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

But now that this shadowy figure has appeared, doesn't that mean the fragments of the Holy Grail are still residing in Matou Sakura's heart?

Does the rule of the duel simply erase the part that belongs to Zouken Matou?

Under normal circumstances, Yudo would definitely praise the accuracy, but now he felt that being too accurate wasn't all good.

After leaving Ryudouji Temple, Yuwatari and Rin Tohsaka, having fought two consecutive battles and depleted their magical energy, abandoned their plan to investigate the Matou family.

Even Rin Tohsaka, who had slept for a whole day, couldn't help but feel a little tired as she looked at the sky just beginning to brighten.

Since Yuwatari didn't need much sleep due to his Servant status, and he also had some materials left behind by a Caster after his departure, he took advantage of Rin Tohsaka going back to her room to rest and went straight into the basement.

[Silver Chessboard (Caster): B+]

[A piece symbolizing the Caster class.]

Although... this seems to be a material from FGO, right?

Holding the small silver chess piece in his hand, Yuuto examined it several times. After confirming that it was indeed the material used in the FGO game for Servant Ascension, he wore an expression that suggested his worldview had been expanded.

He had assumed this thing was a material designed by the game itself and didn't actually exist in the Type-Moon world... He never expected that Medea would drop something like this after she left the game?

If this thing were used as a relic to summon a Heroic Spirit, would it be targeted at Medea directly, or would it be targeted at all Caster-class Servants?

"However, if it's used to craft cards, hmm... the probability of crafting a Spellcaster monster is probably higher?"

After all, it's a chess piece symbolizing the Caster class...

It's not like he's some kind of Avalon Sword Saint, Israeli Boxing King, or Uruk Axe King. You can't expect him to use this thing to forge a Warrior-type monster, can you?

There were still some materials left in the basement that hadn't been used up before. Because of the gems that Gemstone Elder had given them before, Yuuto added all three of his remaining A-grade ace gems this time.

Rin Tohsaka's hair is all used up, but there's still some blood left, and then...

Yuuto picked out some of the materials he had on hand and added them in. After watching the dark purple vortex gradually stabilize, he stopped standing there and sat down to examine the card he had previously created using Zouken Matou's soul.

Because of the sudden attack by Caster, he didn't even have time to look at the details of the card he had created.

That was a monster card.

[The Evil Spirit of Resentment]

【3 stars】

[Demon/Dark]

[Attack power: 1600]

[Defense: 0]

"Can this effect be used to revive an 8-star Fiend monster from the graveyard? It's useless to me right now, I don't even have an 8-star Fiend monster in my deck..."

With a slight smirk, Yuuto grouped it with other cards that he didn't need in his deck for the time being, treating it as if he had started a new deck.

Besides cards like "Grievous Evil Spirit" that don't fit his current deck, there are also Normal Monsters like "Man-Eating Gem Box" created when he forged Rainbow Dragon.

The previously mentioned "Sage's Gem" is also in there. Unless he uses a Dark Magician deck someday, this card will probably stay there forever.

The number of cards in Gem Knight is enough to form half a deck, but because there are no Fusion Spell Cards from the same archetype, nor any Fusion Monsters from the same archetype that can be used as the endgame, it can only continue to sit and collect dust.

Not long after, the crafting of the new card was completed, but to Yuuto's surprise, the card he crafted this time was actually a trap card.

"【The Witch's Strike】?"

Yuto looked at the card's effect from beginning to end.

The Witch's Strike

[Common Traps]

[This effect can only be activated if the opponent negates the Normal or Special Summon of a monster, or if the opponent negates the activation of a Spell, Trap, or Monster effect. Destroy all cards in the opponent's hand and on the field.]

"The effect is quite good; it can be used to flip the table in certain situations... but only the opponent's table!"

Nodding in satisfaction, You Du put away the card and left the basement.

By the time their group of Masters and Servants met again, it was already noon.

"Zi...Zi..."

Pour the marinated pork belly slices into the pan. Hearing the sizzling sound of the overflowing oil in the pan, Rin Tohsaka stared blankly at the slightly browned pork slices in the pan.

"I feel like... something's not quite right about this situation?"

Why would she, as the Master, cook for her own Servants?!

Shouldn't it be the other way around, with Yuuto, being her Servant, cooking for her?!

Meanwhile, there was another Master in Fuyuki City who was in the same situation as her.

……

Emiya residence.

"S, Saber, are you full?"

Looking at the rice cooker, which was now completely empty, Shirou Emiya glanced at Artoria, who still seemed somewhat unsatisfied, at the dining table. A cold sweat broke out on his back, and he cautiously asked, "..."

Because he usually has to cook for himself, his sister Teng, and Sakura at the same time, he bought a large-sized rice cooker.

And now, this is the fourth pot of rice he has cooked in this rice cooker.

He hadn't even touched his own meal, yet he had already gone back and forth to the kitchen four times.

This situation has been going on for two days now. Ever since he summoned the blonde girl who called herself Saber the night before last, he realized for the first time that the idea of ​​'eating people out of house and home' is probably a real thing.

His rice bag is almost empty!

"Hmm, about 70% full. Although I'd like to eat some more, it's best not to eat too much so as not to affect any potential battles that may break out at any time."

Artoria wiped the sauce off her lips with a tissue and said with a hint of regret.

Whenever she ate these delicious meals, the image of Gao Wenqing would involuntarily appear in her mind.

Tall and imposing, Gao Wenqing, clad in silver armor, stood in the sunlight, holding—

Holding the bowl, I kept stirring the mashed potatoes inside!

What a nightmare!

Once she came to her senses, Artoria waited silently for Shirou Emiya to finish his meal before speaking seriously to him, who was sitting across the table from her.

"So, after a day of consideration, Shirou, what is your answer regarding whether or not you wish to continue participating in this Holy Grail War?"

Chapter Thirty: The archer and swordsman team split into two groups and infiltrated the Matou residence by day.

Upon hearing Artoria's question, Shirou Emiya recalled what she had told him about the Holy Grail War the night before last, after the sudden appearance of a shadowy figure had hastily ended Saber's battle with Lancer.

Surrounding the 'Holy Grail' that can grant any wish, seven Servants and seven Mages fight and kill each other, vying for ownership of the Holy Grail.

Only the last Master and Servant who survive will have the right to have their wish granted.

He thought of the chaotic 'battlefield' he saw after chasing Saber that night, the trail that almost grazed the surrounding houses and ran across the entire street, marked by countless sharp blades that had slashed and torn apart.

Those attacks, if they were even slightly off-center, could very well affect ordinary people in the vicinity. This kind of danger, which could cause someone to lose their life at any moment, is happening right now in this city, right next to him!

Shirou Emiya simply couldn't bear to remain indifferent after learning all this!

He didn't care about the Holy Grail. As long as the person who obtained it wasn't a bad person and the wish made wouldn't harm others, it wouldn't matter if someone else won the Holy Grail War.

His ideals are not the kind of things that can be achieved simply by making a wish.

But even if it's just a second faster, he wants to end this dangerous war as soon as possible to prevent more people from getting hurt.

So he gave Artoria his reply.

"I will continue to participate in the Holy Grail War, Saber."

Although I have no desires and don't know why the Holy Grail chose me, I must end this Holy Grail War as soon as possible to prevent more people from being harmed!

Shirou Emiya extended his hand to Artoria across from him.

"Could you please help me, Saber?"

Without hesitation, Artoria grasped Shirou Emiya's outstretched hand after hearing his words, driven by her desire to save Britain.

"Ah, leave it to me, Shirou!"

As the final Master and Servant to successfully reach an agreement and decide to participate in the Holy Grail War, the first thing Shirou Emiya needs to do is—

I went to the Matou family to visit Matou Sakura, whom I hadn't seen for many days.

Well, to avoid encountering other Servants and Masters on the way, he also had to bring Saber along.

……

The Archer group on the other side.

After finishing the lunch she had made with Yuuto, Rin Tohsaka went to the Matou house to continue what they hadn't been able to finish the night before.

Night, uh... Daytime visit to the Matou residence!

First, Yuuto used the Harpy's Feather Duster to deal with any warning or defensive spells that might be present. Then, the two of them secretly climbed over the wall and slipped into the Matou family's residence.

"What's next? Where should we start investigating? Let me make this clear first: even though the Matou family and the Tohsaka family are both among the three major families of Fuyuki City, this is my first time here!"

Rin Tohsaka asked Yuuto beside her, already holding the card of the [Jewel Beast Amethyst Cat], who was also a master of infiltration and investigation.

But I think Amethyst Cat might not want to talk to you lately...

After silently complaining to himself, Yuuto did not hesitate to go directly to Matou Sakura, the only living person in the Matou residence.

Once the Holy Grail fragment within her is dealt with, her connection to the contents of the Holy Grail is severed, and the uncertain contract with Angra Mainyu is broken, the only remaining challenge in this Holy Grail War will be Gilgamesh.

Anyway, Rin Tohsaka had told him about her relationship with Sakura Matou to some extent on the way here, so his choice seemed quite normal.

Besides investigating Zouken Matou's situation, Rin Tohsaka also wanted to ascertain Sakura Matou's condition when she came to the Matou family.

Since the school decided to give her a week off, she lost her only chance to see Matou Sakura. Now, after discovering the strangeness of Matou Zouken, she is even more worried about how Matou Sakura is doing after not seeing her for several days.

The two hit it off immediately and quickly made their way into the mansion.

At the same time, Shirou Emiya brought Artoria, who had changed into casual clothes, to the Matou residence. He had even had to bite the bullet and borrow the clothes from Fujiwara despite her amused gaze.

Yes, a complete set with not a single piece missing.

At that moment, Shirou Emiya understood the importance of money more deeply than ever before.

With enough money, you don't have to worry about being eaten out of house and home by Saber, nor do you need to borrow clothes from Fujii; you can just buy a new set.

Money...

After sighing, Shirou Emiya glanced at Artoria beside him. Relieved to receive a slight nod from her, who was wary of their surroundings and indicated that he did not sense any magical energy nearby, he rang the doorbell.

Thankfully, it didn't turn out like some stories where nothing happens along the way, only to have trouble at the destination.

Soon, a voice came from the intercom on the doorbell, but it wasn't Zouken Matou's decaying voice that Shirou Emiya had expected. Instead, it was a female voice that he recognized very well.

"This is the Matou family residence. May I ask who you are?"

"Sakura? It's me, Emiya Shirou!"

"Eh?! Senior?! Why are you here, Senior?"

The voice coming from the walkie-talkie sounded somewhat panicked, and it was clear that the owner of the voice had been caught off guard.

"Didn't you ask your grandfather a few days ago to tell me that you couldn't come to my house for a while? I was worried that you might be sick, so I came to visit you!"

After Shirou Emiya finished speaking, there was a long silence on Sakura Matou's end, so long that Shirou began to wonder if something had happened to her, before the walkie-talkie finally crackled to life again.

"...I'm sorry, senior, I'm a little unavailable here today."

After quickly finishing her sentence, Matou Sakura hung up the walkie-talkie. Her voice sounded unexpectedly decisive and stiff, making Emiya Shirou wonder if he had accidentally said something wrong.

However, since Sakura said she was not available, he couldn't insist on making her open the door for him.

“Let’s go, Saber. It seems Sakura isn’t feeling well today. Let’s come back tomorrow.”

Artoria nodded and turned to leave with Shirou Emiya, but suddenly sensed something. Her pupils contracted, and she turned to face the Matou residence in a defensive posture, calling out to Shirou Emiya.

"Wait a minute, Shirou! There was a sudden surge of magical energy coming from this house!"

"And there are two of them!"

Chapter Thirty-One: The Petrifying Demon Eye? Soaked!

Let's rewind a little, just a few minutes.

Having just learned through the walkie-talkie that Emiya Shirou was standing next to Matou Sakura outside the door, Medusa, now in her spirit form, twitched her ears slightly, keenly catching the subtle movements coming from the corridor.