Chapter 220: Eikou's Weakness.
From the audience stands, waves of noise rose — some even began whistling.
"Haha, what an unexpected turn,"
Merlin laughed, unable to hold it back as he watched the sudden cuckold scene unfold on stage.
"Though our player Eikou was severely lacking in manpower, he made up for it using his extraordinary personal charm. In an instant, he successfully recruited two enemy Servants, gaining both an Archer and a Caster — the situation is completely reversed!"
"This is very bad, right? This kind of situation is extremely bad, correct?"
The other commentator, Lord El-Melloi II, wore a face of total incomprehension.
"He just touched their hands, and they immediately defected? How is he so casually collecting enemy Servants?"
"Haha, the hearts of women — as deep as the ocean."
Merlin winked and smiled.
"Why are you accepting this bizarre setup so calmly?! At least try to help me deduce the cause!"
At that moment, Tristan suddenly raised a sign behind them: "Perfect score!"
"Who the hell are you?! Why are you suddenly barging into the commentary room to score things? What kind of tournament judge even ARE you?! Get out of the broadcast room right now!"
Lord El-Melloi II felt his blood pressure skyrocketing as he rubbed his throbbing temples.
On the ring, all the contestants fell into a state of deep shock.
'Keikaku doori~!'
Only Eikou remained completely calm as he tightly held the two married women in his arms, announcing his victory.
"You bastard, you actually stole Medea from me again..."
Jason gritted his teeth, then suddenly froze, 'Eh, why did I say "again"? Why do I feel like this scene is so familiar?'
"I'm truly sorry, former husband."
Eikou politely bowed, "It seems like my body and Medea are just a bit more compatible."
"Who's the former husband here?! It sounds like you're apologizing, but the more you talk the more cruel it gets!"
Jason angrily clenched his fists, but very quickly regained his arrogant, conceited attitude.
"Fine, even if you played me this time, I still hold absolute advantage. As long as Heracles stands on my side, everything is settled!"
He said, "Do you dare go against this young master, the one who commands Heracles?"
"Tch..."
Eikou clicked his tongue.
He turned to look at Heracles, where Artoria wielding the Holy Lance was locked in a fierce clash with him.
Heracles let out a ferocious roar like the Nemean Lion, loud enough to make everyone's eardrums sting.
'...'
Eikou slightly frowned, gazing seriously at the Berserker as he suddenly erupted with power, raising his massive great axe-sword.
The great hero Heracles, driven mad by the Berserker Class, was not only overwhelmingly powerful but possessed twelve resurrections — practically invincible here. No wonder Jason could act so outrageously smug.
Eikou had merely evened out the manpower gap, but seizing victory was still a distant challenge.
"Medea, use your Noble Phantasm to support Artoria. Atalanta, you provide covering fire. Anna, come with me."
No time for introductions or explanations — the tense situation forced Eikou to issue immediate commands.
Right after, he looked toward Caren with concern.
Although the Twelve Paladins led by Charlemagne were not exactly known for sharp wits, they were undeniably terrifying knights. Leaving someone like Caren to stall them alone… who knew how long she could hold out?
"Caren, how's your side? Still holding on? I'll immediately—"
Before he could finish, the scene before him froze him in place.
[...]
[You find yourself confused by what you're looking at.]
[On the stage of this divine-suppression battle, Knight Roland was earnestly kneeling on one knee before the beautiful boy Astolfo, his eyes full of pink hearts as he proposed.]
[Meanwhile, Caren had changed into a pure white Spirit Dress, like an angel of love blessing the couple, acting as the officiant of this same-sex wedding.]
I'm speechless — what the hell kind of development is this?!
I was gone for not even half a minute. Caren, what on earth did you do to these two in that time?!
"Sir Roland,"
Caren solemnly asked, "Do you agree to take this man, Astolfo, as your husband, to join in wedlock with you? Whether in sickness or in health, in poverty or in wealth, or for any other reason, to love, care for, respect, accept him, and remain faithful to him for the rest of your life?"
Roland replied without hesitation: "I agree!"
BOP!
Eikou delivered a powerful kick to the back of Roland's head, driving his face straight into the ground.
"What the hell are you all doing?! Are we still fighting or not? Why did you suddenly walk into a wedding aisle right in the middle of a battle?! Roland, why is a man like you trying to cross that unspeakable line with Astolfo?!"
Saying that, Eikou turned to the silver-haired girl in utter confusion.
"What on earth is going on here, Caren? I only told you to stall them — how did you end up officiating their wedding?"
"Haha, you mean you didn't know?"
Caren Hortensia blinked her golden eyes innocently, speaking as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"In my Spirit Origin, the Love God exists. If I want someone to love someone, I only need to shoot a single Love Arrow. Once struck, Roland immediately fell for Astolfo. And since they're too busy loving each other, they won't have the mind to fight anymore."
"Using love to do something like this — your behavior is beyond shameless!"
"I really don't want to hear that from someone who can casually carry off a married woman right in front of her husband."
However, one must admit this method was indeed extremely effective.
Setting aside Astolfo — the weakest among them — just having Roland drown in the mindset of love was enough to completely erase his will to fight. The enemy's combat strength was steadily being chipped away by him and Caren.
Next, the plan was simple: focus all firepower on knocking out Charlemagne first, then gather the entire force to deal with Heracles.
The scales of victory were slowly tipping toward Eikou.
"Haizz..."
Charlemagne sighed lightly.
''Roland and Astolfo… those two idiots ruined everything at the most crucial moment, just as expected...''
''It's unfortunate, Charlemagne,''
Eikou said to him.
''Although the version of you in this Singularity may not know me, I've always considered you a friend. If you could surrender here with dignity, it would really help me a lot.''
''Haha, losing like that wouldn't be cool at all!''
Charlemagne laughed heartily. ''This Spirit Origin of mine still retains some records related to you, so don't let your guard down. I know your weakness very well.''
''What?''
Eikou's heart tightened — so this guy still had a hidden card?
Charlemagne opened the Book of the False Attendant, summoning his final Servant.
''Come forth, Bradamante!''
He shouted loudly.
''Give Mochizuki Eikou a decisive blow!''
Bradamante again?
In that instant, both suspicion and confidence appeared in Eikou's mind.
This is Charlemagne's trump card? As far as he remembered, Bradamante wasn't exactly some overpowered Servant, right?
''Charlemagne, what trick are you trying to pull?''
Eikou asked suspiciously.
''Why send her out? You don't have any other Servants? Or do you think that just because the opponent is a woman, I'll go easy? Too bad! I've said this many times already — My Lord is Satou Kuzuma-sama, I am a true supporter of gender equality. Even if it's a woman, I'll punch without hesitation!''
His eyes sharpened.
''In fact, seeing a female enemy even makes me relieved. Fighting women makes it slightly easier for me to win!''
''That's downright scummy!''
El-Melloi II snapped sharply from the commentary booth.
''Of course, I wouldn't need to use such crude force on girls.''
Eikou rolled up his sleeves, ready to activate his Ultimate Skill.
Disaster With Women, activate!
''Charlemagne, your Bradamante is great and all, but she'll immediately become my Servant. Any girl who touches me can't hold out even one second — she'll instantly be absorbed and switch sides!''
''You're basically the origin point of some kind of zombie virus — how can you convert so many girls into the same "species"?!''
El-Melloi shouted.
''Take this!''
Without hesitation, Eikou yelled and charged forward, preparing to give Charlemagne a little surprise with Disaster With Women.
Bradamante? Nothing special — he would refine her instantly!
Though in truth, this wasn't his usual style.
But better that than losing the Tournament and letting the Singularity collapse — Eikou had that level of strategic awareness. No time to feel shame.
If he could conquer Bradamante, they could join forces against Heracles — calling it keikaku doori wouldn't be wrong.
Thinking that, Eikou accelerated.
At the same time, the newly summoned Bradamante charged forward, unleashing a heroic assault.
Eikou blinked.
What the hell? She knows I have Disaster With Women — why isn't she avoiding me? Why rush straight in?
I'll refine her immediately!
''Listen, Eikou—''
''Shut up, watch out!''
But just as he was about to touch Bradamante, the blonde, blue-eyed knight suddenly froze, her fair cheeks turning bright red. From close range, she shouted:
''I —— like —— you ——!''
Eikou's body suddenly locked up, his movements halted.
''...''
The two commentators fell silent, and even the noisy arena went completely quiet.
Only the words "I like you" echoed.
''...What did you just say?''
After a long moment, he finally regained the ability to speak.
''Y-y-y-y-you… you like me?!''
Eikou's face turned crimson in an instant, steam practically rising from his embarrassment.
''Umu...''
This was bad — so Bradamante was actually the real predator here?!
''Why… why does everyone like confessing in the middle of battle?!''
El-Melloi II shouted in frustration. 'Do you all think you came here for a matchmaking event or something?!'
...