Fate/Magus Path

172 Resolve of Humanity!

"Is this really the right thing to do? Using your death to ignite the flames of rebellion in these humans... I find it hard to evaluate such a plan."

"Even though I've already agreed to become your ally and have formed a contract with you, still..."

"No, this is good, Quetzalcoatl. If we simply protect them without reason, the people of Ur will never understand the true cost and purpose of that protection."

"What I seek is not blind protection or indulgence. I want to see them pick up their weapons once more and continue to fight against their fate."

In response to Quetzalcoatl's confusion, Roy gently shook his head and spoke with unwavering seriousness. "They must understand that miracles only appear when humanity fights with everything they have."

"Miracles only appear when humanity fights with everything they have?"

Quetzalcoatl's eyes gleamed with admiration as she repeated Roy's words, savoring their meaning. Indeed, she loved humanity... but not the entirety of the species. What she truly admired were the warriors among them, those who possessed noble qualities and a golden spirit. It was these individuals who had drawn her in, compelling her to protect them and watch them grow.

And now, this young man before her shared the same ideals. Was their meeting truly a coincidence, or was it destiny?

A smile crept onto Quetzalcoatl's lips as she turned to Roy. "Then what should I do to rekindle the fighting spirit in these humans who have nearly given up?"

"Awakening the hearts of humans is both difficult and simple."

"Difficult? Simple?"

Quetzalcoatl tilted her head, puzzled by Roy's seemingly contradictory statement.

"Yes," Roy nodded, explaining his thoughts. "It's simple because applying enough pressure can provoke rebellion... what you might call hitting rock bottom and bouncing back. But it's difficult because truly igniting the flames of resistance in their hearts is no easy task."

"Humans are highly impressionable creatures. They can descend to the depths of depravity, yet they are also capable of rising to the heights of nobility."

"So, what should we do to witness this transformation?" Quetzalcoatl pressed.

"It's quite simple, actually. All we need is a trial... or death."

"...Death and trials?"

Though Quetzalcoatl agreed with Roy's reasoning, his mention of death and trials still left her with questions. Most of the humans in Ur had been brought here from other cities. When facing soldiers from different regions, she would judge their resolve and decide whether to grant them true death or spare them.

According to her unique trial criteria, if someone challenged her with a determination to die, she would fight them seriously. But if they lacked the resolve to face her, she would spare their life. In the moment she struck them down, she would grant them an equal chance at revival.

Yet, even after all this, she had yet to find a satisfactory answer. Could death and trials truly provide the solution she sought?

"No," Roy replied firmly, addressing her doubts. "The death required for this trial isn't someone else's... it's mine."

"You would use your own life to awaken them?" Quetzalcoatl's eyes widened in shock.

Sacrificing oneself to inspire humanity... such resolve was almost too much to comprehend.

"Of course, I'm not actually going to die," Roy quickly clarified, seeing the look of awe on Quetzalcoatl's face. "I just need to make them believe I died fighting for their cause."