"How embarrassing, and you're supposed to be a Rider?"
Faced with Achilles' question, Astolfo showed no shame.
"But I am a Rider."
"Forget it. It's pointless to argue about this. Let's talk about this book. Indeed, this book contains immense magical power, but I don't feel like trusting this guy."
"It's true! I'm telling the truth, just believe me."
"Alright, enough fooling around."
Shinji casually knocked on Astolfo's head.
"What this guy says is true. This book indeed has the potential to break all magic. I initially planned to have him escort me to the Gardens. As for the true name, I happen to know it—Casseur de Logistille! Remember it well, don't forget it again."
"Oh, oh, oh! When you said it, I remembered. You're amazing, Assassin, to even know this—could it be that you know all Servants' Noble Phantasms?"
"It's just a coincidence. Everyone, remember this. Whoever is closest to him at the time, remind him."
No matter how well Shinji studied the settings, he couldn't remember all the Noble Phantasms of every Servant. He remembered this particular Noble Phantasm purely because it had a "temporary name," and the Romanized version of the true name was extremely difficult to pronounce, so he had practiced it several times to get used to it, leaving a deep impression.
Knowing Shinji's background, everyone was used to his peculiarities and quickly moved on to the next topic.
"How do we deal with the poison?"
"Um, this is very troublesome. Semiramis is the oldest poisoner, theoretically capable of concocting every poison that has ever existed in history. If we don't resolve this issue, we risk losing members at any time. The Greater Holy Grail has already accommodated five Servants, and if we add one more, it will be too late."
Jeanne's words resonated with all the Servants except for Astolfo and Mordred. The feeling of being suppressed by poison and at the mercy of others was something no one wanted to experience again.
For a moment, the entire underground altar fell into silence.
Suddenly, Shinji exclaimed, "Ah!"
"What? Did you think of a good solution?" Jeanne hurriedly asked.
Shinji didn't answer but instead asked, "You just said there are already five Servants, with one more remaining?"
"Yes, what's wrong?"
"This is bad! Jeanne, Artoria, let's go quickly."
As he spoke, Shinji grabbed their hands and rushed out.
"What's happening?"
"Where are we going?"
"To where you used to stay—Jack is also a Servant!"
"!!!"
Upon hearing Shinji's words, Artoria and Jeanne immediately understood.
What does the Greater Holy Grail seek? It seeks the souls of Servants, more precisely, the souls descended from heroic spirits, which are far superior in quality to ordinary human souls, regardless of their class.
Servants like Shinji, who obtained their class by cheating, do not meet the criteria for the Greater Holy Grail even if they enter it. On the other hand, despite being pushed out of the Assassin class by Shinji, Jack is undoubtedly burdened with the name of Jack the Ripper, possessing the faith-bestowed name of an anti-heroic spirit, a being opposite to heroes like demons or monsters. Her soul meets the criteria.
Moreover, because she is a modern anti-heroic spirit without class enhancements, Jack is very weak and any proper Servant could easily kill her. If Amakusa Shirou finds out about her existence, it would be disastrous.
Jack would inevitably die, fulfilling the conditions for the Greater Holy Grail to activate, and then the world would be destroyed.
Now, they could only hope that Jack hadn't been discovered yet or that their actions were swift enough.
"Hurry, hurry, hurry."
"Wait, this is too slow!"
As Artoria spoke, she materialized her Holy Lance and threw it overhead—let's not forget, when the Greater Holy Grail was taken, Semiramis used magic to create a large hole directly above the underground altar. Although it was later patched up by homunculus for miscellaneous tasks, three days were not enough to fill in a thickness of over ten meters.
With a casual thrust, Artoria undid the homunculus' three days of effort.
Under the sunlight, the three Servants leaped out one after another.
"Wait, wait, where are you going—" Fiore hurriedly asked.
"To pick up my daughter. We'll be back soon. You guys continue the meeting."
After saying that, Shinji flew up to the surface with his feathered shoes, while Artoria summoned her beloved horse, Dun Stallion, and carried Jeanne as they galloped away into the distance.
Leaving everyone else in bewilderment.
"Daughter?"
"Wasn't that guy a Servant before? How does he have a daughter?"
"Could it be that his daughter is also a Servant?"
"But there are no more classes left."
"Maybe it's a Noble Phantasm."
"Haha, maybe it is."
"Didn't he say he'll be back soon? We'll know by then."
"You're right. Let's continue the meeting. Have you come up with any good solutions for the poison?"
"Darnic seems to have some antidote and anti-poison Mystic Codes, said to be relics from the Age of Gods—Fiore, you should know where they are, right?"
Fiore, who was mentioned, did not respond and continued to stare blankly in the direction Shinji had left, muttering softly.
"Daughter... daughter... daughter..."
"Sister, are you alright?"
Caules asked with concern.
"Ah, I'm fine!"
Fiore snapped out of it like waking from a dream and patted her cheeks.
"What's the matter, Caules?"
"Uncle Gordes said you know where Uncle Darnic's hidden Mystic Codes are."
"I do know. I'll go get them now. Please wait a moment."
After saying that, Fiore moved her wheelchair towards the exit of the altar.
As her Servant, Atalanta naturally followed to guard her. She no longer wanted to see her Master face the tragic fate of being killed. However, this goodwill did not move Fiore but instead brought a hint of disappointment.
If it were him, he wouldn't just guard me but push my wheelchair, right? If we were in a hurry, he would even carry me.
But having obtained a physical body and no longer relying on my magical energy supply, would he still treat me the same way? After fulfilling his promise and healing my legs, would I never see him again?
And then there's the daughter he mentioned. If I'm not mistaken, it should be that little girl who appeared in Sighişoara.
He had her protect Kairi Shishigou, probably for Mordred. She is Artoria's daughter, and that rebellion seemed to have other hidden details—perhaps our actions were also used by him. Mother and daughter fighting side by side, what deepens their bond more than that? He puts a lot of effort into his Servant's welfare. It's so ridiculous, always worrying about such things… a failed magus indeed. Although I have no right to criticize him, perhaps people like us were never suited to be magus from the start.
But it's not bad, this feeling. Compared to being with a true heroic spirit, being with him is more comfortable. Our compatibility is indeed very good.
As she confirmed this once more, a certain thought took root and began to grow quietly in her heart.
——If, I mean if you could stay by my side forever, how wonderful that would be.