Gordes paced back and forth like an agitated hamster in front of Sieg and the other homunculi. "Are you all idiots?!" he barked.
The homunculi, Sieg included, obediently extended their hands, looking like kids about to get punished.
"Seriously, couldn't you have worn gloves while digging through the rubble?" Gordes grumbled as he carefully wrapped bandages around their hands.
"Sorry," Sieg apologized, bowing his head meekly.
Gordes huffed, but his irritation softened. "Fine, I'll let it slide this time since you risked your lives to save me. But remember, with the facilities destroyed, you all need to eat properly. I don't want to have to take care of you during the Holy Grail War."
Sieg pointed toward Karna, who was nearby, wearing an apron and adding vegetables to a large pot. "Isn't he our enemy?"
"It's daytime," Gordes sighed, looking up at the ominous sky where the aerial garden hovered. "If we don't want to be disqualified, we have to play nice for now."
The absurdity of the situation wasn't lost on Gordes—two opposing camps, their strongholds practically rubbing shoulders, with all manner of chaos waiting to erupt. But for now, peace was mandated.
"Hey, Achilles! Who would win in a fight between you and Cyd?" Astolfo, perched on a cart, jabbed his finger repeatedly into Achilles' back as he pulled the cart.
"You're so annoying! Get back to work!" Achilles snapped, a vein bulging on his forehead. "Keep it up, and I'll tie you to my chariot and drag you around!"
Astolfo just laughed, scratching the back of his head. "Scary!"
Chiron, pulling his own cart loaded with debris, reached over and lifted Astolfo off Achilles. "Calm down, Achilles. He's just being himself."
Achilles grumbled but didn't resist. Though restless by nature, he'd been surprisingly cooperative, helping to clear the rubble alongside Chiron. But Astolfo's antics were starting to test his patience.
Nearby, Shakespeare was twirling around with his book in hand, grinning as he circled Frankenstein. "Oh, lovely lady, must you glare at me so? I meant no harm before, just a little self-preservation, you see?"
Frankenstein wasn't interested in his excuses. The memory of Shakespeare's mental manipulation was still fresh in her mind. Despite Caules' warnings to keep her distance, Shakespeare seemed determined to provoke her.
"Ugh!" Frankenstein let out a low growl, picking up a brick from the ground.
"Oh no!" Shakespeare's eyes widened as Frankenstein lunged at him, brick in hand. "Wait! It's supposed to be a truce!"
But Frankenstein wasn't listening. She swung the brick, narrowly missing Shakespeare's head as he bolted, yelling, "Ruler! Ruler, where are you?"
"Ah, Cyd went hunting with the big sister earlier," Achilles pointed toward the forest. "The only Ruler around here is..."
Jeanne d'Arc, sitting on a rock and munching on a steamed bun, looked up, confused, glancing around as if sensing her name.
Shakespeare paled. Jeanne, who he had slandered in his plays during his lifetime, was the last person he wanted to encounter. In his moment of distraction, the brick collided with the back of his head, sending him sprawling to the ground.
"Ugh…" Shakespeare groaned, lying motionless as Frankenstein kicked him a few more times for good measure before stomping off in a huff.
"You've got a real knack for asking for trouble," Achilles remarked, looking down at Shakespeare. "You know she's a Berserker, right? Why would you provoke her?"
"I was only trying to be friendly..." Shakespeare muttered weakly.
Meanwhile, Mordred finished her meal and held out her bowl to Karna. "More, please."
Karna nodded and filled her bowl again. "Here."
"Thanks," she said, gulping it down before holding out her bowl again. "More, please."
Karna hesitated but eventually refilled her bowl. As Mordred was about to ask for another serving, her Master, Kairi, yanked her away. "Enough! Stop eating and start helping!"
Karna sighed in relief as Mordred was dragged off, her endless requests finally halted.
"What's the big deal, Master?" Mordred complained, still clutching her bowl. "I'm just building up strength for tonight's fight with Black Saber."
"Zieg's got it worse, and you don't see him complaining," Kairi pointed out, glancing at Ziegfried, who was hefting a broken pillar nearby.
Mordred huffed, crossing her arms. "It's called mental preparation, Master! A king needs to be at their best!"
"You can't just stuff your face while everyone else is working," Kairi scolded, pointing at the other Servants who were busy with various tasks. "A king is supposed to lead by example."
Even Vlad III was rolling up his sleeves and clearing debris, though he looked none too pleased about it.
"Alright, alright! I'll help!" Mordred finally relented, her face flushing as she marched off to help move the rubble.
Watching the scene unfold, Caules adjusted his glasses and chuckled softly. "It's hard to believe these same people will be fighting to the death tonight."
"Are you feeling sad about it?" Fiore asked, her expression a mix of concern and resignation.
"Not really," Caules sighed. "This is just the nature of the Holy Grail War."
Kairi overheard them and approached, his usual casual demeanor in place. "Don't let it get to you. These Servants all understand what's at stake. They respect each other's resolve."
"Don't worry, Mr. Kairi," Fiore said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "When the sun sets, I'll be sure to respect your resolve as well."
"Please, go easy on me," Kairi joked, raising his hands in mock surrender. "But your real focus should be on that aerial garden, right?"
Caules narrowed his eyes. "So, you're planning to cause trouble during the fight?"
"My Saber doesn't care much for sneak attacks," Kairi replied with a shrug. "She'd probably knock me out if I even suggested it."
"Sounds like a tough partnership," Caules said, smirking.
As the day wore on, the uneasy truce held, but everyone knew that once the sun set, the real battle would begin.