the living [comprehensive]

With the continuous rumbling noise, the already riddled castle shook again.

The bright white blade meets the gorgeous Noble Phantasm head-to-head, and the dazzling flames fight against the oppressive magic power pouring down from the sky.The young man who has only recently developed the awareness of being a "magician" and the strong girl already have a tacit understanding, and they naturally fight side by side when the crisis strikes.

The two of them, who were shrouded in black smoke, dust and stone chips, looked slightly embarrassed, but they stabbed at the strange heroic spirit standing high with their firm eyes like soldiers.

The heroic spirit, who had kept a proud and sneer so far, gradually showed an angry look in the eyes of the two: "A group of ants," the lofty heroic spirit said in an arrogant tone, "Who allowed you to look directly at me? existence, let me disappear immediately—”

Rin Tohsaka couldn't help but want to retort, but his face changed when he saw the scene behind Yingling.

Behind the heroic spirit, the door of bright light is continuously opened, and the Noble Phantasm stabbed out from it is gorgeous and deadly.

As the unknown heroic spirit unsparingly released the Noble Phantasm, the unimaginably strong magic power formed turbulence and eddies in the air. It was clear and invisible, but it sent a dangerous breath that would tear everything apart in all directions.

"With so many Noble Phantasms, it is simply invincible." Although Shirou had a little understanding of the concept of heroic spirits, Shirou also clearly realized this, "Whose servant is this guy?"

"I don't know, no matter how you look at it, it's like cheating." The girl's voice was full of resentment, but her fighting spirit remained undiminished. "At this time, just avoid being killed by the other party."

"Well. I will try my best, at least until Archer and the others arrive."

"You really believe that guy." Although she said sarcasm, the girl thought of her knight, and her restless heart was calmed down.She put on a fighting posture again, and flames sprang out smoothly from her fingertips.

Both of them knew that it was completely impossible to defeat this guy.

But if you give up here, it's all over.

The piercing thrusts made the two of them exhausted just to resist, and the falling stones that trembled with the castle hit them countless times.

Shirou subconsciously stood in front of the girl to bear the brunt of the impact, a sharp sword he couldn't name cut his arm to shoulder, leaving long scars.

Suffering from this severe injury, the young man completely ignored the pain, and slashed vigorously at the oncoming halberd, striking the treasure shrouded in golden light to the side.The blade condensed by magic particles was missing due to the impact just now, and was supplemented by the magic power in the boy's body.

"Don't be a three-legged cat." The girl expressed her worry awkwardly, but she couldn't step in front of the boy who insisted on protecting her.The situation was urgent, and she could only ignite a flame to attack the heroic spirit when the boy tried his best to block the Noble Phantasm.

The flames that exploded in the air rushed in the direction of the enemy, but did not hurt the golden heroic spirit at all.Pleased by the resistance of the two, the anger in Heroic Spirit's blood-red eyes slightly diminished, replaced by a light of interest: "Hmph, the struggle of the ants... is also very exciting."

After that, the Heroic Spirit who had released dozens of Noble Phantasms continued to open the Light Gate that released the weapon.

"It's a lie..." The girl felt unbelievable.

However, Shirou quickly suggested: "Tohsaka, I will delay here. You might as well leave as soon as possible, maybe you can meet Saber and the others on the road."

"What are you kidding! As the head of the Yuansaka Patriarch, how could I run away." Standing firmly on the spot with both feet, the girl's tired face no longer showed confidence.

Absolutely can't escape, both of them.

Being killed by a Heroic Spirit that appeared out of nowhere is ridiculous.

I must live up to my father's expectations...

On the other side, staring deeply at the weapon in his hand that is identical to the Heroic Swords, Shirou let his emotions and magic power settle down.

Walking on the road that can't reach the end in a lifetime, the strength is exhausted in the hopeless practice, but the infinite will continues to flow, urging the other party to go through the fog and the sea of ​​​​fire.

That, is what Archer did.

——I have a soul of the same origin, so fight like Archer.

Now that he has seen the appearance of that guy, since that guy is the ideal he longed for——

——Let’s fight, for the sake of the Heroic Spirit, but also for our own belief——

Restored the two swords in his hands to his own magic power, Shirou began to chant a spell softly.The world woven by magic power spread out in his mind, trying to create a space similar to the inherent barrier of the heroic spirit.Although he was inspired by Heroic Spirit, the splendid void that belongs to him is not the same as Heroic Spirit's "Infinite Sword System".

The Noble Phantasm that was freed from the bondage finally came down with the strong wind.At the same time, Shirou opened his eyes.

The magic circuits in his body were burning hot, and Shirou, who was concentrating on constructing fortifications with magic power, completely ignored the scorching pain spreading all over his body.

The vortex formed by the magic power spun rapidly, and a huge ring shining with red light suddenly appeared in the midair.The magic power from the young man flows fiercely in the ring, forming the strongest defense he can do with his best efforts at the moment——

The boy's initial defense was still immature, and several treasures fell across the area covered by the ring, adding more huge holes around the two of them.However, the magic defense that flickered on and off, as if it would disappear in the next second, finally temporarily relieved the crisis between him and the girl.

Unexpectedly, the other party would have such a reliable performance, Rin wiped off the cold sweat on his forehead, and raised his eyebrows.She wanted to ask a question, but when she felt the approach of Saber's magic power, she turned and ran towards the entrance of the castle, wishing she could immediately resume her contract with the servant.

Feeling Archer's breath, Shirou also let go of his heart that had been hanging around.

At this point, the crisis between the two was finally resolved.

Moving his exhausted body, Shirou tried to turn in the direction where Archer was.

However, at this very moment.

Just when Shirou was relieved and turned his back completely, someone hugged him tightly from behind.

Falling into a familiar but unprecedentedly tight embrace, Shirou's heart beat wildly again just after being shocked.

This feeling of nostalgia and fear, what exactly is it...

Before Shirou could think about it, the person behind him pushed him forward again.

Shirou, who staggered and stood still, looked at the heroic spirit who had flashed behind him at some time with a heart full of apprehension.

With just one glance, Shirou stopped breathing.

His heroic spirit knelt on one knee, a large amount of blood splashed on the stone slab in front of him.

Several treasures pierced the heroic spirit's chest from behind, and blood flowed down the white and bright blade that passed through the opponent's body.In addition to the fatal wound pierced by the Noble Phantasm, there are countless large and small wounds left on the heroic spirit, most of which were added to save Saber before.

"Archer—! You..."

Although the sharp blade that should have shot through him did not cause him any harm, Shirou still felt a piercing pain when he saw the bright red.He squatted down and gently embraced the shoulders of the heroic spirit, feeling the slight trembling of the body under his hands due to the pain.He wanted to hug the heroic spirit tightly to give him support, but he was afraid of hurting him and flinched, so he froze for a moment.

Before he knew it, tears filled his eyes, Shirou clenched his lower lip, desperately resisting the urge to cry.

"Don't act so stupid, Master, I can't die for the time being. After all, you, an ignorant Master, are still alive."

Heroic Spirit sighed helplessly, raised his hand on the ground, and wanted to rub Shirou's head.He raised his hand in the air, but was gently held by Shirou.

"You are the one, don't try to be brave." The pity that came from nowhere filled his chest, and tears finally rolled down from Shirou's eyes, "Isn't it already... hurt like this..."

Ying Ling's eyes widened slightly, as if he wanted to see clearly the young man's sobs.After a while, he stretched out his hand and wiped away the tears and blood from the boy's cheeks.

"As expected," Heroic Ling suddenly smiled without knowing what he thought of, "it's still like this."

It had nothing to do with sarcasm and ridicule, and there was a faintly relieved, calm smile.

It was the first time Shirou saw such an expression on Heroic Spirit's face.

The next moment, the Heroic Spirit, who was unable to maintain his form due to his trauma, disappeared in the air.

Shirou stood up slowly.The power of the contract made him confirm that the heroic spirit was not dead, but his deep grief was unstoppable.

Rin Tohsaka's order and Saber's shout seemed to come from another world far away, and Shirou didn't care at all.He noticed that when the blond heroic spirit confronted Saber, his face was full of malice but no murderous look, but he no longer had the energy to investigate the delicate situation between the two heroic spirits.

Speaking of which, as a Heroic Spirit, Archer has the duty to protect the Master.

Moreover, that Archer guy, even if he takes risks, has always been very measured.

Persuading himself like this, Shirou couldn't dispel the pain in his heart.Apart from the guilt and worry about the heroic spirit, there are still some unknown emotions that can't stop surging, making him restless for a while.

"Emiya-san?" The girl's voice brought Shirou back to reality.

"Tohsaka? Are you okay?" Shirou looked around.I saw Saber leisurely following behind the girl, but the mysterious golden hero disappeared without a trace: "That guy, is he gone?"

"Well, it seems that when he saw Saber, that guy withdrew his plan to fight." The girl squinted at the beautiful follower, "I always feel that the bickering between that guy and Saber is very suspicious."

"It's just a grievance during the Fourth Holy Grail War." The girl swordsman explained calmly, but her pretty face seemed to darken a bit. "I, sooner or later, I will have to settle with that guy."

"Let's not talk about that for now. Anyway, we will definitely meet that guy in the decisive battle on the eve of the Holy Grail." Rin waved his hand, and his eyes fell on Shirou's pale face, "Emiya-san, cheer me up! Weren't you very calm when you fought just now?"

"I'm just..." Shirou paused, "I'm just worried about Archer."

"Huh? He didn't die. Speaking of which, you really care about that guy, just like he cares about you?"

"We didn't..." Shirou subconsciously denied.

"It's obvious!" Rin made an exaggerated voice, and then said seriously, "The decisive battle is imminent, and it's not a good thing to entangle for personal friendship. If you care about that guy, how about talking seriously? Anyway, the contract at the end of the Holy Grail War It will also end, so why not make plans early?"

"Wait," Shirou vaguely grasped the point that made him startled, "What do you mean by 'end of contract'?"

"It's just separation. Isn't the only purpose of the heroic spirit being summoned to the present world is to participate in the Holy Grail War? After all, the heroic spirit is a dead person, and there should be no nostalgia for this world." The girl showed a slight melancholy color, and quickly Relent, "Of course, if Saber is willing, I am very willing to use magic power to keep her."

Shirou couldn't listen to the girl's second half of the sentence.

At the end of the Holy Grail War...is it time to separate from Archer?

In fact, this separation is not a big deal.

That guy only spent a short time with him.

Also, arrogant, vicious, awkward, and unlovable.

I should have no nostalgia for that guy.

Shirou thought this way, but found that the tingling pain in his heart had eroded deep into his bones, so that every time he moved or breathed, he was shrouded in cold pain.

The author has something to say: the unrequited love of black tea is over_(:зゝ∠)_

Speaking of which, Black Tea never confessed, is this too unfair?