Irisviel, innocent of the world

Artoria looked at Sakura Matou's happy smile.

Although they had only spent a short time together,

she had already realized what terrible things would have befallen this child without Lin Luo.

My Master really is complicated.

Shaking her head gently, Artoria put the question aside for now.

Before the castle gates!

An expressionless old man dressed in black had been waiting for some time.

Seeing them approach, he stepped forward to meet Lin Luo and the others. "You may call me Ahad. I am the head of the Einzbern Family. It is a pleasure to meet you all."

Despite his words, his face remained expressionless.

At this,

Lin Luo was not surprised!

In a sense, the man was merely an automaton that strictly followed its programming.

After looking him over, Lin Luo got straight to the point. "What do you want with me?"

"To be precise," Ahad said calmly, "I wish to speak to your Master."

"I am the Master."

"I see!"

Seeing that Medusa raised no objection, Ahad nodded.

He had little capacity for excitement in the first place.

Looking at Lin Luo, Ahad asked, "Are you participating in the Holy Grail War on behalf of the Matou Family?"

"No. I represent only myself."

"In that case, would you consider participating in this war on behalf of our Einzbern Family instead? This is very important to us."

"I have one question."

Lin Luo asked seriously, "Is Kiritsugu Emiya your family's son-in-law?"

"He is not!"

"He is merely someone we hired," Ahad said. "It now appears that we overestimated his abilities."

At that, a smile curled across Lin Luo's lips.

It seemed his guess had been right.

"What is this Master of mine thinking?"

Medusa muttered from beside him, "He hasn't taken a fancy to another woman, has he?"

Sure enough!

Lin Luo said, "I can accept the job, but I want Irisviel as my payment. That should be acceptable, right?"

It was an empty promise anyway.

Just as with Artoria, he only needed to take the benefits.

When the time came, he would simply fulfill his promise. Anything else was none of his concern.

"Do you want her to become your wife?"

After a moment's silence, as though calculating the gains and losses, Ahad continued, "If that is the case, it is acceptable."

"She will become one of my wives."

"That much I can guarantee," Lin Luo said with complete seriousness.

"Very well. We have a deal."

Hearing their exchange, Medusa's lips twitched.

Just as she had thought!

This Master of hers!

There was nothing in his head but women.

She was right here, yet he was still so shameless.

At that thought, she instinctively glanced at Artoria.

Fine!

He was like this even with her around.

My Master has always been this way. Nothing unusual, then.

Chapter 53: Alice, innocent of the world

Einzbern Castle!

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Lin Luo. I look forward to your guidance."

Inside the room, a woman with delicate features and long, snow-white hair performed a perfectly proper kneeling bow before Lin Luo.

Irisviel von Einzbern.

That was the woman's name.

Ahad's efficiency was frighteningly high.

No sooner had they finalized their agreement than he brought Irisviel before Lin Luo.

Looking at this woman, who seemed both a refined lady and an innocent child, Lin Luo smiled.

He's so handsome!

Alice raised her head to look at Lin Luo, a faint blush rising over her doll-like face.

Although little time had passed, she already understood everything.

The man before her would be her husband, the person she would serve for the rest of her life.

Though she was a homunculus, she had feelings of her own.

And she did not dislike Lin Luo.

In fact, his eyes, so similar to her own, made her feel quite fond of him.

"There's no need for such formality between us from now on."

Lin Luo helped her up with a gentle smile.

My husband has a lovely personality, too.

With that thought, determination filled Irisviel's eyes.

She closed her fingers around Lin Luo's warm, slender hand and said softly, "Lord Lin Luo, I will do my utmost to be a worthy wife to you."

As she spoke, Irisviel slowly leaned forward, guiding Lin Luo's hand to her face.

Although her cheeks were flushed with embarrassment, her gaze only grew more resolute.

"You mean that."

Lin Luo gazed into her eyes.

"Yes!"

Alice nodded, her eyes seeming to speak for her.

"Then it's time I showed you my sincerity."

Lin Luo spoke with righteous conviction.

Breathing a little heavily, Irisviel felt Lin Luo's sincerity.

She did not refuse!

From this day onward, she belonged only to Lin Luo.

Alice was a homunculus.

Having lived in the castle for years, she knew very little about the everyday lives of ordinary people.

Fortunately, Lin Luo had always lived as an ordinary person. He truly was an expert in that regard and could explain things with ease.

Alice was earnest and wholly attentive.

When it came to everyday knowledge, such as cleaning, understanding alone was not enough. Practice was essential.

Soon, Irisviel volunteered to begin with the simplest tasks.

In the castle dining room.

Medusa was already fidgeting restlessly, her face as red as an apple.

For the first time, she bitterly resented her extraordinary hearing.

Then!

She looked over at Artoria, who was steadily demolishing the desserts beside her, and her lips twitched.

This one was even more of a piece of work.

Wasn't she a little too oblivious for a Heroic Spirit?

Or was Medusa simply oversensitive and paying far too much attention?

"Medusa, I'm so bored."

Holding a dessert, Sakura Matou came over and asked innocently, "Can I go play with Uncle Devil?"

"No!"

Medusa shot to her feet and placed both hands on Sakura Matou's shoulders. "Stay right here. Don't go anywhere," she said sternly.

Even through her blindfold, the seriousness and resolve in her eyes were palpable.

For Sakura as she was now, that place was more terrifying than Hell.

"Huh?"

Sakura Matou jumped in fright.

But seeing how serious Medusa was, she muttered, "Okay, I won't go."

Sakura is so adorable.

Looking at Sakura, Medusa could not resist patting her head.

Artoria said, "Delicious. Absolutely delicious."

She was still busy eating.

At dusk.

The setting sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Lin Luo lowered his head to look at Irisviel in his arms.

Should I reincarnate her as my servant now?

She's the key to activating the Greater Grail. Turning her into a devil might cause something unexpected.

Not that I'd mind.

But I did promise Artoria I'd win the Holy Grail War.

Forget it!

A few more days won't hurt.

"Lord Lin Luo..."