The Fourth Bride
Upon the large bed, silver-blue armor lay scattered on the floor, piled up alongside Excalibur.
Saber—or rather, Artoria, the King of Knights after shedding her armor—was currently snuggling close to Hansen.
Her originally tied-up golden hair was now loose, cascading like a waterfall over the pristine white pillow.
Her face, usually filled with seriousness, now carried a lingering blush, and her emerald eyes were misted over, looking hazy yet slightly confused.
The magic power that had been depleted in her body was now so full it seemed to be overflowing, and every inch of her skin emitted a faint, lustrous glow.
But what made her feel even more fulfilled than the magic power was the warmth of the man's chest behind her.
"Ruler..."
She called out softly, her fingers unconsciously drawing circles on Hansen's bare arm.
"Hmm?" Hansen replied lazily, playing with a lock of her golden hair.
"Why exactly... did you answer the call for this war?"
This question had troubled her for a long time.
This man was unreasonably powerful, possessing nearly infinite magic power.
Neither the wish granted by the Holy Grail nor reaching The Root seemed to hold any attraction for him.
"You said before that it wasn't for the Holy Grail, nor was it to pursue the so-called truth." Saber looked up, her expression serious: "Why exactly did you come here?"
Hansen stopped what he was doing.
He lowered his gaze, looking at the stubborn girl in his arms who still sought a "reason," even at a moment like this.
"Who cares about that broken cup?"
Hansen sneered, "That thing is full of black mud. Only an idiot like Tohsaka Tokiomi would treat it like a treasure."
"Then you..."
"For you."
Those three simple words were exceptionally clear in the silent room.
Saber froze.
She opened her mouth, seemingly wanting to ask further, but the words caught in her throat.
"Wh... what?"
"I said, the purpose of my coming to this world has been achieved." Hansen lowered his head, resting his forehead against hers. In his eyes, which burned with Platinum Divine Fire, only her reflection remained: "It's you, Lily."
"It wasn't for the King of Knights, nor was it for some Savior."
"It was just for that silly girl who smiles contentedly after eating, secretly cries after failing, and bears far too many burdens she shouldn't have to carry."
Saber felt her heart skip a beat.
As a King, she had heard countless oaths and accepted countless acts of fealty.
But no one had ever told her they came solely for her, the person.
"Those words... are too cunning..." Saber turned her head away, her voice barely a whisper, but the corners of her eyes were damp. "I am not worthy..."
"Whether you're worthy or not, I decide."
Hansen's lips curled slightly, and he focused his mind.
Imaginary Divine Power, activate.
Buzz—!
The air in the room rippled, and countless pure white specks of light appeared out of thin air, gathering on Artoria like living sprites.
It wasn't the heavy, cold armor, nor was it the drab blue and white uniform.
The light wove together, transforming into white silk and lace.
A corset, a skirt, a veil.
In the blink of an eye, a pure white Bridal Dress, an outfit seemingly only existing in dreams, was worn upon her.
All kingly majesty receded. The Bride King was now sacred and beautiful.
"This is..." Saber looked at the change in surprise, her hands stroking the delicate hem of the skirt.
"Since I won the war, the spoils of war naturally have to wear the outfit I like." Hansen announced domineeringly, yet his eyes were full of tenderness. "Compared to holding a sword, these hands are better suited for holding a bouquet."
Artoria stared blankly at him.
Amidst the layers of lace and pure white, her dignity and hard shell as King Arthur completely melted away.
What remained was just an ordinary girl being gazed upon by the man she loved.
"If that is the case..."
She shed all pretense, actively wrapping her arms around Hansen's neck.
"Tonight, I belong only to you."
The moonlit night in Fuyuki City was beautiful... Einzbern Castle, master bedroom.
On the European-style large bed, big enough for three or four people, Irisviel slept peacefully.
The bedroom door was pushed open, and the two Servants who had completed Mana Replenishment walked in.
Saber, whose small hand was held by Hansen, still had a lingering crimson blush on her cheeks, and her eyes showed worry and self-reproach.
—It's all this guy's fault! If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have unconsciously indulged in that, forgetting that Iri was still suffering... Hansen:?
He glared irritably at the King with the ahoge beside him. You certainly weren't saying that when things got passionate just now.
As if understanding his gaze, the blush on Saber's cheeks immediately spread to the edge of her delicate collarbone. In her shame and annoyance, she wished she could pull out Caliburn and give him a fierce strike.
Well, it wouldn't kill him anyway!
"So hot..." Irisviel muttered painfully, her hands unconsciously scratching at her neckline, as if a torrent of magma was raging inside her body.
With the return of Archer and Rider, two Heroic Spirits possessing vast magical power, the functions of the lesser grail, acting as a vessel, had accelerated.
Correspondingly, her personality and physical body were weakening step by step—a curse that mortals absolutely could not endure.
"Endure it. It might hurt a little."
Hansen's voice was too calm to discern any emotion. Without the slightest hesitation, he directly tore open Irisviel's high-collared dress, which was already soaked through with cold sweat.
Her snow-white skin was now covered in strange red patterns resembling bulging veins, and right in the center of her tumultuous peaks, a mass of black magic power pulsed wildly. That was the channel connecting to the greater grail, and a black hole devouring life.
"Ruler... no, Hansen..." Artoria clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palm. "Alice is..."
"I'm here. Everything will be fine."
Hansen interrupted her worry.
He raised his right hand, and a cluster of Platinum Divine Fire suddenly flared up in his palm.
A Stats Monster never cares about technique; brute force solves everything.
"Get... out of there."
A platinum light flashed in Hansen's eyes. His five fingers formed a claw, and he slammed it down onto the pulsing black energy between the snowy peaks!
Sizzle—!!!
An ear-splitting sound of melting echoed through the room, as if boiling oil had been poured onto snow and ice.
"Ahhhhhh—!!!" Irisviel suddenly arched her back, letting out a piercing shriek. Her eyes rolled back, and she seemed to have passed out from the pain right there.
Hansen's arm lifted precisely and steadily, forcefully pulling the lesser grail, which was rooted deep within Irisviel's body, out piece by piece!
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