Chapter 333: Lancer Died

Rin exclaimed in surprise: "You're the one from the Clock Tower—Lord El-Melloi II? I thought I misheard."

Her expression showed clear astonishment, for Emiya Emiya Shirou had only told her about the situation at Jialeidi, without detailing every Servant's information.

Rin glanced at the two goddesses; she was already familiar with their identities.

"I originally planned to go to the Clock Tower for further study after this Holy Grail War and graduating high school—your classroom was my goal."

Though the two groups didn't get along perfectly, some communication had begun through deliberate attempts at conversation.

"I know that before I was chosen by Brother Zhu Ge Kongming, my timeline was further ahead than yours." Lord El-Melloi II surveyed the surroundings—the dark stone cave was filled with mysterious runes unidentifiable by any known system, and circuits pulsing with spiritual energy.

Only from within could one observe so directly, yet even then, neither modern occultism nor divine-era occult knowledge could explain their mechanism.

This was the first time.

Not Runic, not demonic script, not magical incantations—it seemed to be an undocumented system.

"In my time, you studied in the classroom where I served as a lecturer." Lord El-Melloi II paused, deliberately saying:

"Emiya Emiya Shirou was there too—but back then, he was your apprentice, studying alongside you. Frankly, I was shocked that this timeline's Emiya Shirou defeated Gilgamesh."

"Is that so? In another parallel world, that's how it was." Rin nodded, but didn't continue El-Melloi II's line of thought.

She casually glanced at Emiya Emiya Shirou; on that book, both paths had led him to London with her, and she wondered what future El-Melloi II was describing.

But none of it concerned her now.

Thinking this, Rin smiled brightly as she watched Illya in the front-left, who was instructing two other Servants resembling herself in the manner of a senior.

"Emiya Shirou's the passive type—you've got to take the initiative to catch him. If you don't declare your feelings outright, someday you'll be overtaken by the twin-tail loser and the golden-haired rival. Watch out, purple-haired bystander—don't let someone steal your home."

"Sibling relationship? Emiya Shirou's an adopted son anyway—your mom's already raised him as your future husband since childhood."

"You're not the original in Jialeidi; saying all this is pointless. If I get the chance, I'll take the initiative to help your original self—let the parallel-world Emiya Shirou know Illya is the true civilization."

As Illya spoke, she noticed Rin's gaze and returned it with a bright smile.

'From her expression, Rin must know something.' Lord El-Melloi II didn't press the topic further; instead, he casually asked:

"By the way, Emiya Emiya Shirou. When you opened that door earlier, you mentioned 'them'—are they the friends you spoke of before?"

"Could that door lead to a parallel world?"

"Something like that." Emiya Emiya Shirou, walking at the front of the group, raised his voice slightly:

"Gilgamesh, if you want to reclaim your Guailijian, come over as a guest. Everyone here is hospitable—no ill intent."

"Emiya-senpai, you keep saying 'them'—could you tell us their names?" Fuyuki Toshinori said. "We're already in this situation; there's no need to hide anything. At least let the Heroic King know who's inviting him."

"Filth, not everyone has the Zige to invite the King to a feast." Gilgamesh's proud voice echoed from behind; he spoke in his spiritual form:

"Those unworthy beings dare to bask in my glory? That is an insult!"

Emiya Emiya Shirou could only chuckle awkwardly.

Though he knew Gilgamesh was fishing for information, for Gilgamesh to say this…

It felt strangely natural.

Emiya Emiya Shirou said: "You probably haven't heard their names…"

"Hmph. Nameless nobodies." Gilgamesh's voice dripped with disdain. "You've gone to great lengths to lure my Guailijian. Fine—I'll retrieve it myself when the time is right!"

"Even if they hide in a parallel world, I'll find these clowns—especially that insolent filth who dared provoke me. Even if he kneels and offers me the Guailijian, he'll pay for his insolence!"

Emiya Emiya Shirou's pupils shrank; for the first time, visible panic crossed his face.

"That… Emiya Emiya Shirou's eyebrows twitched twice, hesitating: "For the peace of this world, Gilgamesh, please watch your words."

"Hah?! Hahahaha!" Gilgamesh laughed as if hearing the greatest joke:

"Did gaining power make your brain rot? You're telling me to watch my words?! Hahahaha!"

"Mind your wording—and add proper honorifics when advising me!"

Fuyuki Toshinori quickened his pace to Emiya Emiya Shirou's side: "I'm live-streaming—every Servant in Jialeidi is watching. Please use honorifics."

The proud Heroic King would never yield to another's demand.

Emiya Emiya Shirou gave a strange look and said: "I'm live-streaming too."

Fuyuki Toshinori: "..."

So Emiya Emiya Shirou had been live-streaming every conversation with other beings?

"Yuan Shi Tian Zun, God, Dong Huang Tai Yi, Azathoth, Yan Di, the Star God of Destruction…" Illya counted off on her fingers, then frowned: "Emiya Shirou, who else? My memories from my past life aren't fully restored yet."

Lord El-Melloi II blinked, puzzled, staring at the girl.

What was she talking about?

Was it because I just returned to Jialeidi after three straight days of overtime?

What were those terms?

"The brat claims she's awakened memories from her past life," Rin waved dismissively. "It's just that trendy buzzword—chuuni."

"Illya, stop joking." Emiya Emiya Shirou sighed, then turned to Fuyuki Toshinori and the others: "Ignore her—she's teasing you."

No sooner had he finished than they reached the end of the tunnel—a vast, open cavern appeared before them.

Pure, azure magical energy was so dense it was visible to the naked eye, swirling like a swarm of blue fireflies. On the cliff ahead, a figure in a purple mage's robe held a metal staff, gazing wearily down at the Great Holy Grail.

Emiya Emiya Shirou said: "You've worked hard, Caster."

Medea turned, her gaze sweeping over the pile of Servants, finally settling on Katsuragi Soichiro.

"It's done. The magical energy from the ley lines and the overflow from the Great Holy Grail has been fully collected." Medea didn't look at her Jialeidi counterpart, smiling: "No need to complete the Holy Grail ritual—by bypassing the original path, we've achieved magical conversion. This quantity is sufficient for all Servants of this Holy Grail War to remain in the physical world."

Emiya Emiya Shirou nodded: "Begin."

Fuyuki Toshinori had not come to this underground cavern beneath Fuyuki for the first time.

Her immature self had been inexplicably chosen to join Jialeidi, then drawn into saving human history. Since defeating the reversed Rider King, fate's gears had begun turning.

"Unlike the Holy Grails Jialeidi recovered, this pure Great Holy Grail is rare, senpai," Mashu stood beside Fuyuki, gazing at the magnificent scene, her expression noticeably relaxed.

"The Fuyuki Great Grail is fundamentally a third-magic wide-area operation device—it differs from other Holy Grails," Fuyuki Toshinori nodded to Mashu. "The scenery is the complete opposite of what we saw in the Fuyuki Special Point. We probably won't need to fight this time."

'If everything goes smoothly,' she silently added.

"Fortunately, the central figure of this incident knows us well. Even if some details differ, this Emiya Emiya Shirou isn't the type who kills you if he can't agree with you," Lord El-Melloi II said coolly:

"Precisely because of this, unlike past Special Points and Lostbelts, combat here isn't a necessary solution."

For Jialeidi, entering the underground cavern of Mount Mount Yuancang was akin to entering the opponent's magical workshop. From the current situation, any conflict would pose extreme danger to Fuyuki Toshinori's life.

But for Emiya Emiya Shirou's side, it was no different—this was the heart of the ritual site. If Jialeidi unleashed all these Servants in battle, whether the Great Holy Grail could be preserved remained uncertain.

The current situation was ideal: both sides had established a foundation of mutual trust.

"But… what about what comes next?" Mashu hesitated. "Will it really be okay?"

Even if the other side were an ordinary person, no one could abandon their ideals based on a few words.

Especially someone like Emiya Emiya Shirou, who had carried his beliefs to the extreme.

But they never expected him to obey them. Since his current actions wouldn't cause harm, they could temporarily set them aside.

What was that ancient Chinese idiom again?

Right—it was "slow and steady."

After consulting with Jialeidi 's strategists, Fuyuki Toshinori believed that in the future, peaceful coexistence with Emiya Emiya Shirou might be possible—through communication, they could avoid creating a Lostbelt.

Emiya Emiya Shirou's entire family, in a sense, were in Jialeidi. Even if you didn't respect the monk, respect the Buddha—conflict could always be avoided.

"We'll take it one step at a time."

Fuyuki Toshinori watched the Servants—including the Baoren and Shidouin—crowding around Emiya Emiya Shirou, and rubbed his hair:

"Unless absolutely forced, neither side will ever strike. Not them, not us."

"If all the Lostbelt Kings were this reasonable. Honestly, I never thought you'd become a Lostbelt King, Emiya Mama."

"I've told you countless times—don't call me Mama," the Jialeidi Red A said. "I never thought my immature self could cause such a mess. Now the Authority has to send a guardian to clean up its own mess. How ironic."

"This isn't even a Lostbelt!" Mashu sighed. "Emiya-senpai, don't encourage her! There's still hope to save you!"

Lord El-Melloi II scooped up a handful of dirt from the ground, rubbed it between his fingers, and watched the fine sand trickle through his fingers:

"The biggest question now is—where does that door lead? What did Emiya Emiya Shirou experience behind it? This power to cross parallel worlds should be the result of the Second Magic—but why did it manifest in this timeline's Emiya Emiya Shirou?"

"Second, they're coming," Fuyuki Toshinori reminded him.

Lord El-Melloi II snapped his fingers inside his pocket—the small barrier instantly dissolved.

A wave of magical heat surged like thunder, and the pure magical energy of the Great Holy Grail exploded outward.

Brilliant etheric light began descending within the designated area, heralding a miracle. The complex alchemical matrix circuits and hidden arrays buried in the cavern were fully charged, flowing with patterns resembling classical artworks.

Though the power differed, the trait of "omnipotence" had already begun to emerge.

"These aren't divine-era magics Medea knows—she couldn't have arranged them." Lord El-Melloi II pulled a crumpled cigarette pack from his pocket. "Your sisters aren't here—mind if I smoke? Didn't know you had a little sister complex."

Emiya Emiya Shirou held a silk-woven pouch resembling a brocade bag; weapons continuously materialized around him, shrank, and flew into it. He also had a way to utilize the overflow of magical energy—this was too good an opportunity to miss for restocking.

He smiled carelessly: "Mr. Webber, you don't play any ACG games in your usual games, do you?"

Click. A flame ignited at Lord El-Melloi II's fingertip; he lit the cigarette, drew a deep breath, and slowly exhaled—the furrow in his brow finally eased slightly.

"I can't tell if you've been observing our daily lives in a parallel world—you know my personal habits so well."

"All this effort is just to give the Servants physical bodies to remain in the world?"

Among all participants in the Fuyuki Holy Grail Wars, only this man had ever done such a thing.

"You know the Fuyuki Great Grail's true purpose is to achieve the Third Magic," Emiya Emiya Shirou turned back.

"The rest are just side functions—if they want to stay, we might as well use them. Besides, Caster's wish-granting can happen simultaneously."

"Yan Feng Yanfeng Qili, Lancer, should be with you, right? I don't know how you hid them, but you'd better call him out—this opportunity is too precious to miss."

Lord El-Melloi II looked to Fuyuki Toshinori, awaiting his command.

"Gil," Fuyuki Toshinori thought for a moment, then called out: "Release everyone and them."

The Hero-King Gilgamesh's spiritual form became sharply defined.

One gate of the King's Treasure opened with a ripple; he reached inside and withdrew a gem-encrusted scepter, tapping it lightly against the ground.

Immediately, the figures of Kirei Kotomine, Lancer, and several other Servants appeared as if 3D-printed.

'So you hid them inside the King's Treasure.'

'This kind of concealment… a surprise tactic?'

Emiya Emiya Shirou had never expected them to hide this way.

'Kirei Kotomine, we've confirmed everything. For now, Emiya Emiya Shirou poses no threat, so our cooperation ends here,' said El-Melloi II. 'As per your agreement with Gilgamesh of Fuyuki, you must withdraw from this Holy Grail War.'

'Kirei Kotomine,' Emiya Emiya Shirou said, watching the priest who remained calm, 'the Holy Grail War is over. What you intended to do will never happen.'

Kirei Kotomine, with his hands behind his back, surveyed the surroundings, then smiled faintly.

'Won't you judge me, Emiya Emiya Shirou?' Kirei Kotomine's hollow eyes seemed veiled in mist, hiding his true thoughts: 'As a divine messenger, you—who are a god among humans—won't you judge me yourself?'

There was no disappointment, no despair—this man seemed to be waiting for something.

Of all people, Emiya Emiya Shirou did not wish to speak further with him.

In a certain sense, they were alike; they would rejoice at the appearance of a kindred soul, yet

they were different.

He was not like this man.

'I am no god—only a human,' Emiya Emiya Shirou turned and walked away. 'Kirei, the one who will judge you is Tohsaka.'

'You enjoy this posture of judging evil, don't you? Deciding others' fates—becoming the judge, or becoming the tool of judgment?' Kirei Kotomine's smile widened grotesquely; his voice dripped with unmasked delight:

'Choose, Emiya Emiya Shirou—your ideal, or this world? Which will you pick?'

His voice drew the attention of all nearby Servants, but Emiya Emiya Shirou moved without hesitation toward the center of the ritual.

El-Melloi II beside him had already explained the situation.

'Bazett's luck is incredible,' Lancer glanced at the red-haired woman watching him from afar and sighed. 'Staying here in this modern age isn't so bad. I owe that kid one—I'll repay him, then return.'

The Caster Lancer stepped forward and clapped him on the shoulder. 'Hey, congrats! Finally got rid of that priest's face—I always felt weird pressure just looking at it. I envy you.'

'Envy?' Lancer asked, puzzled. 'What do you mean?'

The Caster Lancer pointed behind them, where more Servants were still being projected—among them, an identical priest figure, and beside him, Bazett.

What the hell was going on in this Holy Grail War? Had all the Masters become Servants?!

'Alright, go on,' the Caster Lancer waved dismissively and turned toward Tokiomi.

At that moment, Tokiomi passed by Kirei Kotomine and glanced at his back, gripping her right wrist tightly with her left hand—the black priest's robes still bore crisp, neatly pressed creases.

As she lowered her gaze, Kirei Kotomine's hand dropped at the same instant.

Tokiomi's pupils shrank sharply. 'Where are your Command Seals?!'

The dozens of Command Seals the man, as Supervisor, had inherited and collected—his arms were completely bare!

As Kirei Kotomine's smile widened and his arms opened wide, every gaze converged upon him.

The Caster Lancer spat blood, staring in disbelief at the crimson spear piercing his chest, right where his heart should be.

'Gáe Bolg!'

Behind him stood another version of himself, his body covered in crimson runes, his magical energy stronger than ever before.

'Gáe Dearg!'

Lancer drew the Gáe Bolg, leapt into the air, and in the next instant, a crimson arc shot forth like a comet—targeting the Caster Lancer's Sasaki Kojirō and Hassan.

He stood still, watching Emiya Emiya Shirou leap toward him to stop him, while behind, a crimson lightning bolt curled through the smoke.

Plop—

Lancer cast one final glance at his chest, then his body disintegrated into spiritual particles.

(End of Chapter)