"Yes, you will."
El-Melloi II smiled faintly. "Because you never entered this War of the Holy Grail for the Holy Grail in the first place."
"Hmph, you certainly know me."
Kayneth gave a soft snort.
Indeed, he had entered this War of the Holy Grail not to compete for the Holy Grail's wish, but to burnish his credentials and add another "glorious" achievement to his résumé.
But although he did not care, he still had to hear the others' opinions.
Kayneth asked, "Sola, do you want the Holy Grail?"
"Naturally, I'd like to see what that legendary omnipotent wish-granting machine is like."
Sola said calmly, "But there isn't anything in particular I want to wish for."
As she spoke, she turned to Brynhildr and asked, "Sister Brynhildr, what about you?"
"Hehe, I want to find my beloved."
Brynhildr smiled. "But he should be on the Throne of Heroes right now. I'll leave it to fate."
Kayneth looked at Diarmuid beside him and asked, "Diarmuid, what is your wish?"
Diarmuid said solemnly, "My lord, I only wish to have a formal duel between knights with King Arthur, without any interruptions."
"I see. It seems none of you need the Holy Grail's wish, so I'll make the decision."
Kayneth looked at El-Melloi II and said seriously, "I accept this condition, but you must agree to my request as well."
El-Melloi II said, "Please, go ahead."
Kayneth said, "Help me deal with Kiritsugu Emiya first."
"It seems what happened in the video really bothered you, Professor."
El-Melloi II smiled faintly. "No problem. We can join forces to eliminate the Saber team first."
Kayneth nodded. "In that case, our alliance is now official."
El-Melloi II asked, "Then do we need to sign a written contract, Professor?"
Kayneth shook his head. "No need. I'm willing to trust you two boys."
"Is that so?"
El-Melloi II rose with a smile. "Then here's to a fruitful partnership, Professor."
Kayneth also showed a rare smile. "Yes, to a fruitful partnership."
The two El-Mellois smiled in tacit understanding.
Meanwhile, Waver had become practically invisible, unable to get a single word in.
Chapter 42: Another Alliance
"You want to join me in going up against your father?!"
Outside a fast-food restaurant in Fuyuki City, Feng Xi, who was eating a bento, stared at Rin Tohsaka beside him in bewilderment.
To explain why Feng Xi and Rin Tohsaka were here, one had to go back half an hour.
After the quiz ended, Feng Xi saw that noon had already passed, so he took Zhang Jue and Red Hare out for a meal.
What? Why didn't he cook at home?
Because the only thing Feng Xi could make was fried rice, and every time he made it, it was either too salty or too bland.
Other than that, all he could do was make instant noodles.
As for Zhang Jue and Red Hare, did anyone expect them to know how to cook?
While they were wondering what to eat, they happened to run into the Tohsaka family, who had also come out for a meal.
To be precise, it was Aoi Tohsaka and her two daughters, along with Ishtar, who was wearing a midriff-baring outfit.
The moment Sakura saw Feng Xi, she rushed over and refused to let go, her pitiful expression enough to tug at anyone's heart.
Old Worm had left her deeply traumatized that day. After returning home, she had nightmares all the time, relying entirely on Aoi Tohsaka and Rin Tohsaka to care for her over the past few days.
Even so, Sakura had grown quiet and withdrawn over the past few days, losing her former cheerfulness.
Not only did she stop talking in the group chat, but she barely spoke at home either.
Tokiomi Tohsaka was wholly focused on the War of the Holy Grail, and with the overbearing Gilgamesh now in the house, Sakura felt even more stifled.
The person Sakura felt safest with now was Feng Xi.
After Sakura hugged Feng Xi, Aoi Tohsaka also recognized who he was and immediately offered to treat him to a meal to thank him for saving Sakura before.
Feng Xi did not refuse, but he chose a fast-food restaurant as the place to eat.
He had no desire to eat fancy Japanese cuisine, which was expensive and wouldn't even fill him up.
Aoi Tohsaka did not mind either, and the group sat down to eat at the outdoor seating outside the fast-food restaurant.
After they sat down, Sakura pulled a bento out of somewhere and handed it to Feng Xi.
After asking a few questions, he learned that this was what Sakura had received from the bronze treasure chest she obtained yesterday.
Mystic Code-Sakura's Special Bento.
Eating it could restore some stamina, but only if the entire meal was finished.
Like Feng Xi's mapo tofu, Sakura's bento could be made once a day.
Feng Xi did not stand on ceremony. He took the bento and started eating.
Mmm, this tastes really good.
Rin Tohsaka, who was sitting nearby, felt a little jealous.
After all, Sakura had never even let her try this bento.
A short while later, Aoi Tohsaka got up to use the restroom, and Rin Tohsaka seized the chance to move closer to Feng Xi.
Feng Xi had thought the girl would say something jealous, but instead, she came out with something astonishing.
"Do you want to team up with me to deal with Gilgamesh?"
Good grief, what a filial daughter Tokiomi Tohsaka has.
"I'm not going after my father."
Rin Tohsaka corrected him. "I'm going after that Chuunibyou Gilgamesh!"
"Is there a difference?"
Feng Xi smiled. "Gilgamesh is your father's Servant. Isn't going after him the same as going after your father?"
Rin Tohsaka said angrily, "Of course not! Don't lump my father in with Gilgamesh."
"All right, all right, I'll stop teasing you."
Feng Xi asked, "What made you think of asking me to deal with Gilgamesh?"
"Because you don't get along with him, and I happen to dislike him too."
Rin Tohsaka puffed out her cheeks and complained, "That bastard calls everyone mongrels every time he opens his mouth. He acts so high and mighty all day, ordering people around in my house. Now he's even made it so our whole family can't go home. I'm so mad!"
"Hehe, there's nothing you can do about that. Your father was the one who invited that big shot home, after all."
Seeing how cute Rin Tohsaka looked, Feng Xi could not resist pinching her smooth little cheek.
"Just tell me whether you'll help me."
Rin Tohsaka's pretty face flushed at Feng Xi's gesture, but she still asked with a show of composure.
"You're asking me to help you, but what's in it for me?"
Feng Xi asked bluntly, making his meaning clear.
Even brothers need to settle their accounts properly. You can't expect me to help you for no reason.
"Well..."
Rin Tohsaka's little face immediately scrunched up.
She had never considered that question.
She had assumed that, given Feng Xi's relationship with Gilgamesh, he would certainly agree right away.
"As long as you agree to help, I, a goddess, can help you obtain the Holy Grail."
Ishtar, who was beside them, spoke up.
Rin Tohsaka had already discussed teaming up with Feng Xi against Gilgamesh with her.
Although having to rely on someone else's help was somewhat embarrassing for a goddess like her, she truly was no match for Gilgamesh, whose Chains of Heaven completely countered her.
And Ishtar had no interest in the Holy Grail to begin with, so it made a convenient bargaining chip.
"Well? As long as you agree, you'll have the help of a goddess. That's quite a good deal, isn't it?"
"Yes, it really is a good deal."
Feng Xi nodded.