Chapter 262

As Pandora met her end and the box was taken to the other side of the world by the fantasy dragon, Darius, transformed into the Giant King, pursued the dragon into the inner world. The hole inside the box also disappeared from this world because the box was no longer present, thus averting the crisis of world destruction that the black mud would have caused.

Although the world was still inevitably doomed to perish due to the irreversible nature of the Land of Steel, it was saved for now.

Shinji figured that if the original work had concluded, this would likely have been its ending. Not much would change since introducing a reversible Land of Steel would be contradictory. He speculated that Pandora, perhaps no longer feeling the agony of living due to her newfound friendship with Illya, might have survived for a happy ending in the original story.

Such an ending was possible for Shinji to orchestrate as well. He could have used rhetoric to give Pandora hope and courage to face the future, but he couldn't be bothered to waste his breath. He preferred the simplest solution.

...

At night, in the courtyard, Shirou watched as Shinji, seated on the rooftop with a layer of snow on his head, finally turned to Shirou and asked.

"Is your friend okay? He's been on the rooftop since dinner, and even this afternoon. Isn't he cold?"

Shirou scratched his head and replied, "I don't really know what Shinji is thinking most of the time, but I guess he's fine."

The rooftop of the Hero's house was where Shinji had been silently staying since everything ended. Apart from Young Gil and Gilgamesh, who might have had an inkling, no one knew why he behaved so strangely.

Even though he responded normally when spoken to, everyone could sense something was off. Normally, Matou Shinji wasn't so well-behaved.

...

Around midnight, a certain nameless Servant without a Master appeared on the rooftop, arms crossed, with a stern and indifferent expression.

"Shirou Emiya, his future will only be more hopeless. Unable to give up on anyone, the result waiting for him will be an even more tragic end. Because he can't abandon any side, he will ultimately save no one."

"Tragic... hopeless..."

Shinji murmured these words, then couldn't help but laugh and shake his head, teasing, "You're really quite similar to the Shirou Emiya I know, Heroic Spirit Emiya."

Hearing this, Red Archer frowned.

"Didn't you hear me? His future will be more tragic. Unable to abandon anyone, he will save no one, not even himself!"

Seeing the visibly angry Red Archer, Shinji sneered, "Idiot, even as a Heroic Spirit, you're still so naive? Don't you know? Whether in this world or ours, for people like you who seek to save something, only despair and tragedy await."

"That's different!"

"No, it's the same."

Shinji shook his head, his expression turning serious as he looked calmly at the distant starry sky.

"Actually, not just Shirou Emiya. I know others who couldn't find answers on the path to saving others and ended up with miserable outcomes. It's quite sad, right? Such beautiful initial wishes, but the chosen path only leads to despair."

Shinji paused, taking a breath before mentioning some names.

"Matou Zouken, Einzbern, Kiritsugu Emiya, Einzbern... in my view, they're all the same. Their tragedies were destined from the start, and only despair awaited them. Maybe they realized the despair this world offers and pinned their hopes on miracles (the Holy Grail)."

Red Archer didn't respond, just listening quietly.

"And that wish, twisted by despair, leaves only distorted ugliness from the initial beauty. In the end, it can't even be called tragic."

"Do you hate them? Those who, as you said, are left with no beauty at all?" Red Archer asked, looking straight ahead.

Shinji shrugged, speaking casually, "No, quite the opposite. I have great respect for their persistence. After all, saving the world and redeeming humanity are things I would never consider.

"Even if they lose everything, even if there's no result, they still persist in what they can't achieve. I admire that. And honestly, I don't think they're wrong. The problem is this despairing and twisted world."

Hearing this, Red Archer couldn't help but laugh, "Saying the world is wrong, you're quite an interesting guy, Matou Shinji."

"Yeah, that's what the girls I know say."

Red Archer: ...

"Although your sense of justice seems twisted to me, I think it's admirable to stick to it to the end. I could never do that."

Shinji continued, and Red Archer kept listening silently.

"And the wish for everyone to be happy, though childish, is beautiful and precious. If this world is already so hopeless, why not have a slightly more beautiful wish?

"Since it's all futile anyway, why not choose the hardest path for Emiya? I think it's the best outcome. Plus, it might make up for the regret of giving up that wish for everyone to be happy."

Hearing this, Red Archer finally reacted, chuckling, "Someday, Shirou Emiya, who can't let go of such childish thoughts, will be crushed by reality. He'll face not just despair from ideals reaching a dead end, but personal despair from failing to save anyone and watching everyone die before him without making a choice."

"No, he won't despair. At least the Shirou Emiya I know won't."

"Why are you so sure?"

Shinji looked at Red Archer, shrugging, "Because when it comes to that, I'll help him make choices, pointing out clear evils, like this time."

Red Archer remained silent, and Shinji continued.

"I know it sounds like he's just a puppet listening to others, but as long as Shirou believes in me, my judgment will never be wrong. Of course, if he ever stops trusting or doubts my judgment, his end will probably be worse than yours."

After Shinji finished, Red Archer softly remarked after ten seconds of silence.

"You're quite a despicably evil friend, but..."

Pausing, Red Archer glanced at Shinji, "For Shirou Emiya, you're perfect."

"Jealous?" Shinji smiled, half-jokingly.

Red Archer closed his eyes and smiled, "Don't be silly. I wouldn't want to be someone who can't make decisions and always needs others to provide answers."

"But I think my answers are the best solutions."

"Can't agree."

"Hey! You're going too far! Didn't I just save this world? Are you denying my positive impact?"

"Sorry, I only see you as a negative influence. To me, you're like a villain."

"Are you picking a fight? Don't think I'll hold back just because you're a Heroic Spirit! Come on!"

Seeing Shinji rolling up his sleeves, Red Archer couldn't help but retort, "That's not logical! Shouldn't it be 'don't think I'll be afraid because you're a Heroic Spirit'? Can't you understand basic logic?"

"It's you who doesn't understand! A Heroic Spirit is easier to deal with than a living person. One slash, one dead, believe it or not!"

Red Archer didn't respond, but his disdainful smirk said it all.

Bullshit!

"You little…!" Shinji stood up. "Emiya, I dare you to answer me!"

"Huh?"

Red Archer was momentarily confused but then felt a strong pull, as if something like a third element (spirit) was filling his body.

Turning around, Red Archer saw a gourd, and before he could react, Shinji, who had sneaked up behind him, kicked him toward the gourd.

Just as Red Archer was about to project his twin swords to fight the gourd, he lost his balance and was sucked into it!

...

Released from the gourd, stark naked and glaring at Shinji, Red Archer grumbled as he projected a red cloak to cover himself.

"Hmm, I lost two centimeters in height, but I gained some other advantages, even widening the gap!"

"Shut up!"

Red Archer cursed, never expecting Shinji to throw him into that black mud for corporealization.

Without a Master, he would have ended his unpleasant Holy Grail War journey in two days!

By the way, because the Rule Breaker was projected by Red Archer, its ownership remained with him. Even though Julian used it, it only severed the master-servant contract between Red Archer and Rin, leaving him free. He didn't form a new contract with Julian.