Zhuge Liang

, Class Name , is a Caster-class Pseudo-Servant in the body of Waver Velvet summoned by Ritsuka Fujimaru in the Grand Orders of Fate/Grand Order.
== Profile ==
===Identity===
Caster's True Name is was a prominent politician in China's era. He was widely known as a military strategist, it was reported that it was mainly due to his abilities that the weaker and smaller state of was able to resist the much larger army for a quite some time.
 In death, Zhuge Liang still out smarted .
Due to the "extremely peculiar circumstances" of the Grand Orders, Lord El-Melloi II was forced to become a receptacle for his spirit to facilitate a successful summoning. Lord El-Melloi II himself lacks the means or history to become a Heroic Spirit. In the process, the Master Strategist analyzed who would be best in charge. Zhuge Liang judged that there was no need for himself to come to the forefront, since he already had a competent agent, so the role fell to Lord El-Melloi II, who was already acquainted with the modern era.
===Appearance===
Caster takes the appearance of Lord El-Melloi II but as his ascension progress increases, his appearance takes the form of Waver Velvet.
===Personality===
Zhuge Liang is described as a monster of rationalism. The rationalism of Chinese and Western philosophies is incompatible. His thoughts and feelings are more in accordance with Lord El-Melloi II. Lord El-Melloi II only spoke with Zhuge Liang for a few minutes, but he calls him a monster from ancient history and it didn't feel like he was talking to a human. Zhuge Liang takes over El-Melloi II's body only once, when his old rival Sima Yi tells him to speak up more. He tells Sima Yi to "tell it to someone who cares" and that he's enjoying the modern world.Fate/Grand Order - Reines (Sima Yi) Interlude
Lord El-Melloi II sees his younger self in Ritsuka Fujimaru. However he dislikes his younger self.
Due to retaining his old habits, Lord El-Melloi II often writes essays after making a new discovery due to being unable to relax until he written down the latest breakthrough for posterity. He is commonly seen in Chaldea's cafeteria due to enjoying the cafeteria's sandwiches the same way he enjoyed the food from Druid Street's café. 
Lord El-Melloi II's dream was to reach Okeanos, but explains he is not quite ready to go find the boundless sea.
====Relationships====
=====Adult=====
;Iskandar
:"How strange. I had come to terms with not meeting him again, but to have the chance to stand side by side once more. Really... at least there has been something positive, even in humanity's crisis."
:"Things like the memory when he had been summoned are haziness, not even a dream for the current him. I know that much already. I know, and still..."
;Sima Yi
:"Wha...Master, I thought I told you not to contact the Clock Tower! I'm going to be blunt here... She's the devil! You have no idea how many times my stomach's been in knots because of her!"
;Astraea
:"Even after being possessed by the goddess of the scales, it doesn’t seem like she's changed much. Well, maybe she was picked BECAUSE she would not change. ...Honestly, just thinking about all this gives me a headache."
;Ishtar
:"Wh-what? The goddess of Mesopotamia!? What twisted fate would allow such degeneracy!? It's like giving that red devil the codes to a nuclear arsenal! Master, I'm going away for a while! And DO NOT mention me to her!"
;Gilgamesh
:"The King of Heroes... I never thought I would meet you at the precipice of humanity’s end, of all places. Yes...just you wait. He and I are going to set you straight!"
;Artoria Pendragon
:"(Coughs) I don't mind if you laugh, but she once attacked me head-on with that sacred sword of hers. It wasn't really her fault, but I still break into a cold sweat every time I think about that moment. ...I'd appreciate it if you could not laugh."
;Alexander
:"I never imagined I would meet a younger him...and he's even younger than I was when I first met him. So that's why he suggested I wish upon the Grail to grow thirty centimeters...because he knows he's going to grow taller. Honestly, that guy's self-serving, no matter what age he is."
:"A man of great talent, still unfinished in his growth. And yet, there is already enough of his charisma that it reminds me of his dignity back in the day. ...Well, in that case, I would like to see with my own eyes of what would happen that changes him."
;Gray
:"I didn't think you would come to Chaldea too. Well, there's nothing much we can do about it now since you're already here. If you consider yourself my apprentice still, would you mind polishing my shoes like you've always done, Lady?"
=====Young=====
;Iskandar
:"I like you. To make a contract with one so reckless as him. Huh? Who do I mean? That's obvious. That big, loud Rider"Fate/Grand Order Lines
;Sima Yi
:"M-Master, we need to get out of here fast! I feel the presence of my younger sister! She's the absolute worst, entrapping me as a Lord! If we hesitate, we'll get kidnapped! come on, hurry!"
;Ishtar / Astraea
:"So these will be my students when I become Lord? It feels a bit odd since I look like this right now, but yeah, I feel somewhat sentimental when I see them. It's like I'm dreaming something in the future..."
;Gilgamesh
:"The King of Heroes...I never thought I would meet him here. Just wait...! One of these days, he and I are going to..."
;Artoria Pendragon
:"Sorry, Master, I need you to cover me. No, it's not what you think... It's not that I'm scared of her. It's just that that sacred sword's light still gives me nightmares..."
;Alexander
:"THAT'S Rider!? That little shrimp who's even shorter than me!? Oh, but he has the same color eyes and hair, and he even has the haughty attitude. Hmph. Then I've got no choice, do I? I'll tag along conquering the world with him just for a little bit."
;Gray
:"That's right. She's my apprentice. Yet to say she's my apprentice given the way I look and whose face she has feels...strange."
==Role==
===Fate/Grand Order===
====Second Singularity: Septem====
El-Melloi II appears in the Singularity after becoming the vessel for Zhuge Liang. He serves as Alexander‘s strategist against Nero Claudius‘ army. After reporting on Nero’s army, he suggests luring Spartacus and Lu Bu instead of taking them on head-on. He decides to fulfill Alexander’s wish to see Nero to the latter’s embarrassment. He then becomes annoyed that he became the vessel for a Heroic Spirit he has no connection to. He wonders what happened to his era and if he switched with Zhuge Liang. He also wonders if time stopped in his era and he’s now in the era fused with Zhuge Liang. When Darius III attacks the vanguard of Nero’s army, El-Melloi II wonders if Lev Lainur Flauros summoned him. He quickly realizes though that it was Alexander, who admits he wanted to try a chained summoning after hearing Elizabeth Báthory and Tamamo Cat were summoned the same way with Stheno. El-Melloi II is disappointed he would rely on such luck in battle. He also deduces Darius’ identity since he materialized through a chained summoning with Alexander. Then, while Nero’s vanguard is busy with Darius, El-Melloi II and Alexander hit her rearguard with a pincer attack. Though most of their troops are killed, they manage to lure Spartacus and Lu Bu away and captured Boudica. She is brought to a fortress near the United Roman Empire’s capital. El-Melloi II puts her under a restraint spell that ends up putting her to sleep.Fate/Grand Order - Septem: The Eternal Madness Empire, Section 11: Attack the United Empire
When Ritsuka's party arrives at the fort, El-Melloi and Alexander introduce themselves. El-Melloi II says it’s fine to forget his name though since he isn’t a true Heroic Spirit. He reveals he is a Stray Servant and gets annoyed by Alexander thanking him for fulfilling his wish to see Nero since he was merely following his direction. After the group defeats him and Alexander, El-Melloi finds it just like Alexander to meddle with others’ lives and disappears.Fate/Grand Order - Septem: The Eternal Madness Empire, Section 12: Rescue Boudica
====Fate/Accel Zero Order====
When a Singularity manifests in the same coordinates as Singularity F at the time axis of ten years ago, Romani Archaman has El-Melloi II brought in to explain since he’s familiar with Fuyuki. As his knowledge differs from Chaldea's records, El-Melloi II explains the Holy Grail War occurred five times in his world while only once in Chaldea's in 2004. Romani is shocked by the number, to which El-Melloi II explains the Mage’s Association and Holy Church colluded to keep it secret in his. He then reveals the Singularity's time axis matches that of the 4th Grail War, finding it unsurprising Chaldea would detect a Grail there. He notes it should be impossible to observe the light of civilization in the past on a normal temporal axis since human history was incinerated. He recognizes though the Singularity is still a stain on human history that will eventually contaminate it. He then reveals the Grail War repeated five times in Fuyuki because the Grail never manifested itself. He also warns against retrieving the Grail, revealing it wasn’t a wish granter like the participants thought, but a weapon meant to destroy the world. He also says he put in considerable time in dismantling the Grail for this particular instance. He, Ritsuka, and Mash then rayshift to the Singularity.
Arriving in the Singularity, El-Melloi II uses Unreturning Formation to unveil Hassan of the Hundred Faces, knowing of her ability to split into multiple entities to survey Fuyuki. He knew the rayshift would draw attention, and Hundred Faces would come to investigate. He then has Ritsuka and Mash defeat her while she’s still trapped, promising to explain everything later. Afterward, he warns the pair that she’ll keep sending copies of herself after them. He then says that since they're on a tight schedule, he'll only explain the vital parts for now.Fate/Grand Order - Fate/Accel Zero Order, ACT-1: The Man Who Knows Fuyuki
At the wharf, El-Melloi II reveals Angra Mainyu will activate and destroy the world once the required number of Servants are sacrificed to the Grail. He calls Singularity F the likely conclusion of the 5th Grail War. Mash asks him why such a ritual would be made, to which he responds it had a different purpose before a certain man-made disaster. He calls the situation a paradox, as Fuyuki should be in flames if the Grail already manifested like SHEBA detected. He, therefore, deduces Chaldea detected a different Grail. He then explains tonight is where everything begins, so they need to stay ahead of events, which the wharf is the key to. Irisviel von Einzbern and Artoria Pendragon then arrive, having come to the wharf at Diarmuid Ua Duibhne‘s, who isn’t present, invitation. El-Melloi II reveals Artoria’s True Name and tells Irisviel they will be their opponents instead of Diarmuid. He tells Ritsuka and Mash to force Artoria to retreat.Fate/Grand Order - Fate/Accel Zero Order, ACT-2: Military Intervention
After she retreats, Diarmuid (previously kept at bay by the Stone Sentinel Maze) arrives. El-Melloi II asks him to stay calm while revealing his True Name, and explains they’re not Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald‘s enemies. He tells Kayneth that they came to support him. He gives Reines El-Melloi Archisorte as his guarantor since he can’t divulge his name now. Kayneth is convinced to leave the group alone when El-Melloi II says he’ll reveal more and Gilles de Rais’s current location.
After leaving the wharf, El-Melloi II explains again what will happen if the Grail is completed. Thus, he concludes the war was never meant to have a winner. He imagines he would turn evil from despair if he won the 5th Grail War. He then reveals his plan to prevent the Grail's activation by convincing at least three Servants to withdraw. The group can then use that opportunity to remove the Grail’s vessel. El-Melloi II warns not everyone will agree with their plan, so they need to eliminate any disagreeable Servants such as Gilles and Gilgamesh. He then reveals Hundred Faces’s Master is colluding with Gilgamesh’s, so it’s inevitable that they’ll fight her again. Everything regarding Lancelot depends on his Master, Kariya Matou, since direct reasoning is impossible. It is also crucial they convince Kariya while Lancelot is still under his control without using Command Spells. El-Melloi II warns Lancelot may go on rampage independent from Kariya’s will. He agrees with Mash that they should postpone meeting Kariya for now despite the risk. He then concludes their best chances for success lie with Artoria, Diarmuid, and Iskandar. He becomes momentarily somber when asked if Iskandar’s team will cooperate, and replies that it’s possible.
When Mash fails to connect with the leyline to establish a summoning circle, El-Melloi II deduces it’s because the Tohsaka controls the leylines. He decides they need to destroy the keystones set by Tokiomi Tohsaka so they can take control of the leylines. Romani warns Tokiomi will be angered if they do that. El-Melloi II replies the Tohsaka are already enemies for summoning Gilgamesh. He learned of the keystones' locations while working with the Tohaska heir and his former student, Rin Tohsaka, to dismantle the Greater Grail. He knows taking the leylines will impoverish the Tohsaka, but feels it’s their fault as one of the clans responsible for the Grail War.Fate/Grand Order - Fate/Accel Zero Order, ACT-3: Second Owner
While destroying the keystones, the group encounter Gilles’ monsters in an alley. After slaying them and securing the leyline point, they go to meet with Kayneth. Along the way, El-Melloi II requests Ritsuka to allow him to handle negotiations. He’ll keep a secret telepathic channel open and warns them to keep quiet.
In his suite, Kayneth states he learned from the Archisorte that El-Melloi II was lying about working on Reines’ behalf. He agreed to meet, though due to El-Melloi II knowing about the Church’s actions toward Gilles beforehand. El-Melloi II then reveals information that should be privy only to the war's participants and Kayneth himself. He also wasn't lying about working for Reines, but he wouldn’t officially receive that duty until four years later. Therefore, everything he just said are memories of his past.Fate/Grand Order - Fate/Accel Zero Order, ACT-5: The Meeting of El-Melloi When Kayneth asks how such a thing is possible, El-Melloi II explains it is Chaldea’s technology. He then lies to Kayneth that the Archibalds were responsible for such achievements through his leadership. Kayneth believes all this and agrees to help kill Gilles to earn a fourth Command Spell from Risei. The group then heads for Gilles's hideout in the sewers.Fate/Grand Order - Fate/Accel Zero Order, ACT-6: United Battlefront
There El-Melloi II explains to Kayneth that they must be careful about discussing things not observed by anyone on the current temporal axis. Otherwise, the ripples from the changes in history will grow strong enough to possibly activate the Counter Force. El-Melloi II further adds that their intervention has made the future uncertain.Fate/Grand Order - Fate/Accel Zero Order, ACT-7: Hunting for Bluebeard
Eventually, the group confronts Gilles in his workshop and kills him. Afterward, they agree to kill his Master, Ryuunosuke Uryuu, since he's a dangerous murderer as stated by El-Melloi II. Kaynetth leaves with Diarmuid for the church to retrieve his prize.
However, the group finds Uryuu already dead when El-Melloi II uses Unreturning Formation to unveil EMIYA. El-Melloi II deduces he isn't a Servant of the 4th Grail and he's connected to what turned it into a Singularity. The group then fights EMIYA hoping to capture him for interrogation. Unfortunately, EMIYA escapes when the fight is interrupted by Waver and Iskandar. El-Melloi II reprimands Waver for thinking he’d arrive first, calling his method of finding Gilles’ workshop primitive. He further says that Waver ends up overestimating his own strength because he always gets out of trouble thanks to pure luck, which is precisely why he will never improve. Waver questions if El-Melloi II is either Caster or his Master, which frustrates El-Melloi II for him not fully analyzing the situation. Waver assumes he’s the Caster that Riese spoke of through reading his status. El-Melloi II counters though that if he can read his status, he should be able to tell he’s a Pseudo-Servant to Waver’s confusion. Iskandar discerns that El-Melloi II and the others are a third party unrelated to Caster, much to the latter’s relief. He assumes El-Melloi II was trying to pick a fight with Waver, though that wasn’t the case. After retreating to avoid fighting Iskandar, El-Melloi II gets frustrated at him while telling the others to ignore him and Waver.Fate/Grand Order - Fate/Accel Zero Order, ACT-8: Irregular
After Mash finishes establishing a summoning circle, Artoria arrives and challenges the group to a fair fight. El-Melloi II is doubtful though, as he knows she is merely a decoy used by Kiritsugu Emiya to strike. The group then fights Artoria, hoping to force her into retreating again.Fate/Grand Order - Fate/Accel Zero Order, ACT-9: The King of Knights Returns As they fight though, Mash protects Irisviel from a sudden ambush by EMIYA. Artoria fights him, so the group supports her to not lose her.Fate/Grand Order - Fate/Accel Zero Order, ACT-10: The Mysterious Assassin
After EMIYA retreats, El-Melloi II convinces Irisviel that they’re not enemies; something Artoria should have realized from their first encounter. He asks Irisviel if she knows EMIYA, but she doesn’t. He calls his presence an irregularity, so their immediate goal is to discover his identity. Irisviel feels like she was meant to be killed by EMIYA, but Artoria refuses to believe so. El-Melloi says the intuition of an Einzbern homunculus cannot be easily dismissed though.
Making peace with Irisviel and Artoria, the group head for Kayneth’s suite. Along the way, Romani asks El-Melloi what they’re going to do about Kaynet since he's still enemies with Artoria. Recognizing the limitations of being friendly with both sides, El-Melloi II concludes further inflating Kayneth's ego is the best way to convince him. He then unveils Hundred Faces, who's been stalking the group, with Unreturning Formation. The group defeat her and move on to meet with Kayneth.Fate/Grand Order - Fate/Accel Zero Order, ACT-11: Strategist's Trap
At his suite, Kayneth informs El-Melloi II that he sent a familiar to the Matou mansion like he suggested and negotiated with Kariya. Kariya agreed to join under the condition they provide an opportunity to fight Gilgamesh. Thanking Kayneth for the information, El-Melloi II convinces him that the Grail War is a false one set up by his family's enemies, the Trambelios, in collusion with the Tohsakas to lure him away from the Clock Tower so they can increase their influence over the Association. Intervening with the conspiracy is why Ritsuka's party came to the past, but they couldn't warn Kayneth until they observed evidence in the past that a conspiracy existed. El-Melloi II tells Kayneth to hurry to London to stop the Trambelios’ plot. Diarmuid is ready to accompany his Master, but Kayneth orders him with a Command Spell to stay and continue the Grail War for his family’s reputation. He then lends Diarmuid to the group for that purpose. He asks El-Melloi II about the love letter draft he left in his study, though he’d never let anyone in his study while something so embarrassing is still there. He assumes the study that El-Melloi II is referring to is one whose master never returned to. El-Melloi II confirms such and feels honored by Kayneth’s thanks. He calls him the lord he wished to be and his talents as the greatest treasure in the Clock Tower.Fate/Grand Order - Fate/Accel Zero Order, ACT-11: Strategist's Trap
After the group leaves the hotel, Romani reminds El-Melloi II that it’s impossible to change the past via a Rayshift. El-Melloi II recognizes his actions are meaningless, but he refuses to repeat the same mistakes twice.
Meeting with Kariya later, El-Melloi II informs him that Gilgamesh is discussing kingship with Artoria and Iskandar. The group interrupts the discussion and defeats Gilgamesh with Kariya and Lancelot’s help.Fate/Grand Order - Fate/Accel Zero Order, ACT-12: Discussing the Holy Grail Unfortunately, Lancelot attacks Artoria when Kariya collapses from expending too much magical energy. El-Melloi II tells the others they need to eliminate Lancelot, as they can’t lose Artoria and Lancelot served his purpose done with Gilgamesh gone. However, Iskandar stops the finishing blow and joins Lancelot against El-Melloi II. El-Melloi II asks him why, as he did everything to avoid this conflict. Iskandar replies it’s because he doesn’t like him to El-Melloi II’s devastation and for interfering with in the Grail War. Diarmuid considers defeating Iskandar on Ritsuka’s order, but El-Melloi II reminds them they’re only allowed to defeat four Servants.Fate/Grand Order - Fate/Accel Zero Order, ACT-13: Battle Royale
After Waver and Iskandar leave with Kariya and Lancelot, EMIYA arrives to try to kill Irisviel again. El-Melloi II recognizes they’re both after the Lesser Grail, but their methodologies differ. He then explains what Irisviel's purpose and role were during the 4th Grail War he remembers. Artoria however reveals Irisviel is her Master, with Irisviel showing her Command Spells to reinforce this point. The group then fights EMIYA, but El-Melloi II stops it to talk. He reveals EMIYA is a Counter Guardian sent to prevent the activation of Angra Mainyu. Confessing he, Ritsuka, and Mash are from a different timeline, El-Melloi reveals the risk of the Einzberns winning had caused the Counter Force to intervene. He confirms the Singularity is an alternate timeline where the Einzbern dominated the 4th Grail War and surmises Irisviel is the Grail Chaldea detected. He then gives EMIYA the opportunity to solve the situation without killing Irisviel, which EMIYA accepts.Fate/Grand Order - Fate/Accel Zero Order, ACT-14: The Shadow Chasing Irisviel
In the Grail’s cavern, the group prepares to destroy the Greater Grail directly since their previous plan has been compromised. El-Melloi II and EMIYA detect Hundred Faces trying to ambush them, and the group defeats her utterly. EMIYA guesses her Master didn’t understand how to utilize her abilities. El-Melloi II deduces Tokiomi may have switched to her after losing Gilgamesh. The group then moves on to the Grail’s chamber.Fate/Grand Order - Fate/Accel Zero Order, ACT-15: To the Greater Grail
There El-Melloi II explains Angra Mainyu won’t activate with three Servants defeated. Even if it does overflow, it’ll only be a mass of ambiguous curses without purpose, something the group can handle. Iskandar then arrives. El-Melloi II asks him if he intends to continue the war, even though he should be able to sense the cursed magical energy emanating from the Grail. Iskandar doesn’t care because he merely wants to entertain himself and El-Melloi II. El-Melloi II is frustrated he would fight for such a selfish reason when the world is facing a crisis. He then fights Iskandar after the latter accepts him as a worthy opponent. Fate/Grand Order - Fate/Accel Zero Order, ACT-16: King's Pride
He defeats Iskandar, though he believes he couldn’t have done it without Zhuge Liang’s power since his own power is lacking. Iskandar however tells him it only matters how said power is used. El-Melloi II cries when Iskandar disappears because he never expected to meet him again like this. Unfortunately, he is ambushed by Lancelot, whose now Zouken Matou’s Servant, and rendered unconscious.Fate/Grand Order - Fate/Accel Zero Order, ACT-17: Wish of the Three Founding Families
Outside the chamber, he regains consciousness. His Spiritual Core is undamaged, but his body isn’t moving. Ritsuka informs him that Artoria and Diarmuid are currently holding off Black Iri (who Zouken summoned after Lancelot was defeated). El-Melloi II says they need to fight, but Waver points out he's too weak to do so. El-Melloi II tells Waver that he’s the key to victory, knowing full well of his inferiority complex. He then transfers Zhuge Liang's powers to Waver by instructing him to take his hand and pray “The art of certain victory, the mode of harmonizing with charges, is a matter of opportunity.” Waver becomes Zhuge Liang's temporary vessel and goes with Ritsuka and Mash to help Artoria and Diarmuid fight Black Iri.Fate/Grand Order - Fate/Accel Zero Order, ACT-18: The Fallen Grail
After Artoria and Diarmuid disappear with the Grail’s destruction, Irisviel accepts Mash's invitation to return with them to Chaldea. El-Melloi II tells Waver that Zhuge Liang will return with them, so Waver will return to being a regular human. He further tells him to study and become stronger while he can, as he will come to wield this power someday. Waver compares El-Melloi II to Iskandar, though El-Melloi II believes he can’t match Iskandar yet. Waver asks him if he's trying to become Iskandar's equal. El-Melloi II ignores the question and returns Waver to the surface. Afterward, he returns to Chaldea with Ritsuka and Mash and is placed into the ICU.
====Final Singularity: Solomon====
El-Melloi II is amongst the "Septem SIngularity" Servants that aid Chaldea against the Demon Gods of the Information Center.Fate/Grand Order - Solomon: The Grand Time Temple - Section 3: II/Flauros, the Information Center
====Summer Event: Servant Summer Festival!====
Alexander calls on El-Melloi II to devise a strategy to get Medb to change the nature of her contest which is rigged in her favor. El-Melloi II complains it’s too hot out for him to think, so the best plan he can offer is a simple one. Alexander says it’s fine as a more complicated plan means more variables that need to be accounted for. El-Melloi II agrees and devises a plan to use Medb’s popularity against her, for which Yan Qing will be key.
For his plan, El-Melloi II convinces many Servants to go up to Medb and ask for her autograph during a stroll down Waikiki Street, knowing the queen’s vanity wouldn’t let her ignore them. While she is distracted with that, Yan QIng will disguise himself as her and tell her men that “she” wants to change the contest into a beach volleyball match. Once that is successful, James Moriarty will take bets on who will win the match, with the majority being for Medb and single bet by Ritsuka for Ushiwakamaru. He will also bribe Medb’s sponsors. With all that, Medb will have no choice but to accept the challenge because she cannot disappoint her fans, who are her pride and source of power. El-Melloi II’s plan is executed on the day before ServantFes and ultimately proves sucessful.
====Lady Reines Case Files====
When a Singularity manifested at the end of the 19th century London, Ritsuka and El-Melloi II rayshift there. However, they’re separated and lose contact with Chaldea. El-Melloi II sensed something was amiss with the Singularity and investigated the matter. He eventually discovered Mnemosyne was planning to alter Ritsuka’s memories through the paper scraps created by her.Fate/Grand Order - Lady Reines's Case Files - Section 8: The Final Scrap This, however, attracted Mnemosyne’s attention, forcing him to separate Zhuge Liang’s Saint Graph from his body to create a dead copy of himself at his apartment.Fate/Grand Order - Lady Reines's Case Files - Section 9: A Magus' DeductionFate/Grand Order - Lady Reines's Case Files - Section 10: The Fake Holy Lance While it left him with nearly none of Zhuge Liang’s powers, it enabled him to continue investigating without being detected as a Servant. He also activated Chu Shi Biao, which caused Reines and Luviagelita Edelfelt to be summoned into the Singularity as Pseudo-Servants fused with Sima Yi and Astraea along with Gray, who was summoned as a regular Servant. He then left a dying message comprising only of the letter M, knowing someone would eventually find and discover its meaning. During his investigation, he removed some paper scraps from Charles Babbage‘s Difference Engine in his castle in the Patchwork of Dazzling Steam.Fate/Grand Order - Lady Reines's Case Files - Section 7: King's Memories He also discovered the paper scraps were placed at specific locations for Ritsuka to find; the first two containing their original memories while the final would fabricate them. 
Upon discovering the final scrap was a trap, El-Melloi II rushed to the Patchwork Fairy Tales to stop Ritsuka from retrieving it. He doesn’t arrive in time to stop that, but he is able to stop Ritsuka’s memories from being erased. Shocking everyone with his survival, he reveals the scrap was a trap. Reines and Mash doubt it’s really him, but he explains he used his special properties as a Pseudo-Servant to fake his own death so he could continue his investigation relatively unimpeded though at the cost of most of Zhuge Liang’s powers. Annoyed at his inferiorities, he explains the final scrap is why he kept a low profile and explains how the enemy tried to use the scraps to rewrite Ritsuka's memories. He concurs with Gray that Chaldea would know the validity of Ritsuka’s memories, but questions why they’ve only received transmissions from Mash, and explains the enemy needed someone Ritsuka absolutely trusted to guide them. Reines then deduces the “M“ in El-Melloi II’s message was for Mash. El-Melloi II reveals the Mash they’ve been talking with so far is a fake. After “Mash“ blocks communications, El-Melloi explains the enemy fabricated her to manipulate the group. He therefore suspects the enemy has information on Chaldea and believes the final scrap is related. He cannot deduce anymore though with his analysis of the final scrap, but he says Babbage could provide a deeper analysis. The group then return to Babbage’s castle with El-Melloi II, Astraea, and EMIYA. 
Back at the castle, Babbage agrees to analyze the scrap after hearing of the group’s situation. El-Melloi II deduces the enemy pities them with good yet ill intentions. He then recommends they all rest. Gray requests to comb his hair in that case, noticing how messy it is, and scolds El-Melloi II for getting sloppy now that he’s a Servant. El-Melloi II tries to stop her from combing her hair when Reines realizes why she, Luvia, and Gray were summoned. It was because El-Melloi II failed, meaning when he created the corpse because he was driven into a corner. She, Gray, and Luvia were more inclined to be summoned because of their deep connections with him. But while Gray could reasonably qualify as a Servant, the same cannot be said for Luvia or Reines, so Reines deduces it was thanks to Zhuge Liang’s Noble Phantasm. El-Melloi II confirms it was Chu Shi Biao, though it wouldn't have been as effective if humanity wasn't dire strait or if not for Singularity's particular circumstances. He apologizes to Reines, Luvia, and Gray for getting into the situation, as he didn’t expect them to get summoned.
Later, while everyone is resting, he and Gray encounter Ritsuka in the hallway after they spoke with Reines. He finds it great they could connect with her, despite her behavior, and admires their ability to connect with the feelings that matter. He then tells Ritsuka there is no need to resolve the Singularity since it will collapse on its own and recommends they return to Chaldea once they reestablish contact. But Ritsuka is determined to see through things to the end. El-Melloi II says some might call Ritsuka reckless or foolish, but he sees it as one of their strengths. He swears as their Servant to do all he can to assist, something Gray also swears to. Reines then rushes in to show the three that the supposed Clock Tower was actually a fake Rhongomyniad. 
Babbage reports many steam ghosts and automatons are emerging from its interior, with approximately 80% of them heading out to capture Ritsuka. He then gives his analysis of the final scrap, revealing the enemy is related to Chaldea. El-Melloi II assumes them to be a traitor since they knew both Mash’s appearance and mannerisms. Babbage then gives the second name revealed in his analysis: Mnemosyne, a system of Chaldea. Reines and Astraea decide to assault the fake Rhongomyniad, but Babbage warns against it with all the enemies swarming out. Gray says she could clear a path, but she lacks the magical energy to do so. El-Melloi II suggests collecting the smaller scraps for magical energy and asks Babbage to provide a countermeasure against their fabricated memories.
Joined by Babbage, the group search for the smaller scraps, and fight through their fabricated memories. Following a battle against fabrications of Ultra Heroine Z, and later a fabrication of Mysterious Heroine XX called Super Heroine ZZ, everyone is left exhausted seeing so many Artoria Faces. El- Melloi II confesses it took him some time to get used to the phenomena when he came to Chaldea and tells Gray she'll be fine for long as she wears her hood. Ritsuka doesn’t recall such a battle, so El-Melloi II suspects the enemy added possible memories. He also rejects Reines' suggestion he write a report on Chaldea to the Lords, believing even a Pseudo-Servant should strive to have as few ties to the modern world as possible.Fate/Grand Order - Lady Reines Case Files, Saber Wars ?!
Afterwards, the group defeated a fabrication of Gawain at Camelot's front gate , though his Gift of Nightlessness wasn’t functioning.Fate/Grand Order - Lady Reines Case Files, Deplorable Wall
Next, they defeat a fabrication of Black Iri, who transforms into a corrupt version of Illyasviel von Einzbern. El-Melloi II confesses he only knew IIlyasviel by name from the relevant documentation. When asked by Reines how he feels about the fabrication, he recalls his experiences with the alternate Fourth Grail War and is thankful he got to see the fabrication. But regardless, he now understands his actions can affect the world and finds it fortunate he got a chance to understand who he is.Fate/Grand Order - Lady Reines Case Files, Bullets and Grail...
Afterwards, the group defeats fabrications of Heracles and Medea on the Argo followed by fabrications of a corrupted Benkei.Fate/Grand Order - Lady Reines Case Files, To Deceive or To Be Deceived?Fate/Grand Order - Lady Reines Case Files, Master and Servant El-Melloi II concurs with Reines that you should hold onto their memories, as everything, including regrets, make people who they are and who they'll become. He continues that even if your chosen path only keads to failure, you must keep walking it using what your predecessors gave you.
With the smaller scraps collected, Gray uses their magical energy to create a crystal staircase to the fake Rhongomyniad. El-Melloi II stays behind while Ritsuka, Reines, Astraea, and Gray ascend the stairs, as he has very little of Zhuge Liang’s power left. He then meets with Babbage, who declares he and his troops will defend the citizenry. El-Melloi II finds him strange for wanting to be removed from an irrational dream, yet he is still willing to defend it. Babbage accepts it’s a dream, but he wants to defend its people until the end, for not doing so would be contrary to his duties as Heroic Spirit. El-Melloi II agrees and offers his expertise as a tactician. EMIYA also offers his help and explains that he’s only acting on Astraea’s behest. He wonders if they met before, but El-Melloi II replies they haven’t. Even if they did, he finds it more likely that the current version of himself has no affiliation with EMIYA.
After returning to Chaldea following the Singularity’s collapse with Mnemosyne’s demise, El-Melloi II apologizes for getting Ritsuka into such a dangerous situation. Ritsuka’s joke about Mash being a fake displeases him, as he doesn’t need to re-experience the feeling he got when he realized there was a fake Mash. He then deduces the Da Vinci Mnemosyne saw in the end was Reines using Sima Yi's Noble Phantasm, Unspeakable Formation, as it exploits weaknesses and Da Vinci was Mnemosyne's. Of course, that's only what he feels happened. He is also surprised Gray returned with him, as he merely felt the pull of Rhongomyniad. Da Vinci realizes the Grail must have responded to Gray and Rhongomyniad’s wish to stay with El-Melloi II.Fate/Grand Order - Lady Reines's Case Files - Epilogue
====Interlude====
In his first interlude , he explains his conditions to Ritsuka, Mash, and Romani, and further explains the difference between Demi-Servant and Pseudo-Servant. He demonstrated his abilities, and analyses the Ritsuka's potential as a master.Fate/Grand Order - Caster interlude 01: Heroic Spirit Possession
In his second interlude , Lord El-Melloi II stares at the beach alone, he seems unapproachable as Shielder and the Protagonist hesitated to approach him. He was disappointed at the sea as he watches the waves of the sea. He explains that even though the sea was named Okeanos because of the Holy Grail, it is an underwhelming experience as the sea is not infinite and doesn't live up to it is name. Fou warns them about approaching enemies. After defeating some monsters, he gifted the protagonist with Gemstones Mystic Code.Fate/Grand Order - Caster interlude 02: Boundless Sea
In his third interlude , Lord El-Melloi II discovered himself turning into his younger self. He blames Stheno and Euryale for his sudden transformation. They travelled to the Shaped Isle, Waver demanded Stheno to dispel her curse. As negotiation turned sour, Stheno send her Golems to fight. Later Stheno and Euryale calls Medusa to fight. Although the goddesses defeated yet again, it turns out that Stheno and Euryale were not involved in his transformation. Waver is determined to find a way to get back to his old form back.Fate/Grand Order - Caster interlude 03: The Truth of Readvent
===Fate/Grand Carnival===
===Other appearances===
In Fate/hollow ataraxia, Shirou Emiya occasionally sees Rin Tohsaka appears as a Red strategist known as . She gives advice to Shirou with reference to 's .
==Abilities==
===Combat===
Caster is a Pseudo-Servant, strictly speaking he is neither El-Melloi II nor Zhuge Liang. For the grand goal of safeguarding humanity, their strengths and weaknesses were combined. Intermixing the two forces, shows the power that is not the original Servant. His combat strength may somewhat lacking, but he compensate for it with intellect. His knowledge, experience, and preparedness have somehow been fused with Zhuge Liang. Stheno calls him an A-Class Servant.
While Waver Velvet uses Western magecraft, Zhuge Liang uses Fangshi.Fate/Grand Order - Taigong Wang voice lines - Translated by Comun
It turns out that his transformation to his younger self is thanks to Saint Graph Readvent. His powers as a Servant has not dropped. The form represents "the origin of an idea", it is most appropriate to when Caster fighting in the "leading role".
His skill as a magus actually is not much different from Ritsuka Fujimaru. He can make monster agitated by making their pheromones excited. El-Melloi II uses Bagua Mirrors and Zhuge Liand's iconic feather fan in battle. He uses various elemental spells such as fire, earth, wind, ice and lightning, along with various energy beams.
===Skills===
====Class Skills====
*Territory Creation (A Rank): Creation of a "Workshop" territory that is advantageous to himself as a magus. It’s possible to create the Stone Sentinel Maze that surpasses a “Workshop”.Fate/Grand Order material I - Zhuge Liang (Lord El-Melloi II) profile translated by castor212 at Beast's Lair
*Item Construction (B Rank): By borrowing Zhuge Liang’s power, he is capable of creating various arms and tools from his legend, such as the repeating crossbow. However, only the drug of immortality that Zhuge Liang had failed to acquired cannot be created.
====Personal Skills====
*Discerning Eye (A Rank): Unique skill. This skill did not originate from Zhuge Liang, but rather from El-Melloi II. A variant of Human Observation, this skill allows the user to tell the observed target how to maximize their full potential.Fate/Grand Order
*Tactician's Advice (A+ Rank): A Skill bestowed to Servants of the strategist type. By means of understanding and analysis of the situation, he is able to grant correct advice to allies. The higher the rank, the higher the chance of said advice to be correct. On A+ rank, no matter what sorts of unforeseen circumstances is included, said advice will always hit the mark 100%. Opposing it requires a luck on the level that can defeat any and every kind of analysis, or possession of the Skill.
*Tactician's Command (A+ Rank): A Skill bestowed to Servants of the strategist type. It brings forth the maximum power of an army one belongs to. On A+ rank, it possesses the power equal to that of death troops determined to fight to the death as they exhaust their life.
===Noble Phantasms===
Zhuge Liang's first Noble Phantasm is Unreturning Formation.
Zhuge Liang's second Noble Phantasm is Chu Shi Biao.
==Development==
===Creation and Conception===
Zhuge Liang was designed by Takashi Takeuchi in Fate/Grand Order, the coloring of Stage 4 was done by Shimokoshi. His scenario writer is Yuuichirou Higashide in Fate/Grand Order.
===Comment from Illustrator===
"The idea of the third ascension being Waver felt like a good idea when it struck me, but upon the implementation I felt somewhat anxious if it would be a disappointing development for those who like El-Melloi II. I am really relieved that I don’t need to worry about that thanks to the option of being able to choose the ascension stage." (Takashi Takeuchi)
==References==
it:Zhuge Liang
Category:Caster-class Servants
Category:Characters in Fate/Grand Order (Part 1)
Category:Servants
Category:Brynhildr's Beloved
Category:Humans
Category:Chinese Servants
Category:Heroic Spirits
Category:Neutral Good Servants
Category:Human Attribute Servants
Category:Pseudo-Servants
Category:E rank Strength Servants
Category:E rank Endurance Servants
Category:A+ rank Mana Servants
Category:B+ rank Luck Servants
Category:D rank Agility Servants
Category:A rank Noble Phantasm Servants
Category:Introduced in 2015
Category:Voice - Daisuke Namikawa
Category:Magi
Category:Romance of the Three Kingdoms (topic)