In the world of Type-Moon, it all begins with becoming Morgan's husband!

“Mr. Ian, you’re right.”

"If I had been stronger back then... maybe things would be different now."

“This has nothing to do with whether it’s powerful or not, Lily.”

"You've worked hard."

The man gently embraced Artoria and stroked her head, hoping to ease her worries.

"Let's go over and see what happens."

"Go take a look?" Artoria looked up, her eyes showing some surprise.

“Mr. Ian, this is…”

"Take me to meet your good friend," the man smiled slightly. "I haven't met her yet."

Before the girl could respond, Ian led her directly toward Ilya.

He knew that if he didn't see Irisviel now, Artoria's heart would be forever scarred.

You walked over with Artoria.

Because Illya summoned him, Ibaraki-doji not only possesses exceptional abilities but also remarkable adaptability.

[You two met Irisviel.]

As soon as they met, Artoria became a little nervous.

She found it harder to face Irisviel than she had imagined.

after all--

Whenever she sees that face, the young knight is reminded of her failure in the Fourth Holy Grail War.

That was something too embarrassing to talk about, and even Ian's comfort couldn't change it.

But to Artoria's surprise, while she was still hesitating about how to start the conversation, Irisviel took the initiative to strike up a conversation.

"Lily."

"You're here too?"

Irisviel's tone was so gentle and cheerful, as if she were completely unaware that she was dead.

but--

Even so, Artoria still dared not answer her.

But Irisviel doesn't seem willing to give up on her friend just like that.

Soon, she called the other person's name again:

"Lily, it's only been ten years, don't you recognize me?"

"Oh my, the dead are really easy to forget."

These two sentences clearly demonstrate Irisviel's state of mind at this moment.

She knew she was dead.

but--

This Einzbern lady did not become depressed because of this.

On the contrary, she was quite happy to be able to see her old friends.

Artoria's eyes welled up with tears.

From the day she saw Ilya, she wondered if Irisviel would resent her.

He clearly promised to protect her life, but in the end…

But now it seems——

Irisviel did not complain about this.

Even now, as she is dying, she still considers him her best friend.

"No, that's not true." The girl wiped her eyes. "How could I possibly forget you, Alice?"

"Why didn't you say anything just now?!"

Irisviel put her hands on her hips, pouted, and looked rather unhappy.

"I thought you'd forgotten me after ten years!"

"It's just that I haven't gotten used to it yet," Artoria said, sounding a little embarrassed.

"Oh dear, seeing dead people is still quite unsettling, isn't it?"

Irisviel started making her own joke.

"But... Lily, I'm so glad to see you here~"

“Me too!” Artoria replied immediately.

"That's good." Irisviel smiled slightly.

“Oh, right—!” The lady’s gaze fell on Ian standing to the side, “And this is…”

"Eh……"

Artoria looked somewhat embarrassed—she really didn't know how to describe her current relationship with Ian.

Despite that late-night date, your relationship with Artoria remains somewhat awkward.

However, you still remember how she reacted to the misunderstandings she faced with local residents along the way.

You realize that she actually really wanted to be treated specially just once.

Why not do it that way?

The girl was still hesitating about how to answer her old friend's question when she felt her hand being gently taken.

She turned her head and saw Ian smiling.

Artoria immediately realized that he was "explaining" their relationship through his actions.

To be fair, the girl felt that perhaps she shouldn't have done that.

but--

Looking at their clasped hands, Artoria found herself reluctant to let go.

After all, there was no one else here.

There shouldn't be any problem with doing it this way, right?

The girl's subtle thoughts were fully revealed at this moment.

And all of this was observed by Irisviel.

"Oh~" she nodded in sudden realization, "I see."

"Then I completely understand—!"

"What's your name again?" Lisfield asked the man.

"Ian."

Irisviel was now even more excited.

"So you're the person Lily's been talking about!"

"So handsome—! No wonder Lily was talking about you day and night all that time! Ah, now I understand even better!"

"..."

Ian laughed, while Artoria was already extremely embarrassed.

"Ellie!"

"Please stop talking! If you keep going... I won't be able to face Mr. Ian."

"Okay, okay~" Irisviel shrugged. "I just can't do anything with you."

Let's leave this topic here.

"but--"

"We've got a new topic to discuss."

Irisviel's gaze fell on Ilya beside her, her eyes quickly shifting from the playful banter between best friends to the concern of a mother for her child.

"How...did you manage to find me with Ilya?"

This is nothing to hide.

You decide to tell Irisviel the whole story.

"..."

Irisviel looked at Ilya, who was still happily introducing her mother to Berserker, and her expression became somewhat complicated.

"Did Ilya summon Berserker to participate in this Holy Grail War in order to find me?"

“Yes.” Ian nodded.

"This child's longing for you...is far deeper than I imagined."

"So you brought her here?" Irisviel continued.

"It can't really be said that it's us."

Ian looked back at the path the group had come from—the ground was now covered with blackened, charred material because of Ibaraki-doji's baking.

"It was that sentence you shouted at Lily back then, Mrs. Alice, that brought us here."

“In a sense... it was you who brought Ilya to your side.”

"..."

Irisviel was silent for a moment, then she smiled, her expression bearing a striking resemblance to that of her daughter.

"Ian, you really know how to talk."

“That’s not true.” Ian shook his head. “I’m just telling the truth.”