Chapter 251: The Method of Substitution
"So, you will turn into a cup soon?"
After listening to Irisviel's explanation, Hikigaya Hachiman's gaze toward her instantly became complex.
Although alchemy existed in this world, and transforming a person into another object was not impossible, knowing that someone he knew was about to turn into a lifeless cup was still something he couldn't accept.
"Yes, this is the mission I was created for..."
Thinking that soon only Illya would be left, Irisviel's consciousness became low.
But this was something that couldn't be helped, wasn't it?
"I heard that you will be fighting Rider tonight. I suspect that after Rider's soul returns to my body, I will become the Holy Grail. So, could I ask you to grant me one request?"
"A request?"
"My daughter with Kiritsugu, Illya... is currently living at the Einzbern family's main base. If the news of our defeat gets back there, Illya might be subjected to..."
Thinking of the potential treatment her daughter might face, Irisviel felt a wrenching pain in her chest.
"So you hope that after the Holy Grail War ends, I will go to Germany and take your daughter away?"
"Exactly. If only she can live an ordinary life, I will be completely satisfied. In return, I can assist you in directly summoning the Greater Holy Grail, how does that sound?"
Irisviel finished stating her condition and nervously looked up at Hikigaya Hachiman.
In reality, the bargaining chips she could offer were quite limited.
After all, she was currently in Hikigaya Hachiman's hands, and the Lesser Grail she would soon become would naturally fall into his possession.
All she could do was assist him when he used the Lesser Grail to communicate with the Greater Holy Grail and make his wish.
"......."
Hearing Irisviel's words, a strange feeling arose within Hikigaya Hachiman.
For some reason, he had a hunch that if he agreed to Irisviel's condition, he might end up bringing back yet another baggage when he returned.
'System, is there a way to save her?'
Hikigaya Hachiman did not immediately answer Irisviel's proposal, silently asking the System in his mind if there was a way to keep her alive.
'Finding a suitable substitute object can replace Irisviel as the vessel for the Lesser Holy Grail.'
After a slight pause, the System's cold voice rang in Hikigaya Hachiman's mind.
'Can you explain what a suitable substitute object is?'
'Such as the Host.'
"......."
'Besides me?!'
Hikigaya Hachiman reached up and pinched the bridge of his nose. He never thought he would be driven half-mad by that rigid System one day.
'Sakura can also be used.'
'Besides the two of us?!'
Hearing the System begin to target Sakura again, Hikigaya Hachiman would have already dismantled it if it weren't attached to his mind.
'Excluding the Host and Sakura, who are both exceptionally compatible, the Lesser Holy Grail inside Irisviel can also be transferred via magic to another body possessing magical aptitude.'
'Finally, a feasible plan has been mentioned...'
The third plan proposed by the System finally eased the expression on Hikigaya Hachiman's face.
'Someone with magical aptitude, does that mean any Magus will do?'
'Theoretically, yes, but the better the magical aptitude, the better the communication effect of the summoned Lesser Holy Grail.'
'Don't worry about that. Although I don't plan on taking the Holy Grail, if it's that guy, his magical aptitude should be quite outstanding...'
A skinny, wretched figure flashed through Hikigaya Hachiman's mind, and he spoke with confidence.
"Um, Hikigaya?"
Hikigaya Hachiman had been silent for a long time, and Irisviel, who had not received a reply, inevitably became anxious.
"Hey, Irisviel, if I told you that you don't have to become the Lesser Holy Grail, would you choose to continue living?"
Hikigaya Hachiman looked up at Irisviel and asked with a serious expression.
"If I don't have to become the Lesser Holy Grail, then of course I hope to continue living."
Although she wasn't sure why Hikigaya Hachiman would suddenly ask such a question, Irisviel answered without hesitation.
"I have a method here that has a chance of preventing you from turning into the Holy Grail. Do you want to try it?"
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In a wooden cabin in the suburbs of Fuyuki City, Matou Zouken was leaning on his cane, alone in the dim room, lost in thought.
Since learning that Hikigaya Hachiman had become a participant in the Holy Grail War a year ago, he had moved out of the Matou residence and into this cabin to avoid potential retaliation from Hikigaya Hachiman.
In fact, his decision was quite wise.
The day before the Holy Grail War began, his informant left at the Matou residence reported that Hikigaya Hachiman had returned with a Heroic Spirit.
If Matou Zouken hadn't hidden in his current safe house beforehand, he would have likely been killed by that powerful Heroic Spirit already...
"Only three teams of participants remain. Barring any accidents, the Holy Grail War will end tonight or tomorrow night..."
Because Matou Sakura was taken away by Hikigaya Hachiman, the Matou family, one of the Three Founding Families, did not participate in the Holy Grail War for the first time.
Thinking that the ownership of the Holy Grail would be decided soon, a flash of unwillingness crossed Matou Zouken's eyes.
Although his original plan did not involve participating in this war, focusing instead on the next competition.
However, the excellent host body, Sakura, was taken away by Hikigaya Hachiman, meaning whether the Matou family could participate in the Fifth Holy Grail War was also an unknown!
"That damned fellow..."
Recalling Hikigaya Hachiman's decadent face and those rotten eyes that were unpleasant just to look at, Matou Zouken couldn't help but curse through gritted teeth.
However, Matou Zouken could only vent his anger verbally while hiding in the wooden cabin.
With Karna and Artoria guarding him, even if his brain was fried, he absolutely would not entertain the thought of seeking revenge.
But Matou Zouken not planning to have any more contact with Hikigaya Hachiman did not mean that Hikigaya Hachiman wasn't looking for him.
Since stepping into the Fuyuki City boundaries, Hikigaya Hachiman had constantly been thinking about Matou Zouken.
This could be seen from the fact that while others were focused on eliminating other participants, he was taking Karna all over Fuyuki City searching for Matou Zouken's traces.
It was just a pity that, due to a shortage of manpower, Hikigaya Hachiman had been slow to find Matou Zouken's whereabouts.
However, this situation improved after the Inari Fox was sent to assist, passing through a spatial channel opened by the Inari God...
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