Walking in the Question and Answer System of Heroic Spirits

[Second Generation: "..."]

[Luvia: "Oh dear, didn't you know about this?"]

[Second Generation: "Regarding your information, I believe I have investigated it to some extent. But..."]

[Luvia: "Well, from the Clock Tower's perspective, it might be surprisingly difficult to ascertain. Edelfelt considered it dishonorable to fail to achieve a complete victory in the Third Holy Grail War and didn't make it public. Yes, and there was also a bit of a scandal."]

"Edelfelt sent two people to participate using special methods, but only one of them returned. However, you participated in the Holy Grail War alone and returned safely."

"That's right. Since you're my mentor, you should achieve what my family couldn't in the past. How can you do it without that level of competence?"

[Second Generation: "You haven't given up on having me as your mentor?"]

"I haven't given up on anything yet, so I don't know how to give up."

Luvia took a small, exquisite box adorned with jewels from her purse and handed it to the Second Prince, saying, "Please accept this as your tuition fee."

Rin Tohsaka: "Jewel! So sparkly!"

Ishtar: "They all look to be of very good quality!"

Tokiomi Tohsaka: "..."

Shiki Jieli: "As expected of the Edfeldt family, even the gift boxes are so luxurious."

Rin Tohsaka: "What?! This is a gift box?"

Weber: "...Didn't you notice?"

Rin Tohsaka: "..."

[Second Generation: "In the modern magic department, we try our best not to charge tuition fees for individual lecturers."]

[Luvia: "This time should be an exception. Please take a look."]

The Second Prince hesitated for a moment, then opened the box. Upon seeing what was inside, he was utterly shocked.

Why do you have this...?

[Luvia: "I am Luvia Serinta Edelfelt, that should be enough. How you use me is up to you. Of course, I also look forward to your performance as a mentor."]

[Second King: "...You once said that the essence of Edelfelt's magic is not about valuing worth, but about facilitating the circulation of value."]

[Luvia: "Exactly. I've made value circulate through this tuition fee. Let me see clearly what kind of answer you will give after accepting this value."]

Having said that, Luvia, accompanied by her servant Craven, left with a flourish.

Weber: "What's in the box that surprised me so much?"

Kenneth: "I didn't see it, not even a single shot."

Lion's Robbery: "Hehe, this Q&A is edited by someone who knows how to do it."

[Grey: "...Master?"]

【"..."】

Placing the jewel box on the table alongside Atram's letter, the Second Prince pondered for a long time before speaking in a hoarse voice, "I...can't muster the will...to stop Hartles. My long-cherished wish overlaps hopelessly with his, even if not in the form I had hoped for. I simply cannot find a reason to fight with all my might to stop him."

"Yet, they gave me these."

His eyes and voice revealed endless inner turmoil.

"It was the same in the Holy Grail War. I survived that war purely by luck, by the worst possible luck. I clearly... didn't want to survive at all."

"But he gave me an order—an order for me to live."

"I did it! No matter how clumsy, no matter how miserable, I struggled to survive! I traveled the world! And returned to this clock tower! Yes, yes! Knowing I wasn't cut out for it, I still acquired the El-Melloi classroom! Even bound by the shackles of the monarch that I couldn't bear!"

"Now, I am once again given a choice simply because of luck."

The Second Prince's voice grew louder and louder, as if he wanted to vent all the pressure he had accumulated over the past ten years.

Grey, unsure what to say, could only obediently listen.

Lion Jie Li: "Interesting. It seems that what Atram and Luvia gave him was exactly what could break the deadlock."

Cowles: "That's what they mean by 'many hands make light work.' Even if you don't ask for it, people will bring it to you."

Lion's Tribulation: "That's pretty much the idea."

Tokiomi Tohsaka: "However, this doesn't seem to suit the Second Prince's taste."

Tokiomi Tohsaka: "To put it another way, he's still debating whether or not to stop the King of Conquerors from descending."

Lion Jie Li: "Hartres' move was truly brilliant."

Weber: "..."

The Conqueror King: "You brat, how come you haven't improved at all all these years?"

Weber: "???"

The Conqueror King: "I'm letting you live well so that you can live for yourself, forge your own path of conquest, and not live in my shadow."

The Conqueror King: "While I am pleased that you admire me so much, if you have lost even the most basic understanding of what you should and shouldn't do, then you are not worthy to be my subject."

Second King: "...Indeed, this is the real you, Your Majesty."

Weber: "Sorry, my future self embarrassed me."

The Conqueror: "Hahaha, you're such a coward. I can see that you may seem bold in the future, but you're just putting on a brave face every time, forcing yourself to take risks."

Second generation: "People always have to learn to push themselves."

[Second Generation: "I should pull myself together, because I should pull myself together, so I absolutely have to pull myself together. Yes, that's it. Because that's how I've gotten to where I am now, and I must do it. Because everyone expects it, because my performance has raised their expectations, and I must do it."]

[Grey: "..."]

【"Snapped!"】

The Second Prince stared at Gray in surprise, while Gray herself was somewhat embarrassed, unsure why she had suddenly intervened.

But this can't go on any longer.

"I think it's wrong to do something just because you feel you should. It's just that..."

No, my mind is a complete mess; I haven't even thought of what to say.

"Although I don't understand... Ahh, I'm already... I'm completely confused! Master, you're actually very immature, love to sleep in late, are always only interested in playing games, and when you encounter a case, you immediately choose a dangerous place and plunge headlong into it. You keep talking about how amazing magic is, and even though you're very weak, you still go and provoke other magicians!"

[Second Generation: "No, um, ma'am..."]

[Grey: "But...but I...I absolutely do not believe that you, Teacher, received certain gifts simply because of luck...just because of pure luck."]

"Whether it's Mr. Atram or Miss Luvia, they entrusted you with this task because you are their master. It's because of our past encounters, the time we've spent together, and the existence of something that belongs only to our teachers and them, that they chose to entrust you with what they felt was right... This cannot be explained by the word 'luck.'"

"I...want the teacher...to smile."

[Second Generation: "..."]

[He actually got lectured by his own apprentice? How embarrassing!]

Conqueror King: "Hahaha, look at you, you pathetic little thing, even your own apprentice can't stand it anymore."

Weber: "Wake-up call with a slap, it really is like a TV drama unfolding."

Weber: "But he's right. Atram left his last words to me, and Luvia placed her bet because she trusted me. I really can't let them down."

The Conqueror King: "Think it through. You can't repeat the same mistakes in the future."

Weber: "Do you think this situation is still possible?"

The Second Virgin patted Grey on the shoulder and said, "You're right, ma'am. I'm so immature, I haven't changed at all. I've forgotten how determined I was."

[Grey: "Master..."]

[Second Generation: "Uh...excuse me, could you please prepare some food for me? I haven't eaten all day, and in my current state, I really can't stand up."]

[Yad: "Hehehehe! The first thing you say after your brain starts working properly is food. You're still so out of touch, you vase monarch!"]

[Second Generation: "The vase is superfluous. I know that better than anyone."]

[Yad: "Hehehe! Excuse me!"]

In short, the Second Emperor has finally pulled himself together.

Chapter 342 Hartres's Scheme, Beginning Many Years Ago

Conqueror King: "You've been so conflicted that you haven't eaten all day. That's really in line with your style."

Weber: "...Stop talking."

Soon after replenishing his energy, the Second Prince went to Reines's private room, where she let out a strange scream upon seeing him.

[Second Generation: "There's something I'd like to discuss with you."]

Reines: "That's fine... but are you alright, Onii-chan?"

[Second King: "It's hard to say. I still want to escape. Ever since you personally sealed me into the position of monarch, I've felt this way."]

"Wow, that's a brilliant statement!"

Reines smiled and said, "Although I'm incredibly busy here, I'll prioritize dealing with my beloved brother's request."

"But are you really sure it's alright? I've considered both your withdrawal from here and the possibility of supporting Hartles, depending on the situation. Your pulling yourself together here doesn't mean you've decided on the latter, does it?"

[Second Generation Dead Fish Eyes: "..."]