"Is this really that important? Or is it that, as the head of the El-Melloi family—the only noble faction still on good terms with Barthomeloi—you've decided to drag the Clock Tower's factional disputes into the Holy Grail War?" Shiomi gazed at Kayneth from a distance. "My advice? Drop it. Or you'll die."
After all, this was the Holy Grail War. Even if the Clock Tower currently dismissed it as some backwater Magecraft ritual in the Far East, once the truth got out, even killing Kayneth—monarch of the Aristocratic Faction—wouldn't earn Shiomi a death sentence from them.
"This is my final warning. If you insist on maintaining ties with Valualeta, then I'll have no choice but to prioritize eliminating you in the battles to come," Kayneth declared.
Shiomi raised his eyebrows. He had clearly underestimated the threat he posed if it had come to the point where the Aristocratic Faction's leader was issuing him a death sentence.
Of course, this wasn't something Kayneth did on a whim or for some shallow political gain.
He had his reasons. Before leaving the Clock Tower, he'd already heard countless warnings about Shiomi from within the El-Melloi faction.
"If you run into Tenkei Shiomi, you'll die. The Democratic Faction is hoping for that outcome too."
All the inner leadership of El-Melloi were aware of the basic layout of the Holy Grail War. Their absence wasn't from disinterest—just a lack of sufficient strength.
Maybe they were trying to preserve their faction's forces. Maybe they had ulterior motives and were deliberately provoking Kayneth. Either way...
When enough people repeat something, it starts to sound like truth.
Too many voices had warned him. Kayneth had no choice but to take it seriously.
If Shiomi could be recruited, great—he'd serve as an enforcer for the noble faction. If not, then he had to be destroyed.
Kayneth knew exactly how dangerous a former Sealing Designation Executor could be.
So he made his move.
"Well then, if it's a fight you want, I'm in. Shall we settle this now, or save it for another day?" Shiomi glanced at Waver. "Hey, Waver, this might be your best chance to take down the teacher you can't stand. Want to team up?"
Then he turned to Artoria.
"Saber, I don't know what your Master thinks, but if you help me take out Lancer here, I doubt your Master would object. Or you could take their side, your call. Still, two against one isn't nearly as good as three against one."
With just a few words, Shiomi deftly shook Rider's Master and Saber with a mix of logic and opportunity.
"Hahahaha! You're a natural at diplomacy! So what's it going to be, Lancer's Master? Are we fighting here, or pulling back? I'll give you a little more time to think it over," Rider said, not at all opposed to a brawl.
Whether it turned into a chaotic free-for-all or a strategic alliance, both suited his tastes just fine.
And from the look on Waver's face, he seemed tempted too.
"Retreat, Lancer..."
Seeing that the situation had spiraled out of his control—and that the others wouldn't stand by idly—Kayneth clenched his teeth and gave the order.
Lancer could only sigh with a bitter smile.
"Looks like we won't be fighting today. I hope we'll get a proper duel next time."
With that, Lancer's figure vanished from the bay warehouse.
"What a dull man. Glad he's not my Master. That would've been such a bore," Iskandar scoffed at Kayneth's retreat.
"So I guess our little alliance just got canceled," Shiomi shrugged.
"I was looking forward to seeing your strategy unfold," Iskandar said, tugging at the reins. "But I've got no interest in this kind of fight. Still, if you manage to break through all this pressure and reach me in the end, I'll be even more impressed."
"I'm not joining your army."
Shiomi pursed his lips.
Iskandar didn't seem bothered. He simply laughed twice.
Then, with a pull on the reins of his twin divine bulls, thunder rumbled and lightning cracked as his chariot tore through the sky toward the void.
"Farewell!"
In a flash of thunder and lightning, Rider and his Master disappeared into the southern sky.
Only Artoria remained.
She turned her gaze toward Morgan.
"Are you going to fight, Artoria?" Morgan crossed her arms, gazing at Artoria with a calm expression.
"No..."
Artoria shook her head. She was only acting independently for now because she'd become separated from her Master.
"To not attack right away when facing your enemy... isn't that a bit too soft-hearted, King Arthur?" Shiomi remarked half-jokingly to Saber.
"This isn't mercy," Artoria replied, shaking her head again.
"If you're separated from your Master and have nowhere to go, why not come with us for now?" Shiomi suggested.
Morgan looked doubtful. "You're suggesting we bring Artoria along with us?"
"As you can see, I'm currently being targeted by the Aristocratic Faction. I don't exactly play by the rules, so of course I want to recruit a few allies..." Shiomi handed the magic spear back to Morgan. "Maybe El-Melloi has the same idea. After all, bringing over the leader of the Three Knights would be quite the win."
Artoria remained silent, weighing the idea.
For a Servant, joining forces with another Master and Servant without official orders was essentially a public declaration of alliance.
"Besides, your Master will surely come looking for you. Rather than running around, why not wait here?" Shiomi added. "We might even use the opportunity to discuss possible cooperation with your Master."
"Desperate times call for desperate measures." Artoria made up her mind. "What do you think, Sister?"
"Interesting. Let's give it a try," Morgan replied without objection.
She could clearly see Shiomi was trying to make use of Artoria—something she found perfectly acceptable.
Shiomi raised his head. "Come a little closer, King Arthur."
Artoria, a bit puzzled, stepped forward toward them.
As soon as she stopped, a sudden gust of wind surged through. A flock of pitch-black crows burst into view, swirling around the three of them.
"What is this...?"
Artoria's eyes widened in surprise.
But before the shock could settle, the crows vanished just as quickly, and the scene around them cleared.
They now stood in the courtyard before the front door of a Western-style mansion.
"This is my home. Let me be your host and welcome the first guest to visit during this Holy Grail War," Shiomi said with a light, casual smile.
Just then, Morgan stepped forward like she owned the place. She naturally followed the path to the front door, pulled out a key, and unlocked it.
"All who come are guests. As long as you don't start a fight here, I suppose you're welcome to stay," Morgan said to Artoria, toying with the key.
She then glanced at Shiomi, seemingly checking if her actions were appropriate.
Artoria couldn't help but smile.
"What's so funny, Artoria?"
"Nothing, it's just... so much has happened tonight, I couldn't help myself."
Saber turned away, looking toward the gate.
"You two go ahead inside. I want to check the area one more time."
In truth, Artoria was simply feeling a little emotional.
Her sister... had shown such an ordinary, human expression.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake