IBHJ 1037

"And don't forget the time she stole the Archbishop's staff! We went without buffs for a week! This has got to be another one of her stunts!"

The Guild Masters, who moments before had been at each other's throats, now stood united against the Emperor Conquest Guild. It was no surprise; they had been putting up with this for a long time. When it came to blaming that "golden cockroach," as they called her, they were always in agreement.

Looking at the suddenly united Guild Masters, Enkidu broke into a cold sweat, not knowing how to pacify them.

"Exactly! This has to be Arcueid's fault! She treats me like an ATM, always exploiting me, oppressing me, stealing my savings! It has to be her!"

A woman's voice suddenly rang out, drawing everyone's attention. Shirou turned to see Daji, who had somehow slipped into the crowd, dramatically condemning Arcueid.

"Huh? Fox Spirit, what are you doing here?" Enkidu looked at Daji in surprise.

"Wherever there's money to be made and a chance to badmouth Arcueid, you'll find me! She's unbelievable – using my things, spending my money, stealing from me, and treating me like dirt! Even though I wanted to spoil her, this is too much! I followed her because I thought she was interesting, but this is unacceptable! Even tools need to be taken care of! Who throws things away after using them?" Daji wiped away her tears, putting on a convincing show of distress.

Enkidu: "..."

"Yeah, yeah. Did your guild stir up trouble again?" The Guild Masters resumed their condemnation of Arcueid.

"Is Arcueid really that disliked? She's a good person. I feel sorry for her," Mordred expressed her sympathy for Arcueid, but her tone was full of gloating.

He gave her a helpless look. Why did she hold grudges so much? Both he and Artoria were more forgiving and didn't dwell on minor issues.

What should have been a strategic discussion had devolved into an Arcueid-bashing session. Shirou was both amused and exasperated, finding the situation all too familiar.

He recalled how, back in Fuyuki, the Fujimaru household would often hold similar meetings about Arcueid, with Sakura and Ritsuka (who was often bullied by Arcueid) leading the complaints.

Of course, none of this ever bothered Arcueid. She was straightforward and did whatever she pleased. She smiled when happy, frowned when unhappy, and never hid her emotions. She was playful and sometimes lacked social awareness, so when she got carried away, she often overlooked other people's feelings. As a result, more reserved individuals like Sakura tended to avoid her, while more outgoing people like Daji enjoyed her company.

Seeing the discussion veering completely off course, Shirou knew he had to intervene.

"Everyone, let's put the Arcueid complaints aside for now. About the current situation, I have something to say..."

He was immediately cut off. "Who are you?" someone demanded.

Mordred's eyes settled on the speaker.

Shirou gave a wry smile. "I've also been wronged by Arcueid. She stole a love letter I wrote to someone I cared about, and claiming to help, read it aloud in front of her, ruining everything and basically destroying my social life..."

Everyone looked at him with understanding and sympathy. Though they didn't understand what "social life" meant exactly, they understood the despair in his voice. He was one of them, the victim of Arcueid's tyranny!

Mordred scowled. What a devious way to gain their trust.

"This grudge makes us mortal enemies! But we need to deal with the situation at hand. I asked Chain to call this meeting, and I have a suggestion..."

Having established common ground, he smoothly presented his plan.

He proposed that the adventurers clear a path so he could use his projected Laevateinn to destroy the branches of Uranus.

The Guild Masters looked serious as they carefully questioned him about his plan. When they heard that Shirou had also been hurt by Arcueid, and at first, they sympathized with him. It was like finding someone who enjoyed the same things they did. But when it came to his plan, they had to be careful. It involved their interests, after all.

Shirou answered their questions calmly and confidently, making the Guild Masters nod in agreement.

"It's possible," one of them said. "But are you sure that sword can kill the BOSS? Where does your confidence come from?"

Sanctuary was important to everyone, and they had to protect it. But they also had to consider the risks. As Guild Masters, they weren't just responsible for themselves anymore.

"Take a look at my ID," Shirou said. He smiled and showed it to them.

"Evil Flower… that name sounds familiar," someone murmured.

"Evil Flower? Evil Flower!" Another looked at Shirou in surprise. "Are you the Evil Flower who cleared the Hell-level beginner quest?"

Shirou smiled and nodded.

"Hell-level beginner quest… That was cleared about two months ago, wasn't it? You're… you're already Level 9?" someone asked, shocked.

Reaching Level 9 in just two months? Everyone stared at Shirou in disbelief. Level 9… they knew how hard that was to achieve. Even experienced players like Morrigan had taken years to reach it in the outside world.

When Gilgamesh had learned about Shirou, he'd assumed that Shirou wouldn't be able to reach Level 9 before their bet ended, so he'd started hunting him. That showed just how difficult reaching Level 9 was.

But Shirou had done it in just two months. Naturally, everyone was stunned. They didn't know, of course, that someone had helped Shirou cheat.

"That's not important right now," Shirou said seriously. "What matters is dealing with the BOSS and stopping this invasion!"

"Indeed…" someone said. "If you don't mind me asking, is this Lævateinn the reward you got along with the God Brain?"

He shook his head. "No, but it can definitely kill this BOSS."

"I see…" the Guild Master said seriously. "The Dragon Star Guild will give you our full support."

The other Guild Masters looked at each other and nodded. "So will we!"

He was Evil Flower, the only one who had defeated Pluto and obtained the God Brain – the key item in the main quest. He must know how to defeat the other BOSS. And he had clearly stated that Lævateinn could kill the tree BOSS. To protect their interests, they would naturally support him fully.

Of course, they weren't naive enough to believe everything Shirou said, but his calm and confident manner made him seem trustworthy.

However, only Mordred knew it was all a lie. This old man - her father - nine out of every ten words he spoke were lies.

"Lævateinn, huh... Interesting." Daji narrowed her eyes at Shirou; a shrewd glint flashed in her eyes.

The matter was decided. The Guild Masters didn't know Shirou well and were wary, but Enkidu's recommendations, Shirou's defeat of Pluto, and their own concerns left them with little choice. They had to take the risk.

Leaders tended to be cautious. Stability was their main goal. They would even sacrifice some of their interests to maintain it. But when their core interests were threatened, they became desperate like wounded beasts, willing to gamble on anything.

It was like the Hundred Years' War between England and France. The French king had taken a gamble by appointing Joan of Arc, who had no military experience, because France's fundamental interests had been damaged to the extreme. The Guild Masters were in a similar position.

The Sanctuary was their shared interest, their most important asset. It was only natural that they would do everything they could to protect it. Putting their faith and forces behind Shirou was a logical step.

They mobilized their forces and made preparations for war, planning to use a spear formation to break through the horde of beasts and clear a path for Shirou and his group.

But before they left, Shirou gathered Morrigan, Artoria, Kiara, and Ayaka, and had them surround Daji.

Daji had just stood up when she saw them closing in on her. Everyone was looking at her with suspicion. It gave her a headache.

"Look, why aren't you helping your man get ready for the battle instead of surrounding me like this?" she asked.

"You're definitely up to something!" Morrigan narrowed her eyes.

"Up to what? I'm just trying to do business," Daji said, rubbing her temples. "As they say, 'Better break up ten marriages than interrupt one business deal.' You're making it impossible for me to do business!"

Morrigan scoffed. "Stop pretending. You're from the Council. You must be planning something. Shirou has already seen through your scheme!"

"You're so prejudiced against the Council!"

"Well, aren't we right?" Morrigan retorted. "What happened to the Human Order and Connection Points - wasn't that all your doing?"

"Don't go accusing innocent people!" Daji said. "The Council is just a group of people who wanted to achieve their goals and decided to work together. I had nothing to do with it. Besides, I already achieved my goals back at the China connection point. I have no interest in the Council's activities anymore. Come on, let me through. Blocking someone's path to wealth is a terrible sin!"

Daji narrowed her eyes at Morrigan. A faint black mist began seeping from her alluring body like ink in water, writhing with malice. Within that dark vapor, something moved—the shadowy outline of a fox, its multiple tails weaving hypnotically. Its eyes gleamed as it observed them from within the mist.

Kiara and Ayaka were a bit nervous. Artoria slowly drew her two Holy Swords.

Morrigan's eyes glimmered, and delicate, almost translucent fairy wings appeared behind her.

The air was thick with tension.