"Irisviel" / If I Slack Off Again, I'll Cross-Dress (I Really Can't Think of a Chapter Title)

Having tacitly accepted the answer, Emiya Kiritsugu turned his gaze to Medea beside Wang Xiaoming. If she were a "Divine Era Magus," she would surely be able to accurately determine the direction of the entire Fuyuki City's spiritual veins, making his "mission" much easier to complete.

Only...

Suddenly, the image of his wife flashed through Emiya Kiritsugu's mind.

--Irisviel, people destined to part from the day they met.

Looking back, I realize that I once lived a life devoid of loneliness, a life even more cruel than loneliness itself. There was always someone by Kiritsugu's side, and then they died. However, the one who caused this "someone" to be killed, or rather, the cause of their death, was none other than Emiya Kiritsugu himself.

One can only achieve their goals through continuous "sacrifice"...

Perhaps this was the destiny that [Emiya Kiritsugu] was destined for in his life.

But before Medea could answer, another unexpected event occurred!

An unprecedented surge of magical energy suddenly emanated from the direction of Mount Enzo.

If we compare the fluctuations of Magecraft used by an ordinary Magecraft to a stream, and the flow of magical energy when a Heroic Spirit unleashes their Noble Phantasm to a river, then only the word "ocean" can be used to describe the magical energy erupting from the Mount Enzo.

Vast magical power surged forth in waves, pouring down from Ryuudou Temple atop the mountain and gradually engulfing the entire Fuyuki City. Anyone with Magecraft energy within them noticed the anomaly in the air.

It was the feeling of malice attacking the body, an invisible curse, an aggregation of death.

The core emanating all this ominous energy began to appear in the sky above Ryuudou Temple.

It was a chilling black hole.

The final climax, goodnight and see you tomorrow (head in hands)

Chapter 122. "Irisviel"

The streets were even quieter than usual late at night.

The series of events has kept the curfew in Fuyuki City in effect. Coupled with today's strange weather, Fuyuki City residents returned home early. There were no cars on the roads.

Only the streetlights on both sides of the road remain, faithfully illuminating the dark streets for unknown passersby in the silent night.

Buzz--

A silver Mercedes sports car was driving smoothly through the streets of Miyama Town.

Saber silently drove the Mercedes sports car that was originally intended for Irisviel, Kiritsugu sat in the passenger seat, looking out the window without saying a word, smoking one cigarette after another.

Even with the passenger window open and cold air constantly rushing into the car, the entire cabin was still filled with a pungent smell of smoke.

Saber disliked the smell of smoke, but she didn't stop Kiritsugu's actions because she knew her Master was using this method to relieve his anxiety, forcing himself to remain calm and consider his next strategy.

As night fell, Mount Enzo gradually grew larger in everyone's sight.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Several fireworks suddenly lit up on the mountainside of Mount Enzo, standing out conspicuously against the dark night sky.

That was the agreed-upon signal that Caster and his crew had arrived at the designated location.

"Put me down here."

The moment he saw the signal, Emiya Kiritsugu, having stubbed out the last cigarette he had, broke the silence in the carriage.

Upon hearing this, Saber stepped on the brakes, and the silver sports car slowly came to a stop at the side of the road.

"Then let's proceed as planned. Saber, you and Caster will draw the enemy's attention head-on."

Emiya Kiritsugu pushed open the car door, his voice devoid of any emotion; he had already entered "working" mode.

"Um..."

Listening to her Master's instructions, Saber nodded silently. She had already discussed with Caster and the others about Emiya Kiritsugu Independent Action from the very beginning of the operation.

Therefore, Saber was not surprised at all by Emiya Kiritsugu's actions at this moment.

"Master..."

After hesitating for a few seconds, Saber called out to Kiritsugu, who was about to leave, and said while watching his retreating figure:

"May you... have great success in your military campaigns!"

A slight ripple appeared on Emiya Kiritsugu, a face that seemed to never change, before quickly vanishing.

"You too, Saber."

After saying that, Emiya Kiritsugu lifted his foot and continued walking.

Watching her figure quickly disappear into the darkness, Saber pressed the accelerator again and drove the car towards her destination.

--Mount Enzo.

The large lights that shone from afar were like a sharp sword slicing through the darkness at the foot of Mount Enzo, and Wang Xiaoming and Medea, who had been waiting there for a long time, emerged from the pavilion beside the approach.

"Emiya Kiritsugu, he..."

Seeing Saber step out of the car alone, exuding an imposing aura, Wang Xiaoming went up to her and asked her a question.

"Master has already taken the shortcut Kamiyama as planned."

Saber responded to Wang Xiaoming's question, and Medea suddenly added:

"The locations of the spiritual veins have already been marked; he'll be able to spot them at a glance once he arrives."

This was the best plan that Wang Xiaoming and Emiya Kiritsugu could come up with after a brief discussion.

--A two-pronged approach

Since they didn't know the true situation on the battlefield, Wang Xiaoming led two fully-powered Servant to charge into the battlefield from the front, preparing for a protracted battle.

On the other hand, he had Emiya Kiritsugu a side path Kamiyama to secretly sabotage the spiritual veins that maintained the operation of the Greater Grail. This way, even if he failed here, he could still achieve the goal of destroying the Holy Grail.

Now that we've already met Saber, there's no point in staying any longer. Looking at Medea and Saber before him, Wang Xiaoming said directly:

"Then let's Kamiyama."

After saying that, he took the lead and walked onto the mountain path leading to Ryuudou Temple.

There is only one straight mountain path leading from the foot of the mountain to Ryuudou Temple, which can be reached quickly by a few people on foot.

To Wang Xiaoming's surprise, they encountered no traps or ambushes along the way, nor did any enemies appear to hinder their progress. The three of them easily saw the unique mountain gate of Ryuudou Temple.

This suddenly gave Wang Xiaoming a feeling of frustration, like punching cotton.

We've already started raiding your base, where are your men?!

However, upon seeing Saber's still serious expression and Medea's reproachful look beside him, Wang Xiaoming could only suppress his mischievous thoughts and follow her into the mountain gate.

There's no need for directions; the sole source of magic within Ryuudou Temple is the best landmark.

And without a doubt, the source of that immense magical power was only the sole spoils of this war.

--The Holy Grail.

This was also the purpose of Wang Xiaoming and his group's trip.

After turning just one more corner, we would reach our destination. Everyone present subconsciously slowed their pace and took longer breaths.

No one knows what will happen next, so we can only stay on high alert and be fully prepared for any unexpected events.

The three walked around the corner and stepped onto the brightly lit square in front of the palace.

The view from across the square was of the Holy Grail floating in mid-air in the center of the main hall, radiating a dazzling golden light.

However, everyone's attention was drawn to another figure in the main hall—

Seeing the familiar figure kneeling before the Holy Grail, Saber, walking ahead, couldn't help but call out:

"Alice... Phil..."

The moment Saber's voice reached the main hall, the figure before the Holy Grail suddenly moved, turned around, and spoke to Saber, though with a hint of disappointment in his voice:

"Oh, it's Saber. Where's Kiritsugu?"

Standing before the Holy Grail was Irisviel, dressed in a black dress. Seeing the familiar smile on that kind face, Saber, realizing what was happening, gripped her invisible sword tightly.

"No, you're not Iris!"

"... Yes, I don't deny that what's on my face is just a mask."

Faced with Saber's questioning, the "woman" in the black dress spoke in a desolate tone that was completely out of character for Irisviel:

"But if I don't borrow a 'shell' that already possesses a personality, I can't communicate with others. I only pretended to be like this to convey my wishes. However, the Irisviel personality I possess is genuine. I was the last person to have contact with her before she disappeared. So I inherited Irisviel's last wish. She wanted me to appear in her 'original form'."

Suddenly, Irisviel looked at Saber with her arms outstretched, and her forlorn expression transformed back into hope:

"Hey, Saber, the Holy Grail is right here. Hurry up and deal with Caster, then fulfill your and Kiritsugu's wishes!"

Seeing the "woman's" clumsy acting, Saber felt a surge of anger. She absolutely could not tolerate anyone defiling the "princess" she was protecting.

The Holy Sword in his hand gleamed with golden light, pointing directly at "Irisviel," and he roared:

"Shut up, you heretic! You are not worthy to use Iris's appearance!"

"What are you talking about, Saber? Have you forgotten your and Kiritsugu's wishes?"

A look of confusion appeared on Irisviel's face.

"Do we have to expose your true colors before you'll admit it?"

A voice from behind Saber interrupted her speech, followed by a figure brushing past her, its gaze fixed on "Irisviel" in the center of the hall:

"A. Vanger - Angolan Manuel"

Weekend bonus chapter

Chapter 123. If I Slack Off Again, I'll Dress Up as a Woman (I really can't remember the chapter title)

"A. Vanger -- Angolan Manuel."

The moment that name appeared on the battlefield, it was like a boulder crashing into a calm lake, instantly shifting the atmosphere from calm to a tense pre-battle state.

"What... are you saying?"

A flicker of surprise flashed deep within Irisviel's crimson eyes, but it vanished in an instant. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she scrutinized Wang Xiaoming, who had just stepped into the battlefield.

However, Wang Xiaoming didn't have time to play any puzzle games with "her":

"Angola Mainyu, you were summoned as A. Vanger by the Einzbern Family, who were not skilled in Magecraft combat, during the Third Holy Grail War sixty years ago. However, you were just an unknown person given the name [Angola Mainyu], and it was precisely because of this that you were defeated and forced to withdraw on the fourth day of the Holy Grail War."

For some reason, "Irisviel"—no, it should be Angolan Mainyu—did not refute Wang Xiaoming's words. Instead, she asked with great interest, as if listening to a story:

"If it's as you say, then why is 'I,' who should have left the stage long ago, here?"

"Normally, defeated Servant would lose their personality and be absorbed by the Holy Grail as magical energy, as sacrifices to open the [hole], but you are different..."

Wang Xiaoming looked at Angolan Manuel and shook his head slightly:

"You are Angola Mainyu, a hero created from the desires of the world. You yourself represent [desire]. The moment your soul enters the Holy Grail, it is equivalent to making a wish..."

--Born into this world, to slaughter all living things.

"That's right, I'm A. vanger~ But you're only half right~"

It seemed that her identity being exposed by Wang Xiaoming wasn't that important; "Irisviel" responded to Wang Xiaoming with a smile:

"I am also Irisviel. I am both [all evil in the world] and [the omnipotent wish-granting machine]; I am the being you want to destroy, and at the same time, the one who has obtained the treasure."

She was right. Whatever it was that occupied the body of Irisviel's personality, which coexisted with the body, still existed in reality.

"Alright, now that the explanation is complete, and Saber, you don't need the Holy Grail anyway..."

With crimson eyes fixed on Wang Xiaoming and his group, "Irisviel" spoke cheerfully and pleasantly:

"So, can you tell me where my husband is? He left me so 'ruthlessly' before, and as his wife, I'm heartbroken~"

"That's enough..."

A low moan of pain escaped Saber's lips.

"What are you talking about, Saber?"

Irisviel's smile remained unchanged.