Artoria's idea silenced Viviane. After a long moment, she finally spoke: "Rider, are you serious?"
"Yes," Artoria nodded. "Sis... Master, currently, we don't know much about the other participants. If we can ally with Illya and them in advance, we'll definitely gain a strategic advantage."
"..." Viviane wasn't foolish. Of course, she could tell that her sister Artoria's suggestion carried a bit of personal sentiment. Although she didn't know the exact reason, it certainly wasn't purely tactical.
However—even though Artoria had her own thoughts, Viviane had to admit that her suggestion indeed aligned with her current needs. So far, the information the witch had was limited to the following:
Saber Ian, with Tohsaka Sakura as his Master.
Rider Artoria, with herself as the Master.
And—Berserker, with Illya as the Master.
The remaining four Servants were currently completely unknown. Logically and emotionally, she should indeed follow Artoria's advice. If this were before, Viviane might have disliked herself for thinking this way. But now, she was no longer so stubborn.
"I understand." Viviane's gaze fell on the Rider in front of her. "This is indeed a plan worth considering."
"Then I'll go communicate now."
Having received permission from Viviane, Artoria approached Illya and her Berserker. With an apology in her heart for the small loli, the girl carefully began: "Illya."
"Hm?" Illya quickly turned her head. "What is it, Sister Saber?"
"Mm." Artoria bent down and picked her up. "Nothing, I just wanted to ask... do you know what you're doing right now?" Artoria had thought the other party would only have a vague idea. But Illya gave a very precise answer.
"I know—this is participating in the Holy Grail War, right?"
"You actually know that," Artoria said, somewhat surprised.
"Yes, I know~" Illya showed an innocent smile. "I also know that you and that sister are here to participate in the Holy Grail War, right? So, Sister Saber!"
"Do you want to form an alliance with me?!"
"..."
"..."
Hearing this answer, Artoria and Viviane exchanged glances. Because this demand should have been proposed by their side. However—the British sisters had no objection to this. After all, if the other party also proposed it, it meant their understandings were aligned.
"Alright," Artoria nodded. "Then I'll rely on you, Illya."
"You're welcome~" The silver-haired loli, held in Artoria's arms, looked very happy. "Sister—since we're allies now, can you answer a small question for me?"
"What question?"
"Well..." Illya looked up at the girl. "What exactly is your true name?"
"..."
"..."
Illya's question made Viviane feel increasingly uneasy—she found that the other party didn't seem as simple as she appeared. Thinking this, the witch's eyes glowed faintly blue. She confirmed the other party's physical condition—this small loli named Illya had an extremely vast number of magic circuits! A Master like this, paired with an arsonist Berserker, would certainly possess considerable combat power.
If viewed from this perspective... Viviane suddenly had an idea.
"Of course," she walked to Artoria's side and gently stroked Illya's head. "I can tell you Rider's name. But in return—you also have to tell me your good friend's name."
The "good friend" Viviane referred to was none other than Illya's Servant, Berserker. Yes. This was Viviane's idea—to directly exchange the true names of each other's Servants. Knowing that the opponent was a powerful Master + a capable Servant, once the true name was known, she could immediately begin preparing magic tailored to their corresponding weaknesses. This was a targeted move performed under the guise of an "alliance."
Of course. Revealing Artoria's name to the opponent was indeed dangerous—after all, the opponent could also adopt the same strategy. But Viviane still believed this act had more advantages than disadvantages. After all, both Illya and that Berserker clearly considered Artoria their friend. It seemed highly unlikely they would deliberately seek ways to counter her. The witch knew that doing this was actually quite underhanded—but to achieve victory, she could only prepare in this manner.
Viviane's plan went smoothly, but perhaps not as smoothly as she had imagined. Hearing Viviane's suggestion, Berserker clearly became wary. It was evident she didn't want her Master to reveal her true name.
However—Illya didn't seem to think so. Upon hearing Viviane's exchange proposal, she revealed the information without hesitation.
"Berserker's name is Ibaraki Doji~"
"..." Seeing her Master make such a choice, Ibaraki Doji could only nod helplessly. Seeing this, Artoria quickly stated her own name.
"Rider, Artoria."
"So that's your name, Big Sister!" Illya, back on the ground, looked very happy. "What about you, big sister?!"
"Viviane," the witch gave her alias—which was no burden to her.
"..." Artoria was somewhat surprised to hear that name, but she didn't make a fuss. After all, the other person was her Master; she must have her reasons for doing so.
"So it's Sister Viviane~" Illya danced with her hands, looking quite excited. "In that case—would you two like to stay here?"
"Master," Ibaraki Doji's expression was troubled. "That might not be a good idea. You... just recently ordered me to burn this place down with fire. According to hospitality, I don't think they should stay here."
"Oh, you're right," Illya bit her lip. "I wish I hadn't burned it now!"
"It's fine, this problem is easily solved." Viviane promised, swiftly gathering a large amount of magical energy in her hand, forming a pale blue aura. That was a magic formula the witch had painstakingly researched. "Let me change the current state of this castle."
"Change its appearance?" Artoria faintly sensed something.
"Yes, change it."
What others didn't know was that Viviane was currently thinking of the castle where she and Ian had once lived together. This was a materialization spell she had prepared for many years, intending to use it the moment she reunited with him—after all, the original castle had long since become a historical skeleton after a millennium. And now, it could only be deployed in advance. But none of that mattered! Because she would definitely be able to bring him back here in the end!
With such an obsession, the witch fully unleashed her spell. She didn't notice the strange new gleam in Illya's eyes at that moment.
[This was a highly secretive alliance.]
[The Rider group and the Berserker group reached an agreement, sharing each other's Servant true names.]
[You are unaware of this.]
[After all, at this very moment, your attention is still on Misaya.]
[Or rather, she has been constantly grabbing your attention.]
"Misaya's situation seems to be getting stranger and stranger." This was Ian's feeling these past few days. More precisely—Misaya's actions were becoming increasingly out of line, to the point of being bewildering.
For example—"This thing is really good as a hand warmer—it stays warm all night, never getting cold."
"So that's why you sleep holding it?"
"Yes, is that not allowed?"
"...Fine."
Or, for example—"The amount that came out this time is less than last time—has my skill gotten worse?"
"Could it be because it's the same day?"
"Eh? Does that affect it too?"
"So now that you know the reason, can you stop deliberately collecting it?"
"No!"
And possibly even—"Ian, come quickly and take a bath with me!"
In short, the current Misaya was no longer as reserved as before; instead, she was full of initiative. She was no longer arrogant, nor did she maintain a stern face. Instead, there were more proactive actions and more suggestive words. Everything seemed to be heading in a good direction.
But Ian felt something was amiss—though he found it inconvenient to bring it up. The man knew that all he could do was try his best to cooperate with Misaya's actions. Even if sometimes, it was indeed a little too much.
Night. The television, which had turned into static, finally returned to normal after a few corrective "educations" from Scathach's palms. However, Scathach's expression wasn't particularly happy; instead, she looked somewhat preoccupied. She leaned against Ian, silently watching the television screen.
But this posture didn't last long. Scathach soon lay down on Ian's lap, as docile as a cat. The man said nothing, merely stroking her long hair, giving her silent affirmation. Everything seemed perfectly normal. Until she, who was Misaya, suddenly asked a strange question.
"Ian, are you hard right now?"
"Eh?" Ian never expected her to suddenly ask such a thing, and her tone sounded quite serious. The man thought for a moment and decided to tell the truth.
"No."
"Really?" Misaya pressed.
"Really not."
"Then if I told you I'm wearing nothing underneath right now, could you get hard?"
"Do you have to ask such an embarrassing question?"
"Yes." Misaya lifted her head, looking up at Ian. "Because I genuinely want to know the answer to this question."
"..."
"Perhaps," Ian replied. "Misaya, you are a very charming girl. If something like that were to truly happen, I think I would get hard."
"..."
Scathach didn't answer Ian. Instead, she silently unbuttoned her clothes, turning the recent topic into reality.
"Ten."
"Nine."
...
"Two."
"One."
After counting down to herself, Scathach sighed as if conceding defeat. "As expected, you were lying to me... You don't feel anything at all, do you?"
"You're being too reckless," Ian said, looking at the almost perfect curves of her body, a complex emotion in his eyes. "Of course, I don't feel anything. This isn't about being reckless or not."
Scathach looked at Ian, a great deal of reluctance in her eyes. "This is my last method now... but you still haven't actively done anything. The vacation is ending... and we're ending too, aren't we?"
"Ian, I'm so desperate." Scathach desperately wanted to convince herself that it didn't matter. But she found she truly couldn't. Even after teasing him so much, why did she always have to take the initiative for anything to happen? The vacation was nearing its end—after that, such actions would have to consider class schedules. Regardless, she couldn't press further. The Queen of the Land of Shadows fell into deep despair, unable to extricate herself.
However, at that moment—Scathach felt herself being helped up, then falling into the man's warm embrace, finally landing perfectly in a dangerous area. Feeling the stirring beneath her, she paused.
"Ian, what are you doing?"
"Misaya," Ian embraced her waist. "I... genuinely can't develop too many feelings for you." A figure appeared before the man's eyes—the person he had been hallucinating about these past few days. But it wasn't his Master, Tohsaka Sakura; it was her teacher, Viviane! He didn't know why he kept thinking of her, but it didn't feel out of place at all.
"Misaya, this isn't your fault. If you truly have needs beyond emotional attachment... I would be willing to provide for you."
"..." Scathach knew her dream would shatter as the vacation ended. She was unwilling, yet helpless. So—at least fall gloriously once, proving that she didn't come in vain.
"Is that so..." Scathach reached behind her. "Then show me the true might of your spear."
—Sizzle sizzle—
The television screen turned to static. But this time, it received no correction. Instead, a true drama began to unfold in the living room.
Whoosh whoosh.
The Master's treasury was filled with the wisdom of an outsider.
T/N: Cant you just say he filled her up instead( ˘︹˘ )(╬▔皿▔)╯
Misaya completely gave up her obsession with you.
But she chose to obtain sufficient physical reliance from you.
For the remainder of the vacation, after completing the spear training department's tasks each day, you and she began to weave the final dream with all your might.
On this day, Tohsaka Sakura arrived at your door.