Ludwig looked over in confusion. It was an old man about the same height as him, with snow-white hair and beard, but with a much more robust build—he looked like a combat specialist.
Behind the old man followed Kayneth, as well as a somewhat dazed and timid-looking Waver. Waver's expression was that of a student caught skipping class, waiting for the teacher and the dean to finish their business before being disciplined.
"Who the hell are you?" Ludwig asked.
Tokiomi's face changed instantly. "Great Master..."
"This is the Marshal of Wizardry, Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg—one of only five Magicians in the world," Kayneth said with an arrogant air, seemingly forgetting his pathetic state after being knocked out by Ludwig's punch the night before. "Mind your language."
The injuries on his face had already healed.
"Marshal of Wizardry?" Ludwig raised an eyebrow. He thought the title sounded familiar.
As the planet died, the original system of magecraft had collapsed rapidly, and records related to the magical world were lost in the great wars. However, the records that survived were the absolute core of the core.
"It seems you know my name?" Kischur gave a relaxed and confident smile.
Ludwig sighed, jumped down from the streetlamp, dropped Tokiomi, and let go of Artoria once she had found her footing. "Legend says six types of Magic exist. The wielder of the Second Magic shares that name."
"Indeed." Kischur looked at Ludwig.
Kayneth was annoyed that the Marshal was being so polite to this brat, but he knew he couldn't interrupt. Like Tokiomi on the ground, he was in a position where he could only listen.
"What is someone who has already 'graduated' from the planetary level doing here?" Ludwig asked. "Or are you planning to snatch the Grail?"
He glanced nonchalantly at the Grail. The black mud wasn't spreading too fast; if they needed to deal with it, there was still time.
"The Fuyuki Holy Grail War ritual was something established under my witness. Now that it has fallen into such an uncertain state, I had to come and take a look," Kischur said unhurriedly. "Is it just you and this Servant?"
Ludwig raised an eyebrow, knowing he was referring to Merlin.
"Maybe nearby, maybe at the base," Ludwig said. "Does it matter?"
"Never mind. If he is unwilling to show himself, I won't force it." Kischur clearly didn't intend to press the issue, turning the conversation back to the Grail. "As you can see, Brunestud, the Grail was contaminated in a previous war. Its magical energy has been corrupted."
"Contaminated?" Ludwig was surprised.
"In the previous Holy Grail War, the incompetent Einzberns, in their desperation to win, illegally summoned an extra class, Avenger. But the summoned Servant was too weak and was defeated in just four days. However, his soul remained within the Greater Grail, polluting everything," Kischur explained.
Ludwig's expression became colorful. "In other words, you knew all this, but Tokiomi Tohsaka and Kayneth El-Melloi didn't. Or rather, none of the participants knew? And yet you said nothing?"
"Whatever the outcome, it is their own choice. I have no need to interfere," Kischur's tone suddenly became stern. "What I need to care about is the operation of the various worlds."
That was the duty of the Second Magician. Regarding events within a world, even those involving the recreation of the Third Magic, he would choose to turn a blind eye. After all, things caused by humans would ultimately be resolved by humans; there was no need for him to step in.
"If that's the case, why appear here now?" Ludwig wasn't sure of a Magician's capabilities and was secretly calculating the possibility of a fight.
It was said that the Six Sisters at the peak of the Araya were also called Magicians. Unfortunately, Ludwig had no experience fighting either side.
"As for that, you should know best yourself." Kischur nodded and looked toward the Grail. "But let's return to the matter of the Grail first. Though it is polluted, the vast amount of magical energy it has stored is real. As a flawed wishing machine, it might still have its uses."
Artoria's pupils contracted as she murmured, "A flawed... wishing machine?"
The Alaya had said nothing of this when forming the contract with her. Had she... been deceived by the Counter Force, which would stop at nothing to preserve the primate species?
"So?" Ludwig tilted his head.
"What do you want to do? Everything you do has meaning. I am here only as a witness, not a true intervener," Kischur said. "Whether you use it as is to start something, or... regardless of the choice, I am full of interest in your decision, Brunestud."
Ludwig curled his lips. "You've been calling me by that name for a while now. I remember when I introduced myself, I said Ludwig van Brunestud. Why? Did that slicked-back magus over there not tell you?"
"..." Kischur remained silent, his face maintaining a profound, inscrutable smile.
It was as if he knew everything, yet was full of interest in the unknown—not at all like an old man who had been active since before the Common Era and lived for thousands of years. In a way, he was like Merlin, but followed a completely different path.
The word "responsibility" was more fitting for Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg.
"If something is unusable, using it won't lead to anything good." Ludwig pointed at the Grail. "So, old man, since you're here, I won't ask anyone else. How do we break that thing? Do I just destroy the vessel?"
"Destroying the vessel isn't a great idea," Kischur said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "However, if you can destroy the 'Gate' along with the vessel, the descent of the Grail will be halted. As for the black mud on the ground, the planet will quickly dissolve it. After all, it is essentially a product of magical energy."
Ludwig looked at Kischur with a strange gaze, trying to guess his goal, but it was a futile effort. He already had his own answer, but the Grail wasn't his trophy alone. He needed to hear the other person's thoughts.
"Artoria, regarding the Grail... there's still time. Should we... talk about it again?"
"I figured you'd say that. I do indeed need to discuss this with my Master." Artoria reached out her hand.
She was signaling for him to take her into the sky, so they wouldn't be overheard by the people nearby.
"Then, come with me."
Ludwig took Artoria's hand.
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Type-Moon: The A-Ray Knight's Holy Grail Journey(98 Chapter - Ongoing)
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