Grub prompt after crash: I don't have grub installed, but systemd boot!

A solution needs a problem. :wink:
The problem here is the two ESP partitions on the disk, combined by a possible/probable UEFI variables reset, because of the hard shutdown.

Yes, but grub existed on some partition of some drive, as explained for OP.

Even if there is no efi file named after grub, it is common practice to copy the bootloader to the drive default efi path. Like systemd/bootctl does:

One of the two ESP partitions’ default efi path file, was a copy of some grub efi file.

I am sure that if you knew that, it would have been easier for you to decide the proper solution.
So, the solution is to know your system :wink: (because you are your system’s administrator :rofl: ).

I wonder if you had tried UEFI Quick Boot menu and select other entries (like another drive).

Grub is just a :bug:, not a :ghost: .
:smile:

Bonus tip: When troubleshooting UEFI boot issues, this command would help

bootctl status --no-pager

I forgot:

Possibly a coincidence, or an undocumented bootctl feature. Man says:

–graceful
Ignore failure when the EFI System Partition cannot be found, when EFI variables cannot be written, or a different or newer boot loader is already installed. Currently only applies to is-installed, update, and random-seed verbs.