IBHJ Chapter 890

This was Fuyuki City. Home was so close, yet she knew Tiamat wouldn't let her go wherever she pleased.

"Go on, return to your home," a calm voice whispered in her ear. Sakura looked up to see Gaia's calm red eyes.

"I'll handle Tiamat," Gaia said calmly.

Sakura hesitated for a moment, then, gritting her teeth, she got up and ran towards her home.

"Sakura!" Tiamat called out, about to give chase, but Gaia blocked her path.

"Move aside, Gaia!" Tiamat rebuked angrily, her eyes blazing with fury.

This Gaia, actually letting her sweet Sakura learn to betray her, just like those ungrateful children from tens of thousands of years ago!

Unforgivable!

"Your possessiveness is too strong, Tiamat," Gaia said calmly.

"Gai—a!" Tiamat growled in anger.

"If you want to catch her, I won't stop you," Gaia said calmly.

The moment the words left her mouth, Tiamat rushed past Gaia, chasing after Sakura.

"But you should also be prepared for the day when she, like your most beloved child Marduk, kills you with hatred in her eyes," Gaia added.

Those words stopped Tiamat in her tracks. She turned and stared blankly at Gaia, her gaze losing its color and becoming hollow. "Sakura... will become like Marduk...?"

"If you understand, then wait here. She will return to your side later," Gaia said.

Tiamat sat down, her eyes empty.

"Why are you doing this, Gaia?" Arcueid asked, puzzled.

"Tiamat values that human too much and is too possessive. While it hasn't reached that point yet, if left unchecked, she will become an enemy that destroys me. To avoid that outcome, I'm simply making preparations in advance. Moreover, if we don't address this possibility beforehand, it will hinder the team's efficiency later," Gaia replied calmly.

Arcueid looked at Gaia in surprise. Gaia had imitated her personality and should be no different from her. But... this way of talking, this elevated perspective, this coordination of personnel – was this really something she could do? Or was the planet's perspective simply that broad?

No, the planet does have the highest perspective, but it absolutely doesn't possess the ability to coordinate.

The planet merely observes everything from a lofty and detached viewpoint, neither favoring nor targeting, so it doesn't coordinate at all.

Could she be simulating Crimson Moon? Arcueid wondered to herself.

And just as Gaia had predicted, at dusk, Sakura returned in a daze.

"What's wrong, Sakura?" Arcueid asked with concern.

Although she often called Sakura annoying and argued with her, Arcueid still considered Sakura an important friend. Seeing her in such a state, she naturally cared deeply.

"I want to become stronger..."

Sakura raised her head, her hands gripping Arcueid's shoulders, and asked through clenched teeth: "Arcueid, tell me, how can I become as strong as you?"

"Huh?"

Arcueid was taken aback. Not only because Sakura didn't call her a golden cockroach, but because Sakura was actually asking her for power? What had happened? she was completely baffled.

"I can give you power."

A calm voice whispered in her ear. Sakura turned to see Gaia's blood-red eyes reflected in the fiery sunset. "I can grant you the power to protect what you cherish, but there is a price."

"What price? To become something like Alaya's Counter Guardians?"

"I don't have such guardians, nor do I need guardians who might harm my ecosystem at any time. The price for this miracle is the same as Shirou's. When this planet faces a life-or-death crisis, you must come to save me," Gaia said seriously. "Simply put, this is my investment in you."

"Oh no, Gaia-chan is at it again!" Venus looked at Gaia with a hint of exasperation.

This wasn't Gaia's first investment. To compensate for her lack of UOs, Gaia had made many deals. For instance, accepting the Greek gods who had exhausted their energy during space travel and were blocked from the solar system by other UOs; or proposing to exile Tiamat to the Imaginary Number Space when Marduk was about to finish her off, thus saving Tiamat's life.

And investing in Shirou when he was desperately fighting Crimson Moon.

To survive in this dark and cold universe, Gaia was giving it her all. And now, she was planning to invest in Sakura.

Hearing this, Sakura was momentarily stunned, then nodded resolutely. "I agree!"

The evening wind ruffled Sakura's silver hair, her eyes flickering with a faint purple light, determination filling her gaze as she looked at Gaia.

She remembered returning home to find unfamiliar buildings and the absence of her family and friends. She craved power, wanting only to never be so helpless again.

...

"Damn Gaia!" he cursed.

With the destruction of his clones in Fuyuki City, his clones across the globe became aware of the event. This had never happened before, in all the countless resets.

Gaia... had personally intervened!

Somehow, the will of the planet had materialized and acted against him. It had even brought those UOs from other planets to surround and destroy him!

"This is bad," he thought. "All my clones are already here. There's no way back. The vessel is fully grown, but if my clones are all destroyed, it'll be useless. Master won't be able to manifest."

"Companions!" he realized. "That's what I need. Companions who can stand against Gaia and the UOs!"

"If I continue alone, defeat is certain. I can't be beaten like this, not before I settle the score with that bastard. Companions! I need to find them. I must find and form usable companions!"

The black-robed figure's eyes glowed crimson. "Just you wait, Shirou. Wait, Gaia. Your interference is meaningless. Master's revival is inevitable!"

...

Arcueid hadn't expected Gaia to be investing in Sakura, but because of it, they could stay in Fuyuki a while longer.

Returning to the city, Arcueid felt a mix of emotions. She understood why Sakura was so determined to grow stronger now. The invasion had devastated Fuyuki, and the current city was newly built, with construction workers everywhere. Most importantly, Shirou and Ritsuka were missing.

It was only natural for Sakura to feel this way after losing important family, Arcueid thought. Even she felt a pang of sadness.

"Um... this is for you, Your Highness."

"Thank you, Gray. But please, just call me Artoria."

"That... I couldn't. It would be too disrespectful."

That voice! Arcueid quickly ducked out of sight, watching as Artoria and Gray approached.

So Artoria was still in the city. Arcueid stayed hidden, observing from the shadows.

Running into an old friend was usually a good thing, but Arcueid didn't want to face Artoria. Crimson Moon incident had been too much. Plus, she'd finally managed to look cool for once, and coming back so soon after that dramatic farewell was just too embarrassing.

But most importantly, if Kariya found out she was back, he'd definitely lock her in that tiny, dark room again to catch up on the latest updates. She'd had enough of that room. She needed to help Gaia, so it was best to stay hidden.

"Hm!?"

Artoria, who was chatting with Gray, suddenly narrowed her eyes.

"What's wrong, Your Highness?" Gray asked softly.

"Someone's watching me," she said, her voice serious.

"An enemy? I... I understand. I'll try not to be a burden," Gray said, trying to be brave.

"You need to be more confident, Gray."

Artoria smiled, then she and Gray moved to surround the spot where Arcueid was hiding.

With no other option, Arcueid used her Marble Phantasm to create two magical beasts, sending them outside to distract Artoria and Gray. Meanwhile, she dug a tunnel and escaped.