Chapter 138

Then there were other less important matters.

First, the "corpses" in the church basement. Since they were beyond saving and only left with endless suffering, during the battle with Kirei that day, Red Archer and Bazett took the opportunity to end their pain one by one.

Their personalities had long been erased, and even the only possible method—Shinji overextending his life force to give them some to keep them alive—would only result in them living as soulless bodies. Some things had long been wiped out.

For them, early relief from pain was true salvation.

These bodies were also properly buried with funding from the Holy Church.

At this point, Rin glared at Gilgamesh, as if to say he was a demon!

"Bold! What need does the King have for the judgment of mongrels!"

"What kind of king are you? Draining the life force of ordinary people, you're just a vampire!"

"Your courage is growing, daughter of the Tohsaka family! Do you dare to speak to the King without being prepared to die?!"

Feeling that Gilgamesh was genuinely angry and might actually fight in his new home, Shinji quickly intervened, "Hey, this is my house. If you want to fight, please do it outside. And if you want me to be the judge, you need to book in advance. By the way, Gilgamesh, you don't lack mana, right? Why drain those lives?"

"A king need not explain to others!"

Gilgamesh's words made Rin even more furious. If not for the looks from Red Archer and Shinji stopping her, she might have spoken up again.

"Don't you fear your subjects might poison you if you feed on anything offered?" Shinji muttered.

"The King would love to see such a splendid performance from his subjects."

Ignoring Gilgamesh, Shinji turned to Rin and asked one last question.

"Tohsaka, what about Kuzuki...?"

"It's over. He was treated as a deliberate murder case. According to Fujimura-sensei, a new teacher will replace him next semester."

Hearing this, Shinji knew the Holy Grail War was truly over, both the war itself and its aftermath.

Then there were other trivial matters, like Bazett taking Lancer, whose identity issues Shinji had resolved, back to the Mage's Association, where she was now working well.

Also, Illya almost visited Shirou's house every day, even guiding Shirou's magic training.

In this process, Illya discovered that Shirou's training method had been wrong and dangerous. While correcting Shirou, she also found something else.

As for what that was, she didn't tell Rin, only that Rin would be greatly surprised when she found out!

Hearing this, Shinji and Gilgamesh simultaneously looked at Red Archer standing behind Rin, both showing amused expressions.

Red Archer, feeling uneasy under their gazes, chose to turn away.

Two monsters!

"...And then there's Emiya saying recently that Saber likes to wander in the mountains when she's free."

"Okay, thanks for the hard work." Shinji nodded, then thought of something and looked at Rider. "Rider, make a donation to the church and the orphanage from my account."

Rider, already familiar with the Matou family's business within a month, took out a phone and walked away while operating it.

"Are you using your Servant as a secretary?" Rin frowned.

"Making full use of resources, like a maid and a secretary."

"How is that making full use of resources? Such a powerful Servant handling such chores!"

Do you think you're different? Red Archer silently thought.

"By the way, Tohsaka, I'll be going out soon. Please take care of Sakura while I'm away."

"You're leaving again? You just came back..." Rin suddenly realized, "You... you're not..."

"Yes, taking advantage of the break to fix my soul."

"What method..."

"Secret." Shinji winked.

"Tch! Fine, don't say it."

"Shinji, hiding things from the King is a serious crime!"

Gilgamesh's words translated to: Interesting? Tell me! I want to know too!

"It's not something interesting, and you might find it boring. Besides, even if I wanted to take someone with me, I couldn't."

Hearing no hint of a lie, Gilgamesh didn't press further.

"A method to reach the Root alone?" Rin asked, interested.

"No."

"A method to reach the outside of the world alone?"

"Close, but no. Anyway, if you're not leaving by noon, stay for lunch."

"Sister, I brought gifts for everyone!"

Sakura entered, carrying large and small packages.

...

Seeing Gilgamesh with a shiny golden garland around his neck and a sequin hat, Rin felt something was off despite the harmonious scene.

Why isn't he angry?

"Because I thought my brother's friend suited the flashy accessories, so I bought them."

"Oh? You have a good instinct, Shinji's sister. But let me correct you... the King and Shinji are not friends."

"Uh..."

Sakura felt awkward but smiled after seeing her brother's look, then noticed Red Archer, momentarily stunned by a floral shirt.

"I bought matching shirts of different sizes for Senpai and Archer, feeling they would suit him too..."

Hearing this, Shinji and Gilgamesh simultaneously turned away, their shoulders shaking with laughter.

Not knowing why they were laughing, Rin frowned at Red Archer, "I think it looks good. He always wears black. This looks sunny."

"Mm?" Sakura noticed something, tapping her chin. "By the way, Archer's eyebrows look just like Senpai's..."

"Ha! Hahaha..."

"Ha! Hahaha..."

Shinji and Gilgamesh couldn't hold back and laughed together.

"What are you laughing at? It's rude!" Rin frowned, looking at Red Archer, who clenched his fists as if enduring something, "It's okay, Archer, I think it suits you."

Rider, guessing what was going on, turned away and quietly chuckled.

"Rin, since it's safe, I'll patrol."

Unable to bear it, Red Archer left, turning into spirit form to avoid more probing looks.

—Why don't you act?

"Take Sakura's gift back first!"

Rin was angry but helpless as he had already disappeared.

...

After lunch, Sakura took Rin to chat in her room about the trip and girl talk.

Shinji and Gilgamesh went to the game room, starting a new round of battles after a month's break!

Gilgamesh was good at racing games. Shinji struggled to win even once in ten rounds.

In other fighting games, Gilgamesh was equally skilled, making it a close contest.

Watching them engrossed in games, Rider sighed. Though they seemed different now, she feared Shinji might grow to have a personality like Gilgamesh.

Poor me...

...

Rin and Gilgamesh left before dinner, Rin going home, and Gilgamesh, with no home, went who knows where.

Surely not sleeping on the streets.

After dinner, at seven, Sakura didn't show much reluctance as Shinji had informed her in advance, only repeatedly reminding her brother to stay safe.

After saying goodbye, Shinji disappeared in a spatial distortion from their sight... or rather, from this world.

——————

"World travel successful."

"Current world: Fate/Zero."

"Current timeline: Before the Fourth Holy Grail War."

"Current world mission: Repair the soul."

"Success..."

Ignoring the system's voice, Shinji checked his body and the surroundings.

Realizing he was at the new city docks and his body was unaffected, he asked, "System, what's the time now?"

"The day Masters coincidentally summon their Servants for the Fourth Holy Grail War."

"Whoa!"

Without thinking, Shinji turned and ran.

If it were a day earlier, he could trick someone, steal their spot and relic, and even turn his uncle, winning the war with two Servants.