"Just like that?"
"I suppose the contract is established."
"A bond between two Servants. No one could have predicted this."
In a deserted park, Jonouchi and Sakura Kyoko had finally achieved the ideal outcome.
Soul Relay.
Originally, it was a card meant to alter a duelist's defeat condition by using a Duel Monster as the vessel.
But now, Jonouchi had applied it to Sakura Kyoko, a "Servant," instead.
"My magical energy isn't just stable. It's actually recovering."
Sensing the slow but certain restoration, Kyoko was genuinely astonished.
"This works out for both of us."
"At least we won't self-destruct anymore. We might even build up enough reserves to keep fighting."
With the critical issue resolved, Jonouchi breathed a visible sigh of relief.
His own Life Points, which had been steadily declining, stabilized and then began to tick upward.
"But there's a price, right?"
"If your Duel Disk gets destroyed, or if I die..."
Eyeing the device on Jonouchi's arm, Kyoko stated the obvious.
"So we're basically sharing one life."
"If we want to keep going, we'll have to look out for each other."
No agonizing over what-ifs. Jonouchi was pragmatic.
Soul Relay's effect was "permanent." As long as Kyoko survived, Jonouchi would not be eliminated even without a Master, regardless of his magical energy hitting zero.
Conversely, as long as Jonouchi remained intact, Kyoko would no longer suffer the drain of being Masterless. She could fight in an "uncontracted" state while passively recovering magical energy.
They had become each other's lifeline.
"Sakura Kyoko. I'm a Magical Girl."
"Jonouchi Katsuya. I'm a Duelist."
"What kind of weird profession is that?!"
"What kind of weird profession is that?!"
"Pfft!"
Exchanging introductions, neither could help but laugh at the other.
"Well, from here on, I'm counting on you, Sakura."
"Just call me Kyoko."
"Nah, that's the same name as a classmate of mine. Feels weird."
"Really?"
"Just call me Jonouchi."
"Mm."
They fell into easy conversation, devoid of any adult-like scheming or ulterior motives.
In other observers' words, Lancer and Caster had gone and formed an alliance on their own.
As for how they'd handle the Dragon Balls should they actually make it to the end, neither spared it a thought right now.
When that time came, they'd figure it out then.
Looking at each other, they shared the same unspoken agreement.
Perhaps this was what people called "fate."
Meeting at the right time, in the right place, through the right choice.
"Ugh!"
Returning to the Tohsaka residence, Kirei cradled his injured side and took in the wreckage strewn across the interior.
"It seems that King is displeased."
Standing beside him, still holding the divine blade Kusanagi, Kenshin assessed the damage.
"Using a Command Spell to forcibly recall him. Given Gilgamesh's temperament, fury is the mildest possible reaction."
"My teacher truly never learns."
"He has absolutely zero grasp of interpersonal tact."
A faint smirk curled on Kirei's lips as he spoke.
Compared to the desireless "good boy" he'd once been, his teacher Tokiomi now appeared downright comical. A source of endless new revelations in "amusement" and satisfaction.
Honestly, Kirei couldn't fathom such mismanagement.
Servants weren't ordinary familiars. They had their own thoughts, their own principles.
Opposing a Servant's will with a Master's authority... the one who'd suffer was blindingly obvious.
One didn't need to pander, but at least maintaining an appearance of harmony was essential.
Unity between Master and Servant was the only path to victory.
And on the stage where this King had been enjoying himself, to have his momentum forcibly interrupted... the fact that the "King of Heroes" hadn't riddled Tokiomi with weapons on the spot was already a King's mercy.
Throughout history, what happened to subjects who displeased their monarchs? Did anyone truly need a reminder?
Command Spells?
Those weren't omnipotent either.
"Best not to poke the hornet's nest."
When a superior's fury was running hot, the wisest course was avoidance. Kirei had no intention of approaching Tokiomi now. If it drew Gilgamesh's ire, the cost would be his own.
Going forward, he and Assassin would still have to rely on this King's strength to navigate the war.
"Assassin, I have a task for you."
"It must be completed. It may prove useful down the line."
Producing a map from a drawer and handing it to Kenshin, Kirei gave his instructions.
"Hmm?"
Taking the map, Kenshin studied the annotations.
"This is..."
"Maiya and Irisviel are dead?"
Reuniting with Kiritsugu, Saber received the worst possible news.
Her expression crumbled in an instant.
She couldn't comprehend how a single operation had resulted in such catastrophic losses.
Failing to rescue Irisviel was bad enough. Losing Maiya on top of it was devastating.
"..."
Wrapped in bandages, Kiritsugu said nothing. There were no words adequate for the moment.
This had been a decisive defeat.
Now, aside from his Servant, he truly had nothing left.
"Are you going to keep fighting? For the same ideal as before?"
Looking at the desolate man before her, Saber knew his heart was anything but steady.
"Of course."
"Don't you have any personal desires at all?"
The iron resolve astonished Saber. After everything, could he truly remain unmoved?
Wife and assistant, dead. And still no wavering?
"If I give up here, then Iri and Maiya's sacrifices will have been for nothing."
For once, Kiritsugu answered. He lit the cigarette between his lips.
He understood the subtext in Saber's question perfectly.
If the Dragon Balls could truly grant any wish, then resurrection wasn't impossible.
Irisviel and Maiya could both return.
But the cost would be his grand wish of "world peace," rendered unattainable.
That was a wish achievable only through a "miracle."
A lifelong aspiration no individual could ever accomplish alone.
Between personal happiness and the happiness of the entire world, Kiritsugu would choose the world.
A place without war, without harm, without conflict. The ideal utopia.
Sacrifice the self for the greater good.
That was Emiya Kiritsugu's wish.
"Will you be satisfied with that?"
"Will you be happy?"
"Will Illya be happy?"
Saber's questions were met with silence.
She could see it clearly. This man was not as resolute as his words claimed.
"Don't say any more."
"Please stop."
"Saber."
The memory of his daughter Illya's smile finally cracked through. Kiritsugu wavered.
He knew it himself. The man who had always chosen "the many over the few" still couldn't fully sever those ties.
"I'll wait for your answer."
"Whatever you decide in the end, I will swing my sword to make your wish come true."
Having already found her own "release," Saber had shed her former obsession. All that remained was a single purpose: to fulfill her Master's wish.
As a Servant who had answered the call.
[Translated and Rewritten by Shika_Kagura]