Chapter 161: Holy Grail War of Love
"There's actually 3%?"
Holmes sounded extremely astonished.
"Mr.Mochizuki, you're far more capable than I imagined. Just being able to raise her affection into the positives, you've already surpassed the vast majority of people in Chaldea Academy."
"Thank you for the compliment, but unfortunately 3% affection is completely useless. If I can't save her, then what's the point of a little more affection."
Eikou shrugged unhappily,
"Holmes, Principal Da Vinci, you two are so smart, can't you think of some way to help me?"
"My apologies, Mr.Mochizuki. I may understand a little psychology, but I'm not good at romance. As for Miss Da Vinci beside you, someone who calls herself an omnipotent genius, I'm afraid she's the same."
"…Then I'm doomed, might as well start packing my things."
He slid straight down from the sofa onto the floor.
"Don't be so quick to give up. I am omnipotent—surely I'll think of one or two ways."
Da Vinci happily pulled him back up from the floor, her expression not yet one of hopeless despair.
"What way is left?" he asked.
"Only one remains."
Da Vinci switched on the projector beside her, and an event splash screen from a dating game was projected onto the wall opposite them.
This was…
The announcement of a new event from the mobile game "Romance Singularity."
"As for the setting of this game, how much do you still remember?" Da Vinci patiently asked.
"…Sesshouin Kiara used the stolen Holy Grail to create a Romance Prison Singularity, and you took advantage of the characteristics of that Singularity to instead craft this dating game, using it to rescue the Servants who were imprisoned."
"This dating game, connecting our Chaldea Academy with Sesshouin's Romance Prison Singularity, is precisely a kind of conceptual weapon used to counterattack Sesshouin."
Eikou tried to recall and gave that answer.
Principal Da Vinci revealed a liveliness that contrasted with her appearance. She snapped her fingers: "You are absolutely right. Then, do you know how we must use the game to save the Servants?"
"You've never said that."
"Then let me answer for you," Holmes spoke up.
[Holmes quickly explained to him the principle of saving the Servants.]
[The Romance Prison Singularity has its own core set of rules, which are related to love.]
[And the mobile game crafted by Principal Da Vinci has already been widely spread in Chaldea Academy. Many Servant students immersed themselves in it, and without having to risk themselves, they unconsciously fulfilled the core condition of this Romance Prison Singularity —— the yearning for a partner, the yearning for love.]
[With the condition of the Romance Prison Singularity thus fulfilled, Chaldea Academy could intervene in the Singularity and establish rules, organizing a large-scale battle with the theme of love —— Holy Grail War!]
"Though it may sound ridiculous, here in Chaldea, we've always resolved this kind of conceptual Singularity in this way."
"That's exactly why we've gone to the trouble of preparing this event in the game…"
"To save Yu Ji, to liberate this Singularity, we must participate in that competition!"
Holmes projected the event announcement onto the wall.
「Holy Grail War of Love: My Beloved Wife Is the Best in the World」!
"What the hell is this?"
Looking at the event title on the poster, Eikou couldn't quite make sense of it.
Holmes's tone, however, was filled with cold logic:
"Our ideal state would have been that you had long since grinded Yu Ji's affection to full, then led her into the Romance Prison Singularity to participate in the Holy Grail War of Love. You and Yu Ji, with full affection, would be certain to win this Holy Grail War of Love, not only obtaining the Holy Grail, eliminating the Singularity, but also bringing back all the Servants lost in this Singularity until now, including Yu Ji."
"But unfortunately, Yu Ji truly is a Lady difficult to conquer. Since you failed to raise her affection to full, then the two of you will not be of one heart. In the Holy Grail War of Love you will not be able to unleash full power, and the chance of victory will become very, very low."
"Is that so? But if it's about high affection, actually I do have a few others beside me…"
Eikou immediately thought of Jeanne Alter, Morgan, and her Fairy Knights.
Although of course, he absolutely did not want to drag other girls into danger just for Yu Ji.
"No, the condition for participating in this Holy Grail War is 'one side must be a character within the game,' and Yu Ji, who is already half a resident of the Singularity, happens to satisfy this condition."
"Tch, the rules of this Holy Grail War really are such a hassle…"
Eikou couldn't help but sigh.
"But Holmes… you said if affection is low it just means 'the chance of victory is very low,' not 'unable to participate,' right?"
"That's correct."
Holmes's cold gaze locked onto him,
"As long as you wish to participate in this Holy Grail War, we can fully arrange for you to take part."
"Oh? You don't intend to dissuade me at all? Something like, 'this is too dangerous, how could we possibly let you enter such a perilous competition,' for example?"
"Haha,"
On the pale, handsome face of the detective appeared a smile,
"Mr. Mochizuki, from the moment you stepped through the door, I already knew what kind of person you were, and I knew what choice you would make. You are someone both simple and brilliant. No matter how much I tried to persuade you to turn back, you would not listen, so there's no need for me to waste words."
"So that's how it is, huh," Eikou laughed, "at least go through the procedure of giving me a warning. That way it would feel a bit more ceremonial."
"No! Mr. Mochizuki, don't go!!!"
Holmes suddenly revealed an expression of extreme anguish.
"…Now that you try to persuade me, it's already too late, great detective. Why are you being a little naïve in this matter!"
Eikou scratched his head, looking at the event poster on the wall,
"In short, as long as I participate in this Holy Grail War, there's a chance to save Yu Ji, right? If this is the only way, then I'll participate."
"—— Let me give you a harsh reminder. If you fail, you may end up just like her, dragged in and lost within the Singularity, or even die."
Holmes said calmly,
"Are you truly certain you want to shoulder such a great risk for a Lady with whom your relationship isn't even very good?"
Eikou blinked and smiled: "I'm not the kind of blindly kindhearted person. I also want extra compensation, I want a really cool motorcycle! If you give it to me, I'll go right away without another word!"
Holmes again revealed a profound smile: "And if we refuse to give you any additional reward?"
"…A human life is important, so I'll still go."
"Haha, as expected, you really are a gentle and simple gentleman." The detective was very satisfied with his answer. "It's settled. After this is over, we will give you all the reward and the motorcycle, not as wages, but to commend your character and your contribution."
"…Don't say things like that, it's really embarrassing."
Eikou glanced over.
"To be honest, a few days ago I had a very strange dream. If I don't go save Yu Ji, stop Sesshouin's scheme, it may lead to very serious consequences."
"Besides, I can't shake the feeling that Yu Ji… never mind, it's nothing."
[You have agreed to the invitation to participate in the Holy Grail War of Love.]
[You will join Yu Ji in taking part. Even though the chance of victory is slim, you cannot simply stand by and watch her wait for death.]
[The final deadline to save Yu Ji, which is also the start of the Holy Grail War of Love, is now less than five days away.]