FATE: Target of Grand Master

"I apologize for keeping you two waiting outside the window for so long. However, what happened just now wasn't what you imagined."

At this moment, Xia Yan and the others sat side by side on the edge of the bed, giving the only two chairs to Lan Muyan and Robin Hood.

"Yes, yes, we understand."

Lan Muyan and Robin Hood nodded silently.

You guys don't know anything!

Xia Yan was roaring inwardly at this moment, giving up the idea of ​​explaining further, and steered the conversation back on track.

"Let's get back to the main point. I actually think Chester's plan is almost certainly doomed to fail, so we need to come up with a contingency plan."

Lan Muyan nodded, but then asked, puzzled, "Since you also disagree with his approach, why didn't you join me in opposing it at the meeting?"

"Of course I know the risks involved, but given the circumstances at the time, would it have been useful to object?" Xia Yan countered. "In terms of merit, Chester was the most accomplished among the three of us, and in terms of relationships, he was more familiar with Edison and Helena than either of us. Even if we objected together, it wouldn't have done anything except to exacerbate the already tense atmosphere."

"It's better to escalate the conflict than to lose your core support. Aren't you prepared to pass this trial?"

When the previous meeting was mentioned, Lan Muyan still couldn't suppress his anger.

"Of course not. Since I took the initiative to invite you to meet, it's natural that I trust you more and want to cooperate with you to pass this trial."

Xia Yan then told Lan Muyan about his plan.

"Are you sure you want to go this far?"

"You can't catch a wolf without risking your cub."

"Aren't you afraid I won't get involved?"

"If you don't get involved, we really won't have a chance to pass this trial."

Without hesitation, Lan Muyan immediately said, "I've already lost one of my followers in this trial, so there's nothing to be afraid of. Let's just do it."

"Then I'll take that as your agreement. We'll proceed according to plan."

"it is good."

Lan Muyan stood up and walked to the windowsill.

"This time, I hope you won't let me down."

"Same to you."

After Lan Muyan left, Yuri Ellie asked, "Xia Yan, aren't you afraid he might be the traitor, just telling him the whole plan like that?"

"So, do you think he's the mole?"

"Unlikely."

Explain your reasons.

"What, are you testing me?"

Euryale didn't like being treated like a student.

"I just want to know if it's possible that Euryale thinks the same way I do."

Thinking alike means being in sync, and two people in sync can become soulmates.

Euryale's brain began to make rapid connections, directly deriving the equation that thinking alike = telepathy = soulmates.

Having reached the equation, Euryale smiled and said, "First of all, Lan Muyan lost a Servant in this trial, and that's a real price to pay. The biggest benefit of betraying the Western Army was just gaining some advantages in this trial, but the cost of losing a Servant will affect his entire Master Trial. The gains and losses are completely disproportionate."

Secondly, Lan Muyan's policies have always been conservative. Although this might cause them to miss some opportunities, the Western Army's core strength remains intact. With our addition, the Western Army doesn't need to rush at all; a steady and methodical advance still has a chance to defeat the Eastern Army. Finally, there's my intuition, as a goddess: I don't think Lan Muyan is a traitor.

"Yes, you're right, that's basically what I was thinking."

"hey-hey."

Euryale received a pat on the head as a reward from Xia Yan.

"Since you also believe Chester is the traitor, why not just take care of him here?"

"I never said Chester was necessarily the mole."

"Why?"

"After all, I don't have any evidence. Rashly accusing a Master from the same faction of being a traitor is not good for unity. Besides, Chester is someone Edison and the others trust more than me and Lan Muyan. Even though Lan Muyan and Chester have conflicts, what would Lan Muyan think if I put Chester to death based solely on speculation?"

Euryale understood.

"You want to win over Lan Muyan?"

"Hmm. His act of avenging Billy was genuine, which shows he's a loyal and righteous person. Plus, his marksmanship is superb, making him a great support to the team. Of course, he has his flaws. His straightforward nature and the weakening effect of fewer Servants are undeniable facts. However, sincerity is paramount. As for Chester, whether he's a traitor or not, he can't be a traitor yet."

Musashi, standing to the side, tilted his head, indicating his incomprehension.

"If Chester isn't a mole, then it means the Eastern Army has ways of gathering intelligence that we don't know about. Killing Chester now would actually be a contribution to the Eastern Army, although I think the possibility of such a method that even Morgan wouldn't be aware of exists is extremely slim."

Xia Yan picked up his cup, took a sip of water to moisten his throat, and continued, "If Chester is the mole, then we absolutely cannot act now. We not only need to gather evidence to expose him in front of Edison and the others, but we also need to figure out his motives. Why do it is far more important than WHO DO IT and HOW DO IT. Otherwise, even if we encounter a Master who shows us the mission objectives later, we won't be able to completely trust them."

Musashi suddenly realized.

"Alright, I'm going to wash up and go to bed now. Getting a good night's sleep during the trial is such a luxury."

The next morning, Xia Yan was woken up by a knock on the door again.

He opened the door and saw Helena again. After quickly washing up, Xia Yan arrived at the lobby.

Edison, Helena, and Chester were all ready.

"Xia Yan, then we'll proceed with the plan we discussed yesterday. We'll push the front line forward as much as possible. If we encounter any trouble, we'll notify you via the familiar pigeon."

Xia Yan nodded and watched Chester and his group leave Denver in a grand procession.

With his smile gone, Xia Yan also left Denver and headed to the wounded soldiers' camp where Cú Chulainn and Scáthach were.

Xia Yan specifically told Lan Muyan Scáthach's location last night, but Scáthach was not attacked, which further confirmed that Lan Muyan was not a traitor.

Upon arriving at the wounded soldiers' camp, Xia Yan saw Cú Chulainn running laps around the camp.

Upon seeing Xia Yan, Cu Chulainn immediately grabbed Xia Yan's leg and cried out, "Master, you've finally arrived! Stop this purple-haired old woman! She hasn't even fully recovered from her injuries yet, and she's already trying to give me special training!"

"Hey, Cú Chulainn, I heard you. Do you really think you can defeat the you from the East with your current strength?"

Scáthach had already strode over aggressively, carrying two Gajeberg swords.

"I'm seriously injured and can't fight against the you in the East for the time being. You're not going to push the trouble of dealing with yourself onto someone else, are you?"

Scáthach's provocation immediately worked on Cú Chulainn.

Just a second ago, Cú Chulainn was yelling to run away, but now he looked at Scáthach with a serious expression and replied, "I am Cú Chulainn, the Son of Light of Ireland. I will never entrust my destiny to anyone else."

"Then come with me to the Land of Shadows for training."

Scáthach looked at Xia Yan and promised, "Master of Cú Chulainn, I promise you that I will return Cú Chulainn when you need him."

The Land of Shadows operates on a time and space independent of any other world, so Xia Yan wasn't worried that Cú Chulainn wouldn't have time to cultivate and generously handed him over to Scáthach.

Nightingale also took the opportunity to check on the treatment of wounded soldiers in the camp. Everything was as she had instructed before she left, and she was finally relieved.

Seeing that the Servants had finished their tasks, Xia Yan said, "It's about time. We should head east. The next battle will determine the victor of this trial."