Meanwhile, in a workshop inside an abandoned building in Fuyuki City, Kayneth, who was in a coma, was dreaming of something. In his dream, he saw the life journey of Diarmuid until the end of his life. The dream felt so real as if he himself had lived that life, making him remain asleep for quite a long time, and when he died in the dream, he woke up.
"Uhkkk... so that was just a dream," said Kayneth, but tears fell from his eyes.
"Was that the memory of my Servant... where is this?" Kayneth tried to get up, but his whole body was in pain.
"You finally woke up," said a red-haired woman who was Kayneth's fiancée.
"Sola-Ui, why is my body tied up?" asked Kayneth, trying to rise, but his body was restrained by ropes binding him tightly so he couldn't move.
Sola-Ui stepped closer to her fiancé and took a warm towel to wipe Kayneth's body.
"Don't you remember?" Sola-Ui said.
Kayneth then recalled what had happened.
"I was shot... that's impossible, I had already used Volumen Hydrargyrum to protect myself."
"Yes, you were injured, and your magic circuits suffered a short-circuit, completely destroyed. I tried my best to heal you, but I was only able to heal your internal organs, while your magic circuits..." Sola-Ui shook her head with a sad expression.
Hearing this, Kayneth was utterly shocked, for to a magus, losing one's magic circuits was the same as being crippled—useless. It was no different from receiving a death sentence, especially for him who was a first-class magus.
"You know, Kayneth, you're very lucky to have survived this. But unfortunately, you can no longer use magecraft," Sola-Ui added while wiping his hands, still marked with the Command Spells.
"I... I..." Kayneth began to weep upon hearing this.
"Don't cry, Kayneth. It's too soon to give up—we haven't completely lost yet," said Sola-Ui, wiping his tears.
"Sola-Ui..." Hearing her words, Kayneth felt there was still hope, though a hint of suspicion and worry lingered in his heart. But Sola-Ui cut him off.
"If the Holy Grail can grant any wish, then restoring your body will be simple. All we need to do is continue fighting in this war and win until the end."
Then Sola walked back, and holding his hand again that bore two Command Spells.
"So Kayneth, give me your Command Spells. Since you can no longer be a Master, let me take over as Master for Lancer."
Hearing that, Kayneth was shocked.
"N-No!" he rejected firmly, trembling.
"Don't you trust me, Kayneth?" Sola asked, staring into his eyes.
"You know, I'm going to marry into the Archibald family—marry you."
"No, that's not it, but... Sola-Ui, do you really think Lancer will obey you and abandon me?" Kayneth said, remembering what he saw in his dream.
"Yes... of course. He is a Heroic Spirit summoned by the Holy Grail, answering its call. Our goal remains the same—to pursue the Grail. Even if there's a change of Master, I'm sure he'll accept it if it serves his purpose," Sola said confidently.
"Lancer isn't as great as you think, Sola..."
"Why do you say that?" she replied sarcastically.
"He told me this when I asked his wish. He doesn't desire the Holy Grail! It's impossible for a Servant to have no wish for the Grail—he must be hiding something from you. But whatever his plan is, he must obey me as long as I hold the Command Spells," Kayneth ranted on, making Sola-Ui lose her patience.
"Kayneth..." Sola-Ui called his name.
But Kayneth, still stubborn, said, "I will never hand over these Command Spells to you."
Sola-Ui took a deep breath at her fiancé's words. She was truly angry now and gripped Kayneth's hand tightly.
"Kayneth... it seems you still don't understand. We must win, no matter what happens."
Then Sola grabbed one of his fingers and squeezed hard until crack—his fingers were broken one by one.
"Uhkkk!" Kayneth endured the pain, terrified by the change in his fiancée's demeanor.
"Listen well, Kayneth. My healing abilities won't let me steal your Command Spells by force," she said, now looking at Kayneth with disgust.
"I can only take them with your consent. So I hope you'll cooperate. But if you remain stubborn, I'll have no choice but to cut off your hand. So... what will it be?" Sola-Ui said with a terrifying gaze.
Night began to fall after Sola-Ui finally obtained her wish to gain the Command Spells, though it required a long time of continuously torturing Kayneth by breaking his fingers and then healing them again.
"Lancer... come out," Sola-Ui called, seeking the presence of her Servant.
Then, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed.
"Lady Sola-Ui, how is Lord Kayneth's condition?" Lancer asked, concerned about his Master.
"His condition is very serious. I have done everything I could," Sola-Ui replied with a tone that was tinged with sadness, yet with annoyance as well—for Lancer seemed to care more about Kayneth.
"I see..." Lancer answered in a sorrowful tone.
Seeing that, Sola-Ui tried to comfort him.
"It is not your fault. It was Kayneth's own mistake to go off alone against that assassin-magus. Now he can no longer use magecraft, and thus cannot continue in the Holy Grail War."
"That's not what I meant... but—" Lancer tried to defend Kayneth, yet no words came.
Sola-Ui drew closer to him.
"He is unworthy to be your Master, Diarmuid!"
At that, Lancer looked at her. Old memories, haunting and painful, resurfaced in his heart.
Sola-Ui, seeing his gaze, blushed. But she quickly raised her hand, showing the Command Spells now etched upon it.
"Kayneth has withdrawn from the war and entrusted these Command Spells to me."
But Lancer stepped back, distancing himself from her.
"I have sworn loyalty to Lord Kayneth. I cannot betray that oath. Lady Sola-Ui, forgive me, but I cannot accept orders from you."
"What do you mean you cannot? I hold the contract as Master now!" Sola-Ui said, her voice shaken with panic.
"Before I was a Servant, I was a knight. I hope you can understand—I serve only one lord." His words carried the weight of a memory—of a betrayal he could never forget.
"Are you saying I am unworthy to be your Master!?" Sola-Ui shouted.
"That is another matter entirely," Lancer answered, averting his eyes.
"Look at me when you speak!" Sola-Ui cried out, tears streaming down her face.
At that, Lancer turned and met her gaze.
"Lancer, fight with me. Protect me. Stand by my side. Together, we will seize the Holy Grail!" Sola-Ui pleaded, her voice echoing the deepest desires within her heart.
But Lancer's reply was cold.
"I cannot."
He turned away, continuing, "If Lord Kayneth has withdrawn from this battle, then I, too, will not seek the Grail."
Desperate, Sola-Ui chased after him.
"He can only recover through a miracle—and that miracle lies within the Grail. If you feel responsible for his injuries... if you wish to restore Lord El-Melloi's honor, then you must bring the Grail to your Master."
Lancer's steps finally halted. He turned back toward her.
"Lady Sola-Ui... as Lord El-Melloi's betrothed, is it your wish to obtain the Grail for the sake of saving him? Is that what you mean?"
"Y-Yes... of course," Sola-Ui answered, realizing a new tactic to keep Lancer by her side.
"Will you swear that you have no other motives?"
"I swear it," Sola-Ui said, clasping her hands tightly to her chest.
"I swear, as Lord El-Melloi's fiancée, to return the Holy Grail to my beloved."
Lancer nodded and looked at Sola-Ui. She looked back at him, and in that gaze...
'Her eyes... they resemble Gráinne's so much. I hold no grudge against anyone, yet fate was never kind to me. My only wish in this life is to fulfill the loyalty I once failed to keep. I do not wish for that tragic fate to repeat itself, and yet...'
Lancer lifted his eyes toward the moon, his heart wavering, torn by doubt.
.....
Meanwhile, Allen, who was watching the events through the cameras, could see everything on the TV screen. At the moment, he was eating popcorn, accompanied by Medusa and Irisviel sitting at his sides.
"Such a heart-wrenching drama—betrayal in the name of love... it almost brings me to tears," I said while being fed popcorn by Medusa and handed a drink by Irisviel.
"Master, it seems that woman has been affected by the Love Spot curse carried by that Servant," Medusa remarked.
"How could that be? She's a magus of an ancient bloodline... unless she deliberately allowed the curse to affect her... oh, heavens," Irisviel said, finally realizing what was happening.
"Yep, you're right, Irisviel. That woman did let herself be caught by the curse. Looks like Lord El-Melloi's fiancée isn't so faithful to him after all, hahaha," Allen replied, before adding, "And well... it seems fate will repeat itself in this Grail War—betrayal, love, and loyalty all entangled."
"Master, night is falling. Shall we depart for the battlefield tonight?" Medusa asked.
I shook my head. "Nah, I'm too lazy today, and I'm already sleepy. Let's just go tomorrow night."
Medusa nodded, then lifted me up and carried me to the bedroom as she always did. Left alone, Irisviel continued watching—since she couldn't leave the house, she decided to keep her eyes on the screen.
On the TV now appeared the image of a great castle—where her husband resided.
"Kiritsugu... are you safe?" Irisviel whispered, her heart aching with longing for him.
Meanwhile, far from Fuyuki City, Rin Tohsaka learned troubling news: her friend Kotone had disappeared and had not returned from school.
Rin even went to her house to confirm whether the news was true or not, but Kotone's parents gave no answer—they only remained silent. Of course, Rin was just a seven-year-old child. Naturally, the adults did not wish to involve a child in the search for their missing daughter.
But Rin was clever. She understood the way adults thought, and as the heir to a magus lineage, she wanted to help her friend. And she already knew where she must search—Fuyuki City.
Though she was aware of the danger looming there because of the Holy Grail War, Rin had already made her plan: tomorrow, she would go.
She did not ask her father for help. No—this was her responsibility.
"Wait for me, Kotone... I will save you," Rin whispered, her resolve firm.
That night, she prepared her equipment for the journey.
Among the items she packed was a magical compass, capable of detecting the flow of mana in the air. To others, it might have seemed useless, but with it she could locate battlefields in the city and identify suspicious places where strange magical activity occurred.
She also carried two magic crystals—gifts she had received for her birthday. Each crystal stored powerful magecraft, strong enough to unleash a devastating effect when shattered. Though she had never used them before, she believed they would protect her in times of danger—perhaps even cause an explosion powerful enough to drive away a threat.
Rin, however, was far too confident in her own abilities. She did not yet understand the true peril of the Holy Grail War, or the Servants who fought within it. She believed the trinkets she carried would be enough to keep her safe.
At this moment, she was still only a pure, innocent girl of seven—unaware of the monsters gathering in Fuyuki, for Caster was already summoning more abominations to unleash against any Servant that opposed him.
.....
The next morning, Allen woke up and went about his usual routine—taking a bath, eating breakfast, and doing a bit of exercise to refresh his body.
"Hm… I miss my sister. I wonder how she's doing now. Has she finished her Magic Crest operation? Should I try contacting her and ask directly…? No, I shouldn't. If I do that, they might grow suspicious once they realize I'm in this city. Even a brief communication could allow them to trace me."
With that thought, I decided instead to contact Sakura and Justieze.
"Hey, Sakura, how are you? Do you miss me?"
[Onii-chan… of course I miss you.] Sakura's voice answered warmly over the phone.
We talked for a while. I asked her about many things—how her magecraft training was going, and other small details about her daily life. But somewhere in the middle of our conversation, I noticed Sakura hesitating, as if she wanted to ask me for a favor.
"What is it, Sakura? You know you can just tell me if you need something."
[I heard from Mother that Rin left home… I have a bad feeling. I think she might be heading to Fuyuki City. Could you, Onii-chan, look for her? I'm a little worried about her safety.]
"Hmm… of course, Sakura. Don't worry, Rin will be fine. I'll make sure of it," I reassured her.
Hearing that seemed to ease Sakura's worries. We chatted a little longer before finally ending the call.
*****
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