"Huh?"
Shirou froze.
What did becoming a mother have to do with extending Irisviel's life?
For starters, could a Homunculus even conceive naturally?
"Professor, this isn't the time for jokes."
Shirou forced down his frustration as he spoke.
"I'm not joking. I'm completely serious.
Arthur, are you doubting my Grand-level... highest-ranking Clairvoyance?"
As she spoke, the most famous prophetess in human history proudly puffed out her perfectly proportioned chest.
Shirou sighed and decided to trust her one more time.
"Fine... but could you please explain how the two are connected?
Why would Irisviel's lifespan be extended after she conceives a child?"
The Magus of Flowers calmly uttered a single word.
"Love."
Shirou stared at her blankly. "S-Sorry...?"
"The miracle of love can overcome anything."
Lady Avalon said it as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Irisviel was born as a Homunculus, and her short lifespan is a problem no Magecraft can solve.
If something could extend a Homunculus's life to the level of an ordinary human, then it would already be a miracle on the level of Magic.
That's right... love is the greatest miracle in this world.
Humans, Homunculi, even beasts. The miracle shared by all living things is maternal love!
If Irisviel conceives naturally like a human, she can break free from the fate of a Homunculus and gain a lifespan equal to that of a human.
This is not speculation, nor is it a suggestion. It is my prophecy."
"I'm sorry. It was my mistake to come to you seriously for advice."
Shirou got up from the tatami and decided to go out into the yard for some air.
"W-Wait! Don't go!"
Lady Avalon lunged forward and clung to Shirou's leg.
"Believe me, Arthur! Everything I said is true!"
The corner of Shirou's mouth twitched, but he sat back down.
"Irisviel is a Homunculus. She can't conceive a human child, can she?"
Lady Avalon said, "Actually, she can."
"What?" Shirou looked shocked.
"It's a bit late to bring this up now, but let me tell you a little side story about the Fourth Holy Grail War.
In the Einzbern family's original plan, they actually intended to recruit an outside Magus to participate in the war.
After all, they were never a family suited to combat, and they botched the previous ritual too.
In that abandoned plan, Irisviel was meant to marry an outside Magus as the representative of the Einzbern family and bear his child.
That way, the hired Magus could participate as a member of the Einzbern family."
"...Why go through all that trouble?"
"Partly to use the child to keep the outside Magus under control.
But the more important reason... was naturally the pride of the Three Founding Families. They were worried that if they entered the war with a hired mercenary, the Tohsaka and Matou families would laugh at them."
Shirou nodded in agreement. During the days he had spent living in the castle, he had gained a very clear understanding of just how much the Einzbern cared about appearances and reputation.
"The Einzbern originally planned to hire an outside Magus to fight, but the Lesser Grail... Irisviel's performance as a Master exceeded everyone's expectations.
Considering the possibility that an outside Magus might betray them, they ultimately decided to have Irisviel participate as the Master... only for them to be betrayed by one of their own anyway, hehe.
Although the plan to bring in an outside husband was scrapped, Irisviel's reproductive functions remained intact.
She is capable of joining with a human and giving birth naturally."
For a moment, Shirou was too stunned to speak.
It took him several seconds to steady himself before he asked again.
"Can I trust you?"
Lady Avalon answered with a smug look.
"No matter how many times you ask, my answer will be the same. Please trust me, Arthur."
"Fine. I understand."
Shirou sighed.
At this point, he could only trust his Professor.
Incidentally, Makiri's proposal had been, "First, freeze Irisviel. Then repair the Greater Grail at Mount Enzou, trick the Magi outside into coming here for the Fifth Holy Grail War, and after winning, use the Holy Grail to make a wish.
As for the Lesser Grail needed during the process, just grab some innocent passerby with Magecraft aptitude and modify them..."
Naturally, Shirou rejected that plan without mercy.
If he committed such an evil act, he would never be able to face Saber, who had entrusted Irisviel to him.
Irisviel had indeed said that her dream was "to become a mother."
Although she had Shirou now, strictly speaking, he was not truly her child... Hm.
Shirou: "..."
Compared to Makiri's repulsive proposal, Lady Avalon's plan was so simple it was practically being handed to him.
One could even say there was almost no price to pay in order to extend Irisviel's life, but…
"What's wrong? Is there still a problem?" Lady Avalon asked.
"..." Shirou hesitated, then shook his head.
The Magus of Flowers observed the boy's reaction, and then, as if she had realized something, she covered her mouth and smiled mischievously.
"I see, I see... Hehehe, how cute♡"
Shirou frowned. "If you have something to say, say it!"
"Oh, nothing. I was just thinking... a boy's possessiveness really is complicated~"
"What are you even talking about?"
Lady Avalon slyly narrowed one eye.
"Arthur, were you just thinking, once Irisviel has a child of her own... a child connected to her by blood, I'll probably be pushed aside?"
Shirou: "...!"
The Magus of Flowers crawled over to the boy on all fours, swaying her hips as she came to his side, then placed both hands on Shirou's shoulders.
"Mhm, mhm. I understand the anxiety and turmoil in your heart, Arthur.
After all, Irisviel overcame her fate because of that child, didn't she?
'A child like Shirou Amamiya, a fake, could never compare to my true child'... right?"
The silver-haired Succubus leaned close to Shirou's ear and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear.
"Maybe we should forget it after all. Let's pretend I never brought this up, shall we?
There's no need for you to do something so thankless, Shirou. You can just let your relationship with Irisviel remain at its most beautiful stage..."
Suddenly, a chill crawled up Lady Avalon's spine.
In the darkened room, Shirou was staring at her with amber eyes.
"..."
A bead of cold sweat slid down Lady Avalon's forehead. She had taken the joke a little too far.
There was no way Shirou would give up on saving the most important person to him just because his own interests might suffer.
Being pushed aside was nothing.
If saving Irisviel required making her forget Shirou existed, Shirou would agree without hesitation.
That was the kind of person he was.
"How embarrassing... You were right, Professor. I really did feel down for a moment."
Shirou gave a bright smile. "But only for a moment.
When I think about it carefully, there are more benefits than drawbacks...
Once Irisviel has a child of her own, I'll have a cute little brother or sister too.
Honestly, I'm already looking forward to it. Raising a child must be hard... I wonder if there's anything I can help with."
Shirou made up his mind. "All right. I'll do as you said.
Tomorrow, I'll go talk to Irisviel about it."
After that, only one problem remained.
Since it was "conceiving naturally, like a human," Irisviel obviously could not do it all on her own.
They would have to choose a suitable man for Irisviel's future child.
Considering the special nature of a Homunculus, he could not be an ordinary person. Ideally, he should be a Magus...
Of course, Irisviel's own wishes came first.
If she disliked the candidate, then no matter how excellent his qualifications were, he would not be considered.
Shirou inevitably thought of Queen Igraine, the mother of Artoria and Morgan.
There had been no love between Igraine and King Uther. She had simply been chosen as an excellent womb to raise the ideal king, and the result was Morgan, who had no idea how to get along with her stepmother.
Artoria, who believed her mother had been forced by her father to give birth to her.
If this was not handled properly, it would turn into a massive problem...
Thinking about it, isn't this all your fault, Merlin!? It really is your fault, Professor!!
No problem.
Professor may be unreliable, but I won't make a mistake when choosing Irisviel's partner.
Shirou clenched his fist. For the sake of my unborn little brother or sister, I absolutely won't repeat Britannia's mistakes.
"I wonder what kind of man Irisviel likes. I've never asked her that sort of thing before... Hm?"
Shirou was muttering to himself when he noticed Lady Avalon staring at him blankly.
It was rare to see her look so dumbfounded, so Shirou smiled and asked, "What's wrong?"
"What nonsense are you talking about, Arthur?"
The Magus of Flowers spoke lightly, as casually as a Brit discussing the weather.
"The only man who can get Irisviel pregnant is you."
...
Early the next morning, just as dawn was breaking.
Sella and Leysritt probably would not be awake for a while yet.
Shirou slid open the door to the Japanese-style room and walked to Irisviel's bedside.
Before entering the room, Shirou had imagined that by the next morning, Irisviel would have shaken off her decline and regained her usual energy. Unfortunately, that had not happened.
The Magecraft formula surrounding her showed that Irisviel's vital signs were still extremely weak.
The good news was that her complexion looked much better than yesterday.
Shirou sat down beside the futon and began casting healing Magecraft again.
As for what happened last night.
An enraged Shirou had driven Lady Avalon out of his room.
Shirou deeply regretted not learning "Garden" Magecraft from Morgan back in the Fairy Kingdom.
Professor...
No, that woman...
No, that witch really was an evil being who deserved to be imprisoned forever!
Shirou, who had once treated her as someone he could rely on, felt like he was hopeless.
Joking around normally was one thing, but how could she say something so vile with such a calm face...
What did she think his relationship with Irisviel was?
Unbelievable.
Shirou clenched his teeth, his breathing ragged from excessive anger.
"...Ngh."
In her sleep, Irisviel's delicate brows drew together, and she let out a small whimper. Shirou hurriedly stopped the healing Magecraft.
"It still won't work..."
This time, he had tried a different formula from yesterday, but it still had no effect.
Shirou took out a towel and wiped the sweat from her forehead and neck.
Seen up close, the sleeping Irisviel really was beautiful.
Lady Avalon might be a demonic beauty beyond the scope of human understanding, but Irisviel did not lose to her at all.
Hers was a noble air, different from the mysterious, dreamlike quality of fairies and succubI.
Her long silver hair was damp with sweat and clung to her skin. Her delicate, perfectly arranged features had become even more fragile and lovely because of her weakness, and Shirou unconsciously held his breath.
The first time he saw her, words like "noble lady" and "princess" had come to Shirou's mind.
At the time, Shirou never could have imagined that this Homunculus would one day become his family.
"..."
The boy's gaze drifted down the Homunculus's fair neck and stopped on the rise and fall of her full breasts.
Uh...
For a moment, Shirou's thoughts froze.
He remembered the night before the final battle of the Holy Grail War.
Shirou had buried himself in Irisviel's embrace and accepted her "Mana" like a starving infant.
Irisviel's softness, and memories that should have been dead, began to revive.
Her slender arms wrapped tightly around the back of his head.
When he lifted his head, the shy expression he caught from the corner of his eye.
The cute little sounds she made from time to time.
The memories Shirou thought he had long since forgotten now returned with terrible clarity, as vivid as if they had happened yesterday.
"How could..."
"So Irisviel really is a woman after all."
"Of course she is. She's not some Holy Maiden, just a woman."
"Making such embarrassing sounds, just how happy was she?"
"She's so easy, lol."
One contemptuous, shameful thought after another surfaced in the boy's mind.
"No... I never thought that... That's not what I think..."
"Shirou... Shirou..."
"Stop, hah... hah... Stop it. Don't think about it anymore..."
"Shirou!"
Cold fingers gripped Shirou's hand tightly.
Drenched in sweat, he raised his head and saw a face filled with deep concern for him.
"Iri..."
"Are you all right, Shirou...? You look awful. Are you sick?"
"I'm fine."
Shirou pulled his hand back. Irisviel paused for a moment, then smiled.
"It's only just dawn, and you already came to see me?"
"Mm."
"I'm so happy, hehe... Seeing Shirou as soon as I open my eyes means I'll have energy for the whole day."
The silver-haired Homunculus spoke happily, but Shirou could not take in a word of it.
"Shirou? What's wrong? You seem a little strange today..."
Irisviel asked.
Shirou took a deep breath, then spoke.
"I've decided to visit the Einzbern main house."
There was no point in staying here and letting his thoughts run wild, Shirou thought.
If he went to the main house... he might be able to find a way to extend Irisviel's life.
"I see." The silver-haired Homunculus looked thoughtful.
Shirou was surprised. "Iri, you're not against it? You were so opposed to me getting involved with those people before..."
"Even if I stopped you, you would still go, wouldn't you?"
"Well, yes."
Shirou scratched his cheek awkwardly. "But don't worry. For your sake, Iri, I'll do my best not to clash with them."
"It's all right."
Irisviel struggled to prop herself up in bed and smiled. "I'll go with you."