Chapter 116 A destined call?
Once, the Holy Grail War was a magical ritual that only occurred in the Far East.
But during the Third Holy Grail War, foreign powers invaded Japan and stole the greater grail, which was its foundation.
"And the ones who served the foreign powers at that time were precisely the Yggdmillennia."
Arthur sat opposite Belfeban, directly revealing the truth.
Inside the office, the atmosphere was somewhat heavy.
"They secretly hid the greater grail and plotted for decades, just to openly oppose the Clock Tower today?"
A suppressed anger and disdain showed on Belfeban's aged face as he let out a cold snort.
"The Yggdmillennia are merely an inferior lineage that gathered Magus with tenuous ties to their family!"
"They extensively recruited declining Magus families, even those wanted by the Association; it's truly disgusting!"
Arthur's heart was unperturbed, yet the corner of his mouth curved into an arrogant smile, befitting a noble's son.
"Indeed, a group of low-quality rabble are, at best, nothing more than mere clowns."
To his surprise, upon hearing this, Belfeban's wrinkled old face showed a hint of embarrassment, and he emphasized with a heavier tone.
"Still, they shouldn't be completely underestimated! They have already summoned all seven Servants, far beyond what a Magus can contend with."
As he spoke, the old man's tone paused, then took on a hint of pride.
"However, we are not without achievements either; the greater grail's emergency system has been activated."
"That is an emergency measure that only activates when one faction gathers all seven Servants. The greater grail will additionally grant seven summoning qualifications!"
"To fight Servants with Servants." Arthur stood up and walked to the desk, his eyes alight with interest, "A wise move. May I ask about our own situation?"
Belfeban's tense face finally broke into a smile like a chrysanthemum, and he proudly puffed out his chest.
"The other five are all top-tier Magus, who have already rushed to the location ahead of time."
"Additionally, the Holy Church has also dispatched an Overseer, who is also a Master."
"An Overseer from the Holy Church?"
Arthur's gaze deepened slightly; his experience in the previous Holy Grail War made him highly wary of the untrustworthy Holy Church.
"Understood, I will depart for Romania immediately."
Arthur perfectly played the role of a young, arrogant genius, unafraid of anything, and turned to leave after speaking.
"Wait!"
Belfeban quickly called out to him, taking an ebony box from a drawer and carefully opening it.
Inside the box was an old wooden fragment with clear signs of processing; it had been treated with some secret method, showing no signs of decay.
A faint but incredibly familiar tremor rose from the depths of Arthur's soul, and he asked calmly.
"What is this?"
"This is the Round Table."
Belfeban caressed the rare Holy Relic with his rough hands, his voice full of pride.
"Once, the indomitable Knights deliberated equally around this Round Table. To protect their homeland, swords could clash, and words could be blades."
Arthur understood in his heart; as a symbol of the Knights of the Round Table, this item indeed had deep connections to him.
Even if it wasn't enough to summon King Arthur, the other Knights of the Round Table were all heroes celebrated in legends, their strength unquestionable.
He quickly stepped forward and took the ebony box from Belfeban's hand.
"Thank you for the assistance of the Spiritual Evocation Department. If there's nothing else, I will depart immediately."
"We will contact the Overseer and the other Masters."
Belfeban pondered for a moment, looking at the overly young Arthur, and still added an extra caution.
"They will contact you proactively once you arrive in Romania. Don't be impulsive."
Arthur nodded, and as he turned, he asked casually, as if by accident.
"How much do you know about that Overseer from the Holy Church?"
Belfeban raised a finger to scratch his chin, his gaze hesitant.
"This old man has not met him directly, and his name… I think it's Shirou?"
"Shirou, huh?"
Arthur murmured the name, picked up the ebony box, and strode away.
…
Under the night sky of Romania, an invisible tension permeated the air.
At this time, the entry and exit of Magus had been strictly restricted by the Clock Tower, to prevent Holy Marks from appearing on incompetent low-level individuals, thus wasting precious participation slots.
As Arthur stepped out of Bucharest Airport, a burning sting came from the back of his hand, and the crimson Holy Mark clearly appeared.
Unlike last time, when he had to secretly prepare materials, this time all his expenses were paid by the Clock Tower.
Arthur carried a suitcase full of summoning materials, avoided the crowd, and headed straight for the pre-selected spiritual vein node.
Although Trifas's spiritual veins were occupied by the Yggdmillennia, there were still a few usable spiritual veins in the capital, Bucharest.
He wasn't picky, and his requirements for the Knights of the Round Table he was about to summon were not high.
He just needed them to help him temporarily hide in the shadows and locate the mission target.
The sun sank below the horizon, and night completely enveloped the earth.
Arthur stood on top of a hill where an expulsion ritual had been set up, skillfully drawing the summoning circle.
When the last stroke was completed, a faint blue glow flowed continuously over the magic circle.
He placed the Round Table wooden fragment in the center of the circle, glanced at the obedient Fou squatting nearby, and repeatedly warned him.
"We agreed, no more messing around this time. If you call that scoundrel Merlin again, I'll deduct your food allowance."
"Fou~"
The pure white young beast proudly lifted its head, raised its hind leg to scratch its neck, looking lazy, as if to say, "It has nothing to do with me."
Arthur brushed off the gem dust from his hands and looked up at the sky.
The moonlight had just risen, and the stars were like shattered diamonds—it was time!
"—Silver and iron, and the great duke who made a contract with the cornerstone, dedicate the color red to it—"
"—Declare—"
"—Your body is under my command, my destiny is on your sword—"
"—By the call of the Holy Grail, if you wish to follow this reason, then answer my summon—"
"—Here I swear—"
"—I am the one who achieves all good deeds in the eternal world—"
"—I am the one who spreads all evil deeds in the eternal world—"
"—You are the seven heavens entangled by three great command spells—"
"—Come across the wheel of inhibition, guardian of the scales—"
The ancient incantation resonated with the Holy Mark on the back of his hand, and the summoning circle instantly burst into dazzling white light!
A violent hurricane of magical power howled through the hill, breaking grass and trees!
Amidst the light, a figure broke through the storm, standing tall and proud!
The newcomer wore full-body heavy armor interwoven with silver and red, a horned steel helmet flaunting unparalleled sharpness, and carried a giant broadsword disproportionate to her figure on her shoulder.
"My name is Mordred, the one and only legitimate heir of King of Knights Arthur Pendragon!"
A clear yet defiant voice echoed through the night sky. She took a step forward, her gaze from under her helmet piercing Arthur like a sharp sword.
"I ask—"
"Are you my Master?!"