Disappearance

Just as Maiya's eyes were about to roll back and lose consciousness, Kaguya loosened her grip. Maiya collapsed to the ground, clutching her throat, coughing repeatedly as she gasped for air. Her face finally regained a bit of color.

However, Kaguya wasn't in the least bit pleased because she realized Maiya was more than ten centimeters taller than her. Kaguya had to stand on her tiptoes and raise her arm high to lift her, which made her feel quite frustrated. She couldn't help but wonder when she would finally grow up.

Kaguya silently complained about the Holy Grail. Why didn't it recreate her in her adult form when she became flesh and blood? Instead, she was stuck in the form of a little loli. Was it because there wasn't enough black mud, and they cut corners?

What if she never grows up? Would she be stuck in the form of a little girl in this world forever?

This was a huge rip-off!

"You can take her away now, but don't show up in front of me again," Kaguya said, frowning as she turned away and left.

Watching the silver-haired girl walk away, Maiya finally let out a small sigh of relief. Just a moment ago, she had walked on the edge of death, almost strangled to death. The near-death experience still made her tremble with fear. She had really thought she was going to die.

Once she relaxed, she realized her back was completely soaked with cold sweat.

It was late at night, and the dark sky was dotted with twinkling stars. A full moon hung high, casting its clear and watery light, bringing a touch of brightness to the dark night. A gentle breeze blew, rustling the leaves, adding a slight chill to the air.

Kaguya wandered aimlessly through the streets, the streetlights emitting a soft yellow glow, stretching her shadow long and thin.

All around her was complete silence, as if the world had gone to sleep. The only sounds were the rustling of leaves and the gentle breeze. The entire city seemed to be submerged in a deep, tranquil stillness.

At this hour, the pedestrian street was also deserted, far from the bustling scenes of the day. Missing children's posters were still plastered on the utility poles.

Lately, there had been frequent news reports of missing children. The number of disappearances was increasing, with dozens of children having gone missing without a trace. Due to this, the entire city was on high alert, and police patrols were constantly seen on the streets.

However, these efforts were futile. Children continued to disappear, even from their homes, and there were no leads on the suspects.

Kaguya knew these police searches were in vain because their opponent wasn't an ordinary human, but a Servant. Ordinary people couldn't possibly stand a chance against a Servant, and this particular Servant was Caster, an expert in large-scale magic.

"Wait, wait!"

At that moment, a familiar and childlike voice called out from afar.

Kaguya stopped in her tracks, turning curiously toward the small figure running toward her.

As the figure drew closer, Kaguya realized it was someone she knew—a little girl with smooth twin tails and a delicate face.

"Tohsaka Rin?" Kaguya's eyes widened in surprise. "What are you doing here? Didn't you move away with your mom and sister?"

Tohsaka Rin, panting heavily, her face flushed from the exertion, rested her hands on her knees, gasping, "It's really... really you!"

Seeing the joyful expression on Rin's face, Kaguya grew even more confused and asked, "What's going on? Did something happen?"

Kaguya knew that Rin wouldn't come looking for her without reason, especially this late at night. A young girl couldn't possibly be out alone at this hour unless something serious had happened.

"It's terrible!" Rin exclaimed breathlessly, her voice filled with urgency. "Something terrible has happened!"

"What's terrible?" Kaguya felt a sinking feeling in her chest. "Calm down and tell me what happened."

"It's Sakura," Rin said anxiously. "Sakura has gone missing!"

"What?" Kaguya's eyes narrowed, and her heart sank. "Are you saying Sakura has disappeared?"

"Yes," Rin nodded quickly, grabbing Kaguya's hand. "I saw her this morning. She said she was going to the convenience store, but she never came back, not even by the evening. I searched everywhere near the store, but I couldn't find her."

Kaguya pondered for a moment and said, "Could she have gone somewhere else, like a classmate's house?"

"No," Rin shook her head. "I've asked around. Sakura didn't go to any classmate's house, and no one has seen her."

Matou Sakura's disappearance... Who could have done this? Or rather, who would have the motive to kidnap her? Kaguya fell into deep thought.

It couldn't have been Emiya Kiritsugu—he was just here and didn't have time to go anywhere else.

It also couldn't have been Kirei Kotomine—he should have been observing the battle from here.

As for Kayneth, he was here just a while ago as well, so it couldn't have been him either. None of them had the opportunity to act, and they all had alibis.

Then who could it be?

Kaguya's gaze inadvertently landed on a missing person poster on the utility pole. Her pupils contracted sharply.

Could it be...?

If that's the case, this could be trouble. Those two aren't ones to be reasoned with—their only goal is to kill for fun. If it's really those two, then Sakura is in real danger.

"Where did she disappear? Tell me," Kaguya said, grabbing Rin's shoulders urgently.

"In a small town not far from the suburbs. There aren't many people there," Rin replied hastily.

"Alright, hold on tight," Kaguya said in a serious tone.

"Huh? Wait—"

Before Rin could react, Kaguya scooped her up by the legs and carried her in her arms. In the midst of Rin's childish scream, Kaguya pushed off with her foot, shooting forward like an arrow, speeding toward the outskirts with incredible speed.

I hope we're not too late.