Chapter 168

"Aah, this feels great~"

Shinji emerged from the towering dark red gate, stretching luxuriously and letting out a contented sigh.

His depleted soul had been restored, his life force replenished by the nearly infinite magical energy, and his cultivation had taken a leap forward. Shinji felt as though he had become ten ye... cough... ten months younger!

In stark contrast to Shinji's refreshed demeanor, Kiritsugu, who followed him out, wore a scowl of deep gloom, clutching the small bottle containing his wife's sealed soul and glaring daggers at the back of Shinji's head.

The reason was simple. This young man had indeed returned his daughter's and wife's souls to him, but his daughter's soul was merely a video on a phone Kiritsugu had never seen before!

Shinji had claimed it was his daughter from a parallel world and that it was just a video he had casually recorded while dining with her a few days ago!

Kiritsugu was seething, truly tempted to shoot the young man in the back of the head!

But he knew he couldn't win.

This young man was terrifying!

The moment they entered the gate, Shinji had said something that left Kiritsugu dumbfounded: "Hello again, Angra Mainyu. Ready to be corrupted by me?" That had left Kiritsugu in a daze for half a day.

What kind of being was this? His mental fortitude could withstand the evils of the world?

He even managed to make Angra Mainyu crouch in frustration, angrily scribbling circles on the ground and cursing softly.

Could this young man be a real demon?

Shinji stopped and turned to face Kiritsugu, who wore a somewhat frightening expression, and shrugged, "Hey, don't look so scary. I never said that was this world's Illya, did I? You misunderstood, not my fault."

Hearing Shinji's words, Kiritsugu ground his teeth even harder. If he weren't worried about losing, he would have drawn his gun already.

"And besides, because I'm such a good person... cough... because I'm kind-hearted, I even repaired your wife's soul for free. Instead of thanking me, you're blaming me. Really?"

Did he almost let the truth slip just now?! Is he really feeling guilty?

Kiritsugu screamed internally. This young man was infuriating!

"And you insisted on coming in with me, which made me have to protect your body and mind. Don't think I didn't notice you used the Holy Grail's infinite magical power to cleanse the curse from your body without my permission. Not punishing you for that is already my mercy."

Kiritsugu didn't respond, but his expression softened slightly. The young man wasn't wrong. If he hadn't protected him, Kiritsugu might have died when he entered.

Angra Mainyu was no ordinary foe; the evils of the world had enveloped him in an instant!

The black mud representing all the world's desires and sins closed in on him in a heartbeat!

If not for the young man's strange third element shielding his body, he would have been doomed!

However, this young man was truly terrifying, unwavering in his resolve despite the voices questioning him from all sides.

His mental fortitude acted like a sieve, purifying the tainted magical energy and making it his own!

Although Kiritsugu didn't know what the young man intended, the fact that he had absorbed about three-quarters of the nearly infinite magical power proved his terrifying strength!

And when Kiritsugu tried to harness that tainted magical power, the third element protecting him acted as a filter, purifying the black energy!

Taking advantage of this, Kiritsugu had managed to cleanse the curse from his body.

He had hoped to secretly use the remaining magical power for something, but the young man had noticed and taken it all!

So stingy!

As the gate slowly closed, Shinji ignored Kiritsugu, hands in his pockets, and casually continued, "Before you killed him, Kenneth spent a lot to hire a certain doll maker in Japan to save his hands. Following that lead, you should be able to fix your wife's body. Oh, and mentioning my name gets you a discount~"

Like hell it does! More like a broken bone discount!

Kiritsugu mentally fumed. Besides, you never even told me your real name, what name am I supposed to give?!

"Almost forgot!"

Shinji slapped his forehead as if remembering something, then turned back with a bright, straightforward smile.

"Actually, you still have one more trial to face, but it has nothing to do with me~"

Huh? Kiritsugu frowned, not having time to process this before realizing what it meant—the teary-eyed Lancer was picking up his wife's... cup!

In that moment, Kiritsugu understood what the young man meant by trial and realized this young man had an unusual sense of humor!

Seeing Lancer approach, Kiritsugu knew begging for mercy was pointless. He had to muster all his strength to fight back!

After all, there was deep enmity between them!

It was his only option!

I'm sorry, Iris, I'm sorry, Illya.

Kiritsugu took one last look at the glowing bottle containing his wife, simultaneously sentencing himself to death.

Even the Mage Killer had no chance against the angry spearman. Kiritsugu knew this well.

He also understood that this young man enjoyed toying with him, giving him hope only to replace it with new despair, worse than Angra Mainyu!

"Sir... Kotomine, it's over."

Diarmuid, who had stepped forward, started to call him Master but changed to Kotomine, knowing the young man wouldn't like being called Master. He handed the golden cup to Shinji.

Seeing Shinji take the cup with a puzzled expression, Diarmuid felt his wish fulfilled. For the third time, he had finally brought victory to his lord!

Diarmuid was overwhelmed with emotion but didn't show it. This third time, he had finally met a Master who understood and recognized him!

And they had achieved victory together!

Diarmuid felt a deep sense of fulfillment, thanking the Holy Grail, the gods, and his righteous Master.

"Is this the Holy Grail? It looks just like a trophy."

"Seems we were all deceived. A wish-granting Holy Grail, but it's just an honorary golden cup."

Diarmuid sighed, recalling his honorable duel with the King of Knights. That was the true way of the Holy Grail War!

That's my wife! Kiritsugu wanted to scream but didn't dare lose focus, staying on high alert for Lancer's imminent attack.

Noticing Kiritsugu's vigilance, Diarmuid snorted, not looking directly at him, and said coldly.

"Go, I promised the King of Knights I'd spare your life. Thank your scorned knightly spirit."

At that moment, both Shinji and Kiritsugu were puzzled.

Did you mishear her last wish? She wanted you to kill me, not spare me!

Kiritsugu didn't care about the details; he seized the chance to escape, clutching his wife's bottle and leaving quickly, not daring to linger!

Any longer, and the young man might have another trap waiting!

He couldn't handle any more ups and downs!

As for Maiya, the young man had already told him her location inside the gate. He just needed to hurry and get her out!

I'm not staying in Fuyuki anymore!

Not with him around!

And my wife turned from a cup to a small glass bottle, what a rip-off!

...

As dawn broke, Shinji sat on a hilltop, gazing at the rising sun and feeling a bit sentimental.

"This tragedy is finally over."

"Yes, Kotomine."

Diarmuid, beside him, also felt deeply moved. This Holy Grail journey had been tumultuous, but in the end, he had fulfilled his wish, offering the Holy Grail and his loyalty to his Master.

"Let's go back. There are countless cases in this world waiting for me to uncover the truth, and many distorted justices calling for me."

"Sir Kotomine, I..."

Shinji, who had just stood up with the golden cup, stopped and looked at the hesitant Diarmuid, "What's wrong, Lancer?"

"Diarmuid's wish is fulfilled, I..."

Diarmuid felt conflicted. It wasn't that he didn't want to stay and serve his Master, but he had no reason to stay.

"I think I smell a case!"

Shinji suddenly looked towards a residential area below, where police lights were flashing.

Without hesitation, Shinji turned and sprinted down the hill.

Seeing Shinji switch to detective mode, Diarmuid could only smile wryly and follow, thinking his new Master was truly a pure-hearted person!

"Hurry up, Lan-Sir!"

Hearing Shinji's call, Diarmuid smiled and quickly changed into his police uniform, catching up with Shinji.

"Coming, Kotomine!"

But... this is fine. Let me, Diarmuid, continue to serve you, Master who is dedicated to truth and justice.

Looking at Shinji's hurried figure, Diarmuid spoke softly in his heart.

And so, from that day on, Fuyuki had no more spearman who participated in the Holy Grail War but gained a handsome detective devoted to justice and truth—Lan-Sir!