Chapter 72. The End of the Holy Grail War
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The Holy Grail War had ended. The conflict among the fourteen heroic spirits, which even involved battles with the Mage's Association, was over. The all-powerful wish-granting machine had vanished, but it was certain that one person's wish had been fulfilled. However, that person was neither from the Red nor the Black faction. Yet, the world had not changed at all; it was as if the Holy Grail War had never happened.
One of the Red faction's Masters had died, and the remaining four had no idea how they lost. All they remembered was meeting with the priest and then… losing. The Mage's Association was quite helpless, feeling that the money spent had been in vain.
But I knew…
Sisigou, looking helpless, pulled out his wallet and bought a set of clothes he couldn't even fit into. The cashier, with tears in her eyes, handed him the money from the register.
Clearly, this inexperienced girl mistook his wallet-pulling for reaching for a gun.
But he was also quite helpless. If it weren't for that person insisting on having the clothes, he wouldn't have brought him in. As soon as he put on a jacket, the right arm of the jacket was missing.
After a series of hints, a physically and mentally exhausted Sisigou walked up to the onlooking Cyd. "The payment is settled."
"This outfit feels too young," Cyd said, adjusting his jacket. The pants were just ordinary jeans. "Why do they keep staring at me?"
Cyd glanced at a few girls nearby who were whispering and pointing at him, but when they made eye contact, they blushed and looked away.
"Who knows," Sisigou scratched his head. "By the way, why are you sticking with me? The Yggdmillennia is the local power here; it would be more convenient to find them."
"They're still busy and will be for a while, so I thought I'd bother you," Cyd waved at Medusa and Laeticia in the distance.
"I have plenty of things to do as well," Sisigou complained. "I need to report to the Mage's Association next, and then visit an old friend to help out."
"Just a coincidence, I'm heading to the Mage's Association too," Cyd patted Sisigou on the back.
"What do you want to do there? It's not a pleasant place. If they find out about you, you'll be in big trouble," Sisigou said grumpily. "I'm trying to keep your presence hidden, so don't expose yourself."
"Well, consider it a favor owed," Cyd winked.
"Ah~ A favor from the Hero of Pure White? I'll make good use of it," Sisigou grinned.
"Mr. Cyd, where are you heading next?" Laeticia, who had been listening to their conversation, asked curiously.
"To the Mage's Association," Cyd said, ruffling Laeticia's hair.
"Oh," Laeticia lowered her head, feeling a bit disappointed. She had hoped Cyd would say he had no particular destination, so she could invite him to her hometown.
"Don't worry, I'll visit you in the future," Cyd said, taking out a compass from his pocket. "No matter where you are, I'll find you."
"Hmm!" Laeticia nodded vigorously.
Sisigou sighed and looked at the bite mark on his hand. If it weren't for the wrong size, he would have thought it was left by a beast. No, from a certain perspective, it was indeed left by a beast.
"My… wish…"
Sisigou chuckled softly and looked at the sky.
"You've let go of yours, so I should look forward too."
"By the way, could you handle the plane tickets?" Cyd flashed a grin at Sisigou.
"She has money," Sisigou said, pointing at Medusa, who was pretending not to exist with her mature lady persona.
"Hmm… I'm out of money now," Medusa said, holding up a burger Laeticia had bought for her to shield her face.
"You're kidding!" Sisigou's mouth dropped open. "You must be richer than I am."
"Before… I got carried away and gave all my money to others," Medusa explained awkwardly.
"I'm so envious."
This was no lie. Sisigou genuinely envied whoever had Medusa's wealth. This world was full of reckless people, and magicians were the epitome of recklessness.
Medusa was quite famous in the Mage's Association, but her identity as the Gorgon of Greek mythology hadn't been connected. However, her secrets and powers were so enticing that many magicians couldn't resist probing, and even the Mage's Association wanted to impose a seal on her.
Several prominent magicians were wiped out in the process, and even the Church's organization was driven back. After that, the Mage's Association didn't take further action, thankfully just considering it.
Yet, Medusa was unexpectedly satisfied. Although she had declined the Mage's Association's offer, she had sold various magic books and relics from the families she had eliminated to the Association, causing her wallet to swell to the limit.
And now, it had become someone else's wallet!
"Reika Rikudou, right?" Cyd scratched the back of his head. "You really do go all out when you set your mind to something."
"Sorry," Medusa lowered her head.
"I'm not blaming you," Cyd said, putting his arm around Sisigou's shoulder. "Now, two broke individuals are waiting for a kind-hearted person to help them. You'll help, right?"
"Help? Isn't that a given…" Sisigou sighed wearily. "At this rate, my reward won't be enough."
The Yggdmillenia.
"Sister, have you decided?" Caules asked, pushing Fiore through the ruins.
"Yes, I'm sorry for leaving all the responsibility to you," Fiore said, touching her leg.
Should she abandon magic?
The question that had troubled her for so long was about to be answered.
Enduring the pain of continuing to study a form of magic she didn't like.
Choosing liberation to become an ordinary girl, yet without magic, she was merely a blank slate, unsure how to paint something new on it.
But…
"I… give up on magic," Fiore said softly, leaning on her wheelchair.
"That's really great," Caules said with a happy smile.
For him, the best outcome was for Fiore to abandon magic because he knew well that his sister was too kind-hearted. Even with extraordinary talent, it would only bring her suffering.
"I also told Uncle. Surprisingly, he…" Fiore scratched her face. "Was indifferent."
He even said, "If that's your choice," not in a tone of giving up on her but with the tolerance and trust of an elder toward a younger one.
"Uncle has… changed a lot, and everyone has changed quite a bit," Caules chuckled.
"You've become more confident too," Fiore looked up at Caules. "Is it because of Berserker?"
"Who knows~"
"What did she say to you in the end? She was smiling very happily."
"More boring than what you wanted, sister~" Caules pushed his glasses up. His expression was somewhat helpless but mostly satisfied.
"[Electricity cannot be wasted; unplug the computer after use.]"