Magical Girl Illya: "Mama—! Damn you, you despicable bastard! I'll get revenge for Mama—!"
Emiya Shirou: "Ah, even though I've never met my adoptive mother in name, seeing a scene like this still fills me with uncontrollable anger—"
Red A: "Anger is the natural response. Ms. Irisviel has been extremely likable since her first appearance. No one could dislike such a gentle, kind, and beautiful woman. Kirei Kotomine... you're truly incurring the wrath of the masses now—"
Eriri: "Isn't that too cruel? How could he be so vicious? Where's Elysia? Someone save them!"
Yukino Yukinoshita: "Unfortunately, Elysia is likely completely unaware of what's happening here. Otherwise, given her personality, she would never allow a beautiful girl like Irisviel to die."
Schicksal Overseer: "It is not because she is a beautiful girl, but because of her humanity. Although the woman before us is a homunculus, her gentle character is no different from a human's. In other words, Elysia would save her because she is a normal person, not because she is a beautiful girl."
Kevin: "It seems you've obtained quite a bit of information from the Void Archives."
Schicksal Overseer: "I have merely made some bold conjectures based on the information it provided. But it appears my guess was correct."
In the Honkai world, a tall stack of documents sat on Schicksal Overseer Otto's desk. It was all information from the Previous Era concerning Fire Moth, the Thirteen Flame-Chasers, and Elysia. Although it was incomplete and had many gaps, it was enough for him to deduce the general context and plot.
Regardless of the current state of the comments, the priest had definitely kicked a hornet's nest. As everyone knew, the Emiya family was full of martyrs and heroes. By broadcasting his actions across the myriad worlds, he had undoubtedly provoked the entire Emiya clan.
At this moment, Kiritsugu Emiya noticed a prominent name in the comments—Emiya Shirou. He had called Irisviel his "adoptive mother," which meant that he, Kiritsugu, was his adoptive father? When did he get an adopted son? Was this also something that would happen in the future?
But setting that aside for a moment, why did this kid have so many different aliases in the video feed?
Emiya the Great Hero, Emiya the Young Swordsman, Emiya the Grand Hero, and even... Emiya the Cook? Were they all the same person from different parallel worlds? Kiritsugu was flabbergasted. He had somehow gained so many sons without even realizing it.
And then there was "Magical Girl Illya." He knew Illya, of course—it would be strange if he didn't know his own daughter. But what was this "Magical Girl" business? When did Illya get involved with magical girls? Was this another future event, or from yet another parallel world?
In short, Kiritsugu's mind was starting to overload. However, for the moment, he wasn't worried about the Irisviel in the video. Although he was also furious enough to want to jump in and kill the priest himself, Saber's scabbard was still inside Irisviel. As long as she had that scabbard, her life was not in danger.
---o---
[In the video, after stabbing Irisviel with the Black Key, Kirei Kotomine quickly departed.
His Assassin had informed him that a powerful magical signature was approaching the forest from the outside, most likely Caster. Although he didn't know what business Caster had here, it was better to leave quickly before the situation became even more chaotic.
At the same time, the video feed cut to Saber.
After Lancer was summoned away by Kayneth's Command Spell, Saber knew that the battle between the two Masters in the castle had been decided. Since Kiritsugu hadn't used a Command Spell to call her, it meant he was fine. The immediate priority was to find Irisviel.
But just as Saber was about to move, Caster Bluebeard appeared. He made no attempt to hide, stepping out into the clearing openly.
He had not come alone. He was accompanied by six small children, whom he had lined up on either side of him. The children's eyes were vacant, staring blankly at the ground, their condition unknown.
Bluebeard, however, wore a reverent expression, as if he were welcoming a person of great importance.
Then, Saber appeared.
Wielding her holy sword, Saber was in good condition despite the fierce battle she had just endured. With a plentiful supply of magical energy, she was not tired at all and could fight for another whole day.
But Saber did not immediately attack. It wasn't that she thought Bluebeard had no ill intent; she was already aware of the Caster team's atrocities.
The reason she held back was that the children Bluebeard had brought with him were clearly under his control. A reckless attack could endanger them.
Upon seeing Saber, Caster suddenly dropped to one knee. The gesture completely baffled Saber.
Then, Caster spoke. "I have come to receive you, my Saint."
Saber: "...Saint?"
In the comment section, the viewers, already aware that Caster had mistaken her for someone else, felt extremely uncomfortable. Why was this guy's luck so good? Elysia, please, come back and shoot him with another arrow—
However, Saber's confusion seemed to provoke Caster. He snapped his head up, staring at her. "How could this be? Have you forgotten your own identity? Do you still remember me?"
Saber did not respond, merely watching him silently as she raised her longsword. Caster's mental state was highly unstable; she had to ensure the safety of the children.
Caster faltered for a moment, then lowered his head. Tears streamed down his face as he covered it and mumbled, "I see, so that's how it is... so that's how it is..."
Suddenly, Caster threw his head back and dropped his hands. His frog-like eyes, filled with tears and bloodshot veins, now burned with madness, fury, and endless resentment. "Aaaah~~ O God!! Why? Why must you treat my Saint so cruelly!! She has forgotten me! She has forgotten Gilles de Rais!!!"
"I prayed with all my heart for your resurrection, waiting for the miracle of our reunion, even coming to the very end of time like this—Jeanne!!!"
Seeing Gilles de Rais's crazed state, Saber knew she had to act, even if it meant risking injury to the children. She had to protect their lives.
However, as a delighted smile spread across Bluebeard's face, the children's expressions twisted in agony, and they all began to scream in pain.
Then, they transformed into grotesque monsters, neither human nor demon, just like the ones Elysia had annihilated earlier. Only this time, the transformation happened right in front of Saber—it was like he was tap-dancing on a landmine.
Following this, Bluebeard spread his arms wide, his eyes wide with fanaticism as he gazed at the heavens. "Now, Jeanne! Please, enjoy them! These beautiful sacrifices!"]