I, Kenneth, am going to get to the root of the problem today.

Page 32

Just as Gilgamesh found a reason to despise the mortal king in his eyes, Morgan, who was hiding in the forest, also received a communication from Kenneth.

“Caster, that magician killer was here not long ago, and his eyes might be around.”

"Eye?"

While silently reciting the mantra, Morgan discreetly began searching for magical fluctuations in the surroundings without revealing his own presence.

"No need to look anymore, I don't think he would use mystical techniques."

Faced with Kenneth's seemingly prophetic statement, Morgan suddenly had the illusion that he was being manipulated by the other party. Suppressing his inner speculation, Morgan decided to observe the man he had only met a few times first.

"Since you've told me all this, does that mean you already have a plan?"

“That’s right. The man needs to live before we can extract all his value. We must maintain our maximum strength before the final battle. It would be too costly to clash with that Hero King now. We need a puppet to draw our fire.”

Dividing Kenneth's words, Morgan guessed a possibility: the magician assassin had probably been under surveillance all along, and Kenneth's decision to sever the assassin's arm without killing him was likely part of today's plan.

"Has this man calculated everything? To gain the greatest benefit with the least cost, he's a truly terrifying fellow!"

At that moment, Morgan felt he had grasped the truth.

Chapter 80 Eavesdropping Devices

Suppressing his turbulent emotions, at this moment, Kenneth's image in Morgan's mind had transformed into that of a cunning and scheming monster.

"So, what's your specific plan?"

Controlling his tone, Morgan did his best not to let the old coin across from him notice anything unusual.

“It’s not a plan. Everyone thinks Saber is in my hands right now, so Irisviel, as the Lesser Grail, should also be in my hands.”

"You mean to throw the Lesser Grail away?"

Thinking about Kenneth's plan, Morgan continued speaking, following Kenneth's train of thought.

"That's right, it's just the Lesser Grail. The Greater Grail is at Mount Enzo. It doesn't matter who has the Lesser Grail before the final battle. Since that's the case, why not make use of this prize that hasn't been fully filled yet?"

"I see. Is the Lesser Grail all you need? Where should it be sent? I'll have Saber take the person there."

It has to be said that talking to smart people is so much easier. Seeing that Morgan understood his meaning, Kenneth continued:

"At my current base, a scavenger has already infiltrated this Holy Grail War. I need to be as discreet as possible and avoid being caught red-handed."

"Scavenger?"

Morgan felt a strange unease upon hearing Kenneth's words.

"Yes, it was discovered by a cleanup executioner while monitoring that magician assassin. Your information has probably been exposed."

For the first time, Morgan, the witch, felt apprehensive. It wasn't because of the so-called cleaner; Morgan was apprehensive because Kenneth had woven an invisible web without her knowledge.

"Don't worry, I can assure you that the information about Saber and the Lesser Grail has not been exposed. He only went to Ryudou Temple once, and Saber and Irisviel did not show up that time."

"It's quite a coincidence that the magician assassin took the initiative to extend his hand, and I took the opportunity to release some information. Just recently, he and his servant were being chased by the King of Heroes and had no time to continue gathering intelligence."

……

Kenneth's words echoed in Morgan's ears, and the situation in his mind became clearer. Some details that Morgan knew but had overlooked were connected by Kenneth's explanation: the attack by the Zenjou family, the Matou family's plan, the eldest daughter of the Tohsaka family, and the battle in the suburbs... Seemingly unrelated things were woven into a big net under this man's manipulation, which included everyone involved in the Holy Grail War.

"What a terrifying man. It seems I'm just a pawn too."

Taking a deep breath, Morgan suppressed his inner turmoil, gave Kenneth a brief reply, glanced at Artoria in the garden, and then began to mentally replan how to complete the subsequent cooperation with Kenneth.

"The Lesser Grail, Irisviel... What a pity, the Orange doll hasn't arrived yet. Oh well, I can make a temporary soul container too. Since that's the case..."

As he murmured, the shadow beneath Morgan's feet began to twist. A few seconds later, two Morgan-like figures, identical to Morgan but exuding an inhuman aura, appeared within the barrier.

"I'll stay here and watch over Lily. The android and the container for storing souls are now in your hands."

"Lily is in your care now. We'll handle the rest of the work."

With the same tone, the trinity of Morgan completely liberated himself, watching his other two selves leave. The island power avatar, still worried about Artoria, looked at Artoria in the garden once more.

Similarly, Morgan wasn't the only one spying on the banquet. Kiritsugu Emiya, staring intently at the three kings on the screen, carefully analyzed the interactions between the three Servants through his headphones.

"Archer, are there any other Servants at the castle?"

"Nothing has been found yet."

Standing atop a hill far from the castle, Red A's eagle-like eyes scanned the dense forest below. His gaze settled on the figure in the evening gown, and he nearly slipped and fell off the hilltop.

"Archer, have we been spotted? Why did the screen shake?"

As a human eavesdropping device, Red A's lips twitched. He shouldered the camera and calmly adjusted his position.

"It's nothing. The previous picture quality wasn't good, so I adjusted the camera position. How's the picture now?"

Without dwelling too much on the camera angles, Kiritsugu Emiya carefully studied the conversation between the kings through the miniature listening devices scattered throughout the garden. He frowned, thinking that the discussion among these ancient heroes was utterly meaningless; they were just a bunch of fools whose brains had been corrupted by honor.

“Archer, catch up with Saber after the banquet. Irisviel disappeared with her. We must find the location of the Lesser Grail.”

Looking at Artoria, who was arguing fiercely with two other Servants in the scene, Kiritsugu Emiya began to ponder Artoria's changes. Her clothing was completely different from before, and her words and actions showed that she was beginning to care about her identity as a woman.

"Saber has changed so much under El-Melloi's command. What exactly happened during this time?"

The more Kiritsugu Emiya thought about it, the more confused he became. Even though he hadn't spent much time with Artoria, he knew King Arthur's personality. Could it be that El-Melloi had already mastered the means to modify a Servant's Spirit Origin?

Combined with the aura of genius surrounding the other party's renowned reputation, Kiritsugu Emiya became even more certain of his inner suspicions.

"What a troublesome fellow. I really underestimated that monarch. But no matter how talented you are in magic, I am the nemesis of you corrupt folks. As long as you are a magician, I am your nemesis!"

After a moment of vague conjecture about unification, Kiritsugu Emiya felt he was invincible again, and it was at this moment that the banquet among kings reached its climax.

When Artoria expressed her wish entrusted to the Holy Grail, Gilgamesh went into pleasure mode, and Iskandar's eyes widened. Faced with the two's attitudes, Artoria, who had always felt that there was nothing wrong with her wish, immediately looked at the two.

"What, is there a problem with my wish?"

Faced with Artoria's question, Gilgamesh, who was fundamentally different from the idealistic Artoria, switched to his "fat tiger" mode, watching Artoria embark on a path he had never imagined. Iskandar slowly put down his wine glass.

"Knight King, let me confirm, when you say 'change fate,' do you mean to overturn history?"

Seeing Iskandar's serious expression, Artoria, who was puzzled, nodded solemnly after thinking for a moment.

"Um, Saber, that country called Britain, it was destroyed under your rule, right? So you're trying to deny your past?"

As Artoria nodded, Gilgamesh's laughter resounded throughout the banquet.

Chapter 81 If you're not dead, I will take action.

In the woods outside the castle, through the connection between the Command Seals, Morgan heard Iskandar and Gilgamesh mocking Artoria. Morgan now had no goodwill towards that country called Britain. Even though Morgan agreed that Artoria should be a little girl, it didn't stop Morgan from making a note of them in his little notebook.

In Morgan's eyes, if you dare to mess with my sister, then you're messing with me. Only Morgan can bully her. What right do you two, one a delusional teenager and the other a rough guy, have to bully Artoria? If she weren't afraid of exposing her existence and affecting subsequent plans, Morgan would have really wanted to go and kill those two. She, Morgan, side with her own people, regardless of right or wrong.

The next moment, after Fat Tiger uttered those humiliating words, Morgan's rationality snapped completely. The crows in the woods began to stir under Morgan's abnormal emotions, and countless crow feathers fell amidst the piercing caws. With crisp footsteps, Morgan, shrouded in thick black mist, stepped onto the empty seat at the round table on the silver-white floor tiles.

"You bastard, who gave you the audacity to sit on the throne that belongs to a king?! I, the king..."

'Wow--'

The wine cup flew up, and the red wine that Gilgamesh had previously rejected was suddenly splashed at the enraged Gilgamesh under Morgan's manipulation. In the chaos, a few drops of wine splashed onto Gilgamesh's golden armor, and veins bulged on his forehead. Gilgamesh's anger instantly exceeded his threshold.

"You filthy, foul-smelling reptile!! How dare you! How dare you humiliate me like this! Are you ready to wash my armor with your filthy blood? You..."

Completely ignoring Gilgamesh, Morgan flicked his finger, and the discarded barrel of wine flew like a cannonball towards the hysterical Gilgamesh. The bright red wine splattered like blood, and through the flying wood chips, Gilgamesh, with one hand on his forehead, let out a maniacal laugh that could be described as mentally polluting in his extreme anger.

"Go to hell, you cultivator!"

Her crimson eyes shot out a chilling killing intent, and the sky above Einzbern was completely submerged in golden ripples. Glancing at the stunned Artoria, the witch, bathed in the afterglow of the Age of Gods, revealed her power.

Faced with the dense barrage of Noble Phantasms, Morgan waved his wand, swallowing the incoming Noble Phantasms into the dark rift. Immediately afterward, the nearby forest was suddenly engulfed by the overwhelming Noble Phantasms, and the fierce wind lifted the petals in the courtyard. Facing Gilgamesh, who had once again merged with the street lamp, Morgan didn't even bother to look up. With a wave of his hand, he severed the street lamp that represented supreme glory.

"A village chief whose morals are still uncivilized—who gave you the audacity to presume to look down on me! You insect!!"

"Caesar?!"

Gilgamesh's anger intensified, and after Morgan's repeated slaps in the face, his fury instantly soared to the heavens. His handsome face was completely distorted. Faced with the Noble Phantasm, which had risen several levels in terms of mystery, Morgan's heart was in his throat. However, at this moment, an unexpected figure stood not far from Morgan.

Consider this a thank you for teaching that rude person a lesson on my behalf.

Through the Command Seals, Artoria's voice rang in his mind. Overwhelmed by this unexpected joy, Morgan felt as if his life had come full circle. Controlling his tone, Morgan, hidden behind the black mist, turned his sharp gaze toward Artoria in front of him.

"Saber, this is between me and that Gilgamesh. I hope you won't be ungrateful!!"

Faced with Morgan's sudden change of attitude, Artoria's ahoge twitched a few times, but then, prompted by Morgan, Artoria unusually cooperated with Morgan and started acting.

Seeing the two below confronting each other, Gilgamesh, completely blinded by rage, found a more pleasing streetlight.

"Saber, I will ask you one last time, are you willing to kneel before me and beg for my favor!"

An invisible wind blade slashed out, and the street lamp that embodied the king's will fell again. Faced with Artoria's silent rejection, the fickle A-Flash also withdrew the ferocity from his face, lightly touched the top of the castle with his toes, and the royal treasure that blocked the sky disappeared. The golden hilt of the sword slowly emerged from the void.

"Is that so? Is this your answer? Considering the amusement you've brought me, I'll reluctantly treat you like a hero and send you off!"

As Morgan watched Gilgamesh draw the sword that symbolized the beginning of the world, a look of solemnity flashed in his eyes. Golden ripples gradually spread, and crimson veins, like blood vessels, rapidly filled the sky.

"Saber, and that unknown bastard, along with your..."

The next moment, before Gilgamesh could even draw his sword, which was powerful enough to cut through the heavens and earth, countless dark shadows emerged from every corner of the garden's ears, and daggers gleaming with a chilling light stabbed towards Waver's throat, which had already been unknowingly slashed at it.

"Tokiomi, do you even dare to humiliate me?! My mercy towards you is not a license for you to act recklessly!!"

Just as Iskandar was about to strike down the dagger aimed at Waver, Gilgamesh's figure became illusory once again, and from within, Gilgamesh once again launched a sniper attack.

Tokiomi Tohsaka: He's not dead! I'll intervene!!

As Gilgamesh's roar completely faded away, the banquet had turned into a farce. Iskandar pulled Waver, who had been startled by the sudden appearance of Assassin, behind him, and at this moment, he had no intention of offering him a drink.

A fierce wind, carrying flower petals, made it impossible to open one's eyes. Behind the rustling cloak, with her arms shielding her eyes, Artoria looked at Iskandar's back.

"Saber, the final question of this banquet is this: as a king, are you not aloof and arrogant?"

"Ignore him, he's just a fool whose only thought is to plunder!"

At Morgan's insistence, Artoria's unspoken words, which had been forced back down her throat by her recent training, were swallowed back down. Not hearing Artoria's reply, Iskadar closed his eyes, stirring up the desert within his heart.

A blinding white light began to spread, and a swirling vortex rapidly eroded the real world, centered on Iskandar. A storm of mental images unfolded, the sweet fragrance of flowers was replaced by dry air, and scorching sand particles constantly struck Webber's face, which remained in the OR2 pose.

As his vision returned to normal after being stolen by the white light, the rolling sand dunes came into view. Morgan, who had some knowledge of modern magic due to his travels, immediately turned his serious gaze to Iskandar, who was still facing away from everyone. Just as Morgan was pondering whether to take the opportunity to stab Iskandar, Iskandar spoke.

"This is the land my army has traversed, the landscape etched in the hearts of all the warriors who shared my joys and sorrows. Though our bodies are destroyed and our souls have returned to the world, the bond I share with them is truly my most precious treasure! My kingly way! It is my strongest Noble Phantasm—the King's Army!!"

Blocking Morgan's path as he tried to cause trouble, Artoria's pale green eyes flashed with confusion as she looked at the warriors who had appeared in response to Iskandar.

Chapter 82 The Tax Evasion Team Makes its Debut

Sensing the strange noise behind him, Kirei Kotomine took a step forward, tossed the blood-stained anti-master's Noble Phantasm onto the table, and strolled toward the gradually appearing king with a smirk on his lips.

His nose twitched slightly as he noticed the still-dripping blood on the Azoth sword on the table. His anger vanished instantly, replaced by a joyful laugh that echoed throughout the Tohsaka family's basement. Infected by Gilgamesh's demonic laughter, the curve of his lips became even more pronounced. Following his body's instincts, Kirei Kotomine let out the first maniacal laugh of his life.

Rewinding to a few minutes earlier, through the perspective of Hyakko, Tokiomi Tohsaka witnessed the entire Three Kings' Banquet. At first, seeing his ancestor being summoned to wreak havoc on others, Tokiomi Tohsaka felt a warmth in his heart.

However, things were about to get out of hand. Just as Tokiomi Tohsaka was enjoying Gilgamesh's verbal battle with the two kings, Caster suddenly appeared and threw a cup of wine at Gilgamesh. Tokiomi knew that things would get out of hand without some bloodshed.

Kidney deficiency... cough cough, empty magic, it doesn't necessarily happen after overwork. Lower back and leg pain, lethargy, as if the body has been hollowed out. Gilgamesh was setting off fireworks recklessly on the front line. Tokiomi Tohsaka, whose magic power was suddenly drained, suddenly collapsed and convulsed.

As Kirei Kotomine watched Tokiomi Tohsaka, who had been so elegant just moments before, reveal such an ugly side, he felt a sense of satisfaction from the stark contrast between Tokiomi's behavior and his previous demeanor. Meanwhile, Gilgamesh, watching from the surveillance screen, was already gripping the hilt of Ea.

"Teacher, Archer is going to use that Noble Phantasm. Please make the decision."

His voice lost its usual calmness and was filled with inexplicably high emotions. Kirei Kotomine lifted up Nicholas Tohsaka Tokiomi, who was sprawled on the ground trembling.

After glancing at Gilgamesh, who was in a killing frenzy, and stroking the Command Seals on the back of his hand, Tokiomi Tohsaka, whose gaze had faltered at the crucial moment, hesitated.

After adjusting his body, which served as a magical energy transfer station, Tokiomi Tohsaka's complexion regained some color as the gems he had stored for the Holy Grail War began to deplete rapidly.

As a traditional magician, Tokiomi Tohsaka considered the so-called "royal road" as utter nonsense. He viewed things with the utmost malice, and once the war began, not to mention Saber and Caster, who had already shown hostility towards Gilgamesh, Iskandar, who had not yet expressed his stance, and Lancer, who had not yet appeared, became the heavy burden on Tokiomi Tohsaka's mind.

"Use Command Spells to support and wipe them out as quickly as possible? No, Saber is under that monarch's control, and the enemy must be nearby, so does that mean we have to face at least three Servants?"

Thinking of Lancer, who could go toe-to-toe with Gilgamesh, Tokiomi Tohsaka irritably rubbed the Command Seal with only two strokes left. Support? He might have to be prepared to fight four at once. Not to mention one, even three Command Seals might not be enough.

Using Command Spells to retreat would mean that, putting aside Gilgamesh's temper, Tokiomi Tohsaka would completely lose his command authority with only one Command Spell remaining, which is absolutely unacceptable to him.

Sensing Tokiomi Tohsaka's hesitation, Kirei Kotomine, who had already gone astray under Gian's influence, began to exert her influence.

"Teacher, are you worried about the Command Seals?"

Seeing that Tokiomi Tohsaka did not answer, Kirei Kotomine, whose confidence was growing, tempted him further:

“Teacher, Archer is very strong, but fighting against multiple enemies is too risky. Moreover, that Lancer is definitely not an ordinary Servant. Defeating them one by one or waiting for the final battle is the best option.”

Sensing Tokiomi Tohsaka's growing interest, Kirei Kotomine, who had already embraced the forbidden, revealed his true colors.

"Teacher, if we reveal Archer's strength now, we'll become the target of everyone's attacks. It's only the third day of the Holy Grail War, Archer's Noble Phantasm absolutely cannot be revealed!!"