"I've been a fool again."
In the bathroom, the hot water from the showerhead sprayed over Lin Jiuan's body. As the warm water flowed down, he looked at the water draining away on the floor and frowned. He had foolishly followed Irisviel back here. If her husband, Kiritsugu Emiya, found out... that super-paranoid fanatic, who in some ways was even more twisted than Tokiomi Tohsaka, wouldn't he be under 24/7 surveillance? The moment he showed any sign of not being human, wouldn't he be immediately dismembered?
No, with Kiritsugu's personality, at such a critical time, he would probably kill him without hesitation at the mere suspicion of a problem. And then, upon discovering he could resurrect, he would hunt him down for all eternity.
"Should I just run away?"
Just then, there was a soft knock on the bathroom door, followed by Irisviel's gentle voice. "Jiuan, I'm coming in, okay?"
Before Lin Jiuan could answer, the door was pushed open. Irisviel had already changed in the dressing room. She was now wrapped only in a single, thin white bath towel, which was stretched taut across her chest, revealing a pristine white cleavage.
"Didn't I tell Jiuan to wait for me?" Seeing him already showering, Irisviel hurried over and turned off the water. She then crouched down and gently ruffled his hair. "You're still too young to bathe by yourself, you know."
Lin Jiuan subconsciously glanced down, then immediately looked away. "Um, I can wash by myself." He paused, and seeing Irisviel puff out her cheeks in a mock pout, he quickly added, "Wouldn't your... husband mind, Madam?"
"Mind what?" Irisviel chuckled, pinching his cheek. "Not to mention I'm not even married, but even if I were, why would he mind me bathing a little child?"
"Not married?" Lin Jiuan looked at Irisviel in disbelief. If you're not married, then who is fighting the Holy Grail War for the Einzberns?
"What? Do I look that much like I'm already married?"
"No." Lin Jiuan shook his head repeatedly, his mind racing to find a way to subtly probe for information without raising suspicion. "It's just... Sister, you seem so gentle and beautiful, just like a mother."
Irisviel's cheeks turned a little red, and she felt a surge of happiness. Having grown up in a castle, this was the first time she had ever been complimented by a boy. Even if it was just a little boy, he was still a boy, and a handsome one at that. "Alright, alright. I don't have a husband, so Jiuan doesn't need to worry."
With that, Irisviel began to wash him. Lin Jiuan, initially uncomfortable, gradually got used to the feeling of her soft, boneless hands cleaning his body. He began to ponder his situation.
Irisviel wouldn't lie to him; there was no need to. This meant she really wasn't married to Kiritsugu Emiya. But that wasn't right either. The Einzberns wouldn't have let Irisviel participate in the war alone...
Wait a minute.
Lin Jiuan's pupils contracted as a thought struck him. He remembered now. There was indeed a parallel world where Irisviel participated directly as a Master instead of marrying Kiritsugu. It was from the FGO collaboration event about the Fourth War, a Singularity called Fate/Accel Zero Order. It was an 'if' world where 'the Einzbern's technology had advanced further,' creating an Irisviel who had abilities similar to Illya's. Thus, the Einzberns didn't need to hire Kiritsugu, and Irisviel became Artoria's Master directly.
"I'm doomed!"
Irisviel's participation wasn't the most serious problem. The most serious problem was the butterfly effect it would cause. The winner of this war would be Irisviel. But the Grail had been corrupted in the Third War, meaning victory would only unleash All the World's Evils. Therefore, the Counter Force would intervene. And the one sent would be Fujimaru Ritsuka!
Thinking of the miserable fates of his 'Beast' predecessors at the hands of that monster, a chill ran down Lin Jiuan's spine. I'm a dead man!
Suddenly, the great pervert he had feared before seemed so kind and approachable. Kiritsugu Emiya, please come back!
"What's wrong? Are you sad that I don't have a husband?" Irisviel noticed Lin Jiuan's sorrow and was a little confused. But then, she seemed to realize something, and her eyes widened in surprise. Could it be that this little boy with a wife-complex was kicked out by his previous family because he was having an affair with the mistress of the house? No, how could a child so young...
Feeling ridiculous for her own thoughts, Irisviel casually glanced down, and the smile on her face froze. He... actually seemed capable of it.
Then, Irisviel secretly glanced at Lin Jiuan's impossibly handsome face again, and an absurd thought arose in her mind. If he were interested... it wouldn't be out of the question, would it?
As if possessed, Irisviel said, "If you like, you can also call me Mrs. Irisviel."
Lin Jiuan: "?" Before you said that, did you just look at something you shouldn't have?
In the bedroom.
Lin Jiuan lay on his side in Irisviel's arms, feeling the two soft mounds pressing against his head, her long, plush thighs resting over his waist. But he felt no amorous emotions whatsoever, only a heart full of grief and indignation.
"I just want to survive quietly until retirement. Is that so hard?"
It was one thing to be bullied by Tokiomi, Kirei, and a second-rate Hassan while he was young and weak. He could endure that. But now, this was a world that Chaldea might interfere with. If Fujimaru Ritsuka really showed up with their entourage, what chance of survival did he, a 'Beast' in its infancy and severely weakened state, have?
At this moment, Lin Jiuan finally understood the feeling his predecessors had—the feeling of being targeted by the entire world. A foolish mother, a scumbag father, and every Heroic Spirit and magus believing he was the culprit behind the world's destruction, attacking him on sight.
"It's not like I wanted to be a Beast!"
Irisviel's emotions were the complete opposite of his. A moment ago, she was embarrassed by her thoughtless words. But now, holding Lin Jiuan's fragrant, soft body, she understood what true happiness was. So fragrant, so soft. I want to hold little Jiuan forever. If I could live like this forever, I would even give up driving luxury cars, living in a mansion, and winning the Holy Grail War!
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. You have successfully caused 'Irisviel von Einzbern' to enter the 'Initial Fallen' state. Reward acquired: 'Lesser Grail (Internal)'.]
Wait, how did you also enter a Fallen state for no reason? I didn't do anything!
Looking at the system panel, Lin Jiuan was about to lose it. He suddenly understood why those Heroic Spirits attacked him on sight. Am I being a little too ridiculous as a Beast?
Taking a deep breath, he first claimed the reward. The once-meager magic energy in his body became visibly abundant. It felt like going from a nearly-dry puddle to a massive natural lake. The Internal Lesser Grail, as its name suggested, granted him a small Grail full of magical energy within his body, greatly increasing his total mana, as well as his mana absorption and recovery rates, effectively turning him into a human-shaped Holy Grail.
Feeling the abundant magical energy within him, the sensation of regaining power quelled much of his earlier grief and indignation. A fierce glint flashed in his eyes. So, everyone wants to kill me, huh? Just you wait. We'll see who kills whom!
Just then, a pillar of magical energy erupted from a great distance.
"Master!" Artoria's serious voice sounded from a corner of the bedroom. Her figure materialized from the darkness.
Irisviel, who had been indulging in her feelings for Lin Jiuan, snapped to attention. She got up and looked toward the direction of the mana explosion—the Fuyuki City port.
"He is declaring war on us."
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