(Just as Emiya Shirou and Artoria were talking on the screen...)
(Scene: Fifth Holy Grail War Timeline - Matou Residence)
"Hmph, Emiya is just a fool who likes to show off. I will make him understand that he can't change anything in this Holy Grail War!" Matou Shinji gritted his teeth and said, then turned his eyes to Rider, Medusa, hiding in the dark corner.
"Rider, do you have any way to get rid of Emiya?" Matou Shinji asked impatiently; he was eager to eliminate this former best friend immediately.
His dissatisfaction with Emiya had long been deep-rooted. Emiya always put on a saintly attitude, which made him extremely unhappy. As the heir of the Matou family, he felt he was far superior to Emiya in every aspect.
"Master, didn't you notice that the boy possesses a Noble Phantasm like Avalon?"
"With Avalon's existence, it is almost impossible to kill him with a single blow," Rider analyzed calmly.
"If we fight head-on, we must face Saber. I am not confident I can eliminate a human protected by Avalon's Noble Phantasm while simultaneously fighting Saber."
"Besides, our opponent is not just Emiya Shirou. They have formed an alliance with Tōsaka Rin."
"Their alliance means if we attack Emiya Shirou, we will also have to face Tōsaka Rin at the same time... One against two, victory is nearly impossible."
Without hesitation, Rider expressed her thoughts.
Then she sighed and said to Matou Shinji,
"Faced with a battle that is almost certain to be lost, let's abandon this idea unless we can defeat them one by one."
"After all, even Berserker couldn't kill him, so our chances of dealing with him are truly slim."
Hearing Rider's words, Matou Shinji was furious.
"You can't even deal with an ordinary human who doesn't know much magecraft? Are you also useless, Rider?!"
Rider did not respond to Matou Shinji's slander.
If one thought about it, it was clear that the secret of Emiya Shirou possessing Avalon had been exposed, which would definitely attract many magi to attack him.
At that time, by finding those people and taking what they needed, dealing with Emiya Shirou wouldn't be difficult. There was no need to be so anxious.
But at this moment, Matou Shinji was consumed by jealousy and had basically lost his mind.
Therefore, he obviously couldn't think of something that required even a little bit of brainpower.
However, although she didn't want to bother with Matou Shinji, she was still a Servant after all.
Out of duty, she still dutifully reminded him: "If you want to deal with Emiya Shirou, you must find a suitable opportunity to separate Saber from him. At the same time, you must also ensure that Rin Tōsaka and her Archer cannot provide support."
"Unless we can find other allies, the difficulty of this matter will drop sharply." Rider shook her head. She had already said it so clearly. If Matou Shinji still didn't understand, then she would stop here.
What's more, her real Master was Matou Sakura. If it weren't for Sakura's request, she wouldn't care about Shinji, who was so self-abasing.
"How can this be done so easily? That idiot Emiya might have a chance, but Rin Tōsaka will definitely be on high alert. And in the Holy Grail War, everyone is an enemy. How could anyone form an alliance with me?" Matou Shinji muttered discontentedly.
If he really had such great ability, why would he ask Rider?
Just then, an old voice came from outside the door: "Haha, Shinji, you and Rider go ahead and do it. I will help you divert the people around Emiya Shirou."
(At the same time Matou Shinji was contemplating how to deal with Emiya Shirou...)
The screen continued to flicker, and the conversation between Emiya Shirou and Artoria proceeded.
["Since I have formed a contract with you as a Servant, I will become Shirou's sword, obey your every command, defeat the enemy, and protect your life and safety unto death," Artoria promised without hesitation.]
["Becoming my sword... is it to win this Holy Grail War?" Emiya Shirou asked softly.]
["Didn't Shirou summon me for this purpose?" Artoria asked in return, doubt in her eyes.]
[Emiya Shirou hesitated for a moment and whispered: "No, I…"]
["Shirou?" Artoria noticed the difference in Emiya Shirou and asked with concern.]
["No, it's nothing. But, Saber, if you follow me, your chances of winning are probably slim... I don't have the knowledge and ability of Tōsaka, and I may soon encounter dangers like yesterday again. Are you willing to do that?" Emiya Shirou expressed his concerns frankly.]
["My Master is you, Shirou. This will never change. Moreover, I will never allow my Master to fail. If you don't have a chance of winning, then I will create a chance of winning. I will help you win the Grail at all costs!" Artoria said firmly.]
[Emiya Shirou pondered for a moment and suddenly seemed to think of something, asking hurriedly: "Wait a minute, Saber, the 'cost' you mentioned... does it mean you would do anything to win? For example, attacking humans to gain power..."]
[Artoria replied coldly: "Shirou, that is not the means I'm referring to. I will only do what I believe is right. Betraying myself is impossible for me. Harming innocent people is even more against the code of chivalry."]
[Emiya Shirou breathed a sigh of relief. At least Saber would not harm innocent people.]
["Oh, that's right, I almost forgot to mention it. I said we should find a way within our ability, and part of that is to temporarily cooperate with Tōsaka. That is Archer's Master who was with us yesterday," Emiya Shirou explained.]
["Rin? That's right, that is indeed a wise choice. Before Shirou grows into a mature Master, she truly needs to guide you," Artoria nodded in agreement.]