"No, I think it's because you're just too beautiful!" Irisviel said with a wry smile. It wasn't just Saber who was attracting attention and whispers. However, there was no malice in the gazes of the onlookers—only admiration.
"...Let's go, let's not worry about this."
"Then, Saber, when we get to Fuyuki City, let's go enjoy a big meal!" Irisviel cheered.
"Iri, isn't the issue whether we eat or not?" Saber felt helpless about Irisviel's occasional whims, but she was still pulled along by her.
…
The two walked out of the airport, got into a car, and soon arrived in Fuyuki City.
The car stopped at a park. As soon as it halted, Irisviel immediately jumped out and began dragging Saber around.
"Kiritsugu should have arrived by now, right?"
"Well, he should have arrived half a day earlier than us."
"So, Iri, aren't you going to contact him?"
"If he needs anything, he'll definitely contact us."
"What should we do next?" Saber couldn't stand Irisviel's lack of planning and aimlessness.
"Well... let's just see how things go!"
Saber looked at Irisviel and opened her mouth helplessly. "So... we have nothing to do right now?"
"Correct!"
Seeing Saber's bewildered expression, Irisviel said cheerfully, "It's not easy to come all this way. Let's go to the shopping street!"
Without hesitation, she took Saber's hand and resolutely walked in one direction.
"Shopping?"
"Iri, don't take this lightly. We have now stepped onto the battlefield!" Saber reminded her in a serious tone.
"Saber can sense the Servants, right? You can definitely protect me, right?" Irisviel seemed completely unconcerned about the enemy.
"Yes... yes! My sensing range is about 200 meters. Of course, if the other party has any special abilities, it's hard to say!"
Irisviel turned her head and looked directly at Saber. "That's it, then. Besides..."
"What's wrong, Iri? Is there something else..." Saber asked, responding to Irisviel's sudden hesitation.
"I… This is my first time…" Irisviel hesitated for a moment before finally speaking up. "This is my first time going out… Before… I've always lived in Einzbern Castle. This is my first time… in the outside world…"
"I was just a homunculus created for the Holy Grail War, so there was no need for me to go out. That's what my grandfather told me..."
Irisviel's tone dropped, but she continued with a happy smile, "So, I'm really happy right now. I didn't realize I was getting too carried away. I'm sorry!"
"Ah? No, it's nothing…" Saber hadn't expected Irisviel to have such an experience. She was momentarily surprised, then suddenly bent her slender arm and gestured toward Irisviel. "Although this is my first time here too, protecting the princess is a knight's duty. I may not be perfect, but I will do my best. Please!"
"…Thank you!" Her voice was soft, but the next moment, Irisviel linked arms with Saber.
"Let's go!"
…
Even in a bustling area, the pair still attracted countless gazes. A silver-haired beauty and a handsome "young man" were like a princess and a knight from a fairy tale.
For the ordinary citizens of Fuyuki City, this scene, which they could only imagine or see on TV, had actually appeared before their eyes, giving them quite a shock!
Saber and Irisviel simply strolled along, occasionally stopping to carefully examine items in shop windows, smiling slightly but not entering, then continuing on their way.
This joyful silence was soon interrupted by a voice...
"...Ladies, is this your first time here?" The voice was childish and clear, yet it carried the same awe-inspiring aura as Saber's!
The two turned around in surprise!
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A young man in strange attire appeared before Irisviel and Saber. Saber, who had once doubted her own attire, realized that her clothing was perfectly normal compared to his.
However... Saber instinctively stepped in front of Irisviel, blocking any potential line of attack from the stranger.
Although the young man looked harmless, the sword hanging at his waist made people uneasy. Especially Saber's intuition told her that the person before her, while appearing harmless, was actually very dangerous!
Ryougi Raku noticed Saber's defensive posture and her focus on his sword. He thought to himself, If I draw my sword, the aura will probably make you attack immediately!
Of course, this was just a thought. His face still wore a peaceful and friendly smile.
"Ah, little brother, how did you know this was our first time here?" Irisviel asked with curiosity and a hint of mischief, as if she hadn't noticed the tension.
"…Iri." Saber frowned and stopped Irisviel from continuing.
"It's okay, Saber." Irisviel shook her head. "You will protect me, right?"
Even as she spoke, she was still looking at Ryougi Raku with interest. Perhaps it was because he was the first person to speak to her since she had come to the outside world.
"...Ah, it's because of your behavior. You look so curious, as if it's your first time in this country." Ryougi Raku scratched his head and said a bit embarrassedly.
"I was just looking for an excuse to talk to you! Of course, I know it's your first time here, but you asked me why. Do you think I still remember the anime?!"
"Also, calling me 'little brother'!! That term has such negative connotations! And my combined age from both lifetimes is older than yours…" Ryougi Raku couldn't help but complain inwardly about Irisviel.
Seeing the childlike Ryougi Raku scratching his head and acting a bit silly, Saber's vigilance toward him finally lowered slightly...
"Ah, little brother is really amazing!" Irisviel said with a sincere and admiring tone. "...This is indeed our first time in this country!"
So... pretty boys + shotas are the easiest way to win women's favor...
"Ah, then, miss, would you like me to take you to try some traditional snacks of this country? It would be a pity to come here and not try them." Ryougi Raku warmly invited, pointing to a snack street not far away.
It was almost dinnertime. If a grown man had invited such a beautiful young woman, people would probably think he was a pervert... But when a boy around 12 years old invited her, one could only feel his enthusiasm...
"No! That's not necessary... We have things to do!" Saber refused decisively. Although she couldn't sense any ill intent from the young man, the Holy Grail War was about to begin, so it was right to be cautious...
"Saber..." Irisviel looked at Saber pitifully. She was very tempted by the traditional snacks Ryougi had mentioned. Although she had eaten all kinds of feasts in Einzbern Castle, she was very interested in this kind of food that she had only read about in books—the kind that truly embodied the local flavor and could only be experienced in its place of origin. Moreover, she also wanted to know more about Kiritsugu's hometown...
"This…" Saber glanced at Irisviel with embarrassment, feeling helpless about her sudden girlish behavior. However, when she thought of Irisviel's tragic life, her heart softened…
"The Holy Grail War won't begin until tonight at the earliest. I'm afraid we won't have this kind of leisure time in the next few days. Iri hasn't been to the outside world yet..."
"With my protection, there shouldn't be any problems..."
"Well, okay, but you must be careful, Iri..." Saber made an excuse for herself and nodded.