I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit

After Jeanne left, only Artoria and Mordred remained.

Mordred stood beside Artoria, gazing into the distance. After a moment of silence, she seemed to make up her mind.

"Father… I've decided to fight for the Holy Grail."

Artoria turned her head, her emerald eyes meeting Mordred's determined expression—so much like her own.

"...You've made your decision?"

At Artoria's question, Mordred nodded.

When she was first summoned as a Servant, Mordred's wish for the Grail had been to return to the moment before Artoria drew the Sword of Selection, to take the sword herself, and ascend to the throne as king.

But the truth was, Mordred had never truly cared for the throne. What she had always craved most was her father's recognition.

Later, Mordred abandoned that dream without hesitation, leaving her without a reason to pursue the Grail.

Now, however, she seemed to have found a new purpose.

Artoria was silent for a moment before speaking softly. "I once heard that only Heroic Spirits who left regrets in life respond to the Grail's summons."

If her wish had changed, was she still the same "Mordred"?

It was like asking, How can I prove I am myself? Deep questions like these were nothing but self-consuming exercises.

"Father… aren't you curious about what my new wish is?"

Mordred's heart raced as she looked at Artoria's profile, a strange tension building inside her.

If Artoria were to ask… should she tell her? Should she reveal that wish?

"No, there's no need," Artoria said, her voice gentle, like a breeze stirring wind chimes.

"I've already told you—I'm not interested in the wishes you place upon the Grail."

"So… as long as you believe your wish is true, that it is just, and comes from your heart… then go and realize it."

Turning to face Mordred fully, Artoria's golden hair danced in the wind. Her crystalline eyes, as clear as jade, reflected Mordred's face with unwavering clarity.

"This time, I will trust in the decision you've made."

"My loyal knight, fight—not for me, but for yourself and for the Master you now serve. Go and claim victory."

---

The faint scent of smoke hung in the air.

Kairi Shishigou exhaled deeply, savoring his cigarette. In moments like these, he felt convinced that he had survived all this chaos just for the chance to enjoy another smoke.

Noticing someone approaching, he turned his head to see Mordred walking toward him alone.

"Well, done talking?" Kairi asked casually.

Mordred ignored him, her stride purposeful. Kairi, unbothered, continued enjoying his cigarette.

"Hey!" Mordred suddenly called out.

"I've decided to take the Grail for myself and use it to fulfill my wish. Are you coming with me or not?"

"…That doesn't sound like you, Saber."

Kairi took a long drag, exhaled a smoke ring, and said in a low voice, "Since when do you bother asking pointless questions like that?"

"Shut up!" Mordred snapped, her voice tinged with frustration. "Listen here—I'm going to take the Grail no matter what. I've got a wish I absolutely have to make come true—even if it kills me. So let me be clear: don't you dare hold me back!"

"Oh-ho, full of fire today, aren't we?" Kairi smirked, his lips curving into a small grin.

Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting speckled shadows on the ground where the two stood back-to-back against the same tree—Mordred with her hands stuffed in her pockets, and Kairi silently smoking.

"Hey, Master."

"What is it, Saber?"

Mordred pulled her right hand from her pocket, ruffling her hair as if trying to shake off some discomfort.

"I mean, uh… what's your wish?"

"…Huh?"

"Huh, what? I'm asking about your wish, obviously!" Mordred's tone was impatient. "You have one, don't you? Some wish you're hoping the Grail will grant? Otherwise, why the hell would you even be in the Holy Grail War? This isn't some game—people actually die in this thing! You wouldn't be here without a reason, right? No way anyone's dumb enough to join just to get killed!"

Her words left Kairi momentarily stunned.

Without looking back at him, Mordred continued, her voice rising in volume.

"Look, I'm your Servant, okay? We're heading into the final battle together. So… so… I just thought I should know what your wish is. I know, I know—I probably should've asked way earlier. But whatever! Just tell me already!"

Her demanding tone made it sound as if she'd start throwing punches if he refused.

Kairi took another deep drag, the burning cigarette reduced to ash as it fell away, leaving only a short stub between his fingers.

He let the silence hang for a while before speaking again.

"…I don't have a wish for the Grail."

The forest was alive with the gentle rustling of leaves, birdsong drifting through the air. The interplay of light and shadow flickered across Kairi's gaze, making his expression difficult to read.

"The so-called 'universal wishing machine'… sure, it's tempting. It's got a hell of a reputation."

"But I don't have anything I want to entrust to it. Honestly, I came here with a purpose, but by the time I joined the Grail War, I'd pretty much achieved what I set out to do."

Mordred froze.

"Wait, wait, wait! What the hell does that mean?!"

Peeking out from behind the tree, Mordred glared at him. "Are you telling me victory doesn't mean anything to you?"

No wish for the Grail meant no reason to fight for it.

What if Kairi decided to back out of the war altogether?

"You're wrong," Kairi said with a chuckle, turning to face her.

"I summoned you, didn't I? That makes me your Master. Helping you win the Grail and fulfill your wish—that's reason enough for me to keep fighting."

"Don't worry. I'm not the type to ditch someone halfway through. I signed up for this, so I'll see it to the end."

He carelessly flicked his spent cigarette to the ground and ground it out underfoot. The war-torn land had already endured firestorms and lightning; one more cigarette wouldn't make a difference.

"Oh, by the way," Kairi added with a sly grin. "What's your wish, Mordred?"