Chapter 218: Team Battle.
[The first challenge match of the League Tournament is about to officially begin.]
[Your opponents are Charlemagne and Jason.]
[And your teammate is...]
Amid cheers roaring like ocean waves, Eikou and Caren slowly stepped into the arena.
Caren wore a brilliant red uniform, her silver hair like moonlight cascading over her shoulders. She stood side by side with Eikou, her deep golden eyes always gazing straight ahead.
"Even though it's true that I gave you the Book of False Attendent..."
Caren spoke without even turning her head.
"But I didn't expect you to actually make it this far. I thought you were the type who might get kidnapped by a widow halfway through the journey, that kind of idiot... pardon me, a naïve and gullible boy. I accidentally spoke my true feelings."
"You think I'm a three-year-old or something?"
Eikou glanced at her and said.
"In short, the winner of this Tournament can only be me. But when we're fighting later, you still need to watch out for your own safety. Don't forget, you're my personal property. If I accidentally scratch your face, I won't be able to sell you for a good price～☆"
At a time like this, this woman was still thinking about selling him for a high price? She truly had never forgotten her original goal.
Eikou thought silently.
"All right, the first challenge round is about to begin."
When all the contestants had taken their positions on the stage, two Spirit Origin reactions appeared simultaneously in the commentary room above.
A pleasant but rather untrustworthy male voice echoed by their ears.
"Since this time it's a 2v2 team battle, the number of Servants under them is a bit much, so it might be hard for the audience to keep track..."
"So, by the invitation of King Gilgamesh, today's commentary will be handled by Big Brother Merlin and Lord El-Melloi II～"
Hearing this, Eikou looked up toward the commentary room above. Standing at the podium were Merlin in his Fou outfit, and Lord El-Melloi II in a formal suit.
Eikou thought to himself: just how rich is this King Gilgamesh? Building a dazzling golden arena and even hiring professional commentators—this level of extravagance was far too much.
Compared to subduing the gods, this Pikachu probably just wanted some entertainment, right?
"First to appear are the two Trainers of Red Fiction: Must Eat By Married Woman --- Mochizuki Eikou, and Little Devil --- Caren Hortensia!"
Merlin pointed toward the two Trainers of Red Fiction, cheerfully introducing them.
What the hell is Must Eat By Married Woman supposed to mean? I'm not that exaggerated!! Eikou screamed internally.
"Oh, the two Trainers of Black Fiction are also heading toward the center of the arena..."
Under the surging cheers of the audience, the two Black Fiction contestants strode forward.
"And appearing on the other side of the arena for Black Fiction, we have Charlemagne, commander of the Twelve Paladins, and Captain Jason, leader of the Argonauts!"
One was a blond boy who looked a bit carefree and whimsical, surrounded by Greek heroes in the center.
The other was a bright-looking black-haired youth, surrounded by French knights.
"Judging by the lineup, Black Fiction clearly has stronger stats—Charlemagne's Twelve Paladins, and also the Greek heroes..."
Merlin's pale violet eyes drifted toward Eikou's lineup.
"As for Mochizuki Eikou's side, only the Lion King looks very strong, and the other one..."
He seemed to take notice of the hooded purple-haired girl, "the other one is difficult to comment on, but the lineup seems… quite interesting."
"All right, introductions are done. Let's begin immediately!"
For the final sentence, Merlin switched to an extremely serious tone.
The stands erupted once more in explosive cheers—most of the audience consisted of nearby ownerless Servants who had come to watch the spectacle.
"All right, the winner of this match is definitely going to be me!"
Jason on the opposite side clenched his fist confidently, eager to pop the champagne.
"On our side, we have the great hero Heracles, the undefeated Berserker. Don't even mention me and the other crew members—just sending out one Heracles is enough. I can be generous and give them a handicap, I'll only use one Heracles, okay?"
"Jason over there is seriously annoying… in one sentence he mentioned Heracles three times, is he really that obsessed?!"
Eikou couldn't help complaining.
"..."
"..."
Charlemagne and the Twelve Paladins beside him simply stood in silence.
"..."
Why weren't they saying anything? Could it be these idiots had finally gotten smarter and didn't want to open their mouths carelessly and reveal their weaknesses?
"This feels a bit different from what I imagined..."
After a long while, Charlemagne finally spoke slowly.
"I don't really get it, but I guess what we need to do is the same as always: first eat a meal, then craft equipment, and then put on a handsome Elder Dragon–slaying performance for the audience?"
"That's right, my katana is already prepared."
Roland replied seriously.
You two idiots, did you walk into the wrong film set? This is Pokémon Singularity, not Monster Hunter! Seriously, how the hell did you two even get in here?!
"Wait, the person over there seems to be someone we know..."
Roland looked toward Eikou standing opposite, showing a thoughtful expression.
Even though they were all Servants summoned into this Singularity, as long as they deliberately searched the records in the Throne of Heroes, they could discover that they had met Eikou before.
"You're dressed properly today."
Eikou commented casually.
Roland narrowed his eyes with a faint smile: "You too."
You lunatic, I've always worn clothes, okay? Why do you make it sound like I usually run around naked with you every day?
Eikou rubbed his forehead.
"All right, hurry up and start fighting, I really don't want to reunite with these idiots any longer."
"Very well,"
Commentator Merlin said with an eye-smiling grin.
"It seems both sides have finished greeting each other, so let the match officially begin. Since the surroundings are walls of bronze and iron, it's fine to use your Noble Phantasms here. Just go wild however you like under King Gilgamesh's orders."
"First round, the 2v2 team match—officially begins!"
With that announcement, both sides immediately summoned their Servants without hesitation.
Eikou raised his hand without delay. Artoria Lancer and Anna, who had been maintaining spirit form, instantly materialized.
"Please give your orders, Master!"
...