"Wait a bit longer, Bianka. Don't worry, I've already arranged it."
Durandal nodded: "Hmm, I trust you."
Four organizations, four spots. Among them, YoRHa was not actually needed, and Takatsuki was the Dominator of YoRHa, so this spot was actually in his hands and he could arrange it as he pleased. Thus, he gave this spot to Durandal.
He didn't even need to think to know that although Durandal was Schicksal's Strongest Valkyrie, Otto would never let her summon Cecilia. The most likely scenario was summoning Kallen Kaslana.
"Can I deliver Schicksal's contract?"
Takatsuki looked at Durandal and smiled: "No problem, but it's the same, you'll have to wait 24 hours before you can deliver it."
"Hmm."
After taking the contract Takatsuki handed her and putting it away, she continued: "After this, I want to officially leave Schicksal."
"I support your choice. My door will always be open for you, even if Otto himself comes to fight, you don't need to worry."
"Don't worry, I'll take care of everything."
Durandal paused, then changed her words: "Let's go, it's time to eat. Rita and Mei are already rushing us."
"Hmm."
Everyone in the world knew about Takatsuki's global live broadcast, and of course, those around him knew as well, even knowing that he was the one handling all these tasks.
"Takatsuki, Takatsuki! Give I a spot in your Holy Grail War!"
Kiana, who had just finished watching the live broadcast, immediately rushed over to Takatsuki after he returned.
"This Academy Head wants to participate too!"
Like little children, Theresa and Kiana huddled closer.
"Alright, Kiana, stop messing around."
Durandal and Himeko exchanged glances, then each dragged away one of the white-haired bundles.
"Ahhh, it's not fair! My older sister gets to participate, so why can't I?"
"Yeah, yeah!"
Watching the two white-haired girls being dragged away, Takatsuki sat down at the dining table. "I didn't say you couldn't participate. Didn't I already say that all the spots are already arranged? The YoRHa spot went to Bianka. For the remaining three, you just need to show the desire in your hearts."
"Sigh... How do I show that? Do I need to do something?"
Kiana was a bit confused by Takatsuki's earlier words.
"No, you don't need to do anything. You just need to think about wanting the Holy Grail when the final selection happens."
"That simple?"
Mei, who was standing nearby, shook her head and explained to Kiana, "It's simple if it's just desire, but Kiana, this is a competition among billions of people worldwide. Your desire must be among the top three globally."
"That's right, Kiana. It's like running. Everyone can reach the finish line, but being the first to reach it is not a simple matter."
Durandal also helped explain to her silly younger sister. Although she herself was overly blunt, she was still slightly smarter than Kiana in some situations.
"Ultimately, the desire for the Holy Grail is actually a desire for a wish. When facing something you absolutely cannot do, the yearning for that sole lifeline... Kiana, do you..."
Takatsuki looked at Kiana somewhat strangely. "...have such a desire?"
Kiana, that scatterbrained girl, would often get carried away with pleasure.
In the original work, after entering St. Freya Academy for over two years, she showed no improvement and even almost forgot about her father. Expecting her to have desire?
Takatsuki shook his head.
This version of Kiana was not the Flamescion from the original work who had experienced so much.
If it were the Flamescion whose world was destroyed, she might have stood out and gained permission to participate.
The same went for Theresa; she had no grand ambitions.
In this regard, Takatsuki did not intend to give them special treatment, because this Holy Grail War would inevitably be a true struggle. Durandal had strongly insisted on participating; otherwise, he actually didn't want Durandal to go.
"Uh, I..."
Kiana still wanted to talk tough, but she was quickly subdued by her older sister.
Takatsuki looked at Theresa, who also retreated under his gaze.
Just then, Theresa's communicator rang.
"Ah, it's Grandpa."
In an instant, everyone fell silent and looked in Theresa's direction.
"Durandal, what should I do?"
Even though she was the oldest person present, aside from the two exceptional individuals, she was still seeking help from her niece, who was half her age.
One could only say, she truly lived up to her nickname, 'Dumb Theresa'.
Finally, she answered the communication request from Otto.
"My dear granddaughter, why did it take you so long to answer? Were you reading comics again?"
Otto's voice came through.
"Grandpa—I'm working hard too! Is there something you need, Grandpa?"
Even with everyone staring, Theresa still managed to naturally act spoiled towards Otto.
"Haha, can't Grandpa call his dear granddaughter if there's nothing wrong?"
"If Grandpa has nothing to say, then I'll hang up now. Himeko has something to discuss with me."
Himeko, who was watching from the sidelines, didn't expect to be dragged into it without saying a word.
"Alright, alright, little Theresa, Grandpa does have something to talk to you about."
Theresa's hand stiffened, unable to hang up the phone.
"Theresa, I heard from Amber that you appeared in Manila a while ago, is that right?"
Listening to Otto's continuously changing address, even Theresa sensed something was amiss.
Although her intelligence was often offline, betraying Otto was something they had planned long ago.
"Durandal disappeared from Schicksal. I heard she went there too. Theresa, is she with you?"
"This..."
Although Theresa didn't answer, anyone with eyes could see the truth.
Otto's actions were less of a test and more of a confirmation of what he already knew.
Takatsuki stood up and walked to Theresa's side, taking the communicator from her hand.
"Nice to meet you, Bishop Otto."
Looking at the blonde man on the other side of the screen, Takatsuki placed the communicator on the table, then sat down beside the table, greeting him.
"I know you. You're the new teacher who provided the Hamon, Haki, and Six Powers data, Takatsuki, right? Or should I call you the Sovereign of YoRHa?"
Looking at the smiling Otto, Takatsuki did not deny it, responding calmly.
"It's just a title, isn't it? But I suppose Your Grace called for me, didn't you?"
"I never expected that a young man rescued in Nagazora would turn out to be the leader of an organization, abducting Schicksal's strongest Valkyrie, and even instigating St. Freya Academy. Wouldn't you say this is letting a wolf into the house?"
Facing Otto's somewhat sarcastic words, Takatsuki calmly replied, "I haven't done anything special. Those who follow the righteous path gain more help, while those who don't gain less. Your Grace must also understand how improper your actions are."
"I don't understand what you're saying, Mr. Takatsuki. Schicksal has been fighting Honkai and saving humanity for hundreds of years."
"But that's Schicksal, not you, Mr. Otto."
Otto frowned. He could feel that the young man opposite him was very firm in his stance. Was it because of his contact with Anti-Entropy?
"It seems Mr. Takatsuki has some misunderstanding about me."
"I don't think there's any misunderstanding between us. If Bishop Otto is here for the Holy Grail spots, I can only say that I've already told everyone on the live broadcast."
"Is that so... Mr. Takatsuki, when do you plan to return our strongest Valkyrie to us?"
"Bianka is not an item. Her whereabouts are up to her. However, she will go to Schicksal to deliver a contract. You can discuss it yourselves then."
"Thank you then."
Hearing Takatsuki's words, Otto crossed his legs. Come to Schicksal and then leave without his permission?
Otto felt relieved hearing Takatsuki's words. Although he guessed the other party would surely have some backup plan, did he not have one too?
"Any more questions? If not, then this call ends here."
"If there's a question, I do have one. I hope Mr. Takatsuki can enlighten me."
Takatsuki looked at Otto on the other side, not expecting him to truly push his luck.
"Speak."
"Heh..."
Ignoring Takatsuki's disrespect, Otto voiced his question.
"Do souls truly exist in this world?"