Chapter 106: Useless Efforts, Mother's Strength

[Video paused.]

[Quick answer begins: Why did Emiya Kiritsugu die?]

Emiya Kiritsugu: "!!!"

Irisviel: "Kiritsugu is dead!"

Kayneth: "That's intriguing. Judging from the video, this must be several years after the Fourth Holy Grail War. Could something else have happened to him?"

Waver: "Do you think it was Gilgamesh or someone else who caused it?"

Gilgamesh: "Hmph, I have no interest in snuffing out the life of a mere walking corpse."

[Chihiro answered successfully.]

Tohsaka Rin: "Huh? You got the answer already?"

Kayneth: "Damn, I got too caught up in this conversation and let him beat me to it."

Chihiro: "Don't worry, I wouldn't steal your guesses anyway."

Chihiro: "The answer is simple: Emiya Kiritsugu died because of the curse from the evil of this world."

[The answer is correct. Chihiro obtains 3 Saint Quartz.]

Kayneth: "!!!"

Waver: "Of course… how could we forget about that?"

Tohsaka Tokiomi: "Yes, the curse of an evil god is no mere superstition. Its effects would linger."

Irisviel: "Kiritsugu is dead too, then Illya…"

[Video continues.]

[As Emiya Kiritsugu lay on his deathbed, his memories began flashing before his eyes.]

[It had been five years since the conclusion of the Fourth Holy Grail War.]

[After the war, Kiritsugu returned to the Einzbern family, determined to take Illya away from their secluded castle.]

[But the head of the Einzbern family, Jubstacheit von Einzbern, refused. He knew that Kiritsugu had destroyed the Holy Grail and deemed him a traitor who had failed to fulfill their pact.]

[Not only was Kiritsugu denied Illya, but he was also barred from even seeing her and was cast out of the castle.]

[Powerless to resist, Kiritsugu could only return to Fuyuki City, where he settled into the Emiya family estate with his adopted son, Shirou.]

[For the next several years, Kiritsugu repeatedly tried to rescue Illya from the Einzberns but was met with failure every time.]

[Meanwhile, Kiritsugu's health continued to deteriorate. His body grew weaker with each passing day, his limbs atrophied, his vision blurred, and his magic circuits completely failed. He was, for all intents and purposes, reduced to a bedridden invalid.]

[Eventually, he couldn't even get past the forest barrier that protected the Einzbern castle, let alone enter it.]

[Kiritsugu knew that this was the result of Angra Mainyu's curse, a curse meant to make him die in pain and regret.]

[But Kiritsugu refused to give in to despair.]

[Returning to Fuyuki City, he spent years researching and planning, tirelessly working to prevent another Holy Grail War.]

[He eventually discovered the massive cavity beneath Mount Enzōu, where the Greater Holy Grail was hidden, and began constructing a "tumor" using all his knowledge of magecraft. This tumor would take 30 to 40 years to fully form, but once it matured, it would destroy the cavity and ensure that the Holy Grail War could never happen again.]

[Though he knew he wouldn't live to see its completion, he hoped this would at least protect Illya and others from being dragged into the horrors of the Grail.]

[It would take 60 years for the Holy Grail to fully fill with energy again, and without a functioning cavity, the ritual would be rendered moot.]

[Having done all he could, Kiritsugu spent his final years raising Shirou, determined to ensure his adopted son would not follow the same path of destruction he had.]

[When he finally passed away, Kiritsugu died with a small measure of peace, comforted by the fact that he had done his best.]

Kayneth: "…Well, Emiya Kiritsugu, I have to say, you've earned my respect."

Kayneth, despite his disdain for Kiritsugu's methods, couldn't help but admire his determination to continue fighting even in his final days.

Diarmuid: "I agree. To fight until the bitter end for the sake of others is truly admirable."

Lancelot: "Indeed. He is a man deserving of respect."

Artoria: "Yes… I misjudged him back then. He is more honorable than I realized."

Irisviel: "Kiritsugu… you…"

Emiya Kiritsugu: "It's fine. At least… I was able to protect Illya in my own way."

Gilgamesh: "Hah! Such a dull, unsatisfying conclusion."

Iskandar: "Enough, Golden Glitter. Let the man rest in peace."

Tohsaka Rin: "Wait… this video isn't over yet!"

[The scene shifted, and the date "2004" appeared on the screen.]

[The visuals rapidly transitioned, showing glimpses of events leading up to the Fifth Holy Grail War.]

[Rin now older, performed a summoning ritual in the attic of her home.]

["Summon it quickly, or you'll die."]

[Illyasviel von Einzbern, dressed in her white robes, walked past Shirou Emiya, her voice a whisper as she passed him by.]

[Kotomine Kirei loomed over an unseen figure, his tone menacing, the floor beneath him stained with blood.]

[Matou Zouken, the old bug himself, watched with satisfaction as a lifeless-looking Sakura performed her summoning ritual.]

[Shirou was seen running through the streets of Fuyuki, chased by an unidentified figure. Desperate, he stumbled into his family's shed and collapsed onto the summoning circle left by Kiritsugu.]

[I ask of you... Are you my Master?]

[In a flash of light, a golden-haired knight appeared before him, intercepting the figure that had been pursuing Shirou. The knight's sword gleamed as it struck down the attacker.]

[It was Artoria.]

[The screen faded to black, and a single line of text appeared.]

[The Fifth Holy Grail War begins.]

[Video ends.]

For a brief moment, silence fell over the group. Then the room erupted into chaos.

Kayneth: "Wait… 2004? That's only 10 years after the last war! Why is the Holy Grail War starting again so soon?"

Waver: "Yeah, I thought the Grail needed at least 60 years to recharge. What's going on?"

Kayneth: "Tohsaka Tokiomi! This is your family's doing, isn't it?"

Tohsaka Tokiomi: "How should I know?! I've been dead for years in that timeline!"

"Tokiomi's frustration was palpable. The thought of both Rin and Sakura being dragged into the Holy Grail War filled him with dread."

"Sakura…" Tokiomi muttered bitterly, his hands clenched. "And Rin… does this mean they'll be forced to fight each other?"

Meanwhile, Kiritsugu trembled in silence, his hands balled into fists.

"Everything I did… was meaningless."

His voice quivered as he stared at the screen, his anger and sorrow bubbling to the surface.

Despite his efforts to destroy the Grail, Illya was still involved in the war. Worse yet, Shirou was now a participant as well.

Irisviel: "Illya…"

Irisviel's heart ached at the sight of her daughter taking part in the Holy Grail War. The fate she had desperately wanted to avoid had come to pass.

"Saber… may I ask you for a favor?"

Irisviel turned to Artoria, her voice soft but resolute.

"Of course, Irisviel. Anything."

Artoria stepped forward, taking Irisviel's hand in hers.

"Please, help Kiritsugu and save Illya."

"What?!"

Artoria froze, stunned by the request. Irisviel's plea was clear and earnest.

"I cannot bear to see Illya follow the same tragic path I did. Please… save her."

"…I understand."

After a moment of silence, Artoria nodded firmly.

For Artoria, the Grail no longer held any allure. Knowing the darkness it contained, she felt no desire to fight for it. Instead, she resolved to fulfill this single task before her time as a Servant came to an end.

"Thank you, Saber."

Irisviel smiled weakly, rolling up her sleeve to reveal three glowing Command Seals on her arm.

Unbeknownst to the others, Irisviel was the true Master of Artoria, having taken on the role after Kiritsugu devised a plan to draw attention away from her during the war.

"I command you with these Command Seals, Saber: Save Illya."

"I repeat, Saber, with the power of the Command Seal, please rescue Illya."

"Finally, I order you with my last Command Seal—Saber, everything is in your hands."

With those words, all three Command Seals on Irisviel's arm vanished, their light fading as the power was transferred to Artoria.

"Irisviel…"

Artoria knelt, gripping Irisviel's hand tightly. The weight of her Master's final request pressed heavily on her shoulders.

"Please, I know you can do it," Irisviel said, her smile filled with hope, even as her strength waned.

"Irisviel…"

Kiritsugu stepped into the room, his expression conflicted. He had been outside, listening to everything that had just transpired.

"Kiritsugu… just this once, let me be selfish."

Irisviel's voice was soft but unwavering, her words carrying the full weight of her resolve.

"I understand," Kiritsugu replied after a long silence. He walked over, carefully lifting Irisviel in his arms. "Maiya has already arranged the plane. We should leave soon."

"A plane?" Artoria asked, standing to follow them.

"The fastest flight from here to Germany takes about 12 hours," Kiritsugu explained. "If we hurry, we can reach the Einzbern castle before tomorrow morning. The Holy Grail War will end soon, and once it's over, Saber, your contract will end as well."

***

For every 500 PS = 1 extra chapter. Support me on patreon to read 45+ advanced chapters: patreon.com.