"Everyone, please open the way to the Holy Grail for me!"
Irisviel's gaze sharpened as she stared from afar at the grotesque embryo — a writhing mass that seemed to embody all the evils of the world. Its many eyes were fixed entirely on her. In that moment, she knew the truth: only one of them would survive.
Aslan, too, noticed Irisviel's transformation into the Heavenly Dress. He exchanged a glance with Melusine, silently signaling her to hold the line for the moment. At the same time, he linked with the Supreme Masterpiece, commanding its Hammer of Justice to once again aim at the Holy Grail. If he were to leave the battlefield, the pressure on his allies would double — so he had to ensure the frontline held firm.
Thus, the Supreme Masterpiece would continue to rain down orbital strikes from above, reducing the burden on the others. To some extent, as long as it was still firing, Aslan had not truly withdrawn from the battle.
Of course, if this colossal weapon, blazing in the heavens, was noticed by ground-based observatories or satellites — and if certain nations began speculating about its origins — that was hardly Aslan's concern. After all, it had been launched from the Far East, and its design bore a distinctly Gundam-like aesthetic. If a certain "bald eagle" nation chose to spin wild theories about it, that would simply be their own problem.
Aslan descended before Kiritsugu. His instincts told him the man had something to ask — something that weighed heavily on his heart. With a faint smile, Aslan glanced at Merlin.
"Merlin, you old bastard. Break him. Use whatever methods you're best at."
If Kiritsugu was anything like the man from the original timeline, his inner torment would mirror the punishment inflicted by the evil of this world. Merlin might not be as cruel as that darkness, but his twisted sense of amusement was more than sufficient.
Aslan merely waited. The man before him — the so-called savior of the world — would have to make his own choice: to abandon this Grail War. He could always join the next one, a decade from now. And if his wish remained "world peace," then perhaps fate would throw them together once again.
Still, Aslan came prepared. From his cloak he produced a puppet he had forged in recent days. Crafted without rare materials or excessive enchantments, it nonetheless had the capacity to house a human consciousness and soul, allowing it to persist in this world for up to a century.
A century was only theoretical, of course. Wear and tear, daily strain, and the fragility of a soul once transplanted meant its life would be far shorter. Yet even so, to grant Irisviel and Kiritsugu the chance to remain together — even outside the bounds of fate — was a kindness.
Merlin did not disappoint. With unsettling precision, he peeled back the layers of Kiritsugu's heart, exposing every hidden wound. The more unshakable a man seemed, the more fragile he was within.
Before long, Kiritsugu clutched his chest, gasping for breath before collapsing to his knees. Merlin smirked, bored that the game had ended so quickly.
Kiritsugu buried his face in his hands, trembling. When he finally lifted his gaze, the illusions had faded. Flowers bloomed before him, vivid and real.
He turned to Aslan — the legendary blacksmith standing in the flesh — and dropped to one knee.
"Please… save Ai Li. I'll do anything you ask."
Aslan's lips curved into a thin smile. From his pocket, he produced a scroll.
"Then withdraw from this Grail War. I'm not asking for your death, only that you abandon the right to fight for the Grail. Nothing more. As for the next war… should you wish to enter, that's your decision."
Kiritsugu froze, startled by the simplicity of the demand. No traps, no impossible conditions — merely to stand down. Relief flooded through him.
"Yes," he breathed, snatching the contract and pen, signing his name without hesitation.
Aslan nodded in approval, placing a steady hand on his shoulder. "Watch closely. Do not be startled."
From the void, countless runes shimmered into existence, shaping themselves into radiant fae spirits. They surged into Irisviel's body, drawing her soul free from the artificial vessel. Gently, they carried it into the waiting puppet. Its form shifted, reshaping until it mirrored Irisviel's own figure.
With a gesture, Aslan pulled a white cloth from the ether, draping it over her new body until it transformed into garments. He then hung a necklace upon her chest, its gem softly aglow.
Finally, he handed her a crystalline device.
"This will allow you to control your original body," Aslan explained. "Think of it as a game controller. It won't be perfectly stable, but it will suffice to see you through."
The puppet-Irisviel accepted it with trembling hands.
Meanwhile, Aslan turned back to the battlefield. The half-titan loomed, wielding Gilgamesh's sundering blade to bar their advance. But it didn't matter.
"Melusine!" Aslan called out. His voice thundered like steel striking an anvil. "I'll clear the way. When the moment comes, use your power to shatter the Grail's shell!"
With that, he surged forward, a golden scabbard materializing at his waist as he charged straight toward the Holy Grail.
-End Chapter-
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