Walking to the mountainside of Mount Enzou, the scene of the previous long-range strike remained unchanged.
After searching for a while, Ritsuka entered a long, narrow cave. There was a peculiar magical energy inside, and sensing it slightly even eased her pain, if only a little.
"Phew... I've reached the critical point earlier than expected."
Clenching her right hand, her scallion-white fingers, marked with a few scars, squeezed tightly together.
The battle had accelerated the replacement process. Her aura was undergoing earth-shattering changes, but the tearing pain inside her body had actually eased somewhat.
Various signs indicated that it might only take one more battle, or waiting one more day, for her soul and body to be completely destroyed.
"Fortunately, I made it in time..."
The crystal dice lit up. In the pitch-black cave, there were other light sources for illumination, so the appearance of the crystal dice didn't seem out of place.
A stack of seven class cards was taken out by her and tucked into her clothes.
Wearing somewhat worn-out outer clothes and Sakura's scarf, the cold scarf was becoming warm again.
There was some stagnant water in the narrow cave. Ritsuka walked straight ahead, not caring at all about stepping in the water and getting her pants dirty.
She now only worried about that one thing.
Tap, tap, tap—
The sound of footsteps was incredibly distinct in the silent cave. A figure appeared, blocking Ritsuka's path.
Their eyes met, and Ritsuka's beautiful eyes turned slightly cold. "It's been a long time, Julian."
Those familiar dark circles and that oppressive gaze made Ritsuka feel for a moment as if she had returned to the time not long ago when she was still confronting the Student Council President at school.
This guy, not long ago, was probably considered her friend, right?
"I don't have time right now. We'll settle our score when there's a chance... Give Miyu back to me."
Although she really wanted to strike and kill this guy who had caused Kiritsugu's death, she had no time.
As the head of the Einzbern family, he definitely possessed cards stronger than most of those that appeared in this Holy Grail War. If they truly fought now, she didn't have much confidence.
Julian must have even stronger means that he hasn't used yet.
If she burned herself out during the battle, everything would go to waste... "You've already made your decision? A decision to betray the whole world for those ridiculous personal emotions?!"
Julian's expression was full of loathing as he glared into Ritsuka's eyes.
In a sense, he also had his own selfish desires, but those desires were predicated on the goal of saving all of humanity.
Of course, Ritsuka didn't know all this; otherwise, she would have certainly countered him.
Your sister is a sister, but is my sister not a sister?
Things like that.
Julian sneered. "Truly the worst kind of evil!"
"..."
It is evil. Ritsuka had known that for a long time. If judged by the justice Kiritsugu followed, what she chose was undoubtedly true evil.
A comparison of the many versus the few, choosing the side of the many without a hint of emotion.
"There was a man who, like you, once sought a miracle that could save all of humanity, and in the end, he obtained that miracle."
"In the choice between the whole and the minority, he also chose the side of the many every time."
Emiya Kiritsugu. The figure of her adoptive father flashed before her eyes, and Ritsuka smiled bitterly in resignation.
It was only when Kiritsugu handed the power of choice over to her that the man truly let go of his obsession. Unfortunately, she had failed Kiritsugu's trust and made the wrong decision, leading to Miyu being captured.
Julian's eyes widened as Ritsuka walked past him—
"That man, in the end, entrusted me to take good care of Miyu!"
She wanted to save both the whole and the minority, but if she could only choose one, she would not abandon the minority for the sake of the whole.
Because that was her only remaining family!
Passing the blocking Julian, Ritsuka, with her back to him, was not attacked.
Perhaps he thought victory was assured, or perhaps he disdained a sneak attack.
After all, even if she won the Holy Grail War, it would be useless. As long as Miyu remained in this world, he would have countless opportunities to seize the miracle that could grant 'any' wish.
The Holy Grail War could happen countless times, while Ritsuka couldn't afford to lose even once... 'Fool, how could I possibly leave Miyu in this world?'
Thinking this, the orange-haired girl walked toward the interior of Mount Enzou at the end of the hollow, where a massive circular magic circle sat in the center.
Some strands of hair near her forehead had already turned gray. Inside her body was pain enough to drive a person mad. Ritsuka felt her nerves were already somewhat frayed, and a sudden surge of immense fatigue almost swallowed her.
Her body swayed uncontrollably. Ritsuka looked at the girl lying on the platform and slowly let out a breath.
Her fair, slender fingers brushed over her cheek, casually wiping away the bloodstains with an air of indifference.
She only wanted her sister to be at peace.
The beautiful girl lay on something like an altar, sleeping peacefully.
As she approached, the sound of Ritsuka's footsteps echoing in the cave woke the sleeping beauty.
Miyu opened her amber eyes and subconsciously reached out toward Ritsuka—
"...Sister?"
Ritsuka smiled with relief.
All her efforts had not been in vain. As long as she could protect the girl before her, she wouldn't hesitate even if she had to exhaust her life and drain her power. This was the only thing she could do now.
Protecting her sister—this was the promise she had made to Kiritsugu.
"Miyu, I'm back."
Using the words she used to say to Miyu every time she came home, Ritsuka smiled sweetly and took Miyu's small hand.
The palm was slender and so fair it felt surreal; Miyu was indeed naturally beautiful.
A world that needed to sacrifice a girl of this age to reverse a doomed fate and be saved was truly broken.
Holding each other's hands, Miyu's face didn't look happy; instead, she seemed a bit dejected.
Perhaps that bastard Julian had said something to Miyu before this, like how she was just a tool raised by the Emiya family with an ulterior motive, a wish-granting machine to realize wishes... The Little girl's eyes gradually filled with tears.
"Why did you come back? Even though I'm just... a tool taken in by Sister and Mr. Kiritsugu, a Divine Child who can grant wishes, even though..."
"It's not like that."
Ritsuka, finally unable to hold herself up, plopped down on the ground, still wearing a gentle smile so as not to worry Miyu.
With her face practically screaming exhaustion, Ritsuka reached out and stroked Miyu's head, their foreheads gently touching as she tried to let her own emotions reach Miyu.
She was very happy now; once again, she could touch Miyu... No matter what that man, Emiya Kiritsugu's, original purpose was, it was all in the past. At least at the end of his life, that man had entrusted her.
He asked her to take good care of her younger sister!
This was not only Kiritsugu's final instruction but also her own determination.
After Kiritsugu died, in the eyes of the girl named Emiya Ritsuka, nothing in this world was more important than Miyu.
"Because, you are my most important sister, the person I cherish most, from beginning to end—more important than the whole world."