At this moment, within the light screen.
["Tell me, what is it you desire in your heart?" The Root Shiki looked quietly at Mikiya Kokutō, her eyes profound, as if weighing the gravity of every word.]
[The brief silence felt like a long wait, time itself seeming to freeze in that moment.]
[Mikiya Kokutō stared back at her, his gaze firm and deep, as if wanting to convey his inner resolve through his eyes alone.]
[Finally, he parted his thin lips lightly: "Well..." As he spoke, he narrowed his eyes slightly, as if in thought, or as if peering into the abyss within his own heart.]
[In that moment, time seemed to hold its breath.]
["I have nothing else to ask for." His words were concise and powerful, resonating in the air like a decisive verdict, shocking everyone present!]
In the world of the Fifth Holy Grail War.
Tōsaka Rin witnessed this scene, the astonishment on her face hard to conceal.
She stared wide-eyed at everything within the light screen, as if unable to believe what she was seeing.
"How is this possible? He actually refused such an opportunity?"
Tōsaka Rin muttered to herself. She had no doubt about the power of the Root.
That was the power of the Root, capable of easily granting anyone's wish, like a blessing from the heavens, something people could only dream of.
Yet, Mikiya Kokutō had lightly refused this "gift" that was within his grasp.
This left Tōsaka Rin feeling both shocked and frustrated. She gritted her teeth and muttered, "This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance! If you don't want it, just give it to me!"
In this world, some people desire too much but can never obtain it; while others, when faced with opportunity, can easily choose to let it go.
This might be one of fate's cruel jokes, leaving some in drought and others in flood, with people powerless to change it.
In the Holy Grail Wars, everyone was willing to stake everything they had, even their precious lives, to fulfill their wishes and fight for the supreme Holy Grail. They risked it all just for the miracle that could grant any desire.
Yet, the man in the light screen had easily chosen to give up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He could have used it to fulfill any wish of his, but he let it slip through his fingers in vain.
"This guy, is there something wrong with his brain..." Some viewers couldn't help but complain inwardly, their tones full of disbelief.
Simultaneously, bullet comments surged in like a tide, the light screen filling with various remarks.
[Bullet Comments]
[Ryougi Shiki]: As expected... If he actually agreed to have his wish granted, I'd feel he wasn't the Mikiya Kokutō I know.
[Emiya Shirō]: Although I feel it's a pity, I can understand... If a Holy Grail suddenly dropped in front of me, I'd hesitate too.
[Romani Archaman]: Picked up a Holy Grail? How is that possible? That's too outrageous!
[Elizabeth Báthory]: A Holy Grail? Is it hard to find one? I can practically pick one up every year!
[Amakusa Shirō Tokisada]: I have to admit, I envy him. Whether it's the Mikiya Kokutō in the light screen or Little Miss Dragon, I'm very jealous.
[Mash Kyrielight]: Miss Elizabeth is a special case! And the Holy Grails she picks up don't have wish-granting functions!
Amidst the audience's heated discussion, the light screen continued.
[Upon hearing Mikiya Kokutō's answer, the Root Shiki was slightly taken aback, then a meaningful smile appeared on her face.]
["Is that so..." she said softly, as if savoring this unexpected answer.]
[There was a hint of regret in the Root Shiki's tone, yet her expression showed relief and a touch of pity.]
[She seemed to have already known Mikiya Kokutō's answer.]
["That's right..." she whispered, then slowly closed her eyes and let out a long breath, "Why did I ask, even though I knew the answer..."]
[As her words fell, she averted her gaze from him, staring vacantly into the white darkness.]
[Under the setting sun, snowflakes danced, and the breeze gently tousled the Root Shiki's hair, accentuating her flawless face.]
[At this moment, all viewers seemed frozen, even the Mikiya Kokutō within the light screen was no exception, all deeply captivated by this beauty.]
[However, Mikiya Kokutō quickly regained his composure. He stared at the girl's face and couldn't help but ask: "Although I'm not entirely clear, you are the prototype of Shiki and SHIKI, right?"]
[His voice echoed in the empty space, carrying a note of doubt.]
[At that moment, he seemed to suddenly realize that the girl before him was not merely a personality constructed by intellect, but a primitive existence intertwined with body and soul.]
[Shiki and SHIKI are just the two facets of the "Ryougi Shiki" Root personality undergoing personality transformation.]
[And it is Ryougi Shiki herself who controls all of this.]
[Since they are "Ryougi," there must be a deeper "Taiji" (Great Ultimate) within them.]
[And the girl before him is the outline of the circle symbolizing Taiji, the core that connects and embraces everything.]
[Whether it is Shiki or SHIKI, they are both born from the girl before him—the Root Shiki.]
[They originate from her and will ultimately return to her. It is precisely because of this that Shiki and SHIKI can be like twins; though oriented differently, they can be independent and radiant.]
[Faced with Mikiya Kokutō's speculation, the Root Shiki once again revealed that beautiful smile, her eyes filled with a murderous intent colder than before.]
[She was silent for a moment, not directly denying his speculation, but simply letting her cold voice continue to echo in the space.]
["Yes, this is the essence of Ryougi Shiki—hidden deep and invisible. I am but an empty shell, a corpse that cannot speak." She paused, as if recalling a distant past, "It should have decayed silently until the very end."]
[As these words were spoken, the entire space fell into a brief silence.]
The audience was shocked by this fact—the girl who seemed omnipotent and full of intellect was originally just a meaningless, unintelligent existence.
It was the methods of the Ryougi Family that allowed her to transform and become what she is now.
At this moment, regardless of which world they were from, Heroic Spirits and magi alike couldn't help but be stunned by the Ryougi Family's capability.
It was hard for them to imagine that a girl without consciousness could be molded into such an omnipotent being.
In the world of the Fourth Holy Grail War, Tōsaka Tokiomi couldn't help but sigh, complex emotions flashing in his eyes. "The masterpiece of the Ryougi Family..." he murmured to himself, his tone a mixture of admiration and sentiment.
As the head of the Tōsaka family, Tōsaka Tokiomi was well aware of the history and trade of the Four Demon-Hunting Families.
The four families—Asakami, Fujō, Ryougi, and Nanaya—once had the mission of "hunting Mixed-Bloods" and were natural enemies of such beings.
However, with the changing times, the traditional trade of the Four Demon-Hunting Families gradually lost its market demand.
Amidst this tide of change, the fates of the four families diverged. Some declined gradually, while others found new paths and sought different ways to survive. The Ryougi Family was the most outstanding among the latter.
The Ryougi Family understood that abilities surpassing ordinary people often had no place in civilized society and would eventually face eradication.
Thus, they began exploring how to live like ordinary people while maintaining superhuman powers. They boldly attempted to cultivate multiple personalities within a single body to create an omnipotent being.
Although Tōsaka Tokiomi knew of this, he never imagined such an attempt could truly succeed. After all, while individuals with multiple personalities could display remarkable abilities in different aspects, this state was extremely unstable.
Many fell into mental disorder due to conflicts between personalities, and some even chose suicide, unable to bear the pressure.
Therefore, Tōsaka Tokiomi had always been skeptical of the Ryougi Family's method, considering it unreliable. Yet, the emergence of the Root Shiki completely overturned his perception.
"It can actually be done..." He was inwardly shocked. The existence of the Root Shiki undoubtedly opened a new path for the Ryougi Family and the entire demon-hunting world.
Perhaps, without undergoing the cruel Holy Grail War, one could also touch the unreachable Root.
At this moment, the audience was also deeply shocked. Bullet comments emerged like a tide, expressing their amazement and awe towards the Root Shiki and the Ryougi Family's abilities.
[Bullet Comments]
[Gilgamesh]: Ohohohohoho!!! Surprisingly interesting. This King never thought one could touch the Root in such a way! This has truly piqued my interest!
[Archer (EMIYA)]: Indeed, this path to the Root is unheard of. In comparison, fighting over the Holy Grail seems utterly insignificant!
[Lord El-Melloi II]: That being said, this method is likely difficult to replicate. Only the Ryougi Family can achieve this with their unique magecraft, and over such a long time, there has only been this one successful case.
[Iskandar, King of Conquerors]: Indeed, this path is too cruel. I believe many sacrifices have been made in countless attempts.
[Romani Archaman]: To reach the Root, they are willing to go this far... This is simply... too much!
[Leonardo da Vinci]: Romani... Alas, magi are like this. For the Root, they will do anything... And the Ryougi Family has indeed created an almost omnipotent existence—the Root Shiki. Though human, she can fulfill anyone's wish.]
The viewers before the light screen discussed fervently, each expressing their views.
However, what they didn't know was that the Ryougi Family didn't originally intend to reach the Root in this way.
[]
The Ryougi Family does possess the technology to keep creatures connected to the "Root" alive, but creating offspring whose Origin is "Nothingness" was not their original intention.
The light screen continued.
[The girl's voice sounded again, carrying a hint of inexplicable emotion. "It's strange, isn't it? I should have been eliminated as an unfinished product, but I unexpectedly gained my own self."]
These words, like a stone thrown into a calm lake, stirred ripples.
The audience was shocked by this fact, and simultaneously felt a deeper curiosity and awe for the Root Shiki. They began to realize that behind this seemingly omnipotent existence might lie a more complex and profound story.
["Originally, I would not be born, nor would I be awakened."]
[There was a hint of sorrow in the girl's words, yet her smile revealed coldness and mockery.]
[Such an expression made Mikiya Kokutō shudder slightly. He could not imagine that such a fact could be true.]
[According to Miss Aozaki's theory, the world will prevent things that might lead to destruction due to their own existence. A being like the Root Shiki should have been destined to die in the mother's womb.]
[However, the Ryougi Family possessed the technology to keep her alive, allowing the Root Shiki to be born, though she lacked the buds of intellect.]
[The snow continued to fall, and the perspective in the video flickered between the Root Shiki and Mikiya Kokutō. The girl's voice echoed in the empty space, narrating her past.]
["I was forced to recognize the external world. Because it was troublesome, I pushed everything that happened afterward onto Shiki and SHIKI."]
[Her tone revealed a sense of helplessness and boredom. Yet, fate always seems to enjoy playing tricks. Various accidents awakened the Origin of the Root Shiki and thrust the external world abruptly before her.]
[At this moment, Mikiya Kokutō finally understood why the girl before him had created the two personalities of Ryougi Shiki and Ryougi SHIKI.]
[It was because of loneliness—a sense of emptiness caused by immense power, unbearable loneliness.]
[The entire world became boring in her eyes, clear at a glance, without any novelty.]
[This loneliness and sense of emptiness led the Root Shiki to choose to create Shiki and SHIKI, letting them experience the colorful, complex world, while she hid behind the scenes, silently observing everything.]
[It is precisely because of the loneliness brought by power that the Root Shiki chose to push all burdens onto Ryougi Shiki.]
At this moment, both Mikiya Kokutō in the video and the audience before the light screen felt a deep pang of sympathy for this Root Shiki.
In the world of Uruk, Gilgamesh witnessed this scene, and even he, the King of Heroes, couldn't help but show a trace of pity on his face.
He murmured in a low voice: "Loneliness caused by being too powerful..."
Although Gilgamesh had not experienced the same circumstances as the Root Shiki and was not connected to the Root, he could deeply understand that kind of loneliness.
He was once a wise king, but he, possessing both human and divine perspectives, saw a distant future that neither humans nor gods could reach.
The loneliness brought by that power almost turned him from a wise king into a tyrant.
But Gilgamesh was fortunate; at least he still had his best friend Enkidu. Although Enkidu could not see as far as he did, he could at least see similar scenery.
And what about the Root Shiki? There was no such person by her side. Neither Mikiya Kokutō nor the Shiki and SHIKI she created could truly fill the void in her heart.
This loneliness, this heavy burden brought by being powerful, made Gilgamesh deeply sympathize with the Root Shiki.
He understood that this kind of loneliness could not be easily dispelled. It required time, understanding, and a person who could stand shoulder to shoulder with her. Yet, for the Root Shiki, such a person might never appear.
Gilgamesh thought to himself that while he could understand the loneliness of the Root Shiki due to her power, he could not fully see the world through her eyes. That depth and shock were beyond his reach.
Gilgamesh knew that what the Root Shiki endured was not merely loneliness.
The shock in her eyes was an existence beyond the scope of ordinary understanding, an insurmountable chasm between her and the world. This chasm made it impossible for even a mighty king like him to truly stand in her place and feel her joys, sorrows, angers, and pleasures.
He silently gazed at the Root Shiki in the light screen, his heart filled with complex emotions.
There was both sympathy for her fate and helplessness at his inability to change any of it.