Irisviel lay quietly on the bed.
Her long hair cascaded like a waterfall onto the pillow, glowing with a pure silvery-white under the lamplight.
As time passed, Irisviel's eyebrows twitched slightly, and her eyes slowly opened, somewhat hazy.
Like a girl with morning grogginess, her gaze aimlessly fixed on the ceiling above her head.
Then, her eyes went from a vacant blankness to gradually focusing.
Her eyes were still as clear and bright as a ruby, but her expression slowly grew serious.
Irisviel looked around; the unfamiliar room made her feel a sense of caution.
“It’s an unfamiliar room…”
Irisviel gently sat up, her hands propped on the bed, feeling every cell in her body gradually awaken.
She felt her heart still beating powerfully, her blood still flowing, and took a deep breath, allowing her thoughts to gradually clear.
Memories surged like a tide, reminding her of what happened before she lost consciousness.
The castle being invaded, escaping the castle, and intercepting Kirei Kotomine with Maiya, only to be ‘counter-killed’ by him.
That Executor was undoubtedly a monster.
Whether facing firearms or Magecraft, he shattered her and Maiya's coordinated attack with only his physical skills.
“Maiya!”
Recalling the scene where Maiya was severely wounded by Kirei Kotomine, Irisviel tensed up again.
She had the noble phantasm ‘Avalon’ sealed within her, allowing her to heal herself even from severe injuries with its restorative power.
This was a tool her husband gave her to protect herself, an existence not even Saber was allowed to know about.
Moreover, the homunculus body itself was slightly different from a human's, and Irisviel could clearly sense her body's state of health.
Compared to herself, Maiya was just an ‘ordinary person’ who had dabbled in Magecraft; perhaps her will was firmer than her own, but if she suffered severe injuries and couldn't receive timely treatment, her life might be in danger.
Irisviel bit her lip; she knew now was not the time to worry about Maiya, as her own situation was unknown, and perhaps something more terrifying than death awaited her.
Irisviel subconsciously looked at the metallic threads on her hand and found that they were still there, much to her surprise, and she let out a soft sigh of relief.
The soft and delicate metallic threads on her fingers were Irisviel's weapon; she infused magical energy into them, and through two short incantations, wove metallic magical familiars.
Although Irisviel didn't understand why the person who brought her here hadn't taken her weapon, having a weapon in hand gave Irisviel the courage to explore the place a little.
At least, she wasn't completely defenseless.
Irisviel walked to the window and parted the curtains slightly.
The night was hazy, making it impossible to see the scenery outside the window clearly.
She could only tell from the distant lights that it was not far from the city.
Feeling the flow of magical energy outside the window, she discerned that many bounded fields had been set up here.
Escaping through the window was useless.
This place was like a magical fortress; it would be very difficult for her to break out alone.
Now, she had no Saber, no Maiya, and no Kiritsugu by her side; everything depended on her.
This was the first time Irisviel had been alone in an unfamiliar environment.
It also made Irisviel feel somewhat anxious and uneasy.
Irisviel nervously scanned the room's furnishings.
After finding no Magecraft for surveillance in the room, nor any monitoring devices that Kiritsugu Emiya told her could be used for spying, she cautiously walked towards the door.
She pressed her ear against the wooden door, listening for any movement outside the room.
After confirming there were no footsteps outside, she gently twisted the doorknob.
With a creaking sound as the door opened, the door that had been confining her unexpectedly opened.
Irisviel had originally prepared for the door to be impossible to open from the inside, even intending to use the metallic threads on her hand to force it open.
However, she didn't expect the door confining her to open so easily.
There were no restraints, and it didn't seem to be forced imprisonment, as if the person who brought her here didn't mind her leaving the room to explore.
Although she had some doubts in her mind, Irisviel still cautiously poked her head out of the room, carefully observing the activity in the corridor.
The corridor walls were light gray, and exquisite paintings and calligraphy hung on both sides.
Simple potted plants were placed on either side of the door, making the place look less like a Magus's secret base and more like their everyday living space.
And across from her room, there was another room with its door ajar.
And in this half-open room, Irisviel actually discovered Maiya's presence.
Maiya, like herself, did not seem to be tied up with ropes; instead, she lay quietly on the bed, like a sleeping beauty.
Upon seeing Maiya, Irisviel immediately placed her hand on Maiya's forehead, used Magecraft to check Maiya's physical condition, and then treated Maiya with healing Magecraft.
To Irisviel's surprise, Maiya's physical condition was good, with no signs of injury on her body.
Even the clothes Maiya was wearing now looked brand new, without any signs of damage.
It looked as if she had been treated by someone.
Although her consciousness had not yet recovered, her body was no longer in danger.
Irisviel saw Maiya sleeping for the first time.
The usual stubborn, aloof expression was gone from her face; she looked like a young girl, much softer.
Irisviel took her hand from Maiya's forehead and fell into deep thought.
She recalled the scene before she lost consciousness.
Who brought her here?
Was it Kirei Kotomine?
Or that Iron Suit man?
If it was Kirei Kotomine, would he be so kind as to treat Maiya?
Thinking of his cold and ruthless eyes, Irisviel shook her head, dismissing her thought.
It wasn't Kirei Kotomine, so it could only be that Iron Suit man… “It seems the person who brought me here must be that silver Iron Suit man…”
Irisviel sat by the bed, looking at the unconscious Maiya and analyzing the current situation.
“The other party doesn't seem like a passing Magus, so they should also be a Master participating in this Holy Grail War.”
“But why would the other party save Maiya…”
Although she was happy to see Maiya was fine, Irisviel still felt somewhat puzzled.
After all, in her understanding, the Holy Grail War should be a battle where seven Masters, leading their summoned Servants, fight for ownership of the Holy Grail, and only the final survivor will gain ownership of the Holy Grail and have their wish granted.
Masters would do everything they could to weaken the strength of other groups; why would they extend a helping hand to save others?
The Holy Grail War isn't child's play.
There is only one winning group and only one winner, so the Holy Grail War is cruel and ruthless.
Magi are a group of people who would stop at nothing to reach the Root; normal Magi would never help members of other groups.
This is a gesture of goodwill.
Irisviel thought so.
Just as Irisviel was thinking, footsteps sounded from outside the corridor.
From the sound, it seemed there was only one person.
Irisviel nervously looked outside the door; even if she deduced that the other party's actions contained no malice, her heart couldn't help but tense up.
A long shadow first entered Irisviel's line of sight, and a subtle sense of oppression coiled around her heart.
It wasn't until the owner of the shadow truly appeared before her eyes that Irisviel clearly saw the true appearance of the newcomer.
How… how could it be a child?
He looked to be only twelve or thirteen years old.
“Good evening, Lady Irisviel.”
The child said so.