Abnormality In Type-Moon: Madness Of Animeverse

"What about that old fossil?"

"I told you before, didn't I? I had my subordinates among the magi search for him and Lancer."

"Do you have any leads?"

Roy lowered his gaze slightly. The reflection on his glasses hid his eyes, making his current expression unreadable.

But even so, Ichika Nakano felt an inexplicable tension in the air.

Roy, with his glasses on, had always exuded a gentle and approachable demeanor. Yet now, the atmosphere around him had turned frigid, like ice shards that threatened to pierce through anyone who dared get close.

Despite the lenses shielding his eyes, the faint sense of danger emanating from him was impossible to ignore.

Miku Nakano, sitting nearby, finally sensed the shift in mood. She quietly shrank into her chair, pretending to be invisible. If it were possible, she wished she could plaster a spell on her face that screamed, You can't see me.

"No," Rin Tohsaka shook her head, breaking the silence.

Ichika's eyes widened, surprise and confusion flashing across her face.

She had assumed that Rin brought up the old bandaged man because there was news, that maybe they could act on it together.

But no news? Then why mention it?

If this agitates Roy enough to take off his glasses, what then?

Utaha Kasumigaoka and Illya remained silent, neither speaking nor meeting Roy's gaze.

"It's precisely because there's no news that I find it strange," Rin continued, oblivious to Ichika's inner turmoil.

"I don't command a vast network of magi, but I do have some under my banner. They come from various disciplines, and theoretically, even someone with Geiouemon's four centuries of experience shouldn't be able to vanish without leaving any traces. And yet, he's done just that. It's… abnormal."

If only we could have stopped Lancer last night.

After waking from the shared dreamscape, Rin learned that the Saint Jeanne d'Arc, who had appeared in their dreams, was none other than Geiouemon's Servant, Lancer.

For reasons unknown, Jeanne had materialized in a corrupted form and even came specifically to save Roy, an enemy.

Her motives were unclear. After deploying her Noble Phantasm in the dream, she had awakened, then left the Aozaki estate in a hurry. She hadn't even stayed long enough to exchange words, let alone provide explanations or intelligence about Geiouemon.

If they had managed to detain Jeanne, perhaps they could've gleaned something useful.

What a missed opportunity.

"I understand," Roy said calmly with a small nod. His gaze swept briefly across the table.

"...I'm done. You all take your time and finish your meal."

He smiled faintly, rising from his seat and leaving the kitchen.

The oppressive atmosphere at the table instantly dissipated, as if the ice had melted away.

Ichika exhaled a deep breath of relief.

Even though she shared a certain intimacy with Roy, she still hadn't adapted to this other side of him.

In fact, it was precisely because she had experienced this darker aspect—locking eyes with him as his glasses were off—that she fully understood how terrifying he could be.

This man, even in the most intimate moments, carried more malice than desire.

"Roy-sama must've left the table to make sure we could enjoy our meal in peace. He's so thoughtful."

Miku's soft voice drifted from the side, tinged with quiet admiration.

Ichika blinked, momentarily caught off guard.

That… actually made sense.

Really now, how is one supposed to feel about this?

---

Roy stepped outside, clad in just his house clothes. Standing in the front yard, he let the cold morning breeze cool his mind, pulling him back to clarity.

"They can't find any traces of Geiouemon, not even a trail. With so many magi working together, it just doesn't make sense..."

There was only one explanation.

Someone was helping Geiouemon cover his tracks.

But who?

And why?

What could they possibly gain by protecting Geiouemon?

Roy's thoughts churned as he stood there in silence.

---

Morning

At the entrance.

Roy rotated his right arm a few times. By now, it was as good as new, functioning just like his original limb.

"Roy-sama, is your arm really okay now?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha stood by the doorway, bundled up in a coat and wearing a black scarf. Her eyes showed concern as she looked at him.

"It's fine now. I don't feel a thing anymore."

Roy chuckled softly, his face relaxed and at ease.

He had to admit, the spare body crafted by Aozaki Touko was impressive. The replacement arm, which had been grafted onto his body, not only fused seamlessly but also enhanced his strength two- or threefold.

Thinking about it, Roy's heart swelled with gratitude.

Those early years after he was transported into this world had been the darkest and most miserable of his life.

He had long since lost count of the days spent trapped on that mountain. Initially, he had tried keeping track by counting the sunsets, but eventually, the frequent fainting spells made it impossible.

Thankfully, after leaving that hellish place, his luck had finally begun to change.

Meeting Aozaki Aoko and Aozaki Touko was perhaps the greatest fortune of his life.

Especially Touko. She had even gone so far as to sacrifice herself to absorb the curses on his body.

Though it was little more than replacing a disposable shell for her, the mere fact that someone of her caliber was willing to go that far for him… Roy felt his ancestors must've been burning incense and praying for this level of luck.

Shaking off his reverie, Roy took the coat Utaha handed him, clipped a badge onto the lapel, and walked out the door with her.

"Roy-sama, do you have enough money?"

As they stepped outside, Utaha suddenly pulled on his sleeve, her voice tinged with worry.

Roy froze mid-step, his expression becoming uncharacteristically serious.

"Wait here for a moment."

He turned back toward the house.

After taking a few steps, he seemed to realize something, quickly doubling back to take Utaha along with him.

---

Roy found Rin Tohsaka in the living room.

"Rin, do you have any cash? Lend me some!"

"Are you seriously short on money?" Rin looked at him, genuinely astonished.

"Don't even get me started. Those two gold-diggers are driving me nuts."

Roy sighed in exasperation, staring helplessly at the ceiling.

Rin thought of the infamous rumors surrounding the Aozaki sisters and couldn't help but shoot Roy a sympathetic glance.

She rummaged through her belongings, pulling out a document. After scribbling a few notes, she tore off a slip and handed it to him with a smug grin.

"Here, go cash this!"

"…You're embezzling public funds?" Roy stared at her, his expression a mix of shock and disbelief.

"What kind of nonsense is that? How is this embezzlement? This is an officially approved stipend for the well-being of my magi subordinates!"

Rin's self-righteous tone and dignified posture made her look like a model civil servant.

"One word—do you want it or not?"

Roy took the slip, speechless.

Why are you so damn good at this?

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