Iori said proudly, "I know very well that guy has been obsessed with little kids since thousands of years ago!"
Whoosh!
A magic arrow tore through the air and brushed past Iori's head, hitting the big tree behind him.
Even so, Iori's expression did not change, leaving Sella dumbfounded.
"Just now you were almost…"
"It's nothing! The important thing is we gained an undercover agent and a potential ally!"
"I have a lot of questions you need to explain, but first of all… what exactly is going on with that priest? How do you know his wish?"
"And… saving all humanity… this…"
"Curious? You are right. This is not just a simple coincidence."
Iori shrugged. Sensing that Lancer and Rider in the distance had also more or less stopped fighting, he picked a direction and turned to leave.
"Anyway, let's first clean up the treasures on the ground, then go back to town and find a hotel to rest before talking."
"That's easy. I already booked a room by phone earlier."
"Oh~ very proactive."
"…Hmm?"
———
Inside an ordinary but tidy hotel room, Sella sat on the edge of the bed, while Iori lounged in a chair, eating fried chicken in big bites without any concern for his image.
This kind of greasy fast food, criticized by parents and experts, was a rare delicacy for Iori who had stayed in the Soul Society for many years.
The familiar yet unfamiliar aroma and flavor between his lips and teeth made him show a rare expression of comfort and relaxation.
Sella was not in the same mood. After getting information from Iori about the Servant named "Amakusa Shirou Tokisada," she became unusually silent. She ate a few fries casually and then sat aside thinking on her own.
"Berserker… no, Iori."
Suddenly, Sella spoke. "In the Einzbern records, it does mention the Servant summoned in the Third Holy Grail War… It matches the information you provided. "
"But even if he accidentally 'materialized' and remained in this world as a living human, why would he choose to participate in the Holy Grail War again?"
"And that wish… to save all humanity…"
"I was not lying to Atalanta. That wish was indeed stolen by him… no, it would be more accurate to say he was inspired by it and borrowed it from the past."
Iori tore off a large piece of drumstick. The crispy coating and well seasoned chicken released warm oil with every chew, and even his breathing carried a tempting fragrance.
He enjoyed the food while chatting with Sella, not delaying either.
"How about this, let me ask you a question."
"What kind of Servant is Amakusa Shirou Tokisada?"
"Um… I don't quite understand what you mean."
Sella hesitated and said tentatively, "He is from the Far East, a martyr with Christian faith. His class is Ruler. According to records, his parameters are…"
"Parameters, Noble Phantasms, compatibility. I am not asking about A B C D type things."
"From the level of personality and spirit, what drives Kotomine Shirou, or rather Amakusa Shirou Tokisada?"
"Within all those unbelievable actions, what kind of logic exists?"
"This…" Sella opened her mouth and muttered, unable to answer.
Homunculi were naturally dull in this aspect. Even if various philosophical theories and works were input into their minds, without the keen sensibility of humans, they could not deeply understand these things.
"The answer is simple, he is a non religious saint."
"A saint… non religious?"
"In the original doctrine of Christianity, a saint should transcend the world, possess flawless virtue, and not be tainted by worldly desires. This is also the standard the Holy Grail uses to select a Ruler."
"Christianity, or any proper religion, does not actually encourage martyrdom. Sacrifice is ultimately a resolution made when there is no other choice, not some ritual people should be fanatic about."
"Later, for propaganda, Christianity turned saints into chosen ones of God who could perform miracles and supernatural feats. Sometimes political factors were also considered…"
Iori spoke calmly. "In a normal Holy Grail War, the extra class Ruler would not appear. Only when the war goes out of control will a judge be summoned as a suppressive force to manage the situation."
"And it will only choose Servants who have no desire for the Holy Grail, exactly like the perfect, transcendent saint described in many religions."
"But sixty years ago, the Einzbern family exploited a loophole in the summoning system and cheated to bring out a Ruler class Servant. That was Amakusa Shirou…"
"How should I put it, maybe after staying with the Rhine Gold for too long, your clan always drops the ball on certain details. It is almost like a curse."
At this point Iori could not help but smile. When it comes to messing up, people always think of a certain so called elegant family, but the Einzberns are not inferior in that regard.
"What do you mean?" Sella could not help defending her family. "Did we do something wrong?"
"Of course you did. Although you successfully created a Ruler using a loophole, the summoning process still relied on the normal system."
"So he also met the condition for responding to the Holy Grail's call as a Servant. He had a wish that needed the Holy Grail to fulfill!"
"Amakusa Shirou is a saint. There is no doubt about that. He was even recognized by Christianity. But he is definitely not a desireless, perfect saint in line with the original doctrine."
"On the contrary, he has strong personal will and desire. He does not resist sacrifice or martyrdom. He even has self destructive tendencies and extraordinary drive. He is a counterfeit saint!"
At some point Iori had stopped eating. His deep eyes seemed to be staring at a point in the void, and his voice grew heavy.
"This kind of person is the most troublesome. His spirit and will are hard to shake. Once he sets a goal, the only way to stop him is to destroy him physically."
"This might be somewhat biased… but we should be glad his ideal happens to point in a good direction."
"I still do not understand… what does this have to do with the Einzbern family?"
Sella swallowed. Just listening to Iori's description made her tense.
Everything in this world has cause and effect. No one is an isolated island, Sella.
A child rescued from a fire by a firefighter will naturally admire them, and the seeds of justice and ideals will take root.
Many survivors who escape from earthquakes or floods will develop an unforgettable sense of guilt or remorse in their hearts. It becomes an indelible memory.
Iori spoke in an almost emotional tone. "Amakusa Shirou could not save the weak who followed him during his lifetime. Even after becoming a Heroic Spirit, he carries a cross he cannot put down."
"For him, saving humanity is a great mission that must be accomplished. No matter what sacrifice it takes, it does not matter."
"However, when he was alive, limited by his ability, vision, and era, he did not achieve anything truly great, nor did he gain redemption."
"When he was summoned into this world, he likely only had a strong desire to save the world, but no concrete plan."
"But his encounter with the Einzberns gave substance to his ideal. It gave the vague goal a real possibility of being achieved..."
"That is the Third Magic, Heaven's Feel!"
"Ah!" Sella's delicate body trembled. "Just like us…"
"He needed a concrete plan. So he inherited your ideal. The details are somewhat different. He is more radical than you…"
"If that is the case, why can we not cooperate with him?"
Sella took a deep breath. "If the goal is to save all humanity, then does it matter who accomplishes it?"
"Yes. But if one person must preside over this matter, then as your Servant, I will naturally choose you, Sella."
"Amakusa's plan carries significant risk. It might even provoke the Counter Force. Most importantly, he is someone I cannot control."
"Dear Master, I promised you from the beginning that I would win. That promise is written into our contract. I will seriously uphold and fulfill it."
"Since the Holy Grail War is a competition, then do not hesitate. Use every method and fight it out wholeheartedly, Master!"
Iori showed a confident smile. "In the Greater Grail, the one who will be surrounded by the souls of Servants and ascend to heaven can only be you and me!"
———
"Open the door quickly! That person is about to return!"
In the castle of Yggdmillennia, the homunculi who looked quite similar hurried to open the gate, preparing to welcome the hero's triumphant return.
As soon as the door opened, a strong damp cold wind blew in with an indescribable ominous atmosphere, making everyone shiver.
The sky, which should have been at dusk, was now covered with dark clouds. Faint thunder rumbled in the distance.
The waiting felt unbearable, but in reality only a few seconds passed. The thunder quickly moved above the castle.
Only then did the homunculi guarding the gate realize something was wrong. "It's above! Go to the top floor!"
But it was already too late to prepare. A bolt of lightning struck the top of the castle. The vibration and the neigh of a warhorse spread throughout the entire castle. The magi in their workshops instinctively tensed their muscles.
It was not a reaction to hostility, because they were not even qualified to be regarded as enemies by that person.
It was simply that, as beings inferior in every aspect, they felt deep awe from a spiritual level toward that ominous and powerful presence.
"Mm!"
Unlike the many magi and homunculi who were stunned, a voluptuous and rather aggressive looking woman with glasses quickly regained her mobility. Her heartbeat sped up, and she hurried out of her workshop.
At this moment, on the highest watchtower of the castle, a corner of the magically reinforced wall had shattered and collapsed.
A tall and magnificent black warhorse stood there. Its rider put away her spear and reached out to grab a homunculus girl who was almost blown away by the aftershock.
"…Thank you."
The girl, her feet dangling in the air, felt the cold metallic touch from the hand gripping her wrist. She stared blankly at the black knight king above her.
For some reason, her usually indifferent emotional circuits became active, and a strange feeling slowly spread in her chest.
The black knight king did not speak. In silence, she pulled the girl up and set her down. The movement looked rough but carefully protected the homunculus girl from harm.
"I was too careless. Please forgive me, Rider-sama!"
The girl bent to apologize. Rider did not mind at all. She did not even move her head, keeping her gaze fixed forward.
She dismounted and gently stroked her mount twice. The black warhorse snorted affectionately. Hot air carried a few sparks, and then it turned into spirit form and disappeared.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
"Rider!"
The female magus with glasses rushed to the watchtower, looking excitedly at Rider. She was about to say something when she noticed the homunculus girl beside her, and her expression immediately turned displeased.
"What happened?"
"Lady Celenike."
The homunculus girl raised her head and explained calmly, "I did not control my distance well. When I tried to welcome Rider-sama, I stood too close. Rider-sama saved me."
"Hm?"
Celenike's willow leaf like slender brows frowned. "Who gave you permission to approach Rider?"
"Stay away from my Rider. Contact with someone like you is simply defiling the great King of Knights."
"You are just artificial life, a cheap homunculus. Know your place!"
"Yes!" Even when insulted, the homunculus showed no resentment. She accepted the scolding calmly, or rather numbly.
"Ah Rider, sorry, I came late." Celenike instantly changed her expression into a smile and looked at the black knight king. "I will not let these lowly homunculi get near you again."
Rider's identity was the famous King Arthur of Europe, but not the wise king who wielded the holy sword. She was summoned as the ruthless King of the Wild Hunt, even colder than her normal state.
Almost no humanity could be felt beneath that armor. Even her Master had to tread carefully.
As a knowledgeable magus, Celenike naturally knew the legend of King Arthur. So she was very wary of allowing homunculi to approach Rider. She assumed that Arthur would hate artificial beings such as homunculi and clones.
However, to her surprise, Rider did not become angry. She only cast a faint glance at the girl.
"It is fine."
Rider flicked her arm forward. The tightly connected armor plates made a pleasant metallic sound.
"Master, lead the way."
"As you command, my King!"
———
In the magnificent council hall of the Yggdmillennia clan, Vlad III sat on the throne and received the returning Rider.
As the King of the Black faction and nominal commander of all Servants and Masters, Vlad III held an extremely noble position in the castle. Even other Servants would bow to him to show respect.
But only Rider stood straight in the center of the hall, as if she were the true master of the entire place. The hard armor wrapped her body.
Her proud and unmoving posture rejected all prying eyes, making both magi and Servants feel deep awe from the bottom of their hearts.
In terms of presence alone, even standing on the ground, Rider could rival Vlad III on the throne without losing in the slightest.
The Prince of Wallachia rested his head on his hand and examined the Rider below. He was not angered by her lack of courtesy. Instead, he showed a confident and calm smile.
"Your aura is quite unstable. Do not tell me the operation failed?"
"This action has already lost its meaning."
Rider's voice, filtered through the helmet, carried a metallic echo. The clear tone held no emotional fluctuation, yet it conveyed strength.
[🎉 Shoutout to Asriels, LN and Slashdog for joining p@treon. Thank you very much.🤗]