Although according to their earlier act, he was supposed to remain in the Church as a Master who had lost his Servant—leaving freely would expose him—
He couldn't care less now.
He wanted to see Kiritsugu Emiya again. From the information he had gathered, Kiritsugu was clearly a bounty hunter, yet everything he did seemed self-sacrificial, as if for the sake of others.
For someone like him, who was born emotionally deficient, he wanted to understand what Kiritsugu's life goal truly was.
Perhaps… by doing so, he might also find a purpose for his own life, which felt like that of a walking corpse.
…
Inside the medical room of Einzbern Castle.
Irisviel was doing her utmost to remove the curse from Haruka Kasugano's body.
Her slender, delicate hands moved back and forth across him.
From Haruka Kasugano's perspective, this was pure bliss.
Not to mention how she occasionally pressed her cheek against him to listen to his heartbeat—the touch of that fine, snow-white skin was enough to make one lose control.
And the faint, orchid-like fragrance coming from her at such close distance—
However, because Circe's curse was rather complex, she had only managed to remove half of it after a long while.
Under the influence of Haruka Kasugano's [Disguise Operation], both she and Artoria had developed considerable trust toward him.
Now drenched in sweat, Irisviel sat down in a chair to rest.
Beads of fragrant perspiration only made her appear more alluring.
At that moment, Kiritsugu Emiya barged in, and Artoria hurriedly blocked him at the door.
"Saber, you are merely a tool—a weapon for killing. How could you bring an ordinary person back on your own? You should have killed him," Kiritsugu reprimanded.
"No! I cannot stand by and watch someone die!" Artoria retorted.
Seeing her righteous expression only angered Kiritsugu further.
On the road to obtaining the Holy Grail, everything could be discarded. Everything could be sacrificed. How could there be room for such soft-hearted mercy?
Would saving this person increase their chances of winning the Grail?
He found himself growing increasingly displeased with his Servant.
Irisviel, standing nearby, felt a trace of sorrow.
She had once parroted her husband's words daily—saying that on the path to saving the world, everything was a tool, everything could be sacrificed.
She had thought it was admirable back then, repeating it constantly.
But after her conversations with Saber, she had come to understand more righteous ideals.
Now, facing her husband's cold-blooded side, she felt the first stirrings of doubt in her unwavering support.
"Kiritsugu, that's enough… This was my decision, not Saber's fault. I'll send him back to the city once he's treated. He won't interfere with our battle, alright?"
Seeing her insist, Kiritsugu stopped arguing, but still scolded Artoria:
"Don't let me see you act on your own again."
With that, he turned and left.
"I'm sorry…" Artoria immediately apologized to Irisviel.
"No, no, we made that decision together. You don't need to apologize," Irisviel reassured her gently.
After many days of interaction, Artoria had already resolved to become Irisviel's knight and protector.
Thus she was conflicted—she disliked Kiritsugu, yet did not wish to cause Irisviel pain.
Lying on the bed, Haruka Kasugano calculated the timing.
Circe and Kayneth should be arriving soon.
Beep—
Suddenly, the castle alarm blared.
Artoria and Irisviel hurried to the conference room to discuss the situation with Kiritsugu.
Kiritsugu stood staring at the map on the table, contemplating strategy.
Behind him stood a straight-backed beauty—Maiya Hisau.
When Irisviel and Artoria entered, Kiritsugu and Maiya exchanged a knowing nod without speaking.
Seeing that silent understanding between them stung Irisviel.
She could communicate with Kiritsugu without barriers…
She completely understood his will.
She was… the most reliable woman by his side.
And on Kiritsugu's path toward his ideals… perhaps she herself was merely a decorative flower.
Moreover… Maiya carried Kiritsugu's scent on her.
Perhaps she had become Kiritsugu's woman even earlier than herself…
A sense of loss flooded Irisviel's heart. She felt an immense gap between herself and Maiya.
To make matters worse, Kiritsugu lit a cigarette in front of her.
He had promised her he would quit.
And for nine years, he had kept that promise.
Why was he smoking again now?
Suddenly, Irisviel felt conflicted.
Maiya still stood respectfully behind him.
She devoted herself wholeheartedly to Kiritsugu…
Yet Irisviel had been demanding that he stop smoking.
The contrast deepened her melancholy.
"Iri, what's wrong?" Kiritsugu asked, cigarette in hand.
As a homunculus, Irisviel disliked the smell of smoke. But now she dared not say anything, fearing he might see her as inferior to Maiya.
"It's nothing…"
Covering her nose lightly, she used a crystal ball to observe the outside situation.
Through it, she saw Circe—disguised as Medea—leading a large group of children while shouting provocatively.
Seeing this, Artoria's sense of justice flared.
"Kiritsugu, let me sortie! Otherwise those children will die!"
Kiritsugu ignored her.
Turning to Irisviel, he said, "If Caster can barge in so easily, this place is no longer suitable as a base. We withdraw now."
"Kiritsugu!" Artoria shouted.
But he continued, "We are here to claim the Grail. There is no need to do meaningless things."
"This violates my code!" Artoria fired back.
Tension filled the air.
Irisviel felt torn.
She believed the children should be saved—but she should stand with Kiritsugu.
Looking at Maiya, she saw unwavering obedience to Kiritsugu's decisions.
Then what… was she?
Seeing Artoria's anger, Irisviel could not bear it.
"Kiritsugu… let Saber engage. We'll withdraw."
Kiritsugu paused. This was the second time Irisviel had contradicted him today.
It left a bitter taste in his heart.
But he did not want to hurt her.
"Fine. Another enemy force has been detected approaching. Saber will engage Caster. Maiya, escort Iri out from the other side. I'll stay and handle the other group."
"Understood!" Artoria beamed, rushing out immediately.
Worried about Haruka Kasugano, Irisviel and Maiya carried him away together.
Feigning weakness, Haruka Kasugano draped his arms over both women's shoulders.
Feeling the softness of their shoulders… and their distinct fragrances…
It was intoxicating.
And at such close distance, he could admire their profiles freely.
…
Elsewhere, Circe surrounded the children, unwilling to let them be harmed in the upcoming fight.
She summoned hundreds of magical beasts to face Artoria.
As per Haruka Kasugano's instructions, she was to stall both Saber and the arriving Lancer.
Though she didn't fully understand the purpose.
It seemed fun enough.
Perhaps she could even eliminate Saber and Lancer at once.
Boom!
Artoria dashed forward atop her Invisible Air.
"Caster! Release those children!"
"Then come save them~!" Circe teased.
At that moment, Diarmuid arrived as well. Kayneth's order to him was to stall Saber and Caster.
Kayneth himself, armed with Volumen Hydrargyrum, entered the castle.
He intended to kill Saber's Master.
Wandering through the halls, he chuckled.
"What a fine place. Once I kill Saber's Master, I'll make this my base. Sola-Ui will surely love it."
…
Meanwhile.
After carrying Haruka Kasugano over a hundred meters, Irisviel suddenly stopped.
"Madam, what's wrong?" Maiya asked.
"I sense a third party has entered the barrier… and it seems to be Kirei Kotomine!"
At that name, both women tensed.
Kiritsugu had previously warned that Kirei might be the most dangerous opponent.
And after last night's events, they knew Kirei's target was Kiritsugu.
"I want to stop him!" they both exclaimed.
"But…"
Irisviel looked at Haruka Kasugano.
They couldn't take a wounded person along.
Haruka Kasugano immediately pretended to awaken.
"Madam… don't worry about me. I can leave on my own. Please, go do what you must."
He deliberately slipped free from their support and staggered away, leaning on a tree.
"Thank you!" Irisviel felt overjoyed, convinced she had saved the right person.
She and Maiya then rushed toward Kirei's direction.
Once they were gone, Haruka Kasugano immediately drank the antidote Circe had given him.
Then, smiling faintly—
He followed after them.