Chapter 253

During the endless argument between Shirou and Red Archer, the other two battlefields had already reached their conclusions.

Under the guidance of the Great Hero and the combined efforts of Miyu and Cu Chulainn, they found an opportunity. Miyu managed to successfully ambush and teleport away Lancer, much like the original Illya's surprise attack.

Following this, the Great Hero stepped in, forcing Lancer to surrender and eject her memory card (Class Card).

Cu Chulainn then glanced at Bazett and the others struggling against Beatrice. With the Great Hero's approval, he went to join the battle, fighting alongside Berserker to take down the overpowered Beatrice.

The Great Hero's next target was Julian, standing at a high vantage point. Without much thought, he left Miyu behind and rushed forward, only to be killed by the suddenly appearing Berserker Sakura.

Seeing this, Miyu quickly picked up the card ejected from Angelica and, using her dream summoning, charged towards her brother.

In her haste, Miyu didn't notice that she had excluded Ruby from the dream summon!

Ruby, realizing something was wrong, tried to stop her, but it was futile. Miyu's mind was entirely on her brother, who had just been killed by the woman who appeared out of nowhere!

Bazett and the others' battle was fierce!

Berserker's last life was nearly exhausted. Using his own spirit core as a sacrifice, he took one of Beatrice's spirit cores and created an opportunity.

Bazett seized this chance without hesitation, using Fragarach to take down Beatrice.

Seeing Berserker, whose spirit core was half-destroyed and was now slowly dissipating into starlight, Illya couldn't hold back her tears, calling out to Berserker incessantly.

But Berserker did not respond to Illya. Instead, with eyes clear in his dying moments, he gazed towards the battlefield where Shirou and Red Archer were fighting alone.

Although Shirou and the others weren't in the real world, Berserker's calm gaze gave the impression he could see them.

"Don't be afraid, there's still someone… who will protect you."

Hearing this from Berserker, Illya was momentarily stunned but soon understood. Berserker was talking about Shirou.

"This… I don't want this result…"

Recalling every moment spent with Berserker, Illya couldn't stop the large tears from streaming down her cheeks.

"Friends… not bad."

Berserker looked once more in Miyu's direction, uttering another brief sentence, causing Illya to cry even harder.

...

At the same time, after using Gilgamesh's card for a barrage of Noble Phantasms, Miyu landed, intending to save the Great Hero. But the card's side effect—Gilgamesh's strong self-awareness—took control of Miyu's body!

Seeing the situation turning bad, Julian used his displacement magic to get behind Miyu and started an explanation that cut to the heart.

"Even through the box, this Heroic Spirit retained an unpolluted self-awareness. Although an excellent pawn, it's no use. Before the consciousness is completely devoured, this card must be discarded."

Saying this, Julian's gentlemanly hand began searching inside the young girl for the card, but…

"Sorry, this card can't be destroyed. Not only do I forbid it, but there are still some bets to be settled."

The sudden voice of Young Gilgamesh startled Julian. He then noticed a small figure standing in front of Miyu, having removed his hat.

This small child was the other half of the separated card!

At the same time, Berserker, who had jumped up at some point, swung down at Julian!

Berserker's sole aim was to save Miyu, Illya's first friend, in his final moments before completely disappearing!

Boom!!

At this moment, within Unlimited Blade Works.

"...and you call this not betraying justice! Disgusting! Disgusting to death! Die, you disgusting bastard!"

Shirou didn't deny it, replying, "Yeah, I really don't know what to do right now because it's hard to judge without understanding everything. It's normal to be blinded by confusion.

So… I want to know all the truths, not just a binary choice, but the actual premise of this question! The hidden premise everyone is keeping from me!"

Red Archer frowned, scolding, "What are you talking about? Just knowing the choices is enough!"

"No!" Shirou's gaze was incredibly serious as he directly refuted, "The premise is important too! I can't make a choice without knowing it!"

"But there's no time for you to understand such things! What's in front of you is only a binary choice! Don't be naive! Such things are meaningless! And now, nobody knows that kind of…"

"Yes, there is! I know! I know such a person, a friend who can see through everything!"

Saying this, Shirou took a deep breath.

"Shinji! Please, tell me the truth of this world! I know you've been watching all along!"

"While I appreciate you asking for help, Emiya, the so-called truth will only make you more desperate."

Shinji's sudden voice made Red Archer's heart skip a beat. How did this sneaky guy get into Unlimited Blade Works?

I activated Unlimited Blade Works to trap my past self to prevent Matou Shinji from causing trouble!

"It doesn't matter! Tell me!" Shirou insisted.

"The rules of the world dictate that it will inevitably head towards destruction. There's no way to save it from this fate, not even with an all-powerful wish-granting machine. This is the truth even the Einzberns couldn't see."

As Shinji spoke, his figure appeared within the reality marble, standing beside Red Archer and Shirou.

"Like many of the things you hold onto, it's destined to be a futile struggle. But such is the way of things; until you struggle to the end, you'll never believe your ideas are wrong, just like the Einzberns."

At this, Shinji glanced at Red Archer and Saber.

Noticing Shinji's hint, Saber was the first to refute: "I can't agree. Deciding failure without trying, I absolutely can't accept that!"

"See? That's how it is."

Shinji shrugged, unsurprised by Saber's response. "Such struggles are like a human instinct. Without a special existence to influence them, they can't be abandoned."

Red Archer was next to express disbelief: "Stop talking nonsense, Matou Shinji. The world's rules aren't decided by you!"

"Of course not. The world's rules are set by the world itself, not me. I just discovered them and spoke them out loud. Believe it or not, that's up to you. Goodbye, I have other things to do."

With that, Shinji didn't look back and vanished from Unlimited Blade Works.

...

"Brother…"

On the ground, thanks to Berserker, who helped the Great Hero escape, Miyu looked at the barely alive Great Hero, declared beyond saving by Illya, and was overwhelmed with grief.

"It's already…"

Illya, having checked the Great Hero's condition, shook her head again, unable to finish her sentence.

"We just met… why?" Miyu questioned this cruel world, then lay on the Great Hero's chest, crying her heart out.

"His breathing is already weak. Lying on his chest will only make it harder for him to breathe, causing him to die sooner."

Hearing this familiar male voice, Miyu was momentarily stunned. She quickly moved her head from her brother's chest.

"Matou Shinji…"

Illya stared blankly at the suddenly appearing Shinji, then bit her lip and stepped forward, kicking him hard!

"Why did you wait until now to come out? Berserker, he…"

"Here, give this to your brother."

Ignoring Illya, Shinji tossed a small porcelain bottle to Miyu.

This person must be saved for the sake of Sakura in this world!