Unlike the neon lights of Japan, the Einzbern territory in Germany was a world of pure white, covered in snow and ice.
An almost absolute silence dominated the landscape, broken only by the soft sound of snow being compressed beneath footsteps.
"Yosh~ I definitely won't lose to Kiritsugu today!"
Starting from the Einzbern mansion, two lines of footprints—one large and one small—stretched across the pristine snow.
Completely wrapped in a thick padded coat and a woolen hat, the white-haired, red-eyed girl clenched her fists with determination, her small body radiating seriousness.
Her eyes scanned the surroundings attentively, as if she were on a mission of utmost importance.
Behind her, Kiritsugu Emiya walked silently with his hands tucked into the pockets of his black overcoat.
The two moved forward through the snow, leaving uneven marks behind them. The muffled sound of their steps created a strangely peaceful atmosphere.
Suddenly, Kiritsugu stopped.
He pulled his right hand out of his pocket and pointed toward a leafless tree nearby.
"I already found one, Illya."
"Huh? You're lying!"
"Where? Where is it? I'm sure I checked everything!"
Illya, who had been a few steps ahead, quickly turned around and ran back, clearly dissatisfied.
"This is the first nut of the day."
Kiritsugu crouched down, carefully indicating the small detail hidden among the snow-covered branches.
Then he stood up.
"I get the first point."
"I… I won't lose."
Illya puffed her cheeks, clearly challenged, and ran off again, determined to win.
Not long after, she found a nut and proudly showed it off.
But—
"I found a second one as well."
"Why?!"
Desperation filled her voice.
Even so, Kiritsugu showed no intention of going easy on her.
After a few moments, noticing the dejected expression on his daughter's face, he finally smiled faintly.
"As punishment for losing the game… Illya will be lifted to the heavens."
"Eh?!"
Before she could react, he lifted her up and placed her on his shoulders.
"It's so high… Wow!"
Her frustration vanished instantly.
In its place came pure joy.
From above, Illya observed the world with shining eyes, enchanted by the new perspective.
The mix of defeat and reward made it all the more special.
---
—xXx—
Inside the castle.
A woman watched the scene through the window.
She was tall and elegant.
Dressed in silver and blue armor that reflected the cold light of the surroundings.
Her blonde hair was tied into a firm bun, revealing beautiful and resolute features.
"What are you looking at, Lancer?"
Irisviel approached, holding two steaming cups of tea, offering one to her.
Lancer accepted it with a slight nod.
"Thank you."
Her eyes did not leave the scene outside.
"I'm observing your daughter and Kiritsugu."
She paused briefly.
"It's… an unexpected sight."
"Are you surprised?"
Irisviel asked, stepping closer to the window, her gentle smile reflecting the scene.
"Yes."
The answer came without hesitation.
"I judged him to be a cold man. Someone who would discard everything in pursuit of a goal."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"But this… contradicts that image."
Irisviel let out a soft sigh.
"I can't blame you for thinking that."
Her gaze rested on the snow outside.
"Kiritsugu is… a complex person."
Lancer remained silent for a few seconds.
Then she spoke in a lower tone:
"If that is his true nature… then my presence only reinforces what he hates."
She clearly remembered their first meeting.
The look of disdain and rejection Kiritsugu had directed at her.
Hearing that, Irisviel let out a light laugh.
Lancer frowned slightly.
"Irisviel, I see no reason to laugh."
"Forgive me."
She replied, holding back her laughter.
"But it's a bit ironic."
She turned to look directly at Lancer.
"The legendary King of Knights… Arthur Pendragon… actually being a woman. And on top of that, summoned as Lancer."
"But I always presented myself as a man," Artoria replied while taking a sip of tea.
"I was a king. That is all."
She turned her gaze back to Kiritsugu and Illya.
"But even so… his reaction was simply too extreme."
Irisviel softened her expression.
"That's because you accepted that burden all by yourself since childhood."
Lancer remained still.
"You accepted the weight of a kingdom… without question. To Kiritsugu, that's unacceptable," Irisviel said.
"That is pure sentimentality, Irisviel."
The response came immediately.
"A king cannot afford hesitation."
"My choices were necessary," she added.
"Even if they led to the ruin of your kingdom?" Irisviel asked.
Lancer tightened her grip slightly on the cup in her hand.
"Yes."
Her voice was quiet, but firm.
"Because that was the path I chose to walk."
She turned her gaze toward the snow.
Irisviel watched her in silence.
"But Kiritsugu and I are incompatible anyway," she concluded, then fell silent.
Irisviel felt a faint tightness in her chest upon hearing that.
Still, there was one positive point.
She could still act as a bridge between the two.
Because, despite everything, Lancer was not an irrational woman.
"..."
After a brief silence, Artoria turned her gaze back to Irisviel.
"You and Kiritsugu wish to save the world using the power of the Holy Grail, correct?"
"Mm."
Irisviel nodded gently.
"Although I'm merely repeating what he says… my desire to save the world is just as genuine as his."
She did not avert her gaze.
There was no falsehood in her words—only sincerity.
Artoria observed her expression for a moment… then slowly closed her eyes.
"Even if I am incompatible with my Master… I will do everything within my power to help you fulfill your wish."
Irisviel remained silent, listening carefully.
"If your goal is to save the world… then I cannot deny that it is a worthy path," Artoria continued.
"A path you can be proud of."
Her eyes returned to Irisviel.
"Therefore… allow me to fulfill my role in this war as well."
The response came without hesitation.
"I understand. Please… take care of me, Lancer."
Irisviel said with a gentle smile.
After reaching a silent understanding regarding the Holy Grail…
Both of them turned their attention back to the scene outside.
Kiritsugu and Illya were still playing in the snow.
But suddenly—
"!!!"
Artoria's expression changed.
Her instincts blared an overwhelming alarm in her mind.
Her eyes narrowed sharply, and without saying a word, she moved.
In an instant, her body was no longer there.
"Lancer?!"
Irisviel barely had time to react.
Artoria had already leapt out the window, vanishing into the cold air and reappearing dozens of meters away.
At that exact moment—
A portal opened in the snowy field.
The spatial distortion tore through the silent air, creating a sight that was both beautiful… and deeply wrong.
"How beautiful…"
Illya murmured, captivated.
But Kiritsugu was not deceived.
His eyes sharpened as he immediately raised his hand.
"Lancer!"
The Command Seal on his hand glowed intensely.
He was about to force the summoning.
But before he could expend his Command Seal, Artoria was already by his side.
Seeing her there, Kiritsugu immediately lifted Illya off his shoulders and placed her behind him, shielding her with his body.
His other hand had already drawn a pistol.
Meanwhile, a small group stepped out of the portal.
"Kohaku… could you please get off my face?"
The voice was calm, with a hint of irritation.
Arthur stepped through the portal wearing casual clothes, as if he had simply returned from a normal outing.
But the scene around him was anything but normal.
Kohaku was clinging to his face like a small, stubborn animal.
Hisui and Caren stood beside him.
Sakura pouted slightly, being carried in his left arm.
Meanwhile, Fujino remained silent, held in his right.
A group completely out of place in that setting.
Illya, hidden behind Kiritsugu, peeked out, her red eyes filled with curiosity.
A flicker of surprise appeared in Artoria's eyes as she recognized the man who had emerged from the portal.
"Who are you?" Kiritsugu asked.
Arthur finally managed to pull Kohaku off his face, letting out a soft sigh before glancing at him.
"It's impolite to ask someone's name without introducing yourself first."
He paused slightly, his gaze sharpening.
"Especially when that person stands above you."
---
(End of the Chapter)