A Heroic Spirit's formal attire is essentially a Mystic Code that alters their appearance, and in this case, it featured Gilgamesh wearing a golden kimono.
By using this Mystic Code, Gilgamesh could instantly change into the outfit depicted on the card.
Though it had no special effects, it was certainly better than Iskandar's tie.
Iskandar, suffering from terrible luck, withdrew into himself, while Chihiro used the opportunity as an excuse to return to his room.
He still had an extra golden chest and a special reward to open.
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the 'Mystic Gift—Mini Tametomo with Smartphone-Transformation Feature'!"
Oh? Now this was interesting.
The name was quite long, but in simple terms, it was a smartphone that could transform—its transformed form being none other than Minamoto no Tametomo.
After all, this Mystic Code was a Valentine's Day gift from Tametomo himself.
Minamoto no Tametomo, also known as Chinzei Hachirō, was a general of the Minamoto clan in the 12th century. Legends spoke of him sinking an enemy ship with a single arrow. Yet, upon becoming a Heroic Spirit, he somehow turned into a robot.
According to him, he had always been a machine—originally a combat construct created by the Genji clan using "Settsu-style Oguzoku" technology, specifically designed to exterminate demons and monsters.
This smartphone, crafted by Tametomo, retained all the functionality of a normal smartphone, but when transformed, Mini Tametomo wasn't just a decorative figure.
Not only could it replicate Tametomo's attack patterns, but it could also unleash Noble Phantasms while maintaining a lower output. A single strike could scorch everything within a three-meter radius.
Good grief—this was basically a killer smartphone.
However, after releasing its Noble Phantasm, the device would overheat to the point where it couldn't be touched for several hours and would be unable to fight.
I wonder if I could use this as a catalyst to summon Minamoto no Tametomo himself...
Chihiro took out the Mystic Gift and examined the sleek, high-end touchscreen phone in his hand. A wave of nostalgia suddenly washed over him.
After all these years, he finally had a touchscreen phone again. He had thought he'd have to wait another twenty years.
"Ka-ka-ka—"
At that moment, the touchscreen phone transformed like a miniature Transformer, turning into a palm-sized, chibi-style Minamoto no Tametomo.
"Ding-ding! Anti-military combat warrior unit... Created by Minamoto no Tametomo... Smartphone, activated! Currently on standby, awaiting commands."
"Ohhh!"
Chihiro's eyes lit up. What boy wouldn't want a smartphone that could transform, fight, and double as a collectible figure?
After playing around with Mini Tametomo for a while, he had it revert to its phone form and moved on to drawing his special reward.
Feeling lucky today, he decided to ride the wave of success.
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the 'Secret Intelligence Manual'!"
"Wait... what? The Secret Intelligence Manual?"
Chihiro was momentarily stunned before finally recalling what it was.
It was a miraculous skill that allowed the user to transform their energy into physical matter. Mastering it would make the concept of "killing someone with a glance" no longer just a metaphor.
To put it simply, it was the materialization of mental energy.
And wasn't mental energy his strongest suit?
If he mastered the Secret Intelligence Manual, his psychic abilities would surely soar to an entirely new level.
---
Meanwhile, in the world of Fate/Apocrypha...
At Yggdmillennia's castle, Sieg had returned and was discussing the liberation of the homunculi with Fiore and Gordes.
"I mean, wait a little longer."
Gordes pulled up the data on the homunculi and spoke sternly. "You were created solely to supply mana. Your bodies are of the lowest quality, and you won't survive more than three years after being released."
"If you want, I can find a way to optimize them, at least enough to extend their lifespan."
Fiore chuckled. "Haha, Uncle Gordes really has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. He complains a lot, but he does care."
"Stop spouting nonsense! It was just a momentary impulse, don't read too much into it," Gordes coughed lightly, avoiding eye contact. Then, looking at Turer and the other homunculi standing guard, he said, "Let's start with them first. They're already at their limit."
"Yes! Thank you so much!"
Sieg bowed his head, expressing his sincere gratitude.
"Alright, you all continue your discussion—I have work to do."
Fiore signaled for Caules to push her wheelchair back to the office. She truly had her hands full right now.
With Darnic's death, Yggdmillennia was on the verge of collapse and could fall apart at any moment.
After all, which family head would be willing to follow the leadership of a young girl?
Darnic is dead. Now, their only concern was maximizing their own gains before defecting to the Clock Tower.
As she looked at the letters sent by those people, Fiore felt exhausted.
Fine. If they wanted to leave, let them. But if they intended to take a piece of Yggdmillennia with them before they left, she wouldn't hesitate to be ruthless.
"Caules, how about—"
"I don't want to!"
Before Fiore could finish, Caules cut her off.
He knew exactly what she meant, she wanted to pass the family's Magic Crest onto him and give up being a magus.
Caules refused to let that happen. He didn't want his talented sister to fade into obscurity.
As for Fiore's inability to walk, now that they had access to the mystical resources of the Q&A group, he was sure they would eventually find a cure.
Seeing her brother's determination, Fiore smiled in relief and set the matter aside for now.
Time passed quickly, and as evening fell, Sieg returned to the guest room Fiore had arranged for him.
However, the moment he stepped inside, a surge of killing intent came from behind. He instinctively tried to dodge, but his body suddenly froze, as if paralyzed.
Before he could react, a powerful kick sent him sprawling to the ground.
"You damned homunculus! I'll make you regret everything!"
A furious female voice rang out, and Sieg felt his hair being grabbed as he was dragged across the floor like a ragdoll.
There was no need to guess, the attacker was Celenike.
Her expression was twisted with rage. She had endured long enough, watching this detestable artificial being steal away what she loved most.
Sieg struggled to move, but his body refused to obey him.
Celenike had set a magic trap at the entrance, and he had fallen into it the moment he entered.
She intended to drag Sieg to her torture chamber and make him suffer.
Astolfo had been in that chamber before but only for her amusement. Sieg, however, was brought there purely for torment.
"Should I ask for help in the group…?"
The thought crossed Sieg's mind, but he hesitated.
Even if he was rescued this time, there was no guarantee something like this wouldn't happen again. He couldn't always rely on others to protect him.
He had to learn to protect himself.
He thought back to the image of himself in that video. If he could do it, then so could I.
Even though he and Siegfried had no direct connection this time, the Hero still chose to give him his heart. He couldn't let that gift go to waste.
There were no fragments of Frankenstein present—but he refused to believe that was an absolute requirement.
Clearing his mind, Sieg tried to communicate with the power inside his heart.
But there was no response.
"Do I really have to die once?"
No—he couldn't give up. He had to keep trying.
Dragged across the floor by Celenike, Sieg kept desperately reaching for the dormant magic within him.
Soon, they arrived at Celenike's torture chamber.
She shackled Sieg to the wall with iron chains, picked up a whip from the table, dipped it in cold water, and swung it down on him.
A sharp, searing pain spread across his back.
It hurt. It hurt so much.
Since being rescued by Jeanne, Sieg had never experienced true pain.
Even during the heart transplants, Jeanne had always ensured he was unconscious before the procedure.
Still, there was no response from within him. Maybe the Sieg in that video was just a coincidence, something that couldn't be replicated.
"...So you think you're tough?"
Seeing Sieg remain silent despite the repeated lashes, Celenike's face flushed with excitement.
She lived for this—the pleasure of making someone break.
She had to make him scream, force him to cry, to truly satisfy the burning rage in her heart.
But before that, she needed to vent her frustrations to indulge in her sadistic desires.
The whip lashed down again and again.
Sieg clenched his teeth, enduring the pain.
Gradually, his body began to grow numb.
(To be continued.)
***
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