Issei Ryuudou eventually found Shirou Emiya in the woods behind the school.
"Emiya!"
Issei Ryuudou watched as the other boy wiped the blood from his forehead with a sheet of paper, frowning.
If nothing unexpected had happened, the huge hole in the windows between the second and third floors had been made when Shirou Emiya crashed through them.
He must have rescued that female student. So Emiya really was still the same good guy who never argued back even when Issei reprimanded him.
Why would someone like that take part in the Holy Grail War?
"Issei."
Only Shirou Emiya and Issei Ryuudou could be seen in the woods now.
But Saber Anno and Assassin Shuten Douji had not left. They had merely dematerialized and hidden themselves.
"So, what exactly is going on now?"
"Is the Holy Grail War real or fake?"
Issei Ryuudou first asked what troubled him most.
—Whether this thing truly existed or not—was what needed to be confirmed first.
"You mean the Holy Grail War? If it's the Holy Grail War, then yes, it's really happening."
"And this is already the fifth time."
Having brought Issei Ryuudou here, Shirou Emiya had never intended to hide anything from him.
"So... this really is a war where people compete and kill for their own selfish desires?"
Issei Ryuudou clenched his fist and stared gravely into Shirou Emiya's eyes.
"Yes."
Shirou Emiya nodded once more.
"A war where seven magi fight for their own selfish desires, competing for the all-purpose wish-granting machine known as the Holy Grail—that is what is happening now."
Issei Ryuudou took half a step back.
"...So, you're one of the seven Masters?"
"Yes."
Shirou Emiya removed the glove from his right hand, revealing the Command Spell on the back of it.
"...Why are you taking part