Did the Heroic Spirit I conquered become a reality?

Morgan looked at Artoria's tense expression, and a more amused and playful smile appeared on his lips beneath his veil.

Instead of answering Artoria's question, she reached out her slender fingers and gently brushed aside a strand of platinum blonde hair that fell across her forehead. Leaning languidly against the doorframe, she said in an almost provocative tone, "My dear sister, you've asked so many questions at once. Which one do you want me to answer first? Or... do you actually want to know more about the 'intimate' relationship between me and my Caster?"

She emphasized the words "intimately close," her icy blue eyes flashing with a playful light, as if deliberately provoking Artoria's already tense nerves.

A hint of coldness flashed in Artoria's beautiful eyes, but her years of reigning as a queen forced her to suppress the anger in her heart.

She knew that she must not be easily provoked by the other party before the situation was clear.

“Morgan,” Artoria took a deep breath, trying to make her voice sound calm, “I don’t care what your relationship with Caster is. I’ve come tonight on my lord’s orders to deliver an invitation to Caster Tohsaka Yu.”

She paused, her gaze passing over Morgan and landing on the young man in the living room: "Caster, my Master, Kenneth El-Melloi Archibald, wishes to meet you."

As Yu Tohsaka listened to these two legendary British sisters arguing at her doorstep, she felt like she had a headache.

He was about to say something to ease the tense atmosphere when Morgan preemptively "answered" for him in his cool, authoritative voice.

“Kenneth?” A hint of disdain flashed in Morgan’s icy blue eyes. “The monarch of the Clock Tower? What right does he have to invite a Caster?”

She turned to look at Tohsaka Yu, her tone still cold, but with a subtle hint of "protection": "Caster, do you want to see him? If you don't want to, no one can force you."

Yu Tohsaka's brow twitched sharply.

He knew that Morgan was protecting himself, but also targeting Artoria.

But the problem is that Kenneth is, after all, his teacher at the Clock Tower, and he has indeed been looking for an opportunity to have a proper talk with Kenneth.

This time, let's consider it an opportunity.

“Princess Morgan, I understand what you mean.”

Yu Tohsaka took a deep breath, trying to find a way to mediate between the two powerful kings and witches. "However, Professor Kenneth was my mentor after all. Since he sent Lancer to invite me, there must be something important."

He paused, then added, "Besides, there are some things I'd like to ask him in person."

For example, why is he so obsessed with the Holy Grail, and... does he really understand the true danger lurking behind this war?

If possible, it would be best to directly persuade Kenneth to withdraw from the Holy Grail War.

Upon hearing Yu Tohsaka's words, a barely perceptible hint of approval flashed in Artoria's emerald green eyes.

In any case, Caster's humble yet respectful attitude was much more pleasing to the eye than her sister's.

“Caster has already said that,” Artoria said, looking calmly at Morgan, “Are you still planning to stop him?”

Morgan's red lips, hidden beneath her veil, curled into a mocking smile. "My dear sister, have you forgotten that I am now the Ruler? A private meeting between two Servants is against the rules of the Holy Grail War... Kenneth may see him, but only... in my presence."

"It seems you still intend to get involved in this matter..."

Artoria was clearly enraged by Morgan's unyielding stance, staring intently at his provocative gaze.

Just as the tense atmosphere was about to erupt, a pleasant voice, tinged with innocence and curiosity, suddenly came from behind Tohsaka Yu.

"Oh my, Yu-kun, it's so lively outside. Have we got some new guests?"

Sajou Aika had arrived in the living room at some point. She was barefoot, wearing a pure white dress, with an innocent smile on her face. Her emerald green eyes curiously observed the two women confronting each other at the door, seemingly oblivious to the almost palpable tension in the air.

She walked over to Tohsaka Yu, naturally reached out her little hand, gently tugged at his sleeve, then tilted her head and asked in an almost coquettish tone, "Yu-kun, shall I go with you?"

"Also... since Miss Ruler also wants to go, then let's go together."

As she finished speaking, Ayaka Sajou looked at Morgan with a smile: "Is this alright, Miss Ruler?"

Morgan narrowed his eyes unintentionally, lingering for a moment on Ayaka Sajou's innocent and smiling face, his mind racing.

The other Servants in Fuyuki City, including Artoria in front of her, are still unaware that Caster's master-servant contract has been transferred to them.

Most of them still believed that Ayaka Sajou was still Caster's Master, while they... were merely Rulers who were temporarily "cooperating" with Caster for some unknown reason.

If she were to reveal her master-servant relationship with Caster in front of Artoria at this moment, she could not only completely suppress Aika Sajou's arrogance, but also legitimately stop Kenneth's "invitation".

However, in that case, her "neutrality" and "fairness" as a Ruler would be completely lost, and she might even attract the collective hostility and siege of all other Masters and Servants.

This is not a wise move.

Thinking of this, Morgan's red lips under her veil curved into a very faint, elusive smile, and her tone returned to its usual cool and calm: "Ms. Satori's suggestion is not without its 'reasonable' solution."

She paused, her icy blue eyes turning to Artoria with an undeniable air of authority: "Lancer, since Caster has agreed to your Master's invitation, and Ms. Sajou is also willing to go along, then as the Ruler of this Holy Grail War, it is naturally my duty to oversee this 'private meeting' between Master and Servant to ensure that it does not deviate from the proper 'rules' of the Holy Grail War."

These words were spoken in a high-sounding manner, neither revealing her true relationship with Tohsaka Yu, nor making it unreasonable for her to include herself in this "meeting" as Ruler.

Upon hearing this, Artoria frowned almost imperceptibly.

She felt there was something inexplicably deliberate in Morgan's words, but she couldn't find any reason to refute them. The Ruler overseeing the meeting between the Master and the Servant was indeed in accordance with the rules.

Finally, Artoria nodded, her emerald green eyes sweeping over the three people before her, and said, "Then, please follow me."

After hearing Morgan "agree" to her proposal, Aika Sajou's innocent smile became even brighter.

She reached out her little hand again and affectionately took Tohsaka Yu's other arm, as if the tense confrontation with Morgan had never happened.

Surrounded by two powerful "queens" with contrasting auras, Tohsaka Yu followed Artoria out of the apartment with mixed feelings.

……

The Shinto Hotel, a rather impressive modern building in Fuyuki City, stands quietly in the night, its top-floor luxury suites brightly lit.

Artoria led the strangely atmosphere-filled "delegation" behind her through the hotel's quiet corridors, finally stopping in front of a presidential suite.

She could clearly sense that ever since the girl named Sajou Aika joined the party, the atmosphere between Morgan and Caster had become even more tense, and the Root Princess's gaze toward Morgan made no attempt to conceal her strong hostility and possessiveness.

This filled the Lion King's heart with both vigilance and a touch of doubt.

No matter how she thought about it, her sister Wang shouldn't have anything to do with Caster... But judging from the current situation, things seem to be much more complicated than she imagined.

Why is Morgan so hostile towards Ayaka Sajou?

A rival in love...? For a fleeting moment, a strange sense of gossip crept into the Lion King's mind.

She gathered her thoughts slightly and spoke to the closed door: "Caster and... his 'companion' have arrived."

A moment later, the door slowly opened from the inside out.

Kenneth appeared at the door, dressed in an elegant silk robe and holding a glass of red wine.

He was about to turn his monarchical composure and scrutinizing gaze upon his disciple who had "gone astray."

However, when his gaze passed over Artoria and he saw the formidable "trio" behind her, even with Kenneth's composure and cunning, the expression on his face involuntarily... froze.

Yu Tohsaka... he really came.

But what's with those two people next to him?!

The platinum-blonde woman on the left, dressed in a gorgeous dark witch's gown, with a mysterious veil on her face and exuding a cold and arrogant aura, gave Kenneth's heart a sudden jolt with the unique pressure that belonged to the "Judgment."

Ruler?! How could she be with Caster?!

On the right, there was a blonde girl in a pure white dress, with bare, snow-white feet. She looked innocent and naive, but had an enigmatic smile on her face. Although Kenneth hadn't gathered much information, it wasn't hard to tell how troublesome the girl was from their recent battles.

After all, Yu's master was born connected to the Root.

"Teacher, it's been a long time."

Yu Tohsaka looked at Kenneth's slightly disoriented expression due to shock, sighed inwardly, but maintained a humble smile on her face and broke the strange silence first.

"Yu...you..."

Kenneth struggled to find his voice. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to regain the composure befitting a monarch, and his sharp gaze swept over Morgan and Ayaka Sajou beside Yu Tohsaka. "And these two are...?"

"This is the Ruler of this Holy Grail War, Ms. Morgan le Fay," Yu Tohsaka said, pointing to Morgan and giving a brief introduction.

Morgan's icy blue eyes calmly gazed at Kenneth, and she nodded slightly as a greeting.

“And this one… is my master.” Tohsaka Yu pointed to Sajou Aika on the other side, her tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible helplessness. “She insisted on coming along because she was worried about my safety.”

"Teacher, it's nice to meet you. Please guide me!"

Ayaka Sajou's face lit up with an innocent smile, her emerald green eyes curiously observing Kenneth, as if she were full of interest in this monarch of the clock tower.

Kenneth fell into a brief moment of contemplation.

He had originally planned to give Yu Tohsaka a good scolding as soon as he arrived, no matter what... After all, how could a student from the Clock Tower participate in something like the Holy Grail War?

However, upon seeing this bizarre combination, he was speechless for a long time.

Sajō Aika is Yu's master, so it's understandable that she would protect him... But judging from the current situation, this Ruler lady also seems to have a close relationship with Yu.

It seems inappropriate to lecture the people in front of these two.

This usually arrogant clock tower monarch suddenly became surprisingly emotionally intelligent.

He took a deep breath to calm himself and said in a deep voice:

"Anyway... come in first."

Volume 1: Chapter 68 The Classic Natural Gas Explosion

Kenneth took a deep breath, forcing himself to recover from the shock.

He was, after all, the monarch of the Clock Tower and the head of the El-Melloi family. Although the appearance of Morgan and Sajou Aika was unexpected, he still had to maintain the composure and dignity befitting a monarch on the surface.

"Anyway... come in first."

He turned to the side, gesturing for everyone to enter his room, which had already been set up as a temporary magic workshop.

Artoria entered first, standing quietly behind Kenneth, fulfilling her duty as a Servant to protect him.

Yuzuru Tohsaka, still flanked by Aika Sajou and Morgan on either side, stepped into the luxurious suite filled with expensive magical materials and sophisticated alchemical tools.

He could clearly sense the scrutiny emanating from Kenneth, the air of a high-ranking magician, and... a subtle, complex emotion.

The atmosphere inside the suite was somewhat stagnant due to this strange combination.

Kenneth walked gracefully to the large guest sofa in the center of the room and gestured for everyone to sit down.

He himself chose to stand aside, his hands behind his back, his sharp gaze refocusing on Tohsaka Yu. His eyes held both the majesty and arrogance of a monarch, but also a complex, undisguised feeling towards this former most prized disciple.

“Yu,” Kenneth’s voice was deep and carried an undeniable air of authority as he broke the silence, “You really have given me a huge ‘surprise.’ Appearing in the Holy Grail War as a Servant… I think you have a lot to explain to your ‘teacher,’ right?”

He paused, his azure eyes narrowing slightly, a hint of inquiry in his voice: "For example... how exactly did you become a Heroic Spirit?"

His gaze swept subtly over Ayaka Sajou and Morgan beside Yu Tohsaka. Clearly, these two mysterious and powerful women were also the biggest question in his mind.

Yu Tohsaka looked into Kenneth's eyes, which were full of scrutiny and questioning, and sighed inwardly.

Sure enough, this "teacher-student meeting" was anything but easy from the start.

"The details of the matter are somewhat complicated..."

Yu Tohsaka carefully considered her words, trying to give a relatively reasonable explanation without revealing too many secrets: "I did not become a Servant voluntarily, but was drawn into this war due to some... unavoidable accidents."

As for the summoner… his gaze unconsciously glanced at Sajō Aika, who was innocently examining the various magical artifacts in the room beside him, and at Morgan, whose aura was icy cold, and wisely chose to be vague: “As for my Master… you should already know, right?”

"Satjo Aika...?"

Kenneth glanced casually at the blonde girl not far away and repeated it softly.

Then, he turned his gaze to Tohsaka Yu and slowly said, "Every Servant who participates in the Holy Grail War has a wish they intend to fulfill... What is your wish, Yu?"

Yu Tohsaka hesitated for a moment, then said sincerely, "Ending this Holy Grail War... that is my wish."

Kenneth was stunned for a moment, and for a brief instant, his eyes were filled with astonishment as he looked at his disciple.

At this moment, Tohsaka Yu spoke up sincerely, saying, "You may not believe me, but... I am participating in this Holy Grail War not to be your enemy."

Yu Tohsaka gazed out the window at Fuyuki City shrouded in darkness and said slowly, "The Holy Grail has long been corrupted. It cannot grant any 'right' wish; it will only bring calamity."

"The events at Ryudouji Temple last night, the disappearance of the core of the Greater Grail, and... the appearance of those 'extraordinary' beings all indicate that the course of this war has already deviated from everyone's expectations."

"Ending this Holy Grail War as soon as possible is the right decision."

Kenneth listened to Tohsaka Yu's words, his blue eyes, which always carried a hint of caution and arrogance, narrowed slightly.

He picked up the wine glass on the table, swirled it gently, and the scarlet liquid shimmered alluringly on the crystal glass, but he did not drink it immediately.

"Are you teaching me how to do things?"

Kenneth's voice was devoid of emotion, but the authority of the Clock Tower's monarch was undeniable. "The nature of the Holy Grail War, the structure and history of the Greater Grail in Fuyuki City... I know far more about these things than you, a student still in school."

He paused, a hint of barely perceptible arrogance in his voice: "I have been preparing for this ceremony for years, studying countless ancient documents and materials. Do you think I am unaware of what I am pursuing?"

Upon hearing this, Tohsaka Yu sighed inwardly.

He knew that, given Kenneth's arrogant personality, it would be almost impossible for him to easily believe the "truth" that the "Great Grail had been corrupted," a truth that could overturn all his plans.

Unless... he witnesses it with his own eyes.