Visitor

"Ever since you mentioned the Holy Grail War, I've been observing several other parallel worlds. I've discovered that the Holy Grail also exists in these parallel worlds, some even with more than one, and many of them remain uncorrupted. Right now, there's a world about to begin Holy Grail War, vying for the uncorrupted Holy Grail."

Listening to Circe's explanation, Wang Xiaoming had a strange sense of déjà vu.

Hey, this can't be...

"The point of divergence between that world and this world lies in the Third Holy Grail War. In this world, the Third Holy Grail War ended with the Einzbern illegally summoning the eighth class, Avenger, leading to the corruption of the Holy Grail. In the other world, however, the Einzbern family summoned another class, Ruler, successfully preventing the Holy Grail from being corrupted. However, the Three Founding Families in that world still did not obtain the Holy Grail, as the entire Greater Grail was stolen by an outsider Magecraft and eventually hidden in Romania. After 60 years of magical accumulation, a completely different, and truly meaningful, Holy Grail War is about to begin."

Really--

After hearing Circe recount this, I realized that this was the "Great Holy Grail War" described by some magical creature. Although I barely remembered the plot due to the passage of time, I vaguely recalled that the Holy Grail created by the Three Founding Families of that world was intact, clean, and uncontaminated.

So, as Circe said, the idea of using the Holy Grail of that world to make a wish is indeed feasible.

However, this also means...

"You need to win another Holy Grail War."

Circe looked at Wang Xiaoming with a hint of amusement in his eyes.

The Holy Grail War is no child's play.

In their quest for the Holy Grail, which can grant any wish, all the participants resorted to any means necessary.

Open and covert struggles, conspiracies and intrigues.

No one knows what their opponent will do next, and no one knows if they will live to see the next day.

What about Wang Xiaoming?

Was his affection for Medea merely lip service? Was he truly willing to sacrifice everything to participate in a Holy Grail War where life itself was at stake?

Circe awaited his answer with a detached, almost theatrical attitude.

"Ah, I understand."

However, Wang Xiaoming's indifferent reaction was as if he were going out to the convenience store to buy a bottle of vinegar.

"Do I really have to say something incredibly moving?"

Seeing Circe's disappointed Circe, Wang Xiaoming couldn't help but chuckle and then asked in return.

"Tsk, never mind--"

Feeling awkward Circe said nothing more, simply waving her wand lightly. A wand similar to the one in her hand appeared before Wang Xiaoming.

"This is Medea's wand, which she left behind when she trained here. I think it might be of some help to you."

Thank you.

Taking the wand from mid-air, Wang Xiaoming Circe.

"No need to thank me. That's all I can do. Once you get to that world, you'll have to rely on yourself."

Circe waved her wand again, and the black "hole" with swirling air currents reappeared in the living room.

As Wang Xiaoming stepped one foot into the "hole," he heard Circe sound:

"If you die in that world, don't expect me to mourn for you. You can only blame Medea for choosing the wrong person."

"Please rest assured about that. I will definitely bring Medea back to see you, Aunt Circe."

The moment the words left his mouth, Wang Xiaoming's figure had completely disappeared into the "hole." As Wang Xiaoming left, the "hole" closed, leaving Circe, who was both annoyed and amused, behind.

Once the "hole" was completely closed, Circe turned to look at the empty space on the other side of the room.

"You've been watching for so long, aren't you coming out yet?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a sprightly old man suddenly appeared in the room and gave Circe a gentlemanly bow.

"My apologies, Witch Okeanos."

I'll make it up tonight.

Chapter 170. The Visitor

In this dimly lit, empty room, the sense of distance seemed to have lost its meaning. The room, which appeared unbelievably spacious, felt oppressively cramped. A candle in the center dimly illuminated the faces of the people in the room, filling the air with an indescribable sense of oppression.

There were only three people present. One was an old man, who, despite his short stature, had a straight back and a face with wrinkles that shone like a wood carving.

--Loch Belfebon, Director of the Department of Summoning.

Rumors suggest that he has served as department head for over fifty years, but the accuracy of this information remains uncertain.

"Was only one person coming back...?"

Looking at the battle report in his hand, Belfebon read out the final conclusion in a dry voice. A young man sitting below him then spoke cautiously:

"I saw that battle... It was a truly unpleasant sight, and an intolerable occurrence."

He was a handsome young man with red hair. His gaze, which contained a strong and noble will, and his refined appearance made it clear at a glance that he belonged to the upper class. The young man's name was Bram Nusare Sophiari. He was not only the successor to the head of the Department of Department of Spiritual Evocation, but also served as a first-level lecturer at the Clock Tower.

After listening to Sophiari's speech, the old man nodded as if in agreement, then turned his gaze to the last person in the room who remained silent.

The man had long, disheveled hair and was frowning unhappily.

"So, what is your opinion, Lord El-Melloi?"

The man called El-Melloi slowly turned his head to the side, his expression filled with impatience, as he lit the cigarette between his fingers with the candlelight.

"It's the Lord El-Melloi II. While I appreciate your desire to respect my original intention, adding 'Lord El-Melloi II' to it is still quite uncomfortable to use the honorific 'El-Melloi'."

Perhaps already accustomed to the man's behavior of referring to himself as "Lord El-Melloi II," the old man casually changed his address, saying, "My apologies. So, Lord El-Melloi II, what is your opinion?"

"Well, we probably have to change our strategy. After all, we've lost forty-nine Magecraft. Even though one survived, he's probably no longer of any use."

A punishment force of fifty elite Magecraft was formed, and a meticulously planned operation was established.

The moment the battle began, everything was progressing perfectly in every sense. However, just one Servant threw everything into chaos.

The final result was 49 deaths, with the last person only escaping thanks to the other party's deliberate release.

"However, thanks to him, we have a chance to counterattack. If we can gather seven Masters, we might see a chance of victory."

"But who should do it? If we give the opportunity to an inexperienced Magecraft, they might get killed. Trifas is their territory."

After a brief silence in the room, Lord El-Melloi II finally offered his final solution.

"We should hire external Magecraft. This Holy Grail War is on a scale never before seen by us, or even in records. Of course, the Clock Tower will also need to provide one or two."

The other two people in the room agreed with this statement.

From now on, they must select seven Masters. But the situation is urgent. If they were to select from the prestigious families of the Clock Tower, it would be a major undertaking. Due to the inheritance and preservation of Magic Crest, as well as various other factors, it could take more than three months to make a selection. In comparison, unaffiliated Magecraft who can be hired at will are much more efficient.

"Then it will be up to me and Lord El-Melloi II to gather those who are eyeing this covetously. The remaining one will be sent by the Holy Church. To demonstrate our legitimacy, we must get them to join the war."

"In that case, I'll take charge of selecting the sacred relics. Although I've been given this task at a critical moment, even if it means emptying the Department of Spiritual Evocation's coffers, I will gather enough to provide a means to contend with the enemy!"

After listening to Sophiari's words, Belfebon struck the ground with the base of his cane and declared:

"This is completely different from the replicas of the Holy Grail War being held around the world today. In terms of scale alone, it surpasses the three previous Holy Grail War held in Fuyuki. I urge you two gentlemen to pull yourselves together and make them regret their actions that have tarnished the reputation of my Clock Tower!"

After saying that, the three of them walked away in their own directions without looking at each other.

"Professor--!"

When Lord El-Melloi II returned to his office, the young man who had been waiting there suddenly lit up when he saw him, and then shouted and pounced on him.

Then, in the next second, he was slapped back with a powerful flick of the finger.

"Professor, I've heard about it--"

However, the young man did not give up because of this small setback. Instead, he came forward again and looked at his teacher with Gilgamesh and shining expression.

"What did you hear?"

"The Holy Grail War! Professor, the Holy Grail War taking place in Romania! I want to participate no matter what!"

The young man's loud voice echoed in the office, only to be met with an expression of utter disbelief from Lord El-Melloi II, as if he were having a heart attack.

"Where did you find out about this? Although it's not exactly top secret, it's not something a kid like you with no experience should know!"

When questioned about how he knew about the Holy Grail War, the young man nonchalantly replied, "Because I saw you being hurriedly called away, and I followed you out of curiosity..."

Upon hearing the young man's words, Elmero's already agitated face darkened further, and he delivered a powerful punch to the still-calm student's face.

"How... how did you know the contents of the meeting?"

"No, I eavesdropped because I was a little concerned."

"That must have been a top-secret briefing!? There were several layers of protective barriers!"

When pressed by the man who was his teacher, the young man answered with a completely unapology-free look.

"Um, well, although I'm a little embarrassed, because I really care about it... so I tried to hack into the room's barrier."

"..."

"And I succeeded!"

"Should I compliment you?"

Bang--

Watching the bulge on the young man's head visibly swell, Lord El-Melloi II, despite his stomachache, couldn't help but ponder deeply.

Although the action was reckless, the important thing was that they "broke through the barrier and listened to the meeting without anyone noticing."

Flat Escardos Carl.

He was both a student in His Excellency Emerson Lord El-Melloi II's classroom and the oldest among them.

He became Hermero's student when he was still a teenager, and several years passed without him graduating from the Clock Tower.

Born into a Mediterranean family of Magecraft, the eldest son of the Escardos Family, he was highly anticipated due to his unparalleled magical circuits and talent for controlling them, but...

"While his skill and talent in Magecraft are limitless, at the cost of lacking a more important aspect of what it means to be a Magecraft," this statement best describes him.

Unfortunately, putting aside his Magecraft, his personality was the complete opposite of that of Magecraft.

Originally expected to be a child prodigy and receiving instruction from other professors, he ended up causing many teachers to complain of stomach aches, and was ultimately handed over to Arnold Lord El-Melloi II because "there is no one else but you".

Several years passed after that. His Magecraft continued to grow at a pace that surpassed that of his other students. He was able to do things that other teachers could not, which was precisely what made his mentor, the Lord El-Melloi II Prince, so proud.

However, due to other intractable problems, he was still unable to graduate from the Clock Tower.

It wouldn't have mattered if he had just abandoned it, but Elmero Lord El-Melloi II, unable to abandon the project halfway through, took it on, a decision he now deeply regrets.

"Talented idiots are the real problem..."

After his initial anger subsided, Lord El-Melloi II suddenly calmed his voice, like a monk who had suddenly attained enlightenment. But his face still showed displeasure. He slapped his student's shoulder forcefully and said:

"I'll pretend I never heard what happened. So please don't cause me any more trouble."

"Uh... okay."

Seeing his male mentor's serious expression, Flat Escardos, though somewhat unsure of what to do, reluctantly nodded in agreement.

This kind of major battle is beyond your control...

Elmero Lord El-Melloi II sighed inwardly. Although his troublesome student had made a promise, he still decided to exercise some necessary control over his movements during this period.

Just then, out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of an object on the table—a bound letter.

"Flat Escardos."

"What's wrong?"

When was that thing on the table delivered?

"Oh, you mean that one!"

Upon hearing Elmero Lord El-Melloi II's question, Flat Escardos's gaze followed the question, then he suddenly realized. "This is a visiting card from a foreign Magecraft, delivered after you went to the meeting. Seeing you weren't there, he left it there and left."

Did that person say when they would come back?

No, not at all.

After careful consideration, Flat Escardos gave an affirmative answer.

"Alright, I understand. You can go back now."