That being said, Rin actually had a pretty good chance.
In the end, Utaha and Ichika were merely Roy's servants, originally refugees. Although they had gained magical energy, they were still far from becoming proper magi.
Originally, Touko would have been the most troublesome one. If she had romantic feelings for Roy, then Utaha and Ichika would have stood no chance, and even Rin would have found it difficult to intervene. However, Touko herself had explicitly stated that her feelings for Roy were not romantic, and she couldn't care less about anyone else making a move on him.
Thus, as a magus who had known Roy for a long time, Rin was both his peer and the mayor of Fuyuki City, making her the most compatible with Roy in terms of status.
If she were willing to take the initiative, she could easily defeat Utaha and Ichika, becoming Roy's most legitimate partner and securing her position as the "main wife."
By then, Hayasaka wouldn't have to tread so carefully around Roy anymore.
She wouldn't have to worry about accidentally triggering Roy's wrath and getting killed or being thrown onto his bed as a remedy to lift his curse.
That's right.
This was entirely Hayasaka's self-interested calculation.
Roy and Rin were most likely inseparable at this point. Whether she served Roy or Rin, the outcome wouldn't make much difference, so she naturally had to consider her own future.
Only by delivering her mistress to Roy's bed would she feel safe.
"B-But… even if you say I should make a move… how exactly do I do that?"
Rin stammered, her expression wavering.
There really were too many beauties in Roy's household. If she wanted to be with him, she would indeed need to be more proactive. After all, the Tohsaka family consisted only of her now, and even if she took a homunculus as her husband, no one would criticize her for it.
"Get on the bed. Have sex."
Hayasaka said with a completely straight face.
"?!"
Rin stared at her in shock.
So this is the kind of person you are, Hayasaka?!
"This is the most effective method. If you follow the usual dating routine, who knows how many years it'll take before you and Lord Roy finally get together?"
Seeing her hesitate, Hayasaka couldn't help but drop a harsh truth.
"Or do you believe that Lord Roy saving your life multiple times isn't enough for you to repay him with your body?"
"Don't say it so loudly!"
Rin hurriedly covered her mouth.
The kitchen and living room were connected. If someone overheard such shameless words, she'd die of embarrassment!
"It's not that I don't want to, but… jumping straight to that is way too shameless…"
Hayasaka nodded inwardly.
Good.
So Rin wasn't unwilling—she just felt her relationship with Roy hadn't progressed to that stage yet.
In that case, all she needed was a little push.
"Actually, these past few days, I've seen Utaha and Ichika going all out to please Lord Roy!"
"What?"
Rin's gaze instantly sharpened.
"They're Lord Roy's servants—they have the advantage of proximity!"
"Ugh…"
"Those two have pretty voluptuous figures, you know? Most men prefer that type, and Lord Roy is a normal man too. Who knows, he might cave in one day!"
Heh, actually, it's already happened.
Watching Rin struggle intensely, Hayasaka leaned in and whispered into her ear.
"Actually, Rin-sama, you don't have to go all the way immediately. You could start with something else first…"
Rin's face turned bright red.
How do you know so much about this?!
***
Roy shook his head.
The throbbing ache in his mind had grown slightly worse compared to when he was in the bathroom earlier.
His eyes also felt sore, making it hard to keep them open.
"A side effect from reattaching the arm?"
Roy pressed his fingers against his temples.
Back in the bathroom, he had gone all the way with Ichika. If this discomfort was due to the curse's dark impulses, it should have been relieved by now. The fact that it was still worsening suggested it wasn't a reaction from the curse.
But it was unlikely to be a side effect from reattaching his arm either. Touko's craftsmanship was the pinnacle of modern magecraft—no one could surpass her. A simple reattachment wouldn't cause any adverse reactions.
Then what was it?
Roy checked his body thoroughly but found nothing unusual.
Just tired, maybe?
Now that he thought about it, it was already past midnight. He should get some sleep.
"Master, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."
Just as Roy was about to head to bed, a voice echoed in his mind.
"Saber? What is it?"
"During today's battle, I repeatedly put you in danger… I'm too ashamed to face you…"
"Don't say that."
Roy massaged his forehead and replied casually.
"Honestly, the enemies we faced tonight were just way beyond normal standards. If we'd encountered different opponents, you wouldn't have struggled so much. Didn't you defeat Caster?"
"That was also thanks to you, Master… Still, I appreciate your kindness. Having you as my Master truly is my greatest fortune."
After a brief pause, Okita's voice lightened slightly.
"Master, actually… I have another form."
"I don't remember much about that version of myself, but I have a vague recollection of its existence… Maybe I experienced it in some Holy Grail War somewhere."
Another form?
Roy's spirits lifted slightly.
If Okita had another form, wasn't that "Devil Saber"?
But wasn't that a fusion with someone else?
There was a specific formula for that.
Come to think of it, hadn't Devil Saber received new lore later?
"Bringing this up now… do you know how to activate that form?"
Roy asked with utmost seriousness.
If Okita could transform into her demonic form, his available strategies would become far more potent!
"I have a vague idea. Before, it would've been difficult, but now… it's not impossible."
Okita's voice was hesitant at first, but it quickly grew firm.
"To be honest, I don't know much about that form. Instinctively, I'm a little afraid of that version of myself. But for the sake of your victory, Master, I'll dedicate that power to you!"
***
Bedroom.
After finishing his conversation with Okita, Roy returned to his bedroom.
He shook his head again.
The throbbing in his mind had intensified further, his head growing heavier, and exhaustion flooding his thoughts.
"Sleep... sleep..."
It was as if someone was whispering in his ear.
But Roy couldn't make it out. An overwhelming fatigue washed over him, his brain feeling as if it had rusted over, his ability to think nearly stripped away.
This sensation was eerily similar to when the curse had flared up.
Roy braced his hands against the bed.
Just as he was about to climb in—
His consciousness abruptly cut out.
His body lost strength, and he collapsed beside the bed. His breathing became even, as if he had fallen asleep.
The door quietly creaked open.
Rin, wearing only a nightgown, slipped stealthily into the room.
Her face had been flushed with embarrassment, but the moment she turned and saw Roy collapsed by the bed, she froze, then hurried over to check on him.
"No abnormalities... just asleep..."
But if he was just asleep, why had he collapsed by the bed instead of climbing into it?
Rin's instincts screamed that something was wrong. She quickly left the room.
***
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