Unlike the noisy atmosphere of the day, the forest at night was exceptionally serene. Around the castle, there was almost no noise, leaving everything in a hushed, tranquil silence.
"Ugh..."
Despite the comfortable environment, Irisviel von Einzbern tossed and turned in her bed, unable to find sleep. She stared blankly at the white ceiling, placing a hand over her soft, rhythmic heart, feeling the palpitations deep within her chest.
Anxiety—even without anyone to remind her, Irisviel knew exactly what this inexplicable emotion was. But upon reflection, this wasn't the first time she had felt "uneasy" since stepping foot in Fuyuki City. Ever since the battle in the warehouse district a few days ago, that deep-seated restlessness and irritation had only grown stronger.
Although she had prepared herself mentally back in the Castle of Winter, seeing the danger and cruelty of the Holy Grail War firsthand had made her worry—could the Einzbern family truly grasp the final victory? Confusion about the future, anxiety, and dread weighed heavily on the homunculus girl like a nightmare, making it hard for her to breathe.
Irisviel did not fear death. Having become the Lesser Grail, she had the resolve to offer her life to fulfill the long-cherished wish of the Einzberns. But sacrifice did not always guarantee a reward. Even with the "Magus Killer" Emiya Kiritsugu as an ally, she lacked the confidence that they could seize the Grail from the other Masters to achieve the salvation of humanity.
"If even I fail this time, then Illya..."
At the thought of her young daughter, Irisviel instinctively clutched her collar, gripping it tightly as if to soothe the panic in her heart. As this generation's Lesser Grail, she knew that the Einzbern homunculi bore an unfortunate curse: they must manifest the Third Magic through the Greater Grail at any cost. This was a millennium-long obsession. Homunculi like her were merely insignificant sacrifices on that path.
She hoped this would be the last Holy Grail War. She wanted to be the final vessel to be sacrificed. Only then could her daughter, Illyasviel, escape the tragic fate of an Einzbern and be liberated from this spiral of sorrow—living out her life as a human, even if they couldn't be together...
Driven by thoughts of Illya, Irisviel rose from her velvet bed. Her bare feet stepped lightly onto the wooden floor.
Whoosh—
She pushed open the window. A cool breeze rushed into the spacious room, making her silky silver hair sway. Looking out, the hazy moonlight draped the earth in a silver veil; the shadows of the trees danced as the wind moved. Irisviel leaned against the window frame, listening to the rustling leaves. A rare sense of peace enveloped her; simply gazing at the landscape calmed her fluttering heart.
If anyone else had been present, they would have marveled at the scene—the Saint of Winter with her flowing pale-silver hair, dressed in a thin, pure white gown. Her doll-like beauty and shimmering crimson eyes made her look like an ethereal elf. Under the clear moonlight, her long, slender legs were pressed together, ivory skin flawless like polished jade.
If only that silver-haired Master could help me rescue Illya from the Einzberns...
Looking at the silver moon in the deep night, this thought suddenly surfaced. The battle between Kamitani Yuu and the Servants had left a profound impression on her. Compared to their overwhelming power, the Einzbern defenses seemed as flimsy as the Maginot Line.
Unfortunately, it was an impossible dream. He had no relation to her and no obligation to help. Moreover, she had nothing of value to offer as a reward. She shook her head to dismiss the hopeless thought, but a tiny seed had been planted in her heart. As for her titular husband, Emiya Kiritsugu, she knew without asking that he would coldly reject such a request.
"Sigh..."
With a weary sigh, Irisviel closed the window and turned her curvaceous body back toward the bed. However, as she took a step, a strange sensation surged through her. A scorching heat spread from her lower abdomen to her entire body.
"Ah—!"
Her vision blurred, and her face turned deathly pale. Sweat poured down her forehead like a waterfall. The sudden shock forced an alluring moan from her lips. Her skin, usually white as snow, turned a deep, feverish red.
Drained of all strength, Irisviel collapsed backward, her soft back sliding down the cold wall. She curled up on the floor like a wounded cub. The abnormality didn't last long; after a moment, she began to recover. She panted softly, a look of disbelief on her beautiful face.
"How... a Servant has been eliminated..."
___
There's a few advance chapters on my P@treon
Usually upload 2 Chapters a day in there, except Saturday and Sunday
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