Chapter 293: Stomach Upset

Winter sunlight coated the Central Park playground with a warm golden hue.

The carousel chimed, its sweet scent drifting in the air, while children's laughter filled the ears.

Here, Chang Ye Yue and San Yue Qi, with Yuan Ban Lin and Sakura Matou, temporarily forgot the war's gloom.

"Sakura! Look over there! The roller coaster!"

Yuan Ban Lin pointed at the winding tracks nearby, her blue eyes sparkling, briefly setting aside doubts about the unfamiliar surroundings and the kidnapping, as childlike nature took over.

She tightly grasped Sakura's hand, as if to make up for the lost time.

Sakura, being pulled by her sister, also showed a rare smile, her violet eyes curiously scanning the colorful surroundings.

There was no chill of the Insect Warehouse, no oppression of the Jiantong Residence, only sunlight, laughter, and the warm palm of her sister.

San Yue Qi, like a big child, eagerly held up a Polaroid camera, snapping nonstop at the sisters and the rides, muttering, "Yes, yes! This smile! Super—cute! Record it, record it!"

Her pink ponytail bounced cheerfully with her movements.

Chang Ye Yue held a Black Umbrella, quietly staying a little behind, a gentle smile on her face, while her crimson eyes remained vigilant.

Her gaze occasionally swept over a few uneasy figures in the crowd, some clutching their stomachs and hurrying toward the park's public restroom.

(Since just now, it seems quite a few people... stomach upset?)

She frowned slightly but didn't probe further.

The health of ordinary people was not her focus at the moment.

After a round of bumper cars, ice cream, and a frantic run in the inflatable castle, Yuan Ban Lin wanted to use the restroom.

Chang Ye Yue then led them to the park's public restroom.

At the women's restroom entrance, they saw an unexpected sight—a queue stretched so long it nearly reached the outside path.

Most in line looked pale, some clutching their stomachs, others muttering complaints.

"Why so many?" Yuan Ban Lin tiptoed, looking up, puzzled.

"Probably a stomach upset, huh?"

San Yue Qi guessed, not paying much attention, "The cold weather might make some stall food less fresh? Luckily we didn't eat anything random!"

Sakura shyly leaned toward Chang Ye Yue, disliking crowded places.

Chang Ye Yue watched the long line, thoughtful.

A few scattered people would be fine, but this number... seems abnormal.

However, as San Yue Qi said, it might just be a seasonal spike in minor stomach issues.

Just a small interlude in the winter amusement park.

After waiting a while, Yuan Ban Lin finished her business and left the park, returning to Einstein-Beren Castle.

The brief joyful moments under the sun temporarily dispelled the children's gloom.

At dusk, the castle was preparing dinner.

The dining hall was filled with food aromas as Ailisi Feier, Chang Ye Yue, San Yue Qi, and the Tohsaka sisters sat around the table, with Saber, as always, standing behind Ailisi Feier.

Weigong Qiesi was still nowhere to be seen.

The atmosphere remained calm until—

Boom!!!

A deafening blast came from the castle courtyard, making even the heavy stone walls tremble slightly!

It was followed by the sound of bricks shattering and something heavy crashing to the ground!

"Enemy attack?!"

Saber reacted instantly, her emerald eyes sharp as swords; she stepped forward, already shielding Ailisi Feier, an invisible holy blade seemingly ready to manifest.

Chang Ye Yue also set down her utensils, her crimson eyes fixed on the source, expression still calm but ready for sudden trouble.

"Let's go see," Ailisi Feier stood, her face solemn.

The group hurried to the castle's main hall, and through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows saw the courtyard scene—a solid stone wall had been smashed open with an exaggerated huge hole, broken bricks scattered everywhere.

Amid the wreckage, Conqueror King Iskandar stood with one hand on his hip, the other scratching his head, letting out his trademark hearty laugh, while beside him Weber looked pale, almost fainting.

Behind Rider, the Divine Car Wheel sat quietly, its two Divine Oxen impatiently snorting.

"Wahaha! Sorry, sorry! The King originally intended to knock, but thought this entrance would be more imposing!"

Rider shouted without shame, his voice echoing in the courtyard, "Master of Einstein-Beren, and Saber! The King has come as promised to invite you!"

Saber's expression darkened; she stepped forward, speaking through the shattered window, her voice laced with suppressed anger, "Rider, is this how you extend an invitation? Destroying another's courtyard? That's blatant provocation!"

"Eh? Don't say that, Saber!"

Rider waved his hand, "Just a wall, I'll make it up to you later! The point is, the banquet! The banquet I mentioned is tonight! As for the venue… your courtyard is spacious, so here it is! I've also brought the wine!"

He pointed to a hefty Wine Crate beside him.

"Absurd!"

Saber said sternly, "Who gave you permission to hold your inexplicable banquet in my Master's residence?"

"Don't be quick to refuse!"

Rider grinned, his bell-like eyes scanning the people behind the window; when he saw Chang Ye Yue and San Yue Qi, they lit up noticeably, "Oh! Looks like there are other guests? Perfect! Together!"

At that moment, a haughty, annoyed snort floated down from the sky.

"Miscellaneous Cultivation, it's unbearably noisy."

Golden light particles gathered on the other side of the courtyard, and Gilgamesh's splendid figure emerged.

He still wore the dazzling Golden Armor, his crimson eyes cold as they swept over the Rider below, the wall with the hole, and the people behind the window; when he saw that Black Tower was absent, a barely perceptible disappointment flashed in his eyes, quickly replaced by deeper arrogance.

"The King is merely here to see which clueless fool dared such a boring invitation. So it's you, the brute whose brain contains only muscles and wine."

Archer crossed his arms, hovering in midair, his tone full of contempt.

When San Yue Qi saw the golden flash appear, her pink tufts instantly stood straight, her heart thumping uncontrollably.

She subconsciously shrank back behind Chang Ye Yue, her small hand clutching Chang Ye Yue's hem.

(It… it appeared! The one I shot with an arrow… uh, that shiny gold over there!)

(He shouldn't know it was me, right? He shouldn't know, right?! Black Tower Lady attracted most of the attention then, sister's Illusion Realm was also perfect… but he looked over! Is he looking this way?!)

Chang Ye Yue sensed San Yue Qi's tension, slightly turned, half‑shielding her behind, gently patted the hand that clutched her own hem, and in a soft voice only the two could hear said, "Relax. His attention isn't on you now. Even if it is, he wouldn't recognize you."

Chang Ye Yue's words carried a strange calming power, making San Yue Qi a little more at ease.

She inhaled deeply, trying to appear less guilty, but her gaze still wouldn't meet Archer's, pretending to study the ornate floor pattern.

In the courtyard, Rider brushed off Archer's taunt and burst into laughter, "Archer! You came too! Perfect! Saves The King another trip! Tonight's banquet is meant to gather heroes from all sides! So, will you dare sit down, drink a cup with The King and the others, and properly test your mettle?"

Archer snorted, not answering immediately; his crimson eyes swept over the people behind the castle windows again, lingering a moment on Chang Ye Yue, seeming to take a hint of interest in the mysterious woman, but the pride quickly masked it.

Saber watched Rider, oblivious to everyone in the courtyard, and the arrogant Archer, then glanced at the smashed courtyard wall, the fury in his emerald eyes burning brighter.

This is no banquet invitation at all; it's clearly a forced intrusion and a show of force!

Ailisi Feier also furrowed her brows; Rider's way of acting is truly hard to withstand.

She glanced at the Chang Ye Yue beside her, as if seeking her opinion.

Chang Ye Yue met Ailisi Feier's gaze, a subtly meaningful smile curling at the corner of her mouth, and whispered, "It seems a quiet dinner tonight is impossible. But since the guests are so enthusiastic, as the host I might as well… see what act they're trying to stage."