"…But at that time, Lancer's Master seemed extremely frightened. Even though we never intended to harm his life."
While gently massaging Leon's temples, Irisviel reviewed the battle with him.
"His mentality probably collapsed," Leon guessed.
"I've heard of Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald before. The heir of the most orthodox magus lineage. Since childhood he has been called a genius, and later became one of the Lords of the Clock Tower. His life has been smooth sailing."
"He came to the Holy Grail War with the mindset of someone superior—only to suffer the greatest setback of his life here in remote Fuyuki."
"So he couldn't accept it… and his mentality simply shattered."
"That makes sense."
Irisviel nodded in agreement.
Leon shifted slightly while keeping his eyes closed, instinctively adjusting into a more comfortable position.
In doing so, he turned his head and nearly buried his entire face against Irisviel's soft stomach, rubbing against it slightly.
Seeing this, Irisviel's cheeks flushed faintly.
But she didn't stop him.
Instead she gently stroked his hair, radiating a warm maternal aura of tolerance.
"Leon."
"Hmm?"
"You smell really nice."
"It's just the fragrance oil."
Irisviel replied playfully.
She shyly pinched Leon's cheek.
Leon covered her hand with his own while continuing to nuzzle closer against her soft abdomen.
"Leon~"
Irisviel wasn't good at refusing people.
After all, she had invited him to rest on her lap in the first place.
So even though the intimacy was becoming a bit excessive, she could only protest softly.
"Let me hug you, Irisviel."
Leon spoke half like a request, half like a command.
While still resting against her, his arms wrapped around her slender waist.
"Just hugging is enough."
"Pfft."
Seeing him act like this, Irisviel suddenly laughed.
"Leon really seems like a child."
"Did something happen in the past?"
"Ah—if that question makes you uncomfortable, just pretend I never asked."
She quickly added, worried she might have touched a sensitive topic.
"It's nothing."
Leon answered calmly.
"When I was younger, I had a rebellious phase and didn't get along with my parents."
"By the time I realized I wanted to make up for it… they were already gone."
His tone was completely flat.
But Irisviel's sensitive heart still detected the hidden regret and guilt within those words.
"Leon…"
Feeling a pang of sympathy, she leaned forward.
Her soft chest pressed gently against the side of his face.
She wrapped both arms around his head in a comforting embrace.
After a while Leon said with difficulty,
"Irisviel… I can't breathe."
"Ah!"
"S-sorry!"
Irisviel quickly let go.
Her face turned bright red.
What was I doing just now…? she thought in embarrassment.
I hugged him without even thinking…
Her ruby-colored eyes tried to avoid his gaze—
Yet they met Leon's emerald eyes perfectly.
Both of them suddenly burst into laughter.
"Haha… this really makes it feel like Leon is my Servant."
"A Master and Servant sharing their hearts and talking about their pasts."
"Well," Leon said,
"Right now I am Irisviel's Servant."
"Irisviel, Leon—what are you doing?"
The bathroom door opened.
Artoria stepped out wrapped only in a white bath towel.
Her petite frame, modest figure, and flushed skin—still glowing from the hot bath—gave her an almost doll-like appearance.
"Eek!"
Irisviel suddenly stiffened.
She quickly slid off the bed and sat at the edge with her back facing Artoria.
Her fair skin instantly flushed crimson.
For some reason—
When it was just her and Leon, Irisviel could behave naturally.
But the moment Artoria appeared as a third person…
She felt like someone caught doing something improper.
"N-nothing…"
Irisviel lowered her head, face burning red.
She practically buried it into her chest in embarrassment.
"It's nothing serious," Leon explained calmly.
"Irisviel was giving me a lap pillow and massage to help relieve the fatigue from earlier's battle."
"I see."
Artoria nodded.
She walked over, holding her towel in place, and sat beside the bed.
"Leon, has your fatigue completely recovered?"
"More or less."
"Only my magical energy still feels a little depleted."
Leon replied casually.
After all, his fighting style involved releasing Excalibur-like blasts almost as if they were basic attacks.
Even though the mana consumption was intense, the War God's Shield had already replenished most of it.
What remained was merely a faint sense of emptiness.
"More or less?"
Artoria frowned.
"That won't do. You must relax completely."
"I can give a lap pillow as well."
Before Leon could respond, Artoria climbed onto the bed.
She placed her slender legs neatly before him and patted them.
"Leon, come lie down."
"That way Irisviel can rest."
"…Alright."
Unable to refuse her earnest invitation, Leon soon unlocked a new achievement—
"The King of Knights' Lap Pillow."
"Irisviel, how can Leon replenish his magical energy?" Artoria asked.
"He must supply mana for Berserker's actions and also fight himself. His reserves must be quite low now."
Hearing this, Leon raised an eyebrow.
He subtly made his lips appear slightly pale.
An exhausted look naturally appeared.
"Ah?"
Irisviel looked between Artoria and Leon.
Only after Artoria's reminder did she notice the brave smile on Leon's face.
"It's fine," Leon insisted.
"My magical reserves are extremely abundant."
"I could fight ten more battles like today without a problem."
"…I understand."
After a moment of hesitation, Irisviel seemed to make a decision.
Ignoring Leon's attempt to act strong, she leaned toward Artoria and whispered extremely quietly in her ear.
"Actually… if you do it like this… and then like that…"
"Eh?!"
Artoria gasped.
Her face instantly turned as red as a boiling kettle.
Her trembling gaze moved between Leon, Irisviel, and herself.
Finally she clenched her teeth and spoke with determination.
"Irisviel… please teach me exactly how to do it!"
The moment she said it—
Artoria almost regretted it.
I must be insane…
To think I would consider doing something so embarrassing with someone I've only just met…
"Ah~ Artoria, how bold!"
Irisviel covered her cheeks shyly, her body squirming slightly with playful embarrassment.
She looked at Artoria with a teasing expression.
"Irisviel, what's so funny?" Artoria protested stubbornly.
"Don't forget—I don't know anything about this."
"You'll have to teach me step by step."
Determined not to lose, Artoria decided to drag Irisviel into this situation with her.
"Eh?!"
Irisviel's expression froze.
Meanwhile—
Leon sat silently nearby.
Half confused.
Half stunned.
Yet somehow benefiting from the "conflict" between the two women.
Like a fisherman profiting from the fight between clams.
Even if the meal was modest—
Free food was still food.
Thus—
With his maxed-out charm stat,
Leon was about to enjoy another unexpected reward.
Outside the window—
On a utility pole several streets away—
One of Hundred-Faced Hassan's clones continued monitoring Leon's group.
Concentrating carefully—
He suddenly heard strange noises coming from the room he was observing.
Not conversation.
Even if they were speaking, he wouldn't be able to hear clearly from this distance.
But this…
Didn't require clear hearing to understand.
"Th-this is…?!"
"What exactly are they doing in there?!"
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