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Chapter 293 - Chapter 293: Heroes?

"All MASTERs, please cease combat immediately. It has been confirmed that Berserker and his MASTER have violated the rules. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that Berserker's MASTER is the serial killer currently causing a citywide uproar. Therefore, due to this extraordinary situation, I must exercise my authority as the Overseer..."

Just as Meruem formed his alliance with the Conqueror King, Risei Kotomine announced the decision for a joint subjugation of Berserker at the church. He even offered a precious Command Spell as a reward.

"Yo, KING, what do you think of the church's move?" Meruem hadn't left yet, so the Conqueror King asked him.

"Asking to die." Meruem stated his stance with two succinct words, dripping with deep mockery.

Tokiomi, this is the second foolish move you've made after using a Command Spell to forcefully order Goldie.

He wasn't just talking about the Bluebeard-Ryuunosuke pair, but also the decision-makers of this event, Tokiomi and Risei. Are these so-called church overseers too naive? This is a war! Did he never consider his own safety?

From start to finish in the Holy Grail War, there isn't a single person who will definitely obey the so-called supervision of the church. When even their own lives are at risk, who would care about that? Evil? Good? So-called rules are made by the strong and obeyed by the weak.

And in front of Masters who possess Heroic Spirit Servants, the so-called church overseer is just a side dish. Who would submit to someone weaker than themselves? What if a MASTER gets greedy for the Command Spells on Risei's arm? To put it bluntly, although Risei is a grandmaster of Bajiquan, in front of Heroic Spirits whose abilities far exceed normal humans, he really isn't much.

He isn't Soichirou Kuzuki, the unofficial eighth "TEACHER" class buffed by Medea, possessing the strength to contend with Heroic Spirit Servants.

In the original story, he was even killed by Kayneth with a sneak shot from behind.

"Oh? KING, you seem to have a different opinion on subjugating Berserker? I thought you were the type who hated evil." The Conqueror King frowned slightly as he spoke, clearly not very satisfied with Meruem's answer.

"Of course I have no objection to subjugating Berserker. Let that frenzied maniac die. I'm talking about that so-called overseer in the church." Meruem answered the Conqueror King. "To put it bluntly, he only has the right of supervision. Isn't it a bit too naive to forcefully order all the Masters? Without the temptation of a Command Spell, do you really think anyone would obediently listen to his opinion? To openly expose so many Command Spells is no different from placing fresh meat in front of hungry wolves. It's simply seeking death."

Honestly, Meruem really didn't care about Ryuunosuke and the Berserker-class Bluebeard pair. Having lost "Prelati's Spellbook," even with the Berserker stat boost, how high could he go? A Bluebeard who can't summon the eldritch god probably couldn't even beat an incomplete Diarmuid.

"KING, are you saying someone might..." The Conqueror King suddenly realized. Indeed, ever since he witnessed the "caliber" of those so-called Holy Grail War Masters that night, the Conqueror King had looked down on those who hid their heads and tails.

"Not might... but definitely. You saw it that night too, that's what a despicable magus is." Meruem said with certainty. Tokiomi wouldn't do it, Waver wouldn't do it. But the others, hard to say. Ryuunosuke's group doesn't know about this; if they knew, just try them. Kayneth, do you think he won't use underhanded tricks? The original story is a precedent. Kirei Kotomine goes without saying; even Risei didn't see through this son before he died. Especially the CASTER Seimei-Zouken pair—to survive, Zouken would do anything despicable and low. Seeing so many Command Spells, do you think he wouldn't be tempted? Tsk tsk... Command Spells contain immense mana, which is exactly what Zouken needs right now.

No seeking death, no dying. Why don't they understand? This bad move was really... Since you've joined the war, don't be soft-hearted, otherwise the price will be your life.

"My little MASTER is different from them!" The Conqueror King emphasized loudly. Hearing this, Waver was moved to tears.

"Because he simply doesn't have the guts." Waver (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻ The ship of friendship sinks just like that.

"My MASTER is the same. Even when she grows up, Sakura will be different from those dirty magi. Sakura is a very gentle child." Meruem said with a gentle and confident look.

"Hahahaha..." Meruem and the Conqueror King smiled at each other. Our MASTERs are both worthy of our trust. This feeling is really good.

"So KING, are we going to participate in subjugating Berserker?"

"Yes! Because I cannot approve of his actions. Slaughtering civilians, especially children, is something I cannot tolerate. You think so too, right, Conqueror King?"

"Exactly!"

It seems their compatibility as allies is excellent. If possible, let's have a good fight later. A man's friendship is forged through fist-to-fist communication!

"Besides, on the surface, the church is offering a Command Spell as a reward."

In contrast to the harmonious meeting between the Conqueror King and Meruem, in the Einzbern castle, Servant Artoria had a huge argument with Master Kiritsugu Emiya. Or rather than a huge argument, Artoria completely rejected the operational policy Kiritsugu laid out.

Kiritsugu believed there was no need to subjugate Berserker, but rather to set up defenses and wait for him to come knocking. Based on information from Irisviel, the enemy very likely mistook Artoria for Jeanne and there was a certain probability he would come to them. Kiritsugu's approach was to deal with the hunters who came chasing Berserker. Stepping back, even if Berserker didn't come knocking, it didn't matter. For Kiritsugu, there would be no loss... As for those murdered civilians? Sorry, in Kiritsugu's philosophy, as long as more people can be saved, a few sacrifices are nothing.

Artoria believed Kiritsugu's plan was despicable and violated chivalry, even calling it a great insult to herself. Yet Kiritsugu acted even more extreme, not saying a single word to Artoria, not even a rebuttal, treating his own Servant like a total stranger. He thoroughly wounded Artoria's pride.

So, rather than looking for a powerful Heroic Spirit, it's better to find one with the most suitable compatibility. Different philosophies easily lead to conflict. The chivalry of fighting openly and honestly runs completely counter to Kiritsugu's thinking. Kiritsugu's methods are more akin to the Eastern philosophy that "all warfare is based on deception." As long as victory can be achieved, any means are justified.

However, to be honest, Kiritsugu's method was safer and more efficient.

Fundamentally, such an approach isn't wrong. Similarly, seeking an open and honest fight isn't wrong either. This is the difference between a hero and a non-hero.

...communication

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