Homunculus

With already powerful Servants like Archer and Rider, coupled with Lancer empowered by the local region, possessing a perfect and powerful golem like Caster's Noble Phantasm could undoubtedly secure their victory in this Holy Grail War.

Darnic immediately turned to the towering figure of Heracles.

"Archer, you must have heard. That homunculus is crucial for us and might determine the outcome of this war. So, can't you—"

Before he could finish, however, the three-headed dog lying quietly beside Heracles suddenly raised its head, and its six eyes glared menacingly at him.

Darnic instinctively took a step back, frightened.

Heracles calmed Cerberus with a reassuring gesture and calmly spoke up.

"I don't care about victory or defeat. All I know is this child has developed his own will and thought, just like any human. Naturally, I want to save him."

"What? Are you kidding?! Homunculi don't have any will or thought; they're just tools. I never created them with such concepts!" Gordes scoffed.

Cerberus turned its gaze to him, causing the chubby man to tremble.

At that moment, a tall figure suddenly appeared in front of him, blocking the malicious intent of the three-headed dog.

"Damn it, mind your own business..." Gordes said in a low voice while looking at Siegfried in front of him.

"Whether it is or not, let him explain himself." Arkhan smiled, summoning Abyss Flower and walking toward Heracles.

Cerberus intended to intimidate Arkhan, but a glance from the latter's pitch-black eyes made it shrink and emit a pitiful whine.

"You have an interesting dog." Arkhan raised an eyebrow. "How about giving it to me?"

Hearing the absurd request that came out of nowhere, Cerberus was instantly startled, looking pitifully at its master. In its eyes, this black-haired man emanating the scent of a powerful dragon seemed to want to devour it as food!

Hearing the sudden and bizarre question, Heracles was puzzled and furrowed his brow.

"Why do you want it?"

"I have a daughter and want to get her a pet, y'know..." Arkhan bluntly stated. He had been wanting to find a suitable pet for Mordred for a while, and Cerberus, being intelligent and robust, with the strength of a divine beast, seemed like a perfect fit.

"Daughter..." Heracles fell silent for a moment, then nodded slightly. "Let me think about it."

Cerberus, upon hearing his master's response, immediately rolled its eyes and lay down on the ground resignedly.

"Well, thanks a lot then." Arkhan smiled, nodding, and stuck the tip of Abyss Flower into the homunculus's shoulder.

With the sacred lily pattern on the lance shimmering, the power of life surged into the homunculus's body. After a moment, the homunculus slowly opened his eyes.

Seeing those weak and tired eyes, Gordes's heart skipped a beat. Those were not the eyes that belonged to homunculus.

Startled by the strangers surrounding him, the homunculus instinctively tried to escape but stumbled to the ground.

Though Arkhan had recovered the homunculus's vitality, his physical weakness wasn't something that could be cured instantly. At this moment, he resembled a toddler; forget running, even walking was a challenge.

Realizing escape was futile, the homunculus helplessly crouched on the ground, trembling like a startled quail.

"P-Please don't kill me..."

His words shocked everyone present.

Jeanne immediately prepared to step forward but found herself halted by a white lance pointed at her head, preventing any further movement.

"From here on is an internal matter for our Black Faction. As a Ruler, you better remember your place." Arkhan stated expressionlessly.

Hearing that, Jeanne furrowed her brow.

"How can I just watch someone—" 

"Regardless of your reasons, he is our Black Faction's private property." Arkhan interrupted. "Plus, didn't you hear? This homunculus is crucial for improving our Caster's Noble Phantasm."

Hearing Arkhan's words, the eyes of Avicebron and the golden-haired teenager, Roche, lit up. Did Rider want to help them?

Caules and his sister, Fiore, exchanged glances, both frowning.

As for Darnic, his face instantly stiffened. If Archer and Rider fought, it would be an unbearable blow for them!

'No, this can't happen!' Darnic exclaimed inwardly. However, he couldn't think of a good way to resolve the conflict at hand.

"Having a dispute in front of outsiders, how disgraceful."

A deep and stern voice suddenly echoed from nowhere, and Vlad's figure soon emerged.

""My King.""

Darnic and the rest of Yggdmillennia's people hurriedly bowed.

Vlad glanced at the trembling homunculus, then turned to Avicebron.

"Caster, are you sure this homunculus is the core you've been searching for?"

"Yes! It's this homunculus, I swear my life on it!" Avicebron answered with a frantic tone.

Vlad showed no emotion and looked at Heracles.

"Archer, do you insist on keeping this homunculus?"

"I won't turn a blind eye to someone in need." Heracles replied calmly.

"Since you're currently deadlocked, let's discuss it another day then." Vlad said indifferently, then looked at the chubby man. "Gordes, I'm leaving this homunculus in your care. If anything happens, I'll be the first to hold you accountable."

"H-Huh? I-In my care?"

Gordes was initially confused but soon realized the trouble that had befallen him. He came here just to watch the show, yet, out of nowhere, the responsibility was suddenly on him.

"Any problems?" Vlad glanced at him, his tone unchanged.

Gordes gritted his teeth and lowered his head.

"No, I understand."

Raising his head, Gordes turned to Siegfried.

"Saber, go bring that homunculus."

With Heracles and Cerberus standing by, he didn't dare to approach the homunculus personally and let Siegfried do the job.

Hearing his Master's command, Siegfried nodded silently and walked toward the homunculus.

"Do-Don't come any closer!"

Sensing the impending crisis, the homunculus's survival instinct was instantly triggered. He raised his arm, pointing at Siegfried and tightly gritting his teeth. As he started sweating profusely and struggling with difficulty, he began to mutter.

"Strasse Gehen..."

Deep green patterns instantly sparked to life on the homunculus's body. Witnessing this scene, everyone couldn't help but be even more astonished.

"He can even control his own magic circuits..."

Avicebron seemed to be observing something extremely precious, his breathing becoming heavier. Siegfried, however, showed no emotion on his face, continuing to walk toward the homunculus calmly.

Just as the homunculus was about to resist, a hand suddenly chopped at his neck, instantly rendering him unconscious.

"Thank you."

Siegfried nodded at Arkhan, bent down, and lifted the homunculus. Along with Gordes, they left the cultivation chamber.

Whether it was Arkhan's intervention or Siegfried taking away the homunculus, Heracles just stood in place, silent from start to finish, watching Siegfried and Gordes left with the unconscious homunculus.

As the only outsider present, Jeanne's expression was complex.

"Hahh..."

After a while, she could only let out a soft sigh.