The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

She hoped to hear a gentler response from the other party.

However...

"Because there is no other way."

Kiritsugu said slowly.

"Why!?"

Saber was furious; she didn't understand why the other party would choose to use such a method.

This is not only an insult to Lancer.

It is also an insult to all knights!

“It’s very simple, Saber. You should know that I will never abandon my plans in the Holy Grail War.”

"Only victory is meaningful."

Kiritsugu remained calm and spoke indifferently.

As he finished speaking, a cold wind blew past.

In this cold wind, Saber felt a heavy atmosphere of sorrow.

She knew that Lancer and Kenneth were dead.

"Is that so? Is this what you call justice? Is this the justice you uphold? Kiritsugu!"

"From now on, do not attempt to order me around."

After saying that, Saber turned to leave.

"Wait! Saber!"

Seeing Saber turn to leave, Kiritsugu quickly called her back.

"If you want to pursue your own justice, then go for it. In any case, you must quickly re-establish the contract. Otherwise, you don't want to be forced out before the war is even over, do you?"

Kiritsugu said in a deep voice, knowing that this was the only reason he could stop Saber now.

Furthermore, Kiritsugu believed that Saber would never be foolish enough to refuse.

Sure enough, after hearing Kiritsugu's words...

Saber stopped and turned to look at him.

"Kiritsugu, how did you become like this?"

"You wouldn't want to know about my past."

Kiritsugu finished speaking expressionlessly, then added:

"And... don't forget, we are participating in this war to fulfill our own desires, and for that purpose, all mercy is unnecessary."

In just a few words, Kiritsugu's creed was completely revealed.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Irisviel, who was being helped away from the warehouse by Hisayu Maiya, echoed from behind:

"Yes, Saber, please believe Kiritsugu. Everything we are doing now is to save all of humanity. This is an inevitable evil... one that neither you nor I can avoid."

"Irisviel...even you?"

Saber was stunned by Lady Irisviel's outrageous words and remained speechless for a long time.

She couldn't understand this behavior, nor did she understand why something so contrary to chivalry could be related to saving all of humanity.

Utterly bewildered, she stared blankly at the person she had once tried to save.

A feeling of despair washed over me for a moment...

At that moment, Kiana, who had remained silent for a long time, spoke up:

"Excuse me, I'm sorry to bother you."

"What's wrong, arbitrator?"

Saber turned around, hoping to hear some words that could solve the mystery.

However...

“Saber, although I don’t want to discourage you, I think you won the duel just now.”

This wasn't Kiana taking advantage of the situation to stab someone in the back; rather, the system notified her that she had successfully adjudicated a match.

In other words, the conflict just now, as Kiritsugu said, was something that was tacitly approved by this Holy Grail War...

Is it acceptable to achieve goals through violence and deception?

This Holy Grail seems like a truly cruel and evil thing...

Kiana immediately dismissed the idea as soon as it came to mind.

No, no, no, the Holy Grail is neither good nor bad; it simply gives humanity a choice.

Kiritsugu chose to do this, and he should ultimately bear the consequences and negative impacts himself...

Even you?

Unfortunately, Saber was unaware of Kiana's predicament.

But she didn't blame him; she simply silently renewed her contract with Kiritsugu and then straddled the motorcycle she had come on.

Shortly after the engine started, Saber suddenly turned to Kiana and said:

"Come up, Arbitrator."

"Eh? Just call me Kiana. Miss Saber..."

Kiana straddled the back seat, somewhat confused, as Saber released the throttle of the motorcycle.

With a whoosh, the motorcycle sped off into the distance like a wild horse.

Saber appeared remarkably calm as she left.

"Whether you believe it or not, everything I've done is in accordance with my conscience, and you..."

“I know, arbitrator.”

Saber's indifferent voice rang in my ears.

Upon hearing this, Kiana's heart trembled slightly, and she couldn't help but recall the wrong judgments she had made about Saber before.

After all, Saber only hated the act of violating the honor and morality of a knight.

"I apologize for some of the comments I made about you before."

This time, Saber did not remain indifferent; instead, she apologized with extreme sincerity.

“There’s no need to apologize,” Kiana said slowly. “I don’t think your adherence to chivalry is wrong, Saber.”

"Let's leave the small talk here. Next, we need to go to that man named Kirei Kotomine to fulfill the second half of our agreement."

Although Saber reminded Kiritsugu halfway through, the destination was not found by him.

Instead, it was Kirei Kotomine who helped out along the way.

Therefore, Kiana and Saber must pay a heavy price...

Take him to the best Chinese restaurant in Fuyuki City and have a hearty meal of Mapo Tofu!

As the King of Knights, Saber naturally could not break her promise.

As for Kiana...

I'd like to try what the Mapo Tofu at the Chinese restaurant in Fuyuki City tastes like.

"Ah."

Because they shared a common goal, they exchanged a smile and began speeding towards where Kirei Kotomine was...

However, what the two of them didn't expect at that moment was...

The man who loved Mapo Tofu was currently listening to his mentor's teachings at the Tohsaka family mansion.

"You've really worked hard, Kirei."

After Kirei Kotomine successfully relinquished control of Assassin, Tokiomi Tohsaka paid the highest tribute to his disciple.

At the same time, he did not forget to demonstrate the demeanor expected of a mentor.

"Live well, Kirei."

“I have entrusted your adoptive father to take good care of you. From now on, if you have any trouble in the church, you can ask him for help at any time.”

Sitting on a luxurious sofa, Tokiomi swirled the wine in his glass and spoke eloquently to Kirei Kotomine, who remained silent with his head bowed.

"Ah."

While he was making polite remarks, he had no idea that, just as he was speaking eloquently...

The disciple standing nearby smiled in a subtle, almost imperceptible curve...

"It is an honor for me to be able to help you."

After saying that, Kirei picked up the gift on the coffee table—a dagger—and couldn't help but feel a surge of joy...

This Ruler is so fair! (F/Z): Chapter Thirteen: The Knight Who Did Not Die Bare-Handed, Standing Against the King with a Fierce Demeanor.

"Yes, with your help, I'm sure this war will end in my victory..."

Tokiomi said with a smile, as if he believed that his victory was only a matter of time.

In contrast to his smugness, Kirei Kotomine smiled rather discreetly.

At this moment, he was waiting for an opportunity.

An opportunity to kill Tokiomi on the spot.

He wasn't sure if this opportunity would come.

However, he was certain that at this moment, he wanted to get rid of this man...

Get rid of this arrogant mentor.

Just thinking about what would happen to the entire battle after his death...