I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit

A church stood deep within the mountains.

The silver moon hung high, its light streaming through the tall windows, serving as the sole source of illumination in the otherwise dark sanctuary.

This place, which should have felt sacred, instead exuded an eerie atmosphere.

A white-haired priest stood motionless on the platform, as still as a statue. He seemed to be either gazing at the altar before him or waiting for someone.

When a figure gradually appeared at the back of the church, the priest smiled serenely.

"You've come."

Turning to face the newcomer, the priest greeted Karna, who had just concluded his battle with Artoria.

"The mission failed. I am not a match for the Ruler."

Victory was victory, and defeat was defeat. Though he hadn't gone all out, Karna had no intention of denying his loss.

"Is that so? You've worked hard." The priest descended slowly from the pulpit, a wry smile on his face. "It's not your fault. If anything, we've been a burden to you. Still, the Ruler in this Grail War is far beyond standard specifications—far beyond my expectations as well."

"Take your leave and rest for now. The Ruler is, after all, an outsider. Our true enemies remain the Black Faction. The coming battles will require your strength, so conserve it well."

Karna said nothing, staring at the priest's face for a long moment before nodding silently. He vanished into spirit form.

With Karna gone, the priest's gentle smile lingered, as though it were the only expression he knew.

"He seems to have realized something, Master."

From the shadows behind the priest, Assassin materialized. She leaned languidly against the back of a wooden chair, stretching her arms and exhaling softly, her fragrant breath brushing the nape of the priest's neck.

"That's to be expected," the priest replied calmly. "After all, we haven't allowed him to meet his true Master yet. He likely already knows but has chosen to remain silent."

"Shall I take care of him, then? Poison him myself?"

With a seductive smile, Assassin made a throat-slitting motion.

"That won't do. He's one of our key assets in the fight against the Black Faction. Besides…" The priest's smile deepened slightly. "You might not even be his match."

"Oh? Are you underestimating me, Master?" Her voice turned icy, her gaze sharp. "Fine. I'll test my latest poison on you. You'll feel your bones dissolve little by little until you're nothing but a pile of mush."

"I wouldn't mind drinking your poison," the priest replied lightly. "But not now. At least wait until my wish is fulfilled."

"Tch. What's the point of hearing you scream in despair if it's after you've achieved your dreams?" Assassin clicked her tongue in annoyance. "You're such a boring man."

With that parting jab, Assassin disappeared again, leaving the church eerily silent.

The priest, however, simply smiled faintly, unbothered by her criticism.

---

After leaving the church, Karna encountered another figure.

"Well, well. I heard you took a beating. Want me to comfort you, since we're comrades and all?"

It was the Red Faction's Rider, a green-haired man leaning casually against a tree. The lingering adrenaline from battle was evident in his demeanor.

"Honestly, I'm surprised. There's someone in this war who could give you trouble? Damn it… now I'm pumped!"

"That was my opponent."

Karna spoke, which was rare for him, given his usual reserved nature.

"Hah! Don't worry, I wouldn't stoop to stealing someone else's opponent. I hate people like that. If I met one, I'd skewer them with my spear, no matter who they were."

"I ran into someone interesting today too. They didn't have the power to hurt me, but their fighting spirit was as pure as a silver blade. A flawless warrior."

With a casual wave, Rider smiled and began to walk away.

"Well, I'll leave you to it. I just wanted to see if you were feeling down, but it seems you're fine. I've got to check on big sis anyway."

Without waiting for a response, Rider departed as abruptly as he had arrived.

Karna didn't dwell on it. To him, he was merely a Servant—a tool wielded by his Master. Tools did not think; they simply obeyed.

---

After her battle with Karna, Artoria followed Caules and his group to the Black Faction's stronghold.

After all, she had already agreed to accompany them.

She remembered hearing that the other Ruler had declined the Black Faction's invitation, citing the need to avoid favoritism and maintain impartiality.

Artoria, however, didn't see her decision as unfair. She had already decided that after visiting the Black Faction's base, she would visit the Red Faction's as well.

"There it is—our castle," Caules said, pointing ahead.

Artoria didn't need the reminder; she had already seen it.

Along the way, she had also noticed layers of magical barriers and numerous figures moving within the surrounding area.

These figures, male and female alike, all shared white hair and emotionless red eyes.

Artoria recalled that the Einzbern family, one of the three founding families of the Holy Grail War, specialized in creating homunculi.

After the Yggdmillennia family stole the Grail in the previous war, the Einzberns had fallen into decline, and some of their homunculus technology had been seized by the Yggdmillennia.

These identical figures must be homunculi created by the Yggdmillennia family—disposable pawns used as guards and integrated into the castle's defenses alongside the magical barriers.

Artoria only glanced at them briefly before losing interest.

Crude imitations without souls. They weren't even living beings—merely machines in human form.

What held her gaze, albeit for only a moment, was how these homunculi reminded her of Illya.

When the group arrived at the castle gates, someone was already waiting for them.

Seeing who it was, Caules exclaimed in surprise and delight.

"Archer! Were you waiting here for us?"

"Since Ruler accepted our invitation, it's only right that we show proper hospitality. I volunteered to greet you personally."

The Black Faction's Archer, a brown-haired man with a kind smile, stood before them. His demeanor exuded warmth, putting those around him at ease.

---

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