The scene shifts to a point beyond the immediate narrative, where heroes and magi from across worldlines and timelines have their attention captured by a luminous screen in the sky.
Even as mere spectators, they cannot contain their excitement, filled with anticipation and a burning desire to know what happens next.
Thus far, the entire Holy Grail War has reached its climax on this fateful night.
From Assassin, Caster, Lancer, and Rider to Saber, and even the Berserker who never appeared from start to finish—all were dealt with by the Emiya warrior in a nearly flawless manner. His strength and wisdom have left everyone in awe.
However, all spectators understand that the Emiya warrior's battle is not entirely over.
Only one enemy remains—the mastermind behind the entire incident, the entity wielding the power of Gilgamesh! This mysterious and powerful foe has always been the ultimate goal pursued by the Emiya warrior, the adversary he must defeat.
[Merlin: To think I would live to witness such a feat with my own eyes!]
[Iskandar: If possible, I would truly like to recruit this young man into my army and conquer the world together! With him by my side, the path to conquest would undoubtedly be thrilling.]
[Gilgamesh (Caster): If we had someone like him on the front lines during the battle against the Beast, it would have been considerably easier, would it not?]
[Ritsuka Fujimaru: I think so too. If we had the Emiya warrior's assistance, our journey wouldn't have been so arduous.]
Simultaneously, the luminous screen flickers.
[The Emiya warrior stares intently at the seven cards he has just collected, lost in deep thought. These cards represent the trials and efforts he has endured throughout this Holy Grail War, and they are also the key to his final victory.]
[Just then, a cheerful voice suddenly rings out, breaking the surrounding silence.]
["Well done, Shirou Emiya!"]
[It is the jovial priest, Kirei Kotomine, who has appeared behind the Emiya warrior unnoticed. The priest raises his hands in praise, his eyes filled with delight and admiration.]
[However, Kirei Kotomine's purpose is not merely to celebrate the Emiya warrior's victory. He says solemnly, "But this may be karma. Your final enemy… is your own kin."]
[Emiya is momentarily stunned upon hearing this but quickly regains his composure. He knows this war is far from over; the true challenge still awaits him.]
["Stand tall, young man," Kirei Kotomine continues. "You have carved your own path single-handedly. You are the victor of this Holy Grail War. But to behold the true Holy Grail and save Miyu, you must defeat this last enemy."]
[Though Kirei Kotomine's tone is full of praise, the Emiya warrior pays it little mind.]
[The Emiya warrior's goal is pure and unwavering: to save his sister, Miyu. This conviction guides him like a beacon.]
["Where is Miyu?" he confirms with Kirei Kotomine once more.]
[Kirei Kotomine smiles faintly and provides the answer: "The place where the Holy Grail descends is undoubtedly there. The mountain where dragons once dwelled… there is a winding underground cave. That is the place of your destiny."]
[As Kirei Kotomine's words fade, the scene shifts. The Emiya warrior now stands in a dark, damp cave. Here, he finally confronts the man who took his sister—Julian.]
["It feels like it's been a long time," the Emiya warrior says, his voice echoing through the cavern.]
["Give Miyu back to me!" His words carry a hint of anger.]
[Julian's face reveals clear anger and disappointment: "You truly disappoint me, Emiya. For your own selfish desires, you wouldn't mind betraying all of humanity?"]
["There is a way to save this dying world, yet you ignore it for the sake of so-called feelings?"]
[At this moment, as Shirou Emiya looks at Julian, the image of Kiritsugu Emiya surfaces in his mind.]
[This world is gradually heading toward destruction. Kiritsugu Emiya's choice was to sacrifice one person to save everyone.]
[But Shirou Emiya refuses this.]
[He wants to be selfish, just this once.]
[Miyu is his sister. His wish is simply for his sister to grow up safely and live peacefully.]
[As for the world… that is not something a young girl should have to bear!]
[This is what Shirou Emiya believes, and this is what he declares to Julian.]
["I am Miyu's brother. I only want to protect my sister. I only want Miyu to be safe and happy!"]
["If you consider this evil, then I will become evil!"]
[Shirou Emiya's voice is resolute and powerful, his words shaking the very air.]
[Julian stands frozen, momentarily at a loss for how to respond.]
[Thus, Shirou Emiya continues forward, passing by Julian until he stands before the enemy wielding Gilgamesh's power—Angelica!]
[Bullet Comments]
[Waver Velvet: 'If this is evil, then I will become evil.' What a powerful declaration! To have a brother like this protecting you must feel incredibly safe.]
[Kiritsugu Emiya: I cannot entirely fault Julian's approach. In a world doomed to destruction, if a universal wishing machine can save it at the cost of one life… the sacrifice of one versus the salvation of the entire world… the cost seems negligible.]
[Illyasviel von Einzbern (Magical Girl): But what about Miyu? Miyu herself wants to live! She wants to remain Shirou's sister forever and live happily! Is Miyu wrong?]
[Rin Tohsaka: Miyu is just a child. Is it truly fair to place the heavy burden of saving the world on her shoulders and sacrifice her life?]
At this moment, in the timeline just before the Fourth Holy Grail War.
Within Einzbern Castle, watching the bullet comments drift across the luminous screen, Kiritsugu Emiya begins to doubt his own choices.
"Could it be… that my way was wrong?"
All his life, Kiritsugu Emiya has faced countless choices and countless acts of killing.
These experiences have caused him immense pain.
Now, memories of those past events surge forth like a tide, and Kiritsugu Emiya feels lost.
"Perhaps… it's better to choose one's own path. At the very least, he won't have to live a life of suffering like mine."