Who are you calling a stable boy?!

Just then, the door that Rin had just closed made a sound.

"I am back."

The door opened, and walked in—it was Sakura, the very person the mother and daughter had just been talking about.

Welcome back.

When Mrs. Kui saw that her youngest daughter had also arrived home, all the worry on her face disappeared.

She smiled and turned around.

"Now that everyone's back, let's get ready to eat. Go wash your hands."

"Ok."

Sakura smiled and responded.

Rin did not answer Mrs. Aoi.

She looked up at the cherry blossoms, her brows slightly furrowed.

"Sakura, you've gone out?"

Sakura nodded.

"I told you, it's not safe outside yet. When Zheng Jing and I aren't here, it's best if you, Mom, and Uncle Yan Ye don't go out."

“I remember, sister. Don’t worry, I haven’t gone far.”

Sakura walked past Rin with a smile.

"I just took a walk around the neighborhood and stretched my body."

"..."

Watching Sakura's retreating figure, Rin opened her mouth, but didn't know how to say it properly.

Zouken Matou's appearance made her want to remind her younger sister, but if she really talked about that old devil again, she was afraid it would hurt Sakura.

After much deliberation, Rin figured that since Zheng Jing had left behind a barrier and Rin was there, if she paid more attention, her father would be free to deal with Matou Zouken once this Holy Grail War ended.

There's no way things will go wrong.

Thinking of this, Rin sighed and gave up the idea of ​​calling out to Sakura.

To be honest, she always felt that Ying had changed after being given the power by Zheng Jing.

It's not just about appearance, there are also some...

She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she just had that feeling.

"...That's strange."

Rin, who was about to wash her hands, suddenly muttered something.

Why didn't she ask where Zheng Jing went?

While the Zenjou family was preparing for a joyful dinner, the Kotomine father and son had just finished a Master meeting that could also be considered amicable.

In the name of the overseer, it has been confirmed that the Greater Grail is currently susceptible to evil corruption. Considering the immeasurable negative impact it may have, the Holy Grail War is hereby officially declared null and void, and all Masters are ordered to cease all combat activities.

This decision was not opposed by any of the Masters present.

Come to think of it.

Even now, if there is still any Master who is willing to risk causing a catastrophe to try to reach the Root with the Greater Grail, then we would have to ask the Ruyi Jingu Bang in that person's hands whether or not it would be allowed.

"Father, you seem to be in a good mood."

"Hmm? Ha, is it that obvious? It seems my skills have declined somewhat."

Kotomine Ritsu stood with his hands behind his back, smiling and shaking his head.

"Kirei, to be honest, I am truly pleased to see this Holy Grail War end in such a manner... Do you remember who I told you about in the last Holy Grail War, the one the Church sent to Fuyuki to serve as the overseer?"

"Of course I remember, it was you, Father."

"Yes, it is indeed I."

Standing beneath the cross, Li Zheng raised his head, his old face filled with reminiscence.

"So, I know why that Holy Grail War was ultimately canceled. I just never imagined that it wasn't just the Lesser Grail that malfunctioned, but the Greater Grail as well..."

Li shook her head.

“I have a very close personal relationship with Tokiomi’s father. Tokiomi… I can say that I watched him grow up. Kirei, before you were born, Tokiomi was like my son. So, under these circumstances, I believe that Tokiomi will make the right choice.”

"But not every magician can practice the path of integrity like Tokiomi and his father."

"Most magicians are not benevolent, especially when faced with the possibility of reaching the source. These beasts of knowledge will often tear off their human skin without hesitation... As the agent, you must know something about this."

“Normally, those magicians who have become Masters not only do not heed the Church’s mediation, but may even unite to try to eliminate me as the supervisor and Tokiomi, the head of the Tohsaka family, who agreed to cancel this Holy Grail War.”

Fortunately...

Turning around, Li looked her son up and down and smiled with satisfaction.

"This time, a true Buddha has arrived."

-

"mom!"

"Ilya!"

In the ancient castle outside Fuyuki, a touching moment of reunion between mother and daughter is taking place.

Seeing Irisviel sobbing uncontrollably while holding Illya, Zheng Jing patted Kiritsugu Emiya on the back.

"You're the only one missing, Brother Emiya, aren't you going over there?"

Chapter 121: Admitting Defeat Isn't Shameful

The Einzbern family was naturally prepared for the possibility that Kiritsugu Emiya might break the contract and come to take Illya away.

Einzbern, a city that has stood for over a thousand years, has a very rich history.

In order to prevent the Servants summoned by Kiritsugu Emiya from attacking, the Einzbern family further strengthened the defenses inside and outside the castle after Kiritsugu Emiya left.

Such preparations, while not foolproof, are as comprehensive as possible.

—But the Einzbern family could never have predicted that it would be Zheng Jing who came with Kiritsugu Emiya to launch the surprise attack.

Zheng Jing's current skill of concealing his presence and moving stealthily can be attributed to Yoruichi.

More accurately, he figured it out himself from the Shihouin family's secret manual that Yoruichi had given him.

If we were to measure this skill by the ability to conceal one's aura as an assassin, it would likely be at least an A level, or even higher...

Thus, even the Einzbern family, who were on guard, could not discover Zheng Jing's infiltration into the city.

When Zheng Jing took a look at the Einzbern family's inventory and explored the interesting new gadgets along the way, and finally found Ilya, who had been practically subjugated, his voluntary appearance made the Einzbern family realize that their old nest had been brazenly infiltrated.

But by this point, it was too late for the Einzberns to do anything.

With a single blow, Zheng Jing pierced through the Einzbern Castle, shoved Ilya into Kiritsugu's arms as he came to meet them, and unleashed his Ruyi Jingu Bang, delivering a devastating blow to the Einzbern family who were trying to catch up.

As a result, instead of the entire Einzbern being destroyed, the pure homunculi accepted the losses, including Irisviel, Illya, and the defeat in the Fourth Holy Grail War, and surrendered to Zheng Jing.

After all, the Lesser Grail can be remade, and the lost victory can be regained. Even if the Greater Grail in Fuyuki is destroyed, as long as the Einzbern family still exists, they can start all over again.

For artificial beings who are already accustomed to repetition, starting over is not an unacceptable outcome.

In the end, in front of Zheng Jing, the surrendered Einzbern family and Emiya Kiritsugu signed a treaty, promising never to cause them any more trouble.

As far as the Einzbern family is concerned, once this treaty is signed, there is virtually no chance of breaching it.

In this way, Kiritsugu was able to temporarily put down some of the burdens in his heart and breathe a sigh of relief...

"Thank you for your help, brother."

Zheng Jing, who was watching the family of three reunited, grinned and patted Artoria's shoulder when he heard her thanks.

"We're siblings, why be so polite?"

The brother and sister stood side by side, laughing, for a moment before Zheng Jingcai spoke again.

“Hey little sister, don’t blame me for being nosy, but there’s something I need to ask you.”

"Brother, please speak."

"This Holy Grail War is pretty much over. As for whether the Holy Grail can be repaired, that's another matter for later. So, are you going back to the Throne of Heroes?"

"..."

Artoria did not answer immediately.

She looked at the Emiya family, remained silent for a few seconds, and then gently shook her head.

"If Irisviel and the others are willing, I would like to stay."

"But for the Holy Grail?"

"Now that things have come to this, I'm not afraid of being laughed at by you, brother. I want to stay because I still have some desire for the Holy Grail."

Artoria smiled.

"But more than anything, it's because I felt a sense of responsibility."

"Oh?"

"As a knight, I promised Irisviel that I would protect her and Kiritsugu. As a Heroic Spirit, I know that this Greater Grail is very likely to bring disaster to the world. So how can I stand idly by and do nothing about it?"

Despite her smile, Artoria's words were solemn and powerful.

"Whether the Greater Grail is restored to its original state or is destroyed completely, I hope I can do my part in it, and I hope I can... witness the outcome of all of this."

"Ha ha!"

Zheng Jing laughed.

He pulled Artoria into his arms and patted the Knight King's back twice.

"Good sister, that's more like it!"

-

After sunrise, at 10 a.m., the long-awaited bustle returned to the entrance of the Tohsaka residence.

"Oh! Here it comes!"

Zheng Jing, who was standing with Rin, spotted Kiritsugu and his group from afar.

"Greetings, elder brother."

Upon arriving in front of Zheng Jing, Artoria bowed.

Behind her, Irisviel followed suit, blinking and bowing with her hands clasped.

"Greetings, Brother Zheng!"

"Oh! No need for formalities, little sister. Hehe, Mrs. Alice, no need for formalities either."

Zheng Jing raised his hand and patted the backs of the two beauties' hands before looking at Kiritsugu.

"Greetings, Master."

"Brother Emiya, why are you still being so distant?"

Upon hearing this, Kiritsugu lowered his hand and smiled slightly.

"Hello, Brother Zheng."

"well!"

After peeking around for a bit, Zheng Jing walked around to Kiritsugu's other side, tapped him lightly twice, and asked in a low voice, "Why didn't you bring Illya along? She could have gotten to know Rin, huh?"

Kiritsugu's smile now held a hint of helplessness.

"That child rarely stays up that late."

"Oh! Right, right, it's alright. Anyway, your family is settling here, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future, no need to rush!"

Zheng Jing smiled and pulled on Kiritsugu's wrist.

"Come on, come on, we've been waiting for you. Rin, later, I, Old Zheng, will take you to see his Ilya!"

"I didn't promise you I'd go see you..."