"Your wishes have all been granted!"
"Farewell!"
The massive Shenron spoke with its head held high, its voice reverberating across the horizon. Finally, it turned into seven distinct points of light and dissipated between heaven and earth.
The sky cleared once more, revealing its normal blue hue.
"Finally... it's over."
Kariya Matou breathed a sigh of relief. Watching Berserker and Rider gradually turning into particles of light, he knew Sakura would be safe now.
"Wuwu..."
"Don't go!"
The small hand clutching the armor was so tight, and her little cheeks were stained with tears.
"..."
Merely showing his usual gentle smile to comfort her, he finally conveyed his last words to this little Master.
[Parting does not mean the end.]
[Sakura... the world is vast, and there are many things waiting for you to encounter. So, do not be depressed by my disappearance.]
[Girls look much prettier when they smile.]
The text constructed from magical energy appeared, and that bright, gratifying smile remained in the girl's memory.
Accompanying the girl's cry, that reliable figure dissipated along with the points of light.
"No!"
...
"Rider... are you leaving?"
"Ah."
"Ugh..."
Watching Lelouch, who also started turning into light particles from his legs up, Waver felt a moment of reluctance.
"U-um!"
"It was really great to have you here this time!!"
"If I hadn't been with you... I might have died long ago..."
Waver hesitated and looked around, then mustered his courage to shout loudly.
His voice went from high to low; Waver was incredibly thankful that he had drawn a "good card."
If not for Rider's constant guidance and planning, with his immature performance, let alone winning to the end, he might have died in some unknown corner halfway through.
"Don't belittle yourself so much."
"You also contributed this time."
"After experiencing so much, you are no longer the person you used to be."
Hearing the other party's familiar guidance, Waver felt inexplicably moved.
"Right! I've already thought of my future goal..."
Recalling an important matter, Waver hurriedly spoke up.
He had to tell Rider!
He had to let the other party leave with peace of mind!
"I will definitely become an excellent Magus!"
"Although I don't know if I can do it... but this is definitely not something that can be satisfied by making a wish."
"I will be like you! Changing all of this with my own hands!"
That righteous and serious attitude expressed his determination.
"Heh... hehehe..."
"What's so funny!!"
Low laughter came from Lelouch's mouth, sounding as if he had heard a joke.
Feeling mocked, Waver complained in dissatisfaction.
He had gathered so much courage to say those "big words," after all.
"!"
But in the next moment, seeing a blur before his eyes, a white Emperor's Robe was draped over his shoulders.
"This is?"
"I, Lelouch vi Britannia, command you..."
"Waver Velvet!"
"You must live on, and..."
"Become an excellent Magus! Become the number one Magus of the Holy Britannian Empire!"
Seeing that familiar pose and "order," Waver froze for a moment.
"And your answer?"
Seeming dissatisfied with his daze, the Emperor issued a "question."
"Ugh..."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty!"
Clutching the white imperial garb draped over his shoulders with one hand, Waver could no longer hold back the tears in his eyes. His voice trembling, he responded.
It wasn't the forced constraint of a Geass, but a promise between him and him!
On that day, the young man bid farewell to the "Emperor."
...
"Well then, we should get going too!"
Seeing the end, Jonouchi spoke loudly and heartily.
"Hehe, I guess it counts as a trip."
Kyoko Sakura glanced at him, then closed her eyes and smiled happily.
Those people who died because of her had been resurrected, so she could rest easy.
"Sakura, there's no need to be so pessimistic. As long as people live on, good things will always happen eventually, right?"
"Yeah. Thanks a lot for this time, Jonouchi."
Starting to dissipate, they exchanged their final words.
"By the way, Assassin!"
"?"
"Although I don't know your name."
"If there's a chance to meet next time, Kyoko and I won't lose again!"
Turning his head, Jonouchi spoke to the silent Kenshin.
"Is that so?"
"Next time... this one will not be so immature either."
Hearing this, recalling the final battle with Saber, Kenshin raised the corners of his mouth and replied softly.
...
"Another bowl!"
"Okay, okay, don't rush. There's plenty more."
Irisviel looked at Saber, who was sitting upright begging for food, and responded with a reassuring smile.
"Maiya, where is Kiritsugu?"
"He took Illya to the park again... should be on the way back."
"Ah, really. Why is he always so slow?"
It was clearly past mealtime, but this repeated procrastination really didn't fit that man's usual behavior.
But Irisviel knew very well...
That counted as Kiritsugu's first step in giving up his "ideal."
No longer obsessed with so-called "World Peace," but accompanying Illya as a "Father."
Since the end of that war, in that man's tearful embrace, Irisviel had felt his hidden emotions.
That was the joy and excitement of "regaining what was lost."
Later, they met Saber and requested her help to go to the "Einzbern family" and bring Illya out.
In the end, they settled in Fuyuki City, a place filled with karma, to live.
Although ordinary, every day was fulfilling.
"However, I didn't expect it... Saber, as a Heroic Spirit, was also resurrected..."
"Does this count as a mistake?"
"No. My state was originally 'half-dead.' Waver's wish seemed to judge me as included."
Eating rice, Artoria explained.
Speaking of which, it was subtle. Her being "resurrected" was simply an accident.
"Will there be any consequences?"
Thinking of the origin of Heroic Spirits, Irisviel was a bit worried.
"Nothing much. The worst situation that could appear is probably just that 'Saber-class Me' can never be summoned again."
Not paying mind to such things, Artoria still felt the rice was delicious.
"I'm full! Thank you for the meal!!"
Clasping her hands together, thanking politely, she finally left the Emiya household.
"Hm?"
Returning to the villa where she temporarily lived, Artoria saw a boy swinging a sword in the courtyard as soon as she entered.
"Have you finished eating?"
"Shirou?"
"Ah? Teacher! Yes, my family eats early, so I came over early after finishing."
The red-haired boy paused, stopped the bamboo sword in his hand, and answered.
"Not just me; Sakura and Rin are already reading in the room."
The boy named "Shirou" pointed to the villa and spoke.
"Sakura and Rin?"
Artoria looked at the window, inevitably feeling they were a bit too diligent.
Thinking of a certain possibility, she finally laughed.
"However... that's not a bad thing."
PS: The next chapter will give a more detailed account of the situations of Sakura, Rin, and Shirou.