In the deep reflection of the light curtain, a tall figure suddenly came into view—it was Rin Tōsaka's Servant, Archer, emerging from the interplay of night and light.
In an instant, Rin Tōsaka's thoughts raced like a shooting star. She suddenly turned, her gaze sharp and focused, locking onto Archer, who stood beside her with a furrowed brow.
The light curtain had once again confirmed her intuition. It was indeed her Heroic Spirit, Archer. He held a massive silver bow, standing atop a city building under the night sky. His white hair and red shroud fluttered in the nocturnal wind, his eyes filled with resolve and determination.
"Archer, is that you in the light curtain? Why did you appear in that mysterious display?" Rin Tōsaka's voice was anxious and puzzled.
Archer frowned and replied in a low voice, "Rin, I know nothing about this. I have no memory of the scene shown on the screen."
"Are you telling the truth, Archer? You're not hiding anything from me?" Rin's eyes flickered with suspicion.
The image matched Archer so perfectly, yet he claimed to know nothing about it, leaving her both confused and unsettled.
"Could it be..." Archer muttered to himself, his mind filled with doubt and contemplation.
Perhaps this was related to his nature as a Counter Guardian? As an incarnation of the Throne of Heroes, he could not claim to fully understand all the memories and secrets tied to his existence.
"Regardless, let's continue observing. It seems this Holy Grail War is more complicated than I anticipated."
Archer decided to keep watching the changes in the light curtain, hoping to find answers within it.
Meanwhile, in a snow-covered castle in another time and space, a girl in a purple dress coat and a matching fur hat smiled as she gazed at the light curtain in the sky.
Her skin was as pale as snow, and her face was as delicate as a doll's. She was Illyasviel von Einzbern. Though the castle walls obstructed her view, she needed only to glance upward to clearly see the scene on the light curtain.
This large-scale magecraft amazed and intrigued her, and Archer's appearance brought both surprise and curiosity. The Heroic Spirit Berserker beside her let out a low growl, but she paid it no mind, continuing to watch the light curtain intently.
[Big brother, are you watching this scene too?]
Illya couldn't help but send a bullet comment, referring to her brother, Shirō Emiya.
In the courtyard of the Emiya residence, Shirō Emiya stared at the changing light curtain, his heart filled with shock and confusion. He had finally figured out how to use the bullet comment function but was in no hurry to join the discussion just yet.
"Shirō, this might be Rin and the others..." Artoria said calmly upon seeing Archer appear.
"Perhaps Rin has formed an alliance with Caster?"
"..."
Though it didn't align with her speculation, the current situation was entirely beyond her understanding...
Indeed, if Caster was behind this, it would be the only rational explanation amidst a sea of impossibilities...
"No, that can't be..." Shirō Emiya clicked his tongue in frustration.
"Anyway, I'll contact Rin first..."
"..."
"Wait... Shirō!"
"That image has changed again..."
Suddenly, Artoria's voice cut through his thoughts.
At the same time, new information appeared on the main screen of the light curtain:
[FSN Timeline]
[Legendary Character——]
[Nameless Heroic Spirit]
[Archer—Heroic Spirit summoned by Rin Tōsaka in the Fifth Holy Grail War.]
[...]
As soon as this message appeared, the various Type-Moon worlds, which had fallen into a brief silence, erupted into a small commotion...
[Gilgamesh: So, it was Archer who was summoned as my opponent in a Holy Grail War? To call yourself justice in my presence is a joke! Justice... The kingly path I embody is Justice!]
[Iskander retorted disdainfully: ...Foolish, I don't want to agree with your opinion...]
[Artoria also voiced her thoughts: I have my own views...]
[...]
Just as the three Heroic Spirits crowned as "Kings" were arguing...
In the timeline of the Fourth Holy Grail War, Kiritsugu Emiya, holding his sniper rifle, wore a faint sadness and deep helplessness on his face...
"The Fifth Holy Grail War..."
"Even now, there's no way to stop it..."
"Despite giving our all to carry out the plan, it's still difficult to prevent the Holy Grail War from continuing..."
"It truly is a tragedy for humanity..."
"..."
But then—
The text in the light changed again, shocking the disheartened Kiritsugu:
[Nameless Heroic Spirit]
[True Name: Shirō Emiya.]
[Shirō Emiya, who became a Heroic Spirit, is a potential future version of Shirō Emiya in the FSN timeline...]
...
In the timeline of the Fifth Holy Grail War, Archer's expression shifted abruptly, an indescribable turmoil surging within him. His greatest fear had come true—his identity had been completely exposed.
"Archer, you... you are Shirō Emiya???"
Tōsaka Rin's voice was filled with shock and confusion. She couldn't accept this fact.
Shirō... was actually the Heroic Spirit Archer she had summoned?
This stark contrast left Rin Tōsaka utterly unable to process it...
Though she had mentally prepared herself since seeing the light curtain, she had never considered this possibility...
After all—
Shirō and Archer were nothing alike in demeanor...
Moreover, Heroic Spirits were supposed to be figures who had already passed from the world...
And she had just been with Shirō...
Could it be—
Rin Tōsaka immediately thought of a possibility she could hardly accept, her gaze sharpening as she stared at Archer.