Chapter 619

Chapter 619: Just a Poor Amnesiac Girl...?

[The following is an announcement]

[According to recalculations, new Master and Servant sequences have emerged after the second round, disrupting the original roster.]

[Considering various factors, the two affected teams are permitted to freely choose their arrangements. One group will advance to the next round via a bye, filling the vacancy left by the Master killed due to rule violations.]

[Additionally, due to circumstances on the organizers’ side, the third round will commence three days ahead of schedule. The two Masters and two Servants must finalize their pairings before then.]

[Note: Due to one Servant’s abilities exceeding established limits, the Holy Grail War’s format will be revised after the third round concludes.]

[End of announcement]

The announcement from the Moon Cell spread throughout Tsukumihara Academy. In his private quarters, the young king Leo lounged lazily on his bed, legs stretched out, as he quietly read the message. After a moment, a cryptic smile curled at his lips.

"Free choice, huh..."

According to Julius’s intelligence network, the two affected Master-Servant pairs were undoubtedly Hakuno, Sakatsuki, the red-clad Saber, and the inexplicably appearing, wild yet breathtakingly beautiful woman.

Even someone as composed as Leo couldn’t help but be taken aback upon receiving this news.

It was known that Hakuno was a Master, while Sakatsuki and that Saber were Servants. Therefore... the second Master had to be that mysterious beauty.

But that sword, that unapologetically radiant aura, and the presence that even Sir Gawain found threatening—it was hard to imagine a Master could be that powerful.

The last person to make Sir Gawain take things seriously was Sakatsuki.

"What a perfect match..." Leo bent his knee and rested his chin on it, murmuring to himself. "Undoubtedly top-tier Sakatsuki and the mysterious woman, a first-rate—or even higher—red Saber, and... Kishinami Hakuno."

Recalling the tea-haired girl, Leo paused, his expression turning wry.

"She seemed completely harmless during the first round, but this morning, she looked anything but easy to deal with."

Leo didn’t know that Hakuno’s aggressive demeanor was due to her foul mood after seeing Sakatsuki’s closeness with Draco. Regardless, after a moment of contemplation, he nodded solemnly.

"In that case, let’s classify her as A-rank as well, Gawain."

"As you wish."

The handsome, prince-like knight, who had been seated at the bedside table, retrieved one file from a stack of over a dozen and moved it to the folder labeled "A-rank." At the same time, his gaze lingered on the folder right beside it—marked with a bold, red "S"—which, despite containing only two files, was thicker than dozens of others combined.

Gawain knew that even someone as proud as Leo had to acknowledge these rivals. Once, there had been only one, but now, there was another.

Sakatsuki, and the bestial, mysterious beauty—Draco.

And the more troubling news was that, judging by their behavior, the likelihood of these two joining forces was high.

"This is troublesome. If we meet them in the finals, that’s one thing, but encountering them before the seventh round..." Leo massaged his temples. His synergy with Gawain went without saying—even a single glance was enough to understand his Servant’s thoughts.

"Given their strength, even if we win, it’ll be a pyrrhic victory."

Gawain offered no comfort, merely responding in a solemn tone, "I am willing to lay down my life for my lord."

That’s exactly what I’m worried about... Leo’s smile took on a bitter edge. Precisely because he understood this loyal knight so well, he feared Gawain would suffer grievous wounds or even perish to prevent him from getting hurt.

It wasn’t due to any superfluous sentiment—Leo simply didn’t want Gawain’s sacrifice to affect subsequent battles. From a purely rational standpoint, even if he himself were injured, it would be more cost-effective than Gawain sustaining equivalent damage.

Thus, they had to avoid Sakatsuki and that mysterious woman joining forces at all costs. Moreover, the form born from their fusion...

Leo’s eyes flickered as he murmured to himself.

"Beast... the symbol of humanity’s evil recorded in the Western European conglomerate’s archives. A calamity so great it requires a Grand Servant to defeat..."

"My lord?"

"Nothing. Ah, Gawain, where’s Julius’s emotional report on Hakuno? Bring it to me."

"Understood."

Thus, the analysis report on the girl Hakuno’s emotions, compiled from Julius’s surveillance, was presented to Leo. Moments later, the young man closed the dossier with a look of sudden realization.

"I see! I have a plan now!"

"My lord..." Gawain studied Leo’s mischievous grin and hesitated to speak.

He recalled the last time his young lord had worn such an expression—back in the Western European conglomerate... when he’d been sneaking a peek at forbidden texts?

Remembering the lurid and explicit contents of those books, even the radiant and righteous Gawain couldn’t help but flush slightly, clearing his throat.

Last time, he’d been too shocked to react in time. Next time, he’d definitely confiscate them for proper censure!

In any case, Miss Hakuno... you’d best prepare yourself...

————

Of course, Leo wasn’t the only one who received the news. Hakuno and Draco did as well.

Why mention these two together? Well, that was because the four individuals currently announced server-wide were now gathered in Hakuno’s private quarters with the two little girls, sitting in a row, munching on melon seeds, and listening to (Papa) Sakatsuki recount tales of days gone by.

Stories of Draco’s love, mutual betrayals, and efforts to free her from her cage... along with a brief mention of Nameless from another timeline, indirectly explaining his familiarity with the Moon Holy Grail War.

"As for this time... this immature fool of mine left the protection of the Shadow of Imaginary Numbers and rejected the anchor of her original form. To prevent her from disappearing, I had no choice but to employ a certain technique (Event Storage) to restore her existence."

The overaged immature fool currently engaged in a staring contest with Nero withdrew her gaze at these words, leaning happily against Sakatsuki as he wiped dishes. "What can I say? I simply adore you so much—enough to risk my very existence just to see you again."

Sakatsuki didn’t speak. He merely cast a gentle glance, turned his face away, and continued washing the dishes. The warm indoor light fell upon them, creating an almost nostalgic atmosphere of an old married couple.

Then, Nero couldn’t take it anymore.

"Nee, Governor, dost thou remember me?"

Hearing this, Sakatsuki slightly turned his face, looking at Nero as she blinked her eyes, her expression full of expectation. He couldn’t help but chuckle.

"Governor... now that’s a nostalgic title, isn’t it, Your Majesty?"

Just that light, teasing remark was enough to make Nero recall many of her impulsive confessions before regaining her memories. Instantly, her cheeks flushed pink, her gaze flustered as it darted about—until she suddenly snapped back to reality.

No, she had a goal here. She couldn’t be sunk by just one sentence!

Pull yourself together, Nero!

She patted her cheeks and put on what she thought was a flawless smile. "Umu, how could I ever forget the governor I personally appointed? Ahem—Now then, Governor, thou hast a golden opportunity before thee! Return to my service, and I shall not hesitate to share with thee the glory of the Roman Empire—"

"Pfft."

A soft, yet unmistakably clear sound of laughter escaped Draco’s lips as she leaned against Sakatsuki.

"What’s so funny?!" Under her mocking, pitying gaze, Nero bristled instantly, abandoning her script as she pointed accusingly at Draco. "Thou—thou thief! Thou ungrateful wretch! After all the care I’ve shown thee, not a single word of thanks, and now thou seekest to steal my governor away?!"

"Ah, yes, yes, that’s exactly the kind of person I am." Far from being offended by her original’s accusations, Draco only looked more smug, tossing her golden hair as she gazed down at Nero with superiority. "Besides, Rome is long dead, my dear Emperor. Sakatsuki now belongs solely to me—the one and only citizen of my kingdom!"

"Ugh!" The words "Rome is long dead" struck deep. Nero choked up, her eyes wide with indignation, but Draco wasn’t done yet—she pressed her advantage.

"Moreover, thou art a Servant too, no? Dost thou truly believe the Moon Cell would permit a duo of Servants to participate in the war?"

"Gah!"

Nero—utterly defeated.

"Waaah, this can’t be happening!" Tears welled up in Nero’s eyes as she immediately turned to Hakuno. "Master, help me! Sakatsuki is about to fall into the clutches of that wicked woman!"

Faced with the weeping, sniffling pleas of the young emperor, the brown-haired girl merely gave her a calm glance. Her eyes lingered briefly on Draco, who was clinging to Sakatsuki, and then on the faintly smug look in the young man’s eyes. The room held its breath, waiting for the true master to make her move—

But Kishinami Hakuno only turned away, delivering a deadpan, monotone response:

"Ah, what are you all talking about? I’m just a poor amnesiac girl. I don’t know anything..."

"HUH?!"

The moment those words left her lips, everyone in the room froze. Alice’s pastry slipped from her fingers, Alice (the other one) tilted her head in confusion, Nero’s jaw dropped, Draco frowned, and Sakatsuki immediately focused on her, concern flashing in his eyes.

After a brief silence—

The room erupted.

"Master, art thou alright?!"

"That’s strange... She seemed perfectly fine in the Arena earlier..."

"Her memories haven’t returned? But she used magecraft back then, didn’t she?"

"Lie down first, Hakuno. Let Alice and the others examine you. Are you feeling any discomfort? Still can’t remember anything in your mind? Oh, are you thirsty or tired? Should I make something for you to eat? Just rest well for now..."

"Stop it, stop it, Sakatsuki..." Hakuno covered her head, her arm shielding her face, effectively hiding the faint sweetness at the corner of her lips. But her tone remained indifferent, even slightly resentful. "My head hurts so much..."

"I-I see." Sakatsuki hesitated, then finally fell silent, exchanging a grave look with Nero.

Hakuno’s memories still hadn’t returned?

But the decisive battle of the third round was the day after tomorrow!