"R-Rather than a surprise, it was more like... unexpected."
"So Grandfather really could manifest in a possibility like that..."
Mash's expression still looked somewhat stiff.
To be honest, her impression of Anno had always been that of someone serious, even dignified—a noble knight, a stern father, a kind grandfather, a powerful general, and a dutiful retainer.
And then, all of a sudden, he had become this casual, uninhibited figure, even grabbing a bottle of liqueur off the wall and drinking straight from it.
It had to be said, the contrast was a little too great. So great that Mash had trouble adjusting to it for the moment.
"There's no need to pay too much attention to the change, my adorable granddaughter."
Wiping the corner of his mouth, Anno wore an amused smile.
"After all... how should I put this?"
Scratching his head, Anno had an inexplicable smile on his face, as though he had something difficult to say.
"There's no need to pay attention to what this man says. Fundamentally speaking, he's just one aspect of Anno."
Looking somewhat displeased, Lawrence snatched the liqueur from Anno's hand and poured herself a glass.
"Your grandfather is still the White Knight. This one... is also your grandfather, that's true, but overall, the conditions for him to appear are far stricter than for the white one."
"That's not wrong."
Anno shrugged.
"What should we do next, Master?"
Artoria walked over and snatched away the liqueur Anno had just taken back from Lawrence.
Anno Alter dared not speak despite his anger.
"...Let's rest and regroup for now."
After giving it some thought, Fujimaru Ritsuka looked toward Lawrence.
"Miss Lawrence used her Noble Phantasm once earlier, and she's not in good condition right now. Archer still hasn't woken up either. We'll recover first, then begin