"Given the professor's standards, he'd definitely be staying at a high-end hotel. We visited most of the top hotels in Fuyuki City and found that only this one had magical fluctuations on the upper floors. So, we deduced that you must be staying here."

  "Hmph, I didn't expect to be found out this way," Kayh muttered with a cold snort after hearing El-Melloi II's expnation.

  It made sense for his resideo emit magical energy since he had essentially transformed three floors of the hotel into a mage's workshop. But he hadn't anticipated that this would make him so easily traceable.

  El-Melloi II's observation served as a remihat maybe he should take measures to ceal some of his setup.

  After all, he had ied heavily iing this workshop. Not only had he borrowed rare gems from the Mineralogy Department, but he'd alsht along "Evil Spirits and Monsters," a treasured artifact from the Department of Spiritual Evocation, as well as three personal magic furnaces, -built for the Monarch of the Clock Tower.

  Each of these items was invaluable, borrowed through his position rather than purchased ht. Judging by the dire financial situation shown in the video of his future, Kayh realized he might be on the hook for these expenses if they were damaged.

  What was I thinking, bringing all of these here? he thought, beginning tret his hasty decisions. Why bring so many irrepceable items to the Holy Grail War?

  Trying to shift his focus, Kayh looked at El-Melloi II and asked, "Tell me, what's the reason for your sudden visit?"

  "We're here to form an alliance, Professor."

  El-Melloi II didn't mince words.

  "An alliance?" Kayh was taken aback.

  "Professor, I'm sure you've noticed the current state of the Holy Grail War," El-Melloi II began expining. "Tohsaka Tokiomi's King of Heroes and Emiya Kiritsugu's King of Knights are by far the most formidable tenders. Only our King of querors has a ce to stand against them."

  "You've seerength of the King of Heroes in that video," he tinued. "But believe me, that was only a glimpse. Gilgamesh has access to eveer treasures that he hasn't yet revealed."

  "In a one-otle, no Servant in this Holy Grail War would likely be able to match him."

  "And as for King Arthur… her strength is siderable as well."

  "Her performan the video was g only because she was unprepared for Diarmuid's Noble Phantasm, whijured her left hand and weakened her. But now, knowing what to expect, she'll be a much tougher oppo."

  "Not to mention, both of them have powerful allies in their Masters."

  At this point, El-Melloi II gave a brief nod to Diarmuid. "Apologies, I didn't mean to undermine your abilities."

  "It's alright. You're just stating the facts," Diarmuid replied with a polite wave.

  ---

  Kayh fell silent, deep in thought.

  He had initially disregarded Tokiomi, fog instead oing revenge against Emiya Kiritsugu. With two Servants under his and, Kayh had felt fident that he could handle Kiritsugu.

  But El-Melloi II's expnation was like a spsh of cold water, bringing him back to reality.

  Yes, he'd fallen into the trap of uimating Artoria and Gilgamesh based on their limited dispy in the video.

  But the King of Heroes and the King of Knights were both legendary figures, leaders who once shaped history. To assume their strength was limited would be a grave mistake.

  And while he had two Servants, so did Kiritsugu. Diarmuid's Noble Phantasms had already been revealed, while the abilities of Artoria and the unknown sed Servant remained a mystery.

  Kayh felt a surge of irritation at himself. Just because I now have Brynhildr, a divine Servant, I allowed myself to bee overfident again.

  This arrogance was a fw he would o curb, or it would lead to his downfall.

  ---

  Kayook a deep breath to clear his mind. "Alright. If we are to form an alliance, what are the terms?"

  El-Melloi II responded without hesitation. "We have only one request: if we ultimately succeed in obtaining the Holy Grail, we would like the King of querors to be the one grahe right to make a wish."

  Kayh raised an eyebrow, but his tone remained measured. "That's a rather ambitious request. Do you think I'll agree to it?"

  "Yes, Professor. I believe you will," El-Melloi II replied with a faint smile. "After all, you're not participating in this Holy Grail War to cim the wish for yourself."

  Kayh snorted, g the point. Indeed, his aim in joining the Holy Grail War wasn't to obtain a wish, but rather to enhance his reputation, to add anlorious" achievement to his career.

  Still, even if he didn't care for the Holy Grail's wish-granting abilities, he wasn't alone in this war. He had to sider the desires of his allies.

  "So, do you have a desire for the Holy Grail?" he asked, turning to his fiancée.

  So-Ui shook her head thoughtfully. "I suppose I'd like to see if this so-called wish-granting device lives up to the legends. But… there's nothing in particur that I want to wish for."

  Kayhen looked at Brynhildr, who had remained silent, and asked, "And you, Brynhildr? Do you have a wish?"

  Brynhildr smiled softly. "I seek only to reuh my beloved. But he rests ihrone of Heroes now. I'll let fate take its course."

  Finally, Kayh looked to Diarmuid. "And you, Diarmuid? What is your wish?"

  Diarmuid answered early, "My lord, I simply wish for a true knight's duel with King Arthur, free from interference."

  "Is that so? It seems none of you require a wish from the Holy Grail. Very well, I'll take charge of this iation."

  Kayurned back to El-Melloi II and nodded. "I accept your dition. However, I have one request of my own."

  El-Melloi II ined his head. "Please, go ahead."

  Kayh's eyes narrowed. "Help me eliminate Emiya Kiritsugu's team first."

  "It seems the professor is still deeply ed by what he saw in the video," El-Melloi II remarked with a slight smile. "Agreed. We work together to elimihe Saber fa first."

  Kayh nodded. "In that case, we're officially allied."

  El-Melloi II extended his hand. "Shall we put it in writing, Professor?"

  Kayh shook his head. "There's no need. I'll trust you two for now."

  "Uood," El-Melloi II replied, rising to his feet with a slight smile. "Then, it's a pleasure to work with you, Professor."

  Kayh returhe smile, something rarely seen from him. "Yes, it's a pleasure."

  Both geions of El-Melloi shared a brief look of uanding.

  Meanwhile, Waver, who had been standing quietly nearby, remained unnoticed and didn't say a word.

  ****

  T/N: If you enjoy reading this so far, sider leaving a review thanks.