章節 153: Chapter 153

Zayd suddenly thought of something and asked with some uncertainty, "By the way, my Lord, even though we exposed the connection between Tohsaka Tokiomi and Kotomine Kirei in front of everyone tonight, it doesn't seem to benefit us. Originally, we just needed to stay hidden and strike at the last moment..."

"No..." Shinji shook his head lightly and then smirked. "Don't you think just imagining Tohsaka Tokiomi's expression right now makes everything we did tonight worth it?"

Seeing his Master, Zayd thought that if anyone was truly wicked, it had to be his own Master. Not just thoroughly bad, but bad to the bone! That expression certainly wasn't one a good person would show!

But then he thought of the Tohsaka Tokiomi he had seen before. Imagining his current expression in his mind, Zayd couldn't help but smirk as well. "My Lord, you are truly wicked."

Fearing the next sentence might be "I like it," Shinji quickly turned away.

Sorry, I'm not interested in men! No matter how flexible you are!

"My Lord, won't today's actions expose us?"

"No, I was meticulous. No matter who investigates, the crane collapse will appear as a genuine accident. The sudden lighting of the spotlight will be blamed on faulty wiring. And Assassin's sudden appearance will seem like a mere coincidence!"

"Uh..." Zayd didn't know what to say. His new Master's character and personality were truly unique in this world!

"Of course, the final self-introduction was added when there were no other Assassins or Church surveillance around. Right now, Tohsaka Tokiomi and Kotomine Kirei have no idea we've already revealed Assassin's true name!"

Seeing Shinji's smile widen again, Zayd couldn't help but think: Master, you are such a schemer! Tricking your own... no, they're not your own anymore! They're opponents! Yes, tricking opponents is fine!

Good job, well done!

"Alright, go do your job. You might encounter Assassins on the way. Avoid detection and just track Caster's location if you find him."

"Understood."

...

As Shinji predicted, the fight between Saber and Lancer didn't continue, especially with the Conqueror present (interfering).

Although Kiritsugu had initially intended to shoot Lancer's Master, he refrained when Assassin appeared. He had no idea how many Assassins were lurking around!

And shooting would expose him. The Conqueror said he was there to mediate, but there was no guarantee he wouldn't attack! If he targeted someone as contemptible as Kiritsugu, it would be disastrous!

Due to Saber's injury, eliminating Lancer's Master was crucial, but it couldn't be done with third parties present!

Kiritsugu had already located Kayneth's base and set traps, planning to act later that night.

Kayneth also knew that his disloyal student summoning a Servant was a clear indication of interference. Using a Command Spell on Lancer would be futile if interfered with.

And with the battle situation unclear, Assassin, Archer, and the Church colluding, killing Saber would only benefit others, so he decisively stopped.

...

At the Hyatt, Shinji was contemplating the bombs Kiritsugu planted, deciding whether to interfere or not.

Disarm? Or not?

It didn't seem to make much difference. With his level of manipulation, Lancer would eventually be his.

Whether Kayneth lived or died didn't matter. He just needed to subtly provoke Kayneth's true resentment towards Lancer to surface.

Once it surfaced, putting issues out in the open would make Lancer increasingly disheartened. Then, Shinji could attract him with his genuine, sunny, righteous self.

Hmm...

After thinking it over, Shinji decided not to disarm them. Disarming might arouse Kiritsugu's suspicion and deepen his fear of Kirei. Kiritsugu blamed everything unusual on Kirei.

If his fear of Kirei led him to quit, it would be disastrous. Shinji needed Saber to deal with Gilgamesh. In this war, only Saber could handle Gilgamesh.

'My Lord, as you said, while tracking Saber and the silver-haired woman, I encountered Caster.'

Zayd's report came in.

'Switch targets and follow Caster.'

'Yes, my Lord!'

...

Kayneth was in a foul mood, realizing the mages in this remote eastern place were so despicable! Even colluding with the supervisor!

Absolutely shameless!

Tohsaka Tokiomi, Kotomine Kirei, Kotomine Risei, the three most shameless in this Holy Grail War!

What? My partnership with my fiancée is also cheating?

Nonsense! It's called strategy and tactics! I'm just using my genius mind!

They're the ones openly cheating! Using despicable means! Shameless and vile! I, Kayneth, despise you!

The Tohsaka family, descendants of Jewel Mage's disciple, using such filthy tactics. Unbelievable!

I'll make sure to publicize this in the Mage Association when I return! Let everyone see the true face of the Tohsaka family! Disgusting! Shameless! Bah!

The more Kayneth thought, the angrier he got, eventually venting unrelated anger on Lancer.

Lancer just bowed his head and endured his Master's scolding, knowing from books that he shouldn't argue at such times. Just let him vent.

Once his anger subsides, he will realize his subordinate bore unrelated anger and feel a bit guilty, trying to compensate.

That's when he should perform, modestly telling his Master: It's an honor to ease your anger as a subordinate. Promotion and pay rise are unworthy!

This back-and-forth would make the Master see him more favorably and increasingly trust him, ultimately becoming a trusted confidant!

Thinking this, Lancer felt quite satisfied, not minding the scolding.

My future is bright, Diarmuid Ua Duibhne! Hahaha!

Noticing Lancer's barely hidden smile, Kayneth frowned.

Smiling while being scolded? Enjoying it?

There's definitely something wrong with this Servant!

And not a small problem!

Maybe he was thinking about my fiancée!

Lancer, you scoundrel! Fortunately, I've always been cautious. If I trusted you, who knows how you'd betray me!

Glancing at the three Command Spells on his hand, Kayneth realized their importance after today's events.

Only three absolute commands!

I mustn't misuse them! To prevent Lancer's treachery in case of rebellion!

Lancer thought: The first step, enduring the Master's anger, is done. But why hasn't he apologized subtly, saying, "Sorry, Lancer, for venting on you?"

Oh! I understand!

The book said many modern people are embarrassed! His conflicted expression shows that!

The book doesn't lie! Thanks to modern knowledge!

While both sides were lost in unrelated thoughts, the fire alarm suddenly rang!

Sola, reading an article about the importance of skincare before thirty, rushed to the living room, wearing a bathrobe and a face mask.

Seeing Kayneth, who seemed to have just gotten up and was on the phone, Sola waited until he finished to speak.

"What happened?"

"Sola, no need to panic..."

Kayth put down the phone, calmly saying, "Apparently, there's a fire downstairs. The front desk said to evacuate. It seems to be a small fire but scattered. Likely arson."

"Arson? At this time?"

"Hmph, definitely not a coincidence," Kayneth scoffed, his worries vanishing in the presence of his beloved fiancée. "It's a tactic to disperse people. The opponent, a mage, doesn't like fighting in crowded buildings."

"An attack, then?"

"Probably, maybe the same guy from the warehouse, looking for trouble. Interesting. We wanted this too, right, Lancer?"

Lancer nodded eagerly, anticipating the fight.

Among the seven Masters, only one would attack Kayneth so eagerly—Saber's Master, seeking to lift the curse of "Gae Buidhe."

Meanwhile, downstairs at the hotel.

Shinji, carrying his small box, joined the evacuated crowd, queuing for staff confirmation.

"Kudou Shinji—"

Hearing his name called, Shinji approached the staff, presenting his business card with a gentle smile. "I am Kudou Shinji."

After a brief check, the staff moved on to others.

Watching a bearded man smoking and approaching, Shinji subtly lowered his hat brim and headed to the best viewing spot—the unfinished building next door...