Chapter 630: Who Dares Share a Drink, Who Dares Block the Path?
[Warning: Rules of the Moon Holy Grail War are being updated]
[Updating... Update complete]
[Please check the update contents, Masters]
To make a long story short, several days had passed since that sumptuous feast. During this time, Hakuno hadnāt seen Sakatsuki again, while Alice and the others, having lost their qualifications as Masters, simply stayed in Hakunoās room. Watching Hakuno and Nero leave early and return late each day, they grew increasingly synchronized, gradually taking on the appearance of an excellent Master and Servant pair.
Until the day the third round was officially declared over.
āThe Moon Cell suddenly announced a major update.
"Rules update?" Hakuno muttered as she opened her Master terminal. She wasnāt the only oneāthe surviving Masters who had just finished their fierce battles were all checking the announcement on their terminals.
And the contents of the announcement left everyone astonished.
[Elimination tournament format abolished. Tsukumihara Academy is now an open free zone. Shop prices increased by 50%]
[All seven Moon Sea zones unlocked. Enemy program attributes and rewards increased by 30%]
[Private rooms remain safe zones, but Masters only have ten hours of usage per day. Exceeding this will result in a āpassive competitionā warning. Three warnings will lead to forcible deletion by the Moon Cell]
[New scoring system implemented: Defeating other Masters earns points. After seven days, the Master with the highest score wins]
On each projection screen, the word "points" was highlighted. Selecting it brought up an explanatory window with detailed rules.
[Defeating a regular Master earns 2 points. Defeating a Special Master earns 10 points. For collaborative defeats, points will be allocated by the Moon Cell]
[When only one Master remains in Tsukumihara Academy, the Moon Holy Grail War will conclude regardless of point totals, with the last surviving Master declared winner]
[Additional note - Special Masters: Designated by the Moon Cell as having highest potential to win. Starts with 10 points. Shop prices remain unchanged for Special Masters]
[Note: Special Master identities will be publicized, with locations displayed hourly. Defeating a Special Master yields rich point rewards and option to inherit the Special Master title...]
[Current Special Master: Draco (Servant: ArcherĀ·Sakatsuki)]
"Youāve got to be kidding meāthis is practically overflowing with malice!" Sakatsukiās cheek twitched as he stared at Dracoās Master terminal, voicing his loud complaint. "Apart from some barely-there benefits, everything else is targeted!"
For Sakatsuki, the shop prices werenāt a concern at all, and the power unlocked after the third round was more than enough for him to dominateāin other words, the so-called benefits of being a Special Master meant nothing to him.
No, it would be more accurate to say they were just superficial cover specifically designed to target him!
"Having our true names exposed is one thing, but having our location broadcast too? And whatās worse, killing us comes with rich rewards without having to become the next target..."
On the plush velvet bed, the Red Dragon Emperor lay lazily, her golden hair cascading like flowing gold. The red dress clung lightly to her body, doing nothing to conceal her demonic charmāinstead highlighting her pale skin, long powerful legs, towering peaks, and breathtaking face that could steal oneās breath away under the light.
Even Sakatsuki, who spent every night with Draco in "passionate embraces," had to struggle to tear his gaze away before refocusing on the rule updates.
"Targeted or not, weāve become everyoneās mark now. As Special Masters, weāre bound to be everyoneās target... Hah, though I expected this situation, I didnāt think the Moon Cell would secretly trip us up too."
With an overpowered Servant like Sakatsuki and an overpowered Master like Draco, after demonstrating their overwhelming combat prowess repeatedly, the other Masters would inevitably unite to suppress this greatest threatāthis was something Sakatsuki had mentally prepared for.
But the Moon Cell suddenly changing the rules, practically shouting "Go kill this pair already," was truly beyond his expectations.
"Probably some hot-headed Masters are already foaming at the mouth, howling to come after us, right?"
After the initial surprise, Sakatsuki quickly calmed down, even joking with Draco: "Though Iām humble and tolerant, I wonāt say no to free points delivered to my doorstep."
"Donāt be reckless, my contractor." A pair of pale legs coiled around the young manās body like serpents. "I bet someoneās already setting traps outside our door right now, just waiting for us to step out."
As if on cue, a communication request came through the terminal. Upon answering, Neroās anxious voice immediately filled the room:
"Hello? Are you two alright? I saw the rule updatesātheyāre really unfavorable for you!"
"Relax, my adorable little sister." Sakatsuki suddenly felt a strong pull at his waist as Draco effortlessly lifted herself using just her core strength, leaning against his back with breath like orchids. "My contractor and I are still lying in bed in our roomāwe havenāt even stepped out~"
Silence fell on the other end, whether from relief or being overwhelmed by Dracoās suggestive words. Sakatsuki pinched Dracoās cheek reproachfully, to which the Red Dragon Emperor responded with a playful smile, clinging to her contractor like an octopus and refusing to let go.
On the other end, Hakuno grabbed Neroās collar, dragging away the Servant whose CPU had overheated, then spoke up: "The rule update also limits our time in private rooms. Sakatsuki, do you need our help when you leave your room?"
Now it was Sakatsukiās turn to make faces: "Oh my, after just a few days apart, weāre back to āSakatsuki-kunā? How distant. I suppose since you have other sisters nowābetter at chatting, better at acting cute, better at making big sister happyāyou donāt need little brother anymore, right?"
"!!!" This time it was Hakunoās turn to cover her cheeks, falling into stunned silence.
Was Sakatsuki... acting cute?
That respected teacher, handsome classmate, reliable Servant was acting cute towards me?!
Too adorable! I want to...
"Ah, seems like some other sister has caught your attention, leaving no room for me." The young manās sigh on the terminal became the last straw. The tea-haired girl clenched her skirt, lips trembling as she squeezed out a few final words with her remaining rationality.
"You... must be careful. Itās best not to go out today, Sakatsuki."
"Received, my dear sister~~"
"!!!"
After hanging up, Hakuno could no longer contain herself. Before making strange noises, she threw herself onto the bed, rolling around with sparkling eyes.
Calm down, Hakuno! It was just a call!
But... but he called me sister...
Sakatsuki called me sister!!!
Hakuno-chan was overcome with excitement.
Nearby, Alice and the others watched with deadpan expressions as their two sistersāone crouching in a corner hugging her head, rendered immobile by an overactive imagination; the other trembling on the bed, suppressing some strange sadistic gigglesāand shook their heads helplessly.
"Hopeless, absolutely hopeless."
"March Hare can understandāSakatsuki seems to have hit her sweet spot," Nursery Rhyme paused, then asked curiously, "But what about Big Sister Nero? Was there something wrong with what Draco said?"
To the innocent girls, Dracoās words were perfectly normalājust that she and Sakatsuki were sleeping in and hadnāt gone out yet.
But for Nero, whoād previously had private conversations with Draco, it was an entirely different matter.
It was during the welcome-back banquet for Sakatsuki and Aliceās group. While everyone was eating and drinking, Nero quietly pulled Draco aside.
"Whatās with that cream puff look?"
"...I donāt know what you mean." Draco averted her eyes guiltily, but as an alternate version of Nero, the original Emperor of Roses understood exactly what this gesture implied.
"You did it... didnāt you? You and the Governor." Neroās eyes welled up with tears, her ahoge drooping like a defeated puppy as she grabbed Dracoās shoulders. "You definitely did it, didnāt you?!"
"Shh, keep it down!" Not being in her third ascension, Dracoās sense of shame wouldnāt allow this to get out. She quickly covered Neroās mouth, threatening in a low voice, "You donāt want others to know about this, do you?"
Silence fell between them. Nero looked at Draco with puppy-dog eyes, the philosophical question of "Did I just get NTRād by myself?" swirling in her mind. After a long pause, Draco sighed, looking at the emotionally immature Nero with some displeasure:
"Why are you making that drowned-puppy face? Arenāt I still you?"
"But... but..."
"Regardless, your Governor, my contractor, was the first to respond to our flame of love." Draco didnāt plan to say more. Even though she was discussing such matters with herself, the embarrassment made her entire body uncomfortable.
"If you want to reject Sakatsuki over this, then fineāheāll belong to me forever. Hahaha."
After forcing out a few emotionless laughs, the little red dragon flicked her tail and walked away, leaving Nero squatting on the ground, drawing circles in frustration.
How could she possibly give up the Governor over this? Itās justā
"What should I do... I think I like the Governor even more now."
Back to the present, crouching in the corner again, Neroās emerald eyes now shone frighteningly bright, her cheeks steaming hot.
How could she not understand Dracoās implications?
Could it be that Sakatsuki and Draco hadnāt left their room these past few days because they were...
Eek! Th-th-th-this... debauchery (bliss), such debauchery (bliss)!
Once her imagination started running wild, Neroās legs went weakāespecially realizing that Draco was another version of herself...
"I canāt take it anymore, Master!"
"Nero?! Wait, you canāt go out now! The place is swarming with Masters, and weāre not ready for battle yetāahhhh!"
Watching their two sisters who were more childish than actual children, Alice and Nursery Rhyme exchanged glances before sticking out their tongues and shrugging.
"Both of them are such idiots."
"Mhm, absolutely."
āā
"Got it."
"Donāt worry, I wonāt go out."
"YeeeesāI knowāyouāre nagging like an old lady now."
In his private room, Sakatsuki sat with legs crossed, pretending to complain while actually smiling as he ended the call labeled "Rin" on his terminal.
"First Hakuno and Nero, now even Rin comes to check on you." Draco chuckled beside him. "So, still planning to go out?"
Being by Sakatsukiās side, she naturally knew heād been itching to leave ever since the rule updates were announced.
Only Hakuno, Nero, and Rinās successive calls had delayed him until now.
Only theyācould make Sakatsuki change his mind.
"Draco, now youāre lecturing me too..." Sakatsuki tossed the terminal aside, stretching his arms in a big yawn. When he reopened his eyes, his golden vertical pupils shimmered with resignation.
"Fine, since the announcement came in the afternoon anyway, ten hours is enough. I wonāt go out today, happy?"
"Good boy." Draco smiled, patting Sakatsukiās head. "Isnāt this much better than going out to fight? Staying in our room with me, doing... intimate things?"
"...Honestly, I miss the little red dragon."
"Miss me? But Iām right here." The full-grown Red Dragon Emperor smiled bewitchingly. "Oh my, could it be... youāre already spent? And itās only been a few days."
Even I canāt keep up with your insatiable appetite! Sakatsuki grimaced, raising his hands in surrender.
"Anyway, Iām not going out, okay? No need to tie me down like this."
"Really not going out?" Knowing Sakatsukiās nature, Draco narrowed her wine-red eyes suspiciously.
"Really."
"Pinky promise?"
"Yes, yes."
The young man smiled helplessly yet fondly, even stepping forward to massage Dracoās shoulders, pampering her thoroughly.
"Haah~ yawn." Draco stretched sleepily, letting her guard down. "You said it yourself, then. Iām going to rest now."
Having received Sakatsukiās promise, Draco pulled up the blankets and closed her eyes. But the Red Dragon Emperor, full of trust in her contractor, didnāt notice the indescribable excitement flashing in Sakatsukiās eyes after her breathing steadied.
"Finally... the moment has come..."
Shortly after, the private roomās door opened. A rich aroma of wine wafted out, making the ambushing Masters tense up. Looking up, they saw a young man tilting his head back to drink, then tossing the empty flask aside before turning to them with a friendly grin.
Metallic light coalesced into twin bladesāone black, one whiteāgleaming in the night air.
"Swift wind moistens, journey chills~"
Treating the rising killing intent as a breeze, Sakatsuki stepped forward cheerfully. The dark hallway perfectly concealed the fervor in his eyes.
"Who dares share a drinkā"
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Traps triggered, magical arrows whistled through the air; shouts erupted as countless figures leaped out, charging towards the priceless head.
Thenāa deafening explosion shook the heavens!
Blinding flames erupted as the ambushing Servants were sent flying like ragdolls. Golden draconic pupils pierced through the smoke, blazing with brutality under the moonlight.
A crimson cloak billowed like flames as the young man stepped over his enemiesā remains amidst the stunned silence. Spinning his twin blades with a flourish, he let out a drunken, arrogant laugh.
"āWho dares block the path?!"