In the world of Type-Moon, it all begins with becoming Morgan's husband!

Your body sensed this and began to act instinctively.

This is why you were able to block that legendary spear—because your movements were almost perfectly synchronized with it.

To be fair, you had absolutely no reason to do that.

【but--】

You feel you have to do this.

It was an instinctive thought, and nothing could stop it.

[But what you didn't know was that by taking that bullet, many things began to take an irreversible turn.]

Such a familiar feeling.

After throwing the Gae Bolg Alternative, Scáthach looked at the man who had sacrificed himself to shield Rider's Master from the fatal blow, her eyes filled with confusion.

Where exactly did I see this scene before?

correct.

It was the previous entry test.

Ian also blocked his wooden gun in this almost unreasonable way.

etc--!

Scáthach suddenly realized something.

Her beautiful purple eyes widened slightly in surprise.

Could it be... that the person in front of me is Ian?!

The Queen of the Land of Shadows was getting anxious.

The wisdom of the Demon Realm is manifested at this moment.

Scáthach's eyes were gradually filled with blue light.

That's one of the hero skills in the treasure vault—"Thousand-Mile Vision".

She quickly confirmed the target's identity, but this plunged her into even deeper sorrow.

Yes.

That's Ian.

The moment she realized this, Scáthach understood even more.

She suddenly understood why Ian refused to become her partner in the Holy Grail War—because he was already a Servant summoned by someone else!

Under these circumstances, it's naturally impossible to make any partnership declarations.

Is his Master the magician in front of him?

No.

That's impossible.

Because Scáthach was 100% certain that she was Rider's Master—otherwise, she would never have been able to issue so many orders to this excellent rider.

but!

but!

But if that's the case!

Why did he take that Gae Bolg Alternative bullet that pierced through death for her?!

Scáthach couldn't think of a single reason to explain it.

Or rather, she no longer had the mind to think about this problem.

because--

Scáthach's mind was constantly replaying one thing.

Did I... stab Ian?

How could this be?

The moment it sensed its master's wavering, the Gae Bolg Alternative was abruptly pulled back from Ian's body.

Blood splattered into the air once again.

"not like this!"

"Lancer, let's get out of here!"

As if escaping reality, Scáthach uttered a rune magic incantation to Cú Chulainn, a spell that could only be understood between master and disciple.

"..."

To be honest, Cú Chulainn didn't understand why his mentor Scáthach would suddenly issue a retreat order.

To him, who was completely unaware of the situation, this was a perfect opportunity to press his advantage.

Anyway—

If you've blocked it, so be it.

How could a battle between Servants possibly not involve other people as sacrifices?

but--

Cú Chulainn knew he had no need to refute Scáthach.

She is both his mentor and his master.

From both a moral and logical standpoint, one should not question her orders.

After regaining his composure, Lancer Cú Chulainn used his class advantage to quickly leave the scene with his master Scáthach.

the other side.

As the Gae Bolg Alternative was pulled out, blood began to flow from Ian's body.

"Ian?! Ian?!"

Vivian looked at him and forgot what she was supposed to do.

She had imagined many scenarios of meeting him again in Fuyuki, but she never expected it to be such a heart-wrenching scene.

Surprisingly, the man's reaction at this moment was calm.

Weak as he was, he reached out his trembling hand, with emotions he himself couldn't comprehend, and gently touched Vivian's cheek, then smiled.

"Fortunately."

"I...I...made it."

"Vivian, it's alright now."

"Fool!"

Vivian looked at the blood-soaked hole in Ian's body, her beautiful blue eyes already washed with clear tears.

"How could nothing be wrong...you idiot..."

"Why does it always happen like this..."

The witch's voice was chilling, and her tone of voice became like a sorrowful poem.

Then the man slowly fell into her arms.

at the same time--

Rider Artoria, who was standing nearby, also got off East Starion.

At this moment, having lost her opponent Lancer, her focus naturally shifted back to her sister and the man who had shielded her from a bullet with unimaginable speed.

She had a vague answer in her mind.

after all--

Artoria knew that only one person would risk their life to protect her sister.

When she saw his face, that thought instantly became a reality.

It's Ian.

Then everything becomes clear.

He would indeed shield his sister from any deadly attack—that's how much he loved her.

but--

Why is he here?

"How could this be?"

Artoria looked at Ian in front of her, and for a moment she was at a loss.

She realized that the other person seemed to recognize her, but didn't even have the strength to respond.

"elder sister."

Artoria couldn't bear to watch any longer, so she looked at Vivian beside her.

"Ian...why is he here?!"

"..."

Vivian knew the truth couldn't be kept forever—she had originally planned to tell her only after she had commanded Artoria to eliminate the other five riders besides Ian.

However, none of this could be achieved.

The witch whispered the truth:

"Artoria."

“Ian… is also a Servant in this Holy Grail War.”

In an instant, Artoria felt her mind reel from the shocking truth.

For the past month or so, Vivian, who was focused on repairing the castle outside the Winterwood Forest, had not mentioned this matter at all.

"Why...why didn't you tell me sooner?" she asked.