A Saiyan's Journey

"This place is…"

Irisviel looked at her surroundings with a bewildered expression. Just moments ago, she had been in the forest of Einzbern, thinking she was about to be struck by the Excalibur.

But in the next moment, she found herself suddenly teleported into a room, removed from the dire situation she had just been in.

"This is my room," Rin Tohsaka responded to Irisviel, leaping off Zuke's arm. She looked at him with surprise.

"Berserker, you even have the ability to teleport?"

"There's a lot you don't know about me."

Zuke chuckled, rubbing Rin's head. Even he never knew what abilities he might gain in his next foray into the mission worlds, so how could Rin possibly know them all?

"…"

Upon learning this was Rin's room, Irisviel, though initially surprised, quickly fell silent again.

She understood Kiritsugu Emiya's reasoning and guessed that he was gambling on Zuke protecting her, the "Lesser Grail."

But as a homunculus, Irisviel had a certain naivety and emotional sensitivity. She couldn't help but feel hurt by Kiritsugu's actions.

After all, unlike the original timeline, she and Kiritsugu hadn't consummated their marriage, so their bond wasn't as close.

Rather than a marital relationship, it was more akin to a mutual recognition of each other's ideals. Under such circumstances, it was difficult for her to accept Kiritsugu's choice.

"Alright, Irisviel, it's time to make a decision: will you hand over Avalon willingly, or should Rin take it from you?"

Zuke brought Irisviel to Rin's room, not to flee but to provide her with a quiet environment to extract Avalon and hand it over.

With his strength, the light blast from the Excalibur wouldn't even scratch him. If it did, it would mean he had underestimated himself.

He had only bothered to move away to ensure Irisviel could extract Avalon without distraction from Artoria's attack.

Once he got Avalon, his next step would be to take care of Kiritsugu Emiya.

Since Kiritsugu had ordered Artoria to attack, it meant he had no intention of abandoning the Holy Grail War despite knowing the disparity in their strengths.

If Kiritsugu had decided to oppose Zuke, Zuke wouldn't let him live.

"…Alright, I'll take out Avalon for you."

After a long silence, Irisviel finally relented. Perhaps disappointed in Kiritsugu, she decided not to dwell on Avalon any longer.

Under the watchful eyes of Zuke and Rin, Irisviel gently placed her hands on her chest. A golden glow emerged from her hands.

The next moment, a magnificent scabbard slowly appeared from the golden light — the conceptual weapon of King Arthur, Avalon: The Ever-Distant Utopia.

"Good," Zuke nodded approvingly at Irisviel's cooperation.

From behind him, his Blackbird moved forward and devoured the scabbard without hesitation.

Instantly, a peculiar and immense power flowed into Blackbird and then into Zuke's body. He knew this meant Blackbird had gained Avalon's defensive barrier and healing capabilities.

Since Avalon had been directly absorbed, even if someone tried, extracting it from his body would be impossible.

Although Irisviel didn't know what method Zuke had used to "erase" Avalon, she understood he had achieved his goal.

With a sigh, she collapsed onto Rin's bed, too weak to even sit up.

"Huh? Are you okay?"

Seeing this, Rin hurried to help her up, but as a young girl, she couldn't muster the strength to support Irisviel.

"She's the Lesser Grail created by the Einzbern family for this Holy Grail War, meant to house the souls of the defeated Servants."

Zuke explained to Rin upon seeing her concern.

"With each Servant's death, her body transforms further into the Holy Grail and loses its human functionality. Earlier, she could move only because Avalon sustained her."

Avalon's powerful healing capabilities had allowed Irisviel, who already housed four Servants' souls, to maintain her mobility.

Now that Avalon had been extracted, her bodily functions began to deteriorate rapidly, leaving her unable to even sit up.

"I knew this would happen when I came to Fuyuki, but I didn't think it would happen so quickly…"

Irisviel managed a bitter smile. She hadn't expected the Holy Grail War to be nearly halfway over so soon after arriving in Fuyuki City.

"I had no idea…"

Rin was stunned. While she had some knowledge of the Holy Grail War from Tokiomi Tohsaka, the details were beyond her comprehension.

"So, does this mean she's doomed to die?"

"Yes. Saber's Master just used a Command Seal to order her to attack us, betting that I would protect Irisviel, the Lesser Grail."

A cold smile appeared on Zuke's lips. He had taken note of Kiritsugu's schemes.

"To bring forth the Grail, Irisviel is essential. If I want the Grail, I must ensure her safety."

Unfortunately for Kiritsugu, he hadn't anticipated Zuke's teleportation ability and the many ways he could protect Irisviel without enduring the Sword of Promised Victory head-on.

Zuke glanced down at Irisviel, who now exuded a frail beauty. Under the moonlight, her silver hair shimmered, making her look even more ethereal.

Regrettably, this Holy Grail War would inevitably end with her death. Zuke could only shake his head in pity.

"Rin, take good care of her. Consider it her final care," he instructed.

Rin hesitated but eventually nodded. She couldn't help but sympathize with this homunculus, who was created solely to die in the Holy Grail War.

"So, Berserker, are you going after Saber now?"

"Of course. You didn't think I brought Irisviel here to run away, did you?"

Zuke raised an eyebrow.

"Since they've chosen to be my enemy, they'll have to pay the price."

To be continued…

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