Lost along the Ancient Dusty Road

"To trace it back to the beginning, we have to go back to the Third Holy Grail War, when Einzbern, in an attempt to compensate for his lack of skill in combat Magecraft, exploited a loophole to illegally summon the eighth-class Avenger..."

A clear, melodious voice slowly recounted the story, from Angra Mainyu to the corrupted Holy Grail, from All the World's Evils to the wish-granting machine twisted by malice. Although those present knew some of this information, it could be dismissed as Caster's seductive ravings back then. But now—with Irisviel issuing Command Seals to "tell the truth," it meant that these horrifying events were indeed true.

"The threat posed by the corrupted Holy Grail is serious enough to warrant the attention of the Counter Force, and I have been sent to deal with this problem."

Caster concludes by stating his mission, implying that he has no interest in the Holy Grail and hopes to gain more assistance through this mission.

"So that's how it is. Then what have I been doing all these years for...?"

The first one to be overwhelmed by the information was surprisingly the usually composed Kiritsugu Emiya. He had risked everything for the Holy Grail, suppressing his own love and family ties, only to suddenly learn of this truth, and the taut string he had been holding together finally reached its limit.

"It's alright, Kiritsugu, it's not too late, is it?"

Knowing what kind of person her husband was, Irisviel went over and gently embraced Kiritsugu, doing everything she could to comfort her lover.

"So, Caster, what are your plans?"

The question was asked by Tokiomi Tohsaka. After losing his servant and being defeated by Yanye, this man had adjusted his mindset—an elegant nobleman is not afraid of failure, but even less able to lose his composure!

As the manager of the Fuyuki ley lines, he naturally had to do everything in his power to deal with the monster that was lurking beneath his feet after learning what kind of monster it was.

"Of course, that's exactly why I came here," Jizi said confidently. "First, let's summon the Holy Grail!"

After a moment of silence--

"Nani!"*n

Among those who gasped in surprise was Kariya Matou, because Jizi hadn't told them about the method to purify the Holy Grail beforehand, only saying that everything would be left to her when the time came.

However, since we're talking about summoning the Holy Grail, one of the necessary conditions is the equivalent magical power of six Servants' souls, and the other is the heart of the Lesser Grail —that is, Irisviel's —both are indispensable. Currently, only Assassin and Archer are confirmed to have returned to the Holy Grail. Could it be that Caster is going to...?

"Don't look so scary," Jizi waved his hand, speaking innocently, "How could I possibly take down all the other Servants in one go?"

"And could Mr. Magus Killer please not be so tense?"

"Whoosh!" Everyone turned to look at Kiritsugu, who had been called out. He stood resolutely in front of his wife, a grenade clutched in his hand, ready to risk his life.

Knowing the truth about the Holy Grail, he would never trade Irisviel's life for it.

"Don't worry, Mr. Emiya. If I really wanted to do something, I wouldn't need to waste time talking to you. I could just do it, and you wouldn't have a chance." Jizi turned her gaze to the entrance of the Tohsaka Residence. "Judging by the time, it's about time."

-------------The Other Side--------------

The outcome of some battles is decided before they even begin.

With Sakura Matou as his master, Berserker has a sufficient supply of magic power, and his stats are much higher than when Yanye was the master. At the same time, Jizi has given him Props to keep him conscious, and since he no longer needs to hide his identity, he can draw "Arondight" without any worries when fighting.

In contrast, the combined magical energy that Lancer receives from Kayneth, whose magic is nearly exhausted, and Sola-Ui, who lacks any Magecraft talent, is pitifully small. His most reliable weapon, the "Gae Dearg" (①), has been taken away by Jizi, and the remaining Gae Buidhe faces the threat that "Knight does not die with empty hands." At the same time, Lancer himself is disheartened and has resolved to die.

The blades had only clashed a few times when Diarmuid -Audina's body could no longer bear the strain, and he could only maintain his stance by leaning on his spear.

"That's enough!" Lancelot, with his integrity, or rather, his composure, was unwilling to take advantage of the situation and issued a declaration of cessation of hostilities.

"Ha... ha... you're still far from it!" The Knight didn't appreciate the compliment and shakily assumed an attacking stance again.

"Enough!" Lancelot was enraged by his opponent's self-destructive attitude. "Don't let your name and honor be tarnished!"

"..." Lancelot's rebuke brought a moment of silence, then Diarmuid suddenly burst into laughter, "Hahahaha! Titles and honors, what do I have left for them! I betrayed my lord and was betrayed by him, and even after returning to the world, I cannot gain his trust. What is there for someone like me to care about?"

Because of Jizi, Lancelot knew a thing or two about Diarmuid. Hearing him say this, he couldn't find any words to comfort him for a moment, but he couldn't bear to let him leave with such resentment, so he asked again:

Are you content with this situation?

"What can I do even if I'm unwilling to accept it?"

A spear thrust forward, riddled with openings.

"If you're not satisfied, then do something to change things!"

He easily dodged to the side.

"What can I do? Is there anything I can do to wash off these stains?"

He staggered back, only to be met with another weak shot.

"Um..."

Without dodging, he grabbed the gun barrel with his hand and took it from the gun.

"Saving the world—do you think that's enough of a feat?"

------------Inside Tohsaka Residence ------------

"Hey, that's a bit slow, Yangtze."

Seeing the two Knight enter one after the other, Jizi waved and greeted them.

"I am the Knight of the Lake!" the leader answered reflexively, then quickly added, "This isn't a detail; it matters to me!"

"Well, I get it," Jizi said, turning to Lancer instead of teasing Lancelot. "How was it, Radiant Visage? What did you get in return for your last bit of trust?"

"Stop making fun of me like that," Lancer replied with a wry smile.

"It's not that I'm mocking you, I just want to confirm your current level of awareness. What do you want to do—"

"Lord Lancelot has already told me the specifics. Eradicating All the World's Evil is the duty of us Heroic Spirit. Moreover, given the opportunity to participate in the great cause of saving the world, how could I not go through fire and water!"

"Not bad eye," Jizi smiled. "Gaia and Alaya will surely remember this favor. With the approval of the world's will, you can be freed from the sins you've inflicted upon yourself."

"I have no such request, it's just that—"

"Oh dear, I know, I know. You want to be a loyal Knight, right? Think about it another way. Since you're Heroic Spirit, your master is naturally the Counter Force. Being loyal to them is a way to fulfill your wish, isn't it?"

"... If that's the case," Lancer digested Jizi's concept, "It's not wrong."

"Okay, okay, stop worrying about it. Let's leave it at that." Seeing that Lancer hadn't completely resolved his inner conflict, Jizi decided against further counseling. She turned to someone in the room and said:

"The actors are all in position, so let's begin."

Jizi Princess Carry Irisviel to a long table covered with magical runes Magic Circle, and looked down at the beautiful woman, saying:

"It might hurt a little, but as long as it goes smoothly, you'll be fine."

"It's alright, Caster," Irisviel smiled gently, "I prepared myself for this many years ago. It's okay even if we can't save her."

"Airi..."*2

Upon hearing this, Saber and Kiritsugu, who were protecting her, couldn't help but speak, but then realized that the two of them were inexplicably in sync, so they quickly shut up.

"You definitely will," Jizi emphasized again, unsure whether she was trying to convince her or herself. "You will live on, watch Illya grow up, and see her dressed in all sorts of clothes."

"Alright, Caster still remembers this...?"

"Children without mothers will be very lonely." For some reason, Jizi thought of herself and added another sentence as if possessed.

"Could it be that you, Caster—"

"Nothing! It's starting!"

The Magic Circle began to emit a magical glow, and at that moment, Jizi removed her hood and mask, plucked a strand of hair from her head, and then—

"If you lack magic, I'll make up the difference! Come forth, Divine Dragon... I mean, the Holy Grail!"

These Three Ahoge), omnipotent Props bestowed by the gods and containing almost infinite magic power, are more than enough to fill the remaining three servants' magical energy needs.

The earth's ley lines trembled along with Jizi's movements, and the spiritual energy of the entire Fuyuki City was now converging on the Tohsaka Residence. The ultimate crystallization of that immense magical power was the Holy Grail.

Although the aura was earth-shattering, it only lasted for a few minutes. After everything calmed down, everyone saw a golden cup floating in mid-air above the long table in front of Caster.

Irisviel was still lying on that table, but she seemed to have stopped breathing.

"The Holy Grail..."

The crowd looked at the small cup with mixed feelings; it was for this very cup that ancient heroes and Magecraft of the past were forced to fight each other.

Just as everyone was filled with emotion and wanted to express their feelings, a harmonious voice suddenly rang out—

"That's the Holy Grail. Give it to me."

His tone was very flat, as if he were talking about something trivial.

"Kirei!"

Tokiomi looked at the person who emerged from the woods in surprise, "Shouldn't you have left Fuyuki...?"

"Excuse me, Master," Kirei rudely interrupted Tokiomi, "I was not speaking to you."

"..." Tokiomi was momentarily speechless at his disciple's attitude.

"Give me the Holy Grail, Kariya Matou!"

"What?" Yanye was very surprised to be called out, but the next second his mind was filled with anger.

Because Kirei Kotomine was holding someone in his raised right hand—

"Rin!" Sister!

Her clothes were somewhat torn but there were no obvious wounds. The one who was unconscious and being held hostage by Kirei was none other than Rin Tohsaka, who had just arrived in Fuyuki during the day and even met with Sakura!

"Give me the Holy Grail."

His tone remained flat.

------------Notes------------

① It's true, Diarmuid's strongest weapon is the Gae Dearg. That's how the original story goes. On the morning he died, Grannir had a bad feeling and advised him to take his "strongest weapon"—the Gae Dearg —but he didn't listen and went out with the Gae Buidhe instead, and then he died... If he had taken the Gae Dearg that day, the ending might have been different.

--------------------The content of the main text has not been released--------------

Before Jizi acknowledged Irisviel as her master, but before she set off for the Tohsaka Residence.

"You can use Command Seals to confirm my sincerity!"

"Well, your attitude is enough for me to trust you."

Oh... thank you so much!

"But there are still some things I want to know~"

"What?"

"Heh, so in the name of the Command Seals —Caser, when you first met us you said you loved Saber. You knew Saber was a girl then, right? Was your confession of love sincere? Answer me truthfully!"

"Huh? Why are you asking this? -- Waaaaaah --"

"Covering your mouth won't help; can you resist the will of the Command Seals?"

"Um... I, I knew back then that Saber was a girl... um..."

"Oh~ and then?" (Joyful)

"My love is genuine—or rather, I got even more excited after finding out she was a girl! I want to do all sorts of things with her now—mmmmmmmm!"

"Hey, Caster, what are you and Alice talking about?"

"Oh, Saber, I'm telling you..."

"Mmm mmm mmm! You are the most beautiful little apple in my sky! My skateboard shoes are so fashionable! My Ruyi Jingu Bang is so awesome! I love you! My brother is carrying a knife!"

"Hey Caster, what are you suddenly chanting? Is it Magecraft spell?"

"Hehe, if Caster doesn't want to talk about it, then so be it. So this is what Caster is like... Hehehe, what a cute kid~"