A dimensional journey starting from the Dragon Clan

Chapter 1185 Liberation from this tragic fate

Waver himself can feel the magical power absorbed by Rider through the magic circuit. The burning feeling in my chest just now has completely disappeared, replaced by a fierce feeling of fatigue. All the strength in my body seemed to have been taken away, and it became difficult to even move my fingers or open my eyes.

"...What? Big Eleven votes? What else are you planning to do next?"

"Yes. That's it...Tonight, we will first face Saber as our opponent. Once again, we will attack the castle in the forest."

"Aren't you going to chat with them?"

"Of course not. The alliance is over, and all that needs to be said is said. Now it's time to fight with real guns."

Although Rider's voice is still bold, one can still hear the vigilance hidden in it. Even for Rider, that Saber is definitely a formidable enemy. He was already prepared for a fierce battle.

"...If you stay in this state, how far will you be able to recover by night?"

"Well...if everything goes well, the 'Divine Wheel' won't be able to exert its maximum power, but it will be no problem simply flying."

Then the spirit seemed to think for a moment and then continued with a sigh.

"But the 'King's Army' - I'm afraid it can only be used once again in the future."

"oh……"

In the end, it was a blessing to have a trump card in my hand.

"This should be reserved for the battle with Archer. I can't deal with that golden guy's special move without using my ace. The other enemies can be easily dealt with as long as the chariot comes out."

Although there is no problem with this strategically. But a new question suddenly arose in Weber's heart.

"But... Rider, why did you specifically choose Saber as your opponent?"

"Um?"

"Didn't you say that you don't care about that guy at all? And judging from your current situation, shouldn't you try to reduce the number of fights in the future?

Speaking of Archer... forget it, it was all a strange agreement you made on your own initiative, and you can't go back on it now. But forget about the battle with Saber, it's better to wait for the other Servants to eliminate her. "

Rider couldn't help but laugh after hearing Weber's serious suggestion.

"Hey, kid. If I could stretch out my finger, I'd give you a hard flick on the forehead."

"What? What's wrong!? Isn't what I said the most correct strategy?"

If Rider had materialized here, Waver would have covered his head with both hands, but now that the Rider was in a spiritual state, the short magician seemed tougher than usual.

"Saber must be defeated by me. This is my duty as a heroic spirit."

"...What do you mean, this is?"

"That stupid woman, if she is not defeated by me, will continue on her wrong path. In that case, she will be too pitiful."

Although Rider's words were difficult for Waver to understand, he still understood the feelings of this conquering king who ignored the Holy Grail War.

Therefore, as a Master, it is better to give up on this unnecessary plan - in fact, Waver himself does not have any optimism in his heart that he can rely on others to kill Saber. This Servant called Saber is simply too powerful. Archer is also another strong competitor, that mysterious golden Servant. From Waver's point of view, he is very scheming, and it is basically impossible for him to fight Rider and Saber before Rider and Saber.

So for Rider, a head-on confrontation with Saber is basically inevitable.

"...Forget it, if that's what you want...that's fine..."

Although Weber wanted to retort a few words, he realized that no matter what he said was meaningless, he finally gave up. Weber was gradually exhausted and couldn't bear the drowsiness. He lay in his brand new sleeping bag and felt the warmth of the duvet.

"Okay, stop holding on. Go to sleep, kid. Rest is your fight now."

"Um……"

Although there is still a lot to say.\\nBut let’s talk about that after I wake up. When talking to Rider who has no physical form, I don't have to worry about him hitting me on the forehead, but I still feel like something is missing. And no matter what, I feel very tired even when I speak. Better have a good sleep.

So Weber gradually relaxed his almost exhausted body and fell into a deep sleep.

-

37:02:47

When Irisviel opened her eyes again, the first thing that caught her eye was the light of the setting sun that dyed the lighting windows of the underground warehouse crimson.

Because he lost consciousness, it was as if the whole day had disappeared, and he had been falling into a deep sleep. Now the body that is gradually collapsing is not so much sleeping as it is entering a state of suspended animation.

But the current situation is not bad, it seems that taking such a long rest has had some effects. Although I still don't have the strength to sit up, I still have the strength to speak now.

Irisviel looked to the side and found Kuu Maiya still sitting motionless in a corner of the wall like a mural. She maintained the same posture and position as Irisviel before going to bed. But from the sharp blade-like gaze emanating from her eyes, there was no trace of fatigue or laziness, she was just looking blankly at a certain corner in the air.

Her appearance not only makes people feel reliable, but also makes people mistakenly think that she is a familiar or a robot. Even Irisviel couldn't help but feel a certain degree of fear towards her. What kind of training and mental toughness is required to maintain this level of concentration? It is really unimaginable.

With a little awe, Irisviel suddenly thought that the woman known as Kuu Maiya might have reached a state beyond the realm that Kiritsugu was pursuing.

"——Hey, Maiya."

Irisviel called her softly. Maiya immediately turned her attention to Irisviel like a hound who heard the dog whistle.

"Why are you fighting for Kiritsugu?"

"...Because other than that, I have nothing."

After figuring out that the person he was protecting was not in any pain or discomfort and just wanted to chat, Maiya calmed down his nervousness a little and thought quietly for a moment before answering.

"I can't remember my family or my name. The name Kuu Maiya was given to me by Kiritsugu in order to forge a passport."

"--Why?"

Seeing the surprised expression on Irisviel's face, Maiya raised the corner of her mouth and smiled. For her, who showed no expression at all, this was the maximum indication of her relaxed atmosphere.

"All I can remember is that it was a very poor country. There was no hope, no future. Just hatred for each other and robbing each other of food to survive.

The war will never end. It is clear that there is no money to maintain the army, but the killings between each other continue all the time... At that time, I don't know whose idea it was. Rather than conscripting soldiers for training, it would be faster to just send children to the front lines with guns. "

"..."

"So I can't remember what happened before I picked up the gun. In this way, in order to extend my life, I can only keep killing. Snipe the enemy and hold the trigger tightly. This is the only function left in my whole body, and the rest are all Abandoned... The children who couldn't do this were killed by the children who could do this. Then I lived in this way until I met Kiritsugu."

Maiya lowered her head and looked at her hands as she spoke. The slender and long fingers are not as gentle as a woman should be, and can only remind people of sharp weapons.

"As a human being, I am dead on the inside. Only the external organs are still active and maintain human activities. And the person who picked me up to maintain my 'life' is Kiritsugu, so my life can be left to him. To use it...that’s why I stay here.”

Although Irisviel had long had a premonition that Maiya had a miserable life experience, but hearing these things told by her herself now was far beyond Irisviel's initial imagination.

Irisviel was silent and speechless, but this time it was Maiya who asked first.

"Compared to me... Madam, your persistence is even more surprising."

"--Why?"

Irisviel, who had never expected Maiya to say such a thing, couldn't help but be surprised.

"You have been growing up in such a closed castle and know very little about the outside world. Why are you so supportive of Kiritsugu who is determined to change the world, even at the expense of your own life..."

"I--"

Maiya’s words once again made Irisviel fall into deep thought.

Emiya Kiritsugu, a husband whose ideal is to "save the world". After learning that what he is pursuing is the Holy Grail hidden in his body, can I still have the same thoughts as him now?

"——Yes. Actually, I don't quite understand Kiritsugu's ideals."

Yes, the answer is - no.

"In the end, I still pretend to understand. Maybe it's just to be with the one I love. Just like Maiya said, I have almost no understanding of the world that Kiritsugu wants to change. In my heart Maybe it’s just something Kiritsugu taught me.”

"...Do you think that's the case?"

"Yeah. But we have to keep it a secret from Kiritsugu."

This was an incredible feeling for Irisviel. Words that she would never say in front of her husband were actually said in front of this man.

"No matter when, I will tell him that I firmly believe that he is right. For his ideal, I will even sacrifice my own life. I pretend to have the same ideal with him. If I share the same ideal with him, , and if you sacrifice your life for that ideal——compared to a woman who simply sacrifices for her husband, then it won’t be a burden to Kiritsugu, right?”

"I see."

My love for Kiritsugu and my trust in Saber are two completely different feelings. The feeling of dependence. For Irisviel, this feeling that I felt for the first time can be roughly called "friendship".

"Then, madam, don't you have any wishes of your own?"

When asked this question again, Irisviel couldn't help but recall the battle in the forest with Maiya. At that time, in front of the overwhelming and powerful existence of Kotomine Kirei, where did her fighting spirit come from?

"I have a wish... I hope Kiritsugu and Saber can win. I hope that the two of them can seize the Holy Grail."

Of course, that also means Irisviel's death, and that will be her final farewell to Kiritsugu.

But even so, this wish is the source of the courage that surges in Irisviel's heart.

"Is this... the so-called achievement of the third magic, the long-cherished wish of the Einzbern family?"

"No. Even if we don't reach the Holy Grail, it's fine. What I hope is that the battle will end forever. Just like what Kiritsugu pursues, change the structure of this world and end all struggles. This war for the Holy Grail in Fuyuki City is no exception, right?

This is the fourth time, and I hope this will be the last Holy Grail War. I hope I will be the last homunculus who sacrifices as the container of the Holy Grail."

At this point, Maiya finally understood the hidden meaning of Irisviel's words.

"...Are you talking about your daughter?"

"Yes."

Iliasviel von Einzbern. The product of alchemy that was fertilized by a magician in the mother of the homunculus. Although she has not seen it with her own eyes, Maiya has heard of her existence for a long time.

"This is the clan leader's plan. The 'Guardian of the Holy Grail' after me will use a more powerful android. Not only will the secret of the Holy Grail be implanted in the fetus, but a magic circuit will also be added to its exterior so that its body can become a container for the 'Holy Grail'.

The clan leader had foreseen the possibility of the 'Fifth' Holy Grail War long before the start of this 'Fourth' Holy Grail War, so he let me give birth to Illya. If Kiritsugu and I fail, then that child will be used as a test bed for the 'Heavenly Clothes'."

Irisviel's voice was filled with the warmth of family affection at this time.

This is the ironclad evidence that this android called Irisviel is by no means a simple android. She has a human heart. The kindness of a lover, a happy smile, and sad tears. The warmth contained in her heart. It is the most critical part of being a human.

"When I held the child and fed her... I knew very well in my heart that this child would eventually become a 'container'. Can you understand the feelings of a mother who feels boundless despair in front of her beloved child?"

"..."

Maiya remained silent and did not answer. Irisviel continued.

"But this is the fate of the Einzbern family's androids. Whether it is that child or my granddaughter, every time a daughter is born, they will experience this sadness. Every time the Holy Grail of Fuyuki descends, this fate will repeat.

So I hope to end this pain here. Use my body to end the paranoia of the Einzbern family. If my wish can be realized, then my daughter will be freed from this tragic fate. That child can live out her entire life as a human being without any connection to the Holy Grail."