Jubstacheit von Einzbern looked as if he was about to lose his mind, swept away by the relentless tide of words poured out by myself, Father Kotomine, and Kiritsugu.
"In the first place, the commission itself was fundamentally flawed. The Greater Grail was completely corrupted, inhabited by an Evil of Humanity. My apprentice, Maiya, and even Irisviel almost lost their lives because of it."
"It was also the Einzbern side that broke the rules, Elder Acht. The Holy Church will be demanding an explanation as to why the Einzberns summoned a class known as 'Avenger.'"
"On top of that, there will be a claim for damages regarding Fuyuki City, which was half-destroyed by the manifestation of that Evil of Humanity, along with a reprimand regarding the leakage of Mystery. For your information, I am currently acting as the representative for the Second Magician as well."
[Grrrgh...]
I prided myself on being a relatively normal person, but seeing a man obsessed with a twisted sense of justice on one side and a man overflowing with fanatical faith on the other beating him down with accusations of responsibility, even Jubstacheit finally raised the white flag.
[Fine. Our side will take responsibility for what occurred in Fuyuki City. But before that, proving that you truly possess the Third Magic is the priority.]
"Proof? Was the fact that I just separated the Grail from the soul of Illyasviel von Einzbern not enough?"
[It is insufficient. While it may be impossible for the abilities of the Second Magician, the Fifth Magician currently active should be capable of it. Furthermore, if it is a Puppetmaster who has reached the Grand rank, or magecraft that touches the Root like the Unified Language or the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, one could potentially separate the Grail from Illyasviel's body without resorting to the Third Magic.]
"You lack faith, Jubstacheit."
And yet, surprisingly, his point was valid.
While the Unified Language or puppetry might have struggled, if one were to use the Mystic Eyes of Shiki Ryougi, it might actually be possible to 'kill' only the connection of the Grail within Illyasviel's body.
"Then I shall show you."
Summoning the Naraka Path, I reached past Gae Dearg, which sat within the massive mouth of the summons, and pulled out a man with seaweed-like hair.
The man rubbed his eyes for a moment, adjusting to the sudden light, before finally speaking.
"This place... the Castle of Winter. Is it the Einzbern estate?"
[That voice... is it Makiri Zolgen?!]
"Call me Zolgen as you used to, Jubstacheit. Except for myself, the Matou family is effectively extinct."
[Ridiculous...! You should have completely lost your reason by now...]
"Of course, the me of the past certainly did. I pursued immortality as a human, racing toward the salvation of humanity, and I began to endure it not as a Dead Apostle, but as a human. Unfortunately, my flesh began to rot in various ways, and my soul deteriorated into corruption. However, do we not have a user of the Third Magic right there?"
The words of Zolgen, who already had a prior acquaintance with Jubstacheit, were logical and carried the weight of his name.
His status as a member of the 'Three Founding Families' who had collaborated with the Einzberns from the very beginning was something even Jubstacheit could not dare ignore. The only problem was... yes, the fact that everything Zolgen was saying was a complete lie.
'I need your help, Mr. Zolgen.'
'...What is there to gain from a magus who has already fallen into ruin?'
'Indeed, you have fallen. I do not know what the blackened Evil of Humanity did to you, but the reason you were able to return to your prime body was entirely due to the curse emitted by Angra Mainyu.'
'In other words, this is a body forged by using that curse. Since you have completely eradicated Angra Mainyu, it means this cursed flesh is on borrowed time.'
'...In the past, you would have tried to swap bodies. But now, you won't, will you?'
'Indeed, I cannot. I was a magus who wished to save humanity, and I ended in failure. I wish to end my life not as a monster, but as a single human being.'
'And in that process, I want you to assist me.'
...And that was how Zolgen joined our trio of scammers.
* * * * *
[I see. So his soul was restored to its prime through the Third Magic...]
"I am also acquainted with the Second Magician. That man, who can observe all timelines of the parallel worlds, informed me of Touko Aozaki's location, and I was able to obtain a body for Zolgen with perfectly identical DNA. Though it is only a temporary construct."
[Then I have no choice but to believe. I shall believe it; you are indeed a user of the Third Magic.]
Well, that's a line that sounds like he's about to drop me off a bridge.
"Is it alright if I speak now, Jubstacheit?"
[Of course.]
"That young man has already succeeded in achieving Heaven's Feel, the Einzbern's long-cherished wish. Therefore, your task has become meaningless. Unless you refuse to acknowledge any Magic other than the Third Magic practiced by the Einzberns... it seems there are only two paths left for you."
[Are you saying we either abandon the Third Magic or obtain it through that youth?]
"Precisely."
Kirei Kotomine said, slowly thumbing his rosary beads.
"We cannot simply leave a Grail that birthed something as catastrophic as an Evil of Humanity unattended. The Greater Grail will be recovered by the Holy Church. The only thing we can return is the altar where traces of Justeaze Lizrich von Einzbern remain."
"The Mages' Association will move similarly, Elder Acht. Since Kayneth El-Melloi performed quite well in this Holy Grail War, the Association is planning to conduct a proper investigation... Well, it will likely be handled according to what that professor says."
"In short, the only paths left for you and the Einzberns are the two you mentioned. Furthermore, I have discovered one fact through this manifestation of Evil, Jubstacheit: the concept of the Pruned Phenomenon."
[...I am listening.]
As Elder Acht fell silent, Zolgen began to explain in a relaxed voice, like a grandfather speaking to his grandson.
"World peace, the salvation of humanity, an absolute dictatorial system... when such feats are achieved, the collective unconscious of humanity known as the Counter Force literally prunes the world like a dead branch because the world has lost its motive power as its potential for progress vanishes."
[The collective unconscious of Alaya... surely you mean the Throne of Heroes...!]
"Exactly that. The very task that you and I pursued most passionately was, paradoxically, the shortest path to the destruction of humanity. I am not saying it was inherently bad. Even I, who have fallen and risen again, am still striving for the sake of humanity. But not Heaven's Feel. If that were to actually happen... at the very least, the unconscious of humanity that drives the current world would instead prune us away."
[Can you prove it? Your words have no evidence...]
"The fact that I am not dying before your eyes is the proof. The Third Magic that youth wields handles not only my soul but also the Saṃsāra of the Six Paths where souls go upon death. He who speaks lies before the King of the Underworld—his tongue shall be stretched out like a twelve-jang pole and ground down. Have you heard of this?"
Zolgen began to persuade him slowly and surely, citing the reasons why Heaven's Feel would fail, the concept of the Pruned Phenomenon, and the danger of the Evil of Humanity that had appeared at the end.
Finally, when he brought out the definitive proof of the Third Magic, the 'Materialization of the Soul,' Jubstacheit nodded.
[If you go this far, I have nothing left to say. The Third Magic has already been mastered, our long-held wish has vanished like foam, and the means to achieve it in the future have been completely lost. However, if it is a contract stating that we will assist you, the user of the Third Magic, in exchange for your help with our future wish, then I shall gladly accept.]
"There is nothing to lose for us either. Very well, what shall be the method of the contract?"
[Third Magician Hakuno Kishinami, I shall grant you full authority over the Einzbern family.]
"Hup...!"
A blank check. A literal blank check was pushed toward me.
I had simply mixed one special eye with a reasonable amount of lies, and yet the Einzberns, with a thousand years of magecraft history, had handed me a blank check.
[However, I cannot just give it away. You must promise two conditions.]
"That shouldn't be difficult. What do you want?"
[First, upon your death, you must bequeath all information regarding the Third Magic and its acquisition conditions to no one else but us, the Einzberns.]
...Well, that's not hard.
In the first place, the fact that I was born with the Third Magic was literally just luck, and it's questionable if it should even be called the Third Magic.
"Fine. What is the second?"
[You claimed connections with the Second Magician, the Puppetmaster, and the Fifth Magician. Prove it.]
"Well... I know the locations of the Puppetmaster and the Fifth Magician, so that's not hard, but the Second Magician might be tough. That old man is the kind of person who won't meet you even if you try."
[Then the other two will suffice. Since magic is a series of linked actions, a connection with the Fifth Magician will aid the path the Einzberns must take in the future.]
"Fine. But I won't take responsibility for what happens after we meet."
[As long as you keep your promise, the Einzberns will follow your instructions. It would be wise not to engage in actions that involve cutting off your own nose to spite your face.]
"Smooth talker..."
[And finally, swear to these contents via a Self-Enforcement Geas.]
"...Eh?"
Jubstacheit held out the Geas scroll as he spoke... and I signed it.
Watching his expression, which failed to hide its delight behind an expressionless face, I thought to myself quietly.
'...As I thought, the Three Founding Families are total pushovers.'
Truly, it was a moment where my respect for Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald rose, even if only by a fraction.
* * * * *
The deal with the Einzberns proceeded without a hitch, and after handing over the Lesser Grail that had been separated from Illyasviel and Irisviel's bodies, I quietly left the castle.
Kiritsugu picked up Illya, who was wrapped tightly in an overcoat in the Bounded Field area outside, and began to walk slowly. Sella and Leysritt followed behind Illya as she rubbed her face against her father's cheek.
Unlike the arduous trek up the snowy mountain, the descent was swift using the equipment prepared by the Einzberns. We were then able to return comfortably to Japan on a private jet owned by the family.
Just as I was about to open a bottle of champagne and savor the taste, a hand covered in scars reached out, took the glass and bottle, and handed me a small glass of grape juice.
"It is improper to drink at such a young age, O Third Magician."
"...Cut it out. You know I'm not really the Third Magician anyway, don't you?"
"Haha! But it was quite amusing at my age. Impersonating the Third Magician to gain authority over the Einzberns... Furthermore, that name isn't even your real name, is it? It's even questionable if an incomplete user of the Third Magic would be affected by a Self-Enforcement Geas... It seems Elder Acht has also grown dull over the long years."
"Never mind that, just get back into the Naraka Path. The longer you're out here, the faster Angra Mainyu's flesh will disperse."
"No, I came out because I have something to give you."
Makiri Zolgen spoke as he handed over a stack of documents that looked like a very thick file and something yellowish that resembled tough leather.
"What... is this?"
"The ownership of all the theses I have written, all the magic foundations and businesses owned by the Makiri... and my Magic Crest. To put it simply, you could consider it a will."
"...What did you say?"
"Young man, do you not know? In the end, I am living on borrowed time. Did I not say it was my wish to die as a human? That time has simply come."
Indeed, his words were not wrong.
He had certainly committed many unforgivable sins, and he was an old ghost for whom further prolonging of life was a burden.
If he hadn't repented at the last moment... he probably could never have been saved in any way.
"I am truly grateful, Makiri Zolgen. Thanks to you, our wish has moved one step closer to reality."
"...It is I who should be grateful. For awakening me, who had forgotten my most important mission. For an old man like me to cause such trouble... you've had to work far too hard. Could you come closer for a moment?"
As Zolgen gestured, I approached his side.
As I bowed my waist slightly to look at him, he suddenly reached out, gripped my shoulder, and began to speak in a trembling voice.
"Young man, I know 'what' it is you are trying to fight."
"...What?"
"I was briefly swallowed by the mud of Angra Mainyu. Within that mud, I saw many things. The suffering youth, the villagers who looked away, the little girl who approached that youth, the youth who tried to forgive everything before he died... and the thing that appeared before him...!"
The 'thing.'
The madman who awakened the Evil of Humanity and manifest it before me by turning it into a Foundation of the Human Order.
"...Did you see him? That King..."
"I cannot speak of it. It is something I cannot bring myself to voice. But you will fight him, won't you? Unlike me, who had half-fallen and given up, you are a courageous young man who continues to run forward."
"...You did not give up. You simply lost your way for a moment."
"However, I can no longer move forward. I lack the confidence to do so. Thus, young man... you may think of me as a coward. If not for the future where the Evil of Humanity awakens, you might even see me as a shameless old man and a fallen magus... even so, I must warn you. Even if you think nothing of this warning!"
Suddenly, with a face flushed red as he gasped for breath, he continued his words in a voice that seemed to be pleading.
"You... you will surely never try to give up like I did. That is what youth is, and you have already achieved so much with me... Even if death appeared before your eyes, you would choose the path of confronting that mad King without batting an eye... Yes, you won't give up. But still...! Even if I know that, I want to tell you! Do you understand? An old man like me, no matter what happens, no matter how disappointed I am in this world, no matter how much I am tossed about by life... even if I give up everything like I did... I still have the wish that a young man like you could live a bit more comfortably! Especially someone like you... a person like you. I want you to enjoy a life where you are not just buried in the duty of protecting things, but one where you can occasionally look back at the warm connections around you... that's the kind of life I want you to have."
"...Why are you bothering to tell me that, Elder?"
At that, he spoke with a warm smile, something I never thought I would see on his face.
"We three families crushed Justeaze to death on a stone altar to achieve our wish. In truth, I did not want that... I should have realized from then on that our wish was flawed. Is even the name not so? A war of the Holy Grail. What meaning is there in a wish achieved by summoning Heroic Spirits with the bait of a wish and grinding their spiritual essence into the Grail? Even now, I wonder... what if we had treated those wise and experienced Heroic Spirits... not just as simple 'Servants,' but as humans, and offered them counsel... instead?"
"...Zolgen."
Right then, Zolgen's body, which had been speaking so passionately, began to grow faint.
"Haha... Is it time for me to break? Now that I have endured through my fall, and even this corrupted flesh has vanished... it is time to truly disappear."
"...Do you truly have no intention of entering the Naraka Path?"
"I shall decline. Was that ability of yours not one that even purified the contamination of the mud? There is no point in putting an old man like me inside. I only hope that the trifling magecraft I have built up... will aid you in blocking that terrifying enemy, if even by a ten-thousandth."
After saying that, he closed his eyes as if he wanted to be alone in silence, and I slowly rose from my seat to go where he could not see me.
At least in the moment of death, he seemed to wish to be alone.
* * * * *
"...Death is coming."
Once he had been resolute, once he had been terrified, and now he was simply at peace.
At that moment, a small child bumped into Zolgen's leg. It was the homunculus daughter of Kiritsugu Emiya, who had been pattering all over the plane at every moment, and a priest who had quickly come to catch her.
"Child who resembles Justeaze, go back to your father quickly. That man will be looking for you anxiously."
"...Are you afraid of death, Grandpa?"
It was an unexpected question.
"...Probably, everyone is, my child. I, this priest, and your father—all of us likely fear death."
"Then, you don't want to die?"
"Yes, that was certainly true in the past."
"...Then, what about now?"
"...I can accept it."
Then, the voice changed.
"I ask. My old enemy... and my friend, the great magus. Why did you think you did not want to die? And why have you changed your mind?"
"Ah..."
He remembered.
The final contract with that youth, the lie he told Jubstacheit... and his own crimes and karma.
"I... I wished for an ideal. An ideal where everyone was equal... and there was no sin or pain. But I grew old, and I committed sins. I did not trust the future generations, and as I tried to achieve my desire myself, I confused the ends with the means, and I completely forgot..."
"..."
"But no more. There is no need to simply cling to it. How laughable and foolish it is to try to reverse the flow of water that has already passed. We simply flow along, pushing the rocks that block their way for the sake of the approaching torrent. Over there, like I was 500 years ago, are those full of zeal, skill... and passion, carrying on our will. If so... how ugly and foolish would it be for an old man like me to keep clinging? Justeaze."
"...My dear friend, is that truly enough for you?"
"It is, Justeaze. For I have already been saved..."
Managing to prop up his half-collapsing body, he saw Kirei Kotomine watching him with a firm expression.
He was a youth who was upright, very righteous... and at the same time, harbored an immense evil within his heart.
"Young man. There is delusion within your heart."
"...!"
"You must suspect it, and that youth who wields a glimpse of the Third Magic, along with the ancient Wise King, likely know it as well. Of course, I knew it too."
"...How... do you...!"
"I hope you look at me, young man. See the end of a coward who forgot his mission, gave up being human... and fell into ruin. And through this old man's end...! I hope there is something you can realize."
With those words, Zolgen's body dispersed like small golden grains, just as a Servant's body breaks apart.
The death he had feared so much was approaching, yet his face looked somehow at peace.
"Nagato, Justeaze... now I am coming to where you are...!"
* * * * *
When we disembarked from the plane, we all looked back at the aircraft for a moment.
Illyasviel was sleeping peacefully, perhaps exhausted for some reason, and Kirei Kotomine—even though I had warned him of the evil within him—did not lament, rage, or grieve unlike when Gilgamesh told him, but simply nodded and departed.