The moon tickets today are truly intoxicating, everyone has been incredibly supportive, but the double period is still ongoing, so we cannot relax; let the moon tickets come even more fiercely... Her true form is Medea, the ill-fated princess from Greek mythology, an outstanding Magician of the Age of Gods, whose abilities are sufficient to surpass even Sorcerers. Though inherently kind, the cruel twists of fate transformed her into a historical sinner, burdened by innumerable transgressions, known by the infamous title, the Witch of Betrayal.

Summoned this time by the Holy Grail, her original Master was a middle-aged male Magician. However, that Magician held a profoundly passive attitude toward the Holy Grail War; he intended to hide in the shadows and wait for everyone else to self-destruct, even harboring intense jealousy toward the Caster he had summoned—a being capable of matching a Sorcerer—to the extent that he used Command Spells to restrict Caster’s magical power below that of a normal human.

Such an action was bound to incite Caster’s wrath, breeding thoughts of betrayal. After all, regardless of Medea’s original temperament, having shouldered so many sins that were never hers to bear, and forever tainted by the calumny of the Witch of Betrayal, it was only natural for her disposition to turn extreme; coexisting peacefully with someone she despised was impossible.

Thus, utilizing her superior intellect, Medea deceived her Master through trickery, leading him to expend all three Command Spells before she decisively killed him.

However, a Servant requires a Master’s magical energy supply to remain manifested in the current world, and the Caster class lacks the capacity for independent sustenance. Therefore, after Medea eliminated the man who was once her Master, she too could not linger in the present reality.

Yet, just as she was on the verge of vanishing, she encountered Bazett, who shared a distressingly similar predicament.

Bazett was an outsider Magician dispatched by the Mage’s Association, a carefully placed piece for this particular Holy Grail War, one of the seven Masters. Her original Servant was none other than... Lancer, Cú Chulainn.

But shortly after summoning Lancer, before she could even engage in the Holy Grail War, she had lost her Servant. As for the reason why? That was something even Bazett herself could not fathom. She had thoroughly examined her body at the time; there were no injuries, no Command Spells had been used, yet why was the link with Lancer severed?

Having lost her Servant, she naturally could no longer participate in the Holy Grail War. However, as someone desperate for acceptance by the Mage’s Association, she did not surrender, instead lingering throughout Fuyuki City, searching for the cause of her Servant’s disappearance while trying to find a way to complete the mission assigned by the Association.

It was in this state that Bazett and Medea, both trapped in desperation, met. One lacked a Servant; the other lacked a Master. Naturally, they joined forces.

Acquiring a new partner was undoubtedly a positive turn of events for both Medea and Bazett. Although the Caster class is reputed to be the weakest among the Seven Classes, she was, after all, a Heroic Spirit; her power was not something a mere human Magician like Bazett could contend with. With such an ally, there was no reason for disappointment.

As for Medea, her first impression of Bazett was: “Simple mind, well-developed limbs.” She had every reason to believe this human Magician was an idiot who only knew how to punch and not how to use her brain… Had any other Servant encountered such a Master, they would likely have been utterly disappointed, but Medea was different.

Since Bazett was an idiot, it meant she harbored no cunning or ulterior motives. Accustomed to being thrust into positions of betrayal and constantly plotted against, what Medea craved most internally was contact with someone like this, because only with such a person could she feel safe from being persecuted.

Consequently, since they allied, no issues had arisen between the two.

Of course, because Bazett’s intelligence was a fundamental handicap—a problem likely eternal—Medea remained the effective decision-maker regarding the management of the Holy Grail War.

So, seeing Bazett with that look of “I don’t understand anything” yet wearing an expression of utter entitlement, Medea felt exasperated but not surprised. Conversely, if Bazett did manage to offer a useful suggestion, that would be what truly surprised her.

“Direct confrontation isn’t viable?” Bazett asked, after indirectly admitting her own inadequacy, then resumed eating.

Medea couldn't be bothered to answer such a foolish query. Instead, she frowned and said, “It seems preemptive strikes alone are no longer effective. The emergence of that Fourth Demon King, and those Servants operating far beyond established specifications—we cannot win this relying solely on intellect. Moreover… even in terms of strategy, I might not hold any inherent advantage… What exactly is happening in this Holy Grail War?”

Although this was Medea’s first time participating in a Holy Grail War, she was well aware of the rules. However, this particular War felt manipulated by external forces, which was deeply unsettling.

“You can’t figure it out either?” Bazett spoke up again.

Hearing this, Medea finally couldn't hold back her retort. “While I know relying on your intellect is useless, I implore you to at least pay attention to the situation of the Holy Grail War… You saw clearly enough what was displayed in the scrying mirror just now; this Holy Grail War is nothing but a massive conspiracy.”

“So, we just need to defeat that Fourth Demon King, right?” Bazett stated calmly. It must be admitted that, despite her dullness, she had struck directly at the core issue. If that Fourth Demon King were truly eliminated, all problems would be solved. But!

What an imbecile! Leaving aside the identity of the Fourth Demon King, his four Heavenly Kings alone were monsters that most Heroic Spirits couldn't hope to match. If I truly had a viable plan to deal with the Fourth Demon King, would I be consulting you for an opinion?

Medea silently heaped scorn upon Bazett’s intelligence, then lapsed into silence... She no longer wished to converse with this fool, lest her own intelligence be inadvertently dragged down.

Seeing her silence, Bazett was unbothered, continuing to bury herself in her meal.

It was only after a long while that Medea put away the magic mirror, letting out a heavy sigh. “Unity brings advantage; separation guarantees death. It seems our only option is to join forces with the other groups.”

Although this course of action was against Medea’s preference—she loathed congregating with so many people, especially those with high intellect—continuing alone meant certain death, whether facing the Fourth Demon King or any other Servant.

“Okay, whatever you say goes,” Bazett nodded, offering no objection to Medea’s decision.

Only upon hearing this did a faint, almost imperceptible smile grace Medea’s lips. While she was an idiot, it was precisely this kind of idiot she didn't dislike.

...

At the same time, within the Church headquarters. Like Medea, Karen felt a storm of complex emotions. After witnessing the preceding battle, half of her worldview had been overturned, especially the appearance of the Fourth Demon King, Melchisedech... As an Exorcist of the Church, she had the right and obligation to purge all demons from the world. But how does one exorcise a Demon King who can wrap up the entire Holy Grail War in the palm of his hand, and who even harbors ambitions of world conquest?

Frankly, despite possessing the constitution of a Spirit Medium prone to abuse, she had absolutely no confidence.

“I never expected my first assignment to involve meeting such a terrifying figure. This is truly troublesome…” Karen muttered with her eyes closed, nursing a splitting headache.

After lengthy consideration, she finally made her decision: shedding her plain nun’s habit and donning her self-made combat suit designed to fight demons.

The core of this combat suit was ceremonial vestment clothing. While it was never exactly modest to begin with, after her modifications, it had become unrecognizable, far more revealing.

The entire suit was black… or perhaps more accurately, it was incomplete clothing, as the ensemble lacked trousers or a skirt; her lower body was clad only in a pair of sheer black stockings reaching her waist. Above, besides the necessary intimate wear, the black bodysuit, utterly incapable of concealing her figure’s curves, comprised the entirety of the ensemble.

Most flagrantly, the lower edge of this garment split open to either side; were it not for the black stockings, the area from her lower abdomen downwards would be completely exposed to the air. Even