The night passed without incident.
When the first ray of morning sunlight filtered through the gaps in the paper sliding door, casting warm patches of light on the tatami mat, Leo had already awakened.
Last night's heavy conversation, like a thorough spiritual baptism, had washed away the guilt and loneliness that had accumulated in his heart for years.
Though the curse still clung to him, at this moment he felt an unprecedented lightness.
Because he knew that from now on, he was no longer walking alone in the darkness, bearing this secret by himself.
Medea in the next room seemed to have also woken early, and Leo could faintly hear her subtle movements.
A subtle understanding had formed between them—neither disturbed the other, simply quietly enjoying the brief calm before the storm.
After a simple vegetarian meal provided by the temple, Leo found an elderly monk sweeping the courtyard.
"Good morning, Master. May I... borrow some paper and a pen for a while? I have something important I need to write down."
The old monk looked up, examining this young man in the strange helmet with a peaceful gaze, and didn't ask much, simply nodding with a smile before quickly retrieving a stack of washi paper and a charcoal pen.
Returning to the guest room, Leo closed the door, took a deep breath, and spread the washi paper on the low table.
He didn't hesitate in the slightest, picked up the charcoal pen, and began writing rapidly on the paper.
It wasn't creation, nor was it recollection, but rather an almost instinctive "transcription."
Names that once existed only on phone screens, skill icons and Noble Phantasm animations long since memorized, now transformed into clear text, flowing from the tip of his pen.
[Saber]
True Name: Artoria Pendragon
Noble Phantasm: Excalibur (Sword of Promised Victory)—Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasm
Abilities: Instinct A, Magical Discharge A, Leadership B...
Characteristics: Possesses special attack bonus against 'Dragon' attribute holders, Wind King Barrier can conceal the blade...
[Archer]
True Name: Emiya (Heroic Spirit Emiya)
Abilities: Mind's Eye (True) B, Thousand League Eyes C, Magic C-...
Characteristics: Projection Magic Specialist, Dual-Blade Bow Warrior skilled in close combat...
[Lancer]
True Name: Cú Chulainn
...
[Rider]
True Name: Medusa
...
[Berserker]
True Name: Heracles
Noble Phantasm: God Hand (Twelve Trials) - Conceptual Noble Phantasm
Abilities: Battle Continuation A, Mind's Eye (False) B, Bravery A+...
Characteristics: Negates attacks of A-rank and below, the same technique cannot work twice, possesses eleven lives...
[Assassin]
True Name: Sasaki Kojirou (False)
...
He had meticulously written down virtually all known information about the Masters and Servants participating in the Fifth Holy Grail War, including their true names, Noble Phantasms, core abilities, and key tactical characteristics.
Finally, at the end of the paper, in bold font, he wrote down several crucial pieces of intelligence.
[Warning: The Holy Grail has been contaminated. Its true nature is 'All the Evil in This World (Angra Mainyu)'. It cannot grant genuine wishes. The victor will be consumed by black mud.]
[Key Figures: Rin Tohsaka, Shirou Emiya, Illyasviel von Einzbern.]
[Hidden Enemies: Kirei Kotomine, survivor of the previous Holy Grail War, Overseer, identity suspicious. Gilgamesh, the oldest Heroic King, the eighth Servant.]
After writing the final character, Leo let out a long breath, feeling as though he had completed an enormous project.
He looked at the several densely-written sheets of paper before him. This was his greatest—and only—asset as an FGO player in this real and cruel Nasuverse world.
He picked up the papers and stood, walking toward Medea's room.
"Caster, are you there? There's something I'd like you to look at."
"Please come in, Master."
Inside the room, Medea had already removed her elaborate witch's robes and changed into a simple, elegant deep blue kimono. She sat serenely by the window, quietly gazing at the rock garden in the courtyard.
Her pointed elf ears gleamed translucently in the morning light, and her entire being radiated an air of serene detachment from the world.
When she accepted the papers Leo handed her, a faint peaceful smile still graced her face.
But that smile quickly froze.
Her gaze swept across the first line of the paper, and her violet pupils suddenly contracted sharply.
Saber's true name...Archer's abilities...Berserker's almost rule-breaking Noble Phantasm...
Her breathing grew increasingly rapid, and her fingers holding the paper turned slightly pale from the force of her grip.
She read with extraordinary speed, her mind as a Divine Age sorcerer allowing her to instantly comprehend and analyze the value of this intelligence.
When her eyes finally fell upon the end, seeing "the Holy Grail has been contaminated" and the names "Kirei Kotomine" and "Gilgamesh," a chill rose up her spine.
"Master..."
Medea suddenly looked up, her face completely devoid of its earlier calm, replaced instead by extreme shock and gravity.
"This intelligence...where on earth did you obtain it?!"
This could no longer be explained by divination.
It was as if...someone had placed the entire script of the Holy Grail War before him in advance.
Facing Medea's gaze sharp as a blade, Leo fell silent.
He knew this was the critical moment.
The trust he had painstakingly built last night could collapse in an instant from a single careless answer.
Saying directly that he was a player? That would only get him branded as a madman.
Telling a trivial lie? Before such a wise witch, it would likely be seen through at a glance.
After a moment of contemplation, he ultimately chose an explanation that was half-truth, half-fiction, yet most consistent with the logic of this world.
"Caster, if I said...I have special channels that allow me to foresee the future of the Fifth Holy Grail War in a certain 'parallel world'...would you believe me?"
He did not meet Medea's eyes, instead directing his gaze toward the window, his tone carrying a note of helplessness and ambiguity.
Medea gazed at him deeply, as if trying to discern something from his expression beneath his helmet.
The room fell into silence once more.
Finally, it was Medea who broke the quiet.
She did not press further, but instead carefully and solemnly folded the papers and tucked them into her sleeve.
This action itself was a statement of her attitude.
"I understand."
She nodded, her tone returning to its usual calm, yet now carrying an unprecedented sense of trust. "If this is a warning from the 'future,' then we must make good use of it."
She raised her eyes, violet irises gleaming with the light of wisdom and fighting spirit.
"Master, with this list, we can completely restructure our tactics."
"First...that Berserker with the 'Twelve Trials,' must be listed as the enemy we need to avoid at the highest priority. With our current configuration, we have no chance in a direct confrontation."
"Second, Saber and Lancer are both formidable adversaries, but their fighting styles are relatively straightforward—we can exploit that. And that Archer...Unlimited Blade Works, truly a troublesome Noble Phantasm."
Her words flowed like clouds and water, instantly switching from the receiver of intelligence to the role of a strategist commanding from the tent.
Watching Medea before him, Leo finally smiled from the heart.
He knew that from this moment on, they were no longer simply Master and Servant.
They were true allies.