IBHJ 1004

"Our situation has improved significantly compared to the past," Ayaka said, "I managed to stop Rider and Caster, and convinced them to join our cause."

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," a woman's voice interjected. "We have a common enemy. That's the only reason for this temporary truce. Once your sister is dealt with, the war continues."

Everyone turned to see a woman and a handsome young man with fiery red hair approaching.

Caster Medea and Rider Perseus. They had ambushed Saber earlier in the war, but now, thanks to Ayaka, they were allies... of a sort.

Perseus's eyes smoldered with barely contained rage. "Sajou Manaka," he spat the name like a curse. "She's the only one I can't – won't – forgive."

His Master, Aro Isemi, had been a kind soul, never bitter despite his hardships, always dreaming of world peace. But Manaka had implanted a beast within him, turning him into a living corpse, barely kept alive by magecraft and machines.

Seven days after summoning Rider, before the war had even begun, Aro had breathed his last. But with his dying breath, he'd used all his Command Spells to give Rider an incarnated body. Therefore, Perseus was in a position of absolute hostility toward Manaka, which made it easy for Ayaka to win him over.

Ayaka couldn't help but feel a surge of hope. Everything was different this time around. Caster and Rider were uncorrupted, Arthur and Gilgamesh were safe. Only Lancer was gone. Still, this was a far better outcome than before, making her extremely happy.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Misaya's sudden outburst. "Isn't this all... pointless?" The words tumbled out, raw and bitter. "We're just echoes from a discarded timeline, extracted from this nerd's memories. This so-called happy ending... it's nothing but a dream. It won't change anything for us."

"You fool," Gilgamesh scoffed.

Misaya whirled on him. "What's wrong with what I said?" she challenged, her voice rising. The girl's boldness was obvious – after all, with her days numbered, what did she have left to fear?

Ayaka took a deep breath, trying to explain. "If Manaka knew this was just a fragment of the past, she wouldn't be so well-behaved. She's powerful enough to escape this timeline. We have to stop her here, trap her in the past."

"And what then?" Misaya's voice cracked with frustration. "What difference does it make to me? I don't exist in the future you're trying to protect."

Ayaka was at a loss for words.

The boy stepped forward. "Misaya-senpai, think of it this way: If we defeat Sajou Manaka, if we give it our all... maybe we can change the past, even now."

Misaya thought it over, feeling the tension slowly leave her shoulders. It made sense, in a strange way. If they won, if everything fell into place... they might create a future where she lived. And then there was Manaka, that witch who'd cursed her. Even if it was just a pipe dream, the thought of payback sent a thrill through her body.

"Fine," she said quietly. "I'm in."

Ayaka nodded. "Manaka will make her move soon. We need to be ready. We need Berserker and Assassin on our side."

Arthur watched Ayaka, his gaze filled with a mixture of pride and pain. You've become so strong, Ayaka, he thought. But at what cost? I've been a poor excuse for a Servant.

"There's something else," Fujimaru added, adjusting his glasses. "We need to summon Saver. Now."

Ayaka's eyes widened in surprise. "Now?"

"It's too risky to wait," the young man insisted, meeting her gaze. "Do you remember the summoning ritual?"

"Of course," Ayaka nodded. "Archer broke his contract with you before he fully succumbed to the corruption. That allowed you to form a new contract. He and Saber then forced the other Servants into the Grail, triggering a surge of magical energy. Misaya-senpai channeled that energy through the leylines, creating a massive summoning circle. And you, empowered by Lady Tethys, summoned Saver."

"It can't be that simple this time," the young man frowned, deep in thought. "Summoning a Servant of that caliber just by using the leylines... it would be too easy. But it's our best option."

"I agree, but..." Ayaka hesitated, her eyes flickering towards Gilgamesh.

Misaya, Tethys, and Arthur followed her gaze. A tense silence filled the room.

"So," Gilgamesh drawled, his voice dangerously low, "I haven't even grown tired of you yet, and you're already thinking of severing our connection?"

The young man met Gilgamesh's gaze. "This isn't about preference. It's about survival. For all of us. We knew your power is unmatched. But in this battle, we need every advantage we can get."

Arthur added, "Think of it as a strategic redeployment."

Gilgamesh's jaw clenched, but after a long moment, he let out a sigh. "Very well. But don't think for a moment this means I'm stepping aside."

With Tethys's help, Gilgamesh temporarily severed his contract with Fujimaru and formed a new one with Misaya.

"Truth be told," Gilgamesh declared, "I've been meaning to change Masters for quite some time. A crass, witless fool like him lowers my standards."

Fujimaru nodded, a placating smile on his face. "Of course. Your brilliance was wasted on me." Gilgamesh's cooperation was a small miracle, and he was willing to stroke the king's ego if it meant keeping him in line.

This, however, only further displeased Gilgamesh. Dealing with the boy was like punching a soft cotton ball, which was both frustrating and depressing.

Despite gaining a new Master, Misaya was unsure how to handle Gilgamesh. She was known for her sharp tongue, but Gilgamesh was even sharper. Unlike the stoic Cu Chulainn, who tolerated her sharp tongue, it wouldn't be surprising if Gilgamesh did something drastic if she dared to speak harshly to him.

So, the young man specifically added, "Archer, don't throw a tantrum, okay?"

Gilgamesh's jaw tightened, a vein pulsing at his temple. He really wanted to hang the boy by his ankles and give him a proper thrashing, but with so many people watching, he just turned away with a huff, refusing to answer.

Seeing Misaya's apprehension, the boy pulled her aside. "Just play along," he whispered. "Let him have his way with the small stuff, but stand your ground on the important things. And show him you care, now and then. Just treat him like a rebellious teenager starved for attention."

Misaya gaped at him. Is he seriously comparing Archer to a teenager?

A sudden chill ran down the young man's spine. He turned to find Gilgamesh glaring at him with a look that could curdle milk.

"I didn't say anything!" he blurted out, breaking into a cold sweat.

Laughter filled the room, easing the tension.

Saber watched the boy with a fond smile. "He truly is remarkable."

"Remarkable?" Mordred scoffed. "He's just a clown. A court jester playing the fool to entertain the masses."

Gilgamesh spoke up. "To unite people through laughter... that's a rare gift. At least, it's something this King could never do in his lifetime."

"Perhaps," Mordred replied with a smirk, "because it's far too undignified for a king?"

Gilgamesh looked at her with surprise. "You understand well. Such behavior... let alone a king, no hero would lower themselves to such a level. Kings crave domination and control. Heroes seek admiration, glory, and deeds worthy of legend. Who in their right mind would willingly make a fool of themself?"

Mordred nodded in agreement.

"His heart must be delicate and incredibly sensitive," Perseus said quietly.

Everyone was stunned and turned to look at him.

Perseus gazed at the laughing young man, his expression thoughtful. "Without that sensitivity, he wouldn't be able to perceive the pain hidden within others. But more importantly, he has extraordinary emotional intelligence, a gentleness that can soothe troubled souls. And as Ayaka mentioned, he endured an endless loop of suffering. That speaks to a resilience he may not even realize he has. It's a good thing he wasn't born in the Age of Gods."

Saber opened his mouth, hesitating. "But..."

Perseus nodded, his eyes distant. "The world that shaped such a delicate yet resilient heart... it must have been filled with disappointment and despair."

Kiara looked puzzled. "But didn't you say Mr. Shirou has a happy family?"

Gilgamesh glanced at Tethys. "We also said he was a soul from another reality." He paused, his gaze settling on the young man, who was still laughing and joking with Misaya. "He told us where he came from, but he never spoke of his past. Not a single word. The only one who knows his story... is Tethys."

"Even I don't know everything," Tethys replied, feigning ignorance. "And some things are best left alone. Besides, you might cross a line. Curiosity can be a dangerous thing."