NABC Chapter 184 Perfect Infiltration of the World Tree Clan
Chapter 184 Perfect Infiltration of the World Tree Clan
Chapter 185 Perfect Infiltration of the Thousand World Tree Clan
Under Tomoe Gozen's astonished gaze, Kotomine Shirou transformed into the likeness of Gordo.
Seeing his handsome apprentice turn into a plump middle-aged man, Tomoe Gozen was speechless with emotion.
It took her a moment to realize what was happening.
"Shirou, are you trying to infiltrate the Black faction's camp?"
"That's right!"
Turning back, Shirou Kotomine smiled at Tomoe Gozen and said, "I came up with this method while fighting Siegfried. Isn't it interesting?"
"It's certainly interesting, but isn't it a bit dangerous? What if we get caught?"
Tomoe Gozen felt somewhat worried.
After all, it would be too dangerous if their identities were discovered in the Black Party's headquarters.
"It's alright. Siegfried has already agreed to serve me, and my skill in transformation magic is already quite advanced. The Black Faction's Masters won't be able to see through my disguise."
"As for the Servants, none of the Black Faction Servants who have come to the Holy Grail War this time are capable of seeing through magical disguises. At most, Astolfo has a Noble Phantasm that can break through magical effects."
"But that Noble Phantasm needs to be activated actively. Astolfo won't activate it while he's around if he doesn't know my true identity."
"Alright, whatever you say."
After hearing Kotomine Shirou's explanation, Tomoe Gozen couldn't help but shake her head.
Tomoe Gozen was already used to Kotomine Shirou's fickle nature.
Although Shirou Kotomine always carefully sets out various plans before each operation, his plans often change.
As for how to make changes, that depends on when his inspiration strikes.
"So, has Siegfried been summoned?"
"Of course, I'm very fast."
After saying that, cursed power and magical power began to gather on Kotomine Shirou's body, and then surged out from Kotomine Shirou's body, gradually transforming into the appearance of Siegfried.
"Welcome back, Siegfried."
Looking at Shirou Kotomine's outstretched hand and the image of his former Master that he had transformed into, Siegfried nodded slightly.
"I will dedicate all my strength to you."
Siegfried promised.
Siegfried had overheard Shirou Kotomine's conversation with Jeanne d'Arc while he was inside Shirou Kotomine's body.
Although this was something that Shirou Kotomine deliberately let Siegfried hear.
But Siegfried believed in Joan of Arc's virtue and that she would not help Shirou Kotomine deceive him.
Therefore, he believed that what Shirou Kotomine said was true.
Therefore, as a hero, he also recognized Kotomine Shirou and was willing to offer his loyalty to him.
"Then let's fight side by side!"
Kotomine Shirou quickly regained his appearance.
He signed a contract with Siegfried in his true form.
Thus, another Servant became available for Kotomine Shirou to control.
His combat strength has also been enhanced once again.
Tulipas, the Castle of the Thousand World Trees.
This is the base of the Thousand World Tree family, and also the territory of the Black Faction.
Previously, in the Yggdrasil Castle, all the Servants except for the defector Assassin had gathered here, awaiting unified command.
At this very moment, all of Black's Servants have gathered in this castle.
Although the other Masters and Servants were unaware of this matter.
"Gold, you've been attacked?"
In the main hall of the Yggdrasil Castle, seated in the most central position was the Servant Vlad III, and standing beside him was Vlad III's Master, Darnic.
And this Danic was the mastermind behind the Third Holy Grail War, who used various schemes and tricks to steal the Greater Grail.
He is also the leader of the Yggdrasil family.
As for why he was standing next to the Servant he had summoned, it was naturally because he was serving as a subject to a former king's Servant, just like Tokiomi Tohsaka in the Fourth Holy Grail War of the world where Shirou Kotomine lived.
However, Vlad III was much easier to serve than Gilgamesh.
Moreover, it is no exaggeration to call him a king.
After all, he was once the king of this land under everyone's feet.
It was precisely because of this that he, with the advantage of location, was able to become one of the three top Servants in this Holy Grail War.
"That's right. On my way back, I was attacked by the arrogant Assassin, the one who killed Sagara, Jack the Ripper. Unfortunately, she escaped."
"Ruler, on the other hand, refused my invitation. Even after being attacked by Lancer from the Red Team, she didn't even consider accepting it. She's a stubborn girl."
When Danic asked him questions, Shirou Kotomine, disguised as Gold, told everyone present the information with a displeased look.
Upon hearing this, the expressions of the people present varied.
"I can't believe Jack the Ripper would dare attack my uncle. Has she lost her mind?"
One of the seven Masters of the Black Faction, Archer's Master Fiore, spoke up in confusion.
In her opinion, choosing Saber as her target as an Assassin was definitely the worst choice.
Especially when the other party hasn't given her any openings.
This is highly unusual.
"Perhaps she's just lost her mind? Otherwise, why would she refuse to summon her Sagara and instead choose a prostitute who knows nothing as her Master?"
"Rider's Master, Sereneka, said disdainfully."
Through the investigation by the Yggdrasil family, the matter concerning Jack the Ripper and her Master, Rokudou Reika, has been thoroughly investigated.
That's why she was so dismissive.
Such a choice would be extremely bad for a Servant.
"Or perhaps it's related to the nature of Jack the Ripper? I don't think someone like Jack the Ripper can become a legitimate Heroic Spirit. Her existence might be extremely special, which is why her actions seem abnormal?"
Koles, as the Berserker Master, speculated.
Besides being the Master of Berserker, Correspondent is also the younger brother of Fiore, the Master of Archer.
Both siblings are Masters of the Black Faction.
Their relationship is also the best among the Black Masters.
"Perhaps!"
'
Danic nodded slightly.
He had thought a lot about Jack the Ripper.
However, there is no definitive conclusion yet.
"In any case, we can no longer tolerate Jack the Ripper continuing to commit crimes in Tulifas. Everyone should keep a close eye on her movements from now on."
"If she is ever found again, we must immediately mobilize manpower to eliminate her."
Having said that, Danic looked at Vlad III, who had remained silent on the throne, and respectfully asked, "Your Majesty, what do you think of this approach?"
"That's fine!"
Vlad III said firmly.
"If Jack the Ripper dares to continue committing crimes, I will personally eliminate her. I never show mercy to traitors."
"I understand. I will inform Your Majesty immediately if there is any further news about Jack the Ripper."
Danic responded respectfully.
"As for the Arbitrator," Danic looked at Shirou Kotomine again, "since she's unwilling, then so be it. Inviting her was just a trial anyway."
Danic stated the truth.
Danic didn't have high hopes for winning over the arbitrators.
After all, those who can become arbitrators must be people with firm beliefs.
Such people are difficult to entice with bribes.
After making their final summary, everyone present left and returned to their respective residences to continue preparing for the Holy Grail War.
Shirou Kotomine, who disguised himself as Gordes, was no exception.
As he left, Fiorecoles, who was leaving with him, also greeted him.
If he weren't currently disguised as Gold, Shirou Kotomine would have loved to have a chat with the two of them.
But Gold was an arrogant fellow.
After experiencing this setback, he wouldn't have the leisure to chat with others.
Unless someone else actively seeks him out.
Kotomine Shirou is, after all, only recently disguised as Gordes, so it's not advisable for him to undergo any major changes.
"Fortunately, although these seven people all belong to the Thousand World Tree clan, their relationship with each other is not too close, otherwise it would be really difficult to pretend."
After parting ways with Fiore and the others, Shirou Kotomine walked alone in the castle, lost in thought.
Although the fourteen people in this Holy Grail War are divided into two camps, red and black.
But only one person is destined to have their wish fulfilled through the Holy Grail.
Therefore, the battle between the red and black sides in this Holy Grail War is only the beginning.
After either side annihilates the opposing camp, the remaining members of their own camp will engage in a final battle to determine who will embrace the Holy Grail.
So it doesn't matter whether it's the red side or the black side.
The seven people in their own camp were actually enemies.
However, due to the unique nature of this Holy Grail War, this aspect has been hidden.
For example, the Black Faction members, although they will be enemies in the future, will not fight amongst themselves as members of the same race, so the tension between them is relatively low.
With the added prestige of chieftain Danis, the Black faction was naturally able to unite.
Although there are some stubborn elements among them.
That's right, I'm talking about Gold.
Because he was worried about internal strife within his own side after defeating the Reds, he didn't even trust his own people and forbade Siegfried from speaking, thus exposing his own identity.
The red team is even more formidable.
Amakusa Shiro Tokisada directly controls all the Masters and then commands the Servants on their behalf.
In this situation, the Red team appears to be the more united side.
But this is only the surface.
The contract between a Master and a Servant is not merely the three Command Seals.
Command Spells simply grant absolute control.
However, in addition to Command Seals, there is also a contract between Master and Servant.
But this contract is actually the most important thing.
For example, characters like Artoria and Diarmuid from the Fourth Shinobi World War, who embody chivalry, have always been loyal to the Masters who summoned them.
Even if you gain control of them through scheming.
However, they will not be as loyal to the new Master as the original Master was.
Other Servants may not be as extreme as these two, but unless you gained control through legitimate means.
Otherwise, it would be like planting a bomb that could explode at any time.
Amakusa Shiro Tokisada was like that.
Even before he obtained the Command Seals of all the Masters of the Red faction, as their representative, he naturally gained the loyalty of all Servants.
Back then, the red team was the strongest.
But once he gained control of all the Servants, all he had left were Command Seals.
By then, people's hearts had already broken down.
Although Amakusa Shiro Tokisada temporarily gained the loyalty of his Servants by upholding righteousness, their primary goal was no longer to help their Master obtain the Holy Grail.
Therefore, Achilles became obsessed with his duel with his master Chiron.
Atalanta is obsessed with killing Joan of Arc to avenge her child (Jack the Ripper).
Karna uses the power of the Black Faction to save all the Masters, and then becomes determined to fight Siegfried.
As for Amakusa Shiro Tokisada's long-cherished wish?
What's it to me?
All I want to do now is fulfill my own wish.
Thus, the strongest Red team collapsed.
"The Holy Grail War is not just a summoner tournament! Servants have their own will, which is why I used that method to subdue Siegfried and Jeanne d'Arc."
After some thought, Shirou Kotomine couldn't help but sigh.
If Shirou Kotomine only coveted the power of the Heroic Spirits and wanted to receive their power, he wouldn't have had to go through so much trouble.
But in addition to receiving the power of the Heroic Spirits, Shirou Kotomine also wants the Heroic Spirits to fight for him.
In that case, he would need to gain the approval of the Servants.
Although after being transformed into a cursed spirit, Shirou Kotomine will gain complete control over them.
But Shirou Kotomine needs them to fight.
During the battle, Shirou Kotomine simply didn't have the extra energy to control their fighting style.
However, if one does not gain the trust of the other party, the heroic spirits who have appropriate autonomy in battle have every opportunity to ambush them.
Even if it's not a direct method.
Therefore, the only ones that Shirou Kotomine will summon to fight alongside him are those he identifies with and those who identify with him.
Someone with mental problems like Jack the Ripper would never be summoned by Shirou Kotomine. She would only serve as a reserve of power for Shirou Kotomine, adding to his abilities.
Therefore, when recruiting these Servants, Shirou Kotomine first thinks about winning their hearts.
Actually, this matter wasn't that troublesome.
Most Servants, after being defeated by Shirou Kotomine, will naturally pledge allegiance to him.
When facing this kind of Servant, Shirou Kotomine just needs to avoid offending the other party too much.
After all, everyone has their own bottom line.
Therefore, when facing Siegfried, Shirou Kotomine could have easily agreed to his request not to kill his Master.
The real Gold is in his alternate dimension at this moment.
"The Holy Grail War may seem simple, but there are actually quite a few things to be aware of."
With a sigh, Shirou Kotomine returned to Gold's room.
In Gold's room, Shirou Kotomine found many things that interested him.
That's magic knowledge.
Gold's specialty was alchemy.
His expertise in alchemy lies in the creation of androids.
In the current Black faction, many of the androids he created serve as ordinary soldiers in this Holy Grail War.
At the same time, many homunculus humans act as batteries to provide magical energy to the Masters of the Black Faction.
This makes the Black faction's Servants quite excellent in terms of magical support.
As a result, the Servants do not need to worry about mana consumption during battle.
This method of supplying mana is quite excellent for those who consume a lot of mana, although it is somewhat inhumane for androids.
However, before they develop their own consciousness, androids don't actually need to consider human rights issues.
Moreover, this is a world of magicians.