From Hell to Heaven

Naoki was unaware that Merry had begun orchestrating a war among women behind his back. For now, having secured Merry's promise, he was already contemplating how to face the Fifth Holy Grail War.

Of course, these were just thoughts. After all, it was still five years away. The more pressing matter was Jack the Ripper.

But speaking of urgency…

"You can't do it?"

Leaving Merry's sea of flowers and arriving in Atalanta's nightmare, Naoki saw Atalanta, bow drawn but hesitating to shoot.

Standing before her was a child resembling Jack, but far younger, dressed in rags barely better than scraps, with lifeless eyes that seemed to have given up on life and reality.

An abandoned infant, or a street child—that was the impression. And behind this child stood dozens, even hundreds, of others in similar conditions. Each gazed at Atalanta with eyes full of hope.

"Will you save us?"

"Can you save us?"

"Please don't abandon us."

"Please warm us."

The children pleaded with Atalanta in childish voices. With each sentence, Atalanta's expression grew more pained, and the taut bowstring slackened slightly.

She couldn't bear it.

How could she? They were all innocent children—victims discarded due to the era's and humanity's impulses. Facing these unfortunate children who shared her own past, she simply couldn't act.

"Want to save them?"

Naoki's voice rang out again.

As if grasping a lifeline, Atalanta spun around, clutching the fabric at Naoki's chest. "Can you save them?!"

"Unfortunately, no. They're spirits who died centuries ago, malevolent ghosts wandering the earth with resentment, unable to find freedom. There's no possibility of saving them."

"But—"

Atalanta understood Naoki's point, but these children…

"Atalanta, I respect your desire to save and protect children, but this is the Holy Grail War. What you're facing isn't children but a serial killer in the form of children. Not to mention, dozens have already died by her hand, and she killed several women during her lifetime."

"Do you want to protect this so-called killer? As a hero, will you shield this real evil?"

"They're not evil!"

An arrow instantly aimed at Naoki. Atalanta glared at him with anger and sorrow. "They're not evil—they were forced to become evil!"

"Maybe, but so what?"

Flames ignited in his palm. Naoki gripped a blazing imitation Holy Sword, raising it toward Atalanta and the children behind her. "Do you still hope they'll repent? Are you thinking of protecting them, only to watch them kill again?"

"They won't!"

"Who gave you that impression? Did they promise you? Or are you saying you'll watch over them? Either way, what exactly is this 'salvation' you speak of?"

"Salvation is—is… is…"

Creating a world where all children can grow up in the embrace of love—that was the wish Atalanta wanted to entrust to the Holy Grail.

Sighing softly, Naoki raised his hand.

*SLAP!*

He struck Atalanta's cheek hard!

The burning pain stunned her. She nearly retaliated instinctively, but before she could, Naoki brushed past her, swinging his Holy Sword at the children.

Unlike Jeanne in the original story, who fully redeemed them, Naoki's actions were closer to cremation.

Since ancient times, people believed fire was the most effective way to eradicate evil born from darkness. The light of fire could dispel shadows, its heat could banish cold.

Jack the Ripper was born in the darkest corners of 19th-century England, raised in the filthiest environments, and died in the most lightless place. Perhaps she never truly saw light in her lifetime.

Naoki couldn't bring true light like Jeanne. All he could do was let this fire burn.

Standing amid the sea of flames, Jack stared at Naoki. "Are you going to kill us?"

"Yes. Though your fate is tragic, I can no longer extend a hand to help you, and your actions must face judgment."

"We only wanted to return to our mothers' embrace. Is that wrong too?"

"Your intent wasn't wrong, but your actions were."

No, that wasn't entirely accurate. A warped environment led Jack to warped understanding, resulting in warped crimes. If this continued, what was truly wrong?

Ignoring Atalanta behind him, whose eyes blazed with the urge to shoot him dead, Naoki clasped his hands and prayed. "May you find peace and tranquility in your next life."

"Weird person."

With that, Jack closed her eyes in the sea of flames. Simultaneously, the countless childlike figures sank into the blazing inferno, transforming into countless specks of light that scattered and vanished.

The foggy cityscape around them disappeared instantly.

"Natsukawa Naoki—!"

Bow fully drawn, Atalanta aimed at the man before her with deep sorrow and rage.

"You! You! You killed those children—"

"Yes, I killed them. Got a problem?" Turning, Naoki remained calm. "This is a battlefield. Jack the Ripper, despite her tragic background, is still an enemy. Don't say they could be saved, Atalanta. You can't save them, and neither can I. All we can do is ensure they no longer wander this world in suffering."

He was right. That was the only thing they could do.

Atalanta wanted to act, but she couldn't. She lacked the resolve to shoot those children one by one.

Her bow-holding hand trembled for a moment. After biting her lip until it bled in her dilemma, Atalanta glared at Naoki in frustration, then leaped onto a nearby rooftop. In a few bounds, she vanished into the darkness of the night.

"Not finishing her off, Master?" Mordred emerged from a narrow alley, sword slung over her shoulder. "The Black Faction is done for, and the war with the Red Faction is about to start. Wouldn't it be better to eliminate her while she's alone?"

"Call it my selfishness. Besides, letting her return doesn't matter—it's just a matter of time. At most three days, and this Holy Grail War will end. More importantly, what about the Black Assassin's Master?"

"Dead. After using all three Command Spells at once, she killed herself."

"I see… Let's head back. It's late."