Chapter 25: The Little Demon King and the Great Holy Grail War (14)

"Now then, my dear little brother♡ Say ahhh♡"

"Ah... This is good."

"Son of Us, try this as well!"

In the dining hall of the nearly complete Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the anti-fortress Noble Phantasm of Semiramis, Zod was being attended to by both Jeanne d'Arc and Semiramis. Jeanne was cutting steak into bite-sized pieces and feeding them to him one by one, while Semiramis wiped the corners of his mouth and offered him salad... To any observer, Zod appeared like a sovereign or a high-ranking aristocrat indulging in decadent luxury.

"Your complexion isn't just healthy; it's practically radiant, isn't it?"

"On that point, I find myself in agreement. Even with this King present, you stand out."

"Father, do you really need to attend to his meals like that?"

"Then perhaps it would be best if you joined in as well. In the Far East, I believe they call such a set-up an 'Oyakodon'—the mother-and-daughter bowl..."

"Where on earth are you learning those kinds of words, Father...?"

Mordred watched the scene with utter disbelief, her voice laced with exasperation. However, seeing Artoria Alter actually envying Semiramis and Jeanne d'Arc made Mordred feel a familiar ache in the back of her neck. She couldn't fathom what Zod had done to turn her father into such a devoted woman. It was beyond her comprehension.

"Tch... I wanted to be the one feeding Zod-chan...."

"A true pond of wine and forest of meat, Master. Well, a hero should be able to handle several women with ease."

"And what exactly are you trying to turn Zod-chan into?"

Jeanne Alter was no less jealous of the two women serving Zod. Cu Chulainn Alter, on the other hand, merely chuckled, suggesting that a man required such mettle to be called a warrior—an observation that only served to incense Jeanne Alter further.

".......You are indeed a hero...."

Even Lancer of Red, Karna—the demigod son of the sun god Surya from Indian myth—watched him enjoying his harem and gave a silent thumbs-up of approval.

"Hey, Lancer! Don't you think that Master is a bit too far gone?"

"Do those words come from the man who had three wives in his own lifetime, Achilles?"

"Urgh.... I have no rebuttal for that...."

"Hahaha.... My, what marvelous inspiration! Choosing you over that priest was the ultimate Masterpiece!"

The Servants of Red had now fully shifted their allegiance to Zod. He had suppressed their nominal leader, Shirou Kotomine, and brought the key pillars of the faction—Assassin and Ruler—to his side. The perceptive Caster, Shakespeare, had already realized that all of Shirou's Command Spells had been transferred to Zod via Semiramis, prompting him to cut ties with the priest and align himself with Zod immediately.

"Son of Us, what would you desire for dessert?"

"Do you like sweet things, little brother?"

"Milk tea and ginger cookies..."

""I shall bring them at once!/I'll get them right now!""

Semiramis and Jeanne d'Arc practically raced to the kitchen. Kairi Sisigou, who had finished eating alone some distance away, sat down next to Zod with a dry laugh.

"For a terrifying psychic mafia boss, your tastes are surprisingly childish."

"Are you one to talk, Mr. Sisigou? Besides, I am not a child. If anything, isn't your palate the childish one?"

"I just happen to enjoy sweets, Boss."

As the two exchanged idle banter, Sisigou suddenly shifted the tone with a sharp question.

"So.... what do you plan to do with this Holy Grail War, Boss? You've become the de facto leader now."

"Hmm....."

Zod trailed off, looking toward Semiramis as she returned with the milk tea and ginger cookies. Sensing his intent, the Empress replied smoothly.

"The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are ninety-eight percent complete. They will be mobile within a few hours. Rest easy."

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