"No matter what I say, you probably won't believe me, so I will obtain the Holy Grail and show you what it is."
Emiya Kiritsugu didn't really believe Li Xing's words. A wish-granting machine that could fulfill any desire, such a miracle could surely fulfill his own. It was precisely because he couldn't save everyone that he pinned his hopes on this Holy Grail War.
"Come with me, Artoria. I know you have many questions. Oh, and Emiya Kiritsugu, I'll help you win the Holy Grail War. You'd better not have any ill intentions towards my family. Otherwise..."
Li Xing didn't continue speaking and pulled Artoria away. Artoria was very disappointed in her Master. She merely glanced at Irisviel and left with Li Xing.
Irisviel was also seeing Emiya Kiritsugu kill for the first time, but she understood that Emiya Kiritsugu was doing this for humanity, sacrificing the few to save the many.
...
"The situation has developed to this point, so I won't hide it from you anymore. The Holy Grail has been corrupted and can never grant wishes. For example, if you wish to become the richest person in the world, it will make you kill everyone wealthier than you until only one person remains, thus fulfilling the wish of becoming the richest."
On the way home, Li Xing revealed the truth to Artoria. The Holy Grail of Fuyuki had been corrupted by Avenger, summoned by the Einzberns in the last Holy Grail War. That was the All-the-World's Evils, Angra Mainyu.
Since one obtained the Holy Grail and wished for world peace, the only answer would be to kill all humanity. All wishes would be twisted.
"Is that really true? If that's the case, why are we still pursuing the Holy Grail? Shouldn't we destroy it?"
Li Xing raised a finger and shook it. "Firstly, the magi do not know that the Holy Grail is corrupted. Secondly, all magi aspire to reach the Root, which is why they hold the Holy Grail War."
"Then..."
Seeing that Artoria still wanted to say something, Li Xing directly interrupted her. "If you don't believe me, I'll prove it to you. Tomorrow night, I will deal with the remaining Servants. You can witness it with your own eyes."
Artoria fell silent, unsure of what to do. If what Li Xing said was true, then the Holy Grail should not exist.
"Oh, right. You also wanted to know about the victory of Albion, didn't you? That was a Noble Phantasm I copied. Including your holy sword, I can copy it too. This is my authority. As for Britain, you don't need to doubt yourself. Every Knight of the Round Table cherished you. You are the greatest king in their hearts."
Artoria was stunned. "Was I truly... a great king? But Britain was destroyed in my hands!"
Li Xing gently hugged Artoria. "Whether one is a great king is defined by their subjects. Everyone in Britain acknowledged you; you just didn't believe in yourself. Blame Merlin for that! At least, in my heart, you are a great king, but you are also a maiden bearing the responsibility of a king, in need of care and love from others."
At this moment, in the Tower of Cognition, a white-haired man sneezed. "Hmm? Who's talking about me?"
Artoria quickly pushed Li Xing away. After being hugged by Li Xing, Artoria felt a strange emotion. It was the first time she was treated as a maiden. However, after pushing Li Xing away, she felt a sense of longing, something she had never experienced before.
"We're home. I'll make you something to eat. Wait for me in the dining room."
Li Xing transformed back into his young boy appearance and ran into the kitchen to prepare food. However, he found out that Siduri was already cooking and it was almost done.
"You're back. It'll be ready soon. Sakura is sleeping, don't wake her," Siduri said with a slight smile, handing Li Xing a plate of dumplings and indicating for him to eat them first while he waited.
Li Xing didn't say much and gave the dumplings to Artoria.
...
In the dining room.
Siduri and Li Xing discussed Gilgamesh. Li Xing also explained the truth of the Holy Grail War and the corruption of the Holy Grail to Siduri.
"These magi of this world! They're truly detestable. Abandoning their daughters, exploiting heroes from human history, and even trying to make their king commit suicide."
Siduri already disliked magi, and upon learning that Tohsaka Tokiomi intended to use his Command Spells to order Gilgamesh to commit suicide, she became even more enraged. How could a subject make their king die?
"Sister Siduri, I will make all the Servants withdraw, including King Gilgamesh. I will handle it myself," Li Xing informed Siduri in advance to prevent her from being saddened.
Siduri was silent for a moment before smiling and saying, "It's alright. The King is already dead and became a Heroic Spirit. Uruk is no more here..."
Li Xing knew that Siduri didn't want to see this happen, but Li Xing still had to do it. The current Gilgamesh was Chaotic Good. After bathing in the black mud and obtaining a physical body, he would become Chaotic Evil and spend nearly ten years harming innocent children. Siduri certainly wouldn't want to see this happen.
However, Artoria was different. Artoria had not died. The one present here was before Artoria's death. After the Holy Grail War ended, Artoria would return to the moment before her death, waiting for the next Holy Grail summoning. This was also why Artoria could not materialize.
...
The next morning, Li Xing saw Matou Kariya lying on the ground outside the Matou residence, seemingly lifeless. Li Xing reached out and destroyed all the Crest Worms within Matou Kariya's body, simultaneously reviving him.
"Berserker is gone. You have been eliminated."
When Matou Kariya woke up and heard Li Xing's words, he became frenzied. "No! No! I want to save Sakura! I want to kill Tokiomi! Kill Zouken!"
Li Xing smiled faintly. "You've done well, but don't worry. Sakura is living very well now. Matou Zouken has already been killed by me. Only you are left in the Matou family."
Matou Kariya quickly grabbed Li Xing's collar. "Did you make the Matou family disappear? What about Sakura? Where is she?"
"Let's go, I'll let you see Sakura, but I hope you won't disturb her life."
...
Inside a school, Sakura was attentively listening to the lecture. Outside the window stood two men watching Sakura. Matou Kariya wanted to step forward but was stopped by Li Xing.
Matou Kariya lowered his head and then left the school. It was enough. Sakura had a new family and could live happily, no longer having to engage in the inhumane demonic arts. Just being able to see her one last time was enough.
Li Xing sighed as he watched Matou Kariya's receding figure. If Matou Kariya hadn't left the Matou family, Sakura wouldn't have been adopted by them. But for Sakura's sake, Matou Kariya had done so much. Saving his life was enough for Li Xing.
Sakura, who was in class, seemed to sense something and suddenly turned to look out the window, but she only saw the back of a white-haired man.
"Brother?"
The first person Sakura thought of was her brother Li Xing. The figure looked like Li Xing, and a smile appeared on her lips. She turned back and continued her lesson.