I don't know if it's because they like the feeling of being high up and looking down on the world, but most people in power like to live in high places, regardless of civilization, race or country. Over time, buildings such as castles and palaces will have their owners' residences located in high places.
As a medieval castle, Milenia was no exception and it was natural that it became the residence of Vlad III.
Usually, he and Danic, who was both his master and his subject, stayed here. They spent most of their time here, looking at the scenery, tasting red wine, drinking tea, playing chess, and chatting. This was how Vlad III spent most of his time in the past two months.
Today, there were no enemies invading the territory, and there were no matters to deal with. The two of them sat in front of the window playing chess as usual.
The chessboard on the chess and card table is a traditional chess board, but the chess pieces used are not chess pieces. Instead, they are replaced with chess pieces representing the seven major professions, which are red, black and bright. In addition, there is a golden cup in the middle of the chessboard, which represents the Holy Grail.
The rules of the game no longer follow the general rules of chess. Instead, the winner is the one who touches the Holy Grail first.
The intention is obvious—for the Holy Grail War.
Vlad III reached out and picked up the chess piece representing the red side's berserker and placed it next to the black side's berserker. The wild beast carved on the chess piece was facing the red side across the chessboard.
"This way, we have seven pieces. Maybe this piece is not very obedient, but compared to the six pieces of the red side, we have an advantage."
"However, if the Red Team is really as bad as we estimated, then our advantage will not be obvious."
Danic ran his hand over the six chess pieces in front of him one by one, focusing on the saber and caster.
According to the results of the last discussion, the number of top servants on the Red side is capped at four, of which Karna and Achilles have been confirmed. Although Archer is good at archery, according to Siegfried and Chiron, his strength is still far behind the first two. Assassin is unlikely to be occupied by a top servant due to his attribute disadvantage. Only Saber, who has the best job, and Caster, who has not leaked any information so far, are left.
"Also, we have to consider the possibility that Black Lancer is the opponent's pawn."
"So, in order to ensure victory, Caster's Noble Phantasm is necessary." Vlad III was furious when he mentioned this matter. "Damn Rider, he actually brought that android with him, otherwise - is there no alternative?"
"No." Danic shook his head, speaking with regret, "Among our clan, the only ones who meet the requirements of the 'core' are the seven people who can become masters, and that homunculus. If they were second-rate or third-rate magicians, I could collect as many as they wanted. But first-rate magicians, that's not something I can prepare immediately."
It can be confirmed that there are six first-rate magicians on the opposite side, but instead of capturing them to be used as "cores", it is better to kill them directly and cut off the source of magic power of the enemy servants, which is faster.
"If all else fails, we will select one of the Masters who have lost their Servant. Although a first-level magician is a valuable resource in any family, these sacrifices are necessary for the prosperity of our Thousand World Tree Clan."
"What if Yu is the first to leave?"
"Same!"
Vlad III was moved by Danic's ruthlessness and determination.
"I know why you summoned me. Your nature is the same as mine - to achieve the goal, you will do whatever it takes."
"This is the highest compliment to me." Danik bowed slightly, "And please be prepared, Grand Duke, if necessary—"
"I will use my second treasure!" Vlad III was equally resolute. "However, it is really ironic that I have to use the power brought by the stigma in order to wash away the stigma."
Vlad III's heroic name is mostly known only in Romania. Outside of Romania, his image has been distorted into that of a monster, earning him a world-class title, the famous vampire - "Count Dracula".
Dracula originally meant "son of the dragon" and had nothing to do with vampires. However, because his deeds were too bloody, his enemies gave him all kinds of bad names, and he was constantly discredited in various literary works of later generations, and finally formed an image of "Count Dracula" that was completely different from his real self.
Heroic spirits come from faith and people’s cognition. When this image becomes the mainstream of cognition, heroic spirits will also be affected.
This was the case with Vlad III. He hated the stigma imposed on him, and his wish for the Holy Grail was to wash away this shame.
Hearing the Grand Duke's sigh, Danik did not waver at all, but simply said: "History is written by the victors."
"Yes, history is written by the victors."
If Vlad III had had the last laugh back then, perhaps later generations would not have given him all these bad names and he would not have become Count Dracula.
And now, as long as he wins the final victory, the stigma will be washed away, and what happened before will have nothing to do with him.
Vlad III saw things very clearly, but his pride and the land beneath his feet meant that he would not defile himself unless it came to the critical moment.
"I will definitely be the final winner, and to that end I will use all the power I can. Has the Master of the Red Berserker been chosen?"
"not yet."
"Then let's choose Caster. He lost his 'hearth' because of this incident; this is his compensation."
"A command spell for concluding a contract..." Danic hesitated a little.
"She also took the responsibility for failing to notice Rider's rebellion by letting Rider's master divert one of the strokes." The superiors should be clear about rewards and punishments, and Vlad III did a good job in this regard.
"Understood."
Vlad III Danic had no expectations for the master of the berserker, anyone could do it as long as they could induce it to go berserk at a designated time and place. Caster was also a magician, so he naturally met this requirement.
As for Serenike, as Vlad III said, she would be held jointly responsible. Because Rider was to be used as a pawn, she was likely to become the "hearth" of the "Heart of the Crown", and had long been marginalized in Danik's heart.
"Still no news from Black Lancer?"
"No." Danic sighed.
Ever since the Black Lancer made a brief appearance that night, the entire Thousand World Tree Family has been looking for her, trying to determine which side she is on. The last words she left behind were intriguing, and she didn't seem like a pawn of the Red Side, which gave Danic hope of winning her over.
As of now, he has confirmed that the master of Black Lancer is not Sagara Baoma. But for now, the Holy Grail War should be the most important thing. As long as Black Lancer can be used by his side, Danic does not mind cooperating with the other party, even if Sagara Baoma really dies at the hands of the other party. Of course, if he refuses to cooperate, there is nothing to say, just wipe him out.
However, the Black Lancer never appeared again, so there was no way to start.
Just when he was worrying about the Black Lancer, there was a knock on the door.
PS: Let me emphasize again that Gun and Kuang have different personalities. Gun is the hero who brings out his side to the extreme, while Kuang is different, after all, he is a calm madman.