It's not dawn yet. Yan Feng Qili was already waiting in front of the door of the Tosaka Mansion.

It's been ten days since Archer was summoned. Three years ago, I spent my years studying here as a trainee magician, and this is a place where I can feel more at home than the church in this winter wood city.

"Welcome, Qili. I'm waiting for you. ”

Although he was a guest visiting at an unusual time, Tosaka Tokitomi quickly appeared in front of the door after hearing the doorbell. Maybe I haven't slept since I left the Fuyuki church last night. Qili bowed deeply to Shi Chen with the courtesy of master and apprentice.

"Before I leave Fuyuki, there are some things I want to say to you and say goodbye to you."

"That's right...... What a rush. I also feel very sorry to be separated from you in such a form. ”

Although Shi Chen said this, he couldn't see any guilty look on his face. And rightfully so. Shi Chen knew in his heart that Yan Feng Qili was just a chess piece borrowed from the Tosaka family from the Templar Church.

For Qili, the Holy Grail War had no reward, but was only a task assigned from above and had to be participated in - and from this point of view, the separation of Qili from the Shichen was neither rejection nor betrayal, but only liberation from duty. It was only out of courtesy that I came to say goodbye.

"As soon as dawn was my flight to Italy. First of all, I will send my father's relics to the headquarters. You may not be able to return to Japan for the time being. ”

"Oh...... Come in, is there time to talk a little bit about the conversation? ”

"Hmm. Never mind. ”

Qili controlled her inner feelings and stepped into the door of the Tosaka family again.

"It's time for you to leave. The more reluctant I feel. In any case, I hope that you can carry on the legacy of your father Rimasa and continue to help my Tosaka family achieve their long-cherished wishes......"

Although there is no one else in the Shichen Mansion except Shichen now. However, the reception room is still spotless and tidy. Maybe it's some low-level spirit manipulated to do the cleaning work, even in such a fierce wartime, he can still maintain such calmness. is really worthy of the minister.

"It's a pity that your operation against the House of Einsberen has failed. But your intentions are good, and I can understand that. Maybe that's how the agent behaves, but I want you to keep me informed of the situation before and after the action. That's how I'm a little prepared. ”

Shi Chen's lenient and tolerant attitude made Qili's head bow deeper.

"I'm really ashamed to have caused so much trouble to your mentor at the end of the day."

Qili raised her head, saw Shi Chen's eyes full of sincerity and enthusiasm, and said to herself.

"It's true that we met because of the Holy Grail War, but no matter what, I'm very proud to have a disciple like you."

Hearing this, Qili couldn't control her feelings and couldn't help laughing. But Shi Chen, who didn't understand the disciple's original intention at all, still said sincerely.

"Although there is such a thing as aptitude, you have a serious cultivation attitude as a seeker. I am deeply impressed even by the teacher-Qili, in the future, like your father, you will continue to fight for the interests of my Tosaka family, how about it? ”

"I can't ask for it."

Qili smiled and nodded. In the past three years, Shi Chen, who has always misunderstood his disciple's personality and inner world, has also misunderstood the meaning of Qili's smile. So he said even more happily.

"You are a reassuring person. I want my daughter to learn a lot from you. After the Holy Grail War is over, Kiri will guide Rin as her master. ”

Then Shi Chen took a letter that had been placed in the corner of the table and handed it to Qili.

“…… Mentor, what is this? ”

"It's relatively simple, but it's a suicide note."

Shi Chen said this while laughing helplessly.

"In case, it's very unlikely, but it can happen. In case something happens to me. I'm writing here to hand over the head of the Tosaka family to Rin to inherit, and you to serve as her guardian until she reaches adulthood. As long as you hand over this letter to the 'clock tower', the association will naturally handle the rest of the matter. ”

This time Qili was not just a perfunctory verb, but a very serious acceptance of the responsibility entrusted to him by Shi Chen from the heart. After all, the rite is also the body of the priesthood. It is his duty to honestly and firmly carry out the responsibilities entrusted to him by others.

"Leave it to me. Even if the disciple's ability is limited. I will also do my best to take care of your daughter. ”

"Thank you, Qili."

Although the words were short, you could hear the deep gratitude they contained. Shi Chen then took a long, slender black wooden box next to the letter and handed it to Qili.

"Let's open it and take a look. This is my giveaway to you personally. ”

Qili opened the box, and the interior was covered in velvet decorations. A beautiful short sword is neatly arranged.

"It's—"

"The Sword of Azoth. Crafted from ancestral gemstones, the mana can be used as a ceremonial outfit - use it as a way to cultivate the Tosaka family's demons. Proof of probationary graduation. ”

“……”

Qili took the dagger in her hand and examined it carefully. His gaze fell on the sharp blade of the dagger and did not take his eyes off it for a long time.

Qili's expressionless face, in Shi Chen's opinion, must be full of gratitude.

"My Mentor...... Your care and high hopes for me are beyond repayment. ”

"You are the best reward for me. Yan Feng Qili. So that I can go to the final battle without any worries. ”

Shi Chen said with a clear smile, and then stood up from the sofa.

And at this time, Qili thinks that this is exactly what fate has arranged.

If all this is an accidental collection, then why did Tosaka Shichen give this short sword to Yan Fengqi at this time and place? Doesn't all this indicate that this is an inevitability?

"I'm sorry to delay you for so long. Can you still catch the plane—"

-- Now. Facing Shi Chen, who was facing the exit of the living room, he turned his back towards Qili defenselessly. Is this also an accident?

"No, you don't have to worry. Mentor. ”

-- Or is this an inevitability, is this fate? No matter how much you pray, no matter how much you hope, is it just to lead everything to the abyss of betrayal?

Qili laughed loudly, more cheerfully than ever.

"Originally, there was no flight itinerary."

Even Qili herself didn't expect that she would be able to smile so heartily. And the short sword in his hand stabbed at the defenseless back in front of him first.

“…… Yes? ”

The sword of Azoth, a proof of friendship and trust, pierced through the gap between the ribs and pierced directly into the heart of Shi Chen. As a battle-hardened agent, this blow was unmistakable. There was no killing intent at all, and there was not even any warning at all, maybe even Shi Chen, who was stabbed, couldn't understand what this pain in his chest meant for a while.

Shi Chen staggered forward. When he looked back, he only saw Qili with a hearty smile and his blood-stained hands—but until the end, Shi Chen's eyes did not have a look of understanding, and he just collapsed on the carpet with a lifeless, confused expression.

This magician must have stubbornly believed that his understanding was correct until the end, and refused to accept the real truth. Those who have always believed in the path they have chosen and have not hesitated to move forward every time - until they fall into the endless abyss, they still have not woken up.

Next to Shi Chen's corpse, which was gradually losing its temperature, a burst of bright aura suddenly surged, and the golden Servant that shone with brilliant light materialized in front of Qili.

"Hmph—what a disappointing ending."

There was a look of contempt in his red eyes. Archer tapped the corpse of his former Master with his toes.

"I'm still looking forward to a dying counterattack. Look, his blank expression. I didn't realize my stupidity until the end. ”

"Because there are spirited servants around you, it is not unreasonable to let your guard down."

Hearing Qili's sarcasm, Archer laughed out loud.

"Did you learn to joke so quickly? Qili. You've made a lot of progress. ”

Qili asked Archer with a serious expression.

"Do you really have no objection to that? Hero King Gilgamesh? ”

"Before I get tired of you. When I'm not interested in you anymore, you'll end up like the wreckage lying here. If you want to say that you should be enlightened, you are right. ”

Although the other party's answer was very sharp. Qili still didn't show a hint of wavering and nodded.

Indeed, this guy is a dangerous character who can't entrust his life to him. This can be said to be a pact with a demon. There is neither righteousness nor loyalty. It's hard to even judge what's at stake, the tyrannical and brutal Servant.

But that's why I'm right for myself.

For Qili. The guys who flaunted benevolence and morality in the past did not bring themselves real answers, and this heroic spirit, who had nothing to do with benevolence and morality, could become the target of Qili's future battles.

Qili unveiled the sleeve of her shirt to reveal the spell engraved on her wrist, and then chanted majestically.

"Your body is for my use, and my destiny is your sword. In the name of the Holy Grail, do my will—"

"I swear. Your offerings are my flesh and blood. Yan Feng Qili, my new Master. ”

The channel for the supply of mana was opened the moment the contract was made, and the spell in his left hand, which had been used again, radiated again with a burst of pain.

The pact ended, and now, the strongest and most evil group in the battle for the Holy Grail was born here without anyone knowing.

"Well, Qili. Let's go? …… It's up to you to pull back the curtain on this farce. As a compliment to you. I will give you the Holy Grail. ”

"No problem. Hero King, you're sure to find fun in it too. Until you find the answer you want, enjoy the battle. ”

The red pupils, full of pleasant light, are intertwined with the gaze of the black pupils immersed in emotion.

……

But is that the end?

Not really.

Under the feet of the proud man and the heroic spirit, what strange changes were taking place in Shi Chen's corpse.

A corpse is still a corpse, but why does it seem to feel empty?

It was as if something was flowing out of the corpse, seeping beneath the floor, into the ground.

It was pulled by another force, so that the soul that flowed from the corpse of Shichen could not leave this world and return to Alayya.

It is alive, in the posture of a soul.

Although the body is dead, this is an inescapable fact.

However, the fact that the soul is still alive means that there is still a possibility left for him.

With hatred for the enemy, Shi Chen's soul cursed and quickly fled from here.

At the moment, the first thing Shi Chen had to prepare was to find a host and then regain the opportunity to move.

In fact, in his case, as long as he uses the original dead body, he can complete the rebirth from death with the power of the soul, which is what a part of the power of the Horcrux can accomplish.

As long as it's not completely dead, this kind of thing can still be done.

It's a pity that Shi Chen knows that there is no way to do this.

Because he found that his disciple seemed to be unconsciously always paying attention to his corpse, Shi Chen immediately gave up using the corpse to complete the resurrection.

In the Tosaka family, there must be something in the magic items that can be used by him.

Wait, Qili and the Hero King.

Shi Chen let out a soul cry. (To be continued......)