บท 464: The Holy Grail and Miracles
Lancer finally met his end. Or rather, as a Heroic Spirit, he had long been dead, and his brief return to this world was nothing more than a reflection of his lingering regrets and unresolved wishes, which had led him to appear before Kaguya.
Unlike Saber and Rider, Lancer's sole purpose in the Holy Grail War was to fulfill his duty as a knight—a duty he had failed to complete in his previous life. His desire was to serve a worthy master to the end and fight an honorable battle, with no particular interest in the Holy Grail itself.
To Kaguya, this seemed childish. Devotion to a master was something she, a modern-minded individual, could hardly understand. She would never bow to anyone, regardless of how powerful they might be. However, Lancer's final smile, as he faded into golden light, might have been one of relief, satisfaction, or the joy of having fulfilled his last wish.
No matter the reason, Lancer was undoubtedly content. Unlike his tragic demise in the original story, where he was forced to commit suicide by command seal, this time he was able to face a proper end. In that sense, this outcome was a blessing.
Yet, as Lancer's soul dispersed, Kaguya felt a strange sensation, as if something had filled her stomach—like she had just eaten a large meal. There was even an urge to burp. She quickly realized that the Lesser Grail had absorbed Lancer's soul once again.
Kaguya couldn't help but feel a little exasperated. Is the Lesser Grail some kind of glutton?
At least the matter was settled now, though she couldn't help but feel there was still something unfinished. Nevertheless, maybe she had done something good for once.
The spectators, on the other hand, were left stunned. Even though many of them had already witnessed Kaguya's immense power, they were still shaken by what they had just seen. Especially Kayneth, who had not been present to see Kaguya's earlier confrontation with Caster Gilles de Rais on the Fuyuki City bridge. Now, having witnessed her terrifying strength firsthand, he was deeply unsettled.
For someone once hailed as a genius, the Holy Grail War had dealt him nothing but humiliation and defeat. This experience only solidified his resolve to withdraw from the conflict. With his body crippled and his chances of victory slim, staying in the war would only result in death. It was far better to retreat now than to perish in vain.
The only one who seemed calm was Kiritsugu Emiya, who was quietly packing away his equipment. He stored his submachine gun and single-shot pistol inside his trench coat and prepared to leave.
"Wait," Kaguya suddenly called out.
Kiritsugu paused but didn't turn around. "Do you need something?"
Kaguya walked up to him, standing directly in front of him. "I know what you're thinking. You're planning to ambush Kayneth and his fiancée after they leave, aren't you?"
Kiritsugu remained silent, pulling out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. He lit one, taking a long drag as smoke curled into the air.
His silence confirmed her suspicion.
Kayneth's body trembled, and his pupils shrank. He hadn't even considered such a possibility, but was this man really so ruthless that he would kill them even after they had given up on the Holy Grail War?
Kaguya didn't need to look at Kayneth to know what he was thinking. She could guess it easily.
In this war, once a Master was killed, the Grail might reassign their Servant to another Master who had lost their own. Similarly, if a Master lost their Command Seals or their Servant, they might still be chosen again by the Grail. Thus, the most secure way to eliminate an enemy was to kill both the Master and their Servant together.
Given Kiritsugu's nature, he would never leave someone who could potentially become a threat later. In the original timeline, this was precisely what he did.
Saber, upon hearing this, was shocked. She hurried over, her clear eyes filled with conviction as she said, "Master, I cannot condone such underhanded methods. They've already withdrawn from the Holy Grail War, so why do you still intend to kill them? And earlier, you planned to use Sola-Ui to blackmail Lancer. Don't you have any pride or dignity as a magus?"
Pride and dignity?
If Kiritsugu had those, that would truly be a joke. He didn't care about such things. He was a man who would do whatever it took to achieve his goals, regardless of the methods. Even if others, like Tohsaka Tokiomi, considered his tactics disgraceful and unforgivable, Kiritsugu would still continue on his path.
Oddly enough, Kaguya appreciated this mindset, as she was the same way. War was inherently dirty. It wasn't about right or wrong—only about achieving victory by any means necessary. Those who draped themselves in banners of glory and justice were merely wrapping their killing sprees in a more palatable facade.
"I don't care what you're thinking," Kaguya said as she walked closer, a smile playing on her lips. "But I won't let you kill them. It's pointless, and I believe they won't re-enter the war for the Grail."
Kayneth's face was filled with both surprise and relief as he tightened his hold on his unconscious fiancée.
"And how exactly do you plan to stop me?" Kiritsugu asked calmly as he turned around to face her. "Are you planning to kill me?"
Kaguya raised a brow, her tone cold. "Do you really think I can't kill you? Or that I wouldn't?"
Both Saber and Irisviel were taken aback, suddenly realizing that the person standing before them wasn't their ally or a friend, but a potential adversary.
"If you really wanted to kill me," Kiritsugu said as he lit another cigarette, "you would've done so already. I don't know what your true goal is, but it's not the Holy Grail War. If that were the case, with your power, this war would already be over."
Kaguya was somewhat surprised. She hadn't expected Kiritsugu to come so close to guessing her intentions. After all, she truly didn't view the Holy Grail War as something worthy of her attention.
The mission assigned to Kaguya by the system was to win the Holy Grail War, but her objective wasn't solely focused on victory. She had many other plans and ambitions in mind. That's why she hadn't been in a rush to launch an offensive. If she truly desired, she could likely end the war swiftly, but she chose not to.
It was like enjoying a fine wine—why gulp it down all at once when you could savor its rich flavors? Ending the war hastily would be like wasting such a precious opportunity.
Much like Gilgamesh, who, with his power, could easily win the war if he so desired. Yet, instead of swiftly eliminating his enemies, he indulged in his own amusement—until it ultimately backfired.
"You do have keen instincts, but they seem to be misplaced," Kaguya said as she playfully twirled a strand of her hair around her finger, her lips curling into a mischievous smile. "But tell me, do you truly believe the Holy Grail is a miracle that can grant any wish?"
"Of course. Isn't that the very purpose of the Holy Grail War?" Kiritsugu responded, his eyes narrowing, sensing there was more to her words. He asked gravely, "What are you implying?"
"It's nothing." Kaguya smiled again as she approached him. "Wherever there are people, there is conflict. Where there is conflict, there is bloodshed and war. That's been the case ever since humans first appeared. Do you really think that a mere Holy Grail can bring an end to all violence and ensure that no one ever suffers again?"
"Precisely because it's impossible, that's why we need the Holy Grail's miracle," Kiritsugu said firmly. "To stop this unending chain of suffering, the Holy Grail is the answer. I want to make the blood spilled here in Fuyuki the last blood humanity ever sheds. Even if I must bear all the sins of the world, I don't care."
"Do you really believe that?" Kaguya's expression turned serious, her brow furrowed as she asked the question.
"I do," Kiritsugu replied with calm resolve. "If it means saving the world, I will gladly accept that burden."
Seeing his unwavering determination, Kaguya hesitated. She had intended to reveal the truth to him—that the Holy Grail was tainted, and it would never grant his wish. But as she looked into his eyes, she reconsidered. It wasn't her place to shatter the dream he had clung to for so long, the dream that had driven him to endure all this suffering.
To crush someone's dream was like ripping them from their slumber, awakening them to harsh reality. But how cruel would that be? Maybe it was better to let him remain in his dream, even if it was impossible.
Even if the Holy Grail weren't corrupted, what Kiritsugu sought could never be achieved. Magic could only bring about that which was within the realm of possibility. Something impossible—like erasing all war and suffering from the world—was beyond even the Holy Grail's capabilities.
After all, not even the Holy Grail could change the fundamental nature of humanity.
Kaguya gazed at Kiritsugu with her clear, autumn-like eyes, then suddenly broke into a soft laugh. "Since you're so determined, I won't stand in your way. I won't kill you either. But I'm afraid I can't let these two die over something so pointless."
"Maybe you can protect them now, but can you keep protecting them in the future?" Kiritsugu asked in a low voice.
"Of course," Kaguya responded as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "I've already said I'd let these two live, so I'll make sure they stay alive. Otherwise, wouldn't I lose face? And as for whether I can protect them or not..."
Kaguya flipped her hands, and in an instant, two guns appeared in her grip.
Kiritsugu's pupils shrank in shock as his hand instinctively reached for his coat, only to find that the guns—his submachine gun and single-shot pistol—were gone.
The weapons were now in Kaguya's hands.
He hadn't even noticed when they had been taken from him.
Kiritsugu didn't know that Kaguya had used her space-time ninjutsu, Yomotsu Hirasaka, to stealthily steal his guns without him realizing.
"Sorry, I'll be borrowing these for a moment." Kaguya smiled as she gripped the weapons.
For a moment, Kiritsugu thought Kaguya intended to shoot him, but to his surprise, she turned and raised both guns, aiming them at a distant, bewildered Kayneth. She pulled the trigger.
"Ratatatatat!"
The rapid crack of gunfire echoed as the submachine gun spat flames, sending a barrage of bullets hurtling toward Kayneth, who was frozen in place.
Weren't you supposed to let me live?
Kayneth's heart was filled with despair. In his current state, he had no means to defend himself. This time, it truly seemed like there was no escape.
But just as the bullets were about to hit him, a silver, mercury-like substance surged up from the ground, forming a protective barrier in front of him like a wall.
"Clang, clang, clang!"
Sparks flew as the bullets were deflected by the mercury wall, failing to penetrate it.
Kayneth blinked in surprise, then felt a rush of joy—his Volumen Hydrargyrum had activated.
He had thought that with his magic circuits destroyed, he would no longer be able to use this mystic code. But now, it had reactivated and saved his life. The rollercoaster of emotions he had experienced today was enough to make him want to cry.
However, when he looked up, his relief quickly turned to horror. Kaguya was now holding Kiritsugu's single-shot pistol, pointing it directly at him. Her slender finger was already on the trigger.
It was Kiritsugu's Origin Bullet, the same bullet that had pierced through his Volumen Hydrargyrum and destroyed his magic circuits, leaving him a cripple.
"Is she really going to kill me?"
Kayneth's pupils contracted as he instinctively pulled his unconscious fiancée closer to him.
At that moment, Kaguya squeezed the trigger, and with a deafening bang, the bullet shot out of the barrel, racing toward Kayneth's head.
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