Elias looked at Rin's serious, determined face.
He could see how much this meant to her.
She wasn't fighting for power or greed; she was fighting for her family's honor.
Elias gave her a firm, honest nod.
"Okay, Tohsaka-san,"
Elias said.
"You have a deal. I will be your ally in the Holy Grail War."
Rin let out a long breath. Her tense shoulders finally relaxed.
A genuine, bright smile broke through her bossy exterior.
"Thank you,"
Rin said, standing up from her cushion.
"You won't regret this. The war will take place in a place called Fuyuki City. But we have plenty of time. The ritual won't start for a little more than a year. Use this time to prepare yourself."
"I will,"
Elias promised, standing up to walk her to the door.
"I will contact you when it is time,"
Rin said, giving him a polite bow at the front gate.
She turned and walked down the stone steps, looking much happier and lighter than when she arrived.
Elias closed the gate and walked back inside to the kitchen.
Shuri was cooking dinner, and Dee was sitting at the table, munching on a rice cracker.
Asia was resting peacefully in the guest room.
Elias sat down next to Dee and told them everything.
He explained the alliance, the Holy Grail War, and how he had more than a year to get ready for it.
Instead of looking worried, Dee's dark eyes sparkled with absolute excitement.
She clapped her hands together playfully.
"Oh, this is going to be so much fun!"
Dee cheered.
"A magic war for a wishing cup! Eli, as soon as you finish beating up that arrogant Riser guy, you need to learn how to summon a Servant right away!"
Elias scratched the back of his head, looking a little confused.
"Do I really need to?"
Elias asked.
"I don't know anything about this 'Fate' stuff or how to summon ghosts. Plus, my Adaptivity makes me pretty much invincible. I can probably just punch the other Masters and win the cup for Rin."
"No way!"
Dee laughed, shaking her head.
"That is boring! Half the fun of the Holy Grail War is fighting alongside a legendary hero. Besides, I already know exactly who you should summon."
"Who?"
Elias asked.
Dee reached into her deep pocket.
As the Goddess of Death, she collected many strange and powerful things across the multiverse.
She pulled her hand out and placed an object gently on the kitchen table.
It was a broken fragment of a weapon.
It looked like the jagged blade of a spear, colored in a deep, blood-red hue.
Just sitting on the table, it radiated an intense, chilling aura of death and ancient magic.
"I want you to summon a specific warrior,"
Dee whispered, her voice carrying a hint of ancient mystery.
"She is a legendary queen and a god-slayer. She comes from a dark, forgotten realm called the Land of Shadows."
Elias stared at the red spear fragment.
He could feel the heavy power leaking out of it. It felt cold, sharp, and incredibly strong.
"Is this her weapon?"
Elias asked softly.
"Yes,"
Dee smiled proudly.
"It is the perfect catalyst. With your massive magic and this fragment, she will definitely answer your call. Trust me, Eli. If you summon her, no one in Fuyuki City will stand a chance against you."
"Plus,"
Dee added, tapping the red spear fragment with her finger.
"She isn't just a strong fighter. She is a famous teacher. She can be your master."
Elias thought about it.
"My master?"
"Yes,"
Dee nodded.
"Think about it, Eli. You know how to use a Naginata. A Naginata is a polearm, which is not that different from a spear. If you summon the Queen of the Land of Shadows, she can teach you how to use your weapon perfectly."
Elias looked at the red fragment again.
He had raw power and Adaptivity, but having true, legendary skill sounded amazing. He smiled and gave Dee a firm nod.
"Okay. Let's do it. When the time comes, I will summon her."
Time flew by quickly. The ten days passed in a flash.
The day to fight Riser Phenex had finally arrived.
Elias was waiting in the shrine's living room.
He was wearing clean, comfortable clothes, completely relaxed.
Suddenly, a bright silver magic circle appeared on the floor.
Grayfia Lucifuge, the silver-haired maid, stepped out. She bowed politely to Elias.
"Good evening, Elias-sama,"
Grayfia said. Her voice was calm and respectful.
"I have come to bring you to the Underworld myself. The arena is ready."
"Thank you, Grayfia-san,"
Elias said, standing up.
Grayfia looked at him closely.
"Before we go, you should know something,"
She told him.
"I reported everything about you to Lord Sirzechs, Rias's older brother, and the heads of the Gremory family."
Elias raised an eyebrow.
"Are they mad that a stranger is interfering?"
"No,"
Grayfia shook her head.
"Actually, they are completely okay with it. If you defeat Riser today, the Gremory family would be very happy to welcome you as their new in-law."
Elias just sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.
Of course they would. Powerful families always wanted the strongest people on their side.
"Good luck, Eli!"
A cheerful voice called out from the hallway.
Dee walked into the room, holding a half-eaten apple. She smiled brightly at him.
Grayfia turned to look at the girl.
At first glance, Dee looked like a completely normal human teenager.
She was pale, dressed in simple black clothes, and had a silver necklace around her neck.
She had no magic aura. No Devil wings. Nothing.
But Grayfia was a veteran of the terrible Devil Civil War.
She had fought against the most terrifying monsters in history.
As Grayfia looked into Dee's dark, happy eyes, every single alarm bell in her body started screaming.
Grayfia felt a sudden, freezing chill grip her heart. Her soul felt like it was shrinking.
She realized that the girl eating an apple was dangerous.
She was not just strong. She was something absolute.
Grayfia had stood face to face with the True Satan in the past, but the quiet, invisible presence of this pale girl felt a million times more terrifying.
Grayfia quickly looked away, trying to hide the slight tremble in her hands.
"Who... who is she?"
Grayfia thought to herself, her heart beating fast.
"This house is full of monsters..."
"Don't worry, Dee,"
Elias smiled, completely ignoring the maid's internal panic.
"I will be back before dinner."
Elias stepped into the silver magic circle next to Grayfia.
"Take me,"
Elias said.
Grayfia swallowed hard, nodded her head, and teleported them both away in a flash of silver light.
...
Read up to chapter 52 at [email protected]/jelopy_jelopy only $5