A Dimensional Journey Begins with the Dragon Clan

Chapter 1248 1241. Hypocrisy

"No, that's not true. In fact, Sakura has been a great help to me in my family."

...the incident in the mixed forest.

If the guy there is really Shinji, there is no way he has no connection with the black Servant.

Then——in the worst case scenario, he could be the Master.

If that's the case, it would be too dangerous to let Sakura go back to the Matou household.

"? Senior, what happened——"

"Sakura, stay at my house today. If you need to change clothes, use Fuji-nee's."

"Eh——Senior, this, that——"

"If possible, you can stay here for the time being. Of course, if Sakura finds it troublesome and wants to go back, that's fine too."

……Well.

It's really too much of a mess. If you suddenly ask someone to stay here, they will definitely be unable to make a decision for a while.

"I'm sorry. I said something that made you feel awkward. It's my fault."

Emiya Shirou said this and lowered his head to apologize.

———At this time.

"...Okay. Well, I won't hold back."

Sakura nodded as she heard the gurgling sound of the pot cooking something.

  ···········

The night was deeper.

  After dinner, Saber woke up and punished Shirou Emiya in the dojo. Although Saber insisted that it was combat training,

No matter how you look at it, it was bullying the weak—when it was almost over, it was already past ten o'clock in the evening.

Sister Fuji and Sakura have already gone to the Japanese-style room. It looks like the three of us will sleep together again tonight.

"Shirou...? What's wrong? Aren't you going back to your room?"

“Hmm…? Ah, I have to go back. But before that, I want to ask Saber something.”

"Is it something you care about? Please tell me. It doesn't matter as long as it's something I can answer."

"————————"

...Do you want to ask directly?

What Archer said.

Servants without freedom pursue the Holy Grail for freedom.

Saber should be the same in this regard, but that guy said that she doesn't pursue freedom at all.

"… Saber. You, need the Holy Grail, right?"

“—Yes. My goal is the Holy Grail. I became a Heroic Spirit for this. I should have said this before.”

"I know that. But what is that for? As long as we obtain the Holy Grail, the Servants can stay in this world even without a Master. So - after Saber obtains the Holy Grail, is there anything else you want to do here?"

"——No. After I obtain the Holy Grail, I will leave this world. The me who is not from this era is not allowed to stay here. Besides, there is nothing I want to do anymore."

Incredibly determined eyes.

There is no hypocrisy or deception there, and no room for me to say anything more.

“——Is that so? Although I don’t understand what Saber’s purpose is, I won’t force you to tell me.”

...Um, using the Holy Grail to fulfill one's wish really doesn't fit Saber's image, and it wasn't until now that Emiya Shirou remembered it.

He didn't even know what the Holy Grail was.

However, he could probably imagine that it would definitely not be something worthy of this blonde girl.

“——It’s already been agreed. I will let Saber get the Holy Grail… Now, all you can do is believe it.”

"...? What happened, Shirou? I feel like you've been lacking a bit of edge since you came back."

“That’s not the case—Oh, by the way. Saber, regarding the future policy—”

Saber's expression suddenly changed.

It’s amazing! No matter how well she gets along with Fuji-nee and the others, Saber is still Saber.

Although she didn't want to admit it, Archer was right. Her essence was fighting.

"I went to school today and found out there was a third Master in the school... and there was some trouble with Tohsaka. I encountered a lot of things, and in order to find the Master lurking in the school, I made a truce with Tohsaka..."

Emiya Shirou reported today's events like a running account.

Saber, who had been listening attentively at first, as the topic progressed—

I always felt that she was looking at me with dissatisfaction.

"...Uh. Saber, do you object to my cooperation with Tousaka?"

"No. Shirou, you have no knowledge of magic, and I agree that you should learn something from Rin. However, it's best to tell me about things like this as soon as possible. Also, if possible, please discuss it with me first."

Saber looked at him as if reproaching him.

...You're absolutely right. It's really embarrassing.

"So, will we start searching the school together with Rin tomorrow?"

"That should be the case. If I find anything unusual, I'll call you. Until then, just stand by."

"...Hmm. It's a bit loose as a guideline, but it's good enough to help Shirou get used to fighting. For now, let's go after the Master who has set up the barrier at the school."

She nodded.

Saber thought for a moment.

"——Let me confirm. After defeating the Master hiding in the school, the truce with Rin became a blank sheet of paper, and she became an enemy again. Is that right?"

Saber wanted to confirm it for sure.

Oh, this is——

  It will become like this

…No matter how hard you try, things will eventually turn out like this.

Even if he refuses to fight, Toosaka will definitely initiate the fight.

At that time——if he was killed without any resistance, it would definitely leave an uncomfortable memory for Tōsaka——

"...Yes. Once we defeat the Master hiding in the school, we will return to being enemies with Tousaka. Then we won't have to worry about anything anymore, Saber."

"Okay. If you can understand this, I have no objection. If Shirou cooperates with Rin, he can also gain some combat experience."

That was it. Saber bowed and left.

“————————“

Since you are the Master, you cannot avoid fighting.

...As long as Emiya Shirou can survive, the time for the showdown will surely come.

By then, will he really be able to fight Tōsaka as he said to Saber?

  ···········

————————I saw it in a dream.

It was like seeing untouchable memories through the tiny interconnected circuits of blood flowing.

These are other people’s memories.

At least not your own.

This is someone else's story.

Never recalled the past...

Never tried to recall, distant...

Even old memories that can no longer be recalled.

——It’s too late.

At this point, it is impossible to change the heavy shackles of the established contract.

That guy didn't want anything.

If I have to say it, it's that he is not a patient person by nature.

I can't stand being around people who cry.

I can't stand having hurt people around me.

I can't stand having dying people around me.

If there is any reason, these are the only ones.

For this reason alone, that guy wants to help everyone he sees.

It was so clumsy that even the bystanders were worried.

But in the end, it really worked, and every time it changed the fate of many people.

Even if we are conservative, this is definitely more difficult than achieving happiness.

The clumsy fight was not in vain.

The more damage he suffered, the more death he faced, the more people he saved.

...But there is a loophole here. Although it is everyone that can be seen.

But people are absolutely unable to see themselves.

So that's how it ends.

The "self" that was most important to him could not be saved in the end.

———I don’t understand why it turned out like this.

No, actually it's quite the opposite.

Why it didn't turn out like this is still a mystery to this day.

That was a serious disaster.

Many people have died, and many people are about to die.

There was really nothing he could do alone.

Facing the massive death in front of him, that guy...

"Let's make a contract. I will leave everything after my death to you. And I will accept this reward right now."

That’s right, a contract was made with an unknown entity called “the world”.

————Sacrifice one’s own life to save all living beings.

A hero was born.

This is the end.

There is no follow-up.

Even if he is called a hero, nothing changes about what that guy did.

Originally, his goal was not to become a hero.

It’s just that this process requires the power of a hero no matter what.

However, the end came so quickly.

An outstanding rescuer is nothing but a nuisance to those other than the rescued.

He understood his own limits and the vastness of the world.

Accept both what can be saved and what cannot be saved.

Because of this, he hopes to at least make the people he sees happy.

That's just hypocrisy.

There are many people who disdain it as a narrow value system.

Despite this, the person who silently pursues his ideal should be able to hold his head high.

His end.

As the contract says, there is no reward at the end of life.

————We finally arrived at that place.

He had had people who seemed like partners, and he had had people who seemed like lovers.

After losing it all, he was pushed to the end of his pursuit of the ideal.

There is no destination anymore.

Despite being accused of many things, he continued to fight.

Knowing that he is destined to die, he wants to accomplish the "miracle" that is still in his hands at the cost of death.

...But this is already the end.

We finally reached the Sword Hill.

His battle came to an end on the rusted steel hill where the swordsman was no longer there.

———Still alone.

Even so, as long as I can save the people in front of me, there is nothing to regret.

The guy smiled with satisfaction, and let go of the sword in his hand like a mountain collapsing.

  ···········

“————————————“

The body is very heavy.

When Shirou Emiya woke up, he did not feel well, but had a headache.

"…It's probably because of the injury from yesterday. My right hand still hurts a little."

He propped himself up while mumbling to himself in a daze.

It was already past six in the morning.

"First of all, if I don't make breakfast today...!"

I quickly crawled out of bed and changed my clothes.

Sister Fuji and Sakura have morning exercises.

Both of them have to go out at 6:30, and if they don't get ready quickly, it will be too late.

After seeing the two off, he drank breakfast tea with Saber.

The morning passed in such a hurry that by the time I noticed it, it was already well past seven.

"Then I'm leaving. Please look after the house, Saber."

"Okay. Shirou, be careful too. Even though you have Rin's help, don't do anything rash."

"Well, I learned my lesson yesterday. I will use Saber's power when I encounter an enemy."

He waved to Saber and left the entrance.

The morning air is very calm.

But the school I am about to go to now is different from what I have been to so far.

"----good."

Walk down the ramp with your nerves tense.

If Toosaka is acting as a Master, he must also produce results that are worthy of her.

The timing was just right, arriving in the classroom before the regular class meeting started.

I walked towards my seat while exchanging greetings with my classmates who were chatting.

“————Huh?”

at this moment.

Suddenly I saw this unexpected guy and for a moment I forgot what to say.

"————!"

No need to think about anything.

Emiya Shirou ran towards Shinji angrily.

“Shinji, you——!”

"Hello, Emiya. What's going on? Why is the school so noisy this morning? Did something happen while I was resting at home?"

"Nothing happened! What on earth did you do to Meizhui?"

"Mizue——? Ah, it's Ayako. I heard that she ran away from home, right? I heard about it at the dojo today. It seems that she was found in Shinto yesterday."

I don't know what he was laughing at, but Shinji kept chuckling.

From those eyes, Emiya Shirou could only see ridicule towards Mizutsu.

"...Don't play dumb. You were the one who saw Meizhu last. What I want to ask is what you did to her at that time."

"Eh? What did you do? It was just a normal chat. Oh, by the way, did you hear about that, Emiya? Was Ayako found behind the alley over there? She looked like she had taken a lot of drugs, her eyes were injured, and her school uniform was tattered. Oh, I don't know what happened, but it's hard to ignore it. I'm really interested in knowing how someone who usually pretends to be so great was abandoned."

“————————“

"Why are you making such a scary face? It's just a joke, don't take it seriously. And Ayako has been protected, right? She's recuperating at home now. Well, by the time she comes back, the rumors will probably have spread, and there might be some trouble."

"——You. Did you tell the people in the archery club what you just said?"

"It has nothing to do with me. But is it already famous among the first graders? Although it's not a rumor game, it seems to have spread everywhere yesterday."

Shinji said happily.

"————————"

...He held back his clenched fists.

This guy, is he spreading these words everywhere?

Meizhu is a girl. That girl is just like that, no matter what people around her think, no matter how strong she looks, she is still a girl.

Well, no matter how strong you are, if rumors like this spread, you will have a hard time staying.