As the blinding golden light faded… before their eyes stretched an endless ocean of green fields and fresh flowers beneath a blue sky where water met the horizon. In an instant it was as though they had stepped into another world—completely different from the dark oppression of moments before.
Sweet birdsong rose now and then around them. Colorful butterflies danced through the blossoms. Clear water flowed ceaselessly along narrow channels. All these sounds mingled together at their ears, weaving a fresh melody.
"…This is inside the Grail?"
How strange… as though cut off from the world. Fiore stood dazed. It was her first time seeing something so beautiful.
[Emm… it is indeed lovely. What do you think, Shogun?]
Ei interjected at the right moment.
'It's fine.'
[Pfft…]
Ei smiled slightly. Clearly drawn in, yet still being stubborn.
'What are you laughing at? N~o~laughter.'
The Shogun rebuked her in mild annoyance. Sometimes if she didn't push back, that fox would go too far.
[Nothing at all.]
Ei replied playfully, just as stubborn.
The Shogun wanted to retort but, with serious business ahead and a girl in tow, she chose to let it go. Time must not be wasted.
"Though it's beautiful, we must not let it delay us. Let's continue."
She answered the girl at her side, then stepped onward into the distant sea of flowers.
"Ah… mm!"
Fiore snapped out of it and quickly nodded, controlling the mechanical arm behind her as she followed the Shogun.
After walking a while, they saw two figures ahead—a man and a woman. The man was unmistakably Amakusa. But the woman? They did not yet know.
"Stay here."
The Shogun instructed Fiore, then quietly dissolved into violet motes of light.
"…Alright."
Fiore stood obediently where she was, like a well-behaved daughter waiting for the Shogun's return.
On the other side… Amakusa Shirou Tokisada was speaking with the silver-haired woman before him—
"You are the embodiment of the Greater Grail?"
Amakusa asked.
"Let us say so… may I ask what you seek?"
She nodded slightly, polite. Of course she knew his purpose. None could arrive here without reason. But by her position she had to ask.
"You should already know. I want you to grant my wish."
Amakusa answered bluntly.
"A wish…? May I ask what it is?"
The woman sighed inwardly.
"I wish to save all mankind."
His voice trembled with excitement he could not hide, for soon his dream would be reality!
"…"
But she fell silent a moment, then shook her head in regret.
"I am sorry. I cannot grant your wish."
"!"
Amakusa's body shuddered. He almost thought he had misheard.
"Why?!"
His tone grew agitated.
"Are you not able to grant any wish?! Why can you not grant mine?!"
He was nearly hysterical.
"You misunderstand."
Still calm, she shook her head.
"It can be done in itself. But the time for granting has not yet come."
"What do you mean?"
Amakusa asked.
"Because… the Holy Grail War is not yet over."
At this, he understood. Heh… so that was all? He had been frightened for nothing.
"I see. No matter. Black has been completely defeated. I assure you the winner of this Holy Grail War is me."
He answered with full confidence.
"…And how am I to believe you? If you deceive me or break the rules… the consequences will be dire."
Her crimson eyes narrowed as she spoke gravely.
"You need not worry. I stake my life on it—the victor is me. So please grant my wish."
"…Very well."
She looked at the gray-haired man before her, about to speak, but the next second sensed a presence. Closing her eyes as if in resignation, she said:
"You said it yourself—you stake your life on it."
"Indeed. So—"
"Regrettably, the victor of this war has yet to be decided."
The woman suddenly cut him off, her crimson eyes opening coldly as she met his gaze, words striking at his heart.
"Hah?"
Stab!!!
But he had no time to react. In the next instant, a blade wreathed in thunder pierced into his back, running through his body. Blood sprayed, yet the droplets vanished the moment they touched the woman's robes.
"…!"
Amakusa froze, dumbfounded, then lowered his gaze to the blade protruding from his chest… and the crimson pooling at his feet and seeping through his hands.
"Wha—ghk!"
His throat constricted, and he coughed up a gush of blood onto the vibrant grass, staining it red.
"You… you!!"
His expression twisted hideously. The composure he once carried was gone. Turning with pain, he saw her—the kimono-clad woman in her true form—staring at him coldly.
Twist!
Musou Isshin churned inside him, tearing his organs apart. His body lost strength, and he collapsed to his knees.
"Uaaaaghhh!!!"
Amakusa screamed in agony. Not only from the wound, but from the lightning corroding his insides. The blade of Musou Isshin radiated violet light, which spread from his torn flesh, flooding his entire body.
"You fulfilled your promise."
The Shogun looked down at the man she had stabbed in the back, her tone mocking his earlier proud vow. A life wagered—indeed, it was being paid.
"Ugh! Cough! Why… why are you here?"
Assassin… Lancer… Caster—all defeated? How strong was she, to break through three layers of defense so quickly?!
"Has Assassin… fallen?"
Barely clinging to consciousness, he asked weakly.
"You, her Master, know nothing of her state? Your ideals have blinded you."
"Shut up!!! Cough!!"
He roared in fury, coughing blood.
"What about Caster?!"
"He let me in. He wished to witness your tragedy. We made a bargain."
"!!"
At that, Amakusa convulsed in rage.
"Urrghhh!!! Caster!! I should have killed you from the start!!"
His face, drenched in blood, twisted in hysteria. The whites of his eyes flushed with crimson. Meanwhile, violet light surged up his neck, burning away his organs one by one. He hadn't even managed to use a Command Seal.
"My… ideal!! You… all… deserve death!!!"
With his final scream, the thunder within burst through his flesh, shattering him into dust-like motes. From head to toe, his body disintegrated into the sky—leaving not even a corpse behind.
Whoosh!
The Shogun, unwilling to hear his noise any longer, pulled Musou Isshin free and lowered it by her side, leaving him to vanish without a trace.
"Congratulations, the victors of the Holy Grail War—Saber and her Master."
After Amakusa's departure, the woman approached the Shogun with respect, bowing once more. From afar, Fiore also walked over, standing at the Shogun's side, staring in a daze at the sight before her.
To her, this moment felt like a dream. That she had truly won seemed unbelievable. Yet she knew full well—her victory was thanks entirely to the woman at her side. She was sincerely grateful, from the depths of her heart. If possible, she would devote her entire life to repaying that debt.
"Earlier… why did you not warn him?"
But the Shogun turned and asked the woman this question—clearly referring to Amakusa. The woman had sensed her presence, yet said nothing. In a way, she had indirectly led him to his death.
"…"
The woman, of course, understood. She shook her head in silence.
"I am but the embodiment of the Grail, not a participant in this war. My role is to observe from the side, to maintain fairness. If I had warned him, your plan would have failed. Then the fault would lie with me. Thus silence was best."
If Amakusa noticed, that was his skill. If he died, that was a matter of strength. Everything lay between the two combatants—not her. Moreover, she had hinted subtly, but he had still been distracted, struck down before he realized.
"…That is reasonable. Very well, I will trust you, for now."
The Shogun did not pursue the matter further. She had no desire to. It was over. Once Fiore's wish was granted, everything would be finished.
The woman bowed once again.
"Um… are you… the Grail itself?"
Fiore asked timidly. The question felt foolish even to her, but she truly did not know the Greater Grail could take human form.
"I am the manifested form of one once called the Holy Maiden of Winter—Justeaze Lizrich von Einzbern."
The silver-haired beauty bowed politely, giving a name that at least sounded credible.
"Einzbern…"
Fiore's eyes widened slightly. Of course she had heard the name. Any magus would.
"Indeed. Strictly speaking, I am more like a terminal—a vessel. Not truly her."
The woman turned, stepping into the sea of flowers. Gazing at the colorful blossoms and azure sky, she spoke softly.
"In that time, I was born here through her hand, hidden within the Grail, waiting for each generation's victor."
Turning back, her crimson eyes met theirs.
"And today… at last, you have arrived."
For once, a gentle smile touched her lips.
The Shogun tilted her head slightly, considering her words.
"Then… speak your wish."
The woman returned to stand before them.
"Before that… I have a question."
At the Shogun's words, Fiore glanced at her instinctively. She thought she knew what would be asked—for she, too, had wondered.
"Very well. Please ask."
The woman resembling Justeaze replied.
"Could Amakusa Shirou Tokisada's wish truly have been granted?"
Could the wish to save all humanity really be fulfilled by her hand?
"The answer is, regrettably… yes. It could."
The woman nodded.
"!"
Fiore's eyes widened, brows furrowing.
"…How?"
The Shogun's voice showed no emotion, only a calm upward glance.
"In truth… from a broad perspective, saving all humanity is impossible. Humans are complex beings. Even in peace, they find ways to stir up strife."
"In that case, only one path remains: force. Not through their bodies—that is unrealistic. But through their souls. The Greater Grail is a vessel of the Third Magic, a key to the materialization of souls. By reversing it, material can be made into soul. Thus, the Third Magic could be spread across all existence. And what would follow from that… I believe the two of you can already imagine."
Yes… her hint had been all too clear. Humanity's flesh would vanish, their souls ascending. That was how "saving all mankind" would look. It would mean the extinction of humanity.
Fiore shuddered at the thought. Thankfully, the Shogun had struck Amakusa down. Otherwise, matters would have grown far more complicated.
[Truly terrifying…]
Ei murmured.
'Do not fear.'
The Shogun gently comforted her.
Pfft…
Ei laughed softly at her tone. It was like being soothed by a mother stroking her child's head. She knew the Shogun meant it sincerely, but she could not help but laugh.
"…Enough digression. His matter aside, the victors now stand before me. State your wishes."
The woman sighed, shaking her head, returning the topic.
"I have no need of the Grail. Fiore, the chance is yours."
The Shogun shook her head, leaving it to her.
"Eh? But… uhm…"
Fiore hesitated, embarrassed. The Shogun had done so much, and she…
"It matters not. Bringing you here was our agreement. Besides, I never intended to rely on the Grail to realize my wish. Eternity must be achieved by our own hands."
Seeing the girl's unease, the Shogun soothed her. Fiore need not worry.
The woman turned her gaze to Fiore, waiting.
"U-um… I… I want…"
Fiore's cheeks flushed. She hesitated, then finally said:
"I want… my legs to be healed. Is that possible?"
She knew her wish was small, even selfish—so unlike Amakusa's grandiose ideal. Guilt welled up inside her. A part of her almost wanted the woman to say, "No, it cannot be done." That might have eased her heart.
"..."
The woman blinked, then lowered her gaze, smiling faintly. So that was it. Such a wish was almost endearing.
"Of course. Let me see."
She knelt before Fiore.
"Mm…"
Fiore let her mechanical arms set her gently on the grass. She folded her hands over her legs, sitting in a duck-like position, her legs limp.
The silver-haired woman placed her hand on Fiore's thighs. A faint glow spread, revealing her magic circuits.
The Shogun crouched as well, watching closely.
"…Your paralysis stems from your innate circuits. They are excellent, but since childhood they have drawn away your legs' nourishment, robbing you of the power to walk. To cure you, the circuits must be erased."
She lifted her hand, meeting Fiore's gaze.
"…I see…"
Fiore's face fell, though without surprise. She had always known: to walk again meant losing her circuits, her identity as a magus. She would be ordinary.
"There is no other way?"
The Shogun asked.
"Regrettably, no. The Grail's process follows rules. It does not grant without cause. Please understand."
The woman bowed her head apologetically.
"It's alright… Shogun, I'm fine. I decided long ago. Even if I lose my circuits… I want to stand on this earth with my own legs."
Fiore's eyes burned with determination. The Shogun saw it clearly.
"If that is your resolve, I will not object."
She sighed softly.
"Yes… I have decided. Please."
Fiore looked up at the silver-haired woman, asking earnestly.
"Very well. Victors of the Grail War… I shall now grant your noble desire."
Vmmm~
Warm white light radiated from her hand, flowing into Fiore's legs, enveloping them. She felt something slipping away inside her—not pain, but a tingling numbness.
After half a minute, the glow faded. Her legs lay whole.
"It is done."
The woman rose.
"!"
Fiore tried moving them—her legs. They responded. Even the smallest motion filled her with joy. Tears welled as she cast aside her mechanical arms and slowly stood, trembling like a newborn.
Her body wavered. She clenched her thighs, trying to stay upright. At last she faltered, but the Shogun caught her, sparing her a fall.
"Your legs are newly healed. Take it slow. Do not rush."
She set the girl gently back on the grass.
"Mm… I… Shogun… thank you… thank you… sob…"
Fiore's voice broke as tears streamed down her face. They were tears of joy, tears of long-held hope fulfilled, tears of gratitude. Her life had been changed.
She had become ordinary. Yet she could stand again. For her, the price was worth it.
"Hah…"
The Shogun sighed, wiping away her tears with her fingers. Fiore's face was blotched like a little cat's.
[Sigh… such is the nature of wishes.]
'?'
The Shogun blinked, surprised Ei had spoken.
[Pursuing wishes makes us lose more. The more we lose, the stronger the wish. And in the end… everything slips away.]
'Ei…'
[Forgive me… I've said too much. I did not mean to trouble you. I simply felt moved by this girl's choice.]
Perhaps… all wishes are like that.