Four days later.
Valerius finally made up his mind and opened the game.
People always said that a gentle beauty's embrace was a hero's grave.
After experiencing it for himself, Valerius had only one thing to say.
A hero's grave?
No.
It was a man's tomb.
Any man with blood in his veins would sink into it and never crawl back out.
Of course, someone with his iron will was an exception.
In the living room, Phantylia, who was busy cleaning, saw Valerius finally open the system interface and teased him.
"Lord Valerius finally remembered that he's supposed to start the next game."
"Heh. I'm not like those shallow people. I still know how to prioritize important matters."
"Of course."
Phantylia covered her mouth as she laughed.
Important matters, my foot.
The Xianzhou delegation had arrived, and Bronya needed to entertain them. That was the only reason he had time to breathe.
Phantylia was certain that if not for the delegation's visit, Valerius would have completely forgotten he was supposed to launch another game.
"Ahem."
Seeing the amused expression on her face, Valerius awkwardly looked away.
"They should be done with official business by now… System, start the game."
[Attention. The game arena has been opened.]
[This game: Holy Grail War.]
[Rules are as follows:]
[1. Each faction will send two representatives to draw their roles. Heroic Spirits will live through a simulated lifetime to obtain their legends. Masters will undergo simulation to gain their identities and magic circuits.]
[2. When the Holy Grail War begins, you will be summoned according to your class and cooperate with your Master to seize the Holy Grail.]
[3. Players who become Masters will receive Cognition Interference. Others will no longer recognize them.]
[4. Lone Masters and Heroic Spirits may form new partnerships.]
[5. Valerius will serve as the Supervisor. Masters wishing to withdraw may go to the church, where he will protect them. Command Seals and intelligence may also be purchased there.]
[6. The first three eliminated participants will receive punishment.]
[The following is real-time footage of the Holy Grail War…]
The screen lit up.
The players watched seven Master-Servant pairs battling one another.
Schemes and betrayals unfolded.
Noble Phantasms clashed in spectacular explosions.
The livestream chat erupted.
Furina: Heroic Spirits? Holy Grail War?
Kuki Shinobu: I feel like this game was made for me.
Jaina Doe: So this is where those Noble Phantasms came from.
Valerius: Exactly. A Holy Grail War. Seven Master-Servant pairs fighting over the Holy Grail. And these are Heroic Spirits, not mere Servants. Of course, they still have class restrictions.
Valerius understood this very well.
The game would summon true Heroic Spirits.
As long as the simulated life created a Noble Phantasm, it could be used—provided it matched the assigned class.
Fu Xuan: But we have eight teams.
Valerius: That's fine. There are Extra Classes. Look forward to it.
Jing Yuan: Seven Master-Servant pairs… It seems selecting the right participants is the key.
Jing Yuan immediately grasped the essence.
Although Heroic Spirits did the fighting, Masters played a crucial role.
Choosing the right people would determine victory or defeat.
Fu Xuan: I'm suited to be a Master. I'll go.
Caesar King: Then I'll be the Heroic Spirit.
Raiden Ei: Miko, get ready.
Yae Miko: Fine, but I'm being the Master.
Based on the rules, Masters had a huge advantage.
Even if their Servant was eliminated, they could retreat to Valerius's church for protection.
And if they encountered another unpartnered Heroic Spirit, they could form a new alliance and rejoin the war.
Without hesitation, Yae Miko claimed the Master position.
Besides, Masters were technically the ones in charge.
Wouldn't that mean she could order Ei around?
Raiden Ei: Hmph. With your combat ability, what else could you be?
Kuki Shinobu: …
She wanted to cry.
Wasn't this exactly the kind of game she was perfect for?
She already possessed a Noble Phantasm.
If she became a Master, she could fight alongside her Heroic Spirit.
Valerius: Stop discussing it in public chat. The Holy Grail War is all about intelligence. Keep your plans secret.
Only then did everyone realize they were openly revealing their team compositions.
That was definitely not wise.
Jean Gunnhildr: Everyone from Mondstadt, gather at the Knights of Favonius headquarters.
Ningguang: All Liyue representatives, please meet at the Jade Chamber.
Belle: Everyone to Sixth Street!
In an instant, all the players began gathering in private.
This was not a game where they could afford to reveal their trump cards.
Mondstadt – Knights of Favonius Headquarters
All of Mondstadt's participants had assembled.
Jean looked around.
"Does anyone have suggestions?"
Silence.
This was no ordinary game.
It was a life-and-death battle, and many lacked confidence.
Kaeya Alberich was the first to speak.
"What about letting Klee participate? She's lucky."
His reasoning was simple.
The simulation stage would shape the Heroic Spirit's legend.
If Klee underwent the simulation, who knew what absurd Noble Phantasm she might create?
"…That's the best you could come up with?"
Diluc Ragnvindr shot him a glare.
This was a deadly conflict.
Sending Klee was completely inappropriate.
At that moment, a soft voice spoke up.
"Um… could I try?"
Jean blinked in surprise.
"Barbara?"
She stared at her younger sister, stunned.
This was the last person she expected to volunteer.
"I… there's a simulation stage, right? I want to give it a try."
Though she was a deaconess of the Church of Favonius, Barbara Pegg had always dreamed of charging into battle like her sister.
Unfortunately, she wasn't naturally suited for combat.
But this time was different.
She would live another life in simulation.
What if, in that life, she became a fearless warrior?
"Barbara, listen—"
"Jean, I think we should let her try."
Lisa Minci interrupted.
"Information is everything in this game. If our opponents see Barbara, do you really think they'll suspect she's the Heroic Spirit?"
Jean hesitated.
Lisa had a point.
Still, she couldn't help worrying.
Not because she thought Barbara would lose.
But because she feared the brutal fighting might leave her little sister traumatized.
Lisa waved her hand.
"Oh, don't worry so much. Have a little faith in Barbara."
After all, they had already experienced large-scale warfare in Heroes of Might and Magic.
A seven-pair battle was hardly more terrifying.
Jean finally relented.
"Alright. Then Barbara and I will go together. I'll be the Master."
Barbara's eyes lit up.
"That's wonderful!"
Not only would she get to participate—
She would do so alongside her beloved sister.
And as the Heroic Spirit, she would finally be the one protecting Jean.
At last, she would be able to charge ahead and shield her sister from danger.
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