Kurumi was momentarily stunned but instinctively clicked on the mission details.
World: Fate/Zero
Side Quest
Name: Curse from Hell
Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, also known as "Radiant Face," was the chief warrior of the Irish Fianna. His greatest desire in life was to fulfill his duty to his master, earning honor and victory for them. However, in another timeline's Holy Grail War, he was tricked by Kiritsugu Emiya and died with regret.
Issuer: Diarmuid Ua Duibhne
Objective: Provide Diarmuid in this timeline with a battle that grants him honor.
Note: As a divine proxy, you are capable of ensuring fairness and justice.
"Ding~ You have accepted the side quest 'Curse from Hell.'"
Success: Improve world evaluation and increase suppression power against 'All the Evils of the World.' (There is a chance to receive a gift from Diarmuid)
Failure: None
"This seems like a no-lose deal!" Kurumi muttered, puzzled. "But is it really okay to call me a 'divine proxy'? I've never heard of a reincarnator taking on such a role."
"Ding~ 'Divine Proxy' refers to a person appointed by Gaia and Alaya, and as a reincarnator, you just happen to fit."
Kurumi's expression stiffened. She had been making a casual remark, not expecting a serious answer from the main god!
Something was odd.
She glanced at the mission issuer, Diarmuid Ua Duibhne.
Excellent, very strong.
How long had she been in the Fate/Zero world? Was the main god already engaging in business across different timelines?
Skillfully, almost excessively so!
Could it be... that the main god space had some secret dealings with the Nasuverse from the beginning?
Recalling the main god's strength during its prime, Kurumi felt she might have uncovered something.
The Nasuverse, overall, was very suitable for the growth of low-level superhumans. It was a tremendous transitional realm, and given the main god's tendencies, it would naturally seize such a treasure trove.
Kurumi rubbed her chin. From the start, she had felt something was odd. The divine seed within her didn't have so many properties.
But adapting to the Nasuverse's rules seemed to explain everything.
Powers granted by Gaia and Alaya, the two major forces of suppression?
It could only be explained this way. Recalling her divine state when she killed Caster's sea monster, a deep sense of disgust welled up from her core!
She used to not dislike someone over such trivial matters. Just before she was about to enter her divine state, Saber had also been panicking, as if... she had no emotions at all?
Seeing Kurumi frown, Red Queen immediately stopped her experiments and eagerly flew to Kurumi's side.
Her big eyes blinked, "Master..."
After a detailed explanation, Kurumi scratched her head, "A god must be emotionless, lofty, and aloof?"
"Of course not!" Red Queen immediately denied, "Perhaps the two major forces of suppression want you to follow the rules."
"Follow the rules?"
"Since you've become their proxy in the mortal world, in a sense, you represent the rules."
Kurumi spread her hands, "Sounds impressive, but don't I still have to act within their constraints?"
"Well~" Red Queen sat on Kurumi's shoulder, "You're working for someone else right now, so what's there to complain about? If you ever surpass..."
Her words were abruptly replaced by a "beep—" sound, leaving Kurumi and Red Queen looking at each other, unable to guess who intervened.
"Ahem!" Red Queen flew up, looking slightly embarrassed, "Master, I must remind you that according to the normal timeline, Diarmuid will die tonight."
"Have you found the target?"
"Satellite positioning successful. Saber... just started her duel with Lancer."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Kurumi stood up, her spirit energy becoming more active, the vortex slowly spinning, and the signs of her divine state emerging!
Two figures vanished from the room, and Sakura's arms around Shirou seemed to tighten.
Shirou's blue gemstone eyes opened briefly to survey the area before gradually closing again.
...
In an unfinished building in the suburbs, Diarmuid was being scolded by Kayneth, feeling very depressed.
No matter how harsh Kayneth's words were, Diarmuid did not blame his master in the slightest.
Everything was his fault. If it weren't for that cursed mole...
"What's wrong, Lancer? Are you so uninterested in my teachings now that you don't even bother listening carefully?!"
With his magic circuits in a mess from Kiritsugu's attacks and the betrayal by his fiancée, Kayneth was on the verge of breaking down.
Using Lancer's broken Yellow Rose as a price, he obtained a command seal from the priest, then shot and killed the priest named Risei Kotomine.
Through the previous Holy Grail War, everything felt like a heavy mountain pressing on him.
Breathing was difficult! His nerves were on edge! But for the honor of his family, he felt he should be above it all.
This contradictory feeling of being both humble and proud made Kayneth unable to tolerate any explanation from Lancer!
Diarmuid, kneeling on one knee, frowned, "My lord, there is an intruder."
Just as Kayneth had infiltrated the Einzbern base, this intruder did not hide their presence.
Lancer, armed with his spear, arrived in the dilapidated courtyard to find Saber and a woman in white.
After exchanging a few words, Lancer felt fortunate to have met someone who also adhered to the code of chivalry while manifesting as a Heroic Spirit. It couldn't have been better.
Adhering to the lofty ideals of chivalry, they began their duel with a sense of fairness!
Kayneth cursed Diarmuid as a fool from within the unfinished building!
In his view, a fully powered Saber would bring about their destruction!
At this moment, Lancer should be scouting the area to ensure his master's escape!
But with his magic circuits wholly destroyed and unable to wield his usual spells, he was left helpless.
He couldn't communicate his thoughts to Lancer.
Kayneth thought about shouting, but dismissed the idea. Forget family honor, even a magus's dignity and elegance were at stake.
In the midst of battle, Kayneth knew there was a very dangerous enemy master!
That person didn't follow the rules of mages! A scoundrel! A parasite!
That person would stop at nothing to obtain the Holy Grail! Just as he had killed the church's priest before.
His eyes flashed with dark light. Without his magic, without his proud techniques, he was a cripple.
If he shouted, he'd expose his position, and then Saber's master... could easily kill him with a regular gun!
What should he do?
The veins on Kayneth's forehead throbbed. Just as he was about to find a corner to shout to Lancer, he heard a soft noise nearby.
His pupils shrank to pinpoints!
"Sola!~"
His trembling voice was unnaturally low, because the man with the gun made a "shush" gesture.