----
"My liege, the expansion goes as expected, but...something is off."
"I sense it too, Servant. Keep on your guard. Nothing will topple us here. I won't allow it."
----
"...really? Again?"
"How...interesting."
"Dear me."
Yet again three masters and three servants face off. A middle aged gentleman, a young man, and an elegant young woman.
'Master...I doubt we'll be able to handle yet another scuffle like this.'
"I know, Rider," the eldest of the three Masters mutters.
"What was that, good sir?" wonders the woman, seemingly at the edge of her patience. "I've been waiting this entire war for some interaction. It's not fair to keep things to yourself with us right in front of you, after all."
"As the lady says, sir. Now, would you happen to be the cause of the ruckus over on the bridge there, or would that be someone else?" continues the younger male. The armored woman behind him, entirely ready for combat, merely continues her silent vigil.
"I'm afraid I just exited a rather misfortunate example of a negotation, my fellow Masters. Now, are we to fight from the start, or is this going to be another example of that? Or perhaps we can muster something similar to civility and nobility amongst this farce of a 'just' Grail War?"
"Hmm...," hums the young woman. "I don't know, what do you think, Servant?" she asks the fox eared lady behind her.
"Well, goshujin-sama, I'm not adverse to fighting nor negotiation."
The armored woman nods at her proclamation. "Nor am I. If there is some side to this war that is unscrupulous enough to resort to such tactics," she begins, glancing at the still burning bridge. "...then I would be more than happy to side with those more honorable than them to rid the pests from the face of this land."
"Hah, so there are some honorable people left in this world. Very well. I propose this, oh fellow Masters and Servants..."
----
"Damn, don't know what that was about..." the young man mutters, rapping on the door to the 'safe zone' of the war. "Soakin' wet, hungry, and someone's out to blow us all to kingdom come...'scuse me! 's anyone here?"
"My my, do be patient. I'll be right there," comes a distant voice. The shoji door slides open. Standing there is a blonde woman, eyepatch over one eye, in the outfit traditional to miko. "Oh my. You must be seeking sanctuary. Please come in."
----
"That artillery barrage came from...somewhere on the other side of the island, Master."
"Interesting. Who would be so foolish as to intervene in the matters of the Grail War?"
----
"How long should we wait, Master?"
"With all the chaos...as long as we need to."
----
Round 4 end.
