Abnormal Moon

"What's up there? Could it be something like a Fourth True Ancestor?"

"I've wanted to ask this for a long time: you always seem to know some strange things?"

"Does it exist or not?!"

"No, I can't even see a single vampire."

"That's good, no, it's probably a bit of a pity..."

"However, the demons seem to be very active. After I spent all my money, I even registered an exorcism company there."

"really?"

Roy was overjoyed.

"You're finally thinking about saving money?"

"No, every time a demon appears, there's always some unknown little company that snatches business away from the Exorcism Bureau at a super low price. I stayed there for a month, didn't make a penny, and then left."

"..."

Aozaki Touko's days of wandering outside were more exciting than anyone could have imagined.

Especially now that the Type-Moon world is becoming increasingly strange, it's filled with new and exciting things that are stirring her heart.

"Master, excuse me, may we speak alone for a moment?"

The golden light gathered together and transformed into a handsome young man in splendid attire.

It was Rider.

He materialized and appeared beside the two, interrupting their lively conversation.

"Then you two talk."

Seeing this, Aozaki Touko, though also interested in Rider, shrugged and left the corridor, leaving the space to Roy and Rider.

"Rider, you're back. What are your thoughts on this era?"

Roy patted the seat next to him, gesturing for him to sit down as well.

Rider didn't stand on ceremony, lifting the hem of his gorgeous robe and sitting cross-legged next to Roy.

"It's quite interesting, but when I think about how this interesting situation was achieved at the cost of the lives of more than six billion people around the world, to be honest, I can't laugh."

"As expected of you, you always have the world in your heart."

"Haha, thank you for the compliment, Master!"

Rider laughed heartily, his fox-like eyes crinkling with joy.

"Speaking of which, I actually have a question to ask Master, which is why I want to speak with Master alone."

"what is the problem?"

“Last night I experienced a brief glimpse of my Master’s past in a dream.”

Rider's smile faded slightly, and his calmer expression gave off a hint of unfathomable depth.

"Because it's incomplete, I wanted to come back and confirm it. Master, what is your purpose in participating in the Holy Grail War? Or rather, what is the wish you want to fulfill through the Greater Grail?"

The atmosphere in the corridor froze for a moment.

Roy's smile vanished.

He raised his hand, wanting to take off the glasses on his nose.

But when he placed his finger on the frame, he suddenly stopped.

"...Ah, no wonder. The spirits of Servants and Masters are connected, so no one can be blamed."

Roy seemed to have given up, letting out a melancholy sigh before a nonchalant smile spread across his face, the corners of his lips curving upwards like those of a hunting lion.

"Alright, I need your help to fulfill my wish, so I'll tell you the truth."

"What exactly is my wish...?"

Roy shared his ideals and the reasons behind them.

He told Rider everything without reservation.

The moment those words ended.

Rider's expression changed.

"Are you serious, Master?"

"Even if you do manage to achieve your plan and win this Holy Grail War, the chances of your wish coming true are absurdly low! Are you really going to fight for such an unattainable wish?"

How will you know if it will work if you don't try?

Roy smiled without changing his expression.

"I just want to know, Rider, are you willing to be my ally?"

Rider's expression kept changing.

On his face, one could see admiration, pity, and awe for Roy.

"I want to apologize to you."

Rider stood up and knelt down beside Roy in a half-kneeling position.

The frivolous attitude vanished, replaced by deep respect.

"It seems that my long training has rusted my brain, to the point that I doubted your character based on just one dream, and thus came to test you. I apologize for this; I was judging you with my own petty mind."

"Making a god apologize to me, I'm really something else."

Roy smiled, not caring.

His heavy breathing just now had really startled him.

I thought his apology meant he didn't acknowledge me as his Master and wanted to leave. That was really scary.

"I, Rider—no, I, Taigong Wang, swear in the name of a disciple of Yuanshi Tianzun that as long as my heroic spirit remains, I will protect you to the very end and do everything in my power to help you fulfill your wish!"

Rider, the legendary strategist of the Zhou Dynasty, Taigong Wang, also known as Jiang Shang or Jiang Ziya, made an oath in the name of the supreme deity of Taoism.

As a disciple of Yuanshi Tianzun and a member of the Taoist deities, Taigong Wang's oath was so serious that it shocked even his senior brothers to the point of speechlessness.

Because Roy's wish carries such weight.

Chapter 30 Miss Okita: *crying*

"I'm sorry, Rider."

Roy smiled slightly and shook his head.

Taigong Wang was dumbfounded.

No, what's going on?

He's already said he's willing to be Roy's pawn, so why is he still so regretful?

Looking back on Taigong Wang's life, he only said such a thing to the Zhou king once, thousands of years ago!

Why was I rejected the second time I said it?

Roy was secretly pleased.

Haha, serves you right for talking so slowly!

“Rider, I appreciate your willingness to help me, but my expectation of you is not to protect me.”

Roy smiled slightly and shared his thoughts.

"I hope you don't stand in the open, but hide yourself and exist as my last trump card."

"On the surface, I will have Saber as my servant, while you will be in control from the shadows."

"I see!"

Taigong Wang breathed a sigh of relief.

What a close call! It turns out the Master didn't abandon him after all; he almost embarrassed himself!

"Then I will reappear at the crucial moment of victory, or when Master is in danger!"

"No, even if I'm in danger, you mustn't show up."

Roy shook his head again, his expression unchanged.

"Even if I die, let alone if my life is in danger, Rider, I don't want you to appear. There is only one time for you to appear, and that is to ensure that I win the Holy Grail War. If I unfortunately die in the middle, I hope you can inherit my will and help me convey my wishes."

"Even without a Master, you should be able to survive."

This time, Rider was speechless.

He is only allowed to appear at the crucial moment of victory to ensure the final triumph. No matter what happens in between, even if the Master dies, he is not allowed to appear.

Roy's purpose in making these arrangements was singular: to overcome all obstacles and achieve final victory.

He was willing to risk his life for this.