The Great Holy Grail War (Epilogue)

"...Father..."

This time, Mordred was not able to retaliate at all. As if a nuke was dropped onto Trifas, the region was consumed by a wrathful inferno. The Knight of Treachery was incinerated immediately, and the hiding Sisigou Kairi did not escape the same fate.

"Rider...!" Witnessing the death of the last Servant, Jeanne cried out and protected herself from the flames.

This was the flag that protected her country, the flag which holds the hope of the soldiers in the battlefield, this was the dream which her and countless more chased after, her faith granted in the form of a miracle which protected all her allies, its name is-

"Luminosité Eternelle: God is Here With Me!"

The heat of Brahmastra Kundala impacted onto the shimmering flag. The ground on the Holy Maiden's sides were burned away- No, they were literally removed from the material world. Nevertheless, the flag stood strong.

"I can do this all day, saintess." Fenric watched Jeanne coldly while Heaven's Feel ran at full power. "Brahmastra Kundala: O' Brahma, Curse Me." Without giving she a break, Karna's Anti-Country Noble Phantasm was deployed once more and the blazing projectile assaulted the glowing barrier.

"The repeated usage of Anti-Country Noble Phantasm...?" The Maiden of Orleans clenched the holy battle flag.

The Noble Phantasm is the crystallization of the legend of Joan of Arc waving her flag on the battlefield and fighting to the very end with hardly any wounds. By planting it into the ground, tightly grasping it, and activating it as a Noble Phantasm, it converts her EX-rank Magic Resistance into protection against all harm, both physical and spiritual.

The downside to the ability is that the damage accumulates within the flag, causing it to begin to tear as she uses it, so naturally, she can't withstand an Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasm multiple times in a row, not to mention an Anti-Country Noble Phantasm.

"Brahmastra Kundala: O' Brahma, Curse Me." The flaming projectile was launched the third time. The barrier creaked understand the pressure, and soon, it gave out to the combined power of the three divine flames.

BOOM!

A huge explosion occurred. Leaping out of the flames was a lone figure. Jeanne d'Arc, while suffering minor damage, managed to break out of the Noble Phantasm's range after sacrificing her holy flag.

"Rider, why are you doing this?!" Ruler landed safely and shouted at Fenric.

"Don't be so naive. People kill. People live. People die. Struggling is merely a part of human nature. That's why everyone else will end up in the grave. I am merely accelerating such process, there's nothing wrong with-"

"You're the naive one, Magician!" The blonde girl clenched her fists as her damaged flag disappeared into motes of lights.

"...Is it Revelation? What a strange skill it-"

"Answer me, Rider of Black, no, Fenric von Leiqritus...!"

"...You should already learn of my circumstances, right? Is it your Lord? Is it Alaya? Or is it the Greater Grail? Whatever the case, I am merely a lost drifter." Surprised by her words, the white-haired woman smiled and transformed. The physical vessel was swapped, and he was back into his original body.

"I want to hear it from your own mouth! Why are you doing this? This... slaughtering. Look at Trifas. To sacrifice this many people, these innocent civilians, is it truly worth it to-"

"Go home. That's right. I just want to go home. It's worth it in my eyes. It does not concern me no matter how many strangers were to die. I will attain True Magic, and I will return home to where I belong."

"...Magic, Magic, Magic. All you can relate to is Magic? Shouldn't you have realize it already? That Magic is doesn't have to power to-" Jeanne swung her hand and stared at the opposite man pleadingly.

"Yeah. I know. I know that I am selfish. I know that I am a hypocrite. That's why I-"

"You don't know anything! She, your sister, she's already..." She bit her lips and looked at the opposite man sorrowfully. The word, which came out of her mouth was a cold hard truth. One that would never be forgotten by both her and the man she was talking to. "...dead."

"...Ruler, even if you are a saintess who I respect, I will not let those nonsense go."

"You're the one who's daydreaming... Sorcery... You have already attained them. But peeking into the abyss of Mysteries will not save her, even for the greatest miracles, it is impossible to resurrec-"

"Jeanne d'Arc! This is the last warning! Do not talk rubbish. The words you are spouting disgusts me." Fenric inhaled deeply. His expressions froze over, his eyes telling the saintess that she would die if she were to repeat those words again.

"...Fenric von Leiqritus. You are a pitiful one... lying to yourself like this... That note, have you not already read it? That dream, have not already seen it? Her last will, your last request, that someday, for the third time-"

"Ruler...!" Not being able to suppress his calm for the first time, Arondight materialized in his hand and cut down on the gloomy village girl. That note, that note, that accursed note...! Why does she know about it-?!

"Accept the reality, Fenric!" With a resolute face, Jeanne d'Arc drew the Sword of St. Catherine and parried the blow. "...Why are you lying to yourself?! Why are you hiding behind that crumbling facade?!"

"What do you know? You, an outsider, a mere familiar and copy of the true Jeanne d'Arc, knows nothing about me...!" Arondight forced the blonde girl to go on the defensive, and then, a white-silver sword appeared in his other hand.

Clarent.

"Ugh." The sword that symbolizes royalty, the sword that should have never been stained with blood, the sword that was more dazzling than any dreams King Arthur wished for, pierced through the Holy Maiden's chest.

"...Fenric, please..." Jeanne, with blood dripping down her mouth, moved closer to her assailant and... gently caressed his face. Her gaze softened, and the whispers turned to one of nostalgia.

"...remember. Remember me. Remember us. Remember the dream we once chased after. Remember... that day, your true self." Giving him a smile filled with sadness, Jeanne d'Arc finally fulfilled that oath she swore and departed from the Great Holy Grail War.

As if mocking the grimacing man, the System announced the acquisition of Ruler's Noble Phantasm. God is here with me. The holy battle flag that she kept by her side all her life dropped down beside him, disturbing the silence he asked for.

"...Why did you have to remind me of that, out of everything..."

Yes, Charlotte was dead.

Yes, he remembered everything.

Yes, he understood the quest's true meaning.

Yes, he knew that true resurrection does not exist.

...Yes, he realized that he was merely a fake puppet, created by Fenric von Leiqritus, the creator of the System, and the man who sent him back in time to experience the pain that took his life.

The original and future him, who was reborn into the Nasuverse without any powers, managed to grasp the apex but became broken due to the cruelty of reality. That satirical System... was made so that he can be detached from the reality he so hated.

It was all fake.

This life.

This death.

This world.

This timeline.

This dimension.

This pitiful puppet.

Magic? Something like that was with him in the first place. That endless void, those words that System, himself, spouted as if mocking him.

Yes, Someday, For The Third Time, the quest which started everything. The quest that the past him, the future him, the real him, has failed and regretted every since his eternal life.

The sole person that linked him to himself, dead by his own greed and thirst for knowledge.

In truth, he is simply scared of his own power. Magic. The Third defiles the death, the soul, and the afterlife, the Second destroys the destined timeline and all who are going to exist in it, and the Fifth begins the certain annihilation of an entire universe... this burden, just who can and wants to carry?

The First Magician struggles to find a sense of value of anything because he invalidated the law of Equivalent Exchange. The Fourth Magician fell out with himself, asking that why does everything even exist.

Choose.

Fake Charlotte, or, reality?

Choose.

Charlotte, or, every living creatures' proof of life?

Choose.

Charlotte, or, her peaceful eternal afterlife?

Choose.

Charlotte, or, the entire universe?

Choose.

Your dear sister's happiness, or... yourself?

Choose. Choose. Choose.

Is it worth it to created a fake her and live your whole life lying to yourself?

Is it worth living with a fake her and removing the innocents from history?

Is it worth it to make a mere copy and disturb her death?

Is it worth beginning the inevitable destruction of an entire universe just to save a single girl...?

...Is it worth it... to be happy at all?

That future... that scenery that he wishes to never see again.

That note... that awful reward of a quest failure that informed him of the truth.

That unbearable pain... those words the village girl told me during my last Holy Grail War.

"-Perhaps if I never raised that flag, if I never left my hometown, if I never donned the armor and lifted my sword, I would still remain a simple country girl, and you might just be the kind of man I'd love to be married to."

The burning city. The screaming children. The participants of the war who was beyond the strength of a tiny Magician.

That laughing young girl who seemed like a princess straight out of a fairy tale.

That kimono-wearing murderer who would not grant true death.

That cold warrior-queen who could even slay gods.

That arrogant Sumerian goddess who delved inside an artificial divine vessel.

That sun goddess who doesn't wish for the world's end.

That white princess who is oh so innocent despite being the last vampire ancestor.

"If only I have seen a happier world... a world where no sorrows and sufferings are forced upon the innocents. I want the kids to be able to laugh without worrying about the future. I want mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters to hold hands and live in warmth... Such a dream to be the wish of a Magus is quite funny, isn't it, big brother?"

When has our sky turned this dark?

Why can't you just cry for once, Fenric?

...Really... Why won't you simply let me experience a peaceful death?

...Hey, will you remember me... Charlotte?

...

...

...

...

...

...

Fin

-x-X-x-

Name: Fenric von Leiqritus, The Third Magician

Level: 28

Prestige Level: 4

EXP: 23,759,771,394/26,843,545,600

Strength: 28.4

Endurance: 28.6

Agility: 71.9

Od: Infinite/Infinite

Circuit Quality: EX

Circuit Quantity: EX

Circuit Composition: Dynamic

Origin: Limitlessness

Elemental Affinity: Fire, Earth, Water, Wind, Void, Distortion, Soul, Space, Time

Sorcery Trait: Divine Chant

Innate Talent: [Infinite Potential], [Absolute Composure]

Titles: [The Third Magician], [The White Death], [Merchant of Death]

Skills: [Analyze], [Heaven's Feel], [Blessings from the Ends of the World EX], [Robust Health EX], [Human Anatomy Understanding EX], [Riding A+++], [Presence Concealment A++], [Marksmanship A++], [Divinity A+], [Magecraft A+], [High-Speed Incantation A], [High-Speed Divine Words A], [Eye of the Mind (True) A], [Mana Burst A], [Aptitude for Slaughter (Tools) A], [Torture Techniques A], [Protection of the Fairies A], [Territory Creation A], [Human Observation A], [Clairvoyance B], [Magic Resistance B], [Information Erasure B], [Mystic Eyes of Force B], [Presence Detection B], [Item Construction B], [Enchant B], [Familiar Creation B], [Bow and Arrow Creation B], [Protection from Arrows B], [Projectile B], [Dragon Slayer B], [Crossing Arcadia B], [God's Resolution C], [Golden Rule C], [Self-Modification C], [Galvanism B], [The Honor of the Battered B], [Numerology B], [Surgical Procedure E], [Baptism Rite B+], [Battle Continuation A], [Demonic Defender of the State EX], [Mana Burst (Flames) A]

Noble Phantasms: [Avalon: The Everdistant Utopia EX], [Rhongomyniad: The Lance that Shines to the Ends of the World A++], [Arondight: The Unfading Light of the Lake A], [Arondight - Overload: Breaking All Restraints - Overloaded Light of the Lake A++], [Antares Snipe: Heavenly Scorpion Single-Shot A], [Desperate: Silenced Snow E], [First Folio: When the Curtain Rises, the Applause Shall Be As Ten Thousand Thunders B], [Armor of Fafnir: Blood Armor of the Evil Dragon B], [Kazikli Bey: The Lord of Execution B], [Brahmastra Kundala: O' Brahma, Curse Me A+], [Clarent Blood Arthur: Rebellion Against My Beautiful Father], [Clarent: Radiant and Brilliant Royal Sword C], [Luminosité Eternelle: God is Here With Me A]

Reality Marble: [Seas?: The Ever? (45%)]

Familiar(1/4): [Zerureusu]

Status Points: 140

-x-X-x-

For those who are curious, Fenric's System Messages below:

For killing a Master during the Holy Grail War +5,000,000,000 EXP

For killing a Master during the Holy Grail War +5,000,000,000 EXP

For killing a Master during the Holy Grail War +5,000,000,000 EXP

For killing a Master during the Holy Grail War +5,000,000,000 EXP

For killing a Master during the Holy Grail War +5,000,000,000 EXP

For killing a Master during the Holy Grail War +5,000,000,000 EXP

For killing a Master during the Holy Grail War +5,000,000,000 EXP

For killing a Master during the Holy Grail War +5,000,000,000 EXP

For killing a Master during the Holy Grail War +5,000,000,000 EXP

For killing a Master during the Holy Grail War +5,000,000,000 EXP

For killing a Master during the Holy Grail War +5,000,000,000 EXP

For killing a Master during the Holy Grail War +5,000,000,000 EXP

For killing a Servant during the Holy Grail War +30,000,000,000 EXP

For killing a Servant during the Holy Grail War +30,000,000,000 EXP

For killing a Servant during the Holy Grail War +30,000,000,000 EXP

For killing a Servant during the Holy Grail War +30,000,000,000 EXP

For killing a Servant during the Holy Grail War +30,000,000,000 EXP

For killing a Servant during the Holy Grail War +30,000,000,000 EXP

For killing a Servant during the Holy Grail War +30,000,000,000 EXP

For killing a Servant during the Holy Grail War +30,000,000,000 EXP

For killing a Servant during the Holy Grail War +30,000,000,000 EXP

For reaching the max level, you are now Prestige 3!

For reaching the max level, a new familiar slot has been unlocked!

For reaching the max level, you are now Prestige 4!

For reaching the max level, a new familiar slot has been unlocked!

For killing a Servant during the Holy Grail War, you will receive a random Skill or Noble Phantasm from the defeated Servant.

Class Skill: [Mad Enhancement D]

Personal Skill: [Galvanism B]

Personal Skill: [Hollow Lament of the Falsely Living D]

Noble Phantasm: [Bridal Chest: A Maiden's Chastity C]

Noble Phantasm: [Blasted Tree: The Lightning Tree of Crucifixion D~B]

You have received the Skill: [Galvanism B]

For killing a Servant during the Holy Grail War, you will receive a random Skill or Noble Phantasm from the defeated Servant.

Class Skill: [Mad Enhancement EX]

Personal Skill: [The Honor of the Battered B]

Noble Phantasm: [Crying Warmonger: The Howl of the Wounded Beast A]

You have received the Skill: [The Honor of the Battered B]

For killing a Servant during the Holy Grail War, you will receive a random Skill or Noble Phantasm from the defeated Servant.

Class Skill: [Item Creation B+]

Class Skill: [Territory Creation B]

Personal Skill: [Numerology B]

Noble Phantasm: [Golem Keter Malkuth: Royal Crown, the Light of Wisdom A+]

You have received the Skill: [Numerology B]

For killing a Servant during the Holy Grail War, you will receive a random Skill or Noble Phantasm from the defeated Servant.

Class Skill: [Territory Creation C]

Class Skill: [Item Construction -]

Personal Skill: [Enchant A]

Personal Skill: [Self-Preservation B]

Noble Phantasm: [First Folio: When the Curtain Rises, the Applause Shall Be As Ten Thousand Thunder B]

You have received the Noble Phantasm: [First Folio: When the Curtain Rises, the Applause Shall Be As Ten Thousand Thunders B]

For killing a Servant during the Holy Grail War, you will receive a random Skill or Noble Phantasm from the defeated Servant.

Class Skill: [Magic Resistance -]

Class Skill: [Riding B]

Personal Skill: [Golden Rule C]

Noble Phantasm: [Balmung: Phantasmal Greatsword, Felling of the Sky Demon A+]

Noble Phantasm: [Armor of Fafnir: Blood Armor of the Evil Dragon B]

You have received the Noble Phantasm: [Armor of Fafnir: Blood Armor of the Evil Dragon B]

For killing a Servant during the Holy Grail War, you will receive a random Skill or Noble Phantasm from the defeated Servant.

Class Skill: [Magic Resistance B]

Personal Skill: [Demonic Defender of the State EX]

Noble Phantasm: [Kazikli Bey: The Lord of Execution B]

Noble Phantasm: [Legend of Dracula: The Succession of Blood A+]

You have received the Noble Phantasm: [Kazikli Bey: The Lord of Execution B]

Congratulations! For gaining [Kazikli Bey: The Lord of Execution B], you have received the Noble Phantasm: [Demonic Defender of the State EX]

For killing a Servant during the Holy Grail War, you will receive a random Skill or Noble Phantasm from the defeated Servant.

Class Skill: [Presence Concealment C+]

Class Skill: [Territory Creation EX]

Class Skill: [Item Construction C]

Personal Skill: [Familiar (Doves) D]

Personal Skill: [Double Summon B]

Personal Skill: [Divinity C]

Noble Phantasm: [Hanging Gardens of Babylon: Aerial Garden of Vanity EX]

Noble Phantasm: [Sikera Ušum: Arrogant King's Alcohol B+]

You have received the Skill: [Divinity C]

For having a duplicate Skill, the Skill [Divinity A] has been ranked up to [Divinity A+]

For killing a Servant during the Holy Grail War, you will receive a random Skill or Noble Phantasm from the defeated Servant.

Class Skill: [Presence Concealment A+]

Personal Skill: [Murderer of the Misty Night A]

Personal Skill: [Mental Pollution C]

Personal Skill: [Information Erasure B]

Personal Skill: [Surgical Procedure E]

Noble Phantasm: [Maria the Ripper: The Holy Mother of Dismemberment D~B]

Noble Phantasm: [The Mist: Darkened Misty Metropolis C]

You have received the Skill: [Surgical Procedure E]

For killing a Servant during the Holy Grail War, you will receive a random Skill or Noble Phantasm from the defeated Servant.

Class Skill: [Magic Resistance A]

Class Skill: [True Name Discernment B]

Class Skill: [God's Resolution -]

Personal Skill: [Revelation A]

Personal Skill: [Charisma C-]

Personal Skill: [Baptism Rite B+]

Noble Phantasm: [Left Hand - Xanadu Matrix: Left Arm - Foundation of Heaven's Blessing D]

Noble Phantasm: [Right Hand - Evil Eater: Right Arm - Wickedness Predation D]

Noble Phantasm: [Twin Arm - Big Crunch: Dual Arm Zero-Order Convergence A+]

You have received the Skill: [Baptism Rite B+]

For killing a Servant during the Holy Grail War, you will receive a random Skill or Noble Phantasm from the defeated Servant.

Class Skill: [Riding A+]

Class Skill: [Magic Resistance C]

Personal Skill: [Battle Continuation A]

Personal Skill: [Bravery A+]

Personal Skill: [Affections of the Goddess B]

Personal Skill: [Divinity C]

Noble Phantasm: [Troias Tragōidia: Tempestuous Immortal Chario A]

Noble Phantasm: [Dromeus Komētēs: Comet Form A+]

Noble Phantasm: [Andreias Amarantos: Amaranth of the Brave B]

Noble Phantasm: [Diatrekhōn Astēr Lonkhē: Spear-tip of the Star Traversing the Skies B+]

Noble Phantasm: [Akhilleus Kosmos: The Miniature World Enclosed by the Azure Sky A+]

You have received the Skill: [Battle Continuation A]

For killing a Servant during the Holy Grail War, you will receive a random Skill or Noble Phantasm from the defeated Servant.

Class Skill: [Magic Resistance C]

Class Skill: [Riding A]

Personal Skill: [Discernment of the Poor A]

Personal Skill: [Uncrowned Martial Arts -]

Personal Skill: [Mana Burst (Flames) A]

Personal Skill: [Divinity A]

Noble Phantasm: [Kavacha and Kundala: O' Sun, Become Armor A]

Noble Phantasm: [Brahmastra Kundala: O' Brahma, Curse Me A+]

Noble Phantasm: [Vasavi Shakti: O' Sun, Abide to Death EX]

You have received the Noble Phantasm: [Brahmastra Kundala: O' Brahma, Curse Me A+]

Congratulations! For gaining [Brahmastra Kundala: O' Brahma, Curse Me A+], you have received the Skill: [Mana Burst (Flames) A]

For killing a Servant during the Holy Grail War, you will receive a random Skill or Noble Phantasm from the defeated Servant.

Class Skill: [Magic Resistance B]

Class Skill: [Riding B]

Personal Skill: [Instinct B]

Personal Skill: [Mana Burst A]

Personal Skill: [Battle Continuation B]

Personal Skill: [Charisma C-]

Noble Phantasm: [Secret of Pedigree: Helm of Hidden Infidelity C]

Noble Phantasm: [Clarent: Radiant and Brilliant Royal Sword C]

Noble Phantasm: [Clarent Blood Arthur: Rebellion Against My Beautiful Father A+]

You have received the Noble Phantasm: [Clarent Blood Arthur: Rebellion Against My Beautiful Father A+]

Congratulations! For gaining [Clarent Blood Arthur: Rebellion Against My Beautiful Father A+], you have received the Noble Phantasm: [Clarent: Radiant and Brilliant Royal Sword C]

For killing a Servant during the Holy Grail War, you will receive a random Skill or Noble Phantasm from the defeated Servant.

Class Skill: [Magic Resistance EX]

Class Skill: [True Name Discernment B]

Class Skill: [God's Resolution A]

Personal Skill: [Revelation A]

Personal Skill: [Charisma C]

Personal Skill: [Saint B]

Noble Phantasm: [La Pucelle: The Crimson Saint C~EX]

Noble Phantasm: [Luminosité Eternelle: God is Here With Me A]

You have received the Noble Phantasm: [Luminosité Eternelle: God is Here With Me A]