The corridor was in ruins, covered with large amounts of blood, and scattered limbs lay everywhere…
"Again?"
Faced with this nauseating scene, Shirou only frowned and looked around.
He remembered that after finishing the experiment, he had gone with Amiya and Kal'tsit to the office. Feeling somewhat tired, he had borrowed the sofa and taken a short nap…
He had only just checked in, yet not long after, he was dragged back in again. However, in Shirou's view, this did not seem like Emiya Kuro pulling him in. It felt more like those dreams he had after coming into contact with the mana crystal last time.
After all… only that guy, Nameless, would have dreams filled with this many corpses.
Even though Amiya was no longer carrying the mana crystal, perhaps it was because she had carried it for so long before? Or maybe there was some other reason?
Shirou did not really understand these things. If Rin or Illya were here, they might be able to explain a bit. When it came to mana and magecraft, Shirou was indeed not as knowledgeable as those two.
After all, he was a magus who used magecraft as a tool. A tool only needed to be understood in terms of how to use it; there was no need to think too deeply about the principles.
"…This does not look like Fuyuki City, does it?"
Looking out the window, Shirou could clearly see the outside scenery this time.
Although calling it scenery was generous, it was nothing but a vast stretch of desolation.
It could be confirmed that this was likely some remote wilderness. Places like this usually housed nothing good.
Crouching down, Shirou examined the corpses on the ground. The white lab coats and the English words stitched onto them allowed him to determine where he was.
A laboratory.
If such a bloody scene had been left in that person's memory, then it was likely a human experimentation facility.
At that thought, Shirou felt his throat go dry. It was not because of the bloodshed, but because of something else that came to mind.
After all, Rosmontis was also…
Lowering his head as he thought about these things, a shadow covered Shirou's eyes, yet the faint golden glow they emitted made them stand out even more.
However, Shirou was not using mana at this moment, and he himself did not notice anything unusual.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a pair of eyes staring straight at him.
Looking down, he could see an identification badge hanging from the person's neck, marking them as a researcher. Below that, there was nothing left to see…only a clean, precise cut.
Shirou withdrew his gaze, glanced at both sides of the corridor, then casually chose a direction and began walking.
He did not intend to investigate who was in this memory, what had happened, or what story it held.
After all, none of it had anything to do with him.
If he knew he could not control himself, then he would simply avoid it.
That said, the more a person tries to avoid something, the more it forces itself into their face, demanding attention.
And now, Shirou was facing exactly that problem.
Descending the stairs, he saw even more… people, and even more blood.
Large amounts of blood pooled on the ground like rainwater, soaking through people's clothes. Garments of all colors had been dyed a uniform crimson.
Even though he could not smell it, Shirou could already imagine the stench. If he had a sense of touch here, he would likely feel the sensation of stepping through blood.
But he had no desire to experience that, so he immediately turned around and headed back up.
From the things Exusiai and Croissant often watched, he had picked up some knowledge: generally speaking, the higher the level of a laboratory building, the fewer people there were.
After all, higher floors required more authorization. On the floor he had just been on, most people had been staff with identification badges, while going downward revealed large numbers of ordinary people who had the same wounds.
Though he did know who they were, he knew clearly that for Emiya Shirou at that time, it might have been the optimal solution.
Perhaps it was through steps like these that his hands became stained with blood, until one day he realized there was no turning back.
"…No."
As he thought further, Shirou sensed something was wrong.
For some unknown reason, he seemed to be starting to agree with such actions, even feeling that this was the correct course.
His thoughts, his ideas, his heart, all seemed to be subtly influenced by something in this place.
Realizing this, Shirou decisively began sprinting upward.
Below lay a field of corpses, so he would go up instead.
If the other person had slaughtered their way from the lower levels upward, then they must be at the very top.
Even if he guessed wrong, it did not matter. He could just run back down. What he needed right now was something to focus on, to stop himself from overthinking.
This was the choice made by Emiya Shirou. As another Emiya Shirou, he would inevitably inherit these emotions and memories, eventually coming to understand and accept that choice.
That was something he refused.
Do not look. Do not think. Do not accept.
Upward, upward, upward.
As he continued, Shirou noticed that each higher floor's corridor became cleaner than the last, confirming that his guess was correct.
Perhaps Nameless had moved so quickly that people collapsed before they could even flee, leaving no one able to escape upward.
Or perhaps each floor had originally been isolated, so those below, when faced with death, could only be trapped there, helplessly pounding on sealed doors.
Or perhaps… something had driven them, something that made them willing to go through fire and water, even to sacrifice their lives.
Upward, upward, upward.
Kicking open the sealed door at the top floor, Shirou arrived at the highest level.
The view from the top floor of the tall building was remarkably beautiful. Blue sky and white clouds drifted overhead.
Compared to the scenes just now, it felt strangely out of place. Outside was so peaceful and bright, yet inside the building was a blood-soaked hell.
Looking at the familiar rooftop, Shirou had already guessed where this was.
This was the place where Nameless had personally ended her life.
In order to pursue that person, he had paid a great price, and in the end, he threw everything he had into the abyss.
"…"
To confirm whether his guess was correct, Shirou stepped forward.
He walked very slowly. He knew what he might see next, yet he was still afraid.
He feared that he might become cold and indifferent, treating human life as worthless.
"Hey, that's Abyss you are walking into."
After Shirou took a few steps forward, a low male voice sounded. Compared to the voice Shirou was familiar with, this one was even colder.
Although it was the first time hearing it, Shirou knew who it belonged to.
Turning his head, he saw that black figure.
Golden patterns spread across the figure's body, as if it might shatter at any moment.
Though it looked like it would fall apart with a touch, in reality it could likely blast an enemy apart with a single shot.
"Archer? Or should I call you Nameless?"
Looking at him, Shirou asked.
"Call me whatever you like. It is just you and me here anyway."
Shrugging, Nameless replied indifferently.
To him, names and titles did not matter at all. Everything that once defined him had already disappeared, leaving behind only this body.
"…Then I will call you Nameless. Do you know how I got here? This experience feels more real than before, although my senses are still incomplete."
Seeing that the other party truly did not care, Shirou chose the most convenient way to address him.
Compared to Emiya Kuro, he trusted Nameless more. After all, Nameless had indeed helped Rhodes Island through many crises, something Shirou had learned from past records.
However, recalling what he had just witnessed with his own eyes, there was still a moment when Shirou could barely suppress his emotions. Countless voices in his mind urged him to strike down the person before him.
Fortunately, he managed to restrain them.
"It is probably because you came into contact with the mana I left behind and resonated with it, allowing the connection. How pitiful… to resonate with someone like me."
Even Nameless himself was not entirely sure. He could only choose what seemed most likely based on intuition.
The person before him whoever he was did not matter but he must have come into contact with the purest remnants of that mana. That was why he was here.
"So there is still residual mana on Amiya?"
Hearing Nameless's self-mockery, Shirou frowned.
Partly because of the heavy tone in Nameless's voice, and partly because his impression of him had never been very good.
But most importantly… it seemed that Nameless did not recognize him.
If the other knew he was Emiya Shirou, he would not have spoken that way about resonance.
Listening to him felt like hearing himself condemn himself, making Shirou feel as if he truly was a bad guy.
"…"
Nameless made no movement. He could not even remember how long he had been here. The name mentioned by the red-haired man felt somewhat familiar, but only slightly.
He had no intention of thinking further.
He would forget it soon anyway.
Besides, the identity of the person before him was far more intriguing. What kind of person could resonate with his mana?
Truly… a pitiful one.
At first, Nameless had no intention of speaking. At the very least, he did not want to initiate conversation.
But observing the person before him and hearing his muttered words, Nameless could roughly guess who he was.
As for him being some magus, though he had forgotten much, some impressions were still etched into him.
Despite the differences, Nameless knew that the person before him might very well be himself.
He had forgotten the name, but there were too many similarities, especially the traces of mana erosion already present on the other.
What proper magus would ever have the chance to meet their future self face to face? At most, it would be through summoning rituals.
Now that they were speaking directly, no one could predict what might happen.
However, he did not want the person before him to walk the same path.
One person on that path was enough.
And judging from earlier, the other seemed eager to cut down the one who had caused all of this.
How nice.
A version of himself that had not been corrupted or fallen, in that person's eyes, he must represent evil.
Hopefully, he could continue to see things that way.
"…Hmm, no response at all?"
Shirou kept trying to draw some information from him, continuing to speak.
Unfortunately, the other party did not respond at all, simply standing there with eyes closed and arms crossed.
After trying for quite a while, Shirou could only give up on the idea of obtaining information from him.
What Shirou wanted was information about projection magecraft. The way this person used projection was quite different from Archer's.
Just as Shirou had already given up, Nameless suddenly opened his eyes. Those golden eyes stared straight at him.
"You said you want to become stronger? What is your reason for seeking strength?"
Looking at Shirou before him, Nameless asked.
"This world… or rather, this land is vast. If I want to protect the people I care about, my current methods are not enough."
Although he did not know why the other had suddenly decided to speak, Shirou seized the opportunity and tried to persuade him.
It was not that he despised his current techniques; it was that their focus was different.
He had already experienced this himself.
If Archer's projection magecraft focused mostly on projecting Noble Phantasms, then Nameless focused more on offensive martial techniques.
To put it in terms Croissant would understand: the former consumed a great deal of mana but delivered tremendous destructive power, while the latter achieved maximum results with minimal expenditure.
He was not a Servant and could not easily obtain mana from other sources. The combat style mastered by Nameless was likely more suitable for him now.
This had already been proven during the last encounter with that tornado-like catastrophe, where minimal consumption had been used to neutralize it.
Moreover, this was one of the fastest ways for him to grow stronger. If he had encountered Archer, he would have made the same choice. The existence of Emiya Kuro placed too much pressure on him.
And with Penguin Logistics deepening its cooperation with Rhodes Island, the chances of everyone facing danger had increased significantly. Shirou did not want to sit idle and wait.
"A good conviction… but conviction alone is not enough. Why not show something more substantial?"
Looking into Shirou's eyes and listening to his words, Nameless already knew that this Shirou would not walk the same path as him.
As long as he still held onto the belief of protecting others…
Ha. When did he become so sentimental?
The request before him was simple enough, was it not?
"Becoming stronger is not something you achieve just by saying it. It requires…"
Halfway through his sentence, Nameless paused. Then a double-ended blade formed from Kanshou and Bakuya appeared in his hand.
At that moment, he knew what he needed to do. Perhaps this remaining fragment of mana existed precisely for this purpose.
"…personal experience!"
Pointing one end of the double-ended blade at Shirou, Nameless's expression changed. He was no longer indifferent; his gaze was now completely serious.
"!"
Faced with the sudden attack, Shirou barely managed to project a hollow shell of a weapon to block the first strike.
Using the force of the impact, he retreated, gripping a pair of black-and-white swords in his hands.
They were similar to the double-ended blade Nameless wielded, but without the hollow sections.
"That is it?"
Although he had initiated the attack, Shirou's somewhat clumsy defense made Nameless mock him.
The person before him was his past self. They used the same magecraft and had similar combat techniques.
As he had considered before, magus sometimes used summoning-like methods to forcibly enhance themselves. What he intended to use now was precisely that concept.
This was the shortest and fastest method.
After all… he did not have much time.