"Sob... hic..."
By the time she finished pouring her heart out, Irisviel had completely broken down.
Sitting on the floor in a seiza-like slump, she wiped helplessly at the endless stream of tears as she cried like a child.
"Irisviel..."
Kneeling before her like a loyal knight, Artoria gently pulled the sobbing woman into her embrace.
Leon crouched beside them as well, softly stroking Irisviel's back.
"It's alright."
"You won't die."
"I promise."
Their comforting words only made Irisviel cry even harder.
After a long while, she finally managed to calm herself.
Although her face was still stained with tears, a gentle smile gradually returned.
"Then... I'll be counting on the two of you."
"My knights."
Leon and Artoria exchanged a glance.
Then they nodded firmly in unison.
"Of course."
After a brief silence, Artoria looked seriously at Leon.
"But... how are you going to save Irisviel?"
She didn't believe he had merely been saying comforting words.
Everything Leon had shown along the way spoke of an extraordinary origin.
Even a fool could tell he possessed secrets beyond ordinary comprehension.
If anyone truly had a way to change Irisviel's fate as the destined Human Grail Vessel, it would be him.
"I have my own method."
Leon smiled mysteriously.
"But if I reveal it now, it won't work anymore."
He wasn't planning to choose between saving Irisviel and obtaining the Holy Grail.
He intended to have both.
"I see..."
Artoria nodded, though disappointment flashed across her face.
Only now did she realize that, by the end of the Holy Grail War...
The final battle would most likely be between herself and Leon.
When that time came...
Not only Irisviel's fate—
Even Leon's would be involved.
Her wish...
To use the Holy Grail to undo Britain's destruction...
Whether that wish could ever be fulfilled or not, the road toward it had always demanded painful choices.
If Irisviel's life and her lifelong obsession were placed on opposite sides of a scale...
Artoria wasn't sure she could choose.
"Don't make such a sad face, Artoria."
Smiling gently, Irisviel reached out and smoothed the furrow between Artoria's brows.
In the end...
It had somehow become the sickly patient comforting the still-inexperienced King of Knights once again.
"Honestly..."
Artoria puffed out her cheeks in protest.
"Please stop treating me like a child, Irisviel."
Though she resisted, she didn't put any strength behind it.
The atmosphere quickly became lighthearted once more.
At least...
They were still together.
There was no reason to waste these precious moments of peace.
As for the future...
Who could truly predict it?
Little by little, the thing Artoria truly desired was finally becoming clear.
Having reached that realization, she suddenly seemed full of energy.
"Leon!"
"Let's hurry and finish preparing the magic circle for Irisviel."
"Agreed."
Leon nodded before adding,
"If she can rest inside a magic circle connected to the leylines, her condition should improve considerably."
"But..."
"That also means giving up her freedom."
"Until the day her body completely transforms into the Holy Grail, she won't be able to travel with us like before."
"It's alright."
Irisviel smiled without hesitation.
"As long as Artoria stays here with me, I won't feel lonely."
"I'll do my best to hold on until the very end."
"I'll watch Leon and Artoria's final battle..."
"And then present the winner with the Holy Grail as though it were a championship trophy."
She deliberately spoke in a teasing tone, trying to lighten everyone's mood.
"Even so..."
"We shouldn't waste the time we still have."
As he spoke, Leon summoned the Shield of the God of War—Aegis Sigma.
The exquisitely crafted rainbow-colored shield was so beautiful that it resembled a work of art.
The moment it appeared, both Artoria and Irisviel stared at it in fascination.
"It's beautiful..."
This was the first time either of them had seen Leon summon the shield outside of combat, allowing them to admire it properly.
"Leon... what is it?"
Irisviel asked instinctively before hurriedly waving her hands.
"Ah! If it's something you can't tell us, you don't have to."
"Mhm!"
Artoria nodded obediently.
Although the curiosity shining in her emerald eyes was practically overflowing, she had long since stopped trying to hide her emotions in front of Leon.
"This child's name is Aegis Sigma."
Leon smiled warmly.
"It's a very good kid."
Without another word, he took advantage of Irisviel's distraction.
The rainbow shield phased straight through her body as though it had no physical form.
"Leon?!"
Artoria's pupils shrank in alarm.
"It's alright."
"Trust me."
Supporting the now-unconscious Irisviel with one arm, Leon turned toward Artoria and flashed her a carefree wink.
"Before I ever obtained the holy sword..."
"Aegis Sigma had already been by my side."
"It can ease Irisviel's suffering."
"At the very least, it'll restore her ability to move normally, along with strength that's not far from what she originally had."
Together with your sheath.
Leon silently finished the sentence in his heart.
Even after becoming a Noble Phantasm, Aegis Sigma had retained its own spirituality.
From now on, it would also serve as Leon's eyes, constantly monitoring the movements of Avalon – The Everdistant Utopia inside Irisviel's body.
As for supplying magical energy, there was nothing to worry about as long as Irisviel remained within a certain distance of Leon.
If necessary, Aegis Sigma could even leave her body on its own and return to Leon.
To be honest...
If Leon hadn't obtained the holy sword, along with several other Noble Phantasms of comparable rank...
He sometimes felt that, as a Servant, he was practically just Aegis Sigma's accessory.
Aegis Sigma: This family would fall apart without me. Proud.jpg
"...I see."
Artoria finally relaxed.
"But won't this affect your combat strength later?"
She had always felt guilty that Aegis Sigma spent most of its time hidden while Leon fought on the front lines alone.
Leon simply waved his hand dismissively.
"It doesn't matter."
"The best defense is overwhelming offense."
"Judging from my battle against Archer..."
"Pure defense alone isn't enough to defeat him."
Artoria nodded in agreement.
Yet another thought surfaced in her mind.
If it were Avalon – The Everdistant Utopia...
Things would be different.
Unfortunately...
The beginning of every tragedy in her life had been the day Excalibur's sheath was stolen.
Even now...
She had no idea where it had disappeared.
If Leon knew what she was thinking...
He probably would have casually replied,
"It's inside Irisviel."
And based on everything he had learned about the current Artoria...
Even if she learned the truth...
She would never take Avalon back by force.
She would choose to leave it inside Irisviel.
Just as Leon had done moments earlier.
Because sometimes...
There are things far more important than a distant, unattainable dream.
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