Chapter 18: Extracellular Branches

It was difficult for Artoria to explain the purpose of her action.

Was it out of sympathy, or was it because the Master was being played around by his own sister?

Or was it because Morgan, known for her harshness and cruelty, would try so hard to protect someone?

Even though the other party was just Morgan's Master in this Holy Grail War, he and Morgan only had the most basic cooperative relationship.

"Even if they are enemies, there are priorities," Artoria said as she looked at Gilgamesh warily.

Seeing another Servant step forward to oppose him, Gilgamesh's attitude became more wild and joyful.

"Very good, very good! If you want to leave here, I will grant your wish!"

He raised his hand slightly, and with just one movement, the treasures that had already appeared would pour down on Tatsuya, Morgan, and Artoria like an overwhelming rain of arrows.

But this was not a big deal, as Artoria could completely release the Wind King Barrier used to hide her Noble Phantasm and block Archer's attack.

With Morgan's magic, it was not difficult to create a gap for retreat.

Normally, such acts of aiding the enemy in the Holy Grail War would require the intervention of one's own Master.

But Irisviel, the acting Master, had already retreated, and Artoria, who had originally planned to come and observe the battle situation before retreating, did not expect the battle to evolve to this point.

Thanks to this, she did gain a considerable amount of intelligence.

However, since Hisau Maiya appeared and led Irisviel away from the seaside, Saber deduced that her real master, Emiya Kiritsugu, should also be nearby.

It's just... it's hard to expect the man who refuses to communicate with his own Servant to give any instructions on the current situation.

Artoria could only make her own judgment.

"What are you hesitating about? While this guy is holding Archer back, retreat quickly," Morgan urged Tatsuya in a low voice.

But the tone of her voice clearly indicated that she was going to abandon Artoria here as a pawn.

As expected, it's still the same Morgan. Artoria couldn't help but sigh in her heart.

"No, it seems that it is not necessary," Tatsuya said easily.

Then, everyone saw Gilgamesh's mouth corners suddenly raise, revealing an angry expression.

"Do you think you can make me withdraw my troops just because of someone like you? You are so audacious, Tokiomi..."

He said this in a disdainful voice, but the treasure behind him dimmed its light and disappeared into the void.

Although he was dissatisfied, Gilgamesh's cold gaze passed through Artoria and looked at Tatsuya, who was blocked behind Morgan.

"For the sake of my subject, I will forgive you for fighting me today. But if you fail to eliminate the other rubbish the next time we meet on the battlefield, you will also die soon."

After saying this, Gilgamesh dismantled his physical form. The golden armor lost its texture and disappeared, leaving only a little residual light.

"Tohsaka Tokiomi's character is far from being as resolute and belligerent as this golden Servant," Tatsuya said with a knowing tone. "The first battle has come to this. For Tokiomi who wants to play it safe and win step by step, what happened just now is definitely not what he wants to see."

He reached out and gently pressed Morgan's arm.

She maintained this posture until Archer left.

"So, you and Archer's Master are also acquaintances," Morgan suddenly remembered.

Rider was also quite surprised by this. "What? So he's your acquaintance? So you deliberately challenged that Gilgamesh?"

"Not only Tohsaka Tokiomi but also Lancer's Master Keyneth and your Master Waver. I know them all," Tatsuya buttoned up the front of his coat. "After all, I am also a nominal member of the Magic Association and a regular magician who used to go to the Clock Tower frequently."

"Is that really the case, kid?" Rider asked Waver.

"Yeah!" Waver nodded vigorously in acknowledgment.

He didn't expect that Tatsuya knew him.

After all, the Velvet family is just a rookie magician family without several generations of accumulation, and their own qualifications are not outstanding.

But Tatsuya is different. Although he has no background, he is said to have been favored by the top puppeteer Aozaki Touko and has also participated in the designated execution of sealing work.

Even though their ages were only a few years apart, Waver could still sense the difference.

"So, since it's so rare for us to meet in this far east, don't you want to come out and say hello to each other? Professor Keyneth El-Melloi Archibald?"

Tatsuya took a few steps forward and greeted loudly in Keyneth's direction.

Although he heard it, Keyneth did not respond but just stood there and stared.

"Magicians are really a group of heartless guys," Tatsuya turned around, spread his hands helplessly, and complained to others, as if the remaining Masters and Servants were not enemies.

His eyes swept across all the Servants, and even though the one being talked about was his own lord, Lancer couldn't help but express his agreement helplessly.

Iskandar laughed. "Hahaha! If that's the case, aren't you a magician yourself? What an interesting fellow!"

"That's right," Tatsuya curled his lips.

He put his hand down and looked at Morgan, "If the remaining few do not intend to continue the fight, we will retreat today."

"It's okay. I just came here to say hello and ask if there is anyone who wants to join my team and give up the Holy Grail," Iskandar said with great enthusiasm. "Unfortunately, it seems that no one is interested in doing so."

Artoria nodded, "My Master has also retreated. Even if we have to start a war, we cannot continue without the Master."

"Really? Then let's go back," Tatsuya yawned and called to Morgan, "Come over here for a moment."

Morgan nodded silently, she didn't care about it, it all depended on what Tatsuya thought.

At this moment, Keyneth's voice suddenly sounded:

"Tatsuya Suzuki, although I shouldn't ask you this in this place, let me confirm one thing."

"Go ahead." Tatsuya, who was about to leave, stopped preparing to perform the transfer magic.

"You are just a magus with no background. Do you want to prove your worth to those democrats through the outcome of this Holy Grail War?"

A special question came from Keyneth's mouth.

Waver suddenly realized that he also remembered something.

There are three factions in the Clock Tower: Democrats, Aristocrats, and Neutrals, among which the struggle between Democrats and Aristocrats is the most intense.

Keyneth is from El-Melloi, a noble faction.

And Tatsuya is the former designated executor of the seal who has close ties with the democratic monarch.

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