The Q&A game had ended, and Lin Luo departed with the Pure White Knight. Only Emiya Kiritsugu, Irisviel, and Berserker remained outside the abandoned factory. For a full ten minutes, the three stood in stunned silence, not even seeming to notice when Kayneth and the newly awakened Sola left.

These mere ten questions had effortlessly shattered the convictions, beliefs, ideals, and unspoken understanding between these three. No battle, no bloodshed was required; as long as the essential conflict between them remained unresolved, the three could never truly unite again... though, perhaps, they had never truly been united in the first place.

With Emiya Kiritsugu, there were two absolutely contradictory existences, two people whose ideals diverged entirely; there was no shared understanding between them from the start. But if there was any difference from before, it was that the adversarial positions were now starkly clear. She understood that fighting alongside this man, even if they ultimately triumphed, the Holy Grail they attained would never be the one she envisioned.

Irisviel, meanwhile, was merely drifting between the contradictions of the two men. Though she tried tirelessly to mediate, even she had to admit that from this day forward, this er and ervn would be like water and fire, and she could no longer see any hope of victory.

“It’s fine, it’s fine…” At that moment, Irisviel and Berserker’s eyes widened suddenly. They saw Emiya Kiritsugu, who had been lying on the ground like a corpse, suddenly stand up. As if to validate his own ideals, he cried out loudly.

“Such hypothetical situations do not exist! Once the Holy Grail is obtained, such problems will never arise! I will use a miracle to bring about the world’s transformation, the revolution of the human soul. I will make the blood spilled here in Fuyuki City the last of humanity’s shedding. For this, I do not care if I must bear all the world’s evil. If that is what it takes to save the world, I am willing to carry every sin!”

Emiya Kiritsugu could hardly believe that this man had yet to awaken. His path to salvation was fundamentally flawed. With such a clear answer before him, why the continued blindness? “You…”

A flicker of anger arose in the King of Knights’ heart, but she could only utter one word before falling silent. She suddenly realized that she and Emiya Kiritsugu shared something similar. If Kiritsugu’s ideal was the annihilation of the current world, what about her own? Was her ideal truly about saving a nation? Wasn't rewriting history another form of world destruction in a sense?

Ah, no, that was wrong, wrong. To fight with such a conviction, to strive for the Holy Grail with such an ideal—was it truly wrong? Was it truly incorrect?

Clutching the Holy Sword, the King of Knights felt her ideals collide once more with reality, causing her to waver.

……

After leaving the abandoned factory, Lin Luo soon rendezvoused with Rin and the others waiting outside. There were four Servants remaining now. Until a solution for the Root of All Evil was found, it was best to avoid contact with them, Lin Luo had initially thought. However…

“Wait, what did you say?” Lin Luo, deep in thought while listening to Rin and the others recount recent events, happened to overhear something absolutely staggering and asked loudly.

“Uh… that,” Rin seemed startled, blinking at Lin Luo as she replied, “That… I said there should only be three ervn left.”

“Why three? The King of Knights, the King of Heroes, the King of Conquest, and the Black Knight—aren’t there four?” Lin Luo counted his fingers in genuine confusion. His arithmetic couldn't be wrong; surely he hadn't suddenly forgotten the difference between three and four?

“No,” Rin shook her head, explaining, “The King of Heroes is probably almost gone.”

“Huh?” Lin Luo immediately stopped in his tracks. For a moment, he thought he had misheard. He looked at the few people before him, finally pointing at them in disbelief. “Did… did you guys manage to take down that little girl who shines gold?”

“It’s not like that,” Rin shook her head again. “Didn’t you fight the Sea Monster on the sea earlier? The King of Heroes was there too, right? But my father wasn't. Since little Berserker was always monitoring him, we had a clear picture of his movements. We noticed he was quite far from the King of Heroes and fighting others. So, the moment he achieved victory…”

“So you ambushed him?” Lin Luo broke out in a cold sweat, pointing at the group, almost speechless. “But that doesn’t make sense. Tokiomi Tohsaka is a skilled magus, after all. If someone were to attack him, and he knew he couldn't win, wouldn't he call upon Gilgamesh immediately?”

“Naturally, it had to be completely unexpected,” it was Khungri Misaka who spoke up. She tossed her hair back and explained with a smile, “Think about it—a father in the battlefield sees his seven-year-old daughter suddenly appear in a highly improbable manner. What happens then?”

“Hmm, he’d probably be greatly surprised…” Lin Luo stroked his chin, considering it for a moment, before quickly frowning again. “But what I’m more interested in is: what was the improbable manner?”

“Oh, you don’t need to worry about those minor details,” Misaka said with a mischievous smile. “When Tokiomi Tohsaka saw his daughter, he was so shocked, forget attacking or defending—he didn't even have time to react. So, I seized that opening and directly brainwashed him.”

Hey, hey, you just said something seriously intense.

“Brainwashed? Don't tell me you turned him into an idiot?” Lin Luo’s mouth twitched slightly.

“How could that be?” Misaka shot him a look. “He’s Rin’s father, after all. Saying ‘brainwashed’ just means I temporarily controlled his thoughts. Well, magi in this world are quite capable; if I hadn’t grown stronger myself, it wouldn't have been easy to control him.”

Lin Luo was speechless. You guys are truly despicable. Kiritsugu only used hostages, but you utilized familial bonds. Ah, forget it, forget it. “So, what happened next?”

This time, Rin answered. She spread her hands with a relaxed expression. “It was simple. Servants exist in the ervn form because of Command Spells, right? So, I had Misaka use my father’s last Command Spell. See? This way, the King of Heroes is forced to withdraw.”

Loli Rin, you are far too manipulative. If the Shining Loli knew she was forced out this way, she would weep.

Lin Luo mourned the Shining Loli for three seconds, then sighed. “Fine. Setting aside how audacious and almost unbelievably successful your plan was, what I want to know now is: what did you make the King of Heroes do with the last Command Spell?”

“Hmm, I ordered her to kill Kirei Kotomine,” Loli Rin stated matter-of-factly.

“Huh?” Lin Luo stared blankly for a full half minute. By the time he processed it, he nearly vomited blood.

How to describe this? Sending Gilgamesh to kill Kirei Kotomine was like sending a Super Saiyan with five hundred million combat power to assassinate Nobita Nobi, who has only five points of battle power. Killing a chicken with an ox-drawn cart? No, this was like using a Gundam to kill a chicken!

“Wait, let me sort out my thoughts first…” Lin Luo felt his head spinning. He waved his hand. “First, you startled your father. Then, while he was stunned, Misaka sneak-attacked him with a psychic assault and flawlessly subdued him. After that, you controlled him to use the third Command Spell to make the King of Heroes kill Kirei Kotomine. Is that the sequence of events, right?”

“Correct,” Loli Rin replied briskly.

Lin Luo was beyond commenting. “Alright, but I have a few questions. First: the King of Heroes’ class is Arer. Even if she loses her er, she can remain in this world for two days. Did you forget that?”

“Ah!” Loli Rin’s expression changed slightly; clearly, she had forgotten.

“Second: Kirei Kotomine is just a minor character; we can kill him anytime we want. But the King of Heroes is a formidable enemy. Well, it might not be right to say this, but I just want to ask, why didn't you make the King of Heroes commit suicide? Or have her deal with the King of Conquest or the Berserker? Wouldn't that have made things much easier for us?”

“Ah, I didn't even think of that!” Hearing Lin Luo say this, Loli Rin suddenly woke up. She covered her face, her tone full of regret and frustration. “I actually forgot about that. I was too careless.”

That’s not carelessness; that’s your recurring habit of messing up at critical moments… Lin Luo was quite exasperated.

“Why didn’t any of you remind me?” Once she regained her composure, Loli Rin aggressively questioned Millie Fuyuki and the others. That ability to shift blame, she learned quickly.

“We aren’t that familiar with the Holy Grail War. Besides, we were just your support staff; don’t blame us for your mistakes!” Millie retorted righteously.

“Hmph…” Although Loli Rin was quite manipulative, she couldn't argue against what Millie said. It was the truth, and she hadn't yet mastered the art of twisting black into white. But…

The moment of awkwardness lasted less than a second before Loli Rin redirected her focus to the Pure White Knight beside her. “Lili, what about you? It’s understandable if they didn't know, but don't tell me you didn't know either?”

“Yes, of course, I knew,” Lili nodded without hesitation, holding Excalibur.

“Then why didn’t you remind me?” A vein popped on Loli Rin’s forehead.

“Because the King of Conquest is my opponent, so of course, I couldn’t let the King of Heroes kill him,” Lili stated as a matter of course. “Likewise, the King of Heroes is Nero’s opponent, so she couldn't be allowed to commit suicide. As for the Black Knight, he doesn’t matter much, that kind of fellow.” She wore an expression of utter disdain.

“Lili, you idiot!” Loli Rin was furious. To not remind her of something so crucial for such a petty reason!

“You’re the idiot! Your body became a child, and your personality followed suit. That’s not cute at all,” Lili shot back undeterred. “Besides, this was your fault to begin with.”

“Hmph…” Loli Rin was momentarily speechless.

“Alright, alright,” Lin Luo quickly intervened to prevent their 'conflict' from escalating further. “Okay, I think I understand the situation well enough now. Anything said now is pointless. So, where is Tokiomi Tohsaka? Three Command Spells are used up, and the King of Heroes is facing withdrawal. She will certainly be furious and might just chop your father to pieces.”

Lin Luo’s worry was not unfounded. Given the Shining Loli’s temperament, she certainly wouldn't accept withdrawal quietly. If she threw a tantrum, it would surely be earth-shattering!

However, Loli Rin seemed completely unconcerned. “Oh, no need to worry about that. I had Ruri place a barrier on my father that completely isolates his magical energy and his aura. It’s a barrier even little Berserker couldn't detect, so the King of Heroes shouldn't find him. Moreover, thanks to Misaka’s mental control, he has already left Fuyuki City to find my mother.”

“I see…” Lin Luo considered it. Indeed, while Gilgamesh was powerful and magnificent, she wasn't a reconnaissance-type Servant. And Ruri’s true identity… even if she wasn’t Ren, she must be related somehow, perhaps a clone or something similar. An entity approaching the Sixth Magic, it wasn't strange for her to create a barrier imperceptible even to Servants.

But speaking of which, Tokiomi Tohsaka raised this daughter quite well. He spent years painstakingly pursuing the Root, and Rin so readily cut off his hope entirely. Yes, she was decisive.

And the fact that Kirei Kotomine would die by Gilgamesh’s hand was certainly a dramatic turn of events.

But those were minor issues. What gave Lin Luo a headache was this: because of Loli Rin’s actions, the Shining Loli only had two days left. Whether for the Holy Grail or venting her rage, she would certainly come looking for them soon. This meant the final decisive battle would conclude within two days!

He had intended to stall for more time, but never expected… Guard against outside thieves, but beware the thieves within the house.

Loli Rin, you truly are…

But what was done was done. Even blaming her was useless now. Lin Luo sighed quietly. “Let’s leave it at that. We’ll go back to the inn, rest well for the night, and perhaps tomorrow will be the great battle.”

“Wait a moment.” They hadn't walked far when Lin Luo suddenly sensed a familiar aura, and his expression changed slightly.

“What is it?” Seeing his look, the others immediately grew wary.

“Don't tense up, I just sensed something—nothing too important,” Lin Luo shook his head and smiled reassuringly. “How about this: you all head back and meet up with Nero and the others. I have something I need to take care of.”

“Wait, the thing you need to take care of…”

“Don't worry, it’s a small matter, no danger. I just discovered a rather interesting fellow. I didn't expect to meet him again so soon, hehe.” Lin Luo gave a mysterious smile.

Though the others were confused, seeing his confidence, they let him go. “Alright, then be careful.”

“Mhm.”

After Rin and the others left, Lin Luo’s figure vanished from the spot, reappearing in the shadows between several buildings. He sneered at the empty darkness. “Since you’ve arrived, why not show yourself for a meeting?”

“How did you discover me?” A hoarse, aged voice emerged from the darkness. A human silhouette gradually coalesced in the previously empty corner.

“My perception field is pervasive. While I don't know why you are here, I’m surprised you’re actually alive, Zouken Matou.”

“Who exactly are you?” What appeared from the shadow was a short old man—Zouken Matou, who should have already been dead.

“I am merely a good person,” Lin Luo sneered coldly, and before the other could react, a black shadow rose from the ground, and a blade of iron sand instantly cleaved Zouken Matou in two. However…

“Although your power is immense, you cannot kill me.” Zouken Matou laughed triumphantly. His body, split in two, did not bleed; instead, it was a mass of writhing black worms that quickly coalesced back together.

“I see. You’ve completely converted your body into insects…” Lin Luo finally understood why Millie couldn’t kill him. Because Zouken Matou’s body was composed of countless worms, they automatically split upon attack, making him incredibly difficult to kill.

“But you underestimate me, Zouken Matou. If it were the old me, perhaps I couldn’t kill you. But now…” A playful smile touched Lin Luo’s lips, and immediately, a ball of white mist manifested before him.

“What is this…” Zouken Matou’s arrogant expression instantly changed. Though he didn't know what the white mist was, his primal instinct sensed danger. He instantly tried to split his body to escape, but…

It was too late. The moment the thought arose, the white mist enveloped him completely… Splitting was ineffective.

“Don’t worry, I won’t kill you, because I am a good person.” Watching the fear in Zouken Matou’s eyes, Lin Luo smiled faintly, then lifted the ball of white mist and vanished from the spot.

Half an hour later, Lin Luo stood before a lake deep in the mountains behind Fuyuki City.

“The scenery here is quite nice, very suitable for retirement, wouldn’t you agree, Zouken Matou?” Lin Luo said with a smile, looking down at the man standing rigid on the ground like a corpse.

“You… what exactly do you want?” Zouken Matou was filled with terror. The opponent’s power completely surpassed his comprehension. Although the white mist was gone, he found he could do nothing but think and speak.

“Well, nothing much, really. I just used my ability to link the… no, to link the small bugs that compose your body into one large bug, preventing them from separating. Of course, in a practical sense, they still possess individual consciousness. Then, you know the Dead Apostles? I imbued these worms with some of their properties—the instinct to eat.”

“Eat…” Zouken Matou’s face changed drastically. Dead Apostles? Eat? When he understood, only endless dread remained on his face. “No, no, I beg you, just kill me!”

“That won’t do,” Lin Luo shook his head regretfully. “The Buddha once said that Heaven cherishes life, so why kill casually? Though I am not a member of the Buddhist sect, the Buddha’s intent must be heeded… Oh, right, I haven’t fully explained the gift I gave you earlier. You can listen carefully now.”

With a devilish smile, Lin Luo crouched beside Zouken Matou and explained, “After my modifications, these worms will feel hunger. They will consume everything around them but will never be satisfied, eating and eating and eating endlessly… You can clearly observe this process, and simultaneously feel what it’s like to be eaten. Do you feel that crunching sound inside your body now? It hurts, doesn't it? Of course it does, because they have already started eating.”

“Demon! You are a demon!” Zouken Matou cursed angrily, but his curses were quickly replaced by pained screams.

“Oh dear, you flatter me so, I’d feel embarrassed. Compared to you, I’m still far from achieving the status of a true demon,” Lin Luo said with a shy smile, continuing, “Theoretically, you will soon be eaten completely by the worms inside you. But… that’s not right, because my other ability, Creation, has endowed these worms with vitality. The moment they consume one worm, they quickly split into two. This means they can never finish consuming the worms around them. Impressive ability, wouldn't you say?”

“Aaaah… No, stop eating… Stop eating…” Although Zouken Matou could clearly hear Lin Luo’s words, he could no longer reply. Countless worms were tearing his body apart, eating and eating without stopping. How painful that was, only he could truly understand.

Now, he had only one thought: Death.

But…

“Your body is made of worms, so you cannot die. Your vitality is sustained by the worms, so you will not feel thirst. Your will will not tire because of the newly formed worms… You will remain in the healthiest, most alert state forever.”

Lin Luo’s words plunged him once more into an endless hell… where even death was unattainable.

“However, you don’t need to worry too much, as my abilities have limits. The ability allowing the worms to continuously divide will eventually disappear completely… So, will it be one year, two, three, or maybe ten years?” Lin Luo asked earnestly, his face sincere. “I can guarantee you, although it won't be forever, they will certainly remain vigorous for at least the next hundred years.”

Ignoring Matou Zouken’s shrieks, Lin Luo used maximum speed to fashion a stone sarcophagus from a nearby boulder, then tossed the man inside. “And so, our conversation ends here. Should circumstances permit, I hope to see you again within the next hundred years. Then, I will once more infuse these worms with vitality, allowing you to continue savoring this beautiful world. In this way, while you may not have won the Holy Grail War, I have fulfilled your desire for eternal life. How about that? You must be quite pleased.”

“Oh, you don’t need to thank me. I’m simply a good person, that’s all…” He sealed the lid of the sarcophagus and submerged it into the lake. The last thing to catch Lin Luo’s eye was Matou Zouken’s expression of absolute despair.

“…Farewell. I hope you enjoy your longevity.” A