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Chapter 22 - Chapter 22: Maniac

(As Emiya Shirou was cut in half on the screen)

Instantly, the entire screen fell into silence.

The live chat, which had been filled with comments, experienced a rare break.

The audience, regardless of which timeline or world line, fell silent as they watched Emiya Shirou's actions on the screen.

They were shocked!!!

[Live Chat/Comments]

[Tōsaka Rin]: ? ? ? ! !

[Matō Sakura]: Senpai!!!

[Waver Velvet]: What happened? Am I seeing this right? Emiya Shirou actually used his own body to block the blow for his Servant?

[Gawain]: I admire your willingness to sacrifice so much for the King, but the King is his Servant after all, and Emiya Shirou is the Master!

[Gilgamesh]: A faker is a faker. It's truly ridiculous for a mere mortal to interfere in a battle between Servants!

[Lancelot]: After all, he is Emiya Kiritsugu's adopted son. Perhaps, according to his sense of justice, he cannot accept his companion—and a lady at that—being injured before his eyes.

[Galahad]: What noble chivalry.

(Scene: Fifth Holy Grail War Timeline - Just Begun)

Illya, who was determined to help Emiya Shirou, saw this scene on the screen.

For a moment, she was stunned in the middle of the road.

It wasn't until the shrill horn of a passing vehicle sounded that she snapped back to reality.

"So, if the original timeline unfolds, Shirou-san will die by my hand, right?" Illya whispered softly.

Her face was already covered in tears.

"No! We can't let this future become reality!!!"

"We can't ignore Shirou-nii tomorrow!!!"

"Illya will never let this happen!"

Under the cover of night and the glow of the streetlights, the silver-haired Illya became even more determined to help Emiya Shirou.

Her pace, initially walking normally towards the Emiya residence, quickened into a full sprint.

(Back on the screen)

[As the light and shadow gradually dissipated, an abrupt change occurred—the fierce battle between Artoria and Berserker was wondrously compressed into a dazzling crystal orb, like a battle within a microscopic universe.]

[The camera slowly pulls back, revealing a mysterious woman wearing deep purple-black robes, her face hidden in shadow. She stands before the crystal orb, concentrating intently on observing every subtle change within it, as if holding some unknown secret.]

[The scene suddenly shifts again, pulling the audience back to the battlefield.]

[On the asphalt road, Emiya Shirou's bright red blood spread like a dazzling crimson flower.]

[He lay on the cold ground, covered in blood. Illyasviel stood nearby, staring at him with hollow eyes, whispering softly: "Is this enough?"]

["Enough. This boring farce should end. Berserker, follow me." Illya's voice was as cold as ice, devoid of any emotion.]

[Illyasviel slowly turned and cast a deep glance at Rin Tōsaka: "Rin, next time we meet, it will be your turn," and then she resolutely left.]

[Rin Tōsaka knelt beside Emiya Shirou, tears and anger intertwined on her face. She incoherently scolded him in anger: "What on earth were you thinking?! Do you know... I can't save you like last time!"]

["Shirou... Shirou..." Saber's call was like a whisper on the breeze, yet it contained boundless grief and reluctance.]

[However, a trace of regret flashed in Emiya Shirou's eyes before he slowly closed them, as if bidding farewell to the world.]

[Live Chat/Comments]

[Sesshōin Kiara]: No, he shouldn't end his life like this. After all, if that's all, how could he become a Heroic Spirit and possess that kind of strength?

[Arcuid Brunestud]: Indeed. If his life ends just like this, then there's no point in talking about so-called 'allies of justice'.

[Aozaki Aoko]: But... he's already been cut in half. Is there any way to survive?

[Merlin]: There must be a way. But the two people around Emiya Shirou... seem unable to do it.

[Illya]: Wuwuwu, it's all Illya's fault, Illya killed...

[Emiya Kiritsugu]: @Illya, no, Illya, it's not your fault. It's all Dad's fault.

(Simultaneously, the darkened screen lights up again)

[In Emiya Shirou's room.]

["This... isn't this my room?" Emiya Shirou's voice sounded strange, and then he noticed a strong taste of blood in his mouth.]

[He staggered to the bathroom, supporting himself against the wall. He simply rinsed his mouth, but was shocked to find he was vomiting blood.]

[He staggered towards the living room, his stomach growling, complaining: "Ah, I'm so hungry. Let's go find something to eat first..."]

[However, when he reluctantly walked into the living room, he found the dining table completely empty.]

["Good morning," Rin Tōsaka, who was sitting on a cushion, greeted coldly.]

["Huh?!" Emiya Shirou's eyes widened in surprise as he looked at Rin Tōsaka.]

["Tōsaka, why are you here—"]

[Emiya Shirou hadn't finished his sentence when Rin Tōsaka interrupted him: "Wait a minute, shouldn't you apologize first? Until I hear your apology for what happened yesterday, I will not give up."]

["Heh... Wait, why am I still alive?" Emiya Shirou looked utterly confused.]

[Live Chat/Comments]

[Waver Velvet]: No, he himself doesn't know? So someone came and saved him in the middle of it all?

[Kotomine Kirei]: No, it's not that. At least in my impression, there should be no one in the Fifth Holy Grail War who can easily save a person who was practically doomed to die overnight.

[Gilgamesh]: This is getting interesting, mongrel!

[Lord El-Melloi II]: This is just a guess, I don't know if it's correct. But if it is true, I'm afraid many people will become restless.

[Flat Escardos]: So what is it, Professor? Can you finish your sentence all at once?!!

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