On the other side of the portal stood a Japanese temple shrouded in night.
When Emiya Kiritsugu and the others stepped out, shock written plainly across their faces, they saw a torii gate directly aligned with the temple's main hall.
Through the gate, a mountain stretched downward, and at its base lay Fuyuki City, brilliantly illuminated against the darkness.
They stood in the open space between the main hall and the torii. Above them, stars shimmered faintly, while moonlight flowed like water across the stone pavement beneath their feet.
"This… could this be the Second Magic, one of the Five Great Magics spoken of in legends?" Irisviel covered her mouth, her pupils trembling.
"Of course not," Malrick said casually, glancing around before turning to Eriyi. "This is just a portal."
Then he added, "We are in Fuyuki now, the stage where the Holy Grail War begins."
"Fuyuki!" Eriyi's eyes sparkled. She rushed to the base of the torii, pulled out her camera, and began taking pictures of the city's nightscape below the mountain.
Illyasviel bounced along behind her, just as excited.
One tall, one small, the two girls were completely absorbed in the moment.
The others, however, stared at Malrick with growing confusion.
"Coming to Fuyuki at this time," Kiritsugu said slowly, his instincts taking over, "are you planning to eliminate all the Masters tonight and end the war early?"
Given Malrick's strength, it would be easy for him to seize the other Servants.
"Engaging this early could work," Artoria added, "but it might also expose us too soon."
"You misunderstand," Malrick replied, shaking his head.
He suddenly walked toward Irisviel.
"To obtain the Holy Grail that grants wishes, all I need is to be in Fuyuki, and for Mrs. Emiya to be present."
Kiritsugu and Artoria were baffled. Irisviel's face, however, turned pale.
Before she could speak, Malrick reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder.
In the next instant, countless particles of light flowed out from Irisviel's body, drifting upward like fireflies.
They gathered in the air, reshaping themselves into a golden chalice.
"The Holy Grail?" Kiritsugu's pupils shrank. "How is this inside Irisviel?"
"Not inside," Malrick corrected calmly. "She is the Lesser Holy Grail, a core component of this ritual."
He opened his palm, and the Lesser Holy Grail slowly descended into it.
Irisviel was an artificial human created by the Einzbern family. From the moment of her birth, she existed as the vessel for the Lesser Holy Grail.
As Servants fell in the Holy Grail War, her life would gradually fade, until she fully transformed into the Grail itself.
This was her fate.
The Einzbern family sought to recreate the Third Magic through the Holy Grail War, and Irisviel was created for that single purpose.
Kiritsugu had never known the truth.
Now, with everything laid bare, Irisviel could only reveal it herself.
While Kiritsugu's expression shifted wildly, Artoria instead let out a quiet breath of relief.
"Now that the Holy Grail has been removed," Artoria said softly, "Madam, you will no longer need to sacrifice yourself. That is something to celebrate."
Irisviel smiled faintly and shook her head. "This is our duty. If not me, then Illya would have to bear it instead."
Artoria fell silent, a heavy weight settling in her chest.
She sympathized deeply with Irisviel.
Yet the Holy Grail she sought existed only through this cruel system.
She struggled inwardly, unwilling to let go.
"If you cannot accept it," Malrick said calmly, "then seize this chance to complete your mission."
"The Einzbern family has only artificial humans left. Your goal was always the Third Magic. Now, the opportunity stands before you."
As he spoke, the Holy Grail in his hand began to glow.
"It has activated?" Artoria exclaimed. "That should be impossible."
"Nothing is impossible," Malrick replied. "The Holy Grail system is built upon a Greater Holy Grail beneath this temple, drawing power from the ley lines."
"When enough energy accumulates, Servants are summoned."
"Seven Servants fight and fall, their souls returning to the Lesser Holy Grail."
"To return those souls to the Throne of Heroes, the Lesser Holy Grail opens a small passage to the Root."
"The Greater Holy Grail stabilizes that opening."
"Whether it is granting a wish or reaching the Root to achieve the Third Magic, both are possible at this moment."
Malrick suddenly reached out and grasped Artoria's arm.
"Let me examine your current existence."
His vision sharpened as divine energy flowed through her body. He observed her carefully, then released his grip.
Moments later, small identical figures of Artoria appeared above the Lesser Holy Grail.
One by one, they leapt into it.
"Creating Heroic Spirits?" Artoria gasped, completely stunned.
Malrick smiled faintly and set the Lesser Holy Grail down. "They will merge back into your true self through the Throne of Heroes. Consider it a bonus."
After the sixth figure vanished, the Holy Grail began to tremble.
Above the temple, the once clear sky darkened rapidly.
A black void slowly took shape.
When the final Artoria entered the Grail, something surged upward from its depths.
The void solidified completely.
It was the opening that connected reality to the Root.
Inside the temple, everyone stood frozen.
Across Fuyuki City, every Master felt it.
They could not comprehend how the war had not even begun, yet the final stage had already arrived.
Those who had summoned Servants and those who had not all rushed toward the temple beneath the void.
"Now," Malrick said, a faintly dangerous smile on his face, "you may make your wish."
"Kiritsugu, whether you desire world peace, or Saber, whether you wish to save your kingdom, choose now."
The two looked at him with complicated expressions.
"You truly want us to wish?" Artoria asked quietly. "You have no wish of your own? With your power, what could you possibly want?"
She stepped forward, her expression solemn.
Kiritsugu did the same.
"Before you proceed," Malrick added calmly, "you should know this. The Holy Grail is already corrupted."
"It carries the Evil of Humanity. Any wish it grants will be fulfilled through that lens."
"That cannot be true," Artoria said, disbelief clear in her voice.
Kiritsugu also struggled to accept it.
"Then test it," Malrick said, gesturing toward the Holy Grail.
After a brief hesitation, both of them stepped forward.
Their desires were too strong.
One would sacrifice everything for peace.
The other sought to save a fallen kingdom.
As they reached the Holy Grail, they stopped simultaneously, their consciousness drawn inward.
____
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