"..."
When Semiramis, the "Red" Assassin, woke, she found herself lying in a room in the Church of Sighișoara.
It was already broad daylight outside.
Through the window, she could see the pillar of light and flame standing on the ground. No matter how much time passed, it was still painfully bright.
The Empress frowned slightly. I shouldn't have made it through last night...
Ever since she lost her Master, Assassin had not replenished her Mana in any form.
On top of that, that arrogant little brat, Mordred, the "Red" Saber, had left a fatal wound on Semiramis's delicate body.
At last, her meager remaining Mana had run out last night. She should have disappeared then and there.
Yet now, not only was she still alive, the weakness that had plagued her for the past few days was gone, and the wound from the magic sword had healed as well.
"...Why?"
Semiramis murmured to herself, then looked toward the familiars keeping watch over her on the windowsill.
"Cheep, cheep, cheep, cheep, cheep, cheep!"
The pigeons hopped about, chirping.
Last night, when Semiramis was on her last breath and about to vanish, they had taken it upon themselves to fly out and seek help.
By sheer coincidence, they had run into the red-haired boy who was still outside late into the night.
They brought him to the church, carried out emergency treatment under his guidance, and in the end, she received his Mana.
After hearing the whole story from the trembling pigeons, Semiramis's beautiful face turned as cold as winter.
Of all people, it had to be that man...!
The Assyrian Empress widened her almond-shaped eyes and bit down on her lip.
"Where is he? Where did he go?"
The pigeons said he had gone straight back as soon as he finished working late last night.
Semiramis was stunned. Did he know she would complain the moment she woke up, so he slipped away in advance?
Tch... As despicable as ever!
A meddlesome man with a rotten personality, impossible to read no matter what he did.
"He is my natural enemy."
Half a month ago, when Semiramis first met Shirou in this church, she had already felt that way.
Unlike Amakusa Shirou, who had no worldly desires whatsoever, Shirou was strange in another sense.
He would not go around preaching about "the salvation of all humanity" like Amakusa Shirou, yet deep in his heart, he still held an absolute conviction like that of a saint. Something more important than profit, desire, or even life.
Semiramis had never met such a strange man in life.
To the ancient Assyrian Empress, men were tools that could be controlled with ease.
Countless people had lost everything after being manipulated by her words.
And to her, there was only one woman in the world, and only one king.
Of course, for the sake of human reproduction, women other than herself did have a reason to exist. But existing as a woman, freely ruling over all things, was a privilege that belonged to her alone.
That was the only way she could live.
Semiramis recalled the moment of her birth. Though the memory was unclear, she remembered the figure of a woman abandoning her and fleeing in haste toward the river.
Her mother, the fish goddess Derketo, had committed adultery with a Syrian man and conceived a girl. That girl was Semiramis.
She heard her mother say to her, "You are my shame."
To a goddess, a child born with a human was a disgrace.
Later, Semiramis thought she had been a truly foolish goddess. After all, she was the one who failed to resist a man's temptation.
Her ashamed mother abandoned Semiramis and killed her father.
Even so, whether she wanted it or not, Semiramis received one treasure from her mother. The blood of the gods.
That unblessed divinity gave her a tenacious life force and made her beloved by pigeons even when she was still an infant.
She was raised on milk stolen by pigeons, then found by a shepherd, and through that, she entered the human world.
By then, Semiramis's personality had already been shaped by her childhood.
She hated, belittled, scorned, and mocked every human being other than herself.
Women were as foolish and ignorant as animals.
Men were as greedy and lustful as beasts.
All humans other than herself were inferior creatures who ought to be managed by her like livestock.
This was Semiramis's philosophy, and it was her entire understanding of the world.
Then, after Semiramis's life as Empress ended, this manifestation changed the way she saw things.
"How strange..."
Without Assassin herself even noticing, the corners of her lips lifted.
She got out of bed and left the church.
Now that her dream of "ruling all humanity" had collapsed, the Empress had found a new amusement.
...
...
After nearly half a month of repairs, the outside of Yggdmillennia's castle was still a miserable sight, but the interior had finally become presentable.
At this moment, the Magi of Yggdmillennia and the surviving Heroic Spirits had gathered in the conference room to discuss the final operation.
They were not the only ones still stubbornly determined to resist.
Reinforcements dispatched by the Mage's Association had also arrived in Romania yesterday.
"But you'd better not get your hopes up too much," Kairi Sisigou warned.
He was right. If the Mage's Association were still powerful enough, the Yggdmillennia clan would not have dared to declare independence in the first place, and the Association would not have hired a bounty hunter like Sisigou to take part in the Holy Grail War.
"So what? In the end, it's still up to us."
That was what Mordred said, but the fighting spirit in her eyes could not be hidden.
It might have been disrespectful to the six billion people on Earth, but the Rebel Knight was already more than satisfied as long as she could fight alongside her beloved father. Right now, her fighting spirit was running high.
"Tomorrow at noon, we will leave Trifas for the capital, Bucharest. From there, we'll transfer to a plane and head to the final battlefield."
Fiore explained the operation to everyone.
She had already transplanted her Magic Crest to her younger brother, but for the duration of the war, she remained the acting head of Yggdmillennia.
"So we're taking a plane? A plane! I can fly a plane!"
Astolfo, the "Black" Rider, raised his hand excitedly, but Fiore shook her head.
"We'll arrange for a Golem to pilot the plane. We can't have a Servant occupied with flying, no matter what.
That is also why we're not having Saber-san use his airship Noble Phantasm. I want all of you focused on the battle against the Angels."
"But my Riding skill is A+, you know. Of course I want to show everyone that I can control anything besides a Hippogriff."
Astolfo muttered with his hands behind his head. Fiore exchanged a glance with Shirou, and the two nodded in tacit agreement.
"Then let us move on to the next item: confirming the Mana supply and Master candidates for each Servant."
The ones taking part in the decisive battle were not only Shirou, Mordred, and Astolfo, but also the "Red" Archer Atalanta and the "Red" Rider Achilles.
"The Masters of you two are currently under Yggdmillennia's protection."
"Tch. You call it 'protection,' but isn't it really 'house arrest'?" Achilles said with a look of disdain.
Unlike Assassin, who had lost her Master, the Masters of Archer and Rider were still alive. Their Command Spells had simply vanished along with Amakusa Shirou.
Although the causal links (Lines) established between familiar and Magus had become fragile after the Holy Grail War ended, the Mana supply could be restored by strengthening them with a ritual.
"Leave that part to us... We may not look it, but when it comes to Mana transfer, we're professionals."
Fiore looked toward the red-haired boy beside her.
"That leaves one final key issue. Who will supply Saber with Mana?"
Manaka Sajyou still had not awakened.
Shirou refused to sever his contract with her.
In that case, they needed a temporary candidate capable of supplying Shirou with Mana, then use Yggdmillennia's Spiritual Descent and alchemy to complete a simulated Mana supply.
Just like when the Homunculi had acted as batteries for Vlad III.
"M-me, me, me...!"
The blonde girl stood on tiptoe and raised her arm high.
"Leticia, not you. You'll need to stay by my side when the time comes, and you still can't even use basic Reinforcement Magecraft properly, can you?"
"Yes... Master..." The girl drooped her head in disappointment.
"Sis, let me supply Mana to Saber-san."
Hearing that, Fiore looked at her younger brother Caules in surprise.
"Are you sure? Your surgery only just ended. You shouldn't push yourself too hard."
The bespectacled boy shook his head solemnly.
"My body is fine now. I'm the head of the Forvedge family. At a time like this, I have to step up and do something."
"Caules..."
Fiore's face filled with emotion and joy. As expected of the younger brother I'm so proud of...
"Hold it! What are you siblings deciding on your own over there?"
An angry male voice rang through the conference room.
Gordes slammed his hand down hard on the table.
"No matter how you look at it, the Master of the 'Black' Saber can only be me!
This man is the successor recognized by Siegfried, so I, his former Master, should be the one to supply him with Mana!"
Fiore frowned slightly and reminded him, "Not Master, Mana provider... This isn't exactly pleasant work, Uncle Gordes."
"Call it whatever you want. Either way, it has to be me," the portly middle-aged Magus declared without hesitation.
Simulated Mana supply was not a particularly mature technique. If something went wrong, it could burn out his Magic Circuits or even endanger his life. There had once been Homunculi who were drained of Mana and left crippled.
There was no way Gordes did not know that.
Even so, he strongly insisted on becoming Saber's battery.
"There's no need for Gordes-sama to sacrifice himself. Please rest assured. You can leave the task of supplying Saber-sama with Mana to us."
"You're...!"
Gordes glared furiously toward the door, only for his expression to turn somewhat timid the next instant.
A third faction living within this castle.
The Homunculi had made their dazzling entrance.
Toole led a dozen or so Homunculi through the conference room as if they owned the place, leaving Fiore speechless. Who exactly was in charge of Yggdmillennia here, her or them?
Toole stopped in front of Shirou. "Saber-sama, these children have all volunteered to provide you with Mana."
"It would be our honor to become Saber-sama's strength!"
A lively-looking Homunculus girl stepped forward, blushing as she spoke.
"Oh, I see... Thank you, everyone."
Shirou nodded in thanks, looking a little overwhelmed.
"So, what will you decide?"
Fiore looked rather displeased. She pursed her lips and asked coldly, "You really are popular, aren't you, Saber-san? So, who would you like to provide you with Mana?"
"..."
The air in the conference room suddenly grew heavy.
Caules, Gordes, and the Homunculi all fixed their eyes on Shirou at once.
The red-haired boy pinched his chin and sank into thought.
Purely in terms of efficiency, having a Homunculus supply the Mana would naturally be best, but he could not simply dismiss Caules and Gordes' goodwill either.
After thinking for a moment, Shirou came up with a plan.
But just as he was about to speak, a commotion broke out outside.
"What happened?"
"Enemy... It's an enemy attack!"
"An enemy attack?"
Fiore's eyes widened. Has Metatron already come for us? It isn't even the seventh day yet! Is this as far as we go?
"The enemy... are they Angels?"
"No, it's, it's..."
...
The "enemy shadow" that appeared before the gates of the Fortress of Millennia was only a single Servant.
The "Red" Assassin, Semiramis.
It was only natural for the people of Yggdmillennia to panic.
After all, until just a few days ago, this Empress of unparalleled beauty had been their greatest enemy, as well as the final boss of the Great Holy Grail War.
But things were different now. The Empress no longer had any subordinate Heroic Spirits, and even her once-invincible stronghold, the Hanging Gardens, had been confiscated by God.
In other words, she was now completely alone.
Even so, the artificial lifeforms still did not dare let their guard down. They stood fully armed, axes in hand.
"It's Assassin. May I ask what brings you here today?"
Fiore felt uneasy as well, but she still maintained a calm front.
Semiramis gave a bewitching smile capable of making any man lose himself. "Relax. I have come to assist you."
"...What?"
Everyone looked at one another in confusion.
Metatron had killed her Master and taken her Noble Phantasm, so it was understandable for Semiramis to hate him to the bone. But why choose this timing?
Not to mention, there was already a cautionary example right in front of them. Manaka Sajyou, who had been betrayed by Assassin, was lying there.
"Are you serious? You're willing to help us fight Metatron?"
Fiore confirmed again, her voice full of suspicion.
Assassin was not someone to be trusted. She was a woman who thought only of herself and treated everything else as a stepping stone.
It would not be strange for someone like her to betray them at any moment.
Even so, the risk was worth taking. Her brilliant mind and ruthless methods were exactly the kind of strength humanity desperately needed now.
"Yes. I am quite serious."
Semiramis supported her ample, proud chest with one arm and rested the other hand against her delicate chin.
"However, if you wish for me to join you willingly, you must satisfy one condition of mine."
"What condition?"
Semiramis swept her gaze over the people gathered before the gates, before finally settling her eyes on Shirou's face.
Then, under everyone's stunned stares, the Empress made her declaration.
"Have that man take responsibility for last night."
...
At Semiramis' request, Yggdmillennia dismissed everyone else and left her alone with Shirou in a room.
"Did you come here to get revenge on me...?"
Shirou sighed helplessly.
Thinking back to the scene earlier, he was reminded of a drama he had once watched with Fuji-nee.
The female chairwoman of some conglomerate stepped out of a Mercedes, walked up to the poor male lead, grabbed him by the tie, and declared in front of everyone, "From now on, you're mine."
...What kind of embarrassing domineering CEO play was that!?
On top of that, Fiore, Atalanta, and Leticia had all been radiating an unprecedentedly explosive killing intent just now.
Semiramis pinched her chin, wearing a meaningful and amused expression. "It is revenge. Revenge for you leaving without a word last night."
"So stop saying things that will make people misunderstand!"
"Hmph... What a man utterly lacking in charm."
Semiramis furrowed her fine brows slightly and said in displeasure, "Leaving without saying goodbye last night was one thing, but why did you not come looking for me yourself today?"
"Since you're already fine, there was no need to make a special trip, was there?" Shirou said.
That answer did not satisfy Semiramis.
She could not understand it. Had this man not helped her in order to earn her gratitude?
"You want me to join the battle against the Angels, do you not? If so, why did you not simply ask me directly?"
"I do want you to fight alongside us, but that wasn't why I saved you last night."
"Wha..."
It was an answer she had not expected.
Assassin was shaken. He had used crucial Mana to keep an enemy alive. If it was not for some benefit, then what else could it have been?
The Empress said coldly, "Do not tell me you saved me out of kindness... After all this, do you truly think I would believe such nonsense?"
Shirou calmly shook his head. "Saving you... was actually for my own selfish reasons."
Semiramis raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what selfish reasons would those be?"
The red-haired boy looked hesitant.
"Enough... Stop dragging this out and explain it clearly!"
Assassin pressed him impatiently. This was not her usual manner, but her curiosity had truly been piqued.
Countless Heroic Spirits had fallen by Saber's hand, and yet he had chosen to save her, someone who was not even his ally.
Moreover, she was the very enemy who had plotted against Manaka Sajyou.
Why had he saved her? She wanted to know the answer.
Shirou hesitated. "Do you want the truth or a lie?"
"The truth, of course, you fool! Hurry up and say it!"
Semiramis could not help snapping at him. This man... he was going to drive her insane!
What kind of extraordinary hidden reason could possibly be so hard to say?
"..."
Shirou took a deep breath, then met Semiramis' eyes.
"!"
The red-haired boy's expression was so serious that even Semiramis could not help growing nervous.
The Empress clenched her fists and held her breath. W-what is this? Why is he suddenly so serious...
Shirou slowly voiced the conclusion he and Mordred had reached while drinking the previous night, as well as the only reason he had helped Assassin.
"I saved you because your eyes look a lot like my wife's."
"...Huh?"
Semiramis froze completely.
It took quite a while before the Empress finally snapped out of her daze, and her beautiful face flushed red as if it had caught fire.
Was this... a confession of love?