Chapter 257: Hunger is the Great Enemy
According to intelligence provided by the informant Wu Zetian had placed in Japan, this competition—initiated by the Servant BB—was a major event. There would be at least four Holy Grails involved: Wu Zetian held one, the Japanese organization held one, India held one, and a coalition involving North Korea and several other countries held another.
Thinking of her future, Wu Zetian wanted to secure another Grail to guarantee her combat power in this era. When BB sent the invitation, she had accepted without much hesitation. This trip was also an opportunity to scout for candidates worth recruiting—or those worth crushing.
Although the competition was set to take place in a digital network world, she wasn't naive enough to believe it was just a simple duel of skills. The temptation of an omnipotent wish-granting machine was immense. In truth, this Holy Grail War had already begun the moment she stepped onto this land.
As the black stretched luxury car slowly pulled out of the parking lot, she looked through the bulletproof glass and spotted several suspicious individuals peeking at them, some more discreetly than others.
"There are three rats outside. Do you want me to handle them?" the cross-dressing JK youth, Lin Xianming, asked.
"No. If it's just this level of probing, leave them be. It's not as if I haven't made preparations on my end," Wu Zetian replied nonchalantly.
According to her plan, she would lead a group into the electronic world, while the Servant Zhang Qing would stay behind as a guardian to protect their defenseless physical bodies in the real world. As for the man in the schoolgirl uniform before her, he was a "hidden hand" she had prepared—an assassin to go and "play" with the opposition.
"Any special requirements? Better to be clear now," the assassin Lin Xianming said.
"Hmm. If I had to say, it's this person. He is outside the scope of the plan. If you encounter him, retreat. Do not harm him," Wu Zetian said, handing over a photograph.
The photo showed the kind young man she had met during her trip to Mount Lu. If she were to gain a physical body, he was the first person she'd want to "date." However, it was a bit of a headache that her host, Meimei, and several other confidants also seemed to have feelings for him.
He's quite good-looking, looks like a high schooler... isn't the age gap with this kid a bit large? Is he a lolicon? Lin Xianming thought as he took the photo. He looked at the picture and then at the petite twin-tailed girl, unable to resist asking, "Is this guy your boyfriend?"
"Hmm... we aren't dating yet, but I am certainly interested in him. Though, I don't dislike men like you either. Want to consider it?" Wu Zetian didn't deny it; instead, she looked at the beautiful "girl" and teased him.
"Forget it. Aside from being an assassin, I don't know how to do much else. And I have zero interest in being a 'concubine,'" Lin Xianming shrugged. To be honest, he couldn't bring himself to make a move on a girl who looked younger than his own sister.
"Eh? You dare refuse My invitation? Fine. Are you the type who likes men then?" Wu Zetian was slightly surprised, but she allowed his refusal. He was capable, and capable people earned the right to make her compromise.
"No, it's just that you never really intended to invite me, did you? No matter how I look at it, you seem to be..." Lin Xianming flipped his long hair and looked at the girl.
Her thoughts seemingly exposed, the little girl's face reddened. She retorted loudly, "What nonsense are you talking! I merely promised to come here and see him once, but the outcome depends on his performance! Besides! Good men are everywhere, don't think I'll hang myself from a single tree!"
"Right, right," Lin Xianming replied dismissively, his face clearly saying, Sure, I totally believe you.
'She's at the point of carrying his photo around. Even as a Servant, a young girl is still a young girl. What else is there to say when she's making that pure-hearted maiden face?' Lin thought amusedly.
"How irritating! Who do you think you are talking to! I was once the most powerful existence in the world, no less than Emperor Wu of the Great Tang!"
She was the only female Emperor in five thousand years of Chinese history. Ignoring gender and focusing only on merit, she believed her civil governance ranked in the top ten of all emperors across every dynasty.
However, her current Saint Graph was fixed at the moment she first entered the palace, determined to rise above others—the starting point of her legendary life. Influenced by this youthful Saint Graph, her personality remained that of a young girl; her later experiences existed only as memories in her mind.
'A single general's success is built on ten thousand rotting bones.'
How many more bones lay beneath an Emperor's throne? The path to power she had walked was destined to be lonely. In her memories, the ministers remained loyal only to their own great clans. There were no thousand-year dynasties, only thousand-year clans. To them, imperial power was a tool to be managed; emperors were replaceable, but clans were essential.
Even her own children, as they grew, only thought of taking power from her. The ministers she promoted were loyal only to their own influence. Even the few loyal subjects who served her diligently still intended for her to return the throne to the Li-Tang family after her death.
In her entire life, there were very few she could truly trust.
It was understandable that Wu Zetian, retaining her teenage personality, would long for a gentle, considerate, and handsome boyfriend like Meimei did. Moreover, she knew better than any other girl how rare it was to find a man who could treat her sincerely without being interested in her wealth or power. If that man was also handsome, kind, and a master of housework, it was even better.
If she were to be reborn in this world, Wu Zetian wanted to prove herself again. Even if she couldn't be an Emperor, she could become one of the top people in the world through accumulating wealth and prestige. Following her past habits, she would likely start a company after winning the Holy Grail War and slowly eliminate competitors—though she'd try her best to do it without using Servant powers for poisoning or assassination first.
In short, she intended to become the modern world's first female richest person. Her management style would be "Fair Competition": the capable rise, the inferior are discarded. However, her supervision would be intense, with secret inspectors visiting branches at any time. Any issues found would be met with ruthless punishment.
Then, when her children grew up... well, current laws said only two were allowed, but with enough money, there was always a way. Or perhaps she'd just write "Legislative reform for reproductive freedom" into her next five-year plan.
'But if everything follows the pace of my previous life, I'll probably end up with a bunch of useless relatives, and my sons, daughters, and nephews will spend all day thinking about dividing the family property. Such a future is successful, but is it truly 'happy'?'
Sitting in the black luxury car, the twin-tailed girl propped up her chin, then crossed her arms, squinted her eyes, and shook her head in conflict.
"The Princess is acting cute again~!"
"This must be practice for making opponents lower their guard. As expected of the Princess~!"
The two girl followers spoke with stars in their eyes, full of admiration.
"No... is that really it? Though she is indeed cute..." the assassin on the side added, sounding unconvinced.
Wu Zetian was too deep in thought to hear them.
'So... in addition to power, I also want emotional happiness. That means I need a gentle, family-oriented 'Papa' to serve as a role model and educate the children properly. But in that case, is there even another choice in the whole world?
Well... Shirou isn't just a pretty face; his own strength is very high. He's a viable candidate for marriage!'
Wu Zetian tried her best to convince herself.
"One last question: to what extent do you want me to go?" Lin Xianming asked helplessly, twirling a dagger skillfully between his fingers before making it disappear.
"Do as you like. Subdue them, threaten them, kill them—as long as I win, that is enough. But remember to be careful. Unlike a trained professional like you, the opponents are still people who can host Heroic Spirits." Wu Zetian warned the fellow Chinese assassin, "Don't die. We will have many opportunities to cooperate in the future."
"I know. I have a sister at home to support; I won't go doing anything that dangerous," the cross-dressing assassin replied as he pushed open the car door.
The black limousine stopped at a junction. Passersby watched with curious eyes as a beautiful girl in a JK uniform, who looked nothing like a typical "rich miss," stepped out. Lin Xianming ignored their gazes, walked through a side path, and vanished into a dark alley.
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Back in Chiba
The dining room of the Emiya residence was filled with the aroma of food. A large plate of crispy fried chicken sat on the table, its surface covered in golden, uneven breadcrumbs. One bite offered a dry, crunchy texture that filled the mouth with the scent of wheat and the savory fragrance of chicken.
In a holographic projection, Da Vinci, sitting in the Chaldea workshop, was explaining the crisis to everyone.
"This Holy Grail War is terrifyingly large, involving multiple Grails. They plan to have 128 Masters with Pseudo-Servant qualifications slaughter each other until a single winner remains."
Another dish was placed on the table: lobsters fried to a bright red, their bodies slightly curled. The shells were dusted with fine salt and spices. After marinating and frying, the meat was exceptionally sweet. The crunch of the small legs and the curved tail was audible; one could practically eat the whole thing.
Da Vinci held up a finger, looking grave.
"Nothing like this has ever happened before. Even if the participants are restricted by Pseudo-Servant summoning, a hundred of them is a terrifying number. One wrong move and it could cause 'Singularity' level chaos!"
"Then we must stop it!" Shirou nodded solemnly, agreeing seriously. However, his hands didn't stop moving. This time, he brought out something Artoria would love: Meatballs.
Using a 7:3 ratio of lean to fat meat, he had minced it and mixed it with various spices and starch, shaped them into balls, and fried them to set their form. Finally, they were simmered in a Chinese wok with a sauce made from garlic and other aromatics. The "Red-Braised Lion's Head" meatballs had fully absorbed the broth, making them delicious.
"Hey! Wait!! You people! Are you really going to talk to me while eating all that delicious food?" Da Vinci protested, looking at everyone with dissatisfaction. She was working overtime in Chaldea doing investigations!
"Even if you say that, one must eat properly, or how can we fight?" Shirou said, placing a French-style cheese stew in front of the silver-haired girl (Jeanne), speaking to Da Vinci as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Shirou is right! An empty stomach is the greatest enemy!" Artoria said, holding a mountain of rice, her face glowing with satisfaction.
"If you have something to say, say it quickly! Today is Chinese cuisine served on large platters; if you blink, it'll all disappear into this King's mouth!" Jeanne grumbled, her chopsticks darting quickly into the plates in front of Artoria.
Mashiro remained silent as usual, tasting the food in small bites. Though she didn't speak, her mouth never stopped moving.
"Well, Da Vinci-chan, just say it. Komachi will listen to you seriously!" the considerate Komachi said, giving the person on the screen a bright smile.
"Komachi-chan..." Da Vinci looked at the girl, moved. She seemed to understand now why Shirou was such a "sister-con."
However, as Shirou returned from the kitchen again, Komachi's attention was immediately snatched by the new dish.
"Ah, as expected of Onii-chan! It's Komachi's favorite! Sweet and Sour Fish! Just the smell makes me hungry. The pineapple and tomatoes are rich in vitamins. The best part is the golden-fried fish chunks—sweet, sour, fragrant, and crispy. You can even crunch the bones without worrying about fishhooks!"
"Dammit... I'm going to the kitchen to find some snacks before I come back to talk!" Da Vinci cried out in frustration, her eyes tearing up as she walked away from the screen.
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