Nobody knows how to be a villain better than me.

Or, killing everyone and using the third method to cluster and unify the collective thinking, does that also mean salvation?

Or, to be even more straightforward, sweep away the old humans and create a new human race free from desires and wants—wouldn't that also be considered salvation?

In short, a more realistic wish is that if she's in a good mood, there might be a chance to get something in return.

The more abstract the demand, the more likely you are to see a distorted outcome that you will regret.

So I urge you to wake up and not be fooled by this wicked woman!

However, just as Samael was speaking eloquently, revealing layer by layer the sinister nature of Pandora and the twisted essence of the Holy Grail, a deeply disheartened Marisbury shook his head in disappointment.

"If that's the case, what's the point of continuing this Holy Grail War?"

As he spoke, the celestial monarch turned slightly, clearly already harboring thoughts of resignation.

As the most magician-like magician in the group, Maris Billy naturally has no attachment to things that are worthless.

After all, he was a pure person who completely "sacrificed" even his daughter Olga Marie in pursuit of research and truth.

Quitting now at least allows him to cut his losses; if he continues to drag this out, he'll really have to work to pay off his debts for the rest of his life.

"The Phenomenon Recording Computer Familiar Laplace, the right to use the simulated Earth environment model Chaldea, the prototype proposal for the near-future observation lens Sheba, and a complete research base in Antarctica, Chaldea... Hmm, add another two hundred million in initial investment... US dollars? Is that enough?"

However, upon hearing a casual murmur behind him, Marisbury immediately stopped and turned sharply to look at the piece of cured meat hanging on the stone pillar, his face filled with shock.

How did he know about all that he needed and was preparing for? A heroic spirit?

"Why are you in such a hurry to run away? That's so disloyal! A wish that the Holy Grail might not be able to grant, I can!"

Seeing that some members of his team wanted to start the journey ahead of schedule, Samael, who was still hanging on the stone pillar, was so angry that his teeth itched and his face turned black.

"So far, all additional expenses incurred in the Fourth Holy Grail War have been covered by Pretender..."

Meanwhile, the rare and reliable Kirei Kotomine leisurely opened the Bible and casually continued the conversation to prove someone's astonishing wealth.

However, the subtle tone and the unintentional upturn of his lips revealed a kind of indescribable pleasure.

Damn it! Kirei, you bastard, you didn't ask the Tohsaka family and the church for reimbursement again! You're just taking advantage of me, aren't you!

At this moment, Samael, who felt like he was being ripped off, couldn't be happy at all, even though he had received confirmation from Kirei Kotomine. He cursed inwardly.

With the church's guarantee, Marisbury turned around decisively, assuming a fighting stance, his gaze fixed on the cured meat on the stone pillar with unparalleled fervor and devotion...

Ah, no, we should now call them—angels!

Chapter 240 She really... I'm crying my eyes out... (4.5k)

Having successfully stabilized Marisbury, Samael then proceeded to offer promises to the remaining uncertainties.

"Iskander, weren't you planning to conquer the world? Speaking of which, your imagined enemy is Clinton, right? How about I send you to America to run for president? I'll cover the campaign expenses, and besides, I happen to have some dirt on that guy!"

Electing the president of the United States? Like the Greek-style democratic election?

I hadn't really considered this approach, but using wisdom to solve problems seems like a good idea.

Upon hearing this, Alexander raised his hand to stroke the thick stubble under his chin, his bull-like eyes gleaming with a shrewd light, his conquering genes stirring within him.

“Weber, you want to be popular? That’s easier. I have some connections in the Clock Tower, and that old man Zelrich still owes me a favor. Wouldn’t that make me qualified to be your teacher and back you up?”

I want Grand Marshal Zelrich to be my teacher?!

You call this having some connections?!

When Webber heard about the substantial amount of chips, he stared in astonishment at the piece of dried meat casually tied with a leather strap, inwardly cursing the situation.

Almost instantly, Weber, who had been neglected and ridiculed in the Clock Tower due to his bloodline and aptitude, couldn't wait to agree immediately, pack his bags, and return to the Clock Tower to enjoy one-on-one tutoring from a renowned teacher.

What does Zelrich's status and position mean in the magic world? Basically, it's equivalent to the High Priest of the Holy Church!

Let alone formally accepting that Demonic Marshal as a disciple, even just a little guidance would drive any magician crazy.

To give a more intuitive example, two hundred years ago, Tohsaka Nagato, the ancestor of the Tohsaka family, simply provided lodging and food to an old man passing through Fuyuki City out of a moment of kindness. He unintentionally received guidance from the old man and went directly from a novice to the world of magic.

After that, the Tohsaka family took root in Fuyuki City, not only dominating the Holy Grail Ceremony, but also rapidly growing in strength and taking control of Fuyuki City in just two hundred years.

The Tohsaka family's current achievements can be said to be entirely based on the guidance of that old gentleman who happened to pass by.

That's right, the old man who passed by was none other than the Demonic Marshal Kishua Zelrich Schbein Augu, who is still respectfully called "Master" by the Tohsaka family.

But for Zelrich, Tohsaka Nagato wasn't a disciple he took on as a mage, or even a magician. He was someone he met on his journey, whom he treated as a token of gratitude for providing lodging, and to whom he was merely "taught a little something"—an ordinary student. To use a metaphor, it was probably similar to the relationship between a teacher in a lecture hall and a student in a large auditorium.

This was only the result of being taught a little bit to cover travel expenses. If he were to become the official disciple of that Demonic Marshal, he could practically walk around the Clock Tower with impunity, and a whole bunch of people would fawn over him.

"What, not satisfied? You want to earn respect through your own abilities and hard work, right?"

However, Samael interpreted Weber's confusion and hesitation as the reserve and pride of a "hard-working person".

"Alright, at worst I'll personally come up with a detailed career plan for you, guaranteeing to train you into a top performer, making you irresistibly charming and universally loved, the number one man in the entire Clock Tower who most wants to sleep with him. Is that enough?"

What? You're going to teach me instead of Zelrich?

And what the heck is "the number one man the entire Clock Tower most wants to sleep with"?! The more I listen to it, the more it sounds like you're trying to fool me.

At this moment, the young magician, who was dreaming of joining the sect of that demonic marshal, entering the hall of truth, and reaching the pinnacle of life, was interrupted. His thoughts suddenly turned gloomy, and his deep gaze was filled with doubt.

Hey, what's with that expression?!

I'm a mentor to heroes, and I've nurtured countless heroes. I'm condescending to give you career planning advice, and you're still not grateful?!

Do you know what happens when you become an official disciple of that old man Zelrich? Do you know that in the Mage's Association, there's a rumor that becoming "Zelrich's disciple" is equivalent to becoming a cripple? Tohsaka Eito is just an exception who returned unscathed after becoming his disciple.

Samael, feeling unintentionally scorned, rolled his eyes at the unfortunate kid who didn't know his place, then, not bothering with Weber's future, turned to look at the rest of the group.

"Anastasia, right? It's no use bringing your parents back to life on the spot. However, I can help you find out where their souls are now."

"It was simpler for Solomon to be born a human being."

"As for other desires such as becoming a hero, reaching the source, or saving souls, as long as I want them, they are not problems..."

As they spoke, the ancient serpent glanced at a certain spot a few more times without leaving a trace, then its eerie gaze swept around before finally settling on the Master on the low hill, who still looked completely bewildered.

Why can't you just get it?! Perfect teamwork! Such perfect teamwork!

As the ancient snake inwardly grumbled and complained, it angrily ended the conversation, which had been dragging on for so long, while constantly throwing flirtatious glances and offering a somewhat exasperated reminder.

"So, Tokiomi, what are you waiting for?! Restore the Command Seals and hurry up and get me out of here!"

In an instant, Tokiomi Tohsaka, still immersed in a sea of ​​information, snapped out of his daze and instinctively reached behind him.

In contrast, Kirei Kotomine, the antisocial pleasure offender, was better able to understand the Lord's meaning. He tacitly took out his Bible in advance, turned to chapter 4 of the Gospel of John, and was already prepared to relinquish the Command Spell.

However, such a loud conspiracy could not escape the notice of Pandora, who had been watching with a smile, seemingly with her own plans.

Seeing the dried meat on the stone pillar unable to contain itself any longer, the witch of calamity, who was still somewhat unsatisfied, lightly brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, and pretended to sigh deeply, looking sad.

"Tsk, why can't we just accept our fate honestly? Why do we have to take these necessary measures? It's really a headache. I'm a person who highly respects democracy because of my background..."

At the same time, her fair, lotus-root-like arm gracefully rose, facing the group of Masters and Heroic Spirits below. Red and black light patterns rapidly spread across her crystal-clear skin, outlining strange engravings that resembled angel wings.

Wait, that’s not right!

At that moment, Samael's gaze fell upon the strange patterns on the back of Pandora's hand, and a strong sense of foreboding surged into his heart. Alarm bells immediately rang in his mind, and he instinctively shouted a warning.

"Use all Command Seals, dissolve the master-servant contract, immediately! Right now!"

The ancient snake spoke urgently, its expression changing drastically, as if facing a formidable enemy.

As the frantic shout reached her ears, Ai Lei instinctively did as she was told.

Rin Tohsaka, standing to the side, decisively raised her knee and delivered a side kick, instinctively using a power-up spell.

In an instant, that round and slender thigh, covered with dark blue light patterns, caused a sharp explosion in the air.

"boom!"

In an instant, the priest who had raised his arm and was approaching Tokiomi Tohsaka, preparing to hand over the Command Seals, froze with a look of pleasure on his face. His features twisted and bulged, and he flew a hundred meters away like a cannonball.

The billowing dust and trees snapped in half along the way were enough to prove the strength and domineering nature of this force.

It seems that this kick was somewhat driven by personal grudges.

If nothing unexpected happens, the priest who was hit head-on will probably break a few ribs and will need to stay in bed for a while afterward.

Almost simultaneously, Scáthach and Koyanskaya, as Servants, reacted quite decisively. One forcibly broke the contract and revealed the original form of the Queen of the Land of Shadows, while the other, like a wild beast with its fur standing on end, directly swung her claws and unleashed five sharp bursts of energy, causing blood to splatter.

"puff!"

"what!"

In an instant, Bazett suffered a magical backlash from his teacher's betrayal, vomiting blood and turning deathly pale.

Anastasia, also a Master, was attacked by a fox spirit who lacked any sense of martial ethics. She clutched her bloodied hand, whose Command Seals had been violently damaged, and whimpered in pain.

This is the trust built through several brushes with death.

Even if Samael didn't give any explanation, they would obey without thinking; even if Samael ordered them to betray their Master, the two would carry it out without hesitation.

Because they understood that no matter how unreliable the guy in front of them was usually, he would never speak without a purpose when it came to important matters.

Samael was somewhat reassured by the quick reactions of Scáthach, Koyanskaya, Ereshkigal, and Rin Tohsaka.

However, not all individuals present possess this unconditional trust and tacit understanding.

Use up all your Command Seals?

Sajō Aika and Sajō Ayaka looked completely bewildered.

Canceling the master-servant contract? Are you kidding me!

The sudden and unusual instruction left Maris Billy and Webber, who were unaware of what was happening, instinctively looking surprised and frowning.

However, the opportunity was fleeting, and by the time the four realized what was happening, it was too late.

“Aa-----------------”

The saintess, standing before the gates of God in the temple of heaven, parted her red lips slightly and uttered a monosyllabic hymn that sounded like a hymn.

In an instant, the [Remnants of the Wandering Star] in the sky hummed and trembled, and the [Alien Key] below also rippled with circles of blue and white light patterns.

In an instant, Marisbury and Weber, both enveloped in this hazy atmosphere, heard a series of murmurs, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, sometimes high, sometimes low.

Why rebel?

Why resist?

Why struggle?

With eyes that are old and eyes that are weak and hands that are frail, and knowledge that is stagnant, human intelligence is bound to fail!

Sin and desire run rampant, the world is decaying, all prosperity is nothingness, the cup of blessing is overflowing, the Lord's glory has descended upon the world, it is time to ring the bell of change!

At this moment, the four of them wore happy smiles, as if they had received immense joy.

The church members nearby noticed something was wrong and were shocked to find that the Command Seals on the backs of their hands had somehow extended into red and black lines, overlapping and merging with their own magic circuits, and twisting into the shape of red and black wings in different parts of their bodies.

Sajō Aika's wing pattern appears to have seven wings on her chest.

Marisbury has six wings on his neck.

Weber's right arm has two wings.

Ayaka Sajou has the fewest feathers; there is only one wing in the center of her chest.

The number of wings seems to be determined by a combination of factors, including magic circuits, aptitude, comprehension, and combat experience.

According to Christian mythology and related legends, the number of wings on the four figures roughly corresponds to different angelic ranks.

They are:

The first one is the Seraphim;

The second, Cherubim;

Sixth, Exusiai;

The seventh, the Archangel.

“The spirit that listens to the voice of heaven, follows the will of God, and serves the light will surely return…”

As the final stroke of the feathers on the four figures was completed, the saintess, who seemed to be praying devoutly atop the temple, slowly raised her head and solemnly opened her lips to declare.

“You should defend the glory of the Lord and welcome the new life of this world!”

At that moment, behind her, one star ring after another opened.

There were ten gates in total!