This Dialogue-Heavy Scene Is Conveniently Scripted

(Following up from the last chapter, Jizi explained the concept of the False Attendant Grimoire to Yanye.)

Yanye: If you put it that way, it does seem very feasible.

Jizi: Yes, it won't cause any harm to Sakura. Her mana capacity is more than enough for Berserker to go all out and still have plenty to spare.

Yanye (still hesitant): But... Berserker is already difficult to control. If we use up another Command Seal on the False Attendant Grimoire, won't that...

Jizi: That's the second thing I wanted to talk about. I actually have a way to allow Berserker to retain his sanity while still receiving the ability bonuses from his class. No...

Yanye: Oh, oh, Caster can really do anything!

Jizi: Nonsense, I can't even make a "Door to Anywhere"... I mean, if I could really do anything, why would I need to form an alliance with you? I could just go and do whatever I wanted, couldn't I? Listen to me. However, this will increase Sakura's mana burden, so I'm afraid we won't be able to let Berserker fight without restraint.

Sakura (suddenly interjecting, her eyes determined): It's okay, Caster sister, I can do it. (Seeing Yanye about to speak, she preempts him.) Uncle Yanye, please let me do something too. But... please spare Father... his life...

Yanye: ... (Sighs) Ah... (Looks like he wants to say something but can't.)

Jizi (seeing that Yanye won't come to a conclusion on this matter anytime soon, she changes the subject): Since Sakura said so, then it's settled, Yanye. (She whispers in his ear) First of all, you have to be able to defeat him before you can consider what to do with Tokiomi after you do, right? (Loudly) Actually, creating this is very difficult for me, but thanks to getting a lot of mana from the Old Worm yesterday—I just have to go fight **again tonight. I'm not Railgun, sigh...

--- The Yangtze River then woke up, and finally had dialogue ---

(The timeline switches to after the Yangtze River woke up and everyone exchanged insincere greetings. Then, Jizi selectively revealed a little about the Holy Grail being corrupted and the truth of the Holy Grail War, while also giving herself a new identity.)

Lancelot: According to what Caster said, even if we win the war, all we'll get is a wish-granting machine that will twist our wishes, and it will also release the so-called "All the World's Evil," right?

Jizi: That's pretty much what you've summarized.

Lancelot: And you are a being whose life was connected to the "Holy Grail War," so the "Holy Grail War" itself can serve as a medium to summon you. This time, the random summoning circle drawn by that guy who doesn't understand magic at all and has no catalyst was the perfect opportunity for your descent, correct?

Jizi: That's right.

Lancelot: Your purpose for descending is not to seize the Holy Grail, but to accept a mission from the Counter Force to purify the All the World's Evil within the Holy Grail.

Jizi: It would be even better if we could completely put an end to the "Holy Grail War" ritual, but that's a trophy (achievement) challenge, not part of the main quest.

Lancelot: Precisely because you are a Heroic Spirit connected to the Holy Grail War, you have the ability to obtain data on the Magus and Servants participating in the Holy Grail War.

Jizi: I couldn't speak before, and now that I can finally speak, you want to finish all your lines at once? Or do you just have a habit of explaining and summarizing? (She meets Berserker's gaze, which is shining with a strange light.) ...Alright, I'll answer directly without complaining. Yes!

Lancelot: With this ability, you learned the reasons why my Master and I responded to the Holy Grail, and judged that we both don't have a strong obsession with the Holy Grail. We are pursuing what we can gain through the process of the "Holy Grail War," so you hope to gain our help.

Jizi: Isn't this beneficial for everyone? You can reunite with your King, Yanye can save Sakura and beat up Tokiomi, Sakura can escape that damned modification, and I can complete the Counter Force's commission.

Lancelot (takes a breath and clears his throat): Ahem, assuming the facts are as you say.

Jizi: See, you can't stop talking once you have lines. Cough to death! (She meets the Yangtze River's majestic gaze again.) ...Alright, alright, stop staring at me like that. I'll be serious—regarding Angra Mainyu, you can find records of the Third Holy Grail War in the Matou family's library. That should serve as evidence, right? As for myself... I actually can't find any convincing evidence, so I've been showing my sincerity through my actions!

Yanye: Well, Berserker, I actually think Caster isn't lying to us. After all, she is helping us, and she wouldn't gain anything by lying to us.

Sakura: Caster sister is a good person!

Jizi: (otz, her state turns gray and white): I went through all the trouble, even pulled out a tooth, saved a little loli, and all I got was a "good person" card...

Sakura: (runs to Jizi's side) Did I say something wrong, Caster sister? Why are you like this...

Jizi: (hugs Sakura tightly and nuzzles her) Hahaha, as long as I can hug you and get some loli-essence, I'll be fine.

Sakura: Caster sister, don't... Ahahaha... It tickles...

Yanye: ...Now I really think we should review her motives and credibility.

--- The dividing line for joking and acting cute ---

Yanye: Indeed, in that old man's notes, there is a record of the last war. The Einzbern family cheated to win, summoning the eighth Servant—Avenger...

Jizi: See, I didn't lie to you.

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Lancelot: But there are still many doubts about you.

Jizi: Actually, I think I've been showing plenty of sincerity. I heard that if you want others to feel you're sincere, the simplest way is to actually be sincere—why isn't that working for me!

Yanye: Actually, I do feel your sincerity. It's just that the inside story of the Holy Grail War is too shocking, and my instincts don't want to believe it... Actually, if I think about it carefully, combined with your performance, I am willing to believe you and cooperate in this Holy Grail War.

Lancelot: I do feel the sincerity in your eyes. Moreover, as a knight, I do not wish to suspect a woman with malice. Furthermore, for the great kindness of allowing me to reunite with my King without being in that state, my swordsmanship as the Knight of the Lake is enough to repay you.

Voice from Heaven: Kariya Matou has joined the party. Lancelot has joined the party.

Jizi: Well said! Then let's continue our initial topic—the next strategic and tactical actions.

Yanye: Didn't you guys already discuss it?

Jizi and Lancelot: Huh?

Yanye: It was at the beginning, weren't you talking about trying to negotiate with Rider?

Jizi: (As if just remembering) Oh, right, that...

Lancelot: Master, I have no memory of that.

Yanye: (Surprised) You don't remember when you weren't lucid?

Lancelot: No, I should say I do, but it's very vague. After all, in that state, it's impossible to actively remember anything.

Yanye: (Even more surprised) You had no subjective consciousness back then?! Then your conversation with Caster...

Jizi: Ahahahahahahahaha, let's get back to the main topic quickly. Actually, my analysis of Rider is this...

Yanye: Don't try to brush this off! You don't actually understand Berserker's "roar" at all, do you! You only found out Berserker's status by using your information-gathering abilities!

Jizi: Doesn't that just prove how powerful my media abilities are?

Yanye: Then what was the point of that so-called strategy meeting today? Were you just playing with me!

Jizi: Ahahaha, Yanye, it's precisely because of your lack of humor that you can't win the favor of a goddess...

Yanye: ...I really should have thoroughly vetted you! Berserker, grab her!

Jizi (quickly vanishing): I'm going to negotiate with Rider. Just wait for my good news, Yanye! You don't need to thank me!

Lancelot: Actually, I don't have many lines in this chapter. It's rare that I get to speak...

Yanye: ...

--- Little Sunflower Reader's Classroom ---

The item Jizi made, which can be preserved for a long time, requires a considerable amount of Mana. Maintaining its existence also consumes Mana, and the Mana required to extend its existence for one day is double that of its creation.

Item:

Name: Calm Amulet

Origin: Heroes of Might and Magic 3

Function: In the game, it makes troops immune to berserk. Here, its effect is to restore Berserker's sanity.

Note: Although it is not a weapon, using one Command Seal to forcibly activate Berserker's Noble Phantasm "Knight of Owner" on it, making it Berserker's Noble Phantasm, means the Mana consumption can be provided by Sakura, who became the Master by accepting the Command Seals transferred from Yanye.

Further Note: Speaking of which, Command Seals can even forcibly change a Servant's class. Extending the function of a Noble Phantasm a bit (and only once) isn't entirely unacceptable... right?

Further Further Note: The script is just a little experiment out of whim; things will be normal later.