Chapter 210: Encounter on the Street
After eating the ice cream Sakura had given him, Karna seemed to have developed a liking for the treat.
Seeing this, Hikigaya Hachiman queued with the two of them and bought another round of ice cream each.
As the three of them continued walking and eating their ice cream, a luxury car suddenly stopped not far ahead of them.
Immediately, a blonde woman dressed in male attire stepped out first, then walked around to the other side of the car, respectfully opening the door and helping a woman in strange clothing step onto the street.
"Master…"
Seeing the blonde woman, Karna immediately stuffed the ice cream in his mouth, then took a step forward to stand in front of Hachiman and Sakura, on alert.
"Anyway, before the big battle starts, let's just relax a little, Irisviel…"
On the other side, Artoria had just helped Irisviel step out of the car. Before she could finish speaking, she suddenly sensed the presence of a Servant nearby.
The small hair on top of her head instantly stood on end, pointing toward Hachiman and the others.
"Danger!"
Stretching her hand to shield Irisviel, Artoria kept her eyes on Karna in front of her. She was certain that any sudden move from him would provoke her to summon a weapon and attack immediately.
However, Irisviel behind her suddenly reached out and grabbed her shoulder.
"Irisviel?"
Puzzled, she turned to look at Irisviel, who shook her head and then smiled, pointing at Sakura standing next to Hachiman.
"There's also a child over there."
"A child?"
Taking Irisviel's warning into account, Artoria's gaze returned to behind Karna.
Sure enough, by Hachiman's side, she saw Sakura.
Since a child was involved, it meant this wasn't an intentional ambush—they just happened to run into each other.
With the misunderstanding cleared, Artoria's serious expression softened considerably, though she still maintained a level of caution toward Karna.
"All right, Karna, fall back."
Hachiman realized that the two women in front of them had no intention of fighting and called Karna back.
"Let's relax a bit too."
Seeing Karna retreat behind Hachiman, Irisviel examined Hachiman curiously and signaled Artoria to lower her guard as well.
"Hello, my name is Irisviel. I am Einzbern family's participant in this Holy Grail War."
Walking forward with Artoria, Irisviel actively extended a gesture of goodwill.
"Hikigaya Hachiman, just a wandering Magus."
Hachiman nodded politely in response and stated his name.
"Hikigaya Hachiman?"
Hearing his name, Irisviel frowned.
In truth, since Hachiman had suddenly appeared in Fuyuki City and taken Sakura away, the Einzbern family's intelligence network had been tracking them. However, just as suddenly as he had appeared, Hachiman had vanished from this world after leaving Fuyuki City with Sakura.
Irisviel didn't believe that this mysterious Magus was merely a wandering Magus.
But as she had said before, today she only intended to relax a bit before the Grail War.
Thus, after briefly considering Hachiman's identity, her attention was instantly drawn to Sakura, who was holding Hachiman's arm.
"So cute~"
Seeing the little girl in front of her, Irisviel couldn't help but imagine what her own daughter, Illya, would look like when she grew up.
Her motherly affection slightly overwhelming, Irisviel looked up at Hachiman and asked,
"Um, may I hold her for a moment?"
"Irisviel!"
Hearing Irisviel's request, Artoria instantly tensed.
Although the three of them hadn't shown hostility, what if the little girl restrained her while being held? Despite her age, it wasn't impossible.
"It's fine, you're too tense!"
Waving to Artoria to reassure her, Irisviel then looked back at Hachiman.
"May I?"
"That's a question you should ask Sakura. It's not up to me…"
Completely unprepared for a request like this from a competitor on first meeting, Hachiman, both exasperated and amused, left the decision to Sakura.
"No!"
Seeing Irisviel's gaze directed at her, Sakura immediately hid behind Hachiman and wore a wary expression.
"I guess that's a no…"
Rejected, Irisviel lowered her head in slight disappointment but quickly composed herself and smiled again.
"Although I can't hold her, please accept this as a meeting gift…"
She took from her hand a sparkling bracelet of obvious value and held it out to Sakura.
"..."
Sakura's face showed a flicker of interest at the glittering bracelet, but she didn't reach for it immediately. She looked up at Hachiman.
"If you like it, then take it."
With a warm smile, Hachiman patted Sakura's hair, his tone full of affection.
"Okay!"
Hearing Hachiman, Sakura nodded, took the bracelet from Irisviel, and smiled politely at her.
"Ah, Saber, seeing her reminds me of Illya."
Looking at Sakura's smiling face, Irisviel held her cheeks with both hands, radiating happiness.
"Um, Irisviel, please behave a little in front of outsiders…"
Though she already knew Irisviel was still childish at heart, seeing her act this way in front of competitors prompted Artoria to intervene.
"Sorry…"
Hearing Artoria, Irisviel instantly returned to her previous refined appearance, lightly coughing to ease the awkward atmosphere.
"It's fine… um…"
Hachiman shook his head, intending to address her, but realized he didn't even know her name.
"Irisviel, you can just call me Irisviel."
"Then may I call you Lady Irisviel?"
Since Irisviel had revealed she had a daughter, it seemed improper to call her "Miss."
"Feel free. Call me whatever you like."
Having set aside personal feelings, Irisviel, raised in the Einzbern household, displayed flawless etiquette.
"Then, Lady Irisviel, how about we temporarily call a truce today?"
Read ahead (60 chapters) by supporting me on buymeacoffee com/varietl or ko-fi edwriting