A Villain's Journey Begins in the Type-Moon World

“Correcting a distorted history...isn't that just killing 'history' again?”

After a sigh, Dr. Roman continued:

“Ritsuka, the reason I didn’t tell you these things before was that I was thinking of waiting until you were more familiar with things before I could openly discuss this with you. But things don’t always go as planned, and you will eventually face moments like this that test your conscience and nature.”

"This is the true resolve that comes with the mission of the Grand Order. We can only guarantee that what we do is 'right,' not that what we do is 'just.' Ritsuka, Mash... I'm sorry... that I'm only telling you this now."

"Doctor..." After hearing Dr. Roman's words, Ritsuka lowered her head and remained silent for a long time. Could she really bear this responsibility? Ritsuka couldn't help but ask herself.

Although Mashu couldn't fully understand the doctor's words and didn't understand why "correctness" and "justice" would contradict each other, she knew that at this moment, all she needed to do was wait for Ritsuka's decision.

To fight, or to retreat?

"Clap clap clap..."

"To be able to say such things, although I don't know anything about these two ladies, I have some understanding of the ideals of your Chaldea organization. Perhaps you really do have the potential to save the world."

Suddenly, applause rang out. Archer clapped his hands, then looked at the three children and slowly said:

"I was also lost in this kind of confusion for a long time... I have always been chasing 'justice', but things often don't go as planned. I always thought about saving everyone, but in the end it was just a fool's delusion."

"The more I did, the more mistakes I made. For a long time, I regretted it, regretted being a partner of justice, and even fantasized about killing my past self who had naive ideas."

"But the reason I am confused is that I have been wavering between these two options for too long and I cannot make a choice. I am doing the right thing, but I am also deluding myself into believing that justice should be served."

"If I had understood this sooner, if I had stuck to that choice, maybe I wouldn't be the way I am now..."

After saying that, Archer clenched his fist, and two knives, one black and one white, appeared in his hand.

"I'm sorry, I've said a lot of things you might not understand. But Ms. Ritsuka, I hope you will keep that doctor's words in mind. As you continue on this path to save the world, you will eventually make your own choice."

"As for this time... let me, as your senior, make the choice for you. Since you two are not comfortable taking action due to your familiarity with each other... then I will do it. Anyway, it's not the first time I've chosen the 'right' option."

"Don't worry, I will defeat them, but I won't cause them too much damage."

As soon as he finished speaking, Archer leaped up and, using the mountainside as footholds, chose to get close to the three lolis.

"Wait a minute? Archers in melee combat? What the hell is this?" Dr. Roman exclaimed in disbelief.

"He actually chose melee combat? That guy is clearly an archer, is he looking down on us... or does he have something to rely on?"

At this moment, Rin Tohsaka displayed a calm and cautious demeanor completely different from before. She stared at the red figure, and for some reason, felt a strong sense of unease upon seeing him as her enemy.

However, Rin Tohsaka didn't let that feeling cloud her judgment. She immediately gave instructions to Illya and Sakura beside her:

"Let's spread out and not give him a chance to break through in one blow!"

"Whether he dares to come alone or not, it's because he's arrogant or he has something to rely on. What we need to do is defeat a Servant and prove to our teacher that we are capable enough to share his burdens!"

"Okay! Rin-neechan!"

"Yes, sister."

Ilya and Sakura responded in response, and the two of them instantly distanced themselves from Rin Tohsaka. The three of them then surrounded Archer, with Archer at the center.

Chapter 115: Archer vs. Magical Girl

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh—!!"

The first to launch the attack was none other than Rin Tohsaka, who appeared the most capable and mature. She raised her arm, and after a brief incantation, fired a series of red magic bullets from her fingers. (The remaining text appears to be gibberish and unrelated to the initial statement.)

The magic Rin Tohsaka is currently using is called: [Gandr], also known as Yin Qi Bullet.

A type of rune magic that allows one to snipe objects within their field of vision simply by aiming. It is also one of the quick-attack magics that Rin Tohsaka frequently uses.

However, for an Archer Servant who is naturally adept at maneuvering and kiting, the long-range sniping of Rin Tohsaka was nothing to worry about, and she easily dodged the incoming magic bullets with her agile movements.

"Ok?"

Suddenly, just as Archer was about to dodge another magic bullet, he abruptly stopped. He first used the white sword in his right hand to knock away the magic bullet that he was supposed to dodge, and then threw the black sword in his left hand towards the spot where he was originally going to move.

"Waaah!"

A surprised voice rang out, and a crack appeared where Archer had originally intended to move. The black blade struck the crack, and the resulting magical disturbance restored the crack to a calm space.

"Imaginary number magic? It seems Sakura is on the right path. This is good news."

After Archer finished speaking in a low voice, he suddenly quickened his pace and rushed towards Rin Tohsaka.

"burst!"

However, at this moment, Rin Tohsaka clenched her fingers, and a series of red lights appeared on the mountain path where Archer was walking.

"Boom boom boom boom!!!"

A series of explosions rang out, indicating that Rin Tohsaka had set up a jewel magic spell along the only path in advance, using it as a trap to trigger the explosion.

"Good opportunity, Ilya. I have a feeling that if we take down this guy, we might gain unexpected power. Let's go!"

Ilya's wand emitted a voice, "Hmm! Shotgun!"

After gathering her magic power, Ilya unleashed a barrage of magic bullets, sweeping them across the area that had just exploded, finishing off the remaining enemies.

"Is it resolved?" Ilya couldn't help but ask.

"No... I don't seem to feel any power coming. By the way, Ilya-chan, you've spread your power too thin. This magic bullet is just tickling you." The wand complained.

"Huh? Is that so? But this trick worked really well when I was clearing out those large numbers of monsters before," Ilya couldn't help but say.

"Those are just grunts, of course we can take them out with shotguns. After all, our current enemy is a Servant. Illya-chan is still too inexperienced, she should learn more from Rin-chan~" the wand said.

"Watch out! Something's coming out of the smoke!"

Meanwhile, Rin Tohsaka, who had been calmly searching for the enemy, seemed to have sensed something and immediately spoke up to remind Illya and Sakura.

"The crane's wings will not falter, my heart is as firm as a rock."

Two single-edged swords, one black and one white, flew out from the smoke and dust, and the first to attack Sakura was the first to be attacked.

"Imaginary Number Magic—Open the door!"

Seeing the two swords aimed at her first, Sakura showed no panic. Instead, she spread her arms, and a huge doorway opened in front of her in a cross shape, directly absorbing the two swords.

At that moment, a figure burst out from the smoke, leaping high into the air and heading straight for Rin Tohsaka in the air.

The figure was Archer. Although he had many burn marks on his body and looked somewhat disheveled, he was not fundamentally injured. At this moment, he seized the opportunity when Sakura used imaginary number magic to block his thrown twin blades, intending to quickly take down Rin Tohsaka.

He knew very well that if Sakura's Imaginary Number Magic was very effective at hindering attacks, he had to quickly take down one of them while Sakura was unable to make a move.

If he captures one of them and threatens her with his life to intimidate them, given the children's personalities, they will eventually have no choice but to surrender.

The best target is Rin Tohsaka. Only if Rin Tohsaka is captured will the other two simple-minded children be fooled and obediently admit defeat.

"Trying to catch me empty-handed? You're underestimating me! Magic Bullet Gem! Go!"

Rin Tohsaka hurled over a dozen gems as if they were free, unleashing a magical cannon that blasted directly at Archer at close range.

"With skill and determination, one can reach the summit of Mount Tai; with unwavering strength, one can traverse mountains."

At this moment, a white dagger reappeared in Archer's right hand. Archer turned his body, using his waist to move his body and swing his arms, instantly blocking all the incoming magic bullets and gems.

Even though the explosions rang out one after another, they could not stop Archer in the slightest. The fierce aura emanating from Archer's resolute eyes made Rin Tohsaka, who was staring directly at him, tremble involuntarily.

After all, Rin Tohsaka is still a child. No matter how calm she is, she will eventually suffer from a lack of experience and the aura she has built up over the years.

However, Rin Tohsaka inexplicably became even angrier, and instinctively raised her hand, gathered her strength, and then threw a punch.

"Ok?"

Archer hadn't expected that once he reached Rin Tohsaka, he could have simply used the hilt of his sword to strike her from behind, knocking her unconscious.

"Ok?"

Archer hadn't expected that once he reached Rin Tohsaka, he could have simply used the hilt of his sword to strike her from behind, knocking her unconscious.

But he didn't expect that Rin Tohsaka, who was so small, could unleash unimaginable physical strength. After being punched in the chest, he was sent flying.

"Bajiquan...? Rin mastered it so early? What exactly did that guy teach Rin?"

Archer winced in pain, but he couldn't afford to continue attacking Rin. Sakura was now free, and another deadly move was brewing behind him.

"Slash!!"

However, Ilya seized the opportunity when Archer was knocked away, concentrated her magic on her wand, and launched an unavoidable slash at Archer.

"With skillful mind, one can cross the Yellow River; with sword intent, one can sever the flowing water."

At that moment, Archer's left hand once again conjured a black dagger. Because he was unable to turn around while being knocked away, Archer chose to cross his hands and throw the two daggers behind him in a spinning motion.

"Clang clang—!"

The twin swords were the first to trigger Ilya's slash, and after Ilya knocked the two swords away, she herself was momentarily stunned.

"Watch out! Ilya-chan! He's coming at us!"

"Whoa!" Caught off guard, Ilya was knocked away by Archer using the momentum of the attack. Fortunately, Ilya, who had the ability to fly, nimbly rolled backward and dodged Archer's attempt to grab her.

"Tsk, they're all incredibly agile."

At this moment, Archer landed on the mountain again, looking at the magical girls flying in the air. He knew he would not use his archery skills against these children unless absolutely necessary.

"But the longer it drags on, the stronger the urge to get me becomes. Damn it, who taught them so well?"

For a moment, Archer didn't know whether to be happy or troubled by this, but if he didn't use something more serious to take them down quickly, he was afraid he would really get his hands dirty with blood.

At that moment, the two black and white short swords that had been thrown out returned to Archer's hands. Archer found the right angle and prepared to launch another charge.

"Sakura—don't give him another chance to get close! Assist me in the attack! Jewel Magic—!"

This time, Rin Tohsaka activated several gems once again. She unleashed all the magical power stored within the gems, sending dozens of black rays hurtling towards Archer.

Just as Archer was about to defend himself, he discovered that the first door suddenly opened in the middle, absorbing all the black rays emitted by the gems.

"what?"

Archer was wondering why Sakura used imaginary number magic to block Rin Tohsaka's black ray when he suddenly sensed a sense of crisis and almost instinctively moved his feet.

At that moment, dozens of small doors opened near Archer's feet, each shooting out the black rays it had just absorbed at a tricky angle, completely blocking Archer's ability to move.

Even now, when Archer uses the [Seven Rings of Blazing Sky] he just used, he can only block the black rays in front of him, and cannot take care of those behind him.

"Shhhhh-"

The sounds of tearing and piercing bodies rang out, and some blood was splattered on the floor.

"Well done... At such a young age, you've managed to combine gem magic and imaginary number magic to this extent. You sisters really do bring me surprises and trouble as always."

Archer lowered his head, revealing a strange smile, but when he raised his head, he reverted to his rather indifferent appearance.

Instead of using the seven-ring shield to defend, Archer crossed his twin swords to heal himself, protecting only his vital points before dodging and weaving.

Ultimately, although the black rays pierced through Archer's limbs and some parts of his body, they did not harm Archer's vital organs, although Archer looked rather miserable now.

"It's already like this, do you still want to keep fighting?"

Rin Tohsaka questioned.

"Kids, do you think this is some kind of child's game? A battle is only fought to the death! If you want to defeat me, destroy my body!"

Archer charged forward once again, his target still Rin Tohsaka.

Chapter 116: Crane Wing Triple Combo

"In that case, let's not hold back any longer—Sakura! Stop him!"

Rin Tohsaka gave the order.

"Imaginary Number Magic—Activate!"

Sakura unleashed her Imaginary Number Magic once more, opening a door directly in the direction Archer was charging. If one were to rush in headfirst, without Imaginary Number Magic to open the door, they might never be able to escape and their Heroic Spirit body would gradually disintegrate within the Imaginary Number space.

But to everyone's surprise, a loud voice suddenly rang out from behind: "Mr. Archer! Step on it!"

"Huh?" Archer, who was concentrating on something, felt a gust of wind rush up from behind and up to his feet. Archer looked down and realized that Mash had joined the battle and thrown her shield at his feet.

"We can't let Mr. Archer bear the burden of the pressure and choices that should belong to us alone—I've decided to fight on! Mr. Archer, let's defeat them together!"

Meanwhile, Ritsuka also began climbing the mountain, getting closer to the center of the battlefield. While casting enhancement magic to allow Mash to raise the shield higher and more accurately, she spoke in an extremely firm tone.

Yes, Ritsuka finally understood and made her choice. When she saw Archer's fearless attitude, fighting those children without hesitation and not backing down even when he was covered in wounds, she vaguely understood what true resolve was.

Therefore, Ritsuka can no longer hide behind others; she must stand up and truly make that choice.

This is her mission as a chosen one of Chaldea... even in pain and sorrow, she will persevere.

"Archer, be careful of Sakura's imaginary number magic. Her doors have a limit; the more doors she manipulates, the less accurate they become!"

"Ilya still has one more cannon attack left to use! Don't let her continue to build up her magic power!"