Chapter 57: Day 11 ①

Rin stood beside me as I stepped out of the living room.

"Rin."

"Yeah. ...Right. Is there somewhere we won't be disturbed?"

With a small nod, I scooped Rin up into my arms and kicked off the ground with force.

Her hair, still somewhat damp and not yet tied up, fluttered in the wind. The crisp night air brushed against my cheeks. It felt good.

"Be careful not to bite your tongue."

"Wait—hey! Hold on—kyaa!"

Rin’s face flushed red as she started to panic. I suspected my own face was red too. However, since there was no other way, I gave her that warning as emotionlessly as possible and leaped toward the heights in one go.

It was what people called a princess carry.

Earlier, Rin had extracted advantageous information from Shinji, and Shinji, in turn, had shown a cooperative attitude toward her. The numerous questions and explanations had taken a long time, but the results were worth the effort.

By the time the questioning concluded, it was past 10:00 PM. As soon as we realized the time, our stomachs began to complain. I ended up having to prepare a quick dinner. Given the late hour, I made something light—since I had already cooked the rice, I put together about twenty rice balls and some miso soup.

After stuffing ourselves with rice balls and washing them down with miso soup, the fatigue from the long discussion set in. We naturally decided to postpone discussing our next move until tomorrow and took our rest for the night.

By the time I finished the dishes and washed the grime off my body, the date had already changed. Shinji’s story had dealt a significant mental shock to everyone, and the exhaustion Shirou and Rin felt wouldn't be cured by a mere short nap. In particular, the injured Illya had been forced to bear a heavy burden, both through the use of Magecraft and the supply of Prana. I had to let her rest, at least for now.

After Lia helped wipe her down, Illya had fallen asleep instantly before the clock even struck midnight. Conversely, Lia, who was receiving a sufficient supply of Prana from Illya, no longer needed long periods of sleep. Though she grumbled about it, she was busy looking after Illya.

Shinji, likely exhausted from all the talking, had retreated to his room early. Shirou was nodding off in the living room. I draped a blanket over him as he shivered in his sleep and stepped out. I could just wake him up on my way back in.

And that brings us back to the start.

"You could have at least given me a heads-up."

Having finally found her footing on the unstable surface, Rin raised her voice in protest. I replied with a small, apologetic laugh and surveyed our surroundings.

Thanks to the clear air, the stars in the night sky were vividly visible. Rin’s breath came out in white puffs. It might have been a bit too cold up here. Looking down, the light from the living room spilled out from the estate, and I could hear Lia’s voice trying to wake Shirou.

Currently, Rin and I were on the roof of the Emiya Estate. While on patrol, I had realized that by using Reinforcement on Saber’s eyesight, I could monitor the surrounding area from the roof, and I had been coming up here occasionally since then. It seemed there were no abnormalities today either. I could see the Matou Estate towering in the residential area, the Tohsaka Estate at the top of the hill, and Ryudou Temple far off on the mountain.

"So, you’re finally ready to tell me? Your True Name."

"...Yes. There’s no guarantee that help will arrive as conveniently as it did yesterday. But Rin, surely you’ve had your suspicions?"

The promise to one day reveal my other True Name. I had almost been defeated before fulfilling it. Given the situation, we likely didn't have much leeway left. This war was beginning to move toward its conclusion.

"Well, yeah. I’m still not entirely confident, though. If someone had a sane mental structure, they’d never come up with this idea. In the world of Magecraft, it’s not an impossible case, but the subject is a Heroic Spirit, right? Their spiritual foundations can't even be compared to a normal human's. There are far too many factors that should lead to failure."

"...You’re right."

I had thought about it a lot, and Rin was absolutely correct. That part had always been inexplicable.

"...You are undoubtedly someone involved with Magecraft. A Magus... or rather, a Master of a Holy Grail War, right? Most likely from the previous one. Or if not, from further in the past. Or maybe even a participant from a future Holy Grail War. Regardless of the time period, I don't think I'm wrong about that."

"Am I wrong?" she asked. She wasn't incorrect, but it seemed the idea of me being a Master from this current Holy Grail War hadn't occurred to her. I really did seem to be hitting the lowest of probabilities.

"Yes, you are correct. I did indeed participate in a Holy Grail War as a Master. To be precise, it was the Fifth Holy Grail War. The only thing I would correct in what you said is that I wasn't a Magus, but a Spellcaster."

"...Huh?"

Rin froze, her mouth hanging open. She stared at me intently, completely motionless.

"Uh, maybe I misheard. Can you say that again?"

"Yes. I participated in the Fifth Holy Grail War as a Master, but I was not a Magus."

"...In other words, you’re a Spellcaster who participated in this Holy Grail War?"

I looked at Rin and nodded. She blinked several times, then suddenly stood up and ran down to the edge of the roof. She peered down into the living room, likely comparing the Shirou she saw there with me.

"............Is this a joke?"

"What would be the point of lying about this?"

I couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh.

"So... to put it bluntly. You’re saying that on the inside, you’re Emiya Shirou?"

"Yes. ...That’s right, Tohsaka. I am, without a doubt, Emiya Shirou. For some reason, though, I’ve borrowed Saber’s form."

"..."

"I’m sorry for keeping it a secret until now... wait, Rin!"

Rin’s legs gave out, and she slumped down. Since she looked like she was about to tumble off the edge of the roof, I rushed over to support her.

Rin’s lips curled up. But then her face turned bright red, and she began to clutch her head and shake it wildly.

"A-Are you okay?"

"...He... hehehe."

"He?"

"DON’T MESS WITH MEEEEEEE!!"

"GAHH—!?"

She screamed right into my ear. Rin’s voice reverberated inside my head. My ears were ringing. She had even leaned in close just to use her voice as a sonic weapon. I tried to cover my ears, but I was far too late.

"I heard you were an Archer-class, but when I heard you were King Arthur, do you know how happy I was thinking I’d hit the jackpot?! I was smiling to myself thinking, 'What a cute girl,' but the person inside is actually a guy?! And of all people, it’s Emiya-kun?! Ugh! This is a scam! A total scam! Give me back my emotional investment, you idiot!"

"R-Rin, calm down!"

She grabbed my collar and shook me back and forth violently. She probably forgot, but we were at the edge of the roof. This was very dangerous.

By the way, I wondered what she meant by "of all people." Depending on the interpretation, that actually hurts quite a bit.

"...Haa, ...haa."

"Rin? Have you calmed down?"

"Haa... So, uh, what does this mean? Does it mean Emiya-kun becomes you after the war ends?"

"Eh? Ah, no. I don't think that will happen this time, but..."

It seemed the explosion was over. Rin, now completely calm, stared at me intently. The sudden shift in her demeanor actually made me fluster.

"That means your world and this one are Parallel Worlds. Alto herself is an embodiment of the Second Magic (Kaleidoscope)... no, is the Servant System of the Holy Grail War itself applying the Second Magic? —No! Why didn't I notice?! The act of summoning a Hero from the future—that itself is a gateway to Parallel Worlds. If the method of interfering with the Throne of Heroes can be analyzed and the coordinates for a Parallel World can be established...? To do that, if we only knew the location of the system's foundation. No, that’s it! Alto, just how did you reach the Throne of Heroes..."

"...Haha, sorry. I don't really understand that technical side of things. I was just summoned before I knew it."

"Ah..."

Rin’s expression turned somber. The hand that had been gripping my collar slowly retracted. I brushed off my collar and gave a wry smile.

"The fact that you’re here in Lia's form... does that mean in your time, during the Holy Grail War...?"

"...Yeah. Right. That’s how it was."

Rin whispered a small "I see," and silence fell between us.

Naturally, the events of my Holy Grail War came to mind.

—And as always, the one I remember most vividly is Saber. The sight of her standing up even while covered in wounds. The girl I failed to protect. I had no regrets about my choices. I was only frustrated by my own lack of power.

"...Hey, can I ask? About the Holy Grail War in your time."

"Sure, I don't mind. ...But I wonder where I should start. At first, it was the same as the Shirou here; I got caught up in it and ended up participating."

I recounted everything, from my first encounter at school with the battle between the Red Knight (Archer/EMIYA) and the Blue Knight (Lancer), all the way to the result where I ended up taking down Gilgamesh at the cost of my own life. It was a long story. But perhaps because it was the second time I was telling it—the first being to Lia—I think I was able to explain the key points more clearly than before.

I added all the information I had gained during the Holy Grail War. Most of it had become meaningless now, but there were definitely discrepancies caused by the differences between our timelines. Of course, the biggest difference was my presence. This was also the point that Rin showed the most interest in.

"...Heh. So, between the Archer from your time and the current Alto. Which one is stronger?"

"Well... that’s a tough one. In terms of pure physical specs, I’m definitely superior. But honestly, if we actually fought, I’m not sure if I’d have the confidence to win."

"You can't win?"

"Ah— no! Of course, I don't have the slightest intention of losing to that guy," I said, waving my hands frantically in excuse.

"But, how do I put it? It’s like he’s further ahead on the path of Emiya Shirou. It feels like he can see through everything I think of... If he didn't recognize me as Emiya Shirou, I wonder how it would go."

"Alto?"

"Ah, no, it’s nothing. Either way, he was the kind of guy who never showed his full hand."

I can empathize with him this much, yet I still end up clashing with him—his true identity.

Deep down, I probably know who he is. I’m likely just pretending not to see it. Maybe I don't want to think about it. I might not want to admit such a possibility.

"Hey... do you have any idea why you ended up in that form?"

"...I have a few theories, but they lack persuasive power."

The most likely theory in my mind was that we had 'fused'...

But as Rin said earlier, my consciousness, which should be weaker as an existence, shouldn't have remained. Following that logic, I shouldn't have 'fused' with Saber, who has a higher Spiritual Rank; I should have been 'consumed' by her.

"I’ve noticed something by comparing this to Spiritual Evocation or 'Soul Swapping' in the world of Magecraft. I don't know if it applies directly to Emiya-kun, but if you’re okay with that, do you want to hear it?"

"—! Yes. Please, I’m counting on you."

That offer was exactly what I had been hoping for. I had tried thinking about it on my own, but I had hit a dead end. Since Magecraft was involved, I knew it was too much for me to handle alone.

"I’ll tell you now, this isn't my specialty, so I can't give you deep details if you press me."

"I don't mind. I’m severely lacking in knowledge and information, so it’s a huge help."

I leaned in without thinking. That’s right. If I had consulted Rin, she would have helped me. I should have cast aside my strange pride and asked for help much sooner.

"First off, dominating someone else's body with just your spirit is difficult unless there’s a massive difference in power. Even if you manage to take over, your consciousness will fade over time. Since you consume mental energy to act, the moment your mental strength falls below the original owner’s, the possessor will be consumed and vanish."

I see. So, taking over someone by sheer will alone isn't practical.

"That’s why, when moving a soul to another vessel, people usually choose a mindless 'doll' or empty the vessel by erasing the target's spirit."

"Wait a second. If that’s the case, then Saber..."

If I had settled into an empty body whose spirit had left... it would explain how the current me can exist.

The blood drained from my face. Even when that possibility occurred to me, I had refused to believe it, telling myself there must be some other cause.

"Wait, I’m not finished yet. The reason a transferred spirit loses power is because it lacks a Core. Something to anchor the will. The most effective thing is a human brain. If you transfer it using Spiritual Surgery, it remains effective almost indefinitely as long as there’s no rejection, until the body reaches its natural limit. Another way is to transfer the soul into a small animal or an inorganic object and have that object contained within the target's body. In that case, it’s also preferable if the host’s spirit is weakened or cooperative."

"Transferring to an inorganic object..."

"Does that ring a bell?"

............It does. However, it wasn't that I transferred myself. My body had transformed into an inorganic object.

The thing I created at the cost of my body was a Sheath. That sheath (Avalon), which had been melted into my body from that hell until the moment of my death.

"I have a lead... Then, if I remove that from this body...!"

"Wait."

"...Eh?"

"Sure, if you remove the cause, Saber’s consciousness inside might emerge. But that’s a bit... no, that’s a huge problem."

What’s wrong with that? What could possibly be the problem with returning this body to its original owner, Saber?

"The differences between Lia and Alto... isn't it because you, Shirou, are possessing her?"

"Ah, yeah. I suspect that the 'thing' I embedded in Saber's body is what’s creating the difference."

"Then it’s even more of a reason. Listen, Alto. The World is more narrow-minded than you think. It doesn't forgive things that harm it. It doesn't forgive contradictions. —And it does not allow identical existences to coexist."

"...What do you mean?"

"What do you think would happen if you left that body along with the thing you’ve transformed into? Even if you’re connected to a different Master, you’d have two identical existences—both in spirit and body—appearing in the same time period and in extremely close proximity. ...Unless either Lia or Saber has a solid physical body or their thought patterns have changed in different directions."

"...Then, what would happen to the Saber who would be newly born into this world?"

"I’ve never actually seen it happen, so I can't say for sure... but she’d either be blown away and rejected by the world, or physically eliminated."

"That’s...!"

If only I was blown away or erased, that would be fine. But I couldn't forgive myself if Saber were to suffer the consequences.

However, that meant that as long as I was in this world, I couldn't return the body to Saber.

"Unless Lia vanishes, or either Lia or Alto achieves Incarnation, or if Lia’s personality changes..."

"Dammit!"

"Calm down. It’s not set in stone. And there might be other ways."

I could never accept Lia disappearing. And a change in Lia's personality wasn't something I could control.

If that's the case...?

"Right. There might be other ways. No, if I look at it from a different angle, if I ask the Holy Grail for Incarnation...!"

"True. There’s no guarantee, but I think that would likely work. —But, are you okay with that? You, who would be removed from that body and return to being an inorganic object, would continue to sleep until you entered someone else's body again. Since you wouldn't have a lifespan, you might be left as just a consciousness, never waking up for eternity..."

"...Uh? That probably would happen, but what about it?"

The moment I answered, Rin glared at me. I didn't know why, but she looked extremely displeased.

"...Haa. Alto, you really are Emiya-kun after all."

"...? Rin, why are you stating the obvious?"

"It’s fine. It’s not like you’d change even if I said anything. I was just double-checking."

My question was brushed aside as she reached her own conclusion.

At any rate, I could see a glimmer of a solution. All I had to do now was give my all to win this Holy Grail War.

As expected, because I had been doing nothing but thinking since noon, my head felt heavy with fatigue. But knowing that the problems could be solved by winning, I felt much more at ease.

"Nnnn~~!"

I took a deep stretch. The things I had been worrying about felt much lighter, and once I was relieved, a wave of sleepiness washed over me.

"Ah, by the way, is it okay to keep calling you Alto? Or should I call you Emiya-kun?"

"No, Alto is fine. There’s already another Emiya Shirou in this world. We don't need two."

"...I see. Even with Lia’s appearance, with that way of speaking, you definitely feel like Emiya-kun. Wait, now that I think about it, your manner of speaking is back to normal."

"Ah, yeah. It seems the restraint weakened quite a while ago. I can't use my normal speech in front of Shirou, Shinji, or Illya, though."

The content of the Command Spell back then was "Listen to what I say." Since it was within the range of the Command Spell's influence, a bond was created, but because it wasn't a direct order from the Command Spell itself, the effect probably didn't last that long.

"You say that, but your speech pattern has been weird for a while now, you know? You use polite language in mental links, and you alternate between 'Watashi' and 'Ore.' Even just now, when you went back to your old tone, you used 'Watashi' several times."

"Really? ...I didn't notice. Well, I’ve been trying to act and speak in a way that wouldn't make people suspicious of me as Saber. Maybe I haven't quite shaken it off and I’m confused about which way I should speak."

When I gave a lighthearted laugh, Rin let out a groan and her face flushed red.

"That’s unfair. Even knowing you're Emiya-kun on the inside, I still get fooled. Even though you’re a klutz on the inside, you act so composed, just like a real knight."

"I don't really see it myself. Personally, I find it easier to stick to Saber’s manner of speaking. Especially for appearances. Since I was forcing myself to match her, it might have become a bit of a self-suggestion. It’s loosened up a lot, but the restraint hasn't completely disappeared either."

"Well, keep using Saber’s speech for a while. You don't intend to tell Shirou or Shinji, right?"

"...Yes. I am here specifically to prevent him from ending up like me."

"You say that, but you’re just embarrassed to let them know you’ve ended up in that form, aren't you?"

Mu. It’s true that that's a large part of it. Damn Rin, she’s being mean because she knows it’s true.

"Well, anyway, let’s head back. It’s cold out here. We’ll catch a cold."

"Yes, you’re right."

"Alto, come on, hurry up! A girl shouldn't let her body get cold, you know? You need to keep yourself warm and get some sleep."

She peered at me with a cat-like grin.

"............Ugh."

Rin is incredibly reliable. By confiding in her, she has become a great mental support. But still, maybe I was a bit too hasty.

By the way, shortly after, I managed to get my revenge unintentionally. As I carried Rin to get down from the roof, her face turned bright red and she looked extremely awkward. Seeing her like that for a change, I couldn't help but let out a laugh.