Fate: Hero of Justice Takeover-Chapter 171: [] The Countdown to the Final Battle

Tick, tock!

Raindrops fell from the leaves, and the bamboo water fountain by the pond made a clear, rhythmic sound.

The aroma of tea filled the air as a white-haired young man sat on the engawa, gazing up at the gloomy sky.

The moon tonight would surely be bright and clear. If the temperature were cool enough, he could enjoy the moonlit night here with Miyu and the others.

The young man emptied his mind, letting his thoughts wander freely, until a beautiful head of silver hair entered his vision. Turning his head, he met a pair of ruby-like eyes filled with resentment.

"Irisviel."

"Little Sakatsuki, you've really put me in a difficult position."

Irisviel pouted, her expression still carrying a girlish charm despite being a mother.

"Taking me away like this must have made Kiritsugu worry sick."

"Don't worry, I left a message for him."

The young man said, lifting the teapot and watching the green water pour into the teacup.

"Take a seat. Even though there's no moon, listening to the rain can also help relax your mind."

"Young as you are, you act like an old man."

Irisviel muttered, sitting down beside Sakatsuki, who was dressed in a black and white kimono. She picked up the teacup, took a sip, then stuck out her tongue and put the cup back in place.

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"Is this tea? It's so bitter."

"You're just not used to it yet."

Sakatsuki said with a smile, taking a sip of his own tea. The bitterness gave way to a sweet aftertaste.

"Now, back to the main point. What brings you here?"

"Of course, there are many things I want to ask you. For example, what's going on with Illya? Can the magic in her heart be undone?"

"You care more about your daughter than the Holy Grail? Well, I can remove the magic from her at any time, but..."

"But what?"

"But if you want your daughter to escape the fate of being the 'Lesser Grail,' it's better to keep things as they are."

Sakatsuki explained.

"Through Miyu's magical resonance, I was able to use projection magic to create a pseudo-heart for Illya and asked a certain doll maker to remake it."

"But... isn't this your way of threatening us?"

"Yes, it's both a threat and a salvation. Just as the true threat to humanity is the desire to protect it, things always have two sides. Although that doll maker is currently swamped with work, she should have time to deal with Illya's situation by the day after tomorrow. At that time, I'll use replacement magic to help her escape her tragic fate. So..."

"So?"

Seeing Irisviel's confusion, the young man showed a sly smile.

"So, even if it's just for Illya's sake, you must protect me, okay?"

"You're really cunning."

Irisviel said with a helpless smile, her eyes shining with joy.

"But when will the Holy Grail War end? We don't even know what your goal is."

This time, the always composed young man fell silent for a moment before speaking.

"There's still some time. Let me tell you a story, Irisviel. A story that happened in another world."

"You really love telling stories, don't you, little Sakatsuki?"

"Not really. It's just that some things are easier to bear when told from a bystander's perspective."

Sakatsuki said.

"So, where should I start..."

"Let's start with a man named 'Kiritsugu Emiya' and a Lesser Grail named 'Irisviel,' who came to Fuyuki City with the Servant Saber."

"Except in this story, there is no one named 'Sakatsuki.'"

The sound of rain was gentle, and the aroma of tea lingered as the young man's voice, like a dream, narrated the gray past, the silver present, and the crimson future.

"...In the end, a boy named Shirou, adopted by Kiritsugu Emiya, vowed to become a hero in Kiritsugu's place, to become the person Kiritsugu once aspired to be but gave up on. The wish to protect smiles and kindness, to hope for eternal happiness, was passed from a man who achieved nothing in his life to his adopted son."

"And so, the gears of fate continued to turn, leading to a destined yet unknown future."

Sakatsuki finally stopped speaking. Unbeknownst to him, Saber, Miyu, and even Maiya had gathered around him. Irisviel, who had been sitting beside him from the start, was now in tears, choking back sobs as she asked.

"Back then, when you called yourself 'Shirou,' was that...?"

"Yes, that was me. To be precise—that was the initial power I inherited. A man named 'Shirou Emiya' from another world passed on everything he had left to me, including his bonds and fate."

Sakatsuki confessed.

"Although the story in this world unfolded differently, due to the contamination from the countless 'Shirous' on the Throne of Heroes and my own memories of the trajectory of fate, anyone connected to the individual 'Shirou Emiya' would have an influence on me."

"So it's because of 'Shirou Emiya's' influence that you've been so lenient with Kiritsugu?"

Saber pondered.

Satsuki nodded.

"I have to admit, because of this existence, I do feel a sense of guilt and gratitude towards Shirou Emiya. It's only natural that I would show some favoritism towards his family. At the same time, the fragments of his soul that remain are also affecting me, making me subconsciously let go of many things. Otherwise, Kiritsugu would have been in my grasp long ago."

"But that's all in the past. Thanks to someone not being cryptic, I've now realized this mistaken phenomenon. Shirou Emiya's emotions can no longer interfere with me. Additionally—"

The young man stood up, stretched, and walked towards the house, leaving behind a light remark.

"In one or two days at most, my pilgrimage in this Holy Grail War will come to an end. At that time, the mourning for a certain man will also conclude."

"I will live on in this world as 'Sakatsuki,' carrying with me a sense of reverence, and take his place."

***

The idle chatter of Sakatsuki and the others came to a pause. In another corner of Fuyuki City, Kiritsugu and Rider were still rushing about, striving to save someone important.

After forming a master-servant contract and receiving a supply of magical energy, Rider, with Kiritsugu in tow, sped to the entrance of the church and then came to a halt.

"There's a protective barrier outside. One more step and those inside will sense our presence."

Rider said.

"Do you have a good plan, Kiritsugu Emiya?"

"A plan?"

Kiritsugu replied as he took out his pistol and released the safety.

"The plan is to charge in together. You handle any Servants, and I'll kill Kirei Kotomine while looking for your Master."

"Finding my Master comes first."

"That's impossible."

Kiritsugu said, turning his head to meet Rider's gaze.

"My mission is equally crucial."

"Then after we enter the church, we'll each do our own thing—maybe the Servants inside will be more interested in the Masters."

Rider raised an eyebrow, not backing down.

"..."

Faced with Rider's blatant threat, Kiritsugu ultimately chose to step back first.

"Fine, I'll help you find your Master first, then deal with Kirei Kotomine. Do we need to make a contract, King of Conquerors?"

"No need, I don't use that sort of thing. I'll trust you this once, Saber's Master."

Iskandar said with a meaningful tone, emphasizing the last part, before charging into the church on his Gordius Wheel.

"Waver! Where are you, boy? I've come to save you! AAAALaLaLaLaLaie!"

The tranquility of the holy ground was shattered as the thunderous light smashed through the concrete walls, destroyed precious statues, and rampaged through the interior in search of the Master.

"What are you doing, King of Conquerors!"

The golden Servant was the first to appear before Iskandar, scolding him.

"You're trespassing on my private domain, which means you're ready to fight me, isn't it!"

"Stop blabbering!"

Responding to Gilgamesh was a hearty laugh.

"Of course—I'm not ready! After all, my Master has been taken by you guys!"

"Then why—!"

"But, King of Heroes, why not take a look at the army under my command? Here, take this—Ionioi Hetairoi!"

The Reality Marble unfolded, pulling the two Servants away from the battlefield. Inside the church, a figure clad in black moved like a ghost, searching for his target; the priest in a robe drew his Black Keys, ready for battle; the imprisoned young Master reached out his hand, finally touching the sole of his shoe.

The mysteries beyond reason had been excluded. Within this church, the struggle among humans had just begun.

***

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