Chapter 25: Ambush

Night fell in the castle of Einzbern.

"Is that so? Berserker's Master is really naive, agreeing to form an alliance so easily." After listening to Irisviel's story, Emiya Kiritsugu gave his evaluation, "It's totally inconsistent with that monstrous fighting power… No, it may be that he is simply naturally cautious and wants to solve the problem safely…"

Irisviel looked at her husband's cold expression—that was the expression of a "magician killer"—and shook her head.

"No, Kiritsugu. I don't think so. Perhaps the reason why Berserker's Master was willing to jointly plan an ambush on Caster is simpler." She frowned and analyzed seriously.

"Oh? Iris has seen him in person, so she should know more details than me." Kiritsugu smiled. It was a smile that only belonged to his wife and daughter.

"Because he is also a father," Irisviel said. "His two children are about the same age as Illya..."

It is undeniable that empathy surged in Irisviel's heart, and this was a true feeling that she could not suppress.

"…Then it's probably as you said, Iris." Kiritsugu didn't want to refute her and wouldn't refute her.

He still retained his feelings as a human being, so how could he be suspicious of Tatsuya who had the same feelings?

"Also, regarding the method of rendezvous, did the other party tell us what to do?" Kiritsugu asked. "It will take a while to get from Miyama Town to this forest even if we drive."

Irisviel took out an obsidian and placed it on the table. "This is a token given to me by Mr. Tatsuya. He said it contains his own attuned magic power. Once the obsidian is destroyed, he will know the location and then--"

"You're going to show up here, huh?" Kiritsugu's voice turned cold.

Was that strange method of teleportation Berserker - Morgan's great magic, or Tatsuya's own?

The former is easy to say, but if it is the latter, it means that Tatsuya cannot be judged using the logic of an ordinary magician.

"Kiritsugu…" Irisviel held her husband's hand.

She knew the hidden worries in her husband's heart.

Having met Tatsuya Suzuki once, he became even more certain that the possibility of winning the Holy Grail War was decreasing.

Unlike her husband who has strict and lofty ideals, Tatsuya does not have those things that are out of reach. The young man is the type who will use his own hands to firmly grasp every bit of happiness around him.

Winning or losing the Holy Grail War is not important; surviving and returning to the children is more important.

One only needs to take one look to understand. Irisviel knew.

People who are not obsessed with winning or losing will be more difficult to defeat.

"I won't let you fight alone," she told her husband gently. "I will protect you, Saber will protect you. And there is also… Miss Maiya."

She had to admit who was the woman Kiritsugu needed most right now.

Only one person could make his heart regain its former toughness, regain the coldness that could block out all pain and fear. That was something Irisviel could never do.

If there was anything she could do, it would be to at least hold Kiritsugu in her arms and comfort him. But—Irisviel couldn't help but pray sincerely.

It didn't matter even if she couldn't help him. She hoped that God would give her a little more time so that she could comfort Kiritsugu like she was doing now, even if it was only for a minute or a second.

When she made such an earnest hope, her wish turned into an illusory bubble.

A sudden throbbing in her chest made Irisviel's whole body tense. The forest barrier technique that she had just mastered not long ago repeatedly sent strong vibrations through her magic circuits.

This was an alarm.

"Are they here so soon?" Kiritsugu's whisper was unexpectedly calm. He only needed to see the change in Iris's expression to understand the situation and put his body and mind into a fighting state.

"Want to send a message?"

"Well, Maiya and I will step aside and leave the battle here to you and Saber," Kiritsugu said. "That's great. Let me see what he can do."

"Good."

Irisviel picked up the obsidian, went to the hall outside, and injected magic power into it. The obsidian turned into powder and dissipated in her hand.

The wind suddenly blew in the closed hall, and a flock of black crows emerged from the void.

After they dispersed, Tatsuya Suzuki and his servant Morgan appeared.

Only...

"Why did you bring...the children too?" Irisviel was speechless.

"No one can guarantee that Keyneth will not raid my home and take the two children hostage while Morgan and I are away," Tatsuya explained simply. "Is there a guest room here? I want the two children to sleep first."

"...Yes."

Irisviel came to her senses and quickly dealt with this unexpected situation.

After settling the two children in the guest room, Irisviel activated the Farsight Crystal Ball and projected the image of the intruder captured by the barrier onto the crystal ball.

The strange black robe fluttered, and the red patterns on the robe seemed to be soaked with blood, looming among the branches and leaves.

"He is Caster." Tatsuya narrowed his eyes, his expression becoming stern.

Because Caster Gilles de Rais was not alone, he was accompanied by a dozen young children, the oldest of whom looked just as old as Sakura.

"Einzbern, can you determine the other party's location?" Tatsuya asked.

"It's a little over two kilometers northeast of the castle, and it doesn't seem to be going deeper into the forest at the moment," Irisviel explained.

Morgan closed her eyes and sensed for a while. "It seems that he deliberately avoided the castle's barrier and stayed outside to lure the enemy. At least he is not a low-level magician servant."

"Since it is to lure the enemy, then those children..." Artoria was a little angry.

If we rashly activate the mechanisms and traps outside the barrier, it would be difficult to guarantee that the children would not be harmed.

"Then let's do as he wishes, King Arthur, and me will meet the enemy," Tatsuya said to Artoria.

This was exactly what Saber wanted. She was about to respond when she realized something was wrong.

"We? You coming with me?" she asked.

"That's right," Tatsuya smiled confidently.

Artoria turned back to look at Morgan. "What about...Where's the King?"

"There is a child here, and I want to give her the task of protecting her," Tatsuya said, looking at Irisviel. "If you are uneasy about being in the same room with other Servants, you can evacuate to another place first, Einzbern."

"No, I can just stay here." Irisviel vaguely guessed that Kiritsugu might target these two children.

If we successfully defeat Caster, maybe...

As a mother, she didn't want to drag a child like Illya into the battlefield, even if that was slightly contrary to Kiritsugu's purpose.

For now, let me be a hostage.

"I see. Then Saber, let's go over there."

Tatsuya turned and walked to the corridor, activating the transfer magic.

________

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