"Tsk, tsk, tsk."
Bai Luo didn't know what to say about Saber.
Was it foolishness, or stubbornness?
Or perhaps, deep affection, willing to sacrifice everything for those she cherished.
"You have indeed grown, Saber."
Bai Luo stood up and walked in front of Artoria.
Because of his movement, the surrounding Ogres immediately focused their attention, guarding against a surprise attack from Saber.
"But is it worth it?"
"Even if you take her from me, she won't live much longer."
Bai Luo had thought Saber was unaware of this point.
He hadn't expected Saber to actually know.
And knowing this, yet still willing to return Irisviel, Bai Luo's impression of her changed considerably: "Why didn't you just force your way in?"
"Given your personality, you're not one to compromise, are you?"
"Because there's no chance of victory."
Saber had her pride, but also her self-awareness.
Bai Luo's power was not something she could shake.
To rashly force her way in, regardless of success or failure, would certainly lead to animosity with Bai Luo.
What would happen to Irisviel then?
Furthermore, Artoria still held a glimmer of hope: "I wish to request your help, to save Irisviel!"
"Is that what you're planning?"
Not only did she want to save someone, but she also wanted to find a miracle from him.
"Yes."
Artoria: "You are a Demon King from another world, you must possess unfathomably profound magic."
Artoria had personally experienced the Snow Empress's magic.
If even a Demon God under Bai Luo could wield magic, then what heights must Bai Luo himself have reached?
"Have a seat and let's talk."
Bai Luo felt Artoria's sincerity.
Because the maiden had not picked up her scabbard from beginning to end, allowing the Snow Empress to seal it.
In this way, Artoria became fish on a chopping block, with no chance of resistance.
"Alright."
The two left the main hall and went to the room where Irisviel was recuperating.
They sat down facing each other, and only then began to discuss Irisviel's situation.
"First, I want to tell you that I can indeed save her."
"Really?!!!"
The surprise came too suddenly, causing Saber to exclaim directly.
"Ah, I apologize, that was rude."
Suppressing the joy in her heart, the maiden asked: "Please, what do I need to do for you to save her?"
"Let me make it clear, I will not betray Kiritsugu. That is my bottom line as a Knight."
Indeed, the Knight King was still the Knight King.
As Wei Gong Qie Si's Heroic Spirit, even without a Command Seal, even if her Master was a deplorable man, she would still adhere to the Knight's code and uphold the virtue of loyalty.
"I am not your Master; I am not that despicable."
Bai Luo waved his hand: "Besides, if I were to deal with Wei Gong Qie Si, I wouldn't need your help."
"That's true..."
If she were to be left here, Wei Gong Qie Si would effectively lose, so there was no need for her to stab him in the back herself.
"Let's put the price aside for now."
"Let me first tell you about Irisviel's specific condition."
After this period of analysis, Bai Luo had obtained a lot of useful information, including the technique to separate the Lesser Grail from the Greater Grail.
Therefore, Bai Luo was not deceiving Artoria.
He truly could save Irisviel.
"First, she is the vessel of the Lesser Grail."
"As Heroic Spirits continually die, the mechanism of the Lesser Grail is triggered, and her consciousness and personality sink into the Greater Grail."
In other words, simply returning her physical body or healing her was already meaningless.
How to separate Irisviel's soul was the key.
"Then, what should be done?"
"The method isn't difficult."
Bai Luo said: "Complete the Holy Grail ritual, and when the Holy Grail materializes, find her soul and bring it out. That's all."
"This..."
To be honest, Artoria didn't understand.
She was not a magus; she didn't know how to perform what Bai Luo was talking about.
"Don't worry, I can handle the specific method."
Bai Luo: "The only thing we need to do is wait for the Holy Grail's advent."
"You should know the conditions for the Holy Grail's advent, right?"
"Yes."
Artoria: "When only two Heroic Spirits remain, the Holy Grail will manifest."
"That's right."
Bai Luo said: "So, I need you to do me a favor."
"Find Assassin, and then kill them!"
"What?"
Artoria was startled; it wasn't that she wanted to refuse.
Bai Luo's request posed no pressure on her.
Artoria's confusion stemmed from Bai Luo's mention of Assassin and 'them'.
"Is Assassin still alive?"
She had thought Hassan had long since died.
"Yes."
Bai Luo informed Artoria about Hundred-Faced Hassan.
"I understand. I will take care of Assassin."
"Alright, I'll have the Oniwaban go with you."
Bai Luo was a bit troubled by the Assassins with their maximum stealth abilities: "They'll be responsible for finding, and you for slaying."
"Then, Gilgamesh will be handled by me."
This way, only Bai Luo, Fran, and Saber would remain.
Although there were three of them, the five Heroic Spirit souls required by the Holy Grail had already been met.
"To be honest, I have no interest in obtaining the Holy Grail."
Bai Luo said indifferently: "If you want it, I don't mind giving it to you."
"What?"
At this, Artoria truly couldn't sit still.
She didn't understand why Bai Luo would help her so much.
Was he interested in something about her?
However, Artoria did not see any lewdness in Bai Luo's eyes, but rather another kind of desire.
"Do you want to subdue me, like Conqueror?"
Artoria did not immediately refuse; she fell into contemplation.
If Bai Luo could truly yield the Holy Grail, then her submission to Bai Luo didn't seem so unacceptable.
To save her country—once that wish was fulfilled, she would no longer have a reason to be king, and could uphold righteousness, becoming a true Knight.
If the new liege was someone like Bai Luo, Artoria wasn't actually resistant.
"Indeed, I had that thought," Bai Luo admitted, then shook his head, "Unfortunately, the Holy Grail isn't as wonderful as you imagine."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you think that by winning the Holy Grail War, you'll get an omnipotent wish-granting machine?"
Bai Luo scoffed, "I truly didn't expect someone would believe such a deception."