In the East Blue, a divine will resonated within every person's heart.
"My name is Infinite. At the request of allies and the Navy in this realm, I will purge the wicked from these lands. Citizens, please remain calm."
Looking up at the sky, people saw that the sun had vanished, replaced by a platinum light and a sword—a sword as immense as the world itself.
In Frostmoon Village, at the village's swordsmanship dojo, many young students gazed in awe at the colossal sword in the sky. Turning to the dojo master Koushirou, who stood with arms crossed, the students excitedly pointed upward.
"Master, I want to learn this!"
Smiling faintly as he felt the divine will permeating the world, Koushirou replied, "Even I wish to learn this." He gestured upward. "Observe the sword in the sky carefully. That is the blade and way of a Sword God. If you can grasp even a fraction of its essence, it will greatly benefit your swordsmanship journey."
With a slight crouch, Koushirou leapt onto the dojo's roof, sitting cross-legged with closed eyes as he meditated. The essence of the universe reflected in his mind. To him, the world was now filled with the platinum sword's will, overpowering all other presences. The immense sword in the sky had subdued the very fabric of existence.
From the gigantic sword, waves of imposing sword intent fell to the earth. Platinum beams of light descended from the heavens.
In the Goa Kingdom—known as the most beautiful and clean kingdom of the East Blue, its reputation even recognized globally—nobles exploited the labor of peasants, who worked tirelessly to avoid being deemed worthless and cast out. Those expelled faced the horrors of the "End of the Line," a wasteland of garbage.
The infamous trash mountain, once burned in a catastrophic fire that claimed countless lives, had reformed. Refugees now wandered among the piles of refuse, shrouded in darkness and the stench of decay. Flies swarmed, creating an unbearable cacophony.
A small figure emerged cautiously from a heap of trash, blocking the hole behind them with a piece of foul-smelling debris. The frail child darted silently toward another pile of garbage.
After losing her parents to exhaustion in a noble's factory, the child had been expelled from her home. The house and belongings were seized under the pretext of debt. Left with no value, she was cast into this hellish place.
An emaciated old man had taken her in. Though she feared his predatory gaze, he kept her alive, waiting for her to grow older and become useful. But two days ago, the old man was beaten to death during a food dispute. The child survived by hiding among the garbage in her filthy, tattered clothes.
Now, she scavenged for rotting food, her body riddled with illness from the toxic environment. Curled up in a garbage corner, she chewed on a half-rotten apple. Her lifeless eyes stared blankly at the polluted world around her.
A cough racked her frail frame, blood trickling from her nose and mouth. Though her body was failing, she clung to faint memories of her parents—a warm hug from her mother, a stuffed bear from her father on her birthday. Despite the hopelessness, something kept her struggling.
Clang!!!
A soul-piercing sword hum echoed in her heart. A platinum light pierced the darkness, and for the first time, her eyes held a flicker of hope. Crawling out of the garbage, she stood beneath the light, opening her arms as if to embrace it. A dignified yet comforting voice resonated within her, stirring ripples in her deadened heart. As if in prayer, she expressed her wish to the divine presence.
And a response came: "Understood."
A gentle yet indignant voice filled her mind. Tears welled in her dry eyes as she saw heavenly punishment descending upon the architects of this hell. The space around her rippled, and two figures appeared.
Luo Xiaohei clenched his fists, his eyes scanning the grotesque surroundings and the silently crying girl. Overcome with anger, he seemed ready to destroy the entire wretched place. Beside him, Shirou Emiya stepped forward, carefully removing the girl's filthy, stinking hat. Gently, he lifted her into his arms.
"It's okay to cry now," he said softly. "Big brother is here. We'll protect you. Cry it all out, and then start a new life."
The warmth of his embrace reminded her of her parents. The girl clung to Shirou, sobbing uncontrollably, releasing all her despair and sorrow. Holding her tightly, Shirou gritted his teeth. How much suffering had this girl, no older than his sister Miyu, endured to harbor such deep despair?
Light glimmered from Shirou's hand as he channeled healing energy into her frail body. A divine glow enveloped her, cleansing away the filth and pain of her life in the garbage.
"My name is Shirou Emiya," he said. "What's yours?"
Cradled in his arms, the girl whispered, "Nia."
Shirou ascended into the sky, holding Nia securely as Luo Xiaohei followed, their mission far from over.