Proposal

At the same time, points of light flared atop the streetlamps as a Servant dispelled his spirit form and materialized.

"That is..." Everyone stared in astonishment at Gilgamesh, who had made such a conspicuous entrance. Judging by the Servant classes present, they concluded that he was Archer. Though they had no idea why an Archer carried no bow, it was the only class that matched.

Gilgamesh looked disdainfully at Iskandar and Artoria. "I never expected two rats who call themselves kings while ignoring my existence to show up in one night."

Iskandar turned to look at Gilgamesh, finding his words utterly unreasonable. Even as the Conqueror King, he had never been this arrogant. "That makes no sense. I, Iskandar, am the renowned Conqueror King."

Gilgamesh spoke as though it were only natural. "What a joke. Of all heroes, only I, above and below heaven, am qualified to be called king. The rest are nothing but mongrel bastards."

Hearing such arrogant words, Iskandar did not get angry. Instead, he extended a hand in invitation. "Since you've said that much, why not give us your name first? Since you're a king as well, surely you wouldn't be afraid to announce your great name?"

"Ask me?" Gilgamesh was so angered by the question that he laughed. "A mere mongrel dares question me? You have been granted the glory of an audience with me, yet dare not recognize me. Fools like you do not deserve to live!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Gilgamesh immediately activated his Noble Phantasm, the Gate of Babylon. Several prototype Noble Phantasms that might not be reproducible even in this age emerged from it.

Seeing this, Artoria looked at the three Servants beside Mo Li. Gritting her teeth, she rushed over as well, staying close to protect Irisviel. As for the Berserker suddenly going berserk and attacking her, the concern she had harbored never came to pass. The three Servants and Mo Li tacitly included her among those under their protection.

Though Kiritsugu Emiya desperately wanted to return to Germany and rescue Illya, he could only save his daughter more effectively if he won the Fuyuki Holy Grail War. Thus, he pulled himself together and watched the battlefield, waiting to see how things developed.

Mo Li smiled. "King of Heroes Gilgamesh, before kings face kings, shouldn't you first hear the opinions of us common folk?"

At last, someone had spoken his true name. Gilgamesh's tense expression eased somewhat as he looked at Mo Li with pleasure. "Of course. Listening to the voices of the people is also part of a king's duty!"

Mo Li spread his hands. "I am currently responsible for maintaining the entire Holy Grail War system. To be honest, this meeting of the seven Servants is hardly formal. I intend to select several locations and turn them into suitable battlegrounds for the Holy Grail War. In fact, I had already begun doing so before the war started, and the work is nearly complete. If you do not mind, I hope the seven Servants can each establish their own stage at designated locations. Then the Heroic Spirits may decide for themselves whether to challenge the stages guarded by other Heroic Spirits, or guard their own stages and wait for others to come challenge them. Naturally, until I finish cleansing the Grail, all of you will be forbidden from fighting to the death."

"In this way, the Holy Grail War will have a combat format suited to all of you Heroic Spirits. And Miss Magus is a helper I specifically invited. I have asked her to help repair the Greater Grail system while we attempt to cleanse the corruption within it. A corrupted Grail is not the Third Magic Heaven's Feel and cannot properly grant the wishes of others. Therefore, I hope this Holy Grail War will not involve your Masters. The Heroic Spirits can fight each other to their hearts' content, while Miss Magus and I will have time to cleanse the corrupted Grail and restore the Grail system."

"Oh? Challenges from Heroic Spirits?" Gilgamesh was quite interested. Mapo Tofu Ramen was currently one of the difficult projects he was tackling, and this would be perfect for letting those mongrels who fancied themselves kings have a taste as well.

Iskandar immediately approved. "That's a fine idea! The trials one sets up oneself would certainly showcase everything one has learned in life, and challengers would naturally have to face the full preparations of the one they challenge. In terms of challenge alone, this is undoubtedly suitable. And as Heroic Spirits who answered the summons, surely none of us would retreat before hardship. Defeating one's opponent head-on and honorably—that is a path suited to my conquest as well!"

Artoria stared at Iskandar in amazement, unable to understand why he would agree to such a proposal.

Since both sides were together anyway, Irisviel openly said to Artoria, "It really is a good proposal, Artoria. Look at the three Servants on Mo Li's side. You did not seem to have much of an advantage even against the Berserker. Add the Magus and Assassin, and we would have no chance of victory at all. If that proposal succeeds, they would instead lose the advantage of their alliance of three Servants."

Artoria turned to Irisviel and nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed. It is a good idea."

Although the Grail was still corrupted and could not properly grant wishes, was the one who could cleanse it not standing right before her? Once the Grail was cleansed, if she became the final victor, then her wish could be fulfilled!

So far, there were only two forces drawing the most attention. One was that King of Heroes named Gilgamesh, who looked extremely punchable. The other was the alliance of three Heroic Spirits over there, along with Mo Li, who was no weaker than a Heroic Spirit.

Therefore, as long as she agreed to his proposal, she would still have a chance to win!

Mo Li turned back and said to the two of them somewhat speechlessly, "Little sister Artoria and Madam Irisviel, although we are not enemies, is it really alright for you to discuss something like this behind my back?"

"Hahaha~ Don't worry about that sort of thing~" Irisviel laughed awkwardly.

"Fine..." Mo Li sighed and turned to the Lancer. "What about you, Diarmuid? Are you willing?"

Diarmuid was greatly tempted. He had no need for the Grail at all. His only wish was to fight powerful opponents honorably. Whether he died gloriously in battle or emerged victorious, his wish would be fulfilled.

However, he still had a lord. He needed to bring the Grail back to Kayneth.

After hearing the proposal and analyzing the situation on the field, Kayneth asked, "Mr. Mo Li, as the head of a Magus family native to the Holy Grail War, are you serious about this proposal?"

Even Kayneth could not act recklessly with the situation being what it was.

Mo Li said, "Yes, I am completely serious. I could even simply prepare one location for all of you, reusing the venue so that each of you can set up your own stage and wait for other Heroic Spirits to challenge it. I personally recommend this method. After all, if we used seven different locations, it would be difficult to explain to the outside world."

Kayneth said, "You haven't already set up a Magus workshop there and waited for us to walk into a trap, have you?"

Mo Li explained, "No, because that location is not suited for such a thing. Besides, if everyone gathers in one place to resolve matters, it will be easier for me to deal with the Greater Grail system. It is perfectly normal if you do not trust me. After all, the Holy Grail War has seen all kinds of mishaps. I can stake my reputation as a guarantee: as long as it is within my power, no one will die for no reason. I can protect everyone better that way. But do you truly dare to come?"

At the end, Mo Li's challenge provoked all sorts of reactions. What was particularly unfavorable to him was that, on the surface, he was in an alliance with three Servants. If they truly joined forces to hunt down a lone Servant, it would be absurdly easy.

Iskandar patted Waver Velvet on the shoulder. "Ha, that would naturally be impossible. No matter what, I must take care of my own Master. I cannot have him following me around in constant fear. But I can go to that place every day. Tell us, where is the location you have chosen?"

Mo Li said, "Ryudoji Temple. I have already cleared it out, and it is perfectly suited to serve as a battlefield for all of you Heroic Spirits."

Kayneth thought for a long time. No matter how he considered it, he could not imagine how rejecting the proposal would let him defeat three Servants. So he asked Diarmuid, "Diarmuid, in a one-on-one fight, are you confident you can bring me victory?"

Diarmuid was startled by the question, then solemnly replied, "My lord, everyone present is a formidable enemy. But please trust me. I will bring you victory."

Kayneth smiled confidently. "Good. Diarmuid, remember this: it is because I trust you that I agree to the proposal. Go forth and do as you please."

"I, Diarmuid, shall bring victory to my lord!" Diarmuid's gaze was bright and resolute.

Seeing that he was the only one left who had not stated his position, Gilgamesh revealed a disdainful smile. "The proposal is not bad, but this king is not a guest who can be invited by just anyone. Your little games may be interesting, but before that, let this king witness your abilities and determine whether you are qualified to invite me."

"Very well. Berserker, let King of Heroes Gilgamesh witness your abilities." Mo Li directly sent Berserker Lancelot forward.

Seeing that only one Berserker had stepped out, Gilgamesh frowned. "What? You send out only one Berserker? You dare look down on this king so?"

As he rubbed Caren's head, Mo Li said, "King of Heroes, you misunderstand. There is a child here on our side. Assassin is fast, and Miss Magus can put up a defensive barrier to avoid collateral damage. Besides, this venue is not suited for them to show their abilities, so we will not embarrass ourselves before you, King of Heroes."

Only after hearing this explanation did Gilgamesh's frown ease. His gaze passed over the petite Caren. He had always been tolerant toward children. "I see."

Gilgamesh looked at Berserker Lancelot, the corners of his mouth lifting. Two weapons immediately shot toward him, and Lancelot swiftly caught the flying weapons before engaging the King of Heroes in battle.

Watching the battlefield erupt into combat once more, Diarmuid said without taking his eyes off it, "Hey, Conqueror King, aren't you going to invite that fellow?"

Iskandar replied helplessly, "Invite him? I felt from the beginning that there was no room to negotiate with that guy!"