What Holy Grail War? Let's Play Cards! (Fate/Yugioh)

"A more perfect humanity?" Gudako couldn't believe the mastermind behind this had such lofty ambitions.

"Yes, but how it defines 'humanity' is entirely up to it. Ritsuka Fujimaru, you don't want all of Human History to be destroyed, do you?"

Come to think of it, Tiamat's ideas seemed similar. Jiang You couldn't accept Tiamat's new creations as true humanity; the true new humanity should be drifting freely through space.

"Isn't that just denying all of history? Humanity would still be destroyed. As one in seven billion humans, I definitely want to survive."

Regardless of Goetia's initial motives, his actions amounted to the slaughter of all humanity. Even without grand ideals, Gudako refused to meekly offer her neck to the executioner's blade.

"But why would he do this?" she asked.

"That's another matter entirely," Jiang You replied. "Explaining everything would take far too long. Just ask me when you need to know."

If they continued down this path, they'd never finish. After all, the scope of Part 2 was even grander, with disasters escalating to the point where only an Ultraman could handle them. By the time they'd finished explaining, Artoria's Holy Lance would probably be fully charged. "In any case, let's focus on clearing this hurdle first, Master. You've barely covered a tenth of your journey."

Of course, there was no guarantee that Part 3 wouldn't follow immediately after Part 2, plunging Gudako into an endless cycle of saving the world. After all, a mobile game with a map layout identical to Fate/Grand Order had already successfully released four installments.

"Wait!" Gudako jolted. Even after resolving five Singularities, Jiang You claimed she'd barely covered a tenth of her journey. The thought was terrifying.

"So, you're saying the King of Magecraft has prepared forty-five more Singularities?!"

"Don't jump to conclusions. What made you think of that?"

Gudako clearly misunderstood Jiang You's meaning. "Once we resolve the next Singularity, it'll be the final battle against Goetia! Master, you'll achieve the legendary feat of tearing Goetia apart with your bare hands!"

Gudako took Jiang You's words as mere exaggeration, meant to assure her of victory. But she quickly realized the true reason behind his statement.

"So... there are other disasters threatening Human History?"

The thought made Gudako feel utterly drained. She had already pushed herself to the limit to survive the five Singularities she had faced. If the journey ahead was this long, could she really endure it?

"Ugh, seriously?"

Romani suddenly regretted answering the Holy Grail's summons. This mess had become far too complicated. He felt busier than ever since becoming human again. Could he apply for early retirement? He had already retired once—this would be like being rehired after retirement.

"Bingo! Just as expected of my Master."

Jiang You had already begun calling her "Master," presumptuously closing the distance between them. "Having saved the world multiple times, your status is practically equivalent to that of a 'Messiah.' I eagerly anticipate seeing you on the Throne of Heroes."

"Me?"

Gudako never imagined that a simple blood donation would bind her to the chariot of saving the world.

"I couldn't have done any of this alone," she said. "It was the Heroic Spirits, charging into battle again and again, who brought me this far."

"Don't sell yourself short," Jiang You replied. "Without you, so many Heroic Spirits would never have united." He secretly began working on raising his Affection level with her. "Take me, for example. I came to this Singularity because of you."

Noticing the conversation drifting off course, King Hassan interjected, "The Lion King's Noble Phantasms will soon revert to their true form. There is no time to waste. Servants await your arrival in Atlas. Depart swiftly. When your resolve is firm, my sword shall transform into a raptor to pluck out her eyes, and my black cloak shall become the night to devour that holy city."

With those words, King Hassan unleashed a powerful aura that forced everyone out of the temple, too impatient even to perform the usual ritual of beheading the Cursed Arm.

"So, Mr. King Hassan, does this mean you've agreed to help us?"

Mash helped Gudako to her feet, brushing the dust off her. King Hassan had intentionally held back against Gudako; the other servants had been sent tumbling head over heels.

"Yes, the founder has agreed to assist us once we uncover the truth in Atlas," Cursed Arm said, breathing a sigh of relief. Thanks to someone's sudden intrusion, the founder seemed to have forgotten about his own affairs. This meant he could offer his head after everything was resolved, ensuring he wouldn't meet his end with lingering regret. He had no intention of shirking his duty before the founder. "Though we've already uncovered most of the truth."

"But the problem isn't entirely resolved," Romani cut straight to the point. "You're aware that the Lion King's Noble Phantasm will soon reveal its true form, right, unidentified Caster?"

Having explained nearly everything, Jiang You added, "You're all familiar with the Tower at the World's End, right? The towering structure erected at the very edge of the world. If we think of the tower as the 'mother' structure, the Holy Lance in the Lion King's possession is its 'child' unit, capable of housing human souls. I believe its capacity is around 500? The Camelot we know now is actually constructed entirely from that Holy Lance."

"So, the selection process for entering the city is essentially choosing 500 noble souls?" Mash realized the core of the problem. "Is the Lion King trying to protect people this way? But only 500..."

"It's less about protecting 500 and more about preserving them as specimens of humanity's former existence," Jiang You corrected. "The Holy Lance can only preserve souls; it can't sustain life. Moreover, since the tower itself is located at the World's End, once it's completed, our current Singularity will transform into the true end of the world, and all living things will cease to exist."

Loving humanity while simultaneously killing those she doesn't select, Lion King Artoria is just one step away from becoming a Beast.

"This is unacceptable!" Gudako exclaimed, refusing to accept the Lion King's actions. "We have to stop her! I've made up my mind. Let's go back and ask King Hassan to intervene directly!"

"I still think you should go to Atlas," Jiang You said, glancing at the tightly sealed doors of the Spirit Temple. King Hassan's intentions were clear: Gudako still needed to make the trip. Jiang You, however, had no intention of accompanying her; he was far too lazy to bother with the plot. "Besides, Da Vinci is still being held by Lancelot. You need to rescue her first. Launching an attack now would leave us with two fewer allies and one more enemy. Remember, Lancelot can be swayed. Mash, just call him 'Dad' a few more times."

"That sounds ridiculous..." Xuanzang protested. "Lancelot is a knight. Would he really betray his oath just because Mash said that?" According to the knowledge bestowed upon him, knights were supposed to be paragons of loyalty, like his own disciples.

"If it's Lancelot..." Jiang You said, "it's actually quite possible."

Bedivere averted his gaze.