Round Table. (the dining one)
"So that's how it is. I understand now—in other words, you finally remembered I exist, Saber. Artoria."
Seated at the round dining table, Sakatsuki nodded in realization. "Of course Mordred wouldn't acknowledge someone like me. That's why she started that fight at the camp entrance."
Behind him, Mordred was once again trussed up in blankets like a captured beast, mouth gagged, hanging upside down at the camp gate. She thrashed furiously, like a fish flopping helplessly out of water.
"Mmrrrghh! Mmf mmf mmgh!"(Special translation: Damn you Sakatsuki, get me down right now! Damn it, Master! Help me already!)
[Fate Compendium Entry Updated]
[You have defeated the Rebel Knight: Mordred. Round Table Affinity Strengthened.]
[Innate Skill: Knight of the Round Table – Charged (2/3)]
Sakatsuki glanced at the progress bar that had just jumped forward. He couldn't help but look over at a certain ahoge.
Ever since the Fourth Holy Grail War, not much had boosted this skill. Even defeating Lancelot hadn't done it. Only this fight with Mordred pushed the trait toward growth.
It seemed defeating Servants lacking a proper sense of self—like the Class Card Saber—wasn't enough to register with the Fate Compendium.
Just one more, and the skill would evolve. And sitting across the table was one ahoge he hadn't "plucked" yet...
"…Why are you staring at me?" Artoria blinked, instinctively pulling the dessert plate closer to herself.
They'd found the King of Knights lounging on the rooftop, happily munching away while watching Mordred get obliterated.
Even though Mordred was technically her child, Artoria hadn't batted an eye while watching Sakatsuki pummel her—and once again string her up in a blanket as public humiliation. If anything, she ate even more enthusiastically.
Which kind of made sense. Compared to blood ties, what Artoria seemed to care about most was Mordred's betrayal of the Round Table.
She really knew how to hold a grudge. Classic Ahoge King.
Sakatsuki tore his gaze away, deciding to temporarily skip the mess between Artoria and Mordred. He turned his attention to what he was really looking forward to.
"I remember—only one person got eliminated yesterday, right?"
That devilish voice rang out, catching Doggo mid-daydream. He suddenly felt a dozen stares lock onto him. His lips twitched into a forced grin.
[Red Eyes Effect.]
Sure, everyone had been busy with construction during the day—but who would forget this part of the game?
[Penalty System: Regardless of being eliminated during the night or day, the deceased character must undergo a mandatory "Truth or Dare." Punishments are randomly selected by the Holy Grail System and will be broadcast publicly. QP may be used to preserve the footage.]
The reason for everyone's excitement was simple—Sakatsuki had thoughtfully added a feature to record the punishment. By spending Chaldea's universal resource QP (Quantum Particles), one could preserve embarrassing Servant footage forever.
With so many tangled relationships in Chaldea—like Cú Chulainn, Medb, Scathach, or Artoria and the Round Table crew—imagine the chaos these videos would cause!
Bring a copy back to Chaldea, and you'd have a blackmail goldmine even Da Vinci would envy.
Blinded by the sparkle of QP, even legendary heroes bowed to the five-dou reward of humiliation.
The true joy of a second life lies in mutual suffering, after all.
Now then—time to die, good sir.
"Wait, I—" Cú Chulainn barely got a word in before the Holy Grail System coldly interrupted:
[Penalty phase begins. Random Dare selected... Selection complete.]
[Player #3 must sing a song.]
…Sing a song?
Cú Chulainn visibly relaxed and let out a breath. But the others weren't having it. Groans and boos filled the air.
"Just singing? That's it?"
"Even if Doggo sings off-key, who cares?"
"Like Medb or Scathach would let him not sing if they asked him to."
Surrounded by disappointed hecklers, Draco tilted her head and glanced at Sakatsuki.
There's no way... this guy, darker than the void, would set such a simple penalty.
One particularly deranged schemer (who shall remain unnamed) caught Draco's look and smiled ominously—nodding in confirmation.
Oh, the real show's coming. Just wait.
Anyone who worked backstage knew—random draws were always… shall we say, "encouraged toward a narrative."
And with Doggo's E-rank Luck? There was no way it was that easy.
There was no way Sakatsuki would let it be.
[Song selection in progress… Success.]
[Please sing within ten minutes: "Excessive Explanations."]
"Excessive… Explanations?"
An ominous chill crawled up Cú Chulainn's spine. Nervous, he opened the lyrics—and the further he read, the more his face contorted. By the end, he looked completely pale… almost faded to grayscale.
And Ritsuka Fujimaru was already desperately contacting the Holy Grail system, pulling up the song's full lyrics. After a quick scan, her breathing grew rapid, and she let out a villainous "Heh heh heh…" worthy of a final boss.
And it wasn't just her—the other gathered Servants had all taken a peek too. Even the always-serious Artoria and Mash couldn't hold back; they turned their heads and covered their twitching lips as they struggled not to laugh.
The reason? Just a glance at a couple lines of the lyrics made it very clear:
"She's just my little sister / My sister says purple has a touch of class"
"She's just my little sister / I'm worried you misunderstood"
"She's just my little sister / And you don't even care about that excuse"
[Purple-haired BBA Alert.]
Who didn't know Cú Chulainn once had a lover named Aoife—who just so happened to be Scáthach's younger sister?
It's said that when Cú Chulainn came back to the Land of Shadows after that little fling, Scáthach smashed him with a giant boulder in pure rage. She almost sent the Child of Light of Ireland straight into Queen Morrígan's deathly embrace.
If Cú Chulainn sang this song, with its very on-the-nose implications, he might not even make it past the Chaldea front gate before being impaled by the Gáe Bolg Alternative. Medb would probably be the first one to cheer.
At that moment, every Servant present silently admitted: maybe we were a little too loud earlier. Because this was way better than expected.
Go on, Doggo—embrace your fate like a hero!
"Um… Can I not sing it…?" Cú Chulainn twitched at the corner of his mouth, still hoping to claw back some dignity.
[You may refuse.]
"…Really?"
[To do so, simply recite the following line aloud: "Why doth the old crone feign innocence…"]
"STOP! OKAY! I SURRENDER!! I'LL SING IT!!"
Cú Chulainn's face turned completely green as he immediately gave up under the roar of laughter.
Sure, this song was dangerous, but maybe—just maybe—if he explained it clearly, his very reasonable mentor would understand… right?
At least… before she turns him into a beehive with her magic spear.
A few moments later, Cú Chulainn's gravelly, off-key voice echoed across the sky. It was like that ancient verse: "Oft the high apes wail long in mournful tones..." Truly a tragic sound for the ages.
Naturally, everyone chipped in QP to preserve this absolutely legendary moment.
Punishment phase complete.
Ignoring Cú Chulainn, who had fallen into the depths of despair, the remaining contestants gathered again at the round table, faces solemn as they awaited the Holy Grail System's announcement.
[Result of Night 2: Player #6 has died.]
Ritsuka Fujimaru… is dead?!
All eyes turned to Ritsuka, who just sighed with a helpless smile. Reactions were mixed, while Sakatsuki silently exhaled.
It wasn't the worst possible outcome—but it was still dangerously close.
Explaining this one... won't be easy.
***
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