In the end, an incident occurred.
Who would have thought the reason for knocking me out was that. I thought her attitude and personality had changed recently, so it was like Deirdre's after all.
Once she started unlocking her dragon power, she began to be consumed by a dragon's desires. It's not for nothing that dragons like Fafnir became symbols of evil and greed in the West. Dragons possess great intellect along with immense desires. Especially toward what is theirs or what they are interested in, they show strong obsession and possessiveness.
That's what Artoria is like now. Her obsession shifted from the Holy Grail to an obsession with me. I thought she usually suppressed the charming youth with Mystic Eyes, but she couldn't block the dragon's eyes.
What can I do about what's been done... It wasn't intentional on my part, and it was a reverse situation, but I took the virginity of a heroic spirit woman. I have no choice but to take responsibility... If I don't, Merlin might spread rumors in the Throne of Heroes, and Scáthach might be disappointed.
Didn't I say why I didn't summon my wives? Sigh... It's not easy for me to gain more bonds like this. I have no intention of incarnating, nor do I plan to stay in the present world for long. Moreover, Artoria herself is a heroic spirit and must return. Whether she incarnates or continues her manifestation, she must eventually return to Camlann someday.
Knowing that, she still made that choice...
"Artoria. Are you sure about this? I clearly said I have no intention of living a new life. That this daily life is happy and enjoyable is only because I came as a visitor."
"Then couldn't you call your wives and live together?"
"I refuse. That, too, is but a fleeting time. Someday, we will part again. Especially... if that happens, Scáthach will be alone again. I can't let that happen. Not twice..."
"I can't tell if that's stubbornness or guilt."
It is possible to continue manifesting as a Servant, and incarnation is also possible. But incarnation means I live long again, and there will be another parting, so I don't want it. If I manifest, I would be summoned by the wish to see my wives again. I would call Scáthach too, but the time as a Servant is limited. If the Master disappears, we must find a new Master or leave. Probably, we would leave.
Then, Scáthach would be alone again. It's the same ending... That's why I am satisfied with fleeting moments and hope to part without regrets.
"Then, are you going to abandon me?"
"My Noble Phantasm has a trait... Those who become my wives are called forth. Even in a posthumous relationship like this Servant one, it is recorded. There are many cases recorded even in different world lines."
Like the Noble Phantasm Habenyan. It's entirely possible.
"Then, we can meet again?"
"Yes. Please, will you forgive me for that?"
"But you won't call me as you do now, will you?"
"Ahem... If it's me as a warrior, perhaps not? But as me as a king, I would call without hesitation. For you, it's not just guilt; I would want to reunite with my loved ones."
"I see... Then, I am satisfied too. Certainly, I also have something to finish..."
Right, you have unfinished business. You are still alive, and you cannot live. You must finish your death to have the next step as a heroic spirit... Really, having to send back someone who has become my wife to die. I feel pathetic myself.
"Still, I think this summoning certainly had meaning. Thanks to it, I found my answer."
"Is that so... It's strange that the answer is me..."
Me instead of Shirou... This is something. Let's go outside first; in the living room, Rin was watching TV with Ruby.
"So... Did you have fun last night?"
"I was unconscious, so I wouldn't know..."
"The King of Ériu and the King of Knights, a perfect couple? Historians would foam at the mouth and collapse if they knew."
[It's a story straight out of a movie~! I, Ruby-chan, even told other Rubies in other worlds~!?]
"What good does that do."
[Well... Just because?]
I'm worried about meeting Prisma Illya later. I have a feeling we'll meet in the Human Incineration Incident. But I won't go to the Prisma world where they don't summon Servants...
Spreading the reverse situation story to the whole world... My life is tough.
"But you're fine after being used like that?"
"I have Caladbolg, so I have automatic magical energy recovery to some extent."
"Is there anything you don't have?"
"Who knows. Since I can do most things... Anyway, what will you do now? Shirou has been kidnapped by Einzbern... The only remaining enemy is Berserker. But practically, no one is interested in the Grail, right?"
No one is interested in the Grail. Shirou, Rin, Illya. None of the Masters have a particular wish they want granted. Especially Illya, since she is the Lesser Grail, it's impossible. I don't have one, Artoria has achieved hers, Berserker only answered the call as a warrior seeking new trials... A case like Setanta's.
Do we even need to fight...?
"That's the problem. The Lesser Grail has no wish to begin with. So, we have to go see them at least. What will you do?"
"Well, that's true."
We're going to destroy the Greater Grail, so we should at least hear Illya's opinion. She herself isn't particularly interested in the Einzbern's long-cherished wish. Moreover, Sella and Leysritt are dead, so there is no Dress of Heaven. A proper ritual is already impossible. Purification... might be possible if I have enough magical energy? But it's better to just destroy it. What purification? That thing should be destroyed.
"Then, how about a date before we go?"
"No, I'll pass. We already did a lot."
"That was from the position of teacher and student!? I want to do it as lovers!"
"... Artoria. I'm tired, please give me a break."
Perhaps because I was used all night, I'm genuinely tired. Even recovering with runes isn't easy. Is it because I don't have a Master as an anchor? I could make a contract with Rin... But then I'd have to go on a date. Honestly, I want to finish this quickly. It feels like I've been dreaming.
Dreams of me taking care of Illya... Dreams of marrying Medea, etc., strange dreams. And...
No, never mind. Let's not pay attention to such bloody dreams. It's just a dream.
"Is that so... I understand. Come to think of it... I also have something on my mind. Bedivere is on my mind."
"I see."
"... Ugh, awkward. Let's go quickly."
Perhaps because I refused, an awkward air flowed between us, and Rin, with a face like she was about to throw up, led the way to the Einzbern castle. And at the Einzbern castle...
"What? You want to destroy the Grail?"
"If you truly wish, I can extend your lifespan for you, Illya."
"Heeh... Good. Honestly, I don't care about the Grail anymore. I know what kind of thing it is."
Illya was there, holding Shirou. Shirou seemed very tired, his eyes had gone blank. He wasn't a puppet or brainwashed... It seems he was used quite a bit. Rin was glaring at Illya with eyes like Emer who had been NTR'd.
Perhaps because she is the Lesser Grail, she sensed the Grail's anomaly.
"But, how do you plan to do it?"
"It's not that difficult. I have the wisdom of the demonic realm, the wisdom of the origin. If you wish, I can do something like puppet-making for you."
"... The wounded red horse?"
"A magus who almost became a sorcerer. A magus infinitely close to sorcery. I can do it at her level. However, I can't do it alone easily, so I need Ruby's power."
[Ooh~ Does that mean magical boy──]
"If I squeeze Ruby, it's possible."
[Hieeeek~!!!]
I don't know if it's possible because I've never tried... But in my dream, I saw myself doing that. So I can probably do it too.
"Good. Then make it for me. I'll permit it."
"I don't need permission, but... Fighting Berserker is a waste of time, so I'll do it for you."
Thus, we decided to make a puppet exactly identical to Illya's body. It will probably take all day today...
"Is it going well?"
"Yes, it's going well. It will be completed soon. Once this is done... it's over."
"Then, can't we go tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow?"
"Yes. Fergus... I, now officially as your wife, want to do it with you while you're awake. Perhaps..."
"Is it not allowed?"
"... Don't regret it. Even as a dragon, you are no match for me."
"Fufu, let me teach you a technique I learned from Merlin. Even if you don't want to know, that useless knowledge taught to a puppet in your dreams, I know how to please a man!"
One hour later...
"Hoeeeee...♡"
"Even Scáthach has never beaten me once in bed."
Well, she's still a novice who hasn't shed her virginity. Her night skills are still lacking. And yet she tried to seduce me, it's too early.
Still, I decided to hold her and spend an intimate time with her. For one day, I should respond to her love.
The next day, after giving Illya the puppet body and transferring her into it, we were done. Doing it myself, it felt as if my spiritual core was being carved away. Unlike magecraft experts like Medea or Aífe, I'm not a specialist... Perhaps because I did it inefficiently, it was very tough.
"Then... this is the end."
Having solved Illya's lifespan problem, we arrived at the cavern with the Greater Grail and stood before it.
"Yes, that's right."
After saying our goodbyes, only Artoria and I, as Servants, came because it was dangerous. Illya wanted to stay with Berserker until the end, so Berserker didn't come, but the new body isn't a magical energy tank like before, so he probably can't manifest anyway.
"We will surely meet again, Artoria."
"... I will look forward to that time. Fergus. I... love you."
"..... I love you too."
We drew our swords, and simultaneously unleashed our true names... and destroyed the Greater Grail.
With that, our Holy Grail War ends... Perhaps it was the most peaceful and safe Grail War ever. There won't be another like it...
Leaning against a tree, Artoria awakens from a deep sleep. By her side, her most loyal right hand, Bedivere, was standing guard.
"Your Majesty."
"... Sir Bedivere. I had a very happy dream."
"... Surely, you can dream the same dream again. There are still remaining soldiers. I will bring them, just wait a moment──"
"Bedivere... Please return the holy sword on my behalf."
"My King...!"
"Please, I beg of you... To the lake fairy Vivian... no, to my sister... Nimue..."
"....."
She no longer had the strength to stand. From the fatal wound at Camlann in her battle with Mordred, she was barely prolonging her life with the holy sword's power. It would not be strange if she died immediately. That is why she entrusted the return of the holy sword to the knight she trusted most.
The first time, the second time... Bedivere could not return it, wishing she would not die. Not because she was his king, but because he thought it was too tragic for her, as a human who had not yet been rewarded, to die like this. And so...
"My King... Ah, I am sorry..."
The third time as well, he could not return it.
When he returned, the king was no longer there.
The king who could not meet her death... no longer needed the holy sword to live.
The holy spear in her hand and the physical Avalon recovered from the Holy Grail War had returned to her like a blessing. Now, without needing to meet death, she was completely healed. And...
She transforms into an existence beyond human. She wanders the world aimlessly, without reason...
".... Fergus."
Only, to reunite with one person...