I, Ritsuka, the Siscon Grand Hero

Ritsuka's cheeks were a little damp. As she slept soundly on the pile of straw, her body trembled slightly. The next moment, her tightly shut eyes suddenly snapped open, a hint of terror in them.

Ritsuka shot up from the ground, gasping deeply, struggling to force out a sound from her throat.

Cold sweat drenched her body. Ritsuka quickly pulled her clothes tighter, trying to avoid catching a cold from the chilly wind blowing through the dilapidated church.

She rubbed her hands together in front of her for warmth. Moonlight spilled across the floor from the broken window.

It seemed she'd had another nightmare.

The massive fire in Fuyuki, which had occurred years ago for unknown reasons, had claimed Ritsuka's entire family. She herself had been buried in the ruins, her body burned by the flames.

The shadow of death had always clung to her, and this wasn't the first time she'd had nightmares. It was just that they never changed, which was rather boring.

It had been autumn then, and the weather was turning cold, so she had been wearing thick clothes. Her lower body, which had been pinned down, had healed without much issue thanks to timely treatment. The main problem was the scar on her left forearm, which refused to heal. It was incredibly gruesome, and every time she saw it, Ritsuka's heart would ache.

This is terrible...

Fortunately, Kiritsugu had saved her in time. Otherwise, in her condition back then, she would have undoubtedly died in that fire.

The Crystal Dice, far inferior to what she had now, couldn't have saved her. To this day, she hadn't been able to fully understand how to use it.

Wiping the cold sweat from her forehead, Ritsuka threw off the blanket, hugged it to herself, and turned to walk out of the church. Kiritsugu seemed to have gotten up for a moment, so he wasn't there.

As she rounded the corner, she saw many people sprawled out sleeping in the main hall. Ritsuka carefully stepped over them, not wanting to disturb their dreams.

This church had many kind clergy members who had taken in refugees who had lost their homes due to the war. The priest here was an exceptionally good-natured person. She and Kiritsugu were currently helping out here as well. Their goal had shifted from searching for mysteries to rescuing people.

Of course, it was unrealistic for just two people to end the war. Therefore, they were doing everything they could to save people and wait for the war to end, resigned to being mere bystanders.

Stepping out of the church, Ritsuka saw a familiar figure at the corner. "Kiritsugu."

Under the bright moonlight, on the steps in front of the church, Kiritsugu, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, suddenly froze.

Instinctively, he spat out the cigarette, then caught it in his hand and crushed the burning end directly in his palm. Amidst the sizzling sound, a drop of cold sweat trickled down his cheek.

So hot!

Taking a deep breath, Kiritsugu's expression returned to its usual coldness. He turned his head slightly to glance at Ritsuka, who was hugging the blanket. "It's not even dawn yet. Aren't you going to rest a little longer?"

The moon hung in the black, curtain-like night sky, dotted with stars like a river of light. It was clearly the dead of night.

Ritsuka, who hadn't woken up naturally, had a slight weariness on her face. After all, she had been forcibly woken from a nightmare. Being young and sleep-deprived, Ritsuka narrowed her eyes.

"I'm okay. I don't really feel like sleeping anymore."

Ritsuka sat down beside Kiritsugu on the edge of the steps. Her nose twitched slightly, and the pungent smell of smoke made her raise an eyebrow. She stared silently at Kiritsugu.

Ding—!

Kiritsugu silently averted his gaze.

Sighing, Ritsuka took out a pack of chocolate biscuit sticks from her pocket. These were her favorite snack—Pocky.

She put one in her mouth and chewed it with relish. She casually took out another one and offered it to Kiritsugu. "Want one?"

Perhaps thinking of something, Ritsuka broke into a bright smile. Without waiting for Kiritsugu's reply, she suddenly reached out and shoved the biscuit stick into his mouth.

Kiritsugu's gaze swept over Ritsuka's face. His vacant pupils seemed filled with a hint of helplessness, as if he knew he couldn't win against her. He then slowly opened his mouth and took the biscuit stick between his lips.

This was how Ritsuka, who didn't want him to smoke, usually did things. She'd make him substitute cigarettes with biscuit sticks, saying smoking was bad for his health. Kiritsugu could only offer silly retorts like, 'If it's bad for your health, why doesn't the world ban tobacco production?'

People do things for profit. This world is ultimately driven by the word 'profit.' No person or country can escape it.

However, in the face of that pure and radiant smile, his sarcastic remarks couldn't be uttered. After all, that smile was just too precious. Of course, he wasn't craving her body, but rather felt relieved as a father.

"The war is going to end."

Crunch, crunch. Kiritsugu crunched the biscuit stick, swallowed it, and sighed, his voice full of helplessness.

The two of them had come here to search for the mysteries rumored to exist in this place, to save the world.

They had stayed here for nearly half a year for this very purpose. Only recently had a war broken out here. The capitalist giants found an excuse and launched an invasion, and tragedy unfolded before their eyes.

Ritsuka understood what Kiritsugu meant. They hadn't been able to do anything in this war. Individual strength ultimately couldn't influence nations, let alone the world. All they could do was pray for a miracle, but they hadn't found one.

Carrying the wish to save others and the world, Kiritsugu, who had set out again with old wounds in his heart, perhaps this was a different kind of blow to him?

Ritsuka wore her usual smile. "So, what are you going to do, Kiritsugu?"

"Let's go back. Back to Fuyuki. Perhaps my personal journey ends here."

The embodiment of justice, the phrase that had always existed in Kiritsugu's heart, finally extinguished at this moment. His hand trembled.

Section 3 Chapter 3 Training and Unexpected Events

Before dawn, Kiritsugu returned to the church to rest. Ritsuka, on the other hand, went up to the highest part of the church and sat there, enjoying the night view.

Having woken up early due to the dream, she had no desire to sleep any longer. It was better to train herself. After all, she didn't have much time to get stronger while constantly following Kiritsugu around; she had to find time to cultivate on her own.

She pulled a Pocky stick out of its box. Blue patterns stretched across it. Ritsuka narrowed her eyes.

Reinforcement Magic. This was a magic she had used once before meeting Kiritsugu. It was also the first magic he had taught her to master.

It wasn't low in technical difficulty, but its practical application wasn't very high. The details of its operation were troublesome, and unless one had a high talent, it was easy to experience physical problems due to uncontrolled magical output.

Therefore, Kiritsugu had suggested learning only the basics at first.

After all, she was the first mage in her family, and none of her elders had ever come into contact with mysteries. Kiritsugu's assumption that she didn't have much talent was understandable.

She took a light bite of the Pocky in her hand, the hard texture making Ritsuka's eyes widen.

My teeth hurt...

Ritsuka casually dispelled the Reinforcement Magic and swallowed the biscuit stick in small bites, then clenched her hand.

A faint, crystalline glow seeped from between her fingers. Ritsuka opened her palm and watched a small Crystal Dice float up. She gripped the object she called her 'Crystal Dice'.

[Emiya Shirou (Archer)]

[Synchronization Value (16%)]

The strange numerical value was 16%. Its specific function was unknown, but it was speculated that the higher the value, the more comprehensive the abilities of the corresponding character within the 'Crystal Dice' could be utilized.

At this stage, the abilities she could use were Reinforcement Magic, half-baked Projection Magic, a skill called 'Mind's Eye (True)', and an extremely special talent for housework.

Whether it was cooking a meal or cleaning, she could quickly master various household chores and reach a very high level. In terms of cooking alone, at just ten years old, she could already beat Kiritsugu.

It was practically magical.

She didn't know the specific abilities of the 'Emiya Shirou' corresponding to the card.

Perhaps it was because the synchronization value wasn't high enough, or for some other reason, all she knew was the information provided by the Crystal Dice; she was largely ignorant of everything else.

Calling it a cheat system felt too pathetic.

In her past life, Ritsuka had only read some web novels. From a slightly older age, she had been running around working. She was truly speechless. Other people's systems could be loli or mature, and sometimes they could even destroy the world with a single move. Hers didn't even come with an instruction manual.

If she couldn't figure it out, even a magical glowing stick wouldn't be usable.

Looking at the moon overhead, Ritsuka pursed her lips and began her daily magic cultivation. She still couldn't fully master the method of opening her magic circuits.

The ability to cast magic anytime, anywhere, as easily as breathing, was something she currently lacked.

Magic Circuits, activate!

Exercising magic power was the simplest and most direct method, so Ritsuka clenched her fist, and patterns appeared on the back of her hand.

"Haa... haa..."

While adjusting her breathing rhythm, she diligently urged the magic power surging within her. The fingers of her clenched hand slowly relaxed, and the night breeze lifted her hair.

Some people in the hall had already woken up. The clergy in the church, led by the priest, were distributing water and food, and everyone expressed their gratitude.

Ritsuka quietly bypassed them and walked into a small room in an adjacent side chapel.

Pushing the door open, Ritsuka found Kiritsugu already awake, his expression somewhat solemn as he wiped his Mystic Code, a handgun, with a cloth.

With a "heishiu" sound, she jumped next to Kiritsugu and sat down to rest. "Kiritsugu, you're already awake."

"Aren't you going to sleep more? It'll be tough traveling later."

After finishing the cigarette in his hand with a "patta patta" sound, Kiritsugu put the handgun Mystic Code into his pocket and glanced at Ritsuka. He was immediately defeated by her intense gaze and silently turned his head away.

Ritsuka sighed. Quitting smoking was difficult, and she felt she couldn't even urge him on. "I'm not very sleepy. I'm mainly thinking about how to get back. It shouldn't be possible to take a plane at this stage."

Although the US military was preparing to withdraw from the battlefield, they were still surrounding several nearby cities. Taking a plane to leave was not very realistic, and the only airport here had been destroyed in the war.

Moreover, even if they returned to Fuyuki City, the two of them would probably become idle. She was still young and didn't have any special skills, and Kiritsugu, as a 'Hero of Justice', probably knew nothing but killing. Honestly, Ritsuka felt this fact was quite ironic.

"Then we'll take a boat. I spoke with the priest earlier, and he'll arrange a cargo ship to take us and the refugees away."

Kiritsugu felt the remaining bullets in his pocket. He had ended countless magi with these things called 'Origin Bullets', his most effective tool against them.

He turned his head and looked at the quiet Ritsuka, falling silent.

Sometimes he wondered, what if there were no miracles capable of saving the world? When should he let go of everything and return to a normal life?

Perhaps being a regular office worker wouldn't be bad.

Provided, of course, that some company was willing to hire him, a magus killer...

Boom—!!

Suddenly, like a meteor streaking across the sky, a piercing shriek erupted from outside the church and entered their ears, followed by a violent explosion.

Ritsuka's eyebrows immediately furrowed, while Kiritsugu's expression changed drastically.

Acting decisively, the man who hadn't yet retired from his 'Hero of Justice' post pulled out the Colt M1911 he carried, pressed his body against the wall, and observed the situation outside. The rumbling explosions continued incessantly.

Lying prone on the ground, with the roof trembling precariously overhead, Ritsuka, also pressed against the wall, looked outside through a crack.

A group of soldiers in camouflage were launching a surprise attack on a ruin, no more than one or two hundred meters from here. That was the base of a local armed organization.

Essentially, this organization was formed by locals to resist invasion, but it seemed they had been discovered and nipped in the bud.

However, logically speaking, these soldiers should already be withdrawing from the battlefield. The government had declared the end of the war. This surprise attack was unimaginable, and those guys even used heavy-duty weapons to breach the ruins.

"Kiritsugu, what do we do?"

Ritsuka's expression was grim.

Given the United States' consistent behavior, their backtracking wasn't exactly unexpected, but the sight of flesh and blood flying everywhere was still a bit too intense.

Should I try to save them?

Kiritsugu Emiya fell silent. The enemy numbered too many and their weapons were advanced. Without any large-scale destructive magic, even if he went over there, he'd be riddled with bullets.

The 'Magus Killer,' Kiritsugu Emiya, who excelled at using modern weapons to compensate for his lack of combat power and pushed his underhanded fighting style to the extreme, couldn't help but get a headache. He was a Magus, but not a universal Doraemon. Facing an army suddenly, he didn't have many options.

He had almost no options at all.

After a moment's hesitation, Kiritsugu didn't attempt a rescue. Instead, he pulled Ritsuka up and they left, heading for the confessional inside the church.

Due to the battle starting not far away, the entire church was in a state of panic. Fear had already spread among the people. If the army discovered them, they could be massacred at any moment.

He decisively found the priest and Kiritsugu made a suggestion—

"Father, please mobilize the clergy and lead everyone to evacuate immediately."

Chapter 4: Justice That Differs in Every Heart

A secret passage within the church opened, and dozens of people began to evacuate in an orderly fashion. The priest's prestige managed to quell everyone's fear at that moment.

The place was deserted. Ritsuka followed Kiritsugu through the narrow passage. When they emerged from the exit, it was covered by overgrown weeds. They were already several kilometers away from the church.

After discussing with the priest, Kiritsugu took Ritsuka away from the main group, saying he needed to scout the situation and would meet them later at the cargo ship's docking point. Thus, only the two of them were walking through the woods at this moment, the surroundings eerily quiet.

After running for a few minutes, Kiritsugu found the off-road vehicle he had hidden in the wilderness. Starting the engine was a smooth, single action. He also took off his dirty jacket and tossed it aside.

Ritsuka climbed into the passenger seat and fastened their seatbelt. Kiritsugu drove the off-road vehicle around the ruins, speeding across the open land.

They had stayed in this city for about a month and a half. Apart from the large-scale war and bombings at the beginning, the rest of the time had been much more peaceful. Coupled with the national-level ceasefire declaration, he had thought it was a precursor to troop withdrawal.