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MP : 38 Innocent Like the Sun
🕑 Added 2024-10-24 16:00:04 +0000 UTC"How is this possible?"
Witnessing Roy easily dodge the bullet and firmly grasp his gun barrel with one hand, Emiya Kiritsugu's face displayed an expression of shock.
This unbelievable sight sparked a whirlwind of thoughts in his mind.
How could Roy possibly do this? Dodging a bullet at such close range and approaching to control his gun without Kiritsugu reacting... it was something no human should be capable of. This overwhelming sense of powerlessness felt as if he were facing a Servant.
Just as Kiritsugu struggled to make sense of it, Roy casually released his gun.
"Surprised? Unexpected, isn't it? Are you shocked that I'm still alive, or by what just happened?"
"Since you're so surprised and have witnessed my speed, it's best not to try any tricks at such a close distance, Mr. Emiya. Otherwise, I can't guarantee your life."
Hearing these words, Kiritsugu felt a chill down his neck, his pupils contracting sharply.
Roy casually glanced at the Command Seals on Kiritsugu's hand, dispelling any thoughts Kiritsugu had about forcibly summoning Saber. This was because the standard sword issued by Merlin, which Roy held, was now pressed against his neck.
If Kiritsugu made any rash movements, his head would be severed in an instant.
"..."
Seeing the situation reversed, with the enemy now stronger and himself weaker, Kiritsugu calmly dropped his gun and slowly raised his hands, signaling to Roy that he had given up resisting.
At this distance, there was no way to pull off any tricks. Although Roy hadn't killed him, the unmistakable killing intent was real.
His life was now in Roy's hands, and there was no chance to play any more tricks.
With his years of experience living on the edge of life and death, Kiritsugu could clearly assess the current situation. The speed Roy had just displayed and the obvious Noble Phantasm pressed against his neck had already placed him with one foot in the grave.
However, he remained composed. Having long been accustomed to death, he did not panic in the face of such a situation.
Since Roy hadn't killed him immediately, it meant he still had some value or use that could be leveraged, giving Kiritsugu the opportunity to find a way out.
"It seems you're quite cooperative, Mr. Emiya, but please relax. Although you've done some rather extreme things before, I won't kill you right now. In fact, I've come to discuss a collaboration with you."
Just as he had expected.
He hadn't been killed right away because he still had some value to offer.
"A collaboration?"
Kiritsugu paused for a moment before replying instinctively, "Discussing collaboration with a sword at someone's neck?"
Roy treated Kiritsugu's words like a joke and responded with a calm smile.
"It may seem rude, but Mr. Emiya, don't forget that you've done something even more disrespectful to me before. The fact that the C4 you planted didn't send me away must have surprised you, right?"
Roy had nearly been killed by a custom-made C4 bomb set by Kiritsugu. Now, having the chance to talk instead of killing him was already a great mercy.
If not for the fact that he still had use for Kiritsugu, Roy wouldn't care whether he considered himself an ally of justice or not... he'd have simply slit his throat. Talking about respect? The fact that he was still breathing was already enough respect.
"..."
Seeing that Kiritsugu had nothing more to say, Roy continued, "Emiya Kiritsugu, do you truly believe in saving all of humanity? Or do you actually know the truth hidden behind the so-called Holy Grail War?"
"What are you trying to say?"
"What do you think the salvation of all humanity means? Is it really the salvation you're looking for, or is it just the fantasy of Amakusa Shirou? And do humans really need to be saved?"
Ignoring the change in Kiritsugu's expression, Roy pressed on.
"When Kayneth refused Amakusa Shirou's proposal, you sensed something was wrong, didn't you? You've simply been avoiding the truth and choosing to believe in the future Amakusa Shirou painted for you. You're just deceiving yourself."
Noticing Kiritsugu's trembling hands and body, Roy knew he had struck a chord.
"Don't want to answer…?"
He sighed. "Well, it doesn't really matter. From the beginning, this world has had neither truth nor lies. There are only undeniable facts."
"Even so, every living creature in this world only believes in the facts that benefit them and considers them to be the truth. However, for the majority of powerless people, the facts that go against them are often the real truth."
"Let me help you see what the so-called truth really is. Then you can make your choice."
"What are you going to do?!"
Roy's words rang like a spell, and as Kiritsugu heard them, his hands began to tremble uncontrollably. The seed of the most unwelcome possibility had already been planted in his mind.
Roy's finger was now pressed against Kiritsugu's forehead, and a strange magical power began to flow into his mind.
"Come now, don't resist. See the so-called truth with your own eyes. Only after witnessing it yourself can you make the right decision, Emiya Kiritsugu."
...
Under the yellowing streetlight, Kotomine Kirei silently approached through the night. Soon, he saw a familiar figure leaning against a bench.
"Sensei..."
At that moment, Tokiomi Tohsaka's once-elegant face was bruised and swollen. His red suit had been torn in several places during the recent struggle, and the confident gleam in his eyes was gone, replaced by a profound sense of defeat.
Seeing Tohsaka in such a miserable state, Kirei couldn't help but feel surprised.
After all these years, this was the first time he had ever seen his mentor so disheveled.
Looking at Tohsaka like this, the excitement Kirei had felt about finally being able to kill his mentor himself began to fade away. Instead, he found himself feeling somewhat lost.
"So... it's you, Kirei. Are you here to kill me?"
Tokiomi gave a bitter smile as he saw Kirei approach.
Not long ago, he had been filled with rage at this traitorous disciple, eager to punish him with his own hands. But now, there was no anger, only indifference, perhaps even boredom.
When a man loses everything, he no longer cares about the small things... perhaps that's the truth of it.
"Yes."
Kirei calmly confirmed.
Originally, he had only come out of curiosity after being unable to contact Emiya Kiritsugu. Along the way, he had wondered what it would feel like to kill Tokiomi with his own hands. The thought of seeing his mentor's expression right before death, murdered by his own disciple, stirred an excitement deep within him.
But now, seeing the defeated Tokiomi, completely different from the man he once knew, that excitement vanished.
"I see... but I suppose I'm not even worth killing anymore..."
Tokiomi extended his hand and stared blankly at the night sky, mumbling to himself.
He had lost...
He had been defeated by Matou Kariya, of all people.
Humiliating? Of course it was. A scion of a prestigious family, brought down by a heretic who had abandoned the Magus Path... could anything be more shameful?
Regardless of the methods used... whether fireproof clothing or mass-produced Noble Phantasms... the fact remained, that he had lost. His pride wouldn't allow him to deny it.
And now that bastard was gone, and Tokiomi would never have the chance to reclaim his honor. This humiliating defeat would haunt him forever.
So, what else was there to say?
Thus, he made his decision.
"By the authority of the First Command Seal, I order you to replenish Gilgamesh's mana."
"By the authority of the Second Command Seal, I order you to obey once more."
"By the authority of the Third Command Seal, I order Gilgamesh to do whatever he pleases."
"The contract between Tokiomi Tohsaka and Gilgamesh is hereby dissolved."
All three Command Seals glowed brightly before fading away, signifying Tokiomi's withdrawal from the war.
Yet, there was no sorrow on his face... only a sense of relief, difficult to describe.
"Abandoning the Command Seals means you've chosen to leave the Holy Grail War behind, to give up the pursuit of the Root..."
Witnessing Tokiomi's decision, Kirei felt a deep stirring of emotion.
"This is your choice, then, sensei?"
"Yes. As you can see, I've given up my eligibility. The rest of the war is no longer my concern... whether it's you and the Ruler or Archer. It has nothing to do with me anymore..."
"Perhaps I've wandered too long in the darkness, ignoring certain things."
"But now, the sun has risen, and I should be heading home. After all, there is still someone waiting for me..."
"Goodbye then, Sensei."
In the end, Kirei tossed aside his Black Key.
As he watched Tokiomi's figure disappear into the distance, Kirei found himself lost once again.
Even Tokiomi Tohsaka had found his place.
So where was his? What was his true desire?
...
"Hah... Hah..."
A stumbling shadow wandered the streets of Fuyuki City. That man, the one who had achieved victory, was using the last remnants of his strength to move toward dawn.
"Thud... "
Matou Kariya, leaning against the wall, suddenly fell to the ground, his legs giving way. His vision grew increasingly blurry; if he fell asleep here, he might never wake up again.
"No... I can't... fall down..."
The man groaned in pain.
"Need some help, Mr. Kariya?"
"Ah... you, you are...?"
A familiar voice startled Kariya. He looked up to see a face he recognized.
"It's me, a kind-hearted Master just passing by."
"I see. Please, just help me a little and take me to a place. The sun is about to rise."
"Glad to assist."
As dawn approached, the shadows of the two figures grew longer in the emerging light. Roy supported Matou Kariya as they walked toward the place he longed for.
"I'm sorry. I couldn't help you at the end. You've helped me so much, yet I still don't know your name..."
Kariya leaned against a large tree in the park, his absent gaze fixed on the slanting sun that was about to rise.
"And Berserker... I couldn't help you make up for your regrets either. I'm really sorry for being a failing Master like me..."
"Arrrrrr..."
[No, you've done very well.]
[You protected my King with your own hands and fought alongside her once more. I couldn't ask for more.]
Unbeknownst to him, Lancelot quietly stood by his side, accompanying this stubborn man through his final moments.
"I see... so you have no regrets either? That's... wonderful."
Kariya smiled and turned his gaze back to the rising sun, wanting to remember every moment of beauty in his final seconds of life.
This park was where he first met Aoi, the place where they shared the most moments, and also where Tokiomi Tohsaka proposed to Aoi. And now, he had returned here.
'I really am selfish...
Even though I can't have her heart, I still strive to leave my mark on her heart.
I guess I really am very selfish.'
With a smile, Kariya extended his arms and stood up to embrace the sunlight.
"Goodbye, my beloved."
"For me, you are innocent, like the sun itself."
As the first ray of sunlight, which illuminated the night, fell upon him, Matou Kariya slowly closed his eyes.
Even in death, a smile remained on his face.
"..."
Lancelot remained silent.
"Matou Kariya..."
Roy gently closed his eyes and placed a flower from his sleeve on Kariya's chest.
It was a sunflower, the same flower as the name of the person he loved... Aoi.
The language of flowers is redemption; it symbolizes silent love.
"May your next life be as you wish."
He gently patted Kariya's shoulder, marking it as a sign for their next encounter.
'If fate allows, they may meet again; may I still be passionate.
You remain kind.'
