Chapter 439: The Fourth War Ends, Preparing to Leave Planet Type-Moon.
....
"Sakura, do you not want to come with big brother?"
Seito thought that perhaps young Sakura felt reluctant about heading into space. After all, to a small child, space was not only breathtaking but also deeply terrifying.
"No, that's not it," Sakura stammered timidly, twisting her hands together. "Can we... can we still come back in the future? I want to see my big sister again."
That was it!
Sakura felt completely safe following Seito. The only thing she couldn't leave behind was her older sister, Rin.
"No problem," Seito smiled. A small request like that was easily granted. Once he helped Sakura grow stronger, she could return here whenever she pleased.
"Yay~!" Sakura cheered happily, fully cementing in her mind that Seito was a wonderful person.
After that, the trio chatted casually.
Time flew by.
Several days passed in a flash. Throughout those days, Seito and Nyaruko spent their time taking Sakura all around town, effectively restoring the young girl's innocent, joyful nature.
Meanwhile, the Fourth Holy Grail War proceeded as usual, playing out quietly in the background.
Fast forward to the present moment.
It was currently around one in the morning. Seito, Nyaruko, and Sakura were standing at the docks where they had first arrived. Nyaruko casually summoned a massive, sleek spaceship, while Sakura stared at the vessel with wide, curious eyes.
"How much longer are we waiting?" Nyaruko asked, looking over at Seito.
"Almost time," Seito smiled, casting his gaze into the distance.
A towering pillar of golden light slashed down toward the corrupted Holy Grail. The climax of the war had concluded. Fuyuki City was ushering in a quiet dawn—a Holy Grail War with no true victors!
Without another word, Seito channeled his divine power.
Swish, swish, swish~~!
Suddenly, two figures materialized directly in front of the group: Artoria and Irisviel!
"This is... Haven't I already departed from the mortal realm?" Artoria looked around, thoroughly stunned. She had clearly passed away, so why was she standing here now?
"I... feel like I just woke up from a terrible nightmare..." Beside her, Irisviel clutched her head, wincing slightly.
"Iri... you..." Artoria turned her head, her green eyes widening in shock.
"Alright, alright," Seito's voice broke in, interrupting their confusion.
The King of Knights and Irisviel looked over together. The moment they saw Seito, everything clicked. Without a doubt, the reason they were standing here alive was the God before them!
"Irisviel, your current body is now a genuine, living human vessel. You can feel it for yourself," Seito explained with a warm smile.
Irisviel froze, quickly focusing inward. A moment later, gasps of astonishment escaped her lips. All her life, she had been a homunculus of the Einzbern family, built solely to serve as a sacrificial tool for the Grail War. She never imagined that after dying once, she would be gifted a true human body. Overcome with emotion, she struggled to find her words.
Artoria's lips curved into a soft smile. She had always held deep affection for Irisviel; seeing her friend not only revived but granted a true human life brought her genuine joy.
"Thank you," Irisviel bowed deeply, suppressing her trembling emotions.
"Don't mention it," Seito waved his hand casually. "However, from here on out, you'll be traveling along with us."
"Traveling?" Irisviel and Artoria were caught off guard.
"Are we going... into space?" Irisviel asked after a moment of thought.
"That's right," Seito nodded.
"I have no objections," Irisviel replied softly. Her past self had perished; the person standing here had been given a new life. Whatever Seito decided, she would follow willingly.
"Can we bring Illya along as well?"
Remembering her daughter back at the castle, Irisviel spoke up urgently. She was deeply worried about Illya, knowing her daughter was slated to be the next Grail vessel for the Einzbern family. She desperately wanted Illya freed from that dark fate so they could live together.
"No problem," Seito agreed with a nod.
Irisviel let out a long sigh of relief.
Seito then turned to Artoria, asking with a smile: "I have a question for you."
"What is it?"
"You previously debated the path of kingship with Gilgamesh and Iskandar. Do you still wish to rewrite the tragic end of Britain?"
"Of course I do!" Artoria answered without a second of hesitation. She wouldn't be swayed so easily; she was still determined to find a way to save her fallen kingdom!
Seito shook his head gently. "You should learn to look forward."
"What do you mean?" Artoria paused.
Gazing into the distance as he recalled the historical trajectories of Planet Type-Moon, Seito spoke calmly: "The fall of Britain was an absolute certainty, a fixed event that cannot be altered. You need to face the history of your nation with pride. You were a flawless king; if even you refuse to accept Britain's end, then all the history you built loses its meaning."
Artoria fell silent. She wanted to stand proud, but Britain had prospered by her hand and fallen under her watch. The weight of that end was something she longed to undo.
"I'll leave you here on Earth for a month," Seito continued smoothly. "During this month, read up on Eastern history and think deeply about whether it's time to let go. Hopefully, the next time we meet, you'll have found your answer."
Indeed, Seito had no intention of whisking Artoria away right now. As a core Heroic Spirit bound to the world's counter-system, taking her off-planet immediately would instantly draw the attention of Alaya and Gaia.
"I understand," Artoria nodded quietly.
Seito handed her a credit card loaded with local funds—living in the modern world without money was impossible, after all—which Artoria accepted.
With everything settled, Seito casually waved his hand, and a cute, white-haired little girl—Illya—materialized safely in his arms.
....
Thank you for reading.