"You're saying it's fake?!"
"What else?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
"You know, the Holy Grail War has been held three times before, and not once has it succeeded."
"So, what makes anyone think the Holy Grail is an omnipotent wish-granting machine?"
Indeed, what proof is there?
Who can confirm the Grail can fulfill Saber's wish?
Just the information instilled in her upon being summoned and the claim that 'the Holy Grail can grant your wish'?
"No."
"If no one can confirm it's real, how can you say it's fake?"
If no one has succeeded, then by the same logic, no one can prove the Grail isn't a wish-granting machine.
"I actually know the answer to that."
Next, Damien told Artoria about a past Holy Grail War where Angra Mainyu was summoned, and how the Greater Grail was corrupted by All the World's Evil.
"In other words, even if the Grail still retains some wish-granting ability, it can only bring disaster."
"For example, if your Master wished for world peace, the Grail could make it happen."
"But how?"
"If all of humanity were wiped out, the world would naturally be at peace."
As for how to eradicate humanity?
Simple.
Just ignite human malice, trigger a nuclear war, and the Earth would face an apocalyptic catastrophe.
Even if some humans survived, they would only cling to life in despair.
Wouldn't that be peace?
"This!"
Artoria was shaken by Damien's words.
If what he said was true, what would happen if she wished to save Britannia?
The girl dared not imagine.
If wishes were fulfilled through malice, the result could only be tragedy.
"Then what's the point of me participating in the Holy Grail War?!"
Artoria felt despair... despair at the Grail's corruption, at being deceived, and at the uncertainty of saving her history.
To change her tragic fate, she had signed a contract as a Heroic Spirit, forever bound to that battlefield.
Now, she was told salvation was a lie.
"What should I do...?"
At this thought, even Artoria couldn't help but sink into a state of despair.
Snap!
Suddenly, a hand landed heavily on her shoulder.
Artoria looked up and saw Damien's smile.
In that smile, the girl saw unparalleled confidence.
"Come with me. Leave this world."
"If there's no way to fulfill your wish here, then go to other worlds."
"If one world doesn't work, try two. If two fail, try three or four until you find a way."
"Not to mention, you'll grow stronger in the process."
"Imagine if you had the power to shatter the Counter Force itself. Why rely on others? Just drag them out and beat it into submission."
"In my view, anything deemed impossible just means you're not strong enough yet."
"All fear and uncertainty." Damien said, "stem from insufficient firepower!"
"..."
Damien's bold words truly opened Artoria's eyes.
Yet, she had to admit, he made sense.
Strength isn't just about destruction... it's also about ability, knowledge, and more.
What a child finds difficult, an adult can easily accomplish.
"Instead of asking me for help, why not do it yourself?"
"What I can offer you is the chance to grow stronger."
"So, what do you say?"
Damien extended his hand to Artoria, "Will you join me to explore broader horizons?"
With the conversation reaching this point, did Artoria have any other choice?
"Alright!"
Artoria knelt on one knee, raising the Sword of Promised Victory with both hands and presenting it to "If you aren't deceiving me, and all this is true..."
"Then, when the Holy Grail War ends, I am willing to follow you and become your guardian knight!"
If Damien could truly achieve this, the debt of gratitude would be immense.
And being a guardian knight was no small promise.
"To have the King of Knights as my guardian knight is my honor."
Mimicking a scene from a movie, Damien tapped the sword's tip on both of Artoria's shoulders, "I accept your oath of loyalty."
However, Artoria still had one question.
For instance, how would Damien take her away?
As a Heroic Spirit, she was bound by a contract with the Counter Force, unable to leave the Throne of Heroes.
"That?"
Damien smiled, "That's easy. Want to try it?"
"Now?"
"Yes, to put your mind at ease, I'll show you a power that surpasses the Counter Force."
"What do I need to do?"
"Relax and don't resist."
Saying this, Damien placed his hand before Artoria and activated his [Capturer].
"This?!"
Artoria's instincts sent a warning.
"Don't resist."
At Damien's words, Artoria suppressed her unease.
She chose to take a gamble, to trust Damien.
[Previous contract overridden]
[Familliar contract established]
"This feeling..."
Artoria's eyes widened.
She realized the thread of fate tying her to the Throne of Heroes had vanished.
"Familliar contract, master, familliar, Gate of the Void, Unique Skills..."
Though Artoria hadn't yet gained a status panel, she received a flood of knowledge from another world.
Only now did she understand just how powerful Damien truly was.
The man before her was nothing like he appeared.
This was merely a projection.
The others were the same.
All were projections of their true selves.
If their real forms descended, even the weakest goblin could bring catastrophe to this world.
"Is this the truth?"
Knowing all this, Artoria suddenly realized that her help to Damien paled in comparison to the grace he offered.
The Snow Empress, Ogerpon, Violet... their strength far surpassed her own.
Even if she grew stronger in the Cardinal World, how much could she surpass them?
Did Damien really need a guardian knight like her?
"Don't underestimate yourself, Artoria."
Damien patted the girl's shoulder, smiling, "Your potential is second to none."
Otherwise, Damien wouldn't have used a precious familliar slot on her.
Not even Sakura or Fran had this opportunity.
This showed just how much Damien valued Artoria's future.
***
Bonus Chapter:
100 Power Stones = 1 BC
300 Power Stones = 2 BC
500 Power Stones = 3 BC
700 Power Stones = 4 BC
1000 Power Stones = 5 BC
***
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