Chapter 639
The exiled goddess neither lamented the slander she had suffered nor resented the gods who had banished her.
It's simply a matter of endless praise for the world and humanity.
In the world of gods, error (madness) is a necessary existence, which is why she was created.
However, human folly has no reason or symbolism.
Therefore, this world cannot escape madness and has no need for her.
Therefore, her body did not decay; it was assimilated into the world from the very beginning.
Humanity is both foolish and intelligent; it doesn't need a god like her to deliberately implant madness, as it already contains the duality of honor and destruction.
"Humans will eventually replace the gods and ascend to the throne of primates on this planet."
After leaving behind this prophecy, which seemed like a curse to others, the tide of information—the mad goddess Ate— happily merged into the world.
After that--
Over a long period of time, the remnants of the goddess gradually transformed into something that no longer belonged to elves or humans.
They were individuals who inherited the qualities of the mad goddess Ate, yet were entirely different—that was them.
The embodiment of "folly," Magecraft named François Prelati.
He met the Lady of the Lake and learned Magecraft from them.
By imitating nightmares, illusions were also incorporated into the concept of madness.
He met his one and only true friend in his life and witnessed how he gradually fell from an honest and upright soldier into the abyss of madness.
Even after thousands or tens of thousands of years, the remnants of the mad goddess are still enjoying and witnessing the beauty of humankind.
This Holy Grail War also...
"----------!"
A metallic clang pierced the air.
Francesca's eyes widened as chains shot down from below, tightly binding her feet.
That was the Chains of Enkidu, the Chains of Heaven, which she had seen in the crystal ball before.
... unable to break free.
No matter how she changes bodies or severs ties with her past, she cannot deny her essence as a god.
Shirou released a total of three chains.
One rope tightly bound Francesca, while the other two gently wrapped around Rin and Luvia's waists.
After that, everyone returned safely to the ground.
Francesca and Prelati were bound by the Chains of Heaven, completely unable to move, and unable to even use Single Action Magecraft.
"The task of interrogating them is now yours."
After confirming that they really couldn't do anything, Shirou handed the two over to the Magecraft in El-Melloi Classroom.
"Shirou, what about you?" Luvia asked.
Since Shirou was the one who caught the person, it would be better for him to personally preside over the trial.
"I hate troublesome things, so I won't get involved."
Shirou said, "If I'm not mistaken, this guy must have set up a lot of traps and mechanisms when he was modifying the Greater Grail."
Remember to ask clearly during the interrogation, and be extremely careful when dismantling the Greater Grail...
"Well, I think Waver should be arriving in United States soon. With him around, everything should be fine, right?"
"Hey hey hey hey! The teacher's come to United States too?! No way!"
The members of El-Melloi Classroom screamed in agony—they had actually come to fight without their teacher's knowledge.
"Then, until we meet again, everyone."
Shirou waved his hand and turned to leave.
The biggest mastermind has been caught, and the remaining mastermind, having lost his Servant (Hassan of the Lurking Shadow), can do nothing more.
The remaining finishing touches are left to Sajyou Ayaka and everyone in El-Melloi Classroom.
Shirou had already confirmed their abilities, so he was quite at ease.
He planned to go and meet Gugalanna, then return to Uruk.
"Shirou!!"
A voice called out to him from behind.
"You're not planning to just leave like this, are you?"
Shirou turned around and saw Rin Tohsaka staring at him menacingly.
Volume 8: Chapter 398 Rin Tohsaka, the Husband-Chasing Type, Activates the Second Magic!
"Shirou!!"
Rin Tohsaka caught up, panting, and shouted at the boy's retreating figure.
"You're not planning to just leave like this, are you?"
Shirou stopped in his tracks.
Rin Tohsaka maintained a distance of about ten meters from him, her mouth slightly open as if she wanted to say something, but she couldn't utter a word.
"Ah, I have to go."
Shirou calmly said, "The reason I came into this world was to search for the lost Bull of Heaven."
Once the Gugalanna is recovered, I will have no reason to remain in this world.
"..."
Rin Tohsaka paused for a moment, then showed a relieved expression.
"To be honest, I had a strange feeling about you from the first moment I saw you, and sure enough, that's why..."
You... don't actually remember anything about me, do you?
The girl standing in front of Shirou was more than five years older than the Shirou remembered.
Her beautiful and well-proportioned features had become slightly more mature, but her long black hair still shone like the night sky.
Exotic blue eyes, and full, rosy lips.
Her shapely figure exudes the charm of a mature woman, while also radiating an imposing aura.
Shirou suddenly remembered Delacroix's famous painting, an oil painting on the theme of the France Revolution, featuring the Statue of Liberty guiding the people forward.
Rin Tohsaka Shirou was unaware of this, but even so, he understood that she would grow into such a woman.
"Tohsaka, you've grown up."
"..."
Shirou's words caused Rin Tohsaka's shoulders to tremble slightly.
She suppressed the unease in her voice and said, "Yes, I've grown up, and I've continued to move forward since then!!"
But... it seems you're still stuck in the "past."
Shirou nodded. "Yes, it's a great pity. I'm not the 'Shirou Amamiya' you know."
Or rather, I am not yet the "Shirou Amamiya" you know.
It will probably be a while before I meet the "past" you again.
If Shirou's prediction is correct--
"Rin Tohsaka of this world" once met her future self.
Something must have happened, which is why she knows about her situation, while Shirou is completely unaware of hers.
They were two people who met and reunited on the wrong timeline.
Shirou said, "I'm sorry, I've been keeping this from you... I actually have no memory of ever meeting you."
"Well, there's nothing we can do about it."
Rin Tohsaka stared at the ground with a lonely look on her face. "I thought... I'd finally waited for you to come back."
Although we didn't make any promises when we parted, I've always believed you'd come back someday.
But if you think about it carefully, this world has never been your final destination...
Haha, I never thought I'd be so presumptuous. How embarrassing.
Shirou said, "That's right. I understand that you have a lot to say to me, but it wouldn't make any difference even if you did."
I'm not the person you really want to confide in, and I don't understand what you're talking about.
Well... if I run into you again when you're younger, I'll take good care of her out of respect for you.
"Then I'll leave it to you, me when I was in high school."
Rin Tohsaka an adult, tossed her black hair and forced a smile.
"... Um."
Shirou nodded to her in agreement.
"I'm leaving now."
"Wait!!"
A few seconds later, Rin Tohsaka shouted again.
Shirou turned around and saw her biting her lip, saying, "Will you... come back someday?"
Wait until next time.
Once you have truly come to know me, please come back one more time.
At that time, I have something I want to say to you--
Rin Tohsaka's deep blue eyes revealed this will.
"------"
There was about five seconds of silence after that.
Although it was only five seconds, it was the longest five seconds of Rin's life.
There's no need for that.
Shirou spoke quietly.
I probably won't visit this world again.
"I knew it... that's how it is."
Shirou stared at the unfamiliar woman before him and spoke with utmost calmness.
"Yes, because I have no reason to see you again."
On the eve of the Fifth Holy Grail War.
At 2 a. m., Rin Tohsaka was in her basement.
The séance had just ended, and her Magic Circuits were paralyzed from overheating, causing her body to tremble uncontrollably.
It worked... I didn't mess it up!
Rin Tohsaka clenched her small fist.
She knows herself very well.