Chapter 158

In the dark depths of Caster's lair, the abandoned factory, the blood had already pooled into a small lake.

At the center of this lake was a girl, no older than ten, nailed to a cross with her limbs bound, staring lifelessly into the void, still questioning the world even in death.

From the empty eyes and slightly tilted face of the girl, Shinji could read her silent inquiry to the world, having grown accustomed to torment and pain in her final moments—

Why?

Aside from this crucified girl, there were various "artworks" made from fresh blood and living beings, creating a gallery of horror that could only be described as "impressive."

What were the magi doing at this moment?

Shinji didn't ponder this question deeply; it was meaningless. The things magi pursued were things he would never seek in his lifetime.

The honor that magi held dear was worthless to him.

No matter how much time passed, he would never agree with the values held by magi.

After all, magi and humans had long since ceased to be the same species.

At this moment, Lancer put away his Noble Phantasm, hiding his expression in the shadows, his fists clenched tightly and trembling slightly.

After a long while, Lancer spoke through gritted teeth.

"Diarmuid Ua Duibhne—by the honor of the Fianna Knights, I swear that in this Holy Grail War, I will personally eliminate Caster! Absolutely!"

"L-Lancer... right?"

"Mr. Miyafuji."

"Are you going to handle this too?"

Seeing the look of anguish on Shinji's face, Lancer nodded lightly. "I'm sorry, Mr. Miyafuji, but I can only let you know the truth. It's... a rule."

"So these children will ultimately be reported as missing...?"

Shinji lowered his head, smiling bitterly, then showed a complex expression and continued softly, "Those parents are still waiting for their children to return, even if it's just their bodies. Labeling them as missing may give the parents hope, but to me, that's the cruelest thing..."

Shinji had read news in his past life about parents who spent all their wealth searching nationwide for their lost children for decades, clinging to the hope that their child might still be alive somewhere.

How many of these children's parents would spend their lives chasing a hopeless hope, like those parents in the news?

Lancer understood Shinji's point. A false hope was indeed crueler than a definitive answer, but such was the secrecy of magecraft.

...

Shinji personally set the factory on fire, thinking it was better for a human to clean up this mess than leaving it to a magus.

Watching Shinji's slightly slumped figure walk away, Lancer didn't see him off but silently wished him peace.

After Shinji's figure completely disappeared, Lancer summoned his spear again and called out, "Come out, I've known you were here, King of Conquerors!"

"Hahaha!"

With a hearty laugh, Iskandar appeared.

"I thought I was the first to find Caster's lair, but it seems someone... no, someone's Master beat me to it."

Accompanying Rider was his young Master, Waver.

"Who was that?" Iskandar looked in the direction Shinji had left. "Doesn't seem like your Master, Lancer."

Seeing no intention of hostility, Lancer put away his spear and nodded slightly. "Yes, he is a normal person of this era. In his words, he's a detective seeking truth and justice."

"Seems you've made a good friend in this era, Lancer, hahahaha..."

Rider laughed again, then turned his attention to the burning factory. "But to track down Caster using ordinary means, he's quite the talent."

"King of Conquerors!"

"Don't be so angry, I'm not saying I'll make him my subject or anything. But it looks like you care about this friend."

Lancer praised Shinji sincerely, "That man has a heart committed to truth and unwavering justice. Among those I've met in my life, very few have a conviction as pure as his."

The Emperor nodded. "I see, for Lancer to speak so highly of him, he must be a person of great integrity."

"Rider... can we go back now?" Waver sighed, covering his face, feeling a bit defeated that someone had found Caster's lair before him, and it was an ordinary detective.

"Don't look so down, you did well too, little Master."

Blushing, Waver turned away, a bit embarrassed.

"By the way, I'm hosting a banquet tonight. Interested, Lancer?"

"Thank you for the invitation, King of Conquerors, but I must return to my Master."

"Alright then, as always, I'll challenge whoever wins between you and Saber to a duel!"

"Wait for it, King of Conquerors, I, Diarmuid, look forward to that moment!"

...

Tonight, in the original timeline, would have been the night of Rin's adventure and Kariya's heroic rescue.

However, since Caster didn't go hunting due to losing his Master, and Kariya wasn't a Master in this timeline, Rin and Kariya would likely stay home... probably.

Tonight was also the night of the three kings' banquet, but Shinji had no interest in spying on it.

Watching two macho men bully a tongue-tied girl wasn't appealing. It wasn't like... cough cough!

'My Master, Caster has started hunting again.'

Hearing this from Zayd, Shinji sighed, deciding to take a risk and "enlighten" Caster, much like Ryūnosuke in the original timeline.

Though aware of an Assassin tailing him since he and Lancer entered Caster's lair, Shinji didn't mind, leaving no detail unchecked.

...

"Ah, God, you're such an unlikable guy..."

On a park bench, a drunk Shinji mumbled, his eyes blurry, attracting the attention of a passing Caster, who had just set out to hunt.

Playing the role of a man troubled by the hidden side of the world and drinking away his sorrows, Shinji slurred, "God..."

Seeing the large-eyed Caster, Shinji downed his bottle of wine and pointed at Caster.

"Yes! God! That... damned selfish guy!"

Intrigued by the topic, Caster approached, placing a hand on his chest. "Hello, young man. I agree with you; God is a selfish, vile being!"

"Hahaha, exactly! He's a twisted jerk who loves the world but not humans! By the way, your outfit is strange, are you cosplaying?"

"That's irrelevant. You said God loves the world? What do you mean? God..."

Shinji opened another bottle with his teeth, gulping it down before continuing drunkenly, "Yes! He loves this world full of courage and hope, yet also enjoys tragedies and despair! He's a twisted, perverted freak!"

Caster, thoroughly intrigued, wore a "tell me more, I want to hear" expression.

...

After drunkenly rambling about his grievances, Shinji passed out on the bench. Caster, deeply moved by Shinji's words, bowed deeply and slowly walked away.

Shinji's remark, "If He didn't like tragedies, why not rewrite them? He must love them! He's a twisted pervert!" had greatly enlightened Caster!

Of course, the Assassin tailing Shinji hadn't noticed the slight smile on Shinji's face after Caster left.

Meanwhile, at the Tohsaka residence.

After reviewing Assassin's investigation, Kirei obtained detailed information about the young man who had visited the factory with Lancer during the day.

Carefully examining Shinji's profile and the detective's deductions, Kirei realized he was just an ordinary detective troubled by the hidden side of the world.

Such a person was less interesting than Kariya Matou, who wasn't a Master.

"Kirei, come to the basement."

Hearing his teacher's voice through the speaker, Kirei promptly responded, "Yes, teacher."

Throwing Shinji's profile into the trash, Kirei opened the door and headed straight for the basement where his teacher awaited.

Tonight was the three kings' banquet.

Tokiomi planned to use Assassin to attack Rider and his Master, a plan Kirei had already learned and started gathering all the Assassins.

For Tokiomi, success or failure didn't matter; the goal was to gauge the opponent's strength.

As expected, Kirei's summoned Assassins forced the Emperor to reveal his strongest Noble Phantasm, Ionian Hetairoi.

In the end, after moving for two days, Kirei returned to the church before dawn to seek sanctuary.

This time, it wasn't an evasion; he truly lost his Servant!

Upon returning to the familiar stone chamber in the church, he found Gilgamesh waiting for him, having just finished the banquet of the three kings.

The evangelization seemed to be nearing its final stage.