Farewell, Waver, Sword of Promised Victory

To my surprise, Waver suddenly came to find me, at the same restaurant as last time.

I put on an act and asked, "Where's Rider? Thanks for your help last time. This time, I'll treat you both to a meal."

Waver suddenly burst into tears. "The King... my King was defeated. He lost to Saber."

I expressed my regret, then said, "My Berserker was defeated too, by Archer. Could you tell me what happened? There wasn't a scene like that in the story, and I didn't see it myself, so I'm a little curious."

Waver suddenly sank into his memories. "It was because I didn't have enough mana that the King lost. I've already acknowledged him as my King. He is the lord I will serve for my entire life."

"That battle was thrilling beyond words. The King raced across the battlefield in his chariot and kept Saber suppressed. Saber could only struggle to hold on, but the King grew careless. A wave of light from Saber's sword destroyed the Gordius Wheel."

"But even then, the King wasn't at much of a disadvantage. He unleashed his strongest Noble Phantasm, King's Army. It summoned the comrades who had once fought at his side. Every one of them possessed strength comparable to a Servant on their own. An army of ten thousand should have been unstoppable."

"In that environment, the King raised his arm and shouted, and ten thousand voices answered him. The King charged at the front, and everyone followed close behind. I will never forget that sight for the rest of my life."

"But Saber's sword... that sword shining with golden radiance, that sword bearing the grand and noble dreams held at the moment of death by every warrior who had fallen on battlefields of the past, present, and future."

"She took pride in that will and carried her conviction through to the end, like the triumphant song of an ever-victorious king: Sword of Promised Victory."

"With a single strike, it shattered all of the King's army. Even the King was moved by that radiance. (After all, it was an Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasm.)"

"I used a Command Spell to strengthen the King, but because of his Noble Phantasm, he consumed a huge amount of mana and ended up exhausting it all. In the end, he was defeated."

After hearing this version of events, I found that it did not differ much from what I had imagined. I asked him what he planned to do now—stay here and watch the outcome, or return to the Clock Tower. If he was going back, he could take Kenneth with him.

Waver looked shocked. "What? Professor Kenneth is still alive?"

While Berserker was still alive, I made a deal with Kiritsugu Emiya. In exchange for dealing with Archer, I secured Kenneth and his fiancée's lives.

Of course, I lost. Still, the two of them were in terrible condition. Their lives had been temporarily saved, but no one knew how long it would take for their futures as magi to recover.

However, if they could be treated at the Clock Tower, they should recover. But judging by Kenneth's temperament, he probably would not want anyone else to know about his current condition. After saying that, I took Waver to see Kenneth.

In a luxurious hospital room, also part of the Genji Clan's holdings, Kenneth and Sola lay quietly in their beds. Perhaps the sound of the door opening startled Kenneth. When he saw us, he seemed to let out a sigh of relief. He had clearly not yet escaped Kiritsugu Emiya's shadow.

The moment Waver saw him, he rushed forward and cried, "Professor Kenneth, are you all right? I came to take you back to the Clock Tower. Let's go home together. You can receive better treatment there, and you'll definitely recover soon."

However, Kenneth refused. It was unexpected, yet understandable. Competition within mage families was fierce. If Kenneth returned in this condition, he would most likely be abandoned. To him, returning meant truly having no chance left.

If he could recover in Japan—or at least keep anyone from noticing his weakness—then when he returned, he would still be the lord he had always been.

Kenneth said, "Waver, I don't blame you for stealing my Holy Relic. The reason I ended up like this is entirely my own fault: carelessness, looking down on provincial magi, and being set in my ways."

"Every one of those things led to where I am today. Waver, I hope you'll do me a favor."

"I want you to manage the classroom in my place. If I cannot recover, then I hope you will inherit it as Lord El-Melloi II." (This had been corrected too. The Counter Force was terrifying.)

Waver was stunned and shouted, "No, no, I can't do it! I can't do anything right. I'll ruin everything. Please spare me, Professor!" After saying that, he began sobbing.

"Listen, Waver. Of everyone in the classroom, you are actually the one I admire most. Before, I was too set in my ways. I placed far too much importance on the inheritance passed down through mage families."

"That is also what led to my current situation. I was reduced to this state by some unknown, self-taught magus. Do you remember what we argued about back then?"

"Perhaps you were right. Now, prove it as the teacher of the classroom. If I can return, then we can argue about it again someday."

I could hear that Kenneth was speaking from the bottom of his heart. He had already lost everything and did not want to lose his classroom as well. It was the obsession of a magus, but also the obsession of a teacher.

In the end, Waver agreed, though he repeatedly stated that as soon as his teacher returned, he would hand everything back to him.

After leaving the hospital, I asked, "When are you planning to leave?"

Waver replied, "Immediately." Then he bowed deeply. "I hope you can lend me some money. I'll definitely repay you double in the future."

Good grief, were you born with a talent for debt? You went into debt everywhere you went. I said, "No problem. Is one million dollars enough? Tell me if it isn't."

Waver jumped in alarm. "I don't need that much! I only need money for the trip back."

I said firmly, "You do need that much. Consider the extra an investment."

"Even with Kenneth's approval, inheriting the classroom will require money in many places. Someday in the future, perhaps I, or my family and friends, may go there. When that happens, you'll have to take good care of us."

With tears in his eyes, Waver gripped my hand. "I will! You have to come too."

The scene made me feel as though I were whipping Waver with a money-shaped whip while he happily thanked me for it. The image was too beautiful for me to imagine.

Outside the airport departure hall, I watched Waver board his plane. I calculated inwardly that the Fourth Holy Grail War should be coming to an end.