"You... this... I..." Cú Chulainn tried several times to start, but he was still at a loss for words, startled by the bizarre change in his body!
Had he lost his Master again?!
"Alright, you've been sacked. You're a free agent now. My deal is simple: do you want to choose someone here as your new Master?"
"I'm here to fight, not to play games. You've gathered six Servants here, and with me, that's seven. How do you plan to handle the Holy Grail War?" Cú Chulainn asked directly.
At the same time, he glanced at the dagger Morpheus had returned to Medea.
"That dagger can actually sever a contract directly... it's pretty terrifying. If Kirei Kotomine got his hands on that thing, he might pull off some horrific moves.
"But this Archer is clearly the leader here. Does his Master just let him act so freely?"
While pondering, Cú Chulainn looked at Rin Tohsaka nearby. He remembered this girl was his Master, yet now she was just standing there, watching the spectacle unfold.
"Do you have any wish you want the Holy Grail to grant?"
Cú Chulainn shook his head. "None."
"Then that makes things easy. I don't want you leaving this world just yet... it'd cause me some trouble if you did." Morpheus said, dispelling the magic circle he'd set up, then casually approached and slung an arm around Cú Chulainn's shoulder.
"You're a knight, a hero. You like helping the weak, right?"
Cú Chulainn eyed Morpheus's smiling face, sensing some kind of scheme.
But being free from working under Kirei Kotomine did feel like a weight lifted, so he asked, "What exactly are you getting at?"
"Simple. See that little girl over there? She's from the Einzbern family, also a participant in this Holy Grail War."
"The Einzbern family... I know. I considered scouting their place, but the barrier was too much hassle, so I didn't bother," Cú Chulainn said, puzzled. "So, what's she got to do with this?"
"Of course she's relevant. She's so young, yet because of the Holy Grail War, she faces losing her life. Her family treats her like a tool. All she's had for company is a Berserker who's lost all reason and can't communicate. Don't you think that's pitiful?"
Cú Chulainn fell silent. He hadn't realized the Holy Grail had such issues.
"Look, I'm not keen on using the Grail to make wishes myself. If possible, I'd like to study the Grail and help her solve this problem. But if a Servant dies during the process, their magical energy and soul get funneled back into that girl, slowly killing her.
"So, for her sake, you absolutely cannot die. Got it?"
Cú Chulainn remained silent, not because he was unwilling to help, but because he was weighing whether this guy was telling the truth or spinning a lie.
"Alright, if you're really willing to help, in the future... I mean the future... if I manage to get hold of Odin's runes, I'll find a way to send a copy to your true self in the Throne of Heroes. How's that?"
Cú Chulainn let out a scoff. "Your pie-in-the-sky promises need work. A pie that's too far-fetched won't attract anyone."
"Maybe so, but what if I actually obtain that knowledge in the future?" Morpheus replied.
Cú Chulainn shook his head and walked off, saying, "Talk to me when you actually have it!"
With that, he approached Shirou Emiya.
"Kid, let's make a contract."
He then glanced back at Morpheus. "Since this is your deal, you can handle the Command Spells, right?"
Morpheus gave a slight smile and looked at Medea. "It's all yours!"
"No problem. I'm quite familiar with this," Medea said with a smile, stepping forward.
Poor Shirou Emiya was thus turned into a temporary host, left at Medea's mercy just to have a few more Command Spells etched onto him.
Feeling the connection form with the boy before him, Cú Chulainn added, "I haven't fully trusted you yet. I'm just checking things out for now.
"If you try anything shady, I'll choose to end myself."
Morpheus shrugged. "Suit yourself."
"Just so you know, don't think I'm clueless about magecraft just because I'm a Lancer."
"Even better," Morpheus said, unfazed. "Then you'll soon see I'm telling the truth, not lies."
Then Morpheus invited him, "We're eating. Want to join?"
...
Inside the house, with one more person added, Cú Chulainn had to admit it was far more comfortable here than with Kirei Kotomine. The rooms were bright, the food was delicious, and the people and Servants here weren't nearly as annoying... no one looked down on him like that golden jerk.
He even thought staying here long-term might not be a bad choice; it seemed like a pleasant way to live.
Listening to the Archer named Morpheus introduce everyone present, Cú Chulainn was struck again by how formidable this group's strength was.
The King of Knights, whom Gilgamesh couldn't stop obsessing over; the legendary witch Medea; the monstrous Medusa from Greek myth; the great hero Heracles; and Sasaki Kojirou, summoned by Medea. Plus, an Archer named Morpheus, who, despite lacking fame, had sky-high strength.
Now, with himself included, even if Gilgamesh tried something, he'd likely be crushed instantly.
The thought made Cú Chulainn grin.
After spending so long under Kirei Kotomine, two people had joined his list of most despised, in life and death: Kirei Kotomine and Gilgamesh.
Seeing Cú Chulainn nearly done eating, Morpheus asked, "By the way, can you tell me about your first Master?"
"First Master?" Rin Tohsaka and the others froze, turning to Cú Chulainn.
"You really know everything, huh..." Cú Chulainn shook his head. "My first Master's fate is unknown. Kirei Kotomine ambushed her."
"Kirei Kotomine?!"
This time, it was Rin Tohsaka and Shirou Emiya who exclaimed.
Neither had expected that man to be involved in this.
Sakura Matou remained quiet, as if she'd anticipated it. Morpheus was equally calm. As for Artoria, her expression shifted slightly, as if recalling something.
Illya, however, shouted in shock, "Huh? That priest is cheating with his position?!"
"Well, since I'm free of the contract now and I don't like him either, I'll spill his secrets. After all, I watched him deceive both of you," Cú Chulainn said, glancing at Shirou Emiya, then at Rin Tohsaka.
When his eyes landed on Rin, a flicker of hesitation passed through them, but it soon turned to resolve.
"Some things are pointless to hide, so I might as well lay it all out."
***
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