Chapter 259

Bang!

A sudden gunshot rang out from behind, causing everyone to stop in their tracks simultaneously.

They all stared at Darius, who had just been easily handling everyone with one hand but was now writhing in pain, groaning, and scratching at himself. Silence fell over the group.

A few seconds later, Shirou, Saber, and the others turned their heads, their expressions complicated, to see Shinji holding a large-caliber custom handgun.

What just happened?

They had all been united, fighting together against a formidable enemy, and now, this sudden shot disrupted everything. Could they get back that feeling of unity, of fighting with everything they had, of never giving up?

"What's with those expressions? Shouldn't you be happy the enemy is taken care of?"

Everyone: ...You sneaky bastard!

The Great Hero was the first to react. He had noticed one of his father's origin bullets missing from the warehouse the day before but hadn't mentioned it.

He had assumed another version of himself had taken it since the only one with such a strong self-sacrificial spirit was him.

But it turned out to be this man!

Illya was the first to angrily approach, pouting and pointing at Shinji. "If you were going to act, you should have warned us! What if that dangerous bullet had hit one of us by mistake?"

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Shinji holstered the gun, looking disdainful. Before he could retort, Luvia, standing nearby, thoughtfully stroked her chin and began analyzing the situation.

"Maybe he was worried the enemy would catch on to the plan. After all, there's a saying: To deceive the enemy, you must first deceive your allies."

"No, that's not it." Shinji raised his hand, squinting his eyes. "I was just going to say my aim is actually pretty good. There was only about a one percent chance of missing."

Luvia/Illya: ...

Shirou awkwardly scratched his head. "Well, Shinji... I don't think shooting someone in the back is a good thing..."

"Indeed! Such sneaky behavior is unworthy of a knight! I cannot condone it!" Saber chimed in immediately, her brow furrowed, speaking righteously.

"If I hadn't done it, you'd all be dead. No banquet if you're dead, Saber."

Saber's ahoge twitched, and she adjusted her stance, still speaking firmly. "In exceptional circumstances, special measures may be necessary. Since the opponent intended to destroy this world, minimizing casualties to achieve victory is correct. But be careful next time, Matou Shinji."

Everyone: ...

"All right, it's time to end this."

Shinji turned to the now-fading Julian, whose body was reverting due to the origin bullet disrupting his magical circuits, and to Pandora, who was glowing as she neared her end.

"Julian…"

The Great Hero murmured his name, a rekindled sense of camaraderie evident. It was clear the Great Hero had regained some lost brotherly feeling towards Julian.

After all, Julian, like himself, was driven by a single person! He wasn't a champion of justice either!

"Damn it!"

Julian, stung by Shirou's gaze, gritted his teeth and looked at Pandora, who, despite the gaping hole in her chest, appeared peaceful and relieved.

"Julian…"

"Emilia... sister…"

There was a sentimental air between them that Shinji found nauseating.

His own sister (Angelica) was someone he used without regard, so why was Julian so obsessed with this adoptive sister?

No way Shinji would believe there were no ulterior motives. This guy had to be an early bloomer!

Watching Pandora turn into light particles and dissipate, Julian felt heart-wrenching sorrow, unable to breathe, tears flowing as he repeatedly called out her name.

Pandora, finding meaning in her six thousand years, said, "Perhaps my six thousand years were to meet you," causing Julian to completely break down, tears streaming.

The whole scene felt less like familial love and more like a dramatic romance, at least to the onlookers.

Finally, Pandora disappeared entirely in a glow, achieving her own form of a happy ending.

"What about that?" Luvia, arms crossed, pointed at Pandora's Box, still floating in the air. Everyone was puzzled why it remained after Pandora had passed.

"Shouldn't it disappear too?" Bazett wondered aloud.

Shinji shook his head. "No, that box was originally given to humanity as a punishment by the gods. So, it won't just disappear easily. If you're worried, just bury it somewhere."

"Isn't that too careless?" Shirou asked. "Isn't it extremely dangerous?"

"Exactly, which is why I suggested burying it," Shinji replied, as if it were the most logical thing.

Before anyone could respond to Shinji, another unexpected event took place!

"Ugh—!"

A thunderous roar and a massive crash echoed, drawing everyone's attention.

Seeing a gigantic ten-story-tall stone giant smashing the box, everyone was once again struck with shock and awe.

Especially when they saw it punch a hole in the box, causing black mud to spill out onto the ground, their hearts were in their throats again!

"Wasn't this supposed to be over?" Illya asked, stunned, staring at the raging stone giant.

They hadn't expected such a giant, not found in any myth, to appear!

Seeing the black mud pouring from the broken box, everyone turned to Shinji again.

"Even if you look at me like that, it's no use. Honestly, I don't know what to do. I just know that to save this world and humanity, that hole connecting to the box needs to be sealed."

"My Holy Sword Excalibur can…"

"Sorry, it can't! The power levels are too different. Your sword can't close that hole!"