Chapter 56: Day 10 ⑩

Since Illya woke up earlier than scheduled, we proceeded with the transfer of the contract that was originally planned for tonight.

Facing the extraordinary power of Gilgamesh, the "black shadow" that attacked Caster which I had no knowledge of, and Lancer, who had ceased to show himself entirely—the sole advantage I possessed, the knowledge gained from the Holy Grail War in my previous life, had become meaningless.

There were Servants, known irregularities, and now an unknown irregularity appearing even after engaging with all of them. There is no telling what lies ahead. That is precisely why we must perfect our preparations as soon as possible.

"I, Shirou Emiya, by my Command Spells... annul... the contract with Saber!"

In the tension-filled air, he spoke quietly but firmly toward the motionless Lia. With that declaration, the crimson Command Spells on the back of his left hand shattered, leaving behind a dazzling light.

As the light faded, Shirou remained expressionless, staring blankly at the marks where the Command Spells had been. He opened and closed his left hand, simply confirming the sensation of the connection fading away.

Like melting snow, the color faded with time, and even the dark bruises vanished. Finally, when not even a shadow of the Command Spells remained, Shirou finally looked up.

I could find no trace of regret on his face. I did not know what thoughts were passing through his mind.

—Having withdrawn from the Holy Grail War without ever breaking my contract with Saber, I don't think I will ever truly understand the emotions currently welling up within Shirou.

Though we were originally the same person, the gap between Shirou and me continues to widen in this way.

"......Shirou, you..."

"Hm? Alto, what’s wrong?"

"No... it's nothing."

I had impulsively started to speak, but when Shirou questioned me, I forced myself to swallow the words before they could form a thought.

I didn't even know what I was going to say. What I wanted to tell Shirou remained blurred and uncertain.

Did I want to apologize for orchestrating this? No, was I looking for words of comfort regarding the loss of his connection with Lia? Or did I simply intend to ask him what he was feeling right now?

But those were things I didn't need to say, nor did I need to ask.

Shirou is acting based on his own judgment. I believe he is accepting the results and responsibilities of his actions in his own way. That is why he chose to annul the contract.

Shirou is standing on his own two feet. He is moving forward with steady steps. The path he walks belongs to him. It is a path he decided for himself, not one I should ever force him to choose.

—Ah, I see. I... I might have been envious of Shirou, who is walking a path I never did.

In this moment where the future is unknown—even if it is difficult—his path continues toward a future, unlike mine which has already reached its end. I believe I had no regrets about the choices I made. But I might have been jealous of the fact that he can "move through a present where the future is uncertain."

That is why a dead man should not speak of things unasked to those who still live in the present.

I cannot walk alongside Rin, Shirou, Sakura, or Fujinee. Spending time in this house filled with warmth had given me an illusion, but I am a being that will vanish before long.

The fact that "Alto" was able to save people—the reason I felt as if the ground had vanished beneath me when Shirou told me that—was because I had mistakenly thought there was a "future" for me.

Existing as "Alto" right now might be fine. But I cannot move into the future. My form does not exist there. That's right. My path had already reached its end before I was summoned here.

The goal Emiya Shirou aimed for—to be a "Hero of Justice." I will surely never reach that destination.

I searched for what "Alto" should and could do, but the options were fewer than I thought.

My hands, connected to my Master, Rin Tohsaka, cannot reach as far as Shirou's. I have power that can be relied upon—because I was summoned as an existence to protect my Master and overcome enemies. I have abilities for that very purpose.

Having to protect my Master is not a shackle for "Alto." It is my very reason for being as a Servant. And Alto is a Servant. I can exist here only because I was summoned as a Servant.

In other words—the moment I was summoned like this, "Emiya Shirou" had to end within me.

To cast everything aside and run forward recklessly is the role of "Emiya Shirou," not "Alto."

......Surely, this way of thinking is not wrong. "Saving" others should be left to Shirou. Because that is something that must be done by those who are alive.

There is no role for me to play in this world. I should simply become a shield when danger nears everyone, and a sword when their strength is insufficient.

It is enough if "Alto" is an existence that can protect what is within his reach. I shall become the help for Shirou as he carries out the "Justice" that I could not achieve.

By becoming Alto, I gained the "power to save others" that I once craved during the Holy Grail War.

But what would the "Shirou Emiya" of the past think if he saw the way Alto is now? How would I look to him, having finally obtained the power I so desperately desired—?

Shirou looked at me curiously as I hesitated to speak, and after exchanging a few words with Rin, he turned back toward Illya. Taking that as a cue, I cut off my wandering thoughts and decided to observe the situation from a step away.

"Illya, I'm counting on you to take care of Lia."

"...Yeah."

In the Japanese-style room adjacent to the living room, Shirou bowed deeply in front of the sleeping Lia. Illya watched him with a serious expression, gave a short nod, and stepped forward as she received the dagger Rin held out.

I reflexively analyzed the dagger Illya received—an Azoth Sword. As a magus’s Mystic Code, it isn't particularly rare. Given its concept, it is more than adequate for assisting with a contract.

The Azoth Sword reflected the light as Illya held it in her right hand and, without hesitation, ran it across the pad of her left thumb. Her face contorted, perhaps due to the wound on her shoulder. Almost immediately, vivid red began to spill from the cut.

"Illya, you're bleeding...!"

"It's fine. Calm down, Shirou—this is preparation for the Provisional Contract."

"Wait, a Provisional... Contract?"

"Yes. Since Lia has lost her connection to this world through you, she will disappear before long. This is to secure the minimum amount of time needed to establish a formal contract. Also, I need to make the Servant recognize my information."

Illya explained this to a flustered Shirou as her body began to glow. No, it was the Magic Circuits carved into her body.

Even through her clothes, the light of her Circuits was visible, and a massive amount of Magical Energy, completely disproportionate to her small stature, welled up. The magical energy overflowing like a fountain made Illya’s silver hair flutter.

I couldn't help but be captivated by the mystical sight. Even Rin, a fellow magus, gasped at the abnormal spectacle.

"And this is the magical energy I'm sending into Saber along with the blood. I'll compress it as much as possible, but there's a limit because this much energy would saturate such a small amount of blood. So—"

"That's why we're having her drink this as well."

Composing herself and taking over for Illya, Rin pulled out a small ruby. The amount of stored magical energy within the red-glowing gem was so great it didn't even require analysis to confirm.

Illya took the ruby with her left hand, where blood was pooling from the cut.

"I used most of my stock against Caster, so I don't have any large ones left, but even so, this has three days' worth of my magical energy stored in it. The principle and method are the same as what I used when making your 'switch,' Emiya-kun. Though the formula is on a much larger scale this time."

"If I create a temporary link and send magical energy using Rin’s jewel as a core, Saber’s magical energy deficiency should be resolved for the time being. If we exchange a formal contract in the meantime, we'll be safe for now. ...Provided Saber doesn't reject the contract with me, that is."

No sooner had she finished speaking than she traced Lia's slightly parted lips with her wounded thumb. The flowing blood traveled along the lips and dropped into Lia's mouth, and the ruby held in her hand disappeared inside as well.

As Lia swallowed the ruby and all the blood, the effects manifested quickly. Her lying body gave one great throb, and her closed eyelids slowly began to open.

"……Where... am I? ……Shirou!?"

"Lia!"

Lia bolted upright as if startled and looked around. Shirou called out to her joyfully. From the look of it, her consciousness seemed clear, and I was finally able to relax.

"Shirou, are you safe!? ...Is this Shirou's house? Why am I here...?"

"Ah, uh, where should I start—"

"—If my memory is correct, I believe I was struck by Archer’s Noble Phantasm. In that situation, I couldn't possibly… But then, how could Archer be defeated… what on earth..."

"Lia. I'll explain everything, so just calm down for a moment."

To the still-confused Lia, Rin explained in order everything that had happened from the moment Lia collapsed until they escaped from Gilgamesh, as well as Lia's current state.

How I had neutralized the rain of Noble Phantasms. The second Excalibur she was able to fire thanks to Shirou's support. The assistance from Shinji and Rider. The withdrawal of Berserker and Rider. And finally, the yet-unseen enemy that attacked Caster, which we learned about after returning.

When the story reached the point of Lia's condition when they arrived home, Lia noticed that Rin's face had stiffened slightly. She likely straightened her posture unconsciously.

"So, about the current situation. Lia, you are currently without a Master. Since magical energy wasn't being supplied by Emiya-kun, we had to forcibly annul that contract."

Lia's eyes widened at Rin's words; she had probably only just realized the contract was severed. For a few moments, she stared at Rin in a daze.

Next, she turned her face toward Shirou to confirm the truth. However, as she looked up at him, her mouth wouldn't open. It remained tightly shut as if she were enduring something. Yet, her eyes were certainly speaking: "Since I was defeated by the enemy, I can no longer be your sword, can I?"

"...First of all, I'm sorry, Lia. Even though you said you'd fight with me, I feel terrible for doing this on my own. It's my fault you collapsed because I lost control and started the fight, and it's also my fault that I can't connect a 'Path' like Alto and Tohsaka can. I don't think I'm worthy of being your Master."

"No! Shirou, you don't need to feel guilt over that. It is an undeniable fact that I failed to protect you. I have not fulfilled the responsibility I was meant to uphold."

"No, Lia, you protected a reckless guy like me perfectly. I'm truly grateful. If possible, I'd want you to be my Servant forever. But the reason I had the contract annulled isn't just that. Even if we connected a formal Path, the amount of magical energy I have is negligible. You'd be restricted either way. I would become your shackle. I can't let that happen."

That's how it is, right? Shirou asked Rin. Rin nodded, though she looked hesitant. Seeing her reaction, I followed suit and stared at Shirou's face.

I understood why Rin was hesitant. It was because Shirou had thought that far ahead. I know I’m talking about myself, but "Shirou Emiya" is a person who cannot read between the lines. He took information at face value and never doubted it. Once he thought about something to a certain extent, he would probably just reach a conclusion based on his own interpretation. There's no mistake about that, as he was frequently looked at with exasperation by Saber and Tohsaka during the Holy Grail War, and by Sakura and Issei in daily life. Even I realize that now, late as it is.

But I had regrets. I lost someone precious because of my own failures. I cursed my powerless, thoughtless self. And I exist now atop what I took from her.

I haven't found a clear solution yet, but I feel I must somehow return what I took. I have an idea about the cause. To achieve that "somehow," I have to overcome this Holy Grail War. I absolutely cannot afford to lose.

To accomplish that, I cannot stop thinking. As someone without the mental fortitude of a true Heroic Spirit, I had to keep thinking. Having lived for over a decade, I finally began to understand the importance of scrutinizing the doubts that arose from the failures that ended my life.

—I was surprised that Shirou was already putting that into practice. It wasn't just admiration for Shirou. Seeing him realize his mistakes and correct them earlier than I did stirred a whirlpool of various emotions—shame for my own pathetic self and envy toward him. I couldn't tell if I was happy or pained. While aware of these indescribable feelings I couldn't quite process, I listened to the rest of the conversation between Shirou and Lia.

"Lia. As your Master, will you grant one last request?"

"......What is it?"

Lia replied with guarded words and waited for Shirou's next sentence.

"We've decided to fight together. We're putting aside things like Master and Servant, or who used to be enemies or allies, so that everyone in this house right now can survive and win. So, I know it's bad after you made that oath to me, but from now on, instead of being just my sword, could you become everyone's sword?"

A few moments of silence followed. Shirou continued to stare at Lia without looking away after he finished speaking. Shirou wasn't the only one who was tense. There was Rin, who had proposed the idea, and Illya, who was trying to help Shirou as the new Master. Of course, I too watched Lia intently, wondering what would happen.

"......I understand. Shirou, I have certainly heard your request. If that is the decided policy, I have no hesitation in dedicating my strength to it. However—"

She paused there, closed her eyes, and sighed as if she had no choice. She opened her eyes a moment later toward Shirou, who was starting to look relieved. What could be seen there was the light of a firm, unwavering will.

"However, Shirou. I have not the slightest intention of retracting that oath. Even if my Master changes, I am your sword, and even if the contract is gone, I am one who shares your fate. Please... do not forget that."

"...Yeah, thank you so much. I'll be counting on you from now on, too."

"Yes, leave it to me. This time, let us seize victory with our own hands."

Standing up with a wobbling body, she reached out her hand to Shirou. Naturally, Shirou grasped it.

Lia, who once stared curiously at the hand Shirou had extended to her, now reached out her own hand as a partner she placed her trust in. No matter what happened, the trust between these two remained unshaken. Their joined hands remained firmly locked.

"..."

Those two... were blindingly radiant.

Visualized magical energy, like purple lightning, raged in the surroundings. Lia's presence, which had been thinning, began to assert itself firmly.

"Phew... that's the end of the contract."

Following the contract, Illya relaxed her stiffened body. She skillfully stretched her arms, which weren't even working properly. Even without her words, one could tell just by looking at Lia that the contract had been firmly established. I had never seen a Saber so overflowing with life force, even throughout my own time.

"To think I would become Illyasviel’s Servant..."

"What’s that? Isn't that a little rude, Saber? You want to protect Shirou too, so we're the same, right?"

"Right?" Illya huffed, acting annoyed. Even though she must have sent a significant amount of Magical Energy to Lia, she still seemed to have plenty of room to spare. In contrast, while vigor had clearly returned to her body, Lia was murmuring dejectedly, as if her feelings were complicated.

She seemed slightly depressed, so I tried to comfort her by gently patting her shoulder, but after glancing at me, she dropped her shoulders with a sigh. ...I wonder what that's about?

"For now, it seems difficult to increase our combat strength any further. Next is our strategy for the future, but..."

Rin began to think about what came next, but then let out a silly "Ah" and turned her gaze toward Shirou.

"What's wrong, Emiya-kun?"

"Oh, I remembered. Wait a bit, Tohsaka. Before that, it seems Shinji has something to talk about. I think he’s probably in the living room."

"...I see. Let's go for now. I don't know why Matou-kun helped us, but we haven't even properly thanked him yet."

At Shirou's words, Rin groaned. It was easy to read Rin's expression. She had a sour face that said, "More trouble?"

Shinji was in the living room, just as Shirou said. That said, since we were being loud and rowdy in the next room, the conversation must have been overheard. He was sitting with his legs stretched out and a scowl on his face, holding a bottle of black tea he had bought at some point.

"Matou-kun. Let me say this first. Thank you. Thanks to you and Rider, we were able to escape."

"...Hmph. I didn't do it to save you, Tohsaka. You were just an extra along with Emiya. If you're going to thank someone, thank Emiya."

Shinji replied defiantly with a snort, yet he looked uncomfortable. I couldn't tell if it was because he wasn't used to being thanked or if it was because the person thanking him was Rin, but he didn't seem to feel bad about it.

"...An 'extra along with Emiya-kun'?"

"That's right. It's an Equivalent Exchange, isn't it? It galls me, but the one who saved me when I was about to die was Emiya. I just paid that back this time. So Tohsaka, if you want to give thanks, give them to Emiya, who made me owe him a debt."

"Ah—I see."

"Are you talking about back at the school? No, I didn't do that with that intention, so you don't really have to worry about it..."

Realization dawned on Rin and Shirou, and they spoke up. I hadn't expected Shinji to remember that time either. No, perhaps Shinji felt more indebted to Shirou's help than we had thought.

Rin seemed to accept it with the term "Equivalent Exchange," as she hadn't realized Shinji considered himself a magus.

"Just shut up and accept it! Or are you planning to say this time isn't enough!?"

"N-no! I didn't mean that! It was a big help, Shinji. Thank you, really."

"I told you it's an Equivalent Exchange, so I don't need thanks—! Tsk."

I wasn't the only one who thought he was being "un-straightforward." Rin also sighed as if to say "Good grief." Next to her, Illya was watching the two of them bicker with her mouth hanging open.

"So, I heard you had something to talk about?"

Pierced by her sharp gaze, Shinji opened his mouth as if the words were hard to say.

"Y-yeah. Actually, I have a request for Emiya and Tohsaka—I want you to help... save Sakura."

"............What do you mean?"

"I know even better than you that this isn't the kind of thing you talk to other magi about. But there's nothing I can do with my power. If bowing my head will fix this, I'll do it. So—"

"Stop with the preamble and just speak already!"

The story from here on was full of things I didn't know.

First of all, Rider was not Shinji's Servant. He had merely been "borrowing" her after Sakura summoned her. ...In other words, Sakura was also a magus. I had never sensed even a hint of that.

I had only an image of Sakura as being in the warm light of the sun, unrelated to the bloody world of magecraft. That image was overturned. It’s a cliché, but it was undoubtedly a shocking fact for me. Shirou could do nothing but stare at Shinji in the same way.

However, the problem started from here. On the day after the battle with Caster at Ryuudou Temple, Shinji, seeing that the visible danger was gone, reportedly went to the Matou estate to borrow Rider from Sakura again. Judging from his tone, one of his goals for borrowing Rider was to repay his debt to Shirou.

"Sakura wasn't anywhere in the house. While I was looking for her, I quickly noticed that even though it was midday, Grandfather wasn't in the estate either. Apparently, Grandfather can't stand sunlight, so I thought Sakura might be with him. There was only one place left I hadn't searched. The Workshop."

With his head hung, Shinji spoke in fragments and then took a breath. There was no strength in his voice. I knew there was no lie in what Shinji was saying.

"Sakura was there, in that gloomy place that smelled like everything was rotting. —No, only Sakura was there. I was worried because I couldn't see Grandfather. But his absence was convenient for me. Looking back now, that itself was abnormal. When I went in front of Sakura and spoke to her… Sakura recognized me and just whispered one sentence with dark eyes: 'Why did you tell Senpai?' ………… After that, the Sakura I knew was gone."

"'Was gone'?"

Rin interjected. With her brow furrowed, she questioned Shinji, not missing a single word.

"............Suddenly, I heard Grandfather's voice. 'Have you come to borrow Rider? Very well. She is no longer particularly necessary for me. Well done, Shinji. I do not know what you did, but that fortress-like, firm spirit has collapsed on its own from the inside. As a reward, I shall give you Rider.'"

"No way...!"

"The Sakura in front of me laughed darkly and spoke in that withered, croaking voice."

"I asked what he had done to Sakura. But he said, 'It cannot be helped to worry about what is already gone'! I was handed the Book of the False Attendant and I ran out. That place was Grandfather's—Zouken’s Workshop. I couldn't do anything by myself! ...... Yes, I'll admit it! I was jealous of Sakura for being a magus instead of me, the older brother. But even if she's a slow-witted fool, she's my sister! To lay hands on my sister—on my things—and do that, to do that...!"

—That Shinji... his fists were trembling. Tears were pooling in the corners of his eyes, and he was consumed by rage.

"I know it's out of line to ask you guys. But please! I don't know anyone else who might be able to help her!"

—That Shinji... was bowing his head.

"...That goes without saying. Sakura is an important junior to me as well."

"I thought so. I knew you'd say that. But wait."

"Tohsaka! You're saying you can let this pass!?"

Shirou snapped at Rin for stopping him, which was rare for him. Even I, who was maintaining a silent facade, was boiling with rage inside. But I would only follow the group's decision. I quietly waited for Rin's words.

"I'm telling you to calm down! ...For once, I'm motivated too. But listen, Illya is unrelated to this matter, which might not even involve the Holy Grail War. Did you forget what I said earlier? We formed a team to survive and win the Holy Grail War. Before you go making promises, the first thing to do is get Illya’s consent!"

"...Rin. If you’re glaring at me with those eyes while saying that, there's no way I can refuse. Besides, I've decided to help Shirou. I intend to make whatever Shirou wants to happen come true."

Illya replied immediately with a sigh. Looking at Illya, a smirk played on Rin’s lips.

"Sorry about that, Illya. Well then, let's work out a plan. —Matou-kun. For now, you’re going to explain everything you know, from the Matou's magical traits to the layout of the estate, every single detail."

Rin wore a defiant smile, but she didn't look like she was laughing at all. This was because the fire of rage was surely burning fiercely in her eyes.