Inside a quiet cafe within the amusement park.
"My apologies, Saber's Master. Our little girl has caused you some trouble."
Kamitani Yuu first shot a warning glance at Karen, who was sitting beside him, before looking across at Irisviel and offering a polite expression of gratitude. Karen, however, acted as if she hadn't noticed his gaze at all, continuing to bury her face in a slice of cake piled high with extra whipped cream.
"Ah, actually, I didn't really do much to help just now. You don't need to be so formal," Irisviel replied, blinking her eyes and revealing a warm, breathtaking smile. "And calling me 'Saber's Master' sounds a bit too strange. Just call me Irisviel."
"I see, I understand then..." Yuu hesitated for a moment, seemingly unaccustomed to her enthusiastic attitude, before exchanging names. "Kamitani Yuu. That is my name."
He then turned his head toward the empty aisle to his left and spoke softly.
"I have already set up a boundary field around us; passersby won't notice our situation. So, please reveal yourself, Saber."
From the moment he first saw Irisviel, Yuu knew that Proto-Arthur (Arthur Pendragon) would certainly be guarding her side. Since it was still daytime, there was no need for a conflict even if they met by chance. It was better to sit down and talk—perhaps the Anti-Goldie Alliance could gain another member.
A few seconds after he spoke, ripples appeared in the space of the aisle, and Saber's figure abruptly materialized.
"Pardon the intrusion," the Knight King said simply, seating himself with poise at the outermost edge of the table.
"So, Kamitani-kun, are both of these children your daughters?" After a while, Irisviel asked, unable to suppress her curiosity as she looked between Sakura and Karen. She could see that Yuu was very young; having one child wasn't unusual, but two... that would be bordering on a crime, wouldn't it? After all, the silver-haired girl who resembled Yuu looked about five or six, while the older one looked at least seven or eight.
"No," Yuu shook his head, clarifying for her. "Karen's father is my friend, Father Kirei. This child, Sakura, is my daughter."
As he spoke, he reached out and patted Sakura's head with a gentle smile. Feeling the warmth, Sakura lightly swung her slender legs, nuzzling her head against Yuu's hand like a lingering kitten.
"So that's how it is~" Watching the closeness between the two, a flash of envy crossed Irisviel's crimson eyes. If only she could interact with her own lovely daughter, Illya, with such intimacy. No mother would dislike her child, and her daughter truly was incredibly cute.
But... I probably won't be able to see Illya again, will I? It's a bit lonely...
Thinking of this, Irisviel lowered her eyes slightly, a trace of melancholy appearing on her beautiful face. Regardless of the outcome of this war, she, as the Lesser Grail, would not have a happy ending. Once the fifth Servant was eliminated, the homunculus girl would lose her life and transform into the vessel for the Grail.
While Irisviel was lost in her sorrow, Saber was secretly contacting Emiya Kiritsugu via their magical link, reporting the situation exactly as it stood.
Yuu narrowed his eyes slightly, observing the expressions of Irisviel and Saber while planning his invitation. Although he had already formed a temporary alliance with Waver and Kayneth, he wasn't 100% certain they could defeat Gilgamesh. With so many deviations in this war, who knew if Gilgamesh would actually get serious? If that happened, even with one first-rate and two top-tier combatants, things might still be shaky.
Iskandar and Fionn both possessed significant Divinity, making them easy targets for the Enkidu (Chains of Heaven). Therefore, it was best to drag Arthur into the mix as well. That would bring their win rate up to at least 98%.
For a moment, no one spoke, and a silent atmosphere filled the space. Finally, to break the quiet, Yuu looked at Irisviel. "Miss Irisviel, I wonder what your plans are for the upcoming actions?"
"Ah, um..." Snapped back to reality, Irisviel blinked and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Kamitani-kun, I didn't hear you clearly. Could you repeat that?"
"Certainly." Yuu repeated the question and added, "In my view, Archer is undoubtedly the most powerful opponent in this Holy Grail War. In a one-on-one fight, none of us are his match. Therefore, not long ago, I formed an alliance with the Masters of Rider and Lancer to counter Archer. I wonder if you and Saber would be interested in joining us?"
He watched her quietly, waiting for an answer. He didn't actually expect an immediate "yes" from Irisviel; he just wanted the two of them to pass the message to Emiya Kiritsugu.
As expected, Irisviel knit her brows slightly, stealing a glance at Saber before saying hesitantly, "About the alliance... please let us consider it carefully."
"Of course. Let me know when you've decided," Yuu answered readily.
While she stalled for time, Saber relayed the news to Kiritsugu. A few moments later, Saber received his reply. He turned his head slightly toward Irisviel and gave a small nod, signaling her to accept.
"In that case, I look forward to working with you." Understanding the hint, Irisviel extended her hand to Yuu with a bright smile.
"Mhm." Yuu took her hand in a brief, light squeeze before politely letting go. "Then, let's wish for a successful collaboration."
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