Chapter 683

I command with the first command seal, Asuna, I return your name on behalf of Pinokangni.

Zhigengniao's firm voice echoed in the grand theater, like a stone thrown into a mirror lake, raising huge ripples. One of the three bright red command seals on the back of her hand suddenly flared, like a flame ignited.

Even if they registered your name as a trademark, took everything from you, you are no nameless failure. Lift your head, Mother of the Iris!

Miss Note was stunned, she looked up in astonishment at the determined girl before her.

I command with the second command seal, returning your proof as a Heroic Spirit. Because of your passing, singers and artists began to understand fighting for freedom and dignity from merchants' hands. You are no obscure shadow; you are the founder of the Iris branch of Pinokangni's five great families.

As Zhigengniao's words faded, the second command seal on the back of her hand quickly dimmed.

That's precisely why you borrowed that name, right? The image—Miss Note freely singing in Dream Town—was jointly created by your students and friends, Meifuen and the watchmaker.

"Please don't say any further..."

A choked sob she couldn't hold back leaked from between her fingers; Miss Note covered her face, her shoulders trembling uncontrollably.

I command with the third command seal, as your junior on stage, I return your freedom as a person. From now on, Mother of the Iris, you will no longer be manipulated by anyone, dancing only for yourself.

As all three command seals on Zhigengniao's hand faded, a milky-white halo rose over Asuna's body.

She was free.

——

fate/zero。

Miss Zhigengniao is truly kind.

Alicefiel crossed her hands before her chest, unable to suppress a wave of emotion. The importance of command seals in the Holy Grail War goes without saying; by choosing to use them this way, she has effectively relinquished the Grail.

This might also be the best possible outcome for a Caster in the Holy Grail War—to meet a master like Zhigengniao is also a kind of fortune.

"Well, using all three command seals at once is indeed bold." Kiritsugu snuffed out the cigarette in his hand, "Compared to the crimes committed by the Caster in our Holy Grail War, Asuna's betrayal of her master is practically negligible."

"Huh? Has anyone located that Caster?" Alicefiel recalled the news about missing children she'd seen recently; the church also confirmed it was the Caster's doing.

But they hid themselves extremely well; although the church issued an order to prioritize killing the Caster, to this day they still cannot find him or his master.

Both are Casters in the Holy Grail War—one granted redemption, the other busy building mountains of corpses and seas of blood… what an ironic contrast.

But for now, rather than searching for the Caster, Kiritsugu is more curious how the omnipotent wish-granting device in the heavens will fulfill the final master's and servant's wishes, with the final battle imminent… he wonders which of Saber, Lancer, Archer is the strongest.

——

This farce will end, but before that—I hope you walk out of the grand theater and see those artists with your own eyes; no matter how much slander they've faced, in their eyes you are a 【hero】.

……

Meanwhile, the masters and servants who had broken free from the dream entered the center of the grand theater……

I sense a powerful force akin to magic; it seems the Grail's holder is nearing completion of the ritual. The remaining two knights, Rider and Berserker—who will greet us? Or both? Given they already occupy the Grail, it looks like it will be a fierce battle.

"Next time it will be very simple to fill in."

"Master, I swear by this sword to protect your safety."

Before the decisive battle, Boteo, Shajin, and their servants also came to meet before the stage; Shajin was rubbing his head, as if he hadn't fully emerged from Asuna's Noble Phantasm.

"Another Life"… Pinokangni's dream bubbles are indeed harmful to health. That harmony gala took half my life… the phantom woven by that Servant just now took the other half.

So, where did she lock you up?

Shajin curled his lip: "A dream where no matter what you stake you can never win… there I became an honest servant, rid of all thoughts of betting."

His precious, quitting gambling… truly has educational significance.

——

Abyss of Mad Gambling

"Mm… a dream where no matter how you gamble you can't win—that's just hell, isn't it?"

Zao yinü Mayali unconsciously let out a low groan, as if feeling some physical discomfort.

She could well understand Shajin's distress; if you strip a gambler of the hope of victory, leaving only endless defeat, it is crueler than tormenting the flesh. It fundamentally denies a gambler's existence, strangling the most fervent part of their soul.

However, She shi Muzu's reaction was completely different.

She tilted her head slightly, her face showing no disgust, but an extreme, almost obsessive curiosity; even the corner of her mouth curled into an imperceptible arc.

"Hell…?" Muzuko's voice was soft, "But, Mayari-classmate, don't you find… this extremely, extremely interesting?"

"In-ter-esting?!" Mayari stared at her in disbelief.

"Huh." Muzuko nodded firmly, her scarlet eyes seeming to flicker with intense desire, "A dream where you can never win… that means the dream holds an endless gambling match. Participants wager not money or status, but faith in victory itself, and even the very 'self' of being a gambler……"

Her breathing grew ever more rapid from excitement, a rather ominous flush rising on her face: "Under such an absolute 'law of defeat,' how would a person's heart change? Would it collapse completely, ceasing to think… or could one, amidst endless defeat, find something else? Ah, just thinking about it……"

Watching Muzuko blush and rub her thighs, Mayari and Liang Tai both felt a chill.

"Even a losing bet has such an addiction—you're truly a monster……"

——

"And you? Where were you sent again?"

Boteo's reaction to this dream was indifferent: "I… just had a long-overdue reunion, that's all."

In the midst of their conversation, Boteo's pistol was already loaded; after this, it was time to fight to the death against the hidden mastermind.