You are very strong, but my painting style is better than yours!

Iori said proudly, "I know that guy has been a child lover for thousands of years!"

Whoosh!

The magic arrow tore through the air, grazed Iori's head, and struck a large tree behind her.

Even so, Iori remained unfazed, leaving Sera dumbfounded.

"You almost... just now, didn't you?"

"Those are minor matters! The important thing is that we've gained an undercover agent and a potential ally!"

“I have many questions that you need to explain, but first... what exactly is this priest? How did you know his wishes?”

Moreover… to save all of humanity… this…”

"Are you curious? You're right, this isn't just a simple coincidence."

Iori shrugged, sensing that Lancer and Rider in the distance had also largely ceased their fighting, and then turned and left in a certain direction.

"Let's pick up the treasures on the ground first, then go back to town and find a hotel to rest before we talk about anything else."

"That's easy, I already booked the room over the phone."

"Oh, you're very proactive!"

"……Um?"

Chapter 105: Berserker also wants to surpass Heaven?

In an ordinary but tidy hotel room, Sera sat on the edge of the bed, while Iori sat leisurely in a chair, eating fried chicken without any regard for appearances.

This greasy fast food, criticized by parents and experts, was a rare delicacy for Iori, who had been in the Soul Society for many years. The familiar yet unfamiliar aroma and flavor made him show a rare expression of comfort and relaxation.

Sera wasn't in the same good mood as him. After getting information about the Servant "Amakusa Shiro Tokisada" from Iori, she became unusually silent. She ate some fries and then sat down to think.

“berserker… no, Iori.”

Suddenly, Sera spoke up: "The Einzbern records do mention a Servant summoned during the Third Holy Grail War... which matches the information you provided. But even if he was accidentally 'reborn' and remained in the world as a living person, why would he choose to participate in the Holy Grail War again?"

Moreover, the desire to save all of humanity…

“I’m not lying to Atalanta. That wish was undoubtedly something he stole… no, it should be said that he was inspired by it and borrowed from it.”

Iori tore off a large piece of chicken leg meat. The crispy batter and flavorful chicken released warm oil with each chew, filling his breath with an enticing aroma.

He enjoyed his meal while chatting with Sera, without missing a beat.

"Okay, let me ask you a question:"

What kind of servant is Amakusa Shiro Tokisada?

"Hmm... I don't quite understand what that means."

Sera hesitated, then tentatively said, "She's from the Far East, a martyr with Catholic beliefs, her class is [ruler], and according to the records, her stats seem to be..."

"Stats, Noble Phantasms, compatibility—I'm not asking about things like A, B, C, D."

From a personality and spiritual perspective, what drives Kotomine Shiro, or Amakusa Shiro Tokisada?

What logic lies behind these seemingly inexplicable actions?

“This…” Sera murmured, unable to answer.

Artificial humans are inherently less perceptive in this regard. Even if they have various philosophical theories and works inputted into their brains, they lack the keen sensitivity of humans and are unable to deeply understand these things.

The answer is simple: he is a [non-religious saint].

"Saints...not religious?"

"In the original doctrines of Christianity, saints, or saints, should be detached from the world, possessing flawless virtues and untainted by worldly desires—and this is also the standard by which the Holy Grail chooses the [ruler]."

Christianity, or any serious religion, does not encourage martyrdom. 'Sacrifice' is ultimately a helpless realization, not a ritual that inspires fanaticism.

Later, for propaganda purposes, Christianity transformed saints into 'chosen ones who could perform miracles and supernatural powers,' sometimes taking political factors into account as well…

Iori spoke eloquently: "In a normal Holy Grail War, the extra class [ruler] will not appear. Only when the war gets out of control will the Ruler be summoned as a restraining force to control the situation."

It will only choose Servants who have no desire for the Holy Grail, which are the perfect and transcendent "saints" described in many religions.

But sixty years ago, the Einzbern family exploited a loophole in the summoning system, cheating to create a Ruler-class Servant, who was Amakusa Shirou...

How should I put it? Perhaps it's because you've spent too much time with the Rhinegold, but your clan always seems to mess up on the smallest details; it's practically a curse.

At this point, Iori couldn't help but laugh. When it comes to dropping the ball, everyone always thinks of a certain elegant starter family, but little do they know that the Einzbern family is no less capable in this regard!

"What do you mean?" Sera couldn't help but want to defend her family. "Did we do something wrong?"

"Of course you made a mistake. Although you successfully created Ruler by exploiting the loophole, the summoning process itself depends on the normal procedure. Therefore, he also meets the conditions for a Servant to respond to the Holy Grail summoning - having a wish that needs to be fulfilled by the Holy Grail!"

Amakusa Shiro was a saint, without a doubt, a fact even acknowledged by Christianity. However, he was by no means a perfect saint who conformed to the original doctrines and was free from desires.

Rather, it's the exact opposite: he's a 'fake saint' with a strong personal will and desires, who doesn't resist sacrifice and martyrdom, even has self-destructive tendencies, and possesses exceptional action-oriented abilities!

Iori had stopped eating at some point, his deep eyes seemed to be staring at a point in the void, and his voice had become heavy.

"These kinds of guys are the most troublesome. Their spirit and will are hard to shake. Once they set a goal, the only way to stop them is to destroy them physically!"

This might be a biased view... but we should be thankful that his ideal happened to be in the direction of 'good'.

"I still don't understand... what does this have to do with Einzbern?"

Sera's throat bobbed; just listening to Iori's description made her nervous.

"Everything in this world has a cause and effect. No man is an island, Sierra."

Children rescued from fires by firefighters will naturally have aspirations, and the seeds of justice and ideals will take root and sprout.

Many survivors who escaped earthquakes and floods are left with a lingering sense of guilt or remorse, which becomes an indelible memory.

Iori said in a tone of almost lament, "Amakusa Shiro was unable to save the weak who followed him, and even after becoming a Heroic Spirit, he still carried an inescapable cross."

For him, 'saving humanity' was a great cause that he was obliged to accomplish, and he was willing to make any sacrifice for it.

However, limited by his abilities, vision, and the times, he was not able to achieve anything truly great during his lifetime, nor was he able to find redemption.

It is believed that when he was summoned to the present world, he only had a strong desire to 'save the world', but no specific action plan.

However, his encounter with Einzbern gave his ideals a tangible form, making his seemingly ethereal goals a possibility to be realized.

That is the [Third Law - The Cup of Heaven]!

"Ugh!" Sera's body trembled. "Just like us..."

"He needed a concrete plan, and he 'inherited' your ideals, only with some differences in the details, making him even more radical than you..."

"If that's the case, why not cooperate with him?"

Sera took a deep breath: "If the goal of 'saving all mankind' can be achieved, then it doesn't matter who does it."

"Yes, but if we have to choose someone to preside over this matter, as a Servant, I would naturally choose you—Sera."

After all, Amakusa's plan is also very risky, and it could easily provoke the Restraining Force or something. Most importantly, I can't control this person...

My dear master, I made a promise to you from the very beginning that I would win. This is written into the contract, and I will earnestly abide by and fulfill it.

Since the Holy Grail War is a competition, let's not hesitate, use every means at our disposal, and fight it out to the fullest, Master!

Iori revealed a confident smile: "Only you and I can ascend to heaven surrounded by the souls of Servants within the Greater Grail!"

Chapter 106: Let's go to the cafeteria first! (Two chapters combined)

"Open the door quickly! That sir is about to return!"

Inside the castle of the Thousand World Tree, the remarkably similar-looking androids hurriedly opened the gates, preparing to welcome the hero's triumphant return.

As soon as the door opened, a strong, damp, and cold wind blew in, carrying an indescribable ominous atmosphere, causing everyone to shiver involuntarily. The sky, which should have been at dusk, was now covered by dark clouds, and faint rumbles of thunder came from afar.

The wait was agonizing, but in reality, only a few seconds had passed before the thunder had swiftly moved to the top of the castle.

At this moment, the android guarding the gate realized something was wrong: "It's the upper level! Quickly, get to the top level!"

However, it was too late to prepare at this point. A thunderbolt struck the top of the castle, and the shockwave, accompanied by the neighing of warhorses, spread throughout the entire castle. The magicians in their respective workshops instinctively tensed all their muscles.

This was not an instinctive reaction to hostility, because they were not yet qualified to be regarded as "enemies" by that great man. As beings that were inferior in every way, they revered that ominous and powerful figure on a spiritual level.

"Well!"

Unlike the many magicians and androids who were stunned, a voluptuous, somewhat aggressive-looking bespectacled woman quickly regained her mobility, her heart pounding, and she hurriedly ran out of her workshop.

At that moment, on the watchtower at the top of the castle, a corner of the magically reinforced city wall crumbled and collapsed. A tall, magnificent, jet-black warhorse stood there, and its rider put away his lance and reached out to grab a homunculus girl who was almost blown away by the aftershock.

"……Thanks."

The girl, her feet dangling in the air, felt the cold, metallic touch of the metal emanating from her wrists. Staring blankly at the Black Knight King above, her usually indifferent emotional circuits inexplicably stirred, and a strange feeling slowly spread through her chest.

The Black Knight King remained silent, pulling her up and placing her on the ground. His actions, though seemingly rough, effectively protected the android girl, preventing her from being harmed.

"It was so careless of me, please forgive me, Rider!"

The girl bowed to apologize, but Rider didn't seem to mind at all, not even moving his head, his eyes fixed straight ahead.

She dismounted and stroked her mount with exceptional tenderness. The black warhorse snorted affectionately, sending up a few sparks with its scorching heat before vanishing into spirit form.

Da da da!

"rider!"

The bespectacled female magician quickly arrived at the observation deck, looking at Rider with excitement. She was about to say something when she noticed the android girl next to her, and her expression immediately turned displeased.

"What happened?"

"Lady Serenekae".

The android girl looked up and calmly explained to her, "I didn't judge the distance well, and I got too close when I wanted to greet Rider-sama... Rider-sama saved me."

"Ok?"

Serenika's slender, willow-leaf-like eyebrows furrowed: "Who gave you the authority to get close to the Rider?"

Stay away from my Rider. To have contact with someone like you is to tarnish the great King of Knights.

"Mere artificial life forms, cheap androids—recognize your place!"

"Yes!" Even when insulted, the android showed no resentment and calmly, or rather numbly, accepted the insults.

"Ah, Rider, I'm sorry, I'm late." Sereneka's expression changed instantly as she smiled at the Black Knight King. "From now on, I won't let these lowly androids get close to you."

Rider's identity is that of the famous "King Arthur" in Europe, and not as a wise ruler wielding the holy sword, but as the cruel and ruthless King of the Wild Hunt, who is even more ruthless than in his normal state.

Beneath that armor, one could hardly sense any humanity; even the Master would tremble with fear.

As a knowledgeable magician, Sereneka naturally knew the legend of King Arthur, so she was very reluctant to let androids come into contact with Rider—she naturally assumed that Arthur would hate androids and clones.

However, to her surprise, Rider did not get angry, but simply glanced at the girl indifferently.

"It doesn't matter."

Rider flicked his arm forward, and the intricately connected armor plates emitted a pleasant metallic clanging sound.

"Master, lead the way."

"As you command, my king!"

-

In the magnificent council hall of the Yggdrasil Clan, Vlad III sat on his throne and received the returning Rider.

As the "King" of the Black faction and nominally the commander of all Servants and Masters, Vlad III held an extremely prestigious position in the castle, and even other Servants would bow to him in respect.

But Rider alone would stand upright in the center of the hall, as if she were the master of the entire hall. Her hard armor enveloped her, and her proud and unmoved posture rejected all prying eyes, making both magicians and Servants feel a deep sense of awe from the bottom of their hearts.

In terms of sheer power, even standing on the ground, Rider was able to stand shoulder to shoulder with Vlad III on the throne, and was in no way inferior!

The Romanian Grand Duke, resting his head on his hand, scrutinized the rider below. He was not angered by her rudeness; instead, he revealed a confident and composed smile.

"Judging from your unstable breathing, could it be that the battle was lost?"

"This operation has become meaningless."

Rider's words, muffled by his helmet, carried a metallic clang; his clear voice, devoid of emotion, conveyed a powerful strength.