The Ultimate Lich King of the Multiverse

Flames erupted, lighting up the underground bar.

Caster, now missing both arms, stared blankly at Flandre, who stood holding the blazing Calamity Staff aloft. His lips moved, whispering something unintelligible.

It seemed he had given up all resistance, allowing Flandre to call down the apocalyptic flames upon him.

"What... beautiful flames... God... is this Your punishment for me? Letting me die in flames as beautiful as the ones that claimed Jeanne...?"

Caster and Ryunosuke were soon engulfed by the inferno, the entire underground bar consumed by fire—burning away all the blood and filth in one purifying blaze.

Yoru watched the scene unfold with a cold, emotionless expression. Rin Tohsaka, meanwhile, turned to face the flames—tears streaming down her cheeks as she stared at the flickering blaze.

"...Kanon…"

Like a small beast that had lost its mother, soft sobs escaped Rin's throat—mourning the death of her classmate and friend.

If only... if only she had been stronger. If she'd arrived just a little sooner, maybe Kanon wouldn't have died.

"Stop crying... this isn't your fault."

Not knowing what exactly had happened, Yoru assumed Rin was crying over the other children who'd died. He gently patted her head and spoke in a soft voice.

Rin didn't answer. She simply wiped her tears in silence. As the heir to the Tohsaka family, her father had always drilled into her the importance of grace and composure.

Now that things had come to this, crying served no purpose. At least... Kanon had been avenged.

"Thank you…"

Lowering her head, the girl spoke quietly to Yoru.

"There's no need to thank me. I only did what I was supposed to do. This is the Holy Grail War. It's only natural to defeat enemy Masters and Servants."

"Still… thank you. Um… how's Sakura?"

Rin mumbled the question with a slight pout, her expression turning hesitant and uncertain as she asked about her sister.

She missed Sakura—wanted to see her again. Yet in the whole year since Sakura left, Rin had never once mentioned her name.

She hadn't wanted to upset her father… nor sadden her mother. As the Tohsaka heir, she had to stay strong.

"She's doing well. She's with the Einzberns. My daughter gets along well with her—they're good company for each other."

"...Is that so? That's good."

Rin nodded lightly. The anxiety in her heart eased.

"Um… did Sakura ever mention me?"

"She did. She misses her big sister too. But this trip to Fuyuki is dangerous because of the Holy Grail War, so I couldn't bring her with me."

Yoru replied with some regret. Rin nodded in understanding.

When this war is over, I'll bring Sakura to see you.

"No... that won't be necessary. Sakura has her own life now. She's no longer a child of the Tohsaka family. She belongs to the Einzbern household."

To Yoru's surprise, this small girl—who couldn't have been more than ten—looked him straight in the eye and spoke with remarkable composure.

Just moments ago, she'd been overwhelmed by longing for her sister… yet she had already recovered and accepted reality?

Is this what you wanted, Tokiomi? Yoru thought to himself. To strangle your daughter's emotions and shackle her with the burdens of your legacy?

Perhaps Tokiomi had long prepared himself. The Holy Grail War was no child's game. Even Yoru himself had accepted death before joining it.

No one could say for certain they would come out victorious—not even him.

"Come. I'll take you home."

Casting aside his thoughts, Yoru lowered his gaze and gently spoke to the girl in his arms.

◇

It wasn't until an hour later that Aoi Tohsaka realized her daughter was missing.

Perhaps fearing she would be scolded, Rin had left a note by her bed, saying she had gone out to look for her missing classmate, Kanon.

A wave of regret washed over Aoi.

During dinner, Rin had brought up Kanon's name and asked her about the current state of Fuyuki. Aoi should've noticed something was wrong.

Wearing only her house clothes, she rushed out of the Zenjo residence, speeding down the highway in her car through the night.

Since she didn't know where Rin had gone, she had to guess—trying to narrow it down based on where a child could reach from home.

If she took the train, the first stop would be Shinto Station. From there, with a child's walking speed, she could've reached…

The riverside public park came to mind.

Aoi first checked the bench she usually sat on when bringing Rin here to play. It was just a hunch—but mothers often had those.

However, the little figure in red she longed to see wasn't there.

Despondent, Aoi slumped down onto the bench. The beautiful woman buried her face in her hands and wept bitterly.

Suddenly, a series of footsteps echoed through the empty park. Aoi froze. Before she could look up, a voice—familiar, yet distant—spoke softly.

"This girl fell asleep out of nowhere… I wasn't sure where to take her, but coming here turned out to be the right call, Miss Aoi."

A tall man in a long coat stood before her. His expression was blank, a little aloof, and bore traces of weariness.

But none of that mattered. What mattered was the girl in his arms.

"Rin!"

Aoi gasped and rushed forward. Yoru raised a finger to his lips with a hush gesture.

"Quiet. She's sleeping."

"Th-thank you… I don't know how to thank you, Mr. Yoru."

Overwhelmed with relief, Aoi finally calmed down. With trembling hands, she gently took her daughter from Yoru.

"There's no need for thanks. Children are innocent. War has nothing to do with them."

Hearing that, Aoi stiffened.

Only then did she remember—this man was the Einzbern representative in the Holy Grail War.

In other words, her husband's enemy.

"Mr. Yoru… do you desire the Grail that badly?"

"I do. I have my reasons—ones that leave me no choice."

Yoru nodded slowly. Aoi's expression turned complicated. She didn't know what to say.

Her heart had been uneasy for days now—as if sensing something terrible was bound to happen.

Should I ask him to spare Tokiomi? To protect him?

How could I? This was the Holy Grail War—a fight to the death where only one victor remains.

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