How come the Ace of Cups isn't considered the Holy Grail?

Nigel Seward is nearing the end of his life.

This doesn't mean he has any physical ailments or anything like that; it's just that he's so outstanding.

He used his own 'persistence' to build a unique magic system, and then used this magic system to make elixirs, achieving results worthy of leaving a mark on history.

Especially in the area of ​​controlling human emotions, he created a unique masterpiece!

Unfortunately... his achievements were so unique and independent that they were impossible for future generations to inherit, and only he himself could reproduce them.

That's why he knew that the day he would receive the seal of the Clock Tower was not far off.

He will be detained and captured by the Magic Association under the guise of protection, and imprisoned for life.

Nigel had no desire for the Holy Grail.

Even his participation in the Holy Grail War was merely a means to buy himself some time, which he intended to use to complete his research in Tokyo.

In this way, he might be able to reach the root of the problem.

Therefore, he prepared a special elixir to enhance Brunhilde's Noble Phantasm, hoping to buy as much time as possible in this Holy Grail War.

However, Brunhilde was forced to leave the stage at this point...

"Then... I'll let you make the final contribution."

Nigel was like a heartless machine, completely devoid of any other emotions besides his obsession, and equally incapable of understanding them.

Therefore, when faced with this situation that completely overturned his plans, he made a decision after only a brief moment of thought.

The three Command Seals on his left shoulder lit up, their dazzling red glow undiminished even through his clothing.

Nigel's calm voice rang out in the silent room: "By Command Spell, Lancer, you are not to die."

The red mark on his left shoulder faded by one stroke.

"Once again, with a Command Spell, Lancer, drink the Elixir of Love."

The red light became faint.

"Finally, I issue the command spell, Lancer—"

"Unleash your Noble Phantasm."

……

"Master?"

The command from her Master shattered Brunhilde's last moments of peace. As she sensed the power of the Command Seals transmitted through the tattered contract, a look of astonishment appeared on Brunhilde's face.

Why……

Yuuto, who was walking towards her to see what she might drop, stopped and took out a card.

Is there something wrong?

Brunhilde, who was about to leave the scene, was in a relaxed state and had no time to resist the sudden Command Seal. Under the gaze of Yuuto and the others, she took out a small bottle of bright red liquid from her pocket.

Uncork the bottle and drink it all in one gulp—

Before she could open it, a hand with sharp nails suddenly appeared and snatched the elixir from her hand.

Hey, you can't drink any!

Immediately, an arm bearing some dragon-like features pierced Brunhilde's heart.

I've already told you not to transform in front of the enemy if you don't have invincibility frames, why don't you listen?

Arash, who had just nocked an arrow and was preparing to use his exquisite rapid-fire technique to shatter the bottle, silently lowered his bow.

never mind.

Yubel flapped his wings, flashed back to Yudu with the item, and handed him the elixir.

[Love Elixir: A]

[A magical potion created by a magician skilled in manipulating minds, its potency is so strong that even Servants cannot resist it. If you wish to take it, be careful, for the emotions hidden within will transform into an uncontrollable, vicious love that will burn you and your beloved to ashes.]

Its rank is quite high?

You Du put away the elixir and looked across at the other side.

After Yubel delivered another blow to Brunhilde, the red light representing the Command Seal effect on her body finally dissipated, but this also accelerated her exit speed. In just a few seconds, most of her body had disappeared.

When she noticed Yudo's gaze, despite being weak from her serious injuries and impending departure, she still managed to give him a grateful look before leaving the stage.

It was this feeling of killing someone twice in a row and then being thanked by them that made Yuu Watari a little uncomfortable...

A heart-shaped crystal remained in place after Brunhilde disappeared.

【Heart Crystal: A】

Crystals formed from pure emotion are typically left behind only after the death of those who were immersed in a particular emotion without being distorted by it; they are the materialization of a certain emotion.

Chapter 199 Let's Unite!

emotion……

Can even something like this be dropped?

You Du picked up the heart-shaped crystal from the ground and examined it with great interest.

The color is a purplish pink, crystal clear, without any impurities... After all, it is something formed directly from pure emotions, so it is normal to have no impurities, right?

If it contains impurities, it can no longer be considered pure...

The crystal is also very light and feels warm to the touch... Come to think of it, why does it feel a little warm?

Could this thing have been formed from Brunhilde's anger towards her Master?

Yuudou tossed the crystal in his hand in confusion, then put it away and turned to look at Arash and Elsa, who were being watched by Yubel and dared not make any rash moves.

After all, he had left Misaya Reiryukan alone in the same place. Even though he felt that the great hero was not the kind of person who would take his master hostage when he was not paying attention, they were still on opposing sides. It was always better to be safe than sorry.

"So... what do you two have to say next? Do you want to continue fighting?"

Yuuto glanced at Reiko Misaya and saw that she looked fine except for being a little tired, so he turned his attention to Arash and Elsa.

fighting?

It's completely impossible to fight...

Elsa and Arash exchanged a glance, both seeing the awkwardness in each other's eyes.

Especially Elsa.

She wanted to eliminate Misaya from the Linglong Pavilion before she faced mortal danger, but unexpectedly, they are now the ones who are eliminated ahead of time.

This Servant is way too overpowered...

Arash was already overwhelmed by the previous magician, but the guy standing in front of them now seemed even stronger.

Faced with the speed Yubel had just displayed, Arash wasn't confident he could protect his Master from his opponent in battle...

Not to mention Yudo's Noble Phantasm, he still hasn't figured out a way to counter it.

Simply clearing out the surrounding source of magic power—no Servant could handle that!

In that realm, it's completely impossible to use Noble Phantasms or unique skills; even magic is forbidden...

Furthermore, it's limited to card duels, making it impossible to formulate a strategy without knowing what cards you have... Thinking about it this way, this Noble Phantasm seems surprisingly strong.

There's nothing they can do. It seems this is the best they can do in this Holy Grail War.

Arash gave Elsa a subtle nod, indicating that he was ready to use his Noble Phantasm.

If you can't solve it, then explode at him!

Elsa was also prepared to use Command Seals to provide support, hoping that Arash's Noble Phantasm could break through Yuwatari's defenses...

However, there is one thing Arash is not quite clear about.

If Yuwatari expands that field after he uses his Noble Phantasm, will his Noble Phantasm still function normally?

Or will it be completely erased and become an ordinary arrow?

Looking at the resolute yet thoughtful expression on his face, You Du wondered what he was thinking that caused such an expression.

He thought about the Berserker, whose whereabouts were still unknown.

Archers... their eyesight should be excellent, right?

With that in mind, You Du made a suggestion to the two of them.

"Hmm... how about we form an alliance?"

Arash's resolve to die faltered, and even Elsa was caught off guard by Yuuto's words. The Command Seal on her chest lit up briefly and then suddenly went out, as if it had short-circuited due to a poor connection.

"Huh?"×2

……

Hmm... something seems to have changed...

"Hmm? Aika, what you're saying is different?"

late at night.

On the rooftop of one of the commercial buildings near Taiyo Cheng 60 in Ikebukuro, Toshima Wars, Saber, Arthur Pendragon, who was having a picnic with his Master, Sajou Ayaka, asked a question.

Yes, it looks a bit strange, but they are indeed having a picnic on the rooftop of a building in the middle of the night.

The wind on the rooftop was strong at night, and if you weren't careful, it would blow the picnic blankets spread on the ground away. Even if you put various foods on it as counterweights to hold it down, the edges and corners that kept fluttering in the wind would still affect your mood.

Therefore, this is definitely not a suitable place for a picnic.

However, for a magician, especially one who has been connected to the Roots since birth, this problem can be solved with just a little magic trick.

Moreover, Ayaka Sajou didn't come here just for a picnic; she came so that her beloved swordsman, the Silver Knight, could fight his first battle in this Holy Grail War.

Of course, having a picnic with Arthur after the battle was also one of her goals...

However, her plan has now gone slightly wrong.

The Lancer-class Heroic Spirit she had foreseen, who had briefly clashed with Arthur, Brunhilde, did not appear nearby.

Sajō Aika originally planned to secretly go and subdue the Assassin Hassan while Arthur was fighting Lancer, but now that plan has fallen through.

This is really strange, although she was indeed prepared for the fact that starting the Holy Grail War ahead of time would lead to some differences between reality and the future she foresaw.

But based on her analysis of Lancer's Master and her own behavior, this area should be her inevitable route today...

What could have caused her not to come today?

Hmm, I'll do some research later.

As for now...

"Ah, it's nothing, Saber~" Sitting on the picnic blanket that was magically fixed to the ground, Ayaka Sajou gave a sweet smile and took out a sandwich she had prepared in advance from the picnic basket next to her.

"I mean, I used a slightly different sauce to season this sandwich. What do you think, Saber? Is it good?"

"Is that so?"

Completely fooled by his master's innocent little girl appearance, Arthur didn't notice anything amiss and took the sandwich, taking a bite directly.

"Chewing...chewing...the taste has definitely changed. It has a spicy flavor. Did they add chili peppers?"

"Yes! I added a little chili sauce to enhance the flavor, and I also chose ingredients with a lighter taste for the sandwich, so it shouldn't be too strong in flavor..."

The girl's soft voice drifted out in the empty night, only to be swallowed up by the howling night wind.

On a February night, Arthur, filled with doubt, had a strange and unusual picnic with his Master on the rooftop of a building.

But the sandwiches were indeed quite delicious...

Chapter 200 I Need a Cannon Fodder

Self-mandated credentials are a really good thing!

After watching Elsa sign her name on the parchment, Yuuto nodded in satisfaction, thinking to himself.

They are currently at Elsa's base in Akihabara.

After Yuuto gave them the option of forming an alliance, Elsa, who immediately chose to ally with them, brought them here.

However, what was called a base was actually just a hotel room that Elsa rented.

Apart from having a balcony where you can sneak out in the middle of the night, lie on a wicker deck chair, drink wine, and admire the starry sky, everything else is no different from an ordinary hotel.