Negotiations

Under Maiya's surprised gaze, Irisviel winked playfully at her:

"Keep this a secret from Kiritsugu ~"

"Hmm... okay"

Maiya nodded subconsciously.

A strange feeling welled up inside Irisviel. Feelings she had kept hidden in her heart, feelings she could never tell her husband, were now being spoken to in front of this person.

Unlike her love for Kiritsugu and her trust in Saber, this feeling of being able to confide in the person before her without any hindrance, this tacit understanding of sharing a secret, was so novel to Irisviel, who was experiencing this emotion for the first time.

That's probably what "friends" are like.

"Although I'm a little reluctant, I'll be entrusting Kiritsugu to you from now on."

Although Irisviel said she was unwilling, her expression remained gentle.

"I will handle this matter properly. However, that will be after the battle is over. Now is not the time to relax under any circumstances."

Perhaps due to the passage of time, Maiya's expression returned to its indifferent state, but Irisviel could still detect the teasing in Maiya's words.

"You really are..."

Irisviel gave a "I can't do anything with you" smile, and was about to say something more when suddenly a piercing ringtone sounded—

This is the alarm that Maiya set to remind herself that the appointed time is approaching.

"Maiya, could you go and call Saber?"

Irisviel, who also heard the bell, glanced out the window and, before she knew it, the moonlight had begun to bathe the earth.

Maiya nodded silently, opened the door, and went next door to inform Saber, who was adjusting her state.

Taking a deep breath, Irisviel's crimson eyes regained their resolve.

"This is one of the few things I can do for you now... Kiritsugu!"

Day 2 of perfect attendance 233

PS2: Thank you Hu De for the two generous donations!

I'll pay it back together after the bounty expires...

(Vomiting blood)

Chapter 87. Negotiation

"Irisviel, how are you feeling?"

When Saber came in from outside, she asked.

"Hmm. Everything should be alright now."

In response to Saber's concern, Irisviel shook her head and smiled.

"Hmm..."

Although Saber witnessed Irisviel faint last night, the color in Irisviel's face had returned to its usual healthy state, making it hard to believe she had just been unconscious.

I'm sorry I worried you.

Irisviel stretched slightly, as if she had woken up happily in the morning after a good rest.

"No, I'm glad you're alright."

Seeing that Irisviel seemed to be alright, Saber breathed a sigh of relief and sincerely said to her.

"However, I may not be able to fight alongside you anymore in the future."

Irisviel's wry smile and reply startled Saber slightly.

"Because I did experience some health problems."

Saber then remembered that Irisviel was an artificial being, unlike humans.

Perhaps there's some kind of malfunction.

"Hey Saber... It might be a bit much... but from now on, can you Kiritsugu a comrade and fight alongside him?"

More than the strength of the enemy, Iris was worried about the master and servant who had absolutely no understanding of each other.

"..."

Saber's somewhat gloomy expression revealed the inner turmoil she was experiencing.

So far, Kiritsugu, as Saber's Master, has either completely ignored her or shown cold contempt towards her.

Although Saber, as a queen, neither would question nor need to question the reasons behind it, it was precisely because of this that the fragile relationship between Saber and Kiritsugu was entirely maintained by Irisviel.

Now, Irisviel, who serves as the link between Servant and Master, is about to withdraw from this Holy Grail War. Therefore, it's inevitable that conflict will arise between these two individuals whose ways of life and beliefs are completely opposite. Thus, Iris believes she must do everything possible to mitigate the tension between them.

"I can promise you... Irisviel..."

Finally, Saber gave this answer with great difficulty.

"Yes, that's wonderful."

Seeing that Saber had agreed to her request, Irisviel smiled with relief.

"When you return victorious, I will surely hand over the Holy Grail to you."

If the original goal of the founding Three Founding Families is to reach the Root, then it is necessary to use Command Spell to force Saber, who has defeated all Servant, to commit suicide, and to end the war by offering all seven Heroic Spirit as sacrifices for the Holy Grail.

However, this was not the wish that Iris and Kiritsugu entrusted to the Holy Grail. Although the wish to change the world and end all the struggles seemed enormous, it ultimately fell within the realm of miracles. Depending on the changes that would occur, it would at most take place within the inner workings of the world, which was far easier than targeting the Reverse Side of the World of the Root Vortex. But if they only wanted to achieve miracles in the real world, then they wouldn't need the ancient Saint of Winter herself as a vessel to fully awaken the Greater Grail. Defeating the other six hostile Servant would be enough to replenish the magical power needed to fulfill Kiritsugu and Saber's wishes.

Therefore, you must win; you must obtain the Holy Grail.

Because the Holy Grail is "her," and she does not want to belong to anyone other than Kiritsugu.

"Then let me Kiritsugu until the very end."

Irisviel turned to look at Saber, her expression revealing strength:

"Saber, I need you to protect me this time."

"Certainly!"

Saber nodded resolutely in response:

"I swore an oath to protect you and to win the final victory the moment I was summoned."

Upon hearing Saber's firm and resolute reply, Irisviel smiled and nodded.

"Then I'll have to trouble you."

Although only five or six days have passed since the start of the Holy Grail War, the temperature in Fuyuki City is much colder than it was at the beginning.

After dinner, residents who usually go for a walk in twos and threes choose to curl up in the fireplace and enjoy the warmth of home.

"So why did I have to choose this time...?"

Standing in the empty seaside park, Wang Xiaoming felt like crying. Although he hadn't felt anything when he first arrived, the longer he stood there, the colder it got...

Are you alright?

Turning to look at Medea, who was wearing a hood and still dressed in thin clothes, Wang Xiaoming reached out to take off his coat, but Medea stopped him:

"Take good care of yourself first."

Medea said irritably, then gently touched Wang Xiaoming's body with her slender hand, and his body, which had been shivering from the cold, suddenly warmed up.

"Let's see if you can use your brain next time."

Although her expression was hidden by the hood, Wang Xiaoming could still imagine her reproachful look.

"Why aren't they here yet..."

I tried to awkwardly change the subject, but was interrupted by the sound of a car horn coming from afar.

The Master + Servant duo was something that had already been agreed upon in the letter of intent for the alliance.

As Irisviel and Saber walked towards him, a cryptic look flashed in Wang Xiaoming's eyes. However, no one noticed it in the dim light.

Approaching the location, Irisviel said in a calm and clear voice, "We have come as invited, based on the time and place you have chosen."

Looking at Irisviel, whose appearance was so different from his previous impressions, Wang Xiaoming sighed softly and said, "There's no need for that. We're just negotiating."

The atmosphere on the field didn't ease after Wang Xiaoming's words. Seeing this, he shrugged helplessly.

"So, we agree to your request for negotiations. May we begin to discuss the details?"

"Can"

Irisviel indicated in the simplest way that she had no objections.

"Given the current situation, with Saber's left hand sealed and our Caster at a disadvantage compared to Rider, Archer, and Lancer, we are at the greatest disadvantage in the Holy Grail War. There should be no doubt about that, right?"

Faced with this undeniable reality, Irisviel could only nod silently.

"Leaving aside the goals of both sides in obtaining the Holy Grail, our cooperation is based on equality."

Seeing that Irisviel remained silent, Wang Xiaoming continued:

"Then, our requirements are very simple."

--Under the most disadvantageous circumstances, both sides joined forces to survive the Holy Grail War. After defeating the other Servant, they then considered each other enemies.

I don't think this kind of agreement is excessive, is it?

Seemingly pondering what was unreasonable about Wang Xiaoming's request, Irisviel remained silent for a long time. After nodding, as if to suppress him and take the lead, she then said:

"But we have one request."

"Please speak."

Wang Xiaoming simply nodded in response to Irisviel's words, seemingly having been mentally prepared for this matter.

Irisviel turned her gaze to Medea behind Wang Xiaoming:

"Since we are allies, we need to know Caster's real name."

Of all the participating factions in the Holy Grail War, Caster's side is the most mysterious. This is the consensus among the other Master:

--Wang Xiaoming, as the Master, was clearly just an ordinary person with an impeccable background. In the past, ordinary people who were mistakenly dragged into the Holy Grail War would have been eliminated long ago.

Wang Xiaoming, however, has survived to this day and even possesses complete knowledge of the intelligence of the other participating parties. This makes the other Master, who are unaware of his background, both curious and wary of Wang Xiaoming.

Having heard all this from Kiritsugu Irisviel astutely noticed a problem:

That must be Caster. Servant could utter those words at a banquet couldn't possibly be an unknown figure, so--

Could everything Wang Xiaoming knows have been told to him by Caster? Is Wang Xiaoming merely a cover-up by Caster to conceal his true identity...?

Caster, who has been hiding behind Wang Xiaoming, what is her true identity?

To Irisviel's surprise, after exchanging a glance with Caster, Wang Xiaoming nodded and said:

"No problem, but why don't you let Caster introduce himself?"

Could my reasoning be wrong?

Seeing that Wang Xiaoming didn't show any sign of difficulty, Irisviel's idea that [Caster was the mastermind] began to waver.

Caster, wearing a hood, slowly walked out from behind Wang Xiaoming. Caster's actions alerted Saber, who instinctively stepped in front of Irisviel.

"There's no need to be so nervous, Saber."

Medea's voice came from under her hood:

"My Master has already stated that we have no ill intentions, but this is the time for you to demonstrate your true sincerity."

Hearing Caster's words, which seemed to imply something else, Saber frowned and demanded:

"Caster, what do you mean?"

"You all know what I mean better than anyone else, right?"