Chapter 61: Question and Answer

"In that case, let's sign the contract," El-Melloi II said, producing a document.

This was a self-enforcing magical contract, a typical oath used by mages to seal agreements. Once signed, both parties would be bound by a curse known as "bind," which prevented any violation of the terms. Even in death, the soul would remain bound by the oath if it passed to the next generation through magical means.

The main reason for using such a contract was that Chihiro and El-Melloi II weren't fully familiar with each other. This was essential to ensure both sides felt secure in their cooperation.

Chihiro, Rin, Waver, Kayneth, and Sola-ui each signed the contract. Its terms were simple: during this Holy Grail War, neither side could attack the other until Gilgamesh was defeated. If that didn't happen, the contract would automatically dissolve at the end of the war.

With that, Chihiro's group officially allied with the others.

Meanwhile, Sigurd and Brynhildr continued their battle. Brynhildr launched relentless attacks, while Sigurd focused solely on defense.

"Brynhildr, do you intend to prove your love by killing me?" Sigurd asked, somewhat exasperated. "Though this is… flattering, I'm afraid that if I die like this, I won't be able to fully express my love in return."

He sighed.

"Isn't there a way to make them stop?" Sola-ui asked, watching the ongoing struggle between the two lovers.

Waver frowned. "Why don't we just pull them apart?"

Chihiro shook his head. "It's not that easy. Brynhildr's actions are driven entirely by her own subconscious. When she sees her beloved, her instincts take over, and she can't stay rational. Even if we separate them now, it'll only happen again later."

Sola-ui sighed, looking worried. "Is there a permanent solution?"

"There is," Chihiro replied, glancing at her. "It's the Command Spell in your hand."

Using a Command Spell could restrict Brynhildr's actions. Sola-ui understood but hesitated. She knew how precious each Command Spell was.

"No! Don't waste a Command Spell on something like this!" Kayneth interjected, clearly displeased by the idea.

But Sola-ui ignored him, raising her hand with a determined look. "In the name of my Command Spell, Brynhildr, I order you—do not attack Sigurd."

With that, the Command Spell activated, and Brynhildr's fierce expression softened as she halted her attack.

"Sola-ui, how could you?" Kayneth protested, clearly frustrated. To him, using a Command Spell for such a "trivial" matter was unacceptable. But the deed was done, and he could only grit his teeth in silence.

"Thank you, Master," Brynhildr said, turning to Sola with a faint smile. "But I've told you before, please treat me as a tool. Your kindness… only makes things harder for me."

Sola-ui looked puzzled. "Why do you say that, Brynhildr?"

Brynhildr's gaze softened. "Because whenever I'm treated gently, I start to develop feelings of love. And when I do… I inevitably want to kill the one I love, just like him… the one I cherish more deeply than anyone else."

The entire group was speechless. They had initially assumed Brynhildr's strange expression of love applied only to Sigurd. But it seemed her condition wasn't so selective.

Sigurd looked down, guilt evident in his eyes. "Is this my fault?"

Seeing his remorse, Chihiro couldn't help but feel sympathetic. A reunion that should have brought joy had now turned bittersweet. The atmosphere became tense.

"Who's there?" Zhang Jiao suddenly shouted, breaking the silence. A yellow talisman in his hand transformed into a flying sword, shooting towards a tree not far away.

A figure wearing a skull mask emerged, dodging the attack with agility.

"Hmph, Hassan of the Hundred Faces," Kayneth muttered coldly. "It seems Tohsaka Tokiomi's servant has been keeping an eye on us."

After days of observation, they'd identified the figure. The skull mask and the ability to create clones left little doubt, this was indeed Hassan of the Hundred Faces.

Waver narrowed his eyes. "Has he been spying on us this whole time?"

"No," Chihiro said, glancing at Rin. "His target isn't us—it's her."

Hassan's task had likely been to monitor Rin's activities and report back to Kotomine Kirei. But Zhang Jiao's vigilance had exposed his presence.

"Red Hare, take care of it," Chihiro ordered.

Red Hare immediately leapt into action, charging toward Hassan. Hassan, though skilled in stealth and assassination, was no match for direct confrontation especially in his current weakened state as a clone. Red Hare dispatched him swiftly.

Meanwhile, at the Tohsaka estate, Kotomine Kirei relayed news of Chihiro's alliance to Tohsaka Tokiomi.

"To think… Rin would go this far," Tokiomi muttered, troubled by his daughter's actions.

Gilgamesh, lounging nearby, remained unbothered. However, Tokiomi's respect for the King of Heroes had waned. If Gilgamesh had followed his plans instead of acting independently, things would never have escalated to this point.

Now, the Holy Grail War was fractured into four distinct alliances.

First, there was Tokiomi's team, consisting of himself and Kotomine Kirei, backed by Gilgamesh and Hassan of the Hundred Faces.

Next, Matou Kariya stood alone with only Lancelot as his Servant.

Then there was Emiya Kiritsugu, also operating solo but commanding both Artoria and the mysterious "Heroic Spirit Kiritsugu."

Finally, the newly-formed alliance between Chihiro, Waver, and Kayneth had amassed eight Servants in total. Facing such a coalition, Tokiomi wasn't confident that even Gilgamesh could guarantee victory.

If only Gilgamesh would follow orders… But that, too, was an impossibility. And knowing Gilgamesh's personality, he would recklessly plunge into traps set by their enemies if provoked.

"Perhaps summoning Gilgamesh was a mistake," Tokiomi thought bitterly.

"Hmph. Watch your tone, Tokiomi," Gilgamesh sneered, catching Tokiomi's displeasure. "Do you think I, the King of Heroes, fear these amateurs? Even if they all come at me, it would make no difference."

Nearby, Kirei watched silently, his expression inscrutable. Gilgamesh's gaze flicked over to him, intrigued. He had offered Kirei his guidance; now he waited to see what the priest would do.

Elsewhere, at the Emiya residence, Kiritsugu had received word of Chihiro's alliance. His familiar, disguised as a bird, had been shadowing Kayneth's movements. Kiritsugu's plan was simple wait for an opportunity to catch Kayneth alone and eliminate him. But Kayneth had been wise to stay close to Waver, denying Kiritsugu the chance.

It seemed Kiritsugu had no choice but to consider alternative strategies.

"Should I also form an alliance?" he mused. But he knew that his own reputation made it unlikely. Even Matou Kariya, bitter as he was, would likely refuse any offer from him.

With these thoughts weighing on him, Kiritsugu resigned himself to finding another way.

---

The third night of the Holy Grail War passed quickly, and soon it was noon on the fourth day.

---

[Ding! The question-and-answer session will begin in ten minutes. Please prepare.]

[Ding! New member "Sigurd" has joined the group chat.]

Sigurd's entrance was met with little surprise, as most were already expecting it.

[Ding! The first question is about to begin!]

[This is a multiple-choice question. Please choose according to the question.]

[Question: In the original development, who was the first Servant to be eliminated?]

[A: Diarmuid ]

[B: The Knight of the Lake – Lancelot]

[C: Hassan of the Hundred Faces]

[D: Bluebeard – Gilles de Rais]

---

Kayneth: "Hm? They're starting with questions this time?"

Waver: "There's no video either… Is this just a guessing game?"

The King of Conquerors: "Well then, let's pick based on strength. Just choose the weakest option!"

Kayneth: "That's likely. The first ones to fall are usually the weakest."

Waver: "So… who do we think is the weakest?"

Kayneth: "It has to be one of Hassan or Bluebeard."

Waver: "Hey, the system isn't hiding Hassan's name anymore?"

Chihiro: "I suppose since most of us already know, the system has no reason to hide it."

***

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