DanMachi: Ultimate Lich King

Had he forgotten his reason for returning?

Did he no longer yearn for that world?

Had he forgotten Riveria, Hestia, and Ais?

No!

Arthas affirmed this in his heart.

This feeling hadn't diminished; Arthas clearly felt his longing hadn't weakened.

These were his obsessions, but not his strongest…

Arthas touched his chest, feeling his strong heartbeat.

My true obsession… the one I can't define.

"Arthas, go to Japan, to the Holy Grail War's battlefield, Fuyuki City, where the Greater Grail will descend. Perhaps there, you'll understand your true desires, find your wish."

Jubstacheit chuckled, seeing Arthas's silence.

"Fuyuki City?"

Arthas nodded, leaving Jubstacheit's room.

He had to visit Fuyuki City before the war; he needed to familiarize himself with the battlefield.

Leaving Jubstacheit's room, Arthas returned to his and Illya's room.

"Is the child asleep?"

Arthas whispered, gently opening the door and seeing Illya sitting by the bed.

"Yes."

Illya smiled gently, then looked at Arthas worriedly.

"Did Grandfather… say anything bad?"

Arthas still lacked the Command Seals; Illya had worried; she feared Jubstacheit might do something drastic.

"Don't worry, nothing bad happened. But I might leave Einzbern for a while. I'm going to Fuyuki City to learn more…"

Arthas placed his hand over Illya's.

"…and find my true reason to fight!"

"Eh…"

Illya was startled, looking at Arthas strangely.

Wasn't his reason to return to his world… to the woman he loved?

Seeming to understand Illya's thoughts, Arthas kissed her forehead, gently stroking her silver hair.

"Do you still see yourself as a replacement, Illya? You and Illya are irreplaceable to me. Perhaps my confusion stems from this?"

"Winning this war, obtaining the Grail, abandoning you both to return to my world… I'd never do that."

"It's enough… it's enough. I… I'm happy enough…"

A doll-like girl became a woman in love, then a mother, gaining unshakeable strength; this was inviolable "happiness." This mother and daughter, protected by warmth, were now isolated from despair and misfortune.

This is enough… to desire more… would invite divine punishment.

I won't abandon you or Illya… never!

Arthas vowed, holding Illya tightly, this fragile woman who made his heart ache.

Before Arthas's departure, Jubstacheit gave him warnings:

The Tohsaka and Matou families, two of the three founding families of the Holy Grail War.

Since Arthas lacked Command Seals, he was relatively inconspicuous; he wouldn't be targeted immediately upon arrival in Fuyuki City.

Revealing himself as Einzbern might be beneficial; it might lower the other two families' guard; the Einzbern participant should already have the Command Seals.

Leaving Einzbern, Arthas went to the airport and boarded a flight to Japan.

Japan's transportation wasn't advanced; after a ten-hour flight and a few hours on a bus, Arthas arrived in Fuyuki City.

Einzbern, despite its decline, had assets and connections; they'd arranged his flight and accommodation in Fuyuki City.

Alone in a foreign land, he felt like he did when he awoke in Einzbern.

Confused, uneasy… and lonely.

"A foreign land, alone again."

Alone in his hotel room, Arthas found himself missing his wife and daughter.

He might not fully accept it, but Illya and Illya had surpassed Hestia and Riveria in his heart.

It wasn't fickleness; they'd shared more, created more memories. Nine years of marriage would soften even the hardest heart, especially Arthas's.

"I'm sorry, Riveria. Perhaps I no longer fight to return to you? Illya and Illya are most important to me now."

How foolish I am; my true obsession is right before me. If I can't protect those in front of me, what else matters?

As Arthas realized this, a sharp pain shot through his hand.

Unsurprised, Arthas calmly watched the crimson mark appear on his hand, understanding why he fought.

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