Chapter 377: Misdirection

Chapter 377: Misdirection

Will it happen?

The answer is no.

Between nations or forces, once it reaches the diplomatic level, it is impossible to act recklessly. The people sent out represent the country. If they lack sufficient strength and can't hold their own, it's not just their face they lose, but the face of the country as well.

This rule also applies to the Mage's Association and the Holy Church. Take London, for example. The Holy Church has semi-openly stationed personnel there, and even the Twelve Lords do not underestimate their leader.

"Fame and strength are not necessarily proportional. Every major power has hidden agents and trump cards. These people may not be famous, but they are not easy to deal with."

This is what Shinji wanted to convey. Amakusa Shirou fits this description perfectly. He indeed lacks fame because he hardly interacts with his colleagues and has a low presence. However, his evaluations and achievements within the Assembly of the Eighth Sacrament are among the best.

He has overseen multiple pseudo-Holy Grail Wars and is highly experienced. He has also infiltrated the Middle East—a region known for its mixed sectarian forces and strife—for nearly 20 years. If not for his lack of ambition for power, he would not be just a priest. Incidentally, Amakusa Shirou's brown skin is not his original complexion but something he changed specifically for his infiltration in the Middle East.

"The Holy Church, on par with the Mage's Association, not being able to produce catalysts for powerful Servants would be strange. Thus, we are very likely facing four top-tier Servants."

Shinji's analysis finally changed Danic's expression.

"This—"

"—This Master-Servant pair may not stand with the others," Vlad III interjected. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Helping us split the Mage's Association is also an option."

Shinji nodded. "Lord Vlad's view is indeed a possibility. But judging by Clan Leader Danic's expression, the Holy Church's people haven't contacted us yet. Whether they decide to align with the Mage's Association or are secretly assessing our strength, we should currently treat them as enemies. A four-against-three situation hasn't changed—so I ask again, do we still have an eighty percent chance of victory?"

Gordes was indignant. "Hmph, you're just speculating."

"Strategically, we should underestimate the enemy, but tactically, we must take them seriously. We can't place our hopes on uncertain factors."

"Even if things are as you say, what about my developed mana diversion system, Noble Phantasm spam, and top-tier Servants?"

"But, Clan Leader, you mentioned the Pseudo-Holy Grail War? Is that also a Holy Grail War? Can it summon Servants?"

Shinji's seemingly casual question made Darnic's pupils contract sharply, "Servants, yes, additional Servants!"

The Pseudo-Holy Grail War is still a Holy Grail War. Although it lacks the most crucial elements, it still has the basic ability to summon Servants. It doesn't require many, just a few; they don't need to be the strongest Heroic Spirits, just those with a home-field advantage. For example, summoning Greek heroes in Greece or Roman heroes in Rome would cause significant trouble for the Yggdmillennia clan.

Realizing this, Darnic quickly ordered, "Gordes, notify our comrades immediately. If there are indeed additional Servants, inform me at once. We must also not neglect Ruler; we will need her strength."

"I'm on it. Regarding Ruler—"

Given the urgency, Gordes didn't put on airs and was about to leave with Siegfried. As he turned to go, he suddenly remembered something and turned back.

"Assassin seems to get along well with Ruler. When they parted, it looked like he even left her some homework."

"Homework? What's that about?" Vlad III and Darnic both looked at Shinji.

With a peculiar expression, Shinji rubbed his nose, "Well, you might not believe this, but Saint Jeanne d'Arc is very interested in mathematics. However, she never went to school and can't understand textbooks, so I taught her some basic arithmetic in my spare time and left her quite a few exercises."

Thus—

The wise and mighty Vlad, the deeply calculating Darnic;

The silent Siegfried, the arrogant Gordes.

All were dumbfounded, their mouths opening in unison to exhale.

"Huh???"

P.S.: The Clock Tower didn't even go all out this time. Even with seven Servants, obliterating Yggdmillennia would still be a breeze. The Pseudo-Holy Grail War would be the first choice, summoning dozens of Servants and deploying them to Trifas—imagine that scene. Additionally, the Mage's Association has many families that have inherited ancient mysteries, i.e., genuine Noble Phantasms. People like Grey and Bazett could easily take on Servants individually. Sending such individuals would make Yggdmillennia's situation dire.