Unsuited for a Peaceful Life

Despite his inner worries, Tokiomi maintained the elegance of a nobleman on the surface.

He couldn't help but make a sarcastic remark in his mind, 'Why are there so many people? Did the Einzbern family decide to go on a joint trip?' But on the surface, he remained silent.

"Why are there so many people?"

His daughter, Rin, complained next to him. Though she helped him vent his frustration.

Next, Tokiomi started to worry about how he would accommodate all these people in his place. Apart from that, there were food expenses and various other issues they brought along.

Of course, he kept it all to himself.

"In that case, there won't be enough space in my house..." Rin continued to assist him.

"..."

Tokiomi looked at his daughter with a somewhat worried expression. He wasn't sure if she was being considerate or causing trouble. In any case, his emotions were complex.

On the other hand, Artorius was all smiles and seemed delighted. This made Illya and even X, feel a bit jealous. Well, it's only natural for Illya to feel competitive with Rin, who is almost her age. But X?

But then again, X's mental age...

Initially, Tokiomi wanted to arrange accommodations for Artorius and his group at his own place, but no matter how big his house was, it couldn't possibly accommodate a goddamn five hundred people...

"Don't worry about that." Iri gently said, "We'll tour Tokyo first, and then head to Fuyuki. We already booked a hotel."

"Is that so..."

Tokiomi breathed a sigh of relief but still hesitated.

He wanted to curry favor with Artorius, after all, considering himself a nobleman with deep-rooted beliefs in the hierarchy system. Treating a prince with respect was only natural.

"We'll visit once we're in Fuyuki." Artorius said casually, "And also, thank you for your hospitality during our stay in Tokyo."

"Yes, it's my honor."

Tokiomi let out another sigh of relief and bowed to Artorius again.

Over the next few days, the head of the Tohsaka family acted like an ordinary tour guide, taking Artorius and his group to various places for sightseeing and fun.

From Tokyo Tower to Ueno Park, from Senso-ji Temple to Ginza, and even Disney Land and Roppongi's business district. Though it was a bit crowded and noisy, the Einzbern family thoroughly enjoyed the charm of the metropolis.

It was their first time going out and experiencing the attractions of a cosmopolitan city. As a result, their loyalty and affection towards Artorius grew stronger. This was especially true for Illya.

While the loyalty of other women towards Artorius was already full from the start, this included Iri as well.

Pitifully, on the third day of the trip, a certain son-in-law couldn't stand the relaxed atmosphere anymore and left the group. No one knew where he went, causing some unease for Iri.

However, she didn't show any of this unease during the time spent on the Ferris wheel with Illya and Artorius. But as everything ended and night fell, on their way back to the hotel, a worried expression finally surfaced on Iri's face.

Artorius noticed this.

Under the cover of the night, other Einzbern maids, who had spent the day chattering happily, seemed to have a great time. Despite hundreds of beautiful women dressed uniformly as maids with identical hair and eye colors roaming together, they were entirely ignored by passersby, demonstrating the usefulness of magecraft.

The surrounding maids didn't intervene in the conversation between Artorius and Iri. Illya, who was asleep in his arms, didn't either. On the other side, Rin, who held hands with Artorius and kept yawning adorably, didn't pay attention to these matters.

Though she had been hostile towards Artorius at first, after only a few days, Rin had fallen into the habit of acting all tsundere and seeking his attention. She seemed to be in a constant struggle with Illya over this.

"Some people are just unsuited for a peaceful life, huh..." Artorius said, "Even though peace is so good and precious, that guy can't adapt to it."

"Yes, but..."

"People like him don't have qualifications to say for justice." Artorius interrupted Iri before she could speak on Kiritsugu's behalf.

"I say this not because he's filled with sin and karma, nor because he lacks strength. It's because of his heart and nature." Artorius looked at Iri seriously. "It's ironic really... justice this, justice that, yet his understanding of it is so shallow and delusional."

"..."

Iri opened her mouth, instinctively wanting to say something, but in the end, she remained silent.

Ultimately, despite her outward appearance as a dignified and virtuous lady, Irisviel von Einzbern was still a simple little girl at heart.

She was only a year older than Illya.

Even with Einzbern's magical devices capable of rapidly infusing knowledge, skills, and even personalities, could Iri be considered a proper adult?

"Relax and enjoy yourself, Iri..." Artorius said to her with ease, "For us, there aren't many moments of leisure like this."

"Big Brother Artorius~"

Following Artorius's advice, Illya, who was cuddled in his arms, whispered his name with perfect timing while revealing a lovely smile.

"Children are truly wonderful, innocent, lively, and very precious."

Artorius said while kissing Illya on the forehead, prompting a surprised "Ehh?!" from Rin as she playfully shook his arm, making him smile happily.

"I love children the most." {T/N: Ayo?}

Artorius looked into Iri's eyes as he said this.

"..."

Iri tilted her head slightly, showing a mix of shyness and loneliness.

Just as mentioned earlier, she was still considered a child in terms of age. However, when it came to her body and status, things were quite different.

===

At the same time...

"That emperor is no longer reliable."

In Fuyuki City, within the grand mansion that resembled a castle, the Einzbern family's residence lacked air conditioning, running water, and almost any modern amenities. It was like a medieval fortress—sinister and cold.

The guy previously discussed by Artorius and Iri was now busy organizing his armament.

Firearms, ammunition, and various other types of weapons and equipment were spread around him. Beside him stood a short-haired, well-built woman calmly watching him.

"I have to fight in this Holy Grail War by myself in the end..."

Though the Holy Grail War was still half a year away from truly commencing, he had already decided to leave the Einzbern family and wait alone in Fuyuki City until the war began for real.

Beside him, a woman who served as his assistant calmly observed him without uttering a word, perfectly fitting her role as a tool.

What had Kiritsugu experienced during his time in the Einzbern family? What didn't align with his wishes? What went wrong? She didn't question or care about any of it; she simply stood there calmly.

"Hand it over."

Silently obeying his command, she handed him the gun.

It looked like an antique firearm. It was precisely the type of partner Kiritsugu favored—the killing tool that had accompanied him through countless battlefields, slaying numerous enemies. He gently caressed the barrel as if it were his lover.

Compared to the dissolute and irresponsible emperor, he trusted the gun in his hand more.

===

At the same time, Artorius and his group returned to the hotel they had rented.

It was a hotel with hot springs—a very large one, capable of accommodating more than five hundred Einzbern maids.

"Let's take a bath, soak in the hot springs."

"I want to have a drink."

"How about playing chess?"

"I'd rather play with His Majesty."

"No way! Illya is still clinging to His Majesty."

During dinner, the maids became more familiar and friendly with each other, forming small groups and discussing their favorite topics—beautiful clothes, entertainment, delicious food, and, of course, their beloved ruler.

"Everyone has become livelier."

Observing this scene, Iri's mood improved considerably, contrasting the oppressive atmosphere in the Einzbern castle. Here, everything was lively, cheerful, and sunny. The maids were not dressed uniformly like typical maids. Some wore yukatas from the hot spring hotel, while others donned casual home attire they had bought in the past two days.

Although there were hints of magecraft to make regular people overlook these outfits, the maids' attires for going out remained relatively conservative. The outfits with sensual and lewd designs meant for the emperor were stowed away in their luggage, to be taken out and shown to him when the time came for each of them to serve him intimately.

"Yeah, isn't this great?" Artorius responded, enjoying the maids' feeding service while being accompanied by Illya.

At the same time, X, who was busy eating and drinking, paused.

"Don't think too much about it, Iri!" X, who had a very close relationship with Iri cheerfully said, "My son is strong! As long as we rely on Artorius, everything will be fine!"

"..."

"Umm."

Iri once again showed a gentle and saintly smile, like that of a goddess. But before she could say anything else, the maids pulled Artorius away.

"Your Majesty, come and join us!"

Eagerly, the maids rushed over, grabbing Artorius's hand and leading the emperor away.

"Let's all go to the hot springs together!"

"Sure, sure. Don't push, one at a time."

Artorius quickly forgot what he wanted to say to Iri, happily laughing as he followed the maids to the hot springs.

"What's with that man, he's a pervert, a maid maniac." The left-behind Illya grumbled discontentedly, speaking words she had recently learned but didn't fully understand herself.

"I can do that kind of thing too..." she added.

"Yeah! I can do that too!" X chimed in from the side.

Their words made Iri feel a headache coming on, so she put on a stern face and said to them, "Illya, where did you hear those words from?"

"?"

"You shouldn't say those words anymore, understood?"

"But—"

"Un-der-stood?"

"Ugh... understood."

Exerting her maternal dignity, Iri found Illya to be quite obedient. But as she looked at the little girl's dejected expression, she couldn't help feeling a bit sympathetic.

"Don't worry." X then said to Illya, "When you grow up a bit more, you can do that too you know!"

"Really?"

"X! Don't teach Illya strange things!"

"Strange? Isn't this common sense?"

X tilted her head, posing a peculiar question.

Clearly, there were many differences between her world's common sense and this world's.

===

At the same time...

"Ahh~"

"Your Majesty~"

"Your Majesty~"

Such birdsong-like whispers echoed one after another, leaving someone nearby, who was observing the hot springs through binoculars with gritted teeth, feeling like her principles were collapsing.

"So, this is the legendary Dragon Emperor?"

"The greatest Emperor in the history of the world?"

"Wise, mighty, unmatched ruler without any flaws, a perfect and impeccable monarch???"

"This... This... Dammit! He's just a pervert indulging in debauchery?!"

The person expressing these complaints was not some voyeuristic pervert, it was Imperial Major Bazett, who received a mission from her direct superior, Agravain of the Iron Hand.

A few days ago, she received a mission from her direct superior to monitor a royalty.

At first, when she heard she had to ensure the royalty's every wish and happiness during his vacation, she flatly refused. The reason was simple—as an elite of the empire, it was no problem to ensure his safety, but beyond that? Clearly outrageous and a violation.

She wasn't some errand girl to run trivial tasks. They should find someone else for the mission. She even protested—"Since when did the Imperial Army become errand guys for the royal brats?"

However, right after that, Agravain said something that shocked her.

"If it were any other member of the Imperial royalty, they wouldn't receive this treatment. But when it's the Dragon Emperor himself, His Majesty Artorius the First, it's a different story."