Fate: Hero of Justice Takeover

Mount Miyama Shopping Street.

As the largest pedestrian street in Miyama Town, this place is home to supermarkets, markets, clothing stores, and various shops. Though it lacks the bustling prosperity of the New City, it carries a warmth of everyday life that the New City does not have.

After casting a concealment spell, Sakatsuki and his group of four blended into the crowd, savouring the rare moment of normalcy, their steps feeling lighter with each passing moment.

"So you found out about it from Acht a year ago?"

Saber, now understanding the earlier confusion, simply nodded and dropped the topic before asking.

"Where are we heading next?"

"To a clothing store first."

Sakatsuki said, now holding a taiyaki in his hand, its delicious aroma wafting through the air.

"Aside from the custom suit from a year ago and the kimono Miyu picked for me, I don't have any decent casual wear. Not to mention you all—our out-of-touch Winter Princess and the Knight King of ancient Britain. Oh, and of course, my kawaii little sister."

With Saber in formal wear and the madam draped in luxurious fur, they stood out awkwardly in this small seaside town.

"Hmm, so it really is our outfits?"

Saber glanced at Irisviel in mild exasperation.

In the past, Irisviel would have clasped her hands together, laughed, and played it off. But today, she simply returned a faint, apologetic smile and continued hiding behind Saber, looking hesitant and uneasy, as if she were avoiding something.

She had been like this since last night.

Saber sighed inwardly, while Sakatsuki, pretending not to notice, led the group to a clothing store.

"This is the best clothing store in Fuyuki. We don't have time for custom orders, but some of their ready-made outfits are quite nice. Miyu, help me pick out some clothes for our two lovely sisters. I'll take care of myself."

"Okay, Onii-chan."

Miyu nodded seriously, her face full of determination.

As Saber went to try on her selections, Irisviel, instead of changing, quietly approached Sakatsuki from behind while Miyu was still browsing.

"Hmm? What's the matter, madam?"

Sensing her presence, Sakatsuki turned around—only to be startled by what he saw.

"Um… I'm really sorry!"

The madam bowed at a perfect 90-degree angle, nearly making Sakatsuki jump back.

"I feel very apologetic for what Kiritsugu did!"

To Irisviel, who had the emotional maturity of a nine-year-old, Kiritsugu's actions last night were essentially a betrayal. It must have troubled her deeply.

She wouldn't oppose her husband's decisions, yet she still felt guilty toward Sakatsuki, who had been helping them. This internal conflict had left her downcast all day, finally culminating in this moment.

"So that's why you've been so quiet today?"

Sakatsuki scratched his cheek, offering a calm smile.

"Irisviel, lift your head. You don't need to apologize."

"Eh?"

Irisviel looked up blankly, her ruby-like eyes filled with confusion.

Sakatsuki continued picking out clothes as he casually asked.

"Madam, what do you think my relationship with Kiritsugu is?"

"Um… friends?"

"Wrong. We're opponents."

Sakatsuki shook his head.

"As his wife, you should understand—when I chose to participate in the Holy Grail War, no matter how close Kiritsugu and I were before, we inevitably became enemies destined to fight."

"Looking back, I even have to admire Kiritsugu's strategy. If Kirei hadn't intervened, I probably would have been seriously injured by him."

The young man smiled faintly. His golden eyes held only admiration, with no trace of resentment.

He turned to the window, gazing at the bustling crowd outside, and spoke softly.

"I don't blame Kiritsugu. If both of us are fighting for our own wishes, then we should both give it our all. There's no need to hold back. After all, it's just a matter of staking our lives on the line. If one's wish outweighs everything else in their life, then even death is nothing to fear."

Irisviel fell silent. She suddenly recalled Kiritsugu's wish—

To bring peace to the world.

To make Fuyuki's Holy Grail War the last bloodshed humanity ever experiences.

For that, he was willing to pay any price, even his own life, without hesitation.

How could someone like him ever hold back in the name of mere friendship?

But…

But last night…

When her husband had shown his pain, when he had considered abandoning everything and running away—when he had pleaded for her to leave with him, his face had held a rare, fragile expression that Irisviel had never seen before.

"This… isn't right…"

Irisviel murmured.

Sakatsuki smiled as he affirmed her words.

"Exactly. Humans are human because we have thoughts, emotions, and souls. If we see ourselves as nothing but machines, how can we, as humans, ever achieve our wishes?"

Sakatsuki raised his hand slowly before slicing it downward as if cutting through something.

"If there's doubt in your heart, it must be corrected."

"If the one you love is making a mistake, you must be the first to stand up and challenge them."

"Irisviel, Kiritsugu didn't teach you to just obey orders, did he?"

Something shifted in Irisviel. She clenched the clothes in her hands tightly and responded with newfound resolve.

"No. Kiritsugu gave my life meaning, so I will respect his ideals and fight for his wish."

The young man smiled, waiting for her next words.

"But, as you said—if I ever find that he is fighting by sacrificing his own emotions, if I discover that he is harming himself for his ideals..."

The beautiful homunculus, the lesser Holy Grail created by the Einzberns, lifted her head with unwavering determination and declared.

"Then, even if it means the Holy Grail War ends in failure, I will not allow him to keep hurting himself!"

"Bravo!"

Sakatsuki grinned, his golden eyes brimming with joy and satisfaction.

He was delighted to witness this moment of growth—relieved that his small actions, like the fluttering of a butterfly's wings, had truly changed someone's fate.

Having spoken her piece, Irisviel finally felt a sense of release. She turned to Saber, who had been standing nearby in a newly chosen outfit, her eyes lighting up.

"Saber, you look stunning in that!"

"Ah… um…"

Saber responded absentmindedly, her blue-green eyes fixed on Sakatsuki, full of bewilderment.

His words just now—

Why did they sound so much like…@@novelbin@@

Sir Galahad?

At that moment, Shuo Yue's gaze finally landed on her, and he, too, froze in place.

***

"My name is Mash Kyrielight. The Heroic Spirit granted to me bears the true name—Galahad!"

"I stake my very existence to sever the corruption of the Round Table!"

"If you harbour doubts about your king, they must be corrected."

"If your king is in the wrong, you must be the first to stand against her mistakes."

"Isn't that the very essence of the chivalry you uphold?!"

—Mash Kyrielight.

***

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