Chapter 113: Snake Tail

What is this?

At this moment, all the participants in the Holy Grail War were left stunned.

It was only now that Chihiro realized there was no time limit for the Holy Grail War.

He had never noticed this detail during his life before reincarnation, even when playing games.

In the games he played, the war was always over in seven days.

Even the Holy Grail-like Heroic Spirit Summoning Card provided by the system had a seven-day limit.

So, was it even possible that the system itself had been influenced by the common assumption that the Holy Grail War typically lasted no longer than seven days?

Waver: "So, what this means is that since there are still three legitimate Servants remaining, the Holy Grail War hasn't actually been decided yet, and the war is technically still ongoing."

Tohsaka Tokiomi: "Yes, that's right."

Artoria: "If that's the case, then what should we do next?"

The Grail, with its ominous corruption, had already proven to be a danger. The hope of waiting for the Holy Grail War to end peacefully on its own was now impossible.

A winner would have to be decided.

Chihiro: "How about this: let's just leave it for now. We all go back to our respective homes and let things be for a while."

Chihiro was attempting the classic tactic of procrastination.

Was he serious? With only himself and Emiya Kiritsugu as the remaining legitimate Masters, there was no way he'd risk stepping into the next phase of the Holy Grail War. What if Angra Mainyu pulled him in this time?

That thing would never let him walk away freely after making a wish.

What if he resisted and got cursed, just as Kiritsugu did in the original timeline?

Sure, he had a potion in the system shop that could remove curses.

But no. Just because there was a backup plan didn't mean he wanted to test fate.

He still couldn't quite believe the Holy Grail War would just continue indefinitely without a definitive winner.

Tohsaka Tokiomi: "But delaying like this isn't a solution either."

Gilgamesh: "Hmph. Chihiro, you were bold enough to face me in battle, yet now you tremble before a little black mud?"

Chihiro: "Who's trembling? I just don't like taking unnecessary risks."

Chihiro: "If it's about dealing with you, I have no problem. But facing something like the Evil of the World? No thanks."

Emiya Kiritsugu: "Dragging this out won't resolve the issue."

Emiya Kiritsugu: "Chihiro, we'll be returning to Fuyuki City soon. Can we talk then?"

Chihiro: "Do I have a reason to refuse? Fine."

Chihiro: "Wait, returning? Did you leave Fuyuki City?"

Kayneth: "I was wondering why I didn't see you two last night."

Tohsaka Tokiomi: "If I may ask, what exactly were you doing?"

Emiya Kiritsugu: "Nothing significant. Just picking up my daughter."

Tohsaka Tokiomi: "Ah, you mean Illya—the girl mentioned in the earlier video?"

Kayneth: "So you're bringing her out while Saber is still around to protect you? Smart move. Seems you succeeded."

Waver: "That's what a good father should do."

Chihiro: "Alright, so where are we meeting later?"

Emiya Kiritsugu: "Let's meet at Einzbern Castle outside of Fuyuki City."

Chihiro: "Are you planning to move back in? Alright, fine."

The twists and turns of this Holy Grail War were never-ending.

---

That afternoon, Chihiro arrived at Einzbern Castle with Zhang Jiao and his group, just as agreed.

Leysritt and Sella were already waiting at the castle gates and escorted him inside.

Chihiro walked through the castle grounds, eventually arriving at the back garden, the same place where the famous meeting between the three kings had taken place in the original work.

"This guy must have picked this spot on purpose," Chihiro muttered under his breath.

"Where's the King of Knights? Why isn't she here?" Zhang Jiao asked, glancing around the room.

"She's out shopping with Irisviel and Illya," Kiritsugu replied calmly.

"Ah, that explains it," Chihiro said with a nod.

No wonder he hadn't seen them on his way in.

Turning to Caster, Kiritsugu's expression grew serious. "If the black mud escapes and spreads across the city like it did in the original events, can you stop it?"

"I see. Sealing is harder than blocking," Zhang Jiao mused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "It's hard to say for sure. That thing's power isn't small. Without directly interacting with it, I can't make any guarantees."

"I could try setting up a barrier, but I can't promise it would hold."

"I see…" Kiritsugu murmured, his gaze dark and pensive.

The risks were still there. For Kiritsugu, who planned to settle in Fuyuki City with Irisviel and Illya, eliminating the threat of Angra Mainyu was an absolute priority.

"Why don't we bring El-Melloi II into this?" Chihiro suggested. "There's strength in numbers, right?"

Zhang Jiao nodded in agreement. "That's a good idea. He's a Caster too, so his expertise could prove valuable."

"But in that case…"

Chihiro trailed off, his gaze shifting toward Hassan of the Hundred Faces.

The Lesser Grail required the magical energy of five Servants to activate. This meant they would need to eliminate one more Servant.

Zhang Jiao, who would be needed to counter the black mud, was automatically ruled out.

Between Artoria and Hassan of the Hundred Faces, the choice was clear.

Even in a fair fight, Hassan of the Hundred Faces was no match for Artoria.

"It's alright, Master. I've already made peace with the fact that I'll have to sacrifice myself," Hassan said, bowing respectfully. "I have little value left in this Holy Grail War. Allow me to contribute one last time."

"I'm sorry… I feel bad asking this of you," Chihiro said softly, his guilt evident.

"Please, don't feel that way," Hassan replied calmly. "Sometimes, sacrifices are necessary."

"Then I'll contact El-Melloi II," Kiritsugu said, making his decision.

Without hesitation, he sent a message to the El-Melloi II through the group chat.

A little over half an hour later, El-Melloi II arrived at the castle with his Master.

Kayneth and the others had refused to come, still holding a grudge against Kiritsugu. Besides, their presence wasn't necessary for what was to come.

"We'll set up a formation to contain the black mud," El-Melloi II said, his tone serious. "I'll do my best, but there's no guarantee it will hold."

"That's exactly what Zhang Jiao said earlier," Chihiro remarked.

El-Melloi II raised an eyebrow, then gave a faint smirk. "Great minds think alike."

"Alright, let's get to work on the formation," Zhang Jiao said, stepping forward.

"Agreed," El-Melloi II responded with a nod.

---

By nightfall, the preparations were complete.

Chihiro, Kiritsugu, and the others gathered at the location where the battle against Gilgamesh had taken place. The spot, far from Fuyuki City, was chosen to minimize collateral damage.

"Let's begin," Artoria said as she stepped forward, her gaze fixed on Hassan of the Hundred Faces.

Though Hassan had agreed to sacrifice herself, she would not simply surrender. A warrior deserved to face a dignified end, not a passive one.

Hassan summoned her four remaining clones, surrounding Artoria from all sides.

Despite her ceremonial enhancements, the Assassin stood no chance in a head-to-head battle against the King of Knights.

The fight was short-lived. In just a few minutes, the four clones were defeated, and Hassan herself was struck down, her body dissolving into particles of light.

With Hassan's departure, the Lesser Grail began to activate.

The chalice floated into the air, its surface radiating an intense light. Above it, a swirling black void appeared in the sky.

"Saber, now!" Kiritsugu shouted.

Artoria didn't hesitate. Knowing the Grail's corrupted nature, she immediately unleashed her Noble Phantasm.

"EX-CALIBURRRRR!"

A brilliant golden beam of light erupted from her sword, striking the Lesser Grail and shattering it instantly.

"ROOOOOAAARR!!!"

A furious roar echoed across the battlefield as Angra Mainyu's manifestation dissolved.

In its final act of defiance, the corrupted entity released a wave of black mud from the void above, a desperate attempt to wreak havoc before fading completely.

"Now it's our turn," Zhang Jiao said as he and El-Melloi II activated their combined formation.

Golden barriers rose from the ground, containing the black mud within.

"All we need to do now is wait for it to dissipate," El-Melloi II remarked.

Suddenly, Zhang Jiao's body began to glow faintly. The same glow appeared around Artoria. Both were beginning to fade, their time in the mortal world coming to an end.

"Haha, Chihiro, it seems my time is up," Zhang Jiao said, his body slowly dissipating into particles of light. "What a pity. I couldn't stay longer to see what the future holds."

Chihiro took a deep breath, steadying himself. "Don't worry, Zhang Jiao. There will be opportunities in the future. I'm sure of it."

Zhang Jiao chuckled softly. "Then it's settled. Until next time."

With those parting words, Zhang Jiao's figure fully dissolved, vanishing into the night.

***

For every 500 PS = 1 extra chapter. Support me on patreon to read 45+ advanced chapters: patreon.com/Blownleaves.