Xingyue, is Xiaokai also considered Kai?

Such a short, yet so beloved time.

This is the true life of the being who was given the name Goetia.

With the disappearance of Goetia, the Temple of Time collapsed completely.

When Fujimaru Ritsuka escaped from the Temple of Time in dire straits, she was panting heavily, in excruciating pain, and her consciousness was blurred in the familiar white corridor of Chaldea.

Upon returning, the first person he met was the advisor, whom he was meeting for the first time all along.

Novia stood before her, calmly gazing at humanity's last Master.

"You've worked hard, Ritsuka."

Final Chapter: La Repos – A Place of Rest.

The sounds of the Moon Cell's core operating ceased to exist at this moment.

SE.RA.PH.

The stage for the Holy Grail War of the Moon is a space whose deepest part is designated as the "Sanctuary".

Everything is in standby mode.

A certain girl—Kishinami Hakuno—simply stood there.

His own consciousness is very weak.

My sense of touch is also very weak.

It's as if she's just a background texture in this world that's dispensable.

……wrong.

It doesn't even qualify as a sticker.

It's probably just an insignificant cache file that will be cleared at any time.

"Kishinami Hakuno".

Servant's voice.

This pulled Kishinami Hakuno's consciousness back from its meaninglessness.

She looked up at her servant, Novia.

Novia did not address Hakuno as Master for the first time.

However, for Hakuno, Novia was indeed different from the other Servants.

I had a vague feeling about it from the very beginning.

They are not here to "fight," but to "witness."

In this false twilight, only his presence was so striking, completely different from the surrounding environment.

As for the girl named Kishinami Hakuno,

He was her sword, her contractor, her—

"The path to the 'answer' is right before our eyes."

"I know."

Kishinami Hakuno's answer was so brief as to be almost meaningless.

But this is a necessary response.

It was a signal confirming that the "line" between her and Novia was open.

"So before that, I need to confirm one thing."

Novia reached out her hand.

Kishinami Hakuno did not answer, his gaze remaining indifferent.

Ah, here it comes.

Is this the final confirmation stage of the contract?

It's such a cliché plot, like when you reach the final boss in a game and a system message pops up: 'The following choices will greatly affect the ending, do you want to save?' It's just as boring.

The girl inwardly spat, but outwardly maintained her calm demeanor and remained silent.

"What kind of victory do you expect me to have?"

.......

A serious problem.

Rather, it's a matter of cunning.

Giving me the power to define it means pushing all the responsibility onto me.

Honestly, my Servant, you're always so capricious in places like this.

Kishinami Hakuno still did not answer.

Just watch.

Then, in an instant, a massive "noise" surged into the girl's consciousness, and she "saw" countless stars twinkling within Novia's being.

One,

It is the fire of wisdom that illuminates the way forward; its posture is absolute "reason," free from confusion and wavering.

Kishinami Hakuno remained completely unmoved by this.

A teacher? Give me a break. All that earnest instruction and lectures is the most annoying thing ever. And then to take all the credit for victory and conclude with, "It's all thanks to my excellent guidance," is that kind of self-satisfied person? In the workplace, such a self-satisfied individual will be considered a liability.

That's what he said, but Shirano even imagined what kind of expression this "teacher" would have when he forced her to clean the toilet with his Command Spell.

This one is rejected.

Second,

It was a scorching, oppressive force that seemed to burn away the very soul; its posture was absolute "power," a walking natural disaster capable of shattering all that was unreasonable.

Kishinami Hakuno narrowed her eyes slightly, feeling a bit annoyed by the presence, like a mosquito flying into an air-conditioned room in the summer.

God? Ha, that kind of thing is the most troublesome once it gets out of control, and...

Shiro's gaze unconsciously drifted to the other's chest, which was bulging out by strength.

...I feel like it's going to be harder to handle now; the texture will definitely get harder.

An extremely unromantic thought flashed across the brown-haired girl's expressionless face.

This one was also rejected.

Third,

It symbolizes the light of the future; that posture is absolute "love," a noble act of sacrificing oneself to save everyone.

For the first time, Kishinami Hakuno's brow furrowed slightly.

...Here comes the option I dislike the most.

Her sharp tongue was ruthless.

Saving everything? Including the enemy? Hey, are you kidding me? This is a battlefield! What nonsense are you spouting? Trampling everyone's resolve underfoot, using your self-righteous gentleness to deny the fight...

Shiro's fingers curled unconsciously, as if driven by an urge to grasp or crush something.

Don't decide what a gentle ending is for me, you bastard.

This is absolutely rejected.

Kishinami Hakuno looked at Novia.

Looking at this partner who had been with him all along, from nothing to here.

She suddenly found it somewhat ridiculous.

Now that things have come to this, you're still asking me what my expectations are?

then,

The girl took a step.

Their actions refuted the entire issue raised by Novia.

Kishinami Hakuno walked up to Novia, so close that he could see his own expressionless face reflected in her blue eyes.

She knew that Novia was laying everything bare to show his trust in her, but behind that trust lay a calm confidence that "I've prepared everything for you."

It's as if he's saying that no matter which path he chooses, he can deliver a perfect victory.

Shirano disliked this composure and also disliked this pre-arranged "correctness".

My battle, our battle... is not some cheap game that you can beat by following a walkthrough.

therefore,

Kishinami Hakuno reached out, his fingertips touching Novia's heart through her uniform.

"Listen up, Novia."

The voice was cold, yet it carried a burning heat that even the speaker was unaware of.

"Don't turn into anything else on your own. That kind of thing is fine no matter what."

For the first and last time, the girl's eyes revealed a pure and undisguised possessiveness.

"You are my servant."

The words were decisive.

"—Don't let it shine."

"All you need to do is stay by my side and be my 'sword'."

"Sharp, silent, wielded only for me, I need nothing else."

"This is my victory. Give it to me, and I will carve it firmly into your soul."

After saying this, Kishinami Hakuno turned around and faced the door that represented the end and the beginning.

well.

The redundant options have been removed.

My sword now only bears my name.

That should be enough... I guess.

……

"...Why are you suddenly bringing this up?"

Ritsuka's voice was filled with just the right amount of helplessness. She stopped wiping the baking tray, turned her head, and looked at Zabiko, who was leaning on the counter, poking at the glass candy jar with one finger.

This friend who always has no expression.

Sunlight streamed through the glass window, gently illuminating Ritsuka's profile, her signature side ponytail swaying softly with her movements.

The girl wore comfortable black pantyhose and easy-to-move boots, with a bakery apron over them.

This outfit makes her look reliable and approachable, like a friendly older sister next door, rather than a Master who once bore the weight of human history.

“Because the baguettes that came out of the oven today have just the right firmness.” Zabi raised her face, her light brown pupils revealing no emotion, and answered seriously, “They’re perfect as weapons. They remind me of the past.”

"Huh? Who starts such a heavy topic by talking about the hardness of food!" Ritsuka couldn't help but complain, picking up a lump of fermented dough and pressing it down hard, as if venting her frustration. "And that super cool declaration before the final battle, don't say it like it came out with an 'achoo'! The atmosphere! The atmosphere is completely ruined!"

"Really? I think it's very romantic!"

A vibrant voice came from the side. Hibino Hibiki was holding her face in her hands, looking at Zabiko with sparkling eyes, her face full of longing and excitement.

A few strands of that energetic short hair seemed to stand up because of excitement.

"In the end, the choice wasn't power or reason, but 'You are mine'! Wow... Dad was actually dominated by Senior Zabi in that battle so... so forcefully! So cool! So romantic!"

"Dominate..."

Ritsuka's lips twitched slightly.

She looked at Hibiki, who was completely oblivious and excited, and then at Shirano, who remained calm and composed, even showing satisfaction with the word "dominate." She really didn't want to say anything more.