Tribute to the Demon King

The artificial humans abandoned by the creators are like blank sheets of paper, carrying the creator's ideas back on their backs.Therefore, "in order to achieve the salvation of all mankind", in order to reproduce the miracle of the third law, the workshop named Einzbern resumed operation.

It was not until 1800 in the Western calendar that things took a turn for the better.Using the blood and tears of artificial humans as ink, and using their cracked bones and frozen fingertips as pens, visitors appeared in Winter City, which was constantly making artificial humans in a daze.

A magi who dedicated his life to the lofty dream of eradicating all evil in this world and eradicating the viciousness of human beings from the root.

The man with dreams shining in his eyes brought new life to the lifeless Winter City.

——His name is Maqili Zorgen.

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"...Irisviel?"

Feeling that the body temperature around him was abnormal, Archer couldn't help asking.

However, Archer got no response.

He suddenly felt a chill in his heart.An ominous premonition gripped his heart tightly.

"Irisviel? Did you hear that? Irisviel!"

Under Archer's urgent call, the artificial man whose breathing became weaker and weaker opened his eyes slowly after a long time.

Her vacant eyes lost focus, their bright crimson pupils dimmed.

At this moment, Irisviel had completely lost consciousness.

"……damn it!"

Archer gritted his teeth tightly, and a curved dagger emerged from between the fingers of his right hand.

Then, without hesitation, he stabbed it into Irisviel's abdomen, and quickly cut it open downwards, cutting open the technique of sealing the Holy Grail together with the flesh and blood, exposing the dazzling gold shining inside.

Now that Irisviel is close to death, the internal organs in her body have returned to the form of the Holy Grail container, waiting to recover the souls of the remaining Servants.And the transformation of the organs into the Holy Grail means that the life of Irisviel, who is an artificial human, has begun to fail.

Berserker, Rider, Caster—the total number of Servants who have retired now has reached three.

It's unclear how long Irisviel can maintain this state... But if those few people are fighting in Yuanzang Mountain, a new Servant may leave at any time.

"If possible... Let Eri end up as a human being."

Kiritsugu's last words were echoing in Archer's ears at this moment.

This might be Kiritsugu's last chance for redemption.Why am I so slack... If I didn't react at the last moment, I'm afraid it would be too late by now.

"You must make it in time, bastard..."

The dagger in Archer's right hand turned into light powder and dissipated, cursing in a low voice.

He gritted his teeth violently, without hesitation, he plunged his hand into Irisviel's belly, held the golden Holy Grail, and lifted it out of Irisviel's abdominal cavity in one breath.

The moment he held the Holy Grail, the golden cup finally absorbed the soul of the fourth Servant.The powerful magic power gathered in it spread out like a halo, and the aftermath brought distorted scorching heat to the surroundings.

Archer's right arm was instantly ignited by scorching flames.He threw the Holy Grail far away like a conditional launch, and threw it in the corner of the basement of the Holy Church.

The next moment, raging flames swept across the basement of Fuyuki Church on the floor, tables, and walls, shaking the dark basement brightly.

Just a little bit, Irisviel's body was about to be burned to ashes by the golden cup.

In the basement where the fire was raging, the golden cup floated in the air as if being held by a pair of invisible hands.

"...believe with all your faithfulness that the whole passion and self-denial of Christ was to give you forgiveness of sins and eternal life."

A weak whisper came from the tilting cabinet.

Under Archer's surprised gaze, Kotomine Kirei, whose body was soaked in blood, stumbled out of the cabinet, staggered suddenly when his legs left the cabinet, and knelt down on the ground all at once.

In front of him was the Holy Grail thrown far away by Archer.

But Kotomine Kirei didn't hold up the Holy Grail, nor did he look at Archer and Irisviel, he just stared at the Holy Grail in a daze, and subconsciously blurted out a prayer that was as indistinct as a sob: "Everyone who belongs to the Lord, eat and drink Opened the bread, drank the full cup, and promised, 'His blood was shed for me' on the cross. You should accept what the Lord has given from the hands of those who serve the Lord, and taste it with your mouth. The Lord's Bread and the Lord—uh!"

Probably because a hole was punched in the neck, Kotomine Kirei's voice became hoarse and rough.Before he could finish his prayer, Archer gave him a sharp blow from behind, nailing his back to the floor with a white dagger.

"Kotomine Kirei..."

Even though it was only the first time they met, Archer pronounced his name unmistakably.

When Kirei appeared, he had just realized that there was a third person in this basement.

But that wasn't because of Archer's dullness, but because until just now, Kotomine Kirei was as lifeless as a corpse.

Perhaps he got into this cabinet after Kiritsugu left and before he entered it himself.

But... is there any point in struggling like this?

Just to witness the Holy Grail?

Archer knelt down, gently grabbed Kirei's hair, pulled his head up from the ground and asked in a low voice, "What exactly do you want?"

With the light of the fire, Archer could see a bloody mess around Kotomine Kirei's neck, and even faintly see the pulsating carotid artery.

Kotomine Kirei's gaze was in a trance for a long time before he managed to focus on Archer's face.

"Emiya Kiritsugu... where is it?"

As if he didn't hear what Emiya Shirou said, he asked subconsciously.

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