[] "What is this Liar's Grail War? How different is it from the others?"
You already had an idea on what Grail Wars were like. You expected this next one to be the same as the others but it would seem that whoever manifested the Grail here had interfered and created this whole new mess. You needed to know more about this or else you'll trip up badly in the future.
"What is this Liar's Grail War?" You asked with a narrowed look, "How different is if from the others?"
"Well, that would be simple. This Grail War would proceed as normal with the usual set up. There would be 7 Servants with their 7 Masters," Luther explained as the car traveled through the city, "The Seven Servants would consist of Saber, Lancer, Archer, Rider, Caster, Assassin and Berserker. Nothing changed there, yes?"
"That checks out," you agreed with a raised eyebrow.
"They would do battle together in a battle royale fashion while under the command of their respective Masters. Upon death, their essence returns to the Grail and fills it with power in order to allow the final wish," Luther continued as he crossed his arms.
You thought back to the past. As you were lying on the streets bleeding out following your battle with that girl, you realized that a wish had been made. It signaled the end of the War in full with the disappearance of the Servants.
You didn't know what wish she that girl made but it certainly stuck to you. None of the people under your employ recalled nor knew of the incident which transpired that month. Their memories of December 2019 vanished except for you.
That War did happen and at the center of it all was that Doll. A very clever Doll.
"The Grail would manifest itself in full only at the end," you said as you watched the road ahead.
"Indeed. Normally that would be the case. Except under these circumstances... The Grail has already manifested and has been provided a vessel this time," Luther explained with a chuckle, making you frown.
"A vessel?" You asked.
"Indeed. The Grail has manifested in the form of an individual being. While that may be the case, it is bereft of any sort of wish granting power, requiring the deaths of Servants still," Luther said as he glanced at you, "It can think, walk, speak and live."
"A living Holy Grail. It's reminiscent of the Einzbern's methods. Were their secrets pillaged somehow?" You asked with a frown.
"It matters not. But it certainly provides its own twist to it, don't you think?" Luther said with a thoughtful tone.
"I think it only brings about the risk of the Grail breaking during battle higher. Especially between Servants," you told him with a narrowed look.
"Whatever the case, the Grail should be well protected with powerful magecraft. The important thing to know is that the Grail can decide. And the winner of this war would depend on the Grail's decision," the man said as he leaned on his seat, "It's just a matter of protecting, defending and convincing it to allow you to win."
"All while other Masters seek to take it. It's a capture the flag event... But why? The ritual could become less convoluted than it already was," you replied with an annoyed tone.
"Perhaps the winner would have the most resources, or perhaps the Grail would deign to let the virtuous win, or... The Grail could be tricked into granting one's wish in the end," Luther said as he held up his hands to list off his points.
You didn't like where this was going.
"Where is it now?" You asked.
"No one knows. Perhaps it will reveal itself once the War truly began. But it's out there," Luther nodded in response.
A Liar's War. If it was to deceive a wish granting machine, then of course it would be called that. You shouldn't be surprised if that was the case.
Silence filled the car as it traveled down the road.
What do you say?
[] "What's your wish, Mr. Valses?"
[] "Are you up for this bloody affair?"
[] "It's not too late to back out, sir."
[] Write in...
