The festivities at the Tohsaka residence lasted nearly five hours.
... A bit of trivia.
In the noble concept, a "luncheon" is far more than just "eating lunch."
It encompasses a series of elaborate activities, including lunch, social salons, afternoon tea, and small games.
Or, in simpler terms:
"It's the preparation time before the official competition begins."
"Ding, ding, ding... "
As the sun finally set and the last rays of light vanished from the horizon, the ever-impatient Emperor made her grand entrance, dressed in her most splendid attire.
"Welcome to the second competition!"
"Let me see, what's the theme of this match?"
Nero reached into a completely sealed box filled with white paper balls, each inscribed with events like [Race], [High Jump], or [Tug-of-War].
Her hand rummaged inside, seemingly searching for a theme she liked... but unfortunately, without invoking her [Imperial Privilege], even the Roman Emperor couldn't have everything go her way.
"Hmm, this one will do, umu."
"The theme is... Wait, who put this in here?!"
Nero let out a strange yelp from the platform.
When the others learned the theme of today's competition, they collectively fell silent.
"[Parent-Child]."
...
[Parent-Child Game].
Parent-child games come in many forms, but their essence is the same... simple to play, emphasizing teamwork, and valuing the process over the outcome.
However, there was one critical prerequisite for this game:
"The participants need to be parent and child, right?"
Everyone looked around... While there were indeed some Masters or Servants with "parent-child" relationships present, determining the winner this way would hardly be convincing!
"Of course, I anticipated this!"
At the critical moment, a voice from the referee's stand made everyone realize who had come up with this "brilliant idea" and slipped this event into the box.
"So, I've given each of you two balls."
"One red, one green."
"If you consider yourself the [Parent], keep the red ball; if you consider yourself the [Child], keep the green ball."
"Then, pair up according to this pre-set list."
"Note, you won't know the others' choices before pairing. If, after pairing, both hold balls of the same color, you're eliminated."
Jeanne Lily explained earnestly.
To ensure even the kindergarten-aged kids could understand, she drew some vivid stick-figure illustrations... though it was unclear if the little girls actually got it.
"In short, everyone, start choosing!"
...
Alaric held two differently colored balls in his hand.
But he didn't make a choice right away. Instead, he first examined the so-called "list."
He found that the list wasn't randomly arranged after all.
[Group A: Illya - Irisviel]
[Group B: Tokiomi Tohsaka - Sakura Tohsaka]
[Group C: Kayneth - Waver]
[Group D: Rider - Caster]
[Group E: Lancer - Berserker]
[Group F: Archer - Assassin]
[Bye: Caren, Saber]
Looking at the list, it felt a bit unfair to the little nun.
But there was no helping it... though her father was sitting nearby, he wasn't an official participant in this Holy Grail War.
As for Nero... she was displeased, but Jeanne Lily quickly cheered her up with, "The Emperor is the ruler of the nation, the father of all Romans, so the Emperor doesn't need to participate in this competition."
"Grouping me with the ahoge sister, huh?"
"Lily, I never noticed before, but your intentions are downright devious!"
Holding the two colored balls, Alaric gradually realized the little saint's sinister plan.
... Would he choose to be the [Parent] or the [Child]?
Was that even a question?
And the ahoge sister? Would she choose to be the [Parent] or the [Child]?
Was that even a question!
"To stay in the competition, you have to compromise."
"If you insist on taking the upper hand, you'll be eliminated."
"This little saint... after centuries, how did her heart turn so wicked?"
Alaric gritted his teeth.
... Yet he unhesitatingly chose the red ball, representing [Parent].
No debate needed. It was just a game; if he didn't participate, so be it.
But choosing the green ball... that would be a disgrace for a dragon's lifetime!
...
Five minutes passed quickly.
All participants had made their choices.
The first to announce their results were Tokiomi Tohsaka and Sakura Tohsaka, the "true father and daughter"... unsurprisingly, Tokiomi was the "Parent," and Sakura the "Child."
The second were Kayneth and Waver, the teacher and student... no matter how bold Waver might be, he wouldn't dare keep the red ball.
The third were Caster and Rider... they failed to match.
That alone wasn't surprising.
What was surprising was that both had chosen the green ball.
Both considered themselves the [Child] of the other.
"..."
The middle-aged magus stared at the green ball in the red-haired king's hand, his brows knitting into a frown.
The red-haired king, after a moment of stunned silence, burst into hearty laughter.
"Hahahahaha... "
It was a laugh from the depths of his heart.
As if he had discovered something that brought him more joy than conquering a nation.
"You seem to have some misconceptions about kings, strategist."
He extended his massive hand, clapping the middle-aged magus on the back... the impact instantly reminding the weathered magus of some youthful experiences.
"A king, you see, is someone protected by the united efforts of their vassals, regarded as a beacon of [hope]."
"Thus, a king is the [Child], not the parent."
"But that's fine... you wouldn't know this, and neither do they."
The red-haired king tossed the green ball aside, then forcibly slung his arm around the magus's shoulders, heading toward a distant tavern.
... They were eliminated.
... But who could say they lost?
---
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