Nobody knows how to be a villain better than me.

"What's wrong, are you nervous?"

"Ahem, Rider, I'm afraid I can't help with this."

Weber looked at his malnourished body and felt depressed.

"It's alright, leave it to me. As a conqueror king, in addition to having outstanding wisdom and martial prowess, one must also have a strong physique and a capacity to tolerate anything."

Iskandar Lang chuckled, patted his belly, and looked calm.

"On the road of expedition, there is no time to eat quietly. It is normal to eat a big meal and then go hungry for three to five days. And at countless celebratory banquets, my appetite has never been inferior to that of any of my subordinates."

With the comfort of his servants, Waver, who was somewhat uneasy, gradually regained his confidence as he looked at Iskandar's imposing physique.

That's right. With such a large size, who can beat my servant when it comes to eating?

Soon, with Ereshkigal and Rin Tohsaka cramming and making a last-minute effort, the preparation time passed in the blink of an eye.

when……

As the opening bell rang, a golden beam of light descended from the sky and landed on the host's platform.

A moment later, as the light faded, a mysterious creature with blonde hair, red eyes, pointed cat ears, and an appearance resembling a small, cute humanoid cat, dressed in white clothes and a red skirt, stood on the table, picked up a microphone, and made a high-profile announcement.

"The time for the feast has arrived! Contestants, take your positions! Now, please welcome the audience! Let's indulge in the fun, meow!"

Suddenly, amidst the cheers of the mysterious creatures raising their hands, the earth trembled, and the tightly closed doors of the stadium were smashed open by groups of cat-like humanoid creatures dressed in all sorts of small clothes.

"Meow! Meow! Meow!"

Immediately afterwards, mysterious creatures, appearing from nowhere, surged into the venue like a tide, quickly seizing advantageous positions in the audience.

The contestants couldn't help but notice that these little creatures, jumping around, had all sorts of support items in their hands, including glow sticks, banners, and more.

"What is this? It looks so cute!"

Looking at the furry, mysterious creatures around her, constantly meowing, holding up banners, and waving glow sticks, Irisviel's ruby-like eyes couldn't help but show a keen interest.

"It looks like some kind of... fairy?"

Artoria observed for a moment, frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and then spoke with some uncertainty.

At this moment, the instigator in the shadows, listening to the pleasant "meows" all over the place, curled up the corners of his lips with pleasure.

Cat Arc, also known as Cat Princess.

This is a special group of fairies that he manifested using the soul materialization law of the Greater Grail to maintain the operation of the game.

They were created to make the world more interesting and games more fun.

These are commonly known as backstage staff and the atmosphere team.

After all, without an audience, there is no performance.

In order to better fulfill its mission, during the activation of the Fuyuki ley lines, the cat Arc can summon an unlimited number of companions and travel throughout the city with the help of the Holy Grail to complete various tasks.

In addition, the Cat Arcs are often manifestations of Samael's will combined with the Holy Grail ritual.

Therefore, upon closer inspection, one will find that the outlines and clothing characteristics of these little creatures are mostly based on the appearances of some Fuyuki City residents or the afterimages of certain Heroic Spirits, making them resemble a miniature version of the Fuyuki Cat Kingdom.

The cat princess on the stage is a leader created by someone using Princess Arcueid as a model.

As special spectators entered, the atmosphere in the venue reached a climax amidst enthusiastic cheers.

"I hereby declare the Fourth Holy Grail War, the Great Sorcerer Clash, the first round of the competition, officially begun!"

At this moment, the white cat princess standing on the table raised her arm and shouted, thus beginning this absurd game.

Chapter 150 Unparalleled Eating Power! (4.2k)

"This inaugural Holy Grail Eating Contest is jointly sponsored by Tonkotsu Ramen Shop in the Shopping Street and Hongzhou Banquet Hall Taishan Restaurant. We welcome you to choose related products and have a great shopping experience."

On the stage, Cat Princess, microphone in hand, turned to the audience and tossed a basket of small gifts printed with cat paw patterns. Amid the enthusiastic atmosphere, she read her opening remarks word for word from the script.

Why are there still ads?

As the behind-the-scenes investor and boss, Samael, lurking in the shadows, nearly collapsed from shock.

Immediately, the ancient snake calmed down a bit, its face darkening as it looked at Kirei Kotomine on the judges' panel.

One of the managers in his seat spread his hands, giving a helpless look.

"There's no way around it. The contract fee for the Fuyuki City Grand Gymnasium, plus all the food supplies and professional equipment, means the event funds you provided are simply not enough..."

"Do I need to teach you this? Don't try to fleece me like I do! Why don't you ask the Church and the three founding families for a budget? Ask them to allocate some special funds for the Holy Grail War!"

"Keep your minds from the love of money, and be content with what you have. For the Lord has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you'—Hebrews 13:5."

"..."

Upon hearing a former clergyman make the sign of the cross and use original biblical teachings to shut him up, Samael twitched his lips and looked at him with disdain.

"Back when you were running a shady business in Italy and evading taxes, you weren't this honest..."

The priest pretended not to hear, turning his head away to conceal the fact that he had fallen into depravity.

Damn, I almost forgot, I paid for your shady business.

To this day, you still haven't said you'll pay the money back!

The Demon Lord, who inadvertently recalled old grievances, became even more depressed. At the same time, he secretly resolved to keep Kirei Kotomine, that spendthrift, away from financial matters in the future.

Expecting him to manage your finances is like going hungry for two meals in three days – that's the least of your worries.

It's important to know that in the original historical timeline, Kirei Kotomine took over the Tohsaka family business after he stabbed his teacher, Tokiomi Tohsaka, to death.

However, within a few years, the Tohsaka family's once substantial fortune was almost entirely squandered due to Kotomine's poor management or his penchant for poverty, forcing Rin Tohsaka, a dignified young lady, to work as a shrine maiden to support herself.

In another trajectory of fate, Kirei Kotomine's management of finances is also baffling.

This guy opened a Mapo Tofu Ramen shop in Fuyuki City, but not only were his dishes much more expensive than other shops, he also opened other stores, and these stores never paid taxes.

In addition, there are extra charges for rescuing people...

Even so, Kirei Kotomine has never been particularly extravagant.

Just as a certain demon lord and his unreliable disciple were secretly complaining to each other, the cat princess on the stage, holding a microphone, was giving a long, drawn-out speech while gesturing wildly on the tabletop.

"Now, please welcome the contestants to enter in turn~~~"

A group of cat fairies in work clothes around the venue chanted "Heave-ho~ Heave-ho~" in rhythm, working together to point the well-adjusted spotlights at the slowly opening entrance.

As the spotlight focused on her, Neko-hime made a high-profile announcement.

"First, there is Master Irisviel from Einzbernburg, and her Servant—the Sword Knight Saber!"

At this moment, Irisviel, who had come out of the passage after hearing the noise, took Saber's hand and looked around curiously, occasionally smiling and waving to the cat fairies in the audience.

Her noble demeanor, stunning beauty, and approachable attitude immediately ignited the atmosphere in the venue.

"An angel! I really saw an angel descend, meow!"

"Alice will win!"

"It's Her Highness the Holy Maiden! Her Highness the Holy Maiden is the best!"

The cats in the audience were immediately filled with excitement. As a creation of the Holy Grail ritual, their natural and overwhelming goodwill made the cat fairies give the new generation of Winter Saintess with her iconic silver hair and red eyes the warmest welcome and support.

Even the banners and signs held aloft were quickly changed by the cat fairies' special abilities, all becoming slogans in support of Irisviel.

At that moment, accompanied by a wisp of smoke, Cat Princess, who had jumped off the stage, appeared at the track entrance in an instant, greeted Irisviel, raised the microphone, and conducted a live interview.

"It seems you're quite popular, meow. Miss Alice, do you have any remarks before entering?"

Upon hearing this, Irisviel's red eyes immediately sparkled, and she looked expectantly at the cat-like host in front of her, her face full of eagerness.

"Can I touch it?"

"Uh... okay meow, but only for a little while."

After a moment's hesitation, under the hopeful gaze of the Holy Maiden, Cat Princess obediently gave in.

Immediately, Irisviel eagerly embraced the cat princess like a baby, nuzzling her gently with a blissful expression.

Seeing such treatment, the cats in the audience couldn't help but look on with envy, wishing they could rush up and replace the host to be petted.

Similarly, the cat princess, sitting in the arms of the saintess, couldn't help but let out a pleasant whimper.

However, as soon as she was born, she showed her professionalism and quickly suppressed the whimper that was coming from her throat, turning her head to look at Artoria beside her.

"So, Ms. Saber, as the number one seed, what would you like to say about this tournament?"

"Have!"

When Artoria was being interviewed, her expression turned solemn. Her golden eyes, filled with an oppressive aura, stared at the feline creature before her as she spoke in a stern voice.

"Do you provide complimentary drinks during the meal?"

"Uh, that's right."

"I want a Coke!"

"No, no problem."

Seeing how seriously Artoria was taking it, Nekohime coughed and quickly responded.

Having received a definite answer, Artoria and Irisviel sat down in the number one seat among the contestants, completely satisfied.

Then, realizing that she had spent too much time in the first interview, Neko-hime reluctantly jumped off Irisviel's arms and began the next brief introduction.

"Next, please welcome the second group: the designated seal executor from the Clock Tower, and her Servant, Lancer!"

"It's enough to fill you up, right?"

Bazett looked serious as the cat photographers held up their cameras.

“Uh, yes…yes…”

The interviewer who took over Cat Princess's duties stared blankly for a moment, then nodded stiffly.

"Can I take it to go?"

"..."

But then, Bazett's whispered question left the interviewer speechless.

Good heavens, this is a whole bunch of starving people...

"Ahem, next up is a renowned mage from Western Europe, and her servant Archer! Now, let's move the camera..."

Just as the camera panned out, two masked thugs emerged from the passage and whispered to each other.

"We absolutely have to win, Archer!"

"Of course, that was my original plan."

"Listen carefully, for the Holy Grail, no matter how despicable the means, you must..."

At that moment, the two people illuminated by the spotlight froze, then quickly changed their expressions, adopting the demeanor of obedient girls, and tried to recapture their earlier wicked intentions with off-key, affected voices.

"Don't worry, we will compete fairly and fairly!"

The interviewer, exhausted from a series of mishaps, nodded stiffly and quickly changed the subject, turning the camera to the next group.

"Next is a princess from a foreign land, and her attendant and secretary, Koyanskaya!"

"Actually, as a lady who needs to maintain her figure, I do not approve of this kind of challenge that involves both overeating and harm to health."

A certain scoundrel fox following Anastasia shook its head in judgment.

But then, Koyanskaya changed the subject, raising her hand to touch her cherry-red lips, her eyes alluring, her tone filled with the immorality and seduction unique to a wicked woman.

"However, since this is Master's order, I should do my best. After all, the customer comes first, which is the principle of NFF service. In addition, NFF service is a partner for people who want to satisfy all kinds of desires. If you need anything, you can contact me, and I will serve you wholeheartedly."

That terrifying allure transcended even race and gender; even the cat fairies present were somewhat captivated by its beauty.

It's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature. You really haven't changed at all...

Samael, lurking in the shadows, glanced at a scumbag fox posting suggestive advertisements on the spot, his lips twitching slightly as he silently grumbled to himself.

No wonder he brought down so many Dynasty companies and was chased by a bunch of people.

Fortunately, the princess, who was already immune to this, decisively pulled up the embarrassing servant and headed towards table number four.

After a brief interlude, the fifth group, the Clock Tower Celestial Department Lord Marisbury and his Caster, the sixth group, the sixth group, the sixth group, the sixth group, the seventh group, which included Samael and Tokiomi Tohsaka, also entered the arena.

Compared to the more unruly female contestants, the male contestants' reactions were noticeably more subdued and normal.