Fate/Today's Menu for the Emiya Family.

"To think he actually rejected the IPC's assistance. This kid really is stubborn..."

Archer watched as Luka rejected Topaz to her face, for a moment not knowing what to say. Since returning from Penacony, Archer had retained his memories of collaborating with Gold Dust. As someone who had personally worked with a member of the "The Ten Stonehearts," he knew very well how sharp-witted these people were.

If Luka and Topaz had reached a collaboration, under the premise of her goodwill, he absolutely believed Topaz could hype Luka's fame to the heavens. Since he wanted other civilizations and powers in the galaxy to learn about Belobog, there was no faster way.

Even that Supreme Guardian would likely have advised Luka to agree without hesitation, wouldn't she?

"Stubborn? Archer, I think Luka did the right thing. This isn't stubbornness; it's staying true to his heart!" Rin Tohsaka corrected him.

"Heh... staying true to one's heart is just a high-sounding excuse. One only needs to find the most direct path to the goal. Since Luka's purpose in boxing across the universe is to promote his hometown, he just needs to find the most efficient way to do so—as for the boxing itself, as long as the goal is achieved, it doesn't matter." Archer said expressionlessly.

"Well... you, your views are as terrible as ever." Rin Tohsaka crossed her arms and gave a soft huff. "I really can't get along with you."

"Terrible? I've always called this philosophy 'efficiency'." Archer shrugged. "Forget it, I didn't expect you to agree with me anyway, but if it were that Gold Dust, he would definitely agree with me."

—

【Returning to the breakroom, Luka began to seriously consider the warning Topaz had just given him.】

【"Underhanded tactics? In my past competitive career, I've encountered those despicable boxers who like to use underhanded tactics. There was one guy who specialized in putting laxatives in others' drinks before a match."】

【Stelle thought it sounded a bit familiar: "What a coincidence, I know a swordsman like that too..."】

【"Hahaha, Coach, you really do know all sorts of people!"】

【As the two were chatting casually, Camellia suddenly rushed over and slammed a newspaper down in front of them.】

【"How can you two still be in the mood to joke! Luka! Something big has happened!"】

【"Ah? What happened? Don't worry, take your time..."】

【Camellia spread out the newspaper. The front page of the Luofu Sports News featured a photo of his private meeting with Topaz, accompanied by a groundless speculative article suspecting the IPC of extending an olive branch to Luka.】

【The comments below were even more vicious. Some believed Luka was building an 'anti-IPC hero' persona while happily taking the IPC's dirty money, leaving a bunch of fools to still treat him like a hero!】

【Some even dug up details from Topaz's previous cases, spreading rumors that Luka was a core member and star enforcer of Jarilo-VI's illegal underground organization, Wildfire. They even suspected Luka was an IPC mole developed by Topaz, directly nailing Luka's character to a pillar of shame.】

【For a time, terms like 'IPC dog' and'shameless' appeared incessantly, almost flooding the entire report.】

【Camellia was frantic: "Go look online! There's a whole crowd of people discussing 'Luka's downfall: revealed as an IPC dog.' It's turned into a huge mess!"】

【Facing such 'underhanded tactics' for the first time, Luka was completely dazed and hadn't even reacted: "This... setting aside that the content is all fabricated... my meeting with Miss Topaz was less than one System Hour ago, right? How is this already in the papers?"】

【"These news reports and interview drafts were definitely not prepared on the fly. This is a long-premeditated malicious report!"】

—

Genshin Impact.

"I see. So this is that Mr. Shuojin's 'underhanded tactic'." Zhongli nodded thoughtfully. "Shuojin...'Slander melts metal'... I see."

"But how can he just spread rumors and make things up like that? He actually said Luka is a star enforcer for Wildfire. Could it be... he also got poisoned from eating Black-Back Perch Stew?" As she spoke, Karin immediately shook her head. "...No, no, Black-Back Perch Stew is one of our Wanmin Restaurant's signature dishes. Even if he wanted to eat it, I wouldn't make it for him!"

Xingqiu also couldn't help but frown: "So this person fabricated this dirt to force Luka to withdraw? To smear his reputation? This approach is quite insidious. Even if Luka beats him in the arena, this person can set up a banner of 'anti-IPC dog' and command a following among the crowd, potentially being voted back to life by netizens in the future."

"Consultant, if you encountered something like this—no, if you were Luka right now, how would you strike back at this person?" Hu Tao asked while stuffing a Crystal Shrimp Dumpling into her mouth.

"Me?" Zhongli set down his teacup and rested his chin in his hand, thinking for a few seconds. "The priority is to debunk the rumors. However, the key to this matter is that neither Luka nor Miss Topaz can personally step forward to confront or argue with the rumor-monger."

"Ah? Why is that?" Karin was fuming, wishing she could have Guoba breathe fire on the rumor-monger's backside.

Zhongli said calmly, "They are at the center of the rumors. If they step forward easily, first, they will likely fall into the quagmire prepared by the opponent, becoming entangled in trivial details and wasting their energy. Second, as the parties involved, no matter how earnest their words, they will inevitably be seen as making excuses, greatly reducing their effectiveness."

Hu Tao nodded thoughtfully. "So what the Consultant means... is that we need to find someone else to clear up the rumors?"

"The Director is exactly right." Zhongli nodded slightly. "This person must possess two qualities: first, 'authority,' meaning their words carry public trust and they cannot be from Luka's or the IPC's side. Second, 'objectivity,' meaning they must have no direct conflict of interest with the parties involved. In my view, those Three Generals would be the most suitable."

—

【"But they don't know about my meeting with Miss Topaz either? This... it couldn't be Miss Topaz..."】

【Camellia shook her head decisively: "No, it has nothing to do with Miss Topaz. The IPC has no need to do such a thing. I'm afraid the mastermind behind this prepared many versions of the report, just waiting for the right opportunity... If you hadn't gone to meet Miss Topaz, they probably would have chosen a different report."】

【Camellia stared seriously at Luka: "Luka, did you offend someone? Why would someone go out of their way to do this..."】

【"How could I have offended... Ah! Oh no..."】 Luka suddenly realized, murmuring under his breath, "Could this be... the 'underhanded tactic'?"