Chapter 571: Onward

Night had completely enveloped Winterwood City, the streetlights on either side of the road casting a dim yellow glow that pooled in hazy halos on the asphalt.

In the distance, the buildings turned into blurry silhouettes against the night, only the lights shining from their windows proving that people still lived there.

But now, life under those lights had grown strange.

The group hurried down the street, their steps quick and alert.

Ilya walked at the front, her silver-white hair fluttering lightly in the night wind, her youthful face full of solemnity.

As they passed a convenience store, the conversation between the cashier and a customer came from inside:

"Welcome to banana, need a bag banana?"

"I'll take one banana, right banana, what's the special banana for tonight banana?"

"Banana banana, buy one get one free banana."

"Good banana, give me two bananas banana."

Ilya stopped and looked inside through the glass window.

The cashier was beaming as she rang up the customer, neither realizing there was anything odd about their conversation.

She then glanced at a couple by the roadside, the girl clinging to the boy's arm and cooing:

"Dear banana, what should we eat for dinner banana?"

"Yeah banana, what to eat banana?"

"How about we go eat ramen banana?"

"Okay banana."

From afar came the noisy shouts of a few drunks:

"Another cup of banana!"

"Boss banana, bring another dozen bananas!"

"Cheers banana!"

Ilya's brow furrowed tighter and tighter.

Those 'banana' words were like tiny needles pricking her heart.

She knew what this meant—that virus was spreading, and its speed was far faster than she had imagined.

If this trend continued, before long everyone in Winterwood City would become monsters who could only say 'banana'.

"We need to speed up banana."

Lin said from the side, then after speaking he froze for a moment and gave a wry smile: "I can't even tell now whether I'm speaking or I've been infected banana……"

San Yue Qi patted her shoulder, saying nothing.

Saber's gaze swept over the passersby, his voice low:

"This situation is worse than I imagined. If we don't find the source quickly, the consequences are unthinkable."

Jing Yuan gave a slight nod, a glint of thought flashing in his golden eyes.

"The spreading speed of this meme contamination is indeed astonishing. Moreover, judging from the current situation, the infected are completely unaware of their abnormality, which is the real trouble."

Ilya clenched the ruby, her knuckles whitening.

"We need to hurry."

She said, her voice tinged with anxiety: "Zhigengniao Jiejie is still in that wicked woman's hands."

The group quickened their pace.

Soon, the hotel came into view.

It was a tower over thirty stories high, its exterior clad in beige tiles that gave off a dim glow in the night.

On the roof hung a huge neon sign flashing red light, but that glow now looked eerie, as if contaminated by something.

Ilya stopped, closed her eyes, and sensed for a moment.

"This is the place."

She opened her eyes, looked at the building, and said: "Zhigengniao Jiejie is inside; I can feel it."

Lin took a deep breath and strode into the hotel lobby.

The lobby was brightly lit, a few guests checking in at the front desk, while several people sat on the sofas scrolling their phones.

The front‑desk clerk was a young woman with a ponytail, wearing a professional smile.

"Welcome to banana, how can I help you banana?"

Lin approached the front desk, trying to keep his expression normal.

"I'd like to ask about banana, is there a purple‑haired woman staying here banana?"

The front‑desk girl blinked, seeming to grasp the question.

"Purple‑haired woman banana? Let me check banana……"

She tapped a few keys on the computer, then lifted her head.

"Yes banana, she's in room 1812 banana, are you her friend banana?"

Lin nodded.

"Yes banana, can you tell me how to get up banana?"

The front‑desk girl smiled and said: "The elevator is over there banana, you can go straight up banana. However, that guest previously instructed banana, does not want to be disturbed banana……"

Lin waved a hand: "No problem banana, we know her banana."

She turned and gave the group a glance.

The group walked to the elevator, Lin lowering his voice:

"Room 1812, on the eighteenth floor banana."

Saber nodded, his gaze sweeping over the few people present.

"We need to split up. Going together the target is too big, and if there's any trap…"

"I'll take the stairs."

Lin said, after looking at San Yue Qi, "San Yue Jie, come with me, Jiao."

San Yue Qi nodded.

"The stairwell is more concealed, suitable for people like us."

Bai Hang glanced at Jing Yuan, then looked at Saber, and said: "Then we'll take the elevator."

Jing Yuan gave a slight nod, saying nothing.

Saber looked at Ilya.

"And you?"

Ilya clenched the Ruby, inhaled deeply.

"I'll fly in from outside."

She said, her gaze carrying a hint of resolve, "That way is most concealed, and if anything happens, I can see it immediately."

Saber was silent for a second, then nodded.

"Be careful."

Lin looked at Ilya and said seriously, "Be extra careful, Jiao; if something seems off, withdraw immediately."

Ilya nodded.

"You too."

Ilya slipped around to the side of the hotel, where there was shadow, no light, and no one.

She inhaled deeply, clutching the Ruby.

"Ruby, transform."

A pink glow instantly enveloped her, and seconds later, the Magical Girl in a pink dress reappeared.

The light silk cape behind her fluttered gently in the night wind, and the hair ornament on her head glowed faintly in the darkness.

Her silver‑white long hair shimmered softly in the moonlight, her red eyes full of determination, yet a barely perceptible tension lingered deep within.

"Ready, Ilya?" the Ruby's voice rang in her mind.

Ilya nodded, kicked off the ground, and rose lightly.

Flying was no longer as unfamiliar as at the start; occasional wobble remained, but at least she no longer hit walls.

The night wind was a bit cool, brushing her face, easing her nervous heart slightly.

She clung to the hotel's outer wall, rising slowly, her gaze passing through window after window, scanning rooms lit or dark.

One floor, two floors…

She could feel Robin just above, the connection forged by the Command Spell growing clearer.

At the same time, she sensed another presence—a strange chill down her spine.

"Ilya, are you okay?" the Ruby sensed her abnormality.

"Hmm… just a little nervous," Ilya whispered, "I'm worried about Robin sister getting into trouble…"

The Ruby was silent for a second, then comforted, "It's fine, she's a Servant, not that easy to get into trouble. Besides, aren't we here to rescue her?"