"This is the rule. If you wish to participate in this Holy Grail War, then please follow it," Jeanne said solemnly as her expression turned unusually serious when referring to the rules. "Additionally, I ask you to explain how you can participate in this war and the matter of this irregular summoning."
Tiamat, as an Alter Ego, was a Heroic Spirit Jeanne had never encountered before. Not only was she shocked by the manifestation of a fragment of the Supreme God in this world, but she was also puzzled by the existence of an Alter Ego in the first place.
"How boring, Jeanne," Alaric said with a disinterested look. His original intent was merely to see what the Ruler of this Holy Grail War was like. Waving his hand, he dismissed Jeanne's questions without replying and instead turned his gaze toward Siegfried and Gordes behind him.
If he were to truly abide by Jeanne's so-called Holy Grail War rules, wouldn't that mean Alaric would have to forfeit on the spot? Such an outcome was hardly something he intended to accept.
Besides, Jeanne alone wasn't capable of forcing him to leave.
Gordes, noticing Alaric's gaze, grew nervous and protested immediately: "What are you planning to do this time?! If it's another fight, Saber won't lose to you!"
Despite his words, Gordes lacked confidence. After all, there were two opponents on the other side—Alaric and Tiamat—while his side had only Siegfried.
Previously, only Alaric alone was able to match Siegfried in combat. There was no telling what would happen if Tiamat joined the fray.
Moreover—
"If you intend to act during the day, Ruler will not allow you to go unchecked!" Gordes glanced at Jeanne, and seeing that she did not object, he gained a bit of confidence. "If you don't want Ruler and Saber working together against you, then leave quietly!"
Jeanne, already confused by Alaric's refusal to answer her questions, spoke up again: "As the supervisor of this Holy Grail War, I have the right to question you. If you continue to act in this manner in Trifas, I can recognize you as—an irregular participant."
At this point, Jeanne, who had just entered Romania, began to feel that she had found the reason for her summoning.
It must have been because of this irregular participant.
As her exchanges with Alaric increased, Jeanne, possessing the A-rank Revelation skill, felt as though she caught a glimpse of the future.
Revelation, a skill equivalent to Instinct, was not limited to battle but could be applied to all matters relating to achieving a goal (such as choosing the best path during a journey).
It was like a dark aurora flickering among the stars, a courtyard suspended in the heavens, where the stars were born.
If anything was destabilizing this Holy Grail War, Jeanne believed the man before her was undoubtedly one of those factors.
Unaware of Jeanne's thoughts, Alaric ignored her and instead addressed Gordes: "I plan to visit your side. Do you intend to refuse me?"
Alaric released the Holy Sword in his hand, smiling as he spoke to Gordes: "The magus of Yggdmillennia shouldn't refuse outsiders, right? While I may not be one of your blood relatives, if you want to form a new Mage's Association, you'll need the corresponding tolerance to accommodate others."
"What?" Gordes widened his eyes in shock, seemingly understanding the meaning behind Alaric's words. His mouth curled into a grin, and he burst into laughter. "So that's it! You're planning to join our great Yggdmillennia family!"
"Indeed," Alaric replied cheerfully. "The Clock Tower folk are far too dull. You people are much more interesting."
Alaric clasped his hands together, playing along with Gordes as he expressed admiration and longing: "The great Yggdmillennia family!"
This flattered Gordes' vanity immensely. With a grand gesture, he was about to accept Alaric's allegiance.
Seeing this, Jeanne could no longer sit still. Just as she was about to intervene, Gordes turned to her and generously asked: "Ruler, would you like to join us in the Yggdmillennia family's castle?"
Jeanne, her interruption cut short, shook her head and replied, "No, that would compromise my impartiality. Besides, my perception abilities cover the entire Trifas region. I can monitor the entire Holy Grail War from here."
"Very well, then." Knowing he couldn't force Jeanne to join them, Gordes reluctantly accepted her refusal.
Jeanne's unwillingness to join their Yggdmillennia faction was something he couldn't change. Still, he didn't walk away empty-handed.
Thinking of this, Gordes couldn't hide the grin spreading across his face, convinced that Alaric genuinely intended to join the Yggdmillennia family.
"Miss Jeanne, if there's nothing else, then we'll meet again next time."
Alaric took Tiamat by the hand and followed Gordes, leaving Jeanne alone in the wind. As a Ruler, following Gordes and Alaric to the Yggdmillennia family's castle would compromise her impartiality.
After a long silence, Jeanne could only sigh and say, "Looks like I'll have to head to Trifas first."
...
Not long after, riding in Gordes' private car, Alaric and Tiamat arrived at the Black Faction's stronghold, the Yggdmillennia family's castle in Trifas.
Beneath that castle lay the artificial relic known as the Greater Grail, slumbering in silence.
At this point, the Greater Grail had yet to absorb the souls of Servants and was unable to manifest its full potential.
As Alaric stepped into the castle's domain, his extraordinary sensory abilities quickly detected the massive figure standing beneath a nearby lake.
It was the ultimate dream created by the Black Faction's Caster, Avicebron, who had been summoned two months before the start of the Holy Grail War.
[Golem Keter Malkuth]
A replication of the Primordial Man, Adam, it was an autonomous Reality Marble that continuously altered the world simply by existing.
This golem, the Noble Phantasm of Black Caster Avicebron, existed as a masterpiece of magical construction.
Before acquiring a magus to serve as its core, it could not even be considered fully born. However, once completed, it held extraordinary potential.
Blessed by the earth, it would not be destroyed as long as it remained connected to the ground.
Upon its birth, its body doubled in size every hour. Starting at only fifteen meters tall, it could grow to a maximum height of nearly one thousand meters.
This much, Alaric knew very well.
Compared to the potential threat posed by the giant, Alaric was more curious about how it would evolve over time.
Not only the giant but as Alaric stepped into the Yggdmillennia castle's bounds, he also sensed the presence of several Servants, which only deepened the smile on his face.
If he were to wipe out the entire Black Faction here, the Holy Grail War would devolve into internal strife among the Red Faction. However, with Shirou positioned so close to the Red Masters, any infighting would undoubtedly lead to Shirou's victory.
Moreover, due to the absence of a Lesser Grail in this Holy Grail War, even making a wish would require obtaining the Greater Grail.
"Let me take a look at the Greater Grail—"
With light, carefree steps, Alaric turned into a shadow and disappeared behind Gordes, heading toward the Greater Grail he had sensed beneath the castle.