Chapter Summaries

Saber and Archer drove Cu Chulainn to retreat after he grew stronger and fell into a frenzy, while Tohsaka Rin began explaining the Holy Grail War to Shirou Emiya. At the church, Mage Killer and Gilgamesh recognized Cu Chulainn’s growth and prepared to exploit the changing situation.

• Tohsaka Rin told Saber that her role in the Holy Grail War was over, and Saber identified Cu Chulainn as Ireland’s Child of Light while noting something was wrong with him.
• Cu Chulainn grew stronger and prepared to fire his Noble Phantasm repeatedly, but Saber’s attack and his Master’s Command Spell restored his clarity.
• Cu Chulainn forced Archer back, then retreated as agreed with his Master; Archer and Saber both sensed an unsettling quality growing in him.
• Archer threatened Saber and Shirou Emiya, but Shirou stopped them, and Tohsaka Rin repaired the damaged house before explaining the war and advising Shirou to retrieve his Magic Crest.
• Cu Chulainn returned to the church and reported to Mage Killer, who sent him to watch the remaining Servants at the Mana Crystal Workshop.
• Mage Killer and Gilgamesh discussed Cu Chulainn’s unexpected growth and the changes to the course of events.

Shirou Emiya decided to withdraw from the Holy Grail War, and Kirei revealed that Shirou’s adoptive father had won the previous war. Xu Yue then arrived at the church to register Medea as his Servant and Assassin’s Master.

• After Tohsaka Rin explained the danger and how Shirou Emiya’s limited mana affected Saber, Shirou decided to give up being a Master.
• Tohsaka Rin brought Shirou Emiya and Saber to the church to meet Kirei, while Archer secretly watched them.
• Kirei asked how Shirou had summoned Saber, recognized him as an Emiya, and revealed that his adoptive father had participated in and won the previous Holy Grail War.
• Xu Yue arrived at the church with Medea and Rizelette, surprising Tohsaka Rin and Shirou Emiya, who realized they both knew him.
• Xu Yue registered Medea as his Servant and as the Master of the Assassin Class.

Sasaki Kojirou fought off Zouken Matou’s forces as they attacked the mana crystal Refining Workshop, while Cu Chulainn offered to help Zouken kill him under The Evil of This World’s influence. Medea left the church to support Kojirou, and Mage Killer realized his connection to Lancer had suddenly vanished.

• Sasaki Kojirou noticed a figure near the workshop, then drove his truck through the wall after enemies attacked it with shadows, insects, and chains.
• Rider Medusa failed to stop Kojirou’s truck, and Zouken Matou considered retreating before Sakura had grown strong enough.
• Cu Chulainn confronted Zouken Matou and offered to cooperate, drawn toward a black cylinder connected to the Holy Grail.
• Medea sensed the workshop attack and used Space Transfer to leave the church and provide support.
• Mage Killer felt pain in his hand and discovered that his connection with Lancer had disappeared.

Old Man Matou used Black Sakura’s subconscious to absorb Cu Chulainn and transform him into a powerful, still-conscious Black Dog. Cu Chulainn set out to destroy Kojirou’s truck, and the chapter ended as the two charged toward each other on the highway.

• Old Man Matou’s attempts to kill Kojirou and summon an Assassin had failed, but Cu Chulainn offered to cooperate with him.
• Black Sakura’s shadow absorbed Cu Chulainn and brought him back as a monstrous, enhanced Heroic Spirit.
• Cu Chulainn retained his consciousness and targeted Kojirou’s truck, which had escaped through the wilderness onto the highway.
• Kojirou spotted Cu Chulainn blocking the road and accelerated toward him as Cu Chulainn charged the truck.

Cu Chulainn wrecked Kojirou’s truck and advanced on him, but Medea’s aerial bombardment and Medusa’s charge disrupted the allied assault. Kojirou wounded Cu Chulainn with Swallow’s Return before being defeated and consumed by Black Sakura’s shadow.

• Cu Chulainn stopped Kojirou’s speeding truck with a physical collision, leaving Kojirou trapped at the mountain gate.
• Medea arrived and bombarded Cu Chulainn with magecraft missiles, forcing him back along the highway.
• Medusa rode her Heavenly Horse into battle and used Chivalry's Rein to tie Medea down, ending the aerial bombardment.
• Kojirou used Swallow’s Return to inflict three deep wounds on Cu Chulainn, but his katana shattered and Cu Chulainn blasted him into the mountain wall.
• A dwarfish black shadow burst from Kojirou, and Black Sakura’s shadow consumed what remained of him.

Medea retreated after the battle as Old Man Matou celebrated gaining control of three Heroic Spirits, while Xu Yue explained why Cu Chulainn’s corruption would help expand the Greater Holy Grail. The next day, Tohsaka Rin and Shirou Emiya visited Xu Yue and learned that the Mana Crystal Workshop had been occupied, though its crystals were keeping Sakura’s shadow from hunting ordinary people.

• Medea escaped Medusa, and Old Man Matou ordered Medusa to return after their side gained control of the true Assassin and the corrupted Lancer.
• The meeting to register the Masters’ records ended early, and Shirou Emiya chose to remain in the war and seek guidance from Xu Yue.
• Medea questioned Xu Yue about the plan to corrupt Cu Chulainn, and he explained that Heroic Spirit corruption could create a wider foundation for expanding the Greater Holy Grail.
• Tohsaka Rin and Shirou Emiya visited Xu Yue, where Rin learned that the Mana Crystal Workshop had been occupied and her family’s share had been lost.
• Xu Yue explained that the workshop’s mana crystals had replaced ordinary people as targets for Sakura’s shadow, stopping reports of gas leaks and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Xu Yue agreed to a temporary alliance with Shirou Emiya and Saber, then sent Medea to the Einzbern castle as battle erupted between Berserker Heracles and the blackened Cu Chulainn. Heracles was already losing ground against Cu Chulainn while Assassin Hassan fought the Battle Maid Corps.

• Tohsaka Rin explained Xu Yue’s influence in the magecraft world and asked him to accept Shirou Emiya and Saber into their alliance.
• Xu Yue agreed to protect Shirou for his adoptive father’s sake, but Saber insisted she still sought the Holy Grail.
• Xu Yue warned the group that Rider, Assassin, and an enhanced Lancer had formed a powerful coalition, and Shirou suggested recruiting the remaining Master.
• As the group hurried toward the Einzbern castle, Saber sensed a battle and rushed ahead; Xu Yue sent Medea to rescue Heracles if she could do so safely.
• Blackened Cu Chulainn fought Heracles while Hassan battled the Battle Maid Corps, and Heracles lost three of his resurrections before the Black Shadow joined the fight.

Tohsaka Rin and Archer bombarded Einzbern Castle to rescue Ilya and Brother B, but the Black Grail’s shadow survived and began spreading. Xu Yue appeared as the group prepared to retreat, claiming he knew techniques that could defeat it beyond the Holy Grail’s power.

• Medea used Space Transfer to rescue Ilya and Sella while Archer’s barrage of Fake Noble Phantasms destroyed Einzbern Castle.
• Tohsaka Rin replenished Archer’s mana with mana crystals as he bombarded the castle and the Einzbern Battle Maid Corps.
• Ilya used a Command Spell to summon Brother B back after he survived with only half his body remaining.
• Ilya warned the group that the Black Grail’s shadow could neutralize Heroic Spirit attacks and that the corrupted Heroic Spirit had likely survived.
• Xu Yue appeared before the group and offered to cover their retreat, saying he knew techniques beyond the Holy Grail.

Xu Yue stayed behind to confront Black Dog while Shirou Emiya and the others tried to escape the forest. After Xu Yue defeated Black Dog, Medusa and Hassan of the Cursed Arm blocked the group’s path as the Black Grail prepared to enter the battle.

• Archer urged Shirou Emiya and the others to retreat, leaving Xu Yue and Medea to face Black Dog.
• Black Dog emerged from the burning forest and attacked Xu Yue with the Black Grail’s power, but Xu Yue crippled him and stopped him from healing.
• Black Dog launched a second attack from behind, and Xu Yue froze him in midair before shattering the space around him.
• As Shirou Emiya and the others neared the forest’s edge, Medusa blocked the route with chains and Hassan of the Cursed Arm emerged from the shadows.
• The shadows around the group began to move as the Black Grail prepared to join the fight.

Archer stayed behind to hold off Hassan and the black shadows while the others fled, but he killed Hassan inside Unlimited Blade Works. Medusa then openly aided the fleeing group against the shadows, leaving Old Man Matou to pursue them with Hassan revived as a zombie.

• Archer warned the group that the black shadows could destroy anyone they touched, and Tohsaka Rin gave him mana-bead jewelry before the others fled.
• Hassan ordered Medusa to attack Archer, but Medusa chased after the group instead, leaving Hassan alone with Archer.
• Archer pulled Hassan into Unlimited Blade Works and killed him before he could react.
• Saber sensed Medusa following the group, and Ilya suggested that Sakura had sent her to help them.
• The black shadows attacked the group, while Medusa held back and they struggled to escape.
• Old Man Matou stitched Hassan's corpse back together with insects, then pursued the group as Medusa summoned the Heavenly Horse and helped them break free of the shadows.

Medusa rejected Old Man Matou and protected Shirou Emiya as the battle against the black shadow intensified. Archer revealed himself as Shirou Emiya from the future, sacrificed his arm and Reality Marble to hold off the enemy, and left Shirou with his arm; Xu Yue then confined the black shadow and brought Medea to the church, where he offered to treat Shirou.

• Medusa refused Old Man Matou, who sent zombie Hassan and the black shadow to attack the group.
• Shirou Emiya shielded Saber from the black shadow and was severely wounded, but Archer returned and held the enemy back.
• Archer told Shirou Emiya he was a Servant from the future, cut off his own arm, and charged Old Man Matou while Shirou noticed the arm and recalled Xu Yue's words.
• Archer used his Reality Marble to restrain Old Man Matou and the black shadow, but the shadow eventually broke free and devoured him.
• Xu Yue trapped the black shadow and Old Man Matou in a separate space-time, then left with Medea as Shirou was taken to the church.
• Xu Yue arrived at the church and offered to attach Archer's arm to Shirou, saying it was time to return what belonged to him.

Shirou Emiya woke after receiving Archer’s arm and discovered that Xu Yue had balanced it with Kiritsugu’s Magic Crest, transforming his body into that of a half-Heroic Spirit. With the black shadow still threatening them, Mage Killer agreed to unite with the others, leaving the group to prepare for the fight ahead.

• Shirou Emiya woke from his coma and remembered Archer giving him his arm before disappearing.
• Xu Yue warned Shirou not to overuse the transplanted arm, and Shirou sensed the new power and Magic Crest in his body.
• Saber brought Tohsaka Rin and Ilya to Shirou’s room, where Ilya identified his inherited Magic Crest as a complete Sealing Designation.
• Mage Killer offered to set aside his conflicts with the group and help them face the black shadow.
• Xu Yue accepted Mage Killer’s offer and recognized that he had lost his previous support and could be used as an ally.

After Ilya revealed the Black Grail’s growing threat and the surviving King of Heroes had been consumed, she proposed using the Tohsaka family’s Jeweled Sword to counter it. Xu Yue agreed to take Shirou upstream through time so he could witness the original sword and create a stronger replica.

• Shirou learned that Ilya was Kiritsugu’s daughter, and Ilya called herself his big sister after his willingness to protect Saber softened her toward him.
• Mage Killer warned that the Black Grail had advanced faster than expected, and Ilya explained that mana crystals alone could not make it fully form.
• Mage Killer revealed that the King of Heroes had survived the previous Holy Grail War before the Black Grail consumed him, prompting Tohsaka Rin to protest that she had sold the mana crystals that sustained him.
• Ilya explained the Holy Grail War’s origins and corruption, then asked Rin about the Tohsaka family’s Jeweled Sword heirloom.
• Ilya and Rin realized Shirou could use his copying ability to reproduce a better Jeweled Sword after witnessing the original, and Xu Yue offered to take him upstream through time.

Xu Yue used a ritual to take Shirou Emiya and Ilya backward through time to 1790s Fuyuki, where they witnessed the early construction of the Greater Holy Grail system. He led them toward the Tohsaka Family’s ancestral residence, leaving their purpose there unrevealed.

• Xu Yue completed a ritual that linked Shirou and Ilya to the Jeweled Sword’s history, causing Shirou’s Magic Crest to burn.
• Xu Yue’s ritual reversed time, and the group watched the Holy Grail Wars and earlier events pass by as they traveled upstream.
• Ilya realized they were witnessing a descent through space-time, and Xu Yue warned that they could not change history without being swept away by time.
• The group arrived in 1790s Fuyuki, where Justeaze and Zolgen Makiri were preparing the Greater Holy Grail system and the Jeweled Sword Sage stayed with the Tohsaka Family.
• Xu Yue led Shirou and Ilya through the fields toward the Tohsaka Family’s ancestral residence instead of Mount Enzou.

Xu Yue and his companions arrived at the Tohsaka estate, where the Jeweled Sword Sage recognized them as travelers through time. The meeting revealed that the Sage was nearing the end of his life as the Second Magic weakened, while Xu Yue uncovered how the converged world had shaped his fate.

• Xu Yue gave the Tohsaka servant a calling card bearing Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg's name and asked to see the master.
• Nagato Tohsaka scolded the servant for interrupting, but the Jeweled Sword Sage recognized the card and ordered the visitors admitted.
• The Jeweled Sword Sage reflected that his ability to sense parallel worlds had faded and that the Second Magic would collapse as the world converged.
• The Jeweled Sword Sage entered the reception hall with Nagato Tohsaka and identified Xu Yue, Ilya, and Shirou Emiya as travelers through time.
• Xu Yue told the Jeweled Sword Sage he was not yet a Magic User but expected to become one soon, then realized the Sage's decline and fate were tied to the world's convergence.

Xu Yue met the Jeweled Sword Sage, who recognized him as a time traveler capable of helping resolve his weakening connection to parallel worlds. After Xu Yue warned Nagato Tohsaka to keep their meeting secret, the group prepared to witness the Greater Holy Grail ritual.

• The Jeweled Sword Sage discussed Xu Yue's abilities and asked whether he had come for the Greater Holy Grail system.
• Xu Yue warned Nagato Tohsaka not to reveal the meeting, and Nagato agreed after the Jeweled Sword Sage backed the warning.
• The Jeweled Sword Sage spoke privately with Xu Yue and became convinced that the time traveler could help break his predicament.
• As evening fell, the Jeweled Sword Sage emerged looking healthier and invited the others to witness the ritual.
• The Jeweled Sword Sage lent Jeweled Sword Zelretch to Shirou Emiya before they set out.

Xu Yue and his companions witnessed Justeaze’s sacrifice to create the Greater Holy Grail, then vanished into the past while time continued in the present. At the Fuyuki Church, Black Dog arrived with a black-armored, Black Grail-enhanced Gilgamesh to seize another sacrifice for the Holy Grail.

• Justeaze accepted Xu Yue’s disguised companions as witnesses after recognizing Ilya’s Lesser Holy Grail aura.
• The Jeweled Sword Sage completed the ritual, and a falling stone pillar crushed Justeaze as her circuits connected the Holy Grail system to the Root.
• Makiri mourned Justeaze’s death and failed to notice the Jeweled Sword Sage, Xu Yue, and their companions disappear.
• In 2004, Saber, Tohsaka Rin, Brother B, Mage Killer, and Medea waited at the church after losing their connections to the vanished group.
• Black Dog broke through the church doors and demanded that someone become a sacrifice for the Holy Grail.
• Black Dog revealed that Gilgamesh had joined him, empowered by the Black Grail and wearing black armor.

Black Flash entered the church and attacked Xu Yue’s ritual while speaking with the corrupted Gilgamesh, but an unknown powerful figure stopped him. Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg appeared and recognized the crisis, leaving Black Flash unsettled as Tohsaka Rin identified the ancient Magician.

• Black Flash revealed that Gilgamesh had willingly accepted the Black Grail’s corruption to strengthen himself and maintain the proper course.
• Black Flash secretly attacked Xu Yue’s ritual with corrupted Noble Phantasms, but a powerful slash shattered them and halted the assault.
• Saber and Mage Killer warned the others about Gilgamesh’s strength, while Medea recognized that the slash drew mana directly from the Great Source.
• Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg entered through a crack in the church and said he understood how the world had changed and how to break the deadlock.
• Tohsaka Rin recognized Zelretch as the ancestor of her family, and he acknowledged her aptitude while remaining focused on Black Flash.

Xu Yue and Shirou Emiya stopped Black Dog from reaching the ritual, while Shirou then rushed to Ryudou Temple to save Sakura. At the Black Grail’s descent site, Xu Yue revealed that he had manipulated the ritual and killed Old Man Matou, leaving Matou Sakura facing him.

• Xu Yue arrived at Rin’s defense line as Shirou Emiya struck Black Dog and killed him.
• Xu Yue sent Shirou Emiya toward Ryudou Temple to save Sakura.
• The Black Grail began its descent after devouring Brother B, and Matou Sakura waited at the site.
• Xu Yue appeared before Matou Sakura with Saber, Caster, and Rider, then tore Old Man Matou from her chest.
• Old Man Matou realized Xu Yue had manipulated the Holy Grail ritual, and Xu Yue crushed him.

Xu Yue revealed that he had secretly prepared for the Holy Grail War for nine years and personally transformed the Greater Holy Grail, siding with Black Sakura. As Shirou Emiya and Tohsaka Rin struggled to accept his betrayal, Xu Yue poured his vast stockpile of Mana Crystals into the descending Grail.

• Black Sakura healed her wound, enslaved Saber and Rider, and waited with her corrupted Servants as the Greater Holy Grail descended.
• Black Flash told the Jeweled Sword Sage that Xu Yue was preparing to claim the rewards, but the Sage remained committed to their agreement to fight Xu Yue.
• Shirou Emiya, Tohsaka Rin, Ilya, and their allies arrived at the Grail site and found Xu Yue facing Black Sakura.
• Black Sakura accused Xu Yue of creating the Black Grail, and Xu Yue confirmed that he had been preparing for this war since the Fourth Holy Grail War.
• Xu Yue explained that he had modified the Greater Holy Grail himself, then opened a dimensional rift and poured his enormous Mana Crystal reserves toward it.