What kind of monster is this?
And that golden guy standing in the kitchen, peeking in, can you stop smirking like you're so pleased with yourself? What's so pleasing? What's so pleasing!
"Don't delay the king's banquet, fake."
Hearing Gilgamesh's cold and small voice as he turned to leave, the kitchen knife in Red Archer's hand almost slipped out and smashed into something! I swear!!
It's just too... infuriating!
At 8:30 PM, two ultra-luxury black limousines stopped outside the Matou residence.
"Thank you for the invitation, esteemed head of the Matou family."
Wearing a platinum and white evening dress that exposed her shoulders, Illyasviel elegantly lifted the hem of her dress and nodded in gratitude to Shinji.
Behind her, the two Einzbern maids, Sella and Leysritt, also bowed respectfully at the same time. As for the giant in an oversized black suit (Hercules), he stood silently like a stone statue.
"No, it's just a simple gathering..."
Shinji felt a bit awkward by the overly formal "family" and waved his hand dismissively, "Make yourselves at home. The Matou family has withdrawn from the magical world and isn't part of any noble circles anymore, so I won't be receiving you with any noble etiquette. Just sit wherever you like."
Saying this, Shinji turned and left. The Einzbern maid outfits were distinctive but not revealing, which didn't match his taste.
"Miss..."
Sella lifted her head, showing a bit of displeasure, and was about to speak when Illyasviel interrupted her.
Illyasviel shook her head gently, saying softly, "That's enough, Sella. Are you going to say he was rude? It's okay, this is Matou Shinji. As he said, the Matou family has left the magical world and is no longer nobility. Using noble etiquette during our visit would pressure him to reciprocate with noble manners. It's understandable he wouldn't be happy. To him, magic and nobility aren't positive terms."
"I... understand."
"Magic, nobility... are those negative terms?" Leysritt tilted her head.
"Don't talk nonsense!" Sella scolded, then looked towards the house, "Lord Ahat instructed us to acquire the Third Magic at all costs, even if it means using every..."
"Hmph!"
A cold snort interrupted Sella.
Seeing the blonde man who glanced at them coldly, hands in his pockets, and feeling the overwhelming magical power he deliberately exuded, Sella decided not to continue speaking.
"Roar—!"
Sensing something, Berserker immediately roared, ripping his suit and standing protectively in front of Illyasviel.
"Berserker! That suit was hard to get! You've already torn several! This is the last one! Be more careful!"
Although Berserker didn't understand, Sella couldn't stop muttering to herself.
...
At 9:00 PM, in the luxurious, high-tech reception room on the first floor.
As the proposer and host of the gathering, Shinji saw that most people had arrived. As the host, he was the first to raise a glittering gold cup filled with soda.
Riding a Segway, Shinji announced that everyone should eat and drink well and that he would finish his drink first.
Seeing her mother from a parallel world being used as a soda cup, Illyasviel regretted speaking up for Shinji outside. It was too infuriating!
Originally, Gilgamesh didn't want to attend a gathering full of "mongrels," but upon seeing the Holy Grail in Shinji's hand during a visit, he decided he couldn't lose face in front of his subjects.
Seeing Gilgamesh pull out a cup shinier than the Holy Grail, many present wanted to say something but didn't dare.
Are you two mass-producing Holy Grails?
Were our battles just a joke to you?
Bang!
"As a teacher, I must say something before the gathering starts!"
Fujimura Taiga, who arrived after Illyasviel, slammed her beer bottle on the table after drinking half of it, reminding everyone sternly, "Minors... are not allowed to drink!"
With that, the gathering officially began.
In the open kitchen, Red Archer gritted his teeth, venting his anger on the roast meat as he chopped it with a kitchen knife, imagining it was Shinji and Gilgamesh.
At the dining table, Illyasviel gritted her teeth, tearing and biting the roast meat on her plate, glaring at the cup in Shinji's hand with hatred.
Facing a plate piled high with roast meat, Saber, having chosen the highest-grade food for her "king's stomach," ate without restraint.
Shirou, blushing from recalling a steamy bathroom scene with Leysritt through Illyasviel's magic, kept his head down, eating quietly.
Gilgamesh, having taken Shinji's Segway, patrolled the banquet, joyfully watching his "subjects" with a smirk.
Rin, glancing at the payment she received from Red Archer, wondered about her Servant's other potential commercial value.
Sakura, sitting gracefully beside her brother like the mistress of the house; Sella and Leysritt, standing emotionlessly as maids; and Rider, coldly serving as a maid while keeping an eye on the women present.
"Berserker! You're too greedy!"
Saber's scolding drew everyone's attention.
Seeing Berserker, who had been ordered by Illyasviel to eat but not cause trouble, tearing into the whole roast lamb just prepared by Red Archer, Saber, holding her plate and knife, scolded him for his lack of manners and chivalry!
Due to Illyasviel's order, Berserker ignored Saber and continued tearing at the roast lamb. Saber, growing angrier, was about to draw her sword when the two Shirous intervened. One stopped his "king," and the other coldly informed Saber that another roast lamb would be ready in five minutes, calming her down.
Ding dong, ding dong...
Hearing the doorbell, Rider, following Shinji's signal, headed to the entrance. Before she could leave the reception room, there was a loud crash!
Boom!!
After the crash, hurried footsteps followed, and many present felt their hearts leap into their throats.
"Are you alright?"
Bazett, ready for combat, guarded everyone, while also being annoyed that Shinji had replaced the front door—it wasn't as easy to remove as before!
"Probably... nothing serious..." Shinji forced a smile, adding in his mind: Except for my door...
"Hahaha, I thought it was something else, but it's just a party!"
The cheerful laugh of Cu Chulainn, in casual clothes, drew Berserker's attention from his roast lamb.
"Hey! Wait! Calm down! We're not enemies anymore..."
Seeing Berserker, filled with fighting spirit and tearing his suit as he approached, Cu Chulainn quickly spoke, but Berserker didn't stop.
"Berserker, go play outside, and remember, you can only play, not kill."
Illyasviel reminded reluctantly, and Berserker quickened his pace, chasing the fleeing Cu Chulainn outside!
Tonight, Berserker gained a new Noble Phantasm—Lancer's Rotating Piercing Blue Spear. Congratulations!
...
After reinstalling Shinji's door, ignoring the playful chase between Berserker and Cu Chulainn outside, Bazett joined the banquet.
"This is the Holy Grail?"
"The Mage's Association works fast," Shinji remarked, then looked at Bazett, chewing meat like wax, "Did they send you to retrieve the Holy Grail I brought back?"
"Yes." Bazett nodded.
"I refuse, it's my spoils of war."
"I understand, mission failed."
"Uh..."
Shinji admired Bazett's decisiveness and was moved, quickly asking about her hotel to send thanks and condolences later.
Blushing, Bazett shyly whispered her hotel's name and room number.
After drinking three large cups of soda, even though the cup didn't list calories, Shinji felt it was time. Besides him and Sakura, Fujimura Taiga, the only other non-magical person, was drunk. It was time to address the main issue.
...
"A game? Using my image? You want my permission?"
Hearing Shinji's request, Saber, chewing on roast lamb, immediately frowned and said no. But before she could refuse, Shinji whispered in her ear.
"I've prepared roast duck, foie gras, and premium Wagyu beef."
Saber smirked, respecting Shinji as Shirou's friend, but using her image was absolutely non-negotiable!
"You can take them to-go."
"!"
With her ahoge standing up, Saber agreed, saying she wouldn't argue since he was Shirou's friend and the Holy Grail could help fulfill her wish.
Seeing he had secured permission from most Servants except Gilgamesh and Red Archer, Shinji promised fair profit sharing after the game's release, raising his glass again.