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After Shirou's final attack destroyed the Corrupted Spirit, he stood with labored breaths, watching the creature's ashes scattered. Around him, his companions began to gather, their faces filled with relief and joy. Tiona even hopped in excitement, exclaiming energetically, "We did it! This huge victory is all thanks to Shirou!"

Gareth approached Shirou from behind, patting his shoulder gently with a satisfied smile. "Young man, you're truly incredible. You've led us to victory," he said proudly.

But Shirou didn't respond. His vision slowly blurred, and the voices around him began to fade, as though swallowed by darkness. His body felt weak, his energy completely drained. "Sorry... looks like I..." he murmured before his world went black.

Before Shirou could collapse, Gareth swiftly caught him. Realizing Shirou had fainted, Gareth carefully lifted him. In a calm voice, he said, "You've fought hard, young one. Rest now."

Tione, noticing Shirou's condition, approached with a worried expression. "What happened to him? Is he okay?" she asked, her eyes full of concern.

Gareth sighed, looking at Shirou's peaceful face as he lay unconscious. "He's just exhausted. This little hero pushed himself too far. But with some rest, he'll be fine," Gareth replied reassuringly.

Tiona and Tione exchanged glances, their faces showing relief mixed with lingering worry. Tiona added, "He always pushes himself too hard. But that's just Shirou... he wouldn't stop until he knew we were all safe."

With Shirou unconscious, the group decided to rest briefly and then prepare to bring news of their victory back to the Loki Familia waiting outside Knossos.

Gareth carefully hoisted Shirou over his shoulder, as if carrying a sack of grain. Adjusting his stance for balance, he said in a deep voice, "Raul, lead the way. Make sure we get out of this cursed place." His tone was firm, though it carried a hint of weariness.

Raul nodded quickly, taking the lead. "Got it, I'll guide us. I memorized this path earlier with Aki," he said as he began navigating the way. He pulled out a spherical key from his pocket, using it expertly to unlock the Orichalcum doors they encountered along the way. Each time a door opened, the group moved swiftly through, the doors closing automatically behind them, as if sealing off any potential threats.

Along the way, they passed signs of previous battles. Corpses of Evilus members lay scattered in some corners, along with magic stones dropped by Violas they had defeated earlier. Cruz and Narvi, without hesitation, collected the magic stones and stashed them in their bags, their expressions serious. They knew that every resource would be crucial for their Familia later.

Tione glanced at the Evilus corpses with a sharp expression and commented, "At least we haven't found any of our comrades among the dead so far." Her voice carried relief but was tinged with worry.

Tiona, standing nearby, hopped in place with a nervous protest, "Hey! Don't jinx it like that!" Her expression was anxious, but Tione simply looked at her flatly.

"That's a good thing," Tione replied lightly, as though oblivious to Tiona's agitation. Their brief squabble brought a small sense of normalcy to the tense atmosphere, while Cruz and Narvi exchanged glances and shrugged, choosing not to get involved.

Finally, Raul stopped in front of a staircase leading upward. Turning to Gareth, he said, "Here it is, the stairs to the upper level. We're almost out." His face showed a hint of relief, though he remained alert.

Gareth adjusted Shirou's position, ensuring he was secure on his shoulder. "It's going to be a bumpy ride, so hold on. I can't promise a smooth ascent," he said as he began climbing. Shirou, still unconscious, remained silent as Gareth's heavy footsteps echoed in the corridor.

The group continued upward, leaving behind the darkness of Knossos, hopeful to reunite with the rest of Loki Familia waiting outside.

The journey out of Knossos felt much smoother than their entry. While they stayed cautious, there were no traps, and every Orichalcum door that had previously been a barrier now opened easily with the spherical key.

As they reached Knossos's exit, Tione was the first to notice the bright light outside. Without hesitation, she dashed forward, her face showing the release of long-held anxiety. "Captaaaain!" she called out emotionally, her voice trembling as tears welled in her eyes.

Outside, the scene was vastly different from when they had entered. Members of Loki Familia who had been injured lay on prepared bedding, while healers from the Dian Cecht Familia worked tirelessly to provide care. Riveria stood at the center, directing the healers, assisted by Lefiya and Linne, who moved about carrying potions and medical supplies.

Tione spotted Finn sitting propped against a stone wall, his face pale but his eyes open, calmly observing the commotion around him. Without thinking, Tione rushed over and embraced him tightly, her body trembling. "Captain... I'm so glad you're okay," she said, her voice quivering as tears streamed down her face.

Finn could only awkwardly accept the hug, offering a faint smile. "I'm fine, Tione. Thank you," he said gently, though his expression betrayed the pain he was enduring.

Airmid, a renowned healer from the Dian Cecht Familia who was attending to Finn, immediately stood up, her face stern. "Hey, easy! Finn's not fully healed yet!" she scolded sharply, stepping forward to separate Tione from Finn.

Tione quickly backed away, her face panicked as she realized her emotional outburst had caused Finn pain. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, Captain... Airmid... I didn't mean to!" she stammered, bowing repeatedly in apology.

Airmid let out a long sigh. "Control your emotions and assess the situation before acting. We're still working here," she said firmly but not harshly. Tione nodded quickly, retreating with a face full of guilt.

Despite the pain, Finn gave a faint smile and shook his head slightly. "It's okay, Tione. I know you were just worried," he said, trying to comfort his comrade, who now looked like a scolded child.

Tione offered a small smile, her face still slightly red with embarrassment, and then joined the others to help at the emergency care station.

Shortly after, Gareth emerged from Knossos with his group, carrying an unconscious Shirou over his shoulder. They moved steadily, their determined steps underscoring their victory, even though weariness was evident on their faces.

Outside, Riveria, who was monitoring the condition of the wounded Loki Familia members, turned her head at the sight of Shirou slung over Gareth's shoulder like a sack. Her calm demeanor instantly shifted to panic, and she rushed over. "What happened to Shirou?" she asked urgently, her eyes scanning his unmoving body.

Lefiya and Aiz also approached, worry etched clearly on their faces. "Is Shirou okay?" Lefiya asked nervously, while Aiz remained silent, her gaze fixed intently on Shirou.

Gareth reassured them in his deep voice. "Calm down. He's just out of magic energy and experiencing mind down. No serious injuries." He carefully laid Shirou down on a stretcher prepared by Linne and Raul.

"Mind down?" Riveria thought, her brow furrowing. "How could he run out of magic energy?" It was hard for her to believe, considering Shirou was able to project tens of thousands of swords made by Hephaestus Familia's blacksmiths before running out of magical energy. Still, she chose not to voice her doubts in front of the others.

Tiona stepped forward enthusiastically, her energy belying her fatigued appearance. "Riveria, you know? Shirou is amazing! He summoned a terrifying red spear! And—" She mimicked a spear-throwing motion with exaggerated flair, then shouted dramatically, "Gae Bolg! Boom! That bull monster was done for!" Tiona grinned proudly, like a child recounting an epic adventure.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Airmid, who was busy treating an injured Loki Familia member, turned her stern gaze toward Tiona. "Quiet down, Tiona! We're working here," she scolded, making Tiona chuckle nervously and apologize while scratching her head.

Riveria sighed and approached Tiona. "Ssh... Don't make a scene. Have you forgotten Shirou wants to keep his abilities hidden?" she whispered, glancing toward the Dian Cecht Familia healers. Fortunately, they were engrossed in their tasks and didn't seem to pay attention to Tiona's story.

After confirming the situation was secure, Riveria exhaled in relief. Crossing her arms, she stood and gazed at Shirou lying on the stretcher, her expression full of questions.

None of the Loki Familia members realized that Tiona's story had been overheard by someone standing right behind Lefiya. The figure showed no outward surprise or conspicuous reaction. Like an extra in a play, they stood quietly, their face emotionless, blending into the crowd.

However, this person was no ordinary individual. It was Filvis Challia, captain of Dionysus Familia. Few knew that the Filvis standing there was actually a clone created through a special magic called Einsel. Her real body, Ein, was far away at the central headquarters of Evilus, deep in the heart of Knossos.

This Filvis clone served as a spy for Evilus. Every piece of information she heard—especially significant details like Shirou's abilities mentioned by Tiona—was immediately transmitted to her original body through their magical connection.

Yet, hearing this conversation stirred an intense pang of guilt in Filvis. Not long ago, she had promised Lefiya that she would support her feelings for Shirou. Now, with cold detachment, she was spying on Lefiya and the person she cared for, all for Evilus's sake. The emotional turmoil burned like a cold fire in her heart, filling her with silent anguish.

Feeling filthy, despicable, and burdened by guilt, Filvis lowered her head toward the floor. Her mind churned with unspoken remorse, a torment she could not share with anyone. Her eyes fixed on her own feet, as if searching for answers in the dusty ground. "Lefiya... forgive me," she whispered silently, her voice trembling under the weight of betrayal she carried.

Yet her duty to Dionysus, the force that governed her life, compelled Filvis to remain standing there, striving not to draw attention despite the inner turmoil screaming within her.

Filvis's gaze fell on Shirou, lying unconscious on the stretcher. His face remained calm even in his state of unconsciousness, and something stirred within Filvis as she looked at him. Beneath that tranquility, she felt a profound resemblance between Shirou and herself. Both bore the crushing weight of Survivor's Guilt—the pain of being the sole survivors of horrific tragedies that had destroyed their worlds.

She knew that Shirou, now unconscious, had pushed himself to his absolute limits. All of it was done to save others, a tangible manifestation of the childhood promise he had made to his father, Kiritsugu Emiya: to become a hero who never gave up. It was an ideal so beautiful, yet so excruciating for those who lived by it.

And here lay their difference. When tragedy struck Filvis's life, she had been saved by the god Dionysus. She, who had become a repugnant half-monster—a Creature—was not rejected by Dionysus. The god accepted her, even calling her beautiful amidst her self-loathing. But Filvis knew that behind it all, Dionysus was no true savior.

He was Dionysus, a god who, beneath a façade of kindness and charm, reveled in the suffering of his followers. To him, their torment was a source of amusement. Filvis knew that every gentle word Dionysus spoke was merely a tool to watch others sink further into despair. For Dionysus, suffering was entertainment.

A thought flickered through her mind. What if, in the moment her world was destroyed, she had been saved not by Dionysus but by someone like Kiritsugu? Would she have become like Shirou—a steadfast idealist striving to be a hero for others? Filvis stood still, imagining a possibility that would never come to pass.

But she quickly shook her head. It was nothing but an empty fantasy. "There's no point in thinking about something that never happened," she muttered to herself. The reality was that she was now a servant of Dionysus, a tool to execute the god's will. Her hands were stained, and they would remain stained, for that was the path she had chosen.

She took a deep breath, steadying her unease. In her heart, she felt pain but also resolve. Her gaze returned to Shirou, who remained lying in silence, offering a faint semblance of peace amidst the constant turmoil of battle and betrayal surrounding Filvis.

Inwardly, Filvis whispered, "Perhaps you truly are a hero... but that path isn't mine to walk."

***

Meanwhile, deep within the core of the Knossos labyrinth, the enigmatic figure known as Ein moved with a clear purpose: to find her ally, her fellow Creature, Revis. Her steps were steady yet silent as she navigated the narrow, dark corridors, the air heavy with an oppressive darkness that pervaded the place.

Ein wore the Corruption Hiding Heavenly Garment, a long black cloak that concealed her identity as a Creature. Her face was obscured by a dark mask, giving her an intimidating aura. It was she who had previously opened the gates of Knossos, allowing Loki Familia to enter the labyrinth in accordance with a meticulously crafted plan.

But who was Ein? She was another facet of Filvis Challia, the darkest and most despairing part of her being. If Filvis represented the hopeful fragment of her true self, clinging to a glimmer of light through bonds like her friendship with Lefiya, then Ein was the embodiment of complete destruction. She was the manifestation of hatred, regret, and emptiness—a soul that had entirely surrendered to darkness.

Ein harbored no hesitation in killing anyone who stood in her way. Dionysus's orders were absolute. Even though each execution brought her profound anguish, she carried them out without question to see the cold smile of the god she served. "For Dionysus," she whispered to herself, as if it were a soothing mantra, though the pain in her heart never truly abated.

"Revis," Ein's low, cold voice echoed. "You're here, aren't you? Have you finished dealing with those so-called heroes?" She stepped further into the chamber, searching for traces of the battle that had occurred.

When Ein finally found evidence of Revis—a trail of blood and shattered remnants of a large sword—she exhaled deeply, not out of relief but from the weight she knew was only growing heavier. Closing her eyes briefly, she murmured softly, "All of this is only for him. For Dionysus."

Ein ventured further into a room filled with fragments of magic stones and the distinct dark aura of a Creature. At the center, she found Revis seated against a stone wall, casually consuming magic stones. Her left arm, previously gravely injured, was slowly regenerating, though it was evident the process required significant time and energy.

Creatures like them had the ability to consume magic stones directly for recovery and power enhancement. However, when their injuries were severe, consuming large quantities of magic stones became a necessity, as evidenced by the pile of shards surrounding Revis.

"You're injured," Ein remarked, her tone more of a statement than a concern. Her eyes scrutinized the regenerating fingers as if assessing the extent of the damage.

Revis shrugged nonchalantly, responding in a casual tone, "Nothing unusual. Shirou Emiya." The name rolled off her lips accompanied by a tired yet excited smirk.

Ein stopped a few steps away from Revis, her masked face betraying no emotion. "Shirou Emiya, you say?" she replied, her tone growing more serious. "I've received information from my clone. Shirou Emiya is also the one who defeated the Corrupted Spirit here using a crimson spear."

At the mention of that name again, Revis's smirk twisted into a grin brimming with dark excitement. Her eyes gleamed with a sinister thrill, like someone who had found an irresistible challenge. "Oh, so that boy really is something," she said as she slowly stood, though her body was still recovering. "I can't wait to face him again. This time, I'll show him the meaning of true power."

Ein remained silent, but inwardly she recognized the double-edged nature of Revis's enthusiasm. Shirou Emiya was no ordinary opponent, and every encounter with him only seemed to unravel their carefully laid plans further. But Ein's role was not to restrain Revis; it was to ensure that everything proceeded according to Dionysus's will.

"You can plan your next encounter later," Ein finally said, her voice cold and authoritative. "But don't let your ambition interfere with our plans." With those words, Ein turned and left, leaving Revis to continue consuming magic stones to complete her recovery.

Ein entered the central command of Evilus, a spacious chamber filled with long tables and chairs, strewn with maps and notes. In one corner of the room sat Goddess Ishtar, arms crossed and an expression of dissatisfaction on her face. "I can't believe we missed that moment," she complained, glaring at Thanatos, who leaned casually against the wall, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"You said earlier we could watch the bull monster's action live," Ishtar continued, her tone laced with irritation as she glared at Thanatos. "What happened?"

Thanatos chuckled lightly as if dismissing her complaints as trivial. "Well, someone destroyed all of our spy flowers," he replied nonchalantly, shrugging. "So, no more live broadcasts for us to enjoy."

Ishtar huffed loudly, turning away in annoyance. "So you're just going to sit here and wait for your subordinates' reports?"

"Of course," Thanatos replied, stretching lazily. "They'll report soon enough. No point in rushing."

At that moment, an Evilus member hurried in, breathing heavily. "Lord Thanatos, Lady Ishtar," he said urgently, bowing respectfully. "The Corrupted Spirit has been defeated. And... we've found Valletta's body."

Ishtar's eyes widened in shock, her expression clearly showing her disbelief. Thanatos, however, merely smiled, his demeanor unperturbed as though the bad news meant nothing to him. "So, even the Corrupted Spirit couldn't hold back Loki Familia," he mused, ignoring the tension in the room. "And Valletta died sooner than expected. How ironic fate can be."

Ishtar shot a sharp look at Thanatos, while the God of Death's smile widened, seemingly savoring every moment of the chaos unfolding around them.