Chapter 51: An Invitation to Witness the Battle

“Lancer, what should we do with this guy?” Kiritsugu glanced at the man sitting in the wheelchair.

“Do as you wish. I have no respect whatsoever for someone who lacks even the most basic reverence for a hero.” Though Lancer found it absurd to be called a historical figure, at least he had been celebrated as a hero centuries ago. For a man with no regard for Lancer at all, Lancer had no intention of wasting even an ounce of strength on him, not even to finish him off.

“Since I already gave Lancer my word just now, I won’t bother wasting an Origin Bullet on this useless fool. The dose of anesthetic is enough to keep him asleep until the end of the world.” Kiritsugu took a deep drag on his cigarette, then looked in the direction where the woman had just left. As for Kennedy, dying in his sleep meant nothing to him.

“Tch, you didn’t even greet me with a hail of bullets.” Although he grumbled, Lancer said nothing more and wheeled the man away. Though Kirei was a master, he was also the overseer, and Lancer cared nothing for what became of him once the Holy Grail War ended. He simply left him at the church entrance.

“King of Heroes, is this what you’ve chosen?” After Lancer left, Kirei emerged from behind the door, with the golden one materializing soon after.

“Hmph, how beautiful it is. Whether it’s his willingness to sacrifice everything for his master or the feeling he gives me, it is simply magnificent.” She recalled how, during their first meeting, the Noble Phantasm had blocked her from sensing the treasure’s aura.

“Your Majesty, though I hesitate to say it, your words seem utterly out of place given your current appearance.” Kirei cared little about the consequences of his words; as the church’s overseer, his Command Seals could kill the golden one countless times.

“Hmph, worthless. Neither you nor Tokiomi can elevate me to my peak.” The golden one was quite displeased with her current form.

“My apologies, King of Heroes. Though the church has many Command Seals, I won’t waste them on matters like this,” Kirei replied.

“Hmph, I know. But remember your words when we reach the final battle. I will…”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

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"Berserker, Saber, come witness the battle. Soon, I shall face the King of Heroes. Please come tomorrow night to XX Bridge."

Lancer looked at the letter in his hand, clearly written in the Queen’s handwriting, with the already well-fed White Night at his side.

“White Night, what am I to do with you?” White Night ignored Lancer’s instructions, grooming his feathers.

“Serves you right, strict as you’ve always been with White Night.” Seeing Toria enter, White Night promptly abandoned his master, and Toria, holding the now nearly twice-grown White Night, continued to help him preen.

“Well, whatever.” Lancer could hardly blame White Night; after all, his training was focused on action, not play, while Toria, as king, often had time to play with White Night, forging a closer bond.

“You’re quick, but my king, I fear I cannot accompany you this time.” At these words, Toria’s hand, which had been grooming White Night, paused, her body trembling ever so slightly.

“It’s alright. I thought I’d never see you again; this meeting is already a gift.” Despite his words, Lancer noticed the moist corners of the girl’s eyes, who had always forced herself to be strong.

“My king, trust me. Just as I prophesied, we shall meet again. Now, we reunite on this battlefield, but to resolve this tainted Grail, I may not be able to take you away. Still, believe me—next time, in the Grail War, I will take you with me.” Lancer grasped Toria’s shoulders, making his promise.

Yet Lancer didn’t reveal his true reason to Toria. Only when he brought the world’s true fruit to Renhua could he take Toria and perhaps others yet to be contracted. It seemed a pact between Renhua and the Counter Force: only one fruit could mature in a world, and a single world could not sustain two fruit trees.

A blush rose on Toria’s cheeks. Then, as if remembering something, she drew the sword from her waist and lifted the wind barrier.

“My knight, may you return triumphant!” Toria placed the sword on Lancer’s shoulder.

“Yes, my lady.” Lancer smiled as he spoke.

“What are you smiling at?” Whether it was Lancer’s fancy, he thought he saw Toria blush, and a smile flicker across her face.

“Heh, it’s nothing. I just recalled times before you became king.” Lancer was not speaking idly; after Toria became Arthur, he often remembered her flawless smile, regretted again and again, but realized there was no need for regret. Now, he knew—he needed only to support her along her chosen path, no matter how difficult, his task was simply to walk with her.

“Come, let’s go out for a stroll while it’s still day. Next time we meet will be the next Grail War.” Lancer said to Toria.

The two left Lancer’s room together, their smiles seen only by Kiritsugu, cigarette dangling from his lips. The result was—“No! Alice said today was the third and last cigarette I could smoke! Damn this world!” At that moment, Kiritsugu recalled what he’d said to Alice in the bedroom.

––––––––––––––––––– Time passes ––––––––––––––––––––

“Alice, tonight or tomorrow at the latest, the final result will be decided.”

“Kiritsugu, what are you hesitating for? I told you I’ll always support you. Don’t worry, even if you don’t use it—since giving birth to Illya, this body has begun to deteriorate. Let me help you fulfill your dream in the end.”

“Alice…” Kiritsugu, buried in Alice’s arms, was nothing like the infamous Magus Killer, but cried like a child.

“There, there, Kiritsugu. Remember, even after I’m gone, you’re only allowed five cigarettes a day.” Alice, seeming blissfully unaware of her fate, comforted Kiritsugu with a mother’s grace.

Kiritsugu wanted desperately to tell Alice about the jewel Lancer had given him, but Lancer said it must not be revealed too early, lest it spoil the plan to lure the priest.

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