Does a Doll Deserve to Live a Happy Life? (Patreon)

Chapter 20: Before the End

Making my way back to where I could still sense Berserker and Saber locked in combat, I stumbled a few times, dizziness tugging at me, but forced myself to keep moving.

After a few minutes of slogging through the dense forest, I finally broke free and landed on the stone steps leading up to the temple. The moment my boots hit stone, Kiara’s head whipped toward me. Her shield was still flaring strong, and her eyes widened.

“Sieg!” she exclaimed, her voice a mixture of relief and worry. Irisviel’s attention snapped to me as well, her lips parted, like she wanted to run toward me, but her body hesitated along with Kiara’s. They remembered my earlier command.

Holding my stump, I limped toward them, my gaze fixed on the clash ahead. Saber and Berserker’s blades were a blur of sparks.

“I’m alright, Kiara. Kiritsugu and Maiya have been taken care of. Just Saber remains.” My words made Kiara’s shoulders sag with relief, but I caught the way Irisviel grimaced, turning her head away as if she couldn’t bear to look at me. She stayed silent.

“Thanks for looking out for them, Rider,” I said over my shoulder to the towering figure and his young Master.

“Don’t mention it, kid,” Rider boomed with a hearty laugh, grin flashing in the moonlight. “Though you might want to hurry. That little girl’s stronger than Berserker, and though she’s resisting, there’s no telling what could happen.”

“I plan to.” I nodded firmly, then turned to Kiara. “Kiara, would you mind stopping the bleeding? I can hold off on a full heal, but I’m running on fumes here.”

“Of course!” she said immediately, eyes narrowing with determination. A glowing shield hovered over my stump. Warmth and power poured into me, and within moments, flesh and bone knit themselves back together. My hand flexed, fingers curling into a fist as if they’d never been gone.

I blinked, honestly impressed. “Good work, Kiara. I had no idea you’d mastered your power to this extent.”

She flushed slightly at the praise, but her lips pressed tight in worry. “Just… be careful, Sieg.”

I gave her a reassuring smile and vaulted forward, closing in on Saber and Berserker. The two were locked in a dead clash, steel grinding on steel, Saber’s body trembling as she fought both Lancelot and her own unwilling arms.

Slipping behind her, I didn’t give her a chance to react. I hooked my arms beneath hers and locked her in a firm submission hold.

“Wha—!” Saber let out a high-pitched squeak, face going scarlet. “R-Release me at once, you-you scoundrel!”

Berserker, having anticipated my move, slammed Excalibur from her hands with a swift strike. The holy sword clattered harmlessly across the stone.

“Saber! It’s me!” I shouted above her furious squirming.

Her body froze for half a heartbeat. “S-Sieg!?” Relief colored her tone until realization struck her. “If you’re here, then what happened to Kiritsugu and Maiya!?”

“They’re alive,” I grunted, tightening my grip as she wriggled, “but I’ve neutralized them. Now quit struggling so much, or are you still bound by those damn Command Spells?”

At the word “alive,” her resistance softened. “Thank you for sparing them…” Her voice dipped quieter, embarrassed. “…but my body still won’t obey me.”

I sighed adjusting my hold, feeling her squirm awkwardly in my grip, her armored frame pressed against me. “That’s unfortunate. How long until the orders wear off?”

“Ten minutes, give or take. I apologize but I would ask that you continue to restrain me.” Her words were low, almost a whisper, her ears tinged red. “As much as it pains me to say, I don’t have the strength to fight off my orders. I don’t want to harm anyone here.”

“Haah, very well. Afterwards, we’ll finish that chat from before.” Turning to Berserker, I muttered, “You don’t happen to have some rope, do you? My arms are starting to go numb.”

Saber went absolutely rigid. “R-Rope!?” she squeaked again, ears going bright red. She wriggled so hard in my grasp it felt like wrestling a furious, flustered cat in full plate armor.

Even through the steel, I could feel every move she made and her petite body wiggling against my own was making it difficult for me to concentrate.

“I’ll find some,” Lancelot replied calmly, utterly unfazed, though I caught the faintest twitch of amusement in his eyes.

“Sorry, Saber,” I muttered, my tone a shade lighter. “This is for your own good. Wouldn’t want you blasting Excalibur around willy-nilly again. I don’t have much blood left to spare.”

She winced at that reminder, lowering her gaze. “I-I apologize for that,” she murmured, voice small, before sneaking a glance at my right hand that still gripped her tightly. “But… how did you recover your arm?”

“I’ve got a companion who’s an excellent healer,” I said simply. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Kiara and Irisviel approaching now that the immediate danger had passed.

=====

Minutes Later

It didn’t take long before Lancelot returned, rope in hand, clearly having “acquired” it from somewhere. With an amused gleam in her eye, Irisviel took it upon herself to help, wrapping Saber up neat and snug like a prize package, much to the knight’s mortification.

By the end of it, Saber was bound tight, pink creeping across her cheeks, while Irisviel hummed happily as though she were gift-wrapping presents.

All that was left was waiting a few minutes until the commands burned out, during which Irisviel made cheerful small talk with a very stiff and embarrassed Saber.

Finally, when the invisible weight of the orders faded, I felt Saber’s body slacken against me. She shyly glanced up, her face still tinged with red, and muttered so softly I almost missed it.

“Umm… could you untie me now? The orders are gone. I swear I won’t attack anyone.”

I studied her for a long moment, just to be sure. That only deepened her blush until she looked away, ears practically glowing. Satisfied, I nodded and carefully loosened my hold.

“Irisviel?” I asked, turning toward the homunculus with a gesture at the rope.

“Gladly~,” Irisviel chimed, wiggling her fingers dramatically as she stepped closer.

Saber, however, panicked at the prospect of being fussed over any further. “N-No need, Irisviel!” she yelped, flexing with a sudden burst of strength and tearing the ropes apart in one swift motion. She scrambled upright, brushing at her clothes, refusing to look anyone in the eye.

Irisviel, undeterred, giggled behind her hand. “Fufufu, such a cute face you’re making.”

That earned her a full flush from Saber, who turned sharply away, mumbling, “M-Moving on. I think… we should resume our discussion now.”

“Fair enough.” I rolled my shoulders, stretching the stiffness from my arms. “Why don’t we walk toward where the Grail is set to appear while I explain everything I know?”

Saber, now clutching Excalibur once more, its brilliance cloaked again in her invisible wind, nodded firmly. “Very well.”

I turned toward Rider, who was happily guzzling down alcohol from a barrel as though this were just another festival night. “You’re coming too, Rider?”

He drained the last of the drink, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and barked a hearty laugh. “Of course! Let’s see this war to its end, boy.” Waver, dutifully at his side, gave a resigned little nod.

With agreements all around, we began the march toward Fuyuki City Hall, the looming place where the Greater Grail would eventually manifest.

And as we walked, I spoke. Of the Grail’s corruption. Of the shadow sealed inside it. Of what awaited the city should anyone dare to claim its power.

We arrived at our destination just as I finished my explanation, filing into the dim interior. Saber, Rider, and Waver walked in silence, each of them deep in thought.

“Well,” Rider finally said with a shrug, his booming voice breaking the tension, “you’ve got no reason to spin lies, so I’ll take you at your word. What are you planning to do with it, boy?” His eyes turned to me, drawing the room’s attention. Even Saber, though she refused to look at Lancelot across from her, couldn’t help but stiffen.

“I plan to get rid of it,” I answered, voice firm. “To make sure it can never be used again.”

Saber froze at that. Her eyes widened, an entire storm of emotion flashing across her face.

“Hah! Wisest course I’ve heard in a long while,” Rider said with a nod. Waver and Berserker echoed his agreement without hesitation.

“…Does it truly need to be destroyed?” Saber murmured at last, just loud enough to be heard.

Before anyone else could respond, Berserker stepped forward. His voice was steady, direct. “My King, may we speak privately?”

Saber flinched, torn between conflict and obligation. She opened her mouth, closed it again, her face tightening with frustration. She needed this talk and Lancelot was clearly seizing the chance to persuade her and hopefully talk some sense into her.

“This works out perfectly,” I said, stepping in. “Before we do anything else, I want my own Servant present as well.”

“While we heal her, why don’t you guys relax for a bit while Berserker and Saber have their chat.” I recommended.

Rider picked up on the moment instantly, grinning. “Sounds good! Let the knights hash it out while the rest of us relax. Come along, boy maybe there’s something to drink around here.”

“D-Don’t shove me like that!” Waver protested, but followed nonetheless.

“Kiara, Irisviel, with me,” I said, leaving Saber and Berserker alone in their heavy silence.

In an empty room, I turned to Kiara. “Can you heal Tamamo for me? Like I explained, Archer left her badly wounded, and your power is the only thing that can save her.” I quietly pleaded.

“Of course, Sieg-kun! Leave it to me.” Kiara’s confidence lifted a weight off my chest.

“Do you think Berserker will convince Saber?” Irisviel asked softly, her eyes wandering back toward where the knights had gone.

“He has the best chance,” I admitted. “As one of her knights, he can speak to her in a way none of us can. And perhaps get her to abandon that self-destructive wish of hers.”

I shook my head and focused. “Anyway. Kiara, ready?”

Her answer was immediate: she summoned her shield, radiant and steady.

With a nod, I drew on my Pocket Space. In a shimmer of light, Tamamo appeared before us, lying pale and bloodied.

Her breath hitched as the orange glow of Kiara’s barrier enveloped her. I was already kneeling at her side, clasping her hand tightly.

“Easy, Tamamo,” I whispered. Her head turned weakly toward me, eyes softening with relief as she recognized me. “You’ll be healed soon. Just hang on.”

“Hang in there, Casko-san! You’ll be back to one hundred percent health soon,” Kiara said with determination, sweat on her brow as she poured strength into the shield.

“Yes, please… rest easy,” Irisviel added, gentle and supportive.

Tamamo looked at them briefly, nodded faintly, and then turned her gaze back to me. Her lips curved into a bloody, fragile smile.

“S-Sieg-kun… ‘cough’… is it over?” she rasped, squeezing my hand with surprising strength.

For a moment, I couldn’t speak. My chest tightened, my vision blurred. She had never once doubted me.

‘This fox is seriously too much for my heart sometimes.’

“Yeah,” I managed softly, blinking away the sting in my eyes. “It’s over. All that’s left is the Grail… and I owe everything to you. Thank you, Tamamo.”

Her complexion was already improving, Kiara’s light knitting flesh and spirit together before my eyes.

Tamamo’s tails stirred faintly, hope flickering in her expression. “Fufufu… then that means… we can finally go on our first date, right?”

My heart hammered at her words. My first date. And yet, the answer came easily. I nodded, smiling despite myself. “Yes. As many as you want.”

A blush spread across her cheeks as she let out a soft, girlish giggle. “Nothing… would make this fox happier, Sieg-kun~”

Moments later, Tamamo was finally fully healed, and Kiara’s barrier dissolved with a quiet shimmer.

I didn’t know who moved first — maybe it was her, maybe it was me — but the next moment we were in each other’s arms, clinging desperately. I held her as if the world would vanish if I let go, burying myself in the relief that she was still here, still alive.

Uncaring of the looks from Kiara and Irisviel, I squeezed her tighter, a tear slipping free as I whispered into her ear, just for her alone.

“Please… never scare me like that again.”

Her arms tightened fiercely in answer, her face pressing into my neck, cute fox ears brushing my chin and tickling me as if to remind me she was real.

“…Your Tamamo promises,” she breathed, voice soft but steady. “After all, I too never want to be separated from you.”

Her scent, earth and wildness, threaded with a hint of sweet vanilla, filled me as I finally let my shoulders ease. “Then, as we promised before,” I murmured, “let’s stay together forever.”

“Yes~” she whispered back instantly, pulling back just enough to meet my gaze with a teary smile. “It’s a promise.”

I don’t know how long we stayed like that. Long enough that Kiara’s deliberately loud ahem finally broke the spell. Reluctantly, we separated and stood again, only for Tamamo to immediately claim my right arm, tails swishing happily behind her.

Kiara and Irisviel, who had respectfully stepped back to give us space, rejoined us. Irisviel’s expression hovered between amusement and gentle teasing, while Kiara’s was equal parts discomfort and jealousy.

“Ahem. Right,” I said, clearing my throat. “Let’s go.”

With Tamamo humming cheerfully at my side, Kiara slipping to my other flank, and Irisviel trailing just behind, we returned to the others.

Saber and Berserker were already waiting. Saber’s head was bowed, her expression clouded. When she noticed our arrival, her eyes flicked to Irisviel first, then to me and quickly away again.

I glanced at Berserker. He gave me a subtle nod.

‘Seems he got through to her somehow,’ I thought, relieved.

“Let’s finish this,” I said aloud, letting my voice carry.

Everyone nodded solemnly, even Saber, though she still looked weighed down by some inner turmoil.

Together we entered the chamber where the Grail would manifest, a cavernous theater-like hall, shadowed and waiting. As we descended the steps, I silently pulled up the Company Missions tab and scrolled until I found the mission I’d been looking for:

Sell the Holy Grail.

The terms were simple: kill or capture all Servants, then Stamp the Grail and sell it. The Grail would manifest I’m assuming through Company fuckery but I wasn’t concerned.

The reward: 850 Company Credits. Enough to secure just what we needed for what was coming in our immediate future.

“How do we manifest it if there are still four Servants alive?” Waver asked, peering around at the empty arena.

“Leave that to me.” I summoned the Stamp to my hand and turned to Rider and Saber, the last two unmarked.

“Before we begin… does anyone have something they want to say?” My eyes scanned the group.

Rider and Waver shook their heads immediately. Berserker was silent. That left Saber.

She hesitated, then finally spoke, her voice quiet but clear. “…I wish to confirm something first.”

I nodded, giving her space.

“While I understand the need to prevent anyone from using the Grail…” She drew a deep breath, her conflicted eyes finally locking on me. “Why do you wish to recruit me, when this War has already ended?”

The question rippled through the group. Berserker stilled, Rider blinked, and even Waver looked at me curiously.

I thought of what lay ahead, the threats waiting in the future, the battles I couldn’t win alone.

“It’s simple.” I met her gaze, unflinching. “I need your strength.”