Irisviel walked over to Shirou and placed a hand on the boy's shoulder.
"Is this how Einzbern treats its honored guests?"
"..."
The homunculi looked at one another in confusion, unsure how to respond.
"Take us to see Ahadon," Irisviel said.
Her unquestionable tone and innate queenly dignity left the girls present silent for a long while. In the end, they lowered their weapons.
Irisviel took Shirou's hand and walked deeper into the forest's bounded field with practiced ease.
Einzbern Castle was no less magnificent than the one in the forest outside Fuyuki City.
Even the palace of the Holy Roman Empire probably doesn't compare, Shirou thought.
After entering the castle, they walked for another full fifteen minutes before finally reaching the chapel at their destination.
Along the way, the homunculi working inside the castle would stop what they were doing and turn their heads to stare at Shirou and Irisviel.
That silent pressure was almost like something out of a horror movie.
Irisviel did not respond to their gazes. She continued forward with a composed expression, having already overcome the fear in her heart.
Someone was already waiting inside the chapel of Einzbern Castle.
He was a tall, stern-faced old man whose long white beard brought frozen waterfalls to mind. He was the homunculus terminal who had ruled Einzbern for centuries—Justeaze von Einzbern.
Ever since inheriting the position of Eighth Head of the Family, he had taken the name Ahad. After extending his life several times, he had lived for nearly two centuries.
"I heard that some uninvited bandits claiming to be honored guests had arrived. I was wondering who could be so shameless. So it was you."
A sharp light shone from Ahadon's sunken eye sockets, as if it would pierce straight through Irisviel.
"Grandfather."
Irisviel bowed deeply.