"What kind of deal?"
Soichiro Kuzuki watched Lucien expressionlessly, his eyes calm, betraying no emotion.
"We can cooperate to deal with the other Masters and Servants," Lucien said, casually pulling a cigarette from his pocket, lighting it, taking a deep drag, and exhaling a smoke ring.
Medea first glanced at Medusa, then at Lucien's hands. When she saw no Command Seals, a sneer crossed her face.
"That's why I came to find you," Lucien added, shrugging.
"What right does someone who isn't even a Master have to cooperate with me?" Medea asked, her voice dripping with disdain. She chuckled darkly, "Since you've delivered yourself to my doorstep, I'll take Medusa."
Magical energy swirled through the temple courtyard.
Skeletal warriors materialized, weapons at the ready, eyes glowing with menace.
These were Medea's Dragon Tooth Warriors, summoned through magic using dragon teeth as a catalyst.
She could call forth a legion to overwhelm anyone.
"Are you going to act?"
Lucien's grin faded.
His amethyst eyes narrowed, a cold glint emerging as he flicked ash from his cigarette and regarded Medea with subtle mockery.
"Kill him," Medea commanded with a motion, and the Dragon Tooth Warriors surged forward to attack.
"Hold this foolish woman for ten seconds," Lucien said, snapping his fingers.
Medusa obeyed immediately, vanishing from her spot to confront Medea.
Meanwhile, Lucien charged directly at Soichiro Kuzuki.
Despite having no magical energy, Soichiro was enhanced by Medea's magic and his own combat training, honed since childhood.
Even a Servant would find him a challenging opponent.
Medea estimated he could hold out ten minutes, maybe half an hour.
But against Lucien…
A golden flash of lightning streaked across the courtyard.
Soichiro's impassive expression tightened as he crossed his arms defensively.
Lucien, cigarette dangling, hands in pockets, swept his leg horizontally with a whoosh.
"Crack…"
A sharp sound of bone breaking echoed.
Soichiro's reinforced arms shattered under the force of Lucien's kick.
The air shrieked; the ground split beneath them.
Blood spattered as Soichiro was hurled back.
Before he landed, Lucien appeared above him and stomped on his chest.
The courtyard cracked into a spiderweb of destruction.
Lucien held his cigarette, exhaling calmly.
A living black thorn with sharp bone spikes coiled around Soichiro's neck, lifting him into the air.
In just two moves, Soichiro had no power to resist.
Blood poured from his broken arms, his body dangling helplessly.
"Soichiro."
Medea, finishing her clash with Medusa, swooped down, disbelief etched across her face.
"If everyone had just been a little more cooperative, it wouldn't have come to this," Lucien said, his tone casual as he exhaled a smoke ring, black thorn holding Soichiro beside him.
His eyes remained calm, unshaken.
Lucien had always held a strange fondness for Medea, even though her body was no longer pure.
In this Fifth Holy Grail War, her first Master had been a Middle Eastern magus who exploited modern technology for sacrificial magic.
Medea had tricked him into wasting his three Command Seals, then killed him.
After losing her Master and lacking a magical energy supply, Medea collapsed outside Ryudoji Temple on a rainy night.
Just as she was fading away, Soichiro Kuzuki saved her.
Their bond deepened through their unique contract, making him her unofficial Master.
What started as manipulation became genuine love, and Medea's true wish emerged: to live with Soichiro.
To achieve this, she drew life force from Fuyuki City's residents, increasing her magic and eliminating rival Masters and Servants.
Shirou Emiya and Rin had intervened, stopping her temporarily.
"Don't act rashly, I agree," Medea said, holding out her hand, fearful Lucien might kill Soichiro.
Lucien said nothing, calmly watching her.
Magical energy flared as a Z-shaped dagger, Rule Breaker, appeared in Medea's hand.
This Noble Phantasm could sever a Master-Servant contract and transfer Command Seals.
Medea approached Medusa and stabbed her in the chest with Rule Breaker.
Medusa offered no resistance.
Violent magical energy enveloped them, engulfing the entire temple.
Sakura Matou, resting elsewhere, suddenly awoke, seeing the Command Seals on her hand stripped away.
At Ryudoji Temple, as the magical storm subsided, three Command Seals appeared on Lucien's right hand.
He immediately felt Medusa's presence, stronger and different from before—a new invisible bond had formed.
Lucien became Medusa's true Master.
Extending his Ki through the Command Seals, he caused Medusa's body to tremble.
Though mostly hidden beneath her visor, her astonishment was clear.
Magical energy spiraled around her, her previously weak aura surging.
Even Medea was blown back by the force.
Power surged through Medusa.
Now, she believed she could face any Servant.
Lucien also gained the confirmation he sought: Ki and magical energy were essentially the same primordial life energy.
Perhaps he truly could absorb the energy in the Holy Grail.
Command Seals in place, Lucien turned his gaze to Medea.
Her cloak had been blown away, revealing a delicate figure: long blue hair, sharp elven-like ears, a braid over her left ear, cherry-red lips with purple lipstick—a woman radiating charm.
"I have already transferred the Command Seals as you requested. Release Soichiro," Medea's expression remained cold, though inside, she trembled with unease.
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