Soft and fragrant, so tender that it was impossible to control oneself…
"Why… why do I feel so strange…" Irisviel von Einzbern cried out softly.
After weathering countless storms once more—
Irisviel lay sprawled over her clothes, her silver-white hair disheveled.
Her snowy strands were soaked through with heavy sweat, clinging to her smooth, delicate shoulders.
Her fair skin, nourished by Haruka Kasugano, was flushed with a rosy hue beneath its whiteness, making her look exceptionally fragile and alluring.
Haruka Kasugano pulled her into his arms, savoring the lingering bliss from moments before.
Irisviel's face was bright red with embarrassment, and she drifted into sleep like an innocent child.
During the whole process, she had not resisted much at all—if anything, she had even shown a faint hint of cooperation.
Perhaps it was because of her gentle nature, or perhaps his confession had moved her heart. In any case, their union just now had been the most satisfying of all.
Yet the system still gave no response. It seemed he would need some other method to truly gain control of Irisviel's heart.
System, is there any way to solve the issue of Irisviel becoming the Holy Grail?
[Of course. If the host successfully unlocks Irisviel's conquest mission, the system can convert your reward into a solution for the problem with her body's mechanism.]
Hahaha—being able to keep Irisviel by his side forever would be the greatest reward of all. What need was there for such trivial gains?
It seemed he would have to think carefully about a strategy.
After all, as a pure magus, Irisviel was not bound by worldly constraints like Aoi Tohsaka, nor did she have leverage like Sola.
Moreover, she currently possessed a resolve to face death. He would have to find a way to strengthen her desire to live.
Looking at Irisviel's adorable sleeping face, Haruka Kasugano couldn't resist leaning down to kiss her again.
…
Since this had originally been Circe's mage workshop, she knew the situation here like the back of her hand.
Although she didn't know how Haruka Kasugano had guessed that Kirei Kotomine would secretly hide Irisviel in their base, she was already used to Haruka Kasugano's uncanny foresight.
What she cared about wasn't that.
What bothered her was the result of Haruka Kasugano and Irisviel's passionate intimacy.
It made her extremely displeased.
"Stupid piglet! Idiot piglet! Bastard piglet!!!"
Why…
Why was I the only one being neglected…
Whether it was the wife of Archer's Master, the fiancée of Lancer's Master, or the wife of Saber's Master, he would scheme to seize them, possess them, and enjoy them.
And in the end, the two of them would become lovey-dovey…
So why was I the only one left out?
Am I not beautiful enough?
Impossible!
My appearance is absolutely above that Sola and Aoi Tohsaka!
But then why…
Circe felt utterly dejected.
When she answered the summoning from the Throne of Heroes to participate in the Holy Grail War, she hadn't possessed any grand or noble wish.
I…
I only wanted someone to stay with me…
I only wanted to experience love once again…
Circe recalled her life before death.
Because she possessed a long lifespan, she had remained on that island for countless years.
The people around her left one by one, until only she remained alone on that island.
As a witch feared by others, no one was willing to stay…
The endless loneliness drove her to desperate measures, forcing passing sailors to remain by her side.
She would rather turn them all into small animals than let them leave!
Until that man appeared.
Only then did she understand what love was.
For the first time, she no longer felt alone.
But—
In the end, he still left her.
Why…
Why did every man leave her?
Was she really that detestable?
When I'm right here within reach, why does he still go to such trouble chasing other women?
Haruka Kasugano, piglet—how have I wronged you?!
No!!!
Why should I fall behind others?
My wish was simply to obtain love!
Stupid piglet…
You must be mine…
Tonight, I'll make barley porridge!
You must stay by my side forever and ever!!!
With that thought, Circe immediately spread her wings and flew back to prepare the ingredients for the porridge.
…
Kirei Kotomine returned to his room in the church and began casting healing magecraft on himself.
His arm had been shattered into a pulverized fracture by Haruka Kasugano; it wouldn't recover anytime soon.
At that moment, Gilgamesh walked in, went straight to Kirei's wine cabinet, and poured himself a glass of red wine.
"What happened to your hand? Bitten by a woman, Kirei?" Gilgamesh laughed as he poured the drink.
Kirei replied irritably, "No. Rin Tohsaka's homeroom teacher barged in unexpectedly."
"I didn't expect him to be a magus as well—and quite skilled in close combat. I underestimated him…"
"Hahaha! Kirei, to think you'd suffer at the hands of a nobody! How amusing!" Gilgamesh laughed loudly.
"Do you need me to back you up?"
"No need. That doll is merely a Holy Grail vessel. Even if he rescued her, she only has a few days left to live," Kirei replied with a smile.
"To be honest, I find it rather ironic—and tragic—that after putting in so much effort, he'll still be separated from that doll by life and death."
A pleased smile spread across Kirei's face.
"Just thinking about it is quite interesting."
"Well now, Kirei, though that may be true, you still lost. Sounds like self-comfort to me," Gilgamesh mocked.
"Hmph!" Kirei frowned.
"Don't just talk about me. What about you? You didn't defeat Berserker either, did you? Weren't you forced to retreat?"
"Kirei! How bold of you to speak to me that way! But I am magnanimous—I permit it!" Gilgamesh set down his glass.
"I simply didn't wish to continue once dawn broke."
"Besides, Berserker's new Master used up his final Command Seal. Berserker has already broken free of control."
"For all we know, they've already been killed by Berserker."
"A Servant without Command Seals is effectively released from contract, cut off from magical supply. Berserker will soon fade away."
"So why should I waste effort dealing with him?"
"Heh… sounds like self-comfort to me as well," Kirei chuckled.
The two exchanged smiles. The friendship between two twisted souls was just that strange.
"What do we do now?" Kirei asked, growing serious.
"No need to worry about Berserker. Once he goes mad, he'll seek out Saber. I'll deal with Rider first, then propose to Saber. You can go have fun with that Kiritsugu fellow," Gilgamesh laughed.
Kirei gave a meaningful smile.
----
Late morning.
Haruka Kasugano returned to the old mansion next to the Emiya residence.
He had left Irisviel in the sewers. Though the place stank, the mage workshop there was well-established. Once the protective barrier was activated, it was the safest location.
Besides, Kirei and Gilgamesh had no reason to go back there.
No one else even knew of its existence.
After returning, he went straight to the basement where Maiya Hisau was being held.
Although Haruka Kasugano had used a healing skill to save her life, her injuries hadn't fully recovered. Simple restraints were enough to keep her obedient—she had no ability to escape.
He stood before her, considering whether he could win her over.
Since he hadn't yet figured out how to conquer Irisviel, he would have to try strengthening himself through other means.
Though Maiya, like Irisviel, was utterly devoted to Kiritsugu Emiya—
The difference was that she was human. A human who had lived in the secular world for decades.
Unlike the innocent homunculus Irisviel, Maiya's thinking was more complex.
Which meant—
She had more concerns.
Irisviel could face Kirei's threats with deathly resolve; coercion wouldn't work on her.
But with Maiya, it might.
Haruka Kasugano decided to try.
"Miss Maiya Hisau~! Hello there!" he said with a smile, sitting on the wooden stairs of the basement.
Maiya's expression remained cold. She had no intention of responding.
But Haruka Kasugano had his own way of making her react.
From his clothes, he took out a piece of warm fabric.
He placed it in front of her.
At first, Maiya paid it no mind, assuming it was just one of his perverse antics.
But in the next instant, she realized his intent—or rather, what the fabric represented.
Because ever since Irisviel's body had begun to deteriorate days ago, Maiya had helped care for her.
Including changing her clothes.
And the piece of fabric before her—
Belonged to Irisviel's most private garment.
At that moment, a single thought filled Maiya's mind—
Irisviel is in his hands.
============
Bonus Chapter
Power stones 50 + 1 chapter
Power stones 100 + 1 Chapter
power stones 200 + 1 chapter
power stones 400 + 1 chapter
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