"If I can even extract the Holy Grail from inside your body, then rescuing Illya in ten years—would that really be difficult?" Haruka Kasugano said with a smile.
Under the effect of [Incitement], his words carried an almost magical persuasiveness.
Irisviel wept with joy and smiled. "You're right… Then I'll look forward to it…"
The reason she had previously faced death so resolutely was largely because she wanted the Einzbern family's long-cherished wish—the Third Magic—to be realized in this Holy Grail War.
Once that happened, the Holy Grail War would lose its meaning, and Illya would no longer need to become the Grail's vessel.
To put it simply, she had come to Fuyuki prepared to sacrifice herself so Illya would not have to bear that fate.
Now that she herself had escaped her destiny, of course she wanted Illya to escape it too.
Hearing Haruka Kasugano's words, she was naturally overjoyed.
And she believed him. If he could separate the Holy Grail itself, then he could surely accomplish this as well.
With that, she no longer had any lingering worries.
[Ding! Irisviel's infidelity level increases by 30%!]
[Reward: One-time Noble Phantasm "Scorpio's Single Shot"!]
Hm?
Wasn't it supposed to be one reward for every 10% increase?
Why only one reward this time?
Could it be that three rewards were merged into one high-tier reward?
That made sense. Previously, when Tohsaka Aoi's infidelity level reached 100%, he only received a Noble Phantasm. Here, Irisviel granted one as a regular reward—likely because she's a high-rating noble lady and the rewards were consolidated.
With this reward, Haruka Kasugano felt even more confident about defeating Gilgamesh.
After finishing the noodles, Haruka Kasugano went upstairs to check on Sola.
Since he still needed energy tonight to "interact" with Artoria, he didn't do anything serious with Sola this time. He only played a few little games with her before leaving.
This left Sola completely confused.
She had practically arched herself in invitation—and he didn't even touch her?
She, who had been "used" two or three times a day, suddenly wasn't used to this.
What…
Has he lost interest in me?
She occasionally heard another woman's voice from downstairs. Has he found someone new?
Damn it… he clearly said he coveted my beauty and that's why he kept me here…
Sola angrily bit her thumb.
Bastard man!!!
[Ding! Sola's infidelity level +10%!]
[Reward: New Skill "Gorgeous Freedom"! Allows the host to swiftly evade attacks, taunt opponents stylishly to draw aggro, and increases internal mana density! Side effect: reduced resistance to female charm!]
Hm?
What's going on?
Haruka Kasugano was baffled.
I didn't even do anything with Sola today—why did her infidelity level increase?
And you give me a skill that makes me easier to be seduced by women…?
----
Night fell.
After reminding Irisviel not to go upstairs to Sola's room, Haruka Kasugano headed out.
Though he wasn't particularly worried— even if Irisviel went up out of curiosity, she'd only see a naked woman. Given their current infidelity levels, they might just end up competing in jealousy.
Outside, Circe and Lancelot were already waiting.
"Hmmph! You little piglet! You stayed with that woman for so long—I'm jealous! I'm going to turn her into a pig~!" Circe puffed angrily.
Haruka Kasugano immediately smacked her on the head.
Smack!
"You dare? Believe it or not, I'll turn you into a pig first!" he scolded.
Circe held her forehead, cheeks puffing even more.
Beside them, Lancelot couldn't help but laugh. "Guhahaha—"
Circe angrily started beating his armor with her staff.
Ignoring them, Haruka Kasugano activated his skill [Presence Detection].
He wanted to sense Artoria's current location.
Click—
In that instant, a massive flood of information surged into his brain.
Damn! My head's going to explode!!!
First time using this—still not used to it…
After more than ten minutes, he finally got the hang of it.
He narrowed the sensing range, scanning area by area instead of everything at once.
Likely because he was only at human limits, the detection range wasn't as vast as Enkidu's—just a ten-kilometer radius.
But for small Fuyuki, that was enough.
After scanning—
He finally found Artoria.
At the Emiya residence.
Looks like she didn't go to meet Gilgamesh tonight.
Maybe it's still early. Or maybe she's begun to be wary of him.
Either way, being alone now makes her the easiest target!
As for Kiritsugu Emiya, scanning showed he was still at Ryuudou Temple. Looks like he won't leave until the Grail descends.
Fine. Stay there.
I'm going to have a "date" with Artoria.
…
After half an hour of travel, Haruka Kasugano arrived at the Emiya residence.
Right next door was his rented old house—Maiya Hisau was still hidden in the basement.
But tonight, she could wait.
"Berserker, go! Unleash your nature! Go kill the Saber you hate so much!" Haruka Kasugano laughed.
"GRAAAAAH—!" Lancelot roared to the sky and charged toward the Emiya house.
Inside.
Artoria, dressed in a suit, was kneeling in the living room.
Looking at the keys to the Emiya house, she sank into remembrance.
I'm sorry, Irisviel. I failed to protect you…
She lowered her head in sorrow.
It reminded her of her past.
Britain lost by her own hands. The comrades who ultimately left her.
I truly am a failure…
Perhaps Rider was right—perhaps I am just a little girl chasing a dream…
Just as she was grieving, her [Instinct] suddenly sensed danger.
She immediately stood, summoning her armor and holy sword.
The next second, Lancelot burst in.
Boom—
Debris and shattered walls flew everywhere.
Guided by Instinct, Artoria raised her sword and blocked Lancelot's assault.
Arondight and Excalibur clashed, sparks erupting violently.
"Berserker?" Artoria exclaimed in shock.
Since arriving in Fuyuki, Berserker had attacked her multiple times in madness.
Why?
Who exactly is Berserker?
Why does he harbor such hatred toward me?
Under the concealment of black mist, she couldn't discern his identity.
But her intuition told her—
Berserker was likely someone she once knew.
Yet she couldn't understand which acquaintance would hate her so deeply and fall into the Berserker class.
With no answers, she could only fight.
Under the moonlit ancient manor, Artoria stood alone yet resolute.
Facing Lancelot, she felt indescribable pressure.
He was tall—nearly 190 cm—like a giant. His power and presence far surpassed ordinary humans.
But she did not retreat.
Only by breaking through his disguise could she uncover the truth.
Taking a deep breath, she gripped Excalibur tightly and prepared for a life-and-death battle.
They entered fierce combat.
Lancelot swung Arondight, each strike tearing through the air with terrifying force.
But Artoria did not fear.
Enhanced by mana burst, she became extraordinarily agile, weaving between his attacks.
Though outmatched in size and strength, she relied on wisdom and courage, constantly searching for openings.
Excalibur shone brilliantly, each strike imbued with immense magical power, forcing even Lancelot to respond seriously.
As the battle intensified, the manor seemed ablaze, sparks flying everywhere.
Their silhouettes clashed amid firelight, each collision echoing like thunder.
After prolonged combat, Artoria finally found an opening.
With lightning speed, she struck, hitting Lancelot's helmet precisely.
But—
Lancelot suddenly caught Excalibur between his hands.
Because Excalibur had been concealed within the Invisible Air barrier, remaining transparent—
Yet Lancelot accurately judged its length.
============
Bonus Chapter
Power stones 50 + 1 chapter
Power stones 100 + 1 Chapter
power stones 200 + 1 chapter
power stones 400 + 1 chapter
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