Night fell over Einzbern Castle...
"So, Berserker's Master is that naive—agreeing to an alliance so easily." After listening to Irisviel's report, Kiritsugu Emiya gave his assessment. "It doesn't match the kind of monstrous combat strength we're dealing with... No, maybe he's just naturally cautious, trying to resolve things as safely as possible."
Irisviel looked at her husband's cold expression—the face of the infamous "Magus Killer"—and shook her head.
"No, Kiritsugu. I don't think that's it. Maybe the reason Berserker's Master agreed to help set up an ambush for Caster is even simpler." She frowned, analyzing the situation intently.
"Oh? You've met him in person. You should know more than I do," Kiritsugu said with a smile—the kind reserved only for his wife and daughter.
"Because he's a father too," Irisviel said. "His two children are about the same age as Illya…"
She couldn't deny the empathy stirring inside her. It was a raw, sincere emotion that she couldn't suppress.
"...Then it's probably just as you said," Kiritsugu replied. He had no desire to argue—nor any reason to.
He still held on to his humanity. How could he doubt Shiomi, someone moved by the same emotions?
"Did he mention how we're supposed to meet up?" Kiritsugu asked. "Driving from Miyama Town to this forest still takes a while."
Irisviel placed a piece of obsidian on the table. "This is the token Mr. Shiomi gave me. He said it's infused with his synchronized mana. Once it's shattered, he'll know our location. Then—"
"He'll appear here," Kiritsugu said, his voice cooling.
That strange form of teleportation—was it a Grand Magecraft performed by Berserker, or Shiomi's own doing?
If it was the former, it was manageable. But if it was the latter, then Shiomi couldn't be judged by the logic of an ordinary Magus.
"Kiritsugu…" Irisviel reached out and held his hand.
She understood the unease in his heart.
Having met Tenkei Shiomi once, she was even more certain—their chances of winning the Holy Grail War were slipping.
Unlike her husband, who was burdened with strict and lofty ideals, Shiomi had none of those unreachable ambitions. He was the kind of person who used his own hands to grasp every bit of happiness around him.
Winning the Holy Grail War didn't matter. Staying alive, returning to his children—that's what truly mattered.
You could tell just by looking at him. Irisviel knew.
People who aren't obsessed with winning are the hardest to defeat.
"I won't let you fight alone," she said softly. "I'll protect you. Saber will protect you. And there's also... Miss Maiya."
She couldn't deny who Kiritsugu needed most right now.
Only one person could bring back the strength in his heart—the cold, unyielding strength that could shut out all pain and fear. That was something Irisviel could never give him.
If there was one thing she could do, it was simply hold him and offer comfort. But even so—Irisviel still found herself praying earnestly.
Even if she couldn't be of help, she wished the heavens would grant her just a little more time. Let her stay by Kiritsugu's side like this—if only for one more second.
And just as she made that desperate wish, it scattered like an illusion.
A sudden jolt in her chest made her entire body tense. The forest barrier spell she had only recently learned pulsed violently through her Magic Circuits.
It was an alarm.
"They're here already?" Kiritsugu's murmur was unexpectedly calm. Just from the change in Iri's expression, he had already grasped the situation and shifted into combat mode.
"Should I send the signal?"
"Yeah. Maiya and I will fall back—this fight is yours and Saber's to lead," Kiritsugu said. "Good chance to see what he's capable of."
"Understood."
Irisviel picked up the obsidian and stepped into the outer hall. Channeling her mana into it, the obsidian crumbled into dust and vanished from her palm.
A sudden gust stirred through the enclosed hall. From the void, a swirl of black crows burst into being.
As the crows dispersed, Tenkei Shiomi appeared—along with his Servant, Morgan.
But...
"You brought the children too?" Irisviel asked, stunned.
"No one can guarantee Kayneth won't take the chance, while Morgan and I are away, to attack my home and take them hostage," Shiomi replied matter-of-factly. "Are there any guest rooms? I'd like them to get some rest first."
"…Yes, there are!"
Snapping back to her senses, Irisviel quickly moved to respond to the unexpected situation.
After settling the two children in a guest room, she activated a crystal ball for farsight, projecting the image captured by the barrier spell.
A strange black robe fluttered in the wind, and the red markings across it looked soaked in blood, flickering through the forest's branches.
"That's Caster." Shiomi narrowed his eyes, his expression turning grim.
Caster, Gilles de Rais, wasn't alone. He was surrounded by over a dozen young children. The oldest among them looked barely Sakura's age.
"Einzbern, can you pinpoint their location?" Shiomi asked.
"Just over two kilometers northeast of the castle," Irisviel answered. "They don't seem to be moving deeper into the forest."
Morgan closed her eyes, sensing for a moment. "Seems he's deliberately avoiding the castle's barriers—lingering just outside to lure us in. At least he's not some third-rate Magus's Servant."
"If it's bait, then those children..." Artoria's tone sharpened with anger.
If they triggered the traps and defenses outside the barrier too hastily, there was no way to ensure the children wouldn't be caught in it.
"Then let's give him what he wants. Let's go meet the enemy, King Arthur," Shiomi said to Artoria.
That was exactly what Saber wanted. She was about to agree when something struck her as off.
"'Us'? You're coming with me?" she asked.
"Of course." Shiomi smiled with confidence.
Artoria turned to Morgan. "Then… what about the Queen?"
"There are children here. I'd like her to stay and protect them," Shiomi said, then looked at Irisviel. "If sharing a room with another Servant makes you uncomfortable, you're welcome to move elsewhere, Einzbern."
"No, I'll stay here," Irisviel replied. A suspicion had already begun to form in her mind—that Kiritsugu might be watching those children.
If Caster was successfully defeated, then maybe...
As a mother, she didn't want children like Illya dragged into battle, even if it meant opposing Kiritsugu's objectives just a little.
So for now, she would let herself be the hostage.
"Got it. Saber, let's go."
Shiomi turned into the corridor and activated the teleportation magecraft.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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