Holy Grail War, Day Six, Sunny.
Guinevere and Saber arrived early. Just in case, Caster and her Master also brought Illya along.
This time, Guinevere entered the courtyard of Einzbern Castle again, and this time she was served wine by the two maids here.
Illya had left them behind to challenge Ryudou Temple, which was why they had only just learned that Illya had been defeated and captured.
"Illya, don't worry. Sella and I will definitely find a way to save you. I've prepared the strongest liquor for Assassin."
Her voice was flat, like a puppet's, but the concern of this maid named Leysritt was plainly visible.
Because of this, she was punched on the head by the other maid, Sella, and forcibly dragged away before the varied expressions of everyone in the courtyard.
"Everyone, I'm sorry. Leysritt is a fool. We never actually thought about getting Assassin drunk."
Of course, everyone could see that Leysritt, who still looked quite reluctant, was a fool. Even Illya covered her face, desperately wanting to shout at those two idiots.
After they left, the newly arrived King of Heroes burst into laughter. He had come uninvited and didn't yet know what everyone gathered here was trying to do, but he feared no future developments.
"King of Heroes, give me your wine!"
"What, you dare drink that wine from the two maids?"
"No, how could the wine of mortals compare to your collection?"
"Hah, this King accepts your flattery."
Praised for his wine, the King of Heroes' smile became even more pronounced. Even knowing full well that this was an act of aiding the enemy, and could replenish Saber, Caster, and Assassin—all three of whom were short on Mana—he still gave it.
Thus, golden ripples appeared, and several cups of wine held in golden vessels once again landed in the courtyard of Einzbern Castle.
As everyone raised their glasses, and Saber sat on the ground in a proper manner, savoring this glass of wine as if reminiscing, even the King of Heroes felt a daze as time seemed to flow by.
"Heh, I hope the upcoming battle won't be as boring as my life for the past ten years."
The Fourth War Holy Grail was destroyed, yet the mana accumulated in the Fuyuki Leyline did not dissipate much. This reason allowed the Fifth War, which was originally supposed to accumulate mana for another sixty years, to return to Fuyuki after only ten years.
And during these ten years, the King of Heroes, who obtained a physical body, had always been present. He was more familiar with every blade of grass and every tree in Fuyuki than anyone else present.
Or rather, he had played enough, especially since Enkidu was not here, nor was this place his homeland.
"King of Heroes, I will make you feel pleasure."
"Heh, then I leave it to you, Guinevere."
Drinking wine, waiting, until Emiya and Sakura arrived with Rider Medusa, until Emiya also took a cup of wine and drank it all in one gulp.
And after this cup of wine, her gaze fixed intently on Illya, her expression gradually changing from complicated to gentle.
Last night, Guinevere told him about Illya's physical condition, her family background and origin, and also told him about her plan.
Because of this, Emiya did not think much and agreed to hand over the scabbard and offer his heart, even if he eventually could not get Archer's recognition in today's trial.
But because of this matter, he instead regretted making a relationship with Sakura early, while he didn't even know that the one who had made a relationship with him was actually Rider Medusa.
Last night, after Guinevere left, it was Emiya who spoke to Sakura: "Sakura, if I fail Archer's trial, you must not resent anyone for my death. You must also pursue your own happiness in the future."
These words came from Emiya's heart, but precisely because they were so sincere, Sakura suddenly broke down and desperately revealed her true self.
"Senpai, actually, I have been soiled for a long time. Even after receiving the King of Heroes' help, my soul is still covered in dust and filth."
Starting from her original surname, Tohsaka, Sakura recounted everything that had happened after she was adopted into the Matou family, including the Worm Pit, Shinji Matou, and even the fact that it was Rider who had consummated their relationship last night.
"Senpai, you can despise me all you want. I am no longer worthy of your love. The only reason I am still alive is because I am simply clinging to your gentleness."
"If you were to die, Senpai, I would definitely avenge you, even if you would never allow it."
As she spoke these words, it was already close to dawn. A light drizzle fell from the whitening night sky, knocking down the cherry blossoms that had only gradually bloomed in the last day or two.
She was too ashamed to face him, and she was certain that Emiya would never be as gentle as he had been before. But after his initial shock, Emiya firmly grasped Sakura's wrist.
"Shinji hasn't been to school these past few days, so I went to the Matou House to look for him yesterday."
Emiya paused here, but then he straightened his back, met Sakura's gaze with unwavering determination, and held her delicate face with both hands.
"I saw the pit at the Matou House, and I also found the delirious Shinji in the woods nearby. Sakura, I found out everything you mentioned yesterday. I also learned the truth about your mana deprivation. I just never expected that you would let Rider take my place, nor that Rider would be willing to do so."
His words stopped there, but they were enough for Sakura to understand everything perfectly.
"Senpai, did you choose to accept my mana replenishment last night knowing my condition?"
As she spoke, Sakura's eyes widened noticeably, and she momentarily forgot her self-loathing, feeling only regret in her heart.
"Sakura, don't hate yourself anymore. Half of it is Tokiomi Tohsaka's fault, and half is the fault of Zouken Matou and Shinji. You are simply a victim.
"Sakura, I didn't accept you last night only because I knew the truth. It was also because, in the pain of knowing the truth, I realized that I had already fallen in love with you."
"You've been by my side since middle school. We are childhood friends who have depended on each other."
"You say I'm the one who brought light back into your eyes, but Kiritsugu had just died back then. Haven't you also helped me gradually emerge from the grief of losing my father?"
"Sakura, let me say it again: I love you. Please stay with me for the rest of our lives."
"This time, I won't say anything so depressing. I will definitely do my best to pass the test of my future self!"
After the embrace and the kiss, it was time for their first true night together, and this time, Rider no longer needed to be involved.
And this battle also caused the three of them to arrive late. Shirou Emiya's morale was high after arriving here.
They each resolved their inner conflicts and confirmed their own feelings.
"Although this isn't our first meeting, and you already know my name, Big Sister Illya, allow me to introduce myself first. My name is Shirou Emiya. I am the survivor Kiritsugu Emiya saved from the Fuyuki Fire, the adopted son who inherited his Emiya name."
"Big Sister Illya, please allow me to call you that. Rest assured, I will definitely save you. I will definitely make my heart beat in your chest!"
At this time, Illya did not know about Guinevere's plan. She listened blankly, completely stunned by each "Big Sister" he called her.
Shirou Emiya was naturally cheerful and passionate, an honor student with excellent grades.