Reaching the Root was by no means easy.
After entering the black hole, Shiki first arrived inside the Holy Grail.
This was a pure white space. The Winter Saintess, dressed in a Heavenly Dress, had been waiting here for a long time.
The moment she saw Shiki, a faint smile appeared on the Saintess's reserved face, her eyes brimming with unconcealed joy.
She held out her hand to Shiki and said, "Shiki, come quickly. We're almost there."
"Is that so? That's good, then."
Shiki reached out and took the Saintess's hand.
This was their first true physical contact.
Previously, the Saintess had communicated with him through Irisviel's body. Though that counted as a form of contact, there had still been a barrier between them, making it feel unreal.
Only when he held the Saintess's fair, soft hand did Shiki truly realize that a body created through Soul Materialization had warmth as well.
He could not help but sigh. Magecraft truly was the power of miracles—the power he had always pursued. He hoped it could help him fulfill his wish.
Lost in thought, Shiki forgot to let go of the Saintess's hand.
Held by a boy for so long, the Saintess's heartbeat quickened, and a blush spread across her Soul Materialization face.
She stared at Shiki, the fluttering in her heart seeming ready to rise straight out of her throat.
This was also her first true physical contact with a man. It reminded her of the joy and happiness she had felt when she spent time with Shiki before.
Having absorbed much knowledge, the Saintess understood clearly what this meant. Rather than reject such feelings, she chose to preserve them.
She felt that they were not merely companions pursuing a dream. She desired something more.
This was an emotion she had