Angra Mainyu, the All The World's Evil.
During the Third Holy Grail War, the Einzbern family summoned an Avenger whose resentment corrupted the Holy Grail and its mana, turning its colorless power into black mud and twisting its wish-granting function. Any wish made upon the Grail would now be interpreted through the lens of "evil," manifesting in ways that brought destruction and catastrophe.
Zelretch, having observed countless parallel worlds, was intimately familiar with the existence of the All The World's Evil.
The great fire of Fuyuki City had its origins in this entity.
"As expected, such a change couldn't escape your notice…"
After hearing Zelretch's account, Justeaze's expression grew somber.
As the core of the Grail, she was more aware than anyone of the All The World's Evil's existence. She knew of the Einzbern family's mistake during the Third Holy Grail War and the catastrophic seed it planted.
"Indeed. Unlike you, I frequently traverse and observe different worlds. Since the Holy Grail War was established under my witness, with my disciple involved, I pay it some extra attention."
"I see…"
Justeaze gave a wry smile. Though she retained the demeanor of the maiden she once was, Zelretch saw her for what she was now—the embodiment of the Third Magic, the core of the Holy Grail.
"I'm deeply sorry for the trouble the Einzbern family has caused the world. I never imagined that during the Third Holy Grail War, they would summon Avenger, Angra Mainyu, leading to this outcome. I can't fathom what Acht was thinking…"
The root of the problem lay with the Einzberns, specifically with Acht, whom Justeaze had trusted, filling her with guilt and disappointment.
"Heh, while the Einzberns caused this mess, rest assured, Angra Mainyu's appearance was merely an accident. Even the homunculus in Berlin knew nothing of it. The Einzberns didn't intend to sabotage the Holy Grail War."
Angra Mainyu, as a symbol, was an ancient and malevolent deity from the Zoroastrian faith of ancient Persia, dating back to the sixth century BCE. In Zoroastrianism, Angra Mainyu was considered the chief evil god, responsible for all the world's misdeeds. Over time, legends and the deity's inherent nature took shape.
Angra Mainyu was indeed a demon god, embodying "evil" without question. However, it wasn't a naturally born deity but one created by human malice and specific legends. A demon god couldn't be summoned by the Holy Grail War, and Angra Mainyu had no interest in answering human calls. What was summoned wasn't a malevolent deity or an abyssal demon but an ordinary boy from a village, chosen as a sacrificial symbol of Angra Mainyu in Zoroastrian rituals.
This boy had no legendary feats or qualifications to become a Heroic Spirit. He was merely an innocent, forced to bear humanity's sins, shaped into a unique Heroic Spirit by others' imposition. A child without power, ambition, or ideals, he was a conceptual existence, a manifestation of humanity's collective wish, lacking gender or true life.
"While not intentional, the Einzberns were bold indeed, uncovering lost Zoroastrian texts and attempting to summon a degraded deity. They didn't expect that a demon god couldn't be summoned in the Holy Grail War, only a sacrificial lamb in its place."
"This created the extra class of Avenger, turning an innocent boy into the anti-hero Angra Mainyu. What they also didn't anticipate was how weak this irregular Avenger was. Compared to the top three classes, or even Assassin, he was vastly inferior and was quickly killed by other Servants, his soul absorbed by the Greater Grail."
Zelretch stroked his beard, continuing thoughtfully.
"This is a critical divergence point for your worldline. The soul of the boy bearing Angra Mainyu's name corrupted the Holy Grail into its current state."
"You're right. That's exactly it."
Justeaze sighed helplessly after Zelretch's explanation.
"Normally, when a Heroic Spirit falls, their personality and mana are absorbed by the Grail. But Angra Mainyu, a demon god crafted by human malice and accusation, embodied a collective wish. When he entered the Grail, it was as if he made a wish upon it."
"By the Third Holy Grail War, the Grail was nearly perfected, capable of granting wishes. But when Angra Mainyu entered, that function was used to fulfill his wish. As a result, the All The World's Evil wasn't erased by the Grail's system. Instead, it survived, taking form within the Grail, becoming a successful manifestation of the Third Magic's Heaven's Feel."
Looking at Justeaze, Zelretch continued thoughtfully.
"The Grail's colorless mana has been dyed black, twisted into malevolent evil. But this time, thanks to a certain thief, much of the Greater Grail's mana was forcibly extracted and filtered to create that intriguing staff, delaying the All The World's Evil's eruption and reducing its scale."
"I bet even Angra Mainyu never imagined being discovered and fleeced by an outside magus, eh?"
Shrugging, Zelretch found the unexpected twists of this Holy Grail War fascinating and shared the full context with Justeaze.
"You know everything, don't you? The outsider's actions were indeed thievery, but since they suppressed the All The World's Evil, I sensed it within the Greater Grail but didn't intervene, hoping it would lessen the disaster."
Justeaze shook her head gently.
She had detected Roy's actions within the Greater Grail and could have stopped him. But knowing the terror of Angra Mainyu and that draining the mana could weaken it, she allowed it to prevent dangerous individuals like Kiritsugu or Kirei from winning the Grail and making irreversible wishes. In a way, she had acted as a biased referee.
But now, with Kirei transcending his confusion and desires, even if he won the Grail, he wouldn't make catastrophic wishes. Kiritsugu, however…
Having lost so much, he was utterly lost. Seeing Irisviel, a descendant of the Einzbern family who, like Justeaze, sacrificed everything for the Grail, a glint of pity flashed in Justeaze's eyes.
Perhaps this was fate…
"Your thinking wasn't wrong. That boy's actions have already shown results. I know you wanted the outsider to win the Grail, as he's clearly prepared to handle the All The World's Evil. In his hands, the Grail would be purified, averting this disaster."
"Yes, but now…"
"Now, that boy has already gained much. A mere Holy Grail? The special mana furnace in El-Melloi's room outshines it. He has no real desires, only testing a possibility. I'll meet him myself later, tell him the outcome of that possibility, offer compensation, and have him abandon the Grail."
Zelretch spoke gravely. "As for the Grail, excluding Kiritsugu, that delusional madman, and Crowley, that cunning fox, the most suitable recipient is obvious, isn't it?"
"Tokiomi Tohsaka?"
Justeaze tilted her head.
"Heh, after all these years, you're still as playful as ever."
Zelretch gave a wry smile at her response, and they exchanged a glance, saying in unison:
"Kirei Kotomine."
"Exactly. A priest who should have fallen but gained enlightenment through life and death. His journey isn't like those stubborn clerics but resembles the awakened one under the Bodhi tree."
"His transformation surprised even me. If it's the current him, he'll make the most righteous choice."
Zelretch clasped his hands behind his back, outlining his full plan.
"With the Grail's mana depleted, Angra Mainyu can hardly unleash its expected terror. But the Grail's mana is insufficient too. Normally, letting things pass quietly would be fine, but with the chaos outside—mystery and reality's boundaries collapsing, and an outsider's involvement—this worldline has become a thorn in the Counter Force's side. You need to save yourselves."
"No matter what, you must suppress the Holy Grail War's impact before the Mage's Association, the Holy Church, and mythic Heroic Spirits are fully exposed to the public. You must prevent the third world war, an anomaly that shouldn't exist, or your entire worldline will be judged and denied by the world."
"So, you're saying to use the Grail's miracle to end this."
Understanding the gravity and Zelretch's purpose, Justeaze's beautiful face lost its earlier smile, replaced by solemnity.
"Exactly."
"But the Grail's mana is already…"
"Polluted? Drained? Don't worry. I can handle that."
Addressing Justeaze's concerns, Zelretch raised a hand to reassure her.
"Once Kiritsugu and Kirei make their choices in the face of the All The World's Evil, yielding different outcomes, the King of Heroes's battle will also conclude. I'll step in to have that boy purify and abandon the Grail. As for mana, don't forget my Second Magic is no less potent than the Third."
"You're saying he can definitely defeat the King of Heroes?"
"Yes, I'm certain."
Zelretch nodded confidently.
"He even handled Merlin's request flawlessly. With all his plans and preparations, even the King of Heroes can't escape defeat this time—especially with Kirei's unexpected change."
"Then, we'll proceed according to your plan?"
"Yes. If anything goes wrong, I'll step in and cover for you!"
Zelretch nodded with bold confidence, then turned and vanished from the Grail.
…
For a long time, only Justeaze's sigh lingered in the vast Grail.
…
Meanwhile, in another part of the Holy Grail.
Unlike the pure white mana space where Justeaze and Zelretch spoke, this place was far darker, its colors foreboding.
A man tightly gripped a cross, advancing along a dim shoreline.
"You're so determined to fulfill Kiritsugu's wish? Or…"
Ignoring the tempting voice of what seemed like Satan, Kirei pressed forward until he saw Irisviel standing quietly at the end of the dark line, smiling at him.
"…Do you just want to drive him to ruin? Are you so eager to push him into despair, to see him break?"
Kirei asked, his face expressionless.
When he and Kiritsugu fell into this blackened world, he had already guessed the answer. The sudden appearance of Irisviel only confirmed it.
"You're quite strange… At first, you were the most confused, the most aimless, the most consumed by desire. But what's with you now? Even after I made you relive the regret of not killing your wife yourself, killing your mentor, and attempting to kill your father, your heart remains unshaken. Don't you ever want to change or deny that past?"
Seeing Kirei, unlike Kiritsugu, walk through his past without succumbing, Irisviel's eyes flickered with surprise and doubt.
"Have you transcended your desires?"
"…Transcended? That's a term for Buddhas and saints. A former sinner like me has no right to claim it. I've simply come to understand some things—realized what it means to live, what is right. I know the past can't be changed. Denying or altering it would be no different from denying myself now."
Facing Irisviel's question, Kirei answered calmly. "That past is not just mine but my sins, my path. I won't try to deny or change it to become some perfect person."
"Humans are never perfect, but they can strive to be. By accepting all of themselves—good and bad—correcting the bad and preserving the good, anyone can approach perfection."
"You…"
Irisviel's eyes flashed with astonishment. "Isn't that complete enlightenment and transcendence? Honestly, I planned to take you down with Kiritsugu, but your heart is like a stone, utterly unyielding…"
"Distorted?"
"…"
"Kirei Kotomine, you're so clever it's almost sickening."
"Perhaps. I've just thought things through."
Kirei countered, "Why are you so fixated on Kiritsugu?"
"Why? Does it need a special reason?"
Irisviel smiled, spreading her arms. Though her figure and face were familiar, having just been seen by Kirei, she now exuded an ominous aura compared to the pure, unblemished lady.
"Because… I'm Irisviel too, aren't I?"
"No, you're not."
"Oh? Why deny my existence, Father? Without adopting someone's personality, I can't communicate. I've fully assimilated Irisviel, so I am Irisviel."
"I see…"
Kirei nodded, understanding her meaning.
"But I'm not denying your existence. Born from the Grail and fused with it, even with all of Irisviel's memories, you're still not her. Because…"
"The real Irisviel would never bring Kiritsugu to a place like this. She'd only want him to stay far away." Kirei spoke with utmost sincerity.
"Your logic is infuriatingly clear, Father. Ever considered quitting the priesthood for a career as a psychologist or detective?" Irisviel smiled. "I'm starting to dislike you."
"Is that so…"
Kirei shook his head, unfazed by her words. He turned to the boundless sea and asked, "Where did you take Kiritsugu? He hasn't walked out, has he?"
"Heh… Unlike you, who's transcended your past, Kiritsugu is still trapped in it, staying where he belongs."
Irisviel gave a light laugh, then tiptoed closer to Kirei, speaking softly.
"Making the choices he must, answering the questions he must…"
"I understand."
Kirei nodded silently, then, without warning, drove his fist into Irisviel's stomach.
—Bang!!
A dull thud echoed as a gaping hole appeared in her body. But what flowed out wasn't blood—only a viscous red-black liquid.
"As expected, not truly human."
"Haha, you're ruthless and cold, Father…"
Kirei didn't respond, only saying calmly, "You're tormenting Kiritsugu. That man is far more desperate than you realize. His heart is on the verge of collapse. If this continues, he'll destroy himself."
"You think so little of Kiritsugu? That's not certain. Do you know the path he took to get here?"
Despite the hole in her body, Irisviel smiled and continued, "Kiritsugu fled his way here, running endlessly. Everything pushed him forward, so he could only keep running—a marathon of blood and pain. Now, with nowhere left to flee, to seize that fleeting miracle, he has no choice but to beg for it to work, to grant him redemption. This time, he can't escape. He must make his final choice."
"You're simply murdering him."
"…Can't you hold your tongue, Father?"
Frustrated by Kirei's unshakable resolve, Irisviel shook her head and pointed him toward an exit.
"Fine. You've passed every test. No tragedy or temptation can sway an enlightened soul. I understand that."
"Follow this path, and you can leave, return to the outside world, and do whatever you want. You've made your choices, embraced your resolve. What comes next belongs to Kiritsugu."
"…No, I won't leave."
Hearing Irisviel's suggestion, Kirei shook his head. "I must do what's right. A lost lamb awaits my redemption. As a priest, I can't turn away and ignore it. That wouldn't be right."
"Right…"
Irisviel sighed, looking at the unyielding Kirei. "You're like a stone. But do you think you alone can redeem him?"
"I don't know, but I'll do everything I can to grant him peace."
Kirei answered with complete honesty.
"…"
Faced with his resolute stance, Irisviel felt helpless. After a moment's thought, she spoke again.
"Fine. If you won't leave, come with me. Witness Kiritsugu's choice. After all, you were my first choice, the one with the potential. Frankly, you're more suited to bear the All The World's Evil than Kiritsugu."
"…"
Kirei didn't respond to this.
He simply extended his arm, letting Irisviel lead him into a world even darker and more chaotic than the shoreline…
***
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