FATE: Target of Grand Master

Information broker: Regarding the previous speculation, I've found some evidence. However, I can't show it here, so I'll just state the conclusion directly. There is indeed a third-party force in this Master Trial besides BB's side and our Master side. Based on the information I've gathered so far, it's very likely that they are Descendant-class Servants. They can even pass through the trial without a Master. You and your Master group need to keep an eye on this situation.

Knife B: Okay.

Gudako: Understood.

Humans love: Good.

Type-Moon Heavy Industries Technical Team Leader: OK.

I want to do the high jump: Received.

The other five people all replied immediately.

Hu Xia pursed his lips. Although he really wanted to complain about how quickly the others responded, he still replied with "Got it".

Subsequently, a person in the group named "Information Vendor" reiterated several rules.

Information broker: I invited everyone here individually. Since you're willing to join my plan, please prioritize the bigger picture. I don't like arguing, and I especially don't like seeing people in this group arguing.

The other six people: Yes.

Information broker: Similarly, now that rules have been established, everyone needs to maintain and abide by them. Please share necessary information with us. @Onlookers

Hu Xia stuck out his tongue at the phone screen before replying.

Onlookers: I still have more than 500 people left here.

Information broker: Okay, thanks for letting me know. Regarding the details of the second phase plan, I will inform everyone when it begins. Although the conditions for activation have been met, I suggest we observe for a while longer to see if any third-party forces will significantly impact our subsequent plans. Let's tentatively schedule two trials during the observation period. Any objections?

The other six people: None.

Information broker: Okay, please let me know if there are any updates. I will also share any new information I find with you as soon as possible.

Seeing that there were no more messages in the group, Hu Xia finally threw down his phone and started eating his cake.

Artoria Alter (Lancer), who had ordered another bowl of spaghetti bolognese from Boudica, said with concern, "Husha, if you don't like being in that group, just leave."

Hu Xia shook his head firmly.

"No, I can't back out, at least not until they implement the third phase of their plan."

Like the other five Master Leaders, Hu Xia only knew that the plan was divided into three phases, but had no idea what the second and third phases were about.

Hu Xia forked a large bite of cake, stuffed it into his mouth, and continued, "I don't consider myself to have ever felt fear towards anyone, but I have a deep-seated unease about the founder of that group, 'Information Vendor'."

"Why? Have you two met before? I don't remember you."

"No, we've never met. If we had, perhaps I wouldn't feel so uneasy. Do you remember that time I told you that the Master group I formed had surpassed two thousand members?"

Artoria Alter (Lancer) nodded.

"I remember."

"Shortly after the number of members surpassed two thousand, I received a friend request. After accepting, the other party accurately stated the name of the Master group I had formed, the Servant information, and my real name. At that moment, I felt as if I were standing naked in front of a complete stranger. That person was the 'information broker'."

After giving me a hard time, they explained their purpose: they wanted me to join a seven-person group they had organized. The goal was simple: to eventually make all seven of us, including myself, Grand Masters. The price was unconditional cooperation when this person issued commands to us.

"So, you agree?"

"I don't have the option of 'disagree.' If I refuse, all my real information might be posted on the world channel the next day, just like Xia Yan did. Although I don't think that threatening people like this will get us all to the end, I can't back out until I've investigated this person's identity and his complete plan. Besides, if the plan actually succeeds, it won't do me any harm."

"And what about your alliance with Xia Yan?"

"Artoria Alter (Lancer) asked."

Hu Xia fiddled with the fork in his hand, making it point up and down.

"Of course we'll continue. As the saying goes, a cunning rabbit has three burrows. I can't always be led by the nose by 'information brokers.' It's normal to have a backup plan. However, I get angry thinking about how Xia Yan rejected my sincere offer of recruitment. I originally wanted to prioritize our alliance."

"And now?"

"Right now, emmm... I'd say we're on the same level, like parallel relationships. To be honest, even though Xia Yan rejected me, my trust and goodwill towards him are still higher than towards 'Information Vendor' and the group that guy created."

"Hehe, could it be that Hu Xia is in love?"

"Hold on, Artoria. You should know better than anyone that I prefer women to men. Besides, that guy may be good-looking, but he's surrounded by beautiful women. He looks like he's destined to be with women, and I don't want to get involved with him at all."

"Hmm..."

Hu Xia threw away the fork with obvious disgust, then stretched out a big yawn.

"Alright. Let's leave the heavy topics here."

Hu Xia stood up, walked behind Artoria, placed his hands on her shoulders, and asked with a smile, "Artoria, have you finished eating?"

After swallowing the last bite of her third plate of meat sauce noodles, Artoria took a tissue, wiped her mouth, and replied, "More or less."

"Hehe. Isn't it time for some perks?"

A rare blush flashed across Artoria's face. She then stood up and said to Hu Xia, who was half a head shorter than her, "Keep your voice down. Are you afraid the others won't know?"

"It's nothing, it's just taking a bath together and then having a nice nap in each other's arms."

"Your skin is getting thicker and thicker."

"Hehe, this is what you promised me. You would give me a reward every time I passed a trial. As a king, I can't go back on my word."

"I did it to encourage you."

"So, I was encouraged. However, this encouragement has an expiration date and needs to be replenished regularly."

Artoria sighed, affectionately patted Hu Xia's head, and said, "Let's go, I will keep my promise."

"Yay!"

Hu Xia skipped and hopped back to his bedroom like a child to get a change of clothes.

Zenobia, a newcomer, looked at her Master with some surprise and asked the two beside her, "Would her Master treat you like this too?"

"ha?"

Katniss waved her arm and said, "If she dares, I'll definitely punch her."

Boudica, however, seemed not to hear the question and silently ate her yogurt.