A few hours after formally finalizing the alliance, Arthur separated from the girls—who went to play with Illya—and began walking through the castle. With no particular destination, simply exploring, he eventually found himself outside.
Artoria was sitting in the snow, eyes closed and legs crossed, letting the flakes fall silently over her as if she didn't feel the cold at all.
Hearing approaching footsteps, she opened her eyes and looked directly at Arthur.
Arthur spoke first:
"What are you doing?"
"Just reminiscing about the past."
She replied, shaking her head slightly, as if dismissing unnecessary thoughts.
Arthur raised an eyebrow and, without ceremony, sat beside her, the snow giving way under his weight.
This time, Artoria took the initiative:
"Tell me… what is your reason for participating in the Holy Grail War?"
"My reason?"
Arthur rested his hands on the snow, looking up at the sky for a moment.
"I don't have any wish I need to fulfill. Anything I want, I can obtain without the Holy Grail."
I don't even know how the Holy Grail managed to summon me… especially when I was in another universe.
The thought passed through his mind, but he showed nothing.
"How about I help you fulfill your wish?"
Artoria turned slightly toward him.
"Why?" The question was direct.
Arthur smiled faintly.
"Because it's a hero's duty to help his princess in distress—"
He paused briefly.
"…no, rather, his queen in distress."
Artoria held his gaze for a few seconds.
"You don't need to do that. And I don't have any particular wish to make to the Holy Grail."
"That's a problem." Arthur laughed.
He stood up.
And without hesitation, knelt in front of her.
He took one of her hands and gently kissed it.
"How about we help each other find a reason to be here?"
Artoria remained still for a brief moment.
…They really are very similar… the thought arose naturally in her mind. Actually…
Her eyes stayed on Arthur.
…You were right back then, Arthur. You really are different now…
What is this feeling of excitement…? she smiled inwardly.
Arthur noticed the change in her expression.
I have a strong feeling she knows more about me than she lets on… Nah, that's impossible, he thought.
My curiosity about you keeps growing, Artoria Pendragon… he chuckled inwardly.
Wait—Artoria Pendragon? Angélica Pendragon… That's impossible… the thought struck him suddenly.
Shaking his head, he released her hand and stood up.
He summoned his spear, Longinus, and pointed it at her.
"Want to fight again?"
"Yes." This time, her answer came even faster.
Artoria stood, anticipation in her eyes.
She took up her sacred spear, and the two rushed toward each other.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sound of their spears echoed through the snow.
Artoria was surprised once again.
Arthur's spear technique wasn't just refined—
It evolved during combat.
You never told me you were this skilled with a spear… she thought.
---
Before leaving Germany, Arthur made a suggestion to Irisviel and Kiritsugu—which had already been put into action.
At that moment, he was wearing his Caster outfit, with one key difference: his blue vest now had wide golden sleeves with openings at the shoulders.
"As I thought, I look great in this outfit," Arthur said.
"From this moment on, I am the Lancer-class Servant of Irisviel von Einzbern," he declared, summoning his spear once more.
Yes.
That was Arthur's plan.
"This is quite reckless…"
Kiritsugu frowned slightly, sighed, then turned to Artoria—who was now dressed in a black suit as Irisviel's bodyguard.
"Lancer, what do you think?"
"About what?"
Artoria seemed slightly surprised that Kiritsugu was asking for her opinion. After a pause, she answered:
"I see no problem with it. On the contrary, I believe it benefits us."
This way, she could focus entirely on protecting Irisviel, while Arthur would fight in Einzbern's place.
Kiritsugu fell into deep thought.
Berserker disguising himself as Lancer would allow the real Lancer to prioritize Irisviel's protection. It would both increase her safety and confuse their enemies.
But what about the Berserker himself?
Arthur had the perfect solution—an item he had obtained long ago and kept stored within the Gate of Babylon.
[Shadow Servant]
With it, he could summon a copy of someone he knew as a Servant of one of the seven classes.
That was all.
He would leave this Shadow Servant under Irisviel's command, while Artoria would act as a driver and bodyguard—her suit doing little to hide her well-developed figure. Kiritsugu would act as Lancer's Master, and Arthur would be Berserker disguised as Lancer.
With their own objectives in mind, the group boarded the Einzbern family's private plane bound for Japan.
As mentioned before, Sakura, Kohaku, Hisui, Fujino, and Caren would remain at the Einzbern castle while waiting for Arthur's return.
Arthur and his group were the only passengers on the large aircraft. After a good night's sleep, they had already landed in Japan, and Fuyuki City was just a thirty-minute drive away.
Kiritsugu changed course midway and separated from Irisviel, Arthur, and Artoria.
With Arthur, Artoria, and the Shadow Berserker, Irisviel felt completely safe.
Arthur and Artoria, dressed in matching black suits, stepped off the plane first and positioned themselves on either side of the stairs, assisting Irisviel as she descended.
Her health was deteriorating day by day due to her role as the vessel of the Holy Grail.
It was as if even a gentle breeze could knock her over.
Though an exaggeration, it was also her destined end.
Holding one of her hands each, Arthur and Artoria exchanged a silent glance, already fully adapted to their roles as bodyguards.
It's been years since I've done this kind of work, Arthur thought, recalling his time as an assassin as he adjusted his suit.
"You look great in that suit, Artie," Arthur said, glancing at Artoria, who was once again unsuccessfully trying to fix her tie.
"You don't need to flatter me, but thank you for the help," she replied.
"This is the country where Kiritsugu was born?" Irisviel suddenly said, ignoring the two.
She gazed at the scenery ahead and the sky with visible emotion.
Unlike Einzbern—a land covered in snow year-round—this place felt vibrant and alive. For someone who had spent so long confined in a castle, this was more than just a trip.
She spread her arms slightly and took a deep breath, as if trying to preserve that moment.
The wind tousled her white hair as she turned to Artoria, who had once again moved away from Arthur.
"How are you feeling? What did you think of the trip?"
"I don't feel anything in particular. It was more ordinary than I expected," Artoria replied directly.
Her gaze, though attentive to the surroundings, was no longer entirely closed off. Part of her attention remained on Irisviel—and another part, inevitably, on Arthur, who always found a way to draw her focus.
"Artie, Iri, we're almost in Fuyuki City. Try not to say anything unnecessary, and be careful not to reveal our identities."
Arthur spoke casually, already using nicknames as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"We may already be under surveillance."
"Really?!" Irisviel immediately covered her mouth, her eyes scanning the surroundings with genuine, almost childlike surprise.
Arthur couldn't hold back his laughter.
"I was just joking. There's no one around. And if there is, Artie and I will deal with them immediately."
"You shouldn't joke like that~" Irisviel gave him a mildly reproachful look, then sighed in relief.
"But he's right. We need to be more careful," Artoria added.
"Alright." Irisviel nodded.
---
(End of Chapter)