Chapter 27: Day 7 ⑤

Immediately after Shirou and Rin left for school, Lia and I were summoned via mental link, and since morning, we had been waiting together in the woods near the school. I leaned my back against a tree trunk, sitting, and beside me, Lia was sitting in the same manner, her face clouded with a scowl.

Until a little while ago, we had been chatting sporadically, but now there was no conversation. We just silently stared at the school building. Just then, the bell signaling lunch break echoed from the school building to where we were.

In the first place, why was Lia making such a sour face? Hearing the bell now, I finally understood.

Ah, she was hungry. As soon as that thought occurred to me, I suddenly felt hungry too.

Just in case something like this happened, I had prepared a meal. It was a meal in name only; since I had no time after being summoned, it was just three rice balls (onigiri) each.

I took the aluminum foil-wrapped rice balls out of the bag I had borrowed from Shirou and held them out toward Lia.

"Lia. It's time for lunch. I was in a hurry, so this is all I have, but please."

"I... I appreciate it. Thank you, Alto."

Lia firmly took the rice balls from my hand with both of hers, holding them close to her chest like a baby.

It seemed she had half-given up on having lunch, and she couldn't hide her delight at receiving mere rice balls. If she's that happy, then my effort in making them was worthwhile.

I consciously let my cheeks relax as Lia immediately took a bite of a fist-sized rice ball, and I took out my own portion and opened it on my lap. I took one out of the foil and chewed on it while vaguely gazing at the school.

Tohsaka, Issei, Fujinee, Mitsuzuri, Sakura, ... Shinji.

The people I had a particular connection with at school came to mind. What are they all doing now, the people I know?

While vaguely thinking about such things, it suddenly occurred to me that I couldn't attend school anymore. The townscape was so unchanging that I had unconsciously extended my time as Emiya Shirou.

A Servant... summoned for the Holy Grail War, and once it ends, I simply return my information to the original Throne of Heroes and vanish. Fundamentally, Heroic Spirits are beings summoned only for the salvation of the world, with exceptions like the Holy Grail War.

In my case, I don't even know what my status is since Saber hasn't died, but I certainly won't be able to stay here.

Since I should have originally perished from Gilgamesh's attack, perhaps I should be happy to be here like this, but truthfully, I feel lonely.

Ah, no. This is not the time to be lost in sentimentality.

As I looked at the school, a growing sense of unease was accumulating. If my memory was correct, the school's Bounded Field should have been activated the day after tomorrow. Even then, Shinji had said it was incomplete.

However, the aura around the school building that I'm seeing now has changed even more drastically than before, and I can feel a sharp, strong flow of Prana on my skin even without conscious effort.

The Prana is being supplemented into the Bounded Field far too quickly. Some of it must be external, but it seems to be drawing even more from the Leyline through Magecraft.

In addition, the amount of Prana this Bounded Field holds is clearly greater than last time. Normally, if I sensed such an abnormality, I should be right beside my Master without hesitation.

I sighed lightly and reached for the second rice ball, taking a bite. It seemed the filling of the second one was tsukudani (simmered kelp). I chewed while looking up at the sky.

<Seriously, what is our Master thinking...>

<—What? If you have something to say, just say it.>

A slightly displeased voice interrupted my internal grumbling.

By the time the voice resonated in my head, I had identified its source. It seemed Rin had suddenly opened a mental link. The unfamiliar sensation almost made me jump. Composing myself after my muttered complaint, I chose my words carefully.

<Alright, then I'll say it. Rin, I'm sure you've noticed, but this Bounded Field can probably be activated this very instant.>

<—Well, I figured that much. So what?>

<No, "so what"... I'm saying it's dangerous! Both Rin and Shirou are inside the enemy's trap!>

<—It's fine. If anything happens, I'll call Alto right away.>

<Even if you say that...>

<—If you can rush here immediately, I'll manage to hold out for that duration. You're worried about me, right? Thank you.>

<Hmph...>

When entrusted with such faith, there's nothing more I can say.

<Tell me if there's even a slight abnormality.>

<—I know. I'm counting on you, Alt...>

<Rin? What's wrong?>

Rin's voice suddenly cut out and vanished. It was a complete stop, just like a radio losing signal when entering a tunnel.

"Alto!"

Lia stood up next to me, and I finally sensed the abnormality. Without even caring that the rice ball on my lap fell, I rushed toward the school with Lia.

Looking at the school, a Prana dome had already enveloped the grounds. I had seen it from the inside when I was Emiya Shirou. It was something that painted the view red.

Seen from the outside like this, there was no visual change. However, I could sense the high concentration of a large amount of Prana remaining in one place. Ordinary people wouldn't notice, but the abnormality would be obvious to anyone capable of sensing Prana.

Our plan to preempt the enemy had completely backfired.

The mental link is not working. I can't tell what's happening inside. It's frustrating that I can't contact Rin, who is inside.

I plunged into the dome with the momentum of my run. Instantly, the world switched.

Red, red, red. Everything visible was simply red. The vivid color, strongly resembling blood, suggested the perishing of life.

However, it didn't seem to be a Bounded Field potent enough to affect a Servant; while I felt it was a bad place, I sensed no physical anomaly.

"Gh, Shirou...!"

"Lia!?"

Suddenly, Lia, who was running, emitted a light, and when it subsided, her figure had completely vanished from in front of me. I had seen that light before. It was the unique flash that occurs when a Command Spell is used.

Something must have happened to Shirou that required an emergency summoning of Lia! This means Rin, who should be with Shirou, might also be in danger!

I increased my speed further and burst into the school building without losing momentum.

Students were collapsed here and there in the hallway. They must have been on their way to their respective spots for lunch.

I even saw some whose skin had started to melt. With my abnormally good eyesight, such a sight was unavoidable.

The situation is indeed worse than last time. At this rate, people will certainly die.

It's fortunate that it was just when lunch break started. Both Shirou and Rin shouldn't be too far from their classroom.

My anxiety increasing, I was heading for the stairs when a familiar figure collapsed in the corner of my eye.

(Fujinee and Mitsuzuri?)

They might have tried to call an ambulance. They were slumped over each other in front of a public phone, the receiver hanging mid-air.

I approached them, but there was no response. They seemed completely unconscious. I held up Fujinee, who was slumped over Mitsuzuri—

—And there, I hesitated.

I cannot save and get them out of here. I don't have the time or the luxury to save all the other students. If I did that, it would be much more practical to just stop Shinji from keeping the Bounded Field active.

I cannot heal them. Even if I temporarily restore them while they are still being absorbed, it's useless unless the source of the problem is stopped. Besides, I do not know the Magecraft for healing people.

I cannot destroy the Bounded Field either. This body—Saber's ability—is for defeating enemies who stand in the way. I cannot dispel Magecraft.

Even as a Servant, am I unable to save the people suffering right in front of me?!

To break the current situation, I must stop Shinji. ...Then I should hurry and meet up with Rin and the others. Although I couldn't fully accept it, I understood this logic, but something in my mind was holding me back.

"—Guh!?"

As I tried to shake off that feeling and rush toward Rin, a sudden headache hit me. I pressed my hand against my throbbing forehead.

He surfaces. The voice, the silhouette of that red-cloaked knight.

Why is he appearing now? I don't have time to remember you.

—— You are not meant to fight, but merely to create.——

I've heard that before. Ah, I admit it. Without your words, I wouldn't have been able to fight Gilgamesh satisfactorily. More importantly, I need to hurry to Rin and the others——

—— The only thing you can do is that one thing.——

That's not true! I've gotten a little better at handling a sword, and I'm starting to learn how to use Prana. Even if they are borrowed abilities, I am different from the me back then—

—— If so, then master that one thing.——

The pain in my head suddenly subsided. The knight had also vanished from my mind.

Immediately, a single dagger floated in my mind. A lightning-like blade, a sinister color. The Servant called the Witch of Betrayal. Her possession, a Noble Phantasm specialized for Anti-Magecraft.

That's right. There's still something I can do—no, there's something only I can do.

"—— Projection Trace On."

I was falling head first toward the ground. The momentum was too great to shift my body.

"Come! LIA—AAGH!"

My right Command Spell glowed and burst. The heat and pain ran through the back of my hand simultaneously as a ripple appeared in space, and Lia jumped out from within it.

"Shirou!"

Lia instinctively caught me, who was flung into the air, and landed with a loud clang of her greaves.

"Are you alright? What about your left arm!?"

"Y-yeah. I'm fine. It's nothing serious. More importantly, Rider and Tohsaka are on the third floor. Go help Tohsaka."

"Shirou, what about you?"

Lia seemed confused by my words, but she must have sensed my will by looking at my eyes.

"I'm coming right away."

"...Understood."

Saying only that, Lia set me down on the ground and sprinted up the wall of the school building in a single breath. Soon after, she entered the school through a broken window.

I, too, stood up, clutching my left arm. I don't know what I can do against a Servant, but I have to quickly meet up with Tohsaka and the others.

Treating it as an emergency, I broke into the school through the nearest window. I checked my body for any anomalies while moving.

Apparently, there was no noticeable external injury other than the gaping wound in my left arm. However, there was a sharp pain in my left knee, as if I had hit it somewhere. My internal organs were also lightly damaged, but it was bearable if I ignored it.

I ran up the stairs. The sound of clashing metal constantly echoed from directly above—the battle must have started. Clutching my painful left arm, I ascended to the third floor where Shinji was.

"...What is going on?"

The words certainly leaked from my mouth. In front of me, Lia and Rider were fighting to a draw. Rider was emitting an presence that was incomparable to when I had faced her.

It was unbelievable. I had thought that Rin might have already defeated Shinji while Lia held Rider off.

Shinji was in the back, Rider was in front of him, Lia was fighting, and Rin was standing stock-still right in front of me. As soon as Shinji came into view, my vision turned red with anger, but I desperately suppressed it and approached Rin.

"...Tohsaka, what's happening? What is this?"

"Emiya-kun. —It seems Rider is constantly converting the life force drained by the Bounded Field into Prana. She seems to be forcibly supplementing her insufficient battle strength from an external source, thus enhancing her combat ability. Well, even with that, it seems she's only just on par with Lia."

Rin glanced at my face, showing surprise, and then explained the trick behind this battle. After finishing the explanation, Rin's eyes shifted to Shinji with a look of utter disdain. Shinji must have noticed that I was safe, and his panic was visible.

"Damn it! Rider, why didn't you properly kill Emiya! Hey, what are you struggling with! Hurry up and kill him and that one!"

He hurled angry shouts at Rider, but contrary to his words, he recoiled a few steps in terror. Of course, Rider, who was fully occupied with Lia, couldn't possibly attack me.

Indeed, if one were thrown from the height of the third floor at speed, headfirst, without being able to brace themselves, a normal person would surely die without recourse.

But against a Magus who uses supernatural power, it lacked certainty. Moreover, Shinji had apparently been talking to Tohsaka and hadn't paid attention to my subsequent movements.

"Even so..."

"Yes, there's no way for us to intervene. There's no room for us to join this fight. Honestly, if Alto were here, the war situation would change."

Rin continued with a bitter expression, crossing her arms, saying, "What is he doing?"

The sound of swordplay echoed even as we talked. Facing the two Servants attacking at an un-followable speed, all we could do was watch.

"...Kuh!"

I heard a small but definite sound of anguish, too quiet to easily catch. The unfamiliar tone of voice. It came from Rider, who had barely spoken until now.

I noticed that the fight, which had been a draw, was starting to tilt to one side. Rider was failing to withstand Lia's blows. However, nothing special had happened to Lia. It seemed Rider's movements were becoming sluggish.

"What are you doing! Rider! This isn't the time to be playing around!?"

As I watched Shinji hysterically yell, Rin whispered to me.

"I don't know what happened, but it looks like the Bounded Field that was connected to the Leyline has been cut off and is now independent. If that's the case, the amount of life force it can drain is limited, and Rider should no longer be able to fight beyond her true ability."

Indeed, my body felt lighter, and the discomfort had slightly lessened. The vision, which was dyed red, also felt like the color was fading.

"In that case..."

A decisive opening might appear for both Rider and Shinji.

"Yes. ..."

When I questioned her with my eyes, Rin nodded once and began murmuring something. I lowered my stance, preparing to spring forward at any moment.

As Rin had predicted, the overwhelming presence Rider was emitting waned, and proportionally, her movements lacked sharpness. With every clash with Lia, Rider was being pushed further into a corner.

"HAAAAA!"

Lia's voice. And the sound of steel splintering. The spiked chain-sword was violently deflected by Lia's invisible sword, and Rider, unable to stop her momentum, was blown body-first into the wall. Past her, I was running with all my might toward Shinji.

But Shinji, noticing me a moment earlier, turned his back and started to flee.

I reached out, but couldn't reach Shinji. My pierced arm wouldn't swing as intended, and I couldn't properly balance my body. My left foot, which I had hit, felt strained, and my steps were weak. I couldn't pick up speed. I chased after him, but the distance didn't close.

"Agh!?"

Just as Shinji was about to escape up the stairs, something red shot past right beside me and struck Shinji's foot.

Immediately, Shinji collapsed as if the strength had left his leg, lying face down on the floor. He seemed to have hit his face hard, letting out a low shriek.

I looked back to see Rin exhaling, her left index finger still pointed in my direction. Though I couldn't clearly sense it, a remnant of Prana was likely lingering on her fingertip. I don't know what she did, or what Magecraft the red, light-bullet-like object was.

But the result was undeniable: I had caught up to Shinji, who had been about to escape. It was clear that Rin had effortlessly accomplished what I could not.