"Good grief, I can't believe it. If I'm seeing this right, that thing in Emiya Kiritsugu's hands is a sniper rifle, isn't it?"
"A war involving mages and ancient heroes, and they're using modern firearms. Sure, why not?"
"Impressive. I give this move 82 points. I'll send you the remaining 18 in the form of 666."
"When it comes to catching people off guard, you're the best, Emiya Kiritsugu."
"Emiya Kiritsugu: Mages and people from ancient times, let me show you what it means to be an adult. The times have changed!"
There was no doubt about it: that move was slick. It was only a visual, but the outfits worn by Emiya Kiritsugu and Hisau Maiya proved one thing: supposedly, mages and Servants could be killed with firearms.
Of course, judging by the Servants' demonstrated abilities, killing one with a firearm would still be difficult. A sniper rifle probably wouldn't be much use; you'd need heavy weapons like cannons and missiles.
Mages, on the other hand, were different. They seemed mysterious and powerful, but they were still made of flesh and blood. Firearms should be able to take them out.
The events that followed in the Light Screen played out exactly that way.
From the shadows, Emiya Kiritsugu glanced at the two Servants fighting, then said to Hisau Maiya, "It's started. It looks like they won't decide the winner anytime soon. Maiya, find a high spot suitable for sniping. Locate Lancer's Master, then wait for a chance to kill him."
Hisau Maiya nodded and looked around. Soon, she settled on the high gantry of a crane used to move shipping containers at the port.
It was an excellent spot for sniping.
Seeing this, players in the real world who had played battle royale games all cried out in approval. A place like that was perfect for ambushing people.
At the same time, the narrator began an explanation in the style of JoJo.
[This was the strategy Emiya Kiritsugu had chosen. He was Saber's Master, but he had his wife pose as the public-facing Master and move about openly. This drew everyone's attention to his wife, Irisviel, and Saber, allowing him to stay hidden. By keeping one of them in the open and the other in the shadows, he ensured his side would remain invincible.]
The brief narration laid bare Emiya Kiritsugu's underhanded nature, making many people exclaim in approval. Of course, plenty of naive people thought he was despicable.
At the Supernatural Disaster Countermeasures Office, Murata Himeko rubbed her chin, then turned to Emiya Kiritsugu, who stood not far away. "As expected of our office's ace operator. What a dirty trick. Good. Keep it up."
The others wore expressions of admiration, as if to say, "That's our man. How despicable."
"..." Emiya Kiritsugu could only manage an awkward but polite smile.
Everyone had gathered on a balcony that the Strategy Room had specially cleared out. Besides several important personnel from the office, everyone who had appeared in the Light Screen was there as well.
Only Artoria was absent.
But just then, another person arrived, accompanied by several others.
A closer look revealed that it was Artoria.
Murata Himeko immediately noticed that Artoria had changed considerably since yesterday.
Yesterday, the girl had been bewildered and lost, looking dazed after being subjected to too much shock and stimulation.
Today, however, Artoria was calm and composed, carrying herself with poise. Her brows reflected steadiness and confidence, as if she had matured greatly overnight.
If she had to put it into words, there was a new resolve in Artoria's expression. She now had some of the Divine Essence she had shown when King Arthur had possessed her the previous night.
The girl greeted everyone politely and with poise, then took the seat the Strategy Room staff had arranged for her.
Her gaze settled on the Light Screen. She watched with a serious expression and focused eyes.
Seeing this, Murata Himeko quietly turned her attention away. Even though she had plenty of questions, this wasn't the right time to ask them. Watching the Light Screen was what mattered.
A whole bunch of people watching a movie.jpg.
In the Light Screen, Saber and Lancer continued fighting, but they were still testing each other. Neither had gone all out.
Even without giving their all, their power far exceeded that of ordinary people. The area within a fifty-meter radius was left in ruins, and countless shipping containers were battered by attacks from the spears and the Invisible Blade.
The intensity of the fight gave the impression that anyone watching nearby might get caught up in a clash between gods, with ordinary people paying the price.
After another exchange of probing attacks, the two retreated in perfect unison.
Lancer planted his feet, his short spear hanging naturally from his left hand and his long spear resting on his right shoulder. Smiling, he praised Saber. "As expected of Saber. Your skill is remarkable. I imagine you must have been an outstanding knight in life."
Saber said, "A knight? More or less. But you often use your spear to slash during battle. If I'm not mistaken, you're actually more skilled with a sword, aren't you?"
Lancer smiled without denying it. "Your instincts are sharp. That's right. My swordsmanship is stronger than my skill with a spear. Unfortunately, I descended in the Lancer class this time, so I didn't bring my sword."
Saber said, "That's a pity. But that's the Holy Grail War for you. There's no such thing as an unfair victory."
Lancer nodded. "Indeed. Even in this incomplete form, I will dedicate victory in this Holy Grail War to my Master!"
In the real world, at the Supernatural Disaster Countermeasures Office.
Murata Himeko rested her chin on her hand and pondered. "Judging by this, when Heroic Spirits descend as Servants, they're restricted by their classes and can't manifest at the height of their power?"
A girl with twin tails couldn't help commenting, "Why is this starting to feel more and more like a game? This so-called Holy Grail War..."
The speaker was Tohsaka Rin, Tohsaka Tokiomi's daughter. As one of his family members, she had also been invited to watch.
Murata Himeko had mainly considered that the relatives of people appearing in the Light Screen might show up in it too, so she had invited them along.
Among the Emiya family, seated not far away, was the ten-year-old Illyasviel, a little girl with silver hair and red eyes who had inherited her mother Irisviel's beauty. She nodded repeatedly in agreement.
"Exactly! I feel the same way. Add health bars and levels, and it'd be a standard RPG! Right, big brother?"
Illya's adoptive brother, Emiya Shirou, gave the same awkward but polite smile as their father. Their conversation had attracted the attention of many people nearby.
The somewhat bashful sixteen-year-old rubbed his cheek and said, "It does feel that way... But a game is still just a game. What's happening in the video is real. I think it's more like a set of rules for combat..."
Everyone had heard the three kids talking, but nobody said anything to them. Many people felt they made a good point: the Holy Grail War really did feel like a duel game with detailed rules.
It was just a game played by people with supernatural powers, so its prestige far surpassed that of ordinary games.
The people of Yingzhou, however, were quite used to the idea. The entertainment industry there was well-developed, especially its anime industry, which was the best in the world. Backed by the Flame Kingdom's market, Yingzhou dominated the field.
As a result, the anime industry produced plenty of offbeat works involving death games, battle royales, and survival games.
So anyone living in Yingzhou was highly receptive to these kinds of "high-end" games.
This so-called Holy Grail War was completely different from the wars people understood. It was more like a battle royale game with strict rules.
Seven Masters and seven Servants formed seven pairs and fought to the death. The last ones standing would obtain the Holy Grail and become the winners of life; the losers would most likely be eliminated on the spot.
Light Screen—
Just as the two Servants were exchanging compliments, a hoarse, ducklike voice rang out.
It came without warning, sounding from every direction at once, as if loudspeakers placed all around were broadcasting simultaneously.
"You're too slow, Lancer. Stop wasting time. I permit you to use your Noble Phantasm. Hurry up and deal with your enemy!"
Before you continue