Chapter 349: Monkeys

"We're fine, thank you very much for your assistance!"

Tengwan Lixiang steps forward and bows solemnly in thanks.

Mashu also puts away the shield and bows respectfully: "Thank you very much, unnamed Heroic Spirit miss. I am Ma Xiu·Ji Lie Lai Te, and this is my senior, Tengwan Lixiang."

"I am Lancer!"

Gui Naifen cheerfully reports her name, then curiously looks at them, "You are… travelers? Also brought here by that competition thing?"

She subconsciously assumes this is another contestant from the "Million Blogger Challenge."

"Competition?"

Tengwan Lixiang and Mashu exchange a glance, each seeing bewilderment in the other's eyes.

At that moment, Ailisi Feier also steps out from her hiding place.

She had just witnessed Gui Naifen's combat performance in its entirety, and her expression was decidedly complex.

Especially when she saw Gui Naifen pull out a Firecracker to blast away insects, her red eyes widened slightly, and the corner of her mouth twitched uncontrollably.

(Using… a Firecracker?)

(This combat style… is becoming more like a performance act from some Eastern festival…)

(Is she really… Gwenivere?)

Doubt, like vines, grows wildly in her mind.

But now is not the time to be tangled in this.

She turns her gaze to the two rescued girls— the orange‑short‑haired girl's eyes are lively and resolute, the purple‑haired shield‑bearing girl respectfully guards beside her; the massive Cross Shield and the pure Spiritual Core emanating from the latter unmistakably indicate her identity: a Servant, and far from an ordinary Servant.

(Another Servant… and she appears to be a Shield Trooper?)

(With Saber, Lancer, Archer, Rider, Assassin, Caster, and Berserker… weren't the seven classes of the Holy Grail War already filled?)

(But… didn't I also contract another Lancer? This Rule seems already messed up.)

Ailisi Feier feels a flicker of helplessness, yet maintains an elegant demeanor outwardly.

She walks to Gui Naifen's side and gives a slight nod to Tengwan Lixiang and Mashu.

"Sorry to have startled you both."

Her voice is gentle and courteous, "I am Ailisi Feier von Einzbelien. This is my Servant."

She observes the basic etiquette of the Holy Grail War, not revealing Gui Naifen's true name directly.

Tengwan Lixiang's gaze lingers on Ailisi Feier for a moment, a hint of understanding flashing in their eyes, but it is quickly masked by polite gratitude.

She steps forward and, likewise, bows solemnly: "Thank you very much for your assistance. I am Tengwan Lixiang, from the Human Order Preservation Organization Chaldea."

She turns to introduce the girl beside her, "This is my companion, Ma Xiu·Ji Lie Lai Te."

"Chaldea?!"

Mashu, almost as soon as Tengwan Lixiang's words finish, asks hurriedly via telepathy, "Senior! Why did you reveal the true background so directly?!"

Tengwan Lixiang soothes Mashu with a look, then turns to the puzzled Ailisi Feier and explains, "We are not participants in this Holy Grail War; we were drawn into this anomalous space while carrying out another Task. The situation here… clearly exceeds the ordinary scope of a Holy Grail War."

She points to the surrounding dead‑silent streets and the slumbering crowd: "City‑wide Spiritual Stupor, abnormally proliferating monsters, chaotic temporal‑spatial coordinates… we urgently need to understand what's happening here and find a solution."

Ailisi Feier carefully observes Tengwan Lixiang.

Their words are frank, eyes clear, and there is no calculating aura typical of a Magus; instead, a peculiar temperament.

(For now, trust them. In this situation, an extra force is always welcome.)

"The situation is exactly as you have seen."

Ailisi Feier sighs lightly, "I'm also unclear about the exact cause. After the pink mist spread, besides me and Lancer, I only encountered the two of you Awakened. We plan to head toward Liu Dong Si in the direction of Yuan Cang Shan to investigate, as it is thought to be the source of the anomaly. If you are willing, we can travel together and share information."

"Couldn't ask for more!"

Tengwan Lixiang immediately nods; in such unknown peril, partnering with reliable allies is wise.

Mashu also puts away the shield, indicating agreement.

Thus, an ad‑hoc four‑person squad is formally formed.

Gui Naifen continues as the vanguard, Ailisi Feier stays beside her, while Tengwan Lixiang and Mashu follow behind, maintaining a distance that allows both ready support and observation of the surroundings.

Moving through the eerily silent streets, the two at the rear begin a low‑volume "whisper."

"Senior,"

Mashu says via telepathy, her purple eyes curiously scanning the light‑stepped orange‑haired figure ahead, "That Lancer miss… is very special. Her Spiritual Core composition is extremely intricate. And her combat style…"

"…like a New Year Firecracker circus act, right?"

Tengwan Lixiang replies, amber eyes full of interest, "It's my first time seeing a Servant of this style. Her attire blends Eastern and Western elements, yet leans toward Eastern aesthetics. Mashu, what background do you think this Heroic Spirit might have?"

"Hmm…"

Mashu thinks seriously, "The weapon is a Flame Spear, the combat style is grand and theatrical, full of performance, emotions soaring… In history or legend, Heroic Spirits adept at flame‑gun techniques, lively in nature, and possibly linked to festive performances…"

Tengwan Lixiang's mind jumps, "Could it be someone from Eastern mythology? For example… one who loves playing with fire, a bit mischievous, enjoys revelry? Or… related to Monkeys? Look how agile her movements are!"

"Senior!"

Mashu can't help but whisper, "Please don't casually link the Heroic Spirit miss with Monkeys, it's rude! Moreover… the Lancer miss's hair and eye colors don't match typical Eastern‑type Heroic Spirits."

Though their voices are low, in such a silent setting, and being highly perceptive beings, the Ailisi Feier and Gui Naifen ahead actually hear them perfectly.

Ailisi Feier: "……"

She feels a subtle awkwardness, yet deep inside, a faint, indescribable… pleasure rises.

It's as if she already knows a shocking secret, watching others spin around the puzzle from the outside.

(If they knew that the lively girl they're guessing is actually Gwenivere… what expression would they have?)

She can almost picture that scene—surely just like herself earlier, filled with a stunned bewilderment as her worldview is shaken.

Gui Naifen, a bit helpless, smirks and lightly nudges Ailisi Feier with her elbow, amber eyes conveying the grievance, "How could they think I'm a Monkey?"