Chapter 278: Compensation

Weigong Qiesi's breathing suddenly halted!

Ilya— the daughter he would do anything to see after the Holy Grail War, is his absolute Achilles' heel!

"What do you want?"

Qiesi's voice was hoarse and dry, having given up futile resistance, yet his hand gripping the gun remained tense.

"Relax, Mr. Weigong."

Chang Ye Yue did not move the tip of the Black Umbrella, and even a faint smile tinged her voice, "I'm not your enemy, at least not now. I was merely a bit troubled by that... rather grand 'greeting' of yours just now. You destroyed my temporary lodging and frightened the two children I was looking after. As a reasonable person, I think you have a duty to provide appropriate... 'compensation'."

"... Compensation?"

"Yes. For example, a new residence that is safe, comfortable, and won't be inexplicably blown up."

Chang Ye Yue said as a matter of course, applying a slight pressure with the umbrella tip, "The forest castle I 'saw' is quite nice. Quiet, spacious, fully defended, and... with your important family members there, I suppose you wouldn't easily blow it up again, would you?"

Qiesi's heart sank.

The other party not only knew Ilya, but also pinpointed the Einzbern Castle!

That meant most of his trump cards had been exposed.

"The castle has a barrier and does not welcome outsiders."

He tried to make a final struggle.

"That's exactly the 'safety' I need."

Chang Ye Yue chuckled lightly, "Lead the way, Mr. Weigong. Or would you prefer I now, in some manner, ask the 'mistress' and the 'Knight King' inside the castle whether they approve of your tonight's 'tactic' that could sacrifice hundreds of innocent lives?"

Qiesi fell silent.

He knew the other had seized his biggest leverage and soft spot.

Saber and Ailisi Feier would never endorse his methods; if this were made public, it would immediately fall apart.

More importantly, Ilya...

He slowly lowered his gun‑bearing arm, sheathing the weapon, his voice weary: "... I'll take you there."

Deep in the forest outside Dongmu City, Einzbern Castle stood like an exquisite white phantom under the moonlight.

When Weigong Qiesi arrived at the edge of the castle's barrier with Chang Ye Yue and the others, alarm‑like Magic fluctuations had already alerted those inside.

A flash of golden light, and Artoria was already wielding an invisible sword, standing before the castle gates.

Her emerald eyes, sharp as a hawk's, first scanned the unfamiliar party led by Chang Ye Yue warily, then settled on the pale‑faced Qiesi.

"Qiesi! What's going on? Who are they?"

Saber's voice carried a question.

She sensed the pressure on Qiesi and the unfathomable aura of the mysterious woman holding the Black Umbrella.

"Saber, stand down."

Qiesi's voice was low, filled with suppressed helplessness, "... They are guests."

"Guests?"

Saber's brows knit, the knight's instinct preventing her from relaxing, "Were you coerced?"

"Oh dear, don't be so nervous, Miss Knight King."

Chang Ye Yue stepped forward half a step, the umbrella tip already away from Qiesi's back, a flawless smile on her face, "We truly are here as guests, though the invitation method... was a bit unusual."

She pointed behind her, "Mainly for these two children, we need a safe, warm place to rest. As you've seen, at this hour they've been frightened again."

San Yue Qi cooperated, raising the sleeping Tohsaka Lin in his arms, displaying a "look, how cute and pitiful the child is" expression.

Sakura Matou timidly poked her small head out from behind San Yue Qi, her violet‑purple eyes full of unease.

Saber's sword tip drooped slightly.

Protecting women and children is a knight's instinct; the two little girls before them indeed seemed in need of aid.

At that moment, Alice hurried out of the castle, her silver hair shimmering softly in the moonlight.

"Saber, Qiesi, what happened..."

Her words halted upon seeing Chang Ye Yue's party, ruby‑like eyes filled with confusion.

Chang Ye Yue repeated her earlier remarks to Saber in a gentler tone, cleverly omitting the specifics of Qiesi's hotel explosion, and only emphasizing "Mr. Weigong's certain actions caused us to lose our lodging and placed these two children in danger."

"As compensation, and also for the children's safety, we hope to stay here for a few days."

Chang Ye Yue displayed the three bright red Command Spells on the back of her hand—a clear mark of a Master—"I, as the Berserker Master, guarantee we have no intention of actively opposing you. In fact, in dealing with certain... 'unscrupulous' and 'public safety‑threatening' common threats, we might have room for cooperation."

She gave Qiesi a pointed look.

Ailisi Feier glanced at the unwilling‑but‑helpless expression on Qiesi's face, then at Saber, and finally her gaze fell on the Tohsaka Lin in San Yue Qi's arms and the obedient Sakura, where maternal softness ultimately prevailed.

She didn't fully trust Chang Ye Yue, but given the current situation, refusal could spark a worse clash, while acceptance would at least keep this mysterious Master‑Servant pair under surveillance.

"... I understand."

Ailisi Feier let out a soft sigh, "The castle has vacant rooms. During the Holy Grail War we can offer temporary shelter, but please abide by the rules here, and moreover, our alliance needs further clarification."

"Thank you very much for your generosity, Mrs. Ailisi Feier."

Chang Ye Yue bowed gracefully, "Rest assured, we are guests who understand the rules. Well, we have intruded."

In the end, under a delicate and fragile balance, Chang Ye Yue's party was assigned a suite of guest rooms on the castle's western wing.

The rooms were spacious and luxurious, exuding the heritage of an ancient family, far more comfortable than a hotel suite.

San Yue Qi carefully placed Tohsaka Lin on the large bed covered with soft down blankets, happily hopping on the plush carpet, "Wow! This is great! Much bigger than a hotel room! And there's a fireplace!"

Sakura Matou also relaxed a bit, curiously surveying the lavish interior décor.

Chang Ye Yue walked to the window, gazing at the tranquil forest bathed in moonlight and the distant silhouette of the castle's main tower, a satisfied curve appearing at the corner of her mouth.

"Hmm, this is indeed nice."

She murmured softly, "At least... for now we don't have to worry about the ceiling falling down."

In the shadows on the other side of the castle, Weigong Qiesi lit yet another cigarette of the night, silently staring at the illuminated windows of the western wing, his gaze deep and inscrutable.

In his earphone came Jiuyu Wumi's calm report voice: "Already in position, we can continue monitoring."