Fate/Magus Path

"Hey, hey, hey, did I hear you right? You want to monopolize the Holy Grail?!"

As Amakusa Shirou delivered his eloquent and impressive speech, apart from Roy, who had already known Amakusa's true intentions, surprise, confusion, doubt, and speculation surged in the minds of everyone present. Even Kayneth, who had seen his share of major events, frowned, clearly astonished by Amakusa Shirou's mad plan.

His wish was to bring salvation to all of humanity...

The so-called salvation through peace... was he trying to create a world completely free of human conflict?

This idea might seem beautiful, but Kayneth, who was also proficient in thaumaturgy, understood better than anyone the madness and absurdity behind such a plan.

Conflict and contradiction are inherent to humanity. Wherever there are people, there will be disputes, and this is a fundamental law that cannot be erased.

Moreover, a wish of this magnitude was impossible to achieve with normal magecraft or even the Holy Grail's so-called wish-granting power... it had already touched the realm of true magic.

He had initially come to participate in this rural magical ritual just to add another achievement to his career, and perhaps to teach that annoying brat Waver a lesson.

But now, something far more serious had arisen. The turning point that the Old Man of the Jewels had predicted... his own death, might indeed happen during this countryside ritual. He needed to reassess the situation carefully. If something major occurred, he would have to contact the Mage's Association directly...

Ancient heroes aside, now someone was talking about saving all of humanity. What on earth were they trying to do?

Tokiomi Tohsaka's face was equally dark as he looked in displeasure at the young saint who wanted to save all of humanity. While he didn't understand much about this so-called salvation, he did know that his old friend Kirei Kotomine had betrayed him.

The advantage of the Church's support they had previously agreed upon had disappeared the moment Amakusa Shirou took over as the supervisor of the Holy Grail War.

This silent betrayal deeply angered Tokiomi, who had always prided himself on his elegance as a magus.

"A plan to save all of humanity?"

Artoria's ahoge twitched.

Roy, meanwhile, coordinated his expression to show the same level of shock as Waver.

Fionn's face remained calm, his thumb already in his mouth, as if he had known everything all along.

Iskandar, however, did not attempt to hide his exaggerated expression. His eyes bulged as he looked at Amakusa, as if seeing some sort of monster.

In the spacious church, as everyone sank into contemplation, Iskandar was the first to break the silence. "Boy, I have a question for you."

"Please, go ahead. I'll try to answer it as best I can."

"Do you really understand what this so-called salvation of all humanity truly represents?"

"Of course." Amakusa Shirou smiled gently at him. "It is precisely for this that I was born, and it is for this that I live."

"My wish, without a doubt, is to bring salvation to all of humanity. I believe that, as Servants, you all can understand this, right? After all, we were summoned by the Holy Grail because we had regrets."

Amakusa's tone was sincere, without any trace of deceit.

"Alright, boy, even if we assume that your wish to save all of humanity comes from a genuine place, what does that have to do with me?" Iskandar's voice grew more direct. "Why should I hand over the Holy Grail to you for your wish? You're not the only one with a wish. Every Servant and Master here has their own desires, and that's why we've gathered here across time and space for this Holy Grail War. None of us have the obligation to sacrifice our own wishes for yours! No matter how grand or unbelievable your wish might be!"

Iskandar raised his arm and boldly declared his own desire, "My wish is to regain a body and begin my conquest of this world once more! Can you make that happen for me?!"

His words were realistic.

Iskandar's proclamation echoed in everyone's ears, reminding them of a simple truth.

Indeed, they were all participants in the Holy Grail War, and naturally, each of them had the right to fight for the Grail.

No one here was a saint, and no one could claim to be entirely free of desires. The very fact that they were participating in the Holy Grail War meant that they each had a wish they were determined to fulfill. Thus, they had no obligation to give up their own desires for the sake of Amakusa's grand vision.

With Iskandar's words, the atmosphere in the church shifted once again, growing tense. All eyes turned back to Amakusa Shirou, awaiting his response.

"Well done, as expected of the King of Conquerors. Sharp insight."

This was Roy's evaluation of Iskandar. His words were piercing, directly exposing the flaw in Amakusa Shirou's logic.

Expecting everyone to share his messianic obsession with salvation was impossible. As soon as someone pointed that out, the mood naturally shifted against Amakusa.

Feeling the increasingly tense atmosphere around him, Tokiomi Tohsaka clenched his staff, his palm sweaty, as he nervously rubbed the Command Seals on the back of his hand, keeping a vigilant eye on his surroundings.

He was the only one here without an ally. If these Servants decided to start a fight, he would undoubtedly be the first to die. He resolved that, if things took a turn for the worse, he would immediately use a Command Seal to summon Gilgamesh, wherever that rogue Archer might be.

Damn… Archer. If only that guy would cooperate, he wouldn't be in such an awkward position right now.

"Boy, I'm really curious... how exactly are you going to answer the King's question?"

"Will you abandon this absurd ideal, or will you continue to compete with me, fighting for the ownership of the Holy Grail with force and spirit?!"

In the center of the church, Iskandar scratched his ear, his gaze fixed on Amakusa Shirou, waiting for his response.

[...Master?]

Artoria spoke telepathically.

[Don't speak. Keep watching.]

On the other side of the screen, Kiritsugu Emiya, like everyone else present, was eagerly awaiting Amakusa Shirou's answer.

Though he was silent, Amakusa Shirou's expression showed no signs of panic. He simply stood there, smiling calmly, maintaining his composed demeanor.

August could guess that someone as cunning as Amakusa Shirou must have already anticipated such a challenge and had a countermeasure in mind.

As expected, Amakusa Shirou began speaking again, his left hand gently holding a black leather-bound book. The pages, as if alive, started turning by themselves, making a soft rustling sound as they flipped. Then, he spoke.

"Everyone, rest assured. I've long considered this matter carefully."

"Hm?" The group showed signs of curiosity.

With a soft chuckle, Amakusa Shirou continued, "You are all heroes renowned throughout human history, so I trust you can understand my wish to save all of humanity, right?"

"Moreover, instead of continuing this meaningless, self-destructive battle of the Holy Grail War, I have a better method to help realize all your wishes. The price is simply the Command Seals on your hands... your qualification to participate in the Holy Grail War."

"I can even help you regain your physical body."

"What did you say?" Iskandar paused, clearly surprised.

"In order to prove my sincerity and show whether my words are true, I, Amakusa Shirou Tokisada, the Ruler of the Third Holy Grail War, whose true name is engraved in the Throne of Heroes, hereby vow with my saint graph and concept that I will not betray or abandon you. Under the witness of the world, I now offer to form a contract with all of you... "

As he finished speaking, Amakusa Shirou suddenly slashed his finger, letting the blood splatter into the air.

A long parchment scroll floated out from his pocket, catching the blood as it created a binding, self-enforcing contract.

[Contractor: Amakusa Shirou Tokisada/Master/Servant.]

By swearing on his saint graph, Amakusa Shirou Tokisada bound the contract, under the condition that the following terms were fulfilled.

[Contract Terms: Masters relinquish their Command Seals to Amakusa Shirou Tokisada and vow not to oppose him until the Fourth Holy Grail War is concluded. Amakusa Shirou, as the contractor, will use #### to fulfill the wishes of _____. This is not to be violated.]

[Servants who relinquish their Masters and become Amakusa Shirou's Servants will also be bound.]

[Signed by the Contractor: Amakusa Shirou Tokisada.]

[Signed by the Contractee: _____]

The quill scratched across the parchment. Once the contract was completed, the scroll fragmented and dispersed, falling into the hands of each Master and Servant present.

What's going on?

Kayneth and Tokiomi Tohsaka, being elite magus, could immediately see the binding force of this contract. They grew more wary of Amakusa Shirou Tokisada.

He claims to be able to fulfill our wishes and dares to swear on his saint graph, meaning the contract must be real unless he is willing to abandon his own concept and existence.

But if he can grant the wishes of others, why compete for the Grail? Wouldn't it be easier for him to use his own abilities to realize his dream? Perhaps his powers have certain limitations, and he can't fulfill the massive wish of saving all of humanity. Or is there something we're missing?

Kayneth's suspicions were not unfounded, and Amakusa Shirou did not deny them.

The so-called Greater Grail holds no particularly special or mysterious powers. Compared to the mythical Holy Grail that carried the blood of the Holy Son, it pales in comparison. At its core, it's merely a reservoir of magical energy that has been gathering for over a century in Fuyuki City.

As long as its principles are understood, magus like Medea, Merlin, or Morgan, who possess ancient knowledge, could easily replicate it with sufficient magical energy.

But that wouldn't be enough. If it were just a source of magical power, it would never fulfill his grand wish, no matter how much he adjusted.

To uncover the truth, Amakusa Shirou had searched through countless records of the Three Founding Families. Finally, in the archives of the Einzbern family, he found the true key to the Greater Grail...

The true miracle lay not in vast amounts of magical energy, but in the core of the system, Justeaze Lizrich von Einzbern, the Holy Maiden of Winter.

She was a homunculus, one that touched upon the Five True Magics, and only such an existence could fulfill his wish. This was why he could never replicate it.

In today's world, magecraft has completely degenerated into mere sorcery. 

Thus, the Third Magic, the Heaven's Feel is essential.

Once he gains control of it, combined with the modifications of his Noble Phantasm, he will be able to achieve his goal.

With the magical energy he has gathered over the years as fuel, he could use his Noble Phantasm to help some Masters and Servants fulfill their wishes while eliminating the remaining Heroic Spirits, thus realizing his true goal. As long as he can achieve the salvation of all humanity, the leftover magical energy in the Grail could be shared among the others.

"Daring to swear use your saint graph on the Throne of Heroes, kid, you really are a madman. Such determination is truly befitting of a hero whose name will be etched on the Throne of Heroes!"

"Flattery doesn't suit you, King of Conquerors. To me, this is merely a small risk to bear on the path of saving all humanity. Also… I'm actually over eighty this year; calling me 'kid' feels a bit strange."

Amakusa Shirou scratched his head.

"Is that so…"

After expressing his admiration, Iskandar calmly tore up the speech he had prepared.

He had originally planned to lecture Amakusa Shirou about what a king's ambition and vision should be. But upon reflection, he realized that, when facing someone who has lived longer than he has, his words would lack any persuasive power.

Someone with such strong convictions could not be swayed by mere words; it would only be revealed in battle.

"However, Lancer, if a Servant swears an oath to use their saint graph on the Throne of Heroes, can such a forced contract truly be established?" Roy asked Fionn beside him.

Knowing Amakusa Shirou's character well, he had zero trust. He didn't dare believe even a single punctuation mark of what Amakusa Shirou said.

"Right, if it's true, wouldn't breaching the contract lead to the annihilation of the entity on the Throne of Heroes as well?"

Waver also recognized the severity of violating this contract.

"This is indeed possible, after all, this contract is a geass signed simultaneously with the Counter Force and the world. Under the constraints and enforcement of these two, such a thing can be done." Fionn nodded affirmatively.

"The contract is merely a form of restraint; the true overseers are the world and the Root. If a breach occurs, paying such a price is inevitable."

"For example… becoming like a certain archer, completely reduced to a laborer of the Counter Force?"

The thought sent a chill down Roy's spine.

Black skin + white hair + male = correct appearance.

"Very well... "

Kayneth suddenly spoke up, "Your true name is Amakusa Shirou Tokisada, right? Ruler, I think I understand your intention, but could you inform us of your method for achieving the salvation of all humanity? I believe everyone present is quite curious about how you plan to save humanity."

"Of course, I have no reason to hide."

"Because I have witnessed hell."

Amakusa opened his arms as if to embrace the entire sky.

"Whether it was during my life, witnessing the Shimabara Rebellion, or in death, experiencing the Second World War after the Third Holy Grail War, those were undoubtedly genuine hells. Thus, I realized that as long as this world exists with war, the hell beneath our feet will never cease to spread."

"For sixty years, I have questioned this conclusion, but with the outbreak of one war after another and the ever-expanding hell, I have come to firmly believe in this conclusion... wherever there are people, there will be disputes; war will be the breeding ground for disasters, and death will give rise to new hells."

"Therefore, only by using that legendary universal wishing machine can hell be ended!!"

"Only by allowing humanity to evolve to true purity and relinquish disputes can there be redemption."

"All wars thus far stem from the allocation of resources and the impurity of human nature, so let the Holy Grail change this situation... erasing human disputes, allowing humanity to be immortal, no longer needing resources to survive. This is my method of salvation."

"Only by achieving this can all evils of this world be eradicated. A world without bloodshed, sorrow, death, or conflict, where everyone is equal can be created!"

It was a mad plan, aligning with Kayneth's predictions.

"Indeed, the difference from what I expected isn't great."

Roy silently shook his head; he understood Amakusa's obsession and madness. For this saint, who had witnessed hell multiple times and lost everything, this was his deepest conviction.

"Are you… kidding? Such absurdity can't be called the salvation of all humanity?"

Receiving a definitive response from Amakusa Shirou, Kayneth snorted coldly.

*Rip!*

He decisively tore the contract scroll in his hand into pieces and stomped them underfoot.

"This is not the salvation of all humanity; it's leading humanity to extinction! Do you know what kind of consequences this would bring to the world if this were to be accomplished?"

Tohsaka Tokiomi took action simultaneously.

Using fire magecraft, he reduced the scroll to ashes and then stood next to Kayneth, indicating his position.

"On this matter, I share the same stance as Lord El-Melloi. This plan for the Holy Grail is absolutely not the so-called salvation of humanity. As a manager of the ley lines in Fuyuki City and a member of the Three Founding Families of the Holy Grail War, I must fulfill my duties here and do everything I can to stop you, Amakusa Shirou Tokisada!"

Amakusa Shirou replied, "...I don't understand."

"Tohsaka Tokiomi, are you also going to refuse salvation? The eternal life and infinite magical energy this salvation brings would allow you to forever pursue the Root. You should have no reason to refuse, right?"

"Are you kidding? What about my daughter, my wife? What will happen to them? Even if I were to obtain eternal life, it would merely be an existence lived for the sake of living. But time will erase everything... emotions, relationships... everything will be erased. I will never accept a world like that!"

"Is that so… What a shame." Amakusa Shirou raised an eyebrow, expressing some regret.

"Can't you even understand me…"

Paths that diverge cannot conspire together.

*Rip!*

"Sorry, but I'm not interested. Achieving wishes without conquest and battle is quite boring!"

"I will always stand by my master."

Waver and Roy exchanged glances, then also tore the contract in their hands, standing firmly next to Kayneth.

In just a few minutes, except for the silently putting away the scroll, everyone present made a clear rejection.

No… there was one other person.

Amid Tohsaka Tokiomi's furious gaze, Kotomine Kirei silently stood beside Amakusa Shirou, confirming his position.

"Kirei! You?!"

"Sorry, Sensei, this is my choice."

"Traitor!"

Kotomine Kirei said nothing, only bowed his head silently.

"Although there were some unpleasant moments in this conversation, this war has just begun."

"Our time is ample, and I hope everyone can reconsider my conditions after returning. If anyone changes their mind, you can come find me anytime; it's valid for two days."

"Let's go, kid; this guy is seriously ill." Iskandar shook his head and beckoned Waver to leave.

"If we meet again, he must be killed."

Roy and Kayneth exchanged glances, contemplating whether to take action, but considering they were on the other party's territory, they ultimately decided to retreat and plan further.

"Kirei, you will pay the price for your betrayal!" Tohsaka Tokiomi glared angrily at the silent Kotomine Kirei before turning to leave.

The group quickly dispersed, leaving only a few lonely figures in the vast cathedral.

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