Adam's voice was quiet, yet it carried an unshakable determination.
The declaration left EMIYA—who had spent his entire life helping others—deeply shaken.
"So that's your reason? Such a 'selfish' one?"
"You're willing to gamble the fate of all humanity just to protect the people you care about."
Adam did feel the weight of that decision, yet he had still chosen this path.
"Sorry, EMIYA. I really am that selfish."
EMIYA looked at him, reflecting on his own life, and let out a heavy sigh.
"If only I had been able to be a little more 'selfish' back then… Would the outcome have been different?"
As EMIYA's body began to slowly fade away, Adam suddenly spoke.
"Wait. Don't disappear just yet, EMIYA."
He quickly activated his Mystic Code and applied healing, stabilizing the Archer long enough to keep him from vanishing.
EMIYA stared at him in confusion. What the hell? You won't even let a guy die in peace?
"What are you planning?"
Adam gave him a slightly mischievous smile.
"No matter what happens, after we resolve this Singularity with Chaldea…"
"We still have seven more Singularities that need correcting."
"At that point, Chaldea and the Counter Force will share the same goal once again!"
"So as an agent of the Counter Force, don't forget to come to Chaldea after we finish here."
EMIYA looked at him with a mixture of exasperation and helplessness.
Are you serious right now? I just lost to you people, and you're already trying to recruit me?
He glanced at Kiritsugu Emiya and remembered what the man had said about life at Chaldea. A spark of curiosity stirred despite himself.
Moreover, what Adam said made sense. If the Counter Force failed here in Singularity F, they would still need Chaldea's help to correct the remaining seven Singularities.
Even for the sake of Human Order, EMIYA had no choice but to assist them.
So, through gritted teeth, he finally muttered one word.
"…Fine."
Adam grinned and gave EMIYA's shoulder a light pat.
"Then it's a deal, then, househusband."
"I love the food you make the most."
EMIYA's eyes flashed with sudden anger.
"I'm not a house—"
Before he could finish, his body completely dissolved into golden particles.
All that remained were the continuous system notifications.
[EMIYA Affection +10]
[EMIYA Affection +10]
[EMIYA Affection +10]
...
Adam watched EMIYA disappear, then stood up and patted Kiritsugu on the shoulder.
"Thanks for your hard work, Kiritsugu."
"You can head back now."
Kiritsugu simply shook his head.
"It was nothing, Master. It's what I should do."
Just as Adam was about to return him, Kiritsugu suddenly spoke in a rare tone of deep gratitude.
"Master… thank you for summoning me to Chaldea."
Adam smiled, understanding exactly what he was feeling.
"I only summoned you. What kind of life you built at Chaldea was entirely your own doing."
Those words moved Kiritsugu deeply. He had already heard from the other Servants how much Adam had done behind the scenes to help him find true happiness there.
"Master, I will continue to be your gun. Wherever you point, that is where I will fire."
Adam shuddered at the overly formal declaration.
"Don't say such corny things!"
"Just act normal, Kiritsugu."
Kiritsugu continued to gaze at him with eyes full of unwavering loyalty, as if ready to lay down his life at any moment.
"I am acting normal, Master."
Unable to handle the intensity any longer, Adam quickly dismissed him through the system.
As he stared at the empty space where Kiritsugu had stood, Adam wondered whether he had raised the man's bond level a little too high. Why did it feel like he was raising a death knight?
All he did was let the guy reunite with his family at Chaldea. Was that really enough?
Cú Chulainn watched the entire exchange with an amused grin and stroked his chin.
"Kid, you really have a talent for training subordinates~ The way that guy looked at you was like a devout believer staring at his god!"
Adam ignored the teasing and silently vowed to maintain better boundaries with his Servants in the future.
Female Servants always ended up getting far too attached.
Male Servants kept swearing absolute loyalty to him.
Having too many high-bond Servants wasn't always a blessing!
With that thought in mind, Adam turned his gaze toward the cave entrance in the distance.
He wondered how Ritsuka and the others were faring against Artoria Alter.
He also glanced at Morgan listed in his Servant roster.
————————
Mount Enzou.
Greater Grail Chamber.
The Great Cavern.
The moment Ritsuka Fujimaru's group parted ways with Adam, they arrived at the location of the Greater Grail.
Olga Marie stared at the colossal structure, feeling its overwhelming magical energy. Cold sweat ran down her back.
"This is the Greater Grail…? It's practically a super-grade magical reactor core!"
"Why would a remote island nation in the Far East even have something like this?!"
Dr. Roman's hologram suddenly appeared, checking the data on his screen.
"According to records, it was created by the Einzbern family's alchemy experts. They're not affiliated with the Mage's Association. They're a lineage composed of homunculi."
Mash's interest was immediately piqued at the mention of homunculi.
"Homunculi…"
At that moment, Ritsuka suddenly pointed in one direction.
"Um, sorry to interrupt your conversation, but there's someone over there who's been staring at us this whole time."
Everyone turned to look.
Medusa instantly shifted into a combat stance.
"That's the Saber!"
There stood Artoria Alter, imposing and majestic.
Ritsuka's first reaction upon seeing the dignified yet dangerous figure was…
"King Arthur really is a girl!"
Artoria Alter gazed at Medusa and Heracles standing alongside the Chaldea team. A trace of cold fury appeared on her face.
"So… no matter the time or place, I am always surrounded by betrayal?"
Without another word, she casually swung her arm and unleashed a massive beam of dark energy—dozens of meters wide—directly at Medusa and Heracles!
***
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