Rice Flower Singularity (10): Your miracle will not be...

Recalling the battle just now, Fujimaru Ritsuka sighed. She wondered who the remaining Servants of the suspects on the other side were. Just Hercules alone was going to be a tough fight!

"I believe the doctor will try his best to avoid facing us," Conan said, resting his chin on his hands in thought. He believed that Amuro Tooru also wanted to find the murderer.

"As for Miyano and the butler... I don't want to suspect them, but their memories have been tampered with, so we can't rule them out as suspects."

Haibara doesn't seem to care about her feelings right now, and it's hard to judge her thoughts. However, he is quite bothered by the way she looked at him during the day; it seemed a bit strange.

Mr. Akai, on the other hand, doesn't seem like a good person... Conan shook his head, banishing the terrible thought from his mind. He didn't want to be enemies with the dark version of Mr. Akai.

"Where is the other person?"

“He…” Conan glanced at Matsuda Jinpei without leaving a trace, just as Matsuda caught his gaze and looked back with a puzzled look. “I have never really met him, but the doctor knows him.”

All things considered, whether it's Amuro Tooru's relationship with Conan or his potential knowledge of the remaining Servants, the key to breaking through all the parties involved lies with him.

“You trusted him so much, yet he allied with the other side,” Ritsuka stroked her chin.

During the day, Conan had planned to find an opportunity to contact Amuro Tooru in order to get some information about the case, but Amuro Tooru seemed to be avoiding Conan, and he couldn't find him even after searching most of the manor.

Conan only stopped when the countdown was almost over.

Thinking of this, Ritsuka mouthed her conjecture silently, "An undercover agent?"

Conan's fingers trembled. Although this undercover agent was not the same as the other one, it sounded as if Mr. Amuro's identity had been exposed.

He composed himself and nodded.

No wonder, Ritsuka thought. Maybe the Assassins were monitoring the entire manor. To avoid revealing their identities, they couldn't contact the ones who were openly investigating the case.

Now that Amuro Tooru has gained some trust, the next step is to find a way to return to the manor and make contact with him.

She shared her speculation: after this probing, the other side would likely send Servants they believed were capable of instantly killing the three Servants and three Masters on this side.

However, to prevent the detectives from making a diversionary tactic to return to the manor, they would definitely leave at least one strong Servant to guard the manor.

But this is the best opportunity. They will take advantage of the fact that the suspects on the other side are scattered to find a chance to be alone with Amuro Tooru.

Therefore, they also need to split into two groups. One group needs to be prepared to block up to three Servants, while the other group should be good at infiltration, so as to exchange information with Amuro Tooru without arousing suspicion.

“Let me handle the communication with the doctor,” Matsuda Jinpei said readily. “I have received professional training and am the most suitable person.”

For some reason, he felt quite comfortable with that cold-hearted doctor, even though the guy kept avoiding him like he was a ghost!

What did he do to offend him?! This time, we must find out the details of the case as well!

“Rider,” Ritsuka said, looking at Da Vinci, “you will go with Inspector Matsuda.” She emphasized, “Take him with you when necessary to escape; life is more important than intelligence.”

"Understood~!" Da Vinci winked at Ritsuka, understanding her Master's insistence.

"Then I, Detective, Saber, and Archer will be responsible for holding off the enemy Servants." Musashi gave a reassuring smile as he looked around, Tristan answered with the vibration of his harp strings, and Conan clenched his fist to encourage himself.

No one raised any objections.

Everyone followed her instructions, seemingly completely believing that her decisions would bring victory.

Ritsuka paused for a second. Then, in a firm tone, she said, "Then we'll begin our operation after the enemy Servants attack!"

The campfire was still crackling and burning, and everyone, having a clear purpose, was visibly more relaxed.

Ritsuka sat with her legs bent in front of the campfire, bringing her index finger and thumb together to her eyes, trying to see the stars in the sky with a non-existent telescope. The next second, Little Da Vinci nudged her shoulder and pulled a real telescope out of his backpack.

Not far away, Miyamoto Musashi was carefully maintaining his sword, while Tristan leaned against a tree trunk, his fingers never leaving the bowstring for a moment.

Seeing this unusually peaceful scene, Matsuda Jinpei clicked his tongue softly, then leaned back, hands on the ground, looking up at the sky. His voice drifted to Conan's ears. "She reminds me of someone, he..."

"What?" Conan blinked, not having heard the second half of the sentence, and turned to Matsuda Jinpei to ask.

"Yeah... tsk, it's nothing." Matsuda Jinpei leaned back in annoyance, crossing his hands under his head.

It wasn't that he didn't want to answer, but rather that he himself didn't know what the name he was whispering afterward was. He tried to catch the remaining thoughts in his mind but to no avail.

What exactly did he forget?

Tonight, the Servants will work together in three shifts to keep watch. Although sleep is not essential for Servants, necessary rest can still relax their tense nerves.

Ritsuka originally wanted to participate in the night watch, but was unanimously opposed by the Servants, as protecting their Master was precisely the duty of a Servant.

"Ritsuka, being human, should get some rest so she can be energetic tomorrow!" Leonardo da Vinci said.

So Ritsuka had no choice but to obediently sleep in the tent. But when she woke up again, the only sound around her was the burning campfire.

Ritsuka pulled back the tent flap and looked up at the pitch-black sky. Sure enough, she hadn't slept for long. But if she went back to sleep now, she'd just be awake until dawn, wouldn't she?

Thinking this, she lifted her foot and walked toward the little Leonardo da Vinci on night watch.

The brown-haired genius turned around, his perfect, beautiful face seemingly shining in the night sky, his sapphire-like eyes fixed intently on Fujimaru Ritsuka, as always.

"Ritsuka, can't you sleep?" Her voice was as gentle as a melting dream.

“Da Vinci, sir…” Fujimaru Ritsuka opened her mouth, wanting to give Da Vinci a smile, but somehow it turned into a sentence.

"The Command Spells aren't working, so I can't use the Spirit Origin Shadow."

Ah, it just came out naturally. Ritsuka froze for a moment, then suddenly covered her face. She really didn't want Da Vinci to worry! After all, that tone just now shouldn't have come from a Chaldea Master!

It's like, it's like...!

Da Vinci blinked, walked over, and took Ritsuka's hand. She hadn't seen Ritsuka with such an expression in a long time—a bewildered, coquettish look, like a young boy seeking help.

Is Ritsuka worried about the upcoming operation?

"I feel a little worried and guilty."

Perhaps it was because Leonardo da Vinci's gaze was too gentle, or perhaps in the game, she was not a Chaldea Master burdened with many responsibilities, but rather a detective's assistant.

Ritsuka was unusually candid, saying with frustration, "I had already promised them that we would leave the game together, but now that I've lost my Spirit Origin Shadow, I'm not confident that I can ensure everyone leaves safely."

Leonardo da Vinci asked, "Oh, did what you feared happen?"

Ritsuka shook her head. "Of course not."

"Would you make it happen?"

Of course not!

Da Vinci laughed lightly, her energetic appearance making Ritsuka unable to help but laugh along with her. "So what are you worried about?"

"Trust us, trust yourself. Your miracle won't be taken away so easily." She looked at Ritsuka, her playful tone softening into a gentle one. "If it's you, you'll definitely find a way to awaken it again."

Yes, she needs to believe in the bonds she shares with everyone.

Ritsuka scratched her head and chuckled sheepishly. Nighttime really does make it easy to overthink. She needed to pull herself together; there was a tough battle ahead tomorrow!

"I was being stubborn, Leonardo da Vinci. Did I disturb you just now?"

“Of course not! The time spent with Master was very meaningful!” Da Vinci tilted his head and smiled at her. “Go on, Ritsuka, you can take another nap now.”

"good!"

Tomorrow's plan must succeed!

"What are the plans for tomorrow?"

Inside the manor, the four suspects, who had reunited, sat around the table. Lei slowly repeated Amuro Tooru's question, not answering directly, but instead asking him in return, "What do you think of those three's abilities?"

“Please,” Amuro Tooru maintained his mysterious and polite smile, but the impatience in his eyes showed that he thought Rae’s question was utterly stupid.

"You sent out the Servants to monitor the manor. Apart from Sherry, who can't even speak properly, you should be the one who knows the strength of that group the most?"

"..." Lei gave Amuro Tooru a deep look before replying, "Pathetic. Of the three Masters, one was a kid who was almost killed, and the other was a policeman who didn't seem particularly special. The girl, however, is probably a worthy candidate for testing."

Toru Amuro: "...?"

Wait, would Akai really talk like that?

Perhaps Amuro Tooru's expression was too obvious, Ray added: "Assassin's exact words."

“He also assessed the strength of the Servants on the other side. The Scottish Servants are not suitable for combat. Tomorrow, your Servants and I will go and wipe out those people. Sherry's Servants will stay behind.”

After the brief meeting ended, Amuro Tooru returned to his room, rubbed his forehead, and felt that even playing a game felt like organizing overtime work without any overtime pay.

Damn it, I knew seeing him would bring nothing good!

Suddenly, two soft knocks sounded on the door, and Amuro Tooru instantly became alert. Who was it, and why were they looking for him?

In the brief moment he was stunned, a second knock sounded at the door.

Amuro Tooru quickly composed himself, but the moment he opened the door, he almost lost his composure. It was Morofushi Kagemitsu, who believed he was living in the late 19th century, who had come to see him!

Moreover, Morofushi Kagemitsu immediately closed the door after entering, staring at Amuro Tooru with his bright and determined upturned eyes.

Amuro Tooru was somewhat dazed; he hadn't seen such a youthful and innocent expression since the moment he met Scotland in the organization.

He really, really misses it.

Ignoring Amuro Tooru's dazed expression, Morofushi Kagemitsu, after confirming that no one was eavesdropping in the room, asked the purpose of his visit, "Are you really planning to continue cooperating with Butler Rai?"

Amuro Tooru snapped back to his senses, his expression unchanged, and put on his standard smile to fob off Morofushi Kagemitsu, but the black-haired youth's next words froze him in place.

"Didn't you notice? As their brother, how could you not realize the butler's malice towards Akemi and Shiho?"

...What the heck? Amuro Tooru slowly raised his head.

elder brother? !