthach nodded with a tone of warmth and pride.

Shiomi said nothing, just stared at her in silence.

"What's wrong? It's been so long, and you don't even want to say hello to your Master?" Scáthach asked with mild surprise. She peered into his eyes, noting the flickering emotion behind them. He wasn't unfeeling—just overwhelmed.

She reached out instinctively to touch his face, but he caught her hand mid-gesture.

He abruptly stood, gently taking both her hands, inspecting them silently. Then he released her and stepped around her, checking her body and legs with a serious look before finally nodding to himself, as if confirming she was unharmed.

"What a strange reaction…"

Even Scáthach found it odd. Just as she was about to sigh, Shiomi pulled her into a firm, heartfelt embrace, wrapping her tightly in his arms.

"It's been a long time, Master. You haven't aged a day," he murmured.

Scáthach softly placed her hand on his back, feeling that familiar warmth. "So you're still the same... Then what was all that earlier?"

"Wanted to make sure no one was impersonating you. Had to verify... your measurements and such," he whispered with a smirk near her ear.

Such an obvious lie.

Scáthach blinked in mild surprise. If someone had been impersonating her, Shiomi would've known the moment she spoke. That wasn't the real reason. No, he was confirming something else.

"If someone could fake being me, such things wouldn't be off," she said, choosing to let it slide for now.

"Maybe."

Shiomi hugged her even tighter, like he never wanted to let go.

"...That's pretty much the situation, Mother," Caren said quietly.

Shiomi, lost in the moment, finally remembered this wasn't a solo Singularity mission—Caren was here. And she wasn't just standing idly by; she was still in active communication with Chaldea.

On the projection from the communicator, Morgan watched Shiomi with a faint, knowing smile. Behind her, the control room was crowded with staff—men and women alike craning their necks to watch. Romani was almost pushed out of frame, straining to stay within view.

Everyone had that same gossipy glint in their eyes.

Suddenly self-conscious, Shiomi let go of Scáthach and faced the screen.

"Uh, let me officially introduce her. This is my teacher, the Queen of the Land of Shadows—Scáthach."

"And also my husband's first love," Morgan said, resting her chin on one hand and leaning over her desk with an amused look. "No wonder you insisted on going to the Fifth Singularity alone. So it was a secret rendezvous with an old flame."

"No! I mean—I can't predict the future. How would I know—"

A chorus of teasing "Oooh~" noises erupted from the communicator. Shiomi scrambled to explain.

"Oh? So you're the wife of my dear disciple?" Scáthach asked, not letting go of Shiomi's hand. She turned her gaze toward Morgan, her eyes full of curiosity and a playful smile.

"You're no ordinary woman."

"She's, um, a really powerful Magus. Honestly, not far off from the King of Magecraft!" Shiomi said quickly, raising a finger as if to emphasize the point, carefully avoiding saying Morgan's true name.

Though she had taken over communications during the F Singularity, Morgan still hadn't officially revealed her identity to Chaldea's remaining staff—only Romani and Da Vinci knew the truth. She had entered Chaldea as a family member, with Shiomi orchestrating it to avoid scrutiny.

Now, with Shiomi publicly identifying as Scáthach's disciple and this chaotic scene unfolding, everyone's brains were overloaded. His remark about her being "on par with the King of Magecraft" was dismissed as hyperbole.

Gradually, the others retreated to their stations, returning to support operations for the two active Singularities—while continuing to eavesdrop, of course.

"Now that does pique my interest. If I get the chance, I'd like a proper chat with you," Scáthach said. Her words sounded sharp, but her tone was surprisingly light.

Morgan raised a brow. "There'll be time. No need to worry. It's irritating, sure, but if you're here to support my husband in this Fifth Singularity, then I expect you to be ready to die for him, Lancer."

"A bold demand. But you didn't need to say it—I wouldn't show myself before my disciple without good reason."

Scáthach casually swept back her long, dark-purple hair. It fluttered in the forest breeze like a curtain.

"Don't think this is over. Chaldea's Spiritron Transfer doesn't support staggered deployment. Once my husband returns, we're going to have a long talk about what's happened here."

Morgan smiled—a rare expression so unsettling it sent chills down Shiomi's spine. Warm like spring wind, yet cold as ice.

"Ugh..." Shiomi groaned softly.

Head hanging like a man cursed, he slumped back into the rear of the carriage.

Scáthach, still holding his hand, followed with a few quiet steps.

"If everyone's said their hellos, let's go," Florence Nightingale called out. "It's a long road to the President King's city. If we waste any more time, we won't make it before nightfall."

Her tone was as sharp as a scalpel. If they lingered, she'd leave them behind without hesitation.

"Ah... right..." Shiomi looked up and glanced at Scáthach, then shifted over to make room for her in the carriage.

But Caren quickly claimed that spot, leaving the other side open for Scáthach—clearly not a coincidence. Probably Morgan's doing.

"No worries. I'll sit inside."

Scáthach let go of Shiomi's hand and, with a flicker of movement, slipped gracefully into the carriage.