I, Ritsuka, The Siscon Grand Hero

The reality, however, struck him hard with a military surprise attack.

This was merely a border town in the country, and the forces deployed by the two warring nations weren't substantial. The fact that the conflict had escalated to this point was unexpected.

What was so special about this small country that it was worth major powers abandoning their dignity?

Kiritsugu could feel his body weakening and felt a pang of melancholy. He subconsciously glanced at Ritsuka beside him, confirming that the other had fallen asleep from exhaustion.

Staying up all night was difficult for a child.

He pulled out a cigarette and, like a thief, carefully prepared to put it in his mouth. However, a sharp pain shot through his body, causing his hand to slip and the cigarette to fall to the ground with a thump.

Hoo~ Pick it up within three seconds, it's not dirty...

He picked it up, lit it, and checked the time. There was still a long way to go until the ship they were waiting for arrived, so he could rest for a bit.

Parking the car to the side, Kiritsugu hesitated for a moment. He then opened his trench coat pocket, and something resembling a notebook slipped out. His expression was one of inner turmoil.

Yesterday evening, he remembered Ritsuka's joy and relief when he mentioned retiring and no longer being a Justice's Partner. That memory warmed his heart, yet it also made him uneasy, as the contents of this notebook might compel him to pick up his ideals once more.

This small notebook was something he had accidentally obtained years ago when he saved Ritsuka, and it contained legends about a mysterious family.

Closing his eyes, he recalled his days with his adoptive mother. His resolve gradually strengthened. It was a wish he had made when he was just 20 years old, a wish he had followed for nearly his entire life.

"..."

In the profound silence, the cigarette in Kiritsugu's hand burned out and fell to the ground, where he promptly crushed it with his foot.

"I'm sorry, Ritsuka. Next time, I promise." Kiritsugu gently patted Ritsuka's head before opening the rare book in his hands. Crooked characters appeared before his eyes.

The 'Tsukishiro' clan, a mysterious family living in Fuyuki City.

"Kiritsugu?"

While Kiritsugu was lost in thought, a faint voice sounded from beside him. Ritsuka, having regained some energy from the brief rest, opened her eyes.

His gaze swept over the ruins and the wilderness. Seeing Ritsuka observing their surroundings, Kiritsugu casually tossed away the half-smoked cigarette, not betraying any hint of his inner struggle. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine. My head's just been buzzing. I think I need a good rest."

Ritsuka gave a silly smile.

"Then we'll stay here a little longer. There's still quite some time before the ship the priest mentioned arrives."

The rest plan was settled. Worried that Ritsuka's body couldn't handle more, Kiritsugu abandoned the idea of pushing forward. His own body probably needed more rest too.

The fatigue, both physical and mental, that came from using magic never truly faded. After all, he was getting older, and his body wasn't as robust as it was in his twenties.

Time was a cruel mistress, and even if it wasn't a pig it was slicing, it could still leave its mark on a person...

Of course, the biggest problem stemmed from Kiritsugu's magic. This grand magic, which involved enduring the backlash of temporal displacement within his own body, came at a considerable cost.

Time Alter and Temporal Control – these were Kiritsugu's signature magic and core abilities, powerful spells that allowed him to manipulate his own flow of time. Based on his father Emiya Kyuken's research back then, they could even potentially lead to the Root.

What was the Root? It was the origin of all things, the source from which all phenomena flowed, the truth of the world.

It was the endpoint of all knowledge, the Akasha records.

Because it was the origin of everything, it could lead to all outcomes. It was the sole research subject of the mage community.

Conversely, magic was merely a means to research a path to the Root.

This was also why most mages were cold-hearted. Their logic differed greatly from that of ordinary people, leading them to commit unspeakable acts.

Although some had reached it, they would vanish from this world in that instant and could never return.

Therefore, it could only be pursued through one's own power and could not be learned.

Emiya Kyuken's magic could theoretically reach the Root, and he was also the archetypal cold-blooded mage, having committed countless wicked deeds.

Of course, no matter what, he still had a long road ahead to reach the Root, requiring extensive research over a long period. Human lifespans were insufficient for this.

Eventually, Kiritsugu's father turned his research to the dangerous subject of Dead Apostles – beings similar to the vampires of myth. He was eventually shot and killed by an enraged Kiritsugu, the mage killer who hunted down the first mage he ever encountered.

On Children's Day, he had killed his own biological father, who possessed the essence of a mage.

Leaning back against the comfortable seat, Ritsuka breathed softly, her red lips pursed. The soreness in her eyes gradually eased with rest. She looked at Kiritsugu, who had his head tilted to the side. A certain scent made her nostrils twitch slightly.

As someone with a good sense of smell, how could she not detect him secretly smoking from such a short distance? He was treating her like a child...

Wait, she was ten this year, so she was still a child, wasn't she?

Ritsuka fell silent.

"By the way, Kiritsugu, why didn't you save those people?"

Ritsuka's gaze shifted to Kiritsugu Emiya, who sat calmly beside her. Who were "those people"? Naturally, they were the local armed group that had been ambushed by the army.

Those people weren't bad. After they formed, they often took in homeless individuals, all victims of war.

"It was a necessary sacrifice."

The cigarette butt quietly fell to the ground.

"We don't have the power to influence wars. Without prior preparation, we can't even fight a well-equipped squad." Kiritsugu started the car. "Under that kind of firepower and surprise attack, even if they were a ragtag militia, not many would have survived in the ruins. The reason is the completely unexpected assault."

"Compared to regular US soldiers, those token soldiers recruited from Africa, the Middle East, and other places likely wouldn't be involved in large-scale frontal battles. Instead, they'd be hunting down survivors to slaughter. After all, they were the oppressed themselves, and they'd gladly find pleasure in taking revenge on others."

"Besides, sacrificing those who are bound to die might save more survivors. There's no reason not to do that, right?"

Kiritsugu disagreed, gently biting the cookie stick in his mouth.

Chewing slowly, he reached out to grab another one.

"As expected, I still can't become a 'Justice's Partner'," Ritsuka said, lowering her eyes and batting away Kiritsugu's hand. "I might not help those in trouble right in front of me, but I can't deliberately abandon them either."

"When successful, help the world; when down, look after yourself." Ritsuka wasn't some kind of saint.

Once again confirming the justice in Kiritsugu's heart, Ritsuka's expression turned sour. The atmosphere between them became exceptionally stiff, and they both fell into silence.

Ritsuka didn't consider herself a particularly kind person, but ultimately, she couldn't be completely cruel. That would be too unfriendly to herself and others. What could she achieve in her entire life?

Infamy?

"Let's go, we have to keep moving."

The car started. Without waiting for Ritsuka's reply, the SUV drove off in a predetermined direction, the end of the road and the horizon being the ocean.

Having lost the ability to communicate, Kiritsugu felt a bit happier. He had understood the flaws in his ideals long ago, during that unforgettable failure.

To be honest, Ritsuka's answer didn't bring him any loneliness or resentment, only the relief that his daughter had grown up and matured in her thinking...

Even though this daughter was only ten years old.

Speaking of which, his ten-year-old daughter's thought process was comparable to his own at around forty. It was quite frustrating. Indeed—

He still had to work harder.

PS: The broadcast of this episode coincided with Japanese Boys' Day, a play on the broadcast timing.

The episode aired on May 5, 2012, which was Japanese Boys' Day, linking it to the subsequent two instances of official malice.

The second time was May 12, 2012, Mother's Day, when Kiritsugu Emiya killed Natalia, whom he regarded as his mother.

The third time was June 17, 2012, Father's Day, when Kiritsugu Emiya shot and killed his own father in a hallucination seen by the Holy Grail.

(Above, excerpted from Moegirl Encyclopedia)

Section 5 Chapter 5 The Legend of the Tsukishiro Family

The ship docked. Ritsuka, who had been seasick for a long time, yawned and looked up at the sky, which was just beginning to lighten. The moon had not yet completely disappeared.

It must be around four or five in the morning...

Ritsuka muttered to herself, feeling the cool breeze blowing across her face and neck. She silently pulled up the collar of her jacket.

The climate in Fuyuki City was slightly warmer, and it wasn't yet summer. She shouldn't be feeling cold, especially since she had been wandering around near the battlefield. The problem was likely the cool sea breeze at night.

Standing there, rubbing her hands to keep warm, Ritsuka's gaze remained fixed on the ship's exit, waiting for Kiritsugu to return with their luggage. She didn't know the exact location of the Fuyuki Emiya Residence.

Standing foolishly in the wind for a while, Ritsuka saw Kiritsugu emerge from the ship's exit, wearing a black trench coat, and immediately went over to him.

"Kiritsugu."

"Let's go, we're going home."

A rare hint of a smile appeared on his usually stern face. Kiritsugu, carrying a piece of luggage in one hand, patted Ritsuka's head.

Leaving the Fuyuki port area, since it was too early, there were no means of transportation available. The two chose to walk, their good physical condition being the most crucial factor.

After all, it would be ridiculous if an old man and a child who could wander near a battlefield didn't even have the stamina for a long walk.

Cherry blossoms bloomed along the way, a scenery completely different from the Middle East, bringing a hint of surprise to Ritsuka's eyes. The nausea from being on the ship for too long was dispelled by the novelty.

They had changed ships multiple times. The journey at sea, lasting ten to twenty days, was not only monotonous but also nauseating. At least Ritsuka felt quite sick.

If possible, she probably wouldn't take a boat again in her life. This time, she had taken enough for a lifetime...

With nothing else to do, Ritsuka took out a box of Pocky from her pocket, pulled out a stick, and slowly chewed it. At the same time, she took out another one and offered it to Kiritsugu.

The old man and the young girl walked side by side along the road, each with a Pocky stick in their mouths, to alleviate their slight hunger. It exuded a strange sense of parental affection.

Even though they weren't related by blood, having lived together for so long, Ritsuka had come to regard Kiritsugu as a father.

In comparison, her original biological parent meant nothing anymore...

"Kiritsugu, are you really giving up?"

Abruptly, Ritsuka spoke without preamble, causing Kiritsugu's eyebrows to twitch. His dark eyes flickered slightly, lost in thought.

After some deliberation, he took out a small notebook from his pocket and handed it to Ritsuka beside him. "Take a look."

"Really?"

Ritsuka immediately gave Kiritsugu a skeptical look before opening the small notebook.

The Legend of the Kami-child, a local myth of Fuyuki City, contained descriptions of the Kami-child's strange circumstances.

After a brief glance at the contents, Ritsuka's expression remained unchanged. Because she had traveled extensively with Kiritsugu over the years and seen far more bizarre things than what was written in the book, the talk of gods and demons meant little to her.

"What is this thing?"

"A local legend of Fuyuki City. Most likely fake," Kiritsugu said, carrying his luggage with a serious expression.

Because, according to his initial investigation of the legend, there were doubts, and this might be his chance to fulfill his long-cherished wish.

"The Tsukishiro family, an ancient clan that originated in Fuyuki City during the Tensho Era, appears to have nothing more than a long history on the surface, yet there are doubts."

"Children born into that family... specifically girls under the age of seven, are never seen by outsiders."

This was the biggest doubt, and based on some flimsy information, Kiritsugu had a very bold theory.

Of course, Ritsuka's running around the world with him was also based on this flimsy information. Unfortunately, it turned out to be mostly false, and the two of them had been busy for nearly five years with no results.

It was just a very slim possibility.

However, until he saw it for himself, all speculation was just speculation. He wouldn't barge into the Tsukishiro clan to investigate for a wish he had already half-given up on.

"Why can't girls before the age of seven be seen?"

Ritsuka flipped through the notebook in her hands.

Divine Child, Child of Man. The flowery language made her head feel uncomfortable, and the after-effects of just finishing a boat trip seemed to be acting up.

In short, her head hurt.

"The girls of the Tsukishiro family only appear after they turn seven, and their absence is covered up with excuses like 'their frail health was cured' or 'they were adopted by relatives,' so people don't pay attention."

"But even if it's a hereditary family illness, it shouldn't be that they can only be seen at the fixed age of seven, right?" Kiritsugu's gaze narrowed slightly. "And it's only the girls; the situation with the boys is different."

All the clues and speculations converged, painting a complete picture in his mind. The secret of the Tsukishiro family might be very interesting.

Combined with the customs passed down from the local Divine Child beliefs, he could clearly feel that this family had a huge problem, and this problem was related to the Divine Child.

Kiritsugu stated with 'certainty,' "Divine Child. The children of the Tsukishiro family might be natural Divine Children, comparable to the Holy Grail in myths."

"Divine Child? That means... young children under the protection of a god, more like spirits or divine incarnations than humans?"

She hadn't read extensively, but through the notebook in her hands, Ritsuka still came to her own conclusion. "Are all the children of the Tsukishiro family Divine Children? Kiritsugu, have you lost your mind? The credibility of such things is too low. There are multiple versions of local myths, and this isn't the first time we've been fooled."