Across the heavens, I am the Avatar Sword Master

Saber knew that Irisviel was a homunculus of the Einzbern family.

I always thought that she was similar to my "rebellious son" Mordred, born as an artificial life.

But I didn’t expect that Irisviel had such a mission.

"Because the Holy Grail, which served as the carrier of the Holy Grail's descent, was destroyed for the third time, the descent of the Holy Grail failed."

"So the Einzbern family learned from the last lesson and packaged the 'Little Holy Grail' into a humanoid form that can avoid various dangers and has a sense of self-management."

"Responsible for collecting and retaining the souls of Servants who have been defeated or who have lost their Masters and are unable to continue to exist until the end of the war. The souls of the Servants collected will complete an important task in the final stage of the ritual performed by the Greater Holy Grail."

"Irisviel is the container of this little Holy Grail."

Irisviel, who took nobility for granted since birth, was like a real "princess".

It was for this reason that Saber easily accepted Kiritsugu's request to let his wife Irisviel serve as the "acting Master".

But she never imagined that the pure white girl in front of her was actually the "Little Holy Grail" prepared by Einzbern.

"How could that be... Then, your physical problem..."

Saber was horrified. She had never thought that the Holy Grail she was looking for was right next to her.

"The Lesser Holy Grail has already recovered the souls of two Servants. I already feel something strange happening to my body. If another Servant dies, my body's endurance will reach its limit. If there is one more soul, I'm afraid I won't be able to maintain my human form."

Irisviel looked at her slender five fingers resting on Saber’s palm.

“Even now, I feel like I have used up all my strength just by spreading my fingers. It is simply a foolish dream to want to step onto the battlefield with you again. Saber, I am afraid that I will not be able to support you by your side in the future…”

“Irisviel…”

Looking at Irisviel's dejected look, Saber could only remain silent, not knowing how to comfort her.

"Bang--"

The door of the warehouse was roughly opened and Emiya Kiritsugu rushed in.

"Kiritsugu, you-"

Saber wanted Kiritsugu not to open the door so rudely, as Irisviel needed to rest, but after seeing the expression on Kiritsugu's face, she was stunned.

This was the first time she saw such an expression on Emiya Kiritsugu's face. Without the appearance of a cold killer, he was like a wounded and helpless child, holding back the tears in his eyes, stubbornly not wanting to cry.

Saber finally gave the warehouse to Emiya Kiritsugu silently and chose to leave.

Kiritsugu hugged Irisviel tightly without saying a word.

His chest was shaking, as helpless as a child clinging to its mother.

He knew why Irisviel was so weak, and that was why he was so sad.

Irisviel's demise is inevitable...

This is her function and her destiny.

But after confirming that the Holy Grail was contaminated and that he and his wife's common wish could not be fulfilled, Kiritsugu Emiya did not want his wife to die like this.

Irisviel felt her husband's embrace tighten, even to the point of pain.

"If...if I..."

Irisviel heard her husband’s faint murmurs in her ears.

"If I decide to abandon everything and run away now, Ellie...you should run away with me! As long as we run far enough away from this city, you won't become the Holy Grail."

"I know a puppeteer who can make you live like a human being... Let's go find her and let her give you new life."

Irisviel patted her husband's arm gently, as if she was coaxing a child.

After a while, he asked back: "What about Illya... What about Illya? She is still in the castle..."

Irisviel's desire to obtain the Holy Grail is largely due to her fear that her daughter, Illyasviel von Einzbern, will be unable to change her role as the tragic container of the "Holy Grail" like herself.

Kiritsugu's voice became cold and resolute: "Go back to the castle and take Illya away, and kill everyone who stands in our way!"

There was no doubt that Emiya Kiritsugu was not joking, he was serious.

"From now on - I will give everything I have! I will use my life to protect you and Illya."

Irisviel understood Kiritsugu's despair, and she felt the pain and struggle in his heart.

As her life partner, faced with the fact that the Holy Grail was contaminated, he had been forced into a situation where he had no way out.

Emiya Kiritsugu is no longer the same person he was nine years ago.

He was no longer the cold-blooded hound, nor was he the killing machine that honed itself endlessly.

He had changed, he was vulnerable.

Remove the last straw that broke the camel's back - the contamination of the Holy Grail.

The person who caused the biggest change in Emiya Kiritsugu was none other than Irisviel herself.

Free from worries, fearless.

Originally, Emiya Kiritsugu had nothing to lose, so he would not feel pain.

It is precisely because of this that Emiya Kiritsugu is so exceptionally strong and is able to pursue his lofty ideal of saving the world.

Only then can he sacrifice everything for it without hesitation and become an extremely cruel warrior.

But now, the Holy Grail is contaminated, and even if he obtains the Holy Grail, his wish cannot be fulfilled.

With his dream shattered, the only one who can still lean on Kiritsugu's broken heart is himself.

Irisviel gently stroked Emiya Kiritsugu's back and said in a trembling voice: "I... am willing to escape with you... I will always support your decision... Kiritsugu..."

Irisviel hugged Emiya Kiritsugu with all her strength.

I hope it can give him a moment of comfort.

She was praying, praying that she could hug Kiritsugu for as long as possible.

Even if the hug lasts just a second longer.

In this way, I can use my meager strength to heal his spiritual pain.

But—that's impossible.

Irisviel suddenly felt a strong palpitation in her chest, which was the reaction when the magic barrier was invaded by a powerful enemy.

Saber's voice also came through the Command Seal Contract: "An enemy is coming, it's Archer!"

"Is that you? Elly, wait for me to come back. After I take care of the invaders, we'll go back to Winter City to pick up Illya."

"Then the three of us will hide our identities and travel around the world..."

"I want to take you to see the mountains and the sea. The destination may be an undeveloped desolate island or a famous ancient cultural city."

"We can use the camera to record each other's smiling faces and the scenery that belongs to us along the way."

“We have breakfast, lunch and dinner together.”

“Maybe the food is not good, but he still wipes the grease from the corners of the other person’s mouth.”

"It doesn't really matter what the scenery is like. What matters is that you are by my side."

Kiritsugu left Irisviel’s embrace.

His voice became cold and firm, and his face became icy again.

Seeing Kiritsugu once again showing the cold face of the “Magician Killer”, Irisviel knew that this time was different.

This time, Kiritsugu Emiya is not fighting for "justice", but for himself and Illya.

only……

Watching Emiya Kiritsugu leave the warehouse.

Irisviel felt vaguely uneasy.