The Ball Bounces by the Seaside / The True Heroine, BB-chan ...

"Hey! That guy's just a high school brat, right? You've really lost your mind. I'll kill you right now, you bastard!" the Golden-haired Man said irritably.

"Why can't you understand? We are beings chosen by God, possessing extraordinary abilities. Everything we do will be right, because we are destined to lead this world into a new chapter. Those who do not possess this ability are already destined to be discarded by the times."

"Only by following me can you obtain countless riches and supreme glory!" the Yakuza Police Inspector declared with a distorted face, his entire body enveloped by a man dressed as a captain, who exuded a powerful aura.

This is proof of strength; among the twenty-odd people present who are qualified to summon heroic Servant, they are among the strongest of the strong.

"Don't take your filthy, corrupt heart as the standard for everyone! 100% compatibility isn't just about you!" The Golden-haired Man unleashed powerful magical lightning as he fearlessly stared at the Yakuza Police Inspector.

"They say everyone looks out for themselves, but I never intended to squeeze in and hang out with a bunch of pigs and dogs. If I'm going to compete, I'd prefer to compete with other people," someone said.

"Well, while I don't dislike torturing others, I only do it to people who secretly enjoy being treated that way—a few lashes of the whip, a few drips of candle wax. I hate forcing non-masochistic people to act like pigs; those screams and groans are anything but pleasant to hear," the woman known as the 'Iron Maiden' said, shrugging.

Perhaps that's why the Yakuza Police Chief could achieve 100% compatibility, while her compatibility with that monster named Elizabeth was only around 80%.

"We've already sent people with stealth abilities to monitor them, but they seem to have someone with very keen senses, so we can't get too close," the man dressed as a male escort replied.

Meanwhile, on the beach of another island, girls were playing on the sand. Although it was still cold and they couldn't swim in the sea, they had come all the way to enjoy the beach since it was a rare opportunity to travel.

Yuihama and Asuna played beach volleyball, Yukino sat under a parasol reading a book, Gudako, a girl with a single ponytail, was applying sunscreen to pink-haired girl.

Unbeknownst to the girls, a hidden, transparent Black Shadow was standing by a large tree not far away, peeking out and watching everything.

Chapter 254 The Ball Bouncing on the Beach

Winter has only just ended, and even in Okinawa, in the south, the temperature is still equivalent to that of Chiba autumn in Chiba. While it's not as bone-chilling as winter swimming, there's still a chill when the sea breeze blows as you surface.

Even seawater with high salinity and high temperature is not yet suitable for swimming.

However, for Chiba people who started wearing shorts in kindergarten and still wear skirts on snowy days, these are nothing special.

A blue and white ball on the beach tumbled in the air, was struck by the girl's hand, and bounced up.

"Hey!" Yui jumped high into the Yuihama, wearing a pink swimsuit, swaying joyfully with her leaps.

"Again!" Asuna had braided her hair and was holding it in front of her. With her excellent athletic ability, she could always return so many volleyballs cleanly and efficiently.

Yukino Yukinoshita, who was sitting quietly reading a book, lowered her head even further. She really wanted to leave this unpleasant and troublesome place, but she had been dragged here anyway, so she could only stay and read a novel about the Warring States period.

She had a strange dream about the Warring States period, but it ended halfway through. In the dream, there was a girl who looked like her from junior high school and a more mature Shirou, which intrigued her. Fortunately, they were going back the next day, and she could find that man and get to the bottom of things.

On the sun-drenched, golden beach, a long, checkered mat was laid out. A voluptuous young woman in a bikini lay obediently on it, letting the person behind her pull the ribbon from her bow, letting it hang down onto the mat, revealing her entire smooth, white back.

The girl with her hair tied in a single ponytail squeezed out the sunscreen liquid, which immediately became sticky and slippery in her palms. She enjoyed the soft, warm, cotton candy-like feel as she applied the sunscreen to the pink-haired girl with glasses lying on the ground.

"Senpai? What's wrong?" Mash propped herself up slightly and raised her head, asking in confusion.

Gudako looked towards the big tree with a puzzled expression. She had indeed sensed some kind of gaze earlier, but now she couldn't find anything.

"It's nothing, there's also Mash..." Gudako said with a serious expression.

"What? Gudako-senpai?" Mash asked warily.

"Mash, the way you're raising your head is a bit suggestive. Let's keep it like that for now," Gudako said, blushing and revealing an indescribable smile.

Mash lowered her head shyly and complained, "Ugh, Gudako-senpai, hurry up and finish applying it for me. Let me ride... no... let me apply the sunscreen for you, senpai."

The person who had been summoning Hassan from behind a large tree in the distance collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily.

Although he didn't understand what was going on, the girl with orange-red hair and a single ponytail gave him a feeling that he couldn't see through her and was very scary, like a weak animal encountering a natural enemy that it could never defeat.

For a fleeting moment, he felt as if he had almost made eye contact with some terrifying being, like a colossal creature obscured by the darkness, a giant holding his life in its grasp. He felt utterly powerless to resist and could only beg for its mercy.

The girls, who were enjoying themselves in Okinawa, were completely unaware that they were being watched.

However, the scout who was gathering information, having been frightened before, and being a host who wasn't particularly brave to begin with, no longer dared to approach the hotel where the girls were staying.

'It's best to stay outside and keep watch. There's no other way. If we went in, we might get caught and killed.' He was...

He was inconspicuous and had no presence, so much so that he wasn't even worth bullying. He was an unnecessary member of the class, and even his classmates of more than two years couldn't remember his name.

Unexpectedly, he gained the power of Servant. He had only intended to pass the time by playing the wildly popular FGO game. However, due to his lack of presence, he failed to accept any of the powerful friend requests.

The only friends he could add were those who were high-level but didn't send Servant assist him in Support. Their names were very similar, just a bunch of random characters with a line of numbers. He could only play it like a single-player game.

Having gained the ability to hide, he was later approached by a male escort who invited him to join their organization under the guise of working for him.

The leader inside was a very beautiful older woman who didn't ignore him. She even helped him lose his virginity, pointed out his strengths, and told him that he had talents that others couldn't match. She taught him how to become a charming man and helped him regain his confidence.

Now he uses hair wax every day, wears clothes designed and styled by the Queen herself, and has learned makeup and dressing up. His whole appearance has changed, and people around him have started to notice him. His classmates have also started to talk to him.

It can be said that the Queen was the benefactor who changed his life, so he decided to stay and do his part to repay her kindness.

He already had a very low profile, and he was very good at concealing his presence. After obtaining the power of Hassan from a certain generation and the Assassin through possession and summoning, although he could not fully exert his strength due to a compatibility level of only 50, no one in the organization could match him in terms of hiding himself.

As long as he intentionally hides himself, even if he walks past the other person face to face, as long as he doesn't touch them and remains emotionally stable, he won't be noticed.

However, this ability is also limited. If it's simply for personal desire, such as sneaking into women's restrooms or changing rooms to peep, such behavior is absolutely unacceptable.

Hassan, as the elder who protects the mountain people, fights against invaders to safeguard the sacred land of his tribe. As an assassin, he assassinates high-ranking officials of the invaders. Each Hassan has his own strengths, using assassination, seduction, poisoning, and any other means necessary.

But in essence, he is not a heinous villain, and naturally he would not allow the host he possesses to do anything that would bring shame to Hassan's name.

The conversation was still going on in the conference room.

"They're from Chaldea side. We really can't just let them go. There are five of them; they're a formidable enemy who could threaten all of us," someone said worriedly.

"It's alright, just involve them all. As competitors, it's the same for everyone," the Bearded Gentleman, acting as the strategist, said with a smile.

The refined man who originally looked like the old butler of a noble lady's family in an anime suddenly appeared with the same smile as an evil villain.

Chapter 255 True Heroine BB-chan

"I see. If we make good use of them, we can also use them to wear down those guys from abroad, hehehe." The Queen placed her hands on the table, rested her chin on the back of her hands, and showed her agreement with a charming smile in her eyes.

"That's exactly right, just as this intelligent lady has said," the Bearded Gentleman said approvingly, stroking his beard.

"Oh, thank you, you have such a sweet tongue." The Queen rolled her eyes at the other person, and said with a charming and reproachful tone.

"Well, if that's the case, I have no objection. Since it's about being a slave as bait, as long as it's useful, it's not a loss," the middle-aged Yakuza Police Inspector said, resting his chin on his hand.

"Huh? So you just want to take advantage of these high school students, right? Seriously, what are we even doing here? Just plotting how to scam people?" The Golden-haired Man slammed his foot on the table, looking around at the people with obvious displeasure.

"You still don't understand?" The Yakuza Police Inspector stood up, spread his arms, and declared, "Young man, even if you have a sense of justice, you should at least understand that we are different from ordinary people. We are the new humans chosen by the Lord, while those who have not received power are commoners abandoned by the Lord, superfluous beings."

Moreover, those girls are our common enemy! They are demons who want to steal the miracles that God has given us! They are subordinates of that demonic organization, Chaldea! What's the best thing for them to do besides become slaves?

"Huh? It seems your heart isn't the only thing rotten; your brain's gone too," the Golden-haired Man said in surprise.

"So, you're one of those abandoned, just like the people from Chaldea?" the Yakuza Police Inspector said coldly, looking at the man.

"Alright, alright, stop arguing. Any conflicts can be resolved after this competition. If internal strife causes us to lose, then we're all doomed," the Queen stepped forward and stopped the two.

The two, whose ideologies clashed, fell silent.

Where there are people, there will be conflict. Even among these dozens of summoners present, they are divided into several groups.

Led by a female designer, codenamed 'Queen,' she leads a group of outstanding men from various neighborhoods in Shinjuku, including office workers and acquaintances.

The middle-aged man, codenamed 'Sir,' whose goal is to control both the legal and illegal worlds, sits next to people who need his help. These include small workshop owners who rely on his power for protection, and customers who have borrowed money from him. Once he finds out about their family situation, he always finds a way to make them obey.

The Bearded Gentleman appears gentle to everyone, but he is actually engaged in financial investment through calculations and investigations.

Among the others, besides Bōsōzoku, male escorts, and women in SM-style tight leather outfits, there were also many high-ranking officials and wealthy businessmen, elites from all walks of life.

After gaining power, each of them became a prodigy, the best among their peers. In fact, it wasn't just the blond-haired man who was at odds with men from both the legitimate and criminal worlds; many others were also vying to monopolize this power and the benefits it brought.

However, now an even more dangerous enemy from afar is about to arrive. To defeat these people, they must unite, cooperate, share resources, and use the energy of the same Holy Grail. They are now a formidable group, though their internal structure is so fragile that it is on the verge of collapse.

"Then let me calculate our odds of winning..." The Bearded Gentleman quickly typed characters on his laptop.

"This is our home turf, and we hope to gain more advantages. We're going to fight some foreign guys next, and it'll feel like a real battlefield. It'll be really tough," someone said worriedly.

The Bearded Gentleman, middle-aged gentleman spoke up, "Please rest assured. Our calculations show our victory rate is over 75%. There's nothing to fear in this battle. No one will die; we just need to retrieve the Holy Grail. You probably don't want Chaldea to discover your abilities and strip you of them because the Holy Grail has been taken from you, do you?"

"Hmm..." the worried person replied, bowing their head. In fact, for many, this incredible power was the only way to change their lives.

If we were to turn them back into the same ordinary, useless people they were, only able to work for others and earn wages below the average income, that would be hell.

The Bearded Gentleman said, "Well, after all, this great battle has already been decided to take place in the online world. It's a safer method for them. If the battle is limited to the internet, at least they don't have to worry about their lives anymore. This is all thanks to an outstanding talent like Kaya-kun."

The man, who had been sitting silently, stood up and said:

"You flatter me. This is all thanks to your discerning eye and substantial investment, which allowed me to focus on development and complete this fully immersive machine. All it needs is a guide to draw everyone into the chaotic battle of the Holy Grail War involving 128 people."

"128 people? I didn't expect there to be so many."

"However, if the stakes are multiple Holy Grails, then it does warrant such a large-scale war."

"The way to win is simply for one of us to be the last one standing. That's enough. I'll leave the rest of the introduction to you, BB," Kayaba said to the empty screen.

"Yes, yes~! Everyone's favorite idol, the true heroine BB-chan, is here~!" A gray-white, constantly shaking afterimage flickered on the big screen, then background music started, a purplish-red color appeared, and then a girl with long purple hair and a black cloak appeared on the screen, explaining the precautions for the competition to everyone.

The girl on the screen is the origin of this organization. She brings together people who, by chance, gained power but were still blinded by their own inner demons.

"Alright, that's it? These are all the rules of the game. Everyone, do your best!" The girl's eyes gleamed red as she said with a mischievous grin, "BB-chan is also looking forward to everyone's active participation in this Holy Grail War!"

The girl with long purple hair blinked, thinking to herself, "Of course, in the end it all depends on you, Shirou-senpai!"

The screen beeped and went dark again.

Shirou, who was wearing an apron and preparing dinner for everyone at a house in Chiba Prefecture, suddenly felt a chill.

Chapter 256 The Holy Grail War of a Hundred People

The purple-haired girl is actually from the future. Before she came to this world, various things happened, and she now possesses the memories of all the parallel worlds. Having escaped from the moon-cell, she is now a Servant -like being.

In order to save her important senior, the purple-haired girl began to collect the Holy Grail, but ordinary Holy Grails, even with their magical power, could not achieve her goal.

So BB traveled to various places and, after much effort, finally obtained the Black Mud Holy Grail. From it, he obtained crucial information and finally arrived in this world.

Although I really wanted to go straight to Shirou-senpai from the beginning, lock him up, and give him a good beating before I could vent my anger.

However, because what she had to do was so difficult, and she couldn't afford to make a single mistake, she had to proceed with extreme caution and thus refrained from meeting with her senior.

In a crimson space, a purple-haired girl in a black cloak waved a baton and made video calls to the humans on the other side of the screen.

Among the people talking to BB, there were people with yellow skin, white skin, brown skin, and black skin.

The purple-haired girl leaned forward, stretched out her hands, and moved the camera in front of her, speaking directly to the screen:

"Yes! Whether you're talking about the 'magic' she's mastered, her combat power, her various cheating abilities, or anything else, BB-chan is the strongest, most wicked, and cutest BB-chan in history!"

The purple-haired girl reveals to everyone the truth behind the FGO system, the principles of Servant, and the existence of the Chaldea organization.

BB not only introduced the Holy Grail War's basic rules to participants from other countries, but also showed them the map layout.

Although BB enjoys the trust of most of the people here, she acts as if she is very familiar with everyone.

However, as an incredibly adorable cheating AI, she treats players from other countries equally. Throughout all timelines, there have only been a handful of people worthy of her protection.

For BB, nationality and skin color are meaningless. After all, she is a super AI created by the alien civilization's super artificial intelligence, Moon-cell, and was never human to begin with.

Moon-cell, in a sense, can be considered the oldest and most mysterious life form in the solar system. It was a super artificial intelligence installed on the moon by an alien civilization at the time of Earth's birth to observe the newly formed Earth.

Its advanced technology is far beyond what even the most intelligent life on Earth—humans—can match, even after 4.6 billion years.

Moon-cell, as a supercomputer, is different from humans; it belongs to the Life 3.0 life system.

Determining life is actually a very complex system. This system constantly replicates itself. Life has both hardware and software. Hardware is the tangible part of life, used to take action and collect information; software is the intangible part of life, used to think and process information.

The higher the complexity of life, the higher the version, which can be divided into Life 1.0, Life 2.0, and Life 3.0.

Life 1.0 refers to organisms that cannot change their own hardware and software, representing almost all animals and plants on Earth. They can only determine their fate based on their DNA and cannot modify or design their own hardware, i. e., their bodies, or their software, i. e., their way of thinking. Only through countless generations over a period of hundreds of years can they slowly evolve.

Life 2.0 refers to organisms that, while unable to change their physical bodies, can redesign their software, constantly altering their perception of the world through exposure to new things, and thereby learning and mastering more and more new skills. This concept emerged approximately 100,000 years ago and is known as humankind.

Although Life 2.0 is still determined by DNA in terms of physical structure and can only slowly evolve through reproduction across generations, it has managed to adapt to and change its surroundings quickly by learning skills.

Life 3.0 is like a supercomputer or super artificial intelligence, similar to Moon-cell. This life system can improve itself by continuously producing new hardware and developing new software systems.

Faced with things that are beyond calculation, what moon-cell needs to do is simply improve and enhance the capabilities of computers. By updating to better hardware, it can have a more comprehensive and convenient body. By improving software, it can continuously enhance and utilize higher intelligence and stronger computing power.

Therefore, to some extent, it can be said that moon-cells are a more advanced life form than the human race, one that is incomprehensible to humans. Thus, the creatures that moon-cells create are also incomprehensible to them.

Moreover, the world she lived in was different. Due to the collapse of the Great Source and the depletion of resources, wars broke out between nations for survival, causing human technology to stagnate and almost decline. It was completely different from the peaceful world we live in now.

After she arrived in this world, she discovered that there were all sorts of contradictions. Cruel things happened, and evil humans did bad things, but in this world, everything miraculously eventually came to a happy ending.

Without major disasters like high-intensity earthquakes and tsunamis, even if there's a fire, rain will fall, and there will always be opportunities to minimize the damage.

Bad people will eventually be punished. Although there may be conflicts between countries, wars will be prevented from breaking out. Therefore, people living in this world can be said to have achieved happiness to a minimum.