An Unfit Father

"Yes, I understand."

Sakura nodded slightly, then pushed open the door and went to school.

"Sister Illya, shall we go too?"

Shirou shifted his gaze from Sakura's back to Illya and asked her.

"Just a moment~"

After giving Shirou that wink, Illya turned her attention to Mordred had been wearing a displeased expression from the beginning.

"Mordred- chan~"

"Tsk, what are you doing?"

Mordred shivered involuntarily, then frowned at Illya. Although her voice was somewhat cold, there was no trace of anger in it.

Mordred wasn't angry at Illya's overly affectionate way of addressing her?

Are you kidding me?

Leaving aside King Arthur, who was right there, if Mordred's former colleagues, the Knights of the Round Table, were to witness this scene... even a composed person like Tristan would probably be unable to help but widen his eyes in astonishment.

Actually, rather than saying she wasn't angry, Mordred had grown accustomed to Illya's outgoing personality over this period of time. Even after learning that Illya was also a [Homunculus], Mordred unexpectedly became more tolerant.

"Hey, Mordred -chan~ Aren't you reluctant to come out with us?"

"You already know, why are you asking?"

Upon hearing this question, Mordred couldn't help but glare at Illya.

Don't mistake Mordred for a fool; although her methods may seem reckless, it's because she sees it as the most effective solution.

In fact, Mordred had already realized what was going on the moment Wang Xiaoming used the "reverse psychology" tactic, but he was unwilling to admit defeat because King Arthur was there at the time.

"Do you want to know what your uncles are discussing?"

Illya's words caught Mordred's attention.

You know?

"Hehe~ I know, but--"

Seeing Mordred's curious expression, Illya laughed like a fox that had stolen a hen. Then, just before Mordred's anger reached its peak, she uttered the second half of her sentence, leaving the other person wanting more.

"We'll have to wait until we get back to find out."

"Ha?"

"Anyway, you'll know when we get back! Let's enjoy ourselves for a day now!"

After saying that, Illya grabbed Mordred's arm like she was dragging a best friend who didn't want to go out, and with Mordred's half-pushing and half-willingness, pulled her out of the house.

Shirou was following behind the two, smiled knowingly after seeing this scene.

Although I was also curious about what method Illya was talking about, since Illya said that we would know the answer when we returned, then I would wait a little longer, just like she said.

Meanwhile, a certain saintly young lady was sitting in the reception room—

Achoo!

"..."

I'm so sorry!

Upon realizing that everyone's eyes were on her, Ruler, blushing with embarrassment, quickly stood up and apologized to everyone.

Are you alright?

Faced with Wang Xiaoming's questioning gaze, Ruler expressed with a firm look that he was perfectly fine.

"Then, let's continue..."

After this little incident, everyone present turned their attention back to Wang Xiaoming. However, Ruler's mind seemed to still be on that sneeze.

Is it because I've been eating too much and not practicing enough meditation lately that my Lord has sent me this divine revelation?

Well then, how about... eating less?

Ruler, who was agonizing over how much food to eat, was unaware that someone had already set their sights on him.

"..."

Wang Xiaoming glanced at Ruler, who was still lost in thought, and then sighed helplessly.

A foodie saintess... she's definitely not very reliable, but we don't need her for the time being...

"Then, Saber--"

Wang Xiaoming shifted his gaze to another girl whose appearance was strikingly similar to Ruler's.

"If you don't mind, could you tell me what your wish is for participating in the Holy Grail War?"

"I'm sorry... I'm afraid I can't answer that question."

Upon hearing Wang Xiaoming's question, Saber's face showed a hint of confusion.

The Holy Grail War of ten years ago, and the banquet she attended with the other two kings, remain vivid in her memory. But equally vivid is the question posed to her by the [King of Conquerors] at that banquet—a question that Saber still cannot answer satisfactorily.

What exactly is one's own path to kingship?

"... Cough cough!"

A sudden cough interrupted Saber's thoughts, and also pulled Ruler back from his reverie.

"Excuse me."

Faced with Saber's apology, Wang Xiaoming shook his head to indicate that it was alright, and then asked Saber:

"So, Saber, you don't currently have any wishes you want to fulfill?"

"That's right."

Saber nodded in response.

The reason she responded to the summons was simply because of her connection with the Emiya family.

Ten years ago, a man named Emiya Kiritsugu summoned the legendary King Arthur with the lofty yet foolish ideal of "wanting to save the world." Ten years later, the same man appeared, but unlike before, after the summoning ceremony, he asked King Arthur to "protect his daughter."

I promise you.

Without any time to consider, Saber agreed to the man's request.

As for the reason, Saber, who had briefly fought alongside Kiritsugu, was genuinely happy for her comrade-in-arms after witnessing his transformation from a "machine" to a "human".

"In that case, there is no conflict of interest between us. So, Saber—"

After hearing Saber's reply, Wang Xiaoming carefully made his request to her.

"I hope to receive your help in this Holy Grail War."

Then, he presented the intelligence he currently possessed—

Saber and Ruler, who was listening in, were told everything in detail about "himself being the Lesser Grail," "the events of the past ten years," and "Circe's failed scheme."

"It's our duty to do this!"

After listening to Wang Xiaoming's story, Sabe gave her answer decisively.

Ruler, sitting to the side, nodded hastily to express his stance. However, as if remembering his position, Ruler quickly shook his head, indicating that he would absolutely not take sides in a way that violated the rules.

That would be wonderful.

Having decided to completely ignore the certain saintess, Wang Xiaoming smiled at Saber.

"Now, let's discuss the second question—"

"?"

"... Regarding your issue with Mordred."

Chapter 388. An Incompetent Father

"The second thing we'll discuss is about your relationship with Mordred— "

The moment Wang Xiaoming uttered those words, everyone in the room focused their attention on Saber. However, while everyone was referred to as "everyone," in reality, there were only Wang Xiaoming, Saber, and Ruler in the room.

"What's wrong?"

Upon seeing Wang Xiaoming and Ruler turn their attention to her, Saber herself was the first to ask a question.

"Regarding your relationship with Mordred..."

Seeing Saber's indifferent expression, Ruler's face revealed an extremely conflicted emotion. The saintess was not good at this kind of "opening up old wounds."

"Regarding Mordred, Saber, what are your current thoughts on her?"

In the end, it was Wang Xiaoming who uttered those words—

"After all, it was she who ultimately led Britain to its destruction."

"Mordred, Britain..."

Upon hearing Wang Xiaoming's question, Saber lowered her head, looking somewhat dazed.

--"Blood stains the hill at sunset."

The Battle of Camlann, the final battle that determined her and the kingdom's fate, still replays in Saber's mind. It's impossible for Saber not to harbor resentment towards Mordred, the Blade of Rebellion, the culprit who caused this war.

But so what?

A king is ultimately someone who bears the burden of everything, and in her view, Mordred's rebellion was also a sin of the king.

"You really are..."

After listening to Saber's story, Wang Xiaoming couldn't help but sigh.

"Saber, I have some ideas. Would you like to hear them?"

I would like to hear the details.

Saber adopted a listening posture.

"First of all, I will not interfere with your wishes."

Saber was completely stunned by Wang Xiaoming's first words.

"Whether your wish is to save the country or something else, that's your own business and has nothing to do with me."

Seeing Saber's surprised expression, Wang Xiaoming continued—

"What I want to talk about now is—your relationship with Mordred."

Honestly, Wang Xiaoming generally doesn't want to get involved in other people's family affairs because it's just too much trouble.

However, for this "father and son" who are about to form a united front, if they don't resolve their differences now, their relationship will sooner or later become a "time bomb" that could explode at any moment.

Fortunately, during this time, through his family's interactions with Mordred, Wang Xiaoming gained some understanding of this mischievous child.

Although he couldn't completely eliminate the direct conflict between the two, Wang Xiaoming was fairly confident that he could get them to get to get along face-to-face.

"So, Saber, from your perspective, what do you think Mordred's attitude towards you is?"

"What kind of attitude...?"

As Saber muttered to herself, she suddenly recalled a scene from her past life—

That was the final battle. Both armies had been annihilated, leaving only two men facing off on Sword Hill.

"Do you see, King Arthur? Your kingdom is finished! Regardless of who wins between us—as you can see, it has been completely destroyed! Shouldn't you have realized this long ago? Passing the throne to me would have prevented this from happening!"

To be able to say such a thing, Mordred probably knew from the very beginning that she...

"... It should be hatred."

After a brief silence, Saber gave her answer.

"So, what is the reason for this hatred?"

As if he had already guessed Saber's answer, Wang Xiaoming continued to press for more information.

"Is it because of... Morgan?"