FATE: Target of Grand Master

On the other side, Xia Yan, along with Tian Ye and Cai, blocked Blackbeard's path.

"Tsk, do you really have to stand in my way?"

Blackbeard's anxiety wasn't due to his inability to complete Nebuchadnezzar II's mission, but rather his fear that this delay would prevent him from having time to play and cuddle with his adorable servant.

"You go ahead."

Xia Yan ignored Blackbeard's words and gave instructions to Tian Ye and Cai who were standing to the side.

"OK."

Tianye and Cai were not restricted in their freedom by Xia Yan on the way here. After all, in the face of absolute strength, any tricks and schemes are as laughable as child's play.

While traveling, Tianye and Cai tidied themselves up a bit. They tied their hair into a high ponytail and cleaned up their makeup. Even though they were bare-faced, they looked more comfortable than when they were wearing heavy makeup.

"Ping Jingqing, you're in charge of the black beard."

"Afro, Camilla, you two go and deal with Atalanta in the distance."

Xia Yan saw no problem with Tano Kazuya's command. As expected, at this stage of the Master Trial, reckless individuals like Mochizuki Yusuke were in the minority. Most Masters possessed command abilities that were at least above the passing grade, like Tano Kazuya.

Tianye and Cai's three Servants immediately took action, while she herself moved closer to Xia Yan's position.

Of course, she wasn't naive enough to think that she could stand shoulder to shoulder with Xia Yan.

Three meters—a distance that's neither too close nor too far, just right. It won't make Xia Yan feel that I'm being deliberate, and it will allow me to receive Xia Yan's protection if I'm attacked.

That's right, she is now just a tool that Xia Yan wants to use. In order to demonstrate her value as a tool, Tianye and Cai have sent out all of their Servants without reservation, but in doing so, they are completely unprepared.

In Tianye and Cai's view, as long as they behaved well, Xia Yan would not have any intention to kill them, at least not before defeating Draco. However, if they were too far away from him, it would be awkward if Xia Yan wanted to save them but couldn't in time. Therefore, maintaining a suitable distance was still very necessary.

Xia Yan, who was standing to the side, naturally noticed the change in Tian Ye and Cai's positions, but he didn't care. With Tiamat by his side, he wasn't worried at all unless Draco came out in person.

This is the sense of security that a mother provides!

"Sweetie, are you hungry? Mommy made some sandwiches, want a slice?"

While Tianye and Cai's Servants were fighting against Nebuchadnezzar II's Servants, Xia Yan was enjoying food prepared by Tiamat on a floating magic carpet, feeling as if he were on a picnic.

Oh, right. Because Draco kidnapped him so suddenly, Xia Yan didn't have time to return the magic carpet. He could only hope that King Gilgamesh wouldn't be too angry and that he would apologize properly next time they met.

"Thank you, Mom. Is there anything else to drink?"

Having received Tiamat's meticulous care, Xia Yan felt the warmth of maternal love that he hadn't experienced in a long time, and called Tiamat "Mom" without any resistance.

"Yes, baby, would you like orange juice, coffee, or milk tea?"

Tiamat was completely captivated by Xia Yan's repeated calls of "Mom." In addition, Xia Yan was very polite and well-mannered, and quite good-looking. Compared to her own ugly creations—the Rahms—Tiamat was especially satisfied with this "baby" and wished she could pour all her love into him.

Of course, there are two other very important reasons besides these.

"Coffee, thank you."

Although he was having afternoon tea, Xia Yan didn't forget that he was in a trial and it was necessary to consume some caffeine to keep his mind alert.

Taking the latte Tiamat offered, Xia Yan finally asked the question he'd been wanting to ask: "Mom, why did you come to help me? Judging from how you recognized me the first time you appeared, you must be Tiamat, whom I defeated not long ago, right?"

Tiamat had anticipated Xia Yan's question and smiled, "Let me correct you, little one. I don't have multiple mothers. I've always been the only one, no matter where I am. I'm the creator goddess, but my current class is Alterego, just an avatar of my true self. As for why I'm helping you, it's because I want to help you!"

Seemingly feeling she hadn't explained herself clearly, Tiamat added, "Mommy remembers what the little one said before defeating Mommy. The little one said that Mommy should learn to let go instead of binding the child, so this time Mommy wants to try to witness the little one's growth and protect the little one, so as not to repeat the mistake of 'other mommy clones not protecting the previous little one'."

The previous baby?

Xia Yan immediately noticed this keyword.

Considering that Ms. Tsuru was once Fujimaru Ritsuka's contracted Servant and Tiamat's uniqueness, could the "previous child" that Tiamat mentioned refer to Fujimaru Ritsuka?

"Mom, the last baby you mentioned, could it be Fujimaru Ritsuka?"

"Hey? Little one, do you know Mommy's previous child too?"

Tiamat was somewhat surprised, and then her expression turned a little dejected.

"Fujimaru is a good boy, but unfortunately his mother was making bento boxes at Chaldea when the accident happened and wasn't with him. By the time she got there, it was too late."

Xia Yan immediately pressed Tiamat for details about what she knew about Fujimaru Ritsuka. The information was basically the same as what she knew, except that Tiamat didn't know the most crucial details of how Fujimaru Ritsuka died, except that she was stabbed in the heart from behind.

Seemingly sensing that the atmosphere was a bit tense, Tiamat immediately steered the conversation back to the previous topic.

"Oh, right, my little one, didn't you just ask why Mommy was helping you? Besides the reasons I mentioned earlier, there's another reason: there's a shameless beast here trying to corrupt you. You're a good child, and Mommy can't just stand by and watch you fall. Besides, if you, who defeated Mommy, were to lose to that shameless beast, wouldn't that mean Mommy is inferior to her? Mommy... Mommy..."

At this point, Tiamat's voice even trembled with a hint of tears.

Seemingly wanting to release all the pent-up pressure, Tiamat immediately shouted, "Mom will never allow this to happen!"

Sure enough, all you beasts have fake sisterhood.

Xia Yan mentally scoffed, but still put on a smile and said sincerely, "I understand. Actually, after being dragged here by Draco, I really didn't know what to do. Thank goodness you appeared in time, Mom, you were a huge help."

Ah! I got praised by my little one! Mommy is so happy!

Tiamat covered her mouth with both hands, unable to suppress her smirk, and her eyes softened with tenderness.

We have to celebrate tonight! What should we make for dinner? I've decided! It'll be a Warcraft meat stew!