Steve gazed calmly at the man kneeling, as if his very soul had been remade, and spoke matter-of-factly, "But even now... I haven't come here today just to watch you awaken to your true nature, then run wild and bring calamity to the innocent people of Fuyuki."
He raised his hand and looked at his wrist, as if gazing at an unseen empty space reflecting the passage of time.
"I've calculated very precisely. You likely have only five or six minutes left to live."
"The convergence of the worldlines is absolute. Ten years ago, even if Kayneth had not sought the Root, he would surely have died a violent death through some other accident. Likewise, you, Kirei Kotomine—on this day in 2004, or thereabouts, your life will end."
"I couldn't bear the thought of such an interesting soul dying in silent agony, all alone. So, before you set off on your journey, I wanted to offer you this final, complete answer."
As Steve spoke, Kirei began to feel the first pangs of fate. It was as if his heart had been seized by a massive, invisible hand; his pulse grew heavy and labored, cold numbness spreading from his chest to his limbs. Though his body had been toughened by years of training, before this power named destiny, it seemed weak indeed.
And now, he understood at last why this man had chosen this very moment, while he wandered lost, to enlighten him.
Kirei slowly rose from the ground, that divinely tinged light in his gaze now shaded with a faint bitterness. He forced a wry smile. "...I see. I suppose you're a bit late with this explanation."
"If I said these words ten years ago, back when you were still Tokiomi Tohsaka's apprentice, what do you think would have happened?"
Steve smiled as if discussing an interesting academic problem with an old friend. Kirei imagined for a brief, passing second, then chuckled.
"I regret to say... I would've betrayed my master right away, done everything I could to seize the Grail—not for my wishes, but just to see for myself the being you call All the World's Evil brought into our world."
"What a grand and wondrous sight it must be—I'd want to see it with my own eyes."
He analyzed himself without hesitation: "My way as a heretical priest goes against all human reason. The more the birth of evil is blocked in the name of justice, the more I find myself wishing to help evil succeed."
"Your explanation has made me see—even someone evil since birth like me has inherent value, and can be acknowledged by others. Naturally, in that case, I wouldn't want to see my kind erased from this world."
"Your ideas are dangerous, but your logic is sound," Steve nodded, then added as if recalling something, "Come to think of it, about a month ago in Fuyuki, there was another small-scale Fifth Holy Grail War—not that you were aware. And your kind nearly emerged."
He briefly told Kirei of the battles around Chaldea, of the King of Magecraft from the future, of the grand plan to freeze all of Human Order, and of an alien god—one whose birth would bleach all human history and overturn all order.
As he listened, Kirei's eyes burned with unprecedented intensity. Hearing of a power that surpassed even All the World's Evil, he almost felt lightheaded with excitement.
So, in this world, there really did exist something even purer—and vaster—than all the world's evils.
He could only regret—with overwhelming frustration—that he'd missed such a birth festival, with no chance to aid Director Marisbury in fighting Chaldea.
"How regretful..." he whispered with real passion. "If I'd seen such a miracle with my own eyes, how much richer my life would have been..."
"Perhaps," Steve shrugged. "But in life, there's never only one path. If you could let yourself be less bound by your innate evil, your fate might have been entirely different."
"For instance, in a certain parallel world I know, you gave up your role as a priest and, instead, opened a wildly successful mapo ramen shop in Fuyuki's shopping district—and lived for quite a long time."
This speculation made Kirei pause for a moment. He couldn't help but laugh at the vision of himself, sweating over a wok in a smoke-filled kitchen, wearing an apron.
"To ask someone who delights in others' misfortune to work in the food business? Day after day, I'd probably be pained—knowing that every customer is supremely satisfied."
"But... at the same time, it doesn't sound so bad, either."
He shook his head. "Unfortunately, it's too late now. If you'd told me about this path ten years ago, I might have tried it."
At that very instant, the irresistible pull of fate finally descended. Kirei felt his heart about to be crushed—not a physical breakdown, but a conceptual cessation. Before this power, not even his heartbeat could last another second.
He felt his body grow cold, his strength ebbing with the tide, darkness swallowing the edges of his vision.
Yet, he betrayed no panic or fear. He merely looked back, leaned quietly against the cold lectern, and sat down, returning—just for a moment—to his beginning.
In his final moment, he lifted his head and met Steve's eyes.
He asked the one and only question left for to answer, as he drew his last breath:
"My daughter... Caren... she resembles me, and is cursed to be loved by devils. How has she been these past years, under your care...?"
"She's doing quite well," Steve replied, with calm certainty. "She hasn't followed in your footsteps. She has friends, studies, and games she loves. Her tongue is sharp, but her heart is kind. She's very happy."
"...I see..." Hearing that, Kirei's face, always tense, at last softened into a genuine, satisfied smile.
The answer he had sought all his life and the one concern he still held before dying—both found their most satisfying resolution today.
He felt overwhelming joy.
"...Truly... wonderful."
With that faint whisper, the eyes which had burned with contradiction and suffering all his days finally closed quietly, forever.