"I wish to venture into that dreamlike world, where dreams are my reality."
…
…
One day.
In a newly built magecraft workshop, a young magus leaned back in his chair, eyes closed.
Flowers…
A fairytale paradise.
The air was sweet, the sunlight warm, pink petals drifting, enveloping a lost intruder.
The dream was intricate—false yet real.
Like flowers in a mirror or a moon in water, hazy yet tangible, lulling thoughts to a halt.
In this mirage, Roy's mind blurred, and he stepped forward, climbing smooth marble steps toward a towering spire.
"Come, come quickly…"
A faint voice pierced the petals, drawing him closer to its source.
He pressed on, advancing…
One step from the top.
"Brave youth, you're near the legendary miracle."
"I, the sage of beauty and wisdom, await you at the end."
Who?
Who's speaking?
The voice, the petals—familiar yet forgotten.
In the deep dream, his mind was foggy, unable to focus, driven by instinct and guidance.
As the voice grew nearer, the tower's peak drew closer.
At the moment he nearly touched the curtain, piercing the illusion, he saw a vague, white figure—
Crack—!!
In reality, two gems on him shattered.
Snapping awake, Roy's pre-set defenses cleared his mind.
"Get lost."
Eyes flashing open, he snapped his fingers, his potent mana stirring.
A strange, powerful force tore the woven dream apart.
White wings fell from his mental realm, their energy scattering the flower sea instantly.
The elven whispers in the dream vanished like the ignited petals.
"Someone dared tamper with my mental realm?!"
In reality, Roy's eyes glinted with shock.
Though dream memories fade quickly, details unclear, they leave traces.
And he knew the culprit.
"…Merlin, what a troublesome guy. So reckless."
Clutching the shattered runestones for curse and mental defense, Roy muttered.
He understood what had happened.
But why was Merlin so fixated on him?
Just for fun?
Perhaps. For someone like Merlin, that's reason enough. But was it worth such effort to drag him into a dream?
Roy sensed there was more to it.
What was Merlin planning?
…
The Inner Sea of the Stars.
"Huh? Who does that? Layering mental defenses while sleeping?"
"And not just that—setting forced-disconnect magecraft, leaving no opening. In his own workshop, with all these precautions, how paranoid is he?"
Atop a white tower in paradise, a Magus of Flower who'd just been rebuffed opened his eyes.
Merlin was stunned, kicked out of someone's dream.
Who sets double magecraft barriers for sleep—one for mental protection, another for curses or special contact?
His dream illusion, a mental magecraft, was severed the moment contact was made.
This was tricky.
He'd planned a dream tea party to explain the situation, take credit for aiding Scáthach, build rapport, and propose a deal for Roy to handle tasks.
"No chance at all…"
Recalling his failure, Merlin sighed helplessly.
The Magus of Flower, an incubus, a legendary Grand Caster candidate, evicted from a dream—how embarrassing. Morgan and Vivian would mock him for ages.
But considering his target was the Book of the Law's heir, a Foreigner with extraordinary soul strength, it wasn't so surprising.
An ordinary magus, even prepared, couldn't block his magecraft.
So… what now?
Give up?
Impossible.
Beyond his bet with Zelretch—losing meant becoming Magical Girl Merli—the target's unique existence and potential were too compelling.
He'd seen enough dull Grail Wars, none fulfilling his goals.
This anomaly offered a chance, good or bad unclear.
After waiting eons, this was the most unique opportunity. No reason to let go.
And honestly, he was intrigued by this Foreigner and the story's unconventional path.
Smiling, Merlin's Clairvoyance, radiant as a rainbow, locked onto the youth across the world.
"Hey, interesting young man… I hope you bring a different answer. Awaken my confused, stubborn king, let her find true rest…"
He murmured, hands moving.
"Despite his soul's strength and defenses, don't underestimate a Grand Caster candidate. With enough preparation, I'll find a way in."
"So… rest well."
"Sleep, sleep, dear boy… Soon, our tea party will begin, but for now, let me prepare…"
His playful voice echoed in the tower, carried by a warm breeze…
Until it reached the dream's shore, lingering in Roy's ears.
"Merlin… him again. Persistent."
Hearing the whispers, Roy opened his palm, letting petals scatter and vanish.
"He's locked onto me, huh…"
Though not fond of Merlin, Roy respected his abilities.
Ignoring his quirky personality, Merlin's Clairvoyance was invaluable. Recruiting him could offer a huge advantage.
As for why Merlin targeted him, Roy had a guess—
For his king, Saber Artoria Pendragon.
If that's all, they could cooperate.
'But for now, preparations are nearly done. Time to look around.'
After pondering, Roy rose from the chair, stretching under the sunlight.
"Where are Scáthach and Touko wandering? Is it wise to roam during the Grail War? They promised to help refine the purification ritual but keep gallivanting. I might need to curb their pocket money…"
Gazing at the pristine sky, Roy rubbed his chin, musing.
…
Elsewhere, on Fuyuki's streets.
A white-haired beauty strolled leisurely under the sun.
"Irisviel, how do you feel?"
A blonde woman in a sharp black suit, arm linked with a pure, almost inhuman beauty, asked.
"So wonderful, Saber."
"It's my first time outside the castle. Everything's new—I'm so happy."
Irisviel von Einzbern twirled around Artoria, beaming.
Never having left her snowy fortress, the city's novelties thrilled her. Pure as a blank canvas, she found true freedom here, her smile radiant.
"Irisviel…"
Artoria, trailing behind, was captivated by her innocent smile.
Such purity stirred memories of her own past self.
Could the original Artoria have been so beautiful and untainted?
Unaware, Irisviel didn't realize her allure drew every eye.
Her light steps and snow-melting smile captivated passersby, who stopped to stare.
Her guardian, Saber Artoria, the sword's Heroic Spirit, was equally stunning.
On the snow-draped streets, two radiant flowers bloomed in the white world, smiling joyfully.
Meanwhile, Saber's true Master, Emiya Kiritsugu, had arrived in Fuyuki.
To conceal his movements for the Grail War's covert actions, he didn't travel with Artoria, letting Irisviel act as her public escort.
With time before the war's start, he sent Saber with Irisviel while he scouted other teams' Servants.
Though Artoria opposed risking Irisviel, even the strict knight softened at the princess's plea, joining her outing.
"Don't be so tense, Saber. Kiritsugu gave us freedom… Let's try some new foods."
Sensing Artoria's seriousness, Irisviel suggested eating to cheer her up.
"That place looks…"
Pointing at a local diner, Irisviel began, when a cool female voice interrupted.
"If you want decent food, avoid that awful place. This country's cuisine is lackluster. I'd suggest heading down the street to a place called Enma's Hall."
The voice startled Saber, who spun around, eyes wary.
The speaker smiled lightly.
A tailored brown-black trench coat accentuated her tall frame, purple hair, wine-red eyes, long pants, a white sweater, and a black shoulder bag—a charismatic woman with unique charm. Beside her, a red-haired woman with a cigarette looked shocked.
Seeing Artoria and Irisviel on the street, her eyes widened.
Like Saber, she sensed their extraordinary mana and otherworldly aura.
Elsewhere, Touko might've doubted herself…
But this was Fuyuki, the Grail War's stage.
Not only her legendary companion but other magi and Servants were strolling in broad daylight?
Surprising…
Still, seeing this odd pair, especially the powerful blonde girl, Touko tensed, removing her glasses, switching personas, and readying for combat.
Scáthach, however, remained unfazed by Artoria's wariness or Touko's tension.
"No need for such caution."
She addressed their thoughts, smiling calmly.
"It's the Grail War, but it's daytime. Past customs forbid disrupting peace, so we won't fight in the streets, right?"
"And don't look at me so suspiciously. I'm not stalking you. If anyone's conspicuous, it's you two, parading openly."
Scáthach spoke calmly, neither acting nor hiding anything in this chance encounter.
***
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