Chương 462: Repaying Kindness
"Stop! Don't kill her!" Seeing Kiritsugu unlock the safety, Kayneth shouted anxiously, "I'll do whatever you say! Just don't hurt Sola-Ui!" He tried to wheel himself forward, but in his haste, his wheelchair wobbled and nearly tipped over.
"Stop, Master!" Saber also called out urgently.
However, Kiritsugu remained indifferent, unmoved by their pleas. He kept the gun pressed against Sola-Ui's head, his finger lightly resting on the trigger, ready to fire at any moment.
At that instant, a crumpled piece of paper fell from Kayneth's wheelchair, rolling to a stop at Lancer's feet.
Lancer's eyes flickered, and he bent down to pick up the paper. When he uncrumpled it, his pupils contracted upon reading its contents—clearly a contract of some kind.
"Stop, I'll do it immediately! Don't hurt her!" Kayneth shouted desperately, raising his arm. The command seals on the back of his hand glowed with a brilliant red light.
Kayneth's frantic desperation touched even Kaguya slightly. Initially, Kaguya had no fondness for the man—arrogant, condescending, and full of self-importance. But seeing his willingness to sacrifice his future and honor, even his life, for the woman he loved gave her a different perspective. Not everyone could love so deeply that they'd set aside everything, even if they knew their love wasn't fully returned.
And not everyone could keep going under the weight of such a "green hat."
"You people are so desperate to win?" Lancer gritted his teeth, tightly clutching the contract in his hand. His knuckles turned white from the pressure. "You'd stoop this low just to get the Holy Grail? Trampling all over my one and only wish—do you have no shame?"
Saber stepped forward, standing between Kiritsugu and Lancer. She spoke passionately, "Master, please stop! I swear I can win this battle with honor. This is a fight between knights, a battle of glory. Please, do not interfere."
Kiritsugu's face remained impassive, ignoring Saber's words entirely. His finger began to squeeze the trigger.
"I think it would be wise for you to grant him this final wish."
Suddenly, a soft, melodious voice rang out beside Kiritsugu's ear.
Kiritsugu's pupils constricted in shock. He instinctively tried to turn and defend himself, but found his body completely immobile. No matter how much strength he exerted, he couldn't move a single finger. Unbeknownst to him, countless fine strands of hair had wrapped around his body—so fine they were nearly invisible, even to the naked eye. These threads, as it turned out, were Kaguya's Rabbit Hair Needles.
Kaguya stepped out from behind him, her expression serene.
For mages and Servants, illusions and mental attacks were usually ineffective, but these microscopic threads could infiltrate without notice. The Rabbit Hair Needles could easily disrupt the body's pathways and meridians. The energy within them could block nerves, giving Kaguya control over a person's body.
These threads wouldn't work on powerful Servants like Saber or Gilgamesh, but against fragile human Masters, they were highly effective.
At that moment, Saber dashed forward, her invisible sword raised, positioning herself between Kaguya and Kiritsugu. Despite her dissatisfaction with her Master's methods, protecting him was still her duty as a knight—that was her code.
Kaguya, however, paid Saber little attention. She gently picked up Sola-Ui from the ground and walked over to Kayneth, handing her over to him. Though she found Kayneth unpleasant, his deep love for his fiancée was, at least, worthy of some admiration.
"Thank you… thank you…" Kayneth murmured, holding Sola-Ui tightly in his arms, tears welling in his eyes.
At the same time, Lancer approached Kaguya, his gaze serious. "Thank you for allowing me to retain the last shred of my knightly honor. I may have offended you before, and for that, I ask your forgiveness."
Kaguya smiled but said nothing.
There wasn't much to say. Lancer was burdened with the "E-rank luck" that seemed to doom him to tragedy. His fate was simply a part of the Lancer class. Perhaps, because of her intervention, his story wouldn't end in as much bitterness this time.
"I will forever remember your kindness," Lancer said with a formal bow, performing a knightly salute.
Kaguya paused, then smiled. "Consider it a debt you owe me."
Lancer chuckled. "If you ever visit my homeland, I will welcome you with open arms."
"No, thanks!" Kaguya quickly waved her hand. "I'm not in a hurry to die just yet. Maybe when I've lived long enough, I'll come find you."
For a man of honor like Lancer, perhaps apart from his vanity, he didn't have many glaring flaws. If one looked past his misfortunes, he wasn't so bad as a friend.
"Wait."
At that moment, Kayneth, still holding Sola-Ui, suddenly spoke up. "There's something I need to say."
Kaguya turned, curious. "What is it? Don't tell me you've changed your mind about the Holy Grail War?"
"No," Kayneth shook his head gently, speaking seriously. "I've made my decision. The moment I received that contract, I decided to withdraw from the war. All I want now is to live a peaceful life with Sola-Ui."
"Then what do you want to say?" Kaguya asked, puzzled.
Raising his arm, the command seals on the back of Kayneth's hand glowed brightly. "I command you as your Master, Lancer: uphold your knightly honor. Don't lose your way during this journey. Stick to your convictions and show your glory in battle."
Lancer was taken aback, but soon his expression turned resolute. He walked over, knelt before Kayneth, and solemnly said, "I swear on my name as a knight that I will do so."
Kayneth, still holding Sola-Ui, sighed. "I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused you with my arrogance."
"It's nothing," Lancer replied firmly. "If we meet again, I would be honored to serve you as my Master once more, and I will continue to protect you."
Hearing this, Kayneth was stunned, but a look of peace came over him. For the first time since the war began, he felt a weight lifted from his heart. He was tired of the Holy Grail War.
Kaguya, watching the scene unfold, smiled warmly. Perhaps, because of her presence, everything had changed.
At that moment, Lancer turned toward Kaguya, his gaze intense. "I have one final request… my last wish. I hope you can grant it."
"What is it?" Kaguya asked, surprised by his seriousness.
"Fight me," Lancer said, his tone unwavering. "Let me die as a knight, in battle."
"..."
"Why is it that every time I help someone, they ask me for a fight afterward? Is this how you repay kindness?"
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