To become a king and a magician

The arrow was instantly aimed at Natsukawa Torato. Atalanta looked at him with a mixture of anger and sorrow: "They are not evil, but were forced to become evil!"

"Maybe, but so what?"

Flames erupted in his palm as Natsukawa Torama grasped the blazing, simulated holy sword, raising it to point at Atalanta and the children behind her: "Do you really expect them to reform? Are you planning to protect them and then watch them kill again?"

"They won't!"

"Who gave you that impression? Did they make any promises to you? Or are you implying that you'll be watching them? Ultimately, what exactly is this so-called salvation you're talking about?"

"My salvation is—is…is…"

To create a world where all children can grow up surrounded by love—this was Atalanta's wish upon the Holy Grail.

With a slight sigh, Natsukawa Tora raised his hand—

"Smack—!"

He slapped Atalanta hard across the face!

The burning pain on her face stunned Atalanta. She almost instinctively wanted to retaliate, but before she could, Natsukawa Tora had already passed her and swung his holy sword at the children.

Unlike Joan of Arc in the original story, who completely transformed them, Natsukawa Torato's approach was actually closer to cremation.

Throughout history, people have firmly believed that fire is the most effective means of vanquishing evil born from darkness. The light of fire can dispel darkness, and the heat of fire can dispel cold.

Jack the Ripper was born in the darkest part of 19th-century England, grew up in the dirtiest environment, and ultimately died in the darkest place. Perhaps he never truly saw the light in his life.

Natsukawa Torato couldn't bring it true light like Joan of Arc; all he could do was ignite the fire.

Surrounded by flames, Jack the Ripper looked at Natsukawa Tora and asked, "Are you going to kill us?"

"Yes. Although your plight is pitiful, it is regrettable that I am no longer able to help you, and your actions must be punished."

"Is it wrong for us to just want to go back to our mother's arms?"

"Your idea is correct, but your actions are wrong."

No, actually, that's not quite right. The wrong environment led Jack the Ripper to develop wrong perceptions and commit wrong crimes. So, layer by layer, what exactly was wrong?

Ignoring Atalanta, whose eyes were bloodshot and who wanted to shoot him, Natsukawa Tiger clasped his hands together in prayer: "May you have a peaceful life in your next life."

"A strange person."

With these words, Jack the Ripper closed his eyes in the sea of ​​fire, and the figures of the many children who accompanied him were also engulfed by the raging flames, turning into numerous specks of light and dissipating in the flames.

The surrounding foggy cityscape vanished instantly.

"Natsukawa Torato—!"

With the bowstring taut, Atalanta aimed her bow at the head of the man before her in extreme grief and rage.

"You! You! You took those children—"

“Yes, I killed them. Is there a problem?” Turning around, Natsukawa Tora said calmly, “This is a battlefield. Even if Jack the Ripper came from a pitiful background, he was still an enemy. Don’t say they could be saved. Atalanta, you can’t save them, and neither can I. All we can do is prevent them from wandering the world in pain.”

Yes, that's the only thing they can do.

Atalanta wanted to do that, but she couldn't. She wasn't decisive enough to shoot all the children.

Atalanta's hand trembled slightly as she drew the bow. After struggling with the decision until her lips bled, she glared angrily at Natsukawa Tiger, then leaped onto a nearby rooftop and disappeared into the night in a few swift movements.

"Aren't we going to take care of her, Master?" Mordred emerged from a side alley, carrying her demon sword. "The Black Faction is useless now, and we're about to go to war with the Red Faction. Wouldn't it be better to just deal with her since she's all alone?"

"Just consider it some personal consideration of mine. Anyway, it doesn't matter if I put it back. It's only a matter of time. This Holy Grail War will be over in three days at the latest. — But compared to that, how is the Master of the Black Assassin?"

"He died. He used up all three Command Seals in one go and then committed suicide."

"Is that so... Let's go back, it's getting late."

70. Grey: Without my brother, I'm just a useless piece of trash.

The following day marked the third day of the Holy Grail War.

Inside the church in Sigishwara.

"Rider, how is Archer?"

“My older sister hasn’t shown up since she came back. I only saw her once when she came back.”

Appearing behind Amakusa Shiro, Achilles leaned against a pillar and answered.

"Something must have happened during the fight against Jack the Ripper."

Could it be that Black is interfering?

"The Black faction only has three Servants left. I don't think those three will cause any problems for the eldest sister, especially since she returned unharmed. It's obvious that she has some kind of mental problem."

If it's not Black, then it's...

“Lord Natsukawa?” Amakusa Shiro stood up from in front of the statue. “It seems that sending Archer alone was a bit presumptuous. I shouldn’t have refused your request to accompany me. Rider.”

“Ha, there’s no use saying all this now, and besides, it’s just a minor mental issue. My sister will get over it soon,” Achilles laughed. “Don’t underestimate the heroes of Greece, Father.”

Amakusa Shiro smiled slightly: "Then I'm relieved. Also, Assassin's Noble Phantasm preparations are almost complete, and we can officially launch an attack on the Black Faction tomorrow night to compete for the Greater Grail."

"So, you mean you let us do whatever we wanted before, right?"

"You can interpret it that way."

Watching Achilles disappear before his eyes, Amakusa Shiro sighed and looked to the other side: "Then, as we agreed before, Lord Natsukawa will be left to you to deal with, Lancer."

"of course."

The hidden son of the sun god responded in this way.

Although he was somewhat confused as to why he would attack his fellow members of the Red Faction, Amakusa Shirou's words were the same as the orders given by his Master, so he might as well do as he was told.

Karna is such a loyal servant.

---------------------------------

At the same time, Tulifas.

"You've searched all morning. Have you found anything that matches what you described as unusual, Joan of Arc?"

Holding a snack in each hand, Natsukawa Torama asked Jeanne, who was walking in front of him.

Early this morning, Jeanne d'Arc dragged Natsukawa Tora out of bed, saying that she was investigating the unusual situation in the Holy Grail War.

She was summoned by the Holy Grail for two reasons: to ensure the fairness of the Holy Grail War and to correct its abnormalities.

No, no.

Joan of Arc shook her head with some regret: "Judging from the current situation, there is nothing unusual about Tulifas, and I have not received any revelation. So it seems that we can be sure that the Black side is fine."

"So, the problem lies with the red team?"

“I think so.” Jeanne looked at Natsukawa Torato. “By the way, does the knowledge you gained from the Root include anything related to this?”

Natsukawa Tora was someone who had once reached the Root and learned a great deal of knowledge (plot) from it. Jeanne thought that perhaps he would have some clues about the current situation.

Taking a bite of the snack in his hand, Natsukawa Tiger licked his lips: "Hmm, there is."

"Huh? Really?"

"To start from the beginning, the anomaly of this Holy Grail War originated from the Holy Grail War that took place in Japan sixty years ago. At that time, Darnic, one of the Black Faction Masters who participated as a Master, forcibly seized the Greater Grail with the help of the German army."

"Huh?"

"In that Holy Grail War, in order to win, the Einzbern family violated the rules by summoning a Ruler-class Servant, the young Japanese saint, Amakusa Shiro Tokisada. Although they were ultimately defeated due to the intervention of the German army, he gained a body by coming into contact with the Holy Grail and has been lurking in the church for sixty years, plotting to reclaim the Greater Grail."

"Hey...wait a minute, wait a minute—"

"But reclaiming the Greater Grail is a pretense. Having been massacred by the Shogunate during his lifetime and having experienced world wars over the past sixty years, he now only wants to use the Greater Grail to save all of humanity. Specifically, he wants to use the third magic contained in the Greater Grail—soul materialization—to cast it all over the world, making all humans into materialized souls."

One piece of news after another came out of Natsukawa Tora's mouth, and Jeanne was a little overwhelmed.

The Ruler summoned during the last Holy Grail War has actually survived until now? And he's even plotting to materialize the souls of all humanity? This kind of behavior... is practically tantamount to destroying humanity.

What puzzled Joan of Arc even more was—

"Mr. Natsukawa, you actually knew all of this?"

"Yeah, I knew it from the beginning."

"Then why didn't you tell me!"

“You didn’t ask.” Natsukawa Torato looked innocent. “Besides, it doesn’t really matter whether I tell you or not. Do you think I, who knew the cause and effect of this Holy Grail War from the beginning, would plan to do nothing?”

Natsukawa Tora had already prioritized the matters that needed to be addressed in this Holy Grail War.

First, as the nominal Master of the Red Faction, he must deal with the Black Faction. Avisbron's Noble Phantasm is the key target to eliminate. Once that's resolved, the Black Faction will be less of a threat.

As for Amakusa Shiro's goal, as long as he doesn't get the Greater Grail, then everything else is just empty talk. Now that the Black Faction has retreated and the Greater Grail has fallen into his hands, all we need to do is wait for Amakusa Shiro's side to attack. Our fighting strength is already sufficient to deal with Amakusa Shiro's attack.

Achilles is dealt with by Angelica, Karna is targeted by him using his Mystic Eyes, Atalanta is handed over to Mordred, the Hanging Gardens will be slammed down with Moonfall, and the serpent Backshium will be killed with his Light Chariot—everything is ready.

"To be honest, the Holy Grail didn't actually need to summon you."

"Hmm... what you're saying really makes me a little disappointed." Jeanne sighed helplessly. "However, since you've already made the arrangements, I believe you can handle everything properly. I won't disturb your time until Amakusa Shiro arrives."

After saying this, Joan of Arc closed her eyes and returned her body to Grey.

After regaining control of her body, Grey opened her eyes and looked at Natsukawa Tora: "Is it resolved, brother?"

"Yes, more or less. Actually, I've already made all the preparations, but Joan of Arc is just a little worried."

"I feel like Miss Jeanne is a bit like me. Even though I know my brother is alright, I can't help but worry a little—ah!"

Natsukawa Tiger flicked Grey's forehead with his finger and laughed, "That's the opposite of what I'm talking about. Shouldn't I be the older brother who's worried about you? You've got a long way to go before you start worrying about me."

"Waaah~~~ But brother, do I have to wake you up every day? You forget to eat your meals if I don't remind you, and your room gets a mess if I don't tidy it up for a few days."

[Hehehe, well said, Grey! Keep talking about this useless guy who can't take care of himself without you!]

"Who are you calling unable to take care of themselves?" Natsukawa Tiger flicked Yad on the forehead. "It's just that with Grey around, I'm used to being taken care of by her. Well, I won't be like this anymore once Grey can leave me and live independently."

"Huh?"

Grey was stunned.

71. Brother and sister

—Leave my side