As expected of Emiya Kiritsugu, truly a LYB (2nd update)

"Good heavens, I'll say it again, good heavens. If I'm not mistaken, is that a sniper rifle in Emiya Kiritsugu's hands?"

"A war involving mages and ancient heroes, yet they're using modern firearms? Is that even allowed?"

"Impressive. I give this move an 82, and I'll send the remaining eighteen as a 666."

"When it comes to being unexpected, I name you the strongest, Emiya Kiritsugu."

"Emiya Kiritsugu: Mages and ancients, now, let me show you what it means to be an adult—the times have changed!"

There is no doubt that this move is truly flashy. Although it is just a pose, the attire of Emiya Kiritsugu and Hisau Maiya proves one thing: that so-called mages and Servants might actually be killable with firearms.

Of course, judging by the strength displayed by the Servants, it would be difficult to kill them with firearms. At the very least, something like a sniper rifle is likely useless; one would need heavy weapons like cannons or missiles.

However, mages are different. They appear mysterious and powerful, but they are still flesh and blood. If firearms are used, they should be able to be eliminated.

The plot in the Light Screen proceeds exactly in this direction.

After watching the battle between the two Servants from the shadows, Emiya Kiritsugu glances at Hisau Maiya and says, "It's starting. It looks like they won't decide a winner anytime soon. Maiya, find a high vantage point suitable for sniping, locate that Lancer's Master, and find an opportunity to kill him."

Hisau Maiya nods. She scans the surroundings and quickly sets her sights on the crane used for moving shipping containers at the port.

That spot is perfect for a sniper nest.

Seeing this, players in the real world who have played battle royale games immediately recognize the expertise; that kind of place is the best for ambushing people.

At the same time, the narrator's voice rings out, beginning a Jojo-style explanation.

[This is the tactic chosen by Emiya Kiritsugu. He is the true Master of Saber, but he chose to have his wife pose as the Master in the open, drawing everyone's attention to his wife, Irisviel, and Saber, thereby hiding himself. By using one in the light and one in the dark, he ensures his side remains invincible.]

The brief narration exposes Emiya Kiritsugu's "old schemer" attributes, causing many to immediately call him a pro, though many naive souls also find Emiya Kiritsugu despicable.

At the Supernatural Disaster Countermeasures Office, Murata Himeko rubs her chin, turns to the Emiya Kiritsugu not far away, and says, "As expected of our office's ace agent, these methods are dirty. Very good, keep it up."

Others also wear expressions of admiration, as if to say, "As expected of you, how despicable."

"..." Emiya Kiritsugu can only offer a smile that is awkward but polite.

Everyone is currently gathered on a balcony specifically cleared out by the office. Besides key personnel from the Supernatural Disaster Countermeasures Office, everyone who has appeared in the Light Screen is present.

Only Artoria is missing.

However, at this moment, another person arrives, accompanied by a few others.

Looking closely, it is none other than Artoria.

Murata Himeko instantly notices that Artoria looks significantly different today compared to yesterday.

Yesterday, the girl was bewildered and lost, looking like someone who had been hit by too much shock and stimulation.

But today, Artoria's expression is calm and her demeanor extraordinary. Her brow reveals a sense of composure and steadiness, as if she has grown up overnight and become mature and measured.

If one had to describe it, there is a newfound tenacity in her expression, carrying a hint of the aura she had when King Arthur possessed her last night.

After the girl greets everyone politely yet with grace, she sits in the seat arranged for her by the office staff.

Then, her gaze fixes on the Light Screen, her expression earnest and her eyes focused.

Seeing all this, Murata Himeko retracts her gaze without a word. Even though she has many questions, now is not the time to ask; continuing to watch the Light Screen is the priority.

Gathering to watch the show.jpg.

In the Light Screen, the battle between Saber and Lancer continues, though both sides are still testing each other and have not gone all out.

Even without fighting at full strength, their power, which far exceeds that of mortals, leaves the area within a 50-meter radius in ruins, with a large number of shipping containers shredded by the attacks of the spear and the invisible blade.

The intensity of such a battle gives the impression that even standing nearby to watch would result in mortals suffering when gods fight.

After another round of probing attacks, the two retreat by mutual consent.

Lancer stands firm, his short spear hanging naturally from his left hand while his long spear rests on his shoulder. He smiles and praises, "As expected of Saber, truly powerful technique. I imagine you must have been a formidable knight in your lifetime."

Saber: "A knight? I suppose so. As for you, you often use your spear for slashing motions during the fight. If I'm not mistaken, you are actually more skilled with the sword, aren't you?"

Lancer smiles, not denying it: "What keen intuition. Indeed, compared to the spear, my swordsmanship is even stronger. It is a pity that I was summoned under the Lancer class this time, so I did not bring my swords."

Saber: "That is a pity, but this is the Holy Grail War; there is no such thing as an unfair victory."

Lancer nods: "That is natural. However, even in this incomplete state, I will dedicate the victory of this Holy Grail War to my Master!"

Real world, Supernatural Disaster Countermeasures Office.

Murata Himeko rests her chin on her hand and muses, "Looking at it this way, when heroic spirits descend as Servants, they are limited by their class and cannot descend in their full, peak state?"

A girl with twin tails cannot help but retort, "Why does it feel more and more like a game? This so-called Holy Grail War..."

The girl speaking is Tohsaka Rin, the daughter of Tohsaka Tokiomi. She is also sitting here to watch as a family member of Tohsaka Tokiomi.

This is mainly because Murata Himeko considered that the relatives and family of the characters appearing in the Light Screen might also show up, so she invited them all over.

Sitting not far away in the Emiya family, the 10-year-old Illya, a little girl with silver hair and red eyes who inherited her mother Irisviel's beauty, nods repeatedly in agreement.

"Right, right, right! I have that feeling too! If you added health bars and levels, it would be a standard RPG, right? Right, Onii-chan?"

Illya's foster brother, Emiya Shirou, gives a smile identical to his father's—awkward but polite—because their conversation has attracted the attention of many people around them.

The sixteen-year-old boy, looking a bit awkward, scratched his cheek and said, "It does feel like that, honestly... But a game is just a game, while what we're seeing on the screen is real. I feel like it's more of a set of combat rules..."

The conversation between the three youngsters was overheard by everyone, yet no one criticized them, as many felt their reasoning held water. Indeed, the Holy Grail War gave off the distinct impression of a duel governed by meticulous rules.

However, as a game played by supernaturals, its scale and prestige far surpassed anything ordinary people could ever experience.

The people of Yingzhou, in particular, found this concept easy to accept. Their entertainment industry was highly developed, especially their anime and manga sector, which ranked first in the world. Backed by the massive market of the Flame Kingdom, Yingzhou dominated the globe in this regard.

This had led to a proliferation of "heretical" works within their animation industry, such as death games, battle royales, and survival challenges.

Consequently, anyone living in Yingzhou possessed a remarkably high tolerance for these types of "high-end" game mechanics.

This so-called Holy Grail War was entirely different from what people typically understood as war; it was more akin to a battle royale with strict, rigid rules.

Seven Masters, seven Servants, seven pairs clashing in a fight to the death. The one who survived until the end would claim the Holy Grail and become the ultimate winner, while those who failed would, in all likelihood, be eliminated on the spot.

[Light Screen]

Just as the two Servants were busy exchanging pleasantries, a grating, duck-like voice suddenly rang out.

The voice appeared abruptly, echoing from all directions at once, as if broadcast simultaneously through speakers placed in every corner.

"Too slow, Lancer. Stop wasting time. I grant you permission to use your Noble Phantasm—finish off your enemy at once!"