Irisviel was now in tears, sobbing uncontrollably. This was undoubtedly the scene she least wanted to see: Saber and Kiritsugu turning against each other, the two closest people being utterly incompatible, and she certainly didn't want Illya to be mentioned at this moment.
"Irisviel, move aside, Excalibur will hurt you." Saber took a step back, raising her sword, fearing to injure Irisviel, but she did not lower her sword. Saber felt she had to demand an explanation from Kiritsugu Emiya at this moment.
"I absolutely cannot tolerate the Holy Grail, which I am to bring forth, ultimately falling into the hands of someone like you!"
"Kiritsugu, please agree to Saber, no matter what, do not harm Rin and her father's lives." Irisviel turned to look at her silent husband, pleading with him. Although she was speaking for Saber, Irisviel was actually still siding with Kiritsugu Emiya, because her plea was only for Kiritsugu Emiya not to harm Rin and Tohsaka Tokiomi's lives, but all the previous plans were glossed over without a single word mentioned.
After nine years of marriage and deep conjugal affection, having jointly nurtured the fruit of their love, Irisviel held her husband and daughter above all else.
Her greatest wish was for Kiritsugu Emiya to obtain the Holy Grail, which she herself would become, to end the Holy Grail War and prevent Illya from repeating her fate.
As for Saber, though Irisviel felt apologetic, Saber's position in her heart could only be ranked a little lower.
However, Kiritsugu Emiya did not reply.
He maintained a cold silence, as if Saber's impassioned words and Irisviel's pleas were just inconsequential remarks.
Kiritsugu Emiya's mask-like, indifferent expression terrified Irisviel.
That person was not the husband she knew.
She was indeed aware that her husband possessed a dual nature.
She perceived that Kiritsugu Emiya, on one hand, poured all his emotions into his wife and daughter, feelings that were absolutely genuine and untainted by falsehood; yet, on the other hand, he harbored old scars in his heart.
Irisviel also had some understanding of the life Kiritsugu Emiya led before joining the Einzbern family.
But was this the decisive factor creating the rift between them?
What made Irisviel realize this was the woman in black, Maiya Hisau, who had been standing silently by the wall.
That woman had always been taciturn, silently entrusting everything to Kiritsugu Emiya.
That woman was another reason Irisviel felt melancholy.
She was the woman who had acted alongside Kiritsugu Emiya before he met Irisviel.
During this meeting, she showed no doubt about Kiritsugu Emiya's words, calmly maintaining her silence.
Perhaps for Maiya Hisau, the current Kiritsugu Emiya was the Kiritsugu Emiya she knew.
The current Kiritsugu Emiya had undoubtedly reverted to the Kiritsugu Emiya of nine years ago, the Magus killer whom Einzbern had taken in to obtain the Holy Grail, like a cold and ruthless hound.
And at that time, Irisviel was merely a puppet guarding the Holy Grail, and Irisviel seemed to be looking back at her own past.
It was as if the nine years they had lived together no longer existed.
Infinite sorrow and heartache echoed in Irisviel's heart.
The person closest to Kiritsugu Emiya now was not herself, his wife, but Maiya Hisau...
Irisviel saw that Saber had reached her breaking point, and if there wasn't an immediate response, something irreversible would happen.
Unable to watch this unfold, Irisviel took it upon herself to promise Saber:
"Saber, since Kiritsugu hasn't objected, that means he agrees.
He's just like that, always disliking to speak, so, Saber, please put down your sword, I beg you..."
After speaking, Irisviel bit her lip in fear and reached out to press against the invisible sword's blade.
She couldn't see the sword, so she had no idea if she was about to touch the flat of the blade or the sharp edge.
If she touched the edge, Irisviel's delicate hand would be effortlessly severed.
Unable to bear seeing Irisviel injured by her sword, Saber reluctantly lowered her sword before Irisviel could touch the blade.
This also meant Saber accepted the unsatisfactory answer.
Irisviel immediately breathed a huge sigh of relief and thanked her sincerely:
"Thank you, Saber."
To avoid further entanglement in this issue, Irisviel asked a completely unrelated question:
"How should we respond to the new war rules proposed by the supervisor of the Holy Church?
Isn't he asking us to enter a truce with all enemies except Caster?"
"Ignore that new rule.
The supervisor only offered rewards for enforcing the new regulations, but did not establish detailed penalties for violating them, and..."
In stark contrast to his attitude regarding Saber's question, Kiritsugu Emiya answered Irisviel's questions one by one.
"...And this war's supervisor always seems unconvincing.
He's hiding Assassin's Master, pretending not to know even after being exposed.
Perhaps he is an ally of Tohsaka Tokiomi.
Maintain suspicion of him until his background is thoroughly investigated."
After he finished speaking, everyone fell into silence for a moment.
"Then the meeting will end here.
Irisviel and I will remain in the castle to prepare for Caster's attack.
Maiya will return to the city to gather intelligence.
Report any changes immediately."
"037 "Understood."
Maiya Hisau nodded without hesitation, then turned and left the meeting room.
Shortly after, Kiritsugu Emiya collected the scattered maps and documents and also left the meeting room.
From beginning to end, Kiritsugu Emiya never once looked at Saber.
Irisviel looked with apologetic eyes at Saber, who stood with her back to Kiritsugu Emiya's departing figure.
At this moment, she truly felt that it was a complete mistake for Einzbern to use the scabbard avalon as a relic without considering the compatibility of the Heroic Spirit's personality.
"Saber, truly, I'm sorry... but Saber, Kiritsugu's wish for the Holy Grail is truly a noble one.
Everything he does is to save the world, to end all wars, so that humanity will never shed blood again!
Only this, only this, Saber, please believe me, believe it no matter what."
Facing Irisviel, who was pleading with tear-filled eyes, Saber could no longer maintain her angry, cold demeanor, for one of the knightly virtues Saber firmly upheld was: always assist a lady.
"Please, Saber, please help Kiritsugu, please help him achieve that wish..."
"Irisviel, I... I believe you..."
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