> "If that day ever comes… don't grieve for me. Because I've already become a part of you. So all you need to do—is bear the pain of losing that part."
That was what Irisviel said to Kiritsugu Emiya.
That's why Shirou Emiya knew—he couldn't save Irisviel.
Unless he could stop the Fourth Holy Grail War before it even begins, there would be no way to save her. But how would he do that? In truth, Shirou only understood the surface of the Holy Grail War; much deeper knowledge was still beyond him.
So then, how could he stop the Fourth War?
To prevent it, he'd have to kill Kiritsugu, destroy the Tōhsaka family, and annihilate all the magi involved.
He would have to completely destroy the system of the Holy Grail War.
But… that was something Shirou simply could not do.
As for the little girl Illyasviel, her father Kiritsugu loved her more than anyone in the world. He would protect her even if the entire world had to burn—of that, there was no doubt.
But Kiritsugu was never meant to be a proper father. He never could be.
If the day ever came where, in the name of his unshakable ideal of justice, he had to sacrifice that innocent life… then he didn't know what decision he would make.
He feared that day more than anything. The thought alone terrified him to his core.
> "I don't want to stand by and watch those tragedies play out again. Since I've come to this world, I am destined to rewrite it all. Anyone who stands in my way—I will not hesitate to kill."
Eyes closed in meditation, Shirou Emiya suddenly opened them. What shone in them was a belief like steel—unbending and absolute. He gazed out the airplane window, where a blood-red sun was setting. Evening had fallen.
Illyasviel's fate was tragic, and her end even more so. But this time, he would be her younger brother.
At least, that was his plan going forward: to become Kiritsugu's adopted son, just like in the past. Because of her altered body, Illya appeared younger than him, and she would call him "Onii-chan," but in truth, she was older by more than a year.
She was his future sister—and someone who absolutely had to be saved.
Shirou pulled his turbulent emotions inward, steadying the storm in his heart.
He looked at the silver-haired girl—Lisephyr, who was clearly older than him, yet like a little sister, had fallen asleep leaning lightly on his shoulder.
Perhaps the rush of excitement and joy had exhausted her. In its wake, drowsiness had come.
For now, the first priority was clear: saving Sakura.
The plane continued slicing through the sky toward Fuyuki City.
Just then, a burning pain flared on the back of Shirou's right hand.
His eyes snapped open wide in disbelief.
On his skin, as if branded by a scar, was a strange marking.
> "No… it can't be!"
If he wasn't mistaken, that was a pre-Manifestation Command Seal—the sign that the Holy Grail had chosen him as a Master.
Once he summoned a Servant, he would officially enter the Fourth Holy Grail War.
The Grail had acknowledged him.
But Shirou had no intention of participating in the Fourth War.
In truth, he'd ideally wanted to summon Saber (Artoria Pendragon) using Avalon (The Distant Utopia) as a catalyst. But the Einzbern family had likely already found Avalon in Cornwall. If he wanted it now, he'd have to steal it—and that would ruin the delicate balance of his plans.
He'd only studied magic for a short time, and even with the unlimited mana of a Black Grail, he lacked skills like swordsmanship. His combat experience was close to zero.
Beating a Servant couldn't be done with just raw mana alone.
Could he really defeat them? It was extremely doubtful. He'd never even fought one before.
And if he did become a Master, his true identity would inevitably be exposed.
After weighing everything, Shirou had concluded that he belonged behind the curtain—a hidden mastermind, not a front-line participant.
> "You think I'll obediently become a Master, Grail?"
He muttered darkly.
Though he didn't know all the secrets behind the Grail War like the three great families, he knew more than enough to understand its workings.
This mark was not an exclusive invitation. It simply signified that he was a candidate.
Only the first seven to summon a Servant would become Masters. Everyone else would lose their chance.
The plane began to descend.
> "Lisephyr, wake up."
Shirou gently pinched her soft cheek.
> "Mmm… are we there already?"
Lisephyr rubbed her sleepy eyes.
Then she realized—she had fallen asleep on Shirou's shoulder!
She instantly pulled away, face flushing with embarrassment, even her ears turning red.
> "Ah! Shirou, I'm so sorry!"
She was mortified. She'd never gotten this close to a boy outside her own father.
> "To be the shoulder of choice for Lady Lisephyr… it's my honor."
Shirou replied with knightly flair.
> Damn, I'm smooth. But seriously, this little tsundere… she's so cute.
> "Shirou-kun."
Lisephyr covered her face with both hands, her heart pounding wildly.
Why did it always race whenever she saw him?
They disembarked the plane.
Cars arranged by both the Yorifiss and Animusphere families were waiting for them.
Shirou entered the Yorifiss car.
Without hesitation, Lisephyr followed and sat beside him in the back.
Just as Kushuri was about to enter the same car—
> "Kushuri, take the other car,"
Lisephyr's cool voice rang out, halting him in his tracks.
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