Chapter 81: Holy Grail Shard
Finn raised both hands high, solemnly lifting the Holy Grail.
Brilliant golden light, like the sun, made it impossible to look directly.
Was this truly the legendary Holy Grail, the omnipotent wish-granting machine?
"Ha ha, everyone, calm down first…"
Seeing the Servant students below with eyes shining brightly, Finn quickly lowered his hands, signaling them not to get too excited.
"This is not the real Holy Grail, but a Holy Grail Shard,"
He explained:
"Although it cannot compare to the real Holy Grail, it still contains a large amount of magical energy, so it still has a portion of wish-granting function. If taken to sell, it could also fetch an extremely terrifying price!
Class Britain and Class France United will compete in a speed race on the track. Whoever reaches the finish line first will win for their class and also obtain the Holy Grail Shard. Each class will be divided into multiple groups, each group having four people — three main racers and one substitute. You are free to choose your team members, with a ten-minute time limit, after which the race will officially begin."
After Finn finished explaining the rules, both classes immediately became lively with excitement.
Even the two Round Table Knights beside Eikou had blazing eyes, placing their hands firmly on his shoulders.
It went without saying that Gawain and Tristan would definitely invite him to form a team.
"Sir Eikou… do you still remember the Pairing plan we talked about before?"
Tristan suddenly spoke.
"It's not easy to carry out the Pairing plan — we have to take a driver's license test, and each of us needs a motorcycle," Gawain also chimed in, "Motorcycles are luxury toys only for adults…"
"Moreover, if we want to go to the sea, we also have to save money for the trip. The number of expenses is more than we imagined…"
"But!"
The two Round Table Knights spoke in unison:
"——As long as we win, then sell the Holy Grail Shard for money, we'll have both the motorcycles and the travel funds right away!"
"As long as we take the championship, the applause and flowers, the honor and status, and most importantly…"
"Money and women!" Eikou's eyes suddenly turned sharp.
"Summer! Motorcycles! The sea! Pairing!"
The three young men shouted together.
The race hadn't even started yet, but the three of them already seemed to wear the crown of victory on their heads.
It was understandable — the two Round Table Knights were among the top in strength in Class Britain, and Eikou, though his flashy skill set might not be useful in direct combat, in a recreational race like this, might unexpectedly shine.
Don't underestimate the skill set that let him escape straight from the women's hot spring bath!
This heaven-sent luck — he had to seize it!
"We are…"
The three of them placed their hands together:
"——Three-man Team!!"
"Wait," Eikou suddenly realized a crucial point, "Finn-sensei just said a team must have at least four people, so we're missing a substitute?"
"No problem,"
Gawain said with certainty:
"We'll just pull Sir Lancelot in. Even if he's gone Berserk, he'll definitely agree to our Pairing plan. When summer comes, we'll call him too, and the four of us will set out in style!"
"But… Lancelot…"
Eikou suddenly froze, looking toward Lancelot not far away.
No, that wasn't Lancelot — it was Black Jeanne.
He suddenly calmed down, falling silent.
"What's wrong, Sir Eikou?"
Tristan noticed his unusual silence.
Eikou sighed, hesitating: "Well… there's something I need to tell you two…"
[You told them about what happened at the hot spring bath the day before yesterday.]
[You also clearly explained the truth about Berserker Lancelot's real identity — in fact, Jeanne d'Arc Alter.]
[After listening, they were extremely shocked, but still believed your words.]
"You mean this is Jeanne Alter in disguise, and the real Sir Lancelot is still imprisoned right now?"
Gawain asked seriously.
"Jeanne Alter said he's fine now. She said after the race ends, he'll probably be released." Eikou explained.
"I see…"
He let out a slight sigh of relief.
"It's good that Sir Lancelot is safe."
"After that, I have a proposal I want to discuss with you both."
Eikou hesitated before speaking:
"I want to lead you to win the speed race championship, and then use the Holy Grail Shard to wish for Jeanne Alter not to be expelled from school. Even though it's only a shard of the Holy Grail, such a small wish should still be possible to grant."
That way, Eikou could both help Class Britain win and also prevent Black Jeanne from being expelled — it could be said to be a win-win situation.
Moreover, Black Jeanne could serve as the substitute member of their team, not having to take the field at all, so she wouldn't have to awkwardly waver between the two sides.
"However, doing this makes me feel kind of like a fake saint…"
Eikou let out a sigh.
"Because the 'ride behind a motorcycle' plan isn't just my own dream, but a grand plan the three of us share. I truly want to help Jeanne Alter, but I don't want my kindness to come at the expense of others. So, tell me your thoughts — maybe we can work out an outcome that will satisfy multiple sides."
After hearing him out, the two Round Table Knights only smiled.
"Sir Eikou, seeing you suddenly get all serious like this, I thought you were going to say something big," Tristan said, rarely showing a smile.
"Helping women in distress is one of the very creeds of us Round Table Knights. Even if you didn't ask, once we know the reason, we'll surely help." Gawain laughed heartily. "It's just a bit of money — compared to a young lady's academic crisis, it's nothing at all!"
"The only thing we really want to blame you for is not telling us sooner, instead of waiting until now."
"I knew you'd say that…"
Eikou gave a bitter smile.
But he simply didn't want to drag those around him into complicated trouble. If not for the fact that the speed race required teamwork, Eikou would have kept it hidden longer.
The two of them slung their arms around his shoulders, speaking boldly: "It's fine, just feel free to rely on us. Last time at the hot spring you voluntarily stayed behind to cover for us, and last night in 'Love Sleeping' you also made a great sacrifice — this time it's our turn to return the favor."
"Besides, Sir Eikou, you have to think about this—"
The eyes of the two Round Table Knights suddenly turned sharp.
"Although we never ask for repayment when we do good deeds, acting purely out of goodwill… if you can get close to that Dragon Witch, maybe she'll even introduce some female friends to us in the future. Wouldn't that also be part of the 'ride behind a motorcycle' plan? No — women are actually the very essence of the 'ride behind a motorcycle' plan!"
"What…"
Eikou's expression showed sudden enlightenment.
"You two might actually be geniuses!"
[The three of you didn't fall into a state of mental self-consumption at all, but instead easily shifted your combat objective, now fighting for Black Jeanne (and the ride behind a motorcycle plan)!]