Let's go out the rear entrance.
Shirou!
What is it, Saber?
I'm surprised to see Saber with you.
You...
We are always hounded by a despair so powerful
as to threaten to burn our hearts to ash,
and yet you manage
to smile at me
with infinite forgiveness
The wind erases our voices
Our words are carried away
I hold onto you for balance
on this treacherous path
I know that paradise awaits us,
and that future is our one and only hope
That blind feeling
might be the only emotion
that I have left
There is no true answer
I am always seeking
my very own
dawn
Archer! What's with you finally showing up now?
The Distance Between Them
Isn't it obvious? I sensed a threat to my Master and rushed to her side.
But it appears I was too late.
Yes, it's all over!
I'll fill you in on everything that happened
while you took your own sweet time, so just stand there and listen!
Looks like I arrived at the worst possible time.
You can say that again!
You decide to show up after a Servant's already been taken out?
All right, all right.
Next time, I'll rush to your side at once.
So? Who was it?
It was Rider that disappeared.
I don't know exactly what happened, but she was probably taken out by Caster.
The coward.
Then she really was all talk.
Archer, Rider died protecting her Master.
You are in no position to call her a coward.
A coward is a coward.
One who calls herself a hero should at least try to take her opponent out with her.
That she was defeated without resistance suggests she was unable to do so.
You insult the manner of her death, and you call yourself a hero?
Hero or not, anyone not suited to fight this battle should disappear early on.
Well said.
In that case, do you wish to fight me, Archer?
I am compelled by Command Seal to not fight you.
If we were to fight now, I would die just like Rider.
Is that in keeping with your code of chivalry, Saber?
Archer, that's enough.
My alliance with Emiya is only until we defeat the Master hiding in the school.
Or what? Do you want to force me to use another Command Seal on you?
Perhaps.
Saber is so noble and righteous, I got carried away teasing her.
My apologies, Saber.
No, my behavior was immature, as well.
Out of respect for Rin, I shall overlook your words.
Anyway, if we're going to defeat Caster, the first thing we need to do is locate her Master.
Fortunately or not, Caster's Master comes to school every day.
Rather than spooking them and putting them on guard, we should let them be.
In other words, after we identify the Master,
we attack before they can return to Ryuudou Temple?
Exactly.
But after a big ruckus like this, won't they stop coming to school because it's too risky?
That's unlikely.
I doubt Caster's Master still possesses their free will.
That's her style.
Her very first move was probably to turn her Master into a puppet.
That makes sense.
Anyway, we'll continue our investigation of the school.
When we locate Caster's Master, we strike.
Okay, that's a reasonable course of action, but how do we look for them?
That's our homework for next time.
We're all tired.
Let's call it a day.
No, I can still—
Uh, Tohsaka?
Can't you see that Archer is acting strange?
After what happened yesterday, we need to be on the same page.
Okay, I get it! I'll go home. I'll do as you say and go home.
See you tomorrow, then.
Oh, and good work today.
I was able to see you as a Master, even if only a little.
Let's go, Archer!
When we get home, we'll get to the bottom of this screw-up!
Ah, there it is.
The uncharacteristic lack of verbal abuse was troubling me.
Now, look here... Am I going to have to lay down the law?
You want to sleep in my room?
Of course.
To prevent a repeat of last night's error,
I shall sleep in your room.
Surely you have no objections?
I do! Big ones!
When it comes down to it,
it's your fault for succumbing to Caster's control from such a great distance.
I cannot protect you from her magic,
so it's natural that I at least stay in the same room.
Well, that's a perfectly sound argument.
Look, tonight—
All right.
I'll have you sleep nearby.
Good. That's the logical choice for a Master.
But only nearby.
Yeah, as if I can fall asleep just like that, idiot.
It has been six days since the war commenced.
You are the first to make their way here.
Are you withdrawing from the war, boy?
O-Of course I am!
You want me to die?!
Without a Servant, I can't kill anyone, and I'm no longer a Master!
I-I'm just an ordinary human.
I'm just a victim in all this!
It's unfair to have people coming to kill us, when we can't do anything!
What? Do you have a problem with that?
Of course not.
You are the first to withdraw from this war,
and to use this church's services since it was founded.
I will offer you every hospitality.
What? You're saying I'm the only one who's been knocked out?
When my grandfather finds out about this, what will he say?
This is all you people's fault!
You stuck me with that crappy Servant, Rider!
Oh?
Then Rider was of no use to you?
Damn right!
After all I did for her, she went and died like a dog!
Any other Servant would have been way more useful!
Damn it, I did exactly as Grandfather said!
My preparations were perfect!
But those bastards all got in my way!
It was two against one! I didn't stand a chance with those odds!
Yeah, it wasn't my fault that I lost.
Their Servants were better than mine, that's all!
Always looking down on me with those smug expressions!
Dammit! Dammit! Dammit! Dammit! Dammit! Dammit! Dammit! Dammit! Goddammit!
Then you're saying that you still have the resolve to fight?
You are most fortunate.
There happens to be one available Servant.
And what do you think that doctor said to me?
"It's rare to see someone so healthy, Fujimura,
so perhaps you'd care to donate some blood? Ho ho ho!"
I'm a patient, too, damn it!
Unbelievable!
Refill!
Anyway, isn't it great news that most had nothing worse than anemia?
They didn't have to close the school, either.
True.
I'm glad that classes will be held as usual, but...
It's a little strange...
Strange how?
Even though it was such a huge mess,
they have no idea what really caused it.
Something about chemicals in an empty classroom on the first floor?
They spent all night scouring the building from top to bottom,
and that's all they have.
But the students in the hospital will be able to go home soon, right?
Yeah. It'll differ from person to person, but most will be able to go home today.
Ah, including Sakura.
Oh, really?
If you have time, you should stop by and see her.
I bet Sakura will be happy to see you.
T-Tohsaka?
There's definitely something suspicious about Issei.
Suspicious? How so?
Caster's Master.
Caster's made Ryuudou Temple her base, and Issei comes to school from there.
There must be a link.
Come on, it could be a coincidence.
What?! You're sticking up for Issei, Emiya?
No, it's not like that.
Come with me.
Just come on!
What for?
Look, I get it... I get what you're trying to say.
I get it, so don't give me that look.
I don't know how to handle you when you're sulking.
I'm not sulking!
Still, I can't imagine Issei working with Caster to do something so horrible.
Have you forgotten what Archer said yesterday?
His theory that Caster's controlling her Master?
In other words, isn't it possible that Issei can't remember that he's a Master?
That makes sense, I guess.
What? Do you have another theory?
No.
All right! I'll check him out, then.
Let me handle it!
I'll look into him.
Leave Issei to me.
I'll find out whether or not he's a Master.
Trust me!
I won't hold back just because Issei's a friend, and I wouldn't lie to you.
Fine.
Inform me the instant you know one way or the other. Got it?
Yeah, I promise.
So, how do you plan to assess him?
Um...
You're not gonna go up to him with your usual "Hey, Issei, are you a Master?" shtick right?
Don't worry! There are ways to find out if someone's a Master without asking.
Student Council Office
Emiya?
Issei...
Strip. Now. No questions.
S-Say what?!
Are you mad?
Is this some new form of interrogation?
Are you gonna question me?
That's right. And you'll answer!
Just do it.
Stop this, fool! And you call yourself the son of a warrior family?!
Shut up and strip!
Phew. What a relief.
What's a relief?
What's the meaning of this, making me do that for nothing?!
Oh, right...
Sorry, Issei.
If you think that what you did was wrong,
then I insist that you explain yourself!
Sorry, I can't give you the details,
but I had to find out something.
Now that I know, we're all good.
Say, Issei...
Have you noticed anything strange at the temple recently?
Strange?
Can you think of anything that isn't like it used to be?
Nothing in particular.
The mountain is the picture of tranquility!
Hey, Issei...
School has now ended.
Students are not permitted to remain on campus after school hours.
Please leave immediately.
She went home?
Yes, Tohsaka left a while ago.
What the hell? She said to report to her right away.
Tohsaka?
Hey, Tohsaka, what are you doing here—
T-T-Tohsaka, w-w-wai—
Quiet. If you cause a scene, he'll spot us.
Who'll spot us?
Move. Go in further.
Boobs... Tohsaka, your—
I said to keep quiet.
There. In front of Sakura's house.
See that weird guy standing there?
Blond hair...
A foreigner?
Yeah. He's been watching the Matou house for a while.
He's coming!
I wonder if he's the guy who was talking to Sakura earlier.
To Sakura?
Yeah, it seemed like he was asking Sakura for directions.
Wh-What are you doing here?!
I could ask you the same thing.
What's with the evil grin?
Nothing!
But that makes sense.
Instead of looking for other Masters, you're more concerned about your cute little helper.
I think I understand you a little better now, Emiya.
Quit being stupid.
When I came to report to you about Issei, you'd already left.
Anyway, Issei's in the clear.
What? You already checked him out, Emiya?
I did. Issei isn't a Master.
If you don't believe me, I don't really care.
No, I believe you.
You aren't the kind to lie, Emiya.
If you say Issei is innocent, he's innocent.
But how did you find out?
I made him take his clothes off. Obviously.
I took off his top and checked if he had any Command Seals.
So why are you here?
I was also worried about Sakura.
Well, we're just acquaintances.
According to Fuji, she'll be discharged today.
She might be at home.
I see.
You're leaving?
I want to ask you something.
What is it?
Um, hypothetically speaking...
How do you think someone would feel growing up
if she'd been given away for adoption to another family, without any say in the matter?
Emiya?
She wouldn't feel one way or the other.
If her new home is nice, she wouldn't complain,
and if it's not so nice, she would, right?
I see... I guess you're right.
Why am I even asking such an obvious question?
Let's brainstorm ways to find Caster at school tomorrow.
Sure, will do.
Ow...
It's been a while since you practiced kendo in the old dojo, Shirou.
Has it?
Even though he had a fine sparring partner like you, Taiga?
I suppose it has been...
After Dad died, I guess I stopped.
That's right.
When Kiritsugu died, Shirou suddenly stopped picking up his bamboo sword.
It made me so sad.
Don't bring up the past.
Hmph!
Oh, tales of Shirou's childhood?
Wanna hear 'em?
Yes, I am most intrigued.
All right! Prepare to be regaled by Mama Taiga!
He was adorable as a kid.
He was so trusting of everyone, and he'd instantly agree to any request.
But he had this strangely stubborn streak.
Once he set his mind to something, he wouldn't budge.
I guess he was the polar opposite of Kiritsugu in that regard.
Polar opposite?
Kiritsugu was the kind of guy who was accepting of everything.
He thought good and bad were subjective. A "what will be, will be" kind of guy.
However, if he saw someone in need, he'd try to help.
And Shirou would always try to mimic Kiritsugu.
Shirou saw things in black and white more than Kiritsugu did.
He'd go around and beat up the town bullies, saying "It's wrong to do bad things!"
Yep, even back then, Shirou was already a hero of justice.
Why do you want to be a hero of justice?
That's hard to answer...
Because I look up to them, I guess.
You look up to them?
To heroes of justice?
Yeah, I guess.
Why is that?
Why? Well...
Shirou?
Sorry, I'm going back to my room.
Why? What am I afraid of?
Why do you want to be a hero of justice?
My reason for being a hero of justice...
Yeah.
Since you can't, I'll become one for you.
I just wanted to follow in his footsteps.
There isn't any such thing in this world.
Let your ideals drag you to your death.
Screw you...
How can you know unless you try?
We didn't understand anything
My left hand groped for things that vanished to my touch
A moral conflict
stays your hand
and tricks you
out of your future
I don't know how to protect anyone,
and my love might well be fake,
but I want to live my life
The past repeats before my eyes
Here I will trust the me that now stands with you
Until my dream crumbles and withers,
we will open a path together
with prayers on our lips
We attack tonight.
He won't live to see the end of this.
They are nothing more than living sacrifices.
A weapon... I need a weapon that will let me fight.
Such an irritating boy...
I believe I shall kill you.
Next Time
The Fifth Contractor