"You're saying this is fake?!"
"Otherwise?" Bai Luo said, "Isn't it obvious?"
"You should know that before this, the Holy Grail War was held three times, but not a single one succeeded."
"So, on what basis can someone assert that the Holy Grail is an omnipotent wish-granting machine?"
Yes, on what basis?
Who could prove that the Holy Grail could fulfill Saber's wish?
Was it merely the information instilled in her when she was summoned, and that phrase, 'The Holy Grail can grant your wish'?
"No," Artoria said, "If no one can confirm it's real, then how can you say it's fake?"
No one had ever achieved it, but conversely, no one could prove that the Holy Grail wasn't a wish-granting machine.
"I actually do know about this."
Next, Bai Luo informed Artoria about a certain Holy Grail War where Angra Mainyu was summoned, and how This World's Evil contaminated the Greater Holy Grail.
"In other words, even if the Holy Grail truly still retains its wish-granting ability, it can only bring disaster."
"For example, if your Master wants world peace, the Holy Grail can indeed achieve it."
"But what's the method?"
Bai Luo said, "All of humanity is extinguished, and the world naturally achieves peace."
As for how to extinguish all of humanity, that's easy.
Just incite human malice, trigger a nuclear war, and Earth will immediately face an apocalyptic catastrophe.
At that time, even if humans survived, they would only barely cling to life.
Wouldn't that be peace?
"This!!"
Artoria was startled by Bai Luo's words.
If what Bai Luo said was true, what would happen if she wished to save Britain?
The girl dared not imagine.
To fulfill the winner's wish from a malicious perspective could only result in tragedy.
"Then what's the point of me participating in the Holy Grail War?!"
Artoria felt despair—despair over the Holy Grail being corrupted, over being deceived, and over the uncertainty of saving history.
To change her tragic end, she signed the Heroic Spirit contract, forever lingering on that battlefield.
Now, she was told that saving anything was simply nonexistent.
"What, what should I do...?"
At this thought, even Artoria couldn't help but fall into an emotional state.
"Clap!"
Suddenly, a hand landed heavily on her shoulder.
Artoria looked up and saw Bai Luo's smile.
And from that smile, the girl saw unparalleled confidence.
"Follow me, and let's leave this world."
Bai Luo said, "Since there's no way to fulfill your wish here, then let's go to other worlds."
"If one doesn't work, then two; if two don't work, then three or four, until the day you find a way."
"What's more, in this process, you will grow stronger and stronger."
Bai Luo said, "Imagine, if you had the power to blow up the Root, why ask others for help? Just drag out the Counter Force and beat it up, wouldn't that do?"
"And in my opinion, what's called 'can't be done' is just that you're not strong enough yet."
"All fear and unease," Bai Luo declared, "stem from insufficient firepower!"
...
Bai Luo's outrageous statement truly opened Artoria's eyes.
But she had to admit, what Bai Luo said made a lot of sense.
Power isn't just destruction; it also includes ability, knowledge, and so on.
What seems difficult to a child, an adult can easily accomplish.
"Instead of asking me for help, why don't you do it yourself?" Bai Luo said, "And what I can give you is the opportunity to become stronger."
"How about it?"
Bai Luo extended his hand to Artoria, "Do you want to come with me and see a broader world?"
With things said to this extent, did Artoria have any other choice?
"Alright!"
Artoria knelt on one knee, holding up the Sword of Promised Victory with both hands, presenting it to Bai Luo, "If you haven't deceived me, and all of this is true..."
"Then when the Holy Grail War ends, I am willing to follow you and become your Guardian Knight!"
If Bai Luo could truly accomplish these things, then this kindness would be immense.
And Guardian Knight wasn't just an empty title.
"It is my honor to have the Knight King as my Guardian Knight."
Bai Luo, mimicking what he'd seen in movies, touched the tip of his sword to each of Artoria's shoulders, "I accept your fealty."
However, Artoria still had one question.
For example, how would Bai Luo take her away?
She was a Heroic Spirit, having signed a contract with the Counter Force; it was impossible for her to detach from the Throne of Heroes.
0...Please give flowers 0...
"Ah, that..." Bai Luo smiled, "That's very easy. Do you want to try it?"
"Can it be done now?"
"Ah, to put your mind at ease, I'll show you now the power that transcends the Counter Force."
"What do I need to do?"
"Relax, just don't resist."
As Bai Luo said this, he placed his hand in front of Artoria, then activated Capturer.
"This?!"
Artoria's intuition sent an alarm.
"Don't resist."
But as Bai Luo's words fell, Artoria suppressed the unease in her heart.
She chose to take a gamble, to believe in Bai Luo.
[Original Contract Overridden]
...
[Retainer Contract Completed]
"This, this feeling..."
Artoria's eyes widened.
She discovered that the karmic thread originally connecting her to the Throne of Heroes had truly disappeared.
"Retainer Contract, Master, Retainer, Void Gate, Intrinsic Skill..."
Although Artoria hadn't yet obtained a status panel, she had already gained a large amount of knowledge from another world.
Only at this moment did Artoria understand just how powerful Bai Luo truly was.
The man before her was not at all as he appeared.
This was merely a projection of him.
The others were too.
Everyone was a projection of their main body.
If their true forms descended, even the weakest Goblin could bring disaster to this world.
"Is this the truth?"
Knowing everything, Artoria suddenly realized that her help to Bai Luo seemed completely incomparable to the kindness he had given her.
Snow Empress, Egui Peng, Violet.
Their strength was far greater than hers.
Even if she went to the Cardinal World and could improve, how much stronger could she be than them?
Did Bai Luo truly need a Guardian Knight like her?
"Don't belittle yourself, Artoria."
Bai Luo patted the girl's shoulder and smiled, "Your potential is second to none."
Otherwise, Bai Luo wouldn't have used a Retainer slot on her.
Even Sakura and Fran didn't get this opportunity.
It showed how much Bai Luo anticipated Artoria's future.