Rin was in the kitchen preparing a late-night snack.
Although the final battle was likely to take place tonight, as the saying goes, an empty stomach makes for a poor soldier. Rin volunteered to take charge of the kitchen and began preparing food.
Once the meal was ready, Rin took off her apron.
"Strange, where's Roy?"
"Haven't seen him."
"No idea."
In the living room, Ichika and Illya shook their heads and shrugged in response.
By the time Hayasaka brought the dishes to the table, Roy finally arrived, stepping into the kitchen.
Rin sniffed the air, catching a faint, unfamiliar scent, but it quickly dissipated. Unable to identify it, she paid it no further mind.
At the dining table, only Roy and Rin ate in silence.
"Saber still hasn't woken up?"
"No, it seems she won't be waking up tonight."
"I see… And my Archer is still injured too…"
Rin trailed off, her voice fading.
With this lineup, how were they supposed to fight?
It was downright hopeless!
Rin inwardly wailed in despair.
"...I'll take on that golden Archer!"
After a long silence, Rin suddenly raised her head, her expression resolute as she looked at Roy.
"While Archer and I hold him off, you head for the Greater Grail. Since it's already beyond saving, destroying it will still resolve everything!"
This was the only strategy Rin could think of.
Servants were summoned by the Greater Grail—the mana and rituals required for their summoning were all provided by it. The Masters merely supplied the mana needed to sustain their existence in this world.
If the Greater Grail were destroyed, the Servants should no longer be able to maintain their manifestation. Even that golden bastard shouldn't be able to defy the core mechanics of the Holy Grail War.
But facing that golden Archer head-on, her own Archer stood no chance. In all likelihood, she herself would end up dead at his hands.
Still, that was fine.
She owed Roy too many favors. This way, she could finally repay at least a fraction of that debt.
"That won't work. That golden Archer has already undergone Incarnation. Even if the Greater Grail is destroyed, he won't disappear."
Roy shook his head, his words mercilessly shattering Rin's last shred of hope.
"That damn golden bastard, what the hell is wrong with him?!"
Rin couldn't help but curse in frustration.
Incarnation!
Of all things, why did he have to undergo Incarnation?!
Servants were mere aggregates of ether, fundamentally bodies of mana. Though they resembled humans in appearance and even shared the same anatomical structure, they weren't truly human.
There was only one exception—Incarnation, the process of obtaining a flesh-and-blood body. A Servant who underwent this became a genuine human. Even if their mana supply was cut off, they wouldn't vanish.
Even if the Greater Grail were destroyed, that golden bastard could still leisurely continue living in this world.
"So, leave the golden Archer to me."
Roy spoke up again.
"What kind of nonsense are you spouting?!"
Rin jolted, her voice rising in protest.
"No matter how strong you are as a magus, no matter how powerful your Mystic Eyes are, you're no match for that golden bastard!"
If it came to that, Roy would die before she did.
And Rin absolutely refused to allow that.
Whether out of personal obligation or her own feelings, she wouldn't tolerate Roy dying before her!
"It's fine. I have a trump card."
Roy looked at Rin with unwavering seriousness.
"Believe me, Rin. I'm not the type to seek death willingly."
Rin was momentarily stunned by his words.
What was this?
Was it her imagination?
Why did Roy seem… different?
She had spent three years with him. While she didn't know everything about him, she understood his character well enough.
Roy had never valued his own life.
If necessary, he would gladly trade his life for the outcome he desired.
Given his personality, he would've said something like, "Even if I die, I'll drag him down to hell with me." He would never say something like, "I won't actively seek death."
This change had only occurred tonight—within just a few hours.
What could have happened to make someone as stubborn as a mule like Roy undergo such a drastic shift?
"You're really confident?"
Rin stared intently at Roy, as if trying to peer into his soul.
"Yes."
Roy nodded without hesitation.
"...I see."
Rin silently studied him for a long moment. She saw no trace of his usual disregard for his own life—only firm, unwavering resolve. Finally, she relented.
"In that case, I'll leave the golden bastard to you. I'll take the opportunity to destroy the Greater Grail from the rear!"
"Ah, about that… let's hold off on destroying the Greater Grail for now."
"Why?"
Rin looked at him in surprise.
Roy smiled, his expression taking on a faintly eerie edge.
"Who said I only have one trump card?"
***
The late-night meal ended, and their strategy was set.
Roy and Rin made their final preparations.
Okita Souji still hadn't woken, leaving only him, Rin, and Archer to embark on the path to the final battle.
Of course, there was also one hidden ace up their sleeve.
"Master."
"What is it?"
"During the previous battle, I neither appeared nor communicated with you. I hope you won't hold it against me."
"That was your rational judgment, wasn't it?"
"Indeed. Since there were no living humans present aside from you, Master, I intended to observe until the very end—even if it meant watching you die without intervening—as per your orders."
Taigong Wang's voice was chillingly rational.
Servants were beings who had already passed from this world. There was no need to pity their lives.
But those who still lived had yet to reach the end of their journeys. They still had so much of life to experience. Taigong Wang did not wish for such people to die unnecessarily.
Last time, because Rin had been present, he had advised Roy to retreat.
But in the previous battle, Roy had been the only living person present. Thus, Taigong Wang had followed his command, prepared to remain an observer until the very end.
"Ultimately, that was my order. Don't worry about it."
Roy paused, then continued, "But I've changed my mind now. You were right—before, I was too indifferent to everything, single-mindedly focused only on fulfilling my long-cherished wish. If I kept going like that, I would've lost even more in the end."
"I'm glad to see you've changed."
"Thanks."
"Though I must admit, I'm a little jealous that it wasn't my words that changed you, but the dying words of that saintly maiden."
Roy suddenly let out a wry laugh.
Rin shot him a strange look.
Why was he suddenly laughing while walking?
Had the pressure finally driven him mad?
A trace of concern flickered across Rin's face.
"The rest is up to you."
"Leave it to me!"
Under the watchful gazes of Illya and the others, Roy and Rin left the Aozaki residence side by side.
They departed the residential district and made their way toward Mount Enzou.
Before long, they arrived at the foot of the mountain.
The area was completely deserted. All the magi and patrolling security personnel had been ordered to withdraw beforehand by Rin.
At present, the only living souls on Mount Enzou were the two of them.
Roy retrieved the Lesser Grail from his Imaginary Numbers space and dispelled the runic barriers surrounding it.
In an instant, the Lesser Grail could no longer contain the Servant souls within it. Eight streaks of light shot into the sky, forming a massive hole that connected to the world beyond.
Simultaneously, deep within the caverns beneath Mount Enzou, the Greater Grail responded, radiating a dazzling crimson light.
"So, they've finally arrived!"
Gilgamesh stood at the mouth of the cavern, gazing at the fully reactivated Greater Grail, a pleased smile spreading across his face.
"Boy called Roy—when the time for our final battle comes, you had best ensure this king is thoroughly entertained!"
***
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