The following day at noon.
At F-Airport, the closest airport to Fuyuki City, a chartered flight from Alitalia originating from Germany touched down slowly on the runway.
Though also locked in the grip of winter, the Japanese season was far less severe than the harsh, biting winters of Western Europe. A silver-haired girl with crimson eyes looked up at the soft afternoon sun, feeling a sudden sense of lightness in her heart.
"So this is where the Holy Grail War is held..."
Setting foot in Fuyuki meant that, before long, a life-and-death struggle would begin. Whether she emerged victorious or met with defeat halfway, there would be no perfect ending for a homunculus of the Einzbern family.
Thus, before losing everything, the girl named Irisviel von Einzbern wished to leave behind some beautiful memories in the final chapter of her life. Status and mission alike were momentarily cast to the back of her mind.
It really is a lovely place, Irisviel thought, marveling at her surroundings. Though she had some understanding of the area through photographs and records, experiencing it in person made her sigh in admiration once more.
For this trip, she had disguised herself as a tourist. Instead of her usual formal dresses, she wore clothes that resembled those of an ordinary person as much as possible. Even something as simple as wearing flat boots and a knee-length skirt gave her a feeling akin to rebirth—mobile and carefree.
However, for the relatively isolated Einzberns, their idea of "commoner's clothing" was far removed from the ordinary. With a silk shawl, knee-length boots, and a coat made of silver fox fur, her outfit looked like something found only in the window of a luxury boutique, carrying an undoubtedly exorbitant price tag.
Yet, for Irisviel, who had been cherished like a "treasure" since birth, this luxurious attire suited her perfectly. One could even say that only such an outfit could complement her exquisite beauty, which mirrored that of the "Winter Saint." A woman like her could never pass for an ordinary person, no matter what she wore.
"Saber, I'll be counting on you to protect me from now on."
Irisviel was the first to disembark. She spoke with a smile to the empty space on her right, as if someone were hiding there.
"...Yes. You may leave your safety to me. As long as I am here, I will never allow an enemy to harm you."
Reassuring words followed immediately, though no one else could be seen. Had anyone been present, they would surely have been terrified by this eerie sight.
However, Irisviel acted as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Her beautiful face was lit with a sweet smile as she lightly pressed her hands together, her voice clear and soft.
"Then I'll leave it to you. Since we've finally made it to Japan, let's go shopping first once we reach Fuyuki City~"
Nightfall.
A crescent moon hid behind the clouds, and a cool night breeze swept through the wide streets.
This was a warehouse district connected to the eastern part of the Seaside Park. The area served as a harbor facility, separating Fuyuki's New Town from the industrial zone further east.
By night, the place was virtually deserted. The dim, yellow streetlights only served to emphasize the emptiness. Driverless cranes stood in neat rows along the shore like giant dinosaur fossils, creating a somewhat unsettling atmosphere.
Yet, as a dueling ground for Servants, this deserted warehouse street was nothing short of perfect.
"It is night, and there are no bystanders around." A knight clad in pale silver armor suddenly materialized in front of Irisviel. He erupted with a chilling fighting spirit and shouted, "You, lurking in the shadows! It's time you showed yourself, don't you think?"
Hearing his words, Irisviel grew alert, standing calmly behind Saber as she scanned the surroundings for a potential attack.
In response to Saber's voice, a silver-haired youth wearing modern clothes and a strange belt around his waist stepped out from the shadows of a corner.
Upon seeing the newcomer's appearance, Saber knit his brows and took a wary stance. His senses told him that the person before him was not a disguised Servant, but a Master of the Holy Grail War.
"I truly didn't expect the summoned Saber to be you... Arthur Pendragon."
Gazing at the hooded Servant, Kamitani Yuu's pale gold eyes were filled with astonishment. Then, as if realizing something, his expression darkened.
"—Who are you? How do you know my True Name?"
Being called by his True Name at their very first meeting made Saber uneasy. He stared intently at the nearby Yuu and issued a stern demand for answers.
"I'm just a passing Master. As for how I know your True Name, it's because my Servant saw through your identity."
Tossing the blame onto Odin, who was still busy working in the Great Underground Cavern, Yuu offered a faint smile and spoke politely. "Since I've answered your question, in return, would King Arthur mind answering one of mine?"
"Phew..."
Faced with such a gentlemanly enemy, Arthur exhaled softly, allowing his tense body to relax slightly. He spoke with a calm expression, "If you are seeking to pry into our intelligence, I must decline."
"Rest assured, it's merely a trivial question." Yuu waved his hand with a light chuckle. He stared directly at the King of Knights and asked, "I hope you will tell me truthfully: do you know a girl named Sajyou Manaka?"
Arthur: "???"
...Sajyou Manaka... Who is that?
Arthur was utterly bewildered by the strange question. He gave Yuu a confused look before replying seriously, "I apologize, but I do not know the person you speak of. I have never even heard her name."
He doesn't know her? Good... that's good. Upon receiving the definitive reply, Yuu breathed a sigh of relief, his tensed heart finally beginning to settle.
To be honest, seeing "Proto-Saber" at first glance had given him a massive fright. After all, wherever Arthur appeared, that madwoman Sajyou Manaka was sure to follow like a shark scenting blood.
The current Yuu had no desire to face such a terrifying existence. Even as a "Beast" that had not yet matured, she was far beyond his ability to handle. Furthermore, God only knew if Manaka would immediately seize the Greater Grail upon entering this world and refine it into her own power, instantly manifesting into a full Beast.
If that happened, forget Fuyuki City—the entire continent might sink into the ocean under the guise of a "gas leak."
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