Shirou, who returned from the Fairy Kingdom

He received neither any reward nor any obligation to provide assistance; in fact, he was an artificial life form created by the Masters of the "Black" faction.

Why would you, as someone from the "Red" faction, save him? Even at the cost of losing your own Noble Phantasm... Please answer me.

Siegfried's voice trembled violently, and his expression was so distressed that it seemed he would die at any moment.

Upon hearing his question, Joan of Arc, who was hiding in the shadows, tensed up and pricked up her ears.

Shirou scratched the back of his head, looking quite troubled, and said, "There's no particular reason."

"?"

Siegfried stared blankly, bewildered, while Shirou continued talking to himself.

"I did it because it was something I could help with, that's all."

If it's something I can't help with, I won't go looking for trouble.

"Even so!"

"And... well, I guess I'm destined to be with androids."

"If I don't do something, I feel like someone will curse me to death in my sleep."

The image of Irisviel and her daughter waiting for him at their home in Fuyuki flashed through Shirou's mind.

The androids of the Yggdrasil race are products of stolen Einzbern technology, which is why they have the iconic silver hair and red eyes.

After learning about this from Aika, Shirou showed mercy to the androids during his battle with the Yggdrasil clan.

"I see. You're really amazing."

Upon hearing the boy's answer, the "Black" swordsman once again lowered his head solemnly.

"...I envy you."

During his lifetime, Siegfried was the greatest hero of his time.

People admired this powerful warrior, and the hero lived up to their expectations.

Siegfried had very short rest periods, constantly seeking battle.

He did not actively seek battle, but the battle would not let his powerful strength go unpunished.

Possessing an invincible sword and a powerful body, they rush to numerous battlefields.

The great hero's life was spotless; all he possessed was a dazzling experience.

But he was too much like a hero—"too heroic".

He will respond whenever someone is in need; he will always hold the hand of someone who kneels down to beg.

He was asked to slay a dragon, so he did.

He racked his brains to figure out how to help someone pursue a beautiful woman.

It's practically a wish-granting machine, but the man thinks that's fine.

He couldn't possibly lift up everything in the world with his own hands, so he decided that he would respond whenever someone needed him.

"Defeat that monster!" "Save our village!" "Defeat our enemy!" "I want that mountain!" "I want that beautiful woman!" "I want that country!"...

There are as many wishes as there are people.

The same amount of expectation will be fulfilled.

The man had long since become the "Holy Grail (System)" called a hero, but he didn't care, because the feeling of receiving gratitude wasn't bad.

If someone begs you with an expression that says, "This is the only way," you'll naturally be moved.

So the hero just kept doing it—until he finally succeeded in slaying the dragon.

But there is an emptiness in the man's heart, nothing at the bottom, only a hollow black space extending there.

He had no idea what he wanted, no hope, no dreams, and no blueprint for the future.

Although some people regard heroes as ideals, the heroes themselves have lost their ideals.

They clearly love humanity.

She clearly loves the world.

This emptiness, however, can never be filled.

and so--

When Siegfried saw heroes like Shirou Amamiya living freely and as he pleased, he inevitably felt jealousy and envy.

However, there was also a sense of relief.

“Hey…Saber, you…”

Shirou looked surprised as he saw Siegfried's feet begin to turn into golden particles.

That's not spiritualization, but rather extinction from this world.

"From now on, you shall use the name 'Saber'."

Siegfried said calmly.

—In fact, he had already received damage beyond his tolerance during the previous Noble Phantasm battle.

The beam of stars that Shirou unleashed was so powerful that even "Evil Dragon Blood Armor" could not withstand it.

Siegfried was able to hold on until now because of the Command Seal his Master used before unleashing the Demon Sword—

"By Command Spell! Use your Noble Phantasm to defeat the imposter—!"

If this were said by another Servant, it could be considered a spell to "enhance the power of Noble Phantasms".

But in Siegfried's case—

The hero who once turned his entire life into a "wish machine" now possesses an effect far exceeding that of others.

In response to his Master's expectations and wishes, Siegfried will strive to rise up and surpass his own limits—

"I will not die until I have completely defeated Shirou."

"If that's the case, why..."

The "Black" swordsman revealed a relieved smile.

Because he now understands that he absolutely cannot beat the boy in front of him.

It's not swordsmanship skills, nor the power of a Noble Phantasm, but something more essential and fundamental—

People call it "the character of the heroic spirit".

As a flawed individual, I could never defeat him, who had "already reached that level."

Once he understood this, the "magic" attached to Siegfried disappeared, and he began to face his belated second death.

Like a spirit that has been delivered from the dead, Siegfried said with a smile that showed acceptance of reality.

"Thank you, I almost lost sight of what I wanted to pursue."

Shirou said, "I'm glad you're satisfied."

Siegfried nodded: "Yes, I am very satisfied. This experience in the real world has benefited me greatly."

If there's any regret, it's that I feel I've let down my Master, who had such high hopes for me...

Despite making grand promises, they were easily defeated and forced to retreat in their very first match.

Shirou said with a serious expression, "Don't worry, that guy will be very proud of you, I promise you."

Just as the boy had said, Siegfried heard his Master's roar as the sensation gradually faded away.

"Saber...! No! Don't go, Saber, you can't disappear!"

Although Siegfried thought Gordes was a great Master, he was still asking a bit too much of him.

Faced with his Master's excessive and demanding requests, the great hero could only respond in this way:

"…………terribly sorry."

Volume 5, Chapter 206: She got a princess carry before Aika did.

Thus, the Holy Grail War saw its first casualties emerge from the chaotic battle in the Tulipas Forest.

The first to notice the disappearance of the "Black" swordsmen were not only the magicians of the Thousand World Tree clan, but also the Assyrian empress who was closely monitoring the battlefield with her familiars (pigeons).

Besides her, there was another swordsman dozens of kilometers away.

"What's wrong, Saber?"

Lion's Bane looked at Mordred with confusion.

As if sensing something, the rebellious knight suddenly turned his head to look into the distance.

Then she saw a golden pillar of light piercing through the darkness.

"That light is..."

Mordred's eyes widened.

That radiance, hotter than the sun and more dazzling than the stars, she would never mistake even if a thousand years passed.

"Ha! Is that you? Are you there?!"

The girl's lips curled up, revealing sharp canine teeth.

"Hmm? Are those Servants fighting over there people you know?"

"Ah."

Mordred nodded firmly.

In this world, there are only two people who can emit that radiance and are known as the "Holy Sword Wielders".

Since "that king" is a being that cannot manifest in the Holy Grail War, then there must be only one person left there!

"My foolish Artoria (sister)! This time I will shatter your will and trample you under my feet!!"

Mordred gave a smirk, a glint of hatred in his eyes.

The rebellious knight was still basking in the afterglow of his reunion with his beloved sister—

She had no idea what she would encounter in the next few days.

……

……

Although the process was somewhat tortuous, Shirou received the first blood in the Holy Grail War.

That should make Ai Ge feel much better.

Just as Shirou was happily preparing to leave the scene, he discovered that the "Black" Rider—a pink-haired beauty (?)—was gazing at him with an expression of deep emotion.

Then—he jumped up with a burst of speed that caught even Shirou off guard, and pounced on Shirou with all his might to hug him.

"!?"

Even more excited than Shirou was Jeanne d'Arc, who was hiding in the shadows.

"Waaaaaah! Thank you, thank you so much for saving that child...!"

I never imagined you were such a gentle person!! And yet I…!! I'm so sorry!! I even tried to hurt you, I'm so sorry!!

"Huh? Let go of me right now! I already said I was just helping out! I had no intention of saving that brat! Don't get me wrong!"

"Waaaah! Thank you, thank you!"

Shirou tried to separate Astolfo from him, but she clung to him so tightly that he couldn't break free.

That said, this guy smells so good even though he's a man, and why are his arms and legs so soft?

"Let me go!"

Shirou struggled even harder; what if someone saw this...?

It would be terrible if Aika misunderstood that I was a traitor!