Chapter 49

A massive black cube hovered in the sky, black mud flowing incessantly from it, cascading downwards and spreading across the earth via towering stone pillars.

Wave after wave of black humanoid monsters emerged from the flow. The recently risen dark mud spirits clawed at the sky like frenzied beasts, roaring up at the blue-clad magical girl hovering above them.

"The Holy Grail! The Holy Grail!! The Holy Grail!!!"

Miyu looked on in horror at the scene below, the light in her eyes slowly fading. Rin and Luvia's frantic shouts reached her ears, and beside her, a hand suddenly reached out. Julian's face appeared through a silver spatial portal, right beside Miyu.

"These mud spirits are the souls of those who never obtained the Grail. They are now nothing but beasts craving the Holy Grail," Julian, with his dark-rimmed eyes, moved his face close to Miyu's sweat-drenched one. He reached out his hand, his voice low and commanding: "Until the Holy Grail is found, they will continue to multiply endlessly, drowning the entire world in despair. You understand, right? If you want to stop this disaster, take my hand. Use your own willpower."

Miyu looked at the gloved hand in front of her, trembling. The desperate shouts of Rin and Luvia echoed in her ears, along with Kuro's labored breathing. A tear fell from the corner of her eye as she closed them, a solitary drop tracing her cheek. Slowly, she began to reach for that hopeless white glove.

"No! Miss Miyu!" Sapphire, affixed to Miyu's hand, cried out in panic, "If you go with him now, everything will be lost!"

Images of her friends flashed through her mind, but Miyu did not stop.

'If I sacrifice myself, then Illya and the others won't have to fight such dangerous battles for me. Everyone can safely return to their happy lives.'

A twisted smile spread across Julian's face as Miyu's hand approached his. He was about to achieve his goal.

"That hand, you mustn't take it." Illya's voice broke through the chaos. Just as Miyu's hand was about to touch Julian's, a small, warm hand grabbed hers. Miyu opened her eyes, surprised to see Illya's comforting hand holding onto her own.

Illya gently embraced Miyu's shoulders, smiling as she said, "Miyu, you mustn't take his hand!"

"Illya..." Miyu looked at Illya's smile, her previously dim eyes brightening once more. Clasping Illya's hand tightly, Miyu nodded resolutely.

"Illyasviel!" Julian's angry voice seethed through clenched teeth.

Julian looked down at Miyu and Illya, standing side by side, and lowered his head, murmuring, "Pathetic. It seems that until I destroy everything you rely on, you won't understand."

The moment his words ended, several of the black mud spirits below raised their crossbows, and an innumerable volley of arrows filled the sky, all aimed at Rin, Luvia, and Bazett.

"Eh?" Rin looked up at the countless arrows blotting out the sky, momentarily dazed and unsure of what to do. No matter how she tried, she knew there was no way she could defend herself against such an onslaught. This was the combined attack of countless Archer-class spirits, far beyond what she could handle.

"Rin! Luvia! Bazett!" Miyu cried out, shocked as she saw the three being overwhelmed by arrows. The mana in her body surged, and she prepared to rush over to protect them.

"Deploying Rho Aias, the Seven Rings that Cover Heaven."

With the True Name of the Noble Phantasm released, a crimson shield shaped like flower petals expanded before the three, blocking the endless arrows raining from above.

Amidst the dust, a long bandage was unfurled. Shirou Emiya stepped through the settling debris, his voice echoing toward Miyu above, "That's right! Miyu, you don't need to be bound by that man anymore. This time, your big brother will protect you!"

Rin, kneeling on the ground, heard the familiar voice she had longed for and turned around, astonished. "How... How are you here?!"

"Could it be...?" Luvia, staring at the dissipating dust, whispered in disbelief, "Shirou?!"

"I've heard everything already. Thank you all for fighting so hard to protect my sister," Shirou said, standing before them. His red hair fluttered in the wind, and he gazed at Julian, who stood atop a mound of black sludge, "Let me put an end to this!"

High above, Miyu, who had rushed forward, suddenly halted mid-air. Seeing the figure that had appeared below, she could no longer contain herself. All her emotions, her worries, and her hopes burst out in a cry.

"Big Brother!!!"

At the same time, a notification rang out in the chat group.

[Ding! Group Mission Released]

[Group Mission: The newly joined member, Shirou Emiya, is facing a life-threatening crisis. Please save him and his sister, Miyu.]

[Mission Objective: Ensure Shirou Emiya and his sister Miyu survive. Defeat the enemy.]

[Mission Duration: 24 hours]

[Mission Requirement: Only members with Epic-level strength and above can accept.]

[Mission Reward: 160,000 points, 100,000 experience]

Hiroshi: Oh no, Shirou Emiya must have just arrived at the part where his sister gets taken back!

Keqing: ??? What's going on?

Hifumi Takimoto: ┌(.Д.)┐ What do we do now?! w(?Д?)w

Hifumi Takimoto: X﹏X, Mr. Shirou is in danger!

Riku: Group mission... I can't take it!

Riku: Damn it!

Hiroshi: Riku, what time is it over there? How long have you known Schwi?

Riku: I've been with Schwi for about a year now.

Riku: Judging by the situation, the great war is about to begin.

Hiroshi: ??? A year?!

Hiroshi: I thought it only skipped a few minutes in that scene!

Riku: Did you think it would be that easy for me to unlock my heart?

Hiroshi: Ah, true. I did wonder why your eyes suddenly lit up in that scene. Originally, I thought it was because you were a lolicon, but clearly, that wasn't it.

Riku: ???

Klee: Brother Hiroshi, what's a lolicon?

Hiroshi: !

Hiroshi: It's a bad person who likes little girls.

Klee: So, does Brother Hiroshi like Klee?

Hiroshi: Of course I do, but I'm a good guy. And liking you is different from that kind of liking.

Hifumi Takimoto: ヽ(*.>Д<)o゜ Oh no, Shirou Emiya is still in danger!

Hiroshi: Don't panic o(￣▽￣)ｄ, Takimoto, you're really such a kind girl.

[Ding! Hiroshi has started a group livestream]

Hifumi Takimoto has joined the livestream.

Riku has joined the livestream.

Hinata has joined the livestream.

Tamaki Goko has joined the livestream.

In her cozy room, Hifumi Takimoto was nestled in her beanbag chair, her mouth agape as she stared at the livestream.

Shirou Emiya wielded a fierce stone-bladed greatsword. Before him stood a horde of black humanoid monsters, hesitant to advance. Deep trenches stretched from beneath his feet to the distance.

Nearby, beside the fallen Rin, Luvia, and Bazett, figures emerged from flashes of white light.

A dark-haired young man held the hand of a small red-haired elf girl. Walking up to a girl in a white dress, he took her hand with his other, smiling at everyone around them.

Hiroshi: We learned our lesson last time; we won't repeat it.

Hiroshi: Look, the hero is at his best!

Hiroshi: A brother is doing his utmost for his sister. Let's not interrupt him for now.

Hiroshi: Let this brother shine in front of his sister for a bit longer. Then we'll step in.

Kazuma Satou: Agreed.

Megumin: +1

Luo Xiaohai: +1

Infinity: +1

Ruri Gokou: +1

Vanir: We are not demons without compassion; let young Shirou have his moment.

Keqing: Alright~ But make it quick. I have a lot of work to do, and time is pressing.

Klee: Klee agrees!

Aqua: The great water goddess also agrees.

Rin, her mouth agape, stared at the strong individuals appearing one after another from the white light. "Who... who are you all?"

"Klee is just Klee!" Klee said, holding onto Hiroshi's hand, as she looked at the confused girl. Waving her small hand at the distance, Klee cheerfully called out, "Big Brother Shirou! Klee and everyone are here to help you!"