Chapter Seventy: A Win-Win Deal

The power of the talisman was restrained, only able to exert its effect passively. Even if the Dragon Talisman could amplify energy, it was absolutely impossible for a Master to unleash such force. Were all these foreign magi actually monsters? Zouken Matou could hardly believe it. After suffering one blow after another, even his turtle-like patience was starting to fray.

“Now that you’ve gained strength, do you intend to renege on our original agreement? You didn’t even show up during the battle at the port yesterday…”

“Even if your body is made of worms, don’t tell me you’ve really lost your mind?” Roland’s expression was cold, his eyes full of malice.

“Our alliance was only to prioritize dealing with Darnic, nothing more. Besides, you knew my Servant was a Caster, yet expected me to take part in a swordfight like that. If anyone had ill intentions, it was you. And you even tried to lay hands on what’s mine. It seems I need to reconsider our alliance.”

“…I was indeed rash,” Zouken finally admitted, falling silent after realizing the disparity in their power. He quickly regained his previously genial demeanor. “As for spoils of war—since the Matou family failed to keep it, I shouldn’t have harbored any further expectations.”

He apologized with apparent sincerity, but then shifted the subject. “However, that talisman has been with me for sixty years; it is of critical importance to me. If possible, I’d like to exchange something for its return.”

“Sixty years?” Roland’s tone changed, but he didn’t answer Zouken’s request directly. “So, you obtained it during the last Holy Grail War.”

“That’s right.” This had been his greatest secret, but with the item already in Roland’s hands, Zouken hesitated only a moment before divulging part of the truth. “And it wasn’t just me—Darnic has one as well.”

Roland fell silent—not out of shock, but as if this simply confirmed what he had already suspected. After all, in this worldline, the situation had changed drastically. If these changes were due to the talisman, it all made sense.

“You must have sensed the power of the talisman yourself, but I can tell you an astonishing secret.” Zouken deliberately lowered his voice, feigning mystery. “The talisman is not yet fully awakened. Don’t you want to see what it’s truly capable of?”

“Oh, I’m so looking forward to it…” Roland replied with a bored squint, perfunctorily brushing Zouken off. As if he needed Zouken to reveal the talisman’s potential.

Zouken pressed on. “This may be a presumptuous request, but surely the talisman holds little value for you? Might I have a chance to trade for it?”

“Hmm, all right.” Roland’s eyes narrowed, his lips curving as if he’d discovered something entertaining. “So, what will you offer?”

“What I want is irrelevant, Zouken. Don’t get it twisted—you’re the one asking me, aren’t you? So, perhaps you should consider what you have to offer.”

Roland played the part of a demanding negotiator, but with nothing else to do, Zouken could only grit his teeth and name his price.

“I can offer you all that remains of the Matou family. Though it may seem in decline, as the master of the second most spiritually potent land in Fuyuki, with our magical heritage, grimoires, and artifacts, this amounts to a considerable fortune. As the true head of the Matou for centuries, I can transfer all of it to you immediately—if you wish.”

The sum was impressive enough to make Roland’s eyes light up. He nodded his approval.

“Not enough. Keep going.”

“I can give you Berserker as well. The Matou Master has always been under my control. If you wish, I can have him transfer the contract to you.”

“Oh, that won’t be necessary.” Roland yawned. “Haven’t you heard? I ran into him this morning—took care of the matter. Kariya Matou is no longer a Master.”

“That useless fool—always a liability,” Zouken sneered, his own situation hardly enviable, but unable to resist mocking Kariya’s fate. “He spoke of saving Sakura, with the Matou blood in his veins, yet dared utter such delusions. What a pity—I’d have liked to see his face now, it must be quite a sight.”

“Indeed,” Roland agreed. “It might even surprise you.”

“Hahaha—!”

The two laughed together, like old friends reunited, until Zouken realized what he was doing. Why was he laughing? This only meant he’d lost his greatest bargaining chip.

Damn this Roland! He sits out the battles, strikes when his allies are down—truly the scoundrel I took him for!

“Nothing else? I’m still waiting.”

Prompted by Roland, Zouken’s expression twisted further as he racked his brain for something else to offer. Suddenly, inspiration struck.

“If Kariya is no longer a Master, what of Berserker?”

“He’s in my hands, of course.”

“So you’re collecting Servants now? Have you finally taken an interest in the Grail?”

“The times change, and so do I.”

At last, Zouken had found something Roland wanted. He let out a triumphant laugh.

“In that case, my final offer is this—I’ll give you the Holy Grail.”

“You?”

“Under normal circumstances, of course not,” Zouken replied confidently. “To reach the Root requires the souls of seven Servants. To grant a wish, six are needed.”

“But that’s only the ideal case. The magnitude of the wish affects the Grail’s requirements. In truth, for a personal wish, four Servant souls are more than enough.”

Roland’s smile faded, his interest piqued. Sensing he’d found a hook, Zouken pressed on.

“Of course, a personal wish may not satisfy you, but it’s not impossible. The Grail system contains the Greater Grail, the Heaven’s Cup, formed from the Third Magic. With it, your personal salvation can be achieved—immortality, transcendence.

“And as it happens, I possess the means to activate the Greater Grail.”

“With two Servants in your hands, you need only wait for two more to fall, seize the Lesser Grail from the Einzbern, and you can claim victory before anyone else.”

“To that end, I propose a win-win deal: I will aid you in seizing the Grail. In return, when you make your wish, I ask that you keep the Dragon Talisman on your person, and return it to me afterward.”

“Oh?”

Seeing Zouken suddenly so confident and taking the initiative, Roland raised an eyebrow, his gaze turning strange.

But Zouken continued, “The Grail’s abundant, pure magical energy—whether or not it is used for a wish—could accomplish many things. Through it, the dormant talisman could be awakened. That’s why Darnic returned to the battle: that was my original wish as well.”

“Does this proposal tempt you?”

Roland answered with a low, dark laugh.

“Zouken, you are quite the talent.”

Reassured by this, Zouken felt himself relax. But this time, he wasn’t about to be taken for a fool again.

“To prevent any betrayal, and for mutual peace of mind, I propose a binding magical contract with self-enforcing clauses. Surely that’s not too much to ask?”

You and Darnic really do think alike. No wonder you’ve been locked in rivalry so long.

“Of course not, my dear ally.”

After a moment’s thought, Roland agreed readily. After all, a deal that looked like a win-win but was in truth a double victory for him—who could refuse?

But Zouken, seeing Roland so agreeable, felt a twinge of unease. While Roland examined the contract, Zouken added nervously, “I’m even leaving the talisman with you, and have no desire for the Grail’s wish—just keep your promise.”

“Don’t worry, magus,” Roland’s voice grew hoarse and uncanny. “If you truly deliver the Greater Grail to me, you’ll have every right to the Dragon Talisman’s power.”

Roland signed the contract, a serious and almost solemn smile on his lips. “I swear, this talisman shall be returned to its rightful owner.”