My Fates Codex of Type-Moon

"Isn't this what an older brother should do?" Miyu leaned against Sakutsuki's shoulder, lightly patting his chest as if she were angry. "Put me down, this is embarrassing."

"Too bad, I distinctly remember you liking me to carry you? Did I misremember?" The young man didn't put the girl down, but instead started walking forward.

"Let's go, little princess, maybe we'll run into some acquaintances."

"Mhm." This time, Miyu didn't say anything else, but leaned her slightly flushed face against Sakutsuki's shoulder, quietly feeling his reassuring presence.

It was just like a normal, ordinary brother and sister.

Then... they bumped right into a princess and her knight.

"Sakutsuki?"

"Saber?"

On the bustling street, the group of four attracted the attention of passersby.

The young man in the lead had handsome features, short white hair, and golden eyes. The sister he carried wore a kimono, looking cute and elegant, possessing the aura of a Japanese beauty.

Beside this brother and sister, a man dressed as a woman with blonde hair and blue eyes, wearing formal attire, exuded a heroic spirit, intentionally or unintentionally guarding the woman beside him. The one she guarded had silver hair as smooth as silk and beautiful red eyes like jewels.

"Yesterday's battle was brilliant, Sakutsuki. I didn't expect you to repel Kirei Kotomine," Saber spoke first, her tone a mix of praise and probing.

Sakutsuki didn't answer immediately. Instead, he bought two dorayaki from a roadside stall, handed one to Miyu, and took a bite of his own before replying:

"Hmm, so Kiritsugu investigated again after that? Don't misunderstand, I didn't go to help Kiritsugu. It's just that Kirei Kotomine was too dangerous and had to be eliminated as soon as possible."

He paused, then the young man asked as if by chance:

"Speaking of which, why did you two run out of the Einzbern castle? Didn't Kiritsugu stop you?"

Irisviel remained silent, while Saber stared at the dorayaki in Miyu's hand and instinctively replied, "We just came out for some air."

In reality, Irisviel was in a bad mood, so Saber took her out for a walk... they just didn't expect to run into Sakutsuki and Miyu again.

"Oh." Sakutsuki took another bite of his snack and watched the ahoge on Artoria's head sway, a mischievous glint flashing in his eyes.

"...Wait." It was only then that Saber realized. "How did you know where we were?"

"Well~~" The young man deliberately drew out the sound, then directly changed the subject.

"The weather is so nice today. Would you two beautiful ladies like to go shopping?"

I can't write slice-of-life scenes, sob...

Miyama Shopping Street

As the largest pedestrian street in Miyama Town (Old Capital), it housed supermarkets, markets, clothing stores, and more. While not as bustling as the New Capital, it possessed a vibrant atmosphere that the latter lacked.

After casting a magic spell, Sakutsuki and the other three smoothly blended into the crowd, enjoying the rare normalcy, their steps becoming unconsciously lighter.

"So you found out from Jubstacheit von Einzbern a year ago?" After his question was answered, Saber nodded, dropping the topic and asking instead, "Where are we going next?"

"Let's go to the clothing store first, the clothing store." By now, Sakutsuki's snack had been replaced by a taiyaki, its delicious aroma spreading. "Besides the custom suit from a year ago and the kimono Miyu picked out for me, I don't have any suitable casual wear. Not to mention you two, the naive princess of winter and the Knight of the Old Britannias, oh, and of course, my kawaii little sister."

Saber in her formal attire and the lady in expensive fur looked completely out of place in this small seaside town.

"Hmm, is it really because of our outfits?" Saber asked, giving Irisviel a reproachful glance.

If it were in the past, Irisviel would have clasped her hands together, smiled apologetically, and glossed over the matter. However, the current Irisviel merely returned Saber's smile with an apologetic one before continuing to hide behind her, looking timid as if avoiding something.

Ever since last night, Irisviel had been like this.

Saber sighed inwardly, while Sakutsuki, as if oblivious, led the group to the clothing store.

"This is the best clothing store in Fuyuki. Although we don't have time for custom orders, some of the ready-made items are very good. Miyu, help me pick out some clothes for the two ladies. I'll pick my own."

"Okay, Onii-chan." Miyu nodded, her small face serious.

After Saber took her clothes to the fitting room, Irisviel didn't change immediately. Instead, while Miyu was picking out clothes, she quietly came up behind the young man.

"Hmm, what's wrong, ma'am?" Noticing the presence behind him, Sakutsuki turned his head and was startled by Irisviel.

"Um, red bean paste, gomenasai-shita (I'm truly sorry)!" The lady's 90-degree bow startled Sakutsuki, who quickly dodged. "I'm very sorry for what Kiritsugu did!"

For Irisviel, whose psychological age was only nine, Kiritsugu Emiya's actions yesterday, equivalent to "biting the hand that feeds," must have troubled her greatly.

She wouldn't oppose her husband's decision, yet she felt guilty towards Sakutsuki, who had been helping them—this internal conflict had made her unhappy, eventually leading to the current situation.

"I was wondering why you were so quiet today. So it's because of this?" The young man with golden eyes scratched his cheek and smiled calmly. "Irisviel, look up. You don't need to apologize for this."

"Eh?" Irisviel looked up blankly, her ruby-like eyes filled with confusion.

Sakutsuki picked out suitable clothes and asked calmly, "Ma'am, what do you think my relationship with Kiritsugu is?"

"Um... friends?"

"Wrong, we are opponents," Sakutsuki shook his head. "As his wife, you should understand—the moment I chose to become a participant in the Holy Grail War, no matter how good my relationship with Kiritsugu was, we became destined enemies who would fight."

"Thinking back now, I can't help but applaud Kiritsugu's plan. If Kirei Kotomine hadn't interfered, I would have been seriously injured by him?"

The young man smiled faintly, his golden eyes showing only admiration, with no trace of resentment.

He turned his head to look at the bustling crowd outside the window and said softly:

"I don't blame Kiritsugu. Since we are both striving for our own wishes, let's give it our all. There's no need to hold back. It's just a gamble with our lives. Once that wish surpasses our entire lives up to this point, then death is not something to be feared."

Irisviel fell silent. She suddenly recalled Kiritsugu's wish.

I hope for world peace, and for this Holy Grail War in Fuyuki City to be the last bloodshed for humanity.

To achieve this, he bet everything, even his own life, without hesitation on this gamble.

How could someone like him choose to step aside for mere friendship and lower his gun?

But...

However...

The pained look on her husband's face last night, when he decided to "abandon everything and run away" and asked her to leave with him, the fragile expression on his face then, still remained vivid in Irisviel's memory.

"This is wrong..." Irisviel murmured, and the young man beside her smiled, affirming her.

"Yes, what makes us human is that we have thoughts, emotions, and souls. If we simply see ourselves as machines, how can we possibly achieve our wishes as 'humans'?"

Sakutsuki slowly raised his hand, then brought it down heavily as if cutting through something.

"If you have doubts, you must correct them."

"If someone you love does something wrong, you must be the first to stand up and fight against their mistakes."

"Irisviel, Kiritsugu taught you more than just blind obedience, didn't he?"

As if having made some kind of decision, Irisviel clenched the clothes in her hand and replied.

"No, Kiritsugu gave my life meaning, so I will respect his ideals and strive for his wishes."

The young man smiled, waiting for the homunculus to speak further.

"But, as you said, once I believe such actions will hurt Kiritsugu himself, once I realize Kiritsugu is fighting by suppressing his emotions and sacrificing his existence—"

As a homunculus of the Einzbern family, the Lesser Grail who was entrusted with great hope, the beautiful homunculus looked up and stated resolutely:

"Even if this Holy Grail War ends in failure, I will not allow him to continue hurting himself!"

"Bravo!" Sakutsuki laughed, his golden eyes filled with joy and relief.

Joy at witnessing the resolve of a homunculus, and relief that his efforts were not in vain, that the wings of this little butterfly had indeed changed the destinies of some people.

After saying this, Irisviel's inner turmoil finally eased. She turned her head and looked at Saber, who had been waiting nearby, her eyes shining. "Saber, you look so beautiful in that outfit!"

"Ah, yes..." However, Saber only responded blankly, her blue eyes fixed on Sakutsuki, her heart full of questions.

Those words, why did they sound so much like...

Sir Galahad?

And at that moment, Sakutsuki's gaze also fell upon her, and he froze on the spot.

My name is Mash Kyrielight, and the Heroic Spirit I was assigned is – Galahad!

I will stake my Spirit Origin and cut down the corruption of the Round Table now!

If you doubt the King, you must correct it.

If the King does something wrong, you must be the first to stand up and fight against her mistakes.

Isn't this the chivalric code you uphold! — Little Eggplant

A light blue and gold casual tracksuit, paired with shorts that didn't quite reach her knees, revealing a pair of snow-white legs.

Youthful, energetic, shedding the serious armor and suit, the girl displayed a charm as bright as blooming flowers.

When the blonde, blue-eyed Saber shyly emerged from the fitting room, she naturally drew everyone's attention.

Among them, a young man with memories from another world reacted the most strongly, his eyes widening, a rare look of astonishment on his face.

"This... this is!"

After realizing what was happening, Sakutsuki lunged forward and—picked up Miyu, who was beside Saber, and lifted her high with a cheer:

"Amazing! You're a genius! Just as I expected from my most, most, most adorable little sister!"

"Put me down, Onii-chan!" Miyu said, greatly embarrassed.

Beside them, Saber looked at Sakutsuki and then at her own outfit with confusion, nervously rubbing her bare legs.

"R-really, should I change? At least the pants should be longer..."

"No, Saber, you look great like this!" Irisviel grabbed Saber's hand, her eyes shining. "I really was too conservative before... Girls should wear prettier clothes!"

"Mmm... Irisviel, I'm not a little girl!" Saber, who appeared youthful in both physique and appearance, protested. "I am the King of Knights!"

While the master and servant were playfully bickering, a baseball cap descended from above, landing perfectly on Saber's head. Immediately after, a scarf with blue as the base and gold embroidery skillfully wrapped around Saber's fair neck twice before fluttering down behind her.

"How is it, Miyu?"

"Mhm, big brother is amazing!"

The siblings, who had completed the outfit together, high-fived, leaving Saber looking helpless.

"I don't think I agreed to you doing this..."

"No, no, no, you definitely will agree." Sakutsuki pushed her towards the fitting room mirror with a smile, adjusted her hat, tidied her scarf, and then stepped aside, allowing Artoria to see her current appearance clearly.

Her appearance was now completely different from her usual Servant attire. The blue and gold outfit made her look exceptionally clean and refreshed. The draped scarf further accentuated her spirited demeanor. As for the baseball cap on her head... the ahoge was sticking out, sticking out, completely sticking out!

As a player of a certain FGO, Sakutsuki was all too familiar with this particular outfit.

This is clearly the outfit of "Mysterious Heroine X"!

Once Sakutsuki realized this, a strange switch flipped inside him.

As everyone knows, for a better player experience (and to encourage spending), FGO features various characters with different settings, classes, and personalities—but the same face.

For example, there's the Mysterious Heroine series, the Jeanne d'Arc series, the Nero series, the Okita series, Mordred... dozens in total. It's no wonder Mysterious Heroine X considers the Artoria lineage to be a cancer of the universe and vows to eradicate it (even though she herself is one).

And now, as the original Artoria, this knight king in her youthful form is standing right in front of him!

She's a perfect mannequin!

If only he could convince Saber to change clothes and then take a few pictures...

"I have a feeling you're thinking something rude," Saber's ahoge, like radar, twitched, and she took two steps back, unconsciously adopting a defensive stance.

"Oh my, your eyes are sparkling, little Sakutsuki~" Irisviel, standing nearby, chuckled, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

"Irisviel!" Saber shot her Master a chiding glance, then pursed her lips and spoke with the pride and solemnity characteristic of a knight, "Whatever you want me to do, I won't agree, Sakutsuki!"

"Oh? I haven't said anything at all, King of Knights?" Like a cunning fox, the young man's golden eyes were filled with amusement, reminding Artoria of another mage of flowers—or rather, a nightmare—who possessed such eyes.

Thus, her favorability towards Sakutsuki plummeted.

I was so foolish, truly. I thought this guy was noble like Sir Galahad... Saber silently chastised herself for her misplaced leniency. Her expression then turned serious, and as Sakutsuki took a step forward, she darted behind him, pinning his arms under her armpits in a grappling hold. She then shouted,