Fate: I Will Eventually Become the Hero of Justice

Saber frowned at Shirou. "Even if we have this information, we still don't fully understand the Red Faction's situation. Our enemy remains an unknown to us."

"No," he shook his head. "We know enough."

She looked surprised. "What do you mean?"

In response, he revealed the Caliburn he had crossed with Mordred earlier. Strange intersecting lines now marked the blade, forming a map of the terrain.

"This is..." Saber stared at the blade in shock.

"It seems that Servant wanted to show us her territory," Vlad mused, rubbing his chin.

Shirou nodded. "Exactly."

Astolfo furrowed his brow. "Why show us like this? Why not just tell us openly?"

Hearing this, Shirou smiled knowingly. "Clearly she faces restrictions revealing information. This was her roundabout way to inform us."

"I see..." Astolfo nodded, deep in thought.

Shirou's gaze landed on an area marked with red lines. That place...it must be where she truly wanted to cross swords with him.

His smile disappeared, replaced by a heavy sigh.

After settling his mind, he turned to Vlad.

"Lancer, I know you imprisoned Spartacus. Given our situation, can you release him? With his strength, he would prove a powerful ally."

"Do you believe that mad warrior will listen to us?"

"Of course!" Shirou nodded firmly.

Vlad harrumphed and walked off without another word.

Shirou smiled to himself. No refusal meant tacit permission.

With Vlad's approval, Shirou released Spartacus from the underground prison.

As the rational Spartacus, when Shirou first released him, he didn't leave the underground prison, but instead asked him what had happened.

Shirou explained the Beast threat, astonishing the Red Berserker.

"I can't believe such a thing would happen," Spartacus sighed heavily.

It was evident that he was also somewhat bothered by the true anomaly of this Holy Grail War.

Shirou led Spartacus out of the underground prison and headed towards the surface. Along the way, he and Spartacus bumped into Vlad, who was walking slowly along the corridor.

Vlad looked up at Spartacus and said, "Now that you're out, don't cause any trouble, Red Berserker."

Spartacus laughed, "Oppressor, there is a more brutal disaster at hand, I won't make trouble for you."

"Oh?" Vlad looked at Spartacus in slight surprise. "The rationality in your speech makes me doubt you are truly a maddened Berserker."

"This is thanks to Assassin who gave me the rationality to suppress my madness. If not for my his help, I would still be acting on instinct."

Vlad looked at Shirou in shock. "You can remove a Berserker's Mad Enhancement?"

Disbelief clouded his face. Mad Enhancement - this was the class skill, the core of Berserker class. Of course some heroic spirits could resist the madness through willpower alone, but since when could another Servant remove Mad Enhancement?

Hearing this, Shirou shook his head, "I only provided a little assistance, the most important thing is that Spartacus' willpower is strong enough to suppress his madness."

"You praise me too highly, Assassin," Spartacus said.

Vlad frowned, turning to Shirou. "Assassin, I have a question for you."

"What is it?" he asked, puzzled by the sudden serious tone.

Vlad didn't ask right away. Instead, he glanced over at Spartacus. Although hostility lingered between them, Spartacus now showed restraint in his rational state. Sensing Vlad's desire for privacy, the rebel hero decisively took his leave.

Seeing this, Vlad turned to Shirou. "I am the king, he is the rebel. Though born as enemies, I must admit admiration for his deeds."

"Anyone who enters the Throne of Heroes must be a brilliant hero who shines in the glorious history of humanity. Even if they are an enemy, one can still develop admiration for them."

Vlad nodded thoughtfully at his words, "You have a point."

"But going back to the main topic, what did you want to ask me?"

"Do you still remember what you once said to me?"

"What did I say?"

"You said that our era has already passed."

"Oh, that line?" Shirou smiled and nodded, "Of course I remember."

Vlad's expression turned solemn. "Has our era truly ended?"

Shirou gave a knowing smile. He understood why Vlad had stopped him—it was for this question.

He walked to the window, gesturing at the fading sunset. "Have you ever seen a fallen sunset rise again, Lancer?"

Vlad frowned. "I see the chaos plaguing modern Wallachia. Romania, as it's called now. It's chaotic and still in dire need of a king!"

Shirou turned with a gentle smile. "Kings... Actually, when the sunset falls, the world will return to darkness, but after a long night, the first rays of the morning sun will rise. We are the fallen sunset, and your people are the rising dawn."

Hearing this, Vlad stared at him in a daze. He saw Shirou smiling gently, the flame in his eyes lacking his obsession, instead having a carefree look that he didn't understand.

Vlad frowned, "Do you know my lifelong wish?"

"To clear your name?" Shirou guessed. "Since you were wrongly portrayed as Dracula?"

"Yes..." Vlad began.

Before he could finish, Shirou shook his head. "I don't think so."

"What?" Vlad's frown deepened.

"Search your heart," he said gently. "What you truly want to clear - is it your reputation, or do you want the world to understand why you became Dracula?"

Vlad's expression softened. "You understand me too well. I resent that my achievements were rendered meaningless, only for me to be crowned a monster in the end."

Shirou met Vlad's gaze, then laughed lightly. "It seems I overstepped. My apologies."

Vlad breathed a quiet sigh of relief, then paused. Why had he felt relieved?

His eyes narrowed at him. "Assassin, we hardly know one another. But your legend is present in the Throne of Heroes. I remember you were slandered by the world as well, right?"

Shirou nodded, a troubled look crossing his face. "Yes, some did slander me as a brutal, extravagant, hedonistic tyrant who practiced droit du seigneur in my territory."

"Shouldn't you feel the same then?" Vlad asked. "Wouldn't your wish upon being summoned by the Holy Grail be similar to mine?"

"You're mistaken," he shook his head with a laugh. "I actually don't mind at all."

Vlad studied him closely. "Why not?"

Shirou chuckled lightly. "How others see me is their business. Why should I care? Through the ages, so many things come and go like flowing rivers - slanders, abuses, and praises. I need only do right by myself. As for the rest, let tongues wag as they will."

With an aloof air, he turned and walked away.

Vlad watched his carefree back, a wry smile finally touching his calm face. "You are quite carefree..." he murmured. "I cannot compare..."

Examining himself, Vlad knew he couldn't match Shirou's nonchalance. That was why he had come to this Holy Grail War.

Though both were kings, in mentality and breadth of vision...

Vlad sensed the gap between them.

He turned to the window, gazing at the cloudless sky. "We'll be the fallen sunset, and the people, the rising dawn..." he murmured.

...

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