Chapter 283: Allies

(It was a nightmare... just a nightmare, right?)

(But... it feels so real...)

She took several deep breaths, trying to calm her wildly beating heart, and instinctively glanced at the other bed beside her.

Yuan Ban Lin was still sound asleep.

Moonlight filtered through the heavy curtain gaps, spilling onto her peaceful sleeping face.

Her black twin tails were a bit disheveled, and the face that usually bore pride and vigor now looked like a completely defenseless child.

Ying looked at her sister, her gaze extremely complicated.

There was a closeness and yearning born of shared blood.

This was her sister, the person she had once most admired and wanted to be close to.

There was also the pain of being abandoned, sent into the depths of the Insect Warehouse and subjected to countless torments.

Why "me"?

Why could the sister stay at the Yuanban Family bathed in sunlight, while I...

There was also a protective desire that even she herself might not fully understand.

She must not let her sister learn the truth about the Jian Tong Family, nor let her get drawn into that hell.

That sister named Chang Yeyue had said she would protect us... this place seemed quite safe.

Ying gently lifted the quilt, bare feet stepping on the soft carpet, walked to the window, and lifted a corner of the curtain.

Outside the window lay a silent forest and cold moonlight.

In the direction of the castle's main tower, lights were still burning, and Chang Yeyue sister and San Yue Qi sister seemed still conversing with the host here.

She hugged her thin shoulders tightly and pressed her forehead against the cold glass.

The Basement's nightmare‑like sensation should just be an illusion, right? That Zang Yan old man had already... would no longer harm her.

Now, she has new "sisters," and also a… temporary "home."

Meanwhile, in the small conference room of the castle's main tower, the atmosphere was much more formal.

Chang Yeyue and San Yue Qi sat on one side, opposite them were Weigong Qiesi, Ailisi Feier, and Artoria standing beside them.

Under the soft lighting, Chang Yeyue still held the Black Umbrella at hand, her face bearing an impeccable gentle smile.

"…In summary, we and the Caster group, that is, the Black Tower Lady and her Master, have already reached a preliminary cooperation intention."

Chang Yeyue concluded the brief on their side, "Both parties believe that when dealing with participants who act unpredictably and could cause massive damage to Dongmu City, it is necessary to unify forces."

Ailisi Feier was somewhat surprised: "Is it that… the Black Tower Lady who once appeared at the port, with a very unique aura?"

She had a very deep impression of that Caster who directly clashed with Archer using a magic mirror array.

"Exactly."

Chang Yeyue nodded, "The Black Tower Lady is erudite, powerful, and a reliable ally."

She added in her mind: although she might now be thinking about how to dismantle you Heroic Spirits.

Weigong Qiesi held an unlit cigarette between his fingers and asked in a deep voice, "Then, as a sign of alliance sincerity, what valuable information can you provide?"

His gaze was sharp, trying to find a flaw beneath Chang Yeyue's perfect smile.

"Of course."

Chang Yeyue spoke calmly, "First, regarding the Yuanban Residence. Besides the Archer you know, whose Master Yuanban Shichen is accompanied by a second Servant—a female who descended in the Assassin rank but whose nature of power is completely different from the known Hasan line. She appears fox‑like, her abilities are bizarre, excelling at illusion and mental influence. We suspect she is connected to 'Tamamo‑no‑Mae', but caution is required."

"A second Assassin?"

Saber furrowed her brows, "Does the Holy Grail system allow such a thing?"

"Anomaly."

Weigong Qiesi uttered two words, his expression growing even more solemn.

The Yuanban Family has Archer, Yan Feng Qili has Assassin, plus this suddenly appearing "fox Assassin," and possibly other collaborators… the Yuanban‑Yan Feng alliance's strength far exceeds expectations.

"Furthermore,"

Chang Yeyue continued, "When we visited the Yuanban Family, we also noticed another irregularity—that fox Assassin and Yan Feng Qili, a disciple of Yuanban Shichen, seem to share some… connection beyond ordinary Master‑Servant ties. Of course, this is merely an observation based on aura, for reference only."

Everything she said was true, only the real identity of Huan Long and the manner of their visit were concealed.

This information is already highly valuable to Qiesi's and Saber's camps.

Weigong Qiesi fell into contemplation.

Ailisi Feier turned to Chang Yeyue, "Thank you very much for sharing this information, Miss Chang Yeyue. This is indeed important. Now, regarding the specific details of the alliance…"

Both sides briefly negotiated the basic terms of intelligence sharing, action coordination, and non‑aggression.

Chang Yeyue appeared candid and pragmatic; the conditions she proposed were all within what Saber and Ailisi Feier could accept, and she even voluntarily made some concessions, which greatly increased Ailisi Feier's favor toward her.

"Then, the final question,"

Weigong Qiesi suddenly looked up, his gaze blazing at Chang Yeyue, then sweeping over San Yue Qi, who was quietly counting how many flower patterns were on the conference room carpet, "Miss Chang Yeyue, you have always presented yourself as a Master. Who is your Servant, the Berserker? Where is he now?"

The conference room fell silent for a moment.

Chang Yeyue's smile seemed even softer.

She slowly raised her hand, pointing at San Yue Qi, who had been startled by being named.

"Her."

"Eh? Me?" San Yue Qi pointed at herself, a bewildered expression on her face.

"???"

The trio opposite was stunned.

Ailisi Feier glanced at San Yue Qi's face, which resembled Chang Yeyue's but was more lively, then looked at Chang Yeyue, hesitating, "She… Miss San Yue Qi, isn't she your sister? You previously said…"

"She indeed is my sister."

Chang Yeyue's tone was steady, "At the same time, she also answered my summons, serving as the Berserker manifest in this Holy Grail War."

This answer exceeded everyone's expectations.

Weigong Qiesi immediately activated the detection spell, and the magical sensing reached San Yue Qi.

The feedback caused his pupils to contract slightly—although the aura was somewhat strange, unlike a traditional Heroic Spirit, the condensed Spiritual Core and surging magical power… were indeed unmistakably that of a Heroic Spirit!

Saber also sensed that San Yue Qi possessed a non‑human spiritual aura, and her emerald eyes were filled with puzzlement.

A girl who is so… seemingly a bit off‑track, is she actually a Berserker?

And moreover, the sisters are both Master and Servant?

Ailisi Feier covered her mouth, and her red eyes instantly filled with sympathy.

She instantly understood everything: these sisters must have a terribly tragic past, the younger one died early, yet because of a deep bond with her elder sister and some obsession, she returned in the rank of Berserker to continue guarding her sister… What a moving, yet sorrowful story!

"So… it's like this…"

Ailisi Feier's voice was a little hoarse, her gaze toward San Yue Qi filled with motherly compassion, "Miss San Yue Qi, it must have been very hard…"

San Yue Qi: "???"

(Completely didn't understand, but it feels like the other party is very sad?)

Chang Ye Yue took in Ailisi Feier's reaction fully, and understood in her heart.

She did not correct this beautiful misunderstanding; instead she lowered her eyelids, let out a soft sigh, and tacitly accepted the other's interpretation.

This misunderstanding will only solidify their position in this camp, gaining more sympathy and trust—after all, who would deliberately doubt or trouble a pair of "tragically fated, mutually dependent" sisters?

"Some past matters, better left unsaid."

Chang Ye Yue timely shifted the topic, her tone returning to Calm, "What matters is now. Our sincerity has been shown; I wonder how everyone feels about it?"

Weigong Qiesi was still digesting this bizarre information, but Reason String told him that the sisters' combat strength was unknown yet potentially huge, and for now their attitude was cooperative, making the intelligence valuable.

Allying with them, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

Ailisi Feier gave a firm nod, looking at Weigong: "Qiesi, I think Miss Chang Ye Yue and Miss San Yue Qi are trustworthy allies."

Saber, although finding the sisters' pairing a bit odd, did not object.

Protecting women and children is a knight's duty; these "sisters" seem to need protection, and they also possess power.

"…Fine."

Weigong Qiesi finally made a decision, "Formal alliance. Intelligence will be shared in real time, and we will act jointly when confronting Tohsaka and other clear threats that endanger Winterwood."

"Pleasant cooperation." Chang Ye Yue smiled and extended her hand.