Night had fallen within the magnificent floating fortress.
Having handed over his guard duty, Karna disarmed himself and entered a room.
"Lancer, you're back!"
The moment she entered, Jinako, who had been squatting on the sofa refreshing her match results, hurriedly tossed aside her controller and excitedly came over.
However, the instant she drew near, the severely nearsighted shut-in girl noticed the lingering red marks on her Servant's chest. She stopped at once, her face full of guilt.
"S-sorry, are you okay, Lancer?"
"I'm fine. Just a minor injury."
Karna shook his head faintly, utterly unconcerned.
"I was too cowardly..."
Jinako bit her cherry-colored lips and weakly apologized.
The plan to send Servants to attack Ruler had nothing to do with her in the first place. It had merely been Director Ken's arrogant attempt to test the waters.
Yet that Clock Tower higher-up, accustomed to ordering people around, had actually forced her to command Lancer into action.
Jinako lacked confidence and had an instinctive fear of teachers, so she had not dared refuse. She had only made a token protest, hoping to muddle through.
Yet Karna, upon receiving the order, had gone without hesitation—and had even been injured because of it.
Still, Kayneth, who had gotten beaten up during the day, had already been sent back. No one would come bully her anymore.
Thinking of the good news she had just witnessed, Jinako's heart blossomed with joy. Even her courage grew a little, and she immediately straightened up, pulled out a huge pile of snacks from some unknown corner, piled them onto the table, and then dragged Karna over to sit down.
"Come on, come on! We're off tomorrow, so let's pull an all-nighter!"
"Oh..."
Karna answered calmly. As usual, he was dragged onto the sofa and seated beside Jinako.