Chapter 186: The Trumpet of Decisive Battle
「Assassin Yu Meiren」
「If possible, I really don't want to have any form of contact with her.」
「Because you know it too, that person's personality is truly troublesome—solitary, world-weary, and impulsively hot-tempered, when angry she likes to solve problems by blowing herself up.」
「As for gender, no need to mention it—being friends is already so hard, getting into her inner heart is even harder.」
「Frankly speaking, although her face and figure fit my tastes, don't even talk about liking her, I'd already have to light incense and pray as long as she doesn't actively cause me trouble.」
「But if you ask me why I joined this Holy Grail War for her——」
...
[The final battle of the Holy Grail War of Love is the decisive duel between you and League Champion Tristan.]
[This Tristan was urgently summoned by the Holy Grail as the final challenge granted to you.]
"The enemy side has a lineup of four Servants… Queen Medb, Kriemhild, Brynhildr, and Tristan, huh?"
Eikou thought with slight irritation.
While his own side had only three Servants: Yu Ji, Medea, and Pollux.
In comparison not only were they one Servant fewer, but Pollux lacked the coordination with her brother, so she might not be able to fully display her strength.
Moreover, between Yu Ji and him there was no spark of love at all, and the power was further weakened.
Outnumbered, the situation was extremely disadvantageous for them.
But Eikou believed that perhaps this was already the best result Servant Mochizuki could obtain for him.
The chance of victory was very low, but not to the point of despair.
He clenched his fist, reviewing in his mind the set of skills he could use.
"Everyone, let's do our best. This is our final battle."
Eikou said firmly:
"Although I don't have a Noble Phantasm, I will find a way to support you as much as possible."
"Kouhai, do you have any plan?" Yu Ji asked seriously.
"I'm a very clumsy person, not good at sophisticated strategies, so…"
He glanced toward the enemy Servant wives, his eyes suddenly sharp: "I plan to seduce all of them to my side!"
"…Why are you getting more and more proficient, almost forming a habit of dependence, right?"
"What else can I do? A frontal fight can hardly deal with the Knight of the Round Table over there," Eikou said. "Those three wives aside for now, but Tristan is very troublesome—good at all kinds of support Magecraft, and with extremely strong personal power…"
As a teammate, Tristan gave an incredibly reliable feeling.
But conversely, when standing on the enemy side, he would become a very difficult opponent.
The most important, and also the most troublesome thing, was that he was a man crazy for married women; in this Holy Grail War he might even gain a fame-boosting effect.
"How truly tragic..."
Tristan once again plucked the strings of his harp,
"Though this Spirit Origin of mine does not know you, it seems you care a lot about my affairs. I advise you to regard me as a stranger and fight fiercely."
"I was already thinking that. Toward you I have no place to hold back."
After saying this, Eikou suddenly raised his hand.
[You have activated 「Protection of the Lake」「Dreamlike Charisma」]
[Your entire side has received support from your skills; their strength is enhanced to a certain degree.]
[You have activated 「Verse of the Great Poet」]
[The entire enemy side's defense has decreased.]
[You have used 「Hero Creation」 on yourself]
[Your body's intensity, especially muscular strength, is greatly enhanced.]
"Next I leave it to you,"
he said seriously to the three allied wives beside him.
"You girls try distracting the other enemies first, then let me focus on Queen Medb and find a way to pull her to our side."
"Why not pull Kriemhild?" Yu Ji looked toward the mourning-clad beauty on the enemy side. "Didn't you already win her over once before? Why is she on the enemy side now?"
"Well, that's…"
In Eikou's mind, he thought it must be because the Holy Grail War had been invaded by "Love Sleeping 2", which unintentionally reset her affection progress…
Though it was a pity, he had no intention of trying to win her over again.
After all, last time it had cost seven dice rolls; the price to persuade her had not been small.
This time, luring Queen Medb—who already had a favorable impression of him—was different. At least she bore him no deep grudge, her gaze was easier to approach; she was probably the easiest one to negotiate with.
"In terms of numbers and strength we're clearly at a disadvantage, so this is an action that must succeed and cannot fail. If persuasion fails, our situation will become even more miserable."
The three teammates silently nodded, then each drew their weapons.
"…Then, let's begin."
Tristan sat upon his throne, slowly opening his sharp golden eyes.
He gently plucked the harp strings, and an arrow immediately shot toward the center of the battlefield, declaring that both sides had officially begun the battle.
Eikou felt a fierce, violent wind rush from both sides, an overwhelming aura surging in as allies and enemies alike erupted at that instant.
In a flash, Assassin Yu Ji and Saber Pollux charged forward; sword-light burst forth, sharp and decisive, slashing straight toward the two Dragonslayer widows on the opposing side.
Kriemhild and Brynhildr counterattacked at once, yet the opponents' speed was so astonishing that they could only barely block the blows.
Even though Pollux and Yu Ji had both been weakened to varying degrees, the explosive force of that first strike was truly formidable. The clang of metal against metal sent out fierce sparks, forcing the two enemy Servants into a passive stance.
Because she possessed no Battle Magecraft, Caster Medea could only stay behind to provide support.
With such a hastily assembled lineup, their opening attack had been coordinated extremely well.
[Your plan proceeds smoothly; your teammates have successfully pinned down Kriemhild and Brynhildr.]
[And the reason the plan has gone so well is that the enemy's main force—Tristan—has yet to act.]
[He sits quietly upon his throne, not taking any part in your battle.]
The opponent's indifferent, mountain-like stillness made Eikou's scalp tingle.
In his mind echoed Gawain's earlier assessment of Tristan:
"No matter the time, as long as he remains conscious, he will always sense the direction of the wind. That is to say, even his daily life is rigorous training."
Tristan, you must be harboring some technique, mustn't you?
Still, no matter what, Eikou could not waste the hard-earned opportunity his teammates had created. He quickly rushed forward, heading straight toward Queen Medb.
"Queen Medb, i've come to bargain."
He had to find a way to bring Medb over to their side—without that, victory was unthinkable!