Of course Shirou would not agree to let Irisviel come with him to Germany.
To the Einzbern main family, Irisviel was an unprecedented criminal and traitor. There was no telling how they would treat her.
On top of that, her current physical condition could not possibly withstand an overseas trip.
So Shirou refused without a second thought.
But once Irisviel set her mind on something, there was no stopping her.
When it came to "strange stubbornness," she and Shirou really were mother and son through and through.
Left with no other choice, Shirou made a deal with her. If she wanted to come with him, she could, but only if her health was stable.
If she was still in her current condition, then even for her own sake, he could not bring her along.
Irisviel agreed at once, saying there would be no problem and that she would not cause Shirou any trouble.
Shirou thought that with her current health, she probably would not be able to go anyway, so he began preparing for the overseas trip.
Yet the very next day, Irisviel was miraculously able to get out of bed and walk around, despite having been so weak only the day before.
"H-How is that possible..."
"No, that's not what I meant. Of course I'm happy Irisviel has recovered, but..."
"Ugh, I know, I know! I'll keep my promise! I'll take you with me, all right?"
At this point, Shirou had no choice but to believe Lady Avalon's explanation.
If Irisviel became pregnant and became a mother, then she really might be able to overcome the fate of death through sheer willpower.
Several days passed in the blink of an eye.
Shirou and Irisviel finished their preparations.
They left the mansion in Lady Avalon's care, then took Sella and Leysritt to the airport and boarded a plane bound for Germany.
Perhaps because she had spent too long lying at home, Irisviel showed no fear at the thought of facing Acht. Instead, she was in unusually high spirits today, almost like an elementary school student on a field trip.
"Hey, Shirou, what do you think?"
"What do I think about what?"
"Don't you have anything you want to say to me?"
Irisviel spun once in front of Shirou, then looked at him expectantly.
The Princess of Einzbern was wearing a gorgeous dress that looked extremely expensive.
The pure white fabric suited her complexion perfectly, making her look like a spirit of snow.
The close-fitting cut outlined Irisviel's tall, slender, and curvaceous figure, while knee-high boots covered her lower legs.
With her smooth, flowing silver hair and beautiful features, she gave off an aristocratic air that seemed removed from modern society just by walking down the street. Passersby kept stopping to look at her.
Shirou turned his face away. "Mm... Irisviel looks very beautiful today."
"Hehe, wonderful♡"
With a bright, innocent smile, Irisviel ran over and hugged the boy's arm.
"Getting praised by Shirou makes the whole hour I spent worrying in front of the mirror worth it, hehe."
Normally, Shirou would definitely have retorted, "So you locked yourself in your room because you were worrying over what to wear today? You made me wait all that time!"
But right now, he was not in the mood at all.
The soft sensation against his arm and the pleasant scent in the air both left the boy distracted.
From that day onward, Shirou found himself beginning to look at Irisviel as a woman.
Before this, he had always treated Irisviel as a true and precious family member, but now...
He knew it was wrong, but... Ngh.
It was all Professor's fault! She had said such strange things!
"L-Let's go, Irisviel! We'll miss the flight if we don't hurry!"
"Ah, um... all right."
The two of them boarded the plane to Germany together.
Perhaps because she was too excited, Irisviel fell asleep not long after boarding.
She rested her head on Shirou's shoulder, her sleeping face completely defenseless.
Shirou propped his chin up with one hand and looked thoughtfully out the window.
After a long flight of nearly twelve hours, they arrived in the land where the City of Winter stood.
...
Back when they were still in Japan, Shirou had asked his contacts in Western Europe, meaning Father Kotomine, to prepare a private car for him.
There was no way to reach the Einzbern family's secluded estate by public transportation alone.
Sella was the one driving.
After all, "Irisviel is forbidden from driving" was also one of the agreements Shirou had made with her.
Irisviel sat quietly in the back seat, her excitement from before boarding already gone.
That was only natural.
Shirou knew very well that Irisviel still carried a lingering fear of the Einzbern.
That fear was not psychological. It was something carved into her soul and bloodline.
All Einzbern Homunculi possessed a certain degree of shared empathy, and their souls would ultimately enter the Greater Grail.
Over the years, Irisviel had sometimes dreamed of the Homunculi far away in her homeland condemning her as a traitor.
How much resolve and courage had she needed for this journey?
Shirou could not know.
Irisviel had no lingering attachment to the life that was about to end.
"Wanting Irisviel to live" was, in truth, Shirou's own selfish wish.
And yet she had accepted that selfish wish of his, even if it meant facing the people she had always wanted to avoid.
I have to say something, Shirou thought.
"Iri."
"Hm? What is it, Shirou?"
"If you don't mind... you can think of me as Saber's substitute."
Shirou said, "I'll be your knight and protect you."
Irisviel froze.
Then she smiled happily. "All right. Just while we're away from home, Shirou will be my knight!"
"Mm."
"That's not 'mm,' is it?"
Irisviel pouted adorably. "If it were Saber, she would say, 'It is my honor, Your Highness,' at a time like this... Come on, Shirou, you try saying it too."
"..."
How was he supposed to say something that embarrassing out loud?
Saber, you could actually say such a mortifying line with a straight face? I really underestimated you back then...
"Shirou~~~"
Seeing that the boy was unwilling to say it, the silver-haired noblewoman began acting spoiled, shaking Shirou's wrist.
"I get it... I'll say it, all right?"
Shirou's cheeks warmed slightly as he spoke. "It is my honor... Y-Your Highness."
"Hehe! Wonderful! Shirou is so cute! I love it♡"
Irisviel threw herself into Shirou's arms, but before even half a second passed, he hurriedly pushed her away.
"What's wrong?" Irisviel sounded a little disappointed.
Shirou avoided her gaze and stammered, "Physical contact is... I'm not a child anymore.
My height has caught up with yours recently too, Iri, so..."
Irisviel covered her lips with one hand and smiled mischievously. "Hehehe... Could it be that you've finally noticed Mom's charm as a woman, and now you're embarrassed?"
"..."
She hit the mark.
Irisviel blinked. "Uh... Shirou, why aren't you saying anything?"
"That's not it..."
Shirou's voice was low, and his denial had no force behind it.
Even the pure and innocent Princess noticed that something was off.
"Mm."
Irisviel scratched her cheek awkwardly. "Sorry... I seem to have caused Shirou trouble again."
"It's fine," Shirou said.
Silence returned to the car.
After that, neither of them spoke for the rest of the way.
They passed through a desolate village, and the car arrived at the territory where the Einzbern main castle stood.
A forest lay ahead. From here on, they would have to walk.
Shirou, Irisviel, and the two Homunculus maids got out of the car.
"Are you all right? Do you feel unwell anywhere?" Shirou asked with concern.
"Mm, I'm in pretty good shape today... Um, may I hold your hand, Shirou?"
Because of what had happened in the car earlier, Irisviel was afraid of being rejected, and unease appeared in her beautiful red eyes.
"Of course, my princess."
Seeing Shirou take her hand without hesitation, Irisviel felt her heart beat a little faster, and her cheeks flushed before she could stop them.
After the four of them walked for a while through the snow-covered forest, Shirou suddenly stopped.
"Leysritt, protect the lady."
"Yes."
The Homunculus maid immediately stepped in front of Irisviel.
Then more than a dozen figures emerged from the shadows of the trees.
They had the same traits as Irisviel.
Silver hair, red eyes, and beauty too perfect to seem human. They were Einzbern Homunculi.
Holding halberds taller than they were, they slowly surrounded the group with expressionless faces.
"Shirou...!"
Sella's voice came from behind him.
"Yeah, I know."
Shirou walked toward an open patch in the forest. After sweeping his gaze over the Homunculi, he guessed they were the patrol unit responsible for the forest's Barrier.
"As you can see, my companion doesn't want me to hurt her kind...
So if possible, could you lower your weapons, drop the killing intent, and show us the way?"
"Shirou Amamiya, enemy of the Einzbern."
One of the Homunculi called out Shirou's name.
Looks like I'm pretty famous as the criminal who abducted Irisviel, Shirou thought.
The Homunculi were all as expressionless as machines, but their calm eyes carried a certain anger.
A fight was unavoidable.
Shirou gave a fearless smile.
"I see. Then I'll have to use slightly rougher methods, ladies."
Shirou spread his fingers and grasped the "Blades of Chaos" as they appeared from the void.
With his skill, restraining seven or eight people with the chains at the ends of the blades would be no problem.
As for the rest, he would just have to put them to sleep for a while.
"..."
The Homunculi stared at Shirou without saying a word.
Not one of them charged in recklessly.
They were not on Leysritt's level, but each of them possessed excellent combat ability.
And they also knew that the red-haired boy before them had defeated every opponent fighting for the Holy Grail with overwhelming power in that ritual several years ago.
"If you won't make the first move, then I'll be attacking."
Shirou merely took a single step forward, and the Homunculi stirred. Every one of them raised her weapon tensely and took a stance.
At last, one girl could no longer bear the oppressive atmosphere and attacked first.
She raised her massive axe high and charged at Shirou, and the others rushed forward after her.
But.
"Stop at once."
The voice that rang through the forest brought the girls to a halt.
Irisviel walked to Shirou's side and placed a hand on the boy's shoulder.
"Is this how the Einzbern treat honored guests?"
"..."
The Homunculi exchanged confused glances, uncertain how to answer.
"Take us to see Acht," Irisviel said.
Her unquestionable tone and natural queenly dignity left the girls silent for a long while before they finally lowered their weapons.
Irisviel took Shirou's hand and walked deeper into the forest's Barrier with practiced ease.
The Einzbern castle was even grander than the one in the forest outside Fuyuki.
Even the imperial palace of the Holy Roman Empire would not surpass this, Shirou thought.
After entering the castle, the group walked for a full fifteen minutes before finally reaching their destination, the chapel.
Along the way, the Homunculi in the castle stopped their work and turned their heads to stare at Shirou and Irisviel.
That silent pressure felt exactly like something out of a horror movie.
Irisviel did not respond to their gazes. She simply walked forward with a composed expression. She had already overcome the fear in her heart.
Someone was already waiting in the chapel of the Einzbern Castle.
A tall old man with a stern face and a long white beard that called to mind a frozen waterfall. This was the Homunculus Terminal who had ruled the Einzbern for centuries, Jubstacheit von Einzbern.
Ever since inheriting the position of the eighth family head, he had taken the name Acht, extended his lifespan several times, and lived for nearly two centuries.
"I heard an uninvited thief was calling himself an honored guest, and I wondered who could be so shameless. So it was you."
A sharp light shone from the depths of Acht's sunken eyes, as if he meant to pierce straight through Irisviel.
"Grandfather."
Irisviel lowered her head deeply. Behind her, Leysritt and Sella also bowed respectfully.
"Irisviel..."
Acht's withered face twisted slightly, showing a trace of madness.
"At the very moment our clan came closest to the Greater Grail, you abandoned everything...
You, the grave sinner who betrayed our expectations and destroyed the Einzbern's thousand-year dearest wish... How dare you set foot on this land again."
"I am sorry for what happened during the Fourth Holy Grail War, but please hear me out."
Irisviel spoke calmly, neither servile nor defiant. "The Greater Grail in Fuyuki had already been polluted during the previous ritual because of your strategic mistake, Grandfather.
The Greater Grail could no longer manifest as Heaven's Feel. Not only that, if it had been left alone, it would have caused a catastrophe on a global scale.
Under those circumstances, I had no choice but to stop the Greater Grail's functions. I hope you can understand."
"Are you saying... this old man's foolishness and greed buried the Einzbern ideal?"
"I did not say that."
Irisviel raised her head, met the old man's eyes without looking away, and spoke.
"But I ask that you withdraw the false charge of 'traitor' you have placed upon me."
"..."
Shirou had thought Acht would be enraged by Irisviel's words, but to his surprise, the distortion on the old man's face gradually settled back into calm.
The old man shifted his gaze from Irisviel to the boy standing beside her.
"Irisviel, what is the meaning of this?
You bring an outsider back here. Was destroying the Holy Grail not enough? Have you come this time to take this old man's life?"
"I returned this time because I have a request."
"Oh?" Acht laughed coldly.
Irisviel said, "My lifespan is nearing its limit. I hope to use the Einzbern's technology to extend my life."
After hearing her request, Acht showed an expression of disbelief.
Then the old man burst into laughter, his voice overflowing with contempt.
"Irisviel, so that is it... I never imagined you were such a woman, so greedy for life and afraid of death. Making you the Master back then truly was my greatest mistake."
Irisviel wanted to extend her life not for herself, but because of my greed... Shirou was about to speak in her defense.
"You are right."
Irisviel simply admitted her cowardice.
"Of course I fear death.
After all, no matter how superior my performance as a Homunculus may be, I am only Irisviel, not Justeaze-sama.
I cannot offer up my precious life for the sake of others. Please do not place unrealistic expectations on me."
"Do not speak the name of the Saintess of the Winter so lightly!" Acht roared.
"..."
Irisviel gave the old man a little time for his anger to subside, then spoke again.
"Could I ask the Einzbern to provide me with technology to extend my life?"
Acht said coldly, "The Einzbern will provide no aid to a traitor. Besides... no such technology exists."
"Even though you, Grandfather, have lived for more than a hundred times as long as your fellow Homunculi?"
The old man's expression turned ugly after Irisviel exposed him.
"The lifespan of an artificial lifeform is set at the time of creation.
As the head of the Einzbern, I was designed from the beginning to allow for lifespan extension.
And you, Irisviel, were the 'vessel' prepared for the Fourth Holy Grail War.
You were never meant to live beyond the ritual. The fact that you are still alive now should be enough. You should not wish for a life beyond what you were given."
"Why?" Irisviel asked.
"What?" Acht frowned.
"Why can't Homunculi have dreams of their own?"
"Absurd! The Einzbern have always had only one ideal, the completion of the Third Magic and the manifestation of the Greater Grail! Irisviel, you destroyed our dream."
"That is how you brainwashed us back then."
Irisviel looked at the old man she called "Grandfather" with an unbearably cold gaze.
"But that was never our dream. It was nothing more than the projection of your personal obsession and madness."
Irisviel drew her Mystic Code from her bosom, and the silver threads instantly transformed into an alchemical hawk.
"...Huh?"
Shirou was completely dumbfounded. No one had told him Irisviel had hidden a weapon on herself before going out.
The Homunculi in the chapel immediately closed in with halberds in hand.
Sella and Leysritt moved to guard the lady from either side. Seeing that, Shirou quickly stepped in front of all three of them.
The silver-haired, red-eyed Homunculus spoke.
"Grandfather, your era is over.
From this day forward, I will take control of this City of Winter, and I will guide the Einzbern into a new order."