"Haha, looks like our Holy Grail War is ending, huh?" Astolfo chuckled, scratching the back of his head as his body slowly turned transparent.
Frankenstein puffed out her cheeks in frustration. "Mmmph!" She wasn't thrilled—she felt like the only one serious about making a wish.
"Such a shame," Caules murmured, noticing Frankenstein's sulking expression. After a moment's hesitation, he placed a hand on her head. "If only I were stronger…"
"Mmm-mmm!" Frankenstein waved her arms, gesturing wildly.
"Huh? Haha, okay, okay, I get it," Caules laughed after a pause.
"Grr!" Frankenstein playfully punched his chest but never swatted away the comforting hand resting on her head.
"You are something," Celenike sighed. "Now I understand why I wanted to torment you before. I almost want to see that dumb smile of yours fall into despair."
"No can do~" Astolfo teased, touching two fingers to Celenike's mouth, pulling it into a smile. "You've gotta smile! Bigger than anyone else!"
"I'm not like you. Strong, optimistic—none of that fits me," Celenike grumbled, her face darkening.
"I'm the weakest of Charlemagne's Twelve Paladins, y'know?" Astolfo grinned. "Maybe you think I always manage to get out of trouble, but every time, I feel like it could be my last adventure. That's why you have to smile. Because who knows when it'll be your last chance to."
Celenike lowered her eyes. "No one would worry about me."
"I would." Astolfo leaned closer, his face earnest. "Master, if you're not okay, if you're not happy, it'd make me really sad."
Celenike blushed and turned away. "I'll… I'll try."
"Great! Now give me a brave smile," Astolfo stepped back and spread his arms wide. "Smile like you can face the future, and as a reward, I'll give you a big hug!"
"No one wants your hug!" she muttered, but closed her eyes, focusing. Slowly, her lips curled into a soft smile. But when she opened her eyes, she saw only fading specks of light where Astolfo had been.
That fool had already hugged her while her eyes were shut, but his strength hadn't held out until she opened them.
"What an idiot…"
"Yeah," Caules whispered, watching the light drift away from his palm. "Heroic Spirits are something else."
Their journey never truly ended. Astolfo would always face the world with that goofy smile, and no matter what happened, Frankenstein would always keep searching for warmth.
Fiore chuckled, gently running her hand over her legs. "It's funny, isn't it? Being around them gives you confidence. That's what makes them heroes."
Even now, she could still feel Chiron standing beside her, his kind, gentle eyes watching over her. Whenever she thought of that, her doubts vanished.
It was time to make a decision.
"I'm so glad I got to meet them."
Beneath the Hanging Gardens, Darnic knelt in front of Vlad III's now-empty throne, staring at the worn, broken seat. In his mind, the noble king still sat there, those commanding eyes always watching over him.
As long as he remembered that, there was no obstacle he couldn't overcome.
"Wait just a little longer, my king. Your wish…" Darnic closed his eyes. "I'll make it come true. The world will know that Vlad III was a great king."
"Saber…?" Sieg asked, staring blankly at the disheveled Gordes. "Don't tell me…"
"He's gone," Gordes sighed, rubbing Sieg's head. "But why did you come back?"
"I…" Sieg looked nervous. "I couldn't protect you, but at least I can wait here with you."
"Thank you," Gordes bent down and hugged Sieg, tears spilling over. "Saber… He was the strongest."
"Yeah," Sieg nodded, gently patting Gordes' back.
"He did the impossible. Not even Achilles could defeat him."
"Yeah."
"He protected me, even though I'm useless and can't do anything but give orders. If he had a stronger Master, things might've ended differently. I feel so… powerless."
"No, Saber was proud to have you as his Master," Sieg said firmly. "He told me, 'You're just a bit lost, but once you clear that up, you'll be amazing.' So…"
"Be proud of yourself!"
"You're an incredible person!"
"Keep moving forward without any doubts!"
"I'll follow you, just like Saber. Even if we're headed to hell, I'll be right there with you."
"Thank you," Gordes whispered, holding Sieg tight.
"Do you need help with all this?" Medusa tilted her head. "Can you really move everyone by yourself?"
"Who knows?" Reika Rikudou rolled up her sleeves with a grin. "Won't know until I try!"
It was obvious she couldn't possibly get everyone home before sunrise—especially with all the random people Medusa had somehow dragged along.
"I'll help," Medusa said, shaking her head.
"Are you sure? He'll be back soon, won't he? Shouldn't you be by his side?" Reika asked, lifting a nurse.
"I've waited this long," Medusa smiled softly. "A little longer won't matter."
"Have you ever thought about giving up?"
"I don't make my own decisions," Medusa admitted. "If he tells me to wait, I'll wait forever. If my sisters tell me to find him, I'll search every corner of the world. And you? What will you do next?"
"Live," Reika smiled shyly. "Just like he told me. I'll work hard, find a good man, and start a happy family. I want to give Jack a better future. Maybe… I'll even start an orphanage."
"That won't be easy."
"It's no reason to give up."
"I can help you."
"Why?"
Reika looked at Medusa, surprised, as she directed her snakes to help move people.
"Because…" Medusa paused, then smiled. "I want to.