FATE: Target of Grand Master

Xia Yan narrowed his eyes. To be honest, Xia Yan had actually anticipated this development.

If the plot follows the original story exactly, then what kind of trial is it?

Blackbeard's side already had more Servants than Drake's side. Even if Drake had the Holy Grail, it's not hard to understand why the Holy Grail would be stolen when he was fighting four against one. But this raises two questions.

First, Blackbeard wouldn't be interested in Drake, whom he considers practically an "old woman." Even with the Holy Grail, Blackbeard should still prioritize pursuing his second sister, "Little Cutie." What factors caused Blackbeard to change his priorities?

Second, Blackbeard defeated Drake but didn't take his life, or rather, didn't force Drake to leave the stage. This seemed extremely unreasonable to Xia Yan. Don't let Blackbeard's reputation as a comedic otaku in Chaldea fool you; when it comes to taking action, no Servant hesitates.

With these two questions in mind, Xia Yan asked a detailed question.

"Captain, how many men were in Blackbeard's group when they attacked you?"

Drake replied without hesitation, "A black-bearded giant carrying a blood axe, two female pirates, one tall and one short, and a handsome swordsman wielding a long sword and a short sword. In addition, there is a magician who uses all sorts of strange tricks."

Xia Yan rubbed his chin.

Blackbeard, Blood Axe, Anne Bernie, and Mary Reid—the situations of these four are obvious, but the "handsome swordsman wielding two swords, one long and one short" and the "magician using various strange techniques" are not in the original story.

The former is relatively easy to guess, most likely Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, the Saber class, commonly known as the "Sword Brush." ​​However, the latter's description is too abstract, making it impossible to guess his identity.

"Could you elaborate on the magician who uses all sorts of strange tricks?" Xia Yan pressed.

"I'm sorry, it's not that I don't want to talk about it, I just don't know how to say it. This guy's moves are too peculiar, and before I knew it, I was caught in his trap. If it weren't for him, Blackbeard and his gang wouldn't have been able to succeed so easily."

Frustrated, Drake rubbed his right foot back and forth on the ground, gradually wearing a shallow dent into it.

"By the way, that person also had similar red marks on their hands, just like you."

Drake's last words confirmed Xia Yan's earlier guess: that person, like him, was a Master!

This trial is a multi-person trial!

Xia Yan had been paying close attention to the details of each trial. Although the content, objectives, and Servants encountered in each trial were different, Xia Yan discovered a hidden pattern: the trials were conducted in an alternating sequence of single-person, multi-person, single-person again, and multi-person again.

The first Master Candidate Trial was a solo trial, the second Orleans Trial was a multiplayer trial, the third FSN Trial was a solo trial, and the fourth Oceanus Trial has also been confirmed to be a multiplayer trial.

Knowing this pattern, Xia Yan was able to think and plan ahead in the subsequent trials much earlier.

"I've already told you all the information; I don't have what you need here."

Drake didn't want to deal with Xia Yan, such a mysterious visitor, any longer. Her priority was to hunt the animals on the island, resupply the "Golden Deer," and then find a way to escape the area.

"Captain, don't be in such a hurry to kick me out. I have a deal I'd like to discuss with you."

Xia Yan revealed a warm smile.

"The real culprit behind the strangeness of this sea area is the Holy Grail. However, there is more than one Holy Grail in this sea area. If I can collect all the Holy Grails, the anomalies in this sea area will disappear, and your ship and crew will be able to escape danger."

What evidence do you have to prove what you're saying?

Drake was not the kind of pirate whose mind was only filled with money, wine, and women, so he naturally wouldn't easily believe the words of a stranger.

"As for evidence, I really don't have any," Xia Yan said frankly. "But what in life can be 100% certain? Like you, Captain, can you guarantee you'll come back alive every time you go out to sea?"

Drake was surprised by Xia Yan's direct and philosophical answer, which piqued his interest in the man.

"That's right, nothing in this world can be 100% certain before it happens, so why should I believe what you say?"

"It's simple, because you didn't have a choice, Captain."

Xia Yan's words were extremely blunt, showing no respect for Drake whatsoever, but they did indeed strike a chord with Drake.

"Although I am not a navigation expert, I know how difficult it is to support an entire crew when the weather and ocean currents are chaotic, the direction and route are unpredictable, and supplies are unstable. If the situation does not change, the 'Golden Deer' will become a ghost ship in less than half a month."

Drake took a deep breath, then exhaled heavily, as if making an important decision, and asked, "Since it's a deal, tell me your terms."

Xia Yan raised his right hand, extended one finger, and said, "Don't worry, Captain. The conditions we just offered were only one of them. You've seen my strength. I can also help you obtain food, which will greatly improve your supply efficiency, and your 'Golden Deer' won't be so completely undefended as it is now."

Then, Xia Yan extended another finger and continued, "Our demands are quite simple. First, I need your 'Golden Deer' to serve me until I collect the Holy Grail. Second, during this process, strategic decisions will be primarily based on my opinions. Of course, I am not an incompetent person who ignores advice; it's just that due to certain reasons, I am able to obtain some important intelligence in advance, which may make some of my decisions seem somewhat premature to those who do not know the intelligence. Two conditions for two demands, quite fair, right?"

Drake pondered for a moment, then stood up, walked to Xia Yan, and extended his large, thick right hand.

"It's a pleasure working with you!"

"It's a pleasure working with you!"

Xia Yan also stood up and extended his right hand to shake hands with Drake.

"Then, could you please help us hunt now?"

Drake held Xia Yan's hand tightly, as if she would keep holding it until Xia Yan agreed.

"no problem."

Xia Yan didn't mind Drake's somewhat impolite behavior and instructed Cú Chulainn beside him to go into the woods and hunt some game.

Seeing that the gunman who had blocked his bullet had left, Drake finally let go.

"You're quite decisive, aren't you? You just let the Servant leave like that. Aren't you afraid I'll arrest you?"

Xia Yan said dismissively, "Since it's a cooperation, there should be basic trust. Besides, I believe you're not that kind of person, Captain. Most importantly, arresting me now won't do you any good at all."

Xia Yan's reply was reasonable and logically clear, prompting Drake to ask, "Xia Yan, how old are you this year?"

"20 years old."

"Such a young age and such a mindset. After you collect the Holy Grail, would you be interested in staying on my ship as my first mate? Everything is negotiable—rank, money, beautiful women—anything I can offer, you can name it. If you don't mind, this captain can also personally serve you."

"Thank you for your kind words, Captain. However, I have more important matters to attend to."

Xia Yan was truly shocked by Drake's bold statement and hurriedly declined.

He had a premonition that if he hesitated even for a moment, he would be in big trouble.