"Huff... hah..."
Sieg looked at Celenike's lifeless eyes and slowly withdrew his hand from her chest.
The sensation of magic power surging through him was unbearable. The residual heat in his body even sent wisps of steam rising from his skin.
His long, scorching breaths turned into white mist. Cold air continually flooded his lungs, and Sieg's body soon cooled down again.
"Sieg, get out of the way!"
Astolfo suddenly shouted from behind him. Sieg instinctively heeded his warning, stepping aside to dodge the lance thrust toward him.
"What's going on? Isn't she dead?"
Sieg quickly bent down and retrieved the rapier he had thrown away, parrying Astolfo's attacks in succession.
The other homunculi gathered around, doing their best to help him block the thrusts coming from awkward angles.
"Waaah! Be careful, everyone! The magic power from those two Command Spells hasn't run out yet!"
The overwhelming compulsion of two Command Spells completely bypassed the Magic Resistance granted by his grimoire Noble Phantasm. Even now, after Celenike's death, their lingering magic power still commanded Astolfo to attack Sieg.
Watching Astolfo's body visibly begin to fade as his Master-Servant Contract failed, Sieg had an idea:
"Everyone, please hold Rider off for me!"
Once the homunculi nodded their agreement, Sieg leaped aside, leaving them room to keep Astolfo occupied.
"Sieg? What are you doing?"
Astolfo looked at the homunculi surrounding him, then at Sieg standing some distance away, momentarily baffled.
Even so, Astolfo fought desperately to restrain his movements. They're Sieg's companions too! How could I hurt them?
"I declare!"
Sieg raised his right hand toward Astolfo, the incantation growing clearer as he called it out:
"Your body shall serve beneath me, and my fate shall rest upon your sword. If you accept the Holy Grail's will, then heed these words and