Trump Card

Medea seemed very patient with Saber, offering neither mockery nor reprimand; her calm voice revealed boundless confidence.

Caster's unique class ability: Territory Creation.

With the added bonuses from the level A base construction, the Matou Residence had transcended the concept of Magecraft workshop and become a temple-level base.

Even if Servant attacked, it would take them considerable effort to break through this barrier. For Emiya Kiritsugu human, to think he could break through the barrier and kidnap the two children in a short time was simply wishful thinking.

This is also why Wang Xiaoming and Medea can feel at ease leaving their two children at home.

"But that mouse seemed a bit slippery..."

Medea's voice carried a hint of regret. Under Medea's control, Emiya Kiritsugu had already "broken through" the first level, but something went wrong. Sensing something amiss, Emiya Kiritsugu immediately withdrew without any hesitation.

This made Medea had prepared many things within the barrier to "entertain" Emiya Kiritsugu, somewhat resentful.

This news also relieved Irisviel for her husband.

It's unclear whether it was because Kiritsugu wasn't harmed or because her husband didn't choose to resort to any means to kidnap the two children.

"So what's next? Should our negotiations continue?"

Medea suddenly asked.

The controversy caused by Emiya Kiritsugu disrupted the negotiations.

Even Saber, as a queen, found some things at the negotiating table somewhat beyond her capabilities, let alone Irisviel had been out of the public eye for a long time.

Moreover, we are in the wrong.

This created an awkward silence during the negotiations. However, this awkwardness only applied to Saber's side; seeing the other party's troubled expression, Medea's lips curled into a slight smile.

"So..."

Before Iris could finish speaking, a soft electronic voice suddenly emanated from her arms, startling her. She quickly removed the source of the sound.

A mobile phone

This was given to her by Kiritsugu just in case. It goes without saying who could make the call at this moment. But according to the established rules, it wouldn't be used for communication. Coupled with the awkward atmosphere, Iris couldn't immediately recall the method she should have memorized.

"Excuse me, how do I use this?"

Holding the noisy "prop" in her hand, Irisviel looked helplessly at the only person present who could use it.

Surrounded by onlookers, Wang Xiaoming reluctantly stepped forward, took the phone from Irisviel's hand, and pressed the speakerphone button.

Is that Iris?

Then a deep male voice rang out. Although it was the first time he had heard this voice and it was somewhat distorted due to the phone call, Wang Xiaoming immediately recognized the owner of the voice—judging from Saber's clenched teeth and Irisviel's worried expression.

--Emiya Kiritsugu

Kiritsugu, are you alright?

Overwhelmed with worry for her husband, Iris completely disregarded the current atmosphere and asked.

"Fine..."

Although his voice warmed up slightly because of his wife's problem, Irisviel, as his wife, could hear the deep weariness hidden within it.

"Emiya... Kiritsugu..."

Saber couldn't suppress her anger any longer.

"... It's Saber."

There was a slight pause on the other end of the phone, followed by a presumably misunderstanding of the situation:

"So Caster and Caster's Master... you should be able to hear this too, right?"

"Can."

Since he had been mentioned, Wang Xiaoming stepped forward to answer.

He didn't beat around the bush, because that wouldn't fit Emiya Kiritsugu's personality; he stated his purpose directly. But this straightforward approach left everyone present speechless.

"So, do you agree to our request for an alliance?"

Upon hearing this question, Wang Xiaoming was slightly taken aback, wondering if he had misheard.

This person just attacked our base, right?

What's your explanation? What's your explanation for your behavior?

So it was just omitted?

That's a bit too much!

Although Wang Xiaoming was thrown into chaos by Emiya Kiritsugu's irrationality, some people remained clear-headed:

A sneer rang out from Medea's mouth:

"An alliance? Based on the 'sincerity' you showed before?"

Medea's sarcastic words made Saber and Iris blush, and also brought silence to the other end of the phone.

After a long silence, Emiya Kiritsugu's ambiguous voice came from the other end of the phone:

"Because... you only have this one choice."

PS2: The cover has been changed. If you have any opinions on the cover or don't like it, please let me know.

Then I'll choose another one~

Chapter 90. Trump Card

"Because... you only have this one choice."

The matter-of-fact voice on the phone sounded utterly ridiculous to Medea. Even Saber found Emiya Kiritsugu's words absurd.

"A choice? Based on your so-called 'sincerity' that you showed before?"

Medea's sarcastic remarks did not Emiya Kiritsugu; his calm voice rang out:

"That was just preventative preparation. At this point, all we need to think about is how to win this war. Wang Xiaoming..."

Wang Xiaoming, who was called out, was somewhat surprised, but Kiritsugu had no time to pay attention to that and continued speaking to himself, "Now, for our Master, the presence of Saber with her left hand sealed and your Caster means we will be among the first to be eliminated on the battlefield."

Emiya Kiritsugu's tone of treating his Servant as objects secretly fueled the anger of the two Servant present.

"So, for both of us..."

Wang Xiaoming interrupted him before he could finish speaking, saying in a playful tone, "I'm tired of hearing the 'least advantageous' reason. Although it makes sense, you're not the best choice for our side."

"..."

Before Emiya Kiritsugu answer, Wang Xiaoming continued:

"Rider and his Master's partnership, while somewhat 'foolish,' is still more valuable for cooperation than a partner like you who can't even give basic trust to his own Servant."

Wang Xiaoming's words stunned everyone present for a moment, but upon closer reflection...

That seems to be true.

Although Waver is also a Magecraft, judging from his previous performance... and Rider, although Rider is meticulous, he can't help but lack integrity.

If Wang Xiaoming were truly willing to swallow his pride and ask Rider for help, then given Rider's character, there probably wouldn't be any issues with Emiya Kiritsugu and Saber.

"Then why should we choose you?"

Not long after Wang Xiaoming finished speaking, he heard...

Click--

The faint sound of a lighter clicking could be heard from the other end of the phone, followed by clearly audible breathing, and then Emiya Kiritsugu's voice rang out again:

"Because... you don't have this choice."

Before Wang Xiaoming could speak, Kiritsugu's voice continued, but this time it was a question:

"Wang Xiaoming, do you know about the CL-20?"

"Have no idea..."

Wang Xiaoming's tone was somewhat hesitant. Although he had never heard of the number mentioned by Emiya Kiritsugu, a bad premonition was gradually emerging in Wang Xiaoming heart.

What is that?

"The explosive... CL-20 explosive, scientifically known as hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzite, is a newly developed high-explosive military explosive. It was the explosive I used to destroy the Hyatt Hotel."

The answer Emiya Kiritsugu gave reminded Wang Xiaoming of the Hyatt Hotel, which had been as dazzling as fireworks.

Leaning against the corner of the wall outside the Matou Residence, Emiya Kiritsugu took a deep drag on his cigarette, stubbed it out, and looked up, surveying the imposing mansion that remained majestic even in the night, as he spoke into the phone:

"As for my current location... I think you should know, right?"

"And also..."

Perhaps believing that this wasn't enough to threaten Wang Xiaoming, Emiya Kiritsugu revealed his own trump card:

"Even if those two children miraculously escape the explosion and survive until the Holy Grail ends... I've already had my assistant leave Fuyuki City, leave Japan. The Holy Grail War will only last seven days. Once the Holy Grail War ends, once Caster leaves the stage..."

Emiya Kiritsugu's calm voice was narrating something that sent chills down your spine:

"That will be the time she comes back."

"Brute!"

The one shouting angrily was not Wang Xiaoming, nor Medea, but Saber!

His emerald eyes burned with a cold intensity. They weren't the eyes of someone looking at a companion, nor the gaze of someone facing Lancer as an adversary. Rather, they were exactly the same as when he faced Archer's arrogance—a razor-sharp look meant to pierce through those he considered his enemies.

"Now I finally understand, you are a heartless person. I was so foolish to believe that even if our paths diverged, our goals remained the same."

Emiya Kiritsugu had no intention of answering Saber's meaningless question, because there was no need to. The actions Saber had just witnessed were utterly evil.

Moreover, compared to this--

"So, Wang Xiaoming, what is your choice...?"

On the other end of the phone, Emiya Kiritsugu awaited Wang Xiaoming's reply.

Emiya Kiritsugu is gambling--

As Master participating in the war, it is essential to understand the enemy's intelligence. As for Wang Xiaoming's innocent background, it had already been thoroughly investigated by Emiya Kiritsugu. It can be said that apart from the useless "transmigrator" identity, Emiya Kiritsugu even knew how many times Wang Xiaoming had touched a girl's hand from childhood to adulthood.

Since he is an ordinary person, he has various weaknesses: conscience, kindness, compassion... all of which are things that Emiya Kiritsugu himself had long ago abandoned.

That's why Emiya Kiritsugu gambled, using his animalistic nature to test the humanity of Wang Xiaoming!

Fortunately--

The bet was won.

Under the watchful eyes of Irisviel, Saber, and Medea, each carrying a different emotion, Wang Xiaoming took a deep breath, then shrugged and admitted:

"Alright, you win. We agree to Saber's request for an alliance."

Wang Xiaoming's answer eased the atmosphere. In this contest, which could barely be considered a battle between Master, Emiya Kiritsugu the rest.

"We'll discuss the follow-up developments when we meet."

Even Emiya Kiritsugu on the other end of the phone sounded a little more relaxed.

However, this relief was only one-sided on his part. After hanging up the phone, Wang Xiaoming faced Medea and the strange gazes of Irisviel and Saber, who had temporarily become his allies, and felt both amused and exasperated.

Do I really have to vent my frustrations about failing?

Wang Xiaoming felt nothing but a burning hatred for Emiya Kiritsugu's failed attempt; there was nothing else he could do.

You can't even beat them in a fight, yet you're so shameless...

However, Wang Xiaoming couldn't help but mutter to himself:

As expected of Emiya Kiritsugu, he's incredibly ruthless!

"Now that an alliance has been formed and a preliminary agreement has been reached, we'll take our leave."

Since the agreement has been reached, there is no need to stay.

With this in mind, Wang Xiaoming bid farewell to Irisviel and Saber.