Chapter 113: Angra Mainyu
Ability.
In Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya, Emiya Shirou's combat record was ferocious when supplied with mana by Miyu, the Child of God. Now, Emiya Shirou had also obtained the Holy Grail's mana supply through the Stand ability of [Pseudo-Atum].
Without any burden, he unleashed a barrage of punches from [Pseudo-Crazy Diamond]—fists that shone like diamond dust—completely shattering Matou Sakura's body and beating out every single Crest Worm residing within.
The activation of the Stand's ability followed immediately. It was completed just as Tohsaka Rin and the others, watching from the side, were horrified by the sight of Sakura being "beaten to death" and before they could even attempt to intervene.
Rin and her group watched in disbelief as Sakura's broken body was rapidly restored, no matter how many times they witnessed such a miracle. Of course, if it were just for this, Emiya Shirou wouldn't have needed to mobilize such a vast amount of magical energy, even though he had been continuously projecting Stands and fighting throughout the entire night since returning from the world of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.
The reason Shirou was being so cautious was entirely because...
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!!!
"Have you finally shown yourself?
I thought you would continue to endure..."
It must be said, this strike was perfectly timed. The opponent was certain that Emiya Shirou currently had to focus his ability on Matou Sakura for her treatment. Thus, they launched this surprise attack at this critical moment, preventing Shirou from immediately projecting a new Stand or activating a new ability.
However, even so, [Pseudo-Crazy Diamond] was a close-range power-type Stand that, while appearing to be a healer, was actually far stronger than most melee Stands!
Therefore, as strands of black-red bandages began to appear and thrust frantically toward him, the prepared Emiya Shirou did not dispel [Pseudo-Crazy Diamond]. Instead, he activated its ability on the DISC in his pocket. Through this "restoration and return," he was able to quickly pull himself toward Kuzuki Souichirou's location without dispelling his Stand, creating distance as he spoke:
"...Angra Mainyu."
Simultaneously, during this process, Shirou did not forget to warn Tohsaka Rin and especially the Servants like Saber: "Saber, dodge the shadow's attack! Rin, you too, get away from Sakura immediately!
The enemy before us isn't a matter of strength or weakness; they are a literal 'Servant Killer'.
As long as one is a Servant—whether it's someone like Gilgamesh at the apex of all Servants, or a world-renowned hero like Berserker—none can win against this shadow!"
Indeed, the one attacking Shirou and the others at this moment was none other than Angra Mainyu. Originally imprisoned within the Greater Grail and assimilated with its magical energy to become "All the World's Evil," it was now manifesting in the world through Matou Sakura's body.
This should have been impossible. After all, regarding the two Lesser Grails linked to the Greater Grail—be it the orthodox Lesser Grail, Illya, or the incomplete one, Sakura—it was very difficult for "All the World's Evil" to beguile them.
Even in the Heaven's Feel route where Sakura became "Dark Sakura," she was actually quite resistant to the corruption of "All the World's Evil."
Otherwise, in all the storylines of Fate/stay night, Sakura would have blackened in more than just that one route. Matou Sakura was truly capable of great endurance. Despite being treated that way by Matou Zouken, she never truly fell.
And as long as the Lesser Grails did not fall, no one could actively embrace "All the World's Evil" to allow its premature descent. Angra Mainyu should have stayed inside the Greater Grail, waiting for someone to summon it again after the war's conclusion.
...That is how it should have been.
But the problem lay right here. Through the ability of [Pseudo-Atum], Emiya Shirou could achieve a partial victory in the Holy Grail War in violation of the rules. While it wasn't a total victory and he couldn't truly dominate the Greater Grail, he could still mobilize a portion of its mana.
Since the rules of the Holy Grail War accepted Shirou's partial victory, could "All the World's Evil" also be liberated?
Coincidentally, Tohsaka Rin had brought the medium—Matou Sakura—along. Combined with a little stimulation from [Pseudo-Crazy Diamond]'s treatment, the current situation was an inevitable result.
"But Angra Mainyu, having rushed out so hastily, have you considered one question?"
After giving the warning, those with super-sensory insight—be it Saber's [Instinct], Archer's [Mind's Eye (True)], or Lancer's multi-effect [Rune Magecraft]—were all but impossible for "All the World's Evil" to capture.
Consequently, "All the World's Evil," whose aggro was locked onto Emiya Shirou, soon stopped bothering with the dodging Servants and continued its fierce assault on Shirou.
This caused Shirou to feel quite sentimental. Angra Mainyu, the predecessor of "All the World's Evil," truly was just an ordinary youth from an isolated village.
"Why was I able to call out your name the moment you appeared?
Why was I able to anticipate your surprise attack?
Why do I still have the leisure to tell Saber and the others not to come over, even if part of the reason is that you counter them?"
"...!?"
Yes, why? As Shirou continued to ask these questions, even "All the World's Evil" began to sense that something was wrong. It wanted to retract the extended black-red bandages. Since it had already escaped the cage of the Greater Grail, it was willing to forgo its grudge against Shirou for mocking it earlier while siphoning mana through [Pseudo-Atum].
Whatever Shirou wanted to do next, he could do. It would have nothing to do with it!
With this thought, "All the World's Evil" began to activate the Imaginary Number Magecraft attribute within Sakura's body. But before it could retreat, Emiya Shirou spoke:
"The answer to these questions is simple—Angra Mainyu, this was essentially a trap to lure you out!"
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