Who are you calling a stable boy?!

However, it must be said that Diarmuid, who was standing to the side, was clearly very interested in his suggestion.

He secretly glanced at Zheng Jing a few times, as if to see what Zheng Jing was thinking.

"Sworn brotherhood? But... but..."

Regardless of what Zheng Jing thought, at least the Knight King was truly at a loss.

She wanted to say that the matter of the Holy Grail being contaminated was still unresolved, but at this point, to be honest, she believed Zheng Jing's words to a large extent.

The remaining two points were less about distrust of Zheng Jing and more about her unwillingness to accept defeat.

"Come on, come on! There's still enough for four bowls! Hey, you, Emiya, right? Could you please get me an incense burner? And a few sticks of incense too!"

The Knight King looked at Zheng Jing, his eyes seemingly carrying a hint of pleading.

Zheng Jing blinked and chuckled.

"That would be great!"

There were certainly no proper incense burners or incense in Einzbernburg.

So in the end, Diarmuid went to Chinatown in Fuyuki City and bought everything Zheng Jing had instructed him to.

As the bright moon hung high and the night deepened, in the courtyard of Einzbernburg, a century-old vintage wine from Huaguo Mountain was prepared as a sacrifice, and four figures burned incense and bowed.

The three heroic spirits discussed it and decided to recognize Zheng Jing as their elder brother, Iskandar as their second elder brother, Diarmuid as their younger brother, and the Knight King as their youngest sister.

Exactly—

Four heroes swore brotherhood at the ancient castle, and I am the first among the heroes of the past and present!

Chapter 111: Zheng Jing Stays Overnight

"What a lively night it was."

Standing behind the Knight King, Irisviel spoke softly.

"Yes."

Taking a deep breath, the Knight King raised his head and looked up at the bright moon.

"This night was the most complicated night I've ever experienced in my life."

"...Is it because of what Berserker said about the Holy Grail?"

"That certainly accounts for a very important part."

"Does Saber believe him?"

"On this point, I can tell you the truth now, Irisviel. I believe Zheng Ge'er's words; he is a hero who would never lie about such a thing."

Turning around, the Knight King looked seriously at Irisviel.

"Besides, whether it's true or false, we can find out by checking the Einzbern family's records of the previous Holy Grail War, right?"

"Um......"

Lowering her head, Irisviel recalled the change in her husband's expression after Zheng Jing said those things about the Holy Grail being corrupted.

Her feelings at that moment were also very complicated.

On the one hand, she didn't want Zheng Jing to be telling the truth.

Because she knew all too well how much hope her husband, Kiritsugu Emiya, had poured into the Holy Grail.

On the other hand, she hoped that what Zheng Jing said was true...

Because if that happens, this Holy Grail War—no, perhaps, from now on, there will never be another Holy Grail War.

In that case, both he, as the Lesser Grail, and Illya, far away in Einzbernburg, could be with Kiritsugu...

"Open a small shop..."

Irisviel, her eyes glazed over, murmured something to herself.

"Ok?"

The Knight King took a few steps closer to her.

"Irisviel?"

"Ah! Sorry! I... I zoned out..."

"It's alright. Although there were no swords clashing tonight, it was no less than a great battle. It's only natural that you feel tired."

Taking Irisviel's hand, the Knight King gently comforted her.

"Um......"

"Regarding the Holy Grail's contamination, I will discuss it with my Master. Irisviel, you—"

"no!"

—The words that came out of her mouth not only startled the Knight King, but also surprised Irisviel herself.

"I mean, it's not convenient right now, Saber. Kiritsugu... it's not convenient for us to talk about these things right now..."

"...It's alright, I understand."

Knight King Wan'er.

"Now I feel like I can understand Kiritsugu Emiya a bit more."

She raised her head again and looked at the bright moon.

"There's still time, no need to rush."

Right, Brother Zheng?

-

"Sworn brotherhood? Drinking and chatting? Calling each other brothers? You had a good time tonight, Lancer."

"..."

Compared to the beautiful couple under the moon over there, Kenneth in the hotel here really didn't have any kind words or smiles for Diarmuid.

His purpose in attending this Far East ceremony was to add a well-deserved victory to his resume.

Kenneth did not believe that the so-called Holy Grail could truly help him reach the Root.

Therefore, his goal from the very beginning was simply to become the final victor in this Holy Grail War.

At most, it was just a matter of giving his audacious student a practical lesson after meeting Weber.

However, as the Holy Grail War has progressed, he has not only failed to eliminate even a single group of master and servant warriors involved, but has even had to use a Command Spell to escape—

No, if Kenneth is willing to admit it, he, the monarch of the Clock Tower, has actually been led by the nose all this time.

Leaving aside distant matters, just tonight, he certainly had objections to Diarmuid going to swear brotherhood.

But he didn't say it, or more accurately, he didn't dare to say it.

Because the Einzbern family, his temporary ally, did not refuse the conqueror's offer.

In other words, if Kenneth had refused at the time, the Einzbern family, who had just formed an alliance with him, might have immediately switched sides to oppose him.

But how could Kenneth El-Melloi Archibald swallow such humiliation as to silently join an alliance proposed by his student's servant?!

He had no choice but to swallow it.

If he doesn't swallow it down himself, who knows what kind of stick with a golden headband might shove all this humiliation down his throat.

"...Well, since things have come to this, let's focus on the Archer of the Tohsaka family for now. As for the Holy Grail issue, if it's true, then even in their current state of decline, the Einzbern family should know how to clean up this mess themselves."

Kenneth stood up and walked toward the door.

Judging by the time, he figured Sora should be coming over to inquire about the battle that night.

"You will remain in spirit form and guard this place tonight. Unless attacked by the enemy or given my order, you are not allowed to show yourself."

"Yes, my lord."

-

"So... you mean the Holy Grail War can't go on?"

Rin shook her head, trying to summarize the information she had heard.

"That's it."

Zheng Jing shrugged.

"At least the Einzbern family will definitely investigate thoroughly; Emiya Kiritsugu is that kind of man."

"There's not much to say about Waver and Old Can. They're probably thinking about whether they can take a trip around the world after things are done before returning to the Throne of Heroes."

"Swish—As for Xiao Di, let me think about it. Lemon Head is actually quite simple-minded. At this point, he might feel resentful, but now that he has a way out, he probably won't be stubborn."

"so......"

With one finger raised, Zheng Jing tapped Lin's nose.

"Right now, all that's left is your unlucky old man."

"...I can persuade my father."

"Are you sure, Rin? After the Broken Cup was corrupted, its wish function became terrible, but if you just want to reach the [Root], it can still be used."

After a few seconds of silence, Rin nodded vigorously.

"Reaching the Root is Father's... it's every magician's wish. That's what Father taught me. But Father's words also state that as long as we know the truth about the Holy Grail's corruption, we will definitely make the right choice!"

"I believe in my father!"

"Okay, then I'll leave it to you."

"Do not worry!"

Watching Lin run upstairs, Zheng Jing stretched.

He got back quite late; if I hadn't insisted on waiting for him, Rin would have gone upstairs to sleep long ago...

"Oh?"

Zheng Jing twitched his ears, just about to go to the restaurant to get the good tea that Mrs. Maodian Aoi had brought from the Tohsaka family, when he suddenly stopped and turned to look at the stairwell.

"What's wrong, Sakura?"

For the past two days since returning home, Sakura has been sleeping together with Mrs. Aoi and Rin every night.

Rin went upstairs, but Sakura quietly came downstairs.

"Uncle Zheng..."

The little guy called out softly to Zheng Jing, and walked down the stairs to Zheng Jing, who was squatting down.

With her hands clasped in front of her, Sakura lowered her head and remained silent for a moment before speaking again in a soft voice.

"Uncle Zheng, you...you're not...going to stay?"

Chapter 112: Want to Learn? I'll Teach You!

Zheng Jing did not answer immediately.

He could actually tell that Sakura was terrified of being abandoned again.

At first, Zheng Jing thought that with the love and care of Rin and Aoi Tohsaka, and in the warm atmosphere of the Zenjou family's house, Sakura's heartache could gradually be alleviated.

But now it seems that this method doesn't work, or rather, the diagnosis of the disease was flawed.

What Sakura is truly afraid of now is being abandoned by him.

Because in Sakura's mind, both her older sister Rin Tohsaka and her mother Aoi Tohsaka had already abandoned her once, along with Tokitomi Tohsaka and her father.

A child under ten years old often has pure and emotional thoughts.

The result was that Zheng Jing shattered Matou's gloomy world with a single blow, allowing her to step back into the sunlight.

It's only natural that Sakura would rely on Zheng Jing so much.

Frankly speaking, nowadays, in this Zenjou family house, Sakura is probably closer to Kariya than to Rin and Aoi Tohsaka.

Perhaps time can bridge this gap.

However, the barrier that has already been built in Sakura's heart is hard to say whether it can be broken one day.

Rin may have noticed this.