Chapter 89: Spoilers
The ancient mage, bound by ice, secretively preserved his vitality in the desolate, mountainous castle of Einzbern.
On this day, the castle and the surrounding forest were liberated from the snowstorm after a long time.
During such days, regardless of how busy and tired her father was, Illyasviel von Einzbern and her guardian, Kiritsugu Emiya, would take a stroll in the forest outside the castle. It was an unwritten agreement within this newly formed Einzbern family over the years.
At the same time, the summoned knight Heroic Spirit was having a friendly conversation with Irisviel von Einzbern, who posed as the master, inside the castle. Though their conversation couldn't be heard from afar, Kiritsugu could imagine the young-looking King of Knights speaking with disdainful tones towards him.
In the end, the compatibility between an honorable knight and Kiritsugu, a despicable assassin, could never be ideal. That was one of the reasons why Kiritsugu was reluctant to engage in conversations on that side.
Time seemed to pass quickly in the snow-covered land. The winter bud, symbolizing the end of the search for Walnuts, concluded with Illyasviel's victory. As the two who finished the competition strolled leisurely on their way back, they appeared like an ordinary father and daughter.
"The next time will be when you come back from Japan."
Illyasviel, smiling brightly while holding Kiritsugu's hand, looked up at her father. Kiritsugu, trying hard to maintain a calm expression as he gazed at the face that was difficult to behold directly, replied, "Yes... Next time, Daddy will definitely win."
"Hehe, if you don't try harder, the gap might widen to a hundred, you know?"
Illyasviel's smug smile was too burdensome and cruel for the man burdened with too many things. After all, he deeply understood that the outcome of this war was likely to be unfavorable.
However, if he miraculously survived the upcoming battle...
But, in the end, there were no miracles. In order to save everything, he had to abandon everything in advance.
That had always been the case. Once Kiritsugu Emiya fell in love with someone, he would inevitably bear the curse of being prepared to lose that love, a fate equivalent to his ideals.
"How long will it take for Kiritsugu and Mommy's work? When will you come back?"
Suddenly, the daughter, completely unaware of her father's inner turmoil, asked cheerfully.
"Daddy might come back in about two weeks. —Mommy might take much longer..."
"Yeah, Illya heard that from Mommy too, talking about a permanent farewell."
The daughter's response, without a trace of gloom, made Kiritsugu feel a certain pressure. While his body almost lost its strength, Illyasviel continued, "Mommy told Illya before bed last night that even if Illya never sees Mommy again, Mommy will always be with Illya, so Illya won't feel lonely. So Illya will always be with Mommy in the future too."
"...Is that so..."
Hearing his daughter's words, every cell in Kiritsugu's body seemed to scream for him to embrace the girl beside him. Yet, Kiritsugu also knew all too well how many lives his stained hands had taken.
Should he, with his arms already tainted by the blood of countless, embrace his daughter like any ordinary father?
But this child would never again be embraced by her mother. If even Kiritsugu, as her father, abandoned that responsibility... then who would be there to embrace Illyasviel in the future?
In this moment, even Kiritsugu, who had always prioritized rationality, couldn't help but pause. He gently called out to his daughter by his side:
"—Illya."
Suddenly, Kiritsugu crouched down and embraced his daughter from behind. It was the first time in eight years that he truly hugged his daughter.
"...Kiritsugu?"
"Illya, can you wait? Can you endure until Daddy comes back, even if you feel lonely?"
"Yes! Illya can endure it and wait for Kiritsugu, even with Mommy."
That bright and cheerful voice, completely devoid of lament, belonged to the girl named Illyasviel von Einzbern, who intended to end this day of memories in joy until the very end!
"...In that case. Daddy also promises you that Illya won't wait too long. Daddy will come back very soon."
In the moment this doomed promise was made, this inept father, tensing his entire body, enduring the thorns of love, tightly embraced his child.
...
"Did Kiritsugu Emiya... survive the war in the end?"
Watching the scene being filmed from a distance, the lich, Laetitia, couldn't resist asking. Similarly, the actresses portraying Irisviel and Saber also looked over with curiosity about the question.
Meanwhile, still adjusting the camera to ensure no technical issues, Durin quietly responded, "He survived."
"Ahh..."
In an instant, the three (??) women all showed relieved expressions, their eyes filled with anticipation as they imagined the heartwarming reunion between father and daughter that would soon occur. However...
"But Kiritsugu Emiya never came back."
As the words fell, Durin, who had just wiped the snow off the camera lens, suddenly felt a strong sense of malice. Turning around, he saw most of the crew, including a certain lich, looking at him with incredulous expressions. Even Beldia asked in surprise, "But Director Durin, didn't you say Kiritsugu Emiya survived?"
"Yeah, but I only said he survived, not that he won!"
"..."
Suddenly, everyone present realized the situation. Laetitia, who had just asked the question, wanted to slap herself for her foolish spoiler behavior, realizing her anticipation for "Fate Zero" had now become even greater. It was almost as if she couldn't live without Fate!
On the other hand, as the final scene in the Einzbern Castle was completed, Durin suddenly realized that he had been so focused on filming that he forgot to reconnect the live broadcast to the capital city! He bet those guys there probably thought he was dead by now!!!
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