In the sealed darkness deep underground, "it" wandered, lost in the abyss, dreaming while asleep of countless incoherent and unrealistic wishes entrusted to it long ago.
A beautiful world, a beautiful life, a flawless soul... These desires were so intense that all other sins had to be deposited in a single place. This was the wish of the weak.
In response to those wishes, "it" had once saved a world.
Let all sin rest upon me. Let all imperfection be mine alone. I alone deserve hatred. I alone deserve rejection.
Through such salvation, the people found peace.
And thus... "It" was never a saint who saved others out of benevolence.
No praise, no reverence, no songs of admiration—only loathing, curses, and contempt. At some point, even the name it once held as a human was taken away, leaving only a title for what it had become—a legacy passed down through generations as a mere concept.
At the deepest part of the earth sighed a limitless darkness... Once, it had been a place brimming with infinite potential. One day, "it" arrived like a seed, took root, and since then, it had become a womb of darkness, birthing something that belonged to no one and nothing. It absorbed endless magical energy while quietly awaiting the destined day.
Then, it heard it—clearly heard it:
"I don't mind bearing all the evils of this world. If doing so can save the world, then I'll gladly take on all of it!"
Look—someone was calling out.
Someone needed it.
It was being summoned, not just as a curse, but alongside a wish.
Then… respond to him. Accept him. And let all of the world's—
Endless mana surged. The enveloping darkness began to take shape.
Your wish can come true.
That's what "it" said.
And then…
"Let all the evils of this world grant your wish."
——
Emiya Kiritsugu woke with a jolt from his nightmare. The sword wound in his chest still throbbed with pain. Though well-bandaged, blood was already seeping through the gauze.
After all, the Sword of the Contract of Victory was no ordinary weapon. It was an immensely powerful holy sword whose nature directly countered the magecraft that Emiya Kiritsugu practiced. For such a blade to pierce the body of a mere human and not kill him instantly—he was lucky to be alive.
Ah… that's right. Saber betrayed me.
From now on, I'll have to fight this war alone.
With this broken body, no matter the price—I must win this Holy Grail War. I must take the Grail.
"Kiritsugu, you're awake?!"
The stir in the room startled Maiya Hisau, who had been keeping watch outside. The girl entered, looking concerned as Kiritsugu struggled to sit up in bed.
"I'm fine. This is just a scratch. The magecraft of the Matou family isn't just for show. Just a sword wound—no matter if this body is torn to shreds, it doesn't matter."
Seeing the calmness in Kiritsugu's eyes, Maiya clenched her fists tightly. She wanted to say something—but ultimately, remained silent.
"I have no path of return left, Maiya. I can only continue forward… all the way to the depths of hell."
He got out of bed, habitually lit a cigarette, and then put on his black coat, ready to leave.
But then, Maiya approached from behind—and hugged him tightly.
"Then it doesn't matter. Even if it's hell, if it's with you, I'll follow."
To Maiya's heartfelt confession, Kiritsugu said nothing. He simply took another drag from his cigarette, gently pushed her away, and kept walking forward.
Maiya said no more. She had no complaints—only silent, unwavering devotion.
Ever since the moment Kiritsugu picked her up, her life was no longer her own.
——
Unaware that Rider had been eliminated the previous night, Kiritsugu was still in the dark. On the other side, however, Tohsaka Tokiomi, well-informed, now believed he held certain victory.
The most threatening Servant, Rider, was gone. He was now a step closer to achieving his lifelong wish...
So thought Tokiomi, unaware that his final enemy would be the Einzbern participant—the man who had adopted his daughter. And now that man even had Saber's assistance. Although Saber and Rider had fought to mutual destruction the night before, Saber remained a formidable threat.
Still, Tohsaka Tokiomi believed that with his strongest trump card—King of Heroes—victory was assured.
Now was the time to send his student, Kotomine Kirei, away from Japan and the eye of the Holy Grail storm. After all, without a Servant, Kirei's presence didn't matter anymore.
At this moment in the Tohsaka mansion, Tokiomi was having a final conversation with his trusted disciple.
"The closer it gets to the moment of your departure, the harder it becomes to let you go. No matter what happens, I hope you'll carry on your father Risei's legacy and continue assisting the Tohsaka family in fulfilling our dream…" said Tokiomi.
"To have caused you so much trouble at the end... I'm ashamed," said Kirei, raising his head and meeting Tokiomi's sincere and earnest gaze.
"It's unfortunate and regrettable, but… withdraw from this war, Kirei," said Tokiomi.
"Understood, my teacher," Kirei replied.
Tokiomi nodded in satisfaction.
"You are someone I can rely on. I'll have my daughter learn much from you. After this Holy Grail War is over, Kirei, I want you to become Rin's teacher."
Then, Tokiomi took a letter from the corner of the table and handed it to Kirei.
"...Teacher, this is?"
"It's rather brief, but consider it a sort of will."
He smiled wryly as he spoke.
"Just in case—though the odds are low. If anything should happen to me, I've written here that Rin will inherit the Tohsaka family as head, and you will act as her guardian until she comes of age. Submit this to the Clock Tower, and the Association will take care of the rest."
For once, Kirei didn't offer only superficial words, but genuinely accepted the responsibility Tokiomi entrusted to him. After all, he was a priest. Fulfilling one's entrusted duty with honesty and resolve was part of his calling.
"Leave it to me. Even if my abilities are limited, I'll do my utmost to care for your daughter."
"Thank you, Kirei."
Too much in this war had already gone beyond Tokiomi's expectations. His plans were no longer unfolding as precisely as they once had—but he still wanted to make his final move.
So now, he entrusted everything to the one person he trusted most.
---
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