Chapter 688

"Some regrets, buddy… If we still have a chance to meet, I'll definitely treat you to two drinks at the best bar in the galaxy."

"The best bar in the galaxy? That's really something to look forward to. Okay, let's not say any farewell words—don't let this rare gathering be tinged with sadness. See you next time, brother."

"Before disappearing, Lancer intended to go see the scenery of Pinokangni; after saying that, he bade farewell to everyone and left."

"Then it's time to say goodbye. Master, I must say, although your fashion sense could use improvement… as a Thus we will add: Servant, I'm glad to have you accompany me in this Holy Grail War." Archer said, "Amidst the boasting and fancy adornments, I can see a child with a steadfast heart… Occasionally acting as a righteous partner feels not bad."

"Shajin cleared his throat: "Cough cough, at the time of farewell, let's skip the psychoanalysis. Also, speaking of fashion, we're both the same, 【Humanity's Guardian】."

""Come to think of it, I'm also curious why I, as a 【Humanity's Guardian】, would be summoned to a world without restraint——"

""Archer, you should be clear about why you were summoned here." Saber suddenly said."

""You were summoned in the form of a heroic spirit." Xing added."

""Hero… just consider it a groundless beautiful dream."

"A faint smile appeared on the man's icy face, and he vanished before everyone's eyes. Soon, only the final master and servant pair remained here."

——

fate/zero.

""【Humanity's Guardian】……" Kenneth repeated the title softly, with a hint of heavy curiosity, "In human history and legend, are there any heroes who bear such a title?"

"The Servant named Cú Chulainn he was quite familiar with—the Irish son of light; speaking of which, he and Diarmuid are both heroes of the same myth. But this red Archer, judging by his title, is in no way inferior to Saber and Lancer, yet his true name has never appeared."

"Lancer." Sola suddenly turned her concerned gaze toward the nearby Thus we will add: Servant, she keenly noticed that Diarmuid's expression seemed somewhat off—although this spearman with perfect looks had maintained a flawless stance of attendance from start to finish, after witnessing the final battle, his eyes were veiled with a shadow."

""What's wrong with you? Is it because of the Holy Grail in the sky?" She only thought of this cause."

"Diarmuid lifted his head as if suddenly awakening: "Please don't worry, I merely witnessed an impressive battle; their fighting figures have been lingering in my mind.""

"Although said to be the fighting figures, in fact Diarmuid's mind held only one image—that of Lancer and his Master standing back-to-back, facing the sky-full of insect swarms. Between them was unreserved trust, a tacit understanding of hearts in sync. Although he didn't wish for his Master to personally venture into danger, this trust in the Servant was practically the wish he had always dreamed of."

""Oh, but those have nothing to do with us. Lancer, you should focus on our own Holy Grail War."

"The Master's words, as always, were calm and aloof."

"Diarmuid lowered his eyes, respectfully replying: "Yes, master.""

——

"The time had come to finally say goodbye to Saber."

""…I'm really glad to have answered your summons and come to this wonderful world for a journey."

"Xing felt somewhat reluctant: "I'm not good at saying goodbye…""

""In your dream, I saw your fear… but, Master, please don't dwell on those emotions inherent to being human: the anxiety about the unknown, the fear of loss, and the regret over things you cannot accomplish."

""Before becoming a hero, Hercules too was once a child. Even if you're not strong enough now, I believe that someday you will become a star that illuminates the galaxy."

""Who is Hercules……"

"Saber smiled and shook her head."

""Master, please convey my greetings to your future self."

"The flowing light faded, and the heroic maiden knight vanished, just as she had appeared."

——

Lu Xiaohei War Chronicles

"The setting sun dyed the clouds a warm gold, the evening breeze brought the aroma of stewed meat from the kitchen, and the cicadas' chirping in the rear mountains gradually quieted down."

"Mm, they've all left……"

"Lu Xiaohei sat on the tree, his tail drooping as it swayed back and forth."

""Master." He turned his head, looking at Wuxian who was kneading dough in the kitchen, "Do you know where they all went?"

"Probably they went home."

""Going home?" Xiaohei's eyes lit up at once; he did a kestrel flip down from the tree, "What's a hero's home like? Is it also in the small town? Or in the city? Does it have a burger joint? A movie theater? How does it compare to ours?"

"He imagined Saber riding a motorcycle to buy groceries, and Lancer playing chess with an old man in the square."

"Wuxian lifted the pot lid, picked up a ladle, and tasted a small spoonful of the meat broth: "Pretty much the same. Alright, time to get ready for dinner—go fetch the bowls and chopsticks."

"Eh—Master is so perfunctory!"

"Xiaohei sat down with his cheeks puffed, his chopsticks precisely aimed at the braised pork. But the spoon in the bowl suddenly moved on its own, "pat" adding a spoonful of gleaming golden pumpkin to him."

""Eat more vegetables." Wuxian's voice floated over lightly."

""I know——" Xiaohei mumbled protestingly with a pumpkin in his mouth, "Obviously eating meat makes you grow faster……"

"The sky wasn't completely dark yet, but stars lit up one after another, as if someone had sprinkled sugar frost on the heavens. Xiaohei, chewing his rice, thought those sparkling people must have also returned to their sparkling place."

——

"At this very moment, in Thus we have: Liúmèng Jiāo, the organizer of the Holy Grail War was leisurely enjoying the scenery……"

"Old Odin sat alone in a chair, gazing at the distant memory substance Thus: Black Hole, sighing incessantly."

""The Holy Grail… it's broken, what a pity."

""People pursue it, fight for it, sacrifice for it, live and die for it—just like… our Pinokangni. They poured their dreams into it, making Pinokangni what it is today. So, has Pinokangni responded to their wishes?"

""Look at this memory substance Thus: Black Hole—ten amber ages have passed. Those who once sat here, building Pinokangni from scratch, are now reduced to a single vile, shameless old man. His friends, his foes—none remain."

""I must be frank with you two: my wish has been fulfilled—no matter how you view me, no matter how we once hated each other, the Holy Grail acknowledged your deeds and allowed you to appear in your heroic spirits' forms…… Don't you think this is also a novel reunion of old friends? Too bad, that old geezer Mikhail couldn't be here."