[At the thrilling moment when the plane exploded, Natalia's silver hair fluttered, and a faint smile appeared on her lips in the cockpit.]
[That smile was one of empathy, and also of expectation.]
[Emiya Kiritsugu on the ground seemed drained of all strength. He fell to his knees on the deck with a thud, clenching his hands tightly as if grasping at the fading ray of hope.]
["Did you see it, Shirley?" His voice trembled, filled with endless sorrow and resolve, "I didn't run away this time! Just like when I killed my father, I didn't run away! I didn't make the same mistake again; I saved so many people..."]
["So... so... Shirley... I want..."]
["Ah——" Emiya Kiritsugu sank into boundless agony and screamed at the top of his lungs.]
[Emiya Kiritsugu's emotions surged like a breached dam. He wept and screamed, as if pouring out all his pain and regret.]
[Scene Transition]
[The image of Shirley smiling flashed by...]
["Kerry, what kind of person do you want to be?" Shirley's voice seemed to travel through time and space, ringing in his ears again, clear and firm.]
[After a long while, Emiya Kiritsugu finally struggled to his feet. A determined light shone in his eyes, as if he had found his direction.]
["I want to be a Champion of Justice!" he declared loudly, his voice firm and powerful, as if making a promise to Shirley and a vow to himself. In that moment, he seemed transformed into a new self, ready to face the challenges and adventures ahead.]
[***]
The light flickered, and black text appeared on the screen:
[Emiya Kiritsugu, with great ambition, vowed to become a "Champion of Justice"]
[At any cost, even if cursed, misunderstood, or fighting alone, he would save all humanity from suffering.]
[However, on his long journey, his beliefs were repeatedly tempered by tragedy. He often faced choices: to save one side, he had to sacrifice the other. Each choice was like a sharp blade, cutting his heart and filling him with anguish.]
[In the end, after countless pains and struggles, Emiya Kiritsugu realized his own powerlessness. He understood he could not save all humanity by his own strength. So he placed his hopes on the Fuyuki Holy Grail, yearning to use its mysterious power to realize his grand wish of saving all mankind.]
[Yet fate seemed not to favor this lonely assassin. Despite all his efforts, the Holy Grail's power did not live up to his expectations, and his hopes eventually turned to dust. At this moment, Emiya Kiritsugu seemed to fall into an endless abyss, but he did not give up, for in his heart, the persistence and pursuit of justice would never be extinguished.]
[Stage 1—The Origin of the Champion of Justice.]
[End.]
As the light screen faded to black...
[Bullet Comments]
[Matō Kariya: I understand, I understand! Even if it weren't corrupted, the Holy Grail isn't an omnipotent wish-granting device... This is all the Tōsaka family's fault for deceiving everyone; it's all Tokiomi's fault!]
[Kayneth: Killing his father and his foster mother, all for a twisted sense of justice... This man, stepping onto the path to hell one step at a time... is truly a despicable country bumpkin...]
[Georgius: Even so, you have no right to decide the life and death of those sacrificed... So-called self-proclaimed justice is nothing but the fruit of evil...]
[Alguivan: I am concerned... According to the plot description, this Emiya Kiritsugu, as a Servant summoned by my Master—is that what he said? It's my Lord, right... Will this guy affect my Lord...]
[Morgan: A man who killed his father and mother is the perfect match for the dragon... Hehe]
[Antonio Salieri: Sometimes, justice is just a curse from fate upon those who call themselves pursuers, like this piece of music!]
[Elise Uhr: Emiya Kiritsugu is also a man living for death... What a pity...]
[...]
As the bullet comments about Emiya Kiritsugu flashed by——
The timeline of the Fifth Holy Grail War.
The Emiya residence.
Artoria watched all the scenes quietly, somewhat lost in thought...
During the video playback, the Lion King's emotions fluctuated greatly.
In fact, during the Fourth War...
Initially, she fully recognized the sacrifices Emiya Kiritsugu made for justice...
—To save more people, some must indeed be abandoned...
When she was alive, she had been the same.
Thus, throughout the entire Fourth War...
Artoria also respected this man's lofty ideals.
Even her own Holy Grail could be relinquished.
It's just...
Emiya Kiritsugu had ignored her throughout, even ordering her to destroy her last hope with her own hands...
Artoria saw this as undeniable betrayal!
But after witnessing everything...
The Lion King was also relieved...
If it were her, she would likely make the same choice—destroy the Holy Grail!
Moreover, "bearing the blame alone" was exactly what this man was accustomed to...
Was he worried she would become too deeply involved and unable to bear it...
This man...
Indeed deserved her respect!
At this moment, Artoria not only completely forgave Kiritsugu but also seemed to have made up her mind:
Artoria's gaze gently fell upon the agitated Emiya Shirō beside her:
"Shirō..."
"If that's the case..."
"We must win the Holy Grail even more..."
"..."
Emiya Shirō wiped the tears from his eyes.
"But—"
He looked at Artoria in a daze...
The Holy Grail was corrupted!
Even according to the video's description, Saber had destroyed the Lesser Holy Grail last time, the Holy Grail itself remained evil...
But the next second...
Emiya Shirō, seeing the smile on Saber's lips...
Immediately understood her intention...
"Is that so..."
After nodding slightly...
A trace of relief flashed in Emiya Shirō's eyes...
Though he had accidentally become involved in the Fifth Holy Grail War just a few days ago, he was merely an ordinary student.
A naive, upright, and self-righteous high school student.
The fire that destroyed everything was a pain Emiya Kiritsugu could never forget...
When he learned the instigator was Kiritsugu himself,
Emiya Shirō was indeed angry...
But after carefully watching his adoptive father's extremely twisted life, he did not blame Kiritsugu.
However, seeing Kiritsugu's tragic first half of life, he felt somewhat emotional——
The so-called "Justice," the so-called "Champion of Justice" ideal, had destroyed Emiya Kiritsugu.
Yet even so, Emiya Shirō never wavered...
After all, Saber seemed to have played a similar role.
Yes, Kiritsugu might be wrong, but the "Champion of Justice" itself was not wrong... It was eternally beautiful and brilliant.
Emiya Shirō, on the contrary, became more determined.
Kiritsugu...
In that case...
I must truly become the "Champion of Justice" in your place!
"Saber, let's work hard together!"