As Kischur walked over, Ludwig glanced at Tokiomi, Kayneth, and Waver. The three stayed where they were, not following.
"So, this is your choice?" Kischur asked.
"Are you dissatisfied?" Ludwig replied. "After all, you witnessed the establishment of the ritual. It was finally about to bear fruit, and I destroyed it in one go."
"I simply acknowledged the ideas of Tohsaka, Makiri, and Einzbern. As a witness, I assisted them in setting up the ritual," Kischur looked at the ruins of the church. "It's a pity that in just 200 years, all three families have fallen to this state."
"Isn't that just feeling regret?" Ludwig asked.
"I am human too; naturally, I have feelings for the past," Kischur laughed cheerfully. "But it is all over. They set the rules of the Holy Grail War, and failing to win until the end is the result of their own actions. I have no objections."
"I see." Ludwig understood.
He truly couldn't sense any specific feelings from Kischur regarding the destruction of the Grail. In contrast, Tokiomi in the distance, with his slumped shoulders, was undoubtedly quite devastated.
"You had no obligation to destroy the Grail, yet you chose the safer path for this city out of innate kindness," Kischur praised.
"It's nothing. I just felt annoyed. Since Tokiomi Tohsaka was kept in the dark anyway, I could only take my frustration out on the Grail," Ludwig shrugged.
"Allowing the Grail to manifest in that state wouldn't have been good for humanity. Those people at the Mages' Association will likely be pulling their hair out just cleaning up the aftermath," Kischur said. "The choice you made was beneficial not just to the city, but to humanity... no, even to the primates."
Hearing Kischur's way of phrasing it, Ludwig turned to look at the old man. "Primates... that sounds like you're telling me what I did would be approved by 'that device'?"
"Hahaha—that is not outside the realm of possibility," Kischur said. "Brunestud, where are you going next?"
"Does it matter? Or does the Magician want to detain me for the sake of the Association or humanity?" Ludwig placed his hands on his hips, his smile becoming a bit more dangerous. He knew Magicians were powerful, but he wouldn't know their true strength until they actually traded blows. No fool thinks they will lose before a fight begins.
"If you ever return to the Millennium Castle, give that child my regards," Kischur said, maintaining his natural attitude without any hostile intent.
"To the Princess?" Ludwig raised an eyebrow. "You know her?"
"I witnessed that child's birth. In a sense, I am her guardian," Kischur said. "Though I've only seen her once."
"Is that so." Ludwig was quite surprised.
"For more details, ask the Grand Magus beside you." Kischur put his hands behind his back and walked away. "By the way, Brunestud, if you're interested later, you can come to the Clock Tower to see me."
"I'm not a magus," Ludwig said.
"It has nothing to do with magecraft. Just think of it as visiting a friend," Kischur laughed heartily. "One day, you will understand that simply staying awake and alive in your life is a pleasure in itself."
Watching Kischur depart, Ludwig had no intention of staying longer. The Holy Grail War had reached its conclusion; his "sightseeing" was over.
Having made up his mind, Ludwig flew into the night sky, intending to check back at the hotel. Instead, he saw Merlin sitting on the roof of a building in the New City, near the church side. She waved to him when she saw him.
"You didn't show your face at all," Ludwig said.
"There was a very troublesome Magician there, so I thought it best not to pop up," Merlin said. She had changed out of her casual clothes and was wearing an exquisite white robe, holding a white staff. "Though he isn't an enemy, it's better to avoid getting involved."
Her current attire instantly allowed Ludwig to connect her to the identity of a Grand Magus.
"Suit yourself." Ludwig sat down beside her. "You saw everything?"
"Mhm. Lutz, you were even more decisive than I expected, discarding a Grail like that so easily," Merlin said.
Ludwig shook his head. "A wishing machine that looked that problematic... whether Artoria wanted to use it was her freedom, but I definitely didn't want to. Who knows what kind of trouble it would bring."
"What a shame, all that work for nothing." Merlin reached out and stroked the boy's cheek as if to comfort him.
Ludwig turned his face and caught the hand against his cheek. "I have no regrets. I only came out here to see what the world looked like. In fact, these few days in this city were more fun than I imagined. That's thanks to you."
As he spoke, he lowered Merlin's hand, holding it in his own as they rested them on his lap.
"True, that is just your personality, Lutz." Merlin didn't pull her hand back, she just looked at him with a smile. "So, what's the plan? Travel somewhere else? I know the whole world; I can be your guide."
"Instead of sightseeing, I want to see someone off for their final stretch first," Ludwig shook his head. "Can you help me?"
"You could clearly do it yourself," Merlin was still smiling.
Ludwig shook his head. "I still don't have a good grasp of this situation—how I came to this era, how I got outside. The only thing I'm sure of is that if I go back, I'll only end up back with the Princess."
"That's what happens when you insist on calling yourself Brunestud, whether you truly want the name or not. Ludwig van Brunestud has already arrived in this world and left a significant mark..." Merlin laughed happily. "But for me, I think the name suits you quite well."
"In any case, I hope you can guide me and help me get to that era," Ludwig said. "Can I count on you?"
Merlin withdrew her hand and pressed it against Ludwig's chest. "If this keeps up, the favor you owe me will get bigger and bigger until you can't pay it back."
"Then how should I pay you back?" Ludwig asked.
"Well—" Merlin pretended to think for a moment before saying, "It's a secret for now. Don't worry, I won't do anything harmful to you. That would be too boring."
"The Gilgamesh thing was harmful enough," Ludwig pointed out sharply.
"But the Heroic King was cut in half by you into 'Hero' and 'King.' Does that really count as harmful to you?"
"...You'd better clarify which half was the 'Hero' and which was the 'King'."
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Type-Moon: The A-Ray Knight's Holy Grail Journey(98 Chapter - Ongoing)
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