049, Sakura's Domain, Shadow of Fear

"Ugh... where is this..." Amid the dim crimson heat, Rin Tohsaka clutched her aching forehead. After getting up, she first located Saber and Shirou Emiya, remaining on guard before finally looking around.

This seemed to be a wooden basement ablaze on all sides... Flickering flames burned fiercely around them, crackling and popping. Rin Tohsaka took a step forward, then froze--

Dark red blood was flowing across the floor.

"Blood..." Rin Tohsaka shifted her gaze toward the purple-haired girl standing before what looked like a pitch-black doorway in the distance.

"Sakura?!" Rin Tohsaka lightly bit her lower lip. She wanted to go over and get a closer look at her, but reason told her that the other girl was now an enemy. "What are you trying to do? Where is this?!"

"It's been a long time since we last spoke, Rin."

"This is my Reality Marble, the Blood Palace." Sakura did not hide it. Or rather, she seemed to feel there was no need to. She raised her eyes slightly and smiled, speaking softly and gently as if making small talk.

"Blood... Palace?" Rin Tohsaka froze for a moment, stunned. "How could this be..."

A Reality Marble was the highest form of magecraft, one that manifested the landscape of one's heart... Pay attention—the landscape of one's heart--

"So... what have you gone through all these years?"

"You're surprised?" Matou Sakura saw her shock and lightly shook her head. "There's no need to worry. I've actually been doing very well, Rin."

Sakura crossed her hands before her chest as if in prayer. "More importantly, Rin, I have a request... I hope you'll consider it."

Rin Tohsaka paused, then immediately replied firmly:

"...If it concerns the Holy Grail War or Rimuru, then please allow me to refuse."

"...Why?" Sakura sighed dejectedly. "I don't