Did the Heroic Spirit I conquered become a reality?

“Yu Tohsaka,” Merlin’s voice, transmitted clearly through a special magic spell, entered Yu Tohsaka’s mind, “Why did you do this? This isn’t like you.”

"To deliberately put one's Master's safety in the open in order to restrain the enemy... This kind of 'open strategy' is clever, but it is also dangerous."

Yu Tohsaka smiled as he watched Merlin's figure disappear: "It was just to protect some people."

He paused for a moment: "And doing this... is also to save Irisviel."

"Oh?" Merlin's figure paused slightly in mid-air, and a knowing smile returned to his face. "Kidnapping my Master, and you can even find such a high-sounding reason? You really are 'surprising' me more and more."

Yu Tohsaka gently shook her head: "Didn't your 'clairvoyant eyes,' which can see through all things in the world, see Irisviel's true nature as a 'Holy Grail vessel,' and... her tragic future of being destined to disappear at the end of the Holy Grail War?"

His tone was calm, yet it was like the sharpest blade, pointing straight to the core.

Merlin's smile faded slightly, and he fell into a brief silence.

He certainly knew Irisviel's true identity, and also her short and tragic fate as the "Lesser Grail".

As an observer, Merlin had witnessed similar tragedies countless times on different timelines, but he never imagined that someone would try to interfere in all of this in such a direct and "brutal" way.

“More than that,” Tohsaka Yu’s voice rang out again, interrupting Merlin’s thoughts, “it is your appearance that makes me more curious… Merlin, why are you participating in this Holy Grail War? With your status and level, the Holy Grail should be meaningless to you.”

"unless……"

Yu Tohsaka looked sharply at Merlin: "Unless, there is something... or rather, some 'existence' that affects the stability of human order, forcing you to personally intervene?"

This isn't hard to guess... it's just that Yuu Tohsaka can't figure out exactly why Merlin accepted the summons.

It's related to human nature... Could it be because of me?

Yu Tohsaka muttered to himself, after all, his connection with Tiamat was an absolutely "unconventional" variable for any place.

Merlin seemed to see through his thoughts and sighed helplessly, "You are so perceptive that it's a headache... Originally, although this Holy Grail War was a little troublesome, it wasn't enough to make me, your older brother, make a trip in person."

He paused, a hint of seriousness flashing in his purple eyes: "Actually, when I first accepted the summoning of the Heroic Spirit, I didn't know you were here... but things became a bit complicated after you appeared."

"What exactly is affecting human reason?" Tohsaka Yu asked.

Merlin gave him a deep look, and finally sighed, giving an answer that Tohsaka Yuu didn't expect, yet seemed to make sense: "It's your Master, Sajō Aika."

"Her very existence is an extremely dangerous variable for this world. If we let her act according to her own 'interests' and 'desires'..." Merlin didn't finish his sentence, but the implication was clear.

Sajō Aika was born connected to the Root... Although everyone was 'connected to the Root' in the Age of Gods, it should be noted that Sajō Aika is one of only two magicians in the modern era who are connected to the Root.

She controls a portion of the magic of the Age of Gods, and that is her greatest 'threat'.

Merlin stared at Tohsaka Yu, a rare seriousness flashing in his purple eyes: "Tohsaka-kun, since you were able to 'anchor' that Primordial Mother and keep her in check for the time being, then... is it possible to also 'keep' your Master, Sajō Ayaka... in a safe place in a similar way? At least, so that she doesn't go too far in this Holy Grail War."

Upon hearing this, Yu Tohsaka's lips twitched slightly.

To have Ayaka Sajou "anchored" like Tiamat? Merlin really dares to dream!

Tiamat's situation was special, and she herself longed for connection and companionship.

But Aika Sajou... this princess who is connected to the Root, even if I propose to 'anchor' a link with her, she would never accept it.

After all, they were only in a master-servant relationship.

Seeing Yu Tohsaka's speechless expression, Merlin knew that this request was a bit unreasonable, and could only sigh helplessly again: "Anyway, you can decide for yourself... If possible, that Root Princess must be guided in the right direction by someone... and that person can only be you."

After all, Aika Sajou wouldn't listen to anything anyone else said.

Merlin's figure transformed into fluttering petals and completely disappeared from the rooftop, clearly chasing after Kiritsugu Emiya towards the Einzbern Castle.

After Merlin and Kiritsugu Emiya had completely left, the rooftop returned to its former silence, belonging only to Yu Tohsaka.

He slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, his gaze returning to the still chaotic battlefield of the Matou family mansion in the distance.

The battle between the Hero King and the Sun King seemed to be continuing, with golden radiance and the sun's divine power colliding fiercely in the night sky, occasionally erupting into deafening roars.

Meanwhile, Gorgon and Artoria the Lion King clashed fiercely on the ground and in the low sky, the brilliance of the Holy Lance and the curse power of the Medusa mutually corroding each other.

Yu Tohsaka's eyes held a thoughtful expression.

He knew that tonight's sudden melee was unlikely to escalate into a true life-or-death battle.

After all, the Holy Grail War has only just begun, and all sides are still testing each other and holding back their trump cards.

Tonight's conflict is more like a grand "opening performance," announcing the official start of this bloody feast revolving around the omnipotent wish-granting machine.

“However, I never expected Rider to be that Sun King…” Tohsaka Yu muttered to himself, his brows furrowing slightly. “If Gilgamesh were to meet him, it would be strange if he didn’t fight back fiercely.”

"I just don't know... who exactly is the Rider's Master? The other party hasn't shown up at all from beginning to end."

After a moment of thought, Tohsaka Yu quickly turned around and prepared to leave the rooftop.

In short, tonight's plan has been accomplished. If nothing unexpected happens, Irisviel should be on the music platform by now. Let's evacuate for now...

Just as Tohsaka Yu was about to leave this troublesome place temporarily to check on Sajō Aika's situation.

However, in the instant he turned around—

A unique voice, filled with a woman's distinctive coldness and magnetism, yet carrying a hint of languor and playfulness, suddenly rang out from the darkness behind him, instantly shattering the tranquility of the night:

"If it weren't for the Ruler class granting me the ability to see the entire battlefield, even I probably wouldn't have imagined that the instigator of tonight's commotion would be so leisurely... watching the show from this rooftop, right?"

"You must have had a lot of fun tonight, Caster?"

In the shadows of the rooftop, as that unique and textured voice rang out, Tohsaka Yu's body seemed to be bound by invisible shackles, and he froze on the spot.

An elusive and terrifying magical power surged in silently like a tide.

Yu Tohsaka slowly turned her head and looked at the shadow behind her, which had somehow become even deeper than the night.

The shadows, as if possessing a life of their own, slowly writhed and spread out, and a stunningly beautiful figure, dressed in a magnificent and elaborate witch's gown with the themes of darkness and ice, stepped gracefully and calmly out of the deep darkness.

Her platinum blonde hair swayed gently in the night breeze, like a waterfall formed from moonlight, highlighting her stunningly beautiful face that exuded innate pride and aloofness.

Those icy blue eyes, like the deepest, coldest pools, were scrutinizing the boy with a half-smile.

Her figure was graceful and tall, every curve seemingly sculpted by the gods, exuding both the ultimate allure of a mature woman and a powerful, unapproachable aura befitting a queen.

Simply standing there quietly, it seemed to become the sole center of this rooftop, and even the entire Fuyuki City night sky.

The moment Yu Tohsaka saw who it was, his pupils contracted sharply.

...Morgan LeFee?!

Upon seeing this woman, Tohsaka Yu's mind went blank for a moment.

He quickly calmed down and said slowly, "I never expected to meet you in this way."

Morgan narrowed his eyes slightly, a playful smile curving his lips: "Oh? So you recognize me?"

She walked gracefully to Tohsaka Yu, her beautiful eyes seeming to see right through him.

"Caster, your performance tonight was truly spectacular."

Morgan's tone carried a hint of admiration, yet also an enigmatic undertone, "I'm just a little curious, you went to such lengths to set up this scheme, merely to confirm the identities of the various Servants and Masters... and, to prevent Kiritsugu Emiya from assassinating Tokiomi Tohsaka?"

"Tokiomi Tohsaka... Judging from your position, you seem to have a close relationship with him."

Yu Tohsaka's smile remained unchanged: "You're joking. Tonight's plan is simply to fulfill my insignificant 'wish'."

“A wish?” Morgan seemed quite interested in the word. “Why don’t you tell me?”

She stretched out her slender, fair fingers and gently touched her full, luscious red lips, as if enticing Tohsaka Yu to reveal the deepest secret in her heart.

Yu Tohsaka looked at the fairy queen before him, who was full of extreme charm and supreme majesty, but his heart was calm.

“My wish is very simple,” Yu Tohsaka said frankly, meeting Morgan’s scrutinizing gaze. “I just want... for everyone I care about to have a relatively happy ending.”

“A happy ending?” Morgan let out a very soft, almost disdainful chuckle. “Caster, you seem to have some misunderstanding about the term ‘Holy Grail War.’ This isn’t some fairy tale where a ‘happy ending’ can be achieved so easily.”

“I know.” Yu Tohsaka nodded, her tone still calm. “But we should at least give it a try, shouldn’t we?”

Morgan paused for a moment, his icy blue eyes fixed on Tohsaka Yu, as if trying to see right through his soul.

A brief silence fell once again on the rooftop, broken only by the soft rustling of the night wind through their clothes.

After an unknown amount of time, Morgan's cold expression seemed to soften slightly, and a mysterious smile appeared on his lips.

"It seems that you and my sister are just as stupid as each other."

She spoke slowly, her voice carrying a hint of interest she herself was unaware of, and continued, "You are much more interesting than I imagined."

A peculiar light flashed in Morgan's icy blue eyes as she looked at Tohsaka Yu as if she were examining a rare collectible: "Your unique Spirit Origin composition, and the aura on your body that is faintly connected to the 'Primordial Sea'... are quite interesting."

She actually saw through my spirit foundation...?

Yu Tohsaka was startled, but then she thought that since the other party was a ruler, it was not surprising that he could see the servant's real name or even deeper secrets.

But then again, what exactly does the other party intend to do by coming to find me at this time?

Seemingly sensing what Tohsaka Yu was thinking, Morgan Morgan said in a slightly lazy tone, "Don't worry, I'm only here tonight to fulfill my duty as Ruler and 'join in the fun' to see how this great battle will end."

"Alright, that's all the greetings."

Morgan turned gracefully, her platinum blonde hair tracing a beautiful arc in the night breeze.

"I should also take care of the things that Ruler should be handling."

She walked with a composed gait, leaving the rooftop behind.

……

Inside the apartment suite, the lights were bright and warm.

The moment Yu Tohsaka opened the door, he saw Aika Sajou already waiting in the living room.

The girl was still dressed in that pure white dress, her bare white feet exposed, sitting elegantly on the soft sofa, holding a steaming cup of black tea in her hands, her emerald green eyes lighting up the moment she saw him.

“Caster, you’re back!” Her voice was light and cheerful, with a hint of barely perceptible joy.

However, Yu Tohsaka's gaze was immediately drawn to another figure in the center of the living room.

She was a stunningly beautiful woman with long, flowing silver hair and wearing an elegant white dress.

Her skin was as white as snow, and her features were as delicate as a doll's. Her red eyes, which always carried a hint of melancholy and gentleness, were now looking at this completely unfamiliar environment with a touch of curiosity and... a hint of barely perceptible tension.

It was the homunculus of the Einzbern family, the Lesser Grail of the Holy Grail—Irisviel von Einzbern.

She actually... was "invited" out of Einzbern Castle by Ayaka Sajou!

Sajō Aika seemed very pleased with the undisguised surprise on Tohsaka Yu's face. She put down her tea, lightly jumped off the sofa, and tilted her delicate face up slightly, her bright green eyes looking at him as if to say, "How about it? How about it? I'm amazing, right? Praise me, praise me!"

Looking at the girl's innocent and pure appearance, Yu Tohsaka couldn't help but reach out and gently stroke Aika Sajō's smooth golden hair.

"Thank you for your hard work, Aige."

Sajō Aika seemed to really enjoy this intimate gesture, comfortably squinting her emerald green eyes, her lips curving slightly upwards into a satisfied and sweet smile.

That face, as pure as an angel's, was now radiating pure joy.

Watching this scene, Tohsaka Yu couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.

Merlin was right; the existence of Ayaka Sajou is indeed a huge threat to the world line.

She possesses a terrifying power that connects her to the source, yet her mind is as pure as a blank sheet of paper. Her actions are entirely driven by her own "interests" and "desires," lacking a clear sense of good and evil or moral constraints.

Such a situation, if left unchecked, could indeed lead to immeasurable disasters.

Perhaps... she really needs someone to guide her, so that her immense power can be used in a more "correct" direction, or at least in a direction that will not cause devastating damage to the world.

But... how should we guide them?

Yu Tohsaka looked at the girl in front of him with a charming blush on her cheeks, and his heart was filled with complicated emotions.

at this time--

"Aaa?"

A naturally clear and crisp sound came from the side.

Suddenly, the petite Tiamat Lily appeared, looking up at Tohsaka Yu with her adorable, innocent face and sparkling eyes.

He had an expression that said, "Even though I didn't do anything, I still want to be patted on the head and asked for praise."

Yu Tohsaka: "..."

Looking at the two "problem children" in front of him, one big and one small, he was at a loss for words, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

Finally, he reached out with his other hand and gently ruffled Tiamat's smooth, short blue hair, earning a satisfied "Aaa~" in return.

After calming down the two girls who seemed to really enjoy being patted on the head, Tohsaka Yu took a deep breath and collected her chaotic thoughts.

Soon, his gaze fell upon the silver-haired woman in the center of the living room who had seemed somewhat reserved and uneasy throughout – Irisviel.