Happy times always pass quickly.
It didn't feel like Auram had chatted with Irisviel for long before he could already sense the damp sea breeze drifting in through the window, with a few seagulls crying overhead.
"We've arrived at the port."
"Wow, so soon!"
When conversation flows, time always feels faster—and clearly Irisviel felt the same.
"Thanks, then. Until we meet again."
"Yes, we will."
Waving to Irisviel, Auram's reply carried a subtle undertone. After all, as fellow competitors in the Holy Grail War, whether they wished it or not, they would inevitably cross paths again.
Despite that, Irisviel couldn't possibly catch that nuance. With only a polite nod, she pulled Artoria by the hand and ran off.
Watching from afar as Irisviel rushed to the seaside, shouting excitedly at the waves, Auram felt a touch of sentiment.
He hadn't expected Irisviel, outside of battle, to appear so lively. That surprised him.
It felt like he had seen a new side of her today.
No... perhaps this was her true self.
Stripped of the Holy Grail War and her family's restraints, Irisviel was just an innocent girl (a little girl?) full of curiosity. Auram had no doubt that if there were no Grail War, Irisviel might well cry out, "My dream is to travel the world!" with not a shred of tension.
"Lancer, look, look, these little crayfish are fighting~"
"Hehe, so they are."
What a peaceful scene.
Seeing them play so happily, Auram almost wanted to join. Although, considering his disguise, he decided against it.
He couldn't expose his identity now.
Driving was more fun than chatting with women anyway.
Or rather, he was quite fond of his current disguise as a taxi driver. Not only could he cruise around and enjoy the thrill of driving, but he could also observe the Japan of the 1990s, its people, and their lives. It was unexpectedly entertaining.
With luck, he might even pick up unusual passengers, triggering hidden side quests—such a fun disguise, why give it up easily?
"Anyways, come to think of it, this is the legendary Fuyuki Port."
The port of Fuyuki was a major stage during the Fourth Grail War. If Auram remembered correctly, this was where Artoria dueled "Brush-Bro", drawing the attention of the King of Conquerors, the King of Heroes, and other spectators, leading to that classic group scene.
By his reckoning, that day should be soon.
At its core, the Holy Grail War was simply about finding the other contestants and defeating them; that said, while simple in theory, in practice, it was far more challenging.
Only amateurs like Ryuunosuke would stroll outside unguarded in broad daylight. The other Magi would hide themselves. Just "finding them" was already a major obstacle.
In such cases, if one could predict where most would gather, waiting in ambush, there wasn't a bad plan.
So why not just wait here until nightfall?
Resolved, Auram's first step was—hiding his beloved cab!
To keep it safe from the Grail War's monsters and madmen, Auram drove it to a secluded spot, shut off the meter, and decided to nap inside, saving his strength for the night's battle.
"Wow, didn't expect a taxi to be parked here."
But just his luck—though he had chosen such a hidden place, a customer arrived anyway.
"Sorry, I'm already—"
About to say he was off duty—
"Hm? Wasn't that just now the Einzbern homunculus? Wow, this city sure is lively these days~"
"?!!"
That offhand murmur made Auram jolt upright, swallowing back his words.
Who was this, casually recognizing Irisviel?!
He jerked his head up—and locked eyes with the passenger who had already opened the door and seated herself in the front.
A beautiful woman, her features flawless. Golden short hair, crimson eyes. A simple white outfit paired with delicate black stockings traced a figure that was both voluptuous and youthful.
Her appearance and presence rivaled even Lancer Artoria's.
Wait… was there such a stunning woman in the original Fourth Grail War?
Auram's heart filled with doubt.
If there had been, he would never have forgotten. Yet this woman sparked no memory.
...No, not quite true.
Digging into the deepest corners of his mind, Auram vaguely recalled—long, long ago, back in his previous life, he might have seen this woman in some fanworks.
Good doujin can sometimes leave a deeper impression than canon. Even years later, unforgettable.
Yes, you are—
"...Arcueid?"
"Eh?"
Hearing her true name spoken, this time it was the woman's turn to be surprised.
She tilted her head slightly, crimson eyes glimmering with strange light.
"You know me?"
"Mm... Sort of yes, sort of no."
Arcueid.
The so-called Princess of the Moon—Auram actually knew little of her story.
In his past life, the internet had already spread information far and wide. Especially famous works—whether or not you'd seen the original, you'd seen reviews, memes, or references.
Like how online chatrooms were full of a certain pink, energetic dog, or a certain blue, expressive cat. Did you really know their origins or characters?
It was common.
And anyway, if the doujin you picked up had the heroine going "hhnngghh" by the third page, what lore could you possibly pick up from that?
...
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