Chapter 2136 The so-called determination, the so-called [just partner]
"What? Ten years ago?"
Listening to Kotomine Kirei's words, Emiya Shirou felt his heart stop for a moment.
"——Kotomine Kirei, what do you mean?"
Anno frowned, looked back at Shirou, and then raised his head again to look at Kotomine Kirei.
"You can definitely ask the servant in front of you, that is... just like this time, the servant who also served as a Saber agent in the last time, that is, the Fourth Holy Grail War,
Let’s call him Mr. Anno.”
"He personally experienced everything that happened in the last Holy Grail War...including the final fire."
"Isn't it? Saber."
Kotomine Kirei had an unknown smile on his face.
Annuo gritted his teeth.
... He knew that Shirou Emiya had every reason and necessity to understand what happened ten years ago, but...
It shouldn't be now.
Although it was unclear what kind of strong desire Shirou had that led him to be chosen as the Master of the Holy Grail, at least Anno could clarify the fact that "Shirou Emiya has a desire strong enough to make the Holy Grail look at him."
Wishes are expectations, but they are also... unstable.
The pursuit of one's own wishes can easily change a person's thinking mode. Annuo has seen a lot, a lot.
"...Mr. Anno, you..."
Facing Emiya Shirou's somewhat questioning gaze and Kotomine Kirei's slightly playful and sarcastic eyes, Anno took a deep breath.
"Shirou, I know everything you want to know."
"I will tell you eventually."
"I will talk to you in detail when I get back... home."
"As for you, the master of Assassin in the last Holy Grail War, please be more serious and explain the rules of the Holy Grail War to Shirou."
Annuo looked at Kotomine Kirei with a somewhat dangerous look.
This guy... is indeed a bad and dangerous mission. What Zuo Cun said is absolutely true.
Even now that his essence is bound by the agreement, Anno can still feel the essence from Kotomine Kirei's body... that makes him feel uncomfortable instinctively.
Emiya Shirou looked like he wanted to say something, but he looked at Anno, then at Kotomine Kirei standing above him, clenched his fist, and finally lowered his head.
"Then, continue talking, Kotomine Kirei."
His tone was obviously not as respectful as it was at the beginning.
Perhaps because of the tit-for-tat confrontation between him and Anno, he didn't feel very good about Kotomine Kirei.
Or rather, it's because of himself.
I always feel like Kotomine Kirei...is my natural enemy.
This is an intuition without any reason.
"Then continue talking."
Kotomine Kirei stopped smiling and his expression became serious again.
"As mentioned before, what is needed in the Holy Grail War is the soul of the Servant, so fundamentally speaking, the Master's life is not needed."
"But if you don't compete with other Masters, the Holy Grail will not choose you as the final holder."
"So - let's decide from here on whether to participate in the Holy Grail War."
Kotomine Kirei opened his arms.
"Emiya Shirou—"
...
The moment he walked out of the church, Emiya Shirou clenched his fists and wondered what he was thinking.
Are you happy?
Are you happy that your wish may finally come true?
Or angry?
Are you angry that you took the initiative to participate in such a ridiculous war?
"Justice...companions..."
He lowered his voice so that only he could hear it.
"...Mr. Anno, no...Saber."
Emiya Shirou raised his head, looked forward, and called out to Annuo behind him.
"Please speak, Master."
Annuo's eyes were lowered, and he also didn't know what he was thinking about.
"I'm going to fight as a master."
"Will you... identify with a Master like me?"
There was clearly a hint of tremor in his voice.
"Our contract has been confirmed from the moment I was summoned."
"So, you are my master. This is completely true. I will...dedicate my loyalty as a knight to you."
Annuo closed his eyes and bowed slightly.
"...Then, please give me some advice."
Emiya Shirou finally had a smile on his face and stretched out his right hand.
Annuo was stunned for a moment.
Unknowingly, he also reached out his hand, took Emiya Shirou's hand, and shook it gently.
Letting go of Anno's hand, Emiya Shirou suddenly let out a long sigh, and then... turned around and looked at the city, Fuyuki City.
"...Saber, do you think it is necessary for me now to know the truth of ten years ago?"
With his back to Annuo, Emiya Shirou suddenly asked such a question.
"......I have no idea."
After a moment of silence, Annuo could only shake his head.
He didn't know how Shirou would react now that he knew what happened ten years ago, so he could only give this answer.
"...Then, Saber, don't tell me yet."
After closing his eyes for a few seconds, when he opened them again, Emiya Shirou said with a smile on his face.
"I just want to know one thing now."
Emiya Shirou turned around and looked into Anno's eyes.
"Kiritsugu, he participated in the Holy Grail War ten years ago, right?"
Although he said he was asking, there was certainty in his tone.
Annuo didn't speak, just nodded.
"......I see."
"Saber, when you think you might be able to tell me what happened ten years ago, just tell me. Before that... if we say that the fire ten years ago was caused by the Holy Grail War,
If so, then I will be responsible for preventing that kind of thing from happening."
Emiya Shirou's tone was filled with determination.
Kotomine Kirei stood at the door of the church, looked at the backs of Emiya Shirou and Anno, smiled and shook his head.
Unexpectedly... Not only was Anno summoned again, the child adopted by Emiya Kiritsugu actually became his master...
Is this what is called... [Fate]?
It's really...interesting.
Moreover, a righteous partner?
He has the same unrealistic dream as Emiya Kiritsugu, but his personality and behavior are completely different. Emiya Shirou, the boy who inherited Emiya Kiritsugu's name and dream, what will be the outcome of your trip to the Holy Grail War?
What does it look like?
Kotomine Kirei touched the feather on his chest for the third time, with a smile on his face, turned around and walked into the church.
...
"If we go back along the way, we'll be able to see Yamato-san when we get home."
I glanced at the watch on my wrist and saw that it was still very early. If I went home, it might be just the right time to bump into that woman eating and drinking.
"You can buy some vegetables on the way, the ingredients in the refrigerator... huh?"
An Nuo looked in one direction.
On the deserted mountain road in the early morning, there was a... disturbing smell.