"Is that so?"
Amakusa Shirou Tokisada stared at Shirou Emiya as if he could see straight into his soul.
He made no attempt to refute Shirou's words—not because Shirou had persuaded him, nor because Amakusa lacked counterarguments.
Indeed, there were countless ways he could challenge Shirou's beliefs, countless arguments he could raise against him.
But it wouldn't change a thing.
For both Amakusa Shirou Tokisada and Shirou Emiya, debating their ideals was meaningless.
Each had arrived at his conviction independently: one believed humanity needed saving, and the other believed it did not.
Whether humanity truly needed salvation had no absolute answer. No one knew whether Amakusa's actions would lead to humanity's prosperity—or its ruin.
Such things were unknowable, and without testing, no definitive result was possible.
Moreover, neither of these men—possessing unwavering convictions—would ever be swayed by mere words.
Thus, only one path remained open to them.
"Perhaps you truly are the last obstacle to my wish," Amakusa said softly, sighing heavily, his voice now tinged with hostility.
Anyone who stood against humanity's salvation—no matter who—was an enemy.
"If I don't defeat you here, my wish can never be fulfilled."
Determination filled Amakusa's eyes, as a fierce battle aura surged forth from him.
"I must defeat you with my own hands!"
"I could say the exact same thing to you, Amakusa!"
A reverse-blade katana—a sakabatou—appeared in Shirou Emiya's hand.
Immersed in this perilous Holy Grail War, with death constantly lurking in every clash between Servants, Shirou hadn't wielded this non-lethal blade for what felt like forever.
Yet even now, facing a conflict between ideals, he had no intention of killing his opponent.
After all, Amakusa Shirou Tokisada wasn't like those summoned Heroic Spirits—he had taken physical form through the Grail and was now a living human being. Shirou Emiya would never adopt the same stance he used when confronting a Servant against him.
Furthermore—and most critically—Shirou's soul was severely unstable from the journey toward the heart of the Grail.
Not to mention the countless wounds across his form, and the poison relentlessly corroding his will.
After traveling this arduous path, Shirou could no longer project those powerful weapons with unique abilities. All he could do now was wield this long-unused reverse-blade sword, deciding victory or defeat against the man before him.
Meanwhile, a traditional tachi appeared in Amakusa's hand.
Amakusa Shirou Tokisada was merely a minor saint from the Far East. Among the numerous heroes seated upon the Throne of Heroes, his combat ability was third-rate at best—far from powerful, perhaps even weak.
That was precisely why, in the Third Holy Grail War, he'd had no hope of claiming victory. As Ruler, aside from controlling Servants through two [Command Spells], he possessed no strength capable of directly facing a true Heroic Spirit.
Had he engaged directly, Amakusa would undoubtedly have met a bitter end.
That's why he had hidden himself, nurturing his resentment and conviction for sixty long years, awaiting the chance to fulfill his wish of salvation for all humanity.
Clang——!!
As if mirroring the clash between these two ideals, in the outside world, the spherical Greater Grail suspended in midair suddenly exploded with brilliant, blinding radiance—like the descent of a deity—illuminating the surroundings while trembling violently.
Thump, Thump…!
A pulsation like a heartbeat reverberated from within the Grail, causing its entire outline to shudder.
"Wh-what's happening...!?"
Jeanne d'Arc, who'd been guarding the Greater Grail, stared at the scene in astonishment.
"Ooh…!"
Shakespeare, already restrained by Kairi Sisigou and Astolfo's Master, raised his head excitedly toward the blazing Grail, exclaiming loudly in awe:
"What a collision! What brilliant radiance born from a battle between convictions! A wish bright enough to illuminate the world!"
Jeanne's grip tightened anxiously on her sacred banner as her expression shifted rapidly.
Anxiety swiftly filled her gaze.
"They're…fighting?"
Staring at the wildly pulsating Greater Grail, Jeanne's face revealed growing worry.
As a Heroic Spirit without a true physical form, touching the Greater Grail would instantly dissolve her into pure magical energy—an outcome even an unwavering spirit couldn't resist.
Moreover, she was currently inhabiting a human host. Though she could safely send her host away upon exiting, the Grail's proximity introduced uncertainties.
Jeanne didn't know if her host would remain safe if she approached the Grail, even with her protective enchantments in place.
No matter how desperately Jeanne wanted to help Shirou Emiya, she had to restrain herself. She was responsible for her host's safety—she had to keep her promise.
"So…you'll come back safely, won't you?"
Jeanne murmured softly, voice trembling.
Back within the barrier, she'd done everything she could to dissuade Shirou from his reckless plan. The odds were practically zero; Jeanne would never sacrifice Shirou's life merely for the Grail.
She had been fully prepared to activate her second Noble Phantasm, evacuating everyone to safety.
Yet Shirou had simply raised his blood-stained little finger toward her, gazing at her with absolute resolve.
"I'll stop Amakusa Shirou Tokisada's wish, and I'll come back alive from inside the Grail. That's our promise—my vow, and the commitment I've made!"
Jeanne had said nothing, silently channeling her Noble Phantasm with all her strength as she stared into Shirou's resolute, unwavering eyes, at the hand drenched in blood.
She deeply regretted not insisting more forcefully back then, regretted not stopping Shirou's dangerous decision. Perhaps then, her conscience would feel less burdened now.
But at this moment, Jeanne could only kneel reverently, clasping her hands together.
She prayed fervently, desperately, for Shirou's safe return—for Shirou to overcome Amakusa Shirou Tokisada and emerge victorious in this final confrontation for the Holy Grail.
"Shirou..."
Jeanne whispered softly, again and again.
---
T/N: THATS MY NINJA WAY!
T/N2: heres ur updates :3 meeting the 4 chaps a week quota :3 posting earlier so bonus chaps will be a longer waitttt >:)
bonus chaps
100 stones -> 1 chapter
200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
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