Seeing the calm, composed young man in front of him, Kiritsugu desperately wanted to shoot him!
But... he couldn't.
His daughter's life was in this man's hands!
"Oh, I forgot to mention, this bottle contains Irisviel's original personality and spirit, similar to a human soul. How about that? Are you happy? Your wife isn't dead yet~"
"What?!"
Kiritsugu couldn't believe his eyes as he looked at the bottle being tossed back and forth in the young man's hands, realizing it contained his wife!
"Rest assured, I'm not lying about this. As long as you do as I say, I can even help restore her soul and find a new body for her afterward. Now, Emiya Kiritsugu, make your choice. I'll give you only this one chance."
Seeing the video of Illya's face deforming in the young man's hand, the photos of Maiya barely clinging to life, and the bottle possibly containing his wife's soul, Emiya Kiritsugu was on the verge of madness!
He was truly breaking down!
The questions posed in the Holy Grail hadn't ended!
In reality, the same questions awaited him!
Who was this young man?!
Why was he doing this to him?!
Sensing Lancer's deteriorating condition, Shinji began the countdown: "Ten seconds left. Ten, nine, eight..."
"Do you want the Holy Grail? Haven't you already seen its true nature?!"
Kiritsugu shouted with all his might, venting his inner turmoil, but the young man continued counting down without pause.
Five seconds, four seconds, three seconds...
The young man stopped tossing the bottle and gripped it tightly, his body language showing his force.
"Two..."
Kiritsugu was going mad! He was losing his mind!
There was no time to think about the young man's background anymore!
Rationality and emotion had been completely shattered by this young man. Partner of justice? Husband? Father? Partner?
What were those? What did they mean?!
Emiya Kiritsugu wanted to cry, he wanted to laugh, he wanted to pour out his emotions in every possible way!
But it wasn't enough! Crying and laughing were not enough! They couldn't express his emotions!
"One..."
"I choose..." Emiya Kiritsugu raised his hand, his voice conflicted and soft, "Give me back Iris, Maiya, and Illya..."
Seeing the tears welling up in Kiritsugu's eyes, Shinji was taken aback. He had prepared for a different outcome, not expecting the other to surrender!
The partner of justice had given up?
He was merely stalling for time, waiting for the Angra Mainyu curse to take effect and then using mind control to make him use the remaining Command Spell.
But the other had truly given up!
Knowing he had won completely, Shinji stood up and looked Kiritsugu in the eyes: "The command for the first two Command Spells—use your Noble Phantasms, fight with all your might alongside Lancer to defeat Archer!"
"I understand."
Kiritsugu agreed, then raised his hand, speaking with a voice filled with fatigue: "By the name of Emiya Kiritsugu, I command you, Saber, to use your Noble Phantasms and fight with all your might alongside Lancer to defeat Archer!"
Inside Ryuudou Temple, Saber, already covered in wounds, felt the charge from the Command Spell and was filled with joy.
Finally, in this Holy Grail War, her Master was entrusting her with the battle!
"By the second Command Spell, I order you, Saber, to fight with all your might alongside Lancer to defeat Archer!"
With the power of two Command Spells, Saber's presence changed dramatically. She gripped her Excalibur tightly, her eyes fixed on Gilgamesh on the beams.
"I will not fail you, my Master!"
...
In this timeline, the only chance to defeat Gilgamesh, who had lost his Master and was weakened, was now!
Though the odds were still slim, it was the only chance!
After about five minutes, feeling Lancer's condition was clear, Shinji stopped Kiritsugu from returning Avalon to Saber to aid her against Gilgamesh.
Because... the battle was already over.
...
Seeing the blood-soaked Lancer rushing towards him, with Saber holding the Sword of Promised Victory behind him, Gilgamesh's movements paused as if he had seen something unbelievable.
Until Diarmuid's red spear pierced his heart.
"Is that so, is that so... hahahahaha!"
Stabbed through the heart by Lancer, Gilgamesh suddenly laughed.
"Ah! Indeed, as you said, it's been a monotonous (repetitive) journey! Since you reported to the king in advance, you are forgiven! Hahahahaha!"
Seeing Gilgamesh laugh and speak incomprehensible words, Diarmuid thought the archer before him was as mad as the crazed Caster, quickly withdrawing his spear and retreating!
After all, the second charge of Excalibur was about to come down, and getting caught in it would be disastrous.
Gilgamesh didn't care about the impending Excalibur, instead glancing at Lancer one last time.
This was the most splendid and enjoyable character in the play—the true clown.
"To have witnessed such a spectacular performance at the end, giving you the Holy Grail is no big deal."
Gilgamesh put away EA, crossed his arms, and fearlessly faced the incoming Excalibur.
Meanwhile, in the cavern, Shinji, hands in pockets, looked up at the rock wall with a silent smile. In the end, Gilgamesh had seen through everything with his omniscience and omnipotence, probably seeing through some things.
"It seems I'll get some complaints when I return..." Shinji shook his head and sighed, then looked at the conflicted Kiritsugu. "Now, the final Command Spell..."
Kiritsugu hadn't completely given up hope; he was buying time, hoping to find a way to break free.
But there was none.
This young man had no flaws, making him use two Command Spells, and one was not enough for Saber to destroy the Holy Grail with her top-tier magic resistance.
It was checkmate.
Seeing Kiritsugu exhausted and low on mana, Shinji smiled. Whatever Kiritsugu did now, it wouldn't change the outcome.
'Kotomine, it's a pleasure to meet someone like you in this era. The knightly duel that Diarmuid Ua Duibhne wished for is finally about to begin.'
Hearing Lancer's heartfelt gratitude, Shinji replied softly, "Lancer, do as you wish. I believe in you."
Hearing Shinji's words, Diarmuid at Ryuudou Temple felt deeply ashamed, thinking it would have been better if Kotomine had been his Master from the start.
Diarmuid pointed his spear at Saber and asked seriously, "Saber, are you truly ready? Do you not need to recover?"
Saber shook her head, gripping Excalibur tightly, her eyes resolute: "No need! The final opponent is a true knight. I'm grateful for this Holy Grail War! Come, Diarmuid, let us duel as knights for the Holy Grail!"
Diarmuid lowered his body, gripping his red spear tightly, "A knightly duel for the Holy Grail, this is the true way! Even if I lose, I, Diarmuid, am willing! Come, King of Knights!"
...
Five minutes later, feeling the time was right, Shinji had Kiritsugu use the third Command Spell.
Looking at the last Command Spell on his hand, Kiritsugu was conflicted, but what choice did he have?
Kiritsugu knew that using the Command Spell would make him the world's enemy, releasing something that would bring disaster to the world!
But... there was no turning back.
Seeing the bottle in the young man's hand and the video of Illya on the strange device, Kiritsugu finally raised his right hand.
"By the name of Emiya Kiritsugu, I command you, Saber, to close your mouth and obediently kill yourself and prepare for the next Holy Grail War."
...
Lancer and Saber were both stunned. Lancer couldn't understand why his opponent would stop and expose such a flaw at such a critical moment. Did the King of Knights feel guilty and intentionally give him a chance?
King of Knights! How can I, Diarmuid, face this! As expected of the King of Knights! This honesty is humbling! Thank you, King of Knights!
Saber was shocked by her Master's command. Why?
The Holy Grail was within reach, why?
Can you even be considered human?
Can you even be considered human?!
"Kir...Kiritsugu..."
These were the last words Saber squeezed out through gritted teeth before disappearing.
Seeing Saber slowly dissipate, Lancer thought she was reminding him to spare her Master, feeling admiration for her knightly spirit.
What is a knight? This is a knight!
Saber, I, Diarmuid, promise you!
Rest in peace!
...
Seeing the black light dancing and the evil spire-like gate opening, Kiritsugu knew the Holy Grail War was over, as was the world and himself.
"Come on, cheer up. Didn't I promise to give your wife back to you?"
Shinji patted Kiritsugu's shoulder and walked towards the towering black gate with his hands in his pockets.
"I am a sinner... the world's sinner..."
Then, Shinji seemed to remember something and turned back with a wide grin.
"One more thing I forgot to mention: the Black Grail can also be used, but only I can use it. If you don't understand, think of it as me using it won't cause the disaster you're imagining."
After hearing this, Kiritsugu's gaze towards Shinji changed.
Damn it, why didn't you say that earlier, you bastard! Did you wait until I was completely broken to tell me this?
Are you playing with me?!
Is this fun for you?!
I'm going mad, and now you tell me this?!
You ★★★★★★!
Kiritsugu wanted to curse but didn't dare.
This young man before him was terrifyingly powerful, manipulating everything, changing the world effortlessly, and extremely handsome. He was far beyond Kiritsugu!
Hey, can you give me my wife back?
"Don't rush. I still need to fix her soul. Do you want her incomplete?"
What?!
Kiritsugu instantly felt wide awake and hurried to follow Shinji.