Chapter 607
Such a fleeting, yet so beloved time.
This is the true life of the being who was bestowed upon this being who calls himself Goetia.
With the disappearance of Goetia, the Temple of Time collapsed completely.
When Ritsuka Fujimaru escaped from the Temple of Time in dire straits, she was panting heavily, in excruciating pain, and her consciousness was fading in the familiar white corridor of Chaldea.
Upon returning, the first person he met was the Consultant, whom he was meeting for the first time all along.
Novia stood before her, calmly gazing at humanity's last Master.
"You've worked hard, Ritsuka."
Final Chapter: La Repos – Place of Rest.
The sounds of the Moon Holy Grail's core operating ceased to exist at this moment.
SE. RA. PH..
The stage for the Moon Holy Grail War is a space whose deepest part is designated as the "Sanctuary".
Everything is in standby mode.
A certain girl— Kishinami Hakuno —simply stood there.
His own consciousness is very weak.
My sense of touch is also very weak.
It's as if she's just a background texture in this world, something that can be dispensed or not.
... wrong.
It doesn't even qualify as a sticker.
It's probably just an insignificant cache file that will be cleared at any time.
"Kishinami Hakuno."
The voice of a servant.
This pulled Kishinami Hakuno's consciousness back from its meaninglessness.
She looked up at her Servant, Novia.
For the first time, Novia did not address Hakuno as Master.
However, for Hakuno, Novia was indeed different from the other Servant.
I had a vague feeling about it from the very beginning.
They are not here to "fight," but to "witness."
In this false Twilight, only his presence stood out so vividly, completely different from his surroundings.
For the girl named Kishinami Hakuno,
He was her sword, her contractor, her...
The path to the 'Answer' is right before us.
"I know."
Kishinami Hakuno's answer was so brief as to be almost meaningless.
But this is a necessary response.
It was a signal confirming that the "line" between her and Novia was open.
"So before that, I need to confirm one thing."
Novia extended her hand.
Kishinami Hakuno did not answer, his gaze remaining indifferent.
Ah, here it comes.
Is this the final confirmation stage of the contract?
It's such a cliché plot, like when you reach the final boss in a game and a system message pops up. "The following choices will greatly affect the ending, do you want to save?" It's just as boring.
The girl inwardly spat, but outwardly maintained her calm demeanor and remained silent.
What kind of victory do you expect from me?
A weighty problem.
Rather, it's a matter of cunning.
Giving me the power to define things means pushing all the responsibility onto me.
Honestly, my Servant, you're always so willful in places like this.
Kishinami Hakuno still did not answer.
Just watching.
Then, in an instant, a massive "noise" surged into the girl's consciousness, and she "saw" countless stars twinkling within Novia's being.
Firstly,
It is the fire of Wisdom that illuminates the way forward; its posture is absolute "reason," free from confusion and wavering.
Kishinami Hakuno remained completely unmoved by this.
Teacher? Give me a break. All that earnest instruction is the worst kind of thing. And then to take all the credit for victory and conclude with, "It's all thanks to my excellent guidance," is that the kind of self-satisfied person you'd be considered a liability in the workplace?
That's what he said, but Hakuno even imagined seeing what kind of expression this "Teacher" would have when he forced her to clean the toilet with Command Spell.
This is rejected.
Secondly,
It was a scorching, oppressive force that seemed to burn away the very soul; its posture was absolute "power," a walking natural disaster capable of shattering all that was unreasonable.
Kishinami Hakuno narrowed her eyes slightly, feeling a bit annoyed by the presence, like a mosquito flying into an air-conditioned room in the summer.
God? Ha, that kind of thing is the most troublesome when it gets out of control, and...
Hakuno's gaze unconsciously drifted to the other's chest, which was bulging due to the force of the blow.
... I have a feeling that it's not easy to 'start' with it now; the texture will definitely become harder, right?
A terribly unromantic thought flashed across the brown-haired girl's expressionless face.
This one was also rejected.
Thirdly,
It symbolizes the light of the Future; that posture represents absolute "love," a noble act of sacrificing oneself to save everyone.
For the first time, Kishinami Hakuno's brow furrowed slightly.
... Here comes the option I dislike the most.
Her sharp tongue was ruthless.
Saving everything? Including the enemy? Hey, are you kidding me? This is a battlefield! What nonsense are you spouting? Trampling everyone's resolve underfoot, using your self-righteous gentleness to deny the fight...
Hakuno's fingers curled unconsciously, as if driven by an urge to grasp or crush something.
Don't presume to decide what a gentle ending is for me, you bastard.
This is absolutely rejected.
Kishinami Hakuno looked at Novia.
Looking at this partner who had been with him all along, from nothing to this point, he felt a pang of sadness.
She suddenly found it somewhat ridiculous.
Now that things have come to this, you're still asking me what my expectations are?
Then,
The girl took a step.
Their actions refuted the entire issue raised by Novia.
Kishinami Hakuno walked up to Novia, so close that he could see his own expressionless face reflected in her blue eyes.
She knew that Novia was laying everything bare to show his trust in her, but behind that trust lay a calm confidence that said, "I've prepared everything for you."
It's as if he's saying that no matter which path he chooses, he can deliver a Perfection victory.
Hakuno disliked this composure, and she also disliked this pre-arranged "correctness."
My battle, our battle... is not some cheap game that you can beat by simply following a walkthrough.
Therefore,
Kishinami Hakuno reached out, his fingertips touching Novia's heart through her uniform.
Listen carefully, Novia.
The voice was cold, yet it carried a burning heat that even the speaker was unaware of.
"Don't turn into anything else on your own. Anything is fine with you."
For the first and last time, the girl's eyes revealed a pure and undisguised possessiveness.
"You are my Servant."
His words were firm and resolute.
"--Don't shine."
"All you need to do is stay by my side and be my 'sword'."
"Sharp, silent, wielded only for me—I need nothing else."
"This is my victory. Give it to me, and etch it firmly into your soul."
After saying this, Kishinami Hakuno turned around and faced the Door that represented the end and the beginning.
Very good.
Redundant options have been removed.
My sword now only bears my name.
That should be enough... I guess.
"Why are you suddenly bringing this up?"
Ritsuka's voice was filled with just the right amount of helplessness. She stopped wiping the baking tray, turned her head, and looked at Zabi-ko, who was leaning on the counter, poking at the glass candy jar with one finger.
This friend who always has no expression.
Sunlight streamed through the glass window, gently illuminating Ritsuka's profile, her signature side ponytail swaying softly with her movements.
The girl wore comfortable black pantyhose and easy-to-move boots, with a Bakery apron over them.
This outfit makes her look reliable and approachable, like a friendly older sister next door, rather than Master once bore the weight of all Human History.
"Because the baguettes that came out of the oven today have just the right firmness." Zabi-ko raised her face, her light brown pupils revealing no emotion, and answered seriously, "They're perfect as weapons. They remind me of the past."
"Huh? Who starts such a heavy topic by talking about the hardness of food?!" Ritsuka couldn't help but complain, picking up a lump of fermented dough and pressing it down hard, as if venting her frustration. "And that super cool declaration before the final battle, don't say it like it came out with an 'achoo'! The atmosphere! The atmosphere is completely ruined!"
"Really? I think it's very romantic!"
A vibrant voice came from the side. Hibino Hibiki was holding her face in her hands, her eyes Gilgamesh as she looked at Zabi-ko, her face full of longing and excitement.
A few strands of that energetic short hair stood up as if in excitement.
"In the end, the choice wasn't power or reason, but 'You are mine'! Wow... Dad was actually so... so strongly dominated by Senior Hakuno Kishinami in that battle! So cool! So romantic!"
"Domination..."
Ritsuka's lips twitched slightly.
She looked at Hibiki, who was completely oblivious and excited, and then at Hakuno, who remained calm and composed, even showing satisfaction with the word "dominate." She really didn't want to say anything more.