It is Said That Everyone Likes the Wife

"Master, I recall my operational principle is to avoid exposing my tracks as much as possible."

"That is correct."

"Then what is the meaning of you having me appear in this woman's line of sight now?"

"It doesn't matter. As the Lesser Holy Grail of the Einzbern, she already knows you cannot withdraw."

"But to be so blatant..."

"Don't worry about unnecessary things. Just complete the mission I've assigned."

"Interrogating a captive? And a defenseless woman at that! Master, even as Assassin, I have my own bottom line!"

"Heh heh..."

Irisviel listened with a pounding heart to the conversation between Kirei Kotomine and the masked figure he had summoned—it was almost certain that this was the Assassin who had faked his death. It seemed her attitude had left the priest helpless, so he intended to have Assassin interrogate her.

She didn't know if the current situation was good or bad. When she was first restrained by Kirei Kotomine, she had thought, "It can't possibly get any worse than this." But after the Servant appeared, she couldn't help but feel a chill—the leader of the infamous Hashshashin, a being that should be an "anti-Heroic Spirit," what methods would he use? Just imagining it sent shivers down her spine.

However, judging by the conversation, this "Old Man of the Mountain" had quite a bit of integrity, unwilling to commit violence against a defenseless woman—

"She's not talking? It's a simple matter. You can just draw your spear and go for it, don't be a coward. As long as you're well-endowed and can make her feel heavenly bliss, there's nothing you can't get her to reveal."

Retracting my previous statement, this Assassin is definitely the most wicked type.

"A woman who doesn't compromise in such a desperate situation... the source of her willpower can only be a few things. The most likely is love—the power that erupts from deeply loving someone is incredibly strong, but it's not difficult to destroy. As long as that pure sentiment is torn apart, trampled, and ground to dust, heh heh..."

"..."

"If you XXX her, then no matter how much she deceives herself, this woman's psychological defenses will inevitably develop cracks—especially for a pure type involved so deeply. The effect will definitely be more pronounced. And as long as you can make a hole in that outwardly strong shell, infiltration is inevitable."

"..."

"What's wrong, Master? What are you hesitating about? By any cultural aesthetic standard, this woman should be incredibly alluring, right? You can satisfy your physiological needs and get the answers you want. What are you still hesitating for? Could it be you have some unspeakable secret?"

"..."

"Oh ho ho ho... I understand. I didn't expect that the seemingly strong and robust Master is actually... Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. Master, I happen to know a herbal recipe that is quite effective. Why don't we capture this woman and take our time with her, heh heh heh heh—"

As a Lesser Holy Grail, Irisviel did not fear death. Because her husband, daughter, and the shared beliefs with her husband were enough to support her in disregarding the fear of death. However, if the other party's actions would defile what she held most precious in her heart, her confidence in her willpower would be discounted.

The expressionless priest turned his head. In his eyes, Irisviel saw a light of "interest."

"What should I do? Help me, Kiritsugu, Illya..."

"Hmm, so you're Saber? You look quite capable. How about it, want to join my expeditionary force? I'm willing to share the joy of conquering the world with you."

Saber warily watched the burly man who descended from the sky in a chariot. Although he had just saved her, it didn't mean they were allies. In this war, there was no such thing as an alliance.

While Saber stood there defensively, the burly man, as if unaffected by the atmosphere, casually greeted her, and his opening words were enough to make one cry with laughter.

Because Kiritsugu had witnessed Rider's antics firsthand beforehand, Saber was mentally prepared—the awkward exchange between these two will not be detailed—but even so, Saber couldn't help but want to facepalm at Rider's incredible lack of self-awareness.

"Although I thank you for your previous act of kindness, please forget your absurd proposal."

Saber, not in the best mood, replied with a hint of anger.

"Don't say that, the treatment can be discussed—"

Rider's next words were cut off by Saber's sharp sword light.

"Clang!"

A sword energy woven from the swift wind severed a tentacle that was trying to ambush Rider from behind, and also startled Weber, who had poked his head out thinking he was safe, causing him to shrink back inside the chariot.

"You can discuss your treatment with these sea monsters. Perhaps they'll be amenable to your terms? But what will you use to pay? Caster's bounty reward probably won't do."

The sea monsters that had gathered around again silently conveyed one fact: their master was not yet dead. Realizing this, Rider also dropped his flippant attitude and, like Saber, scanned their surroundings with sharp eyes.

If you were to ask how many life-and-death crises he had experienced, Kiritsugu Emiya's personal history alone would be enough to film a series of movies comparable to the "007 Legend." With his extensive experience, ordinary dangers held no meaning for him.

He had navigated countless scenes where life and death hung by a thread. The current situation was incomparable to those.

Yet, for the first time, he felt so powerless.

No sorcerer steeped in evil arts, no ingeniously crafted traps, no bizarre magic or familiars, no complex and unpredictable environments. If anything, the opposing sorcerer himself had been analyzed and researched countless times. The battlefield was his home turf, his equipment was complete, and his ammunition was ample. If his previous actions had laid such a foundation, victory would have been virtually assured.

But the reality was that he was forced to flee in all directions, without even the time to counter and impede his opponent, like a cornered mouse. Meanwhile, the "cat" that was the hunter strolled leisurely in the enemy's courtyard, not rushing to deliver the final blow, treating the battle with a playful attitude.

The enemy's defenses had no flaws, and their tracking skills and strategic planning were equally perfect. Behind that seemingly unhurried demeanor lay a sinister "boiling frog" tactic. As the enemy drove him to flee with that large drill, the mercury streams that had spread through the corridors must have already filled the entire castle, step by step perfecting the final encirclement, waiting only for the moment he was completely trapped.

Even as a novice with almost no experience, relying almost entirely on Natalia's distant past, he had never faced such a helpless situation.

Through the gap in the wooden door at the end of the corridor where Kiritsugu Emiya was currently located, silver liquid had already begun to seep out. The sound of the drill grinding against the air, accompanied by leisurely footsteps, grew closer—was it time to reel him in?

However, in this desperate situation, caught between a wolf in front and a tiger behind, the Magus Killer had not given up. Having been trained as a weapon himself, he had developed the habit of leaving contingency plans, even if they might not be used.

"To be pushed this far so early on... as expected of the Holy Grail War."

The manipulator of the mercury attire had already rounded the corner and entered the corridor. The opportunity was singular—

"Ah♀... Ah♀..."

"Here... Ah!"

"It hurts... No... Please be gentle..."

In an unknown corner deep within the dense forest, a shadowy figure was manhandling the silver-haired woman lying on the ground. Her clothes were already in disarray. While not completely torn, the glimpses revealed through the mess were enough to ignite desire in the heart. Coupled with the soft moans escaping her tempting, cherry-like lips, it was enough to make anyone lose their composure.

"Ah... Ah..."

"I'm telling you—"

"Ah... Uh..."

"So I was saying—"

"Here... No..."

"I told you, stop making those weird noises! I'm just healing you, and you crying out like that makes people think all sorts of things. With the crackdown these days and so many people eager to report, if we get censored, I won't know where to cry!"

Just as an objective law of development, such benefits couldn't possibly appear so openly. Thus, the reality of the scene above was that Jizi was healing Irisviel, who had been beaten to a pulp by the Matou. All she needed was to use her ability to conjure healing items like "bandages," common in RPGs. As for why she didn't use "ancient secret medicine," even if she sucked all of Matou's magic dry, she couldn't produce even half of it.

And as for why she didn't use convenient consumable items like "healing potions" that could restore health with a single dose—well, you understand.

The healing effect was quite significant. The wounds where the bandages were applied were healing at a visible rate, and even the pain had subsided. However, the muscle fatigue remained. Assassin had some unknown method of healing, and Irisviel secretly took note of this information. Although she didn't know if she'd ever return to Kiritsugu's side, she still did everything she could to help him.

Of course, what she didn't know was that the efficiency would be even higher if Kirei Kotomine were to treat her. However, the currently principled Matou, to avoid suspicion, handed the task to Jizi, who was a "woman," even though it consumed more magic.

That strange moaning earlier? It was just Jizi touching a wound while (carefully) applying the bandage.

Irisviel's injuries had mostly recovered. Having calmed down, she began to seriously contemplate the fate that awaited her. The previous, insane suggestion from the insane Assassin had not been adopted by the (still) principled priest, who had even healed her.

Why would they bother protecting the enemy's life? Irisviel didn't believe it was "the Lord's mercy" that moved the priest. The only possibility was that they saw her value.

"It's useless. You don't understand Kiritsugu at all. Threatening me or killing me won't shake his resolve."

She looked at the priest, who had his back to her, with a dismissive gaze. People like him would never understand, never.

Even if she couldn't withstand their torture and revealed information detrimental to Kiritsugu, she believed Kiritsugu would have already taken corresponding countermeasures before that happened. Kiritsugu, I can only trust you...

When she was being shamefully treated and then taken away by Assassin, the only thing the Einzbern princess did was to encourage herself with her lover's name.

This chapter is to prove that I am part of the group. I have no social activities today. I spent the day writing and will participate in the Youth League's flame magic exchange exercise tonight.

If you think this book is good, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time.