Chapter 29: Day 7 ⑦

A surge of cold sweat burst from my back and palms.

I felt the discomfort of my clothes sticking to my back, yet I suppressed my excessively pounding heart and glared ahead.

Floating before me was the black robe—Caster.

Her figure was invisible; the only thing I could clearly see was a single arm extending from the robe. I don't know what she was hesitant about, but Caster made no move.

However, the front of my body was tingling with an unpleasant sensation. Caster's focus was surely directed toward me constantly.

I took one step back with my right foot, manifesting Excalibur, wrapped in the Invisible Air, and held it diagonally. In the posture of Saber, I would be able to react instantly to any movement the opponent made.

The short sword that flashed in my mind at that time—Caster's Noble Phantasm, Rule Breaker—was something extraordinary.

After grasping and analyzing the dagger's structure in my mind, I understood it was an exceptional item capable of canceling all Magecraft. Following the eight-step process meticulously, I succeeded in its Projection.

I analyzed the Leyline, confirmed the connection between the Bounded Field and the Leyline, and immediately plunged Rule Breaker into the Leyline to destroy the Bounded Field. However, even with Rule Breaker, I couldn't erase Rider's Bounded Field. I couldn't even interfere with the Bounded Field itself; it only nullified the Magic Circles established near the Leyline and the Bounded Field, thus concluding its role and dissipating into mist.

I reviewed the procedure, wondering if the Projection had failed, and re-analyzed to check if I had interfered with the Leyline in the wrong position.

If the information I gained from the analysis was true, there was no way it shouldn't have been canceled. Although I shouldn't say it myself, the Projection was a masterpiece, and I couldn't create anything better than that, at least for now.

Thinking back, the Bounded Field itself was likely not a type of Magecraft. I was so flustered that I couldn't even realize such a thing. Because I was running around in confusion, unable to erase it, I didn't notice that the Bounded Field's effect was weakening until I re-analyzed the Leyline.

The Magic Circles that Rule Breaker managed to erase seemed to be those affecting the Bounded Field.

The Magic Circles were apparently responsible for connecting the Bounded Field to the Leyline and drawing up Prana and life force. Although I couldn't erase the Bounded Field, I was able to successfully attenuate its effects. This was an unexpected oversight, and a welcome one.

However, immediately after that, an explosion echoed from directly above, shaking the school building. I rushed to the third floor, the source of the sound, and unexpectedly found Caster there. Furthermore, I came across Shirou leaping out without any countermeasure, right in front of the Prana blast fired by Caster.

Honestly, if that hit, he would undoubtedly die, yet he does such reckless things. I, too, jumped in front of Shirou faster than I could think.

Now that I think about it, that was a chilling experience. I jumped out instinctively, so I didn't have time to worry, but jumping in front of a deadly mass of Prana is sheer madness for a normal person.

It was only after the Prana dissipated that my blood ran cold, and then my body and heart started pounding as if they were running wild. Even if it nullifies Magecraft, it's terrifyingly intense for someone like me who is not used to it. For me, who has a body with virtually no Magic Resistance, jumping into a mass of Prana requires the resolve of committing suicide.

It's like my survival instinct deems it dangerous even though my head knows I'm safe. It's certainly not an experience I'd willingly repeat many times. Still, if it means protecting people, then I don't mind. If there's time to hesitate, it's better to reach out even a second earlier.

"Alto, I'm sorry. Thanks for saving me."

Shirou seemed to have finally gotten up. Judging by his aura, he was likely supporting Shinji.

While shielding Shirou and Shinji, I slowly moved to regroup with Saber and Rin. Of course, I never took my eyes off Caster. She was still just floating, with no change in her appearance.

"Allow me to ask you one thing. That man there... the one who cast the Bounded Field. Are you intending to shield him?"

A cold, feminine voice was projected from the robe in front of me. I reflexively started to open my mouth to answer the question but immediately closed it again. I could not answer that question.

Shinji is merely an acquaintance of Shirou and Rin. From the perspective of Lia and me, he's just an enemy Master whom we met once in the archery club.

Moreover, this was an issue for Shirou and Rin—the Masters—to decide, and it was not my place as a Servant to interfere.

"Yeah, I can't abandon Shinji. If you intend to harm him, I will stop you with everything I have."

After a short pause, Shirou answered. There was no hesitation in his voice. From behind him, a small sigh was faintly audible. This was likely Rin's.

"I see..."

After Caster murmured that, she held up her hand and chanted some words that sounded like a spell. Light emanated from Shirou's classroom—the classroom I had also been in before—and returned to normal without incident. Lia and I instinctively lowered our center of gravity, intensifying our vigilance.

"...What did you do?"

"I merely transferred my Master. Rest assured, I have not harmed anyone here."

A smiling atmosphere could be sensed from the floating robe.

At Caster's words, Rin gasped and put her hand in her skirt pocket. She was preparing to throw a Jewel at any moment.

I've heard that spatial transfer is classified as High-Thaumaturgy. The fact that Caster performed it spontaneously means her level is far beyond mine, and even Rin's.

But I was more concerned about something else. She transferred her Master? I had assumed he was at Ryuudou Temple, but was I wrong?

"So, what do you intend to do, Caster? My Master will not accept your demands. Should we take this as your intention to settle this with us here?"

Lia stepped forward, gripping her sword as she questioned. Lia herself was clearly determined to defeat Caster. I snapped out of my thoughts and braced myself.

"Unfortunately, I have no intention of challenging an opponent I can barely win against in a one-on-one fight, head-on and without preparation. I shall withdraw for now."

As soon as she spoke, light traced a path in the air, creating a Magic Circle. Caster stood upon it. The light emanating from the Magic Circle enveloped Caster's robe.

"However, remember this. I will not forgive the man there who harmed my Master."

"Wait, hold it!"

Amidst Lia's echoing voice, the same light that leaked from the classroom earlier burst forth, filling our vision. When the light subsided, Caster's figure was gone.

I let out a breath. After confirming that the Servant's aura had vanished from the vicinity, I deactivated my armament. For now, it could be considered that the situation with this Bounded Field was concluded.

If I could be greedy, it might have been better for our future if Caster had been defeated here. However, we couldn't just leave the students unattended, so honestly, I was relieved that she withdrew on her own.

I was watching to confirm the safety of Shirou and Shinji when Rin walked toward me. Her face was stern.

"Now, Alto. May I ask why you, who were supposed to be on standby nearby, were so late?"

..............

"There were people in a grave, dangerous condition, so I administered first aid. I apologize."

"...Alto, are you serious? You mean you couldn't abandon those on the verge of death and couldn't immediately join us?"

Not only Rin, but Lia also furrowed her brow, unable to hide her incomprehension, looking at me with disbelief.

I had no other excuse. I certainly couldn't tell them I was attempting to dispel the Bounded Field. If I did, the conversation would inevitably lead to the method, and I would have to reveal the Projection and, ultimately, my true identity to everyone here.

"...Yes."

"You should instinctively know how to act in this situation!"

"Wha, Tohsaka. If he managed to save everyone, isn't that good enough?"

"Sorry, Emiya-kun, but please keep quiet."

Shirou's defense was cut short by Rin's single remark.

"I'm not saying you shouldn't save anyone. I also believe that it's best to avoid unnecessary sacrifices. But in this instance, if you truly want to save people, we should have crushed the source of the problem as quickly as possible. The longer we delay for the sake of one or two people, the more people will die as a result. You understand that much, don't you?"

"...Yes."

"If you understand, then why...! You are a King, and you should have already made this kind of selection!"

If I had joined Rin without hesitation and cooperated with Lia, we might have removed Rider's Bounded Field much sooner.

My delay this time was due to my independent decision. The fault lay with me for betraying her trust. That was undeniable. Therefore, Rin's anger was justified, and I had no counter-argument against her scolding.

However, even so. Only against the statement that I must overlook people in immediate danger if there is a greater reason to act otherwise—

I fell silent, neither speaking nor nodding. Seeing my posture, no one spoke.

A fragment of debris, where Caster had destroyed the wall, clattered and fell to the floor.

"...Alto, are you perhaps..."

I looked up at Rin's words and spoke, interrupting her.

"I... No, I cannot stand by and let people die. I will not abandon the few for the sake of the many. If there is someone facing death, I want to save them. If there is someone reaching out for help, I want to take their hand..."

—I absolutely cannot compromise this. To abandon people for the sake of helping others, that is wrong. For the sake of my ideal, I cannot lie about this, ever.

This is the way of Emiya Shirou. The way of a soul that will not change, even if the body does.

"A Hero of Justice..."

Shirou's faint murmur lingered in my ears.

"This is my conviction. I apologize to my Master, but if you cannot accept it, please use a Command Spell. I cannot agree to words that would bend the way I live."

"............Haa."

Rin sighed, looking utterly exasperated.

"Honestly, why is there such a soft-hearted Hero? They say that 'it's how the world works, that it won't be that way even if you wish it to be'. ...I wonder if this is what Emiya-kun would be like if he became a Hero. More than that, I'm amazed I didn't notice Alto had this kind of personality."

She glanced at Shirou and then drooped her shoulders, seemingly giving up on changing the situation.

"Rin. I believe I understand what I should do. I apologize for misjudging the situation this time. Of course, I will follow the judgment and instructions of Rin, my Master, going forward. However, I will not change my belief, my ideal of how things should be, and I cannot change it."

"Ah, alright! I get it! If you'll follow my orders, then I don't care about the rest. I don't want to use a Command Spell just to change a conviction, either. Besides, continuing to talk about this is a matter of ideology. It's a parallel line no matter how far we go."

As she raised her head, Rin's movement stopped. Her gaze was fixed on Lia, who was looking at her.

"What's wrong, Lia?"

"Ah, nothing. I was just a little surprised. For me, who couldn't even protect a single nation, to maintain such an ideal was completely impossible."

Lia answered, her eyes wide, moving only her mouth. Shirou and Rin, who didn't show particular interest in what she said, began discussing how to protect the students and teachers.

"—The ideal of wanting to save all people is something that 'Artoria,' who couldn't even protect a single country, should not be able to achieve. If the 'King Arthur' who can do that exists, then it is no longer me, but someone else."

A faint murmur was heard. It probably didn't reach Rin's or Shirou's ears. Lia, who had murmured it, was glaring sternly at me, and the next moment, her expression became blank.

Startled by her look, I stared back at Lia blankly.

"Alto, we need to talk later."

Lia whispered only that beside me and followed behind Shirou. I stood alone in that spot.

—Is this the limit?

Lia was undoubtedly feeling a contradiction that Alto was Arthur. The exchange with Rin brought Alto's abnormality as Arthur to the surface.

King Arthur should have made many choices to protect the country. Regardless of which choice she made, some choices would have resulted in sacrifice. She cut down the fewer to save the many, won the wars, and consequently sustained the nation.

Even if minor details change, the life of Arthur, the hero who remains in legend, should not change. Indeed, every written account of Arthur lived that way, ruled the country, and achieved her great work. As a King who united many knights, Arthur became a hero so deeply ingrained in the common populace that she is still known in later generations.

My way of thinking could be said to be contrary to the way of King Arthur. It would harm, not benefit, the continuation of the kingdom.

...Saber regretted that she was not fit to be King, yet she was proud of her way of being King. How could Lia accept that 'King Arthur' lacks even the resolve of a King?

Rin might simply accept it as a 'difference in legend,' or she might be accustomed to the difference in personality between Lia and me and hasn't noticed.

But even Rin might realize my unnaturalness eventually. That moment might not be in the distant future.

If I truly wanted to keep it a secret, I should have acted as Saber, even if it meant suppressing my own self. At the very least, I shouldn't have argued back.

Yet, I didn't want to lie, even at the cost of compromising myself. I didn't want to betray my own ideal.

Having come this far, I likely have no choice but to reveal my true identity to Lia. My actions were simply too different from Lia, the original King Arthur.

I don't know if she will believe me, and at worst, I might have to tell Shirou and Rin as well. Nevertheless, I must take responsibility for the choice I made.

Afterward, Rin entrusted the cleanup of the school to Kotomine and returned to the Emiya residence.

As a result of Shirou and Rin's discussion, Shinji was also brought to the Emiya residence. Rin and Lia objected since he was an enemy Master, but Shirou, the house owner, strongly insisted, leading to this arrangement.

Well, even if he were protected by the Church, I don't think he would withstand a Servant attack. Caster also seems intent on killing Shinji, so protecting Shinji at the Emiya residence is probably the best choice for the current situation.

Shirou and Rin walked side-by-side at the front, discussing future plans. Shinji was next to them. He occasionally glanced at Shirou and Rin before looking away, walking silently.

Lia, as always, simply followed silently behind Shirou. While worrying about my future relationship with Lia, I had something to think about.

About Caster's Master. He was definitely in Shirou's class. Issei was the only student commuting from Ryuudou Temple in my former class, but Issei was certainly still collapsed in the classroom.

It's not a student. That leaves the teachers, and one person fit the description.

Souichirou Kuzuki-sensei. I had heard from Issei himself that Kuzuki-sensei was currently lodging at Ryuudou Temple. Recalling the class immediately before lunch, the teacher in charge was indeed Kuzuki-sensei. Moreover, when I checked the classroom, all my classmates were present. It's safe to assume he is the one.

"Is something wrong, Alto?"

"...Shirou?"

Shirou was walking beside me before I realized it. He looked concernedly into my face.

"You look down. Is it because of what Tohsaka said earlier?"

"No,... well."

Was my face that serious? I instinctively hesitated in my reply.

I hadn't joined the conversation since then, but I wasn't particularly depressed. Well, it was related to the exchange earlier, though.

"Even though Lia and Tohsaka said those things, I'm on your side, or rather, I share the same idea as you. It's not really something I talk about, but I want to become the kind of person who can save people."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah."

Shirou clasped his hands behind his head and looked up at the sky.

"Since I was a child. To save people who are asking for help. I've been training my body and doing various things for that, but it hasn't gone well. If you hadn't come this time, I'd probably be burnt to a crisp by now."

Indeed, if I had been a second later, Shirou would have certainly been reduced to cinders. I have mixed feelings about his action, but I'm glad I made it in time.

"Well, it's a little embarrassing to tell people."

Saying that, Shirou scratched his cheek bashfully, his face slightly red. Why was he telling me this story?

"Hehe."

But I couldn't help but laugh; Shirou's earnestness was somehow amusing.

"Yeah. You look better when you smile, Alto. And I forgot to say it earlier, but thanks for saving me!"

Saying that, he smiled, his face bright red, and then walked ahead to join Rin.

Ah, I see. I finally understood. Shirou was trying to comfort me because I looked dejected. Being comforted by myself feels strange, and objectively, it would be self-justification.

But still,

"...Thank you."

—Thanks to that, my mood is lighter.

I quietly offered my gratitude toward Shirou's back, a thank you he likely couldn't hear. My own steps on the way back were surely much lighter, too.