"Hey, there's nothing in here."
With Shinji's help, Rin successfully formed a contract with the ring, furrowing her brows as she looked at him. "Speaking of which, didn't you give this to me before? And the things you took were mine, right?"
Before Rin could finish her sentence, Shinji stuffed her mouth with a lollipop, not wanting to continue the conversation.
"Mm?!"
"Shinji, you…"
Shirou tried to say something, but Shinji also handed him a lollipop, interrupting him.
"Let me check…"
Bazett, who had confirmed from the earlier conversation that this was indeed Shinji, stepped forward but was similarly silenced by a lollipop.
"This body can't take any more stress, Bazett. Let me switch back before you check."
"Hmph!" Even with a lollipop in her mouth, Illya pouted, her adorable look making Shinji want to pinch her puffed cheeks.
But there were more important matters. Shinji approached his "corpse" again.
However, he noticed four Servants nearby:
Rider, silent but clearly longing for something; Saber, who was crestfallen after realizing the Grail was corrupted, even her ahoge drooping; Archer, arms crossed, calculating if he should still act against Shirou; and Lancer, grinning widely, saying, "So, you're not dead, huh?"
Shinji, out of habit from past gatherings, distributed the remaining seven lollipops to them.
It didn't matter if they used it or not; it was a gesture of politeness.
He also tossed a lollipop to the aloof Gilgamesh, standing apart from the others.
"Hmph!"
Even with a lollipop, Gilgamesh's arrogance was undiminished!
"This isn't fair! Why doesn't Berserker get one?" Illya pouted, expressing her dissatisfaction like a child.
"Do you think he can taste it?" Shinji retorted, then turned his attention back to his "corpse," uncorking the bottle of green liquid.
Everyone watched intently, curious about his next move.
"You think I'll just heal myself so easily?"
Shinji smiled sinisterly as the "Shinji" on the ground slowly opened his eyes, glaring at him with hatred.
"Huh? He's still alive! What's going on?" Rin asked, puzzled.
"Don't worry about it. He's just a moron. Lancer, can I borrow your one-hit-kill spear?"
"Kid, what do you need it for?" Lancer asked, confused, but handed over his spear.
"What for? To finish him off, of course. How else can I return?"
"Him?" Shirou looked back and forth between the two Shinjis. "What's going on, Shinji? Who's who? This is so confusing!"
"Explain it!" Rin demanded, having confiscated Archer's lollipop.
"In short, someone tried to overwrite my personality and consciousness, taking over my body and soul to do lewd things to you," Shinji explained nonchalantly.
"What?!" Rin shrieked, glaring at the Shinji on the ground.
"His target was also Sakura."
"Let me!" Rin grabbed the spear from Shinji and stabbed at the ground Shinji's heart. "Prepare to die, you bastard!"
As Rin vented her fury, Shinji realized something was off.
"Hey, stabbing the heart should be enough. Why are you hitting other places? Did you just curse at someone while stabbing his crotch? Enough! Stop it!"
"Whew—" Rin stopped, looking refreshed. "I feel like years of pent-up frustration have been released…"
Shinji: …
"Shinji, you lied to the King. You said you risked everything! Are you ready to face the King's wrath for your crimes?!"
Hearing Gilgamesh's displeased voice, Bazett prepared for a potential fight, ready to have Rider take Shinji and flee if necessary.
Shinji sighed, shaking the bottle of liquid at Gilgamesh. "Spare me, Gilgamesh. This is just two years' worth. That last attack was all I had. Do you think two more years would make a difference?"
"Of course not!" Gilgamesh replied without hesitation, then pondered for a moment. "Fine! The King forgives your unintentional rudeness this time!"
Thank you so much, Shinji thought sarcastically. He then knelt to examine his heart-shattered body.
"Still not dead? Impressive…"
Seeing the entity still glaring at him with a sliver of soul remaining, Shinji marveled at its resilience.
"Looks like I need to deliver the final blow myself…"
Reaching for the entity's head with a serene smile, the entity realized it had been outmaneuvered.
How did this "grandson" of mine turn the tables? The entity, facing its end, asked a final question.
"Why... have I never felt your hostility or killing intent?"
"Hmm?" Shinji was taken aback by the question, pondering for a moment.
"Do you really need to ask? It's because I never saw you as a threat."
The entity froze, overwhelmed by the realization as its last remnants were crushed. It disappeared, its final thought echoing Shinji's words.
Never saw me as a threat...
Never considered me...
Confidence... no, arrogance!
Seeing his bloodied body, Shinji felt a bit of disdain. Disliking his own body, now that's a first.
Shaking his head, he poured the green liquid into the corpse's mouth and looked at Illya.
"Care to lend a hand? After all, the Third Magic is your family's specialty."
Illya pouted but stepped forward, ready to assist.
"Just a bit of support, not your mana. Caster's leftover mana is enough for one use."
Illya huffed, "It's Justeaze's circuits, enough for an incomplete Third Magic! They'll be gone after this!"
"Smart as always!"
"You...!"
"Alright, everyone stand back. I'm about to perform one of the world's most mysterious magics, the Third Magic, materialization of the soul! No charge for this demonstration!"
"It's my family's! The Third Magic is ours!" Illya protested. "You're just a thief!"
"Don't worry, we're practically family. If Zouken had been bolder, we'd all be one family!"
"No way! You thief!"
The most excited was Rin, eyes wide, knowing she was about to witness something incredible.
Illya and Shinji exchanged glances, then closed their eyes and spread their arms.
From the earth, a dazzling green light emerged, illuminating the intricate circuits of Justeaze's magic. The spectacle was awe-inspiring, stretching across the mountain range.
...
"Ah, nothing like my own body!" Shinji exclaimed, stretching comfortably, then noticed Bazett and Rin glaring at him.
"What's wrong? Why the faces?"