Epilogue
The participants of the Luoyang Holy Grail War adapt to its aftermath. Losses, gains, and motivations change as the living reintegrate themselves into society.
Caitlin Weiss
Caitlin retreated to her family home in Birmingham. The losses to the Weiss family were fatal, and Caitlin was met with a choice: resign and live whatever remainder of a happy life she might have, or begin preparations for the next Holy Grail War.
She wanted to try. She thought she might have to try. There was no one else to plan with. No more sister to bond with over their pain. She had been so quick, in the most critical moment, to abandon the Luoyang war. How could she possibly prepare for and fight in the next war on her own? She had no powerful relics, no family army, and no further chances.
Viktor's philosophy had plagued her. Should she fight to resurrect her family, and would that go against everything they had fought for? Perhaps, she thought, if they had ever won anything. What was her father even fighting for, all those years ago? The same goal as Viktor Conrad had achieved?.
That's not the same. They had fought and lost. There was no glory in it, no victory, no accomplishments. It would not dishonor the family if they could be happy again or fishing on the same lake in Lancashire again. There was another war to prepare for, and Caitlin knew she had to try. It was her duty to try again.
Orso Belvedere
Orso would retire from his position in the Association due to the heavy injuries he had sustained during the war. He was not immobile, but he moved much slower in daily proceedings. It was clear that he wanted to give up anything he could to support Caitlin in her future endeavors. Even with his ailments, he stayed by her side. With the war over, the two could finally mourn Erica's death in peace. They celebrated her accomplishments and what she completed alongside them.
The Association had granted Orso a professorship position in Clock Tower. The job was fulfilling, but his mind was always on Caitlin. She had told him her plans for the next war, but he brought her pause. His suggestion was to retire with what they had left, to be as happy as can be while offering respect to those who have already fallen. But Caitlin's will was solid. She would not waver again. All the same, she asked him to assist her. She knew that she needed all of the help in her corner that she could gain, and if Orso still truly loved her, he would do this with her.
On one condition, he would ask, as he thought about retirement in a country where the two shared their most fond memories.
Qing Shan
Qing never affiliated with the Association on any further matters. Instead, she continued to work throughout China to teach young mages how to defend and work for themselves should the opportunity arise to earn their keep. She donated her time and the rest of her life to communities around China to ensure the next generation grew up strong, secure, and happy.
She had no intention of participating in the next war. She would go on searches in attempts to find relics to summon or speak to Wukong in other ways, but to no avail. If she could not fight with the strongest Servant known to China, then she did not want to participate at all. She knew, however, that she had a promise to keep. She owed Wukong a sparring match one way or another, and she would continue to search for him so she could stay true, as he knew she would be.
Viktor Conrad
After the war, Viktor passed on the mantle of the family to Kristof. It was clear that after winning the Holy Grail War twice, he had nothing left to prove to the world. Having said that, he never felt like he won either of them. The first war, his Saber had won for him. The second war, every other participant contributed more to the victory than him. All the same, power had comfortably been nestled into the Conrad estate. Generations secured for the future of the family as the Conrads flooded the magical world with insight, discoveries, and adaptations that would contribute to the Association for decades.
He kept his job as a professor at Clock Tower and continued to train young mages in their endeavors. New students arrived every semester to learn from his wisdom as a two-time heroic winner of the most coveted prize in the magical world. If he wasn't already an icon, then he was considered a legend now. How silly, he would think, when he didn't deserve the accolades at all. The only thing he was confident in was his final wish. The rest of the world assumed he had used it for more family prosperity. At least that's what he told everyone. As he felt it was not his to take, he made sure to use it to make him as content as possible.
Mai Ayumi
Mai finally became a student at Clock Tower per Viktor's pressure against the Association. They had denied her previous applications but they could not resist Viktor's enthusiastic approval. Mai could finally learn, show, and prove to the community just how far she had come from learning what her father had left behind in their basement's tomes.
Every day she attended one of Viktor's lectures. She learned from the most prominent mages on the planet, but no professor satisfied her itch for wisdom like Viktor Conrad did. If anything, she quickly became his favorite student while she remained indebted to Viktor. She could achieve her dreams now because of him, but that was only a part of it. The lessons she learned and knowledge she gained since the Luoyang Holy Grail War were immeasurable compared to a life secluded in her parents' basement. Now, thanks to him in more ways than one, she could prove how valuable she could be.
And without fail, every day she would approach Viktor with an outreached hand and thank him for everything he does, and he would respond the same way every time.
Always.