[FDJ]Chapter 90: Transferring Servants

Suzuki Yuki arrived in this era.

All seven Servants were summoned, with six of them confirmed to be obtained by the same person. In theory, such an unexpected situation would make it impossible to continue the Holy Grail War. Saladin also obtained a method to summon an additional Extra Class Servant through the ancient Egyptian hidden books, and he planned to use the active summoning of the Ruler Class to punish any rule violators. Other than that, there was no other way.

However, his summoning had no effect. The only information he received was that the Ruler Class Servants could not intervene in this Holy Grail War. He also burned his arm due to the failure of the magic ritual.

The Master who obtained the six Servants not only took away the summoning slots for the other Masters but also used another holy artifact, the True Cross, to further enhance and define the mystery of the Holy Grail. The Holy Grail could no longer recognize any rule violations and even confirmed the legitimacy of that Servant, actively denying the possibility of summoning a Ruler Class.

Saladin, who forcibly acquired the Command Spells through secret arts, did not sit idly by. He knew very well that without the support of Servants, no matter how powerful his army was, no matter how many magi he hired, they would be defeated by multiple Servants. The countermeasure for a Servant is another Servant.

Without knowing the method or the process, only the results were known. Saladin succeeded in summoning his second Servant, but he suddenly aged by five years. His previously able-bodied body for mounted combat became extremely weak.

The arriving Servant appeared older than him and was a knight. Emerging from the illusions, this Servant fused various elements of real knights and was completely different from the actual existing entity. That Servant was Alterego Don Quixote Vivar. Saladin used the remains of the legendary knight El Cid's lance, who died in the Battle of Valencia in 1099, as a relic to summon this fused-type Servant. A true knight would never accept their existence being twisted. Saladin would never choose the wrong direction, even in his desperate situation.

The next problem quickly arose: Saladin's physical condition was not sufficient to support him in a high-intensity Holy Grail War. With only the desire to win, he voluntarily severed the contract with the newly summoned Servant.

Saladin summoned his trusted confidant, the 15-year-old magus girl Aphaf, who was currently commanding the hired magus army. He never expected that the slave girl he unintentionally purchased would possess the Mystic Eyes lineage and possess extremely high magical talent. And now, this beloved treasure of his had a truly useful role to play. The truth beneath his kindness was rather uninteresting.

"Raise your head, Aphaf, you've done well. Any magus showing signs of betrayal can be eliminated. They are all mercenaries who work for money, and preventing their betrayal from harming us is the right choice."

"But..." Aphaf timidly raised her head and looked at her master sitting above her. The magical light from her Mystic eyes, hidden beneath her veil, unnaturally revealed itself. "Is it really necessary to take action just because I saw their thoughts of betrayal with my Mystic eyes?"

"A regular person's thoughts of betrayal may not harm more than a few people even if they have a weapon in hand. But when a magus has such misguided thoughts, it could result in the deaths of more than just a dozen people. Moreover, I have given permission, so it is permissible, isn't it?"

"Yes, my master, if you have given permission, then it is permissible." Aphaf was allowed by Saladin to learn any knowledge except for proactive actions. Ultimately, in the eyes of her seated "sage" master, she was still a treasure, a weapon intricately adorned with countless precious gems. Her timid nature, which hindered her, further aligned with Saladin's expectations. Therefore, Aphaf's character is timid.

The so-called free identity, and the so-called noble status, were merely external decorations. Although the girl standing before Saladin could easily kill the weak Saladin if she made a move, such thoughts never crossed her mind.

"Do you want to see a wider world, Aphaf?"

"A wider world? Where is that?"

Saladin pointed down at the colorful carpet on which he sat. "What do you see through your Mystic eyes?"

"A carpet?"

"What else?"

"A carpet without any magical attributes."

The Mystic eyes were a gift, a talent that countless practitioners of Magecraft dreamed of. However, such a luxurious gift also came with a price to be paid. Aphaf couldn't see normal colors; in her eyes, only magical energy had color. Her sensitivity to magical energy far surpassed that of most magus. With this innate advantage, she could easily win against magus of the same level in magical battles. At the young age of 15, she had defeated over 50 magus who fell under her command. Age had lost its significance in the face of her talent.

"This carpet weaves the allegory of the dawn of the Lord, depicting the past glory of the holy city. The vibrant red, the luxurious gold, the profound black, the sacred white, and other colors together form this piece of art. Do you want to see them?"

"The Mystic eyes are my only value in life." Aphaf was cautious, afraid of showing any concern about the flaws of her Mystic eyes, which might displease Saladin, the king seated above her. A weapon does not need to see a colorful world.

"I always reward based on merits, regardless of background. Aphaf, among the many ancient Egyptian scriptures you have studied, have you come across the miracle known as the 'Holy Grail'? It is said to be a wish-granting device capable of fulfilling any desire." Saladin's tone gradually grew louder, as if praising an even more exquisite work of art. To him, it was merely an art piece; he didn't need the Holy Grail to fulfill his wishes. The holy city lay just ahead, within his grasp, even if the Holy Grail was ultimately lost. Therefore, the Holy Grail was something he could give away, not a necessity. "Do you want it?"

Aphaf didn't answer, but the downward shift of her gaze indicated the answer. The veil, the heavy robe, and the timid character were not enough to suppress the inherent desires within human nature. Especially under Saladin's suggestive magecraft, Aphaf would not have been influenced if she had maintained her usual level of vigilance when looking at the carpet.

"I want it. I want the Holy Grail, Master. What kind of mission does Aphaf need to accomplish in exchange for information about the location of the Holy Grail?"

After expressing her true thoughts, Aphaf suddenly awakened from the suggestive magecraft. She frantically raised her hands and covered her mouth with her sleeves, then took two steps back in fear, quickly kneeling and apologizing.

"Get up, Aphaf. Greed, well, your level of greed doesn't even reach the level of greediness, and that's not wrong. I have many, many treasures, power, and authority, and I am enthusiastic about bestowing them upon those who are talented, loyal, and willing to make efforts. Be bolder, Aphaf. As long as you can make contributions that match what I have in my hands, you can obtain them." To Saladin, Aphaf was not just a useful weapon but also a trusted confidante with the qualities of a disciple. Saladin himself was not a hero who could conquer lands and territories. He lacked confidence in surviving more than a minute under Aphaf's Magecraft. It was through borrowing the power of others that he was able to firmly sit on the throne and control a top-tier army in this era.

Aphaf obediently followed Saladin's command, even though she had been scared and trembling moments before. As soon as she heard his order, she immediately stood up. "Master, what do you need Aphaf to do?"

"I can tell you right now where the Holy Grail is. That treasure, capable of granting any wish and allowing you to see the colors of this world, is currently in the hands of a young commander named Richard. He hails from distant England and leads an invincible cavalry unit stationed at a strategic location on the way to the Holy City. Under his command, there are at least six Servants, any one of whom possesses the power to annihilate a city overnight. These Servants are heroes from the past, present, and future, whether fictional or historical, and they are not opponents that humans can face. Your Magecraft abilities would likely only be able to engage in a few rounds of cat-and-mouse games with the weakest among them. Of course, in the eyes of the Masters, you would be the mouse, and you would be swiftly devoured. The Masters have nourishing supplements for their Servants. For more detailed information, you can consult the records, where you can find the rules of the Holy Grail War."

As Saladin spoke, a dangerous smile appeared at the corners of his mouth. While ordinary people would naturally avoid such extremely dangerous magical rituals, for some skilled and daring magus, everything could be temporarily abandoned for the sake of the Holy Grail, including staking their own lives as chips.

Aphaf was tempted. Her timidity was pushed aside by her greed, and she finally responded to Saladin with a determined gaze. She wanted to participate in that dangerous magical ritual.

"So, if I defeat this young man named Richard and all his subordinates, I can claim the Holy Grail?"

"That's right, it's simple. Without needing to think, you can immediately understand what needs to be done. It's much more straightforward than studying Magecraft secluded in a cellar. It's like a duel between knights. On the surface, it's a one-on-one battle, defeat the opponent, and claim the reward. You can use any means and techniques within the limits of the rules. If it weren't for my low demand for the Holy Grail and my physical condition, I wouldn't have transferred such a good opportunity to you." Saladin raised his withered left hand, revealing the crimson Command Seals on it. "I have already summoned a Servant, and I will transfer him to you. He will be your partner in participating in the Holy Grail War. The situation is not optimistic. Currently, it's six against one, and we could be surrounded and killed at any moment. Have you made up your mind?"

Aphaf looked at the crimson marks on Saladin's hand. She saw three dazzling crimson lines, the colors of magic piercing through her veil and reflecting in her eyes. The rich magical power resonated with her, and she couldn't possibly mistake it.

"My master, Your Majesty. I am willing to fight on your behalf."

"Very well. Come forward and extend your left hand. I shall offer my support."

Saladin transferred all three Command Seals to Aphaf at once. He expended his life force to obtain the opportunity to summon an additional Servant and bestowed it entirely upon Aphaf. The elderly knight, who had been turned into a Command Spirit, materialized before her. He sensed the abundant magical energy within his new Master and, as a knight, felt even more motivated to engage in battle.

"Alterego, Don Quixote Vivar, reporting for duty. From now on, I shall protect your safety, my Master. I swear upon the honor of all Spanish knights that victory shall be ours."