Earth Princess? No, it's Fujimaru Ritsuka!

Page 326

"Are you kidding..."

Even Kiritsugu Emiya couldn't remain calm as he watched his dagger shatter into spirit particles. His hoarse voice, accompanied by the gurgling of his throat, produced a dry sound.

"Irisviel—!"

Artoria was still wondering why Fujimaru Ritsuka had stopped fighting when she saw someone trying to assassinate her Master.

"Saber!"

"To resort to such a despicable tactic as ambushing my Master was my oversight..."

Artoria quickly rushed to Irisviel's side, supporting her and saying:

"I'm sorry, Irisviel... I swear to protect you. You're on the battlefield to win."

"Yes, with Saber here, I have nothing to be afraid of."

Irisviel did not show any signs of fear or terror, but simply returned Saber's reassuring smile.

"Berserker, although I don't know why, you protected my Master... Please allow me to thank you. I owe you a favor."

Artoria turned to Fujimaru Ritsuka, her tone much gentler than before:

"However, could you please explain what exactly happened?"

"what happened..."

Fujimaru Ritsuka gave a wry smile, her gaze still fixed on Emiya Kiritsugu:

"I'd like to ask you the same thing. Isn't Emiya Kiritsugu your Master? Why did he suddenly betray you?"

Artoria was equally bewildered:

"Who is Emiya Kiritsugu? My Master is Irisviel... What are you talking about? Berserker!"

"As you can see, I am indeed Saber's Master."

Irisviel revealed the scarlet mark on the back of her hand.

"This is the proof."

Fujimaru Ritsuka was stunned.

The information given by the Second Master was wrong again.

It's a Command Spell.

Things took an unexpected turn from what Fujimaru Ritsuka had anticipated.

Artoria's Master is Irisviel, not Kiritsugu Emiya.

In other words... the Einzbern family never chose Kiritsugu Emiya as a mercenary for the Fourth Holy Grail War.

He didn't even participate in the Holy Grail War?!

In other words, the Einzbern family directly sent Irisviel...

Further deduction suggests that the Einzbern family had the confidence that Irisviel could obtain the Holy Grail... which implies one thing.

That was the technology that was developed on Illyasviel 10 years later, incredibly close to the Winter Saintess, and possibly even capable of creating a perfect artificial human using the Third Law...

Now that has been accomplished in Irisviel.

It is precisely because of this that Saber's Master at this moment is Irisviel, who possesses infinite magical power as the Lesser Grail, and their Master-Servant compatibility is also good, which is why she is able to easily suppress Kenneth's Lancer Diarmuid.

It is precisely because Irisviel is currently a perfect android, and also highly likely possesses an artifact like Avalon...

Therefore, Saber's victory was practically inevitable.

Then... at this moment, all evil [Angola Mainyu] is also very likely to flow out of the Holy Grail in the most catastrophic and filthy form.

By then, it won't just be Fuyuki City that will be affected.

Fujimaru Ritsuka has almost figured it out.

"Emiya Kiritsugu...could it be that you are now...?"

Her crimson eyes flickered as she looked at Kiritsugu Emiya, finally uttering her words:

"y/u-/e-/yi*-First-released guardian of humanity?"

Emiya Kiritsugu:

"I have no reason to fight you."

He said in a hoarse voice:

"Just kill the android; you have no need to protect her. If you're also here to resolve the anomaly, killing the android is the fastest way. You should understand that."

Fujimaru Ritsuka looked at Emiya Kiritsugu with a complicated expression, the crimson star breath clinging to her hands, indicating her attitude.

"I'm sorry, but I don't condone this method."

"What..."

Emiya Kiritsugu could not understand.

If Irisviel is killed, nothing else will happen, and the Holy Grail War will end as a result.

The androids that serve as vessels for the Holy Grail possess such capabilities.

In this Holy Grail War, the Einzbern family, possessing the Lesser Grail, Avalon, and Artoria, had a 100% chance of winning... which led to the destruction of the world.

Therefore, killing Irisviel is the simplest method.

"The means to save the world are very simple, but they require sacrificing other people's lives and using any means necessary... Would you do something like that without hesitation?"

"answer me!"

"Emiya Kiritsugu..."

Fujimaru Ritsuka's crimson eyes stared directly at the assassin.

"Whether you truly know Irisviel or not... does that mean you can abandon everything, that you'd give up anything to save the world, including the people you should be saving?!"

""

Emiya Kiritsugu fell silent.

Hidden within the hood, a pair of lifeless eyes silently watched Fujimaru Ritsuka.

"I am..."

"Heroic Spirits who form contracts with the [Counterforce] to solve problems have no personal feelings involved."

"But, if there's a way without destroying this android... um... no, if we do that..."

Kiritsugu Emiya showed a pained expression.

What kind of expression was that? What kind of desperate person would have that look?

"Ugh..."

Fujimaru Ritsuka sighed softly.

Her short, golden hair covered her forehead behind her eyes, and she pursed her lips: "Emiya Kiritsugu, whether it's saving the world or saving humanity—"

"The first person a person should save is themselves."

"So... as a heroic spirit who saves the world and a guardian of humanity, please don't show that expression."

Emiya Kiritsugu:

"I will resolve the calamity that will destroy the world. If you still have the functions of a human being, go and do what you want to do."

There seemed to be a hint of pity in Fujimaru Ritsuka's eyes.

She simply said this, then withdrew her powerful Star Breath, which had left everyone feeling lingering fear.

"Forget it, I won't say much."

"We are outsiders to the Holy Grail War."

"If you believe that you can only accomplish your mission by sacrificing something..."

And if you believe this is destiny, then even if we share the same goal, I will stop you.

Fujimaru Ritsuka does not deny the value of sacrifice.

However, that's a tactic that should only be used when there's absolutely no other way out and you're at your wit's end; it should never be taken for granted.

The idea that sacrifice is so justifiable and convenient for saving the world has led everyone to believe that nothing can be saved without some sacrifice.

However, Fujimaru Ritsuka still found it difficult to accept this idea.

"Because I really don't trust the task of saving the world to a decadent old man who can't even save himself."

"I can't even save myself..."

These words seemed to confirm Kiritsugu Emiya's feelings, truly plunging him into silence.

Can't even save myself?

"I never thought about this question when I was still a human being."

"Kiritsugu Emiya said slowly."

A partner of justice, from his growth to his future, and then to becoming a Servant of the Counter Force, a tool to save the world... Emiya Kiritsugu never thought about himself.

This is the pain of being forbidden, and the despair of being powerless.

"I never thought about this question when I was still a human being. But it doesn't seem too late to try to think about it now."

""

Kiritsugu Emiya's mouth, hidden behind his mask, trembled slightly; he seemed to want to say something.

But in the end, he didn't say anything.

It's easier said than done...

However, Kiritsugu Emiya is a rather stubborn person who pursues personal happiness, and he probably can't get over that hurdle in his heart.

"What is there to hesitate about now? Besides... in fact, you don't really have a choice at all, do you?"

Fujimaru Ritsuka continued.

"We will definitely protect Miss Irisviel. If you insist on killing her, then you will face attacks from us and Saber..."

"I don't think you would make a funny joke like 'defeat us,' would you?"

There is no doubt that Assassin Kiritsugu Emiya is no match for Ritsuka Fujimaru.

Even if she had the ability to conceal her presence, it would be meaningless to Fujimaru Ritsuka, the true ancestor.

"If it's possible to avoid destroying this android... if there really is another way, I'd like to try it too."

for a long time.

Emiya Kiritsugu finally seemed to have shed some of his shackles, responding in the most indifferent and emotionless voice possible.

"Great, then I'm relieved."

Fujimaru Ritsuka finally smiled brightly:

"Although the intelligence and what I know are quite different from what I know, and the plans I made in the past are almost useless... at least for now the result is good, and that's enough."

"Everyone was peaceful and there were no casualties! Clap clap!"

Everyone looked at the carefree Fujimaru Ritsuka:

I'm suddenly speechless.

Based on what she said, everyone realized that this girl didn't seem to be participating in the Holy Grail War.

So what exactly did she come here for? Did she just decide to beat someone up on a whim?

"Oh, I see, that's how it is..."

Gilgamesh crossed his arms, a hint of amusement flashing in his crimson eyes.

"I was wondering why that scoundrel appeared here, but I never expected it to be related to the creation of that android... It's just the destruction of a world, yet I have to pay the price for the delusions of a fool. As a True Ancestor, you are being far too kind."

As his arrogant words fell, Gilgamesh shrugged.

"Oh...so you now fully understand Berserker's motives, is that right, King of Heroes?"

The one who chimed in was Iskandar, who had just been defeated in the domain of the King's Army.