parentshiftbook Chapter 760 - 26: Submission, or...?
Chapter 760 - 26: Submission, or...?
The enchanting voice sounded rather displeased, carrying a meaning that made Gao Wen and the other three Round Table Knights all change their expressions."We dare not, Your Imperial Highness the Consort..."
Knight Gao Wen took a deep breath first, carefully choosing his words as he said, "We just think that perhaps there is still room for maneuver, the other side... the other side may not be allies, but they are not enemies either. Maybe, just maybe, we can win them over..."
"Oh? Is that so... so they are not enemies?"
The feminine voice, whose origin was unclear yet heard clearly by everyone present, let out a meaningful chuckle. Just from hearing this voice, everyone unconsciously envisioned a shapely, incredibly alluring woman’s vague silhouette in their minds—
"They’ve already come knocking at our door, and they’re not enemies? Then what are enemies?"
Though the voice was pleasant, the tone remained seemingly easy and relaxed.
However, the underlying chill made people feel inexplicable, as if it were the calm before a storm, an oppressive feeling that was uncomfortable.
"..."
"..."
"This... this is probably a misunderstanding. They might think we are competitors in the Holy Grail War, and that’s why they’re here to fight, not intentionally involved in this action..."
Knight Gao Wen, probably sweating from the pressure, still tried to explain earnestly, reacting quickly and almost immediately understanding what was going on.
After receiving the mission, they had somewhat understood the situation here—
The mainstream background is just an ordinary parallel world, with the historical line expressed as Pan-Human History.
There hasn’t been an unyielding Ming Empire, with supreme celestial deities perched atop the empires, vigorously developing Electronic Immortal Techniques, forcefully smashing the old world’s order, dragging the entire era into a glorious ascension...
And more detailedly, the local background is about their first stop, this remote Far Eastern coastal city named Fuyuki City, where the Holy Grail War of this world is taking place. They naturally understood it well, even discussing it previously while drinking and celebrating at the feast.
Some were even quite eager, feeling tempted to join in for a bit...
However, it’s just talk. Their mission doesn’t include interfering with the Holy Grail War, only to act as a vanguard to prepare the Empire to control this parallel world. Since the Anomaly Domain is too perilous over there, there’s no need for certain individuals to foolishly charge head-on against entities that could make even massive planets tremble.
Since they happen to hold the way back in their hands, leading to another parallel world—
So they naturally had to make preparations on both fronts.
But since they knew of the Holy Grail War, seeing Altria and others storm in now, they easily figured out what was going on. Under such circumstances, the presence of other Heroic Spirit Servants naturally stemmed from the Holy Grail War.
So, it’s all a misunderstanding.
There’s really no need for violence. There’s still room for maneuver.
"Gao Wenqing, what on earth is going on?"
Meanwhile, on the opposing side, Altria tightly gripped her Invisible Sword, watched tens of Servants eyeing her like hawks, the immense pressure indescribable, even with her disposition, she couldn’t help feeling uncertain.
How can there possibly be any chance of victory!!
No matter how much stronger she was, she’d probably only last a few rounds before being torn apart!
Moreover, her own issues aside, her biggest fear was endangering her Master and letting Chaldea’s final hope perish here. Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but grit her teeth, a sense of powerlessness washing over her as her intuition sent constant warnings, showing no chance of victory.
"Your Majesty, this, this..."
Lancelot spoke, appearing troubled, while trying hard to send signals to the opposing side’s young ruler, "There are deeper reasons behind this, but please trust us, our loyalty to you will not waver."
"You guys..."
Altria bit her lip tightly, feeling somewhat helpless as well.
Given Gao Wenqing and the others were already here, it meant they were summoned as Servants through some magical phenomenon, so them being on the opposing side was inevitable, as it’s part of the Servant’s unfortunate nature.
However, she genuinely trusted her Round Table Knights, even if summoned by the opposing camp, their loyalty to her wouldn’t change.
Now it seemed they were indeed trying earnestly to speak on her behalf...
"It’s over, it’s over, really twenty-something Servants..."
At this moment, a shaky Tohsaka Rin felt her legs going weak. She hazily glanced around, couldn’t help but pinch herself hard, the pain confirming this wasn’t a dream. If possible, she desperately wanted to wake from this nightmare.
"What kind of strategy is this, this strategy really does more harm than good..." She couldn’t help but lament, turning to her allies with a face bereft of hope as she spoke.
So much for confidently ending the Holy Grail War quickly, discerning opponents’ weaknesses, and defeating them one by one...
It’s nice to hear—but
The result is a series of operations as fierce as a tiger; in fact, it’s just sending oneself to death from a thousand miles away.
"W-we’re not sure what’s going on either; there must be a problem with one of the steps, but it should be a parallel world with little difference..." Little Da Vinci lowered her voice, unusually carrying a trace of helplessness and vexed confusion.
"There were no issues with the prerequisites; Miss Tohsaka, the information you have matched, so where exactly did it go wrong?" This cute, loli-like spare doll spoke anxiously, like confirming the result of the fourth Holy Grail War with Tohsaka Rin, all aligning with Chaldea’s information.
This indicates that the historical line of this parallel world is indeed proceeding according to logic. Why does it then take such a nosedive? Even if there appeared to be some point of divergence, the butterfly effect should gradually expand its influence, right?
How could it collapse so absurdly directly?!
Tohsaka Rin felt like a passenger who had lost her ideals; she forced a dry laugh, tugging the corner of her lips, swaying like a puppet of flesh.
Despite all the preparations, nothing proceeded as anticipated.
With endless complications, ultimately as expected, as soon as it started, it was about to be knocked down; Tohsaka is truly... the shame of the Tohsaka family.
Sorry, Father; indeed, I have disappointed you.
Such a drastic contrast made the black-haired, twin-tailed girl truly unable to accept it; currently overwhelmed by pressures beyond her mental load, leading her whole person into a bad state, her eyes lifeless, gaze hollow and dazed... does this mean her journey through the Holy Grail War ends here?
"..."
"..."
Brief silence.
The voice-only woman did not speak further, but this only added to the unease, with those at Chaldea subconsciously thinking she was seriously contemplating Gao Wen’s proposal, yet the three led by Gao Wen were already breaking out in a sweat.
Previously, a law was mentioned—
For the people within the Anomaly Domain, history continually progresses from ancient times to the present, and they can correctly recognize past events.
Due to this reason, even though Gao Wen and others were summoned only in these decades as "rare individuals," they nonetheless had decades of experience living in the Sea of the Moon. Although these records are dreamlike memories for them, this remains a rare leisure during their servant careers.
Honestly, it felt almost like a vacation, and one that spanned several decades.
Yet precisely because of this, they were very familiar with the Sea of the Moon, understanding the basic "setting" of this Anomaly Domain... For instance, compared to the unfathomable one, a certain Demon Consort is truly terrifying.
—Although she is neither capricious nor irrationally tortuous for amusement, her actions are all about maintaining the absolute authority of that individual, hence her demeanor, cold and merciless.
—Acts which could be laughed off by that individual would never be easily forgiven by her, carrying a profound aura of authority.
At other times, while mistakes could be punished, it’s all one’s own fault, as these knights have their pride and persistence and naturally wouldn’t fear this. However, destiny plays a cruel joke now; they are helpless.
Because the golden-haired, sapphire-eyed, swordsman maiden opposite them is their true king whom they dedicated loyalty during life.
Moreover, due to personal reasons, they harbor intense guilt towards King Arthur and a sense of debt that exacerbates into a sin and wickedness unredeemable upon becoming a servant, leading into a no-road-to-redemption deadlock. No matter what, as long as rationality and self exist, they absolutely cannot raise a sword against the king.
Under such circumstances, naturally, they are engulfed in torture and worry.
However—
"Hmph, very well, I’m not unwilling to see you well..."
The female voice sounded again with an annoyed huff, however not continuing the aggressiveness—
"Since that’s it, follow your suggestion, let them all re-sign the contract, and the past can be pardoned."
Gao Wen and others instantly felt relieved as if a huge stone had been lifted off their hearts, and the other surrounding servants seemed to exhale quietly. The atmosphere became somewhat delicate since a while ago. Though everyone came from different times and historical moments and belonged to legends of various eras, over many years, they have established deep friendships and camaraderie.
If possible, no one wanted to reach that stage.
But at this moment—
"W-wait, this... this... I... I have something to say!!"
Fujimaru Ritsuka couldn’t help but open her mouth to shout, instinctively doing so; she didn’t exhibit any sign of relief, but rather an indescribable sense of urgency.
Were we just arranged like this?
But...
How can this be?!