Snow Empress enveloped the frozen and unconscious Irisviel with magical energy, then carried her back to Ryuudou Temple: "Has he gone mad?"
Rin had described Emiya Kiritsugu to his companions.
A man with a heart for justice, wanting to become an ally of justice, and bring peace to the world.
But what exactly was his so-called justice and peace?
Rather, if justice is defined by an individual's perception, can it truly still be called justice?
Anyway, Snow Empress didn't understand his strange way of thinking.
"Humans..."
Snow Empress shook her head secretly, then her entire body transformed into ice crystals and dissipated into the air: "Truly incomprehensible."
She took Irisviel away.
Not just to vent her anger, but also out of curiosity about a certain power within the woman's body.
Snow Empress couldn't understand it, but that didn't stop her from taking the person back for Rin to assess.
"Emiya Kiritsugu!"
On the other side, Artoria, who had left, returned to Emiya Kiritsugu's side almost instantly under the power of the Command Spell.
"You have become so despicable that you can even abandon Irisviel."
As soon as Artoria arrived, she immediately grabbed his collar and questioned: "Do you really believe that for victory, anyone can be sacrificed?"
"Everyone has their own mission, and Irisviel is no different."
Kiritsugu was well aware of Irisviel's role.
She was the vessel for the Holy Grail, a crucial link in summoning the Holy Grail.
With Lancer's demise, three Heroic Spirits had already died at Rin's hands.
This also meant that Irisviel's physical body was about to reach its limit.
"What do you mean?"
"Tell me, what do you mean by that?"
Compared to Kiritsugu, Artoria recognized Irisviel more.
If she could, how she wished Irisviel was her Master, and not this despicable man in front of her.
"Irisviel is the vessel of the Holy Grail."
Then, Emiya Kiritsugu informed Artoria of Irisviel's identity and purpose.
The Holy Grail is divided into the Greater Holy Grail and the Lesser Holy Grail.
The Greater Holy Grail is the body of Justeaze, the Holy Maiden of Winter.
It is connected to the ley lines of Fuyuki and draws magical energy from them to initiate the Holy Grail War.
It possesses the power to contact the Throne of Heroes and summon Heroic Spirit fragments in the form of Servants.
And the Lesser Holy Grail.
Simply put, it is a tool used to control and operate the Greater Holy Grail, preventing it from malfunctioning.
This tool is provided by Einzbern, which means it is their manufactured homunculus.
Irisviel was the Holy Grail vessel created by Einzbern for the Fourth Holy Grail War.
Whenever a Heroic Spirit dies in battle, its soul returns to Irisviel's body.
Once the number of deceased Heroic Spirits exceeds 3, Irisviel's personality will begin to collapse.
"When only the last two Heroic Spirits remain, the Holy Grail will manifest."
At that time, Irisviel would die.
This was already predetermined and could not be changed.
"This is why I summoned you back."
"Continuing to stay there would only be a meaningless sacrifice."
...
Artoria didn't expect things to be this way: "Why didn't you tell me such an important matter beforehand?!"
Thinking that Irisviel would die sooner or later, Artoria felt heartbroken for her.
Her very purpose of birth was to summon the Holy Grail.
How was that different from a sacrificial offering?
'The Holy Grail I seek is exchanged for Irisviel's life.'
Artoria could not accept such an outcome.
Moreover, if the Holy Grail was such a thing, could she truly, with a clear conscience, wish upon it to save her country and people?
"With that person's magical attainments, it's impossible for her not to see Irisviel's importance."
Kiritsugu had already accepted Irisviel's impending death.
So he wouldn't save her, because there was no need.
"You truly are a scoundrel!"
What justice, what world peace.
In Saber's view, Kiritsugu was a scumbag immersed in his own beautiful dream.
"I'm going to bring Irisviel back!"
Artoria prepared to go to Ryuudou Temple, she intended to formally visit Rin and then ask him to return Irisviel.
Rin was strong.
But he was also a King, with his own magnanimity.
If possible, Artoria also hoped Rin could find a way to avoid Irisviel's death.
For this, Artoria was willing to pay the price.
"In the name of the Command Spell, Saber..."
"Swish!"
However, before Emiya Kiritsugu could continue, Artoria's blade was already at his throat.
"Don't stop me, Kiritsugu."
Artoria had understood: "Otherwise, the moment the Command Spells run out, I will kill you!"
What Holy Grail War?
What Master and Servant?
If she couldn't even protect the person she cherished right now, then what was her so-called wish to save her people?
She was going to bring Irisviel back.
Even if it meant risking death for it, she would not hesitate.
...
Watching Saber leave, Kiritsugu's face was extremely grim.
He truly regretted why he had summoned Saber.
If only he had summoned a Heroic Spirit with better compatibility, he wouldn't be so passive.
According to Kiritsugu's plan.
With the situation having developed to its current state, they should temporarily observe from the sidelines and wait for Rin and Gilgamesh to decide the victor.
The Heroic Spirits' magical energy and Noble Phantasms were, after all, limited.
No matter which side won, the remaining one would certainly be greatly weakened.
Only then, by letting Saber act, would he have a chance to obtain the Holy Grail.
Unfortunately, Saber disliked such schemes and stratagems.
At the same time, inside Ryuudou Temple, Rin looked at the white-haired woman Snow Empress brought back, his expression surprised.
"This is..."
Rin asked, "What's going on?"
"My spoils of war."
Snow Empress told Rin exactly what had happened earlier.
"So, you were unhappy with Saber's sudden departure."
"So you kept Irisviel as revenge?"
Rin scratched his head and said awkwardly, "It's not that I blame you for doing that, but her, how should we handle her?"
Killing her was certainly not to that extent.
Then, locking her up?
Rin wouldn't be so rude as to treat a woman like that.
"Forget it."
"Find a room, and send two Ogres to take good care of her."
(To be continued.)