IBHJ 1326

Arcueid stopped eating and looked up. That was when she saw Kiritsugu and immediately narrowed her eyes. “Hey, you're the thief who ripped off my masterpiece!”

"It's not theft when it involves creative interpretation," Kiritsugu protested weakly.

"Save it for someone who cares, you hack!" she cracked her knuckles menacingly.

He threw up his hands in surrender. "Mercy! Have mercy on this humble writer!"

Justice had finally caught up with the literary criminal.

Soon after, the ceremony began.

Emiya stood at the altar in crisp white formal wear, his posture perfect and his appearance genuinely striking.

Shirou nudged Mordred. "I'd rock that outfit way better than him."

"Sure you would." she glanced at him sideways. "So when's your big day? And more importantly, with who?"

He suddenly found the ceiling fascinating, coughing into his fist.

She shook her head. "Typical. All talk, no action."

The music swelled as Angelica appeared in her flowing wedding gown, flanked by her bridesmaids – Illya, Miyu, Chloe, and Pandora. She glided down the aisle with grace and poise.

After exchanging their heartfelt vows, the newlyweds basked in the warm applause and well-wishes from their guests.

Shirou approached with a genuine smile. "Congratulations to both of you."

"Thank you," Emiya replied, his happiness evident.

As the couple continued receiving congratulations, an unexpected figure emerged from the crowd.

"It's been too long, Emiya. Sister." A strikingly handsome young man stepped forward.

"J-Julian?"

Both Emiya and Angelica froze, their expressions shifting from joy to shock.

The atmosphere instantly grew heavy. Pandora and Miyu tensed visibly, their eyes locked on the newcomer.

"What's going on, Miyu?" Illya touched her friend's arm gently. She'd never seen Miyu this tense before.

"You're still alive?" Emiya's voice was cold, his body shifting into a defensive stance.

Julian was Angelica's younger brother, head of the Ainsworth family from the parallel world, and the person responsible for forcing Miyu into this world in the first place.

"If you're still breathing, then naturally so am I." Julian's hands remained casually in his pockets. "Relax. I'm not here to start anything. Even if I wanted to, with this many powerful people here, including humanity's savior himself, it would be suicide." He paused, letting his words sink in. "That world is gone now. Dead and buried. I have no quarrel with you anymore. My sister's getting married. What kind of brother would I be if I didn't offer my congratulations?"

"I see." Emiya's shoulders relaxed slightly.

Despite Julian's unexpected appearance creating a ripple of tension, the wedding reception continued with its festive atmosphere.

As evening fell and guests began departing, Shirou excused himself from Artoria and the others, claiming he needed the restroom. Instead, he followed Julian outside.

"Something on your mind, savior?" Julian turned to face him.

"You didn't come all this way just for wedding wishes." It wasn't a question.

"Perceptive as always." Julian's expression remained neutral. "Someone wanted me to deliver a message. In ten days, Chaldea will be absorbed. All the pieces are in position now."

Shirou's hands balled into fists at his sides.

"My world is dead. I tried to save it, but I failed. But you're different. You've already proven yourself as a savior. So this world, the one where my sister can live peacefully..." His voice dropped to barely a whisper. "Please save it."

Without waiting for a response, Julian's body began breaking apart, dissolving into mud that scattered in the evening breeze.

Shirou's chest tightened as he realized Julian no longer existed, serving only as a messenger for someone else's warning.

His future remained chained, not yet freed from whatever fate awaited him.

"The Lord of Salvation..." He clenched his fists tighter.

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he headed back to the venue. Artoria, Romani, and the others were already gathered around a chartered bus.

"Why is everyone here? And why do we have a bus?" Shirou stared at the vehicle in confusion.

Artoria's lips curved into a gentle smile. "Everyone decided on karaoke. Do you want to join them?"

"If there's fun to be had, count me in." He glanced at Arcueid, who was practically bouncing on her toes with anticipation. "Besides, if I ruin everyone's mood, Arcueid won't let me get a wink of sleep tonight."

As he climbed aboard, Kama started toward the seat beside him, but Abigail caught her arm and tugged her away, chattering about catching up on old times. Artoria slipped into the vacant spot instead, settling in with a soft sigh.

"This feeling is quite strange." She gazed out the window as the city lights began to blur past. "We should have perished long ago, yet here we are, enjoying modern life like ordinary people."

"What's wrong with that?" he smiled softly.

"I just wish she could see this too." Artoria's fingers traced the wooden bracelet on her wrist, the final memento from Brigid, the Ideal King.

"Maybe we'll meet again someday."

She nodded slowly, then turned to face him. "Has Ritsuka still not..."

"No, not yet." His expression softened with understanding. "The Heroic Spirits she thought of as family have all terminated their contracts and left. That's not easy to accept. She needs time. She's still holed up at home, but at least Mash is there, looking after her. And someone else has been watching over her from the shadows."

Artoria nodded again.

Ayaka twisted around in her seat, her brow furrowing as she studied Shirou's face. "We're all here. Who else is secretly looking after Ritsuka besides Mash?"

He smiled without answering, but thought to himself: The person you hate the most.

...

Later that day, Gilgamesh strolled back toward his international hotel suite. As he crossed Fuyuki Bridge, the golden king spotted two familiar figures leaning against the railing, taking in the ocean view. Cars hummed past in steady streams.

"Yo, mongrel." Gilgamesh raised a hand in greeting.

Shirou glanced over his shoulder. "Oh, it's you."

His gaze dropped to Gilgamesh's casual outfit, and his nose wrinkled. "The arcade again?"

"Hahaha!" Gilgamesh's laughter rang out over the traffic noise. "It's quite entertaining, I'll have you know." He shifted his attention to Mordred, who was working on a cherry lollipop. "You should give it a try, Mordred."

Mordred pulled the candy from her mouth with a pop. "That stuff is outdated. Mobile games are where it's at now, old man."

A muscle twitched in Gilgamesh's jaw. "..."

He shot her a withering look. "I won't lower myself to arguing with a child. Just enjoy your candy."

The lollipop caught in Mordred's throat. She doubled over, coughing and sputtering.

Gilgamesh turned to face Shirou. "What brings you here?"

Shirou shifted his weight against the bridge railing, his eyes tracking the waters that divided Shinto from Miyama. The breeze ruffled his hair as he met Gilgamesh's gaze. "Do you remember this place? This is where we had our final battle."

Gilgamesh strolled over to join him at the railing. He folded his arms across his chest, chin tilting upward. "This king doesn't waste time remembering insignificant details."

"You might have forgotten, but I haven't." Shirou's hands gripped the cold metal. "That was the first time I truly believed I could defeat someone stronger than me. The first time I had real determination to move forward." He let out a soft breath. "It's been so long. My soul has been reset countless times, but looking back now, maybe this was where everything really began for me."

Gilgamesh made a low sound in his throat, neither agreement nor dismissal.

Shirou pushed off from the railing and turned to face him fully. "Want to visit Tokiomi?"

The golden king's expression shifted, a pause hanging in the air before his lips curved into a smile. "If you're suggesting some sentimental journey down memory lane, this king has absolutely no interest."

Yet despite his words, Gilgamesh's feet were already moving, following him toward Miyama.