Shinji Matou at Your Service

Seeing that Shinji started bathing in gold, Altera finally sighed in relief and asked anxiously, "Is it okay?"

"Of course. I'm quite strong, by human standards."

Shinji flexed his arm to show off his muscles, "Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to block your destructive beam."

Altera thought for a moment and then nodded, "Indeed, you are quite strong, probably about the same as the me in the dream."

That meant the level of Attila the Hun, the Scourge of God. In terms of combat prowess as a Servant, Shinji indeed reached that level.

"You asked me if you also like treasures, which means you like treasures yourself, right?"

"Yes, that's correct. Although it was the me in the dream, that is still a part of me. In the dream, I would fill my tent with treasures and sleep surrounded by them."

Even though Altera said this, from her expression, it was clear this concept had become a part of her entire being; that longing shone brightly.

And this longing was exactly what Shinji wanted to see.

"Yes, that's it, that expression. This is the best proof of home. A place decorated with things you love that makes you feel at ease, that's home."

"Home... well, I don't understand, and I don't have a concept of that." Altera's eyes looked a bit confused.

"It's okay if you don't understand. If you don't mind, I will slowly explain it to you."

This was also Shinji's goal, his second step after confirming Altera's essence.

Although she was born 14,000 years ago, like Arcueid, she spent most of her time in slumber. Her experience was limited to her descent 14,000 years ago and the life of Attila in the fifth century AD. The former was pure destruction, and the latter wasn't much better—Hunnic elders treated Attila no differently than a weapon, her task was continuous combat and destruction, leading the Huns to victory.

In a way, she was a blank slate, even more so than Arcueid. At least Arcueid could read information from the world's records and gain experience, whereas Altera's understanding remained in the fifth century AD. Otherwise, she wouldn't think bathing in gold was the most luxurious thing on Earth—there are much more extravagant things, like bathing in diamonds or using dollar bills as firewood. So, Altera was quite naive.

However, thanks to this naivety, the protagonist of Fate Extella, Hakuno Kishinami, could easily reach her heart, helping her gradually break free from the shackles of Velber, not seeing herself as a weapon or an embodiment of destruction, and even sacrificing herself to save Hakuno. Shinji also planned to use this point, to color this blank slate with his hues—not requiring her to sacrifice herself but to shed the identity of Velber's Vanguard and live quietly in a fictional world.

Of course, it would be even better if she was willing to help him fight other threats. When planning for the future, Shinji had fantasized more than once about if the Land of Steel scenario was unavoidable, Altera would use the power of Mooncell to regain her Sefar form and fight off the nine U-Os in the universe, giving humanity a final chance for survival—just a flight of fancy, Shinji didn't want such a future and wasn't sure he could live to see that day.

Unaware of Shinji's inner thoughts, Altera clenched her hands unconsciously, her expression anxious but her eyes filled with hope.

"Is it possible?"

"Why wouldn't it be?"

Shinji countered.

"I am the embodiment of destruction, the destroyer of civilizations. I will fulfill my mission, conquer Mooncell, and destroy everything on Earth when Velber returns."

"Let's not talk about whether Velber will return or when. If that day comes and you become the white giant Sefar again, I will see you as an enemy and use all means to defeat you. Even if I'm no longer here, there will be Arcueid or others to fight you—for that blue planet and the humans living on it."

From start to finish, Shinji's tone remained calm, whether Altera's expression was gentle, serious, or filled with killing intent, he didn't react. He was prepared for this from the moment he took over the blue crystal, shouldering this responsibility.

"Are you—also my enemy?"

Altera's low voice echoed in the stone chamber, the air growing heavy.

"I am the enemy of Sefar. If you don't become her, we are not enemies."

Regardless of what others thought or what Counter Force intended, this was Shinji's truest thought—Altera was Altera, Sefar was Sefar.

"Sefar is my avatar on Earth, we are the same."

The heavy air turned into tangible pressure, bearing down on Shinji. The stone chamber was Altera's domain, her lifeline, she could alter the environment at will, just like Arcueid's Marble Phantasm.

"It's not the same. An avatar is not the entirety."

Shinji gritted his teeth to endure but did not use magic.

"An avatar is just a weapon that only knows destruction. She doesn't speak, doesn't communicate with me like this, doesn't throw gold coins at me, and doesn't fear hurting me. Such an avatar is just one side of you. The person standing in front of me, who thinks and is willing to communicate, is the real you. If she were truly your entirety, why are you still here? Why haven't you gone to conquer Mooncell?"

"That's because of the Velber's order, making me stand by until its return."

Catching a moment of hesitation from Altera, Shinji smiled.

"Does standing by include communicating with me and throwing gold coins at me?"

"This..."

"In short, my enemy is Sefar. Right now, you are not Sefar, so we are not enemies—or have you already considered me your enemy?"

"No, I haven't."

The pressure dissipated, and Altera's voice returned to being gentle, "But if we are not enemies, then what are we? I don't understand."

"There are many kinds of relationships between people. If we are not enemies, we can be family, friends, acquaintances, or strangers. Right now, we are still strangers, but I hope we can become acquaintances or even friends."

"How should we do that?"

"That is a process that gradually evolves. Hmm, let's start with the first step: exchanging names. That way, we won't be strangers anymore. My name is Shinji Matou."

"My name is Altera."

"Hello, Altera. It's nice to meet you."

"Hello, Shinji Matou. It's nice to meet you."

After many twists and turns, a good start was finally made.

In the Type-Moon universe, Siegfried and Sieg are indeed separate entities, but Siegfried's wife is Kriemhild. After Siegfried's death, she married Attila, using her power to exact revenge and eventually perishing in her quest for vengeance.