Chapter 401: What

Aha's "generosity" has never been a free lunch.

That sudden Complete Form repair and power infusion is probably not just a prepaid "performance ticket", but also the "on‑the‑job training" and "qualification certification" that push her into the "Destruction" slot.

Now, the performance ends, the training is over, the qualification is in hand, the salary…

As expected, it has also been "settled".

As if to confirm her thought, the Repair Degree bar on the System Panel, which had just surged to 100% not long ago, flickered a few times and the numbers began to plummet rapidly!

100%→85%→72%→60%…

In the end, it stopped at 45.7%.

【System】: Notice: "Aha's Sponsored Complete Form Experience Ticket" effect has ended.

Core energy returned to baseline level.

Some high‑level permissions temporarily unlocked by the ticket have been reclaimed.

Repair Degree rolled back to the pre‑use baseline (42.5%) + partial energy dissipation recovery bonus from this event (+3.2%) = 45.7%.

Immediately, a rating box with a clown hat and streamers pattern popped up beside the Repair Degree panel:

【Aha's After‑sales Service Survey】

【Hey~ Are you satisfied with this "fun… ah no, 'Crisis PR and Career Development One‑Stop Service'"?】

【Please rate your experience (1–10): __】

【Note: A perfect score comes with a surprise easter egg! (●ˇ? ˇ●)】

Heimu looked at this joy‑filled interface, the corner of her forehead ached faintly.

She inhaled deeply, almost with a self‑destructive mindset, and casually clicked a 10 in the virtual rating field.

Clicked Submit.

The survey screen instantly burst into a spray of virtual fireworks and confetti, accompanied by a silent yet imaginable "Wu Hu~" sound effect.

【Thank you for your perfect rating! You are truly one of Aha's most favorite viewers (and actors)!】

【Easter egg distribution in progress…】

【Ding! You have obtained "Pleasant Minor Attention (Low‑Dose Continuous Version)" ×1!】

【Effect: In extremely boring or awkward moments in the future, there is a minuscule chance (<0.01%) of a harmless, amusing (or blood‑pressure‑raising) little incident that makes you smile.]

【(Note: The final interpretation rights of this easter egg belong to Aha, hehe~)】

Heimu: "…"

She expressionlessly closed the aggravating rating interface.

Perspective shift.

The dissipation of Black Tower seemed like a signal, easing the tense atmosphere slightly, yet redirecting everyone's attention back to the original question—this Holy Grail War, fight or not? How to fight?

Chang Ye Yue held the Black Umbrella, her crimson eyes calmly scanning the two remaining Servants: Berserker San Yue Qi, Saber.

Her cool voice broke the silence: "The crisis is temporarily resolved, but the contract remains. This war has not yet concluded."

"Eh?! Still have to fight?!"

San Yue Qi instantly leapt up, hands clasped over her head, a "no way" expression on her face, "I'm just an ordinary person, a photographer; I can handle a few small monsters, but fight Miss Saber? There's no way I could win!"

She was very self‑aware; in the earlier battle she mainly provided support and control, confronting Artoria head‑on?

Just thinking about it makes her feel the train would fall apart.

Artoria tightened her grip on the sword, a hint of complexity flashing in her emerald eyes, but mostly the Knight King's resolve: "Holy Grail... I still have a wish that must be fulfilled. For Britannia, for my people. Though the road ahead is arduous, I will not retreat."

She gave San Yue Qi a slight nod, "Berserker, I acknowledge your courage and dedication. But the Holy Grail contest concerns belief; I cannot yield. We shall engage in a fair Knight duel."

"Ugh... but I really don't know how to fight..."

San Yue Qi grimaced, looking at Chang Ye Yue, then at Tengwan Lixiang, trying to find external aid.

Tengwan Lixiang opened her mouth; she actually wanted to reveal the truth about the Fourth Holy Grail War— the Holy Grail had long been tainted by This World's Evil, and any granted wish would manifest in the most twisted manner.

Yet seeing Artoria's steadfast and pure gaze, and Ailisi Feier standing nearby, she hesitated, fearing to offend the Knight King devoted to saving her homeland, and also fearing to provoke Ailisi Feier who might still be in the dark.

However, before Tengwan Lixiang could organize her words, an anomaly occurred.

"Ah..."

The usually quiet Ailisi Feier, who had been standing pale beside Weigong Qiesi, let out a soft gasp, swayed, and nearly fell.

Weigong Qiesi's quick eyes and swift hands caught her.

"Aili? What's wrong?"

Weigong Qiesi's voice carried an unusual tension.

"I... I don't know..." Ailisi Feier covered her chest, her silver hair fluttering slightly, a bewildered look on her face, "It feels... strange. Inside my body... it seems something important is missing... yet it also feels like... something extra..."

Instinctively she raised her hand, fingertips trying to gather Mana, but the Mana that once flowed at her command now gave no response.

No, it's not a lack of response, but... the Mana Circuit seems to have undergone a fundamental change.

It has become more... natural.

More... like a genuine human Magus, rather than a designed container?

"Miss Ailisi Feier?" Mashu also stepped forward concernedly.

Chang Ye Yue narrowed her crimson eyes, gaze like lightning, swiftly scanning Ailisi Feier, then turning to the still‑supporting, equally startled Weigong Qiesi.

She suddenly spoke, voice tinged with inquiry: "Weigong Qiesi, is that voice in your mind... still there?"

Upon hearing that, Weigong Qiesi's body quivered slightly.

He immediately steadied his mind and sensed carefully.

After a moment, he lifted his head, his eyes filled with disbelief: "It's gone... that whispering, tempting feeling... completely vanished."

Moreover, he felt that the chronic hidden injuries and Mana Corrosion from overuse had eased considerably, a unprecedented sense of "lightness" enveloping him.

"What... on earth is happening?"

Weber also noticed the two's abnormality.

Tengwan Lixiang and Mashu locked eyes, each seeing shock in the other's gaze.

As those who know This World's Evil and the Holy Grail truth, they immediately realized something.

Ailisi Feier, as the Small Holy Grail's vessel, should be filled within with the sediment of This World's Evil.

Weigong Qiesi had been deeply corroded by This World's Evil.

Now, have both of their abnormalities vanished?

"Doctor! Da Fenqi himself!"

Tengwan Lixiang immediately shouted into the Communicator, "Emergency! Please scan Ailisi Feier and Weigong Qiesi's vital signs and magical attributes at once! Compare with the previous data!"

"Understood! Executing immediately!" a rapid operation voice came from Chaldea.

Soon, the results arrived, accompanied by obvious confusion:

"Lixiang! This is too strange!"

Doctor Roman's voice was full of astonishment, "Miss Ailisi Feier's vital signs have completely shifted into the normal human range! The previously detected... have all vanished! She is now an ordinary human woman with excellent magical aptitude!"

"Weigong Qiesi, sir as well,"

Da Fenqi himself added, his tone equally incredulous, "The pollution and corrosion traces in his body... have been purified by a method we cannot comprehend. Though his old injuries remain, there is no longer a trend of continual deterioration. Most astonishing is the Winterwood City's ley line readings..."

She paused briefly, as if making a final confirmation: "... is rapidly returning to normal! The magical energy that had been chaotic due to various battles and anomalous summons is now calming. And the Great Holy Grail system beneath Yuan Cang Shan... its core pollution source reaction—this World's Evil—has vanished! The Great Holy Grail system itself appears to have restored a clean state; although, because of prior consumption, the accumulated magical energy is insufficient to fully activate it immediately, its basic function as a wish machine... is theoretically usable, and the risk of malicious distortion has been eliminated!"

"What?!"