Moonlight flowed like water, spilling over the devastated ruins of Ryuudou Temple.
The magical energy storm that had oppressed the sky above Fuyuki City finally subsided, and the night breeze became crisp and free once more.
"Mr. Asuka!"
Sumire cried as she threw herself into Asuka's arms.
"Thank goodness... sob... Everyone is still alive, thank goodness..."
Asuka patted her head. "It's alright now, it's all over."
At that moment, the ground trembled.
In the ruins not far away, a stone slab was pushed aside.
Kaien Shiba, supporting a pale Tokiomi Tohsaka, climbed out covered in dirt and ash.
"Cough, cough... We were almost buried alive..." Kaien complained, spitting out a mouthful of dirt.
Asuka's eyes lit up, and he walked over.
Kaien looked up at Asuka, grinned, and gave him a thumbs-up.
"Yo, looks like we won."
"Yeah, we won."
Tokiomi, however, gazed at the sky with a complex expression.
That was where the hole leading to the Root used to be, but now only a clear night sky remained...
He finally let out a long sigh, looked at the people gathered, gave a slight bow, and walked briskly down the mountain.
He had already found the most precious thing in this war.
"Hmph."
The King of Heroes, Gilgamesh, stood with one hand on his hip, watching Tokiomi's retreating back with a disdainful scoff.
Golden Reishi gathered like stardust, illuminating that arrogant figure who looked down upon the world.
It was the sign of a Servant about to return to the Throne of Heroes.
Since the Greater Grail system had collapsed, the supply of Magical Energy maintaining the Servants in this world was severed.
"Mongrels."
He swept his gaze across the area, his eyes finally landing on Asuka.
"I shall admit... you lot are indeed somewhat interesting."
"Especially you, Avenger."
He walked forward step by step, the crushed stones beneath his feet parting automatically with each stride.
"Though you were manipulated by others, to be able to make me take things this seriously... I will remember you."
Asuka leaned on his sword and looked back at him.
"Likewise. Having worms burrow into your body didn't leave any hidden ailments, did it? Want me to give you a check-up?"
Gilgamesh's eye twitched, but he quickly regained his lofty arrogance.
"Hmph... A trivial matter, not worth mentioning."
He turned his head and looked at Artoria.
The King of Knights was currently resting on her sword with one hand, half-kneeling on the ground as she watched Kiritsugu's family.
"Artoria..." Kiritsugu raised his head, his voice carrying a respect and apology it had never held before. "Thank you."
This was the first time in the entire war that he had looked the King of Knights straight in the eye, and the first time he had thanked her from the bottom of his heart.
It was not a Master's acknowledgment of a tool, but a lost soul's gratitude toward a comrade.
Artoria paused slightly, a relieved smile lifting the corners of her mouth.
"You are welcome, Kiritsugu."
"Although our paths were different and our beliefs once clashed, in the end... we protected what was most important."
Her body also began to emit a soft golden glow. "It seems it is time for me to leave as well."
She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, wanting to say something more to Kiritsugu, but was interrupted by Gilgamesh's voice.
"Hey, woman."
Gilgamesh's voice carried a strange earnestness.
"Although you rejected me, and I should be furious."
"But looking at your stubborn appearance..."
He paused, smiling with exceptional delight. "I suddenly feel... a woman like you is truly worth conquering."
Artoria snapped her head up, a flash of anger in her emerald eyes.
"—"
"Rest assured, we will definitely meet again."
Gilgamesh waved his hand, cutting her off.
"The malice and greed of the world will not completely vanish just because we dispersed this lump of filth today. There will always be new schemers plotting the next war."
"I look forward to our next meeting, you unromantic beauty."
Gilgamesh did not look back again.
He raised his hand and lightly traced a line in the empty air with his fingertip.
Golden ripples spread out, and a magnificent gate to his treasury slowly emerged.
"And you, Avenger," he suddenly spoke.
"If we meet again, I will show you what true kingly majesty is!"
"Live on humbly, harboring your awe for me! Hahahaha!"
Accompanied by that signature arrogant laughter, the oldest king stepped into the treasury.
His body gradually dissolved into a sky full of golden particles, flying toward the edge of the night sky.
The King of Heroes, returned to the Throne of Heroes.
"...That troublesome guy is finally gone. I thought he was going to keep making a fuss."
Asuka breathed a sigh of relief.
If they still had to fight at this point, he really would be out of options.
Artoria turned around and looked at Asuka.
Their eyes met.
"Avenger... no, Asuka."
This was the Avenger's name, which she had only learned tonight.
Artoria solemnly performed a knight's salute.
"Although I still cannot fully agree with your methods, I, Artoria Pendragon, will etch your strength and integrity into my heart."
"Even when surrounded by darkness, your heart still yearns for the light... You are a formidable knight."
Asuka shook his head. "I only did what I wanted to do."
"However... someone asked me to pass a message to you: after you return, stop constantly thinking about how to change the past, or how to fix that already destroyed kingdom."
Asuka spoke as if relaying someone else's opinion, frowning in confusion as he did. "Whether a mortal or a king, constantly wallowing in the regrets of the past won't get you far."
"Your kingdom has already become history, but you are still alive, whether on the Throne of Heroes or in legends."
"Try living for yourself for once, little girl."
Artoria was stunned.
No one had ever said such words to her before.
Everyone expected her to be the perfect king, expected her to save Britain, but no one had ever told her to live for the young girl named Artoria.
After a long while, she revealed a smile as radiant as the morning sun.
"I will remember your advice... If fate allows us to meet again, I hope we can share a drink in a place free of the smoke of war."
The golden radiance grew increasingly dazzling, and her figure began to turn transparent.
She reached out and gently shook Asuka's hand.
"Good luck, Asuka."
"Good luck to you too, Artoria."
The two shared a smile.
Golden particles of light slowly rose from her body, flying toward the horizon like fireflies.
"Master, Irisviel..."
She looked at Kiritsugu and his wife one last time, her eyes full of tenderness.
"Please... you must be happy."
"Goodbye."
"Goodbye, Saber."
Kiritsugu smiled gently, and Irisviel, who was gradually waking up in his arms, nodded gratefully.
Artoria closed her eyes, completely melting into the moonlight and vanishing from sight.
The King of Knights, exited the stage.
The world returned to silence.
With the two Servants exiting one after another, only a few surviving humans remained on the battlefield, along with...
Two figures who were still standing in place.
Asuka and Kaien Shiba.
"...Um."
Sumire Kamado looked cautiously at Asuka, who was still standing there, and then at the Berserker uncle beside him, who was clutching his head with a bewildered expression.
"Mr. Asuka... Although I'm very happy you can stay, but..."
"Are you two really okay?"
With the Greater Grail dismantled, all Servants should have returned to the Throne of Heroes.
Yet these two, aside from their auras being a bit weaker, showed absolutely no signs of returning.
This... Mr. Asuka wouldn't be in any danger, right...?
Asuka looked down at his palms, clenched his fists, and turned to look at the clueless Kaien. "...Perhaps it's because we aren't Heroic Spirits of this world to begin with, so we have no Throne of Heroes to return to."
"Then what do we do? I just went and fought in a daze earlier, I still haven't fully recovered my bearings..."
Kaien scratched his messy black hair. "This isn't our original World of the Living, is it? A Holy Grail War or whatever... thinking about it now, it feels completely absurd."
"...It's a long story. It seems we won't be able to go back for the time being, so we'll have to figure something out..."
He turned around, looked at Sumire Kamado's worried face, and helplessly spread his hands.
"Since we have nowhere to go... could you take us in for a few more days? As rent, I can continue being your instructor."
Sumire froze for a moment before her eyes reddened, and she fiercely threw herself into Asuka's arms.
"Mr. Asuka!! I'm so glad you're okay! Waaah..."
"Hey, hey, don't wipe your snot on me..."