Departure / There's No Problem a Meal Can't Solve-and if there is...

However, what happened next was somewhat unexpected—

Wang Xiaoming refused Ruler's Command Spell.

"Ruler, we don't need Command Spell."

Despite the surprised looks on everyone's faces, Wang Xiaoming remained unfazed. "Command Spell don't mean much to Caster and me."

After hearing Wang Xiaoming's explanation, and considering his extraordinary combat power, everyone suddenly understood. Lily, standing to the side, was puzzled, but since it was Master's own idea, there was no need to pursue it further.

--Unconditionally trust your Master. (On how to win over your Master, the first rule)

"However, while we don't need Command Spell, in return, we need you, Ruler, to grant us one request. Of course, we'll try our best to make this condition easy for you."

"... Oh well."

After a slight hesitation, Ruler nodded and agreed to Wang Xiaoming's conditions.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Mordred, who had started the conversation, looked at her Master's Command Spell, which had been restored to three strokes, and smiled with satisfaction before suddenly turning her gaze to Archer beside her.

"Archer, I have a question."

Saber's voice immediately drew the attention of everyone in the restaurant.

"Please speak."

"I seem to recall hearing in the fortress that you are Heroic Spirit from the 'future'?"

"... That's right."

After a brief silence, Archer replied.

This information had already been revealed during the battle with Amakusa Shirou, so there was no need to hide it. Besides, there was someone who knew even more about him standing not far away, watching the show.

"So, during our first battle, you guessed my real name?"

This question had been weighing on Saber's mind for a long time. She had once wondered if she had met Archer once in her previous life, but after confirming that he was Heroic Spirit from the 'future,' she immediately rejected the idea. "Don't try to fob me off with something like 'seeing out true names.' My Noble Phantasm [Secret of Secret of Pedigree] clearly has the power to conceal one's true name."

Hearing Saber's barrage of questions, Archer sighed and said:

The reason I know your real name is simple: because I know what you look like.

"What?"

Archer's answer surprised Saber. During her previous battle with Archer, Saber had removed her helmet to unleash her Noble Phantasm, so it wasn't surprising that Archer saw her without makeup.

But--

"How could you in the future know what I look like? That's impossible!"

Because the era in which she lived was too far removed from the era in which Archer lived, there was absolutely no possibility that the two would meet, so Archer could not possibly know what she looked like.

Perhaps due to her impatience, Saber, who already had little patience, slammed her hands on the table and glared angrily at Archer.

"Hey, Archer, give me a reasonable explanation!"

"I once participated in the Holy Grail War..."

Finally, under Saber's angry glare and everyone's focused gaze, Archer slowly spoke, but what followed was like a bomb exploding in the somewhat cramped space—

"And in that Holy Grail War, the Servant I summoned was you."

--Saber, Mordred.

Chapter 261. Departure

It was just approaching noon, and Shishigou and Mordred did not linger in the Millennia Fortress. Although they had formed a united front with the [Black] faction, the Holy Grail War was ultimately a battle to achieve their own desires and seize the Holy Grail.

Although Shishigou believed he wouldn't be assassinated while asleep, that was all. Therefore, Shishigou didn't intend to build any closer relationships with the Master of the [Black] faction, a piece of advice given to him by his sixth sense honed on the battlefield as a mercenary.

Although a lingering fondness remained for the castle's gourmet food and luxurious rooms, now that they were outside, there was no need to dwell on those things. The only thing to do now was to be happy about receiving new Command Spell and the freedom to move around as they pleased.

Shishigou drove his car along the stone-paved road.

However, it must be said that she truly lives up to her name as "Yggdmillennia." As the "host" of Romania, after Shishigou his intention to leave, Fiore not only did not stop him, but also gave him a brand new car without hesitation.

Seated in the driver's seat, gripping the steering wheel, Kairi Shishigou glanced at his Servant in the passenger seat.

Upon seeing Mordred's clearly displeased expression, Shishigou immediately realized what was happening—

"Are you still thinking about what just happened, Saber?"

"Tsk!"

Upon hearing the question about Shishigou, Saber suddenly let out a cold snort.

[In that Holy Grail War, the Servant I summoned was you.]

--Saber, Mordred]

As Chiron's words echoed in her mind again, Saber's expression grew even more ominous. But then again, there probably aren't many who could remain rational after hearing such news.

"But speaking of which..."

The sound of Shishigou caught Saber's attention--

"To be able to meet the Master of the 'future' in the Holy Grail War, that's a kind of fate, isn't it?"

"What?!"

Saber frowned, seemingly displeased with her Master's words.

"How could someone like Archer possibly gain my approval!"

Even so, Saber knew that Archer wasn't lying, which was evident from his expression at the time.

That's precisely why Saber is upset.

The thought of being summoned by that seemingly "arrogant" Archer at some point in the "future" made Saber incredibly sad.

"Even if he gets incredibly lucky and manages to summon me, I'll still kill him in the end because we're incompatible!"

Having said that, Saber, as if to emphasize her point, forcefully swung her fist a few times in mid-air:

"Yes, that must be it."

His childish behavior made Shishigou, sitting in the driver's seat, secretly chuckle.

If Archer was able to become Heroic Spirit, how could he have failed in a Holy Grail War? Saber couldn't possibly have been unaware of this, she just didn't want to admit it.

"But speaking of which..."

Shishigou suddenly remembered something he hadn't realized before because he was in such a hurry—

"Since Archer comes from the 'future'..."

Meanwhile, in the Millennia Fortress—

"Archer, since you are Heroic Spirit from the 'future,' do you know how the next battles of this [Holy Grail War] will unfold?"

Looking at Rider standing in front of him, his face full of curiosity, Archer explained to him with a bit of a headache:

"Unfortunately, Rider, this world is different from the world I was born into. Therefore, I do not have knowledge of the future of this world. To be precise, I am a being summoned from the future of a parallel world."

"Parallel world?"

"Yes, in my world, the Holy Grail War only takes place in Fuyuki City. In that world, Darnic did not take the Greater Grail."

Since the Greater Grail remains in Fuyuki City, it wouldn't be surprising if there were a Fourth and Fifth Holy Grail War. However, the naturally impulsive Rider noticed another problem—

"Archer, if you come from a parallel world, then Caster's Master..."

"..."

The relationship between Archer and Caster's Master is no secret, but no one would bring it up as openly as Rider.

"... Although I don't know the reason, my father must be from that side, just like me."

"To go so far as to travel through worlds just to participate in the Holy Grail War... Caster's Master is truly amazing."

"Hey, Rider..."

The homunculus, who had been standing to the side, tried to keep his voice down and called out "Rider." Although it was indeed an interesting topic, Archer had no obligation to make it public.

"Oh, sorry, sorry, I got a little carried away."

Reminded by her Master, Rider scratched the hair at her temple and apologized to Archer somewhat embarrassedly.

"Nothing."

Archer shook his head; having long understood Rider's personality, he wasn't bothered by such things. However, Rider's words did serve as a reminder to Archer—

What is the real reason why my father went to such lengths, even traveling through different worlds, to participate in the Holy Grail War...?

Just as Archer was pondering this question, a shout from the side suddenly interrupted his thoughts.

"Absolutely not!"

Turning around, she found it was Ruler, Wang Xiaoming was standing next to her, seemingly arguing about something.

"What happened?"

"Archer, you've come."

Upon seeing Archer and Rider approaching because of the argument, Ruler instinctively breathed a sigh of relief, thinking a righteous ally would appear. However, she realized the next second—

These two are enemies!

After Ruler briefly explained the reasons for the dispute, Archer glanced at Wang Xiaoming with surprise.

"You want to summon Servant?"

Chapter 262. There's no problem that a meal can't solve, if there is...

Move back a few minutes --

"Mr. Ming, Lily, is there anything I can help you with?"

After the Command Spell transfer was complete, Ruler saw Wang Xiaoming and Lily standing in front of him. After regaining his composure, he smiled and asked them a question.

Ruler always felt a sense of tenderness towards Lily, the first Servant he encountered in this Holy Grail War. After all, it would be strange if someone were to speak harshly to such a lovely girl as Lily.

Consequently, she naturally felt some goodwill towards Wang Xiaoming, who had always protected Lily.

(Is something wrong?)

After exchanging a glance with Lily, Wang Xiaoming finally spoke.

"Yes, it's about defeating 'Amakusa Shirou'."

"Hmm? Please speak plainly."

Upon hearing Wang Xiaoming's statement, Ruler also composed himself and became serious.

"Although the methods for attacking the air fortress have been confirmed..."

This was something that had already been decided during previous discussions about countermeasures. Although the fortress, suspended in mid-air, made it difficult for the heroes to attack—even Rider's Hippogriff could only carry one person at a time—if a battle were to break out...

Therefore, after repeated discussions, everyone made a decision—

Use an airplane.

Although this is an extremely Magecraft method, it seems to be the only way to get everyone into the aerial fortress. As for the funding for purchasing the aircraft...

Although nearly a third of Darnic's accumulated wealth had already been spent on materials needed to prepare for Avicebron's Noble Phantasm, the remaining funds were more than enough for the wealthy Yggdmillennia Clan to purchase a few airplanes.

Now that the means of movement have been determined, the only remaining option is --

"About that guy 'Achilles'..."

Now, all that's left for everyone is this toughest obstacle.

"While I (Hector) have an advantage over the other Servant when facing that muscle-bound idiot... it's simply a pipe dream for me to defeat him all by myself."

In the Trojan War, Hector's fate was to die by Achilles' spear.