FATE: Target of Grand Master

"The rooftop isn't a good place to chat. How about we go somewhere else? Look to your right, there's a small park there. I'll wait for you there."

Xia Yan stood under a tree in the small park and looked up at the sky. Soon he saw a young man with short blue hair, a long ponytail, and silver earrings, who gave off a wild beast-like aura.

The two locked eyes. Cú Chulainn's expression hardened, and he landed in front of Xia Yan, raising his gun and aiming it at Xia Yan's heart.

"I thought it would be a conversation with another familiar, but it turns out to be the magician himself. Kid, should I say you're incredibly brave or utterly foolish?"

The crimson spear tip was only one centimeter away from Xia Yan's chest. With just a little effort, Cú Chulainn could deliver a fatal blow to Xia Yan's heart.

"I think it's still necessary to show respect to Ireland's Son of Light."

"snort."

Cú Chulainn's lips curled up slightly. No one dislikes feeling respected, especially a great hero like Cú Chulainn.

However, the crimson spear remained motionless, and Xia Yan merely gained the opportunity to continue the conversation.

"How do you know my real name? Did that guy Yanfeng tell you? No, that guy isn't that kind, and he would never send anyone to help me."

Cú Chulainn moved the tip of his spear upwards, pressing it directly against Xia Yan's neck.

"Tell me, who are you? How do you know my real name?"

Xia Yan knew he only had one chance.

"My name is Xia Yan. I not only know your real name, but I also know that Kirei Kotomine stole the Command Seals from Bazett to gain control over you. Furthermore, he used the Command Seals to order you to fight every Servant but forbade you to use your full strength. This must be very difficult for a great hero of Celtic mythology."

Xia Yan's words struck at the very spot that Cú Chulainn was most annoyed with.

That's right, Kirei Kotomine has absolutely no idea what a warrior's honor is.

Seeing Cú Chulainn's expression grow increasingly grim, Xia Yan continued, "This might be a bit beyond common sense, but since this world itself has magic and the Holy Grail War—things that defy common sense—I, as someone from another parallel world, shouldn't find it unacceptable, right?"

Explaining a high-dimensional world like the Master Selection Space is too complicated, so Xia Yan chose to use the term "parallel world" instead, since it's all about expressing that he's not from this world.

Cú Chulainn seemed to accept Xia Yan's explanation and did not say anything like "impossible" or "at least make your reasons sound plausible."

"So what is your purpose?"

Seeing Cú Chulainn begin to question his own purpose, Xia Yan knew he had a chance. Cú Chulainn was already somewhat wavering, and now he just needed to make the final push.

"It's simple. I know the Holy Grail War is a complete hoax, and the Holy Grail has been corrupted, only able to grant wishes in the most twisted way—in other words, it's the embodiment of calamity. I need to win the Holy Grail War and destroy the Holy Grail to prevent calamity from descending."

Xia Yan paused deliberately, allowing Cú Chulainn to process this shocking information.

"As you can see, I am currently just a Master without a Servant. To achieve my goals, I first need a Servant partner. Therefore, I hope you can become my Servant. Of course, if you, as the Child of Light, don't even have the confidence to win the Holy Grail War, then just pretend I didn't say anything."

Cú Chulainn moved the crimson spear aside and gave a soft hum.

"Kid, your provocation is a bit too obvious. But what you're saying is really beyond imagination. Do you have any way of proving it?"

"Kirei Kotomine knows the inside story about the Holy Grail, but he certainly won't reveal it. Others who know the inside story also won't tell outsiders, so I can't prove it right now. But I have a way to change your contract with Kirei Kotomine. For you, participating in the Holy Grail War and having a thrilling battle with Servants from different eras should be a pretty good experience, right?"

For the first time, Cú Chulainn showed an expression of interest.

"Kid, you know me pretty well. Never mind, none of that matters. If you can really change my contract, I might consider joining forces with you."

"You said it yourself."

Xia Yan, who had finally gained control of the conversation, smiled.

Suddenly, a short sword emitting a pale purple light appeared in Xia Yan's hand; it was none other than the Sword of Breaking the Rules.

Xia Yan tossed the Sword of Breaking the Rules to Cú Chulainn and then said, "Just point this sword at yourself and stab yourself."

Cú Chulainn took the short sword, but looked at Xia Yan with a strange expression.

"Don't look at me like that. I wouldn't dare lie to you. But if I were to make the move, you'd probably be even more worried. Besides, you have the inherent skill of Combat Continuation A. Even if I pierce your heart, you'd still be capable of killing me in return."

Xia Yan's words made sense, and the fact that he even knew about his own inherent skills made Cú Chulainn trust Xia Yan's previous statements even more.

Celtic warriors do not hesitate, and Cú Chulainn unhesitatingly pointed the Sword of Destruction at his right chest.

"Don't use too much force. Just break through the magic defense and pierce the skin."

Xia Yan now regards Cú Chulainn as his servant, and he doesn't want to waste a lot of magic power on repairing Cú Chulainn's injuries.

Cú Chulainn chuckled softly, then plunged the Sword of Destruction into his own chest.

Instantly, an irresistible magical power surged into Cú Chulainn's body, actually severing his contract with Kirei Kotomine, along with breaking the restrictions Kirei Kotomine had placed on him with Command Seals. He then established a contract connection with Xia Yan.

Cú Chulainn immediately felt a sense of relief; compared to that, the small wound on his chest from the sword was nothing to worry about.

"You actually changed the contract!" Cú Chulainn exclaimed in surprise, finally realizing what had happened.

Xia Yan stood with his hands on his hips, quite pleased with himself. Opportunities to show off in front of a Servant were rare.

With business at hand, Xia Yan didn't dare waste too much time and said, "I've proven myself. So, Lancer, how about we join forces?"

Cú Chulainn, as expected of a great hero of Celtic mythology, quickly accepted reality after a brief moment of shock.

"If only you had shown up sooner, at least Bazett wouldn't have..."

Cú Chulainn gradually began to accept Xia Yan's claim that he knew everything about the Holy Grail War.

"What?"

Xia Yan didn't hear Cú Chulainn's muttered words clearly.

Shaking his head, Cú Chulainn knew that his idea was somewhat unreasonable.

With the crimson spear resting behind his neck and his hands hooked around it, Cú Chulainn said jokingly, "It's nothing. Since the contract has already been changed, there's no time for me to jump off the pirate ship. Please take care of me from now on, Master."

Xia Yan was overjoyed to see that Cú Chulainn had finally accepted him.

"Don't worry, this ship of mine is an aircraft carrier, you definitely won't lose out."