Fate: A Dragon's Journey

Chapter 95: The Innocent Schemer

Rin paced back and forth in her room, a keen frown refusing to leave her face. She needed answers to the weird relationship dynamic between her sister, Artoria, and Haruki.

'Is he manipulating Sakura into this?'

The Haruki she knew wouldn't commit such a heinous act But she couldn't ignore the scene with Artoria. Also, his failed attempt to invite her to bathe with him all the clues pointed to Haruki harboring hidden lust for women. Then she recalled his confession for failing to save Sakura until now, which was riddled with regrets.

'There are two sides to every story.'

She respected him after his swift decision to dispatch Zouken Matou. There was no way she'd let all the goodwill go down over some bullshit misunderstanding.

'Why did he have to sleep now?'

She chewed her thumb, seriously contemplating dragging Haruki out of the bed. The man went to rest after breakfast. Sakura and Medea refused to let anyone inside his room.

"Master, what got your panties in the bunch?" Emiya appeared with a sarcastic grin plastered on his face. "Let me take a shot. You saw him naked again."

He heard her grumble after the scene went down last night. He couldn't make fun of her without causing a late-night ruckus. Nothing stopped him now from teasing the hell out of his occasionally flustered but all time fiery master.

"Shut up. Get your ass back to guarding."

Emiya revealed a smile full of compassion, as if sympathizing with her cause. "I suppose you're at that age."

"Rin Nee-san." Sakura opened the door, showing a rather meek smile. "I have a request."

Emiya walked out of the room, leaving the sister to their own devices. "When is this war gonna start?"

He admitted he was a little pumped for the war since Shiro wasn't involved. Without the drive to save anyone, his younger self from another timeline wouldn't become a proficient fighter.

Standing against Angra Mainyu ensured he fought for the right side of this war. The side of justice. Even if he had to follow a selfish youth's lead.

***

A few minutes later.

Sakura cleared her throat. "Ahem, I'm sorry for gathering everyone like this. P-Please bear with me for the sake of Haruki-senpai."

She stood in a rather spacious room, smiling apologetically at the women occupying the two beds placed side by side.

Medea, Semiramis, Medusa, Artoria, and Rin all five women got abruptly called out. Especially Artoria. She couldn't wrap her head around the weird phenomenon that made her unconscious.

Medea crossed her arms under her chest. "Sakura, you didn't endure all those years to stutter before a bunch of dead women and your own sister. Stand with more confidence."

"Who are you calling dead?" Semiramis snapped. "I'm more alive than I have ever been."

Medea shook her head. "You can't argue with me when I help Sakura. Master loves her more than me and you."

"So what if he does? I don't care."

The friends began arguing. Medea's acknowledgement of Haruki's boundless feelings for Sakura triggered a wave of bashfulness in Sakura. Holding her cheeks, she started imagining her fantasy of flowery romance.

"Stop fighting like children." Rin glared at the two, then shifted her attention to Sakura, her gaze softening rapidly. "Sakura, what do you want to say?"

Rin pulled her sister out of her fantasy. Sakura cleared her throat and assumed her most serious expression.

"Haruki-Senpai hid something from all of us, even me. Kaede Oba-san revealed his secret behind his back." Senpai trailed her words, pulling everyone in the mystery of this secret. "He has an unfathomable power, which can single-handedly raise our odds of winning the war."

Artoria stood and pinned Sakura down with her dignified gaze. "What is it?"

Her hunger for the Holy Grail was highest among Haruki's servants. The absolute defense of Avalon wouldn't fare well in an all-out battle of fourteen servants. She also found it hideous to rely on Avalon alone.

Hiding behind a shield wasn't chivalrous.

Medusa narrowed her eyes behind her blindfold, curious about this secret power of her master. As a Gorgon, she had her own ability the power to petrify the enemy with her gaze.

Semiramis and Medea misunderstood Haruki's authority of empowering servants through sex as his only ability.

Sakura noticed the wave of curiosity passing through the room. This was her desired result. It'd be difficult to make anyone agree to her plan if she failed to capture their interest. She ignored Medusa, who rarely showed a change in expression. Convincing Medusa wouldn't take much effort, even if she had to shed some tears.

"Haruki-senpai" Sakura touched her face. "He gains powerful skills from having sexual intercourse with women."

One could hear a pin drop in the room. Haruki's ability swept everyone in a state of disbelief.

"What? What the fuck did you say?" Rin forgot all her aristocratic manners and spouted the first few that came to her mind. "I don't believe it!"

Haruki's ability made no sense. All magecraft branches were based on logic, even if the said logic came from a different era.

'There is an exception if it's True Magic.'

Rin briskly shook her head. Although he was a dragon, a young man like Haruki couldn't have reached the Root and become a Magician. All magus in the Association worked toward one goal with different methods reaching the Root.

"Rin, please be quiet for a second." Semiramis' expression lost all amiability as a sharp, dignified aura flowed from her. "I believe in Sakura. I know why he is immune to every attack from me."

Medea put a hand over her mouth and frowned. "I get your meaning. That ability"

Semiramis nodded. "My master's life will not be easy after this war."

Rin hopped down from the bed in a lively manner and looked at Medea and Semiramis. With her hands on her hips and a haughty look on her face, she looked like a female delinquent.

"Don't whisper everything on your own. If you have anything, let us know."

"Can you please share your knowledge?" Artoria asked politely. "It would be beneficial if everyone is on the same page."

"Hah." Semiramis scoffed before her face took on a mature, compassionate smile. "Of course. Everyone needs to be on the same page. Medea, do you want to tell everyone?"

Medea flipped back her hood as everyone placed their attention on her. "Haruki-sama gained a kind of immunity from witches after having sex with me."

"I was forced into my spiritual state when I tried attacking my master."

Sakura clapped. "He got a new ability after last night" she toyed with her white locks, looking embarrassed to bring up Haruki's inconceivable authority. "He can store items inside my b-b-body."

Medea smacked her lips. "Sakura's ability is more useful than mine. My ability only lowered his wariness for a certain scheming empress."

Semiramis noted down the insult for some payback later. "I am curious about mine. I'm sleeping with him after he wakes up."

Her declaration made Rin gasp. She looked toward Sakura, who seemed happy over Semiramis' decision.

Medea hesitated in revealing Haruki's other ability to empower his servants. That ability will surely convince everyone in the room. She felt uncomfortable about so many women having sex with him even as a onetime occurrence. She had seen his prowess; there was simply no way they would not yearn to feel the pleasure again.

"I know it is a big request to sleep with a man whom you don't love but please give it a thought." Sakura placed her hands on her lap and bowed. "Senpai's ability will make him more powerful."

Medea lowered her head. 'Sakura is doing everything and I'm moping over this'

She stood up and stood by Sakura's side. "Haruki-sama has another ability"

"Oh shit, not again," Rin grumbled.