Chapter 50: Jord and the Fifth Holy Grail War (16)
Zod and the 5th Holy Grail War (16)
"Hah... It's truly unbelievable... To think a human could embody the Beast of Humanity itself..."
"Zod, are you truly alright?"
Artoria Alter and Mata Hari gazed upon Zod's utterly transformed form and appearance with expressions of utter disbelief. Rin Tohsaka, Illya von Einzbern, Saber, and Archer shared the same stunned reaction.
"Having absorbed the corrupted Greater Grail, the Grail itself has naturally dissipated. Thus, the Holy Grail War concludes. Saber, Archer... Your manifestations in this world persist only because I supply you with prana."
"Is that so?"
"This defies all reason... For a Master to become a Beast of Humanity... This is no matter I can resolve on my own..."
Saber remained unexpectedly composed, while Archer—Emiya, the guardian of humanity and cleaner of Alaya's whims—knew full well that a Beast was beyond his jurisdiction. He sighed deeply, inwardly cursing the incompetence of the Counter Force for not summoning a counter-guardian despite the descent of such an entity.
"What will you do now? I could sustain your fleshed forms with prana, if you wish..."
"I'll simply withdraw of my own accord... Lingering further serves no purpose..."
"Worry not... Emiya Shirou, I shall dismantle him thoroughly in your stead."
"!!! ...You know who I am?"
"Having absorbed Gilgamesh's corpse and gained Clairvoyance, I see the future Emiya Shirou."
Archer—Emiya Shirou—felt a chill of astonishment. To be so utterly seen through by this malevolent Beast of a Master... He pitied his past self, who would lose not only women but his very future to this fate.
"As for me..."
Saber—Artoria Pendragon—pondered deeply.
She was a heroic spirit, a wanderer summoned from past to future. She had a place to return to, a duty to etch the story's conclusion.
"Rest easy now... Cast your pains and sorrows into the abyss of forgetfulness. Live here in peace, within my embrace."
"Ah... Yes..."
With those words from Zod, her ideals of duty dissolved into utter oblivion. The burdens of kingship, the longing for the Grail... the reasons to return—all sank into the sea of amnesia, turned away from her mind.
"Must it come to this?"
"Indeed... There is no other path to redeem Saber from that abyss of delusion."
"................."
Emiya cast a bitter glance at Saber clinging to Zod's side, then severed his pacts with Rin and departed to the reverse side of the world.
"Might I ask one favor?"
"Speak it."
"Please, do not treat Rin and Saber harshly. Nor Illya and Sakura."
"Fear not. I swear it upon my name."
"Very well..."
With those words, Emiya faded away. Now, the sole surviving Servants of this Grail War were Saber and Lancer.
"Congratulations, Artoria, Altria... You have endured to the end of the Holy Grail War. Do you harbor any wishes?"
Like an adult awaiting to bestow gifts upon children, Zod regarded Saber and Artoria Alter with a tender yet chilling smile.
"I have none. As long as I may remain at your side, it matters not."
Artoria Alter shook her head, declaring no wish, and Zod gently stroked her hair.
"Admirable... Then Saber, what of you? Do you desire anything?"
"Accept me... Let me remain as a human of this era. I do not wish to return... To go back would be to face only hell..."
With a smile laced in profound bitterness, she bowed low and beseeched Zod.
Zod stroked her hair in turn, responding with a rigid smile.
"All is well now. I am here."
"Thank you."
From Zod's words, she discerned that he would fulfill her desire, and expressed her gratitude anew. Thus, the Holy Grail War drew to its close.
"Pardon the intrusion..."
"Hm?"
A figure emerged before Zod, voice soft and cautious—a human, a magus, with white hair and golden eyes.
"The Master of Caster?"
"Impressive. Your Clairvoyance pierced that truth?"
"The one you desired did not manifest, it seems. Forcing self-harm upon your Servant and feigning death..."
The magus nodded at Zod's words, speaking nonchalantly.
"I had hoped for the Mage-King Solomon, yet the witch Medea appeared instead."
"Medea ranks among the top five Casters—masters of magecraft—nonetheless... A Master with insatiable greed."
The magus merely chuckled at Zod's remark, dismissing it lightly.
"I intended to claim the Grail for my research... But you seized it first, leaving me in a bind."
"So... You seek vengeance?"
The magus shook his head.
"Hardly. I merely wish to recruit you."
"Hm... Recruit me? A Beast of Humanity?"
"Indeed. Your power is needed—to safeguard human order."
"Even if it means devouring the current human history and overwriting it with a false one?"
"If humanity's order is assured... If the course of human history endures... What does it matter?"
"A twisted sense of justice."
"Merely a divergence in our philosophies, is it not?"
"And? What precisely would you have me do?"
The magus smiled faintly at Zod's question.
"Will you join my family?"
"Hah?"
Zod stared at the magus in baffled disbelief at the incomprehensible proposition.
"I know of you, Zod, the war hero and Minister of the United States... I am Marisbury Animusphere, Director of the Human Order Continuity Assurance Organization, Chaldea; at once, Dean of Clock Tower's Department of Astronomy (Animusphere), and one pillar of the Twelve Lords..."
"So? You offer to back me? I already hold the heavy mantle of Minister in the world's mightiest nation... That alone offers no leverage in negotiation."
To Zod's indifferent response, Marisbury smiled as if anticipated, continuing his explanation.
"In the world of the mundane, perhaps... But in the realm of Mystery, it differs. Your nation's elite already know the underbelly of the world, the mysteries therein. Chaldea operates under the UN, funded by nations worldwide and the resources of our house—an international entity, shrouded in utmost secrecy on a global scale."
"So... I join your family, aid your ambitions, and in exchange, you become my backing in the world of Mystery?"
"You grasp it swiftly."
Zod extended his hand to the nodding Marisbury.
"Pleased to make your acquaintance... Father."
"Likewise, Zod Animusphere."
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