Waver opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but couldn't find the words... He was acutely aware of his current financial situation. If he continued spending like this, he might not even have enough money to return to England after the Holy Grail War...
Using magecraft to deceive ordinary people would be a disgrace to a magus...
Ryougi Raku didn't give him any time to feel awkward. He immediately stood up, paid the bill, and walked straight towards the door. As he passed their table, he said softly to Rider and the others, "...We are friends for now, but if we meet on the battlefield, don't blame me for being ruthless." As he spoke, he glanced at Waver with a half-smile, trying to intimidate him.
As expected, Waver instinctively leaned back, just as Ryougi Raku had hoped...
A broad, strong hand gripped Waver's shoulder, suddenly filling him with strength... and he bravely met Ryougi Raku's gaze!
"Master of Lancer, that is only right! Although I hold you in high esteem, should we meet on the battlefield, I, Iskandar, will grant you the honor you deserve!" Rider took a sip of wine and declared proudly.
"We shall see!" With that, Ryougi Raku had already walked out of the shop.
"...Rider." Seeing Ryougi Raku leave, Waver called out softly to Rider.
"Don't worry, little Master. Only such a person is worthy of being my opponent, the King of Conquerors!"
"Hmm!" For some reason, Waver suddenly felt filled with confidence and strength...
…
"Lancer, Rider is quite the man! With such charisma, it's no wonder he led countless heroes to conquer the world! If it weren't for our differing stances, I'd really like to talk with him more!" Ryougi Raku muttered to himself as he walked. The passersby seemed oblivious to his murmuring.
"Yes, Master! Although there are villains like Caster among those summoned by the Holy Grail, there are also true heroes like the King of Conquerors!" Lancer agreed.
At that moment, Ryougi Raku suddenly stopped...
"My Lord, what is that magical energy?"
"That place... the Holy Church?! It seems Caster's actions have finally provoked public outrage, and the Holy Church can no longer sit idly by!"
"What shall we do?" Lancer asked Ryougi Raku for his plan...
"Haha... of course, we'll participate." Ryougi Raku made the decision with a smile that pleased Lancer greatly!
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One hour after the Holy Church sent out the signal summoning the Masters, five familiars had gathered...
Although Ryougi Raku wasn't an orthodox magus, controlling a familiar wasn't difficult for him. He knew the other Masters would definitely send familiars, and since he wasn't one to stand out, he simply followed the others.
Kotomine Risei looked at the familiars before him, feeling both amused and helpless. The Masters participating in the Holy Grail War were indifferent to the Holy Church. No one took his so-called summons seriously...
"Since no one has come in person, I'll be brief! I'm sure everyone is aware that during this Holy Grail War, a traitor has emerged. He has abandoned the glory of a hero, cast aside justice, openly killing ordinary people and exposing magecraft to the world..."
"We have confirmed that Caster's Master is the culprit behind the recent series of kidnappings in Fuyuki City. The Servant he summoned acts in the same manner, committing atrocities. I believe everyone understands the consequences of such a violation of the rules."
Pausing as he looked at the familiars before him, Kotomine Risei continued, "He and his Servant are no longer your individual enemies, but the common enemy of this Holy Grail War!"
Despite his aged body, Kotomine Risei spoke with gravity.
But he also knew that appeals to so-called righteousness wouldn't make the Masters before him act according to his wishes...
Kotomine Risei rolled up his sleeves, revealing his arms to the Masters before him. They were densely covered with tattoo-like patterns. These were Command Spells!
Satisfied with the sudden commotion among the familiars, Kotomine Risei straightened his clothes. "These are Command Spells recovered from previous Holy Grail Wars, entrusted to me as the supervisor of this war. They are the legacy of former Masters and Servants, the unused Command Spells!"
"Everyone knows their function and value!"
After calmly stating this, Kotomine Risei immediately became animated to achieve the desired effect. "I can bestow these Command Spells upon anyone at my discretion! Yes, anyone! Therefore, I hope all Masters will cease all hostilities! Everyone, do your utmost to eliminate Caster, this individual who has blatantly violated the rules of the Holy Grail War! And to whoever eliminates him, I will grant the appropriate reward!" At the same time, he waved his arms, making the Command Spells flash before all the Masters, as if tempting them...
After a pause to let the Masters digest this, Kotomine Risei said solemnly, "Now, if you have any questions, please voice them!"
He believed no Master would give up this opportunity; the bait itself was irresistible!
A commotion arose in the darkness, and then the familiars departed one after another. Clearly, they had reached a consensus...
Kotomine Risei laughed heartily. He believed Caster's defeat was imminent!
And this was also a way to assist Tōsaka Tokiomi...
Ryougi Raku understood exactly what the old man was planning. "What a fool! To just reveal his Command Spells like that?"
Ryougi Raku was also very interested in these Command Spells. It wasn't about their use, but they looked truly beautiful. If one covered an entire arm with them, wouldn't it appear very mysterious? Ryougi Raku's mischievous taste had resurfaced...
…
In the western suburbs of Fuyuki City lies a beautiful girl and a sparsely populated mountain. This area has not undergone any artificial development because it was purchased by a company for private use.
Legend has it that a mythical castle stands here...
What ordinary people don't know is that this is Einzbern Castle, built by the Einzbern family for the Holy Grail War!
This place is shrouded in a bounded field year-round and has never been discovered by ordinary people. Although it looks magnificent, for the sake of the Holy Grail War, this castle is nothing to the Einzbern family...
That night, within this mysterious castle...
Emiya Kiritsugu, Hisau Maiya, Irisviel, and Saber were all discussing strategy. Irisviel told Emiya Kiritsugu about her previous encounter with Caster, and after analysis, Emiya Kiritsugu concluded that he would definitely attack!
"Well. To ensure absolute success in defeating Caster, shouldn't we defeat Lancer first?" Irisviel asked doubtfully. It hadn't been long since the Holy Church summoned the Masters, and Emiya Kiritsugu had informed Saber and the others of what was said then.
"No, there's no need to confront Caster head-on after he appears. Iri, you can use the terrain to your advantage, and Saber only needs to retreat as long as we disrupt his line of sight!" Emiya Kiritsugu shook his head, rejecting Irisviel's suggestion.
"Not fighting Caster?" Irisviel was shocked, and Saber was even angrier upon hearing Emiya Kiritsugu's words. Was she, the dignified King of Knights, supposed to just run away?
"All the Masters are preparing to deal with Caster. They will definitely not give up those Command Spells. So, we don't need to take action. Others will handle Caster. Meanwhile, we can hide in the shadows and become the hunters!" Emiya Kiritsugu explained. These tactics were indeed in line with his methods.
"We can also take advantage of all the Masters' eagerness to kill Caster and eliminate them all in one fell swoop when they reveal their weaknesses. This way, the war will be much simpler!" These were Emiya Kiritsugu's true goals!
"Master, you... just how despicable can you be!" Saber could no longer contain her anger and shouted furiously.
Irisviel glanced at the enraged Saber with melancholy. She knew this was the deepest anger Saber had felt since being summoned.
"Master, you are insulting the Heroic Spirits!" Yes, Saber was utterly disgusted by Emiya Kiritsugu's actions. This behavior, which violated the spirit of chivalry and tarnished the glory of heroes, was a complete insult to her. Her sacred blue eyes clearly conveyed her fury to Emiya Kiritsugu.
"Why didn't you entrust me with the responsibility of battle? Besides, I've already made an appointment to fight Lancer again, yet you still resort to such despicable means. Or do you simply not trust me as a Servant?!" Saber questioned, and at the same time, she unconsciously thought, 'If it were Raku, he would never devise such a despicable plan, right? Lancer truly has a good Master.' Saber felt a little sorrowful, and also a faint envy...
Yes, during her battle with Lancer, she had come to understand that Servant. Like herself, he adhered to the path of a knight. And the way he treated Ryougi Raku with such respect was not a simple master-servant relationship, but obedience from the heart. It was conceivable that Ryougi Raku must have respect for Lancer and a course of action that aligned with Lancer's morals!
Irisviel looked at the angry Saber, and her melancholy deepened. Seeing Hisau Maiya standing behind Emiya Kiritsugu intensified this feeling. She knew that at this moment, the person closest to Emiya Kiritsugu was not her, his wife, nor his Servant, but that woman!
"Then what about the Overseer's request for everyone to cease fire and focus on dealing with Caster?" In an attempt to ease Saber's anger and lessen her own sorrow, Irisviel posed a new question.
"Don't worry about it! We will act according to our own will. If the Overseer causes trouble, we'll simply say we were unaware of this request!" Emiya Kiritsugu ignored Saber's anger but answered Irisviel's question.
"Besides, that Overseer is not to be trusted!"
"Alright, the meeting ends here. Iri and I will remain in the castle preparing for the next phase of the plan. Maiya, you go to the city to gather intelligence!" Emiya Kiritsugu decisively ended the conversation.
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(TL : More Chapters @patreon.com/c/Gooberilla)