MMMS 83

Morgan gave a slow nod, the last hint of pretense slipping away. “Master, it’s time to get rid of Arthur. We need to deal with Lancer.”

“…Ah.” So that’s what all this was for. The teasing, the charm—it had just been the lead-in.

“Thanks to my unbeatable, all-powerful Master, the biggest threat—Archer—is already out of the picture. Victory’s right there. We just need to deal with the loose ends... like our overly righteous knight lady.” Morgan locked eyes with him. “If we let Lancer stick around too long, she could cause problems.”

It was a truth everyone in the Grail War understood, even if no one liked saying it aloud—only one Servant could remain. To claim the Grail, six others had to fall. No matter how cleanly he won every fight, in the end, one decision would still have to be made. Morgan had already made hers.

“…You’re clever, Caster,” Ryuuto said quietly. “But if I use a Command Seal to send Lancer back to the Grail... what exactly do I get in return?”

Morgan didn’t hesitate. Her smile returned, gentler now, and she leaned in, voice dropping to a near whisper.

“Everything,” she said. “Anything you want. My knowledge. My magecraft. My strength. My loyalty. The me you see here, and the one waiting beyond this world—both belong to you, Master. All you have to do… is send Lancer away.”

She reached out and gently took his hand, cradling it between her own. Her touch was light, almost tender.

“So, Master?” Morgan’s voice lowered just enough to stir the space between them. “What will you choose?”

He flinched and quickly pulled his hand away before her touch could settle.

Morgan tilted her head, amused. “Didn’t expect you to get shy on me, Master… hehe.” She didn’t seem offended. In fact, she leaned in even closer, brushing his hand again with her fingers. “What’s got you so nervous? It’s not like you haven’t been with other women.”

The way she said it made her meaning obvious. Treat me like one of them. I won’t disappoint you.

But he met her gaze calmly.

“Doesn’t matter how many women I’ve slept with,” he said quietly. “When it’s someone I actually like, I still get nervous.”

Morgan’s breath caught. Her eyes widened just a little. “Wh—” A faint flush rose to her cheeks as her composure wavered.

She had come in full control, certain she could pull him in on her terms. Yet with a single line, he’d completely turned the tables.

Trying to hide the way her heart skipped, she snapped, “D-Don’t say weird stuff like that!”

“Then stop doing weird stuff.”

“I’m Morgan. This is normal for me.”

“No, it’s not.”

“Yes, it is.” Her voice lowered again, more serious now. She cupped his face with both hands, holding him there. “Enticing shallow men. Coercing the strong ones. Bending powerful ones to my will… That’s who I am. You know that better than anyone, don’t you, Master?”

Her intensity climbed, seduction turning sharp—but he didn’t so much as blink.

“This kind of thing doesn’t suit you,” he said simply. “Not at all.”

Morgan pulled back slightly, her brows tightening. She huffed, voice rising in frustration. “It doesn’t suit me? So what if it doesn’t? If I don’t do this, I’ll never win. I’ll never beat her!”

“…”

He didn’t answer right away. Just let out a slow breath.

It always came back to her sister. No matter what Morgan tried to hide behind, that pain was still there. He knew there was nothing he could say right now that would truly reach her.

Silence settled over the room. Not tense, but heavy—like something unsaid was lingering between them.

Once Morgan’s emotions settled, he finally spoke his mind. “I’m not planning to use a Command Seal on Lancer. I don’t have an answer yet. Honestly, I don’t even know how to choose between the two of you.” He let out a quiet breath. “That’s why I want to talk to her. All three of us, together. We should figure it out as a team.”

Morgan’s expression darkened. Her eyes narrowed—not in anger, but disappointment. She’d always believed her Master was the type to act with conviction. But this… this sounded weak. Soft. And naive.

He caught the judgment in her gaze, but stayed calm. “That night, after I defeated Kiritsugu… Lancer could’ve fought back. I know she would’ve. But she didn’t. She accepted me as her Master. That trust… I can’t just throw it away.”

There was a long silence.

“…Heh. I really am a fool.” Morgan lowered her head, her voice trembling despite her best efforts to keep it steady. “I thought you were different. I wanted to believe it. That you’d choose me.”

Her fingers curled in her lap.

“In the end, all this talk… it was just your way of saying no, wasn’t it? You think she’s better. You’ve already made your choice.”

“That’s not it,” Ryuuto said firmly. He reached out and took her hand, squeezing it tight, unwilling to let her fall into that hole. “Morgan, I need you to hear this. I—”

The door creaked open.

“You don’t get to decide the outcome of the Holy Grail War in secret.”

Standing in the doorway was Artoria. One hand rested on her hip, the other hanging by her side. Her gaze shifted from Morgan’s lowered face to their joined hands, then locked onto Ryuuto.

“I won’t step aside, Sister,” she said. Her voice wasn’t loud, but there was no hesitation. “I’m not giving up my place beside Master.”

She stepped into the room without waiting for permission, her gaze drifting briefly across the bed where Morgan and Ryuuto still sat close. Their hands remained clasped.

“…”

Ryuuto froze mid-sentence. His eyes locked onto Artoria in disbelief, then darted past her to where Irisviel peeked in from behind, wearing a look of smug innocence.

His expression said everything. ‘Weren’t you supposed to be out? Why are you back already?!’

Artoria crossed her arms.

“When I was out with Irisviel, I noticed something strange. The entire maid squad had been told to stay on standby in the forest.”

She stepped into the room, not sparing Morgan a glance as she moved to sit on the opposite side of the bed. Her tone stayed light, almost casual. “That didn’t sit right with me. So I asked Iri to turn the car around.”

Her gaze slid to Ryuuto, then to their joined hands, lingering for just a moment. “But when I got back and couldn’t find Master anywhere… well, imagine my surprise. Turns out he was in your room.” She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “It’s not even 7 PM, Sister. Bit early to be getting ready for bed, don’t you think?”

Morgan didn’t respond.

But Artoria wasn’t done.

The moment she stepped inside, something had felt off. There was a faint scent lingering in the air—sweet, warm, and just a little too inviting. Her eyes narrowed slightly. Pheromone incense? The kind meant to relax the body and cloud the mind?

Really, Sister? Is that what you’ve come to?

Good thing she’d returned early. Morgan wasn’t just beautiful—she was calculated. Everything about her, from her voice to her gaze, could draw people in before they even noticed it was happening. Ryuuto might think he was in control, but with Morgan, it was never that simple.

Even if she ignored how she felt personally, Artoria couldn’t let that slide.

Without saying a word, she reached over and took Ryuuto’s free hand. Not forcefully, but firmly enough to make a point.

“…Caster didn’t do anything weird to you, right?”

Ryuuto blinked. “Uh… no, she’s been very… kind.”

Now stuck between them, he looked down at his hands—his left held by Morgan, his right taken by Artoria. Two tall, beautiful sisters, one on each side, completely aware of the other, saying nothing but watching him closely.

Sandwiched in silence, all he could do was blink.

This was not how he imagined tonight would go.