Reportedly, the protagonist's presence was still fading

"You want to do it, Archibald?"

Captured by the Heroic Spirit of the Seat of the Lance, Risei Kotomine could only swallow his thousand grievances. He gestured with his eyes for him not to make any rash moves, then turned to Kayneth and questioned him sharply.

"It's not that I want to do it, it's that you want to do it, Father."

The blond, slicked-back English gentleman strode to the podium with his hands behind his back. The Mercury that had been used as a battering ram had dissipated and reformed into a Silver Sphere beside him.

"The Church, which is clearly in a supervisory position, secretly colluded with the participants. Shouldn't that be considered cheating?" (Novel website has many words)

By now, the sordid affair between the Church and the Tohsaka Family was practically an open secret. Yet, even the Einzbern and Matou, both part of the Three Families, hadn't raised any objections. This outsider Magecraft was incredibly audacious, daring to act so presumptuously on the Tohsaka Family's home turf. Risei's old face showed no embarrassment whatsoever; he righteously declared...

"We are merely using this method to protect the sacred relics of the gods!"

"Oh? What does that mean?"

Kayneth looked curious and gestured for them to proceed.

"The Holy Grail is a sacred object of the gods, possessing the powerful ability to grant any wish. If it were to fall into the hands of some random, petty person—" Risei paused deliberately, glaring at Kayneth, before continuing—"If they succeeded, it would not only be a desecration of my Our Lord, but also a threat to the safety of the world!"

So you're saying you're still using the same methods to protect this world you love?

Risei was too embarrassed to answer such a shameful question, but his eyes and expression revealed that that was exactly what he thought.

"If that's the case, why do you still hypocritically place yourselves in the position of so-called 'overseers' instead of taking back the Holy Grail yourselves?"

"It's all because of you damned Magecraft!" Risei thought to himself. Although the Church in the Hidden World was powerful, the Clock Tower was no easy opponent. In the end, the Holy Grail War was a ritual performed by Magecraft. Even if the Church wanted to interfere too much, it didn't have the power to do so, so it had to settle for second best.

"This question seems a bit difficult to answer, so I won't ask it." Kayneth looked at Kirei's resentful expression with amusement and said with a smile, "But I would like to ask Father, for the next question—is it possible that Tokiomi Tohsaka, while being Magecraft, is also a devout and steadfast believer? Is that why your Church has gone to such great lengths to help him?"

What good would it do you?

"Just consider it satisfying my curiosity. Father, you should know that the 'The Unknown' holds immense appeal for all Magecraft."

Whether Risei or not, Kirei certainly didn't. He stood tense, facing ANR and Kayneth, and spoke before his father could even think of an answer:

"Did you barge into the Church just to ask this kind of question? What is your purpose?"

"I never expected that this Father, who isn't Magecraft, would have such a curious mind to explore the Unknown!" Kayneth turned to Kirei and said in a strange tone, "Then I'll ask you in return, what are you going to do about it?"

Kirei couldn't think of a reply for a moment, and could only stare intently at Kayneth. His mind raced, recalling everything the Assassin had reported to him about Archibald.

Rigid, focused on lineage, confident to the point of arrogance, but also possessing the ability to match that arrogance, a typical traditional Magecraft, in some ways the same type of person as his master Tokiomi Tohsaka, except for their different reasons for pursuing the Holy Grail - he wanted to add another stroke to his resume.

No, something's not right! This Magecraft's style is completely different from what I know. His flippant tone and arrogant demeanor, especially that playful manner, make him seem less like Tokiomi Tohsaka and more like... more like an assassin?

In an instant, Kirei thought of the Servant, that strange one who acted as meticulous and courteous as a steward of a large family in front of Tokiomi, but when facing her, she seemed like a morbidly amused onlooker. It was not hard to sense from her tone that she had a strange expectation, but whether it was expectation or not was still unknown.

But they definitely didn't have good intentions.

But is this related to Kayneth?

Did Assassin deliberately lie about him? No, he had also learned some information about the participants through the Church's channels, and by comparing the information, the Servant's information was correct.

Was it a deliberate act by Kayneth? Would someone as rigid and proud as him allow himself to abandon his dignity and act like a clown? It's not impossible; even someone as concerned with reputation and etiquette as Tokiomi pushed to the limit. But did Kayneth have any reason to pretend like this?

The man before us isn't actually Kayneth, but someone in disguise? That's even less likely. Even if humans can be impersonated, Heroic Spirit are genuine, and that's the strongest evidence.

The more results the analysis yields, the more flaws it reveals, and no matter what, a reasonable explanation cannot be found.

Without understanding the other party's motives and objectives, it is impossible to make the best response.

Should she summon an Assassin? But with the Magecraft and the Servant standing so close, can she kill them instantly before ANR can react? Even if she does manage to do so, she can't guarantee her father's safety.

If my father were killed because of this, what would I...?

Suddenly, when Kirei thought about his father's death, he couldn't feel any sadness, frustration, regret, or anger. Instead, a strange emotion, which he had never felt before but seemed to have been deeply rooted in his soul, was fermenting within him.

Is that the answer I've been searching for? It--

"Boom!"

The violent explosion interrupted Kirei's self-reflection. He had no time to be angry; his body instinctively scanned his surroundings. Visibility was blurred by smoke and dust, but through his hearing, he pinpointed the source of the explosion—

"You bastard, kneel down before me immediately!"

Such an arrogant tone can only be heard from one person in the entire world— the King of Heroes Gilgamesh!

"I was unaware that His Gilgamesh had personally led his army here. Please forgive any rudeness on my part."

Kayneth stepped out from behind ANR, who had shielded him from ANR's probing attack, and gave a graceful bow.

No need for formalities!

Arhr seemed pleased that his true form had been recognized at a glance. He waved his hand, and the swords that had been half-protruding disappeared back into the air.

"I am Kayneth Archibald, and I have been fortunate enough to be invited to this Feast as the Master of ANR," the Magecraft continued, bowing. "I am currently engaged in battle with an enemy; may I ask what brings Your Majesty here?"

Are you questioning me, you bastard?

"I wouldn't dare. All land under heaven belongs to the emperor, and Your Majesty is free to do as you please. I merely wish to confirm whether this corrupt and filthy Church is also under Your Majesty's protection?"

"..."

Gilgamesh didn't know how to respond. He had only come to the Church to stir things up with Kirei as usual, and hadn't expected to encounter the ANR group. Logically, the Church and the Tohsaka Family were allies, and Kirei was a rare person who could bring him pleasure, so he should have saved him. However, Kayneth had deliberately emphasized "harboring filth," so if he intervened now, wouldn't it mean that the high and mighty king was actually on the same side as "filth"?

"Words won't save you, you bastard!"

In the end, Arhr had no choice but to change the subject. After uttering a harsh remark, he opened a portal, from which several swords appeared—this was different from the previous greeting attack; these were the genuine "Gate of Babylon."

Faced with this invincible Noble Phantasm, Kayneth remained calm and manipulated his Mercury to hold Risei Kotomine in front of him, blocking the attack like a shield.

"You think I really care about a bastard's life?"

All the swords and knives were pointed at Kayneth, but none were fired.

"As I said before, Your Majesty is free to do as you please."

Looking at the Magecraft's expression, Arhr finally understood that this guy's seemingly submissive words were actually a constant provocation, trying to see how he would react—was he treating the king like an actor? Damn it, he was the only one who ever got pleasure from observing the behavior of bastards, and this bastard dared to treat the king as an object of his pleasure.

A Gilgamesh silver sword shot out rapidly, seemingly intent on piercing through Risei and Kayneth. The old Father, prepared to sacrifice himself since his capture, closed his eyes and silently chanted the name of the Lord as the sword tip drew ever closer.

"When!"

The handsome Knight extended his Red Spear and accurately deflected the incoming sword. At the same time, due to the anti-magic effect of the Gae Dearg, the magic gathered on the sword dissipated completely, preventing it from exploding.

"Hmph," Arhr sneered, seeing the other party's reaction, "Your hostages seem to only serve as a hindrance!"

The Magecraft didn't reply. He raised his right hand, engraved with Command Seals, and commanded, "ANR, teleport behind ARHR!"

The spell of absolute command took effect; the Knight who had been blocking his lord vanished into thin air, then suddenly reappeared behind the Golden King. When he reappeared, the Yellow Short Spear was gone; instead, ANR gripped the Gae Dearg tightly with both hands and thrust it with all his might towards ANR's back.

The oldest Heroic Spirit reacted incredibly quickly. The instant Kayneth spoke, several Noble Phantasm were launched at him. Upon hearing the word "teleportation," he swiftly summoned several Chains of Heaven around himself, providing a 360-degree, all-around defense against potential attacks. Although ANR's spear was fast, it was ultimately a fraction too slow. When the spear was only millimeters away from ANR's armor, his hand was already tightly bound by the chains, preventing him from advancing any further.

As Arhr unleashed his Noble Phantasm, the Volumen Hydrargyrum also instantly extended, pushing its master and Risei out of the attack range. However, the Mercury itself was hit by all the impacts, shattered into several small pieces, and was wriggling as it reformed into one.

Chance!

Kirei Kotomine suddenly unleashed all his strength, charging at full speed towards Kayneth, who was getting up. As he ran, his right fist was also gathering momentum, ready to strike the instant he reached his opponent. This Baji Quan master could snap a large tree surrounded by two or three people with just his body; if he were to be hit by a full-force punch from him, the human body would be pierced through.

Succeed!

Kayneth only turned around when he heard the sound, Kirei's fist was already flying out with a strong wind. Only then did Kirei see that Kayneth's expression was not one of panic, but a wicked grin of triumph.

!?

All the tiny Mercury droplets were originally converging towards a center, but as if it were preordained, Kirei stepped right onto a puddle of Mercury. He felt a powerful force on his foot twisting his direction, and having lost his balance, he couldn't correct himself and had no choice but to turn half a body length to the side.

Now, the person directly in front of him wasn't Kayneth anymore, but his father, Risei Kotomine!

His punch, delivered with the intent to kill, was unstoppable!

"Bang!"

The sound of bones cracking drowned out the sound of the Arhr Noble Phantasm. Everyone turned their attention to Kirei fist slammed into Risei's chest. The old man's already fragile bones were easily shattered, his chest caved in, and a large bulge appeared on his back in the same spot.

The old Father didn't even have time to show a shocked expression before his heart was shattered. Kirei also stunned; he stood there blankly, looking down at his hands, his expression hidden in the shadows.

-----------------------ps-----------------------

34. It is said that the main character's presence is continuously fading.

34. It is said that the protagonist's continued absence from the screen was typed by a member of [*][Novel. net].

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