"That depends on your definition of ’help,’ Yggdmillennia." Sakatsuki’s pointed remark sent a shiver down Fiore’s spine, instantly reminding her of the fact that the Yggdmillennia had declared war on the Clock Tower. Sakatsuki had come to subjugate them in the first place. Even if he had defected from the Red Faction due to Amakusa’s slaughter of the Masters, would he really extend a helping hand to Yggdmillennia so easily? No—far from it. Now that her uncle had been killed by Sakatsuki, she had to be wary of him allying with the Clock Tower to completely seize Yggdmillennia’s assets... During her time studying at the Clock Tower, Fiore had heard far too many similar tragedies. Then, should she compromise with the Clock Tower in exchange for aid? No, no—at the very least, she couldn’t show weakness so quickly... "It seems you understand, Miss Fiore." Sakatsuki smiled faintly. "Rather than asking me, why not consult Mr. Kairi? After all, mercenaries specialize in this kind of work." "Why drag me into this..." Kairi muttered, though he waved a hand dismissively. "Fiore Forvedge Yggdmillennia, right? Just saw you yesterday." To be precise, just yesterday, they had been locked in a life-or-death battle in Sighișoara, fully intent on killing each other. Yet today, they were sitting together, discussing cooperation. How strange. Faced with Kairi’s casual greeting, the young girl struggled to maintain a composed demeanor... but her expression remained slightly stiff. In this regard, she clearly lacked the mercenary’s easygoing attitude. "...Well, I must admit, this reunion is startlingly swift, given the unexpected circumstances." "Don’t say that. This Holy Grail War entered its second phase the moment the Greater Grail was stolen. You and I are no longer enemies." Heh heh heh—the two of them laughed simultaneously. Even through his sunglasses, Fiore was certain—this man’s eyes held not a trace of amusement. Of course, the same could be said for Kairi. "This is getting scary..." Astolfo shivered, eyes welling up with tears, prompting Sieg to pat his back reassuringly. Seeing this, Fiore dropped her forced smile, cleared her throat, and continued: "Then, please provide a detailed account of what happened after boarding the Hanging Gardens." As the Black Faction’s meeting continued, the Red Faction’s Hanging Gardens had already begun moving. The floating fortress, having swallowed the Greater Grail, now sailed through the dawn sky. Through their familiars’ surveillance, they confirmed that the Primordial Giant, Adam, had been defeated. Avicebron’s wish remained unfulfilled, granting the enemy time to regroup. "Considering the time needed to organize intel, prepare for pursuit, and actually chase us down—I’d say about three days." "You think they’ll catch up in three days?" "Of course, Jeanne d’Arc must persuade the magi of Yggdmillennia and unite the remaining Servants—that is a necessary prerequisite." Perhaps the Yggdmillennia faction would compromise and redirect their demands toward the Mage’s Association. Even for the Mage’s Association, this was an unexpected situation—after all, the Holy Grail had been stolen by their longtime rival, the Holy Church. Though, to be fair, the Holy Church was currently in quite a predicament as well. The vast throne room stood empty. Neither of the two Casters were the type to enjoy crowds, and Artoria had slipped out to welcome little Jack. Only Amakusa, the Empress, and Reika remained at the heart of the fortress. Behind them, the Greater Grail traced the form of the Winter Saint, her expression devout and sorrowful, like a silent effigy of the Holy Spirit in a chapel. "Now then, that leaves you, Miss Rikudou." The heroes of old had scattered like leaves in the wind. Amakusa gazed at the empty space, his lips still curved in a smile as serene as the deep sea. "Why did you choose our Red Faction? Your answer will determine our stance moving forward." Reika opened her mouth, startled to find herself overwhelmed by Amakusa’s presence. What kind of courage drove him to act ? The Red Faction was now undeniably at a disadvantage! Even if the Empress in her Hanging Gardens rivaled the strongest Servants, excluding Reika, the Red Faction only had Amakusa—a second-rate combatant—and the third-rate writer Shakespeare left. Yet despite holding such a terrible hand, this priest could still smile so calmly? Reika met those golden eyes directly. At a glance, one might see only the gentleness expected of a clergyman, but now, that facade was crumbling. Beneath that hollow shell lay an unshakable resolve—"My heart is not a stone; it cannot be turned." It was the accumulated suffering of an Eastern saint over sixty years of perseverance. He would not allow himself to end here. No matter how dire the circumstances, Amakusa was still a contender for victory. Wasn’t it only natural, then, that he would scrutinize potential allies? Realizing this, Reika cast aside her contempt and arrogance. Just as she had stood alone before the formidable Black Faction Servants, she now responded to Amakusa’s inquiry with soft-spoken caution, her guard fully raised. "I need the Greater Grail, and the Ossray family seeks to destroy Yggdmillennia—because we were once driven out by Darnic." "And then lost your magecraft foundation, reduced to a third-rate family," the Empress interjected, revealing they were not unprepared. However, the Clock Tower’s information blackout had kept Amakusa unaware that the Ossray family had already been annihilated. "I see. Your goals are the Grail and revenge. That’s reason enough to defect from the Black Faction." As she spoke, Empress Semiramis and Priest Amakusa Shirou Tokisada exchanged a covert glance. In that instant, they both understood—Reika Rikudou was, and could only ever be, a pawn to be used. No one could restrain the vengeful will-o’-the-wisp. And after all, there was only one Holy Grail. "Then, what is the wish you wish to tell the Holy Grail?" "My wish, of course, is the prosperity of my family." Exiting the Throne Room, Reika saw the man dressed in extravagant robes bow respectfully to her and extend his hand. "Fair maiden, might I have the pleasure of your company for dinner this evening?" Before the Red Faction Masters perished, Sakatsuki had already transferred Shakespeare’s Command Spell, leaving the playwright unharmed and present. The excuse given to Amakusa and the others was "the eccentricity of a writer." Hmm... And both Amakusa and the Empress bought it. After all, this Shakespeare was always spouting nonsense and pulling stunts—hardly unusual behavior. Besides, what could he even do if he betrayed them? Write odes to his teammates? "Mr. Shakespeare, please stop this. It’s troubling me." "Ah, but Miss Reika, I’m merely concerned for your welfare!" Shakespeare rose and leaned close to her ear, whispering: "If you’re willing, we could work together from within to overthrow Semiramis’s cruel reign and establish a beautiful, romantic Verona!" "Even more—" Shakespeare’s eyes sparkled with childlike glee, like a demon murmuring temptations, "if you were to abandon that young man in Romania as well..." He was urging Reika to betray the Empress—even to betray Sakatsuki. Reika knew Shakespeare didn’t truly desire betrayal. He was merely an incorrigible chronicler, craving turmoil and conflict. But if she showed even the slightest hesitation, this wicked literary giant would grow utterly exhilarated, pulling out all the stops to corrupt her. After savoring an unconventional ending, he’d likely discard her with bored indifference. The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⚑𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖⚑𝕟𝕖𝕥 So Reika simply gazed deeply at Shakespeare, offered a faint smile, and walked away without looking back. "Oh, my sweet and innocent lady!" Realizing he’d been rejected, Shakespeare dramatically spread his arms, his mustache quivering as he poured forth a torrent of words. "Gilded diamonds, radiant pearls—they win you a queen’s delusion of grandeur! Yet little do you know, all around you lurks venom of power, fragrance of arrogance—alluring yet lethal perfume!" Was he speaking of Sakatsuki and me, or perhaps Her Majesty the Empress? Amused by the thought, Reika’s footsteps didn’t falter as she vanished from the gesticulating Shakespeare’s sight. Compared to such trivial matters, wasn’t it far more important to check whether little Jack had been hurt?