Penacony Grand Theater, central hall.
After Grady's barrier shattered, Cú Chulainn did not choose to regroup with the others. Instead, he came here alone to investigate.
The short, fat old man sat there silently, smiling at the man before him.
Cú Chulainn spoke:
"Though it was merely a farcical charade that only resembled the real thing, its arrangements were remarkably intricate. I simply cannot make sense of that."
"The twelve hours that symbolize the passage of time, and this moon positioned at the center of them all..."
"Anyone with even rudimentary magecraft training could sense that power was continuously gathering here."
"Yet this world has neither magecraft nor magi."
"So, was everything about this Holy Grail War truly your handiwork, old man?"
"You don't look much like a magus."
At that, Old Audie smiled knowingly.
"Ho ho ho ho ho..."
"With a merchant's instinctive sharpness, one knows where to make one's moves."
"And everything I needed to know, the Holy Grail told me."
Old Audie looked at Cú Chulainn and pondered aloud:
"You... are the Servant of that Galaxy Ranger. I never expected your nose to be sharper than the Hound Family's lackeys."
"Rather than wait for your Master and fight alongside them, you charged in alone. Is that really wise?"
"Of course it is." Cú Chulainn calmly drew his spear and pointed it at Old Audie's forehead.
"If I blow your head apart here, that means I've won this Holy Grail War, right?"
"As someone who has been through it, let me offer you some advice."
"The Holy Grail never grants people's wishes. All it leaves behind are the dead, buried beneath their desires."
"Ho ho ho ho ho! Thank you very much for your advice, sir."
Old Audie remained unruffled.
"Which is precisely why I am giving the