"Ding, ding, ding... "
"One Master has been caught by Rider... it's Caster's Master! Rider's team gains +2 points."
"Everyone, keep it up! Only half an hour left until the match ends!"
"Come on, stay sharp!"
"Wait a moment, Saber, please don't harass innocent bystanders... no, not even if you're an emperor!"
With only half an hour remaining in the match, aside from children like Sakura Tohsaka and the ever-enthusiastic Nero, hardly anyone was truly "wholeheartedly" participating in this game.
"More than finding people, this is a test of tactics, isn't it?"
"Tactics to hide yourself, and tactics to drag others down."
"Though this game is foolish, if the outcome of the Holy Grail War is truly decided this way... the one leading on the first day will surely become everyone's target."
Leading from the start of the competition was definitely not a good idea... in this regard, Caster's strategy was well-designed, almost as if they deliberately let their Master, Waver Velvet, expose himself in a "zero-effort" manner.
... Of course, in Alaric's eyes, the fact that the King of Conquerors, Iskandar, caught Waver Velvet was, in itself, quite a humorous turn of events.
Meanwhile, there was one individual who cared deeply about their team's score, gradually descending into madness.
"Tohsaka, still no trace of the enemy?"
"My apologies, my king. I've set up numerous mana detection spells, but there are too many responses... It seems the enemy anticipated this and scattered countless familiars and small mana reaction barriers throughout the city."
"Silence, Tohsaka! I don't want excuses... I want results!"
Gilgamesh was steadily losing his composure.
This king, who always pursued the "best" and "perfect" in everything, had set his sights on being first... yet now, their team's score remained at zero. How could he tolerate such a thing?
"It looks like you're treating us to dinner, Golden King."
"Shut up, red-haired mongrel... "
With only five minutes left, a furious Gilgamesh took to the skies, unleashing his Gate of Babylon.
Countless golden ripples converged, forming a sea of gold, as if poised to destroy the entire city.
... But in the next instant, golden chains shot from the referee's stand, interrupting his casting.
"You... !"
Looking at Enkidu, whose face was hidden beneath a white monk's robe, Gilgamesh was so exasperated that he laughed.
But after a brief pause, as the golden chains loosened on their own, he waved his hand, canceling the barrage of Noble Phantasms he had been preparing.
It was just a dinner.
As the most ancient king, the King of Heroes, the king among kings, he could afford to treat them to a meal.
...
Five minutes passed in the blink of an eye.
As the last rays of sunlight vanished below the horizon, the first day's match officially came to an end.
"The scores are as follows:"
"Saber Team: 2 points"
"Lancer Team: 6 points"
"Archer Team: 0 points"
"Rider Team: 7 points"
"Assassin Team: 2 points"
"Caster Team: 5 points"
"Berserker Team: 5 points"
Jeanne Lily, acting as the referee, recorded the results on a white stone tablet... a magical artifact in essence.
But soon, a participant raised an objection to the results.
"Excuse me, Referee, we don't have 5 points."
"I caught an enemy!"
Irisviel proudly held up the little angel in her hands.
"Eh?!"
Illya stared at her mother in shock... she suddenly struggled, instinctively trying to escape.
Unfortunately, Irisviel, who had anticipated her movements, even bound her body with silvery mana threads, making her look all the more like a "captive."
"Mom? Why...?"
Illya pouted as she watched her team's score drop from second place with "6 points" to second-to-last with "1 point"... at that moment, her eyes completely lost their sparkle.
But Irisviel was laughing with great amusement.
"Because this is war!"
"Remember, in a war where you must stake your life, you can't even trust me!"
"You're mean, Mom! I'm done with you!"
Illya turned away in a huff, storming toward the referee's table, declaring that she was now siding with the referee team.
... She had long been eyeing Sakura Tohsaka's Santa hat, hoping to become a Santa herself.
Irisviel maintained her smile throughout... after Illya put on the red Santa hat, she even waved cheerfully at her daughter.
[Score Update:]
[Lancer Team: 1 point]
[Berserker Team: 7 points]
Now, Alaric was tied for first.
"Is it worth it?"
Alaric didn't care about his ranking... but he was concerned about Irisviel's choice.
"It's just a game. Isn't it good to let her have some fun?"
Alaric said with a hint of pity.
Despite his earlier violent and ferocious demeanor, he was, in truth, very protective of children like Illya.
... Though sometimes, she could indeed be so annoying that Alaric wanted to blast her with a dragon's breath.
In response to Alaric's question, Irisviel only smiled.
"I, too, wish this were just a game."
"I wish she could stay this happy forever."
"But... if this truly is the last game I can play with her, I hope she ends it crying."
"At least that way, the memory will stick with her more deeply."
The sky brightened again.
... After the match ended, Nero withdrew her Noble Phantasm, transforming the surroundings back into the scenery of Fuyuki City.
The long night finally came to an end, and the sun of the second day rose.
Watching her daughter's retreating figure and catching Artoria's subtle glance that seemed to say, "Don't worry, I'll take care of the child for now," Irisviel patted her chest and let out a long sigh.
"Let's go."
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