A Simple and Brutal Battle Plan

At a hotel in Sighișoara.

After opening the door, Naoki entered but didn't see the other three.

"Not back yet?"

Because of Jeanne, this time they split into two groups to operate. Naoki, as a Master of the Red Faction, did what the Red Faction needed: joining the other Red Faction members to fight the Black Faction. In short, he participated in the Holy Grail War. Meanwhile, Jeanne, accompanied by Angelica and Caren, began investigating the anomalies of this Holy Grail War.

With Angelica along, Naoki felt at ease. Caren mostly provided support through Church channels.

Of course, this didn't mean the two sides were completely separated. Every night, no matter the situation, both groups were to meet at this hotel.

"Master."

Emerging from her spiritual form, Mordred shed her armor. "Why not team up with the other six?"

"Oh? You want to team up?" Naoki asked with a smile, sitting on the bed. "Well, in terms of results, cooperation seems like the best choice. Karna, Achilles, Atalanta, Semiramis, Spartacus—each one is a formidable combat force. Even Shakespeare could play a key role in some aspects."

No sugarcoating: if this weren't Romania, the Black Faction would lose on the first night against the Red Faction. Unlike the Red Faction, the Black Faction's combat strength relied heavily on Vlad III, Siegfried, and Chiron. If Vlad III weren't in Romania, his combat power would be significantly reduced.

The only variables were Avicebron's Noble Phantasm and Astolfo, unpredictable time bombs.

If Naoki cooperated with the Red Faction, wiping out the Black Faction in one night wouldn't be difficult.

However.

"Even without cooperating with them, we have the combat power to wipe out the Black Faction in one night, don't we?" Naoki said, counting on his fingers. "The most troublesome, Siegfried and Vlad III, will be handled by Angelica. You can take Astolfo and Frankenstein, no problem. I'll handle the other three."

"Hey! This task split isn't fair—why do you get the easiest job!"

"Because I'm human. How can an ordinary human fight super Servants like you guys? I can only pick the weaker ones. Besides, Chiron's not exactly weak, right?"

He was the teacher in Greek mythology who trained many heroes, and after his death, he became a constellation. Skilled in various techniques, even as an Archer, he could hold his own against Achilles in close combat.

Honestly, Naoki was quite eager to experience Pankration.

"So, overall, I'm actually the one with the easiest job?"

After analyzing it, Mordred was dissatisfied again. "Why give me the easiest task? Give me Chiron—I'll take on three! Don't underestimate me!"

With the scabbard, Mordred was brimming with confidence.

For this overconfident daughter, Naoki said nothing. Let her get humbled later. But if she could win one-versus-three, he'd have to praise her to the skies.

"By the way, Master, got any cash?"

"I do. Why?"

"Then help me out!"

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Time passed quickly, and when Gray and her two companions returned to the room, it was already dark.

"Oh, you're back—took you long enough."

On the couch, Mordred greeted them as they returned.

Seeing her appearance, Gray and Caren were stunned. Mordred wasn't wearing her armor or the revealing tight outfit but rather light, modern clothing.

"Miss Mordred, those clothes?"

"Master bought them for me. Pretty nice, huh?" Mordred grinned. "But too bad Master flat-out refused to let me buy other pants. He insisted I wear shorts like these."

"Nonsense! You think you can wear pants like that? Have some knightly style!" Naoki glared at her, exasperated.

Though he really wanted to see Mordred's classic casual style, when picking clothes, the Arthur power in him kept protesting. Translated, it was: [A daughter shouldn't wear such revealing clothes! Change to something normal!] It even started affecting Naoki a bit.

Closing the doll-shaped notebook in his hand, Naoki asked Angelica, "No issues, Angelica?"

"Yes, everything went smoothly, no problems encountered."

"Any progress on the anomaly situation, Jeanne?"

Hearing Naoki's question, Gray's body trembled slightly, then she answered in a different tone. "Nothing yet. The Holy Grail War hasn't fully started, so there's not much to investigate. I think the real anomaly will only surface once the official battles begin. Then, my revelations will surely react."

"So, either way, we need to start the war with the Black Faction first, right? Fine, while you were gone, Mordred and I already decided on the next battle plan."

Naoki said, tapping the wall to project a whiteboard. He grabbed a pen and began writing.

"Since the Red Faction is our temporary ally, our first target is naturally the Black Faction."

"The specific battle plan is: me, Mordred, and Angelica will storm the Black Faction's headquarters in Trifas. First, I'll destroy the castle across with Moon Fall, forcing them out. Then Angelica will hold off Siegfried and Vlad III, I'll deal with Avicebron, and Mordred will take on the other three. Jack the Ripper can be ignored for now—if they show up, I'll handle them too."

"After Mordred and I finish our fights, we'll join Angelica to gang up on Siegfried and Vlad III."

"After wiping out the entire Black Faction like that, we'll cheerfully start the war with the Red Faction."

"As for fighting the Red Faction—Shakespeare's a comedic character, ignorable. Achilles can only be handled by Angelica. Mordred takes Atalanta, and I'll face Karna."

"What about Spartacus and Semiramis?" Jeanne asked.

"I'll drop the moon."

Naoki said it casually, as if the serious Holy Grail War was a picnic.

For now, let's spare some pity for the Mage's Association and Church, who'll have to clean up the mess afterward. They'll probably see a few meteor craters.

At that moment, a bird suddenly flew in through the open window.

[I've been looking for you for a while, Magus and Saber.]

Semiramis's voice came from the bird—a messenger familiar.

[We have a special situation. Berserker Spartacus has attacked the Black Faction's castle. There's no way to call back that mad warrior, so we've decided to start an early battle with the Black Faction. If you two can, please join us.]

As the voice faded, the bird familiar turned into a feather and flew out.

"Geez, this is really…"

Just as expected.

Naoki stood. "Let's go, then. Angelica, bring out Vimana. We'll take your ride."

"Understood."