Under the cover of night, all was silent.
The courtyard of the Matou Residence was like a meticulously carved nocturnal scroll, tranquil and mysterious.
Moonlight, filtering through sparse clouds, cast a soft glow, outlining every feature of the courtyard like a dream.
Ancient trees stood under the moonlight, casting dappled shadows, as if ancient spirits guarding this land, quietly narrating tales of time.
The flagstone path gleamed faintly under the moonlight, winding and twisting, leading visitors deeper into this secluded sanctuary.
Exquisite stone lanterns on either side emitted a warm light, like guiding beacons, illuminating the path ahead.
Chen Yu arrived in the courtyard with Rider, Saber, and others.
“How is it here? Quiet and clean, perfect for a banquet.”
Rider surveyed the surroundings and nodded.
“The scenery is indeed good, let’s hold the banquet here then.”
Rider placed the wine barrel on the ground and said to Chen Yu, “But there aren’t even any chairs here. Standing around would be too shabby. Since we’ve borrowed the courtyard, I presume it’s fine to go inside and get some tables, chairs, and benches, right?”
If they were in Einzbern Castle, which was chaotic and hadn't been tidied up after being ravaged by Lancer and others, Rider wouldn't have been so particular; he would have just found a clean spot to sit on the ground.
But since they had changed locations, and conditions allowed, he naturally wouldn't make himself uncomfortable.
Sitting on the ground was nowhere near as comfortable as sitting on a chair.
“No need.”
Chen Yu shook his head and lightly tapped the wand in his hand.
As the wand in Chen Yu’s hand gracefully traced a perfect arc, an invisible ripple seemed to spread through the air.
Immediately following, a low chant echoed all around, each syllable carrying ancient and powerful magic, causing Irisviel and Waver to involuntarily hold their breath.
“Vera Verto!”
After the chant, the ground began to vibrate slightly.
Initially almost imperceptible, but soon, cracks quietly split open like awakened life, and the mysteries hidden beneath the soil were about to be revealed.
What emerged from the fissures were not tender shoots of ordinary plants, but strange, lustrous stone tips, which gradually extended and grew, as if following some predetermined blueprint.
In the blink of an eye, an exquisite stone dining table rose completely from underground, its surface flat and smooth, its edges carved with intricate and elegant patterns; every stroke and line revealed the craftsman's ingenuity and dedication.
The table legs were sturdy and stable, supporting the tabletop, like the arms of Mother Earth, steadily holding up an impending feast.
Following closely were four stone chairs of varying designs, encircling the table, diverse in form yet harmoniously unified.
Not only that, there were also several smaller stone round tables nearby, each adorned with various exquisite tableware and wine vessels; silver plates reflected the moonlight, and crystal-clear glass cups shimmered with enchanting light under the candlelight.
Food and drinks had yet to appear, but this arrangement alone was enough to inspire longing.
“OK, with this, the venue is ready.”
Looking at the exquisite stone tables and chairs that seemed to have grown out of the earth, Rider couldn’t help but be astonished.
“Oh, oh, oh, you’re quite capable, kid.”
Waver stared blankly at the stone table growing out of the soil, as if stunned, muttering to himself like he had lost his soul.
“Impossible, impossible, is this an illusion? No, no, it’s not a Substitution Magic either! But to change the structure of matter and directly turn soil into stone tables and silverware through chanting alone, how is that possible!”
Magic, so-called, is a secret ritual that implores the world's foundation, using small or large sources as power, to bring about phenomena that are possible in this world.
In a narrow sense, phenomena caused by magic formulas are called “Magic”.
To activate Magic is to drive the magic formula.
For example, to start a fire with Magic, one needs to make contact with the magic foundation already inscribed in the world, and activate the magic formula within it that causes the “ignition” phenomenon.
To drive a magic formula, one first needs to generate magical energy, then send the generated magical energy through the magic circuit to the magical energy foundation to activate the magic formula.
Waver could still understand turning soil into rock; many earth-attribute Magics could indeed do that.
But how did those silver utensils transform from soil into silverware in an instant?
This kind of Magic that changes the structure of matter, transforming one object into another, was by no means a minor Magic.
The activation of a magic formula required rituals and contracts, involving countless procedures and details, and could not be handled by a simple few seconds of chanting.
Moreover, to change so many things using just a little bit of soil.
This was as inconceivable as 1+1=3.
Waver felt his brain's CPU burning out, completely unable to understand how the other party accomplished this scene so easily.
This made Waver, who originally considered himself a genius, instantly feel that the gap between people might be even greater than the gap between humans and dogs.
Seeing his Master in a trance, Rider patted Waver's back of the head to bring him back to his senses: “Master, don’t be like you’re possessed. Although I don’t understand Magic much, existence is reasonable. Instead of racking your brains trying to figure out how he did it, why not just ask him directly?”
“Idiot, Rider! How could he explain an ability that can be used as a trump card!”
Waver angrily slapped away Rider’s hand.
“So, his ability is very rare, right!”
Rider, hearing Waver’s retort, stroked his beard and muttered to himself, then said to Chen Yu, “Since you’re so capable, it would be a pity not to recruit you. By the way, Caster’s Master, how about reconsidering the proposal from the bridge earlier? How about becoming one of my court Maguses? The terms are truly negotiable.”
“No.”
Chen Yu once again unhesitatingly refused Rider’s recruitment.
He waved his wand again.
Various fruits and small cakes suddenly appeared in the exquisite tableware, and numerous meats also appeared on the stone table.
Watching Chen Yu conjure up so much food, Rider said regretfully, “Oh dear, that’s a great shame. Are you really not going to reconsider? This is your last chance, you know. As the saying goes, ‘Between heaven and earth, things do not happen more than thrice; this is the natural order, the law of man.’ Though my heart is broad and encompasses all things, my patience has limits. Are you truly not going to consider it one last time?”
“No.”
Chen Yu continued to refuse.
Hearing his Rider still trying to recruit the other party, Waver felt his head swell with anger and embarrassment.
He repeatedly swung his powerless fists at Rider’s cape, who had his back to him, hoping Rider would recognize the situation and clear his head a bit.
“Idiot, this is during the Holy Grail War, how could their Master possibly agree?”
Perhaps the “Queen’s” strength was like a massage; Rider, noticing Waver’s actions behind him, explained in a low voice to Waver without any guilt: “Master, ‘internal stability before external expansion.’ Logistics is a big problem in war. Look at their Master; he can both repair items and conjure many things. If we recruit him, we won’t have to worry about logistics much when conquering the world in the future. This deal is very worthwhile.”
“Rider...”
After hearing Rider’s explanation, Waver was too exhausted to complain about Rider’s misuse of idioms, and could only stare at his Servant with resentful eyes, attempting to bring back Rider’s few remaining ounces of normal sanity.
However, it was also because of Rider’s distraction that Waver felt much better internally.
At least he no longer dwelled on how the other party accomplished that.