"Emiya-san? You know him?" Irisviel looked surprised when Shichen mentioned Kiritsugu Emiya's name.
"So he really is here… You call him Emiya-san?" Shichen raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, is there something wrong with that?"
"Hmm… might be a bit forward of me to ask."
"It's fine, just ask." Irisviel smiled gently, especially as she looked at Illya snuggled happily in his arms.
"Alright then."
Shichen nodded and asked directly, "Isn't Emiya-san your husband?"
"My husband? Of course not." Irisviel laughed and shook her head.
"Daddy, what are you talking about?"
Illya cut in with a frown. "You're my dad. So shouldn't that mean you're Mom's husband?"
"Uh…"
"I-Illya!" Irisviel called out, flustered.
"Am I wrong?" Illya tilted her head, completely serious.
"Well…" Faced with her daughter's pure expression, Irisviel couldn't bring herself to deny it.
"…You're right," Shichen smiled.
"Hehe~ That's more like it!" Illya beamed.
"Shi…"
Shichen winked at Irisviel, silently telling her not to worry about it.
"…Thank you." Irisviel gave him a soft, knowing nod.
"Actually, I should be the one saying thanks."
"Huh?" Irisviel blinked, confused.
"Heh, don't worry about it. Anyway—back to what I asked. What's your relationship with Emiya?"
"He's just a guest. Kinda reclusive, honestly. We barely talk."
"I see. Guess Illya being here must've shaken things up. Lucky, really."
Would've been awkward if the mother of Emiya's child was married to someone else.
He wasn't about to get involved with someone's wife — that's not his thing. Unless she's a widow, maybe.
"Are you here to talk to Emiya-san, Shichen-san?" Irisviel asked curiously.
"Just call me Shichen, no need to be formal," he waved it off.
"And yeah, I am. Got some business with him."
"Is this about the Holy Grail War?"
"Well... now it kind of is. He's the mage your Einzbern family brought in for it, right?"
"Shichen... you know about that too?"
"It's not exactly a secret. The other candidates know as well."
"…Fair enough."
"Shichen, what's the Holy Grail War?"
Frieren tugged on his sleeve, looking up at him.
"It's a battle over the Holy Grail, something that can supposedly grant any wish," he explained simply.
"A Grail that grants wishes?"
"Yep. Any wish, supposedly."
"Oh." Frieren instantly lost interest.
"Frieren-ssn… doesn't seem too impressed by that?" Irisviel asked, uncertain.
"She doesn't really need it," Shichen laughed, gently patting her silver hair.
"I want headpats too!" Illya pouted.
"Okay, okay~" Shichen moved over to ruffle Illya's hair.
"Hehehe~"
Frieren glanced over for a second, then looked away again.
"She doesn't need it…? Is Frieren really that powerful?" Irisviel asked, surprised.
From her perspective, not needing the Holy Grail meant someone had the strength to fulfill their own wishes.
Plus, Frieren's looks were clearly unusual — especially those pointed ears. She wasn't human.
"She's strong, yeah. But it's more that she doesn't like shortcuts. She prefers to figure things out one step at a time."
"I see… Frieren-san seems pretty incredible."
"Just call her Frieren — no need to be so polite."
"Alright…"
"Anyway, back to the point — can I meet with Emiya-san?"
"You want to meet him? That's fine, but is there a reason?"
"Of course. I'm here to take his place in the Grail War. He's not really suited for it."
"Huh?"
Shichen made his way alone to Kiritsugu Emiya's room.
He'd left Frieren behind to play with Illya — this wasn't something she needed to be part of.
Irisviel stayed back too, prepping rooms for them. They'd be staying here for a while.
Maybe it was how suddenly he'd shown up, or maybe because Illya had accepted him without question — but Irisviel hadn't put up any defenses.
Even though he hadn't shown off any power or given any real proof, Illya's attitude spoke volumes.
She'd been waiting for her "dad" since she was little. Irisviel had always assumed it was just a child's fantasy — but today changed everything.
And considering Illya's mysterious conception… it all added up.
She was just grateful he didn't try to take Illya away. The fact he wanted to stay was a relief.
At the door, Shichen knocked.
"Who is it?" came a deep voice from inside.
"It's me."
"Who are you?"
"Kiritsugu Emiya… Do you want to save the world?"
"…What?"
The door creaked open. A tired, scruffy man stood behind it.
He looked completely burned out — unshaven, dull eyes. Honestly, he looked like a homeless guy.
But Shichen recognized him instantly — the so-called "champion of justice": Kiritsugu Emiya.
"Who are you?" Kiritsugu asked warily.
"Name's Shichen. I'm here to save the world — in your place."
Shichen's gaze dropped to Kiritsugu's hand.
There it was — a red Command Seal on the back of his hand. Three interconnected marks.
It was proof that Kiritsugu had been chosen as one of the seven Masters in this Holy Grail War.
"Shichen?"
"If you're suspicious, go ahead and ask Irisviel to confirm my identity."
"…No need. Someone shady wouldn't show up so openly."
"Knew you were sharp, Kiritsugu-papa."
"…What?" Kiritsugu frowned.
"Cough, never mind. Slip of the tongue."
Kiritsugu didn't press. He simply asked, "You said you're taking my place to save the world. What do you mean?"
"Not gonna invite me in first?"
"…Come in."
He stepped aside. Shichen walked in without hesitation.
The room was dark and bare. Just a bed and a cabinet.
"How long have you been staying here?" Shichen asked casually.
"Eight years."
"Eight years?! And you've just... stayed like this the whole time?" Shichen was stunned.
"Is that a problem?"
"…You really are something else." Shichen shook his head and flopped down by the bed.
"So, can I get an answer now?" Kiritsugu leaned back against the wall.
"It's simple. You're not fit for the Grail War. I'll do it."
"The Einzberns told you to?"
"Nope. I decided that myself."
"Then I'll have to decline."
"Didn't you hear me say I'm here to save the world — in your place?"
"…What are you talking about?"
"You want to win the Grail and wish for world peace, right?"
"…How do you know that?"
"Well, how else would I know I'm here to replace you? But here's the thing — that wish? It won't work."
"…Why?"
"It's not your skills or your competition. The problem's the Grail itself."
Shichen shrugged. "It's corrupted."
"Corrupted?"
"Yeah. During the last war, it absorbed the soul of an Anti-Hero. Now it's tainted."
"Anti-Hero…?"
"You don't need the details. Just know this — if you make a wish now, the Grail will twist it. You'll get the opposite."
"…What does that mean?"
"It means if you wish for peace, the Grail might kill off all of humanity to make it happen."
"…That's insane."
"But technically accurate. No people, no war, right? Peace achieved."
"…You're serious?"
"Dead serious. That's the current state of the Holy Grail. We can't let anyone else get their hands on it."
"So what are you saying?"
"I'm saying… let's destroy it."
~~~
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