Chapter 234 - 232: A Normal Person Jumps Out from a Group of Abnormal People

People who play both sides are the most despised. Unless that person is the referee, or possesses a formidable strength that makes others afraid to act rashly.

Therefore, even if it might cause his already not-so-abundant mana to be severely reduced once more, the most important thing for Saber to do right now—and the most necessary—was to unleash her Noble Phantasm to the greatest possible extent.

Using this power would allow the participants on the Yggdmillennia side, as well as the participants of the Mage's Association—all of whom had been controlled by Shirou Kotomine with the exception of Kairi Shishigou—to calm down. Even if they realized that they were extra intruders, they would not dare to recklessly eliminate them first.

This would prevent a situation where, while they chose to engage in battle with Shirou Emiya and his group, they might suffer heavy casualties and be "sniped" by participants from another faction.

——"However, because Saber's true name has been leaked by Mordred..."

Looking at the flying golems hanging behind Kairi Shishigou above their heads, and the pigeons that appeared in the corners from time to time, Shirou Emiya, who knew these were familiars sent out by the Yggdmillennia clan and Shirou Kotomine, thought to himself: ——"Saber's display of strength, which differs from historical records, will instead make them unsure about our current situation, won't it?"

Of course, whether they are truly powerful but constrained by the lack of allies, thus forced to feign weakness, or if they are genuinely this weak—that depends on how the Yggdmillennia clan and Shirou Kotomine interpret it, as well as how Shirou Emiya performs next.

After all, there is one other reason why a powerful Servant recorded in historical legends would appear this weak: the Master is a mediocrity.

'And it is simple to reverse this perception.As long as I can defeat Mordred's Master, Kairi Shishigou, in this duel between Masters, I will be fine.

Although from the perspective of a mage, Kairi Shishigou, who gave up being a mage to become a spellcaster (magus-killer), is basically looked down upon by orthodox mages, in terms of combat power...'

Thinking of this, Shirou Emiya's eyes began to drift behind Kairi Shishigou. That was the trail of corpses left behind as they walked, where golems and homunculi sent by the Yggdmillennia clan had all been struck down.

"...Kairi Shishigou has undoubtedly proven himself."

Is it difficult for Shirou Emiya to defeat such a Kairi Shishigou in a Master duel? In truth, it is not difficult. Even if Shirou Emiya's current mana is primarily focused on supporting Saber, making it difficult for him to project new avatars or Noble Phantasms to assist him in combat,

the "Six Eyes," which were projected in advance to maintain Saber's mana consumption in the absence of a Greater Grail's supply, are enough for Shirou Emiya to use the simplest of martial arts.

Under the enhancement of the dynamic vision brought by the "Six Eyes," he could strike Kairi Shishigou down. At most, this style of combat is simply not "magic."

Therefore...

"Saber of Red's Master, or should I call you Kairi Shishigou?" Shirou Emiya began, "I have also heard of matters regarding the Shishigou family.

It is rumored that after you fell into Japan, due to the incompatibility with the local Japanese magical foundation, it once led to the verge of the family's inherited Magic Crest disappearing.

In order to continue the magical legacy, you entered into a contract with 'something.' With the necromancy you now possess, which differs from your previous magical heritage, you once again achieved glory even greater than that of your family's peak."

Information about Kairi Shishigou is not difficult to obtain. Not only is Kairi Shishigou a famous figure in the world of mages, but in the works of the Type-Moon world—and in the memories of Shirou Emiya's past life—Kairi Shishigou is an even more well-known character who occasionally cameos in other works of the same series, due to his character design and his somewhat tragic life.

"However, miracles always have a price. After the Shishigou family was passed down to your generation, it could no longer produce any offspring. Even the Magic Crest on your body began to poison, rejecting anyone from having it implanted.

Even your foster daughter, whom you treated as your own, died instantly under this toxin."

Shirou Emiya said, "Trading the family's future for a moment of prosperity—that is the price..."

However, before Shirou Emiya could finish his sentence, Mordred, who had originally been questioning Saber with an angry face as to why she wasn't using more of her strength, finally moved her gaze away from Saber. She looked at Kairi Shishigou, shocked by Shirou Emiya's words, and even asked with a hint of concern in her voice: "Master, is this true?! Is this the reason why you seek the Holy Grail, too..."

"Mm, it's true. By and large, that's how it is." Kairi Shishigou waved his hand, telling Mordred not to worry about him and that she only needed to focus on dealing with Saber now. Only then did he turn his head to look at Shirou Emiya: "Besides, I let go of such things from many years ago. If you want to use these words to affect me, then I'm afraid you've thought too much.

Having always worked as a mercenary, the thing I am most proud of—besides my endurance in battle—is this calm that isn't influenced by unnecessary matters." As he said this, Kairi

Shishigou gestured toward his brain. However, despite saying that, Kairi Shishigou's tone turned cold after his wounds were exposed by Shirou Emiya.

"Don't misunderstand. I'm not trying to criticize your methods, although I certainly don't like them."

Or rather, the person who should truly be criticized in this matter is the head of the Shishigou family who signed the contract with "that something" back then, not Kairi Shishigou, the victim. In fact, Kairi Shishigou even displayed a conscience that didn't look like a mage's at all.

Upon realizing that he could not produce offspring in any way, nor could he pass on his Magic Crest, he rejected his father's proposals to continue research and find a way to bypass the toxin through numerous transplant experiments. Instead, he chose to abandon the study of magecraft to break his father's obsession, and became a mercenary who uses magecraft—the kind of "spellcaster" looked down upon by mages.

In a group of mages full of phonies, Kairi Shishigou truly does not act like a mage. Even the wish he wants to entrust to the Holy Grail is not to solve this inheritance problem, but to resurrect his deceased foster daughter.

Knowing this, Shirou Emiya found it truly difficult to strike at Kairi Shishigou.

"What I actually want to know is, is the toxin of the Magic Crest on your body a mutation of the Crest itself, or is it some kind of curse?"

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