Chapter 46: Let's Join the Battle
[Murasaki Shikibu activates the skill "Verse of the Great Poet".]
[Her recitation is both graceful and ornate, flowing like poetry, perfectly blending with the sweet and seductive voice of Queen Medb.]
[Queen Medb's persuasion check becomes easier.]
[Facing the double attack from the two, Scathach – who normally has a calm and rational mind – wavered greatly, unconsciously believing their words.]
The words of Murasaki Shikibu and the enchanting voice of Medb intertwined at that very moment.
This is… a combination skill of two Servants!?
"That's ridiculous! Even the skills of two Servants can combine!?"
Eikou exclaimed in astonishment.
Not only Scathach, but even the other members participating in the party beside them were gradually moved by their charming persuasion.
The situation was turning completely in their favor.
This is bad!
Eikou clenched his teeth tightly.
I can't let them carry out that plan right before my eyes!
[You activate the skill "High-Speed Divine Words".]
[You stand on the opposite side of Medb and the others, attempting to persuade Scathach and the rest to abandon this punishment game.]
[Proceed with an opposed check.]
A die rolls down.
[Check failed.]
[You failed to persuade them. Scathach has decided to follow Medb's suggestion and add the punishment game to the table tennis match rules.]
What a strong persuasion check, even my "High-Speed Divine Words" couldn't beat those two.
But really, why didn't the two of you just persuade me directly from the start? Or does Medb just want to watch me struggle in despair, just like a sadist who enjoys tormenting others!
[Although you failed in this persuasion attempt...]
[If you add "Disaster With Women", perhaps the situation could be turned around...]
'Wouldn't that just make things worse! I don't want that!'
Eikou screamed inwardly.
The situation had become truly dire.
Facing Scathach in table tennis almost guaranteed defeat — in other words, he would be the one forced to drink!
If he got drunk, there was a high chance he'd be dragged away by Murasaki Shikibu and Queen Medb.
'So that instinct skill saying "being captured by women" was referring to the two of them...'
Medb was understandable, but Murasaki-sensei, why did you join in this madness? I didn't expect someone who seemed so gentle and shy on the outside to be so secretly intense inside!
Eikou only wanted to play table tennis to catch Scathach's attention — he never expected to be gambling with his own chastity.
"No, I trust my alcohol tolerance. The drinks here are all sweet, there's no way they can bring me down..."
"Waiter, bring out a bottle of Water of Life!"
Medb smiled radiantly, waving her hand to call the waiter.
Water of Life?!
Eikou instantly broke out in a cold sweat all over his body.
That's... distilled vodka with an alcohol concentration of up to 96%!
It's been a long time since he last saw "Water of Life" appear — he even felt a bit nostalgic — but he absolutely didn't want to encounter it in a situation like this!
A normal person could risk their life just by drinking one glass; if forced to drink several bottles in a row, there's no way they'd stay conscious!
"You're truly ruthless, Medb... for the sake of men, you're willing to do anything..."
Eikou clenched his fists tightly.
Damn it, how could I just let you do whatever you want like this.
Would it be too late to run now?
But if I run, wouldn't that mean Roland's side collapses completely?
"Haizz..."
At the very least, I have to hold out until Roland's heart is shattered by Da Vinci — at least then, the whole team will have fought till the end without regrets.
Just a few more minutes, I only need to endure a little longer!
Thinking so, he raised his hand and made a proposal to Scathach and the others:
"If you absolutely must add the punishment game, I won't object. But in return..."
Eikou put on a serious expression,
"The rules of table tennis should be loosened — allow the use of skills, even permit unrestricted melee combat. Since it's easy to make mistakes when drunk, we might as well throw all the rules away."
"...You mean..."
Scathach showed a trace of thought, then looked at him attentively,
"You mean as long as you use table tennis to break through the opponent's defense, any means are allowed?"
"That's right!" Eikou nodded firmly.
If they played strictly by the rules, he absolutely couldn't defeat Scathach — someone who had experienced countless battles.
But if all limits were removed and Servant skills were allowed, then Eikou might still have a small chance to turn the situation around.
His only advantage was that he possessed many skills.
The cold red eyes of Scathach now also gleamed with great interest.
"Hmph... interesting, I accept."
"Good, then let's begin."
After saying that, Eikou tilted his head and gave Medb and Murasaki Shikibu a meaningful glance.
You two also want to take my chastity, huh? Hmph, just try if you dare.
Even the Queen of the Fairy Kingdom couldn't get me drunk and drag me away at that last party — don't think you two will succeed either!
"Wait, wait,"
At that moment, the boys' side suddenly raised their voices,
"We also want to learn a few moves from Scathach-sensei, let us join the battle too!"
"What?"
Eikou froze, turning around to see the group of male students suddenly standing up, their eyes sharp and resolute.
Charlemagne winked at him and encouraged, "Don't worry, Eikou, we won't let you carry this alone. Until Roland's situation is settled, we'll do everything we can to buy you time!"
"Playing table tennis isn't a problem. Each of us should be able to buy you a few extra minutes." Gawain said with his arms crossed.
"...Thank you, everyone!"
Eikou was deeply moved, his confidence rising noticeably.
Alright then, let these older women witness the burning friendship of men and the coordinated strikes of us brothers!
[You have activated all support skills.]
["Protection of the Lake", "Dreamlike Charisma", "Hero Creation"]
[The other male students have unified their front, simultaneously activating wide-area support skills such as "Charisma", "Holy Knight Emperor", etc.]
[With the blessings of countless skills, your team's power has been enhanced to a certain extent.]
[Your team has grown stronger!]
[Now, this is your life-or-death battle!]
"No matter how many of you there are, the result will be the same — death."
Scathach shook her head indifferently.
"Hmph, fine then, let me go first."
Tristan suddenly stood up, his golden eyes shining,
"In terms of agility and reflexes, my stats are very high. I'm confident I can hold her off for a while!"
"No, Tristan, you're an Archer, you're completely countered by Scathach-sensei." Eikou quickly said.
Please, don't die, Tristan. If you fall here, what will happen to the 'motorbike and beach' plan between me, you, and Gawain!?
"It's fine. As long as I can make Scathach-sensei take a sip of the Water of Life, she'll fall instantly."
Tristan said seriously,
"As long as I can hold out for one round… just one round, we can defeat the Queen of the Shadow Land."
"Cough, cough… I must survive..."