Shinji Matou At Your Service

Chapter 128: Justeaze’s Answer

Justeaze wanted to understand the human heart. She desired to comprehend human emotions. That's why she chose to infiltrate the only person, Irisviel, who possessed a synthetic body, to gain insight into the human heart. She observed everything about her in secret, hoping to understand what she lacked.

Silently, Justeaze watched Irisviel - in the castle, in the mansion, in battles, in everyday life. She witnessed her wholehearted love for Kiritsugu, observed the seamless coordination and trust between her and Saber, and saw the friendship that emerged between her and Maiya, all revolving around the same man.

This incredible woman changed everyone around her. Irisviel warmed Kiritsugu's cold heart, adding a touch of brightness to Saber's life and making her world more than just about war. She touched Maiya with her purity and sincerity, making Maiya see her as a comrade, not just someone ordered to be protected by Kiritsugu.

And unknowingly, Irisviel also changed Justeaze, who observed her from the shadows. Through Irisviel's every action, she shows Justeaze that an artificial being can be just like a human - crying, laughing, feeling sadness and happiness, and being willing to sacrifice everything for someone.

It wasn't about the pre-programmed beliefs or missions imprinted on her soul before her birth. It wasn't about pretending to be human. It wasn't a malfunction in her functionality, as Justeaze had initially thought. It was something deeper, unrelated to functionality, self-discipline, or rationality.

Emotions, impulses, determination, desires... These words are created by humans to describe themselves. Justeaze knew of them but didn't understand them, and didn't fully acknowledge them. Irisviel presented them to Justeaze in their raw and unfiltered form.

So, this is what it means to be human. So, what I lacked was simply accepting the reality of "becoming human."

Acknowledging this, I have already become a human and can live proudly as a human, just like Irisviel.

Justeaze suddenly felt like laughing, realizing that the answer was so simple. Shinji and Scáthach had already given her the answer, and yet she had taken so long to understand.

After understanding, Justeaze decided to repay Irisviel. She made this decision without consulting anyone or being influenced by external factors. It was a purely personal decision.

"Shinji, I want to repay Irisviel."

This was the first sentence of their communication. Shinji was slightly surprised but quickly understood. It was the first time that Justeaze had requested on her initiative, unrelated to their plans.

"You have found the answer?"

Feeling Shinji's genuine surprise and joy in his words, a faint smile appeared on Justeaze's lips.

"Yes, actually I had already found the answer, but I was unwilling to admit it and ended up wasting so much time... I'm sorry."

"No need to apologize. Finding the answer is what matters. I have to thank Miss Irisviel."

At this moment, both Shinji and Justeaze were filled with gratitude towards Irisviel.

"How do you plan to repay her?"

"I... want to let her live on, as a human."

"Live on?" Shinji was confused. "But isn't she the Lesser Grail? Sooner or later, she will... Are you planning to end the Holy Grail War?"

"No, the Lesser Grail is just Irisviel's body, not her soul. I want to save 'Irisviel,' not the Lesser Grail."

Perhaps others would find it difficult to understand Justeaze's words, but Shinji could because he was the most vivid example.

"You want to transform Irisviel into a being similar to you?"

"Yes, but I can't do it right now because it requires a vast amount of magical power. The transformation I went through borrowed the magical power stored in the Holy Grail, and after forming a contract with you, I lost that power."

Whether it was a Servant created from Heroic Spirits or Justeaze, they were both containers created by the Holy Grail system. The Masters were only responsible for providing the magical power required for the operation and maintenance of the containers. It was like a car—the Holy Grail was the manufacturer, the Masters were responsible for refueling and maintenance, and the Servants were simply responsible for driving. The level of skill and consumption were not on the same scale.

"Where do you plan to obtain this enormous magical power?" Shinji asked directly.

"From the Holy Grail system."

"But isn't the Holy Grail contaminated? The colorless magic has been tainted with Angra Mainyu."

"The Holy Grail has been contaminated, but the source of the Holy Grail's magical power hasn't."

"The ley lines?" Shinji began to understand.

"That's right. Assuming the entire Holy Grail system is the Fuyuki River, the Holy Grail occupied by Angra Mainyu is only a middle section. The magical power extracted from the ley lines and flowing to Angra Mainyu has been contaminated, becoming the tainted magical power that flows to the outside. But the water at the source is clean."

"I understand. What you want to do is like what a water utility company does. You want to directly take water from the upstream water source and deliver it to those in need through pipelines."

"Yes, indeed. At the beginning of the Holy Grail War, the entire Fuyuki City's ley lines were in an activated state, especially at several key nodes. During this time, there is no need for extensive magical engineering to extract sufficient magical energy from them. Shinji, where is the highest quality ley line node in Fuyuki City?"

"Ryuudou Temple! It's also the most suitable place for the Holy Grail to manifest! Sensei and I are here right now."

This time, it was Justeaze's turn to be surprised.

"How did you end up there?"

"We are preparing for the manifestation of the Holy Grail. Something unexpected happened earlier, and I decided to go all out and cause a commotion."

Shinji chuckled, his expression carrying an inexplicable ferocity.

"Even if you didn't contact me, I would have contacted you later—for the sake of taking control of the 'Lesser Grail.' Lady Justeaze, let me confirm once again, do you still want the Holy Grail?"

"Of course, I do." Justeaze's answer showed no hesitation. "But... I don't want Irisviel to be harmed."

"I understand. I'll do my best to keep Kiritsugu Emiya and Maiya Hisau alive, but I can't guarantee one hundred percent. Anything can happen in a battle." This was Shinji's bottom line.

"Understood. Your safety comes first, and the Holy Grail comes second." This was Justeaze's bottom line.

"Thank you, Lady Justeaze. Thank you for putting me first."

"No need to thank me. You are my family."

Just as the atmosphere was right, a cough suddenly interrupted.

"..."

"..."

"Sensei..."

"I'm just reminding you not to forget about the main task," Scáthach innocently remarked.

And thus, the scene from before unfolded once again.

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